by E. V. Greig
“What are you talking about? I thought your king was busy invading some human land!”
“He was: it didn’t end as he had planned. He showed weakness and the generals turned on him. I let my emotions get the better of me and supported their move, which means that if Gilvaneous does retake the throne, he shall kill me along with them. And if he remains overthrown then it will be down to whatever the generals agree upon.”
Lonrari fastened her robe. “Are they likely to stand together for long?”
“There are already factions beginning to form: the cavalry have no love for the navy, to start with. I refuse to risk the two of you becoming casualties. The human ruler offered me hospitality before I left. I think I shall accept. You and Anthalia will be safe there, and it is not far from the Vale of Ryln, should you wish to return there.”
“You intend to set me free then?”
“Yes, but you must promise to protect Anthalia for me, no matter what else may happen.”
She nodded. “I promise. And thank you, Korius.”
The Ves’Neryn laughed bitterly. “Do not thank me yet, dryanth! I may still manage to get us all killed, after all.” He led the way along the corridor to Anthalia’s chamber. “Anthalia – wake up and get your things! We have to go away for a time.”
Anthalia hopped down from her perch. “Where are we going, Korius?”
He ruffled her hair. “We are going to a sylthal keep, known as Briersburge!”
“What about your books?” She pointed to the hundreds of tomes that lined the walls.
“Bring your favourite six: I cannot carry any more than that, I am afraid. The others will be fine here though.”
“When are we coming home again?” The child frowned as she tried to decide which books to take.
Korius sighed. “I don’t know yet, Anthalia. But you shall like Briersburge: there is a tower there. You could climb all the way to the sky without setting foot outside!”
“I shall bring these six, and my doll.” She huddled close to the two adult anthir. “I’m ready, Korius.”
The room darkened and there was a rush of cold air. Then the three refugees were gone. Downstairs, the main door of the house splintered inwards. Screams began to echo through the streets of the city. War had arrived in Sylvangarde.
∞∞∞
The spider made its way west along the edge of the Forest of Haph and up into the mountain range that ran south to north across the continent. It carried the maimed human safely cocooned in silk upon its domed back. The whispers across the long strands were stronger here: the silk blooded was not so far away. It would reach her soon. And then everything would be mended once again.
∞∞∞
“Milady – there is a sylvanth here to speak to you!” The gatekeeper tugged his forelock as Naomi approached the main entrance into the keep. “It is Lord Darkemoon, milady, and he has a woman and some sort of birdlike child with him!”
“Let them in.” Naomi raised her chin and waited her guests’ arrival. “Lord Darkemoon – you were not long gone. How are things in Sylvangarde?”
“It was still standing when we left it, Lady Du’Valle.” The sylvanth twisted his features into an empty smile. “I wish to encroach upon your hospitality. I would leave Wildheart and Anthalia here with you, whilst the affairs within the sylvanthi court are settled more fully.” He elbowed the older of the two esthanthir as she made to speak. “I cannot stay. I have a duty to protect the queen and the prince.”
“Then I suppose that I can only wish you good fortune, Lord Darkemoon. And welcome your two companions to Briersburge Keep.”
Korius knelt then, and hugged the child tightly. “I love you very much, Anthalia.” He kissed her forehead and rose to his feet. With a single curt nod to his other companion, the Ves’Neryn stepped backwards into the shadow cast by the outer wall of the keep and vanished.
Naomi stepped forwards. “You are safe here, I promise you both. We bear no malice towards anthir. And no, we’re not Anyosians: we fled here from another world to escape the Vor’Barysk.”
“I see. I am Lonrari Silverferne. This is Anthalia.”
“Lonrari – wait, are you the one that was taken by the earth in the Vale of Ryln two moons ago?”
“Has it been so long already?” Lonrari shook her head. “Yes, I was taken from there. But how do you know?”
“We gave sanctuary to the rest of your companions – all save Slo’annathorys and his late wife, Coorinne. He was carried off by a wyrm. It had attacked the Vale: twisting the living into the restless dead. His wife was transformed into a nhynquara. She hung around the keep for a while, but she appears to have gone.”
“Then they are all here?”
The Mistress of Briersburge coughed. “Well – they were. Ruiryk and Banor left to search for Slo’annathorys, and then Kaiwan fled into the mountains. We think that she was headed for Ullensia. My retainer went after her but he was captured by King Ravin, who then besieged Briersburge. We had no sooner rid ourselves of the ihldhyr than the sylvanthir arrived and demanded peace.”
Lonrari nodded. “That is a favourite tactic of their erstwhile king: offer the hand of peace and then seize power! But still: what of Kaiwan?”
“We have sent a contingent of guards to search for her. She told us of her role as the Ca’Ryln before she left.”
“Why would she tell you that? And why did she leave?”
