Searching the Darkness (Erythleh Chronicles Book 2)

by Catherine Johnson

  The air that had been beaten down by the sweeping movements of the gryphons' wings flattened the grass momentarily, and blew Gorren's hair about his eyes. Elthrinn had plaited her dark locks into a sensibly neat braid. He wondered if she'd known, if gryphons were a common form of transportation in Felthiss. If they were, she'd never mentioned it.

  Even though the great winged beasts were an arresting sight, for a moment, Gorren's gaze was entirely captured by the sight of his wife by his side. She had no idea that he was staring at her, her attention was all for the commotion of the arrival in front of them, but Gorren couldn't have cared less about that. She was the most beautiful thing that he could ever have imagined. She was carrying their child, and to his eyes, she glowed more brightly than the moon and the stars. Her swelling stomach was carefully hidden with a combination of a tightly bound, wide belt, and a light cloak. The cloak had garnered a few glances, considering the mild weather of the season, but Elthrinn and Gorren had ignored the perplexed looks. It would not be long before the only way they would be able to hide Elthrinn's condition was by restricting her to the cottage.

  When the gryphons landed, there was a momentary chaos of stamping claws, beating wings, and squawks. Despite the buffeting gusts driven by the flapping wings, Gorren was impressed at the behaviour of the beasts. The arrival of something so unusual had drawn quite a crowd, but the gathering people didn't seem to perturb the gryphons in any way. The beasts sat patiently, and did not shuffle so much as a feather whilst their riders dismounted. Gorren wondered at the lack of saddles or bridles at first, the birds were bareback apart from the rolls of luggage that seemed to have been tied in place with rope, but when he tried to imagine the gryphons being fitted with such accoutrements, he realised why no one bothered with them. He decided that he would ask General Jorrell about the gryphons in more detail. He could definitely see how a cavalry of such beasts might be advantageous in battles against the troll armies.

  The party was small, only three adults and two children. At first, the king had wanted to deny the First Mother's request for her husband's second-in-command to accompany them, but Gorren had persuaded him to accept the gesture. The ruler of another country was conducting a visit into foreign territory, with only her husband and one other as protection. It was obvious to Gorren that the First Mother was well aware of the way in which her visit might be perceived, and that she was willing to sacrifice care of her safety to ensure it went ahead. Gorren hoped that her faith in the people of Dorvek was not misguided.

  He was able to identify which of the two men was General Jorrell straight away; the family resemblance between him and Elthrinn was incredibly strong, even though Elthrinn must have been half her brother's height. The First Mother could have passed for Elthrinn's sister; she had the almost equally dark hair, and the same fine bone structure. But it was all in the eyes. Even though Jorrell had blue eyes, and Elthrinn's were - whatever wonderfully complicated colour they were - both gazes were as piercing as a needle.

  General Jorrell had travelled with a small boy, his son, according to the emissaries, even though he was years older than the marriage. Elthrinn had supposed that Jorrell had adopted Serwren's boy, Gorren could not recall the name of the child. The First Mother had travelled with their only other bodyguard, General Cael, who was solicitous in helping her down from their gryphon. She was also carrying their new babe. The infant was swaddled tightly against its mother's chest. Until the First Mother had loosened her cloak, Gorren had not even been sure that they had brought the baby at all.

  When his father initially made no movement at all, Gorren wondered if he had lost all his powers of civility and diplomacy, but just when his inaction was beginning to broach the bounds of rudeness, the king stepped forward to greet their guests. When he did so, Gorren noticed his mother's hand in the small of his father's back. He would have bet a moon's pay that his mother had pushed her intractable husband forward.

  "First Mother of Felthiss. Welcome to Dorvek."

  If the First Mother was offended by the curt, gruff greeting, she didn't show it. "Thank you, King Dorll. Thank you for welcoming me into your country, and please, call me Serwren. May I introduce my husband, General Jorrell, and our friend, General Cael."

  Gorren thought it was an odd way to introduce a bodyguard, but he remained silent. He glanced at Elthrinn. She was staring at her brother, he thought; it was hard to tell because the General hadn't left his wife's side since their feet had hit the ground. Gorren slipped his arm around Elthrinn's shoulders, and pulled her close. She let him, and she twined her arm around his waist in answer, but she kept her face to the new arrivals. His mother was stepping forward now, claiming the First Mother's attention, but Gorren saw General Jorrell notice his gesture of comfort to Elthrinn.

  If his father had introduced his mother, Gorren had missed it. It was entirely possible that his father had omitted to do so, but it seemed that the queen would take the initiative for the introductions now.

  "Oh, what precious children!" Gorren hadn't doubted that his mother would spend the visit cooing over the baby. "This is our eldest, Noridan, and his... consort... Athine." Gorren heard his mother's decision on the dilemma of how to introduce someone who wasn't really worth an introduction, but if anyone else noticed the slight pauses in her speech, they made no show of having done so. "And this is our youngest son, Gorren."

