Once inside the main door, the beauty of the city puts me at awe and I stand amazed by the sights. The way that the buildings are built out of and into the trees is spectacular. There’s multiple layers of large platforms for every tree along with rope bridges that connect all of the platforms along with smaller businesses, stands, and tourist areas around the bases for each tree.

  Ivy points me toward the trunk of one of the biggest trees and we head that direction. We reach another Elf at the base holding a clipboard.

  “Hi, how can I help you?” He asks politely.

  “Hey there! We’re heading up toward the guild headquarters to get identification and some testing done.” Ivy responds warmly.

  “Perfect! Head over to that side with the brown colored leaves.” He says while pointing at a small line with big, brown, boat-like leaves.

  I wave cordially at the man and start heading toward the line. Along the way, I watch the person at the front of the line walk onto the leaf and take a seat. The leaf softly starts to float up into the air like it’s spinning to the ground in reverse. I watch more leaves around me float up to different platforms while slowly making my way to the front.

  “Looks like it’s our turn. Hop on in Alaina!” Ivy exclaims excitedly.

  I step onto the leaf and hold onto the front as we start lifting off. Slowly we hover into the air and lift off towards our designated platform. I watch the city and gates start to minimize in my vision as we ascend towards the very top platform. All the other heights of the trees are even more noticeable from our position as we reach our platform. Every single tree and every single platform has their own leaf color assignment and they’re all floating up toward their landing areas in a choreographed dance.

  I walk off our leaf on our platform and look around the buildings in the area. Some of them seem to be built directly into the trunk and others are built into the reinforced platform we’re standing on. The building Ivy points out to me is built in and around the base of the trunk and has a giant banner across the entryway with a sword and axe crossed over a shield.

  “This level is reserved for all political buildings and guild headquarters. The one below us is reserved for religious areas and below that is the Merchant’s Guild along with the highest rated shops in the city limits.” Ivy narrates to me as we walk to the front entrance.

  “Why is the Adventurer’s Guild up here with the political buildings while the Merchant’s Guild is two layers down?” I question.

  “They used to be up here as well, but they asked to be moved down to their own platform so they could better manage their trusted stores and be closer to the action.” She answers while doing air quotes around the last part of her statement.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Huh… I guess that makes sense.” I say while shrugging.

  We walk into probably the biggest bar or pub I’ve ever seen. The entirety of the entrance is tables and waiting areas with warm food and drinks being delivered while the back of the room has a long receptionist desk with about twenty different people helping others. We weave our way through the drinking tables and get into a line next to an elven man with flowing, blonde hair and huge rams horns that curl on his head into massive spirals.

  “Hey there!” I say cheerfully.

  “Welcome! First time in the guild, I presume?” He says casually.

  “That obvious, huh?” I respond while glancing at myself.

  “Yeah you have pretty basic gear and no tag plate.” He says with a polite smile.

  “Name’s Alaina! Pleasure to meet you.” I reply while holding out my hand.

  “Resh.” He says after grabbing my hand in a firm shake.

  “What kind of class do you have?” He asks curiously.

  “Don’t answer that.” Ivy responds coldly.

  “Is that classified information usually?” I ask quietly.

  “Not necessary information more like. Unless you’re in a party with someone or working together then they don’t need it. Makes things like hit squads, thieves, or kidnappers more likely to succeed.” She answers without ever taking her eyes off Resh.

  “Ah well, pleasure to meet you anyhow. Good luck!” He says, and turns to towards the next open counter space. He strides over to the next available clerk with his dark leather armor and his bow hanging silently on his back.

  “Next please!” A young woman with brown hair and green eyes announces from the other direction of the counter.

  I walk over casually and rest my hands on the counter while patiently waiting for her to continue.

  “How can I help you today madame?” The clerk says courteously.

  “We’ll probably need a specialized clerk and a meeting with someone just to be safe.” Ivy says from on top of my shoulder.

  “That can be arranged. Can I get your name and reason for visiting so I can pass the information along?” She responds.

  “Of course! I’m Alaina Glace and this is Ivy.” I say with a smile.

  “I’m not sure how much information to reveal. It isn’t that I don’t trust you, but I really don’t know how this process usually goes.” I quietly add.

  “Understood. If you’ll follow me I will bring you to a specialized representative that can help you with your case in our records and anything else you may need.” She answers with a warm smile.

  She opens the counter next to her and leads me back into a door through the back of the room and up a couple flights of stairs. She knocks courteously on a door down the hallway and turns to me.

  “This is a trusted individual that can help with anything from political immigration relief to guiding you on the best places to find specialized gear. His name is Aeros Frosthorn.” She says while waiting for a reply from the door.

  “Come in.” Responds a deep sing-songy voice from beyond the door.

  “This is Alaina Glace and her companion has requested a specialized representative for her.” She says after opening the door and bowing to the man behind dark, oak desk. The man is a spitting image of the elf I met downstairs with the same long, blonde hair and rams horns, except this man’s horns are a darker shade of gray, much thicker, and show signs of battle with scratches and scarring.

  “Thank you Jenine. My name is Aeros. How may I be of assistance to you?” He says with a welcoming smile while clasping his hands together and resting his elbows on the desk.