Kooriime (Koh-Oh-Ree-May): Elves in the City

Copyright © 2013 L. A. Jones.

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ISBN: 978-1-4582-0923-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4582-0922-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4582-0921-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: Number 2013908467

Abbott Press rev. date: 5/17/2013

Table of Contents

SAYTEN LALEIWELIHWYN

MEILYNN LALEIWELIHWYN

FIEROHAAN ORREBBIORE

ROCKLIIASTAN AVALANCHE

SAYTEN LALEIWELIHWYN

MEILYNN LALEIWELIHWYN

FIEROHAAN ORREBBIORE

MEILYNN LALEIWELIHWYN

ROCKLIIASTAN AVALANCHE

SAYTEN LALEIWELIHWYN

AZURELLI AMMAMIILLIIA

MEILYNN LALEIWELIHWYN

DIONOLLAH

MEILYNN LALEIWELIHWYN

FIEROHAAN ORREBBIORE

MEILYNN LALEIWELIHWYN

SAYTEN LALEIWELIHWYN

MEILYNN LALEIWELIHWYN

AZURELLI AMMAMIILLIIA

FIEROHAAN ORREBBIORE

MEILYNN LALEIWELIHWYN

AZURELLI AMMAMIILLIIA

AIRINA BOMBEDAS

AZURELLI AMMAMIILLIIA

MEILYNN LALEIWELIHWYN

ROCKLIIASTAN AVALANCHE

DIONOLLAH

ROCKLIIASTAN AVALANCHE

DIONOLLAH

AIRINA BOMBEDAS

ROCKLIIASTAN AVALANCHE

MEILYNN LALEIWELIHWYN

DIONOLLAH

ROCKLIIASTAN AVALANCHE

AZURELLI AMMAMIILLIIA

ROCKLIIASTAN AVALANCHE

DIONOLLAH

AIRINA BOMBEDAS

ROCKLIIASTAN AVALANCHE

AIRINA BOMBEDAS

ROCKLIIASTAN AVALANCHE

A day in the life of Selindah

ROCKLIIASTAN AVALANCHE

AZURELLI AMMAMIILLIIA

DIONOLLAH

AZURELLI AMMAMIILLIIA

Those who walk in other’s tracks leave no footprints.

-Chinese Proverb

SAYTEN LALEIWELIHWYN

A few days before the American New Year, everyone had finally received some reason to rejoice. Adriaan had been discovered alive in Imperiallyss and was brought back to Rikku’s Place. I didn’t get to see him when he was brought in, but I took the return of our savior to be a sign of hope from the Ammiyallyss. No one seemed to know the details of Adriaan’s alleged death and rebirth, but there were a lot of rumors circulating.

Everyone gathered in the mellornyaa tree hall at Rikku’s Place, three weeks into the new year, for a conference that would be held by Adriaan. No one I knew had seen Adriaan since his return to New York. Everyone sat cross-legged on the floor with baited breath, awaiting the arrival of our savior. When he finally arrived, the entire hall was overcome with emotion. We all leapt to our feet and screamed and cheered. Some people cried, others ran up to him and embraced him. He didn’t enter the hall alone. Walking closely behind Adriaan were the other militants who had been on the scene during my rescue from Antarctica; but alongside Adriaan was a young man I had never seen before. He has mahogany hair that fell past his shoulders in layers and big, sharp, grey eyes with thick black lashes. I found him to be quite handsome. What was unusual was that his fingers were interlaced with Adriaan’s and they never parted; not even when other Elves had approached Adriaan to embrace him. I shook the arm of Fiero, who was standing next to me.

Do you see that? I hissed.

Yes…who is that man? he asked me.

I have no idea…but do you see their rings? I was in awe.

Sure, but that doesn’t mean that they’re together. It only means that they’re both married to someone, Fiero said.

A hush fell over the hall as Adriaan and his party reached the front of the room. We all knelt before him.

Please don’t, Adriaan said in his kind voice. Do not kneel before me. Please, just have a seat. I wish to speak to you all today about the crimes that took place while I was in Kooriime last. But first I would like to introduce my husband, Ris Evangalarya, to you all…

Murmurs erupted all over the place over Adriaan’s last statement. I could see my mother shaking her head with contempt.

…I wish to do so only to better explain my story to you all, Adriaan called out over the murmuring.

Adriaan launched into his story about Callehndrina agreeing to marry him and Ris. He then launched into the story about her propaganda campaign against him and the Traveling Army, and then he went on to tell us about how Callehndrina had poisoned him in an attempt to kill him, which failed. Callehndrina had attempted to prise his powerful beryls from his arms in an attempt to increase her own powers and destroy Adriaan for good. Adriaan then thanked his crew members for coming back to Imperiallyss in search of him, and for rescuing him.

