The Blue Flame [Book 1 of the Daradawn Series]

by Barbara M. Hodges

  Kelsey grabbed her horse's bridle and led her into the cave, followed by Regan and the others.

  The light filtering through the opening revealed glassy-smooth walls. The ceiling arched high overhead. Transparent globes lined the walls. Regan looked down the length of the cave. It rose at a slant into blackness. She glanced at the dark mage globes. “Can you light them?” she asked Peter.

  "I do not know. This cave is elven and very old."

  "There's a ledge about half way up the mountain,” Kelsey said. “Rourk and I hoped the cave led there, but to explore it further we needed light."

  "Do they have these globes where Margeaux lives?” Regan said.

  "Yes,” Kelsey answered.

  "How did she light them?"

  "She just touched them."

  Regan shrugged. “It's worth a try.” She rose in her stirrups and reached toward a globe.

  Peter grabbed her arm. “Wait. They could be bespelled."

  Regan hesitated. “I don't think so. Not against us. The cave did open to Kelsey's touch."

  Kelsey looked at Angus and Rourk. “What do you say?"

  "This cave is more than likely for elves fleeing Dirkk's pets,” Angus said.

  "Knowing Margeaux, it's only spelled to keep Ru'taha and Black Vipers out,” Rourk added.

  "Then we try the globes?” Kelsey said.

  "Yes, but I will do it,” Peter said. “I know more of elven magic than Regan does.” He reached up and touched a globe with the tip of his finger. The sphere remained dark.

  "Can I try?” Regan asked.

  Peter nodded, lowering his arm to his side.

  Regan reached up and touched the globe nearest to her. The sphere remained lightless beneath her hand.

  "Maybe if we try together,” Peter said.

  "No,” Angus growled. “It's obvious we need an elf."

  Rourk reined his horse closer to the wall and touched one of the globes. From deep inside a speck lit, then spread. Along the length of the cave's wall the globes blossomed into light. In unison the group turned and stared at Rourk, whose face colored until it was the same flaming shade as his hair.

  "There were rumors as I grew,” he said with a slight grin. “My grandfather was said to have been an elf.” He shrugged. “I guess it was true.

  "Lucky for us,” Angus said, then reached to clasp Rourk's upper arm. “And don't worry, my friend. I won't hold it against you."

  Regan started to laugh at Angus's joke, but then saw the dwarf was not smiling.

  "We're wasting time,” Kelsey said, and started her horse forward at a slow walk.

  * * * *

  The lit globes guided them as they wound their way upward in silence. It was almost a reverent quiet, reminding Regan of the time her Mom had taken her to her first Holy Communion. She remembered how she had stared awestruck at the multitude of flickering candles at the statue of the Virgin Mary's feet, and how her lips had trembled when she had opened her mouth for the white tasteless wafer to be placed on her tongue.

  Kelsey's whoop startled Regan out of her reverie.

  "We were right, but you'll have to leave the horses,” Kelsey yelled back to them.

  Regan dropped Gilda's reins and patted the mare's neck. “Will you be comfortable here?"

  "I will be fine."

  "I'll bring you an apple if I can scrounge a spare one.” Regan promised. Gilda snorted approval and then hurried her along with a head butt. “Greedy, aren't you?"

  * * * *

  Regan rounded a corner, and almost ran into Kelsey's mare. She patted the horse's rump as she passed.

  The cave narrowed as she climbed. By the time she saw Kelsey framed in a half circle of light, the ceiling almost grazed her head. Behind her she heard a dull thud, then a soft curse. She choked back a laugh.

  Kelsey held a finger to her lips as she saw Regan. Regan made her way to her sister with a question already forming. Kelsey pointed down. Thirty feet below, fifteen Ru'taha milled.

  They walked along the brush line, hunched over, their noses almost touching the green leaves. Three or four of them tilted their heads back, sniffed the air, and then began to run up and down along the mountain's base.

  "They've caught our scent,” Kelsey whispered.

  "But they can't figure out where we are,” Angus added.

