That’s when the commotion outside drew Virgil’s attention. A band of about eight cavaliers had accosted the final members. The three rebels were backed up against the side of the inn and the king’s men, with swords drawn, had surrounded them.
Virgil shot for the door. “Daggers. Try to keep it quiet.” A dozen other members followed him, quickly and quietly, while the remainder waited inside and watched from a window in case they were needed.
Jarek felt the futility of that order—keep it quiet. It was mid-afternoon, and the streets teemed with traffic. Already, the crowds had taken notice. He wondered if it might be a better idea just to let it play out and try to rescue the men later. But the captain and the others were gone. The Azyrean considered going down to join them but knew that he would bring nothing more than additional problems. He had no fighting abilities and, if he joined the fray, his hood could well be pushed back, revealing his ears to everyone watching. No, better to remain out of view.
He eased over to the window and watched as the encounter unfolded in what seemed like slow motion. At first, the rebels seemed no more than other interested townspeople milling about. But in an instant, the dagger blades flashed in the sunlight. Sound was notably absent. Within seconds, the cavaliers were down.
Passers-by stared as though in disbelief. Jarek watched in wonderment. How was Virgil going to get past this? Everyone had just watched him and his band murder the small company of the king’s men. Keeping it quiet was not going to happen.
The captain nodded in the direction of the three men who had been accosted and then gestured toward the fallen bodies. As if everyone were communicating mentally, the group sprang into action. They dragged the bodies into an alley. When the rebels emerged, they re-entered the inn. Jarek stared down at the surrealistic scene in the street. People stood transfixed, silent, looking alternately at the inn and then toward the alley.
The door burst open. “Let’s move it. We’ve got, at best, an hour before this place is crawling with rangers or worse.” Virgil whipped the carpet from the trap door.
As the troop made their way down the narrow staircase into the lower tunnels, Jarek began to comprehend the magnitude of what had just happened. The anonymity of the brotherhood had just been destroyed. The inn, serving as one of the entry points to the underground complex, had been compromised. It would require no effort at all for the king’s men to uncover everything else. Jarek’s heart fell.
They made their way without speaking down to the lower levels, where they encountered Brothers Magnus and Daniel. Virgil told them the story, holding back nothing.
Their responses surprised Jarek. Rather than anger or even a sense of urgency, what they exhibited seemed more like an expected resignation. Magnus motioned toward the tunnels leading across to the hut where the massive blue crystal had been stored. “I suppose this was going to happen at some point. Fortunately, there are few of us down here right now. Others will hear about it and stay away. With any luck, our brotherhood will survive, even if our sanctuary does not.”
Captain Virgil nodded and lowered his gaze. “My regrets, Brother Magnus. But for now, we must get across to the hut and have the crystal ready by moonrise. I will take my troops through. Well, with the exception of these two.” He gestured toward Burns and Jarek. “Get everyone out. With the different tunnels down here, it will take the king’s men a little while to find us. When they do, we must be ready for a fight. My guess is that Wyndred will send rangers and assassins. Keep your brothers clear.”
◆◆◆
Sunset came and went, and the king’s forces still did not appear at the hut. The crystal had been moved out and positioned for the moonrise. With all in readiness, Virgil turned to Jarek. “When we are through, try to move the crystal away from the hut. If Wyndred’s minions are not upon you, perhaps some of the brothers can help. Get it as far away as possible and then secure it.” He shifted his gaze to Burns. “You know your way back to the camp. Get back and report to the commander. Tell her what happened here. She will have to decide how to proceed with the crystal.”
Jarek eased closer to the captain. “There is something you should know. I should have told you earlier, but I thought it meant nothing. When we were coming into town, I thought I saw a familiar face—a child’s face. I can’t say for sure, but I think it might have been that kid that was with the farmer that betrayed us—Bart something or another.”
Virgil shrugged. “Nothing we can do about it now. If it was him, then that simply explains how the cavaliers knew. Fortunately for us, they took the initiative to accost us themselves. It may well be that the king has yet to hear of this, although he will surely know by morning. Tell Commander West about this.”
The moon peeked above the horizon, somewhere between a full and a half phase. Jarek hoped that it would be sufficient to create the portal. If it failed, it was hard to imagine how things could turn out well.
But work it did. When the lower limb of the moon cleared the small hill, the crystal began to glow, and a beam of brilliant sapphire light shot from the surface away from the moon and illuminated the ground some three meters distant. Around that spot, a swirling, luminescent light began to gather. A fully formed deep blue portal sat—ready to use.
Virgil tapped three of his men on the shoulder. “The four of us go first.” He pointed at four others. “You go next.” When he had finished organizing the groups, he turned toward the portal. “Let’s do this.”
Jarek watched in amazement as the four men approached the swirl of light and then disappeared. Within seconds the area went dark, save for the ambient moonlight. “Let’s keep the crystal situated so that the moon’s rays hit it directly.”
Ratio, who had defied the suggestion that the brothers go into hiding, worked with Burns to reposition the crystalline structure. “Any idea how long it will be before it generates another portal?”
