“That’s your question? Of course they are slaves Cire.” Selene finished pulling a long white silken gown with lace cuffs over her head and smoothed it over her slip.

“The Tempest Treetops is a large town, almost the size of a city. The population generally falls into three categories: citizens, free men and women, and slaves. There as many slaves in most settlements than free people or citizens. You can turn around.”

Cire instinctively bucked at large scale societal enslavement, he was also experiencing a heavy amount of cognitive dissonance. Elves had never been associated with slavery in his mind, dark elves sure, but moon elves? Wood elves? The wretched institution felt incongruous with the whimsical ambiance of the majestic towers.

I didn’t see any collars or beatings, not that those couldn’t be hidden. I probably shouldn’t just immediately jump to conclusions. Besides, I am one man in a town of thousands, in a foreign territory. Ask more questions.

Catching a pair of silken pants and a tunic of the same fabric thrown by Selene, Cire waited for her to turn around so he could change out of his robe.

“How does slavery work here? I mean, do they have rights? Or...” He verbally stumbled, not knowing how to ask how a person was owned.

While brushing her hair out, Selene answered.

“People sell themselves into bondage, are sentenced with it as punishment, or they are taken as prisoners of war. They can buy or negotiate their freedom. But for many, the promise of safety, regular meals and a comfortable bed is more valuable. In the ‘Tops all children are born free and cannot be enslaved before adulthood, but for orphans that can be a technicality.”

Cire was still having a hard time marrying the idea of elves enslaving other species, let alone other elves, with his mental preconceptions. His romantic stereotypes and ideals clashed heavily with concrete reality. He knew fundamentally that the Greek influences of Elysium would contain slavery as a fundamental societal element, but his isolation in Sunset had allowed him to wallow in ignorance.

Selene continued when it was clear that Cire was at a loss, “Slaves have the right of life and limb, but little else that their owner does not grant them. The higher ranked a slaves owner the more status the slave has. Slaves are treated better here than most of the human and dwarven settlements, but they are still property.”

The silks he was now dressed in felt as far removed from the rough tunics he was accustomed as the small town community of Sunset from the elven city he was in. Cire wondered how many of the luxuries of this world, magical or not, came with price tags written in suffering. Would he let himself be changed or would he change the world? A seething anger bubbled through his veins.

I’m not just one man. I am the leader of a territory. At the very least I can change that small part of this realm. I can show the island an alternative. I have hundreds of years if I do things right and if I don’t die first.

When people find out about the mines I’ll have a giant target on my back anyways, I might as well earn it. I’m sure there are other settlements, other islands, where slavery is not common practice. I can ally with them.

The idea was a pipe dream and Cire knew it, but it was easier to cling fiercely to hope than to dismiss ethics he’d built over a lifetime. Scouting had been a solid foundation when he was a youth, but continued community involvement and life long friendships had forged him into someone who seldom compromised his values. He was the type of guy to return money if a cashier had given him too much change, he couldn’t see himself ever treating another person as chattel.

“How much? How much for a slave?” Cire asked. He needed to know, it was madness to believe he could buy them all, but he could buy as many who were being mistreated as he could.

Selene had turned around to face him and was caught off guard by the question, based on her facial reactions.

“Why would you want to know that?”

“In case I need to liberate any from their owners, I imagine that doing so by force is frowned upon.”

Nodding, as if this answer by Cire was an acceptable response, she laid out the facts in her typical straightforward manner.

“It depends on their skills, age, and species. Also, how valuable they are to their owner. Many households become attached to their slaves and incorporate them into their families. Someone who is being groomed as a potential adoptive heir for a barren house would be priceless. Whereas a professional laborer who is specialized in farming or gathering would be fifty gold, or roughly half a years wages for a skilled craftsman.”

Deftly donning a pair of earrings and sliding a matching set of clips into her stark black locks, Selene pinned her hair back to display her ears. Completing her ensemble were a pair of silver bracelets and slippers. She looked nothing like the elf Cire had gotten used to.

“Now you’re starting to understand why Durg and I picked you. You not only have an outside perspective, you have lived it. Do you have any questions that are pertinent to meeting my mother? We really need to go.”

Cire shook his head, he had a lot more questions, but they could wait. Now it was time to meet Daphne and figure out why sun elves were so rare in the world. Cire felt that the answer had been perched on his shoulder since Selene had told him of their exodus. What could have caused an entire sub-species of elves to seclude themselves from the world? The story that Selene had told him of them retiring to Mt. Olympus to serve the gods didn’t sound like the whole story.

“Should I bring the journal with us? I know you said it would make an appropriate gift and would put me in your mother’s good graces, but I still want to read more of it. There might be secrets of the valley in it.”

“No, we can trade it later for a greater advantage.”

Whisking him up the remaining floors and to the rooftop garden, the pair exited under a gazebo bathed in fragrant white blossoms and starlight. Daphne sat at a small table covered in a cornucopia of fruit, cheese, and pastries. Standing, the distinguished matron gathered her long gown, and embraced Selene in a hug.

