“Not important,” Gin said. She didn't even glance at Tairn as she spoke, but kept her gaze leveled on Teeand. “His punishment is yet to come. Where is Sath? Is he safe as well? I did not expect that he would come after me, not this time, but I hope that he will be able to forgive me one day…and that he and the Prince are safe, above all else.”
“Never mind that,” Teeand said, his war hammer swinging up into his hand. He looked up at Tairn, grimacing as he noticed that she was nibbling on her fingernails like a frightened child.
“You will answer my question, Teeand,” Gin said, taking the dwarf by surprise by the use of his full name. He could hear her voice echoing off the walls of the arena and possibly within his own head, and the light that shone out from her gaze made him dizzy.
“As far as I know they are both safe. We had a head start on Sath, Gin, but you know that he will follow us. He will reach the wizard before us and there’s no way he can defeat Taeben on his own.” He moved over to Gin’s side, carefully taking her hand in his. She shifted her gaze to meet his, and he felt his own knees weaken in response. What was different about her now? Those eyes that held his gaze – those were not Gin’s eyes. Teeand took a deep breath and softened his voice, as a father speaking to a child. “Do you have enough strength for magic, Flower?” he asked her. She nodded, and he was pleased to see some of the fire and anger go out of her eyes. “Good, we need to go where you just sent the wizard and hope we get there before Sath does.”
Gin shook her head to clear it, and then seized the hands of her companions. She was pleased that the support from her unseen help had not faded.
You are the Nature Walker, my daughter. Act like it. We believe in you.
“Thank you,” she said, looking at both of them in turn. “Thank you for not giving up on me.” Teeand squeezed her hand and grunted a bit as Gin threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly, then released him as Tairn cast her gaze to the floor. Speaking words in ancient Elvish, Gin cast the teleportation spell. “Outlands, TAEBEN.” Soon the three of them faded from view.
Fourteen
Kalinth had slept for a long time after his most recent attempt to contact his brother, Omerith, on the dark side of the world. There seemed to be no real reason to be awake. His dragonkind had been gone for centuries. Salynth no longer spoke to him, and further did not lure in any unsuspecting travelers for him to have as playthings. Why be conscious? Through their bond, Salynth knew that in his dreams he was back with his children, his dragonkind, and life was easy and happy.
It had been several weeks since Salynth had heard from him, yet this time the silence did not threaten to drive her into madness has it had in the past. This time the silence was filled with sadness over the loss of her pet. Who had taught him how to sever the bond like that? Certainly she had not. It must have been Taanyth.
As she sat in her favorite spot, looking out the window onto the seemingly perpetual winter of the Volcanic Mountains, she gazed in the other direction for a change - over the Forbidden Sea to the shores of Qatu’anari. The water that flowed through the Razors churned and bubbled as it was forced over the sharp rocks. As happened from time to time over her long imprisonment, Salynth thought about opening the window and jumping, but thanks to Ikara she no longer had her wings so all she would do is plummet to her death - unless she could remember the spell that her pet had used to levitate.
It was during another mad session of skimming through the notebooks he had left behind that Salynth heard a voice in her mind that no living creature had heard in a century, at least to her knowledge.
Lady Salynth?
Who are you? Kalinth, if this is a trick to…
I am Omerith, son of Taanyth and the Mother Dragon.
Salynth nearly fell off her perch on the corner of the window in surprise, as the notebook clattered to the ground.
This is a trick.
This is no trick, Salynth, if I may refer to you that way? I have not made the bond with any so far away in a long time, and I do not wish to cause insult.
There is no insult. But how do I know you are Omerith? It was my understanding that all of you died or were missing after the war. How are you now speaking into my mind?
That is not important now. How is my brother, Kalinth? I cannot contact him in the bond.
He is sulking. Lately the Mother Dragon’s curse that keeps him here weighs on him. Taanyth’s death did nothing to help that.
