Petra coughed, “Somebody give me the wine skin so I can wash this taste out of my mouth.”
Eric handed her the bottle out of his pack and she began gulping it down. “Easy, girl,” He warned, “dwarf spirits is bad enough but you do not want to chase it down with too much wine or else you will be sick all night.”
Petra handed the skin back to Eric. Her face was blushing both from embarrassment as well as the sudden effects of the two types of alcohol in her system. “Maybe I should just go get ready for bed.”
Konik laughed, “When are you going to remember that you haven’t slept in a bed since we left Birhirm.”
Jaylen was surveying the area as Petra picked up her pack from where it was laying on the ground. “I think it would be best if we let Petra sleep in the hut. At least she can’t be reached by arrows in there.”
Petra looked inside the small wooden structure. It was no more than eight foot tall and just as wide and deep. There was no door, only an uncovered opening to allow access. Dried leaves covered the floor. Looking at the roof she guessed that it would only marginally block out the rain, making her thankful that it was a dry night. “Fit for a queen.” She said as she stepped into the feeble building. “I cannot even close a door for privacy.”
Jordan unrolled his backpack and produced his spare blanket, which had belonged to his brother when they began the first leg of this journey. “We can hang this over the door if you like.”
Petra grinned at the young man, “Why thank you Jordan. That way I can enjoy sleeping in something other than these filthy clothes again. It may not be much, but having two nights out of them is better than nothing.”
The Squire and Eric worked together to string up the blanket as a makeshift door before Petra went inside. “I assume that someone will be my guard in here again tonight.” She said.
“I’ll volunteer.” Jareel said to his uncle.
“Do not speak so crudely about the Princess.” Konik said, slapping his nephew’s leg hard in response to the comment.
“I was only joking.” Jareel said in response to the reprimand.
“Landis, will you do the honors again?” She asked.
Landis was taking another sip from the jug of dwarf spirits when he heard the request. Lowering the bottle he said, “Sure, why not. It gets me out of standing watch.” Then he took another sip before passing the jug.
Jaylen took his position at one end of the camp while the others began bedding down for the night. After giving Petra enough time to prepare for bed Landis grabbed his bedroll and approached the hut. “Is it okay to come inside?” He asked. Hearing Petra’s affirmative response the half-elf ducked under the blanket and began clearing the leaves on the opposite side of the room from where Petra sat in her nightgown. Seeing an odd look on her face he asked, “Are you alright?”
Petra looked up, her hand resting on her stomach. “Yes, I just did not realize that one drink of dwarf spirits could affect me so much.”
“One drink of spirits, followed by a good amount of wine.” Landis corrected her as he undid his bedroll. He placed his sword, bow and arrows strategically along side where he was to lay before removing his boots. “I am sorry that this trip has not gone better.” He said as he lay down.
“It could be worse.” Petra replied, “I could have died three times since I first came to Birhirm. I would say that it has been a success so far. I cannot wait until I can sleep in my own bed again.” She waited for a reply from the half-elf, but instead of words all she heard was Landis’ steady breathing as he drifted off to sleep. “That was fast.” She said aloud.
The hut was dark but there was enough moonlight coming through the many narrow cracks and openings in the wall and ceiling to allow her to see Landis on the floor. She could see the half-elf beginning to stir. He tossed and turned and she heard him mumble something unintelligible. “Landis, are you alright?” She asked as she sat up. Hearing no answer Petra crawled over to kneel beside him. Beads of sweat covered his forehead as his head turned from side-to-side. She supposed that he must be having a nightmare. She cautiously reached out her hand to touch him. “Landis, are you okay?”
* * * * *
Landis opened his eyes wondering what it was that had awoken him. Through years of training, he had conditioned himself to remain still under such circumstances so as not to warn anyone sneaking up on him that he was awake. But tonight all instinct and training fled and he sat upright immediately when he saw who was kneeling beside him.
