“I am well,” he said.
She stepped back and looked him over before she released him. “I suppose, though you look too thin.”
Ronin was grateful when her attention turned away from him. She looked toward the stairs when she heard a noise and found Lyra hurrying up them, her arms loaded with several potion bottles and herbs. She stopped in surprise before a huge grin spread across her face when she saw Myrabelle.
“What in the world do you need all that for?” Myrabelle asked as she stepped forward and took some of the potions from her.
“Lady Rin,” Lyra replied.
“Well, what happened?” Myrabelle demanded when Lyra did not continue. Lyra flushed a light pink before she hurried to tell the older woman what had happened. When she was finished and looked up at Myrabelle, she could see that she as deep in thought. After a few minutes, Myrabelle looked over at her.
“Have you checked for discoloration of the nail beds or eyes?”
Lyra shook her head no. “I was uncertain what else to check for.”
“I guess we had better go and have a look,” Myrabelle said with a sigh. “Make sure that you pay attention this time. I shall not be around forever.” The two disappeared into Rin’s room as Ronin and Wren shared an amused glance. They were both relieved they were not on the receiving end of one of Myrabelle’s lectures this time.
Several hours passed before Myrabelle took her leave to go and settle into her own room. Lyra was still sitting with Rin when Wren walked back into the room. Kaedin glanced up from the book he was reading but when he saw it was Wren his attention went back to the book.
“How is she?” Wren asked, keeping his voice quiet. He could see that his sister was asleep and did not wish to wake her.
“She is doing much better now thanks to Myrabelle,” Lyra replied with a frustrated sigh. “I missed the fire lace flower, but she has now had the appropriate herbs to counteract it and should be back to normal by morning.”
“Thank you for tending her.”
Lyra peeked up at him before she shrugged. “It is my job.” When Wren raised an eyebrow, she sighed again. “You are most welcome.” She looked away from him and returned her attention to Rin.
“I am surprised that she is asleep,” Wren mused aloud a few minutes later.
Lyra chuckled, “It was not by choice. Myrabelle forced her to drink the sleeping draught. I am quite sure she will be most cross when she wakes.”
Wren glanced up at Kaedin, who gave him a serious nod and he laughed. He could only imagine what his sister was going to say when she woke up. “Myrabelle does know what is best, hopefully, she will remember that in the morning.” Lyra chuckled with a nod and the two fell silent. Wren watched his sister for a few more minutes before he headed back into the common room.
When he entered, he noticed Paige talking to Raven on the other side of the room. She was attempting to talk him into going for a walk, being cooped up in one room was driving her crazy. Raven glanced up and saw Wren. His shoulders dropped before he looked back at Paige, and once again shook his head no. Hurt flashed across her face before she stormed across the room and down the stairs alone. Raven watched her go with a conflicted look on his face before he sighed and looked down at the floor in front of him.
Wren glanced at Jaeha who was near the stairs. Jaeha bowed his head a little before he headed down the stairs after Paige. It did not take him long to catch up with her.
“Where are you headed?” He asked as he fell into stride next to her.
Paige started in surprise, but when she realized it was Jaeha she relaxed. “I don’t know.”
“You cannot just wander the city alone,” Jaeha said with a sigh. “What would happen if one of the guards mistook you for one of the humans they have removed from the city?”
“I didn’t think about that,” she said as she slowed. “I did try to get someone to go with me.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“Come over here and sit down.” He indicated a bench in front of a large window overlooking the city. She hesitated before she followed him and they both sat down on the bench.
“Do you care for Raven?” Jaeha asked after several minutes of silence passed between them.
“Of course, I do,” Paige replied without a moment of hesitation.
Jaeha’s expression grew serious and Paige shifted when he started to make her nervous. “If you care for him, then you must allow him to perform his duties without fearing he will lose you.”
Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “I don’t understand.”
“Paige, think about it,” he said, his tone becoming softer. “Raven has known nothing other than protecting Lady Rin for the last four hundred years. Now, he meets you and it is obvious that he cares for you, but he has neglected his duties.” He paused and took a moment to formulate his words. “You must allow him to do his duties or you must let him go.”
Paige looked up at him with a scowl. “Why are you saying all of this? Do you want me to let him go?” Her voice was filled with anger and a hint of fear. The idea of breaking things off with Raven caused her eyes to start to tear.
“No, I do not wish to see that happen,” Jaeha said with a sad smile. “I only tell you this so that you know what is at stake and how you may assist him. After Wren’s threat, he must be quite confused about what path to take.” Paige’s expression grew more angry at the mention of Wren. Jaeha noticed and chuckled. “Do not be cross with Wren. It would not be an easy decision for him to replace Hikaru and Raven. They are quite close to Lady Rin.”
“Why would he have to replace them both?” Paige asked as she folded her arms across her chest again. “It’s not like Hikaru couldn’t do it on his own.”
Jaeha tilted his head. “They are a rider pair. Did you not realize this?” When Paige shrugged Jaeha’s brows furrowed. “They are bonded the same as Wren and me. If Raven is replaced, then Hikaru must be also. A new rider pair would take their place.”
