Elfhunter

by C S Marks

Kharsh nodded. He could certainly relate to Gorgon’s point about the Shadowmancer, for he had witnessed the consequences of displeasing Him. The unfortunates involved had begged for death, which came to them not quickly. He shuddered at the memory. He hoped that the misgivings Gorgon was experiencing were just the result of his inexperience in leading a force into open battle.

  In a rare, bold moment Kharsh looked Gorgon in the eye, saying, "I understand. And you are right—we must proceed. I hold hope that your uncertainty will fade as the time draws near, but if not, and the Elves have set a trap for us, let us hope that we do not survive it. Failure will mean death for us all, and given the choice of facing Wrothgar’s wrath or falling in battle, I will choose battle! But know that I am your humble servant, my lord, whatever may befall."

  "That you are, Kharsh, that you are," growled Gorgon, "whether you would have it or no. We must make certain that our forces are as ready as they can be and that our battle plan is well made. We will prevail; I know the Elves are not expecting a host of this size and ferocity, at any rate. Their pride will assist us, and they will fall. The pride of the Elàni is a thing that I know very much about; long has it been their undoing. But I shall remain vigilant and glean what I may from them until the day of reckoning. We must not assume victory, though we are fairly certain of it."

  Gorgon said nothing for a long while, and just as Kharsh assumed that he had finished speaking and turned to leave, Gorgon spoke once more, his voice low, soft, and menacing. "They shall fall before me as blades of grass wither before a flame, and none will remain, save one. I have not yet finished with thee, Gaelen Taldin. But thy choice in the Tuathan will bear no fruit, as he shall be among the first to fall at my hands. All who love thee shall fall."

  Kharsh knew then that, regardless of any reservations Gorgon might have, the Black Command would be going to war at the next new moon. The Elves would be thrown into doubt and confusion, and the Shadowmancer would achieve a major victory, even though he was not yet strong.

  The eve of departure for the Barrens had come at last. Those chosen to prepare for the council included Rogond and Gaelen, Nelwyn, Galador, Fima and Thorndil, along with a small company of the Elves of the Greatwood. They would carry the provisions necessary to set up the council area, and they would scout the region thoroughly to ensure the safety of the participants. At least, that was the information made available to the Black Command. In reality, they prepared for war. They would be met by others unknown to and unseen by Gorgon, for these preparations would be extensive. They would require a larger force than would the setting up of a simple council chamber.

  Rogond had left the Woodland stronghold to walk along the banks of the River Dominglas, mulling over the preparations in his mind. He prayed that they had left nothing undone, no detail overlooked. Had their deception succeeded? They would not know until the confrontation came, he supposed. Of course, if Gorgon had learned of their plans somehow, he might be already awaiting them, and doubtless the advance party would all be killed. Then Gorgon would likely await the arrival of Ri-Aruin, who would oversee the last of the preparations, and he would be slain as well. In anticipation of such a terrible possibility, the Wood-elves had called upon many to serve as lookouts, forming a chain of contact all the way back to the Elven-hold. If the advance party met with disaster, Ri-Aruin would learn of it and be able to prepare.

  Rogond had passed by the Narrows to a place where the river calmed and sat down upon a stone, staring at the water as it flowed by. It always relaxed him to look and listen to the river, and he would need to be steady and calm in this effort, as the advance party played an especially important part in ensuring that Gorgon would be well and truly lured in. Gaelen had confided that she was beginning to sense some hesitation when Gorgon was in contact with her, though she could tell that he was still bent on attacking the council. It was a bit of a worry. If Gorgon slipped out of their trap now, the chance would never come again, and Gaelen would be forced to remain in solitude lest she unwittingly play a part in assisting him. She had vowed that no more lives would be taken with her aid.

  Rogond’s gaze was drawn to a dark object, half washed-up on the rocky riverbank, and he wondered what it could be, as it looked vaguely familiar. He rose and went to retrieve it, then looked down in wonderment. It was Gaelen’s blue pouch, though it appeared nearly black in its sodden condition. The strap had broken and it fluttered in the current. Was it too much to hope that the banner of Ri-Elathan, Gaelen’s talisman, was still inside? Rogond crouched down beside the waters, reached for the tattered pouch, and lifted it. Then he returned to the stone and sat upon it, gently squeezing the excess water from the old, worn leather. The design could no longer be seen upon it, but inside he found the banner, or what was left of it, and he carefully removed and inspected it.