Before Jarek could respond, the crystal began to glow again. “I guess that answers that question.” It had been only a couple of minutes. The portal formed, and the next group of rebels went through. The process repeated until Burns, Ratio, and Jarek stood alone in the small clearing.
Jarek strode over and began to push on the edge of the crystal. “Let’s get this twisted around so no more portals form. Then we can figure out how to get it moved.”
◆◆◆
The rising sun illuminated an empty clearing. The crystal, now some five kilometers distant and hidden in a copse of trees, was, at least for the moment, safe. The three had returned to the hut expecting to see the area awash with the king’s troops. Instead, they came upon an eerie quietness. The isolated hut in the middle of nowhere seemed as though time had forgotten it.
Jarek stared at it. “Should we go back in and try to save the other crystals?”
Ratio responded, “No. There’s no way the three of us could get them out, even if we weren’t discovered. And, like your captain said, it is only a matter of time before Wyndred’s forces are all over this place. We can only hope that Brother Andrew was able to salvage his most important tomes.”
Burns slumped down against a tree. “I hope they made it all right. I hope that Mathias is okay.”
Jarek went over and put a hand on her shoulder. “They are fine. They are the best and there is nothing in there that could defeat them. I know it.”
“I should be there with them.”
“No. You should be here with me. Once we speak with Commander West, I am sure we will have much to do. And remember, we still don’t know as much about these crystals as we should. We don’t yet understand how to even get our people back. I really need you, Burns.” He turned to Ratio. “And, unless you have something more important to do, I think you should accompany us back to camp. I believe that the three of us hold the key. Ultimately, if humanity is to win, we must figure out the rest of this puzzle.”
With one final look at the hut and the clearing in which the great miracle had occurred the prior evening, the band of
three turned toward the rising sun and began their trek. As they made their way back through town, Jarek again caught a glimpse of the face. The young boy, the son of the farmer Bart, stared for a moment before disappearing behind a house.
Chapter 87: Marzi
Marzi took a seat against the wall, intentionally taking herself out of the limelight. The room filled with elves—Lord Rintaur, Arien, Elondiel along with Corhymin, Andu’lar, and Lar’donal, Saige and Saryn, plus the Empress and the Twilight Bough High Council.
Beside the Azyrean, Elle and Rys sat quietly observing the pre-meeting conversation at the table. Ran, who had formed an unlikely and sometimes competitive relationship with Lar’donal of the frost elves, fidgeted, clearly not enjoying the solemn occasion.
Ariessa began the formalities. “Perhaps we should begin. There is much to discuss, and I want to respect the time and attention of our guests. By way of formal welcome, I recognize Lord Elondiel and contingent from the kingdom of the Quel’dethain Mountains. From the domain of the cliffs, I welcome Saige and her attendants. I want to stress, at the outset, that I call this gathering to order only because we are here at the Bough and custom demands it. I make no claim to leadership of this effort. It is my sincerest hope that the organizational and practical details will be developed through respectful collaboration during these days.” She paused and nodded toward the different contingents. “I would invite opening comments by my friend from the cliffs.” And with that, the Empress sat.
Saige rose and nodded. “Thank you, Empress Ariessa. I will defer comment until later. I, too, feel that there is much to discuss, and I sense the pressure of time upon us. I would like to know more, though, about the human prisoners that remain in the custody of the frost elves. If I may be so bold as to ask, Lord Elondiel, what are your plans for them?”
“At present, we have no plans. I have commuted the death sentence, at least for now. They are currently secure in our dungeon and will remain so until such time as I make a final decision.”
From her seat, Ariessa turned to Elondiel. “That seems a wise course of action. Do you have anything more to add?”
“Thank you for the kind welcome, Empress.” He paused and surveyed the room. “I, along with others here, have seen the face of our enemy, and I assure you that he is not to be taken lightly. The elven people divided ages ago and have gone different ways based on our different values and world views. But we are all elves and, if we are to survive, we must make common cause. I will stop there so that we can move forward with specifics.”
Marzi considered the Empress. For the first time since meeting her, the Azyrean felt that Ariessa was at a loss. The gravity of what faced everyone there settled onto her heart. This wasn’t about missing family or bruised egos and pride. Over the next several days, survival—hers and all of the elves’—would hinge on how this group chose to proceed.
The empress stood to speak but, before she could begin, the unexpected happened. The room filled with the scent of jasmine, lilac, and lemon. Marzi instinctively jumped up and, as she did, a warm green and gold glow began to permeate the entire space. Her heart leapt. Valyn was here.
And just then, the goddess appeared, her arms outstretched toward the attendees and a warm smile on her beautiful ethereal face. Her form lacked substance. She existed as a filmy image that partially obscured the wall behind her. “I welcome you all, all of my children. I am pleased and proud beyond words that you have found it in your hearts to set aside differences and come together. You will need this in the days to come.”
At first, Marzi stared, transfixed by Valyn. After a brief moment, though, she looked around the room, noting the expressions on the faces of the elves. While each looked slightly different, the one word that summed it up for all of them was stunned. They sat in awed silence staring at the apparition.
