‘Are you determined to travel through Wyndfyre?’ Melia asked after they settled in for the night.
Outside the snow had abated and although there was still a frosty bite in the air, it was nowhere as tumultuous as it had been the previous evening. Keira had taken charge of the cooking duties once again and the small station was soon warmed by the heat of the fire that Celene had started and the aroma of hot food from the stores not plundered when the horses were taken by the Berserkers. Celene and Melia had agree to take watch through the night so that they were not caught unawares by anything else that might stumble upon them.
‘I had hoped to see my home,’ Celene answered honestly. ‘My family were unable to journey to Sandrine for the king’s announcement and I did wish to see how they are.’
Of course, being practically minded, Celene had no difficulty sacrificing the visit if necessary. Still it would be disappointing.
‘I can appreciate that,’ Melia said sympathetically.. ‘But if you wish to reach your destination within the time allotted to you, it would save a number of days if we travelled straight across Angarad and avoid Wyndfyre. There are many villages that would be able to provide us with supplies on the way across.’
Celene knew this herself after all, Angarad was her home. She was fairly certain she knew a few places that Melia wasn’t familiar with herself. Still, it was disappointing not to be able to go home even for a brief visit.
‘We can see them on the way back,’ Keira suggested, aware that despite Celene’s tough exterior, sometimes put on for the benefit of those who might think her less of a warrior because she was a woman, she felt things deeply. ‘I’ve always wanted to go to Wyndfyre.’
‘Yes that’s true,’ Celene replied with a forlorn sigh. She agreed without question that Melia’s suggestion was expedient and also finding it very much in keeping with Keira’s nature that she looked at their quest with such optimism, convinced they would all come home unscathed. ‘You are right, we need to shave some time off the trip. We should abandon the stop at Wyndfyre.’
Arianne’s heart sank a little for Celene because she knew that the Angarad had wanted very much to see her family again. If she missed the opportunity to see them during the quest, Arianne did not think an opportunity would present itself again so soon. Unfortunately the need to make haste to the Frozen Mountains meant the sacrifice was necessary and Arianne felt guilty that Celene had to miss the chance to see her family for the demands of the quest.
‘Thank you Celene,’ Arianne said to her friend. ‘We will see Angarad when we return. I promise.’
‘I will survive not seeing them for a little longer.’ Celene assured the queen there was no hard feelings on her part. ‘We have more important things on our minds right now.’
‘I will take first watch,’ Melia offered as Keira spooned hot stew onto her plate.
‘Wake me when you’re ready for some rest,’ Celene answered as they sat down eat.
‘Tell me,’ Melia looked up at Arianne after a few minutes of silent dining, ‘what brings the Queen of Carleon to the edge of Avalyne?’
The women exchanged glances with each other, wondering whether or not the queen ought to answer Melia’s question. Although they trusted Melia to a point, Arianne was uncertain whether or not the Guard should be told the purpose of their quest. She knew that Keira considered Melia no danger however Celene was a little more wary and still doubted to some degree the accuracy of elvish senses. Melia had been reticent about her reasons for being on this side of the Baffin instead when she should have been patrolling the terrain near the Green.
‘Why were you on this side of the mountain?’ Arianne asked deciding that if Melia wanted their trust, she had to afford them the same courtesy.
Conscious that the question was being made by the Queen of Carleon and that made Melia duty bound to answer, she hesitated a moment as she decided how to respond.
Finally, she spoke after a long pause, ‘I was searching for my mother.’
Judging by the reluctance in which she volunteered the information, Arianne guessed that the matter was intensely difficult for her to confide in others and she waited for Melia to continue at her own pace which she did a few seconds later.
‘My father visited these lands in his youth where he met my mother who apparently lived along the banks of the Yantra River. They were together for a time but after I was born, my mother grew weary of being wife to a husband and a mother to a child so she left us. Eventually, he returned to his people and I was raised in Nadira with my father's family. He told me little about her and when he passed on I felt that I had to find her. I travel between the Baffin and the Yantra every few months, hoping to find her while serving as watch guard.’