Ah, so my father is dead. Mother will not be pleased to hear that news. I thought that I felt his death, but it has been so long and we are so far away…
Can you help us get out of the tower?
Pardon me?
Can you help Kalinth and me leave the Western Tower?
I cannot help Kalinth, no, only Mother can lift that curse. But you are not bound to that tower, Salynth.
Do not tease me. Father Ikara bound me here.
Father Ikara has no magic, Salynth. If you are bound there, it is Kalinth’s doing.
This time, Salynth did have to grab the windowsill to keep herself upright. Father Ikara had no magic? Kalinth had placed the spell on her? Was there a curse on her? In truth, she had not tried to leave the tower before - but was it worth the risk to try now?
Salynth, does my brother know that we are in contact?
No, I have kept a tight control on my bond with Kalinth. He knows nothing that I do not wish him to know.
Good. My Lady Salynth, I thank you and I honor you, and all of your ancestors.
And I, your ancestors, Omerith. Long life and safe flight.
The bond severed and Salynth shook her head to clear the fog that it left behind. She could leave the tower! How was that even possible? Scrambling about, she located the notebook with the levitation spell that Taeben had created for her. She read the words aloud and giggled like a child as her feet lifted slowly off the ground, supported by the magical column of air her words had called into being. She thought about moving back to the window and before she knew it, she was there, peering through the panes of leaded glass. Her trembling fingers pressed against the glass and pushed the window open as she stuck her head out into the swirling snow. Her neck was next and then her torso as she climbed out through the slender opening, still supported by that column of air. One leg and then the other, and Salynth was outside of the tower.
Wanting to scream with joy but thinking better of it, she threw her arms upward toward the sky in silent jubilation. It would do her no good to wake Kalinth. In fact, it would better serve her purpose if he never woke up again, but she could not bring herself to kill him. She thought about the window in his sleeping chamber and soon was moving downward and around the tower. She came to a stop and peered inside to find him curled up and snoring.
Kalinth, my darling. Don’t wake up, just listen and answer me truthfully, all right?
Of course, my love.
Did you know that Father Ikara has no magic?
Yes, my love.
Kalinth, have you kept me here with you after Father Ikara’s magic was gone?
Yes, in order to keep you safe, my love.
If it is safe for me to leave now, may I leave?
Yes, my love.
Are you happy now?
Yes, my love, I am with my children.
Good. Enjoy this time with them. I will see you soon.
I hope so, my love. You make me happy.
What used to resemble a heart within Salynth’s chest seized a bit at the emotion his words drew from her. She sent Kalinth happiness and love and warmth through their bond, and then slowly and carefully severed it. It would not be able to be reformed. She was saying goodbye to him forever.
Salynth floated outside his window for a long time, just watching him sleep, until she began to get cold. She felt cold! Inside the cursed tower, the temperature was always the same. There was little need for food or water. How long had it been since she had a proper meal? Her mind reeled happily about the taverns and inns that she
used to visit in the foothills, but then she remembered how long she had been imprisoned – how long she had been dragonkind. Those establishments were probably long gone, and if they weren’t the current owners had never seen one of her kind. There was no guarantee that they would even let her in the door.
There was only one thing to do. She would have to go to Bellesea and live there. If the other races knew of her existence, they would try to kill her, especially those in the Great Forest. Those elves have long memories. Salynth searched through her bond to anyone that might be at Bellesea, and was surprised at what she found nearby.
My pet!
Go away, Salynth. I have no time for you.
I am sorry. I will call you Taeben, is that better?
Go away.
Taeben are you sad? Are you hurt? Your emotions are confusing.
Go play with your dragon, Salynth. I will not help you escape the Western Tower.
Ah, but I am not in the Western Tower any longer, pet. I am free to come to you wherever you are.
I do not believe you.
Search our bond, Taeben. You know that it is the truth and that I can come to wherever you are whenever I wish.
DO NOT DO THAT.
