Archer of the Lake

by Kelly R. Michaels

  ***

  "How incredibly stupid," hissed a voice that sounded none too happy.

  It took a while for Caelfel to recognize the voice as Feraan's. ?She wondered where she was and how long she had been there. ?She thought it must have been nighttime but then realized that her eyes were closed. ?She didn't feel the need to open them just yet, content to listen to the conversation around her.

  "Markis left her very little choice in the matter. ?She was cornered." ?This was Sir Kennyratear, and Caelfel became aware of the greyling's fingers at her temples. ?They moved when he spoke. ?He must have been healing her or conducting some sort of energy transfer.

  But then Caelfel slowly remembered the red and green smoke. ?Sir Kennyratear was wrong. ?It was her choice to let Markis help her. ?She hadn't felt cornered at all. ?The foolish decision was entirely hers, but perhaps Sir Kennyratear was only trying to defend her. ?It only garnered a scoff from Feraan. ?There was a rhythmic fall of footsteps on stone, and Caelfel guessed that Feraan was pacing.

  "Sit down," Sir Kennyratear told him. ?"You're making me nervous."

  "I hate feeling so useless," Feraan hissed. ?"I should have done something."

  Sir Kennyratear's fingers moved, and Caelfel imagined him shrugging. ?"If you showed yourself to the Council, none of this would have happened," he noted mildly.

  "They are trying to draw me out, Markis and the Council," Feraan said. ?His pacing increased. ?"They think that I will come to them if they attack her."

  "Has it not worked? ?You did not take very long to get here after I sent my message." ?Caelfel was amused how Sir Kennyratear remained calm in complete contrast to Feraan's anxiety.

  Something metal clattered loudly to the stone floor, and Caelfel wondered what Feraan had knocked over. ?She twitched at the noise.

  "That's fine. ?Just alert everyone in the college that you are here," Sir Kennyratear said.

  "It's night. ?Everyone has already left."

  "I don't think Markis has. ?He's been circling the grounds all afternoon. ?How did you get here anyway?"

  "Don't worry about it," Feraan grumbled. ?The pacing ceased.

  "You act just like a mother. ?Worry makes you careless."

  "I'm not worried," Feraan snapped. ?"I'm only restless."

  "Then, here. ?You can take over this for me." ?Sir Kennyratear removed his fingertips, and the warmth suddenly vanished.

  There was a measurable space of silence. ?Then Feraan quietly said, "I'm not a healer."

  Sir Kennyratear laughed. ?"I know you are not as clueless as you make yourself out to be." ?A softer pair of footsteps left the room. ?Feraan's impatient sigh came next, and she heard his footsteps draw closer. ?A new set of fingertips pressed gently against her temples, and the warm energy returned, flowing from her head to the rest of her body.

  "You're awake," Feraan remarked.

  She opened her eyes to see his face hovering above hers. ?"How long have I been here?" she asked.

  "The entire day. ?I told you that exploding your aura wouldn't be worth it," he answered.

  "Exploding my aura?" she repeated.

  "That's what Markis did to you today. ?It's not very safe."

  "Where are my parents? ?Do they know what happened?"

  "They were here earlier. ?Then your mother decided to file a complaint with the Council. ?Your father went with her to make sure she didn't get into too much trouble."

  "You came," she noted.

  "Someone had to watch over you when Sir Kennyratear left."

  "You're very kind," she said. ?Caelfel lifted her hand and inspected the black smoke curling around her fingers. ?"Is your aura black?"

  He made a noise of derision. ?"It is."

  "Can I use my aura?" she asked.

  "Wasn't it the whole reason you did this?" he retorted. ?"Don't try to use it now."

  Caelfel lowered her hand. ?"Did you find a solution to our necromancy problem?"

  "I haven't, but Sir Kennyratear had an idea. ?He's leaving for Yamalvon now."

  "Why is he going to Yamalvon?"

  "He is looking for help. ?He believes he will find someone who can prove your innocence to the Council."

  "Who could do that?" she asked.

  "I suppose we will find out."

  Caelfel sighed and allowed herself to relax against the cot in the infirmary. ?She felt her eyelids grow heavy. ?"I want to go home."

  "That's not an option until your parents come back for you. ?You're still too weak to move on your own," Feraan said.

  She closed her eyes completely and realized how suddenly aware she was of her surroundings. ?She imagined the feeling as gaining an additional sense. ?She felt the fluctuations of energy within Feraan's aura. ?Then another presence moved into the field of her perception. ?It felt distant but was swiftly approaching. ?Nervous tremors ran along her frame.

  Feraan noticed. ?"What's wrong?"

  Caelfel struggled to name the disturbance. ?"I can feel everything."

  "You'll eventually grow accustomed to the sensation. ?When the aura awakens, everything feels new and overwhelming."

  Caelfel frowned, thinking that was why Feraan noticed nothing. ?"Is anyone else here?"

