Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 0)
Page 62
Daroandir shook the sweat from this brow as he pumped his arms and legs. His clothes and tendrils of his hair that had escaped his braids stuck to his skin. His feet felt like lead, but he didn’t dare slow his pace. Despite his fatigue, he ran lightly through the grass, barely leaving a print. He didn’t want to alert any scouts of the approaching army.
Hours had passed since he had broken camp. The darkness had faded from the sky and it was now a light pink. The world was quiet.
When would the dark creatures attack? Not until nightfall at least. As he ran, he wondered how so many creatures that abhorred daylight could find their way this far north. The only answer that made any sense was that some of Nargaz’s dragons had scouted ahead to find shelter from the sun. If they had used the ancient forests that had been abandoned by the elves, and caves in the hills and mountains, it could be done. This theory only reinforced his idea that the dark creatures were working together. As his energy flagged, this terrifying thought pushed him onward.
He crossed the river and fled through the trees. The sun continued moving through the sky as he ran. Time was moving too fast. By the time he broke into the clearing of the village proper, it was midmorning. Other elves looked at him with startled expressions as he rushed past.
He stumbled at the entrance to Valanandir and Iadrawyn’s hut, his breathing ragged. He heard voices from within, Lodariel’s among them. Good. They were all in one place. He gave a sharp knock before opening the door. Iadrawyn was in midstride on her way to answer his knock. Lodariel and Valanandir sat together on cushions. All three elves wore surprised expressions at his abrupt entrance. Iadrawyn recovered first, ushering him in and closing the door behind him.
“What is it?” Her golden eyes were piercing.
Daroandir spilled the tale, omitting Saviadro’s involvement. The others were not as kindly disposed toward him as Daroandir was, and he didn’t want to draw any premature conclusions. Daroandir would demand answers from Saviadro himself. At this point, it was useless to speculate.
Lodariel frowned as he spoke, and he gave her a warning look. Having read his note, she was the only other elf who knew he had gone off seeking Saviadro. Lodariel gave a small shake of her head in disagreement, but remained silent.
“I have felt a growing sense of foreboding in the past few weeks, but nothing specific.” Iadrawyn frowned. “I will commune with the Quenya to see what more I can learn.”
“I will lead a scouting expedition to the Lavi Eadros right away. We need to know what we are facing.” Lodariel stood.
“Why did a dragon fly to the Hamad Balas?” Valanandir stood and began to pace. “One dragon is hardly an invasion force. Malarin and her kin hold those mountains. What kind of secret mission could they possibly have there? I do not like it.”
“I will try to focus on that,” Iadrawyn said. “In the meantime, you might try summoning Malarin. Perhaps she will know something.”
“What can I do?” Daroandir asked. He wanted to do something to help.
“You have already brought us warning,” Valanandir said, laying a hand on his shoulder. “You should rest. You will be needed if there is a battle to come.”
Daroandir didn’t like it, but he saw the logic. His muscles twitched with fatigue, betraying him. As the others went off to perform their assigned tasks, he slowly made his way back to his hut and collapsed on his bed. His eyes closed and he fell into darkness.