He continued by saying:

I have seen many of the people that we have returned to Kooriime ostracized for being imprisoned by the scientists, just because they bear the scars from experimentation. Some men have been imprisoned as if they had committed crimes. The Elder Elves fear all of you. They think that any of you could be spies for your ex-captors. That you may even have been brain-washed or carry tracking devices deep within the cores of your bodies that may lead more trouble to Kooriime. The air is thick with paranoia. Callehndrina and Alexdor inspect all who return. They will inspect your minds and your bodies. If you have something to hide, then I ask you to apply caution when making the decision to return to Kooriime. You are all innocent and have suffered deeply, but that hardly seems to matter. You should be welcomed home with open arms, not treated like contaminated bearers of ill will. I can no longer promise that you will be safe in your own homes. That being said, the Traveling Army will only make one last voyage back to Kooriime and with us we will take any and all of you who wish to return there. Any of you who wish to remain here in New York City will receive schooling and life-training to help you adapt to your new lives…

Who the hell would ever stay here? I heard my mother say loudly.

"…I for one will remain here where I can live in peace with my husband. My comrades have also agreed to remain behind. I will do my best to negotiate terms and secure treaties with the world leaders to protect our rights as humans living in this world. Rikku and Maru have agreed to assist you all in finding sources of income and housing. We can build a community here in Elf Village beyond the reach of Callehndrina, and work together to live in harmony and practice our culture, as well as embrace new ideas as we see fit. That is all that I have to say to you all. The ship will leave for its final voyage to Kooriime at midnight on the first day of Calainis (May)."

The hall was entirely silent as Adriaan, his husband, and the other militants left. No one seemed to know what to say. One by one, the crowd began to thin.

This is great! We get to go home! my mother exclaimed after a while. I only wish that it were sooner.

I looked over at Fierohaan, who seemed to be lost in thought. I took his hand.

What is it? I asked.

What do you think that Adriaan meant when he said that our minds would be inspected as well as our bodies? he asked me in a dazed whisper.

Well, haven’t you heard the stories about the trials with Callehndrina? I asked him.

No, is that learned in the last year of school? Fiero asked.

No—it’s just gossip really. They say that if you stand trial before the Elder Elves, they penetrate your mind and look at all of your thoughts before deciding whether you are guilty or innocent. But what are you worried about? I said.

Rikku and Maru will help us. They intend to stay here as well, Fiero muttered, more to himself than to me. She’ll see that I’ve killed…this must be what Adriaan is talking about. People are being imprisoned for committing crimes in an attempt to survive. That’s the injustice. She’ll see that I’ve taken human life and convict me, even though it was only the lives of those vile, evil, sadists. Fiero spoke in a rapid terrified whisper.

Come on guys! We’re going to have lunch, Tillary called.

She’ll know that we’re together. That’s why Adriaan told us that he is married to Ris. Callehndrina pretended to be okay with it because she had promised him a reward, but she did her best to make him suffer for it. She decided that he should die—that he is too radical and setting the wrong example. That he is shaking the foundations our social system is built upon. Men can’t marry men in a matriarchal society, Sayten. She pretended that Adriaan had committed treason, but really she just wanted him out of the way because he was gaining too many admirers and going against the rules. And you! You bear the scars of experimentation…

Let’s just go and eat, I said consolingly. I was trembling. My mind was now racing with the thoughts Fiero had just implanted there. I needed a subject change. We could talk about this later.

No, you go, Fiero said. He turned on the spot and dashed off in the opposite direction.

People all around me were surprisingly conflicted over the idea of returning to Kooriime. It was the one thing that we all thought we’d wanted for so long, but now, after hearing what had happened to Adriaan, no one seemed certain. The conspiracy against Adriaan wasn’t something that anyone had ever heard of before. We all trusted the Elder Elves, not to rule us, but to keep order amongst us all. How could any of us possibly live in a world where we were in danger of persecution? I had a long conversation with Rockliiastan about this one day while we worked outside in a light snowstorm. According to him, we are already living in a world of persecution. But wasn’t being back in our familiar world the lesser of two evils?

This matter seemed to be tearing Fierohaan apart. He was quiet most evenings and would stare vacantly. We were all sitting in the main room of our suite having a bowl of kale tea together when Azurelli blurted out,

I’m not going back. I’m staying here.

My mother dropped her bowl, and the glazed pottery shattered. Hot tea spewed in all directions.

