Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 0)
Page 67
Close to fifty elves sat in a circle in the glade of the Quenya. All were fully committed to destroying the dark creatures, regardless of the cost to themselves. They had lost too much to do otherwise.
Iadrawyn stood in the center, helping them to focus and direct their energy. Andirlynia had wanted to stay, but Iadrawyn had known her daughter’s presence would only be a distraction to her, so she had sent her with the rest of those who would flee on the ships. Iadrawyn was glad she had done so. The power she was dealing with was greater than anything she had ever experienced.
The air stirred around her, whipping the leaves of the trees and swaying their ancient branches. Her long hair was a writhing mass of tangles around her face. She could sense heavy clouds building overhead. In the distance, she heard the ominous boom of thunder. It was too late to doubt now. The group was fully committed. She could only hope they were doing the right thing.
The power sang through her body, setting every nerve afire. So strong! Using the Quenya had never been like this. Never had she used it on such a scale or as a weapon of pure violence. It crashed over her, wild and furious. From somewhere nearby, she heard a mad laugh. It was her own.
Was this what Eruvalion had felt when he had used the Quenya? She closed her eyes and threw back her head, embracing the fury. A bolt of lightning split the sky.
She did not know how long it was before she noticed someone grasping her arms and shaking her. She thought perhaps she heard her name… She tried to shake off the intruder, but they persisted. How dare anyone intervene! Her eyes flew open in a glare.
It was Daroandir. She opened her mouth to berate him, but his expression stopped her. She had never seen him so frightened. He tried to say something to her, but his voice was lost in the wind. Instead, he pulled something from his pack and placed it in her hands. It was round and smooth. She ran her hands over the silver surface. Elvish runes flared to life under her fingers. She saw an elf with wild golden hair and fey, green eyes. She realized it was her own reflection. Daroandir had given her the Levniquenya.
Suddenly, Iadrawyn remembered why she was there. What had she been doing? If she failed here, the Quenya would be lost to the elves. Shaking her head clear, she bent herself against the wind and walked toward the ancient tree that housed the Quenya. Daroandir remained by her side, helping her gain ground. The rest of the elves were completely absorbed in their working. The power had been set free, now they only needed to build and direct it. Iadrawyn and Daroandir stepped between them to reach their goal.
The Quenya seemed reluctant to go into its vessel, but Iadrawyn remained firm. As it disappeared into the sphere, the sky went dark. A wave of exhaustion hit her. Daroandir caught her as she stumbled. As the heavens opened, he swept her into his arms and carried her from the glade at a run while she cradled the Levniquenya to her chest.
The power of the Quenya had been unleashed.