The elves gathered, some sitting on pallets while others squatted on their haunches. A few stood, leaning back against the cave wall. The torches flickered, combining with the soft blue of the plant lights. Saige gazed around at the group. “The storm is upon us. Whatever we hoped to gain by hiding here in this realm has evaporated. These creatures that attacked, they were human. We know what we must do. If our people are to survive, we must fight on human turf and not let the conflict boil over to these lands.”
Rintaur strode to the center. “I will not debate you here. This is your home, and these are your people gathered here, mostly.” He glanced briefly at Ran, Marzi, and Elle, who watched over a still unconscious Ryshara. “But the danger is to all of the elven peoples. I cannot stop whatever action you have planned, but I ask humbly that you wait until I have a chance to confer with the leadership in the Bough.”
Saige smirked. “It is the leadership of the Bough that has put us in this position. They have blindly kept their eyes averted all these long years, trying to convince themselves that evil would somehow remain at bay. I fail to see how anything your leaders say will have any merit.”
The lord consort sighed. “As I said, I am not going to debate you. I must leave for the Bough soon. I only hope that, when I or some other representative returns here, you will not have already committed to a course of action.” He hung his head.
“We are going to meet this head on, Lord Rintaur. We will not delay. It will obviously take some time to set things in motion, so I encourage you to move with all haste. But I will not wait for you. When we are ready, we will act.”
Marzi listened to the exchange, and suddenly she understood Valyn’s words, at least some of them. Saige had her own ideas and seemed to care little for what anyone in the Bough wanted. As for Rintaur, well, he could only take word back to the Bough. He had no official decision-making authority. And from her experience with Ariessa, Marzi was not terribly confident in the empress’s response. The two sides seemed more at odds with each other than with the invading humans.
After the gathering, Marzi approached Rintaur. “When do you leave?”
“I will wait the day, hoping for some improvement in Ryshara. I will try to be on the trail at first light in the morning. Valyn willing, I shall be in the Bough by mid-afternoon.” His words sounded casual, but his tone betrayed a deep concern.
“What will you tell Empress Ariessa?” Marzi glanced up at the brooding elf.
“The truth, of course.”
“And?”
“And she, along with the high council, will decide on a course of action.” He motioned her toward the cave wall, where he sat and leaned back. “Marzi, this will be difficult all around. In the eyes of some in the Bough, I have betrayed my people. The empress is in a difficult position. She must do what she feels is right for our community. I owe my allegiance to her, both as my partner in life and as our leader. She may have no choice but to banish me, or worse.”
Marzi’s eyes widened. “But you came here and found your daughter. You helped fight off the humans. And you have been witness to all of this and take back word of it to the Bough. Surely they cannot fault you for that.”
Rintaur’s smile seemed a stark contrast to the sadness in his eyes. “It is complicated, Marzi. But, if I had it to do over, I would do nothing different. I must return, though, and accept responsibility and the consequences.” He stood and put his hand on her shoulder. “But whatever else happens, know that you have inspired me. Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to say goodbye to my daughter.” With that he walked over to the young elven woman who had been watching him.
Chapter 94: Marzi
The next morning, after Rintaur had departed, Marzi sought out Saige. “Please, I would like to speak with you.” She had tossed and turned all night trying to sort out her role in the unfolding events.
Saige eyed her with a slightly cocked head. “Yes?”
Marzi gestured over toward a side of the cavern that was devoid of any activity. “I need to tell you some things. But they are for you only. I don’t want anyone else to hear. Is that okay?” She felt stupid saying it, knowing that once she told Saige, the story no longer belonged only to her.
The old elf shrugged. “That I cannot promise, little one. I will try but, depending on what you have to say, my first obligation will always be to my people. I can only hope that you understand.”
Marzi considered the answer. At least it was honest. And with that, she slowly and carefully recounted the events of her vision or dream or whatever it was. Saige listened with rapt attention and made no comment until the end.
“So, I was right all along. Valyn is a real being and not just a spirit.” She gazed across the cave at the elves gathered in small groups on the other side. “These are the true believers. They are the heroes. They are the ones that will save us all.”
Marzi shook her head. “Forgive me, but you are only half right. They are all heroes and they will help to save us, but they must not stand against this alone. Valyn was clear about that. She was also clear that both you and the empress are right and both of you are wrong. This is bigger than either one of you. You have done what you believe is right for your people. Ariessa has done no less. Now this crisis comes, and your people will need both of you.” She wanted to go on. She felt she needed to say more, but she could see Saige’s face hardening.
But rather than arguing as her face seemed to be prepared for, Saige lowered her head. “And so that is your charge, to bring us together?”
Marzi felt a twinge of uncertainty. “Yes.”
“And yet she does not tell you how to do that, or how to fight this evil once we do come together. So, really, she told you next to nothing.”
Marzi searched her memory for specifics but could find few. “She said that I would know when the time comes.”
“That hardly inspires confidence.”
Marzi shrugged. “That I will agree with. I can only hope that she’s right.” She studied the old elf for a moment and then checked the others in the cave, all out of earshot. “But so far, her words have rung true.” Marzi knew instinctively that if she’d had this conversation in front of others, it would have gone much differently.