What do you mean, boy? my mother growled.

There is nothing for me there. After Azurelli spoke those words, he rose from the table and went to bed.

Make yourself scarce from him, Meilynn. He’s a bad influence, my mother said. She took Azurelli’s empty bowl and poured herself some more tea.

Fiero had left his bed that night for the bathroom. Everyone seemed to be sleeping, so I followed him. He was standing very still on the tiled floors with his back to me. When I walked around to face him, I saw that he stared at nothing.

Fierohaan, what is it? What is happening to you? I practically pleaded. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Please, Fiero, talk to me.

A single tear trickled down his cheek.

I don’t think that I can go home either, he said after a moment. His voice sounded strained when he said those words. I watched him for a while in silence.

I don’t want to lose you, Sayten. Even if I did go home, I would lose you. We live too far apart as it is…. Was this all just a big mistake? he croaked.

I would do anything for you, Fierohaan. All you need to do is ask, I said plainly.

More tears rushed from his eyes. I had never seen Fiero cry before. He had been so strong through everything that a part of me thought I never would see him cry. He was still beautiful in his weakness.

I could never ask you for the things I want… Fiero said.

Fine then, I’ll make you an offer. I am offering to follow you wherever you go, Fierohaan Orrebbiore. I never planned to be without you. I have always thought that I would leave my family and follow you from the very beginning. You have me, Fierohaan. I am yours.

I thought these words might make Fiero feel better, but he only cried harder. I wrapped my arms around him and held him tightly.

I’ll never see my family again! he cried.

You don’t have to make any decisions tonight, Fiero. We still have a little over two months. I began to dry his tears with the sleeves of my night shift. I kissed his nose and then his salty lips.

Please don’t cry any more. We’ll figure everything out together. You’re not alone in this, I said before kissing him again.

Before I knew it, our clothes were in the empty bathtub and we were rolling around the pearly tiled floor. I completely lost myself in my attempt to heal Fiero’s heart. Fiero’s shouts echoed around the bathroom walls, but I barely noticed. Before I climaxed, a bloodcurdling scream filled the room. I looked up to see my mother standing in the adjoining doorway. My mouth fell open and my penis softened automatically. Fiero was stiff as a board beneath me. I couldn’t remember any prayer that might save me. I clambered into a standing position. Fiero seemed to be playing dead on the floor. My mother approached me slowly and I could feel every minute hair on my body stand up. She swung her arm back. I didn’t even see it happen. I felt something heavy collide with my ear and I fell sideways into the empty hot tub. The other side of my head collided with the bottom of the tiled basin. I saw Glorianna’s feet next to my face once she had jumped down into the tub. She reached down and grabbed me by my hair. She kept tugging until I was on my feet again. Her eyes were wider than I had ever seen them.

What were you doing? she asked in a shocked whisper. She shook me by my hair when I didn’t answer right away.

"I love him, Hiril," I managed to choke out after a few moments of dead silence. Glorianna didn’t seem to know what to say to this. Her eyes kept roving back and forth as if she was looking from one of my eyeballs to the other.

What did they do to you? she whispered.

Who? I asked.

The scientists, she said almost inaudibly.

"I—I was this way before the scientists, Hiril. I’ve always wanted—,"

Shut up! my mother screamed. Not my son. There is nothing wrong with my son. You’re just missing Tandriia. The scientists have confused parts of you, but you will feel much better once you’re home and you see Tandriia again.

Mother, Tandriia is probably married by now and I want to be with Fierohaan… Glorianna had begun shaking me by my hair once more.

No! It was him! He’s the one who did this! Glorianna looked to where Fiero sat at the edge of the tub. Fiero shook his head profusely.

N—no! I didn’t do anything, he said.

"Hiril please! We want to be together!" I pleaded desperately while trying to prise her fingers from my hair.

You stop this right now, Sayten, or you cannot come back to Kooriime with us! I’ll leave you here. MARK MY WORDS! she screamed.

I’m not going back. I’m staying here with Fierohaan. The words came out of me before I even had the chance to think of them. Is this really what I wanted? Before I could decide whether I wanted to take my words back, Glorianna let go of my hair and lurched towards Fiero. I ran after her and caught her by the waist.

You can’t do this! she shouted. You can’t do this to my son! You’ve poisoned him! I know you have!

"Hiril, we’re in love! We’ve been in love for a long time!" I shouted as she squirmed. Glorianna stopped moving abruptly after a moment. She whipped around to face me.

How long? she demanded. Her eyes were still wide and her nostrils were flaring dangerously.

