Goat-tied

The glistening shore brought the people in the boat a whole new sense of wonder. A person could easily harvest the stones and make a fortune in any marketplace. It was a good thing that Polymedes was unaware of human's propensities to like such shiny things.

Ironically, after his complaints about Renat's snoring, the satyr had demonstrated a distinct bleating sound in his own not-so-quiet breathing. He had fallen into a deep sleep after his turn at the oars and was the only one who had not yet woken.

Pulling his eyes from the full expanse of the beach, Alaron began to direct the rowers to the good spot on the shore. Unaccustomed to rowing, Eira and Renat ended up a little shy of the designated location, but the landing overall was still smooth.

The boat scraped gently against the rocks and came to a rest just in time for Renat and Alaron to pull it fully onto the land. As such, the ladies were able to keep their feet from getting wet.

"Do we wake him?" Mairwen didn't want to leave Polymedes without saying goodbye. Even if she had known the ugly things that the satyr had said about her husband, the princess still would have wanted to give him basic courtesy.

Fortunately the question did not need to be answered. The half-goat began wriggling as soon as he realized that he was no longer moving with the water.

"Did we make it? Usually I am better at gauging the distance, but after that scare last night I guess--" Polymedes sat up and looked at the shore. His face turned deathly pale. "This is not three arrow-shots from the gate. We agreed on three arrow shots!"

Alaron shrugged. "Eria and Renat are not expert rowers and we came in a bit close, but I didn't think..."

"I'll say you didn't think! Do you have any idea how fast those elves can be?!" Polymedes leapt from the boat and began to push it into the water.

He got the craft halfway into the water when a rope flew round his torso and tightened his arms to his side. Polymedes cried out as his body was jerked roughly backwards.

"Stop right there!" A commanding voice called out to them like thunder.

The four of the people who had weapons readied themselves to meet the unknown enemy. They turned to face—nothing but the ice barrier.

"Magic?" Dania moved behind the weapon-wielders as she tried to understand exactly what was happening.

From their midst, the rope which had captured Polymedes was dragging him up along the shore as he screamed and struggled against his bonds. But the end of the cord dangled in mid-air.

Even with his keen sense, Alaron was not fast enough to find the source of the attack. The humans and wolf were quickly disarmed by the invisible beings as blades materialized and against their throats. All at once they were captured.

"I told you to land farther away! Didn't I tell you?! The elves don't take kindly to unexpected visits." Polymedes barely got out his last words before a gag was cinched around his mouth.

"Hush, you charlatan! You will come and face the justice of the elven court." The powerful voice carried on the wind and surrounded them, giving no clue exactly from whence it had come. "Are the rest of you with him?"

"Not exactly," Alaron answered slowly. 'We abducted him and forced him to row us here probably sends the wrong impression.' The Guardian realized. "We just needed him to help us row across the lake."

"Oh? Then state your business. Humans are not usually permitted inside the land of magic."

"I would be happy to oblige on two conditions. Please, may I see who I am speaking to? It is very hard to carry on a conversation with empty air. And would you please allow the person who is so graciously cradling my neck with their blade to lower it while I speak? I don't want to have a nasty accident."

The pressure around the Guardian's throat tightened, and a scoff of a female came from beside his ear. "You are pretty brave to trespass and then make demands..." the sarcasm of the silky voice drained away. "I hope your reason is justified."

"Lilith, let the man go. He cannot speak if he has no head," the booming voice quieted slightly as he gently commanded his companion.

"That is not always a bad thing," Lilith answered. "I can think of at least one situation where it would have been a boon."

The he-elf clicked his tongue dismissively as he made himself visible for the newcomers. As he tied off Polymedes with the end of the rope, he shook his head. "Nonetheless, you are far too prudent to lop off heads without cause..."

Materializing next to Alaron, Lilith yielded and lowered her blade. "Very well," she said somberly. "Speak your peace, man."

Following the other two's lead, ten other elves showed themselves. Each was either continuing to hold one of their guests captive or surrounding them to make sure nothing happened to their fellow soldiers.

Alaron looked at the beautiful elf who had just been 'gently' hugging him. Her golden skin was pale but radiant. Her long black hair waved in the soft breeze as her melancholic bright blue eyes stared at him unwaveringly. Alaron wasn't fooled by the somber expression. If he made a wrong move, Lilith would make sure the Guardian paid for his crime.

The man with the silver eyes took a small step away from the elven soldier with his hands raised before addressing the male who seemed to be in charge. "I appreciate your cooperation..."

"Nath," the elf provided his name. His gentle expression belied his obvious strength.

"Gracious Nath, we are here to seek shelter from the abominations that currently dwell across the lake." Alaron gave a half bow.

Through the air Lilith sent a message to her leader. "He does realize he brought one of them with him, doesn't he?"

Nath cleared his throat. "I cannot help but note that one of those 'abominations' is with you."

Alaron furrowed his brow and then pointed a curious finger towards Renat. "Oh, you mean him? I can see your confusion. He is not one of them. He just looks like one of them. That is actually Prince Renat of the Valiant Empire."

"You can understand why I am skeptical of a person whose face I cannot even see." Nath made a circle with his hand around his face.

Lilith added, "You wear the cloak of the Fate's chosen, but that does not mean you are one of them."

Running his fingers along the edge of his hood, which he had instinctively kept up as soon as he awoke, Alaron allowed his face to be seen by the elven soldiers. His silver eyes looked as much like two moons as the golden skin of the soldiers resembled the sun.

"I guess no heads will be rolling today." Lilith at last sheathed her sword, and the others followed her lead. Her brow furrowed. "But if I may, why does your friend have one of your cloaks?"

The she-elf's piercing blue eyes surveyed Mairwen, who was clearly not a Guardian.

"I am borrowing it from a friend, but I hope to be able to return it soon." The princess answered for herself, very glad for the tension to have passed.

"And that brings us to our next request. We request an audience with King Ithel. There is much we need to discuss with him."

"That is all well and good, Guardian. But does the king know you are coming?" Nath asked carefully. While he knew the Guardians were allies, he did not feel that they should jump into the land of magic on a whim.

"He does not," Alaron admitted, "But he is a friend of Princess Mairwen and her mother." The silver-eyed man indicated his sister as the woman in question.

Surprised by the turn of events, the elves all gave a courteous bow. "Forgive us, Your Highness. We can escort you to His Majesty right away."

"That would be wonderful. Do you know if His Majesty is entertaining any other human guests presently?" Mairwen hoped the guard would have news of her mother and younger brother.

"Only Prince Colvyr and his nanny are with us at present. But I am sure they will be glad to see you also." Nath tipped his chin.

The twins exchanged glances. This was an unexpected development.

Lilith raised an eyebrow at them, her expression subtly changing. "This was not the answer you were expecting?"

"It was not, but I am sure there is an explanation," Mairwen answered quickly. "And the sooner we get to the city, the sooner that answer will come." The princess hesitated, her gaze landing on the poor hogtied saytr. She motioned toward the dejected creature. "I don't suppose you will let Polymedes go as a personal favor?"

"I am afraid I cannot. Protocol demands I bring him in for a trial." Nath shook his head sadly.

"But we can ungag him at least," Lilith offered.

The leader gave the she-elf a curious glance. "How very thoughtful of you."

Lilith shrugged, unbothered by his judgment. "What? I may be sarcastic, but I am reasonable." She moved over and pulled the cloth from the saytr's mouth.

"Untie me!" Polymedes screamed, his voice breaking at the end.

"I seem to have made the wrong choice," Lilith moved to return the gag to the satyr's mouth but he jerked away.

"You don't understand. They are coming. Look!"