  The formal protocol for the welcome was for the greetings to be exchanged, and then for both parties to retire inside the hall, but when Gorren felt Elthrinn stir in his hold, he didn't restrain her. When she moved forward, he let her go. She ran straight to the First Mother, rather than her brother, which Gorren thought somewhat strange, but the First Mother immediately pulled Elthrinn to her, wrapping her in her arms as well as she was able, considering the baby tied to her chest.

  The General appeared confounded for a moment, as if the scene before his eyes wasn't happening, but then the young boy by his side let out a sound that might have been a sob, except that it remotely framed Elthrinn's name, and threw himself forward, arms outstretched to encompass his mother and Elthrinn. The General paused a beat longer, as if unsure of his role with the reuniting family, and Gorren remembered what Elthrinn had told him, about her brother having been absent for so much of her life. Evidently the General was wondering how he might be received, but he laid his caution aside, and wrapped his little bundle of family up in his own arms.

  There was nothing that Gorren and his family could do, except to stand dumbly, and watch the reunification of a family with no small degree of voyeuristic discomfort. It didn't appear that General Cael was any more at ease, but the second General had adopted more the role of a bodyguard, and was casting his eyes over the crowd as much as the proceedings before him.

  Eventually, it was the queen that approached the little knot of people, and laid her hand on the First Mother's shoulder. Gorren heard her say something about retiring into the hall, and refreshments being available. The First Mother and General, agreeable to removing their display of affection from public view, both nodded, and stepped back.

  But as everyone made to walk into the open doors of the hall, the First Mother and Elthrinn kept their arms around one another, as if afraid they might be parted again. Gorren wondered if this wasn't the beginning of the end of his marriage.

  ~o0o~

  The portion of time during which both families sat down to eat and drink together was decidedly stilted, and awkward in its formality. At the table, Elthrinn and Serwren separated with obvious reluctance, but Gorren couldn't be sad that his wife had come back to his side, even if only to comply with the official seating plan. He noticed that there were the tracks of drying tears on her cheeks, and he brushed them gently away with his thumb. That earned him a something that might have been a smile.

  There was some banal conversation, during which Gorren found the opportunity to speak to the Generals about the gryphons, and found that General Jorrell's knowledge was vastly superior i
n that regard to that of his friend. For their part, Jorrell and Cael were avidly interested in Gorren's stories of the trolls, and the battles he had fought against them. Neither soldier had encountered the residents of Heethl during their extensive careers. Although Serwren and Elthrinn both spoke, they seemed determined to avoid the topics which must have been forefront in their minds.

  The queen, exhibiting the skills which made her an excellent consort, was able to keep the conversation around the table flowing, and always with an air of friendliness, despite the fact the king seemed intent on making his displeasure at the visit painfully obvious. It was a relief to know that the visit would not last many days, if Dorll was to insist on maintaining his silent surliness. At least the celebratory meal planned for the next evening would involve entertainment, dancers, and songs, which would detract from the king's poor attitude. It had been Rehan's direction that the officious formal meal of welcome would be organised for the second night of the visit. The queen had been most adamant that their visitors would likely be tired, and should be allowed to rest, before being subjected to such an event.

  Noridan and Athine joined in some of the conversation, but usually only when prompted by the queen. Athine seemed almost loath to speak on any matter at all, as if the words had to be dragged from her. There were several times that Gorren caught his brother's mistress looking at General Jorrell with undisguised hatred, when she thought she wasn't being observed.

  The two children were about as perfectly behaved as any that Gorren had seen. The older child, Ulli, a boy of twelve, according to his father, remained generally quiet, and let the adults speak, until the conversation turned to the trolls, and then he was animated with gleeful intrigue. The baby, a little bundle of chubby adorableness, slept through the entire episode.

  Although Gorren suspected that he could genuinely enjoy the company of Jorrell and Cael, he was beginning to wonder how much longer the farce of forced politeness could continue. His father's attitude hung like a pall over the table. His mother seemed to sense that it was time for the civilities to end, too. During a lull in what conversation there was, and having seen that everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the queen stood.

  "If you would like to rest a while, your belongings have been taken to your rooms. I can show you the way, if you'd like."

  It was Serwren who responded. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble, we would like the opportunity to visit with Elthrinn a little. It's been so long." She glanced at her husband and then back at the queen, "I don't think either of us could rest yet."

  "Of course, of course. I can appreciate your impatience," Rehan nodded with a fond smile.

  Serwren glanced at Ulli next, who seemed to be quite heavy-lidded. "I think, if you could show us to our rooms, that our son would benefit from a little respite."

  "Certainly. If you would like to lay your little one down, too, I can arrange for a maid to sit with them?"

  Gorren watched a subtle interchange take place, as Serwren's eyes flickered to Elthrinn, and Elthrinn nodded almost imperceptibly in return. Having understood Elthrinn's message that her children would be safe in such a situation, Serwren's smile widened. "That would be most helpful. Thank you."

  Gorren put his hand over Elthrinn's, as it lay on the table. It felt petty and immature, but he found himself needing to demonstrate that they were joined. "We will wait for you in the library. You will be able to rest comfortably there to talk." He didn't want to assume that he would be included, but he was reluctant to leave Elthrinn alone, even for a moment.

