* * * * *
The guards had not known the barrier was broken. When Lanyan asked them they said it remained intact—so he did not express otherwise. Such a thing might cause a panic. Even though that were true, the Elf half expected the clearing to be filled with elves in full armor, prepared to defend their home. But it was just as it had been the countless times he’d walked through before: peaceful and vibrant. The elves laughed and waved to him as they simply enjoyed their day—normal. He wondered again, how long it would remain that way.
Pushing quickly to the bridge, he gave a nod to the other guards and then sprinted up the stairs. When he entered the now adjourned council all turned their attention to him and Starrlana with a bright look on her face.
“Lanyan,” Rasonius expressed, “We did not realize we would see you so soon.” Lanyan wore concern as he approached, the Elven king easily picking up on it, “What is it, Son?”
Lanyan hesitated, turning a nervous glance, “It’s the barrier Sir. It’s been breached.”
Rasonius’ white and black eyebrows turned down slightly, his face stern, “I know…”
“You do? But the front guards…”
Rasonius shook his head slowly, “I have not told them.”
“Why? What if something were to happen? Don’t you think they should be informed?”
“And what would I tell them? That their age-old protection has been seared? That they are no longer safe? It would cause a panic.”
And Lanyan could only chuckle—though not aloud—at the coincidence. “I agree, Sire,” he bowed his head, “So when are you going to tell them?”
Rasonius turned back for a moment and then faced Lanyan once more. “Hopefully we will not have to, though the barrier was created long before any of us were born, Starrlana is doing her best to find the spell, potentially to restore it. In the meantime, I’ve dispatched only a few guards trusted with this knowledge.”
“What can I do to help?”
With a stern gaze and a strong tone Rasonius spoke to only Lanyan, “End this.”
“My Lord?” Lan asked, confused.
“Do your part to ensure that we won’t need a barrier,” The Elven king reached out and put a hand on the other’s shoulder. “Help your companions win this war,” He spoke solemnly, his eyes locked on the younger elf’s.
“Understood Sire.”
Rasonius removed his hand. He allowed one glance to Lanyan’s crossbow but did not inquire. “I am glad to hear it. Was it only the border you wished to speak to me about?” Lanyan bowed in agreement. “I see. Then I will allow you to return to your group. Be safe, Lanyan.”
The Elf bowed, “Thank you Sir.”
Rasonius turned to the other members of the council, “Starrlana?”
She moved a misty gaze on Lanyan to a serious one on Rasonius, “Yes father?”
“Would you see Lanyan out please?”
“Of course,” she said softly as she crossed and tucked her arm under Lanyan’s and walked him to the door. “You are well?” she asked, not having the chance to speak with him earlier.
“Aye. I am weary and homesick, but I am safe. And how do you fair?”
She squeezed his arm lightly, “My day is spent staring at spells and relics rather than laws and decrees, but I am safe.” A faint giggle passed by her mouth, “However…” her tone grew serious as Lanyan caught her head turning to him out of the corner of his eye, “I miss you.”
Lanyan stopped, not sure if he heard her correctly. He looked upon her, finding a gentle smile and dashing lavender eyes, “I…” he swallowed hard, “I’ve missed you as well.”
Gracefully, Starrlana moved in front of him, placing both hands on his shoulders, using them to pull herself up and kiss him on the cheek. “Then be safe and return quickly to me,” she whispered, planting her feet again and removing her hands before bowing to him softly.
“I will,” he smiled and returned the gesture. “I wish you luck,” he waited for a long moment before he finally slipped out the door.
Though he was not at peace when he came to Sharia, he was starting to find it now. His people, his King at least, knew about the barrier and he was in the process of finding a solution. Now Lanyan could continue his work towards eliminating the problem.
He passed by the other two guards and glided his way across the bridge towards the clearing, trying his best to hurry. Normally he would use the trail as everyone else did. However with the bind for time he went straight through—which only the elves were allowed. It was a much harder trek, fighting with the thick brush and condensed trees, but it was far faster. In half the time it would have taken him earlier, he reached the clearing where they encountered Idimus only the day before. The tree still laying there, the huge footprints from the massive black dragon still stamped into the dirt. Curiosity surged through Lanyan’s mind as to how Rasonius had or would explain it.
A smirk crossed his lips as he continued, his mind drifted to the woman—Valaira. He’d embedded a crossbow bolt straight into her chest and she didn’t even flinch. When she removed it, no trace of the wound was left behind. She seemed almost nonchalant, as though any weapon would have the same affect.
Lanyan had never seen anything like that—like her. As he walked, Elryia’s statement to Rasonius echoed in his head and he now realized how right she was. They were prisoners within their own realm, unknowing of so many things. Some of them, like Valaira, were dangerous and they needed protection from them. Others, however, were not: different races, far off lands and towns, unique and strange cultures—a world outside of Sharia that had to be seen up close, rather than from a book. His people deserved that. They deserved freedom. Everyone did.
“How did it fair?” Elryia’s question dragged the Elf from his wandering thoughts. “You were only gone a couple of hours.”
“Aye, they were aware.”
“They were?”
Lanyan nodded then turned an eye towards the guards. Their backs were turned, they did not see Lanyan bring a quieting finger to his lips.
Elryia pondered before realization set in. “So everything is settled then?”
“Aye.”
“Good.” Elryia smiled to Lanyan, then furrowed her brow upon Grahamas. “That means we should be on our way, yes?”
“Aye.” The Champion stood before holding his hand out to help El up.
She gratefully took it. “We should wake the others.” And suddenly her face grew even more somber. “You get Gort.”
“I…eh…” Before he could argue, she beamed and hurried off, faster than even he could catch her. He looked to Lanyan, only to find him missing. Grahamas was left—alone—to deal with one of his most difficult and perhaps terrifying tasks.
In A Time Of Darkness Page 68
