Melting, Tellie held onto her in return and would have liked to just rest that way for a while more, but she saw Leoren and Errance coming through the crowd. The lord’s eyes lit up as he saw her and he hurried forward.
“You’re safe, God be praised!” he cried.
“I am,” she said, pulling out of Casara’s arms in order to dip a quick curtsy. But even he pulled her into an embrace, never mind his lordly self. It was quite enough to threaten tears.
Before tears or anything else could commence, the crowd suddenly stirred and cried out in sudden fear and surprise. Snatches of exclamations rippled towards them, things like, “Who is that?” and “A spy!” and “To arms!”
Tellie clung to Leoren’s arm, only to find herself stumbling after him as he speared through the crowd in pursuit of Errance who had gone off in search of the distress. When they came to the fringe of the gathering, the elves there all facing outward in defense, they found a single figure standing upon the stony ground.
He was so dusty and grey he could have blended in with the ashes. His bent and broken figure bespoke the presence of one who’d spent their entire life attempting to be overlooked. But everyone saw him now.
More than that, Tellie knew him. Her heart skipped a beat in joy at the sight of the older miner. She’d been certain he must have died in that bold onslaught against the guards, but here he stood, a bit bloodied and yet somehow stronger.
He looked upon Errance with clear and certain eyes, and slowly he straightened.
Errance stared back at him, brow furrowing. He raised a hand to halt Leoren from drawing his sword. “I know you,” he said. But he bit his lip, apparently unable to come up with a name.
“I don’t have a name that matters anymore,” the old man said with a shrug. “And I never knew ye as anything but Lord. For that’s what ye were to me, more than any of those masters of ours. I would have served ye then and I would serve ye now.” Very stiffly and full of pain, he bent down to one knee. “I’ve heard tales of your kind,” he said. “I don’t know if ye would accept the service of such a pathetic creature as myself or even if ye would have any pity, but I pledge myself to ye.”
The air softly stirred as Errance inhaled, his lips parted without any response. Then almost as carefully as the miner, he crouched down to face him. “We were all slaves,” he said. “Not one of us better than the other. The One sent the Darkness fleeing today, not me.”
“Aye.” The miner nodded. “But ye were the one who opened our eyes to see the light and those who love ye reminded us of all the good that we’d lost. We remembered the name of Ayeshune and loved it.”
“How many of you have survived?” Errance asked, looking past him to the broken rocks beyond where other miserable bodies peered out at the glittering company.
“The only death came from battle, not the breaking of the prison,” the old man said. “Most have already fled. But they’ll be lost in the shadows. We few want to remain in the light.”
“Our healers will tend all of your injuries,” Leoren told the man kindly, his posture easing from the initial rigid suspicion. “And on the return to our realm, we would gladly escort you all to your homes.”
The old man bowed, but his hands were rubbing together anxiously. “Well, er, thank ye. Some of us might ‘ave homes to return to or some sort of future to pick back up. But as for me and some of the lads, we have nothing left. Nothing but shattered memories and lost paths. Would ye…Lord, would ye let us come with ye to your kingdom and begin again there? We would repay ya however we could, whatever the price.”
Leoren looked slightly perplexed at this, but the old miner had not been addressing him.
“Yes,” Errance said, ignoring the intakes of breath all around him, both from the slaves and the elves. “There is no price, I know what you suffered. If you have nowhere to go, you are welcome to come with me.”
Relief cast over the wretched man’s face for the first time in an age, and years of suffering washed away from his features. He bowed again, so low that he almost tottered over, and then he turned and staggered back to the other watching and whispering slaves.
The stunned silence was broken by the ring of Coren’s laugh. “Hail, our king,” he said, doffing his hat to Errance. “I think I will quite enjoy serving under you! Now then, shall we off? This place is a bit grave, if you know what I mean.”
oOo
The chema village was full that night, so full that the forest around it was filled with little camps and lanterns for a good circling mile. The fires were dying now, the scent of savory meat still in the smoke. The sun may have gone beyond the horizon but the shadows of the mountains were gone, and the atmosphere was hushed with contentment and peace.
In all her life, Tryss could not remember having trouble falling asleep in her cot surrounded by wheezing siblings and the lulling snores of her parents in the room below. Of course, she’d been weary to the bone back then after each day, but she was likewise weary tonight, so it couldn’t be that. And she certainly couldn’t claim to have become accustomed to quiet over her journey. No, something different was afoot. Shock, perhaps. Elation. But more than that. Uncertainty. Anxiety. Even disappointment.
The dark demesne outside their borders was gone now, thank the One. Meaning that her tribe would not have to move, better still. Yet she couldn’t help but feel saddened that the adventure with her new friends had come to an end and they would likely go on in that adventure, while she remained behind, trying to retrace old steps.
The night felt too humid, too stifling. She frowned to find herself thinking so, but decided that a fresh wind might do a miracle to her spinning head. So creeping quietly down the stair, she headed for the tallest tree outside the village.
It had always been a favorite post of hers, this tree. Easily the highest of the surrounding jungle and vastly thick with all sorts of knobs and branches that made it ideal for climbing. She’d sought its refuge since she was five, though she knew she was not the only one to do so.
