As they approached Cedarbridge, Anders realized that it was a larger city than he’d thought while on the ground. Maybe it was because they spent so much time outside it, or because all of the homes and buildings were incorporated into the living forest, but the place seemed more woodland than urban sprawl and dramatically different from the cobblestone streets and brick storefronts that were standard in the cities of Westland. The elven city was much more livable than any human settlement, he thought. The elves seemed to coexist with the ancient forest, harnessing the resources as opposed to harvesting them. Anders had read in his studies that the magic imbued within the elven forest allowed them to utilize the trees, coaxing them to grow in whichever way served their architectural needs best.
After Zahara landed atop the cliff edge, Natalia led the way, Anders and Maija bumping shoulders as they strolled together down the capital’s trail system. Like any city, Cedarbridge had a business district, which in Westland was generally referred to as ‘downtown.’ In Cedarbridge, the downtown area was widely referred to as ‘shoptop.’ The elves named it so since all of the highest quality shops were located in the tops of the trees. The higher the quality of a shop’s merchandise, the higher up the tree the store would be.
The three passed several lesser-known businesses as they entered Cedarbridge’s shoptop area. The market-style shops selling produce, trinkets and utilitarian clothing lined the ground level. Anders speculated that even the least desirable of the shops they passed was of higher quality and standard than that of its human counterpart in Westland.
Anders and Maija followed Natalia as she led them up a staircase of toadstool conks spiraling the outside of a large cedar tree. Conks seen growing from a tree were typically a sign of decay, but here in the elf city, it was an implicit design choice, using a natural element for a functional purpose. Each level of the tree housed a business, which displayed samples of its wares on a balcony-style landing. As they climbed the tree, the stairs entered and exited each floor’s balcony, forcing shoppers to walk past each business as they rose, a clever way for the lower-end businesses to attract more attention to their products.
Anders and Maija frequently stopped, lingering longer than Natalia wished on each platform. The first balcony they walked through was a pottery store, displaying the most exquisite plates, bowls and vases Anders had ever laid eyes on. The third floor was a smith’s shop with works of silver, gold and other metals he and Maija hadn’t known existed. The fourth floor of the tree housed an elegant eatery. Despite the lack of meat on the menu, Anders had to be dragged away from the pungent smell wafting from the kitchen. The fifth and final floor of the tree was their destination – a clothing shop Natalia knew of.
Racks of woven silk shirts, pants, robes and dresses lined the landing outside the store. Anders couldn’t help but touch the soft fabric as they began looking through the articles for something suitable to wear in a diplomatic setting. Anders rubbed the thin fabric between his fingers, occasionally lifting the silk up to his cheek. Maija saw him and slapped his hand playfully, raising her eyebrows, saying through her tight-lipped smile and giggling slightly, “Stop that, you’ll get us kicked out of here.”
A slender elf dressed in the regal silks of the upper class approached them, standing tall and looking down his nose at Anders as he blissfully felt the silks. “What can I help you with?” he said melodramatically while gently placing a hand on the material and sharply pulling it away from Anders.
“We require of a set of clothing fit for a meeting with a royal council,” Natalia said politely.
“All three of you?” the elf eyed them suspiciously.
Natalia nodded.
“Really? May I ask with whom?” he asked clearly having difficulty believing they were important enough to be seen by anyone of noble standing.
“King Asmond has asked us to reason with dwarfs on matters of diplomatic trade,” Natalia said, her voice now more forceful than polite.
“You?” the man spat, peering down his nose at them. “Ambassadors for the elven race?”
Maija stepped toward the elf before Natalia could speak and said, “Your business depends on a healthy economy, right?”
The elf looked taken aback by Maija’s question and stuttered a response.
“And you do understand how important the dwarfs are to the trades of Kartania?” Before the elf could answer Maija continued, her voice remaining calm, but authoritative, “If you did, you wouldn’t be standing here questioning our integrity, you’d be rushing off to find the finest clothing you’ve got so that we can secure our kingdom’s fruitful future.”
A long breath passed before he straightened and said, “My apologies.” He bowed slightly, “Please, follow me to the dressing rooms. I’ll find you something suitable for such an occasion.”
“Thank you,” Maija said, pulling at the hem of her shirt and entering the store.
Anders grabbed Maija by the hand, squeezed it and whispered in her ear, “That was amazing.”
Maija smiled. She’d never acted in such a way before, but the elf’s apparent rudeness got her goat, especially since they were telling the truth.
“Wait here,” the elf said and disappeared into the back of the store.
“Wow, Maija,” Natalia said. “You really put him in his place.”
Maija shrugged, her cheeks flushing as the elf returned with several ensembles for them to try on.
Holding a flowing jade dress out for the young women to examine, the elf said, “For the ladies, I have found several of our finest silk dresses spun from the very silkworms of the mulberry trees in our ancient city,” he paused for a reaction. Failing to get the impressed response he’d expected, he continued, “It’s the oldest and most rare silk ever produced. Fit for a queen,” he bobbed his head enthusiastically as he held out the dress.
Maija and Natalia’s faces lit up with the explanation. Clearly, neither of them knew much about sophisticated dresses. The elf handed each of them four dresses: the jade, a blood red, a black darker than any black Anders had ever seen, and a sleek moonlight silver flowing gown. Starry-eyed and astonished, they scampered into the fitting rooms.
“For the human,” the elf started, holding out three suits. “I have selected three of our most exotic brocade suits.”
Anders took a darkly colored suit jacket with a decorative floral pattern. “Brocade,” he said under his breath, feeling the fabric between his fingertips.
“Yes, it’s a soft weave,” the tall elf said. “Woven from silkworm silk and wool off our elven sheep. It’s the most desirable material among those in high society.”
“It’s nice,” Anders said, taking the three suits selected for him.
The elf exhaled shortly, “Nice is an understatement.”
Anders walked into the fitting room and tried on each of the suits. He liked the charcoal one more so than the green or tan suits. Before making his final decision though, Anders thought he should get the girls’ opinion.
When he emerged from the dressing room, Maija and Natalia were showing one another the dresses they’d each picked. Natalia had chosen the silver and Maija was wearing a long black dress with an open back. Anders gulped when he saw her. She skipped slightly as she came over to him, smiling brightly. Anders couldn’t take his eyes off her. The dress formed perfectly to her figure, highlighting her beauty and confidence.
“Wow, Maija, you look absolutely stunning,” Anders said, his eyes widening and mouth gaping.
“You look dashing yourself,” she replied, twisting on the balls of her feet as she half turned.
Anders mimicked her, “You like this one?”
She nodded vigorously, “And we’ll match.”
Natalia joined them, stopping alongside Maija. Wrapping her arm around her sister, she looked to Anders and asked, “What do you think?”
“Lovely,” Anders said with a smile.
Natalia turned to the elf and said, “We’ll take them.”
“Wonderful,” the elf replied in a monotone that slightly dampened their enthusiasm.