  The pattern was still brilliant; the silk still shimmered. Only about half of the original fabric remained; the rest had been scorched away in the heat of the terrible final confrontation between Ri-Elathan and Wrothgar. This was the first time Rogond had beheld it. He knew of it, of course, having been told about it by Nelwyn, and now he gently fingered the soft silk, imagining the events that it had witnessed. Gaelen’s heart was wrapped up in this banner, he knew, and the loss of it had grieved her. It was the first thing she had reached for when she regained her senses after they had pulled her from the river. The look in her eyes when she had realized it was gone had torn at his heart, and he would have given anything in that moment to restore it to her. He often had seen her reach up to hold it in times of stress, and now her fingers searched in vain for it until she remembered that it was lost.

  She would be elated at its return, and it gladdened Rogond’s heart that he would be the one to bring it back to her and bring her joy. Now he spread the silken remnant upon the warm, soft grass so that it would dry quickly. The pouch was no longer serviceable; it was practically falling to pieces in his hands. Still, he tended it, laying it beside the banner where he could keep an eye on it until he returned to the halls, there to present the banner to his beloved that it might make her glad again.

  The advance party would leave at dawn, and all was in readiness. Gaelen was completely focused on the task set before her, and she honed her blades one final time, looking to her bow and quiver as well, for she was going to war. She did not notice Rogond when he first approached her, as he could be quite stealthy if he so wished. He hung back in the shadows for a moment, taking in the sight of his beloved as she held up each arrow-shaft and sighted down it, her bright eyes focused, frowning slightly. She was already dressed for traveling in light garments of dull green and brown, looking small and plain, and very much the rustic hunter-scout. Rogond knew better. She was an eagle in the guise of a sparrow, her heart was fierce and she would see her enemy destroyed. Her eyes burned again with their familiar bright light, but now it was the light of purpose, and she would not turn from it.

  He knew that she had come to terms with Gorgon’s invasion of her senses, turning it back upon him so that it was almost welcomed, though she still shuddered with revulsion if she allowed herself to think too long of it. There was no longer any risk that she would harm herself, as she was too important in the design of Gorgon’s downfall. It was true that she would not allow herself to indulge in her usual pastimes, as she was afraid to relax lest something slip into Gorgon’s reckoning.

  She kept imagining one of her favorite stories, in which Ri- Aldamar, whom she had never seen but had always imagined as resembling his son, Ri-Elathan, used his incredible fortitude to lead his army over five hundred miles from Tal-elathas in seven days, to come to the aid of his friend Conegal, then Lord of Tuathas, who was besieged. He never gave up hope, so she must not. Her task was small, so she thought, compared with his. Had Ri-Aldamar been privy to her thoughts, he might have disagreed.

  Rogond made a sound in his throat to alert Gaelen to his presence and then approached her as she acknowledged him.

  "Has everything b
een made ready? Is there anything else you would have me do?" she asked, her bright eyes alert and willing.

  He shook his head. "We are as ready as we will ever be, Gaelen, but there is one thing I would do before we leave tomorrow. Nelwyn told me of Ri-Elathan’s banner that you wore as your talisman. She said he never went forth without it, and so you should not. I have come to return that which was lost." So saying, he drew forth the banner, carefully folded, and offered it to her.

  Gaelen could not breathe for a moment. She looked into his eyes and read his honest, loving nature in their calm, grey depths. She longed to take the banner from him, but she did not. Instead, she took his hand, folding his fingers gently over the soft silk.

  "Ri-Elathan came to me on the shores of the Dark Sea that leads to the Eternal Realm. He told me that I should grieve no more for him, that I should open my heart. I believe that he took the banner from me so that I might realize that my life does have meaning without him. Life does continue, though we may not have it so."

