I slowly rode my horse through the forest enjoying the cool breeze. I was farther in the kingswood then I had ever been as I traveled along the trail heading back towards the small town known as huntersrest. Though I had been living in the city for a month now I still felt more at home out here in the wilderness. City life was growing on me a little each day. It was nice to have everything one could need only a few blocks away instead of having to ride miles to the next town to buy something.

The only thing they didn't have was wild game for me to hunt. It payed pretty well and a single deer fetched a good price and could feed dozens of people. Truthfully I wasn't really so much hunting then I was just exploring and scouting for signs of wild game. I had a good share of herbs I had picked up that I could sell for a little coin if nothing else. Suddenly a flock of birds flew over head and I heard sounds in the distance. People yelling and swords clashing. A fight way out here in the woods? I rode hard toward the direction I thought the noise was coming from back towards the main road.

I got off the horse and ran up over a hill were there was a bend in the road. I saw at least a dozen men or more attacking a carriage and four riders on horseback. The carriage driver was dead. One of the carriage guardsmen fell as an archer on the ridge shot him. I drew my bow and took down the archer and fired at another as he noticed me. I had to dodge as one fired a crossbow. He ducked behind a tree to reload but his knee was still exposed so I put a bolt through it sending him falling and tumbling down the hill.

I heard a scream and saw one of the bandits had gotten the carriage door open and was trying to drag out one of the passengers. I didn't have a clear because he was on the other side of the carriage. I dropped down and fired underneath the carriage putting a bold through his ankle.

“Ventus.” A voice yelled and he went flying from a gust of wind. Guess he picked the wrong carriage to try and rob.

I turned and saw a rider running at me full speed with a sword. He barely missed as I dove out of his way. I heard some of my arrows fall out from the force of me landing. I got up and fired and he ducked my arrow and came back around at me. I fired another and he deflected with a metal shield. He was to good to be some common bandit. Diffidently a mercenary. He charged back at me and I waited till he was close.

“Ignis.” I said throwing a small fire bolt from my hands. He easily blocked but his horse reared up and he went falling off the back. I put arrow after arrow into him until he stopped moving. I came around as I fired until I ran out of arrows.

I saw a figure come up out of the ditch from the side. A dark elf or Trow as they were commonly called. He raised his arm up toward the carriage. He held up a small one handed crossbow. I ran for the carriage door and kicked it shut just in time as the bolt hit the wood. I grabbed my knife from my baldric and slung it at him as he raised a second crossbow at me. My knife sinking into his eye as he fired. The bolt just missed my throat as it grazed my neck and stuck into the carriage. He fell back into the ditch. The others fled after seeing him fall. No doubt the leader.

“You have a habit of being in the wrong place at the right time.” A voice said and came around the back of the carriage. I saw Willow. A captain of the royal guard and personal body guard to the princess.

“What are you doing out this way?”

“That be because of me.” A voice said as the carriage door opened. I saw the imperial princess step out. Her lovely red hair was put up into a long braid. Her lovely She was adorned in a lovely dress and corset that pushed her large breast up. It showed off the lovely curves of her body nicely.

“Your highness.” I bowed.

“Please stand.” She smiled.

“We should get moving encase more show up.” Willow said

“You want to leave them here?” The only other standing guardsman said. He was a big man and seemed almost unfazed by the arrow in his arm as he snapped it off.

“No, but the princess comes first. We can send word back once we reach Rose River Crossing but we have to get her highness to safety.”

“Very well captain I can drive the carriage.” The large man huffed.

“Thank you.” The princess smiled and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“Your very welcome...” I said but stopped when I felt a pain in my chest. I feel down on my knees.

“Whats wrong?” The princess asked.

“Fuck, He's been poisoned. The crossbow.” Willow said as my vision faded to black.

I slowly rode my horse through the forest enjoying the cool breeze. I was farther in the kingswood then I had ever been as I traveled along the trail heading back towards the small town known as huntersrest. Though I had been living in the city for a month now I still felt more at home out here in the wilderness but city life was growing on me a little each day. It was nice to have everything one could need only a few blocks away instead of having to ride miles to the next town to buy something.

The only thing they didn't have in the city was wild game for me to hunt. It payed pretty well and a single deer fetched a good price and could feed dozens of people. Truthfully I wasn't really so much hunting then I was just exploring and scouting for signs of wild game. I had a good share of herbs I had picked up that I could sell for a little coin if nothing else. Suddenly a flock of birds flew over head and I heard sounds in the distance. People yelling and swords clashing. A fight way out here in the woods? I rode hard toward the direction I thought the noise was coming from back towards the main road.

