He broke the silence first. "Well princess. You've saved your friend there and got us all the way out in the middle of Eibhear Bog. I'd love to hear what your plan is now. Do you have a destination in mind, or are we just going to wait until morning and wander about listening for the next scream?"
Krystelle glared at him, "If you must know, I've not worked that out yet."
"Well that's a surprise!"
"Let me finish! I had thought to spend some time in Aldmoor, regrouping and figuring out my next step. That did not work out as I planned."
"Obviously.”
Shaking her head slightly, Daciana laid a hand on Krystelle's leg as she started to rise. Infuriating man. Taking a deep breath, Krystelle continued. "The Krenon have been one step ahead of me and I expect were I to attempt to reach the Dazhberg, they would snap me up."
Daciana nodded in agreement. "Word is there is a cordon around the fortress. It's at some distance, but your assessment is correct. Sailing to Cale Uriasz would be worse, the ports are even more heavily watched than the Dazhberg."
Krystelle grimaced, "I was afraid of that."
"Hallvard." Three heads swiveled toward Cenric. It was the first sign of alertness he'd shown since they'd found him on the knoll. His eyes shone brightly, reflecting the light of the fire as he spoke again. "The answers are in Hallvard."
Slowly, Krystelle nodded. "The dwarves. I had not considered that."
"Dwarves?" Daciana sneered. "Since when have dwarves been helpful in any way?"
"You missed a lot my old friend. I myself journeyed to Hallvard last year. They aided Gabriel in our final battle against Sterling Lex. It would be a good place to start. At least there we can be confident of allies."
Jeffry stood, pulling on her arm. "Can I have a word with you?"
She allowed herself to be pulled away from the fire. "What is it?"
"I don't know what there is between you and that boy, but I think you need to reconsider taking his advice on where to go next."
She cocked her head, "And why would I do that?"
He grabbed hold of her arm again, "Have you looked at him? Really looked. There's something wrong with him. His eyes are...wrong."
"Let go of me!" Pulling her arm away, she looked over at Cenric and Daciana. "He has just been through a lot. Hallvard is a good choice and, besides, I do not hear you coming up with a better one."
"Traveling halfway across Cynneweald at the suggestion of a half-crazed kid to hole up in a dwarven cave does not sound like my idea of a good plan! Not in any way."
"Well, you are under no obligation to go with us!"
"Maybe I'll just be on my way then!"
"Fine then. Just go!"
"Fine." Whirling about he stalked over to saddle his horse. Krystelle watched, furious as he mounted up and rode off into the darkness without looking back. She sensed a presence coming up behind her and turned to find Daciana had joined her.
"You heard that, I guess?" Her friend nodded. "I cannot believe he really left."
"I warned you."
"You did."
"How did you know?"
Daciana laughed, "Because I know you, Krystelle. Maybe better than you know yourself."
#
Krystelle volunteered for the first watch. She had too much on her mind to sleep. Jeffry leaving should not have affected her so deeply. Their brief adventure years ago, and now this most recent encounter were all she knew of the man. Yet he filled her thoughts. She should have been focused on the bigger problems. The Krenon coup. Her mother's capture. Finding the journal and taking it to Sebastian. All of that paled next to how she felt at Jeffry's sudden departure.
Her mind spun all night until she fell asleep just before dawn. She awoke to find Cenric standing over her. "Krystelle, it's really good to see you. We should get going. We need to get to Hallvard as fast as we can." Seeing she was awake, he turned away and headed over to where the horses waited.
The onslaught reminded her of the old Cenric. Disturbed, she watched him walk away. Maybe it was just the memory of what Jeffry said the previous night, but there did seem to be something off about the boy. The words and enthusiasm seemed forced, a shadow of the curious boy she remembered. Shrugging it off, she shook Daciana awake.
Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, Daciana pulled herself to a seated position. "You were supposed to wake me up."
Krystelle shrugged, "I could not sleep. Besides, I do not think we are in much danger of anyone tracking us through this swamp."