“I have to say, telling you is the easy part. After all, you already believe that we have to do something. The hardest part is going to be trying to convince the empress.”
Saige’s slight chuckle erupted into full-on laughter. “And I would love to be there for that conversation.” She eyed Marzi as she grew more serious. “You will have your work cut out for you. Ariessa and I are old childhood friends and the one thing I can tell you about her is that she stands by her convictions. So much so, in fact, that I fear for Lord Rintaur. He is caught between his love for his daughter, the realization of the evil that comes, his love for his wife, and loyalty to his people. It should be the ultimate crime if he is punished for his actions.”
Marzi reached up and scratched her ear. “Yes, I know. But, I will also speak on his behalf. And I know that may not mean much, but if Valyn has faith in me, maybe there’s something there. Anyway, I will leave for the Bough in two days’ time. I hope to carry news of Ryshara’s recovery by then. When I return, I believe that it will be time for us to seek out Valyn. I’m just not sure where we would go to find a god.”
Chapter 95: Marzi
Marzi placed the dried turtle meat, wrapped in a broad leaf, into her pack and secured the leather straps. The flickering torchlight in the cave provided no clue to time of day. Her body told her that dawn was approaching. No one was yet awake in the large cave. The elven guards occupied posts at the outside entrance.
She eased over next to Ryshara, who remained unconscious. Bending down, she touched the elf’s head gently with her hand and whispered, “Please get better. I have to go for now, and I will tell your father that you’re doing fine. Don’t make me a liar.” And with that, she gently kissed Ryshara’s forehead.
Oddly enough,
Lapis was not at Rys’s side. Normally, the wolf could not be torn away. Oh, well probably off somewhere sleeping. This explanation made no sense but who could know what the wolf was thinking. She picked up her pack and tiptoed across the cave and entered the narrow corridor that led to the outside. She felt the fresh breeze on her face and smelled the salt air as she rounded the last bend and emerged onto the beach.
A familiar voice greeted her at the entrance. “It’s about time. We’d almost given up on you.” Ran strode over, shouldering his pack. “Were you planning to sleep all day?” He offered his signature mischievous grin.
Marzi stared at him and then at Elle, who stood behind him, adjusting her own load. “What?” Her gaze wandered to Lapis, who lay staring up at her, head on his paws. “What are you doing here?”
The warrior erupted in laughter. “Do you think we’d let you make this trip alone? You are clearly not as smart as you think.”
Marzi shook her head. “No. You need to stay here with Rys, make sure she’s okay.”
Ran glanced at the guards for a moment and shrugged. “She is in good hands here. We will see you to the Bough.”
Elle stepped forward and joined the conversation. “He is right, Marzi. Rys is safe here, but it is you who saved her, and for that we owe you a debt of gratitude. This is what friends do.”
Marzi lowered her gaze and nodded. “Yes, well, thank you.” She furrowed her brow as she stepped past the two and stood for a minute looking out at the Silver Sea, wind and salt in her face. “I suppose you’re right, Rys will be well enough here. And I have to admit that I really didn’t relish the idea of making the trip alone. Your company will be nice, and greatly appreciated.” She gave a wan smile. This is what it means to have friends.
◆◆◆
By the time the sun had broken on the horizon, the four companions—Marzi, the two elves, and Lapis—had made their way through the thick brush that separated the bluff from the forest. They marched along without speaking, weaving their way between the large tree trunks, stopping to have a bite to eat and a drink of water every couple of hours.
Marzi knew from experience that the journey, taken without delay, was only about three-quarters of a day. By mid-afternoon, she began searching the path ahead, straining her eyes for a sight of the Bough.
They crossed a stream that she remembered as being fairly close, and Ran signaled the group to a stop. “Wait up.” He unslung his pack, took out his water skin, and drank. Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, he plopped down on the ground. “This is as far as we go, Marzi. Unfortunately, there would be no welcome for us, given what we have done.”
He pointed toward the path ahead. “The Bough is down that path another thirty minutes.”
Marzi remained standing. “Okay. Thanks. I’m sure that I can make it alone from here.” She eased over to where the elf sat. “Thank you for bringing me this far. You were right, this is not a journey I should ever make alone.”
Elle leaned back against a tree at the edge of the small clearing where they sat. “You are not actually going on alone from here. Lapis will accompany you.”
Marzi jerked her gaze in the direction of the wolf, who stood next to Elle. “Really? Lapis will go with me?” She shivered at the thought of being alone with him.
The wolf’s icy blue eyes pierced her as if he could see right into her heart. Then she heard it. “Yes, I will go with you.” No. She didn’t hear it. She felt it.
She stared at the wolf, her eyes wide and her mind racing. How did he do that?
“That is not important right now. We must go before it gets any later.” Again, no sound, only thought.
Marzi glanced up at Elle and then over at Ran, both of whom were smiling at her. “What? You know?” Was it possible that they knew about Lapis talking to her?
Ran laughed as he stood. “See, you can learn if you try.” He shouldered his pack. “Come on, Elle. We have a long journey back. We must move swiftly if we hope to gain the cliffs before dark.”
