Ravenshade

by C S Marks

  The trip across the Lake was a somber one. It was the desire of every heart to remain in that twice-blessed realm, for there was only war, pain, and death ahead of them. There was separation, and worry, and fear for beloved friends. Yet there was hope, also, for a more enlightened and peaceful world.

  The Elves of Tal-sithian, who did not know of the deception, held less hope. In their minds, Lord Wrothgar stood a good chance of overtaking the Light. They would fight to the last to prevent it, but there was no certainty of victory.

  The boat fetched up onto the sandy shore, emerging from the ever-present mist to behold a wonderful sight. Hundreds of helms, spear-points, and bright banners flashed and glinted in the sunlight. Horses whinnied and fretted and paced to and fro. Arialde fielded only a small cavalry; most of the Elves of the Lake went forth upon their own feet. Yet they were enduring and fleet-footed, and none would hinder the progress of the column.

  Gaelen whistled for Toran, and he appeared, calling to her as he trotted forward. The Elves of Tal-sithian were also glad to see Gaelen, as Toran had apparently been making quite a nuisance of himself, investigating everything and everyone he encountered, trying to make trouble with the other horses, and in general just being himself. He squealed when Gaelen swung onto his back; she was out of practice and had to claw her way aboard.

  Eros also approached Gaelen, for he liked her. He wondered why Rogond was not with her, and called out in his very deep voice, looking back toward the boats.

  “Rogond is not here, Eros,” said Gaelen. “Do not fear…he will come for you soon enough. You must stay here in the meantime, together with Faladinn.” She turned to the boatmen. “Will you stay and make certain the horses do not follow?”

  “One of us must stay, at least, to ferry you back,” answered one. “And that means two will stay. You needn’t worry about the horses.”

  The column of foot-soldiers had already begun to make its way northward, stretching for nearly a mile. Gaelen joined the rest of her mounted friends, and they put their backs to the Lake-realm. Only Gaelen would be returning.

  They rode together for several hours, until the afternoon waned. Galador rode up beside Gaelen as Réalta briefly pinned his ears and wrinkled his nose at Toran. “You had best be turning back,” he said. “Otherwise you will not arrive before sunset, and we will all be concerned for your safety. You know that you must leave us…there’s no reason for further delay.”

  “Yes, you’re right, I suppose,” said Gaelen, looking at Nelwyn with a resigned yet forlorn expression. “I have been delaying what must be.” She asked Toran to halt, Nelwyn followed her example. They dismounted so that they could embrace one another properly, as Galador moved on. This was a private farewell.

  “I nearly forgot this,” said Gaelen reaching into her pack and drawing out a small parcel wrapped in linen. “I thought you might encounter Wellyn in your travels, and if you do, will you give him this token from me? Tell him, also, that I still have faith that his premonition will prove false.”

  “What premonition?” asked Nelwyn, tucking the parcel away.

  “It is of no importance…he will know the meaning of the message,” said Gaelen. “Now, my dear friend, my soul-sister, we must be parted. Remember your task, and do not fail me. I am relying on you!”

  “I will not fail,” said Nelwyn. “But you must guard yourself in the meantime…it is you who will face the fire, not I.”

  “In that case, it’s a good thing I recovered the fire-cloak,” said Gaelen.

  “Do not jest about it,” said Nelwyn, her voice breaking a little.

  “I’m not jesting,” said Gaelen. “Safe journey, and regards to Lady Ordath. Oh…and to Lord Magra. Tell him that his gift has seen very productive use!” She made a gesture as though drawing the longbow that Magra had given her. Then she grew somber. “I hope to look upon you again.” Her face brightened. “What a tale this will make some day for those long, cold nights in the Greatwood. If only the King could see us now!”

  “True—we haven’t made such a bad accounting of ourselves for a pair of lowly hunter-scouts,” said Nelwyn.

  “Yet the greatest test still lies ahead,” said Gaelen. “And now, I must get back to it. My destiny calls me to a different path.”

