by Lana Axe
Holding the vial as close to the wall as she could, she dipped it in the water. At only a few inches deep, it took a moment to fill the entire bottle, but she didn’t want to retrieve too little. She waited patiently until it was full and then placed the stopper firmly in place. With pride, she held the vial in front of her. “Got it!” she said with a smile.
“Great,” Kaiya said warmly. Taking the vial, she placed it safely in her bag. “Now let’s get you home before your parents skin Mel alive.” She chuckled softly, as did the girl.
Mel scowled. “I didn’t drag her up here,” he stated, crossing his arms. With a shrug, he added, “The kid’s a nuisance.” Though he tried to keep a straight face, he couldn’t help but laugh. He was a master of earth magic who was supposed to be more in touch with his surroundings than any other, but he had been outwitted by a clever child. Suspecting there was more to her ability to stay hidden than she had admitted, he slapped the girl on the shoulder and nodded approvingly. “Careful or you’ll make a fine little criminal someday.”
Giggling, Alyra led the way back to the path. Making a sharp turn, she changed course to avoid the town and take them directly to the overhang where they could climb down.
Suspiciously, Kaiya asked, “Have you been here before?”
Alyra shook her head. “Nope. I’m just good with directions.”
Kaiya dared to peek inside the child’s mind and discovered a three-dimensional map of the area engrained in her memory. Marveling that the child could learn so much about her home’s geography in one visit, Kaiya knew Alyra was indeed a talented elf. Her magic was locked inside, buried until she was physically capable of handling it. Although the dwarf could see the girl’s mind, she was unsure exactly what form the magic would take. It pleased her to be in the dark for once. The average mind was far too open, and she preferred a bit of a mystery.
“This is the spot,” Alyra announced as they reached the plateau. Nimbly she clutched at the rocks, eager to lead the way down.
Mel rushed to her, shouting, “Wait!” The vines he had summoned were still in place, and he tugged on them to be sure they were still strong enough to bear the weight. Satisfied with their strength, he said, “Let me go first.” Though the vines appeared as they were before, he didn’t want a child slipping while he was clinging to a vine and unable to catch her.
Alyra waited until Mel was halfway down to begin her descent. Her small hands clutched firmly at the living rope, and she moved with a graceful ease.
Not to be outdone, Kaiya’s eyes flashed silver. Gliding to the bottom on a soft current of air, she grinned at her companions as she passed them.
Alyra stared open-mouthed, and Mel gave a sullen, pouty look.
With a laugh, Kaiya said, “Climb aboard!” Ascending slightly to gather the others, she allowed them onto her barely visible air boat.
As they reached the riverbank, Mel noticed the rowboat he had taken was tied to the shore. “I guess it’s a good thing you came, or we’d have to wade through that.” He pointed to the mucky water.
“I see,” Kaiya said, looking deep into the river. Rummaging through her bag, she retrieved the water Alyra had collected and pulled the stopper out with her teeth.
“That’s for my father!” Alyra shouted, her voice thin. She reached out a hand as if to take it away from the sorceress.
“I need only a drop,” Kaiya reassured her. “I also need Mel’s help.”
Nodding, Mel moved to Kaiya’s side. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to clean the water,” she said. Glancing at Alyra, she explained, “I can’t make it what it was. Only River can do that. But I can render it safe for drinking, and banish the remaining evil.”
“How can I help?” Mel wondered. If he’d had the inclination he could do something useful, he’d have done it already.
“River is far too weak to help, and it’s too difficult a task for someone who isn’t a master of water.” She handed him the vial. “But if we work together, we can purify the water with air and earth.”
Mel understood. Tipping the vial slightly, he placed a drop of the water in the river. Sinking to his hands and knees, he connected himself physically to the earth. Reaching in with his mind, he pulled the magic from the earth’s depths, forcing it into the water.
Kaiya spread her hands skyward, filling the once-blue sky with thick, gray clouds. The air around her warmed, the temperature rising to uncomfortable levels. Alyra stepped away, her heart pounding in her ears. Though frightened, she could not take her eyes off the spectacle.
