by C S Marks
She shuddered and mastered herself, caressing the face of the man with bloodied hands. “I’m sorry, my friend...alas that you have found us again, even as you said you would. This is a grim reunion. Please forgive me. I would do anything to restore you.”
She gave herself completely over to hatred and thoughts of vengeance, backing away from the corpse, preparing herself for the only course of action open to her uncomplicated nature. She would not stop to explain to Rogond or anyone else, for there was a task before her, and she would see it done.
Rogond approached the terrible display before him, and picked up the bundle where Gaelen had dropped it. He knew the object inside at once—a carved wooden pipe, lovingly oiled and tended, that had belonged to one very well known to him. “Thorndil… however did you have the bad luck to be here?”
The Company had been reunited at last.
“What does the parchment say?” asked Galador. Rogond could not reply, for he was stunned by what he had seen, and was trying to make sense of it where there was little sense to be made. Fima read the words aloud, taking the note gently from Rogond’s nerveless left hand.
“My name is Gorgon Elfhunter. I have returned. I call upon the Company to face me, or I shall eliminate you one by one. You must send Gaelen Taldin forth, or I shall prey upon your citizens until you do so. You are warned.”
Fima shook his head. There would be no celebration of joy tomorrow. The Company now faced a conflict of a different kind, and either Gaelen or Gorgon would lie dead at the end of it, as might they all. They had underestimated the Elfhunter, and let down their defenses. Thorndil had struggled across unspeakable hardship to find them and reunite with them, only to meet with the most horrific ending imaginable. Fima closed his eyes.
“How could such a terrible misfortune have come to pass?”
After the battle, Gorgon had remained concealed in his cool sanctuary, emerging only by night. He had witnessed from afar the burning of the bodies of the dead, and he wondered why the Citadel’s forces had not pursued the remnants of the enemy army, but he was glad of it. The rabble had potential; one day Gorgon might turn them to his purposes, but for now it was clear that they would pose no threat until they could find another fearsome power under which to unite.
In the meantime, he made plans of his own, smiling as he did so. Gaelen Taldin, his mortal enemy, was living her last days within those walls. He had sensed no distress in her for a while now; she was relaxing and lowering her guard. He had been very careful to keep his thoughts hidden from her. This had been a relatively easy task, since her attention was divided along many paths. She must not sense his presence until he was ready.
Thorndil, a guide, and another companion had finally approached the City not long after the battle ended, drawn to the smoke rising from the burning pyres of the dead. Gorgon had attacked and killed the guide and the companion, but had spared Thorndil, for even though he had been worn down by the hardship of the journey, Gorgon still knew him. It was nothing short of miraculous that Thorndil had found his friends as he had sworn to do, and it was a wonderful stroke of luck for Gorgon. Now he would arrange a display that would almost certainly bring the Company forth to face him.
He crippled and bound Thorndil, holding him captive for several days, sharing food and water with him, although Thorndil would touch none of Gorgon’s food at first.
“Please, Aridan, eat and drink and save your strength, for you will have need of it,” said Gorgon in a tone that was almost hospitable. “I know you will not eat the meat, but the bread will surely sustain you, will it not?”
Thorndil saw the sense at last, for starvation is an unpleasant form of death. If he kept his strength, perhaps he could lull Gorgon and strike him unaware.
Alas, he was never given the chance. On the afternoon of the day before the ceremony was to take place, Gorgon approached Thorndil and offered him a last meal. He had actually bothered to roast the meat this time, and Thorndil recognized it as bird-flesh, eating it thankfully along with the last of the bread. Perhaps he would strike the creature tonight, for his strength was returning. After Thorndil had eaten, Gorgon had turned to him, and had spoken to him in a deep, menacing voice.
“Now, Aridan, the time has come for us to dance. You must serve my purpose, and to do so I must cause you pain. You should know that I hold no grudge against you, and that I respect you as a worthy adversary, but you are a most unlucky old man. Please understand that I hold no ill will toward you, but I must now bring as much pain upon you as possible.”
Thorndil tried to hold on to his courage, for he knew enough to know that inflicting pain was something that Gorgon was very, very good at. But in the end, despite his valor, he was reduced to pleading with his tormentor.
