Lily groaned annoyed as she got up to her feet and brushing off the dust from her clothes. “What a way to travel. So this is-“
Quickly Jeffray clasped her mouth and shushed. “We’ve been expected. Let me do the talking from here on.” He gently removed his hand from her mouth and stepped up towards some large trees. The leaves of the trees held some unique colours, some were yellow, red, violet, blue and the familiar lush green. There was no breeze to hear or feel hence there was a thick tension in the air. A honey like sweetness drifted in the air and met Lily's lips and nostrils. Jeffray spoke an odd language that Lily had never heard before and looked at what could lie beyond the trees. She soon spotted a handful of men with bow and arrow aiming at her and Jeffray dark shadows of the leaves and branches. They were well hidden, and soon one man walked up to Jeffray. He carried his bow and arrows at his shoulder and smiled at Jeffray. “You haven’t rusted in our language. You came right on time as I’ve hoped.” Long wavy copper red hair flowed to his elbows and a few fine braids dangled near his face and ears with shiny beads.
Jeffray laughed as they greeted heartily with a pat on each other's shoulders. The man slowly turned to Lily and blinked amazed before composing himself. “And you must be a friend of Jeffray, here to help?” His voice was soft as velvet and musical to Lily's ears. She was mesmerizing by his large amethyst alomond-shaped eyes.
“That’s Lily, Lily Clearwater a friend and helper. She knows a deal of magic, only other sorts than I do.” Introduced Jeffray.
“Welcome to Fhairras, my name is Gerrana from the Mobhian clan.” Gerrana bowed his head politely while placing his right hand upon his left shoulder.
Lily noticed as Gerrana bowed his long pointy ears. Jeffray noticed how Lily was confused from all this polite gesture and kindness. Knowing what cruelty and harshness she went through. “He’s an Elvanshee in case you’re wondering and this is their home, their world. Like planet Earth is ours. No one here is going to hurt you, rather everyone will be thankful that we are here to help.”
“What Jeffray says is true. We the Elvanshee folk, or as you call us elves, differ not only in appearance to humans but in mentality too.” Gerrana gestured with an arm to follow and walked ahead into the forest and gave a brief whistle that sounded identical to a bird. From among the trees and bushes stepped out further elvanshee people with their bows and spears lowered. Gerrana spoke a few words to them that Jeffray understood, but Lily didn’t. While walking through the forest, Jeffray talked with Gerrana what happened while he was away and Lily watched Gerrana closely, memorizing every detail.
Suddenly a man leapt out of the bushes aiming straight at Jeffray with a dagger at hand. Before the others could react, Lily grabbed the man’s arm with the dagger while pushing him away and used the opportunity to twist his arm behind his back. Quickly followed a dagger resting at his throat from Gerrana before Lily could do it. The stranger sniggered and dropped his knife. “I know you’re quick Gerrana, but today you were outwitted by a woman and a menscahme too.”
“I should have known it was you, Kaira.” Scoffed Gerrana annoyed and withdrew his knife.
“I’m impressed, usually menscahmes react in this sort of situation frightful and a lot slower.” Kaira smiled over his shoulder to Lily.
“That was some greeting, elf.” She noted distantly and lets him go.
“Of course, my apologies.” He bowed his head with his right hand at his left shoulder. “My name is Kaira from the Mishnagh clan. May I ask, what is yours?”
“I will if you stop calling me that other name.” She looked him in the eye. They were violet as amethyst like Gerrana's.
Kaira gave the nod. “Menscahme is our word for what you call humans, and once you reveal your name, I shall call you by it.”
“It’s Lily Clearwater.”
“A pleasure meeting you, miss Clearwater.”
Gerrana walked on past Kaira and gave him a small push.
“Hey, it was an accident! There are more roots here than one can count and I tripped.” Kaira called after Gerrana and picked up his dagger along the way. Gerrana remained quiet and led the others the way to their home.
“Kaira has a clumsy nature, and that can at times be misinterpreted like what happened before. Maybe he really did trip over some roots or did a prank. Aside from that, he’s friendly.” Whispered Jeffray to Lily as they walked on. “Gerrana and Kaira are thick as thieves but apparently today isn’t a good day.”
“How do you come to know them and their language?” Asked Lily.
“Did I ever mention that a few years back I was a regular visitor in this world, Fhairras?”
Lily shook her head. “I don’t remember you mentioning of it in our last case with the demon in the violin.”
Jeffray shuddered in fear as Lily mentioned of the previous case. “Well, I’ve learned a bit about you. Now you will get to know me better in this case, in this world.” He smiled.
“Speaking as if you are an elf.” Lily grinned.
“I wouldn’t mind being one and that’s elvanshee. On second thought I would miss out the pleasures of the internet, music and movies.”
Lily sniggered quietly.
Stern and cold as stone Gerrana ignored Kaira as he led the way to his home, his clan. Kaira tried to reason with him but it was hopeless and soon retreated to Jeffray and Lily. "I've never seen Gerrana so concerned and he won't tell me anything. Would you know the cause of this?"
"Only that the situation is dire." Answered Jeffray.397Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZjAWQdyYu
"Hmm, then it must be that dire." Whispered Kaira gravely.
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