Page 11 of Journey to the Elderoak
When she saw the view outside, she froze.
“Wow,” she whispered.
Raine and Casimir stood by the railing near the gangplank being lowered as Gisela shouted orders to the crew. Ava strode toward them and stopped next to Raine, looking out at what lay before her.
Saxumdale.
Islands covered in towering flat top mountains surrounded them, the tallest disappearing into the clouds. The dark gray stone was peppered with trees, but it was far from the green she was used to in Mosshaven. The white trees here were twistedand grew precariously on cliffs along the stone giants, their bright yellow leaves cascading down the draping branches. Tiny white flowers bloomed among their roots, covered in bees and other insects.
They had docked at the largest island, but there were no signs of a city or castle aside from a few stone buildings carved into the side of the rocky face.
“Where’s the capital?” she asked.
“Cairnhold isinsidethe mountain,” said Raine.
She looked at the behemoth before her. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Casimir led them down the ramp and onto the mainland. Dock workers buzzed about, speaking with the captain as they unloaded crates of goods. Saxumdale specialized in mining and their main export was iron ore, vital in forging weapons and other tools throughout Eorhan. Monterre would be taking back a large shipment to increase weapon production for the war and had brought produce, healing balms and their own goods to trade.
Winding their way through small buildings and the flurry of activity in the dock, they stopped before the mountain. A tall man with dark gray rock-like skin—all the Saxumdale fae had stony complexions in varying shades—approached them. He wore royal blue robes and his black hair rested perfectly on top of his head. Four soldiers followed behind him in iridescent armor made from kreovite—a rare mineral deposit only found in their kingdom. When the sun hit their armor, its charcoal color changed from a deep blue to violet. A stunning example of how skilled their armorers were. Ava had learned in her lessons with Jorrar that it was stronger than most other armor, yet lighter, allowing their soldiers to move with ease. Another reason they needed Saxumdale’s help with the war.
“Welcome to Saxumdale, Your Highness.” The man stopped before Ava and bowed.
“Thank you,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Raine and Casimir flanked her, taking on their roles as her guards, with Pax and Zeph behind them. They were all dressed in their usual leather armor, complete with swords.
“My name is Corvus,” he continued. “I’m the steward for the queens. I’ll be escorting you to the castle.”
“It’s lovely to meet you,” said Ava.
Corvus turned and led the way, two soldiers flanking him while the other two waited for Ava’s group to follow, bringing up the rear.
“Do you remember everything I told you?” Raine asked from beside her.
“Yes.”
“Recite it to me.”
As they walked along the base of the stony mountain, they came upon a wide archway carved with ancient symbols leading into the rock.
“First, we’ll be presented to the queens. That’s when I introduce myself and deliver the letter from Thorne,” she recited as they entered the archway. “That’s not the time for war talk. Then we will be shown our living quarters to rest and prepare for dinner. Dinner—dessert specifically—is where I will start the discussion of war.”
“Good,” said Raine.
They continued through a short tunnel with floating lanterns near the ceiling, and emerged into a sprawling city carved into the hollowed-out mountain. Ava gasped as she took in the space, in awe of the lively metropolis.
Stone streets wove through rocky buildings; taverns, shops, and blacksmiths lining the roads. No sunlight entered here, everything lit by orange flames in lanterns throughout the city. Though there were no plants or greenery to be found, it was beautiful in its own way. A city proud of its architecture and brilliant engineering.
They walked over a stone bridge, lanterns on the railings lighting the way, and crossed a flowing stream leading to the ocean through a hole in the rocky mountain. Children sat on the bank with wooden fishing poles, shrieking with laughter as one made a catch and reeled it in, beaming at his prize and showing it off to his friends.
A blacksmith hammered a beautiful dark iron sword nearby, the heat of the forge oppressive as they passed. Ava fanned her face at the sudden change in temperature, unable to look away from the smith’s astounding skills.
After winding through town, the group paused, reaching the base of stone stairs carved into the side of the mountain.
“Where’s the castle?” Ava whispered.
Casimir pointed to a level high above them.
