The Revenge of the Elves (20 page)

The boy must find the First
, Robyn said, his conviction renewed.
Only then will we be able to prevent Colton from destroying us all From destroying everything.

Promanthea didn’t reply. He had severed the link between them. The air blew warm and humid across his brow and he raised his arm to push his hair back from his eyes. The forest smelled of rotting leaves, of decay and of death.

He wastes no words. Each has meaning so why do I feel so unsatisfied? Each has meaning. Each has meaning.

Chapter Twenty-three

They left two hours before dawn. Esta hurried them through a clandestine, little used exit in the south of the city. This point of departure, much like the hidden room in the castle, was constructed by her late husband as a precaution. The tunnel ran deep underground beneath the walls, and evaded even Sidra’s shimmering defenses.

They reached its end, in a cave before the woods. “Head south when you leave here. You’ll see one bare tree taller than the others. Beneath it you’ll find three horses and provisions, enough for many day’s journey,” Esta explained.

Elion looked at her surprised. “How did…?”

“I have many friends in these woods.” She tapped her foot impatiently.

“But the shield…” he continued.

“Hush now,” Esta wagged her finger at him. “My husband constructed this city. It has secrets you have not yet begun to learn about.” Esta changed the subject. “Where will you go from here? Have you decided?”

“It’s best we don’t discuss our plans with anyone, your Highness.” Tomas spoke, his voice cold, emotionless.

“And I am now just ‘anyone’?” Esta questioned. “What is it you fear from me, Tomas?”

Tomas reddened. “I seek only to protect you.” And I don’t know how.

“I know,” her voice softened. “But from whom, Tomas? You are the ones stepping into jeopardy.”

Stephanie slid her arm through the crook of Tomas’ elbow. His eyes smiled though his lips barely turned up.

“I will seek Ormachon’s counsel,” Tomas said. “It’s time.” He drew his shoulders back. “The Chosen agree.” But I’m scared.

“Trust in Ormachon,” Esta said. “He’s your bondmate. It can’t be easy for them either. We should not assume motives when we don’t understand their behavior. Seek the true answers Tomas.”

“Yes, Tomas. Do that. Speak with him. Another will soon depart, and who knows when…” Stephanie’s voice faltered. “Ormachon has never let you down.” Tomas turned from her. “If I were a parent and my child was being threatened, I too would manipulate whatever I could to protect him. After my father was killed, I did many things for my mother’s sake,”

“Look, Tomas,” Preston said. “I snuck away from my parent’s home in anger. I didn’t stop to say farewell and they didn’t know where I was going or why. But I loved them then and I love them still, and I know they love me. I must believe they’ve forgiven me. What do we live for if not that?”

He missed Ormachon. But it was his spirit that longed for him the most… and yet dreaded their meeting above all else. Tomas turned to the Queen, his arms limp at his sides. “I’m uncertain where we must go. I hope it will become clearer in the days ahead.” He hoped. That was an understatement. He wanted to leave now. He wanted to run.
Where? Where?

“You really don’t know, Tomas?” Esta asked.

His eyes met hers. He didn’t need to answer.

“How will we know where you are?” Stephanie asked.

He’d only just found her again and now they were separating. He knew this was hard for her. Hard for him.

“Is there no way you can send word that won’t endanger you or us?” Esta asked.

“The barrier around Avalain makes that difficult. But perhaps I can use the ring with you as I do with the Chosen,” Tomas suggested, “I’ll try.”
I have to go.
His insides churned.

For the first time since the massacre of his aunt and uncle in the fire in Pardeau, Tomas felt as if he had a family. Stephanie was the closest he’d ever come to having a sister, and Queen Esta was so much like his Aunt Safira, strong, confident. He didn’t want to step away, to leave them behind. But everything he got close to was taken from him.
I have to go
, he thought.
I’m dangerous.

Stephanie squeezed his arm and backed up. Esta walked to the cave’s entrance and looked out. “Life has selected you to act on its behalf, and your responsibilities are great. You must choose carefully. But you aren’t alone. We’ll be here for you when you return. You have a home.” She beckoned with her hand and Tomas walked over to her. “Illuminate the world, Tomas!” she whispered into his ear.

The thought of leaving broke upon him like a great wave, unsettling him, disturbing his balance. Sidra couldn’t protect him out there. No one could.

They gathered up the supplies. “Farewell, my three young princes,” Esta said.

“Princes,” Preston said in Tomas’ ear. “Did you hear that?” he blushed behind his scruffy beard.

