Chapter 2: Bad Influence

Elisandra rested in one of the palace windows, gazing out across the forest. It was where she had sat with Noah during that summer storm, when they decided what to name their child. Rain, she loved the name more and more with each passing day, her elation growing like the baby within her. Elven pregnancies lasted much longer than human ones, but the day was soon to come when the heir of Sylphtoria would be born, and her intuition told her it would be a prince. Half elf and half human, the things he was sure to accomplish would be incredible, especially if he was anything like his father.

Noah was with her in her waking thoughts and her deepest dreams, with every day spent wishing to see him again. The time they had spent together was so short, but even for someone like her, who had lived for over a thousand years, the time they had been apart felt like an eternity. How many women had felt this pain throughout history? Waiting for their dearest love to return from war? Waiting for their family to be made whole? True, Elisandra was never alone here in Sylphtoria, but nothing could match the feel of Noah’s arms around her.

Of course, she also missed Valia, the two of them having grown quite close during that magical summer. She often liked to imagine Rain being her student in swordsmanship, training under her to become the greatest warrior the elven race had ever seen. Elisandra hoped Valia was taking care of Noah, keeping him safe. Those summer nights the three of them spent in her bed were the best time of her life, and she longed for the day when they would be united, and their moans would echo once more.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soldier entering the palace. The guards let him through, and he approached with a bowed head. “Your Majesty, you’ve received a parcel from Uther, delivered by messenger bird.”

“Word from Leuca?”

“No, My Lady. It appears to be from Lord Noah.”

It took all of Elisandra’s strength and control not to snatch the package out of his hand with a grin of excitement. She opened it up to find a spherical diamond, the size of an apple, with a small gem at its center. The surface of the diamond was etched with runes, just like the Star of Sylphtoria. Only Noah could create such a beautiful craft. There was also a note, not the long love letter she had been hoping for, but a short missive.

‘Elisandra, within this orb is a harkonen gem linked to one in my possession. If you’ve received this gem, please channel your mana into it. Should your power reach me, we may be able to communicate. Keep it close.

Wishing luck and love, N.’

Elisandra had heard of harkonen gems before, and the premise intrigued her. She held the diamond with both hands and sent a large surge of mana into it, feeling the gem swallowing her power like water swirling down a drain. There was no immediate reaction, so she tried again, but the second attempt yielded no sign of success. Then, after the third attempt, a voice echoed from the orb.

“Hello? Elisandra?”

That voice sent her heart racing, and she held up the orb. “Noah! Noah, can you hear me?”

The air before her shimmered and filled with mana, soon changing color and beginning to take shape, much like an animal forming within a summoning circle. The image sharpened, and Noah stood before her, a warm smile on his face.

“Hey, Ellie,” he said.

“Noah,” she gasped, tears of joy welling up.

“Aegasviel!” the soldier exclaimed.

The guards through the palace were drawn by the commotion and rushed over, each of them shouting the same word.

Elisandra reached out to hug him, but passed right through. “What is this?” she asked.

“Sorry, but this is only a projection of my presence. I’m here in spirit, as you might say.” He reached out to touch her cheek, though his fingers could only pass through her. “That said, I can clearly see you, and you’re as beautiful as the day I left.”

“Noah, Noah!” she happily exclaimed, with her joyful tears turning into a wellspring. She quickly tried to wipe them away and regain her composure. “Forgive me. My emotions have been all over the place throughout my pregnancy. Everything I feel has been multiplied.”

“You never have to apologize. I’ve missed you.”

The doors of the palace then burst open, and Lour and several guards rushed in. “Is it true?!” They then stopped when they saw Noah, and Lour immediately dropped to one knee and bowed his head. “Aegasviel! Welcome back!”

The guards all did the same. “Aegasviel!” they proclaimed.

Noah turned to Elisandra. “Aegasviel?”

“‘Divine craftsman,’ it is the name you have been given by the people who have experienced the light of your star. You’ve had a massive influence on Sylphtoria and have become a subject of worship by many.” She turned to Lour. “Now, while I understand your excitement, Lour, would you mind taking everyone and giving us some privacy? My love and I have much to discuss.”

“Yes, of course, My Lady.” He and the guards all cleared out of the palace, leaving Noah and Elisandra alone.

