Chapter 3: Chalice of Strife

The middle aged count sipped one sip from the chalice he bought from the impudent peddlers. As the peddler said, the water was not poisonous. He feels young and full of energy. It was as if he had returned back to his prime years, when he was the captain of a thousand men in a war.

At first, he bought it for bragging. Through his experience, he knew this chalice was rare. That alone was enough. He would simply track where that specific merchants had gone before to acquire more. However, now that he knew for sure that the potion on the goblet actually did something, he planned to give it to the king. The king was old, this would surely be a good medicine for him.

“I shall give this chalice of life to my king, let it be the proof of my loyalty to you, Your Highness.” The count offered the chalice to him. The king was not amused. Porcelain and ceramics were the current trend of the Antheria Empire, being given something like a wooden cup was a poor taste. He wondered whether this was a gift from LeAestas. But after the count had explained that this chalice is unique and alive, the king thought he could brag it to LeAestas. However, His disdain vanished when the count mentioned the water could cure many ills and were healthy for the body.

The king happened to have a sickly granddaughter. Even with many doctors attending to her, they could only prolong her life. She had to be carried by a palanquin everywhere she went, she couldn’t walk and she couldn’t run. The king loved her dearly, it pained his heart to see her dream of becoming a knight crushed.

Then came the miraculous medicine. In less than a week, the princess recovered. She now could walk and run. Moreover, she could finally realize her dream of becoming a knight. All because of the medicine the count brought the king.

However, humans were greedy. Knowing such miracle drug exists, The king ordered the count, who was elevated to the rank of marquis, to search for the drug. And so, the marquis began his headhunt.

Meanwhile, the peddlers had returned to his village. With him, he brought many gifts. bricks, iron ores, and workers who were interested in Aelaranthae that he encountered in the forest. Among the new settlers were blacksmiths and craftsmen. The Aelaranthae welcomed them with open arms, but they refused the gifts the peddler gave them.

“We have no need for the gifts. It will make our house cramped. Please use it to make the villagers happy.” The Aelaranthae said to the peddlers. Even the wine glasses they had received months before were sitting on the table, never to be used for the Aelaranthae have no needs.

And so, thanks to the peddler, the village was more prosperous. Blacksmiths, craftsmen, and even pottery shops sprouted. The blacksmith relied on the peddlers for iron ores. Traveling inside the forest was dangerous, except for the Aelaranthae. He knew there was an iron ore on the mountain behind the villages, but it was a four hour walk and he couldn’t ask the Aelaranthae to guard him all the time.

Peace did not last long, the greedy marquis finally found where the Aelaranthae lived. Together with over a hundred knights, he marched to the peddler.

“You have been graced by the marquis of Lucianne. Your words were true and thus, I shall give you 500 golds for every chalice of life you provided me.”

Alas, The peddler refused. His answers startled even the marquis. The peddler had asked the Aelaranthae to provide him with more chalice, but they had not given him any.

“Gifts are not bought, Milord. They are given.”

The peddler turned his head and kneel to the Aelaranthae when they approached. His loyalty was not to the kingdom but to the fairy before him, The Aelaranthae had saved him in time of need, expecting no reward even unto this day. Thus, every villager respected The Aelaranthae more than any other noblemen or lords that ruled with prejudice. This enraged the marquis.

However The Marquis changed his mind when he saw The Aelaranthae. He was stunned when he saw the Aelaranthae for they were beautiful. Their silver hair coupled with pale skin were akin to diamonds. Their clothes were like flowers that bloomed in the garden. The ephemeral beauty was standing before him. There are no other words to describe them other than fairy of the forest. If only the Aelaranthae were taller and had more meat in their chest, the marquis might consider turning them into concubines.

The Aelaranthae sensed that the marquis was not welcomed, and It was true. The villagers here were exiled from their original lands by noblemen from the empire and thus, hated every nobles. The entitled attitude of the marquis didn’t help him either.

The Aelaranthae sensed the entitlement, the feeling that the marquis belittled everyone. The pride the marquis had was ruined by how he despised everyone beneath him. It was like a spoiled umami, rich in flavor but was left rotten. The Aelaranthae sulked in their appreciation of Marquis’ feelings.

“So, you are the fairy of the forest? Let it be known that you have breached our law. Subject yourself to the law of our land, work yourself to repent and I shall personally forgive you!”