  One of the Ru'taha stopped before the bush of red berries, sniffed, then grabbed a handful and thrust them into its mouth. In seconds it dropped to its knees and grabbed its stomach. One of the Ru'taha walked over to the kneeling one and poked its shoulder. The bent over Ru'taha looked up, pitched sideways and writhed on the ground. The standing Ru'taha brought his club up, then crashed it down on the stricken Ru'taha's head.

  Regan stared at the black pulpy mass that had been the Ru'taha's head, then stumbled back from the opening. Leaning both palms against the cave wall, she gagged. An arm circled her shoulders and she turned her head. Rourk stood beside her.

  "The first time's always the worst,” he said.

  Regan wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her shirt. “My God, how can they be so cruel?"

  Rourk shrugged. “They know no other way."

  Kelsey walked to where Regan leaned. Her sister's face was void of emotion. “Are you ready to try? They've been longer in one place than normal."

  Regan swallowed and ran her tongue around the inside of her mouth. “Do you suppose I could have a drink of water first?"

  "Here.” Angus thrust his silver canteen at her.

  Regan glanced at it skeptically.

  "It's just water,” the dwarf said.

  She took a mouthful of the water, swished it around, spit it out, then took several swallows. Handing the canteen back to Angus, she took a deep breath. “Okay, I'm ready."

  She walked to the ledge and stared down at the Ru'taha who circled aimlessly. How do I begin? she wondered. With Gilda, I just think at her, but there's so many of them. Regan shifted her eyes from the Ru'taha to Kelsey and Peter, but they weren't watching her; their gazes were pinned on the Ru'taha. One stood away from the others.

  Picking a spot just above its eyes, she concentrated. Something easy first, but what? I've got it. “Your nose itches.” The Ru'taha's hand remained resting on a rock. “Come on. Your nose itches,” she muttered. The Ru'taha's hand rose toward his nose.

  "Is it working?” Angus asked directly into her ear.

  Regan jumped, and the Ru'taha dropped his hand. “Damn, don't do that again,” she whispered harshly. “I think so."

  Angus smoothed his beard, then backed a few steps into the cave and settled down onto a rock. “Well, let me know when I am needed,” he said, then leaned his head back against the cave's wall and closed his eyes.

  "If I do it right, I won't have to tell you,” Regan said. She turned, looked downward once again, then took a deep breath and reached out and touched the lone Ru'taha's mind. She frowned and withdrew the probe.

  "What is wrong?” Peter asked.

  "Nothing. It just surprised me. Its mind is empty ... no hate, no fear, nothing."

  He nodded. “It awaits its orders."

  "Then I guess I'll give it one.” She concentrated her mind on the thought. “I want you to kill all the Ru'taha with you and then throw yourself in the river."

  The Ru'taha's black-helmeted head came up and it stared at the mountain's base. She saw it turn toward the rest of the Ru'taha, then back to the river. Its hand rose. Regan held her breath. Then its long thin fingers scratched the end of its nose. Regan released her held-in breath with a whoosh and fought an insane urge to laugh.

  "This is a waste of time,” she heard Angus mutter.

  Regan shot him a dirty look, then leaned over the ledge and commanded the Ru'taha again. The Ru'taha stood, stretched, then sauntered over to its closest companion. They stood eye to eye for a moment, then the Ru'taha she had commanded raised its battle club and split the other's head open like a melon.

  The savaged Ru'taha dropped to the ground, its l
egs kicking convulsively. The rest of the Ru'taha turned and looked at the jerking one. One sidled closer and he joined the first. Eleven more times, the commanded Ru'taha's club rose and fell.

  "God, why doesn't it run?” Regan said, watching the last Ru'taha stand and await its executioner.

  "Because no one told it to,” Kelsey said.

  The Ru'taha's arm rose and Regan turned away, but the cracking sound rose to her, and she shuddered.

  "You can look now,” Kelsey said. “It's wading into the river."

  Regan looked down in time to see the swift current grab the Ru'taha and sweep its body downstream. She saw it go under, then bob to the surface again. It bounced off a rock, then went under and stayed.

  She felt an arm around her shoulders, and looked up blankly into Peter's eyes.