Elion’s eyes caught the Queen’s. “I’ll take care of him. Don’t worry,” he promised.

“Get her back safely now,” Preston said to Stephanie.

Arm in arm, the two women turned and left the cavern without looking back.

Their footsteps faded quickly.

Elion hesitated a moment longer. “You really don’t know where we’re going?”

Tomas wasn’t listening. With Esta and Stephanie gone, apprehension hit him harder than he expected. Even with his friends around him, the loneliness was unbearable. He was losing everything, everyone that meant anything to him. And now he had to face Ormachon.

“Tomas? Doesn’t the ring tell you anything? What good are these things if they don’t help us when we need them the most?” Preston asked. “It’s a big world out there. Are we just going to wander around until we get a good idea?” He snapped a tree branch protruding between two rocks and let it dangle from his mouth. “You must have some idea where we should go.”

“I have to speak with Ormachon and then we’ll decide what to do next,” Tomas said, his voice uncertain. “I wish I had a better answer for you. I really do.”
But I don’t. I don’t have an answer.

Elion signaled to Preston and started to exit the cave. “Come on Tomas. We shouldn’t stay here any longer.”

The air was crisp. They’d been under Sidra’s shield for days and the smells were different here. Tomas stepped a little lighter, stood a little taller. “Up that hill there.” He pointed ahead. “That looks like a good place.” They left the horses tied and followed him.

“How are the people of Talamar going to deal with what happened to them?” Preston asked as they walked. “Their entire city’s gone! They lost their homes, their property, their leaders…”

“Leaders?” Elion scoffed. “Kettin was no leader.”

“He was weak and greedy. The combination of the two made him easy prey,” Preston commented.

“He was half the man his father was, and that’s not saying much,” Elion’s face was full of contempt.

“The Queen will have a lot on her shoulders, that’s for certain,” Preston said.

Tomas kicked a rock from the path. “Kettin tried to kidnap my brother from Pardatha and that’s why you found him. If not for that, Davmiran might have been trapped in the city during the battle. Instead, you brought him back to Seramour. We have to thank Kettin for that much.”

“Thank him?” Preston drew back. “Thank Baladar instead! Look what Kettin’s done to his city. His people.”

“He’s right. Kettin may have caused your brother’s absence from the city but he wasn’t responsible for the good that came of it.”

Elion watched Tomas closely. “Thanking him would be like thanking Caeltin for bringing us together. You didn’t mean that, did you?”

Tomas scowled. “Things seem to happen, despite what those who cause them want to happen. How can we ever figure out the right course of action, when the wrong one could turn out to be so good. We think we’re doing the right thing and then…” Tomas said.

Elion didn’t let him finish. “Wait a minute now.” He grabbed Tomas’ arm and wouldn’t let go. “You’d never make a decision if you needed to be certain of all the consequences each and every time. You can’t know the future. Tomas? What’s going on with you?”

Tomas shrugged, annoyed.

“It’s the intent, Tomas, that defines the act.” Elion continued. “If your intention is good, then the action’s justified.”

Tomas pulled away. “It’s not enough!” His skin paled. “Don’t you see? The mind is weak. We can be convinced to do many things that are wrong. There has to be more…” He hurried up the path.

“More?” Preston rushed after him. “Of course there’s more! Certain things are never right. Cruelty. Selfishness…” He glanced back at Elion as he spoke.

“What about betrayal?” Tomas cut in. He stopped walking and stood perfectly still. “Is betrayal ever right?” he asked again.

“It’s just a word, Tomas. If the intention is to preserve and protect, then it’s not really betrayal, is it?” Preston replied.

“I thought you were getting past this,” Elion said.

Tomas swayed. “I’m worried,” he confessed. “What Ormachon has determined is right, may no longer be what’s right for me, for us.” His voice grew stronger. “I fear our paths and those of the Lalas have diverged from one another.” Louder. “I’m concerned that what we need to do in order to preserve our world and what they need to do, are now at odds with one another.” He paused. “I’m afraid I’ll lose him too.”

Elion stuffed his hands into his pockets.

“I thought after you met with the Chosen that your troubles were alleviated. I thought you understood why Ormachon did what he did,” Preston said.

“I did… I thought I did,” he admitted. “When I met with the Chosen, I discussed the breaking of the bond. It shocked them, but it was necessary. What shall I do?” Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. He couldn’t contain his emotion any longer. I’m scared.

“We all have doubts and concerns Tomas.” Elion fidgeted. He groped for the words. “I regret choices I’ve made too.” His voice rasped.

