Double Life - Book 1 of the Vaiya Series by Vaiya Books Page A

the mountains?
    Even though he wouldn’t have wanted to be
trapped in a Lord of the Ring’s forged world, as he knew then that
he’d have to be wary of those dark wraiths, orcs, hordes of
goblins, and that evil wizard, even so, at least then he’d know the
elves would be his allies. Now, he thought of them only as
enemies....
    “Announce yourselves,” one of them questioned
sarcastically, a half-formed grin on his face, breaking Ian out of
his reflections.
    The elf leader shot the guard an annoyed
look. It appeared they weren’t on good terms with each other.
“Azadar Silverheart, Daeyth Silverheart, and Evlan Frostglade,
Court Herbalists, along with a human spy for Tazik named Ian
Hansen,” he replied impatiently, as if he’d been through this
routine a thousand times before. Glancing at Ian sharply, he then
returned his gaze to the guard as he added slyly, dry amusement
replacing the disgust that had been there mere moments ago, “He
also claims to have been ambushed by three Elayans in the Woods of
Zahla.”
    At the word “Elayans”, Ian felt the
gatekeeper’s eyes bore into his soul like he were a wild beast, and
he forced himself to look down at the stone path in front of him.
He felt small, insignificant, like an unwanted foreigner being
chased by an angry mob; he felt the same as when Kenn had insulted
him after he’d lost to Darien at ping pong. It was a sick feeling
that made him want to gag.
    “Is he from Sarith?” asked one gatekeeper in
a strong brazen voice that made Ian shiver and refocus on the
dialogue between the elves.
    Seemingly amused by Ian’s worry, Azadar
folded his hands and held them a few inches above his head, shadows
shrouding his countenance. “We cannot be certain, though we have
our suspicions, for the Sarians have recently been conducting dark
business with Tazik.” An icy tenseness filled the air.
    The gatekeeper cocked an eyebrow. “And how do
you know this?”
    “We have our sources.” Azadar would say no
more.
    Eyeing Ian with mistrust, the gatekeeper then
turned back to the speaker as if convinced by the elf’s words,
saying, “You and your companions may enter, Azadar.”
Within a few seconds, the bottom of the gate started rising up,
making a smooth wheeling sound as it did so.
    Watching it, his heart pounding faster, Ian
felt a rough grip on his shirt sleeves, as the two elves spurred
him onwards. Maddened by their rudeness, he passed through the
gate, kicking a few pebbles with his socks, as throngs of elves
stopped what they were doing to stare. Youthful-looking men as well
as pretty women, young elven children as well as wise-looking
slightly older elves, all eyed him with interest as if he were the
newest exhibit at an art museum.
    Blushing madly at all the attention, Ian
averted his eyes from them, as Azadar’s accusation rang in his mind
again. A spy? He’d been called a liar by his friends, a slacker by
his peers--although he didn’t think this one fair--and even a
self-conceited narcissist by his English II teacher, Betty Dane,
whatever that meant. Yet this insult was far worse. The only thing
that made it tolerable was that he knew the elves were completely
wrong about him and that someday they may thoroughly regret
handling him so roughly.
    Trying to focus on this last thought, Ian
followed closely behind Azadar for about ten minutes, the two elves
still clutching his arms as if considering him a flight risk.
Eventually, they reached a tall silver gate, and as Azadar informed
the gatekeepers about their names and their mission again, they
were once again let inside.
    No sooner had they entered in though, than a
stately youthful elf with thick black hair boldly stepped in front
of them blocking their path. A royal blue robe lined with bronze
stripes was draped over his shoulders, a golden tunic fastened onto
him by a silver belt hung down to his kneecaps, and silver studded
sandals clung to his feet. He fixed his hands to his sides like a
soldier.