by J D Abbas
Shimeon lifted the girl. “She’s a wee one. Seems awfully frail to be traveling with a bunch of Guardians.”
“From what I’ve heard, she’s hardier than she looks,” Galdon said. “Hurry up now and get her back to the cave. I’ll see you there.”
Just after Galdon turned to proceed up the winding trail, an orb of shimmering blue light descended on the path, moving straight toward him. He spun and attempted to call out a warning to Shimeon, but terror gripped his throat, choking his words.
The play of light bouncing off the rocks must have caught Shimeon’s attention. He turned, gave a shrill cry, and nearly dropped the girl. The orb moved past Galdon and headed intently toward Shimeon, who blanched and retreated until his back was against the rock wall. Then he recalled his duty and recovered himself enough to cradle the girl close, shielding her as best he could with his body.
Shimeon’s eyes darted and he turned to run down the path, but the light completely engulfed them before he’d taken two steps. Shimeon jolted and spasmed as his body lit with brilliant illumination. He spun around, still gripping the girl, and dropped to his knees. Then a relaxed, enchanted smile spread across his face, like that of a satiated lover.
The orb throbbed around him and Elena for a dozen heartbeats, then just as mysteriously as it appeared, it winked out. Shimeon’s expression turned stricken, and his eyes welled with tears, as if his dearest friend had just died.
The girl’s eyes fluttered. “She’s awake,” Galdon said as he ran to Shimeon’s side. The younger man was too enrapt to move or speak. “Are you all right, my lady?” Galdon laid his hand on her forehead, which was warmer now.
“I-I don’t know.” Elena stared at him then Shimeon. “What happened?”
Galdon laughed nervously. “Now that might take some explaining.” He rubbed his jaw, not sure how to answer her. “I don’t really know myself.”
She studied him, eyes narrowed. Then she turned her focus to Shimeon. “You may put me down. I’m all right.”
“I-I beg your pardon, my lady,” Shimeon said and set her on her feet.
Galdon steadied the girl when she started to sway. Though Shimeon had broken out of his stupor, he didn’t look to be in much better shape.
“We should get you back to the cave,” Galdon told the girl. “You seem to be a bit shaky. And I think you scared the stuffing out of Shimeon; he’s a little peaked too.”
She nodded, but looked rather lost. “How did I get out here?”
Galdon blushed. “Well, you told me you needed to relieve yourself and didn’t want to do so in the cave with all of us there, so I let you go outside. Apparently, you headed off on your own, traveling up this path. We found you on that ledge there, unconscious.” He nodded toward the place. “You didn’t have a bump on your head or any sign of injury. Maybe you just passed out from exhaustion?” He hoped the explanation might be that simple.
“I faintly remember climbing the path,” she murmured, “but I don’t recall being out here or why I collapsed.” When she glanced at the cliff, she shivered and blanched again.
“My lady, I’d feel better if we discussed this back in the cave. You look as if you’re about to faint.”
The girl nodded feebly and allowed herself to be steered down the path.
Galdon was relieved Elena was safe and he didn’t have to interrupt Celdorn’s meeting. Perhaps the Lord Protector would go easy on him since she hadn’t been hurt.
~
“Zhalor, can you explain what just occurred?” Celdorn asked, troubled by the display they’d witnessed. Any hope of them remaining hidden was now gone.
There are some things I understand and some I do not, Zhalor replied through Silvandir.
I advise against entrusting these men with the mysteries that have remained hidden for so many centuries. It is not wise, Ahnomar said, turning his head away from Silvandir as if that would keep the conversation private.
We all serve the Jhadhela, Ahnomar, Zhalor countered. And these men have been entrusted with the care of Elena; that alone justifies our collaboration.
Ahnomar snorted and stepped away.
“Who was that?” Elbrion asked Zhalor, nodding toward the stone archway where the star had disappeared.
That I cannot disclose at this time. Perhaps when we are within the protection of Queyon, I will be free to tell you.