Summoning the power of the wind, Kaiya focused her energy into the water. All around her the air swirled, her loose hair dancing on the breeze. With a quick motion, she lowered her right palm to hover above the water’s surface. A bolt of lightning struck the water, followed quickly by a second.
Mel wasn’t expecting the loud crash it created and nearly lost concentration. Refocusing his energy away from the ringing in his ears, he forced the magic to rise from the earth. When he opened his eyes, the water was clear.
“It’s all right,” Kaiya said softly to Alyra. “Come and see.”
Alyra stepped forward, her hands clasped tightly at the center of her chest. Cautiously she peered into the depths. “I can see the bottom!” she shouted, her breath escaping. “How?”
A wide smile spread across Kaiya’s lips. “Magic, darling.”
Chapter 15
Bursting through the door to her home, Alyra announced, “She’s here!” Running to her father’s side, she told him, “Kaiya has come back with us.” Pointing to the door as Kaiya stepped inside, Alyra’s face beamed with pride.
“You weren’t supposed to go into the mountains,” River scolded, suppressing a smile.
Lenora crossed her arms and pursed her lips as she looked at her life mate. “No, she wasn’t,” she stated. “It’s too dangerous for you to run off whenever you like, Alyra.”
Alyra hung her head. “I know,” she said.
Kaiya stepped forward to greet her old friends. “It’s good to see you both.” First, she reached for Lenora and squeezed her tightly. The trio had been friends for centuries, though they went long periods without seeing each other. As she approached River, she could sense his lack of magical strength. Hugging him, she said, “How are you, my friend?”
“I’ve been better,” he answered honestly. There was no point in hiding his illness from Kaiya. She was far too intuitive to be deceived.
Kaiya took a seat next to Lenora. “I hear a sorcerer by the name of Ulda is giving you some trouble. Mel filled me in on your plan to be rid of him.”
“More like she scanned it out of my brain,” Mel said, crossing his arms.
Lenora chuckled slightly. “Tell me, Kaiya, have you ever managed to find that air elemental you were looking for?”
Her eyes twinkling, Kaiya replied, “It took many years, but I finally realized I didn’t need to find one.”
River’s lips turned up into a slight smile as he patted his friend on the back. “You’ve grown so much as a sorceress since our first meeting.” His mind flashed back to the time when Kaiya was an outcast among her people, and they distrusted her magic. Now she was a well-respected leader among the dwarves. Her council was sought by kings and commoners alike.
Mel took a seat and turned his attention to Kaiya. “Won’t the dwarves be in need of your protection? Ulda could just as likely attack there as here.”
“Ulda probably considers us dwarves too far beneath him to take notice,” Kaiya replied. “And the dwarves remain oblivious to the world around them and won’t worry about him until he’s on their doorstep. It’s how it always goes.”
“Your people have vast resources that a man like Ulda would covet,” Mel cautioned. “It might have been best to warn them.”
Kaiya waved a hand, dismissing the comment. “If anyone sets their sights on my people, I’ll be the first to know.”
Mel didn’t argue. The dwarf held
powers he was unfamiliar with, and he wasn’t sure he wanted a demonstration of all of them.
A sharp knock sounded at the door, and Alyra rushed to open it. Isandra stepped inside.
“You know you don’t have to knock,” Alyra said, crossing her arms and shaking her head.
“I no longer dwell here,” Isandra stated. “It’s the polite thing to do.” Marching away from her sister, she announced, “Representatives from Na’zora have arrived. They wish to speak with you, Father.”
Slowly, River rose from his feet and searched for his balance. Lenora stood in a flash and grabbed his arm to steady him. Gently he patted her hand, grateful for the assistance. Though he seemed to be recovering, he was still having trouble with his strength.
“Wait,” Mel said, rising from his seat. “How do we know this isn’t a trick?”