“She told it first to a man named Hugo Khuff. He was living here at the time, and Kaiwan appeared to have feelings for him. He left soon after: he would not pursue a courtship with one so innocent. She was not pleased by his departure, nor when Ruiryk and Banor left too. Also, it appears that two of the stable hands may have taken advantage of her. We found them trampled to death by a horse – the same horse that Kaiwan fled upon.”
“I should kill you for having allowed her to be harmed!” Lonrari glared at the human woman. Then Anthalia whimpered. “What is wrong, child?”
“I want to go home! It’s too open here: there is too much air! I can’t breathe!” The twylanth collapsed in a terrified heap.
A black clad figure sprang forward and scooped her into his arms, striding swiftly into the main tower. “Breathe, brave little bird! The sky shall not swallow you whilst I am about!”
“Who is that?” Lonrari blinked.
“His name is Misericord. He is Fey blooded. And he knows something of irrationality: he is probably the one best suited to calming her.” Naomi shook her head. “She is afraid of open spaces then?”
“So it would appear. I had wondered why she never left the house. But Korius never mentioned it.”
“He appeared to be fond of her. Is she the daughter that he mentioned having?”
“I do not know. He never told me why she was in his household, save that he knew her mother before she died. He was asked to sell Anthalia into slavery, but he refused.”
Naomi frowned. “She has his colouring, especially about the eyes. We must ask him to explain himself when he returns.”
“What makes you believe that he shall do so? Or that I intend to stay? Kaiwan must be found!”
“Kaiwan has been gone for over a month, and on horseback. You have no hope of catching her. My uncle is however searching for her using sylth, and, as I said, there are guards on her trail as well. As to Korius, where else has he got to flee to when the sylvanthir tear their kingdom apart?”
“You have a point there, I suppose. And I have promised to protect Anthalia. Very well: I shall stay here until your uncle can tell me where to find Kaiwan. Then you must help me to reach her.”
“Agreed – now please, come inside. I am sure that Althanor and Luath will be overjoyed to see you again.”
∞∞∞
Drithik was dangling a piece of dried fish over Slo’annathorys’ head. “Are they still making love?”
Nala shrugged. “I’m not about to go and ask them!”
“They might as well be happy whilst they can, mare.�
�� Saylii was in a quieter mood than was usual for her. “It’s not as if it will last, after all.”
The veldaan dropped the fish and looked at her. “What’s the matter?”
“There are whispers upon the long strands: people have been disappearing in the night. When they are found, they aren’t themselves anymore. There’s something else beneath their skin instead. Something wicked.”
“Saylii, stop that: you’ll give yourself bad dreams!” Nala moved forward and stroked the veth’kyr’s thin face. “Don’t listen to those foolish whispers: you’ll end up as mad as your poor God!”
Drithik rolled his eyes and got to his feet. “I’m going for a walk! Come on, Slo’annathorys: let’s not spy on them.
Spy on what? They are both female...oh. Yes, let’s go. No, I want to go this way! See – there are mushrooms on this tree. Have you no appreciation of good food, Veldaan?
“Everybody has someone except for me!” The veldaan glanced down at where Slo’annathorys was gobbling mushrooms. “And you, I suppose. Still, at least you had a wife once! I’ve never had anyone.”
I cannot begin to tell you how little I care about that.
“At least I can talk to you about it. It’s better than bottling everything up.”
Look, could you please shut up? I’m trying to eat here!
“Who knew anthir were such good listeners?”
We aren’t: you just never appear to shut up. Do not fear; I shall ignore you somehow.
∞∞∞
Efrym Bandhir traced his ageless fingers over the angular features of the young sorceress. He smiled as she murmured in her sleep. “It is time to awaken, my love.”
Kaiwan yawned and sat up slowly. Her deep blue eyes were more contented than tired. “Efrym, I dreamt such strange things last night!”
“What sort of strange things?” He kissed her tenderly as they got to their feet and began dressing.
“There were flames, and shadows everywhere, yet they were far away. And I kept tripping up over brambles, and getting cobwebs in my hair. Do you suppose that it means anything?”
“Perhaps you ought not to have eaten that cheese after all?”
She laughed and hugged him, and there was the chance of forever in that smile. “I love you, Efrym!”
They emerged from the tent to find Nala picking out her hooves. The ulnyr nodded to them. “Good morning, humans.”
Drithik was cooking breakfast. “I found mushrooms. Well, Slo’annathorys did – it’s sort of useful having a shrew around sometimes!” The veldaan tossed the ensorcelled sylvanth a morsel of spare fungi.
So good of you to remember me, perhaps when I regain my true form I may repay you by – what was that sound? Did none of you hear that? What – not even the ulnyr? Look: the horse heard it! Hey: why are none of you paying attention?
Bandhir moved to where Seranor was picketed. The pale horse appeared to be unsettled. “Something troubles her. Where is Saylii?”
Nala pointed to one of the taller pine trees. “Over there. She didn’t sleep last night.”