I got off the horse and ran up over a hill were there was a bend in the road. I saw at least a dozen men or more attacking a carriage and four riders on horseback. The carriage driver was dead. One of the carriage guardsmen fell as an archer on the ridge shot him. The were royal guardsmen. I drew my bow and took down the archer and fired at another as he noticed me. I had to dodge as one fired a crossbow. He ducked behind a tree to reload but his knee was still exposed so I put a bolt through it sending him falling and tumbling down the hill.

I heard a scream and saw one of the bandits had gotten the carriage door open and was trying to drag out one of the passengers. I didn't have a clear because he was on the other side of the carriage. I dropped down and fired underneath the carriage putting a bold through his ankle.

“Ventus.” A voice yelled from inside and he went flying from a gust of wind. Guess he picked the wrong carriage to try and rob.

I turned and saw a rider running at me full speed with a sword. He barely missed as I dove out of his way. I heard some of my arrows fall out from the force of me landing. I got up and fired and he ducked my arrow and came back around at me. I fired another and he deflected with a metal shield. He was to good to be some common bandit. Diffidently a mercenary. He charged back at me and I waited till he was close.

“Ignis.” I said throwing a small fire bolt from my hands. He easily blocked but his horse reared up in fear and he went falling off the back. I put arrow after arrow into him until he stopped moving. I came around as I fired until I ran out of arrows.

I saw a figure come up out of the ditch from the side. A dark elf or Trow as they were commonly called. He raised his arm up toward the carriage. He held up a small one handed crossbow. I ran for the carriage door and kicked it shut just in time as the bolt hit the wood. I grabbed my knife from my baldric and slung it at him as he raised a second crossbow at me. My knife sinking into his eye as he fired. The bolt just missed my throat as it grazed my neck and stuck into the carriage. He fell back into the ditch. The others fled after seeing him fall. No doubt the leader.

“You have a habit of being in the wrong place at the right time.” A voice said and came around the back of the carriage. I saw Willow. A captain of the royal guard and personal body guard to the princess.

“What are you doing out this way?”

“That be because of me.” A voice said as the carriage door opened. I saw the imperial princess step out. Her lovely red hair was put up into a long braid. Her lovely She was adorned in a lovely dress and corset that pushed her large breast up. It showed off the lovely curves of her body nicely.

“Your highness.” I bowed.

“Please stand.” She smiled.

“Princess you need to get back inside. We should get moving encase more show up.” Willow said and hurried toward the front of the carriage.

“You want to leave our comrades here?” The only other standing guardsman said. He was a big man and seemed almost unfazed by the arrow in his arm as he snapped it off.

“No, but the princess comes first. We can send word back once we reach Rose River Crossing. We have to get her highness to safety.”

“I was heading to Huntersrest. I can get a message to the castle.” I nodded.

“Very well. Captain I can drive the carriage.” The large man huffed.

“Thank you.” The princess smiled and gave took my hand giving it a squeeze.

“Your very welcome...” I said but stopped when I felt a pain in my chest. I feel down on my knees.

“Whats wrong?” The princess asked.

“Fuck, He's been poisoned. The crossbow.” Willow said as my vision faded to black. I awoke to the sound of water. A dimly lite room. I rose up as I found myself on a stone in the middle of pound.

“Easy. Don't get up to fast.” A female voice said as she came toward me. “Do you remember what happened?”

“I was poisoned I think?” I said trying to remember what happened. It was almost like I was trying to remember a dream at first.

“Yes. Only a small amount thankfully but some very vile stuff. Anymore would have killed you. Thankfully you are strong and they were able to get you here in time.” She said.

“Were is here?” I looked at her and then around me.

“The village of Elderwood Grove. Your just on the other side of the Greenhill mountains in the elven kingdom.”

“The princess?”

“She is here. Safe and sound thanks to you. I am the high priestess here at the sanctuary.” She smiled. I looked down as I noticed we were both naked.

"Why am I... I began to say as her breast rubbed against my arm. "...Why are we naked." I said admiring her body. It was hard to tell how old she was from her appearance since elves lived longer then humans but she looked mature in age but still very beautiful and her body looked like that of a far younger woman.

