Portlo lowered his lance and heeled the flanks of his mount. The armored stallion battered through the young trees of the clearing, snapping low hanging branches and boughs. The other mounted knights rallied to their leader and plunged toward the advancing Memnod nightmare.
Lijon cried out in sorrow and dismay. The lance of his ally, his friend, neither bent nor broke on the surface of the black apparition. Instead, it passed through the beast as if made of air. Portlo carried forward into the creature and death.
“RETREAT! WOODSMEN! KNIGHTS OF ASTEL! RETREAT!”
CHAPTER 12: GHOSTS OF THE SWAMP
TEEG RACED ALONG the tight trail. The light faded as evening approached. His eyes darted over the trail below him in search of the signs. They lie everywhere. A large force moved through the swamp recently, perhaps the previous evening.
It must have been the Windriders. They heeded the Counselor’s advice and did not stray from the deer paths and boar trails. Sound advice, for these two animals thrived in the dangerous Toxkri for centuries. They possessed an innate knowledge of where the ground remained sturdy and where a false step led to suffocation within the sucking waters of a hidden bog.
Teeg did not find it difficult to track the Borz. At least a few hundred Windriders made their way through the swamp in single file. So many feet trekking the same path could not be hidden. It was a matter of time before he reached them, and then it would be up to his companion.
Viday found no difficulty keeping up with the Master of Spies. He was young and life in the Borz was a physical challenge he conquered. Besides, the heavy air within the swamp acted as a heady cocktail for a man raised in the dry and hostile environment of the desert. Viday felt alive with energy.
The old Elf continued the rapid pace. Time was his enemy. If he did not reach the Windriders in time, innocent lives might be taken. Teeg abruptly stopped and Viday nearly stumbled forward into him.
“What is it ...” began Viday.
Teeg held a hand up to silence the Windrider.
“Listen.”
Viday shot a puzzled look at the old Elf, but complied. At first he could hear nothing but the call of the multitude of birds living within the canopy of the Toxkri. However, after a moment the soft, sweet melody of a flute floated through the dense swamp. Viday’s brow furrowed, but before he could speak Teeg waved him forward. They traveled along the same path for a few hundred yards. With each step the music of the flute grew loader.
The path widened and the pair stepped into a small clearing within the swamp. In the middle of the clearing stood a massive willow. Its branches and leaves draped downward around its trunk like a huge green curtain. Through the net of swaying foliage the pair viewed a figure nestled against the gnarled trunk. The figure’s delicate hands danced upon a tiny flute. Teeg smiled and edged forward.
“Good evening to you, gentlemen,” sang a lilting voice. “Tis a beautiful night.”
Viday fought to see the creature in the shadows of the tree. It neither moved nor continued its address. The Windrider’s hands slid toward the folds of his silken garb. He glanced to Teeg for direction. The old Elf’s smile grew and he inched ever forward.
“Lady Jenpry, the night is indeed beautiful,” replied Teeg. “But the desires of men are not. Evil intentions are at work this evening and I fear you sit in this paradise vulnerable to foul deeds.”
Viday glanced back to the woman calmly sitting before him.
“As you well know, Lord Teeg,” returned the woman. “All you see in the Toxkri is not as it appears. A patch of solid ground is a fen that swallows the careless hiker. A green vine becomes a viper that takes the life of the foolish man. And a defenseless, old woman, the leader of an army defending its homeland with vigor.”
She laid her flute in her lap. The edge of the clearing burst with activity. A dozen figures, equipped with blade and bow, stepped from the surrounding greenery. Their cloaks shifted and changed hue with every movement. The effect left Viday slightly dizzy as he stared at the men.
“Although I think it impossible,” continued the woman. “I must ask the question. Are you here of your own free will Lord Teeg, or does this Windrider hold sway over you?”
“It is reassuring to own the confidences of a woman as beautiful as she is powerful,” replied Teeg. “I assure you, I am here as an ally of Viday Shan, new chieftain of the Shan Borz.”
