The Halfling Rises (The Eva Chronicles Book 1)

by Livia Lance

  Once they were back inside, Lana began preparing for bed. Clay was standing awkwardly by the door, watching her. She turned to him, hands on her hips.

  “What?” she asked.

  He stared at her for a moment, seeming to be at a loss for words. Then, he cleared his throat and looked down.

  “I’ve missed you, Lana,” he said in a small voice. “It’s been so long since we’ve been near each other and everything is happening so quickly now that we’re together again. When I left, we had…”

  Lana watched him for a moment then walked toward him purposefully. Putting her hands on his chest, she went up on her toes and kissed him lightly.

  “Yes, we had,” she said, looking into his eyes. “Everything changes, Clay. I have changed greatly. You are not exactly the man I thought I knew. But that does not change what’s in my heart.”

  He smiled sweetly and ran a hand through her hair and down her back. She shivered at his touch.

  “Come to bed, Clay. We need rest.”

  * * *

  A week had passed since Nym and Lana arrived in Thelsamel. Nym had retired to her quarters in the palace, joined by Ilann. He was still proving to be a great diversion but now that she knew Lana would discover her treachery at any moment, she had a difficult time giving him the attention he deserved.

  Every day was the same. She would wake, break her fast with Ilann, train with the other elves in the elders’ employ, walk through the palace garden and visit the Great Tree, eat her dinner with Ilann and then retire for the day. She had been careful to keep herself away from any areas where Lana and Clay might be present. But then the summons came.

  “The lady Lana has requested that you come visit her in her rooms, Nym,” Sen told her, a look of worship in his eyes. In the past week, it had been proven time and again that Lana’s claim that she could heal elves was true and the whole city thought she was a gift from the mother herself. Clearly, Sen believed so, and perhaps she was.

  “Thank you,” she told him. “I will be there shortly.”

  Nym shut the door and regarded her room. It had been her home in the palace since she was a child and there were a lot of memories here. She walked around slowly, running a hand over the table and the bindings of her book collection she’d spent countless years building. Ilann watched her silently as she made her way over to the assortment of bone daggers displayed on the wall then chose the sharpest, shoving it through a loop in her belt.

  “Ilann, I must go and speak with Lana. You should be there. Will you come?”

  He stood and crossed the room, cradling her face in his hands.

  “I will, dear one. I wish I knew what has been troubling you so these past few days. Will Lana give you peace?”

  Nym looked away from him, not wanting him to see the fear in her eyes.

  “I hope she will,” she said quietly, knowing that the kind of peace she deserved and the kind of peace he meant were two different things. Taking him by the hand, she left her room for what was probably going to be the last time. Together they walked to Lana’s and Clay’s chambers and she knocked on the door.

  “Enter,” Lana called, and Nym let herself and Ilann in. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her gaze to regard her friend.

  Lana was looking at her with such a loving and warm smile it broke her heart.

  “Nym! It’s been too long, have you been busy?” she exclaimed, rising.

  “Indeed, I thought you might want to speak with me once you arrived,” Clay told her, walking over to clap a hand on her shoulder. “I can never thank you enough for getting Lana here safely. Anything you need, please ask.”

  Nym nodded at him and took a breath, then faced Lana again.

  “Lana, Clay, Ilann…” she began, choosing her words carefully. “You have all been true friends to me. I have enjoyed our time together so much, more than I can even say. But there is something that you must know.”

  She walked to where Lana was standing and knelt before her.

  “I have not spoken of it for fear that it would inhibit my ability to bring you safely here, Lana. If I’m being honest, I also couldn’t bear to hurt you. You have become like a sister to me and hurting you is akin to hurting myself. I would ask your forgiveness but I’m not worthy of it.”

  Nym pulled the dagger from her belt and Clay took an alarmed step forward but she looked at him and he froze then stepped back, knowing she would never harm Lana. He has no idea, Nym thought sadly. I’m about to hurt her more than he can ever know.

  Nym lifted the dagger, offering it to Lana and she took it, confused.

  “Lana, when we met I was on my way back to Eva,” she continued. “I claimed to be a traveler, simply seeing what the human realms had to offer. That was a lie. You have a right to know that I was an orphan and was raised by the elders from the time I was a small child. They had me trained in weapons, combat, and stealth. They have used me many times to see to it that human kingdoms never became too powerful in the event that they might mount an attack on the elves.”

  She took a shaky breath, then continued.

  “I was sent to spend time with a young prince from a human kingdom, simply to observe him for a time and wait for my orders. We became close and I cared a great deal for him. He was a vibrant and strong man, your brother.” She heard Lana’s sharp intake of breath. She couldn’t see her face but she did see that her hands had tightened on the hilt of the dagger.

  “I had learned that your father was making plans to wed you to the prince of a neighboring kingdom and unite your realms under one rule, and I gave this information to my people. The elders sought to stop this union and weaken your kingdom. I think perhaps that may have been the reason why they had Clay take you from there and their intentions were likely to hold you as a hostage for the rest of your days. I was ordered to kill your brother, leaving the king with no living children.”