  "No, we're the only ones."

  "Didn't Sir Kennyratear say Markis was outside the college?"

  "Yes."

  "Wouldn't Markis think it strange if Sir Kennyratear left me alone in here?"

  Feraan's aura immediately retracted from Caelfel, and he issued a low curse.

  "That's him coming, isn't it?" she guessed.

  "Don't panic," Feraan instructed as he resumed pacing.

  Caelfel tried sitting up.

  "Don't get up either!" he snapped.

  Caelfel slowly lay back down. ?"Lock the door," she suggested.

  Feraan gave her a sharp look. ?"A locked door would hardly stop a tracker who also happens to be the Chief Executor." ?But Feraan locked the door anyway.

  "Does he already know that you are here?" Caelfel asked.

  "No." ?Feraan thought a moment and then amended. ?"Yes, he more than likely does."

  Caelfel lifted her head to watch Feraan pace.

  "There's a window," Feraan observed, rushing to the far end of the infirmary. ?He tried opening it.

  Caelfel followed him with her eyes. ?"I don't see how a window is helpful."

  "With the Chief Executor banging on our door, I'm hardly going to use it to air out the room," he said with a ridiculously huge smile as he opened the window.

  Caelfel propped herself up on her elbows and when Feraan's back was turned, she went to stand on her own. ?She sensed Markis was only a corridor away from them. ?"He's coming."

  "I'm well aware of that." ?Feraan turned to look at her, and his brow furrowed. ?"You're not supposed to be standing," he said, snapping at her again.

  "To be fair, you're not supposed to be alive," said Markis's voice from the doorway. ?Caelfel tried to turn to face the tracker but the sudden movement made her dizzy. ?Her knees began to buckle.

  Feraan lifted his arm and black smoke billowed around his hand, instantly enveloping the room in complete darkness. ?The smoke wasn't thick like the type that came from a fire. ?It chilled her skin like a damp layer of cloth. ?It was a rain cloud that blotted out her newly gained and altogether overwhelming hyper-awareness. Then Feraan was beside her, securing an arm around her waist as they made their escape through the window. ?The infirmary was in a tower that overlooked the college gardens. ?Caelfel would have screamed but she had no sense of falling. ?Their feet touched the ground without a jolt. ?Were they not being pursued by Markis, Caelfel would have admitted how impressed she was. "You have got to show me how you did that," Caelfel said.

  "Perhaps now is not the best time," he grunted impatiently. ?Feraan reached down and, lifting Caelfel under her knees and around her waist, he began running with her in his arms. ?She squeezed her eyes shut, because the trees rushing past made her feel sick. ?With her eyes closed, she felt Feraan's aura
shrouding them like an invisible cloak. ?Beyond that, Markis's aura followed them.

  "He's running through the treetops," Caelfel informed Feraan. ?Normally, Caelfel was a fast runner and very adept in the sport of tree-running.

  "There's a problem" he muttered.

  Feraan turned and circled several times, and the maneuvers seemed successful in throwing Markis off their trail, if only slightly.

  "Where are we going?" Caelfel asked.

  "I can't lose him," said Feraan.

  Caelfel didn't find that reassuring.

  He squinted at her. ?"Your aura is too loud."

  "I haven't said anything."

  "No, your aura is newly activated so it shines like a pulsating beacon."

  "How do I stop it?"

  "You could try meditating."

  The faster Feraan ran, the more jostled and uninclined towards meditation Caelfel became. ?"I don't see that happening if you keep running."

  "I could always kill you," he suggested mildly.

  "I vote against that idea."

  Feraan struggled to keep his breathing steady. ?"It's a matter of concentration. ?You just need to focus your mind."

  But even with her eyes closed, Markis's aura consumed her attention. ?It pressed on her mind like a fiery torch. ?The more she shied away from it, the larger it became.

  "Stop it!" Feraan yelled. ?"You're getting louder."

  "I'm sorry," she cried helplessly. ?"I can't help it."

  Feraan turned sharply and suddenly dropped her to the ground. Caelfel opened her eyes and blinked furiously in the dark. Feraan crouched in front of her and without warning or explanation, he kissed her.

  Her eyes went wide, and her mind went blank. ?They were frozen for several minutes as Feraan crushed her body to his. ?A new warmth rose to Caelfel's cheeks.

  At last, Feraan pulled away and he didn't hide the devious smirk from his features. ?"Now you're very quiet."

  Caelfel blinked again, just realizing that they were in the meadow. ?Everything else was still numb to her. ?"What?"

  "No, thinking will get us killed." ?And he kissed her again.

  When he broke away again, she released a slow breath, doing a poor job of focusing on nothing. ?Instead she silently watched Feraan hurry away and then return with a dark horse, the same horse she had first seen him with.

