Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 0)

by Jacquelyn Smith

  — Chapter Thirty-Two —

  Willing Accomplice

  Nargaz flew through the night sky toward the lair he had claimed in the Hamad Sinta. Tomorrow was his scheduled rendezvous with Saviadro. How many years had passed since they had first met? At least a thousand, he thought. In that time, little had changed. The elves still remained hidden. The drakhalu bickered amongst themselves for supremacy. His dragons remained sullen and restless. The Fire Folk kept to themselves in their southeastern territory of the Pelo Goro, despite his attempts to align with them.

  All the creatures who reigned the south were still held hostage by the sun. Hence, this night flight, under the barest sliver of moon. Even the stars offended him. How he wished his foolish Lystari had not been lured into trying to claim the Quenya for herself. Still, he couldn’t help but admire her audacity.

  Among the dragons that remained, there were no females who could match her grace and spirit, except perhaps that one who served the elves, Malarin. But Nargaz knew a lost cause when he saw one. There was no dark hunger in her he could tempt and manipulate, not like his beloved Lystari. He wondered if she still lived somehow in the embodiment of the sun. It was a shame he would never know. Unless he could somehow use the Quenya…

  He chided himself for considering it. Such thoughts were useless until he had the Quenya in his possession. He knew it was only a matter of time. He had been patient, slowly winning over Saviadro and wearing down his defenses. Soon the bitter elf would drop some hint as to the location of the rest of his kind. Nargaz knew they were somewhere in the north. He had tried searching, but to no avail. He suspected they had somehow managed to use the Quenya to hide themselves. He found himself admiring their creativity, although he hid it well from Saviadro. Saviadro was fanatical in his hatred of Valanandir and Iadrawyn. Since this suited Nargaz’s purpose, he would do nothing to change it.

  The moon drifted across the night sky as he considered what his next move would be once he discovered where the elves were hiding. These were not the same naive creatures Vlaz had subdued. Nargaz suspected they had spent the last thousand years honing their control over the Quenya and building defenses. Yes, he would soon have Saviadro on his side, but how could he use one elf to bring down the rest of his kind?

  Nargaz pondered this as he settled into the shadows of his stone lair. The sky to the east was turning gray. It would be several hours before Saviadro came to him. He had never missed a meeting. At first Saviadro had likely told himself it was an opportunity to learn something of his enemy. But Nargaz knew he was not what Saviadro had expected. Civilized and sympathetic to Saviadro’s concerns, Nargaz had become his confidant. Today he would use those qualities to finally extract the precious piece of information he craved.

  Yes, today would be the day. Nargaz was certain of it. He drifted off to sleep, dreaming of blood and flames.

  He awoke hours later, sensing Saviadro’s approach. The sun was high in the sky. It was almost noon. Even in the shadows of his cave, Nargaz blinked against the wretched glare.

  After a few moments, Saviadro’s head appeared from around the corner of the mountain trail. Once he spotted Nargaz, he came forward to pace just within the edge of the cave’s shadow. He was clearly agitated. While this wasn’t unusual, Nargaz sensed their many meetings had finally pushed him close to the edge. One more nudge was all that was needed. This was a delicate business. It had taken Nargaz so long to patiently prod Saviadro this far. Now that the time was right, he would need to go softly or risk ruining all his hard work.

  “And how are things among the elves?” Nargaz asked in a dry voice.

  “They are all fools. Fools!” Saviadro waved his arms in frustration. “I have told them I have seen signs of drakhalu moving steadily north. I tell them we must use the Quenya against them. They say we are safe and there is nothing to fear within our borders.”

  “They do nothing?”

  “Oh, I am told Lodariel will send some scouts to sweep the surrounding area. An empty gesture.”

  “Why are they so confident of their own invulnerability?”

  “You already know the wood has been hidden. All the elves have sworn an oath upon the Quenya not to reveal its location. All children swear the same oath as soon as they are old enough. They believe they cannot be found.”

  “And you believe otherwise.”

  “I see no purpose in cowering in the shadows when we can eliminate those who threaten us. No one knows the full extent of the Quenya’s enchantment of the wood. We may not be as safe as everyone believes.”

