I entered the meeting room and found the ambassador looking around at some artwork on display, but it was a poor comparison to the grandeur and interest of his own chambers.

  “Welcome to my shoppe, ambassador,” I said as I walked in, speaking in ancient Elvin.

  He turned and greeted me in Tradespeak, “It is an honor to visit you, Patron. I wish I had done so earlier.”

  I settled on standard Elvish. “I have only been here for a couple of days, and there is still much to decorate, and I’m afraid it is not as interesting as your own quarters.”

  He frowned, “Quarters that I depart today.”

  It was always ticklish to talk with elves; you never knew what might make them happy, sad, insulted, or interested.

  “You pay me an honor with your visit, even if your stay is short,” I said and motioned for him to choose a seat among the four at a small, central coffee table.

  He chose neither the one facing the door nor the one with his back to the door. Instead, he chose the one on the left as you entered the room. I sat across from him.

  “You came to me as unexpectedly as I came to you. I hope that your joy in being here is like mine was in meeting you.” I said with a smile.

  “It is both about the unexpected and an honor that I come to you before I depart.” He said, referencing his previous remarks.

  I wasn’t sure where he was going with that, so I replied, “Oh?”

  “Yes. I bear three gifts which I wish to bestow upon you.”

  He must be in a hurry to move so quickly into the purpose of his visit.

  “I apologize for the abruptness.” He said, seeing my surprised look. “I have spent much time lately among your fellows, and the urgency of war pushes us all to hurried language.”

  “There is no need to apologize, ambassador. As a human, I am accustomed to such things and do not find them insulting. I certainly understand the haste and urgency of these days.”

  “With your permission?” He asked.

  “Of course, ambassador. You are a guest in my home. Feel free to talk and act as you wish.”

  He reached into his robe and withdrew a chest that expanded as it departed an inner pocket. It must not have been heavy, or he was far stronger than he looked.

  He placed the gift on the table before us. “You may open it; there is no lock upon it.”

  I leaned forward and lifted the lid. He had positioned it so that when it was opened, I could see the contents fully.

  Just as he has stated, the lid was not latched, and it opened smoothly. I looked inside and saw that the chest was lined in green silk and was divided into three equal sections. In each section were delicate, wafer-thin lacey breads that appeared like snowflakes in their delicacy and beauty. There was a magical green glow inside the chest that added to the mystique.

  I could not hide the wonder on my face.

  “I am pleased to see you happy. Are you familiar with our Elven arbor panem?” He asked.

  “No ambassador, I am not. Are these delicacies, such as the elves are so duly famous?”

  “Not in the way that you suggest. These arbor panem, or tree bread, are our equivalent of your minor potions of Magical Restoration. Each will provide you with the return of ten casting points when consumed. They taste of toasted honey to my palate, but it is different to each that partakes.”

  I was down more than ten points after my work today. “I have been using my casting points liberally today, focused on preparations for battle. Would it be rude of me to try one in your presence?”

  “Not at all. These are a gift and are yours. You may choose to try one now if it pleases you. I would be interested in what taste you discover.”

  He leaned forward, keenly interested in my reaction.

  I withdrew one from the left compartment. As soon as it left the confines of the chest, its actual color, a pure white with gentle growth rings just like I had seen on trees, could be made out.

  “There are twenty-one in each of the three sections. When the lid is closed, a minor magic keeps them safe and secure so they do not get jostled during transport. The lid is not locked, but will not open unless willed open, which you did so casually. I expected that to be a mystery to you, but you confounded my little joke.” He said with a smile.

  The last magical chest I had opened had been the Gray Master’s, and it required an act of will to open, and I had replicated that effort in my mind without thinking about it here.

  “Even human enchanters have our tricks,” I said with an arch of my eyebrows.

  “My little joke was replaced with a mystery. It is kind of you, and I shall ponder it over the coming days.”