“We did nothing wrong. This forest is ours. Leave. Or we will make you.” Ae Nae warned.

“Hah? How dare children like you dare to order me? A Marquis. Do you want to die?” The marquis drew his sword, threatening the Aelaranthae. But Ae Nae simply grabbed his sword and crumpled it with her hand. The iron sword looked like it was made from cardboard on her hand. She then threw the crumpled sword on the ground.

The one hundred men all drew their blade in unison. However, Ae Zir merely waved her hand. The ground shook as if it had come to life. The sand on the ground rose, swallowing the knights up to their neck.

“You can not defeat us. Leave. You are not welcome.”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Uwaa!! Heretic! Demon! I will be sure to erase you from the earth!” The marquis fled, leaving his soldiers and pride behind as he cried and ran. The Aelaranthae harbor no hostility toward the knights. Up until now, there were many predators such as tigers and bears visiting the villages. At first, they acted like they owned the place, but once they saw the difference in strength, they usually left. The Aelaranthae thought the marquis was the same. And so, the Aelaranthae guided the left knights outside the forest.

But humans were unlike other creatures, they were vengeful. The marquis returned to the king with ill news.

“Oh, My King. The Aelaranthae had staged a rebellion! I beseech you, we must subdue them!”

At first, the king was bewildered at the behavior of the marquis. This is a royal castle and he is a marquis, why would a marquis bother himself with some tribe in the forest? The answer came to him soon enough when the marquis mentioned the chalice of life.

The king understood what must be done for he desired the chalice more than others. He then asked a contingent of elite royal knights for a quest to the Aelaranthae’s land and captured the Aelaranthae. Thousands of knights, with their enchanted armor, sword, and shield, lined up and marched for two little girls, Two Aelaranthae. Their shining armor belied their corrupted heart. Their shouts defy their intention. Their mouths shouted to purge all evil, but their hearts desire to rob and plunder.

As the army marched toward the forest. The Aelaranthae felt the disturbance in the forest and came to meet them outside. News travels faster than the speed of light. Another peddler caught wind of the subjugation army and told another peddler, then another, who then told the Aelaranthae. Thus, the Aelaranthae came out from their forest and met them. They felt no fear, for nothing has ever harmed them in their life.

And so, just before the forest of exilement, or better known as Aelaranthae’s Forest in the future, in the Field of Palaie Green. Over a thousand troops came to bully two little girls. Yet they will receive the shock of their life, for Aelaranthae are powerful.

The goddess had long predicted the wicked heart of men. She created The Aelaranthae trying to mend them. But what happened was outside of her prediction. There is no such thing as morals or ethics in this world. All creatures followed their own behaviors based on their logic. The Aelaranthae were the same.

And so, the carnage began. The Aelaranthae struck back. Flame spewed from the ground, tornadoes swept the field and the ground trembled with earthquakes. The sky turned dark as lightning caressed the field. Palaie Green was green no more as the field turned to barren wasteland. The goddess made the Aelaranthae the most powerful being in this world in hopes they could defend themselves. However, the war shouldn’t progress like this. The goddess had hoped for the war to be more subdued, more peaceful, less killing. If war occurred, many people would feel afraid and that should disgust them. Yet, the Aelaranthae went ablaze because they knew if this army succeeded, over ten thousand people in Aelaranthae Village would perish.

“If you want to live, leave and never come back.” The Aelaranthae demanded after they stomped the army like a kid playing with ants. The Marquis, being the cowards he was, had fled the battle. The Aelaranthae wanted to chase, but alas, their little feet couldn’t match the speed of the horse, so they made such demands. Yet, none listened to her words.

In this battle, if it was ever called so, two Aelaranthae decimated over half of the assaulting army, Many among them were wounded. Among the wounded was a young man, Amantuile. His mage friend from another nation protected him with a water shield when flame tornadoes crashed near them.

The pained scream sends shivers to Aelaranthae’s spine. It was like a very sour orange. Since the scream was mixed with despair, the sourness was amplified with bitterness. The Aelaranthae were about to kill them all to stop the disgusting sensation before one of the villagers pleaded with them to help the wounded.

“O Mighty Aelaranth. Please bestow forgiveness to these knights who were merely following orders from their corrupt leaders. They didn’t know what they had done,” One of the villagers kowtowed before the Aelaranthae. They listened.