  “May those paths soon converge and bring us together again,” said Nelwyn, just before she vaulted onto Gryffa’s back. Gaelen, however, merely turned and began walking back to the south, leading Toran. “Why are you not riding?” called Nelwyn.

  “I need to find a large rock to stand on,” was the reply. Nelwyn turned from her cousin then, and did not speak another word to anyone for a long while.

  Chapter 20

  SECRET TASKS

  Kotos had observed the departure of the Elves of Tal-sithian, flying near enough to see them while still maintaining a prudent distance. None save the Company would pay any heed to what appeared to be an ordinary raven, yet Kotos could not risk the chance that one of the Elves would use it for target practice. His raven host had been sorely tested these past weeks, and it was becoming exhausted with so much flying and spying. Kotos, however, was unaware of this for the most part. He had no empathy for any living creature, as he was not truly alive himself. For now, he had only to await the departure of the Stone of Léir and to follow behind it. Then the raven’s flights would be shorter and less frequent.

  Wrothgar had sent almost all of his servants to the Fell-ruin; there were few remaining in the Darkmere other than his personal guard. These were highly skilled and experienced trackers and fighters, and they were formidable. Kotos knew that Wrothgar would dispatch them as soon as the word was given that the Stone had left the protection of the Lady. Kotos also expected that they would have no trouble, as the retinue of Elves guarding the Stone would be small and secretive. They would be overcome with little difficulty. All Lord Kotos had to do was watch and wait.

  “Come in, Gaelen, and see what my people have made.” Arialde had summoned Gaelen to show her the replica of the Stone, which had just been completed. It rested in a wooden casket, wrapped in dark blue velvet to cushion it from the stress of the journey. Gaelen approached and peered inside.

  For a moment, she could not find words. “That is remarkable!” she said at last. “May I touch it?”

  “Certainly you may,” said Arialde even as Gaelen reached out with curious fingers, tracing and caressing the cold, clear surface of the finely-wrought crystal. The resemblance to the real Stone was outstanding, but even though it would bear close visual scrutiny, it was apparent that no power dwelt within. The replica had no life of its own. Arialde closed the lid of the wooden casket, handing Gaelen an ornate brass key on a cord of silk. “Do not lose it,” she said with a smile. Gaelen placed the cord around her neck and tucked the key inside her tunic.

  “The real Stone has been removed to an underground vault,” said Arialde. “Only a few of my most trusted people know of it. The rest believe that you are taking the Stone to Tuathas. If Kotos observes them, he will not learn of our deception. I will send very capable guards, who will form a perimeter around your Company. You will not see them, but know that they are there. Their purpose is to keep you safe from unpleasant encounters. I know that Wrothgar will be expecting this…I would never send you forth without protection. Your guards all believe that your errand is true.”

  Gaelen felt the hair on the back of her neck raise, and she shuddered. “Just be certain that they are aware that the Elfhunter will be following behind,” she said. “I doubt that the restraint he has shown recently will continue. He has worn only a thin coating of civilization over his savagery, and he will not be able to resist picking off your people one by one. Make certain that they are warned!”

  Arialde nodded. “I will warn them only to be very wary, for they must not be aware that we know of Gorgon’s presence,” she said. “Yet they are skilled and experienced.”

  “There’s no way for an Elf to gain experience with this enemy and live to tell about
it,” said Gaelen. “If you do not warn them, they will be taken. If you had seen what remained of Gelmyr, and of our friend Thorndil, you would reconsider.”

  “Yet you have gained such experience, Gaelen, and you still live,” said Arialde. “I cannot control your actions, therefore you may give warning if you so choose. But on your head be it if our deception is unmasked.”

  Gaelen shrugged. “We won’t be unmasked. I choose to warn them, for the warning may or may not save their lives. It’s quite possible they would know of Gorgon anyway. After all, your folk have encountered him before, or at least what he has left behind. They might recognize his scent, or his sign.” She was silent for a moment. “I would rather risk the very small likelihood of being unmasked than the near certainty of more deaths that I might have prevented.”