"The water of the elder springs are a sacred place. One may only receive the blessings of the goddess if they come before her as they first came into this world." Not that I minded the view I thought. “The roots of the elder trees draw magic from planet giving the waters of the pool healing properties. Without knowing what type of poison was used this was the only way to cleanse the poisons from your body and restore your strength. If it hadn't have worked at least you would have died peacefully and without pain. Do you think you can stand?” She smiled and offered her hand.

“Yes.” I nodded and took her hand and slid off into the water. We waded through the water toward a pair of steps the led up. As we did I saw daylight. We stood in what looked like a beautiful garden with dozens of different types of flowers. Two ladies approached wearing robes made of fairy silk that were thick enough to hide what was underneath but still showed off their silhouettes as the sun shun through them.

“Ladies. If you please.” The high priestess said and they came raising similar looking robes. I took one and slid in on still feeling a little naked but at least no one was looking at my dick. “Please show our guest to the room where we have but his belongings.” One of them held out her hand and I followed. I saw several elven women who all gave me looks as they talked among themselves. One even gave a flirtatious wink. My escort never said a word and led me into a large room were I saw my stuff sitting on a table.

“Whoa.” I smiled. It was far nicer then any place I had ever stayed.

“Thank you.” I said and she bowed and left.

“They don't speak. All acolytes take a vow of silence during there training to become priestesses.” A voice said behind me. I turned to see the queen standing behind me.

“Your majesty.” I bowed.

“Please rise.” She touched my chin and lifted it.

“How long have I been out?” I asked.

“A week. I sent a letter to Huntersrest to let your friends know you were okay. I am sure Aaron will take it to them.” She smiled and held her hand toward the door for me to enter.

“Thanks you.” I smiled and went inside. I saw two young elven women pass by as they giggled.

“Go on. Shoe.” The queen said and waved her hand and the girls hurried off and she shook her head at them before coming in and closing the door.

“What is it with all the girls here?” I said. I hadn't

“Your the only male here. No male of elven blood can cross the barrier that surrounds the sanctuary without permission which only happens when one is injured and none or never allowed to stay once their woods are healed but given you are not of elven blood they let in you stay at my insistence.”

“Thank you my queen.” I gave a little bow.

“You saved my daughter. It is I who should thank you.” She shook her head.

“This is for you for your service from a grateful queen.” She pulled a coin purse out from under her riding cloak and handed it over to me and took my hand putting it in.

“You really don't have to pay me. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

“I didn't. We found that on the one who tried to kill the princess. Seems fitting that the man who killed the assassin receive his reward for failing to complete it.” She shook her head.

“Who would do that?” I said. The princess wasn't the type of person to make enemies from what little I had seen of her.

“A question I would like to know myself. Sadly the humans who we captured were all hired by our assassin to serve as a distraction and they thought they were there to kidnap her and hold her for ransom. Who hired the assassin is unknown.”

“Guess I killed your only lead.” I shook my head.

“Don't apologize. If you hadn't acted when you did my daughter may not be here now. For that you have my eternal gratitude. The king would have thanked you himself in person if he wasn't busy trying to find out who tried to kill our daughter.” She said as she walked over and looked at my armor and touched it. She had this ethereal grace in how she moved as if flowing about to slow music only she could hear.

“I can imagine.” Hell have mercy on whoever tried to kill her should the king get a hold of them.

“I would like to ask you a favor?” She looked up at me.

“Anything your majesty.” I nodded.

“I would like it if you were to stay here for a little while. Keep an eye out for my daughter. Since you are not a part of the royal palace who ever tried to kill my daughter may not know who you are. You may see things that her protectors do not.” She looked at me and took my hand.

“Of course your majesty. I would be honored to.” I nodded.

“Thank you. Since I will not be staying here. My room is yours.”

“Thank you again.”

“Just be mindful of the young women while you are here. I had to put Kara on guard duty while you were unconscious after a few tried to sneak down at take a peek while you were asleep.”

“Sorry about that.” I scratched my head.

“I don't know why. You had nothing that I saw to be sorry for.” The queen gave a playful smile

“You mean you...” I felt a little hot under the collar.

“I helped undress you and get you into the pool when I brought you here. You are a rather handsome young man so I can see why they were so curious.” She gave a teasing grin. She was toying with me of course.

“Thanks.” I smiled.