“Can we trust this ... creature?” Celdorn asked, suppressing a growl. “Her display of light was certainly witnessed in every region of the Shalamhar and has drawn undo attention to this location, making our situation here that much more precarious.” He was angry, and he didn’t care if the Ilqazar knew it.
You are surrounded by two thousand Ilqazar. Your situation is hardly precarious. Wheldam blew out an angry breath, his head held high and his tail flicking. In fact, you are more secure than your kind has been in the last two centuries.
Silvandir scowled at the elder Ilqazar as he relayed his thoughts.
Wheldam, Celdorn is the Lord Protector of the Shalamhar. Mind how you address him, Zhalor said.
He is a human. Wheldam snorted. An afterthought.
Silvandir jumped to his feet, fists clenched, as he spoke the stallion’s last thoughts. Celdorn motioned for him to sit. The Ilqazar could spout all the arrogance he wanted. Celdorn was more concerned about Elena’s safety
Wheldam! That is enough. Zhalor stomped his mighty hoof. Another word and you will leave this council. The Jhadhela has appointed these ones to guard the chosen vessel and has called us to serve them. They may have come many years after us, but I bow to the wisdom of the ages, a wisdom that is far greater than mine—or yours, I might add. Then he turned to Celdorn. My apologies, Lord Celdorn. The answer to your question is, yes, we can trust this force. Her purpose in appearing here was to assist you in your quest to bring Elena safely to Queyon. The messages she sent forth were for your benefit. Did your hearts not confirm this truth?
Celdorn weighed Zhalor’s words. “Yes,” he nodded thoughtfully, “but sometimes our hearts deceive us, and we are drawn toward a beautifully guised malevolence.”
Wisely spoken, my lord, Zhalor nodded. If my word holds any value, I assure you that life can be found in the arms of this one. The stallion stopped as a shimmering tear dropped from his eye. He moved to the edge of the circle and stood for a time in silence, his face turned away. Finally, he spoke. I have longed for the day of her return, and it was far too brief. He lowered his head and let his tears fall.
Out of respect for Zhalor, Celdorn drew the focus of the council away from the stallion. “So we are secure for the time being. Our next decision is how long do we remain here?”
“Unless we leave Braiden behind or bring a cart for his transport, we must remain at least a week,” Dalgo replied.
“We won’t move forward without him.” Celdorn was firm. “I said we would move as a whole or not at all, and I won’t be persuaded otherwise.”
“I would suggest a cart then,” Tobil said. “Strategically it would not be wise to remain here for that length of time.”
“I agree,” Silvandir chimed in.
“Is that the consensus then?” Celdorn asked.
His men nodded.
“So we will send for a wagon immediately. The next question is: do we move forward to Queyon or do we return to Kelach?”
Wheldam and Ahnomar both snorted and shook their heads. Foolish humans, do you understand nothing? they said in unison.
Zhalor immediately turned, a fire in his eyes, and stepped toward his kinsmen. The stallions retreated, ears flattened, and hung their heads.
Haldor glanced at the Ilqazar with a scowl of disapproval, then spoke to Celdorn, his voice filled with grief, “It would serve no purpose for us to return, my friend. We cannot stop the evil that has been threatened against Elena’s children. We do not know where they are or even if they still live.”
Celdorn’s shoulders sagged with the weight of Haldor’s words.
“Her br
others must be warned,” Silvandir added, rubbing his chin as a frown pulled at his lips. “But it need not be by us.”
Elbrion stepped alongside Celdorn and laid his hand on his shoulder. “We knew when we left Kelach we were never to return. We cannot allow this abhorrent evil to manipulate us.”
Celdorn felt worn with grief, but he nodded slowly. “She will never understand,” he said, more to himself than the others.
“Celdorn, we need to send messengers ahead to inform the detachment from Marach of our situation, so they’ll slow their pace accordingly,” Tobil said. “And do you want to notify those traveling with the children? Should we send them over the Pallanors without us or have them wait in the valley?”