Decorated in a wealth of pearls, Daphne’s hair was exquisitely done up. It’s silver sheen complimenting her pale skin and sky blue eyes. She radiated assured power in her white and silver silks. Releasing her daughter from her firm squeeze, she turned to take in Cire.

Uneasy under Daphne’s scrutiny, Cire reigned in his twitching leg and bowed. His mismatched eyes, one purple and one azure blue, looked down. Olive bronze skin and shimmering golden hair marked him as unique among the elves he had seen in town.

When Cire had been covered in dirt and grim the differences between him and the others had not been as obvious. His golden hair had been matted and hidden under a yeti hide balaclava. Olive toned skin could be heavily tanned and Cire had been caked in dust besides. Now he stood out.

“So daughter, you found a sun elf, intriguing. Is he cursed like most of his kin?”

Raising an eyebrow, Selene’s incredulity shown through her expression. However, her tone was uncharacteristically respectful, “Yes mother, he is. It appears that I have been mislead by the tales I was told as a child. I brought Ciresil to you because he wished to learn more about sun elves. Before he was reborn in this body he was a human.”

Selene couldn’t resist showing up her mother’s casual acknowledgment of Cire’s curse with a surprise Daphne couldn’t have predicted. Indeed, the elven matron looked upon Cire with bewildered confusion. She addressed him directly for the first time.

“It is not unheard of across the millennia, but it is exceptionally rare. Elves reincarnate as elves, but seldom do others transition to our kind. Is this true Ciresil?”

“Yes, your grace. I came from another world to this one a few months ago. I may be a sun elf afflicted with the vampiric curse, but I know little of either,” Cire responded.

Daphne waved a hand dismissively as she sat down at the table, giving them both leave to join her.

“Travel between the planes is quite common on this part of the island. We worship Hecate, the goddess who governs transition between worlds. Many of the fae in the Tempest Treetops made their way by the Tempestnight family’s portals. The Cinnamonswirl family relocated here ages ago from their home plane. It would be more surprising if you had been a sun elf who managed to hide from the realm. That at least answers why you don’t know your peoples history.”

Cire was still surprised that folks didn’t even blink when he told them he was from another world. It was always the fact that he had become an elf which put folks of kilter, that and the vampirism. Eager to hear more, Cire took a seat.

“Ambrogio, the first vampire, turned many of his own people before the depths of the curse were discovered. Sun elves were servants of the gods, principally Apollo. Ambrogio betrayed his god and fell in love with one who had caught Apollo’s eye, Selene. Yes daughter, the titan goddess you are unfortunately eponymously named for.”

Taking a bite from a pear tart, Daphne offered Cire a small plate and encouraged him to eat.

“Apollo cursed Ambrogio so that he would never feel comfortable under the light of the sun. Of course this did not dissuade Ambrogio from pursuing Selene entirely, but he soon realized that she was divine and would never die. Sun elves live a very long time compared to even most other types of elves, but they are far from immortal. He sought out Hades and struck a deal to preserve his body while relinquishing his soul.”

Selene had taken a seat at the table and was daintily eating a slice of cheese with quince jam. A war of anger and joy played out on her face. She was beside herself at having believed the pleasant myth about the sun elf exodus, but fresh food, dairy and baked goods, were ample bribes to assuage her frustration. It was paradoxical, knowing her mother had picked the treats for exactly that purpose didn’t lessen their effect on her mood.

Daphne continued, “For an elf that is no small bargain. Unlike other species elves do not reincarnate randomly, but as an elf. A moon elf may be reborn as a glade elf or even an ocean elf, but always as a member of the elven kin. Ambrogio severed this cycle by promising his soul to serve Hades in the underworld. He was also given a task.”

Gesturing towards the central tower of twisted cypress trees lit up with red glowing lights, Daphne drew Cire’s attention to the beauty of the towers.

“Hades has always coveted the other god’s objects of power. Ambrogio was charged with stealing our goddesses bow. He failed, of course, and was caught in the act by Artemis herself. She cursed him so that the touch of silver would sear his flesh. After he dropped her silver bow and arrows, instead of fleeing he begged our goddess for forgiveness.”

Cire looked down at the silver plate in his hands with the crumbs of baked goods scatted across it. Rather obviously, he put the dish onto the table and folded his hands in his lap. Selene had warned him to not get taken in by her mother’s approachable personality, he had just gotten a peek into how calculated this meeting and discussion was.

“I take it there is a reason that neither of those curses have afflicted me in the same manner?”

A light tinkling giggle escaped Daphne’s lips, she covered her mouth.

“Of course child. You didn’t think I would let my daughter escort an evil vampire, sun elf or no, into the depths of our settlement do you? The more vile acts you commit, the more pronounced the effects of the curse. Your soul must still be intact for sunlight at mid-day and prolonged contact with silver to cause no harm. Other vampire offspring are not so lucky. Without a divine soul you would have been sculpted by the affliction and blessings alike.”

“Blessings?”

