Page 57 of The Broken Elf King
“You’re in Southport, miss. Where does your aunt live?” I took his hand, keeping my ears covered with my hair and let him pull me up into a standing position. Elves weren’t against hybrid humans or anything, but if the realm thought I was dead or missing, the queen, a human-elf hybrid who could supposedly bring back the dead, I would have trouble on my hands. The odds of some logging elves going to a royal wedding were slim though, so I felt good about chances.
“Buckshot Valley,” I lied. Buckshot was the closest bordering city to Nightfall that was still within the Archmere realm.
The man whistled low. “You’re a day’s ride on horseback to Buckshot. Were you going to walk?” He looked confused as he helped me to the ground.
A day’s ride on horseback meant probably three days’ walk. Two if I was lucky. That bastard Raife had put me as far from the Nightfall border as possible.
“I ran out of coin or I would have hired a horse,” I said and shrugged.
My dress was nice but not as nice as the ones I wore while working in the palace, so I didn’t look rich.
He nodded, looking down at me with pity. He glanced over at a younger, lithe elf with long brown, braided hair. The young man held a giant axe over one shoulder.
“Say, isn’t your brother Reeves going to Buckshot tomorrow? To pick up those new axe heads?”
The young man nodded. “I can ask him if he’ll accompany her.”
Relief rushed through me. A day’s horse ride away from the Nightfall border was ideal. As long as this guy wasn’t creepy or anything, I didn’t see a problem with it.
“I would be so grateful,” I informed them.
The young man tipped his head into the now-open gates of the quaint logging town. “Knock on the blue door. My brother’s wife will feed you, take you in for the night,” he said.
I didn’t relish stayinganothernight, but walking two to three days, possibly in the wrong direction, didn’t sound great either.
“Thank you,” I told them and shouldered my pillowcase as I walked into town.
As I strolled through the open gates, I noticed the town was without the modern touches of the Archmere castle, and yet I loved it even more. It had all the architectural details of the elvish homes—arched doorways, gold inlay, curling vines—but instead of electricity they seemed to still use kerosene lamps and fires out here. It was as if I’d stepped back into time. Little children ran around a large well in the center of town laughing as they played chase, and a few dogs lazed about in the morning sun. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find the “blue door” but I smiled when I looked at the little row of houses in town. There were no more than fifteen of them all smooshed together in a circle, and each one had a different-colored door. Purple, red, orange, green, gold, black, white, and I smiled when my gaze landed on the blue one. A young elvin woman was out front beating a rug with a broom.
I passed a few people who waved to me and we exchanged friendly smiles. If I didn’t need to go and save my aunt, I’d plop down right here in this village and live there forever.
“Hello?” I greeted her in Old Elvish, assuming she would speak it as well.
She turned, looking surprised. “Hi.”
“Are you Reeves’ wife?” I asked.
She wiped her hand on her bright yellow apron and made a fist. “Yes, I’m Flora.”
I’d never done a traditional elvin greeting, but I’d read about them in my father’s journal. Not even the king did them. They were old-fashioned and going out of style, but I didn’t want her to think me rude so I made a fist and we clacked forearms.
“Well met,” I told her, tipping my head in respect. “I’m Ka—Kala.” I quickly made up a name.
“Well met.” She smiled.
Wow, this place was like a time capsule of old elvin ways and ideals. My father would have loved it. The very thought caused a pang of sadness to flicker in my chest. I missed him and my mother terribly, which reminded me of my aunt and her seizures.
“Reeves’ brother said your husband might be able to transport me to Buckshot Valley? I need to see my sick aunt and I got lost last night.”
She frowned. “You’re traveling at night? Alone?”
Crap.
“Well, normally no, but my sister Magda is heavily pregnant and couldn’t go with me. Her husband has to stay and work. I thought I would make camp by nightfall, but then I just… got lost.” Wow, I was almost too good at lying.
Compassion flickered over her gaze. “Of course Reeves can take you to Buckshot. Come inside. I’ll introduce you. We’ve got some leftover breakfast, and tea if you’d like. You’re welcome to stay the night too.”
I relaxed, looking forward to a warm meal and nice bed. “Thank you so much.”