  "This is Firnis," he said by way of introductions. ?Firnis was already saddled and Feraan set about tightening the cinch.

  "What's going on?" Caelfel asked, sitting herself up.

  Feraan sounded reluctant to answer. ?"Remember how I told you I would protect you, even if it meant leaving?"

  Caelfel blinked. ?"We're leaving Sal'Sumarathar?" she asked. ?Her voice was strained, and she tried in vain to keep the panic from bubbling up within her.

  Feraan stared at her forcefully. ?"More than that, we're leaving the Fey Forest and the rest of Honey Water with it."

  "Leaving?" Caelfel repeated, though Feraan continued as if he hadn't heard her. ?She went to stand on her own, ignoring how lightheaded she felt. ?"Where would we go?"

  "Umfeld, Umfang. ?The choice is yours once we leave the forest," Feraan said, holding out his hand for her.

  Caelfel had heard of the realms of Umfeld and Umfang. ?The former was a vast kingdom of humans while Umfang was home to a diversity of races. ?Elves typically thought the two realms inferior to Honey Water as they were almost always at war with each other. ?They did not have the longevity of the elves, so the humans, werefolk, and all manner of sorcerers were unable to maintain the patience necessary to avoid war. ?But the way Feraan suggested fleeing to one of them was odd. ?He did not speak of Umfeld or Umfang with scorn. ?"You've been there?"

  He nodded.

  "You've left the Fey Forest?" she asked again. ?She longed to question Feraan further, to discover what the outside world was like, to know why he had left the Fey Forest, but Feraan was impatient.

  "We must hurry."

  But this was a decision that could not be rushed, because Eviat and Sylaera flashed suddenly through her mind. ?Caelfel shook her head and stepped back. ?"I can't leave."

  It was evident that Feraan was not prepared for a refusal. "Why not?"

  "I have my parents-"

  "Caelfel, we do not have the luxury to worry about your parents. ?We must leave the Fey Forest. ?I told you it might come down to this."

  "It hasn't come down to anything yet," she protested.

  Feraan grew angry as his impatience increased. ?"Markis is looking for us. ?He will not stop looking for you, no matter what happens. ?He saw you with me, and that only puts you at risk. ?You're not safe here."

  "You mean you are not safe here?" Caelfel asked, glaring. ?"You said Sir Kennyratear has a plan."

  "Sir Kennyratear has an idea."

  "We should wait to see if it works. ?There is no point in leaving if Sir Kennyratear can prove my innocence tomorrow."

  Feraan stepped closer to her and began moving his hands around emphatically. ?"It doesn't matter what Sir Kennyratear proves tomorrow. ?You saved my life and for that, no matter the circumstances, you will always be guilty in the eyes of the Council." ?He scoffed scathingly. ?"That is the price for befriending the most hated elf of the empire."

  Caelfel crossed her arms and plopped herself on the ground again. ?"If it turns out that you are right, we can leave the Fey Forest then."

  Feraan sighed, exasperated. ?"We may not have another opportunity to leave."

  "We have to try something before leaving the Fey Forest," Caelfel insisted stubbornly. ?"Trying is better than not trying at all."

  So then it was decided that they would try, much to Feraan's reluctance. ?He must have sensed that there was little point in arguing with her further, because as he sullenly led her home, he didn't press the matter or speak much at all. ?They must have successfully evaded Markis too, because Feraan was no longer concerned with running away. ?Caelfel stayed closed to him and focused on keeping her aura contained. It prevented her from sensing where Markis was, but she hoped it would also hide their presence from the tracker. ?Feraan led her through her parents' garden, avoiding the front entrance altogether.

  "Is he gone, then?" Caelfel asked.

  "He's still searching but has probably figured we would be gone now." ?His eyes drifted down Caefel's body and to the door behind her. ?"Hopefully he does not think to look here."

  "Do you think he will?"

  "It's hard to be certain."

  Feraan turned to leave and Caelfel brought her fingers to her lips. ?Her mind drifted to before when he had kissed her. ?She called him back before he disappeared from the garden. ?"Why did you kiss me?"

  Feraan paused at the gate. ?She could tell by how his anxious fingers ran across the metal bars that he just wanted to leave without facing the question. ?His defeated sigh was acceptance that he had not escaped in time. ?"Isn't it obvious? ?It cleared your mind and helped us to hide from Markis. ?Outside of that, it meant nothing."

  "Oh," was all Caelfel could say. ?This did not come as a surprise, but nonetheless, as she watched him leave, she could not shake an overwhelming disappointment.

  Couriers arrived the next morning to inform all of Sir Kennyratear's students that he was presently occupied away from Sal'Sumarathar, so they would not be meeting for class. ?Caelfel saw the courier briefly, noting that because the elf was courier to the college and not the Council, he wore blue robes instead of green. ?She wondered when Sir Kennyratear would return but thought it better that class had been cancelled. ?Since she had awoken in the college infirmary, Caelfel had never fully recovered from her aura incident. ?Her head throbbed constantly, and she was unable to keep food in her stomach. ?Her parents didn't bother her much, saying she needed her rest, but the headache wouldn't allow her any. ?She began sweating and tossing around on her mattress.