‘Would it be simpler to continue the search instead of moving back and forth from the Baffin?’ Keira asked unable to imagine such a commute to be an efficient way to search.
‘I was a stranger when I arrived in these lands. The Captain of the watch guard was a soldier of Cereine. He recognised my skill and accepted me as one of his own during the defence of that city during the war. I owe him my loyalty and when he asked me to serve as one of the King's watch guard after the war, I could not refuse. Besides it serves my purpose, I often meet travellers who can give me valuable intelligence for my search.’
‘Such men are rare,’ Celene agreed readily, understanding all too well how men who could see past their gender were few and she herself had sworn her allegiance to Dare for that very reason,’ But they do exist.’
‘The Yantra is a great river,’ Arianne pointed out. ‘Your search may take years.’
‘I know,’ Melia answered not blinded to that reality for one instant. ‘That is where being apart of the watch guard is useful for my search. They are the eyes and ears of Avalyne. They can help me in my search.’
‘And your mother?’ Keira asked, ‘what do you know about her?’
‘Very little,’ Melia confessed with frown.
Arianne wondered if that was the truth or had Melia reached the limits of what she was willing to impart to them about her purpose. Arianne could understand her reluctance. It was a deeply personal issue for her and Melia appeared to have spent many years searching for her mother, a quest that was no doubt fraught with disappointment and frustration. Such emotional turmoil must have made it difficult for her to make friendships or confide in others.
‘I know that she is of a people who used to dwell along the river and that there were not many of them,’ Melia continued to speak. ‘Her name was Ninuie.’
‘I do believe that is an elvish name,’ Arianne revealed. ‘The River Elves to be certain. Have you sought her among the elves that dwell along the Yantra? They may know of her or her people in Eden Halas.’ Arianne made a note to make inquiries on Melia’s behalf when this was all over. Queen Syanne took an interest in the human folk that lived in the area surrounding Halas even if her husband disliked the idea of becoming friendly with their neighbours.
‘I will be certain to do so now,’ Melia replied, taking in her suggestion. ‘For now however, I would like to know why it is you are journeying so far north.’
Now that Melia had told them the truth about her origins and Arianne could sense the sincerity of her words, she could not deny the watch guard the same courtesy. It seemed only fair since now that Melia had become their guide in the northlands, she would share the same risk if the Enemy chose to hunt them down.
‘I am on a quest,’ Arianne said finally and saw the surprise in the woman’s eyes at the statement.
‘A quest?’ Melia remarked with some astonishment. ‘Since when is it the duty of the queen to embark upon quests? Is that not the duty of the king or some other warrior in his service?’
‘This is a quest that I alone can fulfil,’ Arianne explained sombrely. ‘Celene and Keira have chosen to accompany for they are too thick headed to let me do this thing on my own,’ she threw them a smile.
‘And even though one is an elf queen and the o
ther warrior princess, neither can cook so I thought I'd better come along to make sure they don't starve,’ Keira grinned at Arianne and Celene.
‘You are funny,’ Celene made a face at Keira who laughed at the tongue pointed in her direction before she addressed Melia. ‘My queen requires my sword and she is my friend, how could I do any less?’
Overcome with a wave of emotion at the warrior of Angarad, Arianne extended her hand and was met by Celene's in quick, affectionate squeeze.
‘Besides,’ Celene faced front again, ‘how do I explain to her husband that I let her ride off on her own?’
‘Well, I am a watch guard in the service of the King, your husband,’ Melia said turning her attention to Arianne as her own mind was made up about this quest that the Queen was embarking upon. It could be no small thing if she was willing to ride beyond the safe borders of the kingdom into the peril of the Frozen Mountains, Melia thought silently. ‘You have my solemn oath that I will not reveal a word of what you tell me unless you first permit it.’