The Master of Spies turned to Viday.
“Viday Shan, I am pleased to introduce you to the Lady Jenpry, daughter of Lord Sprite, the leader of the people of the Toxkri.”
The Windrider stood befuddled. A paradise? People living here? He could not hide the confusion in his eyes.
“There will be time enough for explanation,” continued Teeg. “But for now, rest assured that the people of Sprite are faithful to Avra and allies in the struggle against Amird. It is their lands that your people invade on their journey to intercept the Grey Elves. It is the Sprites who pose the most danger to you now.”
“Posed,” stated Lady Jenpry. “My people effectively removed the Borz threat.”
Teeg spun toward the woman, his typically calm exterior fraught with concern.
“The Borz suffer as equally at the hands of the Deceiver as any other, my lady. They lost their patriarch in the fight. Their thoughts remained with Avra even if Chaos controlled their actions. I pray you do not add to their woes.”
Jenpry rose and moved from beneath the willow. A quick motion with one hand ordered her guards to stand down. They lowered their weapons. She exited from behind the willow’s draping foliage and the woman’s beauty and bearing struck Viday dumb.
Her features were as delicate as her voice. Short-cropped hair of an ebony hue as flawless as a raven’s wing and high cheekbones accentuated angular blue eyes. Her flawless skin was ageless as well. If the Windrider had not heard Jenpry describe herself as an old woman, he would have been hard-pressed to determine her age. At first glance he thought her young, but her eyes betrayed the truth. The wisdom behind them communicated years of experience.
She dressed from head to toe in a gossamer gown made of the same material as her guard’s cloaks. The gown caught the light about her and reflected all within its sight. The long strands of willow branches remained within the reflection of the gown moments after Jenpry passed through them. Viday shook his head to clear the image as the ethereal beauty moved toward him.
“It is a great pleasure to meet you, Viday Shan,” smiled Jenpry with a bow. “It is one of my great regrets that we neglected to open relations with our neighbors to the south.”
The woman’s dazzling smile struck Viday speechless.
“However,” continued Jenpry with a laugh. “The people of Sprite gain safety through secrecy. Opening a dialogue with the Windriders would defeat that purpose, would it not?”
Viday nodded his assent. Jenpry turned to Teeg.
“Do not fret, my lord,” said the woman. “We harmed none of the Borz. Instead, they were ... incapacitated.”
Viday’s eyes narrowed and he glanced to Teeg. The old Elf shrugged his shoulders. Jenpry continued.
“Viday Shan, I ask a favor of you.”
“If it is in my power and causes no harm to my people, I will comply, my lady,” returned the Windrider.
“I require some time with Lord Teeg. We will walk for a moment and ... negotiate. After that time I will require you to perform a task. It will result in the freedom of your people. Do you agree?”
Viday’s eyes traveled between Teeg and Jenpry. Neither face could be read.
“I will do as you ask, my lady,” returned Viday. “I see no reason not to trust you.”
Jenpry once again bowed then moved in beside Teeg. She offered the Elf her arm.
“Walk with me, Lord Teeg.”
Teeg wrapped his arm within hers and the pair moved off through the swamp.
“The people of Sprite wish to be informed of the battles to come,” stated Jenpry. “We demand to fight in the n
ame of Avra.”
“I foresee a brutal exchange against a foe of unimaginable power,” said Teeg.
Jenpry broke from her escort and arched an eyebrow.
“And you think us incapable of standing toe to toe with such a foe?’
“No, my lady,” returned Teeg. “I am simply uncertain of the best way to utilize your talents.”
“You are unaware of the true abilities of the people of Sprite, my lord,” stated Jenpry. “You and I were young then, but those in power within the White Palace looked past our contribution once before. It caused my father to leave Luxlor.”
“Those of us in power regretted your departure ever since,” replied Teeg.
“You ....?”