  Nargaz paused to consider. “Every elf has taken this oath? I knew Valanandir and Iadrawyn were popular leaders, but I did not think they held such… fanatical loyalty. Surely at least one elf had the courage to question this edict or the cunning to avoid it? ”

  “I have not taken the oath,” Saviadro blurted, seemingly unable to contain himself. “I refused to take part in such an unnatural joining. I am no fool.”

  Nargaz struggled to contain himself, scarcely able to believe his luck. “You most certainly are not. Is it true? I am impressed. And the other elves do not know?”

  Saviadro shook his head with a smirk. “The first binding was a group ceremony. I made sure to absent myself. No one noticed I was gone.”

  “Yet if Valanandir or Iadrawyn were to find out such a thing, they would be aghast, rather than seeing how clever you are.”

  “Of course. I am not under their control. They wish only to keep the Quenya for themselves to use for their own cowardly ends, rather than for the greater good.”

  “As you would use it.”

  “Yes, as I would use it!”

  “Then why do you not take it?” Nargaz’s words were like a stones dropped into a still pond. A long moment of silence followed.

  “I could not take it by myself. Despite the other elves’ belief in their own security, the Quenya is well guarded. All the elves are bound to it. They would know as soon as it was taken.”

  “What if there were a diversion? Something that would draw the guards away and distract everyone from what you were doing?”

  “Well yes, that would make it easier… Wait, what do you suggest?” Saviadro’s gaze turned wary.

  “I suggest nothing. I was merely thinking aloud.”

  “And did your thinking involve providing this diversion?” Saviadro’s eyes narrowed.

  “Perhaps.”

  “You are a dark creature! Why would you wish to aid me?”

  Nargaz allowed his features to take on a wounded expression. “Saviadro, I am your friend. Have I not met with you peacefully for the last thousand years? Have we not shared thoughts and ideas? Do we really have so little in common as you were led to believe?”

  Saviadro frowned. “It is true; we have formed an unlikely friendship. I feel I have more in common with you than any of my own kind. Still… What would be in this for you? I know you well enough to see you wouldn’t do something like this based on friendship alone. I know I wouldn’t.”

  “A valid question,” Nargaz rumbled. “Although we have been on opposing sides in the past, in this case my interests run the same as yours. I believe Valanandir and Iadrawyn are poor masters for the Quenya. I think its power would be far better served by one such as yourself. And though I have shared my homeland with the drakhalu, it has not been willingly. They are vile, savage creatures. But they are also wily and burrow deep within their mountain homes, beyond a dragon’s reach. I would need a powerful ally to help me eradicate them.”

  “You would align yourself with me.”

  “Yes. My minions would also be at your disposal. You would wield the Quenya, and I would bear you through the skies wherever you wish to go. The drakhalu would be ashes beneath our heel. I would be your most trusted advisor and together, we would rule Ralvaniar. No one would be able to stop us.”

  Saviadro gazed into the distance as Nargaz spoke, his eyes filled with hunger.

  “But all this would only be pos
sible if you were to claim the Quenya,” Nargaz said in a regretful voice. “And according to your own words, this would not be possible unless I can help you. I doubt you will find any other ally you could trust in this.”

  “What kind of diversion would you create?”

  “I do not know yet. It would need to be substantial. I would need to think on it. This is not something that should be rushed. It would need to be well planned.” Nargaz sighed. “But it will be impossible to consider the logistics when I do not know the location, I’m afraid.”

  Saviadro was silent for some time, deep in consideration. Hunger and wariness warred in his eyes. Nargaz waited. He had made his move. Now he must see how it played out.

  Hunger won.

  “Melavalion is along the northern coast, west of the Hamad Balas.”

  Somehow hearing these words broke an enchantment Nargaz had not even been aware was affecting him. He had flown within viewing distance of that very area, but had told himself it was not worth searching. Now he knew why.

  “Thank you. Your trust humbles me. I must think on this now. Understand that I may not return to meet with you for some time. I will need to consider this information and how we can best use it to our advantage. I will also need to gather and coordinate my forces. I will return when I am ready to strike. The Quenya will be yours.”

  “I have waited this long. A while longer will make no difference. I look forward to your return.” Saviadro smiled and gave a mocking bow before leaving.

  Nargaz grinned. He had so much to plan! One thing was certain: the darkness would return.