  At some point, Eviat entered her room and all but forced her to drink some potion he had brewed. ?After she drank it, her head felt very heavy, and she
slipped into a sleep-deprived, comatose state that allowed minimal speech.

  "What is this?" she mumbled to Eviat before he disappeared.

  "It will help you feel normal again," he answered softly.

  "No, what's wrong with me?"

  "It's a sickness. ?You will feel better soon," her father assured her. Caelfel hoped he was right but didn't have the energy to say so.

  The following morning brought a new knock to the door. ?Behind the knock was another courier, clad in green and flanked by two soldiers who were also wearing green. ?Sylaera had answered the door, and Caelfel could hear her mother protesting loudly.

  "It has not been a week yet," she argued. ?"You cannot take her."

  "My lady, new evidence has been presented for your daughter's case. ?We must escort her to the Hall of Court immediately."

  "I'm afraid she is ill and unable to attend a trial," Sylaera said stubbornly. ?"You can thank your Chief Executor for that."

  Caelfel smiled to herself at her mother's cheek and pushed herself out of bed to meet the courier. ?"I am fine, Mother," Caelfel said, entering the room. ?She was well enough to walk and talk even though her head still felt weak.

  Sylaera frowned but there was no point in arguing. ?The courier held out his hand for her, and Caelfel stepped after him. ?Her parents followed behind, and Caelfel noticed how no one locked her wrists into iron cuffs like before. ?At the end of their street, she saw Thoroth being similarly led away from the holding cells with Garvanna trailing behind him. ?Caelfel thought he looked rather pale and then remembered he had been in custody since their trial. ?She went to walk beside him, and her guards moved with her.

  "Do you know what this is about? ?It hasn't been a week yet," Thoroth asked, his fear quite evident.

  Caelfel wanted to comfort him but decided mentioning Sir Kennyratear's efforts in front of the guards would be a bad idea. ?She winked at him instead, offering a half smile as she could easily imagine Garvanna putting up a similar fight on Thoroth's behalf as Sylaera had done for Caelfel.

  It eased his mind. ?"You don't look very well, Caelfel. ?Garvanna told me what Markis did."

  The smile Caelfel mustered for him faltered. ?She looked away and held his hand. ?His skin felt cool against hers, and Thoroth gave a gentle squeeze as they entered the Hall of Court.

  There was no audience to witness this new presentation of evidence, save for Caelfel's parents and Garvanna. ?All five Councilors were there as well as a new circle of soldiers before them. ?They wore purple livery, signifying soldiers from Yamalvon's imperial army. ?Caelfel did not feel as confident upon seeing them. ?As they approached the bench, Caelfel saw that the imperial soldiers made Uthruil nervous as well.

  "Here we have our convicted necromancers," said Uthruil, gesturing to Caelfel and Thoroth.

  Suddenly, the imperial soldiers parted, revealing the she-elf that they had surrounded. ?The she-elf turned to them slowly. ?Her wild, honey hair curled down the length of her back, and her bright green eyes added to the wild air about her. ?Caelfel found she was more afraid of the she-elf than the she-elf's soldiers. ?A pulsating energy crackled around her and it made Caelfel's head hurt even more. ?Thoroth recoiled beside her.

  "What are their names?" the she-elf asked.

  "Thoroth Orletylar and Caelfel Gyssedlues," Uthruil answered for them.

  The she-elf smiled brightly and held out her hands in a welcoming gesture. ?"Hello Thoroth and Caelfel. ?My name is Gwyndolyn. ?Don't be afraid. ?Come closer."

  Caelfel and Thoroth were ushered to enter the circle of soldiers with Gwyndolyn and they did so hesitantly. ?The soldiers closed ranks as soon as they were in the circle. ?One of the soldiers stepped closer to Gwyndolyn, and Caelfel suspected this soldier was the leader of the others.

  "What's going on?" Thoroth asked. ?Gwyndolyn started moving as she spoke, pacing in aimless circles. ?It made her look as though she was always fidgeting.

  "There are specific procedures we use in dealing with necromancers. ?Normally, all suspected necromancers are immediately sent to Yamalvon for investigation, because of the seriousness of the crime, you see. ?In the past, we have had many false convictions, so Yamalvon prefers to take extra measures in proving a necromancer's guilt.

  "I have special abilities that allow me to look into another elf's aura and determine if they have committed necromancy."

  "How do you have this ability?" Thoroth asked nervously.

  Gwyndolyn paused her pacing to emit a sparkling peal of laughter. ?"You can't tell? ?I have a very powerful aura myself. ?It allows me to be a master of auras, you could say."

