Dawnsinger (32 page)

Her own words returned to her.
In my life until now I felt a great burden press upon me. You have named it for me. I give you my promise.

Spoken as a true Daughter of Rivenn.
Her mother’s answer whispered through her mind.

She’d forgotten her pledge to her mother. Would she ignore her vow at Aerlic’s cairn? And what of Eufemia’s death and Guaron’s madness? Did they deserve their sufferings? Shae lifted her head as Lof Yuel’s light flared to life once more.

She had to try.

She slogged onward and upward, her chest burning with each ragged breath she drew. When she reached a wide landing where light shifted and eddied, she stopped with a sense of shock. She’d reached the top of the ancient stair. Through a breach in the mountain’s side, she could see out and a long way down across the barren landscape, now tinged with the pink of morning.

The light outlined a natural stone bridge arching across the rotting heart of the mountain. The circular chasm it spanned fell a long way to an ember glowing below—Lohen Keil, the Well of Light. The tapestries all showed the natural bridge leaping to an opening in the cave wall—Gilead Riann, the Gate of Life. But this bridge ended against a rough wall of stone. Had she come too late?

Trembling, she stepped onto the bridge and looked the long way down into Lohen Keil. Her knees went weak. Here Kunatel had fought and vanquished Faendenn. The Contendor had remained trapped within Lohen Keil until the integrity of the House of Rivenn faltered and the Viadrel, the Flames of Virtue, could no longer hold him at bay.

The ember in the chasm below leaped with fire, which stretched and grew until it ringed her about. Warmth traveled through her feet and into her injured leg. When the Viadrel
receded, she pulled off a boot. The redness and swelling had vanished, and her cuts were gone.

Something blocked the light.

“
Shae
!”

Freaer occupied the landing she’d vacated. The shadow of the welke he rode loomed across the cave wall behind him. The dark creature fluttered its wings and bobbed its head as it waited in the breach. It perched at the edge as if ready to take flight and seemed loathe to enter the cave.

Her gaze shifted to Freaer. He wore rumpled clothing, his hair tangled about his neck, and smudges stood out beneath his eyes. His jaw tensed as if he struggled in the grip of strong emotion. His mind crawled outside hers, trying to find a way in, searching…seeking...

“Stay back!”
She drew her dagger. Its swirlstones flared with multi-hued light. Light from the
Keil
flared, as if in sympathy and danced around her.

“Wait, Shae.” As Freaer held her gaze, memories of his kisses flooded her mind. Light gathered around him and grew until he shone with such beauty she ached.

He held out a hand to her, and longing flowed into her. He wanted her. He would enshrine her. Just a few steps and she could enter his embrace. His smile beguiled her, but even as she started toward him, something jarred in her mind.

“I’ve come to save you, Shae.”

****

In the absence of sight, Kai’s other senses intensified. The acrid stench of damp rock tinged with rodent leavings permeated the air. Water burbled, splashed, and dripped throughout the Caerric. A draft touched his face. His dagger weighted his hand with smooth coolness. At least he still possessed a weapon.

Balancing against the damp, rough surface of the rock wall, he explored with his foot to find the next tread. He had to try following Shae. He took the next step, and the next. A rhythm developed that leant him speed. A landing opened before him. After a search, he found the lowest tread of the next flight.

Laughter gurgled around him. Something pummeled into him from the side and sent him reeling. Hard stone slammed into him and his dagger clattered away. Jerking to his knees, he patted the stone of the landing but his dagger eluded him. Screeching, winged rodents descended upon him, and he guarded his face with an uplifted arm. When he flailed at them, the creatures fell away.

He patted the stone of the landing, renewing his search for his dagger, and winced as his hand found its cutting edge. He tasted blood while his uninjured hand searched inside his pack and closed on a roll of bandages.

He bound his hand as best he could and stood, his pulse throbbing in his ears. Did he hallucinate? Or did Whyst float toward him from below? Gripping his dagger, he watched and waited. Fell creatures shoved him and laughed as he thrust his blade into thin air.

The laughter quieted. Whyst neared, wielded by a shadow.

He strained to see. A familiar face, blue in Whyst’s light, floated above the sword. “Dorann? Do you live?”