“Their life is in your hands. Don’t let them get close to us” The Aelaranthae left. The Aelaranthae did not like killing. Among the feelings the Aelaranthae had tasted, death throes were bitter, spicy, and overall unpleasant. It reminded them how a deer had died in the fangs of a tiger when they were just born in this world. However, death throes from humans were more potent. The taste of their feelings could even elicit a reaction from the Aelaranthae.

And so, the village has become an impromptu hospital. As requested, it was located near the border of the forest, far away from Aelaranthae’s house. Amantuile, with his mage friend, Lotharine was among the patients that was cared for in the village. In merely a week, most soldiers were able to walk. They left with fear in their heart. Among such fear, they felt gratitude. It was spicy and sweet for the Aelaranthae who visited once in a while. The sweet taste of gratitude brings joy. But the spicy feelings from their fear burned their heart. It was such complicated feelings, which is why the Aelaranthae wave them goodbye with a frown on her mouth. Their nascent taste buds had not appreciated the spicy feelings yet.

Amantuile and Lotharine, however, did not leave even after their wounds were healed. They first inspected the Aelaranthae, but they found no malice within them, they were so different from the propaganda said by the empire. Then, they asked the locals whether the Aelaranthae were the races of order or demons.

“Was she a demon? Did she eat one of you each month?” Amantuille asked. Amantuile was skeptical. After all, The Aelaranthae were immensely powerful, such service should not come for free.

“No. All they ever did to us was a hug.” Every local answered the same to Amantuile’s question. Some even outright chided them with ridicule, “Unlike lords, who cast us away after all we have ever done to them. They must have come here for the life potion. James shouldn’t have sold those to the lords…”

Yes, Aelaranthae loves hugs. The closer they are to your heart, the better the feeling for the Aelaranthae. The villagers, knowing their goddess would come and hug them even though they were dirty with soot and soil, also filled them with joy. It felt so different compared to the arrogant noblemen. It felt as if their hard work were being respected and valued. Everywhere Amantuile went, the answer remained the same. He was so embarrassed at himself when he knew why his king attacked this peaceful village.

Lotharine, however, did not care. Humans were always greedy and selfish. He knew from the beginning that they attacked this settlement to rob it. It was not the first time Lords pinned some whimsical blame on a rural village to plunder its wealth. However, the magic that he witnessed that day was miraculous. Once he was healed, he poked around the villagers asking them to allow him to grace the Aelaranthae.

“You need not to bribe us. Just meet her there, at the tree house. Please be polite.” The villager said after he insistently helped them with farm chores and offered a silver coin from his pouch.

Lotharine then knelt and served his weapon and wand before their house. When the Aelaranthae came out from their abode, he yelled.

“Esteemed Aelaranthae, Teach me your magic! If you do, I shall serve you forever!”

“Oi, you are the knight of the empire…” Amantuille chided Lotharine.

“Then, I will quit.” Lotharine answered. “LeAestas has a saying that knowledge is more valuable than gold. You better remember that.”

Unlike most humans, people of LeAestas do not value money. However, they too have disappointed the goddess. They view other races to be beneath them because they do not value knowledge and nature. LeAestas was known to be a mage’s haven. It housed The Tower of Mana, the most prominent mage academy in the world.

“I don’t need such a thing. If you want to learn, I shall teach you. Human, do you wish to learn too?” The Aelaranthae asked. Being handed power on a silver platter, Amantuile nodded. Hee couldn’t help but be skeptical.

It was normal for humans to be greedy and desire power. However, Amantuile knew what gratitude is. He promised deep within his heart that he will restore Aelaranthae’s reputation within the kingdom as thanks for their kindness in providing him. For losing knights like him, it would not be strange if he was forced to work in the mines or even got executed. But these villagers not only healed him, they also set him free and even returned his belongings.

“Thank you! Esteemed Aelaranthae.” Lothaine bowed. Mages took great care in concealing their knowledge about magic. Thus, a teacher was held in highest regards for them. More so than Amantuile, Lotharine, a mediocre mage who was cast out to work in another country, was grateful for Aelaranthae’s benevolence.

Sensing the knight’s feeling turned from sour and bitter suspicion into sweet gratitude was refreshing for the Aelaranthae. They skipped their steps and hugged the grown men before scheduling the lesson.

Aelaranthae loves hugs