  “The death that I would most have you prevent is your own, Gaelen,” said Arialde. “If the Elfhunter overtakes you, your fate will be unimaginable. And this place where you are going will task you to the limit of your skills and endurance.” She looked away for a moment. “I do hope you have some notion of a plan,” she said. “You will have need of one.”

  “I do have a notion,” said Gaelen. “It’s my plan to lure Gorgon and Kotos into the wasteland, and then to deal with both of them.”

  “We have already established the luring part of that plan” said Arialde, “but what about the part where you deal with Gorgon and Kotos? Have you thought that part of the plan through?”

  “Rogond will think of something,” said Gaelen. “He always does.”

  Arialde smiled at her then, though she shook her head. It was refreshing to see such an honest expression of faith in another, even if it was naïve.

  It was decided that Gaelen and company would leave at the next new moon. This would be a dark night—a night for secret tasks. Rogond, Fima, and Gaelen kept to themselves, for they did not desire the company of the curious Elves of Tal-sithian. Fima, in preparation for the journey, had given up wine and ale—even beer—and he climbed up and down the stone stairways of the library many times each day to build his strength. Rogond practiced with sword and spear, wishing that he had his brother to spar with. Gaelen went forth each night while Rogond slept, sitting alone in a tall tree beneath the stars, and she did not sing.

  The new moon would come in three days. A deep melancholy had come over Gaelen, and she had gone out to sit beside a deep-running spring that fed into the lake. It broadened into a channel that could not easily be crossed, flowing toward the vast waters of the Linnefionn, making a very pleasant sound as it did so. Gaelen was surprised to see dark shapes making their way against the current just before two bright heads popped up above the surface, drew breath, and ducked back under. When they reached the bank where Gaelen was sitting, they emerged. Collyn and Gin-gin smiled as they approached, waddling in their ungainly fashion. Gaelen held up a hand in greeting, as her melancholy vanished like water in a well full of sand.

  “Hail, Collyn of the River-people. What brings you to me on this fine evening?”

  Collyn looked over at Gin-gin, and they both laughed, amused at Gaelen’s formality. They shook the water from their bodies, being careful to direct it away from Gaelen, who then invited them to sit with her awhile. They shook their black-and-white heads to and fro.

  “We do not care for sitting,” said Collyn. Gaelen imagined that would be true, for their bodies were long and sinuous, and their arms and legs were short. Sitting was probably not a comfortable posture for them. Yet now they rested in a sort of half-reclining position, eventually rolling onto their backs.

  “The stars are bright tonight,” said Gin-gin.

  “Yes,” said Gaelen. “The moon is waning. Do your folk also love the stars?”

  “We do,” Gin-gin replied in a dreamy voice. “Yet we are often sleeping when the stars are high, unless called forth to some other purpose.”

  “And what is your purpose this night?” asked Gaelen. “I’m glad of your company, for soon I will be leaving this realm, and you have cheered me. I’m glad your folk are thriving here.”

  “It is our purpose to cheer you,” said Collyn. “The Guardians have seen you sitting alone each night. They have told us that your heart is sorrowful.”

  “Then your task is done, for I am no longer sorrowful,” said Gaelen with a warm smile. The Currgas seemed pleased. Then Collyn’s eyebrows drew together, and sadness touched his face.

  “Will you do a thing for us?” he asked Gaelen. “Will you return and tell us how our people are faring in the North, if they still dwell there?” He was quite solemn. “If you accomplish your task, it may be that Darkness will be driven back, even in the Darkmere. The Forest River may be made wholesome again, and we can return to our homes.”

  “That would be my hope,” said Gaelen. “I may not return here once my task is done, but I will find a way to send word of your people should I learn of them.”

  “Our thanks,” said Collyn, and they spoke no more of such matters. The Currgas remained with Gaelen until the sky began to warm in the east, and then they left her, having shared many a tale to gladden her heart.