‘Thank you,’ Arianne said appreciatively, believing the sincerity of her words before explaining the situation. ‘I am with child. The announcement was made but a few days ago so the rest of the kingdom may not be aware of it. My mother revealed to me that an evil presence seeks to harm my child. The Enemy desires to infuse my unborn babe with the spirit of Mael.’
‘Mael?’ Melia’s exclamation of shock was equal to almost everyone else who had been told this news.
‘You now of Mael?’ Celene stared at her.
‘My people know the legends of the Celestial Gods and their battles with the dark lord Mael who was also called Mael, the Crucifier of the Elves. We know that Balfure was once his disciple and that the Gods vanquished him to the Aether. This is indeed foul work.’
‘We have until the next full moon by which to reach the Enemy or else Arianne’s babe will suffer the consequences,’ Celene explained now that Arianne had fallen into silence.
‘I see the reason for your haste,’ Melia replied. Thoughts of her own quest could wait for now because if it were true, if Mael’s evil was attempting a return to the world of Avalyne then they would all suffer. ‘The Enemy is at the Frozen Mountains?’
‘We believe so,’ Keira answered. ‘I've heard terrible stories about the place. Are they all true?’
Melia shrugged. ‘I have encountered some who had travelled that far north and the reports vary.’ She answered honestly. ‘However, the mountains are perhaps the oldest in Avalyne. I am told at one time they were the border of Mael's lands.’
‘I know of that tale,’ Arianne looked up and rejoined the conversation. ‘We believe that Sanhael wasn't completely destroyed that it lies beneath Mael's Pit, intact. The enemy has been drawing the remnants of Balfure's army to him. Taking Balfure's place as their master.’
‘That might explain some of the activity that the watch guard has witnessed of late. The Berserkers are travelling north for certain. Not just Berserkers, there is rumour of shifters on the move too though these cannot be confirmed.’
‘Shifters?’ Keira turned to Celene and Arianne in question. ‘Like the Disciples?’
‘No, not like the Disciples,’ Celene answered. ‘These are true shifters. They can assume the shape of any person or creature for as long as possible. Even years.’
The thought that a being could maintain the charade of becoming someone you knew for years chilled Arianne to the bone.
‘The Enemy is giving Mael an army worthy of him,’ Arianne replied, glancing at her belly and shuddering at the fate that might await her baby.
No, she told herself resolutely, I will save you little one. No matter what I am forced to do, I will not allow you to be taken.
‘Then it was fortunate, I happened along,’ Melia answered, noticing the subtle shift of Arianne's hand against her belly and felt for the queen facing such a terrible threat to her child. ‘Though how fortunate, I did not know until this moment.’
‘It will get worse the closer to the mountains we get,’ Celene met Arianne’s gaze. ‘You know that.’
‘I do,’ Arianne whispered softly. ‘But our hope lies in secret. He does not know I am coming. He may still think that I am in Sandrine and it is Dare who is riding out to face him.’
‘The less he knows, the better,’ Celene added.
‘In that case, we should not remain in one place long.’ Melia added. ‘We should make for Angarad at first light. The journey is four days away on horseback but if we stay off the roads and travel by night, we may maintain our anonymity.’
‘And we need fresh supplies,’ Keira reminded. ‘We lost a bit thanks to those Berserkers and we're going to need winter gear if we're going into the Frozen Mountains.’
‘That is as good a plan as any,’ Celene nodded her approval. ‘What say you Arianne?’
‘I am disposed towards it,’ she smiled at Melia. ‘And I thank you for joining us in this quest. It cannot have been an easy choice for you to aid us. The risks are great.’
‘The risks are even greater if your Enemy is allowed to do what he desires,’ Melia returned Arianne’s smile with one of similar warmth. ‘It was difficult enough vanquishing Balfure from Avalyne. I think preventing a similar darkness from falling across the world is the shared responsibility of all who live in it.’
Arianne had not thought of it quite that way but she was glad to hear Melia’s words nonetheless and felt herself considerably fortunate to have the companionship of such brave women. It gave her hope enough that there would be an end to this nightmare that would see her back with her beloved Dare.