  Gwyndolyn continued laughing, and the sound made everyone in the room visibly nervous. ?The soldier behind her placed a hand on her shoulder. ?"My lady," he said quietly.

  She stopped laughing and waved the soldier away. ?"Oh, Blaes." ?She turned back to them. "Don't mind him. ?He always worries. ?If I'm not careful with my aura, I could destroy an entire city." ?She laughed again, but stopped herself with a glance from Blaes.

  Thoroth and Caelfel exchanged looks as they patiently waited for Gwyndolyn to recover herself.

  She tugged at some hair over her ears before speaking. ?"It is a very simple procedure. ?I only touch you to read your aura. ?Very simple, like I said. ?However, the act is considered intrusive, so normally I would need prior consent. ?But, seeing as the both of you are convicted criminals, I do not. ?Now, who is first?" ?She clapped her hands together eagerly, but her amicable personality did not settle Caelfel's nerves. ?Something about Gwyndolyn felt off.

  "Will it hurt?" Caelfel asked, remembering how the last incident of someone touching her aura had ended and how she was still suffering its repercussions.

  Gwyndolyn laughed at her expression. ?"Goodness, no. ?I'm not exploding your aura."

  Then without warning, Gwyndolyn reached out to touch Caelfel's forehead. ?Caelfel tensed but realized she felt no pain as Gwyndolyn had promised. ?She relaxed and then squinted at Gwyndolyn whose bright eyes appeared very bright and interested.

  Gwyndolyn frowned. ?"Your aura has been exploded, quite recently."

  She removed her hand from Caelfel's brow and turned to Thoroth without pause. ?Thoroth started when she touched her fingers to his head as well. ?Seconds later, her hand dropped to her side, and she faced the Council, all signs of her humor gone.

  "These two are not necromancers. ?You may release them from your custody as soon as it is possible. ?For any future cases of necromancy, send them directly to Yamalvon."

  Uthruil stood. ?"Thank you, Lady Ernmas. ?We shall regard your opinion with the highest of authority.

  "Of course it is with the highest authority. ?My word holds the power of the Empress," Gwyndolyn said, quickly losing her patience.

  "Is that all, my lady?" Uthruil asked.

  "It isn't, Councilor. ?It has become evident to me that there is an inner working of abuse Sal'Sumarathar shows its citizens."

  "Please explain yourself, Lady Ernmas," Uthruil said.

  "I'm assuming Miss Gyssedlues is a student of your college. ?I advise seeking out the one responsible for exploding her aura. ?You should know that the practice is outdated and unethical."

  Uthruil's mouth flickered. ?"We will definitely investigate the matter. ?Markis, will you please escort Master Orletylar and Miss Gyssedlues to their homes?"

  Markis stepped from the peripheral of the room but was stopped by a glare from Gwyndolyn.

  "There is no need for your services, Chief Executor. ?My imperial officers shall escort them home instead." ?She smiled. ?"Be aware, Councilor, that I will be informing the Board of Wizardry of everything I've seen here today."

  "I wouldn't expect anything else of you."

  Gwyndolyn threw one last grin toward Uthruil before leading Caelfel and her parents, Thoroth and Garvanna, and her procession of purple-clad soldiers away from the Hall of Court. ?The elf she had addressed as Blaes hurried to keep pace.

  "My lady, it would not be wise to tarry in
Sal'Sumarathar for long," he said urgently to her. ?Gwyndolyn waited until they passed Sal'Sumarathar's center plaza before responding.

  "Oh, Blaes," she sighed dismissively. ?She turned to the rest of them. ?"Bless him, he's always worrying about my safety."

  "And not without good reason," Blaes insisted.

  Gwyndolyn said, "He thinks someone is after me, always trying to get me. ?Centuries in the army have made him paranoid, but Blaes means well. ?Now, where are we stopping first?"

  "Thoroth's house is closest," Caelfel volunteered when no one said anything.

  Thoroth directed Gwyndolyn and her troops where to turn and which street to take, and soon they all stood before his familiar green door. ?Garvanna hurried inside without a second glance behind her.

  "Thank you," Thoroth said to Gwyndolyn.

  "The pleasure is all mine, Master Healer," she said, but her eyes focused on the door where Garvanna just disappeared. ?"Was that your wife?"

  "No, Garvana has been my friend for many years. ?You must forgive her. ?Her nerves make her uneasy around others."

  Gwyndolyn nodded slowly before transferring her gaze to Caelfel. ?"Well if she is not your wife, then the two of you must hug each other. ?It is obvious that the two of you are in love."

  Caelfel felt her mouth hang open. ?"But I'm not-" ?She looked to Thoroth, unable to finish.

  "Caelfel and I are just friends too," Thoroth said, but there was something in his tone that sounded uncertain.