“... had a voice within the council chambers even then,” finished Teeg. “I was quite young, but my thoughts were heard. I voted against the House of Sprite’s participation in the battle. I saw no reason to jeopardize such a valuable commodity as your father, and I see no reason to jeopardize his children now. There are none like you. What you deliver in intelligence and information far outweighs your contribution on the field of battle.”
“But that decision is not yours to make,” replied Jenpry, her face reddening. “We suffered just as deeply at the hands of Amird’s minions. We lost those whom we love. We will choose our own time and place to lay down our lives for Avra.”
“No, you will not,” replied Teeg his voice rising. “I grieve with you at the loss of Lilywynn, but your place is not on the battle lines. Just like your father, you understand duty and honor but ignore the difficult decisions of leadership. A true leader utilizes the strengths and weaknesses of all the parts he commands.”
“What if that leader does not fully understand or appreciate the strengths of one of those parts? It is up to those who are led to do their utmost regardless of their leaders blind spots,” she paused. “I will let you mull that over. I tell you now, Lord Teeg, we will not be held back from the fight!”
Teeg set his jaw, bowed and once more hooked his arm within Jenpry’s. They continued their stroll.
“Do you hold the entire Borz army captive, my lady?” asked Teeg as they moved through the swamp.
“My dear Lord Teeg, this is my interview not yours,” laughed Jenpry.
“I beg your forbearance, but as I said, the Borz suffered a great loss at the hands of Amird’s disciples. I am concerned. Their hearts lie open and might well be twisted if they are improperly handled.”
“We control nearly a third of the Borz Windriders,” replied Jenpry flatly.
Teeg paused and his eyes arched in surprise.
“How?” asked Teeg.
“You witnessed the deadly potency of the rare Reas flower, Lord Teeg. The darts tainted with their poison are the most dangerous weapon we possess. However, other plants produce similar yet less deadly results. The Reas is not the only flower of the Toxkri that uses beauty to lure prey and weapons to dispatch it.”
“Just as a beautiful songbird lured me into the willow’s clearing in order to face archers and swordsmen,” smiled Teeg.
Jenpry’s laugh tinkled like a bell. She grinned at the Master of Spies.
“You have not changed in all these years, Teeg Admir. In our youth the perfume of your words drifted across all the young ladies of the court. It was only I who refused to let my head be turned by your flattery.”
Teeg’s expression grew serious. He leaned in close to Jenpry’s ear as they strolled.
“It was not your head I wished to turn in my direction, Lady Jenpry, but your heart,” breathed the Elf. “It was and has always been so.”
Jenpry blinked and her eyes rose to those of the Elf lord. Questions filled their deep blue pools. Teeg stopped and turned to face her.
“You were young and not wise in the ways of the world. I was not much older but my reputation as a court dandy needed to be established. A reputation I cultivated in order to play the role given me.”
“I thought I was just another distraction for the notorious Lord Teeg.”
“You were, but the only true distraction,” said Teeg. “When you married and eventually left with your people, I broke. I threw myself even more vigorously into my duties.”
Jenpry withdrew her arm from Teeg’s, clasped her hands together and looked to the ground.
“I ... we received reports on activities within Luxlor,” said Jenpry. “I amazed upon hearing that you remained unwed.”
“My work became my bride,” replied Teeg.
A moment of silence hung over the pair as Teeg strained to search Jenpry’s downcast face.
“I could make the same observation of you,” continued the Master of Spies softly. “Your daughter reports how you remained alone after the death of your husband.”
Jenpry smiled and she looked back up into Teeg’s eyes.
“Sprite grew old by then and his people needed a leader. My husband would have fulfilled that role had he not died. I felt it my duty to carry on in his stead.”
“So we both became slaves to duty.”
“And remain so,” added Jenpry.
“Must we?” questioned Teeg.
Jenpry furrowed her brow and stared at the Elf lord. He continued.
