He had made it into Albriktan. He sat up and looked around, feeling his eyes widen in amazement.
It was beyond even his wildest imaginings. The paved walkways of hardened lace, the glittering sky-chased towers, even the scent of mint in the grass he lay upon was grander than any of his fantasies.
Lantern-shaped blossoms pulsed in shades of violet among the trefoil leaves of the slender, snow-colored trees that surrounded him. Even the stream was different on the inside of the walls; the azure waters rippled clear as liquid crystal. The wind carried the fragrance of cherry blossoms and honeysuckle as it whistled a carefree tune through the trees that swayed gently in response. Every building, every inch of the towering wall gleamed in the sunlight, yet the reflection was not glaring; the light gently glimmered until all was bathed in a soft, silvery blush.
Talan threw back his head and laughed. It existed. No longer just the runaway thoughts of a wild imagination, it was real. His earlier exhaustion vanished as he leaped to his feet and ran alongside the stream. The grass sprang back from his footsteps unmarred; the wind pushed him up the bank to get a better view of the City.
He noticed moving figures when he topped the bank, and quickly ducked behind one of the iridescent trees. Peering cautiously from his vantage point, he caught his first view of the Denizens.
All of them were tall — taller than the tallest man by at least head and shoulders. They were whip-slender as well, willowy beings with narrow faces and oversized, inky eyes that gleamed wetly. Their skin shone almost as brilliantly as the walls, nearly transparent. Yet even more astonishing was that while some walked across the grounds, others flitted above on gossamer wings; oversized dragonflies gleaming in the light’s brilliance. Talan could not help the smile of wonder that spread across his face.
One of them flew quite close, startling him. The onyx eyes turned his way, time slowed to a crawl. Talan tried to duck back, but it was too late.
The Denizen fluttered down near Talan’s hiding place in a rush of air and flashing wings. Talan immediately knelt, trembling as he prepared himself for the fury, the punishment for his trespass.
The Denizen approached in a soft, graceful manner. With his head downcast, Talan could only see the hem of its metallic-threaded robes as it stood silently before him.
He steeled himself and looked up.
The Denizen appeared to be female. Thick lashes framed her large obsidian eyes, and long golden tresses fell past her shoulders. Her nose was almost too small to be noticed, but her lips were curved in a smile that reflected in her eyes. She extended her hand to him; her elongated fingers open in invitation.
He warily took her hand. Her skin was soft as satin and tingled as though lightning flickered in her veins. Tiny dapples pulsed across its surface in hues of blue and violet. Her layered tunic gleamed metallically, yet appeared soft as down. She gently raised him erect and studied him curiously, tilting her head as though trying to solve the puzzle of his presence.
“I’m Talan,” he said, pointing to himself. “Talan.”
She jerked her head and continued staring without comprehension.
“I came from the other side.” He pointed. “Do you know where that is? What is this place? Does anyone ever cross over that you know? What do you do in here? How long have you been here?”
Her smile widened, but she still remained completely silent. He wondered if they spoke the way humans did, or had some other way to communicate.
She pointed to one of the towers, then back at him. Again, she repeated the gesture.
“You would take me there?” He imitated her motions. She nodded, then held out her arms.
“I’m not sure you’re strong enough to…”
The next moment he was flying.
She carried him easily under his arms and soared from the ground to above the treetops in an eye’s blink. Her wings whirred, humming steadily as she sailed toward the towers. His feet dangled over empty air. The rush left him breathless, his heart pounded against his chest, the ground blurred beneath them.
His laughter sailed on the wind.
When she gently set him down at the immense doorways of one of the towers, it was with no small regret that he watched her flit away, joining the swarms of other fliers above.
“We have a visitor.”
The sound of the voice was wooden flutes played on windy hills. Another Denizen towered over Talan. It appeared to be male, with a more angular face and slightly narrower eyes than the female. His skin was ivory slashed with cream stripes, his inky hair braided in a crest down his back.
The Denizen tilted its head. “You are from Beyond, yes? From the dying lands?”
“Yes. I’m from the other side. My name is Talan.”
“Talan. Yes.” The Denizen spoke rapidly and gestured with graceful hands. “Forgive if my speech is clumsy. We have little use for your way of words here. But I forget myself. You are an honored guest. Come. Please.”
Talan took the extended hand, and the Denizen led him down a hall so vast that it could have swallowed the entire town outside and still had room to spare. Inside was table after table laden with wondrous arrays of delicacies in gold and silver-chased ware.
Denizens flocked at the tables in continuous numbers as they streamed in and out of the banquet hall. Sounds of merriment rang freely as they spoke in voices just beyond the range of his hearing and laughed like the wind. They smiled and waved to Talan as he passed with his host.
A troupe of Denizens played distinctive, elegantly curved instruments on a dais at one end of the hall, producing melodies so beautiful that tears welled in Talan’s eyes at the sound.
“You will eat with us, yes?” The Denizen gestured grandly.
Talan sat at one of the tables, where he was offered honeyed cakes and unfamiliar sliced wedges of fresh fruit. The sweet nectar melted in his mouth, and his anxiety melted away soon after. He became engrossed in endless cakes, sweetbreads, honeyed date rolls, candied fruit and all the delectable delicacies he could stuff his face with while sipping teas and blended juices sweet enough to make his head dizzy.
“Dance with us,” the Denizens called to him in musical voices. “Dance with us, Talan from Beyond.”
He joined them, spinning and laughing with the graceful, smiling beings across tiles of spun gold. They sang songs in his language, songs of merriment that made him laugh until his belly ached. They taught him the steps to their dances, whirling about with the grace of gazelles. More dancers joined until they glided both across the floor and the air, hovering in time with the melody. The music played long after the sun retired, until the dancers at last grew weary.
Talan’s head drooped with fatigue, but he did not want to stop, afraid that he only dreamed the day as he had so many times before.
The Denizen who spoke to him earlier placed gentle hands upon his shoulders. “You have enjoyed this day, yes? Yet even a guest of honor must sleep like the rest of us. Come, I will show you your room.”
They strode down a cavernous hallway that could swallow the tallest trees of the Wildwood. Globes of light drifted on their own accord, scattering shadows as they advanced. By the time the Denizen halted, Talan was nearly exhausted from the long trek. Ornately lacquered doors opened to a bedchamber of rich wooden floors and walls, where a large golden bed waited. Talan drowsily crawled under the plush coverlets and laid his head upon the softly stuffed pillows.
“You are comfortable, yes?” the Denizen said.
“Very much, thank you,” Talan replied sleepily. “What will we do tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow is a work day. If you wish to aid us, we would be especially grateful.”