  Tears were running down her cheeks but she tried to keep her voice strong and clear. She didn’t deserve Lana’s pity or her love and she would give her no reason to feel either of those things.

  “It was not easy to bring myself to do it, but I did. In the end, we always do, those of us who work for the elders. They drill it into us over and over that we must not disobey orders. I think it’s a wonder that Clay was able to bring himself to abandon his mission. I wish I had his strength.”

  She looked up at Lana’s stricken face. She was pale and there were tears in her eyes. Nym gently took the hand that was holding the dagger and moved it so the point rested on her neck.

  “Lana, my friend, my sister. I betrayed you before I ever even knew you. If I could go back and change it, I would try but I don’t know if I would be able to. The instinct to obey is that strong. Please, if it’s your wish, I would die by your hand. You may avenge your brother here and now and you have my blessing.”

  * * *

  Lana looked down at Nym, but her mind was on Jacob. He had been the only friend she’d had all her life until she left the castle. The only person who went out of their way to spend time with the captive princess. He had cared for her when no one else did. He had sat with her, reading stories to her when she was too small to read them for herself. He had played games with her in her room. She’d loved her brother. In fact, he’d been the only person she had ever loved before Nym and Clay.

  Nym had taken his life. She had claimed to care for him but she still killed him. This woman that she loved like a sister had taken the life of the brother that she loved before anyone else. The dagger trembled in her hands and a small bead of blood dripped down Nym’s neck.

  That drop of blood shocked her back to her senses and she immediately released the dagger, allowing it to fall to the floor. Clay was frozen on the spot, staring at Nym aghast. Ilann was still by the door, one hand outstretched toward Nym as if he wanted to go to her but couldn’t bring himself to move.

  Lana took a step back from Nym and turned away.

  “Leave,” she said, a quaver in her voice.
“Leave this city and don’t return while I’m here. I may forgive you one day but it will not be today. Leave and give me peace.”

  She heard Nym stand and leave the room with Ilann. She had taken the dagger with her, thankfully. Lana couldn’t bear to look at it, knowing how easily she could have taken her friend’s life in that moment of despair and anger.

  In the few moments when Nym had touched her, Lana felt nothing but a complete and perfect sorrow from the woman. Perhaps knowing how much she regretted her actions was the only thing that stayed her hand. Perhaps she simply didn’t have it in her to take a life.

  She looked at Clay, the tears finally spilling down her cheeks and he came to her, drawing her into his arms and allowing her to weep. She hurt so much, she couldn’t imagine how her body could contain this much overwhelming heartache. She had already grieved for her brother but this was like ripping the scab off of a wound and then ripping it some more. She was also grieving for the loss of her friend. Lana didn’t know when she could bear to see Nym again.

  A part of her hoped she would never again lay eyes on the elf woman.

  * * *

  The following days were busy for Lana, which was good and bad. It was good because she desperately needed any distraction she could find to take her mind off of Nym. It was bad because of the things that were filling up her time. Scores of elves had taken ill since she had arrived in Thelsamel and most of the businesses near the palace had been cleared out to create sick rooms for them. Lana spent much of her time traveling between these buildings and performing her healing.

  To make matters worse, there were troubling reports coming into the city. Not only were elves of all ages becoming ill and dying, but there was also talk of rot across the land. Trees that were healthy one day would be dead the next. Fruit would spoil within hours of being picked. Flowers were wilting on the vine. The animals that provided wool and milk were dying as well, and apparently for no reason. It was as if the sickness of the elves had spread to the land itself and Eva was dying.

  Clay did whatever he could to distract Lana each day. He was her constant companion. They ate together, he went with her when she performed her healing duties, they slept together every night although she hadn’t yet become his lover. It was enough for her to simply be held by him, to be close to him. When she joined him in bed, he would pull her close and kiss her, and there was certainly passion there but her heart was still too raw from Nym’s betrayal, and her days were far too long to even think about taking that next step with him. Not yet, but maybe soon.

  It had been several days since Nym departed Thelsamel and Lana was finally beginning to feel like herself again. The grief was still fresh in her heart but she had grown stronger, able to push it down and get on with her life. The first thing she always did after breaking her fast was meet with the elders, and this day was no different. She was seated across from them at the great table in the central chamber, hearing a report from an elf messenger about the state of things across Eva.

  “We are still trying to get accurate numbers from the villages that lie closer to the border, but it takes time to travel there and back. What we know is that for every elf we save, five die before they can get here. Furthermore, elves are dying in the city still. Some live alone so no one was aware that they were unwell.”

  Clay was standing behind Lana’s seat and he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She knew she couldn’t save all of them but every death was like a lash across her back. She had to keep her composure in front of the elders. She could weep for the dead later, privately.

  The messenger cleared his throat and continued reading from the report in his hands.

  “Another troubling factor is the rate of birth. It seems that there have been no elf births in the last several weeks. There has also been an alarming number of miscarriages, and no new pregnancies are occurring.”