“Jandelie!” He spoke in disbelief at the sight of the woman he had last seen tumbling over the edge of the natural stone walkway bridging two sides of the cliffs high above the Birhirmian River, with his arrow buried in her right shoulder. Landis looked at the shoulder and found that it was bandaged. Other than that, Jandelie looked to be in perfect condition. Her big dark eyes looked at him with affection. Several buttons of her shirt were missing and the garment hung open enough to expose much of her ample bosom. She put her hand to his chest intimately and said, “It is me Landis. I survived the fall.”
Landis shook his head in doubt. Behind Jandelie he could see Petra sleeping soundly on the other side of the hut. “How can you be here?” He whispered, placing both of his hands on her arms, feeling her warm body in his grip. Landis recalled that his father was standing watch. If it had been anyone else but Jaylen then Landis would have believed it possible for Jandelie—a master thief skilled in the art of stealth—to have been able to sneak in here unobserved. But he doubted that she could ever have done so with his father watching. “You cannot be here.” He said, even though he desired it with every fiber of his being.
“But she can be here.” Zenon’s voice interrupted as the snow-elf appeared behind Jandelie. The thief did not seem to notice the snow-elf behind her.
“I knew that this could not be real.” Landis said, anger filling his voice as he reached first for his sword before remembering his earlier encounter with Zenon. He moved his hand away from the sword and grabbed his bow and withdrew an arrow from the quiver beside it.
“Do not act in haste, Half-Man,” Zenon cautioned, “I can indeed return your human lover to you should you agree to my demands.”
“He speaks the truth, Landis.” Jandelie spoke softly, putting her hand to his cheek to caress it tenderly.
Zenon pressed forward, “If you give me the Pearls of the Elf Lords then I will have the power to do anything, including bringing Jandelie back to you.”
“Impossible.” Landis accused.
“Landis, I am still alive.” Jandelie said.
“Agree to give me the pearls and I will use them to return this woman to you.”
Landis looked at Jandelie. He wanted desperately to believe that Zenon could accomplish what he was promising, “How can I give them to you when you are not here?”
Zenon sensed that he had indeed found Landis’ weakness. “It is true that I am not here. But if you gather all of the items with the pearls, and the sword from the female, then I will tell you where to meet me and I can appear in person to collect them. Once done, I will use my power to bring Jandelie back to you.”
Landis wanted to agree. He looked from Zenon to Jandelie and then to Petra. “What happens to my friends?” He asked.
“What does it matter?” Zenon answered, “I will not harm them, but they will have to face their own futures without you. What do you care? You will be with the woman you love.”
“Do not listen to him!” Both Landis and Zenon were startled by the female voice that interrupted their conversation as Triana—the beautiful, golden haired elf maiden of Landis’ visions—appeared in the room with them. Landis was stunned by her appearance as this was the first time he had ever seen Triana outside of the mystical garden she brought him to in his visions; with the lone exception of their first meeting when he lay dying in a snow storm many years earlier.
“You must not give him the Elf Pearls!” Triana insisted.
Zenon was taken aback by the
sudden appearance of this elf woman. Triana walked over to Landis and touched his head with her hand and spoke just one word, “See.”
Everything became a blur to Landis. Then he began seeing visions of everyone in his party; all of them dead by some act of violence. Trevor and Konik were butchered beyond identification; only their clothing and weapons allowed Landis to know who they were. Eric was dressed regally as his body lay immobile on a funeral pyre. Jareel’s body was lying in the woods somewhere with his throat slit from ear to ear. Then he saw Jordan and his father both lying face down, side by side, in a pool of blood. Behind them Landis saw Petra lying dead with an arrow in her chest.
“This is their future without you.” Triana warned.
Landis blinked and the death-visions were gone. Triana was no longer in the room, but Zenon and Jandelie were still before him. The snow-elf regained his composure, “I do not know what she showed you but it makes no difference. I can give you what your heart truly desires. Just agree to give me the pearls and I will return your lover to you.”