“Wait there. I’ll come to you.” Dorann answered. “I found Whyst below. It nearly fell on me, in fact. I’m amazed it’s still whole. I gave up my cup light and let it lead me instead. I’m thankful to find you.” He stopped abreast of Kai and lifted Whyst aloft. “Kai?
Where’s Shae?
”

“She’s gone on alone.” The words tasted bitter in his mouth. He’d kept watch over Shae’s safety all her life, and now, when she’d needed him most, he’d failed her.

Whyst
wavered in Dorann’s hand, and blue light slanted over Kai.
“Why?”

“She could see by a light from Lof Yuel, while I could not. Rather than make her lead me, I released her to go on alone.”

“You released her!” Anger twisted Dorann’s face. “What kind of guardian are you? Could you not have remained with her
somehow?
I should run you through with your own sword!”

With his dagger before him, Kai backed. “Stop this foolishness.”

“Aye, I will, but for Shae, not you. We have to find her! Mark me, if a hair of her head is harmed, you’ll answer to me.”

The truth came home to Kai. “You love her.”

Dorann’s hiss confirmed the truth. “’Tis not important that I do. I know she’s above my reach. But I would have her safe.”

“Then we have the same mind on the matter.” Kai eased Whyst from Dorann’s hand. “Let’s waste no more time on words.”

****

“You belong to me.”
Freaer smiled and extended a hand.

Even as Shae swayed toward him, something held her back.

Don’t listen to him!
Elcon’s voice warned from within.

She hesitated. How had she come to be in this place? She couldn’t seem to remember…As Freaer’s beauty filled her senses and his “touch” overlaid Elcon’s, she gave up wondering. Freaer waited, just out of reach, his hand extended to capture hers.

She took another step toward him.

This is wrong!
Elcon’s voice spoke more sharply.

She put her hands to her head in confusion. She could barely think.
Lof Yuel!

A soothing breeze blew across her mind, driving all else before it. She pulled her gaze from Freaer and started.

At the place where the bridge had met only a stone wall an open gateway shimmered in veiled light. Behind the veil waited an Elder youth in a humble tunic and worn cloak. Although dressed in common garb, he held himself with regal grace. Ragged black hair fell over a well-shaped brow. Round, dark eyes gleamed as he smiled and lifted a hand toward her. “Come.”

“
You.
” Shae had seen him once before, when he came to her in Torindan’s Allerstaed. But she held back. “Who are you?”

The youth smiled. “Why do you ask what you already know?”

She considered. She had never imagined the DawnKing as an Elder. How could one of such tender age save Elderland? And yet, she could not deny the joy that sprang within her at sight of him.

Now he no longer held her mind enthralled, Freaer’s beauty seemed less true. With his mask of comeliness slipping, she caught glimpses of a harsh soul. He scowled. “Shae, don’t do this! Can’t you see he means to imprison you in Gilead Riann?”

She hesitated, but answered back. “I’ll not listen, Freaer.”

“You don’t know what’s on the other side!”

Fear touched her, but she shook her head, “Lies. You father lies.”

“You will never see Elcon or Kai again.”

Her resolve weakened. As the first light of dawn penetrated the breach, tendrils of sorrow twined through her mind to crowd out all else.
Kai.

“Don’t let him sway you, Shae!”
Kai’s voice came as if conjured by her thought.

He stood with Dorann on the landing below the last flight of stairs, Whyst
gleaming in his hand. “Ask yourself why he won’t walk onto the bridge with you.”

Shae understood then. Freaer could not withstand the Viadrel. He could only reach her mind.
If she let him.

“You don’t know what it’s like to be trapped.” Freaer no longer looked beautiful at all. Odd, but in the shifting light his face appeared fissured as with age.

“You would know. You were imprisoned in Lohen Keil until the House of Rivenn waned.”

He smiled. “Poor, besotted Iewald was fool enough to betray the Kindren, weaken the House of Rivenn, and thus win my freedom.”

“What do you mean? How could Iewald’s betrayal weaken the House of Rivenn?”

Freaer gave an ugly laugh. “I’m not the only illegitimate son of Rivenn.”

Shae gasped. “You mean—”

“Raelein Gladreinn grew impatient while waiting to bear Kunrat’s first child and so gave her maid, Illandel, to do it for her. But when she became pregnant by Talan, Gladreinn sent Illandel away to bear Iewald in quiet. Of course, the damage was already done. Mother exploited a weakness in the House of Rivenn to free me.”