Tomas wiped his eyes and forced a smile. He felt foolish, but he couldn’t help it. Elion was worried about him. He saw it in his face. He was worried about himself. “I’ll know one way or another soon.” He felt like a child again, apprehensive, uncertain. And everyone expected so much of him. I’m alone. They can’t help me.

He walked to a tree stump and sat against it. “This is as good a place as any.” His eyes were so sad.

“Be strong, Tomas. We’re with you, whatever you learn,” Preston patted him on the back.

“We won’t leave you,” Elion promised.

Tomas stared off into the distance, his eyes rolled back in his head. His lips moved but no words came out.

Chapter Twenty-four

The wolves howled and the hills echoed. Their hulking shapes hovered on the horizon but none approached the gates of Tallon.

Fallean parted the branches and peered out. Huckleberry grew in abundance around the town and the odor was sweet. He looked through the brush first and stepped onto the cut grass of the small playing field that ran alongside the town’s westernmost wall. The hills rose high and a waterfall cascaded down from between two peaks. It ran off into a gaping hole a stone’s throw from the town. Huge, leafy trees flanked the falling water all the way up to where it originated. He looked in one direction and the scene was idyllic. In the other, it was dismal.

Everything appeared to be normal as they approached the gates. The stone wall was in good repair, the grass pitch beside it shorn close to the ground. The banner of Tallon snapped in the breeze above the town hall, an abundant tangle of brown-barked branches upon a bed of azure silk.

“The gates are on the other side,” he pointed to where the wall curved east. “Let’s go.”

“Why’s no one around? It’s too quiet here,” Caryssa scowled as she and Lana emerged from the trees. She eyed the wolves on the hill. Their numbers had grown.

“It’s midday. They’re all eating. This is not a big city. Things come to a halt when it’s meal time,” Fallean replied. “We’re not in Merala da any more,” he reminded her.

“The children too? What about the animals?” she questioned. “You’re too trusting, Fallean. Things have changed everywhere. Aren’t you the one who keeps reminding me of that?” Her eyes darted back and forth.

“Everyone eats at the same time here. That much hasn’t changed.” He looked around. Everything was the same as it was before. Or so it seemed. “Many tiels ago I played over there with my brothers and some of the boys from the village. They breed them strong here…and agile. My mother always told me it was the water they drink,” Fallean recalled, pointing to their left. Those were good days. Though the line of shadows in the distance reminded him these were different times.

“How is it that a town like this thrives in these parts?” Caryssa asked. “Who keeps it safe?”

“The High King did when he was alive. Tallon wasn’t even on the outskirts of the kingdom then. Everything in this part of the world was safe. Now, Caeltin D’Are Agenathea would destroy this town in a heartbeat if he could. The waters beneath it keep him at bay,” Fallean replied. “Power converges here.” His tension eased as he talked about Tallon. “The water is the medium for that power. The Lalas come here for nourishment and to share. They always have.” He paused and his eyes darkened. “If this town should ever fall to the Dark One’s evil, woe to the rest of the world.”

“Your fond memories may be clouding your judgement,” she chastised him. “Stay alert. Many years have passed, Fallean.”

“I’ll take you to the pools. You’ll see,” he was confident. His body perked up as he spoke of them. “The town looks no different than it used to.”

The roadway was paved with colorful stones and flowers grew in abundance. They turned the bend and were confronted by a pair of closed gates and a lone soldier standing guard in front of them.

“No different except for the guard!” Fallean said, puzzled.

“And the wolves,” Caryssa huffed.

“Halt!” the soldier shouted. He pointed his metal tipped lance in their direction. “Identify yourselves!”

“Jeremy? Is it really you?” Fallean called out. He recognized the voice right away.

“May the First bless us all!” the soldier shouted, dropping his spear in a very unsoldierly like manner and opening his arms wide. “Fallean! What a sight for sore eyes. Step back, let me look at you.” Fallean backed up a pace and stood there like a schoolboy in front of his teacher. “You don’t look a day older than when I last saw you!” Jeremy remarked. “How long ago was it? It has to be two tiels at least!”

“More like three,” Fallean replied, grabbing Jeremy’s hand with both of his own. “Since when does Tallon need a soldier to guard its entry?”

“You should know better than I. I heard about the battle in Seramour. We all did and we were so worried. Was it as awful as they said? The news was so hard to get. Reliable news that is,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m so sorry about Adain.”