Elle nodded to him, then stepped up to Marzi and hugged her, whispering, “Thank you.”
Ran smiled and winked at Marzi. “Be safe, little rat.”
With that, the two elves disappeared into the forest, heading back the way they had come.
Marzi eased over to Lapis’s side with no small degree of trepidation. “Okay, so I guess we should go.” She expected the wolf to respond in her mind, but, instead, he shuffled closer to her and bent down, as he had done before when she had ridden on him. She smiled, her fear lessening. Climbing onto the noble beast’s back, she patted him. “Thank you. I’m ready.”
Chapter 96: Jarek
A silence had descended between Jarek and Burns. After all of the talk, the bantering and the questions, they were no closer than on the night he had arrived. Some master I am. “Let me grab the drawings Mathias made. Maybe we can make some sense of them.” He stood and made his way into the cavern, returning a few moments later.
Jarek reached up and scratched his ear as he stared at the pages of parchment laid out before him. The depictions seemed every bit as cryptic as they had that night at the monastery. “Even if we take this for what it seems, someone riding a beam, it still doesn’t tell us how it happens. We just see these lines going through this layer and then becoming wavy. Where does the layer come from, and why can’t you ride moonbeams like we do in Pangrove?”
Burns stared without speaking.
The sets of random letters on each sheet drew Jarek’s attention. “And these, they probably spell something but most of it’s worn away.” The spacing looked odd, though. “Interesting. I wonder….” He picked up a stick and walked over to a patch of dusty ground. “Bring those sheets over.”
After Burns laid them out, Jarek pointed to the first one. “Look here. This A seems to be in the starting position—the first letter. There are others, no doubt, that are obscured, but the string seems to end with an N.” He traced out an A on the ground and then an I, separated by empty space. He glanced at the second page. “This one starts with an R, but it seems to be further in on the stone. Maybe that’s the second letter.” He drew in the R beside the A. “Ugh, more spaces, but this one has an N at the end as well.”
More letters followed in different positions. Finally, Jarek and Burns stared at the letters in the dust—A R I S T A N. Jarek glanced over at his friend. “Mean anything to you?”
Burns stood, transfixed. Finally, she mumbled, “I’ll be right back.” She stood and made for the entrance to the cavern while Jarek continued studying the letters.
A moment later, she emerged with Doc in tow, pointing down at the letters carefully traced in the dust. “Is that what I think it is?”
Doc narrowed his eyes and emitted a long whistle before sitting down and addressing Jarek. “Let me tell you a story.”
Epilogue
“I regret that I do not share your enthusiasm for the plan.” The wispy image that represented Aristan glowed pale ochre as the voice emerged. “The humans, even the ones that profess to pursue peace and justice, are far too vulnerable to the grasp of power and greed.”
A foggy green image of Valyn brightened as a female voice emerged. “Yes, we all know the history. And we have covered this ground innumerable times before. But we cannot simply sit back and let it happen. It’s different this time. It is not just the mortals. He has taken a role. That changes everything.”
“He would not have been able to take a role had not the humans acquiesced. He promises riches, power, and dominion. And they consume the dream, regardless of the price.” The pale ochre became bright, burning red. Aristan’s voice increased in volume, his passion showing. “Humans, bah! They think I have deserted them and, perhaps, rightfully so. What have they done to deserve my attention or support? Humans have succumbed to greed and hatred. They have succumbed to him. And they no longer believe in me.”
A blue smoky form with a powerful voice came forth. “All the more reason why we must act. This is not just ab
out the humans, or even the elves and ogres. If he succeeds, all worlds in this universe will be his for the taking. And, Aristan, there are still some who believe, you know that.”
Valyn picked up the argument. “We have stood by for two centuries, not interfering with mortal affairs. And I would continue for another two. Mortals fighting with one another is nothing new. As much as it pains me, I suspect it will continue until time ceases to count. But when a god becomes involved and seeks to use mortals as a means to a selfish end, it cannot stand.”
The image of Aristan smirked, causing the wisp to morph into a pleasant shade of orange for an instant. “If you pardon my saying so, it seems you are taking a very indirect approach, using these three Azyreans. Why not just go to the leaders of the elves and ogres—speak to them directly? Why all the mystery?”
Valyn’s voice emerged from the green fog almost as an apologetic sigh. “The races must do this for themselves. And, if they are to succeed, they must own the responsibility. If we order them, then it is really our fight. The Azyreans, hopefully, will persuade them through logic and reason. Also, because the little ones are outsiders, they will be perceived as not having a vested interest.”
“Seems to me you are placing a great deal of faith in these children.”
The blue wispy form responded, “Yes. We are. And if they fail, it could well signal the end of life on this world.”
Table of Contents
Lost and Found
Copyright © Mary Hamilton, 2018
Once Upon a Moonbeam
Marzi’s Dream
Chapter 1: Pangrove
Chapter 2: Pangrove
Chapter 3: Pangrove
Chapter 4: Pangrove
Chapter 5: Marzi
Lost and Found Page 30