Just like all the rest of them, thought Gorgon, as he worked his unspeakable atrocities. He repeated the same words, over and over, each time he set his blade to the flesh. “Thou hast called me to thee, and now I have come. I call thee out to face thy destiny.” He knew that when Gaelen looked into Thorndil’s dead eyes, she would hear these words as clearly as if Gorgon stood beside her, together with helpless wails of agony.
“What’s to be done now?” asked Galador, trying to bring Rogond back to the moment. “Should we go after the creature? He is not long gone.”
“Where is Gaelen?” asked Fima. She was no longer in the passage.
The three friends looked at one another, cursing their lack of awareness. They all knew of Gaelen’s tendency to recklessness, and it was quite possible that grief and guilt had now unbalanced her.
“I must find her at once,” said Rogond in a tone of barely concealed panic. “Galador, pursue Gorgon if you will, but take others with you. Many others!” He gripped his friend’s arm. “You know the difficulty in tracking him. Do what you can, but safeguard yourself. He is bent on taking all of us!”
“Just find Gaelen before she does something…something the Fire-heart would do,” said Galador, for once finding no humor in the comparison. “Gorgon is counting on her impulsiveness to drive her out to him. We must not let that happen!”
Rogond and Fima went looking for Gaelen, hoping to find her before Gorgon did.
Gaelen could afford no more grief for Thorndil; she gathered herself and made her way back through the city streets. She went directly to the wonderful quarters she and her friends had been given, not surprised to find Fima’s in disarray. She searched his belongings, and searched again, but did not find what she was looking for. She clenched her hands, suppressing the urge to cry out and strike the bed-post in frustration. Where else could it be?
She looked around, shaking her head, for the dwarf was given to untidiness, except, of course, when he was in the Library, where nothing would ever be misplaced. Of course! It had to be there.
Fima and Rogond searched the streets, calling Gaelen’s name, visiting all her usual haunts, having alerted the Minister of Lawful Affairs that she had gone missing. He set a watch on all the gates in case she tried to go out after Gorgon, and discovered the dead guards at the small north entry.
So, that was how he got into the City, thought Rogond, marveling at Gorgon’s dark talents. He invaded the Citadel in broad daylight, spirited a large body that was dripping blood everywhere deep within, and left undetected. At least, that’s what we’re all thinking…we’re all thinking he left his message and departed, but what if he has not left the City at all? What if he is lying in wait for Gaelen, stalking her?
Rogond could not banish the terrible thoughts of what Gorgon would do if he caught her; his horror was replaced by a fury that he could barely control. Broken shoulder or not, if his beloved died at the hands of this black monstrosity, Rogond would rip the creature apart no matter his size. He would say no word to anyone, keeping his wrath hidden behind stony silence as he ran.
Gaelen tried to appear unconcerned as she entered the dim, silent halls of the Library. The scholars had forgiven her earlier discourtesy, but they had not forgotten
it, and they still did not trust her. She made them uneasy, particularly when her blood was high as it was now; they could practically feel the heat of it as she passed. She approached a group of the senior scholars. She had often seen them engaged in debate with Fima, and inquired as casually as she could as to whether they knew the whereabouts of his leather jerkin.
“Why do you ask?” said one in a tone that indicated it was none of Gaelen’s affair where Fima left his things.
“Because he asked me to fetch it for him,” she replied, trying her best to deliver a smooth and convincing lie, a talent she had not developed to very great extent. “Please…I have little time. Fima wants his jerkin, and he will grow impatient if I do not bring it at once. He will chide me for days. Will you not aid me?”
The scholar hesitated, and then directed her to a small chamber behind him. There she found several of Fima’s things, including his jerkin. Apparently, this was his private reading-chamber, given to him in acknowledgment of his station as Lore-master to Lady Ordath. Gaelen suspected that he actually slept here on occasion. She lifted the jerkin and bowed, thanking the scholars for their aid before making her way out into the City.
She shrank back into the shadows, for she did not want to be found—not until she accomplished her purpose. She would face Gorgon, but not in the way he had intended.
She ducked into a deserted alcove where a small fountain was set, turning Fima’s jerkin wrong side out, exposing the hidden pocket. Fima had actually stitched it shut so that her blade was required to open it, but the object she needed was still safe inside. Once she touched it there could be no delay, for Gorgon would know, and she could not risk alerting him. She had no notion of what would happen as a result of her next action, and her heart filled with dread, yet she now called forth her hatred and grief to banish it.