“And a very special recognition for Marzi Gloam, from Pangrove, in the land of Azyr. Many events have led to this moment. And while I cannot claim to have been in control of everything, I can tell you that little has gone unforeseen. I am here with you now because, at this juncture, you must begin preparations for the leap beyond the boundaries of your realm. The darkness that stalks you will not be defeated here in Menalor. You must travel to the Crystal Sands, the desert land of the ogres. You have overcome ages of distrust to sit here together. I wish not to minimize that. But before this ends, you will overcome much more. You must first make an alliance with the ogres. Like you, these peaceable giants face the real threat of subjugation and destruction should we fail. You will also encounter a group of humans. The rebels from Caravast have fought and died to frustrate the ambitions of Dredwyn, although they know him only as King Wyndred. They will find their way to the Crystal Sands and you must join with them. It is only together that you will survive this.”
The Empress, still standing, lowered her head. “My lady. If I may?”
“Of course, Empress Ariessa. Speak.”
A moment of silence ensued before the dark elf leader spoke. “With respect, there is no lack of courage and determination on our part. I find no hesitation in my heart. But, how shall we travel to the Crystal Sands? Since the sundering, all travel between the realms is prevented by the fading.”
“A worthy question. And I will speak to that shortly. But first, I would speak to the presence of the Azyrean. She has steadfastly followed my directions, even though I have not been particularly forthcoming with her. Ripped from her family, she has endured pain, sorrow, and humiliation and yet still puts the welfare of the elven people before her own. The respect that you show her here today is no less than she deserves.” The vision of Valyn turned to gaze upon Marzi. “My child, I know that this is not what you want to hear. But your journey home cannot happen just yet. We need you. I need you. As unlikely as you may find this, as unwelcome as this may be, you will be the key to success.”
Marzi stared, wide-eyed. No, this was not what she wanted to hear. And it made even less sense than other things that Valyn had told her. Still, the goddess had not led her astray. “I don’t understand. What am I supposed to do?” But the Azyrean knew the answer before Valyn said anything.
“You will know when the time comes.” She turned toward the others. “As for traveling to the Crystal Sands, you will first go to the Ruins of Koror. There you will assemble all of your forces. When all is made ready, I will open a series of portals for you. I will see the first of you at the ruins in two days’ time and the last of you must meet there within five days. Time is of the essence. I take my leave for now.” Valyn smiled and quietly faded away.
Marzi’s heart leapt when she heard the word portal. If she was ever to get home, surely that would be how. The realization, though, was that these portals would lead somewhere else.
◆◆◆
The mood following Valyn’s appearance seemed surreal to Marzi. The leaders all acknowledged her with respect and with a nod or a smile. The one exception was Saige, who shamelessly showed her disdain with a scowl.
Other reactions ranged from a warm but reserved smile from Saryn, a brief embrace from Arien, and a quiet moment with Ryshara in which the silence said everything. Elle hugged Marzi tightly but seemed at a loss for words.
Ran, among all of them, seemed nonplussed. “I never doubted it, Little Rat.” He chuckled as he reached into a rucksack. “Here, you may need these before it is over.” The young warrior handed her a weapons belt with a sheathed dagger.
Marzi laid the belt out and withdrew the knife, holding it up to the light. It’s carved wooden hilt seemed a natural fit for her hand. The blade, a brilliant, shining metal, glistened in the torchlight. She turned to him, tears in her eyes. “Thank you. This is… thank you.” She threw her arms around his neck.
He embraced her for a moment before stepping back. “Just do not cut yourself, okay?”
She wrapped the belt around her waist and fastened the buckle. As she adjusted it so that the sheathed weapon hung exactly where it felt right, she was ov
ercome by an inexplicable feeling that this dagger had a key role to play.
◆◆◆
During her last two days in the Bough before going to the ruins, Marzi decided to visit the archivist Maw’thryn one more time. She carried a hot fresh pot of tea with her and gingerly opened the door. Once again, seeing nobody on the top level, she was about to call down the stairs. He beat her to it though.
“Hallo? Whoever is up there is welcome to come down and join me.”
By then, Marzi was halfway down the stairs. She was pleasantly surprised with the scent of cardamom and she smiled.
“Good morning, Maw’thryn.”
“Oh, hello, my dear. I thought it might be you. I baked last night, as you can see, and I hope you will join me.” He eyed her pot in its tea cozy. “And tea to go with the biscuits, how nice.”
“Your cardamom biscuits look and smell delicious. I also have another surprise for you.” Here, she reached in her pack and pulled out a whole lemon as well as lemon slices for their tea.
“How wonderful. Thank you, Marzi. Now, come sit. We can talk while we eat.” She poured the tea while he set out plates for the biscuits. “I understand that you have been very busy—to the Quel’dethain Mountains and back—and survived the adventure, conspiring with a goddess, and the like. You are certainly full of surprises.” He chuckled before continuing, “I am so glad that you came to visit me again because I wanted to tell you how impressed I was that you have been in Valyn’s confidence all these months and been able to maintain your humility. I certainly know who I can tell a secret to without her betraying it.”
“Well, I don’t know about the humility part, but I guess I could keep your secret.”
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