“You’re right.” Celdorn steeled his will. “We’ll send five riders to pursue those from Marach and tell them to wait for us. I won’t send fewer than that with our enemy still a threat. Another five should be sent to those with the children. I think it best they wait for us in the valley, and we cross the Pallanors together. We’ll also send five for a cart from Kelach and to instruct Giyon to dispatch a company to collect Elena’s family and bring them to the keep for protection. Tobil, will you see to that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“We’ll move forward the day after tomorrow. If Elena is not yet able to ride, she’ll join Braiden in the cart.” His resolve had returned. “Are there any other concerns?”
When no one responded, Celdorn adjourned the council. He felt confident of their decisions but dreaded Elena’s reaction.
Chapter 35
When Celdorn and his men returned to the cave, Galdon immediately confessed his error and told Celdorn everything he knew about what had happened with Elena. After giving Galdon a look that said I’ll deal with you later, Celdorn turned his attention to his daughter.
“Why did you lie to Galdon, little one?” Celdorn asked as he squatted next to her. “Where were you going?”
“I don’t remember. I was here. I heard another rumble in the mountain and it felt as if fire passed through my body then... nothing, until I awoke in Shimeon’s arms near a nasty cliff.” She shivered and hugged herself.
“C-Celdorn,” Braiden interrupted, “b-before she left, Elena didn’t l-look like herself. I-I asked her questions, and-and she didn’t respond. She j-just said she had to g-go.”
Elena stared at Braiden then her eyes flitted away as if searching for the elusive information. “Did I look younger?”
“N-no... You looked to b-be yourself, b-but you were... frantic; your eyes d-darted everywhere, almost... w-wild.”
Much as they were at the moment. Celdorn laid his hand on Elena’s head, hoping to calm her panic. “Galdon, did she say anything when you found her?”
The guard stepped closer. “No, sir. She was unconscious until... until the blue light came.”
“What blue light?”
Galdon blushed and shifted uncomfortably. He glanced at Shimeon, who looked down. “It... it was very odd. I was headed to the stone table to find you and Shimeon was coming back here when this blue... circle of light just appeared out of nowhere. And it... well... it sort of surrounded Shimeon and Lady Elena then it just vanished. The lady woke up after that.”
Celdorn looked at Elbrion. “Do you think it was the same creature?”
“Creature?” Elena asked.
“It seems unlikely that there was more than one orb of light traveling around Roth Rock today, but why would it have sought out Elena?”
Elena’s gaze shifted back and forth between Elbrion and him.
“Perhaps it was trying to help her in some way,” Celdorn replied, stroking Elena’s hair. “It didn’t seem malevolent.”
“Just the opposite,” Shimeon chimed in. “It was the most pure and kind and... and beautiful thing I have ever encountered.” He appeared enrapt as he spoke. Then he glanced around at the others, as if suddenly aware of them, and stared at his feet. “When it left, I nearly wept.”
“Many of us felt the same when it departed from the stone table,” Tobil said, laying his hand on Shimeon’s shoulder.
“So this light... this creature appeared at your council?” Elena asked.
“Yes.” Celdorn went on to explain what they’d seen.
“Are you certain you can trust this... this thing? Why would it send signals toward each of those areas? Are you sure they weren’t signs for the eidola to find me?”
“Zhalor seemed to know who and what she was but wouldn’t share that information with us. He did assure us, however, that she was trustworthy,” Celdorn replied
“She?” Elena shivered.
“I don’t know for certain, but the voice sounded feminine.”
“I would agree.” Elbrion nodded, his gaze distant. “It seemed somehow familiar. And I believe Zhalor referred to it as female. He also assured us that the messages sent out were for your benefit and safety, Sheyshon. I trust him.”
“As do I,” Elena said, her body relaxing. “I’ve trusted him more readily than any other person—creature—in my life, though I’m not sure why that is.” She was quiet for several minutes, as if pondering something. Then suddenly she looked up at Celdorn.
“What else happened at the council? What other decisions were made?”
Celdorn look away, unable to meet her gaze.
“You promised me you would inform me of all that took place,” she reminded him.
She was right, and he knew it. Celdorn took a deep breath and began. “We will remain here for two days. While we wait, we will send for a cart from Kelach so we may transport Braiden and you, if you aren’t yet able to ride.”