“It is good to be back, even if I’m not really here. I’ve thought about you often, dreaming of the day when I could return here for good, free of my curse and ready to live my final life beneath these branches with you.”

“You’ve been in my dreams as well, you and Rain.”

Noah crouched down, resting his phantasmal hand on her swollen belly. He could not feel her warmth or the movements of their unborn child, but he could easily imagine them. “And how is everything going with our little summer storm?”

“He’s getting ready to greet the world. I was hoping you might be here before he’s born, but I take it that’s not the case.”

“I’m afraid not. The answer to my curse remains elusive to me, and the war against the Profane is in full swing.”

Elisandra sat on the nearby couch and beckoned Noah over. “You don’t need to tell me that. They have been a persistent thorn in my side for several months now. What happened since you left? I want to hear the stories you have for me.”

He sat beside her. “It’s been a lot of ups and downs, one step forward and then one step back. Valia and I managed to reach Lupin, and we spent several months helping him fight the Profane and their beastman minions. We took down numerous bases in Handent where these parasites were being made to create Profane, spent a lot of time improving the city of Welindar, and killed one of the enemy leaders. Lupin even managed to win the respect and support of the beastmen, but then we received word that the king of Uther had been killed. Before we could do anything, we were attacked by a fiend army. Though we managed to kill their leader, all of the beastmen in the city were turned into the Profane and marched on Uther.

Colbrand was saved by an angel, but had fallen under the control of Prince Galvin, whom I told you about before. It turned out that his mother, Ziradith Herald, had been working with the Profane, orchestrating the war all to get her son on the throne, and, in turn, seize control of Uther. Galvin broke free of her control and went mad with power, trying to exterminate all beastmen in Uther.

I helped his brother, Prince Seraph, regain his powers and supplant him. Galvin was slain, but the city of Uther was leveled by a surprise attack from the Profane. There were a lot of casualties, but we killed their leader. That said, I doubt the Profane will just roll over and surrender.”

“We’ve been having to deal with them as well. We’ve raised the security around our borders, making sure none of the monsters like what you encountered would be able to slip into our country. That said, those hulking beasts are always probing our defenses, trying to find a way in. They’re just as eager to capture my people as to kill them, and I dare not ponder the horrors awaiting those taken alive.” Elisandra gave a bitter laugh. “Look at us. Ever since you’ve left, all I’ve wanted is for you to come back, and now that I can finally see you again, all we can talk about is war and horror.”

“We’re just getting it out of the way to talk about the more important things. Forget the war, forget Sylphtoria, how have YOU been?”

Elisandra sighed and closed her eyes. “Scared, but you know me; I’m always scared. I fear for Rain and the world he’ll be born into. I fear I won’t be a good enough mother for him. I fear that right now is the safest he’ll ever be again.”

“Take it from me, that fear is something every parent goes through, especially new parents. You’re going to be a wonderful mother, and though this world might not be perfect, and Rain will face dangers and trials, you and I will keep him safe and raise him to be strong enough to handle them on his own. Once he’s born, you’ll be scared, confused, and worried, feeling like you’re not ready and don’t know what you’re doing, just like every woman who’s ever given birth, but I will help you. All of Sylphtoria will help you. Whatever you don’t know, you’ll learn. Whatever you struggle with, you’ll get better at.”

Elisandra smiled in bliss and looked at Noah lovingly. “I’m also happy, so incredibly happy. Thinking back on that beautiful summer we spent together, feeling our child growing within me, and dreaming of our future as a family, it’s made me happier than I’ve ever been.”

“Yeah, me too. I think I’m feeling ... hopeful ... about the future, something I haven’t experienced in a long time. I was telling Valia that I’ve come to like this world, that I feel comfortable in it, finally able to be my true self instead of wearing a façade and blending in. I have to believe I’ll be free of my curse, and when I do, I cannot imagine a better final life than spending it here with you.”

Elisandra gazed at him with sparkling eyes. “Why must you torment me with such beautiful words? You tease me with such a tender gaze, knowing that I cannot hug you, that I cannot kiss you. You’re so cruel.”

“Believe me, I wish I could do all those things as well. But for now, we can’t be greedy. We just have to be glad we can see each other.”

“I trust Valia is also taking good care of you. I miss her.”

“She misses you as well and wanted me to tell you.”

“And I hope she’s the only one taking care of you.”