Since the basement… I stated. I looked to Fiero for support. He sat frozen at the edge of the large basin with his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open. My mother opened her mouth to speak again but she couldn’t seem to decide what to say. She drew her hand back again and smacked me down to the floor again.

"Hiril! I heard someone shout. What are you doing?"

Every bedroom had a door leading to the bathroom. Meilynn had come out of his room to see what all of the commotion was. My mother ran to Meilynn and began to sob. She told him about everything. I stood up in time to see Meilynn’s wide eyes staring at Fiero sitting naked on the floor. By the time I had climbed out of the bathtub and reached Fiero, Tillary had entered the room, and then Errianna and Aeahwyn. Ceringtehn could sleep like the dead. We stayed up all night yelling and screaming and fighting in the bathroom. My brothers and sisters, who I had spent my entire life caring for, had turned on me. They all tried to beat up Fiero, but I wouldn’t let them. They shouted horrible things and pleaded for us to stop this. They said that what we were doing was disgusting and wrong. Meilynn told me that I was embarrassing this whole family and that our father would kill Fiero in front of me if he were here. When the sun came up, Fiero and I grabbed some clothes and escaped. The last thing I heard was my mother deciding that this was somehow Adriaan’s fault. They could argue amongst themselves for as long as they wanted as far as I was concerned.

MEILYNN LALEIWELIHWYN

My head was throbbing so hard I was sure it would split open. How could Sayten do this to us? He was ruining everything. We were finally getting the opportunity to go home and he was ruining everything.

How long have you known about this? my mother screeched as she entered my bedroom. Tillary and I exchanged looks. We had left our mother alone in the bathroom to bathe once Fiero and Sayten had taken off. Now that she had regrouped, she was back on the war path.

I didn’t know anything! Tillary cried defensively. He looked over at me.

Don’t look at me! I snapped. How was I supposed to know what Sayten’s been doing? I never see him in the day and he disappears at night.

You must not speak to him any more until he stops this! Do you understand me? my mother hissed.

But—, Tillary and I said at the same time.

No! our mother cried. He is ruined! We will leave him here to spoil. We cannot have that in our family. We cannot bring him back to Farlindan to ruin the reputation of this family. As far as I am concerned, I only have three sons. If anyone asks, I’ve always had only three sons.

"But Hiril, don’t you love Sayten any more?" I asked. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was never any secret that Sayten and my mother had the closest relationship. She relied on Sayten for everything and they would sometimes have private conversations together which always annoyed me. Sayten would never give me as much as a hint to what they had spoken about.

No, I cannot love a man like that, our mother said. Where did I go wrong? What have I done to deserve this? Tillary, Meilynn, tell me what I did wrong.

I really don’t know… I started to say.

I gave him everything he could ever need, did I not? Glorianna cried.

Ceringtehn, who had slept through the entire ordeal, entered the room.

I wondered where everyone had gotten to, he said between yawns. What’s going on? I smacked my own forehead with my palm. The last thing I wanted to give right now was a re-cap of this mess.

Ceringtehn, oh Ceringtehn, our mother crooned desperately when she saw him. She wrapped her arms around Ceringtehn and hugged his head to her breasts. The worst thing has happened. Your eldest brother has lost his mind. She proceeded to tell Ceringtehn about what she had caught Fiero and Sayten doing.

Tell me that you would never do a thing like that, Ceringtehn! our mother pleaded as she sobbed.

"No Hiril! I would never do a thing like that," said Ceringtehn innocently.

You are not to speak to Sayten any more. Not until he comes to his senses. He may try to corrupt you, Glorianna said. I’m going to join your sisters for breakfast. You boys had better wash up and get dressed before all of the food is gone. She sniffed and then glided out of the room.

Why did Sayten do that? Ceringtehn asked Tillary and I with wide eyes.

He says he’s in love with a man, I said slowly. That was a very difficult thing for me to say about my brother out loud.

Why would he be in love with a man? What about Tandriia? Ceringtehn asked naively.

Man, if I had known that Sayten didn’t want Tandriia, I would’ve made a move on her, Tillary said before stamping his foot on the floor.

You’re too young for her. She would’ve never gone for you, I said.

I just can’t believe Sayten. This really doesn’t sound like him, Tillary said.

If I hadn’t seen them both naked with those frightful expressions on their faces, I wouldn’t believe it either, I said.

What is that doctor playing at? Tillary asked angrily.

I never liked him. He’s not even a real doctor, I said. "Do you really think that Hiril doesn’t love Sayten any more? Can that really happen? Can a person stop loving someone they’ve loved for half of their life just because they made a mistake? I mean, she gave birth to him."