  "Friends can always fall in love. ?Sometimes they are meant to," Gwyndolyn said, laughing.

  It soon became clear that she would not leave until they did hug. ?So Caelfel made her embrace quick until Thoroth squeezed tighter, making her freeze. ?She untangled herself from Thoroth with awkward movements. ?Gwyndolyn laughed at their expressions until Blaes reminded her of his desire to leave Sal'Sumarathar as soon as possible.

  "Tell me something, Caelfel," Gwyndolyn said as they made their way to the Gyssedlues home. ?"Why did the Council of Sal'Sumarathar think you and Thoroth were necromancers?"

  "It's complicated," Caelfel said. ?"There is someone they believed was dead, and he wasn't."

  "It's not difficult to prove someone is alive. ?Whatever their reasoning, the case should have been immediately referred to Yamalvon."

  "They were going to execute us if they sent us to Yamalvon," Caelfel said.

  "The two of you would have never been executed. ?Something smells sour in Sal'Sumarathar. ?The Council should be reminded that they're not irreplaceable. ?Who was this elf they wanted dead?" Gwyndolyn asked.

  Caelfel hesitated and watched her closely. ?"His name is Feraan Auvrearaheal."

  Recognition flashed through Gwyndolyn's green eyes. ?"The elusive one. ?I think he's often referred to as the most hated elf of the empire." ?Gwyndolyn returned to her restless pacing and chewed on her bottom lip, thinking.

  The imperial soldiers around them stopped with their lady, and Caelfel felt her stomach twist anxiously. ?"Is there something wrong?"

  Gwyndolyn looked to Eviat and Sylaera. ?"I must speak to your daughter in private."

  "You're welcome inside our home," Sylaera offered.

  Gwyndolyn nodded and said nothing more until they reached the Gyssedlues home. ?She preferred using their garden as it was large enough to hold her company of soldiers. ?Blaes checked the perimeters before drawing the privacy curtain closed around the bathing area where he, Gwyndolyn, and Caelfel stood. ?The rest of the soldiers stood guard beyond the curtain.

  "What happened to cause your ridiculous trial?"

  Caelfel steeled herself against the penetrating eyes of Gwyndolyn and wondered if she could trust the she-elf who seemed so interested in their plight. ?"There was a hunting party. ?Feraan was injured, and I saved him. ?Unbeknownst to me, he was already reported as dead. ?They said what I did was necromancy unless I proved Feraan was alive."

  "So why didn't you? ?That would make things so much simpler," Gwyndolyn asked.

  "Because he refused to see the Council."

  Gwyndolyn flashed a dangerous grin. ?"Because the Council is trying to kill him," she guessed.

  Caelfel kept her face guarded.

  "Why did you save him, Miss Gyssedlues?" Gwyndolyn asked. ?"Haven't you ever considered that perhaps he deserved to die? ?Have you ever asked why he has his reputation?"

  Caelfel said nothing because, in truth, she hadn't.

  Gwyndolyn laughed again, and Caelfel was beginning to loathe the sound. ?"I've heard he's quite handsome," Gwyndolyn said with a knowing smirk.

  Caelfel recalled Feraan's brooding stature, the dark hair, and the sharp planes of his face. ?Again she said nothing, but the thought of Feraan stirred something within her. ?Gwyndolyn must have seen the reaction through Caelfel's aura because she didn't press the question further.

  "The next time you see each other, you should ask him why he has that reputation and see what he says. ?Perhaps your feelings for him will change. ?It's been nice meeting you, Caelfel."

  Gwyndolyn offered Caelfel a short curtsy before complying with Blaes's impatient prodding. Caelfel heard Gwyndolyn mention something about a sister before she disappeared from the garden entirely with her guard. ?Caelfel waited a full minute after the she-elf was gone before allowing herself to relax.

  She might have imagined it, but Caelfel could have sworn that the ears that poked through Gwyndolyn's hair were round instead of pointed.

  7. Black Crows

  No couriers arrived to cancel Sir Kennyratear's class, so Caelfel left early the following morning. ?A lingering weakness clouded her head as she made her way to the college. ?Caelfel filed into the classroom with the other students but with her thoughts so focused on the previous day's encounter with Gwyndolyn, she could not meet anyone's eyes. ?That changed when everyone fell silent for the lesson.

  "Settle down, everyone. ?I am your new instructor."

  Caelfel's head shot up to join the confused faces around her. ?Sir Kennyratear did not stand before them. ?In his stead was a tall she-elf with thick, raven black hair. ?A small smile touched her lips as she surveyed everyone in front of her. ?Caelfel felt very small in her presence, and the feeling irritated her.

  "Who are you?" someone asked. ?Caelfel could easily tell by the audible self-assurance that the voice belonged to Garvanna.

  "I am Lady Luewyn," the new she-elf answered smoothly.

  "Where is Sir Kennyratear?" Caelfel demanded impatiently.

