The ride from Anflux to the borders of Paeonia took them no more than an hour and a half on horseback, a fact that pleased Apricot immensely. She couldn't wait to see so many handsome men gathered in one place—probably just to have a choice! Her eyes sparkled with excitement as the tallest trees of Paeonian Wood began to loom in the distance, and when they were close enough to make out elven silhouettes bustling along the edge of the forest, she could barely sit still. Only when she began humming a lively melody to herself did she realize what she was doing and fall silent, instantly recalling the events of a few days earlier and the reason she and Gabriel were supposed to be riding through Paeonia.
In a somber mood, silent and gazing glumly at Kari's auburn mane, she rode alongside her brother to their destination. But even her loyalty to Ashley didn't stop her from taking a closer look at the elven soldier who, accompanied by a dozen or so of his colleagues, guarded the entrance to the Paeonian Road. He was quite tall and muscular, dressed in a black soldier's uniform, with a bow slung over his shoulder. His raven-black hair was tied back and fell gracefully down his back. He was incredibly handsome, but Apricot definitely preferred blond men. She gave him a radiant smile, which he responded to with a nod.
"May I ask your rank and purpose?" he said in a pleasant, deep voice. He held something like a notebook in his hand.
"Gabriel Berry and my sister, Apricot," her brother explained. "We're going to Vihara, to Medohra."
The elf already had a predetermined answer on the tip of his tongue, one that probably separated them from access to the Paeonian Road, which cut through the forest and allowed travelers to easily and without difficulty cross to the other side of the incredibly dense and vibrant forest.
But something was wrong. The elf's eyes grew strangely large and fixed on Gabriel, then on Apricot, as if seeing the Vihari traveling for the first time. Quite unexpectedly, a broad, engaging smile appeared on his face. Without turning away, he began speaking in his own language to another elf standing nearby. The elf leaped up as if scalded and, after a moment, brought a beautiful, pure white horse from the undergrowth. The black-haired elf, clearly the highest-ranking, jumped lightly onto it and motioned to them.
"Follow me."
They followed him straight into the forest wall, which opened up before them, revealing a wide, hard-packed path, until then effectively hidden by the trees. Apricot sighed with delight.
"Do you like it?" the elf asked, smiling kindly.
"And how! Is this forest truly alive?"
"Ah, yes, I assure you. All the plants in this forest form a single, living, sentient being. Although individually they seem motionless, together they move and create passages like these, as well as picturesque paths and beautiful glades."
Apricot felt blissful. How he spoke to her! How he smiled! And how handsome he was! A warm blush began to spread across her cheeks.
Gabriel didn't seem to share her elation.
"Isn't this the normal procedure for granting access to the road?
" The elf only smiled wider.
"Of course not. Usually we just write down the names, destination, and date of arrival on the road, and then we're free to go. There are various signs along the way; you can't get lost.
" "So why this deviation from the norm?"
Apricot glanced at her brother and wondered. "Why are they so grumpy? It's probably a good thing they're treating us special."
The elf didn't answer for a moment, yet his expression didn't change. Finally, he spoke cheerfully.
"Such distinguished figures can't go unnoticed in Paeonia. You're the famous playwright, aren't you? I heard your debut at La Faérie was truly spectacular."
Apricot's heart sank to her stomach, and Gabriel's face tightened. How could this magnificent elf have been so mistaken?
"You have wrong information," Gabriel growled. "Our sister, Ashley, was brutally murdered on the day of the premiere of her debut play."
From the way the elf's smile quickly faded, Apricot concluded that he certainly hadn't expected such a response. She felt sorry for him and decided to make amends.
"Please don't worry. Information doesn't always travel so quickly." She cast a sharp glance at her brother.
The elf nodded in thanks.
"I apologize for my tactlessness. Your sister's death, however, doesn't change the fact that I and my compatriots would be very happy if you would accept the offer to stay in Paeonia a little longer."
"We'd love to," Apricot replied quickly, adding a huge smile and twinkling eyes. "Thank you very much for your hospitality.
" "Wonderful!" the elf exclaimed. "Follow me, then."
He sped up a bit, and Apricot followed, trying to avoid Gabriel's murderous gaze.
XI
The carriage she now rode in was slightly more elegant than the previous one, probably because the city of Anflux had long ago introduced a requirement for its carriers to present themselves with dignity on the road through Paeonia. Only carriages and coaches that met international safety and comfort standards were permitted on the road, meaning they were made of the best wood and had cushioned seats.
A journey in such a carriage cost correspondingly more, of course.
It weighed on her somewhat that she had spent money that could have provided her with at least a week's worth of food, but she had no other choice. Her lack of riding talent prevented her from hiring a much cheaper Paeonian horse for the journey through the Forest, so she was left with no choice but to spend two days trudging along the road in the expensive carriage, constantly listening to the complaints of the Seeladonian merchant, observing the sad face of his young, quiet wife, and shooing their gaggle of curious children away from her and her luggage.
After two hours, when they reached the borders of the elven forest, she was at the end of her tether.
"Please stop the carriage and get out!" came a call from outside. The voice was resonant and melodic.
Almost immediately, the four half-asleep children jumped up and began shouting above the others.
"Are we there yet?
" "They're elves, aren't they, Mommy?
" "Why are we standing here, Father?"
"I'm thirsty!" Mom, drink! Give me, give me, give me!
Mizuki frowned and began massaging her temples. The merchant got out first, dragging his two older daughters and son behind him, then his wife, holding the youngest girl's hand. Mizuki hesitated to get out, drinking in the silence that had settled over the carriage.
Finally, she emerged, inhaling the fresh, clean air and welcoming the magnificent sight of towering trees, interwoven with branches. A black-haired elf stood near the carriage, writing down the merchant family's names one by one. Less than a minute passed before the elf approached her and, with a polite smile, asked for her rank and destination.
"Mizuki Ashiya. I'm going to Shibai."
The elf paused mid-stroke of his fountain pen. He raised his head and stared at her for a long time, making her feel uncomfortable.
"Welcome to Paeonia," he finally said, his tone strangely solemn. "The oracle predicted your arrival.
" "Predicted it?" she asked, genuinely surprised. "She herself told me to go to Shibai!"
The elf hesitated, confused.
"Besides, what difference does it make?" she said nervously. "Are you writing me off? Because the driver is impatient?
" "Would you mind staying longer?" the elf asked cordially.
"No," she said firmly. "No staying longer. The sooner I get back to Shibai, the better. Besides, I spent a lot of money on this ticket...
" "Oh, don't worry, we'll provide you with decent travel conditions when the time comes..." The elf's eyes became strangely pleading. "But surely you wouldn't refuse an invitation from the oracle herself?"
Mizuki looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"The oracle herself? Is it something to do with her decision regarding me?"
"I'm sorry, but I have no information regarding the reasons that determine our oracle's decisions.
" "True," Mizuki nodded wryly. "Because the oracle probably doesn't reveal her reasons to anyone, right?"
The elf was impressed.
"Exactly! How did you know?
" "I'm an oracle too," she muttered sarcastically, shaking her head. "Please, lead the way."
He granted her wish with undisguised relief and satisfaction.
Half an hour later, she was beside herself with surprise when the elves, against her will, bundled her and her luggage into a room in the elven palace, after feeding her some delicious elven food, ignoring her protests and pleas to be taken straight to the oracle, because she needed to know what it wanted from her and why it had summoned her here.
And what really unsettled her was the fact that Gabriel and Apricot Berry were staying in a room at the end of the hall.
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