From Sheina's diary... (44)

“Welcome to Nanaderkh'en!” (seventh month, second week, third day)

"There are truly few things in the world that can have such a positive impact on me as this place. Our procession slowly approached the passage under the waterfall. I was incredibly curious how wet I would emerge. At first, it seemed to me that the ribbon of water falling from the rocks was not much wider than an average river at the beginning of its course. I was wrong. Everything was much further and much larger than I had initially imagined. We had been walking for at least an hour and we hadn't even reached the halfway point. But at least I had the opportunity to see something wonderful. The sun was at its zenith, and the sun's rays fell into the gorge, until then almost entirely swallowed by shadow, illuminating it entirely. The entire valley began to sparkle and shine in an instant. The air began to shimmer with thousands of colors, between which a rainbow thread shimmered. This lasted a moment until the sun moved across the sky. A beautiful sight, but blinding. For that brief moment, We stopped dead in our tracks. We had to move carefully. The road wasn't narrow, but it ended in a drop on one side.

We walked in silence most of the time. Occasionally, one of the elves would say something in his own language. Shae didn't speak at all. He seemed almost absent-minded. He kept his head down, staring at the horse's head. Perhaps he didn't want to see where we were going. He didn't react in any way when I took the reins from Riviln and started leading his horse. He was still very weak.

"Don't worry," Riviln whispered to me. "He'll recover.

" "I'm not worried," I lied.

I probably glanced at the Dark One too often. And my lie was useless anyway. Riviln dismissed this with a short smile.

The rock wall that blocked the road on the right changed its appearance. It was no longer perfectly vertical, and paths appeared between the trees. Every now and then, Every now and then, someone would appear, stop, and stare at us, only to move on. This was a sign that we were inevitably approaching the city itself. The first houses appeared between the paths, seemingly growing out of the rock. They seemed quite small. And on the road ahead, their inhabitants watched us intently. Short, with broad shoulders, thick arms, and long black beards. They were chatting among themselves, making no attempt at discretion. The roar of the waterfall drowned out some words, but as we drew closer, we heard the final sentences.

"What abomination are our hosts bringing to this beautiful place? Shameful!" one of them said, sledgehammer in hand, glancing at the passenger on the horse I was leading.

"As long as he's alive, such an event has never happened! Why isn't he in a cage?! That wild beast is ready to slaughter us all!" another one said, crossing his arms over his chest.

Shae raised his head slightly and glanced at the others, but nothing more. The elves didn't react, and I felt uneasy. As we began to pass them, both individuals, with pride and defiance in their eyes, glared at Shae, who didn't even turn his head. One of them spat.

"Dark abomination!" he shouted.

"What do you know about him to say such a thing?!" I bristled.

The two dwarves were surprised. They glanced at each other, then at me with disgust, not saying a word.

"Sheina, come now," Riviln called. "That shouldn't surprise you," he whispered as I approached him. "Unfortunately, you'll have to experience such unpleasantness more than once, especially here."

"You shouldn't judge anyone by their appearance," I muttered. "It doesn't matter how repulsive he was, or whatever his origins. One should judge by his actions.

" "They're right," it came to me from above. "Under any other circumstances, I would have killed them without hesitation."

I looked up and met his gleaming black eyes. He had such a peculiar expression on his face. I don't know if it was due to poor health or something else. In any case, I felt sluggish and lowered my gaze.

"But you didn't, and you won't," I muttered, looking straight ahead.

"Unfortunately."

It chilled me. That single word held true regret.

"And I don't need a protector," he muttered irritably.

"Neither do I," I snapped. "And yet you keep intruding.

" "You'll discuss this later," Riviln soothed.

I hadn't even noticed when we'd entered the waterfall. I'd expected dampness and darkness, but instead it was bright and pleasant. It was impossible not to feel the water breeze, but it only added to the charm of the place. A large cave led into the depths of the rock, illuminated by dozens of lights suspended from the ceiling. A wide path led into its depths, from where the sounds of a sledgehammer and the hustle and bustle of everyday life could be heard.

"This is where the dwarves found their home. They're part of a great migration, driven centuries ago from their homes in the Mountains of Mist," Silivirinn unexpectedly joined us. "During the Fourth Passage, it seems. They forge magnificent weapons, among the finest you can wield," he added appreciatively. "Their ancestors could craft Kainze'ghens. Unfortunately," he nodded sadly, "no one can do it today.

" "Even though they claim they can," Riviln said with a smile.

"They try, that's for sure, but the blows of a sledgehammer alone aren't enough.

" "True."

The reflections of the water mingled with the flashing lights illuminating the entire underground city. The inhabitants, busy with their own affairs, paid us no more attention than the two before the waterfall. Some whispered to each other, pointing, also rather discreetly. But fortunately, there were no clashes.

Finally, the waterfall wall ended, and the main city opened before us. Just beyond the waterfall, the path turned into wide steps that led us down toward the rocky outcropping where Nanaderkh'en perched. The steps widened, allowing five people to walk comfortably side by side. Where the steps ended and the chasm began, small trees with fierce red leaves appeared, their branches intertwining, forming a sort of barrier, separating us from the edge. The color of these leaves was visible from afar. That was good, considering that suddenly small children began to scurry about, rushing to watch us, curious about the newcomers. A strange mix of races, but not much different from each other. They all spoke elven. More and more gawkers gathered around us, following us with their gazes right up to the gate. Most of them were humans. I didn't see enthusiasm in their eyes, but rather concern.

"Well, finally. You've kept us waiting for a long time."

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a figure appeared before us. Although a more accurate description would be "landed" in front of us. Smoothly, with grace and charm. Her delicate, flowing robes fell along her slender body. Her long, black hair was tied with a thin blue ribbon, and her blue eyes regarded us curiously. She was an elf, belonging to the so-called wild elves. This stemmed from the fact that their race is closest to the ancestors of all elves. Like all elves, she was tall and slender, with delicate features and pointed ears. What set her apart from other elves were her wings. Beautiful, shimmering in the sun with all the colors of the rainbow, they resembled dragonfly wings. In Sul'lasill, I'd seen more than one wild elf, but none with wings. It just so happens that those who don't use them lose them forever. Sometimes even young children of parents who have lost theirs are born without them. It's a trait that's fading among this race.

She smiled pleasantly. She looked at everyone in turn, and finally at me. And clapped her hands.

"Welcome to Nanaderkh'en!"