  Rogond sorrowed for her in that moment, for the longing in her eyes was still there, though she tried to deny it. He took her arm.

  Y-O-U G-O T-O W-A-R T-O-M-O-R-R-O-W T-A-K-E I-T.

  Then he spoke. "He would want you to have it next to your heart. Take it." He offered it again to her. "He meant for me to find it, that I might restore it to you. Take it, please."

  "No, Rogond. You found it, not I. He did not return it to me, and therefore he does not wish for me to have it any longer. You found it. You keep it."

  He looked into her eyes and saw the depth of her conviction there. She honestly believed that Farahin had given the banner to Rogond. Finally, she took his hand, which was still holding the banner, in both of her own. Then she spoke softly.

  "This has passed on, Thaylon. You will have more need of it than I, for you are my protector now."

  Then she turned abruptly and left him before he could react. He knew better than to pursue her, but stood alone, fingering the soft silken folds of the banner before tucking it away next to his heart.

  At dawn the Company departed for the Barrens, bearing their provisions. A second, much larger group of Elves left the following day, carrying armaments and other supplies that would be needed for battle. They would rendezvous in the appointed place in eight days’ time, after traveling well over two hundred miles from the Woodland stronghold, but this would present no difficulty, as they were mounted. Ri-Aruin, who would need to be "seen" by Gorgon, would arrive two days after that. Then he would remain until the arrival of "Magra" and Oryan. Once Gorgon was aware of Ri-Aruin’s presence the King would return to the safety of the stronghold, leaving Wellyn to assume his role. Wellyn resembled his father quite strongly, save that he was a bit more finely made. They would disguise this, however, and Rogond felt that Gorgon would not detect the deception.

  So long as Wellyn did not speak, all would be well, for his voice was softer than and not as deep as Ri-Aruin’s.

  On the night of the new moon, the Elves would stage a heated debate in the council-chamber, which was actually a large silken tent erected upon a great, bowl-like plateau that capped the summit of the highest hill. None without wings would be able to view this area, and because it was such a logical place to hold the council, Gorgon would make for it immediately. In addition, so long as Gaelen remained there, the sunken plateau would prevent her from accidentally viewing the battle-preparations. Gorgon would most likely attack when the Elves were most distracted, and Gaelen would be set at the doorway of the silken tent, where she would hear all of the debate, but she would not look directly at Wellyn ("Ri-Aruin") or Amandir ("Magra"). It would not do to allow Gorgon to have close visual scrutiny of either of them.

  They had but one objective in this confrontation, and that was to kill Gorgon Elfhunter. They did not yet know the extent of his army, but a few skilled hunter-scouts had been sent to occupy posts to the south of the Barrens, where they would catch first sight of the Black Command and return quickly with the information.

  Two days prior to the council, Oryan and the Elves of Tal- sithian arrived. Oryan was treated as an honored guest, emissary to the Lake-realm. The appearance of "Magra" (Amandir) had been staged the day before, as he and his small retinue made their way in from the east. Gaelen made certain that Gorgon knew "Lord Magra" had arrived, as she expressed her relief to Rogond that he had not been waylaid upon the road. She made certain to view him only at a distance, as Gorgon might recognize Amandir and thus see through his disguise. Now the Black Command would be aware that all the Elves planning to attend the council were present, and Gorgon would no doubt begin moving his army north, preparing his assault upon them. The Company anxiously awaited news from their scouts to the south, and they were not disappointed.

  Two of the scouts arrived just before dawn of the following day to report that Gorgon’s army was approaching. They were dismayed, their faces drawn with anxiety, and they had made all speed in returning with their news. Their tidings were grim—more than five hundred well-armed and armored Ulcas made their way steadily toward the Barrens. Ri-Aruin, Rogond, and Wellyn heard all the scouts would tell, and they wondered how Gorgon could have put such a force together so quickly. The challenge of defeating him would be greater than anticipated, and it was a sobering thought. But Ri-Aruin was not dismayed, and he spoke quickly to Rogond and Wellyn.

