Chapter 24 - Exploring Evermore
Over the idyllic next few days, young Eric Emberhart familiarized himself with the true scale and expanse of the sprawling ancestral estate and lands belonging to House Feywood, along with exploring the vibrant elven capital city of Evermore itself. Each day spent wandering and discovering new corners of this foreign realm brought wonders and delights beyond anything Eric had ever experienced living thus far in the human kingdoms.
His loyal canine companion Shadow stuck close by Eric's side every step of their adventures, marveling alongside the wide-eyed boy at each new discovery. Though possessing the lean muscular build, keen predatory senses, and affectionate loyalty of a common domestic hound, Shadow's true origins and inner nature remained a mystery to both Eric and his family.
Some inexplicable yet profound intuition warned Eric that his beloved companion's instincts and intelligence exceeded those of any ordinary dog. But for now, the unconditional bond between boy and beast needed no grand explanations. Their spirits were intertwined by forces beyond present comprehension.
In the misty early mornings, Lady Feywood would bring both Eric and the ever-present Shadow along with her to observe the training sessions held in a secluded mossy forest glen just on the borders of the capital city. There, elven children even younger than Eric learned from elder druids how to begin awakening and harnessing their innate magical abilities passed down from the bloodline of the ancient Fey.
Eric watched with wide-eyed fascination as the young elfling trainees, faces etched with deep concentration, manipulated glowing wisps of shimmering light between their palms or levitated pebbles and stones scattered about the forest floor through sheer focused will alone.
Though entirely untrained himself thus far, Eric could feel his own nascent inner well of power resonating instinctively in the presence of these youthful mages-in-training, like recognizing like. Lady Feywood surreptitiously observed her young grandson on these trips, perceiving the flickers of great magical potential seeking an outlet.
Later on most days, an exuberant Eric would excitedly get lost meandering the maze-like web of narrow winding streets crisscrossing Evermore's eclectic capital city, always staying close by his mother Lady Ellara's side, with the ever-watchful Shadow trailing protectively behind them.
Eric stared upwards in awe and wonder at the sheer size and intricate craftsmanship of the sprawling multi-story treehouses the woodland elves primarily called home, many interconnected through a webwork of soaring vine-covered stairways, bridges, and platforms high above the market square below.
There in that bustling central plaza, exotic wares, ingredients, fabrics, and delicacies gathered from all corners of the elven kingdom and beyond were sold from colorfully draped stalls and wagons - potent crystal-infused healing tonics, artisanal baked goods shaped into forest creatures, bouquets of tiny silverbell flowers that chimed out melodic notes when plucked.
While young Eric explored the wonders of the capital with Lady Ellara, his father Lord Alaric spent the majority of his days thoroughly occupied. He remained largely sequestered away in marathon private meetings with Lord Feywood and the highest-ranking elven military commanders within the heavily guarded Feywood estate.
Behind those closed doors, the two lords intensely discussed matters of vital strategic importance to the continued stability and mutual defense of both their realms - sharing military intelligence, planning potential trade routes, and forging closer diplomatic ties through strong personal bonds, despite their vastly different cultural backgrounds.