Paige’s face flushed with embarrassment. She had not realized they were a rider pair and felt very foolish. “That would explain why Hikaru was so mad,” she mumbled.
“Yes, it certainly does,” Jaeha said with a nod. “I am uncertain if you have noticed, but Hikaru is quite laid back. He has a very calm personality which makes him a good bonded for Raven’s more spontaneous nature. They work well together and Hikaru rarely gets angry. It takes quite a lot to break his calm exterior.”
Paige let out a large sigh as she stood back up. “I guess I have some talking to do.” She did not wait for Jaeha and started back for the common room. He got up and hurried after her. When they arrived back in the common room, Raven sighed in relief when he saw that Paige had returned. He did not move toward her and watched as she walked up to him.
“Can we talk a minute?” she asked. His expression grew wary, but he nodded. The two went into Paige’s room and closed the door.
The rest of the day was quiet and uneventful and by evening everyone was getting a little stir crazy from being forced to remain in the common room for two days. After noticing their discomfort, Wren agreed to show them around the city. He took Jake, Paige, Sara, and Jaeha with him and headed to the marketplace. It was crowded, and many suspicious looks were thrown their direction. Everyone in the city knew about the eviction of the humans.
Sara interlaced her fingers with Jake’s and edged closer to him when all the suspicion directed at them was making her uncomfortable. He glanced down before he squeezed her hand and pulled her closer to him. They followed Wren while he introduced them to several vendors that outfitted his men before he stopped for a while at the fountain. He spoke with several rider pairs who came up when they saw him. Once he was finished, they headed back toward the common room. They were part way back to their floor when a soldier came sprinting up the stairs.
“Lord Wren,” he called as he approached them. Wren stopped and looked back. The soldier handed him a slip of parchment. Wren broke the seal, opened it, a
nd started to read. His expression darkened the more of the letter’s contents he read.
“Tell them to move here now and evacuate the civilians as they go,” Wren ordered. The soldier bowed and sprinted back down the stairs. Wren turned and hurried back to the common room. He walked straight to Rin’s room and opened the door.
“How long until the sleeping draught wears off?” He asked Lyra as soon as he was inside.
“It will not wear off until morning at the earliest.” She paused with a frown. “What is wrong?”
Kaedin watched when Wren looked down at Rin. The book was now resting in his lap. He could tell by Wren’s demeanor that something was wrong.
“I need her awake now,” Wren said, his voice short. “Can you do it?”
“I am sure that I can,” Lyra said, her voice hesitant. “However, I am not certain how coherent she shall be, and she will have to sleep longer afterward to compensate for being woke early.”
Wren just stared at his sister before he sighed in frustration. “Do it.” He did not wait for a response before he went back into the common room. “I shall return shortly. Be prepared for a long meeting as soon as I have.” He again did not wait for an answer as he disappeared down the stairs.
***
An hour later everyone was assembled around the table in the common room. Ronin and Wren sat on either end, so they could see everyone. Rin was present but was struggling to stay awake. She had her head resting on the table in front of her. It had taken Lyra almost the entire hour to wake her.
“The elven outpost at Vaerylis has been completely destroyed,” Wren began, bringing everyone’s attention to him. “As of now, the only known survivor is the elven child that made it to Lyrin with the news of the attack.”
Rin sat straight up and looked at her brother after hearing the news. “That is quite close to Lyrin.” Her concern for her men stationed there was visible.
“My troops and the riders are on their way here as we speak,” Wren continued. “The riders should arrive by tomorrow while it shall take my men close to a week with them evacuating any civilians as they make the journey.”
“Do we know what attacked the outpost?” Ronin asked.
Wren nodded, and his face grew grave. “The report I received said red and black dragons, orcs, humans, dark elves, and demons.”
Ronin froze as his mouth dropped open. He glanced at Riku and his brother’s reaction was the same. “They have combined forces?”
“It would seem so,” Wren said. “We know that Oragg is involved plus my father, Londar, and Londar’s brother, Jyldar. I am not certain yet as to the parts that they play but they are all involved. Londar’s brother has been seen in league with an elder red and he already made an attempt on my life. His everdark tipped arrow got Rin instead.”
Ronin’s eyes widened as he glanced at Rin. He had wondered what had happened to change her appearance so drastically but had not had a chance to ask. His gaze drifted to the table in front of him as he leaned forward. He rested his elbows on the table and put his chin on his thumbs.
“We cannot possibly stand alone against so many,” he said after a few minutes. “With your troops and mine, we are strong, but not enough for this. We need assistance.”
“There is more than just us that must be considered,” Wren said with a frown. “The portal that is allowing the black dragons and demons into Asaetara is connected to another world as well.” He paused and held his hand up toward Jake. “The humans who have accompanied me are from this other world. I believe it is called Earth.” When Jake nodded, he looked back at Ronin. “Rin knows more than I about their situation and I shall allow her to explain.” He glanced at his sister and she propped up her head with her hand before she turned her attention to Ronin.
“Allow me to begin with formal introductions,” Rin said. “This is Ambassador Jacob Riverwood, his sister Paige, and his match, Sara MacCoinnich.” She paused when Ronin got out of his chair and walked toward Jake. He extended his hand which Jake accepted after standing as well.
