Elfhunter (54 page)

Gaelen bowed once more to the Lord and Lady before
climbing into the boat with Rogond and Fima. The Elves of
Tal-sithian watched them as they departed, disappearing slowly into
the mist. Once ashore, the horses were summoned and laden. Gaelen
looked once more back toward the island, for though she could not
see her, she knew that Arialde was there. She raised her hand in
farewell, then wheeled about and cantered slowly toward the river,
where she and the Company would turn north, toward the
Greatwood.

Arialde raised her hand in return as they departed,
her heart heavy with foreboding. This was not going to be a
pleasant road, and it would be long and painful. It was likely that
some would not live to see the end of it. At last she turned to go,
after wishing good fortune and steady hearts upon the Company,
hoping especially for the eventual happiness of Gaelen and Nelwyn,
and of Gwynnyth.

At last Gorgon was rewarded for his vigilance. The
Company had left the Lake-realm, and his vision was now unfettered.
He rejoiced even in his pain as he beheld the solemn, thoughtful
face of Nelwyn and the resolute expressions of Rogond and Thorndil.
He could not, of course, view Gaelen; if he had been able to do so
he would have seen the determination in her bright eyes,
determination that did not quite conceal the haunted look buried
deep within, the result of her encounter with the Stone.

It was indeed fortunate that Gorgon had not been
privy to Nelwyn’s vision. It would have disturbed him; his course
would have been different if he had known that she had gained such
insight. As it was, he continued with confidence, secure in the
knowledge that the Company had no inkling of his ability, nor of
the destructive force he now commanded. He summoned Kharsh—it was
time to get this rabble organized and moving north. He looked once
more through Gaelen’s eyes as she rode alone at the rear of the
Company, shivering slightly with the cold and pulling her cloak
about her, though it was a bright, warm day.

The Company rode north along the Ambros, the horses
stretching their legs and taking advantage of the flat going.
Réalta and Eros ran side by side with Galador and Rogond astride
them, and Réalta, at any rate, was happy to put his tail toward the
lands near the Lake- realm. He had not fared so well there; in fact
he now bore several wounds inflicted upon him by the herd stallion,
a large, imposing fellow named Wodon. Réalta had discovered that
Wodon, who had been in possession of the mares of Tal-sithian for
quite a number of years, had very little tolerance for strange
stallions.

Wodon had made that plain soon after Eros and Réalta
had been left to forage nearby. They had been drawn to investigate
the fine group of mares, who seemed friendly enough. The herd
leader, a venerable chestnut mare named Elda, had looked them up
and down, laying her ears back and lashing her tail, making it
plain that she would tolerate no foolishness from either of them.
Just then, Wodon had come galloping over the hilltop calling
loudly; he had been away seeking water and now found two strangers
among his precious mares. Eros backed off at once, but Réalta
arched his neck and trumpeted back at Wodon, for he resented the
stallion’s attitude. Wodon didn’t even know of their intentions as
yet.

Eros watched his impressive friend engage in brief
challenge with Wodon, but Réalta realized quickly that he was
outmatched. He had a few chunks of his hide missing when he at last
turned his tail and galloped off with Eros, who trotted sensibly
behind him.

Once night had fallen, Eros encouraged Réalta to
follow him back to the herd of mares. Wodon was keeping watch,
facing south as the wind was in the north today, thus his nose
would alert him from one direction and his eyes from the other.
Evading Wodon would not be easy, but Eros had a compelling reason
for wanting to approach the mares.

There was a young mare named Iduna in the band, and
Eros fancied her. She was coming into prime breeding condition;
tonight or tomorrow she would be most fertile, and Eros held a
great desire to be alone with her. To accomplish this, he knew that
he would have to distract Wodon, and he thought he knew just how to
do it. First, he took notice of Iduna’s position in the herd;
regrettably she was nearly in the center under the watchful eye of
Elda. It would have been so much easier had she been near the
perimeter.