"Couldn't sleep, eh?" Daciana laughed.
"What?"
"It's actually refreshing to see you like this. You were always so rigid, always trying to prove something to everyone. Good to know you're human just like the rest of us!" Not waiting for a response, Daciana climbed out of her bedroll and began tearing down the camp. Krystelle watched her for a moment, wondering, then shook her head and turned to her own preparations.
Before long, the three of them rode back out into the swamp, with Cenric sharing Daciana's mount. The boy seemed himself again and Krystelle dismissed her earlier misgivings as a byproduct of the conflict with Jeffry Cavan. She told herself they were well rid of the man.
It took the better part of the day for the trio to find their way out of the Bog. Surprisingly, Cenric turned out to be a fair guide. He seemed to have an affinity for finding the best pathway. Krystelle had never known him to be such a good scout, but she was not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Left to her own devices, she might have spent weeks wandering around the Bog before she found her way out, if she ever did.
Out of the swamp, they soon found the northern road and began to make better time. From there they quickly fell into a rhythm. Riding most of the day and making camp hidden well off the road. Avoiding towns and settlements, their aim was to reach Hallvard without encountering anyone who might betray them to the Krenon, even inadvertently.
Toward the end of the third day out from Eibhear Bog, they came over a rise to see a caravan coming toward them. Daciana pulled her horse up short. "We need to get off the road. We're still far enough away, they won't have seen us yet."
Krystelle nodded her agreement and the two of them led their horses off the road into the nearby forest. Generally, when they encountered others on the road they hid nearby until the threat passed. This time the two women locked eyes for a moment, thinking the same thing.
"What are we doing?" asked Cenric.
"We need to move farther from the road to ensure we aren't discovered," answered Daciana. "That's a large caravan, and combined with the lateness of the day it's altogether possible the caravan leaders will stop nearby for the evening. They'll forage and spread out over a large area."
"Oh, that makes sense I guess."
A hundred yards into the forest, Krystelle found a game trail and used it to gain more distance from the road. Before long, it led them to the edge of a deep ravine. Turning up the crevasse, Krystelle urged her horse faster.
"Krystelle, slow down! This edge doesn't look stable to me."
Looking back, Krystelle shook her head, "That caravan will be almost to where we left the road by now. We need to gain more distance."
"I agree, but we won't do ourselves any good...Krystelle look out!"
Krystelle's horse strayed a little too close to the edge and Daciana watched helplessly as the cliff broke away from under her. Krystelle screamed as her horse plunged out from under her, the motion and sound spooking Daciana's mount. He reared, throwing Cenric from his perch behind her and causing Daciana to lose her own grip.
Daciana found herself sliding down the cliff-face toward the rocks below. Digging in, she managed to grab hold of an outcrop and yelped as she came to a halt, hanging from the edge. Gasping to catch her breath, she looked around for Krystelle and fearing the worst.
Seeing the other woman clinging from the rock face a few yards away, she breathed a sigh of relief. "You alright?" she asked.
Krystelle nodded. "Well enoug
h. My arm may be broken. I do not think I can climb out."
Daciana scowled, looking around at her own predicament. Down was not an option. Peering up, she examined the cliff above her. "The face is unstable, if I try to climb out it will come down on me."
Krystelle looked up from her own perch and reached to try to pull herself up. Yelping with the pain she settled back. "No good," she said, panting. "Cenric!"
Daciana shook her head, "He went down pretty hard. I'm afraid he may be unconscious. We're going to have to find our own way out of this."
Looking back up, Daciana considered her options. She still did not like the look of that cliff face. Perhaps she could make her way along the cliff to find a more stable area. Inching along, she reached out for a rock protruding from the dirt a bit to her left. Grabbing hold, she tested it before trusting her weight. It seemed solid and she shifted her feet to follow.
She managed to crawl a few yards along the cliff face when her foot slipped and she grabbed hold to prevent herself from falling. Dirt and rock cascaded to the ravine floor far below.
"You ok?" yelled Krystelle.