  So, doing a little mental math, he had just given me sixty-three wafers or six hundred thirty casting points. That was a very generous gift and a small fortune.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “The empty tray in the front of the chest can hold healing potions or a small selection of tools. The chest I am gifting to you was given to me centuries ago when I departed on my own guild journey, and I placed several potion vials inside in case of urgency.

  I closed my eyes in the fashion of an elf about to taste a new and delicate morsel, focusing all my senses on smell and taste, having already taken them in by sight and touch as I lifted the chosen wafer out of its section.

  I bit into it slowly, but as I did, the entire wafer melted into my mouth, swirled about my tongue, and down into me. There was nothing to chew or swallow. It was pure taste and magic.

  To me, the smell was like a spring morning when the air had a special quality to it, just like after a thunderstorm. The taste was like the purest, coolest spring water I had ever experienced. I shared my sensations and opened my eyes.

  He looked at me in surprise. “You describe them as might one of our eldest tree singers. It is the taste of pure nature, pure life. You surprise me once again, Patron. And for that I am also grateful.”

  The magical restoration effect was immediate, even as the taste lingered. It was refreshing, and I suddenly felt as if I was no longer hungry or thirsty. I laughed as I shared that with him as well.

  His Elven ears twitched once, and he also smiled. “It is typical that a sudden but not urgent thirst accompanies the consumption. Again, you are much like the elders who find it refreshing in power, mind, and body. You are a very interesting human, young patron.”

  He watched me for a moment and then sighed. “I truly wish we had more time to just talk about such things. But, I am awaited and must return to the embassy soon.”

  He slowly reached into his robe and withdrew a book this time. It was new but of very fine cloth, and the pages were precise and crisply white. As an elf, he would never cover a book with the hide of an animal. He laid it before me to the side of the chest of arbor panem.

  “Please, pick it up and open the cover.”

  I did so and read, “Seven Songs for Children by Jaonos Sylra.” I read out loud.

  “A perfect translation.” He said. “Jaonos Sylra passed into eternity over a thousand years ago, but his teachings are still shared today. These seven songs, which you would better know as Elf Songs, include the song we sang in the park. In his other works, not for children, he has created bow songs, staff songs, and others for offense and defense, but he is best remembered for the Tree Song and others, which we cherish and teach to our children. Much of our culture can be understood in these seven songs.”

  “It is a beautiful and elegant gift, ambassador. I thank you sincerely. It will bring light to my troubled heart in darker times.”

  “That is my hope.” He shared.

  Elves loved to gift in threes, and the gifts always progress from least to greatest from the perspective of the giver. Given these wonderful gifts of casting points and spells, I had no idea what the third might be, but it had to hold value equal to or greater than the other two from his perspective.

  “The third gift I do not pull out of a magical pocket, but out of my heart. The respect you showed to my people left us all amazed. And the magic you worked in our singing was unheard of for one so young and with such limited experience with Elf Song.

  “And so, by consent of three elves present at your singing, in recognition of your work, and as a second generation of those gifted, you are named Elfkin. You are more than a friend and ally, Gwydion, you are now family. Do you accept?” He asked.

  “Most gladly, grandmaster!” I said.

  “Then, arise Gwydion Istari Elfkin. I embrace you as my kinsman.”

  We both stood, and he gave me a hug as if I were a young brother he had not seen for many years and had returned suddenly. It was warm and full of joy and laughter.

  The AL whispered into my ear. Enchanter Gwydion earns an ally in Grandmaster Rothilion Venstina for an undisclosed quest resolution. You earn a racial bonus title, Elfkin, and improved favor with elf merchants and authorities. Elven Prestige changes from level three Fine to level four Notable. Additions and notes have been added to your Book of Quests that remain unread.

  He stepped back and looked at me with a mischievous grin. “A human who is dwarfkin and elfkin. We must be at the start of a new age, for such a thing is unheard of.” He frowned slightly and put his hand on my shoulder. “I should have bestowed this honor upon you in the park in front of your people. It was decided to give it to you by all the elves present. Even the most conservative of us knew it was warranted. But my careful nature told me to wait and perform this in private. And the first honor, which should have been the elves, was stolen by the dwarves.”