Now for the distraction of Wodon. The stallion
already had his nose in the air and was moving restively back and
forth on his vantage point, shaking his head. He had caught wind of
them, apparently. Good! Eros needed to lure him down to where he
might be engaged. Then Eros would exploit the pride and impetuous
nature of his hapless companion, Réalta. Eros liked Réalta, but
occasionally found him annoying with his superior attitude and
flashy appearance. Réalta was both swifter and more graceful than
Eros, and often reminded him of it. Réalta was also rather
predictable, and he was not nearly so clever as Eros. Now his pride
and predictable nature would serve Eros well.

Eros called once to Iduna, nickering in his most
alluring way. The young mare lifted her head, as did many of the
others. Réalta trotted up to make certain that he was not left out
of anything, though he thought his friend’s behavior somewhat rash
considering the proximity of Wodon. Eros then approached the
perimeter of the herd, still calling softly to Iduna, who was now
making her way toward him. Wodon beheld Eros and Réalta approaching
his mares, and threatened them from the hill-top.
Intruders! You
have no business here! Back off or I shall teach you a hard
lesson!
Wodon practically flew down the hillside, striding up
before Réalta who stood nearest, as Eros had backed away again,
dropping his head and trying to appear non-threatening.

Réalta was taken aback. Where was Eros? No matter, he
could handle this situation himself. He would explain to Wodon, but
would not bow to him.

I mean no intrusion, but do not press me or you
shall have more of a fight than perhaps you need, Old One.
He
arched his proud neck and shook his long white forelock at
Wodon.

No intrusion? Only I hold rights to the mares here.
You were calling to Iduna. She is ripe for breeding. Do not try to
deceive me, young fool!

Wodon struck hard with one foreleg, arching his
massive neck and giving a sort of deep-throated squeal. Réalta
didn’t much like being called foolish, and regrettably his anger
was about to make him so. He strode forward, challenging Wodon.

Do not press me, Old One. I am young and strong, the
favored mount of a tall, proud Elf. I have seen battle, and am more
than capable of defending myself!

Wodon snorted and tossed his head, dismissing all
thoughts of diplomacy in that moment. Without another word, he flew
at Réalta, and both stallions were screaming, rearing and plunging,
striking at forelegs, biting at throats and ears. The mares turned
to watch; they had not seen a strange stallion challenge Wodon in a
long time. Most knew better. Réalta was holding his own, but he was
tiring before the relentless onslaught of the old stallion, who had
far more to lose should the battle go ill.

Eros had meanwhile returned quietly to the perimeter
of the herd of mares and called again to Iduna, who was now quite
near. She approached him even as Elda stood distracted by the
combative stallions. Eros nuzzled her, chortling and arching his
proud neck. What he lacked in sheer beauty he made up in finesse.
She nipped him playfully, returning courtship. She had not really
cared for Wodon anyway; he was far too serious and demanding. This
good-natured one was more to her taste, and she followed him
willingly under the moonlight.

Eros accomplished his purpose after a bit more
courtship. Taking a deep breath and shaking his entire body, Eros
now turned his attention to the rescue of his proud companion.
While only a few minutes had passed, the two stallions were weary
and both had taken several wounds.

Réalta was beginning to worry; perhaps he really was
outmatched. And where in the world was Eros? His question was
answered as the strong dun bowled into Wodon from behind, knocking
him off balance.

He called to Réalta:
Come on! Now is your chance
to run for it!
Eros kicked Wodon in the chest, receiving a
savage bite to the hindquarters, but was otherwise unscathed as he
and Réalta fled at last, leaving Wodon calling after them, warning
them to never intrude upon his mares again.

As they ran back to where their companions waited
Eros had turned to Réalta, amused.
Well, you certainly sorted
him out! Your High-elf would be most impressed.

Réalta, who was in some pain from his wounds, did not
reply. He never did ask his friend Eros where he had been during
the melee. Had Eros known it, he was nearly as predictable as
Réalta. Luckily, unlike Wodon, Réalta did possess a sense of humor,
and the friendship between Eros and himself was strong.