PART ELEVEN
THE SPLINTER
The Circle arrived at the foot of the Baffin Range four days after leaving Eden Halas.
Dare’s mood was dark after learning from his mother that Arianne, Keira and Celene had barely escaped with their lives from Caras Anara. Ronen had even more reason for worry when told his wife was injured by the sting of one of the spiders infesting the small seaside village. Fortunately, the Lord of Gislaine was able to take comfort in knowing that like always, she was more than capable of extricating herself from such situations and anyone else who happened to be with her at the time.
Of course their stay did not pass without Hadros worsening Dare’s mood by rebuking him about keeping a better eye on his wife instead of letting her roam the countryside with an inadequate escort. It had taken Aeron to keep the King from physically expressing his displeasure upon Hadros’s face. Ronen was none too happy either about hearing Celene described as ‘inadequate’ and told Hadros that he was exceedingly lucky that Celene was minding her manners in Halion’s court or else he would have learned what she thought of his prejudice.
In an effort to limit further quarrels between the King of Carleon and his oldest son, Halion saw them supplied and sent on their way as quickly as possible. Provided with useful intelligence as to which route Arianne was taking to cross the Baffin from the Forest Guard, Dare realised they were approaching Angarad through the Splinter pass. Angarad was familiar territory for Celene and despite Syanne’s warning of the danger to travellers who crossing the pass, it was still the fastest way to reach Celene's homeland.
‘This is intolerable,’ Aeron complained as they rode along the foothills of the mountain, towards the Splinter. ‘We were certain all of the great spiders had been driven out of Highland Woods when Balfure was destroyed.
The battle with the spiders had been an ongoing concern since Balfure had first attacked Eden Halas and failed to breach the Veil and assail the city. In an effort to keep for the next three decades, the elves were in constant battle with the creatures who had laid waste to almost all the wildlife in the forest, to say nothing about the human inhabitants in the area.
After the destruction of Balfure, Aeron had led him father’s men in a sustained effort to drive the foul creatures from of Eden Halas and believed he had been successful to that end. However, learning of Caras Anara’s fate meant that
he was not as thorough as he thought and now an entire village was destroyed. He felt responsible for those deaths even though he knew that he had done all he could to eradicate them forever.
‘It’s not your fault you know,’ Kyou remarked as he sat upon the pony that he had acquired from the Halas. Aeron’s silence for most of their journey told the dwarf that he was most likely still troubled by had transpired. Unlike his father, Kyou knew that Aeron had great affection for the race of men and thinking he might have been responsible for the deaths so many of them would weight heavily on him.
‘You know me too well,’ Aeron returned quietly and yet Kyou’s words did nothing to assuage his guilt.
‘I do,’ he nodded, ‘and I know that for an elf, you have a tendency towards self recrimination even when you are not at fault.’
‘I was in charge of the party to drive the wretched beasts from Halas,’ he declared hotly. ‘I should have known that they were too easy to kill. Such creatures make it a habit of learning to finding new breeding grounds. I should have anticipated that they had merely found a new home, not that they were vanquished for good.’
‘It is always easy to make such claims in hindsight however you had no reason to believe they weren't destroyed,’ Kyou countered. ‘I have fought with you in battle my friend and you seldom leave things to chance. You did all that could have been done to destroy the things. Now you should focus your attention on ridding Avalyne of them for good instead of moaning about how it could have been stopped.’
‘As usual, you are too blunt for your own good,’ Aeron frowned but he could not find fault in Kyou's words. There was too much truth to it for that. He knew he would not shed his culpability at their deaths even if Kyou was right. He would avenge Caras Anara. Once this quest to save Arianne was done, he would return home to Halas and assemble a group of his father’s finest men. They would go to Caras Anara and end the threat of the syphi once and for all.
‘But I am right,’ Kyou pointed out.
‘You are,’ Aeron grumbled. ‘How is that possible? You dwarves aren’t known for your subtlety.’
Avalyne Series 01: The Queen of Carleon Page 16