  Lady Luewyn's soft smile did not falter. ?"Nadeth Kennyratear has been dismissed from his classes for the time being."

  Caelfel could not match Luewyn's smile as she scowled, stepping closer. ?"Why?"

  Luewyn took two measured steps. ?"I do not have the authority to discuss the matter. ?You may ask Headmaster Nimuath about the nature of his dismissal on your own time, but I suspect Sir Kennyratear took a voluntary leave of absence. ?Will there be any more questions?"

  The students exchanged uncertain glances, Caelfel among them, but no one asked anything else. ?Lady Luewyn's smiled grew wider.

  "I am native to the city of Sal'Sumarathar. ?My husband was from Amasel and he died with its fall. ?Since then, I have been living the last century in Yamalvon. ?But I tell you this to demonstrate my versatile range of magic. ?I have trained in Amasel and Yamalvon, and Rasaen and the Port City. ?I have even ventured as far as the Baetic Mountains to increase my knowledge of the mystical arts. ?As you no doubt have assumed, I am very qualified to be your instructor."

  She waited, as if expecting a response and continued when no one said anything.

  "No matter what occurred in this classroom with your previous instructor, you may take comfort in the fact that under my tutelage, you shall safely learn the mechanics of magic."

  "Safely?" Garvanna repeated. ?She stood next to Caelfel and crossed her arms. ?"I have also studied magic at Amasel and Yamalvon. ?There is not an elf who provided a safer environment than Sir Kennyratear." ?Caelfel flinched at Garvanna's brave impet
uousness but felt smug that Garvanna had the coherency to properly stand up to Lady Luewyn.

  "Miss Hunithrae, is that correct?" Luewyn asked, confirming her name. ?"My remark was not a comment on Sir Kennyratear's teaching methods. ?I did not come here to replace him. ?Headmaster Nimuathar had asked me to come to Sal'Sumarathar."

  Luewyn stared at Garvanna for the longest time, and Garvanna did not so much as shrink back. ?The tension between the two was all but tangible.

  Luewyn broke the silence first. ?"I will not deny that your education history is impressive, Miss Hunithrae, but my classroom does not have a place for your pride."

  "Sir Kennyratear's classroom," Caelfel corrected, squaring her shoulders next to Garvanna.

  The room fell so silent that Caelfel could not even hear anyone breathe. ?Luewyn's green eyes flickered between Garvanna and Caelfel, assessing the opposition, before she laughed. ?The noise reminded Caelfel of Gwyndolyn's unsettling presence, and a shiver ran down her spine.

  "I refuse to waste time on this show of insolence. ?Take all of your issues to Headmaster Nimuath."

  Luewyn raised her hand and pointed to the door. ?The motion sent the door banging open.

  "His office is on the top floor," Luewyn said with a smile.

  Caelfel hesitated with Luewyn's dismissal, but Garvanna did not. ?The taller she-elf marched to the door, and Caelfel hurried to follow. ?They passed in front of Luewyn on their way to the door, and Caelfel felt Luewyn's finger brush against her arm. ?She felt a sudden shock and Caelfel gasped, turning to see Luewyn smirking back at her. ?The expression struck Caelfel with a sudden sense of familiarity, but she was unable to place it.

  "Who are you?" she asked, dumbfounded.

  "My name is Luewyn Cyredathem. ?The door is over there, Miss Gyssedlues."

  Caelfel hurried after Garvanna, a new trepidation settling over her as she rubbed the spot where Luewyn had touched her.

  Garvanna flew up the staircase, but Caelfel was equally fast and had no trouble keeping up. ?Even so, she preferred Garvanna taking the lead.

  "I don't trust her," was all Garvanna said before bursting into Nimuath's office uninvited. ?She froze suddenly, and Caelfel bumped into her, falling to the ground. ?She peeked around the older she-elf to see what had made her stop.

  It was the scene of a deeply engrossed conversation being interrupted. ?Uthruil, Nimuath's older brother, stood in front of the Headmaster who looked quite angry. ?Markis prowled around the edge of the room. ?He smiled when he saw Caelfel, and she glared at him.

  Nimuath continued to look angry. ?"Miss Hunithrae, Miss Gyssedlues, please return to your class."

  "It's urgent," Garvanna insisted.

  "I am busy with matters of state. ?Come by tomorrow and next time you have an urgent matter, I suggest you try knocking."

  His word ended the dispute, and Garvanna gave a noise of disgust before slamming the doors to his office. ?When she turned around to see Caelfel still on the ground, she looked irritable. ?"Get up. ?What are you doing on the floor?"

  Caelfel frowned. ?"I fell when you stopped."

  Garvanna shook her head and helped Caelfel to her feet. ?"Come on."