“Prepare yourself,” she whispered, not knowing whether she addressed Gorgon or herself. “Dark Horror, the time has come for us to dance.”
She faced an unknown fate, hoping that all would not turn to ashes, as she reached into the pocket, gasping at the unpleasant surge of power emanating from Gorgon’s mirror…she had never touched it before. She drew it forth, flipped open the golden cover, and with neither a pause nor another word stared as hard as she could into the misty depths of the glass.
GLOSSARY OF NAMES
WITH AID TO PRONUNCIATION and MAPS:
Aincor (INE-cor): Elf of the Èolar, a great scholar and warrior, known as the Fire-heart. He was among the most skilled and passionate of his people, but he was prideful, and his reckless acts bore terrible consequences. It is unflattering to be compared with him in terms of willfulness. He produced two sons, Asgar and Dardis. Name means “fire-heart.” (ain-fire, cor-heart)
Ainrath (INE-rath): The Elves” name for Redruin, the Fire-drake. Name means “fury of fire.”
Airan (EYE-rahn): Lord Airan, Elf of the Eádram that founded the realm of Tal-sithian. From airith (noble).
Aiyah! (EYE-yah): Elvish expression, translated as “Attend me!” It is also an expression of alarm (Pay attention! Look to yourselves!).
Al-amand (AL-amand): Name taken by Hallagond for use in the southlands, it means “the forsaken one.”
Alduinar (AL-dwee-nar): Ruler of Tuathas at the time of the Third Uprising. He successfully repelled Kotos’ forces, and was a good friend and ally of the High King. His name means “worthy guide.”
Al-hamad (al-HAH-mahd): youngest brother of Sheikh Al-Muniqui.
Al-Muniqui (al-moo-NEE-kee): Sheikh and ruler of wealthy sutherling clan; his family was known for weaving beautiful brocaded fabrics. He is the eldest of four brothers.
Al-qamadan (al-KAH-mah-dahn): Eldest brother of Sheikh Al-Muniqui, Al-qamadan is the second-born.
Alterra (Al-TAIR-ra): The World That Is; the Realm in which these tales take place. From terra (earth) and alta (being).
Amandir (AH-mahn-deer): Elf of Tal-Sithian, spouse of Brinneal. His name means “artful one.” From aman (artful).
Ambros (AHM-bros): Great River of Western Alterra, it is formed by the Eros and the Brocca in the north. From ambra (great) and ros (river).
Anori-men (Ah-NORI-men): Men that dwell in the eastern regions of Alterra. They are fierce fighters, have golden skin and dark brown eyes, and are slight of build. From anoir (east). They are also known simply as “easterners.”
Aontar (Ay-ON-tar): The One Lord of All, the Creator.
Arialde (Ah-ree-AL-deh): Lady Arialde, the Asarla that founded the Tal-sithian with Lord Airan. She is the only known female Asarla, and is the keeper of the Stone of Léir. From arialdas (beautiful).
Aridani (Ah-ree-DAHN-ee), sing. Aridan (AH-ree-dahn): Men. Name means “Those that fade.” From “aridas” (fading).
Arrah! Elvish expression of disgust, as when encountering something foul or distasteful.
Aryiah (Ah-RYE-yah): Dark-skinned, blind Seer of Dûn Arian, Aryiah is possessed of strange and wondrous abilities. She is an unsettling character, for one never knows the nature of what she might reveal.
Asaad (AH-sahd): Evil, controlling religious leader of the Sandstone Oasis. An old man, Asaad controls his followers with fear and intimidation. He has many assassins at his command.
Asari sing. Asarla (Ah-sah-REE): Immortal beings endowed with great knowledge, sent to enlighten the Children of Aontar. They were generally of the Light, but could be turned. Name means “Teacher.”
Ashahi (Ah-SHA-hee): Eastern, or Anori, name for “beings of light.” It was believed that Elves were Ashahi, but that many were beings of darkness (Osha) that were only pretending.
Astor (AS-tor): Lore-master and chief of the Library of Dûn Bennas. His name means “of great worth.”