  The First Mother nodded her agreement, and the party dispersed.

  ~o0o~

  Gorren had settled himself and Elthrinn onto one of the sofas in the library. They were sitting in a silence filled with thought, when the queen showed their visitors into the room. There was much that Gorren wanted to talk to Elthrinn about, but he had the idea that she might be at the point of being overwhelmed, so he let her sit, and held her, and hoped that he wasn't about to lose her.

  Rehan was smiling approvingly as she closed the door, and Gorren inclined his head to his mother to indicate that, for the moment, Elthrinn was well.

  As soon as the hasp of the door clicked into place, Cael stood in front of it, his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes scanning the room and windows. Serwren and Jorrell had seated themselves on the other sofa in the room. They looked pointedly at Gorren, and then at Elthrinn.

  His wife had been curled into his side, but she unfurled herself now, and sat up straighter. "It's alright, you can speak in front of him."

  "Rinn..." Serwren began, her voice almost cracking.

  Elthrinn rose. Gorren was loath to let her go, but he couldn't very well hold her down. He swallowed, and tried to trust in the happiness he thought he and Elthrinn had found. She knelt down by Serwren's feet, and put her hands on Serwren's knees. The First Mother immediately covered them with her own.

  "I think," Elthrinn began, "That the only question you might want to ask me, that you wouldn't want my husband to be privy to, is whether or not I am happy." Serwren nodded, and squeezed Elthrinn's hands. Gorren could see she was trying not to cry. He held his breath. "I am." Elthrinn continued, "you can rest easy." Gorren tried to make his sigh of relief less than obvious.

  "Rinn..." Serwren had to pause and collect herself before she could speak without tears. "I know..."

  Gorren saw Elthrinn move her hand so that she was now gripping the First Mother's, and he saw how she squeezed them."No, Serry. It's not like what happened to you. I truly am content here." Elthrinn turned, and looked at Gorren. She was smiling, but he could see that her own tears were leaving silver trails on her cheeks again. "I'm happy. Very happy."

  Gorren could have shouted and screamed in relief and joy, and he found himself swallowing back his own emotions. He couldn't respond to Elthrinn with more than a nod, because he wanted to gather her up in his arms, and carry her back to the sanctuary of their cottage without delay. He almost jumped, shaken out of his fugue of feeling, when Cael's dry tone sounded from the door.

  "So happy that the king never mentioned his impending grandchild?"

  Jorrell turned widening eyes to Cael, and then to Elthrinn. His expression of shock was almost comical, but Serwren did not appear at all surprised.

  "Have a care." Gorren advised, his own voice lowered with caution. "We are a race of wolves, with all their abilities. There's no one on the other side of that door right now, but we can hear a pine needle drop in the forest. If someone were to be listening, they would have heard that."

  Serwren leaned forward. "The king does not know?"

  Gorren shook his head. "No, he would not take the news... well."

  Jorrell put his hand, a great paw of a thing, on Elthrinn's frail shoulder. "Rinn, you might be happy here, but are you safe?"

  Elthrinn cut in, and spoke before Gorren could answer. "It's complicated. There are difficulties." She glanced back to Gorren, and he knew she was going to try and keep his family's secrets for him. But her next words shocked him to speechlessness. "What if Gorren and I were to return with you?"

  He almost leapt up from his seat, but Elthrinn bade him remain seated with a wave of her hand. "It's the only way we could be safe."

  "You want to go home?" Gorren asked.

  "I am home. I want to be wherever you are, wherever we can be safe. We could go, before Dorll finds out. He'd let you leave. He'll believe that I'm homesick, that you're pandering to me, that you want to take me back to Felthiss."

  Apart from the fact that he'd have to leave everything he'd ever known behind, Elthrinn's plan was inspired. He'd never be able to return, though, not while his father lived, but his mother would be able to rest assured that he was alive, and at peace. His father would continue as king, at least until another challenger came along. More importantly, Elthrinn would be safe, their child would be safe.

  Gorren looked at Jorrell. "Do you have room on your gryphons for two more?"

  Chap
ter Twenty-Seven

  "Do you truly think that the king will let you leave?" Jorrell asked quietly.

  Elthrinn could have told him that he could have whispered, and Gorren would still have heard him. Her husband was doing an admirable job of pretending not to listen to their conversation. Gorren was knee deep in the waters of the Glass Lake, teaching Ulli how to fish with a spear. Ulli, so much more a burgeoning young man now than the boy she'd left, had been overexcited at first. He had moved too swiftly, stabbed the spear with too much force, and had scared his targets away.

  He was getting the hang of it now, though, moving slowly but surely, barely lifting his feet. At the rate they were going, they'd have a respectable catch, despite Cael sitting by the edge of the water, keeping up an unhelpful commentary. Gorren had already suggested that they build a fire, and cook the fish where they were. It would suffice for a midday meal before the festivities that were planned for the evening. Serwren and Jorrell had agreed, filled with amusement at Ulli's enthusiasm for the plan.