They were led through the arched gate, seeing the last major elven city for the first time. The vampires slowly looked around as they walked, eyes wide with awe at how different it was than how vampires built things. The trees in the city were twice as tall and wide as normal trees, and instead of cutting them down, it was like the elves made the trees into the buildings, making them hallow and making stairs with branches and vines. Above them was a second level of houses, with natural bridges connecting all of them, and the city was lit up with a soft green light that seemed to come from plants he had never seen before.
While Jack and Drake were in awe at what they were seeing, Midnight was like a child surrounded by sweets, her eyes sparkling as she tried to absorb everything she saw to ask very detailed questions about it later. Elaine seemed completely at ease in the city, waving as a crowd of elves began to gather around them, wanting to see the tied up vampires.
Jack noticed that in the middle of the city was the largest tree of them all, and that was where the elven warrior was leading them. When they reached the tree, which had a decent number of warriors guarding it, and the crowd began to disperse and talk among themselves in Falvelen, their soft voices sounding so different than what Jack was used to. The warrior and Elaine led them up some stairs and through a doorway with no door, to where the queen of the elves waited.
The queen sat in a very plain looking throne that could be confused with a large chair made of tree branches. It was clear the instant he saw her that Elaine got most of her looks from her mother, as the queen had the same emerald eyes, golden blonde hair, and height. But as the queen stood up, her differences were just as plain to see. While Elaine looked more bashful and cute, the queen was beautiful and elegant, standing tall and proud as she looked at the tied up vampires. She had no crown, Jack guessing that the elves did not need such things, and wore a long silver dress that sparkled in the light and showed her collar bone and the last difference between her and her daughter. Jack forced his eyes not to wander, shooting Drake a look and hoping that the vamp would not stare at the queen's chest.
The warrior elf fell to one knee, but was ignored as Elaine ran to her mother, throwing her arms around her and crying, the queen smiling sweetly and holding her daughter until she was done. Elaine wiped her eyes, stepping back and gesturing towards the vampires, who were just beginning to feel awkward.
"Mother, these vampires are the reason I was able to return to you safe and sound."
Elaine explained everything that had happened, starting with waking up to see Jack standing there, looking terrifying with his blood covered armor and glowing red eyes, and ending with them being surrounded by elven warriors in the forest. The queen listened intently, never interrupting or looking bored, and when Elaine was done, the queen walked over to them and snapped her fingers. Jack nearly jumped when the ropes shined bright gold before vanishing, as if they had never been there. He looked up, the queen smiling as she looked at each of them, her emerald eyes seeming to see past their eyes and into their souls.
"I am Anastasia Skyfurst, the queen of the elves in the forest. You have saved the life of my only daughter, and I will never be able to repay you for that. I am sure you have many questions, I will answer them to the best of my ability."
Jack said nothing, surprised at how easily the queen believed them. She had been at war with the vampires for longer than he had been alive, and he found it odd how she was able to believe and free them so quickly. Either she really trusted her daughter's word, or he was missing something here. Drake was too stunned by her beauty to speak, so Midnight was the first one to speak up.
"Queen Anastasia, I have one question that I feel is important. Why didn't you send Elaine to the Duluhan Empire? I thought the humans there were your allies, and it would have been much safer than hoping she could sneak past the army of vampires and get help from the dwarfs."
The queen gestured for them to follow, leading them back to the throne as she sat down answered them, her eyes filled with concern as she spoke.
"I have not received a single message from Emperor Killiham in nearly two years now. I send out messengers, asking for aid or supplies, and all of them return, saying that their messages were delivered. So far, I have yet to receive a reply, and I fear that either something is wrong, or they have abandoned us to our fate."
Jack understood her concern now; if she had not gotten any reply in so long, it would be foolish to send her daughter there, having no way to know if it was truly safe or not. Midnight pulled off her mask, shaking her long hair loose and looking troubled by what she heard.
"In the army of the Nation of Blood, I work in intelligence, and not much information gets past me. I have heard nothing of the Empire of Duluhan joining us or betraying you, and the whole situation makes less sense the more I hear about it. Something is not right with all of this, and I fear it is too late to do much about it."
Jack saw that the light of the sun was fading, relieved as he took his helmet off, able to breath in the scents of Silvith with ease. The city smelled up elves, plants, and flowers, and he would take this over the vile scents of a city or village elsewhere. He turned to the queen, bowing his head before looking into her eyes and speaking.
"I cannot help you with the human empire, Queen Anastasia, but I am at you disposal. None of us can return to the Nation of Blood, unless we wish to be executed on sight, and while I can't speak for my friends, I would be willing to help however I can."
The queen smiled, looking at the other two and seeing them nod in agreement. She then turned to her daughter, who had been watching them speak. like with them, it was like the queen was looking into you instead of at you, and Jack felt a shiver go down his spine at the sight.
"Elaine, they brought you quite far. The guards I sent with you were slain, but these three seem quite capable. What do you think of them?"
Elaine blinked slowly, surprised by the question.
"Well, they are strong. Midnight is smart, as well as a good shot with her bow. Drake is scary looking, but he is funny sometimes. Jack is...well..."
She stopped speaking, looking away and playing with her hair as her face slowly grew red. Jack raised an eyebrow at the sight, puzzled as to why she was so embarrassed; she didn't seem to have a problem talking to him while they were on their way here. The queen simply nodded, turning back to the vampires.
"It is late, so we will go over the details tomorrow. All I can ask of you is to continue protecting my daughter, as the vampire threat is far from gone. For tonight, have Elaine show you Silvith; there is much to see, and I am sure you all are in desperate need of some rest. Enjoy our lovely city."
Elaine hopped in joy, having recovered her composure as she ran over to them, grabbing Jack's arm and dragging him to the door. As they were leaving, Jack looked back at the queen, seeing her eyes follow them as they left, the warrior who had been silent the entire time finally speaking to her. He felt like he was still missing something here, but had no idea what it could be, and simply shrugged and let the elf drag him out into the city, glad that things went better than he thought they would.