Shae backed away from Freaer. “You are evil.”

“You wound me.” He smirked. “I would have destroyed you long before this, but I find you…entertaining. It’s a pity, but I can see now it would never work.” He pointed to Shae.
“Attack!”

The welke let out a screech and jumped onto the stair in front of Kai and Dorann, batting its wings to balance.

Kai confronted the hissing creature, but the welke
sidestepped and launched into flight over Lohen Keil. Gliding toward Shae, it extended deadly talons.

“Shae,
go!
” But Kai’s shout could not unlock her legs. She stood, rooted in terror, and gave a soundless scream.

The flames of the Viadrel
licked upward from the Keil and surrounded the welke
.
With a shriek, the creature fell, encompassed by fire.

Freaer retreated toward the breach.

A keening wail rose from the Keil and echoed through the Caerric.

She put her hands over her ears. “When will it stop? I can’t bear it!”

“You hear the need of Elderland, the sound of its heartbreak,” the Elder youth said. “This cry calls me forth.”

All at once, Shae understood. This Elder youth
could
save Elderland. She knew, perhaps had known all along, the song she must sing. No other would do. .She’d last sung the Mael Lido for her mother. Tears ran down her face as she sang the death song for her own safe passage.

Her gaze locked with Kai’s across Lohen Keil. He inclined his head, and she took the last few steps that would carry her beyond the shimmering veil.

27

DawnSinger’s Song

Shae sang from behind a caul of light, so beautiful and noble that Kai ached with love for her. The Mael Lido echoed and eddied throughout Caerric Daeft, arresting the ear.

The song ended and silence fell. Shae bowed her head and wept.

Did she weep for herself, for him, or for Elderland? Perhaps for all. His heart pounded. He longed to snatch her from Gilead Riann, to keep her safe at his side, but he could not, would not.

The caul glimmered and spun with light. Shae raised her head and smiled at him just as the wall of rock firmed into place once more. Kai blinked. She was gone.

The Elder youth now stood on the bridge. He had passed into Elderland through Gilead Riann as Shae left it.

Kai balled his hands into fists. “Where is she?”

“She waits now in a gap between worlds, where she will findpeace and rest. She has fulfilled Prophecy and brought me into Elderland in her place.”

“
You
are the DawnKing?”

Something in the youth’s bearing answered Kai’s question. “I am Emmerich, sent by Lof Yuel to bring peace to Elderland.”

Kai leaped the last steps to the landing and bowed. From the corner of his eye he saw Dorann hesitate, then do the same. A thought intruded. “Freaer escaped.”

“His time has not yet come.” Emmerich said.

“Will Shae return?” Kai’s words wrenched from him.

“She laid down her life by choice, not knowing what would befall her.” Emmerich gave a faint smile. “And yet, in losing her life, she will find it. You shall see Shae again, Kai, although you will travel many roads before that day.”

****

In the Darkwood

Ruescht’s neck warmed Kai’s hand. The little Silver put back her ears and nickered, but did not lower her head to graze with the other wingabeasts on the banks of the brook. Kai patted her and turned with Dorann toward the stand of draetenns
.
A breeze kicked up and curling leaves danced overhead. Emmerich followed, lending his strength to Guaron. Kai waited for them, his heart lifting, as it always did when he thought of Guaron’s recovery.

Upon their return to Graelinn Hold, they had found Guaron restored enough to join them in a feast, although he was still weak. He bit with appetite into a joint of roast crobok and washed it down with ginger beer. “The song healed me,” he said. “A beautiful morning song carried on the wind and drove all poison from me.”

A wandering minstrel brought news of other healings from the sweet song that echoed throughout Elderland early one morning. Enric returned from battle, for those loyal to Elcon had beaten back Freaer’s forces.

An insect whirred past Kai’s cheek. Trumpet flowers nodded their dainty heads on the banks of the brook. The wingabeasts lowered their heads to crop the green grass. An image of Shae placing a stone on Aerlic’s cairn brought back to Kai of the promise she had made.
“I’ll not let you die for nothing!”
She had kept her word. He had come to keep his own. He would bear Aerlic’s body to its rest among his fathers in Glindenn Raven.