If what she was seeing through the bond was correct, Salynth reckoned that Taeben was in the area surrounding Bellesea but closer to the Great Forest. She had to get to him before he crossed the tree line border or she would lose him. Magical energy crackled and popped around her fingers as she closed her eyes and found him again through the bond.
I will be there in no time, my pet. We have work to do.
Fifteen
Sath paused for a moment at the entrance to the caves that would lead him away from the Forest and toward the Outlands, and eventually to Bellesea Keep. There was a smaller outpost nearby, but it was almost exclusively populated by wood elves and he was certain that he was not welcome there, nor was he sure how to find those he sought if he could gain entry. He hoped that the information he had received concerning their locations was current, and that he would find what he needed at the outpost without bloodshed.
He popped the cork off the invisibility potion in his hand and downed it, grimacing at the taste. Making a mental note to speak to the palace shamans about the flavors of his potions, he took off at a dead run toward the camp that was just outside the outpost’s walls.
The Elven outpost was not much to look at from the outside. A column or two stood in ruins, moss encompassed one side of a fallen wall, and there was evidence that animals lived among the rocks. It was a far cry from the beautiful little sea village of Tsarralon that it had once been, named for the final First Caeth of Alynatalos, Tsarra, and settled by artists and craftsmen of both that citadel and Aynamaede. Shortly after the Forest Wars, the dark elves had taken over the village and killed all of the inhabitants in order to offer them as a sacrifice to bring back their absent Father of the Underworld, Ikara. The knot work signature stone work of the elves was wound now with heavy vines, and small dwellings sat open to the elements as the roofs had been set alight while the inhabitants were asleep in their beds.
Sath thought he saw something larger moving in the back of the ruin, so he made his way there quickly. He pricked his ears at the sound of voices and followed them into one of the ruined buildings. “Halt! State your business!” said a female voice belonging an elf, but speaking Qatunari. Sath grimaced as he recognized the absolute inability of the elves to pronounce some of the sounds in his language correctly. He was almost certain the voice belonged to Elysiam, but could not be sure – it had been so long. Clearly, she could see him, but he could not yet see her. He shook off the invisibility magic like water from his fur, deciding to be as diplomatic as was possible.
“I am Qa Sathlir Clawsharp, Rajah of Qatu’anari and friend to those within this outpost,” he responded in the common tongue, rising to his full height after placing his staff on the ground and lifting his arms up in a gesture of surrender. “I mean you no harm. I am seeking the druid called Elysiam and the warrior known as Hackort,” he said.
“Rajah? HA! Bane of the Forest more like it, Qatu,” the voice he knew so well said. Sath smiled in spite of himself. It had been far too long. Elysiam stuck her blonde head out of one of the doorways. “You’ve been very naughty, Sath, so why should I believe you mean me no harm?”
“I need your help, Elys,” he said. “Yours and Hack’s. There’s a wizard that both of you know that needs killing.”
“I don’t know, Sath,” said a voice that seemed to come from under Sath’s feet. He looked down to see Hackort, his old friend, looking up at him. The gnome held his axe in one hand and pointed at Sath with the other. “When I found out what you were doing to Elys’s kin, I am afraid I took you OFF my list of people not to kill.”
“Fair enough.” Sath sighed in resignation. “I will leave peacefully, then, at your leave, Hackort.”
“Wait, Sath,” Elysiam said, moving closer to him. Hackort moved with her, but she placed a hand on his head and he stilled. “Where is Gin?”
Sath’s face darkened. “She is with the wizard that wants killing,” he said coldly. “She is with Taeben.” Hackort grumbled and pushed Elysiam’s hand away but she stepped in front of him, frowning.
“And is she there willingly?” the druid pressed. “You must be sure, Sath. Did she go with him willingly?”
“I don’t know,” Sath admitted. He looked away for a moment. “She is not the issue.”
“She is, but we will get back to that in a minute. Why should I take that wizard off my list,” said Hackort, “and of course add you back to the list?”
