In the morning, we found plates of a variety of fruit on top of our table. I rubbed the sleepiness out of my eyes with my right hand and winced as pain flashed up my broken left arm. I hoped the Elven healers would have time to look at it today. I handed the scroll I had spent most of the night studying over to Vus who memorized it easily while eating breakfast. Once again I found jealousy pulsing inside my head. I brushed it aside with extreme effort and focused on eating. Renier stood outside on the deck as we ate at the table with his own stash of fruits. He had purposely woken up before Vus to reduce the chance of Vus sprinkling Vurussian spices onto his food. They have a strange relationship, Vus and Renier. At times they can be the best of friends and other times they can barely look at each other. It took me a while but I finally got used to the pattern.

As we finished our fruit, an elf floated up to our deck on a sky blue crystal platform large enough to hold a party of ten people. Whisp like lights floated around his black hair and after bowing, he regarded us with icy eyes quite similar to Konon's. I found myself staring rudely at his pointed ears. I averted my eyes as he began to speak.

"The Elven council requests your presence. Please follow me quietly and try your best not to disturb the citizens of the city as we travel," he said unemotionally as the wind ruffled his green robes.

We walked onto the crystal platform silently. I gasped slightly as the platform lurched forward quickly. Vus placed a hand on my shoulder to make sure I would not lose my balance and fall to my death although I questioned his ability to save me if such an event happened as his complexion took on a pale green color. The elf showed no concern for our discomfort and Renier seemed to find it amusing. We whisked past other elves riding on multicolored platforms. They gasped and moved out of the way quickly when they spotted our huge platform rushing through the air. A particularly angry one shouted some obscenities in Elvish at our guide. He didn't respond and sped away from the conflict. As we flew through the air we passed many bright homes full of laughter and plants of all kinds. The heavy scent of flowers pierced the air and our guide sneezed managing to keep the platform under control during the involuntary reaction of his body.

I chewed on the inside of my cheeks nervously as my stomach twisted on itself. We eventually reached a large clearing surrounded protectively by the giant trees. Moss and vines clung to the branches providing curtains for privacy. The wisp-like lights floated inside the clearing at a greater quantity than the city outside. I could see no torches in the area. Inside the middle of the clearing, a great round table made of mahogany-colored wood similar to the spears I had found out in the plains. Erupting out of the middle of the table was a light blue crystal that sparkled in the light. All the heads of the sixteen Elven houses were present an seated in plush chairs made from the same wood as the table. They waited for us silently as we made our way across the giant clearing to the table.

Once we were closer I could see an Elves standing behind the chairs in which the Elven council sat. I spotted Thaleia standing behind her father, Aglanthol and beside a young man I perceived to be her brother. Konon stood behind the head of Celeri Aquilae, Alok. Our guide retreated out of the clearing after dropping us off at the table. The nearest house to me was the house Alta Alces. The head of the house, a female elf named Aithlin, snapped her fingers and a chair appeared for me to sit in.

Silence drifted among the elves once again until the head of the most prosperous house began to speak. "Greetings Aren Alaricsson, King of Alas. The Elves of this council welcome you to our great city Gaialon named after mother nature herself. I am Uevareth of Fortibus Ursi. We have summoned you to this council on the topic of war. I am sure you have many questions and I hope our explanation will answer them."

The silver circlet glinted on his brown hair as he stood while introducing himself. His green eyes were noticeably pale compared to the other eyes of the council members. As he placed his chestnut-colored hands behind his back, I saw a flash of silver on his right hand. I thought nothing of it until later when I realized what that ring symbolized. The other council members stood and introduced themselves. Once the circle was completed, they all sat down and Uevareth resumed speaking once more.

He glanced at Vus before beginning to speak, "It has come to our attention that Vurussia has involved the Empire of Ezorlath in a plot. We fear the end of life as we know it is near if we do not take action. It is not a coincidence that Vurussia fell silent just as Ezorlath began to expand. It is possible the Empire is run by puppets who work for King Venantius of Vurussia. Large numbers of hired Vurussian soldiers have been spotted by Elven spies in Ezorlath. It is predicted that over half of the Ezorlathian army consists of Vurussian soldiers. As you know, the Empire of Ezorlath has already defeated the Human kingdoms of Kaput and Ignis but have thoughtfully avoided pulling Vurussia into the war directly. This ambitious empire laid siege to your kingdom and it's neighbors. Now half of the flatlands of giants are under the control of Ezorlath including two small villages named Fieleron and Veivies. One of which I believe you traveled through to arrive here. Now the only human kingdom standing is Kalumnia. The Empire has made no move to attack it and we fear they are now working together. Before disaster befell your kingdom, the Elven council had decided to reach out to the current Human kingdoms free from the Empire's influence, Alas and Kalumnia with hope both would join our forces against the Ezorlath. The messenger we sent to Kalumnia was ignored and turned away."

Uevareth sat down and allowed Aglanthol to stand and speak. "The messenger we sent to your kingdom was my daughter Thaleia, " he paused to gesture towards his smiling daughter, "unfortunately, it appeared as though Ethelred and Egon of Ezorlath had managed to reach your kingdom first. Once relaying this information to the council, we agreed on ordering my daughter to abandon her mission and to leave the capital of Alas with the hope that she could deliver our summons to a person of importance in the near future." He glanced at his daughter, "Thankfully she managed to get our summons to you although her methods were questionable."