Sayten didn’t just make a mistake. He’s still making it and has been making it for years behind all of our backs. I’m not sure if I love him any more either, Tillary said.

What? How could you say that? I asked angrily.

What’s not to understand? He’s filthy and disgusting! And he’s a liar. When I think about all of those times he’s smiled to my face while he was secretly drilling holes into that doctor’s ass I wanna hurl! Think about all of the times he’s ditched us and left us to make all of those dresses for the women by ourselves. He’s the fastest sewer and the best at weaving cloth, but instead of helping us and upholding his duties, he was with that snake Fierohaan! Eew, think of where his hands have been!

Stop it, Tillary! I shouted.

Then there’s all of those times he’s said our father’s name with those tainted lips, Tillary continued. How dare he! How could he? It’s an insult! Our father died trying to save that backbiting turd! And for what? So that he could make a mockery of everything he was ever taught and disgrace himself? I’ve heard about men like him. Men who are too lazy to want to provide for a family and don’t wanna reproduce. The only thing he’s thinking about is pleasure. Sayten’s dead to me.

My temples continued to pulsate and my ears started ringing. I didn’t know what was happening to my whole world. I looked at Ceringtehn who was standing with his mouth agape. He looked terrified. Our family was falling apart.

"I’m ashamed of you, Tillary. I’m ashamed of Hiril too," I said.

What? Tillary cried. He seemed taken aback.

Maybe Sayten is doing something wrong, but I don’t agree with anything you’ve just said. Sayten has done nothing but love us and care about us all. I’m not sure what I’m feeling right now, but whatever it is, it isn’t hate. He’s our brother, Tillary! Are we really supposed to hate him now because he’s having a love affair? What about everything else? Whatever he’s doing behind our backs has nothing to do with the fact that he’s always been there for us as our brother.

Tell that to my bleeding fingers! The ones that have had to make do without him because he’s been shirking his responsibilities. How many robes and dresses have we had to embroider in his absence? How many pairs of slippers have we made? How many gems and diamonds have we had to cut? How much cloth did we have to weave? And what’s he been doing? Fiero!

Maybe I don’t want to go back to Kooriime, I muttered.

You are being selfish and stupid, Meilynn! Tillary cried. "Why the hell would you throw away your life for Sayten? Or is this just an excuse to stay here with that girlfriend of yours? You expect me and Ceringtehn to support Hiril, Errianna, and Aeahwyn all by ourselves?"

I felt the scar on my thigh from where I was shot by the scientists. Sayten had dug out the bullet for me. He didn’t have to do that, but he did because he loves me. He’s always loved me no matter how badly I behaved. I’ve always thought that love was supposed to be unconditional. Sayten had taught me that. How could anyone expect me to just turn off my love for him and turn my back on him? Tillary wasn’t making any sense. He’s just angry right now. If only Hiril would change her mind about not allowing Sayten to return to Farlindan with us. She can be so stubborn, and so can Sayten. I saw the look in his eye when he said that he loved Fierohaan and that he was never going back to Kooriime without him. It was something I’d never seen before; strong and unyielding. He was not willing to negotiate. How could he leave all of us though? Doesn’t he love us? Does he love Fiero more than his own family? If he does, then I hate him too. If he doesn’t, then maybe it’s just a matter of Hiril letting him bring Fierohaan home with us. We could just tell the neighbors and our extended family that Fierohaan is a friend of the family, which he had been, and that we keep him around because he’s a latchkii who lost his entire family and saved our lives or something. When they ask us about why Sayten never married, we could say that it is because he has decided to devote his life to the noble cause of taking care of our mother now that we’ve lost our father. This is surely unheard of, but maybe it would start a trend. It doesn’t matter what story we tell; the point is that it’s doable. Things don’t have to be this way. We don’t have to split up.

I don’t know what to do, I mumbled.

If you stay, I’ll stay too, said Ceringtehn.

What? I asked. He had startled me. In fact, he had been so quiet that I almost forgot he was still in the room.

What?! Tillary shouted.

"I don’t want to go home without Meilynn and Sayten," Ceringtehn said.

"What about Hiril? You can’t spend a day without your face in her bosom," Tillary snarled.

Leave Ceringtehn alone! I snapped.

"Maybe it’s time I went without her. She will never let me go all on her own, especially now that Artar is gone," Ceringtehn said.

Well if you’re all staying, then I may as well stay too, said Tillary. I couldn’t tell by his snarky tone whether he was being sarcastic or not. I can’t take care of three women by myself, and then be expected to find another one to impregnate and have my own children with.