  The elders shifted uncomfortably in their seats, some looking close to panic.

  “Finally, the reports about trees, crops, and other vegetation rotting and dying have not slowed. One of the fields that produce the bulk of our grain turned to rot overnight and there is nothing that can be salvaged from it. It’s feared that this will cause a famine soon and we must begin rationing grain across the region.”

  The messenger stopped reading and placed the report on the table for the elders to read for themselves. He nodded to the men, then bowed deeply to Lana before he left. The people seemed to love her. She thought the elders were probably looking rather useless next to her ability to heal and comfort the sick elves.

  “This is dire news, indeed,” Sylwynn said darkly. “Princess, do you think perhaps you can heal the trees as you have healed the sickened elves?”

  “I don’t know,” she said, frowning. “I haven’t tried. I suppose I could travel to one of these areas and see what I can do, but I fear for the elves that will die if I’m not here.”

  “Of course, Princess. That is a very good point. We shall have to speak of this and decide what the best course of action is.”

  “It sounds as though you have no further need of me today. I would like to take a walk before I go see to the sick. Send for me if you have a need,” Lana said, standing. She took Clay’s arm and they exited the chamber, leaving the elders to their own conversations.

  “I have an idea about what we should do today,” Clay said, a playful look in his eyes. “I think you need to be diverted at least for an hour. How about we go take a walk in the garden?”

  “We take walks in the garden almost every day,” she told him, nudging him in the ribs. Indeed, it was one of her favorite things to do. The Great Tree from the legends was there and she was always amazed by its massive size and the aura of peace that rolled off of it. “What’s so diverting about that?”

  “Oh, you’ll see.” He winked at her and led her down the halls that would take them to the garden.

  It was an amazing sight and she was still a little awestruck every time she visited. The flowers were in bloom and everything she could see was full of life. In the middle of the garden sat the Great Tree, the very same one that had bestowed Ollyth upon the high priestess.

  “Stay here,” Clay said, stepping away from her. She watched him warily, curious about what he intended to do to pass the time here in the gardens. He walked around behind one of the benches and bent to retrieve something that had been stashed there. When he stood, Lana couldn’t help but laugh. He was carrying their quarterstaves.

  She rushed forward to take her staff from him. She had neglected the weapon since she’d stored it in her room after she arrived at the palace and hadn’t had an excuse to use it since then.

  “Shall we?” he said, moving to a clear spot and setting his feet. Staff in hand, Lana mimicked his stance and they began to dance. It had been so long since she’d sparred with anyone, she was a little concerned she’d forgotten how but it all came back to her immediately. She blocked out all distractions and focused on Clay, looking for the tiny little clues that would say what he was about to do. A shift in his balance, his eyes darting a certain direction.

  Their staves met again and again as they whirled around each other, the weapons moving so quickly they almost seemed to disappear at times. She leapt over his low attacks and ducked the high ones, using her staff to trip him up or disarm him when he was off balance. The physical exertion was very satisfying.

  Finally, they had worn themselves out so they sat against the Great Tree to catch their breath.

  “I haven’t sparred with anyone since you left,” she said, panting. “I think I needed that.”

  Clay chuckled and put an arm around her, drawing her to him. As always, his touch made her aware of his emotions. With other elves, she was able to focus her mind so she wouldn’t notice, but with Clay she liked to experience his feelings from time to time. Right now, he was loving her, as he always was. Along with that feeling was something deeper, hotter that made her blush. And he was also just simply enjoying being w
ith her.

  She looked up at him. “I like the way you feel about me,” she said simply.

  “I wish I could feel you in the same way,” he responded, trailing a finger down her cheek then along her jaw. He rubbed a thumb over her lips.

  “I feel the same as you,” she said, placing her hand over his. “In every way.” Lana blushed at her forwardness. Clay grinned and pulled her to him to kiss her.

  The moment their lips met, a dark cloud seemed to cover the sky. The garden had grown dim and quiet. Lana pulled away in alarm. Something had changed. What was it? She looked at Clay, frightened.

  He stood up, fetching his quarterstaff and looking around, alert. Lana took her staff as well. Something was not right. Something was terrible. There was a feeling of menace in the air and all of the hairs on her arms were standing on end. It seemed like silence had blanketed the earth. Then suddenly she heard distant screams from the palace.

  “Clay, something is happening! What is it?” She clutched at his arm but he was staring at the Great Tree, his face devoid of color. His quarterstaff dropped from nerveless hands and he fell to his knees.

  “No…” he said hoarsely. “Lana, the tree… The Great Tree is dead! I can’t hear the tree!”

  Lana ran to the tree and he was right. The aura of peace it exuded was gone. She touched the trunk, reaching for whatever spirit remained within it, desperate to find some flicker of life but there was none. Elves began pouring into the room, despair plain on their faces. They fell to their knees, weeping.

  “What is going to happen, Clay? What will happen to us?”

  He looked at her silently, tears running down his face. He shook his head. There was no hope for the elves, not any longer. The magic within the Great Tree that sustained them was gone.