Tonight, however, she hadn’t planned on meeting anyone already up at the top. As she gripped a final branch and pulled herself up to a seat above the tree canopy, she suddenly noticed the figure already there, leaning against another thick branch. She couldn’t quite make out their face in the dark, but somehow she guessed their identity before they spoke.
“Don’t fall,” Errance said.
She exhaled, clutching the branch a little tighter, but then breathed a laugh. “I’ve been scampering in the treetops since I was a babe, don’t worry about me. You on the other hand—”
“I’m an earth elf.”
“So climbing trees comes naturally?”
“Naturally.”
Blinking, she looked away, for even though she could not see his face clearly, she could see the star-gleam in his eyes, and that was unnerving enough. Of all people to meet and of all places to do so…and at all times, when her heart and mind had just been arguing with each other.
A branch creaked under Errance’s weight as he shifted to climb lower. “You don’t—” Tryss blurted. “You don’t have to leave. I only came up for some fresh air. I mean…you can go…if you wanted solitude. Actually, in that case I should go, I can always have this tree another time.”
Solitude. There was a whole small army of elves under the eaves of the jungle tonight and did any of them know where Errance was?
He paused and then slowly lifted back up. “The fresh air and stars were also what I sought. And perhaps a little solitude, but only from—” He trailed off into an unintelligible murmur.
“Must have been quite a feat, if you snuck out.”
“I have some skill at sneaking away, in case you hadn’t noticed.”
Well. That was certainly a joke. Or sarcasm, more accurately. But it was said with good-natured humor, none of the bite she’d first known.
Smiling, she settled onto her branch and leaned her arms against another in front. “I suppose it will be stifling at fi
rst. The attention, the adoration, the eager company. But they do love you, Errance, and family is a wonderful thing. I’m happy for you.”
A slight scraping sound caught her ear. His fingers were nervously plucking at the bark. “It is difficult to accept something,” he said, “that you do not fully understand. In the beginning, I thought I knew love, but I see now I only understand a few layers of it. What I witnessed…what has changed me…was the fullness of that love. But I do not know if my heart, my mind, or my soul is too small to take it all in, because the vision and grasp of it fades even now.”
While he spoke, she had gone perfectly still. Not even a breath was disturbing her lips, for fear that she might somehow provide a reason for him to stop.
“My physical scars will fade,” he said. “But I know the ones inside remain and will come back to haunt me. I’m not sure how I can do this…this…beginning again.”
“You won’t have to do it alone,” she whispered. “We’re with you.”
He turned to her and looked long and thoughtfully. “I never thanked you.”
“What?”
“I never thanked you for coming with the children and me. It was dangerous to leave your home and venture into a world you hardly know. I know I frightened you. I meant to. I’m sorry for that.”
She swallowed and gave a nod, though it was so small as to be lost in the dark.
He glanced away again. “Are you still coming to Aselvia?”
“What?”
“Am I speaking too quietly or something?”
She blushed furiously before she glimpsed slight starlight on a smile. Daring to smile in return, she replied, “I suppose my people will stay here. Our village is in no danger anymore, and we are well-established.”
“I suspected as much. But that’s not what I asked. I was asking if you were coming to Aselvia.”
She jolted, gripping the branch hard enough that it creaked. “Oh. Well. I…I will have to speak with the Ancient and my people, but I believe they would give their blessing. I certainly would…like to come and see your kingdom. I know it must be very beautiful. There might be others who would wish to visit as well, though I promise we would not impose…”
“Invite whoever you wish,” he said carelessly. “Stay as long as you want.”
He would just be so calm about that. Coolly speak of something that set her heart racing ten times faster than it ought to have done. She knew she couldn’t hide the excitement pulsing through her blood if she stayed up much longer, so she managed a grateful murmur and began descent.
“Tryss?”
“Yes?” She paused for just a moment.
“Thank you.”
39
oOo
The stars of the Unseen were as colorful as a garden, and Tellie thought they even smelled as sweet as flowers. She wandered through the aurora with complete ease and peace, not even bothering to know why she had come to this world amid the heavens or why she seemed to be alone. Ah, but she was not alone, as she knew by the golden pulse within her heart, one that she was becoming more aware and in awe of. She rather hoped that if she wandered these gardens long enough, she might find Him here as well.
A stroll through the stars was a welcome retreat from the energy of the last few days. The former slaves of Tertorem, though drawn to the light they had glimpsed, were not easy people to deal with, and helping many of them remember and reach home was no simple task.
In the end, it was quite the gathering that boarded the ships of Coren’s contacts. Tellie was not surprised to discover herself susceptible to seasickness, but the crossing of the strait was pleasant enough as far as weather.
They’d had no choice but to dock at Dormandy, causing quite a bit of a stir among the people who were still curious as to why such a large assembly of elves had crossed in the first place.