“Is she alright?” Kaiwan knelt to help Drithik with his cooking.
“She’s a veth’kyr: this is fairly typical for her. They can go for weeks without rest.”
There is something out there, you idiots! Pay attention to me! Slo’annathorys uttered a shrill squeak and pawed at Kaiwan’s leg.
“I am sorry, Slo’annathorys: you must be hungry again! Here, have another mushroom.”
Damn it, Kaiwan – oh. Actually, this is rather delicious.
Bandhir frowned and made his way to where Saylii was perched on one of the lower branches of the pine tree. “What are you watching, Saylii? Is there trouble?”
The thin blonde woman smiled and pointed east into the trees. “Look and see for yourself, Lord Bandhir! One of Vethnorn’s most perfect children is coming!”
He followed her gaze: staring into the maze of knotted pine and moss coated stones. Then he saw it. “A giant spider – Saylii, is that creature likely to attack us?”
“No, sir: she has come to ask me to talk for her. She shan’t do us harm, I promise it.”
“That is good to know.” Bandhir backed slowly away into their encampment. “Saylii has a visitor, it would seem. A giant spider has come to have her speak for it.”
“Who has she to speak to it for?” Drithik scrambled to his feet and hid beneath Nala.
“She did not tell me.”
Kaiwan rescued the pan before the contents could burn. “Well, perhaps we should all go and see for ourselves. I have never seen a giant spider before. They are said to be all but extinct.”
Nala snorted. “There are plenty of them in the tunnels beneath the mountains, and in the grasslands of Ullensia too! Saylii’s poor people were the ones that were purged: it was easier to hunt them than the spiders themselves.”
“Well, let us go and talk to our visitor.” Bandhir helped Kaiwan to her feet. “Or at least listen to Saylii whilst she talks to it...or for it.” The desert warrior led his companions back to the foot of the large pine tree.
Saylii had climbed down and was greeting her guest: running her slim fingers over its carapace. “She’s come a long way to find me!” She toyed with the silken cocoon upon the spider’s back. “This is the one that won’t listen: she needs me to explain for her.”
“Explain what?” Nala eyed her lover in concern. “Saylii – who is in that cocoon?”
“It’s a human in a black carapace. He’s been hunting her: he doesn’t understand that it pains Vethnorn when His creations are harmed.”
“But she thinks that he shall listen to you?” Bandhir readied his falchion.
“Efrym, what are you doing?” Kaiwan touched his arm; concerned at his reaction.
“If the man in that cocoon attacks us, I shall do whatever I must to stop him, my love. He may not be willing to listen to Saylii, after all.”
Nala nodded at that and readied her spear. “I am not about to stand by and see Saylii harmed by another human!”
“Am I the only one that’s more afraid of the spider?” Drithik huddled behind Kaiwan. “What if it’s hungry?”
Kaiwan glanced towards Saylii. “I think that she knows what she is talking about, Drithik. And I do not sense any malice from this creature. It is not evil.”
“No, but it’s still a lot bigger than us!” The veldaan shook his head. “I’m not getting any closer than this.”
Bandhir held out his arm. “Please, Kaiwan: you should stay back too. Should the spider panic, or if this stranger proves to be violent then I would like you safe.”
“Very well, Efrym.” The Ullensian watched as her companions moved forwards and tore open the cocoon: spilling its unconscious prisoner onto the ground. Her eyes widened as she realised who it was. “Hugo!”
“I thought that you said that his name was Elharan?” Bandhir scowled. “This is the same man that drove me away from Briersburge!”
“You told me that you were driven out by a leader of soldiers: I assumed that you had to be speaking of Captain Elharan. I am glad that I was wrong. But Efrym: Hugo is no general – he is merely a simple blacksmith!”
I should be more interested in why he drove you away, than in his occupation. Slo’annathorys wrinkled his snout where he was perched on Kaiwan’s shoulder. How much do you actually know of this Efrym Bandhir anyhow, Kaiwan? Why do you assume that he is to be trusted?
Bandhir advanced upon where his nemesis lay. “He is certainly dressed as he was when I last saw him. This is the armour of a general.”
Kaiwan nodded. “Well yes, but Lady Naomi gave that to him when he left Briersburge. He had been made to appear to be guilty of murder, and so he was imprisoned for a short time. Of course he was found to be innocent, but he took offence and left.” She shook her head. “Efrym, there must be some misunderstanding! What would Hugo want to drive you away for? Why should he have painted you as a traitor?”
The desert warrior cursed then: real
ising that his lie had come apart at the seams. “Kaiwan, it is complicated. I shall explain it to you privately.”
Nala stepped between them. “No, I think that you should explain it here, human. I should not wish the two of you to argue out of sight and sound on this subject, for I suspect it to be important.”
“It is not your concern, Nala.” Bandhir glared at the ulnyr. I should have known that something would occur to blight my time with Kaiwan!