Avinashi (ah-vee-NAH-shee): Ravani name for Elves, it means “immortal ones.” (Sing. fem. avinasha, sing. masc. avinashan)
Awani (Ah-WAH-nee): Dwarf in Ravani-speech; it means “Stunted one.”
Azok (AH-zok): Second-in-command and brother of Azori, brother of Estle
Azori (ah-ZOR-ree): Leader of Hallagond’s band of thieves, brother of Estle.
Ballali (bah-lah-LEE): Repressive cult of the Sandstone oasis, led by Asaad. The Ballali are very dangerous to anyone that disagrees with their very restrictive set of beliefs.
Bezaltor (BEZ-al-tor): Settlement of the Ravani known for its slave-market.
Bint Raed (Bint Rah-YED): masterful weaver-woman held by Al-Muniqui, she was originally a citizen of Dûn Arian. Her name means “daughter of Raenien.”
Brinneal (BRIN-nee-al): Golden-haired Elf of the Èolar, she moved to Tal-sithian after the fall of Tal-elathas. She is the mother of Gorgon Elfhunter and the spouse of Amandir. Name means “beautiful young maid.”
Broca: worthy commander of Dûn Arian, killed in battle.
Brocca: The river in the north that, along with the Eros, gives rise to the Ambros. It is as wild and turbulent as the Eros is smooth and gentle. From broca (restive).
Brunor (BROO-nor): Name taken by Gaelen when she disguises herself as Hallagond’s apprentice. It means “golden-brown.” From bruna (brown) and or-(golden).
Capellion (Ka-PELL-lee-on): Master of Horse in the Greatwood realm. His name means “horse master.” From capella (horse).
Castalan (CAS-tah-LAHN): Coastal city near the mouth of the Ambros, it is known as a center of trade from the south. It is the home of Harsha, the wine-merchant.
Castor (CAS-tor): Wealthy slave-dealer of the Ravani. He often trades at Bezaltor.
Chupa-jul (CHOO-pa-JUL): Oasis settlement, home of Estle and the House of El-morah. The name means “hidden water.”
Cós-domhain (Coss-Dome-Ha-EEN): Great Dwarf-realm, known as the Realm of Caverns. Ruled by Lord Grundin. From cós (cavern) and domhain (domain).
Cuidag (KWEE-dahg): Name given Sajid by the Company, it means “Spider”.
Cúinar (COO-ee-nar): Sylvan Elves, Wood-elves. Considered to be of lesser stature than High-elves, they did not have the benefit of Asari influence. They
inhabit and defend the Forest Realm of Greatwood. Examples are Gaelen and Nelwyn. From cúin (silent).
Dardis (DAR-dees): The second son of Aincor, a highly talented and inventive artisan and lover of learning. Unlike his father, Dardis was of gentle temperament and was revered especially by the dwarves. He was apprenticed to an Asarla named Léiras (the far-sighted), who taught him of the making of things that could be endowed with magical properties. It was Dardis that made the mirror given to Gorgon Elfhunter; he also created the Stone of Léir. He was killed on the eve of the Second Uprising.
Darkmere: The name given to the Great Forest Realm (Greatwood) when Wrothgar’s power began to grow there. The Elves refer only to the southern part of the Forest as the Darkmere, but others make no such distinction. See also Dominglas Forest.
Dergin (DER-gin): Ranger, friend of Rogond and Thorndil. He is named for his red hair. From der- (red).
Derrin (DER-rin): Red horse purchased for Hallagond, Derrin has four white legs, which are a liability in the desert. His name means “The red.”
Dessa (DESS-sa): River that marks the southern boundary of King Hearndin’s influence. It means “southern.”
D’hanar (Dah-NAHR): The ruin of Tal-elathas. It is now an evil place inhabited only by dark beings. The name is dwarvish for “land of darkness.”
Diomar (DYOH-mar): Northman, sire of Rogond. His name means “The proud,” from diomas (proud).
Dominglas Forest (DOME-een-glas): The vast woodland occupying approximately one-third of the northern lands of Alterra. In the north dwell the Sylvan Elves, and in the south Wrothgar has made his new, Dark Tower. From domhain (domain) and glas (deep green). See also Greatwood, Darkmere, Aruinnas.
Dona (DOE-nah): Name given Elraen by Gaelen, it means “one who is miserable.” From donar (misery).