A sound from above interrupted her response. Looking up she found a coil of rope flying over the edge toward her head. "Tie it around your waist and I'll pull you up!" came a muffled voice.
"Who's there?" she called back.
"Really? We're going to do this now? Tie the rope around your waist and we'll talk about it once I've pulled you to safety."
She glanced at Krystelle, who shrugged. It wasn't like they had much choice. Chances were someone from the caravan had heard their shouting and come to help. Whomever they were, they were not likely to throw down a rope only to let them fall. Grabbing hold of the rope, she tied it on and shouted up, "Ready!"
Moments later the rope went taut and began dragging her up the side of the cliff at a steady pace. Their rescuer must have been using a horse to provide the lift, or he was strong as one.
Coming over the top, she found the last person she expected to see. Putting that aside for a moment, she untied the rope and threw it back down to Krystelle. It did not take the two of them long before they had Krystelle out of the ravine. She took one look at their rescuer and exploded.
"What are you doing here?"
Jeffry shrugged, "Saving you. Again."
Krystelle took a step toward him and Daciana stepped between the two, "And you just happened to be here?" she asked.
"Turns out we were heading the same direction anyway. That caravan you ran away from is one of mine. I rode to meet them after I left you in the Bog. Saw the three of you leave the road. You're not very good at this hiding thing."
"Fine," said Krystelle. "You have done your good deed. Our deepest thanks. Now be on your way."
Jeffry laughed, "You didn't even make it a week without needing my help again. No, I think I will go with you. I may have been…a bit hasty in leaving before."
Krystelle exploded, "NOW you want to come with us..."
Daciana laid a hand on her arm, "Let it go." The two women locked eyes for a moment and Krystelle nodded. Daciana turned back to Jeffry, "What's your plan?"
"We go back to my caravan and resupply. They are good people and can be trusted not to mention any of you. We'll need horses and food. One night there and then we'll be off."
Krystelle stared at the man for a long moment before nodding. The three of them found Cenric waking from his fall and helped him up behind Daciana on her horse. Jeffry mounted his own and extended his arm to help Krystelle up behind him. Settling in behind him, she wrapped her good arm around his waist and surprised herself with a contented sigh.
#
Riding down the narrow, rocky corridor that led to Hallvard's hidden gates, the party of four examined the walls around. "Are we sure they will even let us in?" asked Jeffry.
Krystelle shook her head, "As I have told you before, I am known here."
"From what I've heard of dwarves and their practices, being admitted once is no guarantee."
Daciana snorted, "What would a smuggler know of dwarven trading practices anyway? Trust Krystelle. Besides, it's a bit late to turn back now. We're almost there.” She looked over at Krystelle, “We are almost there, aren't we?"
She nodded, "The gates are just around the next bend." True to her word, they rounded the next corner to find their canyon come to an abrupt end. Krystelle turned to the others, "We may as well dismount, it may be some time before we are greeted."
"Perhaps not as long as you think," the gravelly voice startled the four of them.
Krystelle turned back to the gate to find a familiar face. "Asegeirr, it is good to see you."
The dwarven door-warden inclined his head, "And you Krystelle Mora. Your arrival is unlooked for. Why have you come to the gates of Hallvard?"
"We have come to petition the Gundarian Council for access to the archives on a mission of import to all of Cynneweald."
Asegeirr frowned, "It is rare for the Council to allow outsiders access to the libraries, even ones as well-known as yourself. But that is not my decision to make. I must know though, who are these with you?"
"My companions are trustworthy and I vouch for each of them. This is Daciana Halle, sword-master of Gabriel and my bosom friend. Next to her is Cenric, apprentice of Uriasz and Jeffry Cavan, our escort."
Laughing, Asegeirr turned to activate the hidden door mechanism, "Two sword-masters and a wizard's apprentice. Makes me wonder what the three of you need an escort to do! Never you mind though, you are welcome here and these others are welcome with you. You'll have to surrender your weapons of course."
"Of course."