“Artemis took pity on Ambrogio after he told her of his plight. He vowed to follow her as one of her hunters and to never fall in love or marry. As he proved himself over centuries our goddess rewarded his service by gifting him many powers similar to her own. With divine nature magic she improved his eye sight, gave him a predators claws and fangs, increased his strength and speed, placed venom in his blood, and bequeathed him regenerative healing.”

However, he still looked human. So she gave him the ability to transform. Artemis can change into a deer, she gave him the ability to assume the form of a bat. All of the powersthat vampirism brings are derived from our goddesses boons, besides immortality. That is gained by giving your soul over to Hades or by surrendering to the curses and letting them devour it.”

Daphne made a small motion with her hand. A slave hidden among the flowers knelt at her side.

“Elias, fetch us some tea appropriate for the evening.” She turned back to Cire, not bothering to watch after Elias as he walked briskly towards the stairs.

“Ambrogio returned to Hades with Artemis bow. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t forget Selene. Our goddess gifted him her bow so he could return and make his trade. However, deals with gods seldom work out the way mortals expect. By the time Ambrogio returned from the Underworld Apollo had lashed out against Selene for spurning his advances and stripped her divinity.”

Unable to hold back his nature, Cire interrupted with a question.

“How did Apollo take away Selene’s divinity?”

Perturbed by Cire’s interjection, Daphne’s lips went flat as she restrained herself. Selene, who had been occupying herself with food and listening to this piece of lore long hidden from her, apologized.

“Beg your pardon mother, Cire has trouble controlling his impulses and first among them is to speak out of turn.”

Flushing with embarrassment, Cire gulped and administered his own apologies. Daphne accepted and continued with her explanation.

“She is a titan and he is a god, I wouldn’t presume to know the manner in which Apollo accomplished the act. However, Ambrogio brought Selene to Artemis and asked her for salvation. First, Ambrogio passed along Artemis’ gifts by sharing his blood with Selene. Then our goddess was able to restore Selene’s divinity by returning her to the seat of her power, the moon. But this left Ambrogio and Selene separated for eternity.”

Returning with the tea, Elias served each of them a cup and then left a small tray with cream and honey. Daphne didn’t stop speaking as she received her tea.

“Ambrogio returned to his people heartbroken, but gifted with immense power and immortality. At first, when he passed his gift to others the curses manifested as a simple aversion to holy magic. For many, the trade felt like a pittance. His blood conveyed our goddess’s boons as well, only weaker, like the afflictions. It was only after decades that they uncovered the truth. The more a sun elf lives in darkness the greater it warps Artemis’ gifts. The more of an animal they become. For those without a divine soul for protection, resisting those urges is all the more difficult.”

On balance, far more vampires take on undesirable dispositions over time than beneficent ones. As I am sure you are aware Artemis’s gifts are potent. Even servants of the gods fall from grace. As originators of the malediction they faced tremendous shame and retribution. Many sun elves fled this realm in self imposed exile.”

Pausing, Daphne sipped at her tea.

“In the centuries since, sun elves on our plane have all but ceased to exist. Small families, mostly spared the curse, are said to still protect hidden shrines or temples. Vampires, while not plentiful, are common enough though. You can understand why we tell most children a more simplified version of the truth.”

Moving her eyes from Cire to Selene with her last sentence, Daphne punctuated the end of her recounting. She had arranged quarters for Cire in a guest suite and directed Elias to deliver him to them. Keeping Selene behind, she waited until they were alone.

“How have you been sweetie? You know, the spring ball is coming up at the end of the month. It would be helpful if you made an appearance.”

Raising an eyebrow skeptically, Selene dropped the pretense of decorum.

“I’m fine mom. Well, you know what, no. I am livid. I didn’t come home to bring you Cire. He has his own reasons for being here. Given your display, I am sure he will reciprocate. I want you to tell me why you actually sent me to the Valley of Sunset. Not the ‘more simplified version of the truth’ that you sold me on when I took the posting.”

“Ahhh, figured that out did you? Well, I knew you would stumble across something sooner or later. Debrief first, and if you have discovered enough, I will tell you. How is Maerria by the way?”

Tossing and turning, sleep in Cire’s luxurious plush bed was elusive. He had been confronted by several difficult to reconcile facts and they kept his brain abuzz. The brilliant plan he had come up with before entering his new life wasn’t pioneering, it wasn’t clever, but it had come with a whole avalanche of complications.

The same ignorance that lead him to overlook the apparent abundance of slavery in this world made him assume that as a sun elf vampire he was one of a kind. Cire knew, deep down, that part of it was his innocence. What did he truly know of living hand to mouth? Of living in a world where government and power were individual, not collective? Of goddesses and divine curses or boons?

Nothing. He answered the voices in his head. I really am a child fumbling around in the dark. I have no concept of the consequences my actions have had on myself, let alone others. I need to be better, do better. I can’t squander my time here drinking in a tavern. If what Daphne said is true, it’s time to embrace what I am and not look back.