  "It is over and we have our answer,” he said, guiding her from the ledge.

  Regan took three steps, then stumbled, and dropped to her knees. “I think I'm going to be sick,” she gasped, just before she bent over and gagged.

  Peter held her steady as she retched.

  At last she drew in a deep shuddering breath and leaned her hot forehead against the cool cave wall. “I'm sorry,” she murmured.

  He pulled her into his arms and smoothed damp tendrils of hair away from her cheeks. “No apology is necessary. Death is never easy to watch. Even a hated enemy's."

  She looked around. “Where is everyone?"

  "They thought you needed a little time. We have all been where you are now."

  She closed her eyes. “I would like to be alone for a moment. Do you mind?"

  He kissed her forehead. “We will wait for you where we first came in,” he said, then backed from the ledge.

  She watched until he was out of sight, then stood and walked further into the cave, away from the odorous contents of her stomach.

  She sat down, hugged her legs to her chest, and let the hot tears come. God, I don't know if I could ever go through that again, and I know they'll expect me to. What am I going to do? She rested her forehead against the top of her knees. Peter said they'd all been here before. They got beyond this. I guess I will too, but I need some time. Please, God, just a little time. She inhaled a deep shuddering breath, and pushed herself to her feet. Trailing a hand along the cave's wall, she started forward.

  She paused where she thought she had left Gilda, but the mare was gone. They must have taken her with them. A sudden breeze from the left lifted her hair and she turned. In the cave's wall was a dark oval. I don't remember that. She walked closer and peered into the blackness. It looks like another smaller cave. She felt warm breath on the back of her neck and smiled. “Gilda, how did you get...” Then a hand clamped across her mouth, and she was shoved forward into the black opening.

  Chapter 20

  IN THE DARKNESS, Regan came up hard against a firm body. Sharp fingernails dug into the skin of her upper arm. “Close it,” a husky feminine voice commanded. Regan heard the grind of rock against rock, and with panicked strength twisted out of her assailant's grip. She lunged toward the opening. Behind her she heard a soft curse just before her legs were swept from beneath her. She went down hard, landed flat on her back, the air whooshing from her lungs.

  "Don't try that again,” the voice snapped. Hands fastened like vises around Regan's arms and jerked her to her feet. She gulped in air and then opened her mouth to scream.

  "Now you will scream. It's what you human females do best. Go ahead. No one will hear,” the voice mocked.

  Regan reached deep inside for the Power. Fear iced her spine at the cold emptiness she found. It was there, but a wall separated her from it. What was wrong? Her right hand convulsed into a fist. She swung out and connected with nothing but air. Soft laughter sounded directly in her ear and she whirled to face it.

  "How pathetic. This cave is of Vilsathor. Your pitiful magic will not work here. What does he see in you?"

  "Who are you?” Regan asked, her voice tight with anger. From the darkness in front of her, more footsteps approached.

  "You have her?” another voice asked.

  "As I was commanded.” Regan heard bitterness in the reply.

  "Then bring her."

  Hands jerked her forward, deeper into the dark. Her journey was short. In only minutes Regan saw an oval of light ahead. A sudden breeze blew into her face, lifting a stray wisp of hair from her cheek and bringing the stale scent of newly opened space.

  Behind Regan, her captor shoved her roughly between the shoulder blades and she stumbled, wind-milling her arms. She heard a soft, spiteful laugh and the hand shoved again.

  With a small cry, Regan pitched forward into the pool of light and landed hard on her hands and knees.

  "What are you doing, fools?” she heard a voice snap above her head. “I said she wasn't to be harmed."

  "It was an accident.” Regan heard the voice return a sullen reply. “She tripped. The clumsy human."

  "Away. Retrieve her mount."

  "Yes, my prince."

  Prince? Regan lifted her head and looked up past green trousers and shirt, dark blue eyes and lingered upon a platinum-haired head. “Darrian?” she whispered.

  "I tired of waiting for your promised return,” the elven princeling said.

  "It's only been two days."

  "An eternity. Here, let me help you to your feet.” He placed his hands beneath her armpits and heaved her to her feet. “Whew. You reek."