“I sense no malice,” Kaiya replied.
Isandra looked at the dwarf curiously. To her father, she said, “I have checked the men thoroughly. They are what they claim to be.” Glancing at Mel, she dared him to question her skills as protector of the Vale.
“I know you have,” River replied. Following his daughter, he stepped outside to greet the visitors assembled at the center of the village. A large meeting area had been constructed there, consisting of several long wooden benches and a central fire pit. Though the council house was the preferred meeting place for matters concerning safety, these guests were too important to hide away. The entire village had come to view them and hear their words.
“Lord River,” General Aldryg said, extending a hand to the elf. “I am General Aldryg. I have come on the orders of King Rykon to provide assistance to your people. He feared for your personal safety.”
“I thank you, but I am quite safe,” River replied. “Rykon could have used the ring to contact me and save you such a long journey.”
“He was unable to use it,” Aldryg explained.
River looked down at the ground, realizing why the ring had failed to obey Rykon’s command. Without the Spirit, there was no one to convey the king’s words to River.
“There is also another matter,” the general continued. “King Rykon would like to form an alliance that our peoples might march on Ral’nassa together.”
“We would be honored,” River replied.
“Do you have more than the hundred men you brought with you?” Isandra demanded. “Your numbers won’t make much difference unless fifty of them are mages.” She was not the kind of woman to keep her opinions to herself. Whether she offended the general was irrelevant.
“My lady, I assure you we have an adequate army waiting to join us in Na’zora,” the general replied. “I brought the number of men I thought I might need to fight my way here.”
Isandra nodded, looking through the ranks of the troops. “They look sturdy,” she stated. “I would be pleased to fight next to them.”
Aldryg added, “We do have some well-trained mages at home as well. They did not join me for this trip.”
“I think we’ve got enough magic here to cover it,” Kaiya said with a grin.
Tired of holding back her feelings, Lenora spoke up. “My life mate is not as healthy as he was the last time Na’zora needed our help. He has been attacked by Ulda, and the Spirit who guides him has been slain. River is ill, and your army will need to do more of the work this time.” There was a hint of anger in her voice. This general had not bothered to ask after River’s health, even though he was visibly unwell. Lenora would not allow them to pressure him into attempting magic that could only deplete him further.
River hugged her to his side. “She is a healer,” he explained. “I assure you I’ll be quite well once we reach the ocean.”
Lenora sighed and looked away. He was keeping secrets again to spare her feelings, and she hated it. It was best to have the truth and deal with it rather than be sheltered with false hope. Instead of arguing, she maintained her silence. Before they would depart, she would speak with him alone and know the truth.
Kaiya stepped forward and motioned for River to kneel down to her level. Placing her hands upon his head, she closed her eyes and focused energy into her magical stores. Spreading silver magic over his body, she transferred power to her friend. When he stood, his eyes flashed with a silver-blue sheen.
“That should help,” she said. “Don’t use it all in one place.”
“Your assistance is most welcome, my friend,” he replied, laying a hand on her shoulder. To Lenora, he said, “You see, I have all the help I shall need.” He squeezed her tightly and kissed the top of her golden head.
Lenora’s eyes glistened with tears, but she fought them back. With help from both Kaiya and Mel, she knew her husband would indeed make it to the ocean. What would happen when he arrived there remained a mystery. Until now, there had never been a day when the Spirit who gave River his life had been absent. Without its guidance, River might falter.
Lenora had run out of ideas for healing her life mate, but Kaiya and Mel were skilled with elemental magic. Perhaps with their help she would discover a way to cure him entirely. She could only hope there was time. Otherwise, she might lose him before she could find the cure. With Ulda threatening their every move, he would have to be dealt with first. Lenora dreaded what might happen in the confrontation, but she buried her worry inside and put on a brave face.
“We should discuss our plans for the invasion of Ral’nassa,” Isandra said.
Aldryg looked to River for approval. He had been told to converse with River, not a subordinate. The general was unsure who was in charge of the elven army.