  "Our forces are gathering to the north even now. I will leave at once, so that I may lead them. I will make certain that our army will be large enough to overwhelm Gorgon. You, my son, will have to hold him at bay long enough for our host to surround him and move in. Are you confident that your defenses will hold?"

  Wellyn looked sidelong at Rogond, who had been a bit disillusioned at the thought of five hundred fierce enemies attacking; his last accounting of Gorgon’s forces had numbered closer to thirty. The Ranger looked into the eyes of the son of Ri-Aruin, lifted his chin, and nodded.

  "They will hold. However, it will not disappoint me if your forces move with all haste once we are attacked."

  "So they shall, Tuathan. So they shall. I will take my leave of you now and make my way to rendezvous with them. They will be in position by nightfall. All is prepared." He turned to his son and embraced him with some awkwardness. "Lead well, my son, and safeguard your friends and yourself. You will see me again ‘ere this is ended. May the will of Aontar assure us all of victory."

  When he had gone, Rogond turned to Wellyn.

  "May we all live up to his expectations. Let’s go and inspect our defenses once more, as when last I did so I was not anticipating five hundred attackers."

  Wellyn smiled ruefully. "Neither was I. But remember that Gorgon will likewise not be expecting the size of the force my father is planning, which, if I know him well, will be nearly a thousand strong. The days of this enemy are numbered, do not fear." Then his cheerful demeanor seemed to fade, and he grew serious. "Our defenses will have to hold until then." They waited until the dawn’s light grew a bit stronger, and then went out to inspect their preparations, for the battle would soon be joined.

  The rugged hillside had been set about with shallow pits filled with pitch; these would be set afire using flaming arrows as Gorgon’s army attempted to ascend. Their light would reveal the Ulcas to the sharp-eyed archers, who would be well protected, concealed around the rim above. The pits had been hidden under large piles of dry brush; when ignited they would flame up quickly and burn for hours. They were also the signal to Ri-Aruin’s host, who would be lying in wait just to the north, to circle around until the hill was surrounded, then move in and overwhelm Gorgon’s forces. There were nearly invisible snares set near the rocky ground; several of these were strung between piles of rock that were set to slide down upon the ones unlucky enough to stumble upon them.

  About forty of the Elves of Tal-sithian and the Greatwood would be stationed as archers, but the archers would not be able to hold off such a number of enemies for long. Thus the rest of their small forc
e would lie in wait until the archers fell back, indicating that the hilltop would soon be breached. Gorgon would no doubt be using the mirror to view the movements of his enemies, which would otherwise be hidden from view.

  When the signal came from the lookouts that the enemy had been sighted, Gaelen had been instructed to leave the council and join the archers on the rim. Gorgon would be more hesitant to attack them and risk killing her; she was too important to his future plans. In addition, she would be training her vision on the enemy below her, and he would then learn nothing of the activity on the hilltop. Nelwyn would be there as well, for her skill with a bow was unrivaled.

  Each of the archers would have the task of lighting one of the brush-pits, and they had been instructed to wait until the majority of the Ulcas had moved past them. They could not afford to alert Gorgon to the fact that they were expecting him, as he would no doubt retreat and would likely escape to threaten the Greatwood on a later time. Gaelen had vowed that she would die rather than allow Gorgon to escape her.

  When the archers fell back before the invading army, they would join the rest of the defenders in hand-to-hand combat with bow and blade. Horses would be of little use except in the center of the plateau, where the terrain was gentler. The area around the steep edges was far too treacherous to go upon mounted, so most of the horses had been moved to the shelter of a large, rocky alcove. Wellyn, Amandir, and Oryan would each stand with a group of defenders. Fima and Rogond would stand with the Elves of the Greatwood, intending to defend Gaelen and Nelwyn the moment they appeared.

  Wellyn had estimated that it would take the first wave of Ri- Aruin’s army about fifteen minutes to surround the hill, and then another ten or so to reach them on the hilltop. They had been made aware of the location of the traps on the hillside, and thus could avoid them. Rogond and Galador looked hard at one another. These would be very long minutes, but Gorgon’s defeat would be assured once the Wood-elves arrived. Until then, their primary task was to prevent him from escaping.