“That wizard,” Sath said, through clenched teeth, “was responsible for the death of my sister, Kazhmere, as well as the attempted murder of my son, Prince Khujann.” Though he tried to fight it, the royal bearing and presence that were so much a part of him now burst forth as he glared down at his two friends. It kept the anguish that filled his heart at the thought of his sister at bay. “The royal house of Qatu’anari demands that his punishment be death!”
“Oh, no! Not your sister, Sath. I liked Kahzi!” Hackort exclaimed. Elysiam looked at Sath, seeming to study him for a moment. She bit her lip and looked away, her shoulders shaking slightly. Hackort went to her side and put a tiny hand on her knee. “Elys? What’s wrong? I know, we all liked Kahzi, didn’t we…Elys?” She responded with a choked sob, and then another and another as she moved away from Hackort and Sath. Doubling over, Elysiam finally let loose a bellowing laugh that bordered on hysteria.
“I’m sorry,” she said, overtaken by a fit of giggles. “It’s just too much, TOO MUCH! Rajah! Of Qatu’anari!” Gripping her sides, she teetered off balance and almost fell over onto Hackort, who was watching her in shock. “I mean we had heard, and all, but… The last time we saw you, Sath, we were burying Lairky and you were striking out to hunt on your own, and now you’re Rajah and a father…I mean look at you, looking down your nose at us, all high and mighty…it’s just all too much, too ridiculous!”
“Elys, be kind, Sath lost his sister.” Hackort knotted his eyebrows with frustration as he stared up at her. Elysiam nodded and stifled all but a giggle or two as she looked up at Sath.
“My apologies, Rajah,” she said, but then the giggles burst forth again as she bowed comically. Hackort shook his head and stepped out from in between them.
Sath’s eyes blazed a moment, and then softened with amusement. Elysiam had not changed a bit in the time since he had seen her last. “I do come on a bit strong, don’t I?” he said, smiling at her.
“Just a bit!” she howled, laughing and falling over this time. She narrowly missed Hackort, who jumped clear of her.
“I am sorry. The royal blowhard act keeps my anger in check, if you can believe it. Otherwise, I would already have that wizard in my grasp - probably Gin too - and they would both be dead. Teeand was wise to leave me behind this time, even though I wanted to kill him when I came out of that magic spell he ha
d the sorceress put on me to keep me from following him. Will you help me, Elys? Hack? Please?” Sath took a knee so that he was a bit closer to their size. “He has taken so much from me…”
“Including Gin?” Hackort said, his eyes questioning. Elysiam snorted and Hackort smacked her on the boot.
Sath sighed deeply before responding. “Aye, Hack, including Gin. He has taken her from all of us. I do not believe that she is truly with him of her own free will, but instead to keep him from coming after Khujann and me. She is true to herself, always worrying more over our safety than her own.” Sath stood and turned to face Elysiam. “You wouldn’t know her now, Elys, she’s picked up a bit of the way of your battle druid these days. Our Gin is fierce. She even stood up to a haughty Qatu whose head was a bit too big for his crown.” His voice was filled with admiration tempered with sadness. “I fear that the wizard has done horrible things to her that made her fierce, but she has become a force of her own.”
“Gin? Fierce? Now, that I have to see,” Elysiam replied, hazel eyes twinkling. She whistled and the ground seemed to rumble beneath her. A cloud of dust rose around her feet and soon she was sitting on top of a magical pony, the size of Gin’s Beau but with auburn coat and a white blaze in the shape of a lightning bolt on its nose. The horse whinnied and shook its head, seeming just as anxious to get going as the wood elf on its back. “What are we waiting for?” Sath grinned and moved closer as Elysiam swung Hackort up in front of her on the horse’s saddle. “Where to, RAJAH?” she said, rolling her eyes and over-pronouncing the title. Sath laughed.
“Are we running or riding, ma’am?”
“Watch it, Qatu. I’ve summoned my horse just in case we need to hit the ground running. Hack would never be able to keep up with either of us.” The gnome pinched her on her arm, just in between the plates of her armor, and she laughed.
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