A squad of dwarves emerged from the rocks around the travelers, collecting their armaments. Krystelle watched, slightly impressed at the array of knives Jeffry had secreted about his person. Once they were disarmed, four dwarves collected their horses and Asegeirr led them into the depths of the mountain. Depositing Daciana, Cenric, and Jeffry in the antechamber, he led Krystelle directly to the Council chamber.
Three dwarves traditionally made up the Gunardian Council, and few outsiders were ever allowed to address them directly. Krystelle had been here before and thought she had a good idea of what to expect. Entering the chamber, she found the three waiting for her on their stone benches atop the dais at the far end of the room.
Asegeirr saluted them and retreated from the chamber, leaving Krystelle alone with them. Not quite alone, she realized with a start. A wizened dwarf clad in flowing robes stood to one side. What was he doing here? Putting it out of her mind for the moment, she focused on the center figure.
"Hail Krystelle," said Finnguala in that crystalline voice she remembered from her last visit to Hallvard. "You are most welcome in our halls, though we wonder at the timing of your visit."
"I bring greetings from my mother, Queen Mora, Guardian of Cynneweald and Defender of Naevean," Krystelle began.
The dwarf to Finnguala's right hand interrupted her, "Do you? Bring greetings from the Queen. Tidings have come to Hallvard in advance of you."
"Then you have heard of the attempt to overthrow the crown and the treachery of Tanjia Loredanna?"
"We have heard many things," continued the dwarf. "All the stories agree on a few points. The Queen has gone into seclusion. Tanjia Loredanna is acting as Regent, and the Queen's daughter..."
"The Queen's daughter," Finnguala took up the narrative, "stands accused of theft from the Crown and has a bounty on her head."
Krystelle pulled herself up tall, "And where do the dwarves stand in all this? Have you allowed me entry merely to make me a captive and turn me over to my enemies or will the dwarves listen to truth? It seems we have been down this path once before."
Finnguala laughed, "Indeed we have Krystelle Mora, indeed we have. As Gertruagne said, we've heard many tales and something stinks in the rumors coming out of Naevean. Perhaps you'd like to shed some light on what really happened?"
"I can, and I will. But first, I have a r
equest of the Council. I am on a mission of some import and, if news of what happened in Naevean has traveled here so fast then I fear time is of the essence."
Staring at her, Finnguala blinked one long, slow blink before answering. "Very well. We will set the state of affairs in Cynneweald aside for the moment to hear your request, but we will come back to it. What is your request?"
Krystelle gathered her thoughts, "You know of the ripples of random magic that have been plaguing Cynneweald?" Finnguala nodded. "I do not claim to understand it all, but when the Soulstone was destroyed at Cinaeth, something happened to the Ban and the powers holding it together are fracturing in some way."
"Yes," said Gertruagne. "That is consistent with what our scholars have been telling us. What does that have to do with your coming to Hallvard."
"I...we, have reason to believe that the Heartstone is the key to repairing the damage and Sebastian Pwyll is the key to the Hearstone, and the Arch-mage Valeria sent word to me that I must find the Journal of the elf Nynniaw and bring it to Sebastian at Daguranso. I have been given reason to believe I can find the journal here, at Hallvard. I seek permission to enter the archives to search for the book."
The third council member spoke up for the first time, "Not possible! No outsider has ever been granted leave to visit the dwarven archives."
Finnguala nodded, "Nunzia Olim is correct. It is forbidden for one such as yourself to access our records. I am sorry Krystelle Mora, but what you ask cannot be." Krystelle opened her mouth to protest and Finnguala held up a hand to stop her. "There is no argument you can make that will change our minds. You and your companions may rest here for a while until you decide where you will go next, but you will not enter the libraries. That is final." Nodding to the door, Krystelle could tell a dismissal. Arguing further would just earn her a place in a dwarven cell and she had no desire to visit one of those again.
Leaving the chamber, she found Asegeirr waiting for her to escort her back to her companions. "From the sour look on your face, I'm guessing that didn't go well."
Eligium- The Complete Series Page 52