Landis stared longingly at Jandelie. Then he tore his eyes from her and looked at Petra, who slept silently nearby. Was it true that Zenon could bring Jandelie back to him? He wanted to believe it. Even with that strong burning desire he was forced to acknowledge that he believed in the visions that Triana had given him all too well. Those visions told him that if he agreed to the snow-elf’s proposition then Petra and the others would die as a result of his actions. As much as he longed for Jandelie’s return, he had to accept that she was dead. No amount of magic that could return her to the world of the living was worth the deaths of his friends; or especially the death of Petra. He closed his eyes so that he could not see the image of Jandelie as he spoke. “I will not believe your lies.”
“Landis, are you okay?” He heard Petra’s voice asking.
Opening his eyes he found the blonde Princess kneeling over him as he lay on the floor. Her hand was on his chest where Jandelie’s had been. He sat upright looking around the room. “Did you see anything?”
“See what?” Petra asked, growing nervous at how he was behaving. “You have only been asleep for a couple of minutes. You were having a nightmare.”
Landis was breathing heavily. He forced himself to calm down, “It was no nightmare. I was visited by Zenon. Had it not been for the intervening of my Spirit Guide then I do not know what would have happened.”
Petra sat down next to Landis, her hand resting on his thigh as he shared with her what he had just experienced. Landis told her of the visitation by Jandelie, and Zenon’s promise that he could bring her back to him if he handed over the Pearls of the Elf Lords to him. He admitted that he had been very tempted by the offer but that Triana had showed him how his decisions would impact the lives of those close to him. Landis told Petra that even if Zenon’s promise were true—which he doubted—that he could not do anything that would cost Petra or the others their lives just to bring Jandelie back to him.
Petra listened to every word Landis shared with her, feeling emotions stirring deep inside her as he continued to share his story. She could not believe what she thought she was hearing beneath the surface of Landis’ words. “You chose me over Jandelie.” She said softly; then she threw her arms around Landis, embracing him as she pressed her lips against his passionately. Landis was surprised by Petra’s actions but was unable to resist as they fell back onto his bedroll.
Chapter 20
As the first rays of light broke through the mostly leafless trees, nearly everyone was up and getting ready for another day of riding. Konik was taking his turn preparing breakfast while the others were packing their gear and doing whatever other morning routines were necessary before they set out. Jaylen approached the campfire and asked, “Any sign of Landis this morning?”
“He has not left the hut yet.” Konik informed him.
Jaylen looked over to the hut, “That is not like him.” Seeing Jordan and Eric standing next to the building he called out, “Check in on Landis and make sure he is awake.”
Eric flicked his wrist acknowledging the request. “He has had enough rest, especially when he is not taking watch.” Eric grabbed the blanket that served as a hanging door to the small building and pulled it aside. “Okay Landis, time to get…” Eric’s voice trailed off when he caught sight of Landis and Petra laying together in Landis’ bedroll, their clothing scattered all about them. Eric quickly released the blanket in order to cover the opening as Landis awoke with a start. “Petra, wake up.” Landis mumbled hurriedly as he staggered out from under the cover.
“What’s going on?” Jordan asked, observing Eric’s odd reaction as the Prince turned away from the hut.
“They will be out soon.” Eric said coolly as he walked away from the building. Inside Jordan heard Landis and Petra scrambling about. Landis exited the hut as soon as he had dressed and gathered his bedroll and weapons. “Sorry, I overslept.” He said to Jordan as he hurried past the Squire.
Jordan watched Landis follow after Eric and knew in his gut what Eric had discovered.
“Eric.” Landis said as he approached the blond haired prince.
“Not now, Landis. We need to get ready to ride.” Eric replied as he began prepping the horses.
Jareel watched as Landis walked away from Eric. He looked to Jordan and asked, “What is going on?”