You wouldn’t have to take care of the three of them for long. Errianna and Aeahwyn will get married, Ceringtehn said. "Then it’ll just be Hiril who needs looking after."

FIEROHAAN ORREBBIORE

Sayten and I had taken to hiding in Rocklii’s room at night over the next few weeks. All of his siblings were married; therefore Rocklii had a small room all to himself in the Avalanche’s large suite. We didn’t do a lot of sleeping. Most nights Sayten and I stayed up asking Rocklii questions about the world around us. He was very knowledgeable and had already made a lot of ettelenna friends here. Rocklii even agreed to help Sayten and I find jobs. Talking to Rocklii was the only thing keeping me sane these days. I felt as if I had a plan before I fell asleep early in the morning after our conversations with Rocklii. Only in the mornings was I riddled with anxiety again. Every time I saw one of Sayten’s brothers from across a room, I would remember everything that Sayten and I would be giving up by not returning to Kooriime. I missed my family every day and knowing that they most likely think that I’m dead eats away at me. Rockliiastan and Dallanalaal both have intentions to stay here in New York too. Rocklii had not yet told his family about his decision though. Dallanalaal was here without anyone but his brother who had been his best friend. Now that Magnold is dead, he doesn’t want to return to Kooriime without him. Azurelli sometimes came to stay in Rocklii’s room with us at night once I had confided in him that Sayten and I were plotting ways to make a living here. Azurelli seemed to be coming to life before our very eyes. He had been in such a disengaged state over the last couple of years since losing his family; but somehow, the idea of taking control of his life and starting anew seemed to wake him up. The group of people deciding to stay in Manhattan was growing larger every day and slowly the knots in my stomach were coming undone.

By the second week of April, Elf Village was complete. A huge celebration took place in the middle of the streets one evening to commemorate. Most of the Elves planning to go back to Kooriime did not partake in our celebrations, but there were hundreds who did. I couldn’t believe that so many people intended to start brand new lives here. All feelings of desolation left me that night as Sayten and I danced under the jars of liquid light strung from lamp post to lamp post. Children had spent the day making colorful paper lanterns that had been strung up as well. Some men had made instruments and played all evening. I consumed flagon upon flagon of Elven wine and ate as much fruit and sweets as I could get my hands on.

Elf Village has two entrances strategically placed in New York City. One was placed in a closed subway station and the other secret entrance is a closed parking garage on Twelfth Avenue. A monument was sculpted out of diamonds at the center of the town to pay tribute to everyone killed in captivity. It is a fountain containing sculptures of several members of the Ammiyallyss. The names of the dead are etched onto their garments. A mellornyaa sapling was planted a few feet behind it. The streets of the village are of rough diamond cobblestones. There were rumors of an underground military base being built somewhere by the militants of the Traveling Army. The buildings and apartment complexes are all made of stone. There is a hospital called the Athalyss Medical Center, a school called The Elven Academy, a fight ring for sport, The Ris Evangalarya Photo Studio, a vegetable farm, a park with paths, gardens, and orchards, and a tall dark tower looming at the far edge of the village that is referred to as the Wizard’s Tower.

While dancing, Sayten pointed out another homosexual couple dancing together in the street. I know one of the men, who is named Aivy, but I don’t know his partner.

See, we’re not the only ones, Sayten had whispered into my ear.

Sometime after midnight, Sayten and I had discovered Rockliiastan dancing in the fountain at the center of the village. He seemed more than drunk; he looked strung-out on something.

Ha! Leave it to Rocklii to be the center of attention! Sayten cried in his blithesome stupor. Dallanalaal was trying to help Rocklii out of the fountain but Rocklii kept trying to dance with him.

Hey Rocklii! Sayten called.

Hey! Get wet! Rocklii shouted. Sayten laughed. Rocklii slipped and fell backwards in the fountain. He sat half submerged in water, laughing. I helped Dallanalaal get him to his feet and dragged him out of the fountain.

That was fun, Rockliiastan said. His eyes were crossing and his speech was slurred. He barely seemed able to stay on his feet.

How much did you drink tonight, Rockliiastan? I asked him. He didn’t answer me. He just laughed and shook his head.

How much did he drink? I asked Dallanalaal.

I really couldn’t say. I hadn’t seen him all night until about thirty minutes ago. He just disappeared after work. He wasn’t even at the bar, and then I found him running around in the fountain, Dallanalaal said.

I was just having fun, Rocklii said stupidly.

Let’s get him back to Rikku’s Place, I suggested. Dallanalaal and I supported Rockliiastan’s soaking wet body as we walked down the street to Rikku’s Place, which was now enclosed within our new village. It was about nine blocks away from our current location.