  He said it with emotion but not anger, just frustration with himself for waiting.

  “As you know, Elfkin is rarely given and must be earned through significant deeds, but the threshold for future generations is not so strict, and it is not uncommon for children and grandchildren of original Elfkin to likewise be recognized. That original burden of initiation required approval by the King and was already borne by your mother. And as agreed by all masters present, your work in the park was sufficient evidence for this honor to be passed to the next generation.”

  He withdrew an amulet from around his neck that had been beneath his shirt. It was a braided cloth cord with a carved wooden leaf that I recognized from my mother’s teachings. Although I do not ever recall seeing one in person, it was a perfect reproduction of a redwood leaf.

  “This amulet that I share with you should be kept on your person at all times. It does not need to be worn around the neck for its magic to work, however. You will understand its magic when you hold it. It will bring you safely into my home. Use it either to visit or in case of a desperate emergency.”

  He looked at me seriously as he said the last words. He was giving me a way out of the city if all defenses failed.

  I bowed and held my bow until he laughed and walked over and made me rise. “You do me too much honor. The arrogance of elves is also duly noted. Do not feed that beast casually!” And he laughed some more.

  Bella walked in carrying a tray of fruit, vegetables, and pastry delicacies.

  The ambassador’s eyes widened, and he said, “Why, some of my very favorite treats have been prepared. How could you have known I was coming?”

  I laughed. “I didn’t, but Bella has a way with such things.”

  We both sat as she set the tray before us. His eyes were roving across the delicacies, trying to decide what to taste first.

  “We thank you, little rabbit, for the honor shared.” She said to him in ancient Elvish.

  He looked at her quizzically, and her features changed for just a mere second before returning to normal. What he saw caused him to leap out of his seat. He looked at her and then at me. “What have you done, mage?” He asked in a husky, angry voice.

  I stood, confused by what had just happened and concerned by his anger. “I bestow upon you, Elfkin, and you enslave a sacred spirit to your will?”

  “Grandmaster,” I began.

  “The shame of this. Had I but known. But the honor cannot be revoked. Not by any but the king.”

  Bella said, “Rothilion, calm yourself.”

  “I will not. And-” He paled suddenly and grasped for where his pendant once hung about his neck. “Olasha Nika?” He said in a whisper.

  She stared at him, and whatever she said was meant only for him.

  His expression changed from one of horror to confusion, and then he looked upon me with a kind of sadness or pity. He said, “Gwydion, what have you done?”

  “He does not know all yet, but the working was not his. We are one. He bears no fault in this. He is as you see him and believe him to be.”

  He straightened his robes to buy himself a moment to collect himself. He shook his head and asked me, “Will you forgive my hasty presumption? I offered you insult and wish to retract those words and thoughts.”

  “There is nothing to forgive. But are we okay?” I asked.

  He smiled. “Yes, Gwydion. We are very much okay. But are you okay?” He asked.

  I looked back and forth between him and Bella. “Yes, I’m fine.” I turned to Bella, “Are you okay?” I asked.

  She tilted her head back and laughed. “You see?”

  He grinned. “I do. But I don’t know quite what to believe.”

  He looked back and forth between us once more and then said, “Well, I apologize, but I must depart. We leave as soon as I return to the embassy.”

  “You won’t stay to try any of the delicacies?” She asked.

  “I have had my fill, but I hope to return one day and sample them all.” He bowed deeply to her, less deeply to me, and exited the door which had remained open upon her entrance a few minutes earlier.

  “What just happened?” I asked Bella.

  “Only that which had to happen. And no more.” She moved over to pick up the trays and said, “I shall make rounds below so that these will not go to waste.”

  She exited quickly, even as I said, “But I didn’t even try one, yet.”