There, of all things, they’d run into Kelm’s former master. For a horrid moment, Tellie had thought that she was going to have to say good-bye. But the man had gone and taken a new apprentice, quite unable to account for Kelm’s disappearance and having thought him a runaway. There was no room, rhyme, or reason for the man to have two apprentices, so after Kelm explained what he could, he spoke of his decision to stay with the elves. The man had seemed a bit sorry, but understanding, even a tad envious as he glanced at the fine elven things.
They’d skirted Shadowshade on the way to Aselvia, and Tellie wasn’t sure if she felt nostalgia or fear from looking at it from afar. But it was past now, and the last thing she remembered before falling asleep in Casara’s arms, lulled by the sway of the horse, was the dark ridges of mountains reaching up into the stars.
The stars through which she now walked.
And just as she hoped, she found someone else enjoying the celestial gardens. Not Ayeshune, but a welcome friend nevertheless, one tall and with long silver hair.
“Rendar!” she cried. “Oh Rendar, it has been such a time since we last talked! Did you see it all? Wasn’t it just marvelous?”
“I saw,” he said, and she noticed he was very faint here, almost sheer. His voice trembled like a leaf. “I saw and my prayers have been answered. There were days I came so close to losing faith that this hope would ever come true.” Light circled in his hands, a thoughtful and melodic rhythm, almost as if it managed to keep him calm and controlled. “The road ahead will not be easy,” he said. “He will need you now more than ever.”
“We can do it. I’ll only become more powerful in the Unseen, and you can teach me more!”
“I am afraid not,” he said. “We have set out what we accomplished to do and now we must part ways.”
“What!” she cried. “Are we never to meet again? Am I to never come back here?”
“That I cannot tell,” he said, squeezing his hand shut and letting the light drift away in ribbons. “Ayeshune gave you the gift of Walking in the Unseen, so I suspect you shall come here again. Whether we’ll meet here or not is doubtful, but do not despair, we shall meet again in the coming life.”
The words gave her little joy. The blue of the stars bled into her soul, staining everything she saw. But his hand touched her cheek, sending a little warmth back in. “Now then, child, do not weep. Remember what you have learned here. Do not forget that you are still a warrior on the other side. Do not underestimate a little love and a faithful prayer.”
She found her tears were not water, just little sparkles of vanishing light, and she wiped them from her face with a deep breath. “I will miss you.”
“And I you. You have been a comfort and courage to me in these dark days. I am glad you can now rest at last in Aselvia.”
“I can’t wait to see it!”
His brows bunched in confusion, and then suddenly, he laughed. “Ah. That’s right. You were asleep when they came in.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“You were sleeping on Casara’s horse when they arrived in the middle of the night. You were so exhausted, and it was too dark to see anything well, so they just tucked you in bed.”
“I’m in Aselvia?” she squeaked.
“That’s right. Wake up.”
Her eyes flew open to the light of morning. The white ceiling and walls were awash with the golden glow, countering the delicate floral carvings in the stone. She blinked once, then twice, hardly daring to move her gaze more than a bit at a time. Soft blankets bundled on top of her, tucked in against a cool breeze. Her fingers brushed the silky fabric before gripping hold and throwing them back. She lunged from bed and spun in a circle, taking in everything with one heady rush.
Oh, there had never been such a beautiful room, so bright and clean and hung with colorful tapestries and flowers. There was a very tall and very shining mirror, and several intricately carved cabinets, and the marble floor was covered with an embroidered rug, and there was even a balcony to the outside. Was it her room? Was it really hers? Or perhaps, she quickly amended, it was just a temporary setting until another place could be prepared, bu
t even if that place was in the attic she hardly cared because she was here.
She flung herself out the door onto the balcony, unable to bear a second longer from seeing just what ‘here’ was.
Aselvia spread out before her.
The mountains framed the horizon, every shade of blue and purple capped in grey or glistening white. From the mountain roots spread dark blankets of evergreen forest, and as the hills descended into valleys, the forests gave way to vibrant, rolling plains of green. Rivers trailed ribbons of blue through the green, pooling here into a lake, cascading into a waterfall of white over there. Bright white structures rose from the depths of the forests, peeking through the treetops, and those in the city below her little balcony reflected the sunrise in a shimmering glow.
Nothing in Dormandy, nothing in Denji, nothing even in her latest jaunt about the world compared to the craftsmanship of the city. Little wonder that anyone but elves would have had the patience to carve white stone into patterns of lace and leaves, every edge and curve a work of art. Spires and arches rose everywhere, perhaps purely for the beauty of it rather than any other purpose. Vines lavished the stone, climbing wherever they pleased.
She could have stared all morning. Just looked and looked and looked and slowly soaked it all in.
But there was a knock on her door. A light patter of knuckles against wood. “Tellie?” Casara called. “Are you awake?”
“Yes!” She leapt back into the room, swiping down her frazzled hair. “Come in!”
The woman swept in with a smile, taking a glance about. “Do you like it?”
“Like it? I love it!” But wait, did she mean the realm or just the room or both of them at once?
“Well, we shall make it more your own in the next few days,” Casara said with a nod of satisfaction. “But I was able to borrow a few dresses from a friend that should fit you until we meet with a seamstress.”
Moonscript (Kings of Aselvia Book 1) Page 45