We crept into the Avalanche’s suite as quietly as we could. Rockliiastan kept shushing us, but he was the one making all of the noise the way he laughed every time he stumbled. Sayten slid the flooring covering Rocklii’s bed aside and I sat Rocklii down.

Now Rocklii, what did you consume this evening? I asked him while examining his eyes, tongue, and throat. Next, I took his pulse and felt around for the glands in his neck. Rocklii babbled for a while about eating a really great sausage earlier in the evening, and he stuttered incoherently about bread, butter, and bar nuts. Finally, he began to talk about the problem.

There’s this really great stuff that this guy gives me when I can afford it. It’s this powder. It’s white like snow, but it isn’t cold. You just breathe it in and then you’ll feel all better. Sometimes, Dean will give it to me and then give me a shot with this other stuff and I feel even better, he said.

Who is Dean? Is he a doctor? I asked.

No, he’s my dealer, Rocklii said seriously.

Dealer? What does this mean? I inquired further.

It means that he sells the stuff to me and I give him money and then I feel great, Rockliiastan said.

But what is this stuff that he’s giving you? Is it a chemical? I persisted.

Maybe…but who cares. Rocklii fell backwards so that he was lying flat on his bed. He let out a long sigh.

Who cares? Rockliiastan! You can’t just ingest anything a stranger gives to you! I shouted.

He’s not a stranger. His name is Dean. I’ve known him for over a year. It’s cool, Rocklii said. He was beginning to fall asleep.

I drank too much wine, he mumbled. I’m sleepy now.

I looked over at Sayten with wide eyes. He was already sleeping in a seated position beside me.

Dallanalaal, he can’t keep taking these chemicals. How could you let him do this? I accused.

Let him do this? I told you, I wasn’t even with him tonight, Dallanalaal answered defensively.

No, maybe not tonight. But what about the other nights? I shot back.

Look, he’s a grown man. I’m not his keeper and I’m certainly not his mother. What he does with his money is his business, Dallanalaal said. He stood up to leave. Relax Fiero, he’ll be fine. He always is. With that, he strode to the door and left. I tried to stay awake to keep an eye on Rockliiastan, but I too had drunk too much wine and fell asleep.

The following morning, I went to the hospital ward to talk to a medic about the strange substances Rocklii had described last night. Tori Avalon was there and he was more than happy to sit and talk to me. He told me all about the drugs created and used all around the world and their effects. He also talked to me about substance abuse and alcohol poisoning. I didn’t tell Rocklii’s name to Tori, but I did tell him about my friend who was buying drugs. Tori cautioned me about the illegality of buying and selling drugs and told me that Rockliiastan could be imprisoned by law enforcers—called police, if he were caught. Lastly, Tori warned me that the police were looking for any excuse to round up Elves, and he told me to tell my friend that if he wasn’t careful, then he could end up back in another laboratory. Distressed is the only word I could think to use to describe my emotions after speaking with Tori Avalon. I gained a lot of insight, but how was I going to use it to help Rocklii? I needed Sayten’s help to stage an intervention. After last night, I couldn’t trust Dallanalaal to help out at all.

Today was the first day in a long time that Elven men weren’t obligated to work now that the Village was complete. Sayten said that he would be on the roof getting some air this morning, so I went up to the roof in search of him. It was an extremely gorgeous day. The weather was cool and it was as sunny as it could ever be here. It was nice up on the rooftop. I didn’t feel as claustrophobic as I usually did outdoors in Manhattan because there was more open airspace. I walked along the rooftop and found Sayten after I had rounded a corner to a small area which contained cinder blocks to sit on. He seemed to be deep in conversation with Meilynn. I began to double back, but it was too late. Sayten had already seen me.

Fierohaan! he called. Meilynn looked up and cast a dirty look in my direction. He said a few final words under his breath to Sayten before he stood up and walked away from him. Meilynn made a point to ram into me hard with his shoulder as he passed me.

What was that about? I asked while taking Meilynn’s vacant cinder block and sitting opposite Sayten.

That was his last attempt to talk me into dumping you, Sayten said with a grin.

Did he have any luck? I asked coyly.

Not a chance, Sayten said.

They’ll be leaving very soon, you know, I said.

Yes I know. I’m confident that they will get along without me though. I taught them everything I needed to, Sayten said. I’ll miss them though…change the subject.

