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

“Azadar Silverheart, the king has discovered your faulty
identification of the Verandel nobleman. He desires your presence
immediately.”
    An authoritative frown flared up on Azadar’s
face, as he glanced sharply at Ian. “And what do you intend to do
wit h him? ”
    “The king will see to that,” reprimanded the
messenger, still keeping a martial temperament. “Now go.” He shooed
Azadar away, dispersed his two friends, Evlan glancing back at Ian
as if to say “I’m sorry”, and then faced Ian. He put his hand over
his heart and tapped his feet on the ground several times. It
looked like “follow me”, but Ian wasn’t certain.
    Glad that at least this messenger seemed to
have some sense in him, Ian glanced over at the retreating elves as
they nimbly climbed straight up a gigantic tree and then leapt
fifteen feet onto another, landing on it with perfect agility as if
they were ninjas, before falling twenty feet onto the ground
without losing their footing and without looking at all
injured.
    Hardly believing his eyes, he stood in a
daze, watching the elves’ humanly impossible speed as they bolted
away from him going at least 30 mph before shimmying up another
tall tree. Now more than ever he was glad that he hadn’t tried to
run away from them. Even with all his previous training, he knew he
was no match for these elves. He’d likely not even make it two
steps before they’d be on him.
    Intrigued by their talent, he would’ve
continued staring had the messenger not stepped in front of him,
blocking his view, causing Ian to awaken out of his trance and
blink his eyes repeatedly, before refocusing on the messenger, who
still had his hand over his heart and was tapping his feet on the
ground.
    After pausing slightly, Ian, recognizing that
he probably wanted him to follow him, voiced his curiosity: “So
where exactly am I going?” he asked.
    The calm messenger suddenly grew alert. “How
do you know our language?”
    It sounded like an accusation, so Ian
answered immediately, “Azadar gave me a ring and--”
    “Enough said.” The messenger interjected,
jolting Ian with sudden annoyance, pausing as if to remember his
message. “Come with me to the baths, Ian. King Kadeth awaits
you.”
    King Kadeth? Ian thought,
shuddering , recognizing the name from when Azadar had spoken
it earlier. Why would the king of the elves want to meet him? Was
he simply overly curious to meet a foreigner? Or had he somehow
found out about the accusations against him?
    Despite his hopes for the former, a dark
foreboding in his mind told him that this meeting was more than
just mere curiosity. No, this meeting could not go well; his name
and character were already thoroughly tarnished by Azadar’s report.
Likely, the king was only going to interrogate him briefly before
sentencing him to the dungeon.
    Heart thumping heavily, Ian stirred to move,
but the elf’s disgusted look kept him as still as a statue.
    As Ian stood there in suspense, the elf threw
out another command. “Take those vile things off your feet, human.
They do not belong on the path we are treading.”
    Looking down at his dirty socks, he bent down
and hastily ripped them off, throwing them to the side of the road
into a thick blue bush, equally ashamed by the insult and his poor
hygiene. No sooner had he done so, than the elf took off
running.
    Seeing no choice in the matter, Ian hurried
after the messenger, his bare feet treading over the hot bronze
road. If it weren’t for the fact that he’d already purposefully
strengthened his feet by running barefoot every so often, this jog
would’ve given his feet painful blisters. Now it was just slightly
discomforting.
    Darting through many winding side streets,
his hardened feet being tested over the additional surfaces of
stone, wood, and marble, Ian noticed many curious eyes, dark
glaring eyes and bold prying eyes, scrutinizing him from head to
toe as if gazing upon a new specimen. All this attention made