“Well, she and I picked up someone while in Handent. Her name is Shannon, a member of the Petosic horse tribe. Her tribe was wiped out, her kin either slaughtered or turned into the Profane. She’s been with us since before we reached Lupin, fighting alongside me and Valia, supporting us through the harshest battles and moments of peace. She’s sworn an oath of servitude, calling us her Lord and Lady. For that, and due to the feelings she developed for us, Valia decided that she deserved to be ... brought into the fold, you might say.”

Elisandra sighed. “The two most beautiful elves in the world share your bed, but you had to pick up a mistress.”

“Not the ideal news, I know, but she’s kind, gentle, and loyal to a fault, and has earned her place at our side. If she were here now, she’d bow and pledge her life to serve and protect you and Rain, and would move mountains for the honor of being his nanny.”

“Well, when you put it like that, I suppose I could give her a chance. Besides, you wouldn’t be the first great man to have many wives, just so long as I’m number one.”

“Valia has already established she’s number one, and you’re the close-ranked second, and any woman that tries to supplant either of you is getting put in the ground.”

Elisandra laughed. “She had you first, so I guess I have to accept that. It’s nice to see she’s looking out for me. Is there anyone else I should know about?”

“A female Profane did have her way with me while I was tied up. Apparently, she had heard the rumors about my skill and wanted to see if they were true.” Elisandra stared at him, struggling to process his words. “You can ask Valia and Shannon about it; they were made to watch. I’m fine, by the way.”

Elisandra rubbed her eyes. “By the spirits, Noah, do I have to put a chastity belt on you?”

“Valia said she’d do just that.”

Elisandra laughed. “You are going to be a horrible influence on our son.” She then held up the diamond orb and examined it. “Tell me more about this jewel. I’m curious.”

“The harkonen gem in the center is a fragment of a much larger piece I received for some work I did in Colbrand. A spell channeled into one shard will be released from the other, but I’ve enchanted it so that only mana can go through. I don’t want any of these falling into the wrong hands and being used to target me with a spell. The burst of mana you sent through caused all of the plants around me to suddenly grow out of control. I’m thinking I can use these jewels to create a communications network, allowing me to stay in contact with various leaders so we can organize against the Profane. I’ve already left one in Colbrand.”

“You’re not there right now?”

“No, my friends and I are traveling at the moment. We were planning on going to Vandheim, but something else came up.”

“What happened?”

“We received word that a dark elf with silver hair was spotted in a village in Uther, acting strangely, so we’re on our way to investigate. It can only be Valon. I don’t know what he’s doing there, and I can only hope things will go smoother this time.”

“After what you told me about Kisara Island, I can hardly imagine it going any worse.”

The two continued to talk, making up for lost time, but eventually Noah felt a tap on his real body. “Sorry, but I have to go. My friends are calling me back.”

“Do you have to go so soon?”

“Don’t worry, I may be gone, but I’ll be in reach. If you ever need me, just send another burst of mana through the gem. And I’ll be keeping in touch. I’ll let you know how things go with Valon.”

“I understand. However, I would love it if you could find a way to visit in the flesh. And when all this is done, let’s get married.”

Noah smiled. “I’d love that. I’ll see you soon.” He leaned in and kissed her, and though no physical contact was made, they could both imagine the sensation. Noah’s illusion faded away, and back in Uther, he opened his eyes, seeing Valia’s beautiful smile.

“You look so cute leaning against Shannon like that, like a sleeping baby,” she teased.

While projecting his consciousness, it was hard for Noah to maintain an upright position, so when he did it on Shannon’s back, he’d lean against her, looking like he had passed out. Shannon seemed to enjoy it, holding his arms around her waist.

“Well, Shannon is so comfortable, I really could have fallen asleep.”

He sat up, stretched with a yawn, and looked around. The group stopped for the evening and made camp within a wooded thicket. It was he, Valia, Shannon, Alexis, Sophia, Cyrilo, Daniel, and Seraph, and though they were out in the countryside, Noah’s collection of magic tools was making camping a breeze. He had tools for gathering, purifying, and boiling water, as well as tools for producing a magic flame that required no wood and emitted no smoke. He also had insulating bedrolls and heat-reflecting tents, self-cleaning cookware, and magical security tools to alert him if anyone or anything approached their camp from any direction. Almost all the work that went into making camp and preparing for the night ahead had been removed.