“Adain? What about my cousin?” Fallean colored. “I’ve been on the islands for over a year with my uncle’s family,” he pointed to Lana. “We’re on our way back home now. What happened?” Fallean pressed him. This can’t be good.

“You really don’t know?” Jeremy was surprised.

“No. I don’t. We received very little information from the mainland, and for the past year, the sea has been too violent to cross. As soon as the weather broke, I left for home.”

The waters separating the islands from the mainland were growing hotter all year, spawning violent hurricanes over the seas. Dangerous storms raged close to the shoreline, wiping out the villages built too close to the shore. The greatest of ships remained anchored in the harbor at Merala da, unable and unwilling to attempt crossing the churning water.

The High King spent his power on securing the Gwendolen borders, decimating the forests and marsh lands near the shore line extending further inland to strengthen the defenses. In fear and self interest, they neglected the foundations of life, sacrificing them for safety and security, and the Dark One needed only to ply his hand and push the environment to chaos. Merala da was isolated and Fallean was cut off from his family.

“I hate to be the one to have to tell you then. Me and my big mouth,” he kicked the ground with the toe of his boot. “This isn’t how I imagined our reunion to be,” Jeremy said. He grabbed Fallean’s wrist. “I know how close the two of you were, Fallean. He died, my friend. Adain died in the battle during the awakening, protecting your mother and the heir.” His eyes fell to the ground.

The news shook him. “I can’t believe it. It’s not possible. Adain dead…” His head was too heavy to hold up. “How? What happened?” Lana moved to his side and put her hand on his shoulder.

“From what I was told, he was very brave. He saved your mother.”

“Yes,” Fallean deliberated, his eyes half closed. “That sounds like him. He was always the bold one, the first to the rescue. He never thought of himself.”

“I thought you would have known. I never imagined…” Jeremy apologized.

“No news we receive is good, it seems,” Fallean said. There was sadness in his eyes, but strength too. “He wasn’t just my cousin. Adain was a good friend. It’s hard to think of him gone.”

“I’m so sorry Fallean. Really I am. I regret being the one to tell you.”

“Better you than someone else, Jeremy. I’d rather hear it from a friend than an enemy.” Fallean paused. His return to Tallon was not turning out as he had hoped. “Were there many losses? Are my parents safe?”

“Yes, they are. I would have said first thing if any harm had come to them. The damage to the city was much less than what it could have been, had not the others arrived, but that’s little comfort now,” he replied. He looked up. “You’ve had barely any news at all?”

“Rumors only. Nothing we could rely upon. We knew Caeltin was defeated and Seramour is safe, but we only reached the mainland a few weeks ago and we’ve had our own troubles along the way,” Fallean explained. “Others? Who came to Seramour’s aid? My uncles?”

“I’ll tell you everything, but not here. Let’s go into town. It’s safe around here, but… well, you can see for yourself,” Jeremy leaned his head to the west, to the wolves. “Who are your friends Fallean?” He hadn’t introduced them.

“Forgive me, Jeremy.” Formalities seemed so unimportant after the news he just heard. “This is my cousin Lana, daughter to my mother’s brother, King Windstorm.” Lana cocked her head in a friendly manner.

“Pleased to meet you, Princess,” Jeremy said, bowing awkwardly.

“And this is Caryssa,” Fallean pointed.

“You’re most welcome,” Jeremy said and he reached out his hand to her.

She grunted, lifting her hand in response.

“You can relax here, Caryssa,” Lana said softly. “Fallean wouldn’t lead us into danger.”

“I never relax,” she responded. “It’s my duty not to.”

“The wolves never come any closer, if that makes you any more comfortable,” Jeremy said.

“Caryssa’s our bodyguard. She takes her responsibilities most seriously. I sleep restfully at night knowing she is here,” Fallean replied respectfully.

Caryssa looked down her nose at Jeremy. She seemed to grow at least two inches in height as Fallean praised her.

“I meant no disrespect. But a bodyguard for Prince Fallean? I never thought I’d see the day,” Jeremy said under his breath.

“What keeps the wolves from coming in?” Caryssa asked, her suspicions aroused. “How is it you’re safe in this part of the countryside and no one else is?”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d take that as an accusation.” Jeremy drew back from her. “Didn’t you tell her of the pools Fallean? The waters alone are reason enough to spare us, but we’ve had some minor incidents.”

“Incidents?” Lana asked.

Jeremy looked at Fallean for permission to respond.

“Speak freely, Jeremy,” he reassured him.