Although their explanation was very thorough, I still had many questions. I cleared my throat and stopped chewing on the inside of my cheeks, " If I understood correctly, the council sent out messengers to my kingdom and Kalumnia but I have heard nothing of a messenger being sent to Animalis. I mean no disrespect Council Member Uevareth, but why is that so? While the Shapeshifters had good relations with Vurussia initially I doubt it would sit by quietly while pressure from the human Empire of Ezorlath increases by the borders of the Desert of Anifelfis."

A surprised murmur broke out between the Elven Council Members. On my right, Aithlin of Alta Alces spoke. Her beautiful voice ringed across the clearing as she turned to me, "You mean to say you have not heard of the tragedy of the Animalis royalty?" Vus stepped up and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder as I began to sweat nervously. I never quite paid attention to the announcer in the past. She sighed, "Both the King and Queen of Animalis were assassinated four months ago. Their son was banished from the capital a week before and he is nowhere to be found. Animalis is crumbling just like the kingdom of Adem which stood in the Desert of Anifelfis centuries before."

That couldn't be right. We had traveled through two villages belonging to Animalis: Fures and Anzifleon. Both of the villages had seemed functional. I spoke up once more, "The villages we traveled through seemed to be functioning normally."

"All villages in the Desert of Anifelfis are meant to be independent. The destruction of Animalis would impact them with minimal damage. Only Fallaces will fall with Animalis."

I frowned as I stored the new information inside my head. Truly only the Elves were capable of standing up against Ezorlath. If the council did not act quickly, the huge empire would crush them and the rest of the Elves. The danger is closing in on them from every direction except the unclaimed lands to the East. Soon Animalis and the Desert of Anifelfis would become part of the human empire cutting off any path of escape for the Elves. Beyond the forest of Yggdrasil lies the sea. The ability to create enormous seafaring ships had been lost over time. The Elves would have a last stand on the beach with the dangerous blue-grey seawater at their backs.

I stood up and faced council members. Placing my shaking right hand on the table, I began to speak, "Your council must act before it is too late. It is possible Vurussia is working with Ezorlath but that has not been confirmed. You must send a messenger to the Vurussian king asking for safe passage through the mountains of Viribus. If he refuses, then you will have your answer. I will be traveling into Ezorlath to get my revenge. While I am busy engaging the royalty of the empire your soldiers should raid and overrun the capital. The power of Ezorlath will be cut off at its source."

Konon's father, Alok, slammed his hand on the table, "You ask us to risk the lives of our people and travel into an ambush. If the king of Vurussia allows us safe passage, he can always send his troops after the Elven army once we leave Vurussia. It would be a massacre. We would never reach the capital of Ezorlath on time."

Irritation swept through me like a storm, "It is a risk you must take!" I yelled. "Your people are the last resistance to this Empire. They will be slaughtered either way. Would you rather have your people die as heroes or as cowards?"

Argument spread through the table once more. A head of one of the more prosperous Elven houses stood up pointed at me, "Why should we, the mightly Elves, listen to a puny human who lost his kingdom?"

Some elves roared in agreement while others threw quills and parchment at him to make him sit down. I looked around nervously and started to chew on the inside of my cheeks once more. Vus slammed his hand on the table bringing attention back to my side of the table. I cleared my throat trying to get rid of my stuttering and nervousness.

"All is already lost. The area in which you live will not be safe for much longer. Join me as the last stand against this menace. I have lost everything but I still continue to fight. Be the warriors that the legends talk about. The only thing you have left to lose is your life. It will be taken from you whether or not you decide to stand against Ezorlath. We will be riding towards our deaths but it is better to die fighting than being slaughtered after running away and ignoring the problems in front of you. I admit, the chance of success is slim but as long as the possibility of a future without Ezorlath exists, we must fight. Fight for your families and friends. Fight for the future in which they will leave peacefully without the threat of Ezorlath looming over their heads. Stand up to join my cause or die knowing that you did nothing in this time of crisis!" I yelled. I stopped once I realized I was selfishly screaming at Elves who have knowledge way beyond my own. I sat down as the red flush of embarrassment filled my face. I looked down at the table nervously chewing on the inside of my cheeks as the Elven Council stared at me in the silence that followed my speech.

Uevareth stood and heads turned to look at him, "We shall vote," he said calmly. After the words left his mouth, twelve other Council members including Alok, Aithlin, and Aglanthol stood. Three heads of the more prosperous houses, including the one who had spoken against me earlier, remained seated. "It is decided. We shall send a messenger to Vurussia. Please step forward if you wish to volunteer one of your children."

Alok stood forward and turned to me, "I apologize for my earlier ignorance, " he said and bowed. Then he took Konon's arm and dragged his son forward. "I volunteer my son to be the messenger."

Konon bowed to the council, "It is my honor." His blue eyes remained impassive as always and I found myself wondering about what was running through his head at the time.

There were no objections to Konon being the messenger so all council members raised a hand and touched the blue crystal in the middle of the table. "Meeting adjourned," they all rumbled in unison. The council members filed out one by one until only Aglanthol was still sitting at the table.

He stood with the gracefulness of deer and walked over to us silently. "It will take Konon two weeks to reach Vurussia. You must wait here in the city until the Vurussian King's reply is relayed to us." he eyed my broken arm, "I will direct you to a healer."

" I appreciate the time you take out of your day to help us Aglanthol, "I said with a smile.

He returned my smile with one of his own and conjured a crystal platform for us to ride on. Seeing the wary way Vus and I eyed the platform, he laughed, "Not to worry I will make sure it travels at a speed comfortable for you." Renier sighed in disappointment at his words. As we stepped onto the crystal platform, I couldn't help but look around the beautiful clearing one more time. The plants swayed in the wind peacefully as if they were waving goodbye.