Elysia

I am in over my head. When joining the Celestial Cathedral I thought life would be more chanting, incense, and ceremonial garb made from spun gold and stardust. But, no. I am here. At a strange elf’s, tree house? My ruby slippers were not made for this kind of environment.

“Elara!” I tugged on the cloak of my sweet bodyguard, “Elara, when are we going to be back where we can bathe?” I could smell myself, and most definitely smell the dirty chef man that my cousin had to bring along.

“I am not sure, but I am sure this elf will have some information. I will ask him.” Elara was the only one who could make me feel this calm in the middle of a bug infested, overgrown forest. I followed her and found the elf sitting on a bench weaved of living willows, and a fire pit that would put even the grandest of masons to shame. He was joined by Lyra and her grime covered friend.

“Welcome, we were just chatting about what type of soup I am making. It seems Kaelen has a deep interest in wild herbs and tubers!” The elf let out a laugh and slapped my cousin on the back, making her almost drop her mug full of what seemed to be wine.

“Is that wine?” I asked.

The dirty one, Kaelen I believe, handed over a bottle and gave me a warm smile.

“Yeah! Thalas made it from fruit trees in the food forest around his house. It’s amazing how well the permaculture is doing here. I could only dream of getting the compound’s garden to this level of output.”

“Thalas?” Elara asked before I could.

“Yes, that is my name.” The elf said, “Thalas. Nice to meet you…”

“Elara,” I interjected, “I mean, she is Elara, and I am Elysia. The pleasure is all ours.” I curtsied and Elara joined in a deep bow. No such gestures were given by Thalas. I was realizing that proper manners were apparently dead in most parts of the realm, especially in the heart of it.

“Come sit, drink with us.” He demanded slapping the other bench by the hearth. We sipped wine, and talked of tales of our homes to him and the night wound down. Thalas stood up and gave a big stretch before announcing,

“Feel welcome to use the hot springs before sleep. I have a thermal pipe running water up to a large tub on the west side of the house. Just climb the ladder. Goodnight, I will point you in the correct direction tomorrow after we share bread.”

I reveled in the thought of soaking my bones in the springs, and waved happily as the elf walked off.

“Elara, that sounds wonderful. Go with me!” I gave her a pleading look, I knew exactly how to manipulate her into it, but in this case I didn’t have to work too hard.

“Yeah, that sounds wonderful.” Elara smiled down at me then turned to my cousin and Kaelen. “You two are more than welcome to join, in fact I insist that you do. We are all smelling ripe.”

Ugh, why….

“Yeah sure!” I smiled at them, “The more the merrier!”

******

A golden robe with red accents rested over me. My long auburn hair is loose, and resting at my hips. The dual suns bless me with my beauty and grace, I am so blessed, I bless all those around me by merely being, and the dual suns burn through me.

Slipping on my slippers, Elara and I make our way to the west side of the houses, coming upon a gnarled and twisted trunk of an ancient oak. Up its trunk were what looked like hand holds, worn into the trunk of the tree, as if shaped when it was a sapling. We followed the holds up into a house built into the trees' grand branches. I had never seen such beauty made from natural materials beyond the beauty of the Cathedral, but this was something I had never seen before.

The building was made of polished lumber, and amethyst. Bioluminescent mushrooms lit the pathway to a tub big enough to fit five griffins, swirling with steaming, glowing waters.

“Woah, this is really really beautiful.” I was snapped out of my daze by the Kaelens voice and turned to find him, shirtless, slightly chubby, and grinning from ear to ear as he took in the bathhouse.

Scooting as quickly as I could away from the dirt chef, I found a place to shed my clothes, feeling the cool night air on my bare skin.

“You better not be looking at us, Kaelen. I do not give you permission to stare at us.” I hear Elara setting boundaries, that’s my girl. Best body guard the Cathedral could pay for.

“I’m not. Ew.” He said turning away.

“Where’s Lyra? I figured she would want to bathe.” Grimey woman, so unlike my Aunt. More like the beasts she slept above.

“She told me that she wanted to go later on. So it’s just little ole me!” He kept facing away as I made my way into the tub.

The waters were soothing, I could feel the forest's grime washing off and let out a happy sigh. Elara joined in and we moved to the edge of the tub.

“Alright, you can come in now.”

The chef joined us and we all discussed the best jams and jellies to use in tea cakes.