I launched into the story of my morning spent talking to Tori Avalon. Sayten scoffed when I mentioned his name, but I ignored him. He became all ears when I told him all about drugs and how dangerous it was for Rocklii to be doing them. When I finished, we went downstairs to have lunch. Afterwards, we came right back up to the rooftop to discuss ways of intervening with Rocklii’s habit. We felt that we needed to get to him before nightfall, but we knew that he would be working at the bar tonight. He was always sober when he worked at the bar, so the best plan that we were able to come up with was meeting up at the bar where Rocklii worked and hope that we would be able to talk to him after his shift.

I’m afraid there will be too many other people waiting for Rocklii afterwards…you know, the people he usually goes out with after work. This is when he gets into trouble. How do we convince him to stay and talk to us rather than go out with Dallanalaal and whoever else to have a good time? I asked Sayten.

That won’t be easy…maybe you can fake an illness. Then, I’ll ask Rocklii to help me take you back to Rikku’s Place. We’ll wait until everyone’s left and he’s finished closing the bar, and then we’ll have our conversation with him. What do you think? Sayten said.

"Why can’t you fake an illness?" I asked.

Does it really matter? Anyway, you’re the doctor. He may argue that you can heal me just fine without his help.

What? Fine, I’ll be sick, I agreed.

That night around eleven o’clock, Sayten and I went to the bar in Greenwich Village where Rocklii worked. We sat at the bar instead of at a table and Rocklii served us drinks for free. It was interesting watching Rocklii work. He has a lot of charisma and it seemed that most of the ettelenna customers were females who came to this bar just to ogle at him. The men came for the cheap beer and the live music. I was beginning to get used to the noisy sound of ettelenna music and I was starting to become intrigued by it. Rockliiastan already knew the names of all of the bands and the words to all of their songs. He told us about this machine he wanted to buy called an iPod that could store many songs and play recorded music into your ears. I couldn’t imagine such a thing.

So Rocklii, are you going out tonight after your shift? Sayten asked.

Yeah, I promised a few guys that I would meet them at some place later to listen to some music…and stuff like that, Rocklii answered while mixing a drink.

"Are these ettelenna guys?" I asked.

Rocklii shrugged.

Some of them, he said.

Maybe we could come? I said suddenly.

That’s not the plan! Sayten hissed into my ear.

I really don’t think that it’s your kind of scene… Rocklii said.

Well why not? If it’s good enough for you… I retorted.

"It’s just that I know that you don’t trust ettelennas and there will be a lot of them there," Rocklii said lamely.

"There are a lot of ettelennas here, aren’t there? We don’t mind, do we Sayten?" I persisted.

No, not at all, Sayten said while eyeing me in a way that asked Where are you going with this?

What is that beautiful language you’re speaking? asked an ettelenna woman who had just occupied the barstool on the other side of Sayten.

Romanian, Rockliiastan said quickly in English. What can I get for you? Rocklii asked the woman.

Oh, that sounds lovely! Vodka tonic, the woman replied. Rocklii busied himself with making her drink.

It’s getting pretty late. Why don’t you guys head back to my room? I’ll see you there later, Rocklii said once he had finished serving the customer.

No, it’s still early. Can I have another one of those rum and coke? I asked. Rocklii sighed out of disappointment. He seemed desperate to get rid of us now. He fixed me my drink anyway.

Sayten and I had managed to hang on to our seats until closing at three in the morning. Rocklii and his co-workers stacked the chairs over the tables and mopped the floors.

Get sick now! Sayten whispered. Chew up some of those garnishes and spit them out as if you’re throwing up.

No, let’s just be honest with him and express our concern, I said.

No! He’ll never listen to us then, said Sayten.

Are you guys alright over there? Rocklii called to us from the other side of the room. Do you need any help getting back to Rikku’s Place?

Fall down drunk, Sayten instructed me.

Actually, we were hoping to have a private word with you, Rockliiastan, I told him.

Oh! Rocklii replied with slight surprise.

But we’ll wait for you, I finished. I heard Rocklii tell his co-workers that he’d lock up. They seemed indifferent and eager to get home. When Rocklii had finished straightening up, he took down three chairs at a table and took a seat once the three of us were alone.

What is it? he asked. His eyes were filled with concern.

Um… I hesitated. Well, we’ve been worried about you.

Rocklii exhaled.

Phew, for a second I thought you wanted to tell me that you’d changed your minds about staying in New York. I was afraid of losing you guys as my friends, he said. He laughed a little out of relief. "Worried about me did you say?"

I launched into the story of my conversation with Tori Avalon. I thought that a good drug education was the place to start. I was sure that Rocklii wasn’t aware of how he was damaging his body. Surely he would agree to stop using drugs once he knew that they were