“Chimbre stands at the ready to lead the people of Sprite and another has been found to stand in my place within the court of Luxlor. If the future unfolds and this world survives, then we must break the bonds holding us hostage to our duty. In a lifetime I have been unable to wash you from my dreams. Let me live my dreams and banish my lifetime to memory.”
The intensity of Jenpry’s eyes bore through Teeg. He did not flinch.
“I ... you said nothing. You let me marry. You remained silent.”
Teeg moved closer and his hands moved to Jenpry’s shoulders.
“I am not silent now,” he whispered. “And you are no longer married. Do not remain lost from me.”
Teeg’s arms slid to Jenpry’s back. He drew her closer and their lips met.
CHAPTER 13: FOREND
KAEL HELD THE scrap of parchment he retrieved from the gorse bush in the shadows of the towers of Astel. Its tattered edges fit perfectly beside the torn page of the volume on his lap. The boy read aloud.
“And in the towers the new and the old shall face the fallen one. Blood will be spilt. Fire will rage. The Voice will be silenced and the Sword will find its path. Rejoice those who wait for his return. Rejoice. The Silencing hastens His coming.”
Kael looked up at the symbol of the Voice of Avra.
“You knew,” whispered the boy as a tear rolled down his cheek. “You knew what would happen, yet you still came with me.”
His eyes drifted to the case where he discovered the book with the damaged page. Each volume shown with the same symbol embossed on its spine, a hand encircling an all seeing eye. Kael closed the book and wiped the tear from his face.
“Much to read in this little room. Much to absorb.”
Kael turned. In the doorway stood a woman dressed in a flowing blue gown. Her hair was as white as snow, cascading around a regal thin neck and across delicate shoulders. Her hands lay entwined before her and as she entered the room she bowed her head lightly. She glanced at the table set for tea and noted how it remained untouched.
“You did not eat,” she clucked. “Shame on you, Kael Brelgson. It is time to close the books and have a bite or two.”
The old woman slid into the chair opposite Kael and lifted the tea pot from the silver tray. She smiled at the boy as she leaned forward and poured tea into a small white cup set before him. Kael remained speechless, staring at the beautiful smile of the beguiling old woman.
“Come now, Kael,” she lifted the teacup toward him. “Have a bit to drink. It will restore your appetite.”
Kael accepted the cup and took a sip.
“Thank you,” he replied.
She turned and looked at the shelves within the library.
“You have been at it quite some time,” she smiled. “I
remained as patient as a woman can be, but it wore thin. So here I am. The books may wait. Some of them waited for centuries.”
Kael placed his cup back upon its saucer. He leaned over the table and studied the woman.
“You are Ilvir Admir,” stated Kael. “My grandmother.”
A broad smile crept across her lips and color flushed her porcelain skin.
“Yes,” she said beaming with pride. “I am.”
Alel stood and cleared his throat. Those arrayed around the long table quieted and showed their respect.
“Good evening to one and all,” said Alel. “I am sorry for calling you forth on such short notice, but events occurred and require immediate attention.”
The Elves remained silent, stoic.
“Amird continues his assault. His forces grow in power and even now move on the human races and your cousins the Grey Elves. Those who align themselves with our Lord Avra will be greatly outnumbered. Their future looks dire.”
Once again not an eye blinked nor a pair of lips parted. The Fair Elves of Forend were fixed upon Alel.
“Ader DeHartstron passed on to Avra,” stated the Seraph.
The room broke into a murmur. A stately Elf near the opposite end of the table rose.
“Lord Alel, the signs are nigh. All is as was foretold. Our journey must be near.”
Alel smiled.
“It is. The Army of Light waited millennia, Riel, and now is their time. The Final Battle is near and you are well prepared.”
“But my lord, one from among us has not been singled out. It was our understanding that one would be chosen. The prophecies are clear. The Sword of Avra must lead the Army of Light against the men of Darkness. Which of us has been chosen?” questioned the Elf swinging a hand in reference to those seated at the table.
Alel frowned.
“None of you,” he replied.
The Mirror And The Maelstrom (Book 4) Page 13