Hidden City

By Tupenny Longfeather

For two hundred years there has been peace in the world of men. Now the Elves of legend arrive in friendship, driving men mad. Alros, King of the North wages war on the Elves and enslaves them. Can they gain their freedom and prevent war between North and South?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781326644246

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Hidden City

HIDDEN CITY

by

TUPENNY LONGFEATHER

Inked in Blood

2016

Copyright © 2016 by Tupenny Longfeather

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

ISBN 978-1-326-64424-6

1

The wars of men were over. For three generations, though the land was still divided into the North and South kingdoms, there had been peace; neither king had attempted to expand their kingdom for nearly two hundred years. After the Last War the kings had been appalled at the loss of life. Indeed the destruction was so great that only a third of the population remained alive. A treaty had been signed and not half-heartedly; the kings really believed that peace was the best thing for both nations. With a genuine desire for peace gripping them firmly both nations began to rebuild; in fact they did not just rebuild but they improved. Vast trade routes were established, new roads ran the length and breadth of the land, and food and shelter were provided for all. Such an impression was made on the minds of the kings that they both instilled in their children the idea that a king's duty is to provide for their country. All the land prospered for one hundred and ninety nine years.

And so it was that Alros was King of the North when a messenger came to his court who was not from the Southern Kingdom and was certainly not from any of the Northern noblemen. He wore clothes of green that seemed to shimmer in a way that made him disappear momentarily from sight at times. In those days none were viewed with suspicion and he was shown immediately to the King's chamber.

Hail, King Alros!

Hail! How can the King of the North aid you?

I come from the lord Throndar. He would entertain you at his humble abode.

We have not heard of this lord, said the King. Where is his domain?

The Darkling Wood is his homeland. It is possible that the Northmen have not heard of our home. We seldom travel and have had no dealings with outsiders for a long time.

The Darkling Wood, though not much travelled, had been crossed by a few woodsmen. The ground was thick with growth and rutted with huge tree roots. It took twice as long to travel straight through the forest as it did to go round it. No one had ever seen houses, indeed, there was scarcely room to move between the trees. How anyone could live there the King could not tell.

The King greatly desired to meet this Lord and so it was, that two weeks later, a group of horsemen approached the Darkling Wood, fifty in all. There they were met by the same messenger on horseback. As they came nearer they saw that he was mounted, not on a horse, but a strange creature unknown to them. It was somewhat like a horse but longer legged, its head narrower. Its rider also appeared strange; his face was somewhat thinner and elongated, his ears pointed and from him came an eerie luminescence. The riders drew up and a murmur ran through them.

Hail, King Alros! My Lord Throndar awaits. The King stayed the mumbling of his people and rode on, the trees seeming to open up before them. The company passed into the wood without effort, men riding four abreast where moments before there was not space for one.

After a time they came to a clearing; a vast open space with many houses therein. The buildings were partly made of stone and partly of the living trees themselves, their branches forming roofs of green and brown. People there were like unto the messenger as he now appeared, glowing except when they disappeared, blending into the forest. The men stared about in disbelief; the wood seemed much larger than it had before. Presently they came to a large dwelling in front of which stood a group of the strange people. One, who was taller than the others, wore about his head a circlet of willow. It was he who spoke.

Hail! I am Throndar, King of the Elves. Yes. Elves, say I. For you have entered the Elven kingdom though you knew it not. I am sure there is much you would know. Come, let us speak in comfort.

Throndar lead the way into the great hall where the King and his household were seated at many tables. The Elves brought forth food and a drink that was unknown to the men but greatly refreshing.

"Surely you are legends made