“I can never truly reward you for what you have done for me and my husband but you have my eternal gratitude. I am sure the king will want to reward you handsomely next you see him but this is from a grateful mother.” She said and touched my cheeks and gave me a kiss on the lips. She smiled at me and then stepped back. “A gift that no other man in the kingdom but the king himself can claim to have received. I should go. I will leave you to get dressed.” She said and made a gesture with her hands and vanished in an instant. Wind swirling lightly around the room. I looked at my stuff and was even glad to find my knife among my possessions which had been cleaned thankfully. Every thing had been cleaned and polished and laid out on the table.

Sadly I was out of arrows still but I was sure that they wouldn't be to hard to find. As I got dressed I looked at the scar on my arm that had faded and was no longer raised. Hell the water healed even scars from old injuries. If I had stayed in long enough they might have healed completely. A slid on my clothes and walked toward a balcony that over looked the grounds. I noticed a dozen or so young women. Most seemed to be pilgrims while a few wore priestesses robes. Elves went into a type of heat once a year though it varied from elf to elf. This was were they came during that time. Least the view was lovely. I walked over and sat on the bed. An actual feathered mattress. A knock came at the door.

“Enter.” I said and stood up.

“Hello.” An elven woman entered though she didn't look like any elf I had every seen. She was shorter, her ears were longer and here face was more faye like in appearance. She gave a little bow with her head. She was petite but had a figure that said she was very much a woman. I saw she had on a pair of sandals with long heels in the pack that made her seem a little bit taller and gave her a feminine walk as she approached. “Good you found your stuff I see. I hope nothing was missing?”

“No. Looks like everything is here. Thank you.”

“My name is Elena. Typically I serve as the queens maid during her stay. I would be honored to serve you any any way possible.”

“That really isn't necessary.”

“I am afraid I must insist. Princess Rhiana asked me to and I am obligated to follow her every order.” She shook her head. “Besides you don't know were to find the clothes I am making for you unless you want to run around in the same outfit every day. Though I am sure the female elves wouldn't mind if you ran around nude for a change of pace.” She gave a child like grin.

“Very well I suppose I could use some help.” I shook my head. She was a lively one though I wasn't sure if that would be a good thing or bad.

“Good. Then I can give you these.” She pulled out a bundle of arrows she had hidden behind her back with a little giggle. “I really have no use for them.”

“Thanks.” I nodded and took them from her.

“Why did you call Lady Rhiana Princess?”

“Your queen. It is customary for the elves to address her as princess since she is the daughter of the elven queen and king.” She gave a shrug. It was just politics.

“How did you get my measurements for the clothes?”

“I simply took the clothes you are wearing now. You think I measured your naked body?” She giggled. I wouldn't have put it past her.

“I don't mean to be rude but are you an elf?”

“Ellyllon. We are said to be as a kin to both Faye and elf least that is how elves see us. Humans say elves are a product of Ellyllon and human mating. Either way someone got fucked and here we are.” She shrugged.

“Just never seen one before.” I had read a little about them in a book on non human creatures that they were a type of woodland faye. I just didn't expect them to be so big. “Do many Ellyllon live here at the sanctuary?

“Their are a few of us here and in the village. Their is always a small number of us in every elven village or town. We rarely leave the woods to which we are born and are pacifist unless we fill threatened. The elves offer us protection from the creatures of the woods and we serve where we can to show our worth.”

“Protection?”

“Yes. While the outer woods are generally safe the deeper into the woods one goes the more dangerous. They are home to many creatures. Leshy, samodiva, vila, spriggan, huldra, wulvers, and all manner of beast. The everwoods are very vast and full of old magic. We Ellyllon are not fighters so we run or hide.”

“And the heels?” I looked down.

“We wear them in towns. We walk on our toes when in the woods so we make less noise but in elven towns and buildings their or rocks, wood, and such.” She shrugged.

“Don't suppose you know where the princess is?”

“She typically spends her days here at the Arcanaeum and comes back here in the afternnoon. She will be happy to hear you are recovered. She has asked about you everyday.” The head priestess smiled.

“The Arc what?”

“Arcanaeum. A school of magic. It's probably the smallest one in the kingdom. Only one Maven teaches there and not many students. You have to pass a test to even get inside.”

“Is Willow there as well?”

“No she stays in the village and patrols the woods during the day. Ava the queens body guard is with Princess Rosalyn.” Made sense I guess. Willow probably knew these woods better then Ava and though Ava could fly the tree tops would limit what she could see on the ground.

What Does Your Ideal Fairy Race Look Like?

What Kind of elves do you like?

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