The Company had been riding for two days when
Thorndil first sighted distant riders through the glass Arialde had
given him. He called the Company to a halt, alerting them to the
party of eight heavily armed and provisioned Elves, bearing the
banner of the Lake- realm, who now rode up from the south. Their
faces were grim as they approached, and their horses had clearly
been ridden hard. Amandir rode out to meet them as they hailed him,
followed by the Company.

It seemed that they had been sent by the Lord and
Lady upon discovering the sad truth that sixteen of their kinsmen
had disappeared from near the Cold-spring. There had been very
little clue as to their fate, but enough sign had been left that
they were presumed slain or taken by the Dark Powers. The Elves had
tracked them as they could, and had eventually come upon some
evidence that a rather large and well-armed company of Ulcas had
camped nearby. Then the Elves had separated, with these eight being
designated to ride out in search of the Company to warn and aid
them.

"The Ulcas, it seems, were on a course that might
well intercept your own," said a fair-haired Elf named Oryan. He
looked earnestly into the eyes of Amandir. "We have been sent to
accompany you on your quest, for our people are tracking these
Ulcas even now, and there are nearly thirty accomplished archers,
warriors, and trackers among them. They hope to overtake and slay
the Ulcas before they can waylay us. I expect they will have little
difficulty, as the Ulcas will be unaware that they are being
pursued."

Amandir nodded, but he had a feeling of foreboding
growing in his breast. He looked over at Gaelen, who stood by,
shivering slightly in the late morning breeze, and his eyes
narrowed.

"Say nothing more in front of her!" he whispered to
Oryan. Then, he spoke aloud. "It is well you have come, for we
shall have need of you. Are you set to ride all the way to the
Greatwood with us?"

Oryan nodded. "We are provisioned for several weeks.
The Lady asked us to see you safely there. She has a message for
you, Gaelen Taldin. She says to please submit to our company. We
promise to fight beside you to the end and we will not interfere in
your purpose." Gaelen smiled. Arialde obviously remembered her
unfavorable reaction when she learned of Amandir having been
granted leave to join them. She inclined her head to Oryan.

"You are more than welcome. I’m glad of your company,
for we shall need your skills and courageous hearts in this task. I
pray that you may thank the Lady from me one day."

Oryan bowed his head in return, though he looked
sidelong at Amandir, who was regarding Gaelen with a mistrustful
look on his proud face. Oryan was confused; the Lady had said
nothing to him about Gaelen’s being untrustworthy. Gaelen had
certainly not given the Elves of Tal-sithian any reason to believe
otherwise.

Amandir drew Oryan aside as the Company made ready to
resume their course northward. Though he could not exactly explain
how he knew it, Amandir told Oryan that the less Gaelen knew of
matters of importance to their enemy, the better. In his heart he
feared for the Elves who now tracked the "unwary Ulcas," wondering
if the same fate awaited them as had befallen the Elves near the
Cold-spring.

Nelwyn was saddened by the news of the disappearance
of those merry Elves of Tal-sithian. They had seemed so free of
worries on that bright afternoon, and now had almost assuredly met
with some ill fate.

Gaelen was lost in thoughts of Gorgon; she wondered
whether he had any association with the company of Ulcas that
apparently had set out to intercept her Company. She did not
suspect so, as Gorgon had given every indication that he disliked
Ulcas and that he worked alone.

Nelwyn, on the other hand, knew better. She had seen
Gorgon in command of a host of fierce Ulcas in the Stone of Léir,
and that host would be set against the might of the Elves of the
Greatwood. She had not yet shared the nature of what she had seen
with anyone, not even Galador. Gaelen, to her surprise, had not
asked it of her. Nelwyn did not know what had happened to her
cousin, but she suspected that the Stone had been involved, and she
now knew that Gaelen wanted nothing whatever to do with even the
mention of it. As for Gorgon, Nelwyn hoped that the Stone was
wrong, and that this was just a group of ordinary, sun-hating,
unwary Ulcas that would give a well-armed group of Elves very
little reason to fear. Even as she rode, she prayed it would be
so.

Many leagues away from the Company, Gorgon stowed the
mirror away, turned to Kharsh, who stood beside him, and wiped the
sweat from his dark brow.