“Nothing.” Jordan lied. He was angry at what he believed must have occurred between Landis and Petra. She was soon to be the Queen of Alexon and was sworn to marry Eric. And now she had apparently given herself to a half-elf bard. Sure, Landis was of royal blood. He even had Sergius blood running through him, making him a distant cousin to Petra. But he was a bard and not a prince. He was not what Petra deserved. Jordan was offended that Petra’s honor may have been taken by Landis. He felt duty-bound to protect Petra and—if necessary—fight to restore her honor. But Jordan was first and foremost loyal to his soon-to-be-Queen and had to swallow his feelings and remain silent. He would not dishonor her by telling anyone what Eric must have seen.
Jordan grabbed his brother’s blanket and pulled it down from the hut, forgetting that Petra was still inside. He froze when he saw the Princess still in a state of partial undress. “Jordan!” Petra cried out as she turned her back to him.
“I am sorry, Princess Petra.” Jordan stammered, blushing as much, if not more, than Petra at what had happened. Petra grabbed her tunic and quickly pulled it over her head while Jordan turned away. Jareel stood there, watching the reactions of both Jordan and Petra at the mishap. “Well I’ll be a son-of-a-troll.”
* * * * *
They rode in near silence for most of the day. While Eric did not say anything to anyone about what he had discovered, it was obvious to all that something was amiss. He said little throughout the day and avoided anything to do with Landis or Petra. Jordan remained quieter than normal as well, but his silence was more out of embarrassment for his mishap. He could not look at Petra. Not because of what she may or may not have done with Landis, but because he could not get the image of her standing topless before him out of his mind. Petra did not look at Jordan, Eric, or even Jareel very often. She rode beside Landis chatting softly with him occasionally. By mid day Landis had decided that it might be best if he rode elsewhere. The half-elf was still stunned by what had happened the night before. He knew that it had been wrong, but had been unable to pry himself away from Petra, nor did he really want to. He shared the vision of his latest visit from Zenon as they rode, and that took everyone’s minds off of the thick tension that hung in the air all around them. When they had stopped to rest and eat lunch Jaylen took Landis aside. “What were you thinking?” He asked.
“You do not even know if anything happened.” Landis charged.
Jaylen looked directly into his son’s eyes. “Do not take me for a fool. I have been around for over three centuries, son. I know when there is trouble caused by a relationship, and I see it all over this place now. If we do not clear
this up it will lead to serious mistakes being made.”
Landis lowered his head. “I did not start anything with her.”
“But you sure did help to finish it, didn’t you?”
When Landis did not reply he continued, “Landis, it is obvious to me that Petra is in love with you. You cannot permit to this happen. Do you think that the Council of Elders will put her on the throne if she is bringing a half-elf as her potential Prince-Regent?”
“It did not seem to matter that the Royal Sword-Master was a full elf who married a human Princess.” Landis retorted.
“That was completely different, Landis. Your mother was not going to be the Queen of Alexon. And her brother was already the King. And as you well know there were people who took offense to our marriage. You have lived among the humans long enough to know the obvious. Now imagine what they will think when the girl who is supposed to become their Queen shows up with a half-elf lover on her arm; especially following this blasted war with elves. Humans do not see a difference between Snow-Elves, Delindean Elves, Delowe’ Elves or Half-Elves. If Petra is involved with you they will pick one of the others to be King in a heartbeat.”
“I did not ask for this to happen.” Landis reminded his father. “I did not know how she felt about me. She mistook my comments about rejecting Zenon’s improbable offer as my choosing her over Jandelie.”
“And what do you plan to do now.” Jaylen asked.
Landis was unsure, “I honestly do not know. I will not insult Petra by calling last night a mistake, and I do not believe that I could ever be happy living as a prince in Alexon. Everyone just needs to leave both of us alone and let us resolve this matter on our own.”
Landis turned and walked away from his father.
* * * * *
After lunch the ride became a little more jovial as most of the riders did their best to avoid Eric’s broody silence as he watched Petra and Landis from a distance. Even without a word being spoken everyone knew what Eric was choosing not to talk about.
Elf Lords: 01 - Pearls of the Elf Lords Page 15