  Lady Luewyn met them with a smirk but otherwise said nothing of their reappearance. Caelfel and Garvanna rejoined their classmates silently. ?Luewyn lectured for some time on the various branches of magic such as conjuring, obliteration, illusion, and healing. ?Caelfel was attentive, but Garvanna remained unimpressed, making occasional clucking noises with her tongue whenever she disagreed with Luewyn, which proved to be quite often.

  When morning turned into afternoon, Luewyn had them stand and make shapes out of their auras. ?"Your aura is an extension of your life force and it bends to your will," Luewyn said pacing among the students. ?"It can take the shape of anything you desire. ?Weapon, clothing."

  Caelfel hated to admit it but she found this portion of Luewyn's lesson enjoyable. ?The sickness of activating her aura had faded at last, allowing her to finally use her aura. ?She created simple shapes at first, cloudy and incorporeal versions of small animals. ?When Luewyn mentioned weapons, she had the idea to make a bow and it appeared in her hand, a hazy copy of the one she had at home.

  By then, Luewyn passed her, pausing to admire Caelfel's work. ?She offered Caelfel a small smile. ?"Focus on it, and it will become real in your hands."

  Caelfel concentrated harder, and as Luewyn promised, the bow fully materialized in her hands. ?It was warm to the touch and looked to be made of green metal, though it felt nothing like any metal she was familiar with.

  Luewyn nodded her approval and moved on.

  When Luewyn dismissed class, Caelfel felt pleasantly tired from using the energy of her aura. ?Meanwhile, Garvanna had stubbornly refused to take part in any of the activities, insisting that it was an insult to her intelligence.

  "You are an expert mage, but you insist on taking novice classes," Caelfel pointed out to her as they followed the rest of the students out of the classroom. ?Garvanna hesitated just outside the doorway, and Caelfel stopped with her. ?Through the sea of faces, Caelfel noticed Markis leaving the college grounds among them. ?Caelfel tensed when his eyes met hers but relaxed when he continued on his way.

  "I'm going to the library," Garvanna announced slowly. ?"I want to research our new professor. ?Try not to get yourself into trouble," she said, looking at Caelfel meaningfully.

  Caelfel agreed, rolling her eyes. ?She left through the college gates alone, intending to visit the archery range and test the use of her aura bow. ?

  She went home to retrieve her arrows first before making her way to the field. ?The archery range sat on the edge of town, near the horse meadow, in a small glen. ?When she arrived, it was empty, which was fine for Caelfel. ?She preferred practicing alone. ?

  She fixed her quiver at her side and summoned her magic bow. ?The metal was smooth to the touch, and the string felt as though it had no resistance. ?She tried shooting one arrow, but the dimensions of her bow were off. ?The arrow went flying above the target and disappeared in the forest.

  Caelfel adjusted the size and shape of the bow and nocked another arrow. ?This time, the arrow embedded itself in the dead center of the target. ?Caelfel smiled and shot a few more with similar results.

  Then an idea occurred to her. ?She set her quiver to the side and focused on bringing an auric arrow to being. ?It appeared in her hand and went sailing smoothly into the air when shot. ?When it landed on the target, it erupted in a shower of green sparks.

  Pleased with herself, Caelfel decided to end things and went to dislodge the arrows embedded in her target. ?When she had claimed all of her arrows in the target, she looked past the clearing, peering through the trees. ?She left the archery range to find the first misfired arrow that had flown into the forest.

  She walked for some distance, until the field behind her was out of sight, kicking over dead leaves and underbrush in her search. Then she paused, feeling an ominous prickle on the back of her neck. ?She looked behind her but saw nothing there.

  She stepped cautiously around the trees but saw no sign of her lost arrow. ?Her neck continued to prickle uncomfortably, so she decided it was a lost cause. ?One arrow was not worth the trouble, so she turned around to head back.

  Caelfel saw a faint glinting in the distance and ducked in time to dodge an arrow flying towards her. ?It buried itself deeply in the tree behind her, and Caelfel saw it was one of hers.

  Instantly she brought her aura bow to her hands and aimed in the direction the arrow came from. ?"Who is there?" she demanded of the silent forest, heart hammering in her chest. ?Her first thought was of Markis, and she would have no qualms about firing at him. ?

  A dark figure stepped from the trees. ?The feminine curves of a dress was telling of a she-elf, and Caelfel struggled to focus on it with its shifting form that blinked in and out of her vision.

  "Take your best shot," the figure challenged.

  And Caelfel did, releasing her magic ar
row as she aimed for the figure's head.

  Then strangely, the figure reached out and caught Caelfel's arrow, which reverted to a mass of shimmering green light. ?When the figure touched it, encasing it in a purple light, Caelfel felt a mildly painful shock. ?Her instinct caused her to draw back this portion of her aura, but the purple light followed it in a straight line.

  When the figure's purple aura touched her, it produced an electric shock so powerful, Caelfel was sure her scream should have been heard for miles.