“Well met and forgive me,” Ronin said as he released his hand. “I was unaware of your status or would have attempted to garner more suitable housing arrangements.”
“The accommodations are more than adequate,” Jake replied. “Thank you for allowing us to remain in your city.”
Ronin bowed his head in acknowledgment before he returned to his seat. Once he and Jake were both seated, Ronin looked back at Rin and waited for her to continue.
“Jacob accompanied me to bring help back for his world,” Rin said. “I was on Earth for many years though I was only aware for the last several months. From what I observed their world is unprepared to handle the enemies that will come through the portal. Before I left I gave them a small amount of our silver that they could use in their weapons.” Rin paused, and her brows furrowed. “Their silver is a different compound from ours, which I do not entirely understand how that is possible, but it is useless. At this moment, I am uncertain if the silver I gave them will be effective in their weapons or not.”
“What help are you proposing that we give them?” Ronin asked.
“I would like to send them weapons. Their weapons are strange to me and they are quite ineffective against the demons and I am certain they will be quite useless against the dragon’s scales.” She paused and appeared to ponder something before she continued, “If Caradthrad can spare them, I would like to send a couple thousand katanas along with two hundred of my riders. They will train the humans to use the weapons we send. I fear this is all we can do.” She glanced at Jake and he only nodded. He did not know the exact odds, but he could tell that they were outnumbered.
“I believe that we can provide a thousand weapons, but beyond that, we do not have much. Our forges have not been running to full capacity for years,” Ronin said as he looked to Riku for verification.
“That is correct. We only have a little more than a thousand weapons in reserve,” Riku said. “He is also correct that our forges are not running fully. We lack quite a few raw resources and it has been quite some time since we have prepared for a war. In recent years, the riders and your troops Wren have been all that was required.” He gave Wren an apologetic shrug.
“I suspected as much,” Wren said with a frown.
“I would recommend those forges be brought to full capacity as soon as possible,” Rin said, her face mirrored her brother’s.
“Of course,” Ronin said, his voice sharp. “But, how did you end up in their world?”
Rin shivered and glanced down when Kaedin reached under the table and took hold of her hand. “That is a long story.”
“I must know everything if I am to make the best decision for my people,” Ronin said as he leaned back in his chair.
Rin looked to her brother and once he nodded in agreement, she told Ronin what happened to her. When she was finished, he was staring at her with an incredulous look on his face. His gaze fell to the table again and he sat in silence for several minutes before his head snapped up.
“Londar was here a couple of weeks ago,” he said as he clenched his hand into a fist. “He did not seek an audience and since I have never cared for him, I did not ask the purpose of his visit.”
Wren closed his eyes with a frustrated sigh. “We must check everything. The defenses, gates, forges, almost anything, whatever his purpose it will be to our detriment if we do not find it.”
Riku leapt out of his chair and walked over to an aide that was standing just at the top of the stairs. He gave him several orders before the aide dashed down the stairs. Riku returned to the table and a thick silence hung in the air while everyone was deep in thought.
“Jacob,” Wren said, finally breaking the silence. “Is the aid that we can offer you acceptable?”
Jake regarded him with a long, hard look. “It’d be totally out of line for me to refuse any type of aid you can offer us.” He paused, and a frown crossed his face. “But and I mean no disrespect, how are
a few riders and swords going to really help us? No one in my world knows how to use them and even if we train, we’ll be like little kids trying to fight.”
Rin bristled at her riders being discounted so quickly and she opened her mouth to retort, but Wren raised his hand to cut her off.
“I understand your hesitation,” Wren said with a heavy sigh. “If I was in your position, I would feel the same, but what you must realize is that we are proposing sending you some of our most elite men. We desperately need them here if they are not acceptable to you.” He paused when Jake shook his head.
“I’m not saying that,” Jake said. “I’m concerned that we won’t be able to learn, and they’ll have to take the burden of the fighting. I understand that they’re elite troops but even elite troops tire or get hurt. We don’t have healers like yours on Earth.”
Wren and Rin exchanged glances. It was obvious that they had not thought about the lack of healers on earth.
“Most of the riders should be able to heal themselves,” Rin said. “However, a healer may be a necessity we must send along as well. Sara would be able to get them back through the portal if they need more supplies.”
Sara looked up at the mention of her name. She glanced over at Jake and he just shrugged. He did not know what Rin meant either.
“How can the child open the portal?” Ronin asked before Jake had the chance.
“Sara retained a small piece of my magic. The portal recognizes it and will allow her to direct the destination. Since it is not fully active, she and Jacob will have to be the go between for their world and ours.”
Sara avoided Rin’s gaze when everyone’s attention shifted to her. She was not sure she had enough magic to do what Rin expected of her.
“Who is in charge in Jacob’s world?” Wren asked drawing their attention back to him.
“Jacob’s father, General Riverwood, is in command of the troops that are located around the portal,” Rin said with a frown. “However, I intend to put Captain Iliwenys and Jacob in direct control of my riders.”
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