  On the morning before their departure, Rogond, Fima, and Gaelen met in Rogond’s chamber to make certain all was in readiness. They were well provisioned with food and warm clothing, their weapons had been looked to, and there were few farewells still to be said. Yet Gaelen had one more task to perform, and that was the meeting with the Elves who would be sent out to guard her. They had been instructed to establish a perimeter, fanning out and surrounding Gaelen as she and her friends went forth by dark of night. Gaelen did not expect to see any of them again, except by accident, for they had been ordered to remain in concealment.

  They were assembled in the council-chamber of the Lady in late afternoon so that she could address them. They stood before her, clad in grey and brown clothing that would conceal them well, as she reminded them of the importance of their task: to safeguard the Stone of Léir. They were to dissuade anyone from continuing on a path that would cross with Gaelen’s, on pain of death.

  “Be certain that you are not seen without need,” said Arialde at last. “You have been chosen for your prowess as guards and scouts. You are the pride of this realm, and my blessings go with you.” She extended both hands toward them, and her power flared forth. Every Elf in the group felt it—Gaelen saw their eyes fill with determination and fortitude. As the light faded, the determination remained.

  “Forgive me,” said Gaelen, who was awed by what she had just seen. “I must speak to you. I know that all here are capable, and I know that we will be much safer because of your efforts, but I must warn you of one who follows me—always he shadows my footsteps—and he will not be dissuaded. His name is Gorgon Elfhunter. I believe most of you know of him already. I will not be able to aid you once we set forth, for he will make certain that I do not see him. Therefore, he will not draw close to our Company, but he will take you unaware, one by one. Do not have any doubt of it!”

  “And how do you know this?” asked a tall, well-made Elf with dark hair and blue-grey eyes. “How do you know that Gorgon follows you? Perhaps he will be the one taken unaware.”

  “Yes, and if he has followed you for so long, then why are you not dead?” said another. “If he is so formidable, why has he not killed you already?”

  “I know what I know,” said Gaelen. “Don’t ask me how. And don’t ask why he has not killed me. Just be more wary than you have ever been in your lives! If you smell a strange foulness on the wind, do not linger…although I very much doubt that Gorgon will allow such a warning. He is the wiliest of foes.”

  The Elves bowed in acknowledgment and then turned to depart, but Gaelen called them back. “Wait!” she cried. “I have forgotten…” The guards all looked at her in anticipation. She wanted to warn them of Orrion, that if they should behold a High Elf in golden armor they should not allow him to approach, no matter what he told them. She wanted to warn them that this seeming fr
iend was a dreadful enemy! But she knew that she could not. No one else could know that Orrion had been unmasked, even to save their lives. Gaelen had to be satisfied with a veiled warning. “Trust none whom you do not know, no matter how they appear,” she said. “Not all beauty is well-intentioned. Again, you must not ask questions, and you must not doubt me. Believe my words. They will save your lives.”

  Satisfied that she had done all that she could to protect her protectors, Gaelen bowed her head. The guards had looked into her eyes, seeing neither deceit, nor arrogance, nor foolishness. Her warning had been taken to every heart.

  “You were wise to withhold knowledge of Orrion,” said Arialde after they had gone. “We will hope that our scouts will be wary enough to avoid being taken. After all…would you have trusted him, even on first glance?” Gaelen thought for a moment. She did not really know the answer to that question.

  “The boats are laden and they await your departure,” Arialde continued. “It is time for you to leave us. Yet there is one last audience that must be given.” She turned to a doorway at her left. “Come in, and speak your piece,” she said, as two golden-haired Elves entered. One of them bore a bundle in her arms, but it was the other, a male, who spoke.

  “My name is Gwaryn, and this is my sister, Eryn,” he said. “We are the children of Amandir and Brinneal. We have a gift to aid you in your journey, for we have been told of the Elfhunter and your desire to fell him. May our gift aid you in accomplishing what others could not.”

  Gaelen knew that they were thinking of their father, Amandir, who had died while trying to defeat Gorgon. “I knew your father, and I fought beside him. He was courageous, and true of heart. One day I will accomplish his vengeance. I thank you for the gift.” She bowed, took the bundle from Eryn, and carefully unwrapped it.