“We were visited by a bunch of people who claimed they were tradesmen, but they didn’t look like any traders I’ve ever seen. Big, burly men, they were.” He held out his arms as if hugging a barrel. “They asked more questions than we had answers for, about people we may have seen and visitors we may have had. I didn’t trust them from the moment I let them in, but we’ve never denied entry to anyone seeking shelter before, and we still don’t.” He drew in his breath, proud, but then had second thoughts. “Should we have? Everyone who comes here’s on their way to or from somewhere else. They left after only one night. They sat up in Megan’s Pub all night and spent a good deal of money, paying with King’s gold. We don’t see much of that in these parts any longer,” Jeremy recalled.

Caryssa’s left eyebrow rose. “Do you remember if they gave their names to anyone?”

“Well, they could have said something, but not to me. We can ask around though. It’s a small town. It’s likely we’ll be able to find out if they did,” Jeremy said. “But let’s go into town.” He glanced up at the hills again. “I really am sorry about your cousin.”

Jeremy pulled upon a long cord hanging from a wooden lever attached to the wall, and a bell rang inside. The gates swung inward. Caryssa hung back a few paces, scanning the edge of the woods from one end to the other before following the others into town.

Tallon was not unique in its appearance, but like many other towns dotting the countryside further north. The buildings were all one and two stories high, with the exception of the town hall which rose four levels, topped off by a small tower upon which the banners of the town flew. The streets were paved with multicolored bricks. The structures were simple in design and unadorned for the most part. Tallon was old. Very old. And what flowed beneath it was even older. Once you passed through the unimposing gates, the sounds that reached your ears were incredible.

Fallean smiled when he heard the rushing waters.

“It sounds as if we’re walking on the shores of Merala da,” Lana remarked. “The sound’s so loud, but I can still hear you.”

“I almost forgot how good this feels,” Fallean said, his eyes half closed. The music eased his aching heart. “We’re safe here. As long as the waters sing, we have nothing to fear. It’s the presence of the roots that produces the sound,” he explained. “The roots and the water.”

“Roots?” Caryssa asked, curious.

“The Lalas speak in their own way,” Jeremy explained. “Though none of the trees live in Tallon, their presence is felt by us all,” he said as they approached the town center. “How long can you stay?”

“Forever?” Lana replied only half in jest.

“A day or two,” Fallean said more seriously. “I’m anxious to get back home.”

“You must bathe in the pools first,” Jeremy addressed the group. “You all look as if you could use some cleaning up. And you could use the rejuvenation, Fallean. The waters ease the soul as much as the body.”

Lana glanced at her dirt streaked tunic, as if noticing its condition for the first time. “Our accommodations until now haven’t been as nice as we would have hoped.”

The streets were quiet. They walked unnoticed to the double doors of the town hall. Jeremy pushed one open and led them inside.

“Fallean!” a voice sounded from somewhere inside. “Amazing! What are you doing here?” A robust man rose from behind a desk and walked over to him. He clenched Fallean’s hand and pumped it. “How long has it been? By the First, I can’t remember! Ages! It’s been ages. You look more and more like your mother as you get older.” Stepping back, he stared him up and down.

“You look well too, Kerrigan! Is it possible you’re still growing?” Fallean replied, referring to his ample belly. “Meet my cousin, Princess Lana, and our guard Caryssa from the island of the Sea Elves. We’re on our way to Seramour.”

Kerrigan patted his stomach and nodded to Lana and Caryssa. “My, my, it is good to see you, Fallean! And it’s my great pleasure to meet you two as well.” He bowed from the waist. “So what brings you to Tallon then?” His expression was more troubled than his words indicated.

Fallean noticed the strain on his face. It was more than age. “I couldn’t pass through this part of the countryside without stopping here,” he replied. He’d save the truth for later. “I miss it. I miss all of you. How are Zachary and the girls? And Meralee?”

“Zachary is quite grown up, and Meralee is as fine as ever. The girls are a handful though,” Kerrigan replied. “This is so unexpected. Since the fall of the High King, we have seen little of your people. The news does reach us though. They had their hands full in Lormarion.”

“They know nothing about the battle, Kerrigan,” Jeremy interrupted him, putting a hand on his arm.

“So you don’t know what happened?” Kerrigan asked.

“Just what Jeremy told us.”

“There’s a lot to tell. You’ll stay with us a while then?” Kerrigan asked.

“A day maybe,” he said, and Kerrigan frowned.

“Even a few hours is a pleasure for us,” Kerrigan said.