Resting between two mountains laid a limitless forest rich with life. Growing from the roots of the soil were gigantic sized trees, which the elves used to their advantage and built houses to shelter their people.  Besides the greenery of the earth, the elves used ivory stone walls in their architectural designs. The view was magnificent, straight from a fantasy book as an array of flowers, which blossomed brightly, covered the vast territory. Crossing the bridge, built over a rushing river, stood a silver arched gate. An elf riding up on a horse caught sight of the carriage and signaled for the doors to open. While escorting them, Maria peered out the window and saw elves outside walking the streets, male and female, both equally as beautiful as one would expect from such a race. 

 Sitting inside the Rosendrey Manor, the count was in the middle of having a private lunch with his beautiful wife. A luxury when you factored in the count's busy schedule and his wife tending to the children. But starting this week, Maria would be off on her trip with the royal princess. Michael was in the south region, currently visiting his grandparents, undergoing training before graduating to the middle-school division. It's been quite some time since husband and wife had some alone time together. "Dear, I'm very concerned about our little cub's safety! I mean, ever since that crown prince pushed our little Maria in that lake, danger follows her everywhere, not to mention her change in attitude!"  Fists balled up in her lap where her eyes rested, the countess hesitantly opened her mouth. "Maria was never this k

 Charlotte led the children deep within the forest, away from the streets and residents, as she felt a chill in the air that caused goosebumps to break out on her skin.  Maria's sense of paranoia only got worse the more they journeyed into the forest. It didn't take long for Charlotte to pause.  "Welcome to the Sacred Grounds of Gaia," Charlotte solemnly announced as the children rested their young, innocent eyes on the gigantic tree that stood before them.  The wild branches of the tree were thick and robust, but it was the trunk that mainly caught the children's attention.  "A deer face?!" Maria unconsciously blurted out her thought as the tree's trunk indeed was carved to resemble the face

 Inside the grand throne room, where the elf-lord sat on his throne, stood his trusted attendants and the two elves he sent to scout out the forest. "Report!" the elf-lord ordered. Speaking first with fright in her voice was the female elf. "My lord, a large gathering of orcs, goblins, and trolls was spotted behind the Murky Mountains. Their numbers are at a thousand, maybe even more!"  The name of this elf-girl was Calen, a trained warrior who showed great promise. Calen was known for her arrogance and hot-temper, but before the elf-lord, Calen had replaced her usual front with hostility and a sense of fear. Hands gripping the armrest of his chairs, the temperature in the elf-lord’s eyes dropped. "What did you say?" 

 After the children had their bellies filled from the delicious breakfast that was served, Luna took the group to her favorite hunting spot. A location deep in the forest, close to the Silvan Elves’ territory's border.  The children could hear the sound of a rushing river nearby. A variety of beastly noises, most belonging to fleeing animals and insects, formed a chaotic orchestra of noises as the wind blew gently through the forest leaves.  Amid Luna's tour, things took a turn south when Maria's reaction towards the princess aroused Richard's jealousy. Thanks to the princess’s stories of the many rare beasts she had caught, this awarded her smiles and praise from Maria.  Which led us to our current situation, which somehow turned into a hu