“So we will return to Kelach?” Elena asked.
Celdorn reached for her hand. “No, little one, we will continue on to Queyon.”
She pulled her hand away. “And do nothing about the threat? Do nothing to protect my family?”
“We will send men to bring your brothers and their families to Kelach, so they can be guarded,” Celdorn replied evenly, bracing himself for what would undoubtedly come next.
“And my children?” Elena wrapped her arms across her swollen belly. “We just leave them to die?”
Celdorn knelt closer. “Little one, we don’t know where they are. There’s no way for us to protect them. Where would we begin to search?”
“And you won’t return me.” Her voice was cold. “So we just move on and let them die.”
Celdorn sighed. “What else can we do?”
“I don’t know, but it seems so wrong, so unfair. I have fifty Guardians and thousands of Ilqazar protecting me and there’s no one, not one, to protect my children.” Elena stopped. Her chin quivered as she worked to control her emotions. “Why me? Why not them? I don’t deserve this... nor do they.”
Elena lay down and curled into a ball. Her eyes went vacant as she withdrew to some secret place.
Celdorn looked to Elbrion.
“Let her be for now, Celdorn.”
He didn’t pursue any further conversation with Elena, but Celdorn wouldn’t leave her side. He leaned against the wall and laid his hand on her shoulder, silently waiting, watching... praying to a force he was no longer sure he believed in.
~
Elena sat up, startled by the sudden silence in the shelter. She must have fallen asleep. Bright sunlight flooded through the mouth of the cave, but no one was around. Even Braiden was gone. She wondered if something had happened, and they’d found it necessary to move him.
“Celdorn?” she called. No response. “Dalgo?” Silence.
She rose from her bedroll, her body aching with the effort, and moved to the mouth of the cave. “Galdon? Shimeon?” she called softly. It was as if the Guardians had all disappeared, leaving the mountain empty.
This was too strange. Before she stepped around the boulder concealing the entrance, Elena decided it might be wise to take her dagger with her. She hurried over, scooped it up from beside her bedroll, then headed out of the cave. Elena gripped the hilt tig
htly, her muscles taut. When she stepped onto the path, her empty hand immediately shot up to shield her eyes from the brilliant afternoon light. She squinted as she gazed up and down the trail that led away from the shelter.
A strangely familiar aroma wrapped around her. She inhaled deeply, embracing the sweet scent. Her brow furrowed as she tried to recall where she’d encountered it before. Deciding to follow her nose, she moved upward on the trail through the rocks. The beckoning scent grew more intense with each step.
She stopped in her tracks and listened. Far off she heard a faint swishing, like a breeze passing through the leaves of a tree, though there was no foliage to be seen in these rocky crags. This was followed by an all-too-familiar tinkling sound which, while utterly beautiful, made her skin crawl with memories. Her knees went weak, and she gripped the nearest boulder to steady herself.
It was that very sound upon which she had focused during her assaults by the Farak in the forest of Alsimion, imagining those magical trees had been performing a musical piece just for her, a piece that swept her away to another time, another place, as the men passed her around. She had been a woodland nymph, a mythical sprite, able to fly on the wings of the wind to faraway places. No one could capture her. She was invulnerable, untouchable. A longing consumed her, even now, to give way, to allow herself to drift off with the breeze.
Where was that aroma coming from? It called her back to the present, and her feet started moving again. On and on she walked, lured by the wonderful smell of roasted vanilla. Or was it baked bread? Though she didn’t know why she recognized the smell.
When she came to a break in the rock wall, she looked up, startled as the music in the air swelled suddenly, joined by a chorus of euphoric voices. She gasped.
Covering the entire mountainside were hundreds of shimmering specters, whose forms shifted continuously like mists that rise in the early morning hours, reminding her of the liorai she’d met in Alsimion. Only these creatures were even more dazzling. The swishing sound she’d heard was created by their movement. She closed her eyes tight and opened them again. The apparitions were still there. She trembled as one of them moved toward her.