Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 0)

by Jacquelyn Smith

  Valanandir woke before dawn on the third day, feeling restless. Slipping out from the blankets he shared with Iadrawyn, he prowled the camp. They were deep in the rolling hills of the Lavi Eadros now. The sea was a faint tang in the air that could be tasted, but not seen. With the exception of a few sentries, the rest of the camp slept. At least that was what Valanandir thought until he heard two hushed voices. Hugging the shadows, he followed the sound.

  Daroandir sat cross-legged on the ground, sorting and polishing pieces of metal. Saviadro crouched next to him. The lad had not noticed Valanandir’s presence. If he had, Valanandir knew he would have fled.

  He had no idea what he had done to elicit such a response from him, but he was the same with Iadrawyn. All children loved Iadrawyn. She was gentle and patient. She also had the magical aura of someone who was attuned with the Quenya, which the young ones could sense. Why would it repulse Saviadro? Suppressing his unanswered questions, Valanandir strained his ears to listen.

  “Why are we doing this, Daroandir?”

  “Doing what?”

  “Fleeing, hiding.” Saviadro gestured to the camp.

  “We are doing it to protect ourselves and the Quenya. What else should we do?” Although Daroandir did not stop his work, Valanandir could sense he was genuinely curious about Saviadro’s response.

  “I think we should use the Quenya to destroy the dark creatures, all of them!” Saviadro’s hands tightened on his knees.

  Daroandir shook his head. “The Quenya is the wellspring of life and balance. It should not be used for destruction. I don’t even know whether it can be used in such a way.”

  “But Iadrawyn has used it to kill drakhalu. We could make a ball of light large enough to kill all of them.” There was something about the way Saviadro said Iadrawyn’s name… He sounded almost scornful.

  “Iadrawyn has been able to do this, yes. But she is the only one. Even then, it has nearly killed her.”

  “Others could learn to do the same, if they were only permitted to spend as much time with the Quenya as she does.”

  “Perhaps. I was not aware anyone was denied access to the Quenya.”

  “That may be true, but she is always around, communing with it.” Saviadro made a sour face.

  “Even if others could learn to do the same, how many would die in this attempt to wipe out the drakhalu?”

  “Does it matter? Wouldn’t it be worth the cost?”

  “And what about the dark dragons? How would we take care of them? Although they have come to abhor it, they do not perish in the sun.”

  “We could use the Quenya to find a way to destroy them as well.”

  “And the Fire Folk? They have not joined the war against us, but they are also creatures of darkness. Should they be destroyed as well?” Daroandir’s voice was deceptively mild.

  “Yes!”

  “And what then? Will you use the Quenya against any elves or our allies if they disagree with you? That is the path of tyranny.”

  “Of course not!” Saviadro’s face flushed. “I just want the dark creatures to pay for what they have done. I want our people to be safe. They killed my parents!”

  “And that is indeed a tragic thing. I have also lost loved ones to the dark creatures. Still, if we hunt them down like animals when they are not an immediate threat and no longer hold the Quenya, how are we any better than them?” Daroandir held Saviadro’s gaze for a few moments.

  Saviadro frowned and looked away. “I—I need to think about what you are saying.”

  “I think you should,” Daroandir said, returning to his polishing. “I will be here if you need someone to listen.”

  Saviadro rose and stalked off. Daroandir looked up from his work to meet Valanandir’s gaze. Daroandir had known he was there all along. Although they exchanged no words, they shared silent a moment of concern. What should they do? Daroandir gave a pragmatic shrug. There was nothing they could do right now.

  Saviadro was angry, but perhaps his anger would fade in time. Still, he needed to be watched. Valanandir knew Daroandir would do what he could. There was no one else who could help him. None of the other elves were close to Saviadro.

  Valanandir gave Daroandir a nod and withdrew. It was time to wake Iadrawyn. By this time tomorrow, they would be in sight of their destination.