  Regan's face grew hot. “I got sick."

  "The first thing you must do is bathe.” He whistled a whippoorwill call and elves appeared with Gilda.

  Regan rubbed her scraped palms on her trousers and shook her head. “I can't go with you. Kelsey is waiting."

  Darrian scowled. “Of course you will come with me. I wish it."

  Regan took two steps back from him, wincing at the pain in her left knee. “No, I won't."

  In the dim light, she saw the elven prince flush. “Then I will leave your friends to die."

  "You can't do that!"

  "Yes, I can,” he said smiling.

  "But how?"

  He shrugged. “I'll just make sure the cave exit remains solid rock."

  "You would leave them to die?"

  "No, you will be leaving them to die."

  Regan's fingernails dug into the palms of her hands. “Five people will die because you want a romp in the hay with me?"

  Darrian's eyebrow rose. “If you mean what I think you do, then yes, but we will roll in something less scratchy. Unless you find hay more compelling?"

  Regan fought to keep her voice steady. “You're going to have to rape me. I guarantee you won't like it."

  The elven prince grinned. “Force will not be necessary, only a glass or two of a very special wine.” He reached out and caressed her cheek. “Don't fight it so. In a couple of weeks I'll no doubt tire of you and then you can go back to Peter. Although I doubt you will still wish to do so."

  Regan's knees started to tremble and she reached out toward him. “Two weeks—no, I have to go through the rift in two days."

  "Two days? I don't think so. My blood heats just standing this close to you. Two days will never be enough time."

  Think, Regan. If you can't get away from him, you and Kelsey will be trapped here for another seven years. But her mind refused to cooperate, her thoughts fluttering like moths around a glowing bulb. She swallowed. “Darrian, listen. Dirkk is planning an attack on Raya and the castle. Queen Tessa needs me. You let me go and I'll come to you afterwards. We can have one night together before I leave for home.” She reached up and traced his cheek with her fingertip.

  He pulled her close and flattened her curves against the length of his body, then lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers. A questing tongue pried her lips apart and swept around the contours of her mouth. She forced her body to remain pliant, swallowing the bile that rose in her throat. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. She curved her lips into what she hope
d was a promising smile, and felt his response swell against her stomach.

  He nipped the lobe of her ear. “I will have you, Regan. Just be glad you smell the way you do, or I would take you right now,” he whispered, his breath hot against her ear.

  She twisted her shoulders free and stepped back. “No.” She spat the word at him. “You will not have me. Some way I will stop you."

  He laughed, then reached out a hand and placed it between her breasts. “I feel how your heart races. You want me. All females want me. Some just have to be shown."

  The prince turned and snapped his fingers at the elves behind him. “We ride.” He turned back to Regan. “Unless you want your friends to die?"

  She pushed by him, strode to Gilda's head and swung up onto her back. “I'll go with you, but I'll escape the first chance I get."

  "Fair enough. Where I'm taking you there is no escape. But if you can, I will let you go."

  She glared at him in frigid silence. He chuckled as he mounted his horse, then reached to grab Gilda's reins. Regan frowned. “I can ride. I don't need to be led."

  "And have you bolt as soon as you're free of the cave? I think not."

  She gritted her teeth. “How do I know Kelsey and everyone will be able to leave the cave?"

  "You may watch from the other side of the river as I release them.” He reached over and lifted the braid from across her breast. “Does that please you?"

  She slapped his hand away.

  He laughed wickedly and kicked his horse in the ribs.

  * * * *

  Regan felt an itching in the middle of her back and turned in the saddle. A young female elf met her look. Tight hate stretched every line of her angular face. She's the one who pushed me.

  "Darrian, who's the woman who rides three horses behind?"

  He glanced over his shoulder. “Lara. She wishes to be the only one in my bed."

  "Sounds good to me,” Regan said.

  Darrian smiled. “Before I saw Kelsey, and then you, she might have been, but now...” he shrugged and his voice trailed off.

  "She's very beautiful."

  "And very talented in the art of love."

  "I'm not."