“That’s a good idea,” River said. “This is my daughter Isandra,” he told the general. “She is a leader among our soldiers, and she is quite knowledgeable when it comes to battle.”
Isandra inclined her head slightly to the general. It was clear from his expression he hadn’t expected to find a woman in charge of a regiment. Isandra thought Aldryg’s people were foolish to refuse their women the chance to fight. The more swords, the better. Women were just as vulnerable in times of war as men.
The Westerling Elves allowed all who wished to learn the art of swordplay to learn it, though most preferred a less violent course of study. Isandra had excelled in her training as a warrior, and she craved the chance to defend her people.
“Very well then,” the general replied. Extending a hand to Isandra, he introduced himself. “I am General Aldryg,” he said. “It’s a pleasure.”
Isandra ignored his gesture. Glancing at her father, she said, “We will sit and talk.” The group moved to a set of benches crafted from the fallen limbs of silver trees. They had broken from the massive trees ages ago but were still perfectly strong, allowing the elves to use them without damaging any of the trees. Their surfaces were smooth, with adornments of leaves carved into them. Even when crafting practical objects, the elves took extra care to make them beautiful.
Each member of the party took a seat, with Mel seating himself cross-legged on the ground. Kaiya and Lenora sat on either side of River, both keeping a close watch on his demeanor. Isandra sat across form General Aldryg, her gaze intent.
“Tell me of Na’zora’s navy, General,” she demanded. “Our journey will require us to cross many miles of ocean.”
Aldryg cleared his throat before speaking. “Na’zora hasn’t much of a navy,” he began. “King Aelryk’s father had dreamed of building a great one, but when Aelryk took the throne, that dream died. He was far more interested in peace.”
“We could wait for Ulda to come to us,” Mel suggested. “I doubt it will be long before he does so.”
“That would require us to prepare on two fronts,” Isandra replied. “Both the Vale and Na’zora’s coast would be vulnerable. We don’t know what he’s planning.”
River nodded in agreement. “My daughter is right,” he said. “We must take the fight to Ulda and face him on his own turf.”
Aldryg’s eyes darted from one to the other. “Na’zora do
esn’t have enough ships for our combined armies,” he admitted. “In fact, we have enough ships for only about half of us.”
“How do you plan to invade without warships?” Isandra asked, raising her voice. “Did you come here thinking that we would provide this? Would you sail from our coast with only a hundred of your men?”
“Not at all,” the general replied. “Sailing from Na’zora would make more sense. It would be a much shorter journey by sea.”
“But you don’t have the ships,” Mel added, leaning back against a stump. “What was your king planning to do about that?”
Letting out a deep breath, he replied, “King Rykon would gladly build the needed ships, but that would take years. He is eager to bring justice to his father’s murderer. I believe he would swim if he had to.”
“That didn’t answer my question,” Mel pointed out.
River sighed. “King Rykon was counting on me to handle that,” he said. “He’s well aware of what occurred during our last encounter with Ulda. I raised the sea with the help of the elementals.”
Lenora placed a loving hand against her life mate’s chest. “You don’t have the strength,” she said. “He can’t expect it of you now.”
“Once I’m near the ocean, I will have the strength I need,” he replied. “I will summon the elementals, and they will help us.”
“So we’re going to ride on a tidal wave to Ral’nassa?” Mel asked, narrowing his eyes. “That won’t do much for keeping in formation.” He chuckled to himself but quickly became silent when he noticed no one else was laughing. Shaking his head, he said, “It was only a joke.”
“This is no time for laughing,” Isandra replied sternly.
River raised a hand to silence them. “I will summon the elementals as we go. The army will walk across the ocean to face Ulda.”
Aldryg stared at him wide-eyed. He could not think of a suitable response. In his mind, he could only imagine what such an event would look like.
“Will you have the strength by then?” Kaiya asked, her brow wrinkling with concern. If she was to arrive strong enough to fight, she wouldn’t be able to help him replenish his magic.