Elfhame (Skeleton Key)

by Anthea Sharp

  Just below hearing, he was aware of the Void’s rage, a black hum of fury. If he had to guess, he would say the Void had exhausted the other worlds it preyed upon. In the past, Elfhame had been too much trouble, but now he could sense a desperation in its hunger.

  He thought it no coincidence that the Void’s efforts to break through were concentrated near the doorway to yet another land: the mortal world where humans dwelt. They would stand little chance against the creatures now attacking the Dark Elves.

  Humans were weak, despite their iron swords and masses of soldiers. It was not because of their fighting prowess that the Dark Elves had closed the doorway and returned to Elfhame. Mortals, with very few exceptions, lacked the magic to repel the creatures of the Void. They would make a sweet feast for its devouring energy.

  But he should not dwell on such dark thoughts. Now Mara had arrived, an end to the battle was in sight.

  Bran strode back to Lieth’s small camp. He bundled up her sleeping roll and struck her tent, stowing it and most of her supplies in the waterproof saddlebags she’d brought. Without a horse to help transport everything back, he’d have to leave most of it for later retrieval.

  He made up a smaller pack for himself with the food, water, and a blanket. It should not take him more than a turn or two to return to the main camp, but it was always wise to be prepared.

  As the brightmoon rose high in the star-etched sky, he set off. He paralleled the barrier, keeping a tendril of magic lightly touching the boundary that walled off the world. For a half-turn, all was quiet. Silver light filtered through the trees and cast radiance into the open glades where white-petaled flowers bloomed. Their faint perfume drifted on the air, along with the quiet coo of ashdoves.

  Then Bran sensed a tremor in the barrier. He paused and extended his power more fully, then shuddered at what he felt. The coldness of the Void seeped into his soul.

  A large breach had opened ahead—and if he was any judge, it was near the main camp. If Mara was in danger…

  Quickly, he withdrew his magic and began to run, cursing his lack of a horse. His heart beat, fast and strong, as he dashed through the silver-lit forest that lay between him and the threat to Elfhame’s entire future.

  Mara blinked, emerging from strange dreams of moonlight and monsters with slitted pupils. She felt cold; the fire had died down and she must have kicked off the quilt.

  Something was awry with the ceiling. Unease curled through her as she blinked again, trying to clear the muzz of sleep from her head. Pale fabric rose above her, and she lay in a narrow cot. Shouts filtered in from outside, voices raised in a language not her own.

  A jolt of wrongness went through her.

  She was not lying in the bedroom she shared with her sisters. Not in Little Hazel. Not even in the world she called home.

  She was in the Dark Elves’ world, where they were fighting a battle against strange creatures—and it seemed the fight was taking place right outside. Strange glows lit the tent walls, and she heard screeches and howls that raised the hairs on the back of her neck.

  Carefully she sat up, relieved to find that beneath the tatters of her sleeve her burned arm was only tender and pink. The blisters and searing pain were gone, and she let out a low breath of gratitude.

  There was one other patient in the tent, an older Dark Elf, judging by the pale silver of his braided-back hair and the lines at the corners of his strange dark eyes. As she watched, he stood and moved slowly to the door flap.

  “What is happening?” she asked.

  “Dagor,” he said, giving her a curious look. “Na echil?”

  “I don’t understand.” She shook her head. Whatever ability she had to know Bran’s meaning was gone, along with him. “Bran? Do you know where Bran is?”

  “Ernil Brannonilon?” His slitted eyes widened as he stared at her, and then he gave a slow nod.

  Outside, the sounds of fighting grew closer. The elf glanced about, snatching a sword set just inside the tent’s door. He raised the blade, then stepped back as another Dark Elf entered.

  It was Bran.

  Mara’s heart gave a huge thump, then settled. Despite the fierce look on his stark features and the ichor-stained sword in his hand, she was strangely relieved to see him.

  Something flared in his violet eyes and his grim expression softened a bit. Without a word, he sheathed his sword and strode to her bed. A light green cloak was neatly folded at the foot, and he picked it up.

  “Lenweta emme,” he said. We must go.

  Good thing she had healed so quickly. She swung her feet to the canvas-covered floor, glad to find her boots tucked beneath the bed. She put them on and stood, and Bran wrapped the cloak about her in one swift move. It was a little too long for her. Something in the inner pocket bumped her hip—her kitchen knife. She pulled it out and stuck it through her belt.

  The barest hint of approval softened his mouth, gone so quickly she thought she might have imagined it.

  “I’m ready,” she told him.

  He paused at the tent door to exchange a quick conversation with the older warrior. She caught a few words—hold and magic and something that sounded like court.

  Wonderful. She glanced down at her gown, stained with mud at the hem, the skirt hopelessly wrinkled, one sleeve partially burned away, the other ravaged by brambles. Just the thing to wear to meet the Dark Elf king.

  If they even had a king. She knew so little about this world. The thought of an entire castle filled with terrifying, slit-eyed Dark Elves made her shudder.

  Bran took her elbow and escorted her out of the tent. The acrid smell of scorched flesh and the reek of ichor hung in the air. On one side of the camp, two Dark Elves sent blasts of magic against a pack of red-eyed wolves. On the other side, a band of warriors held three of the spiderlike creatures at bay.

  A huge golden moon hung in the sky, much brighter than the silver disc she was familiar with. Its light showed all too clearly the desperation in the faces of the fighters. Mara closed her fingers about the handle of her kitchen knife, her breath tightening.

  The air in front of them shimmered, and a wolf sprang out of nowhere, directly at her. She yanked out her blade, but Bran was already between her and the creature, sword swinging. A gaunt woman ran up, pale fire sputtering from her hands. It did not take long for the wolf to die.

  “Taur coth,” the woman said, her voice ringing hollow with exhaustion.

  “Savamarth,” Bran replied. Trust fate.

  “Manen?” The woman gestured at the besieged camp, frustration clear in her voice.

  Slowly, Bran sheathed his sword. He raised his hands, violet light flickering from his fingertips. The light intensified, washing over the tents and trampled ground, the bands of fighters and their dreadful enemies.

  Mara squinted, her attention focused on Bran. His dark hair flew back from his severe face, and his strange eyes were closed. Magic streamed from his hands, and the attacking creatures began to disappear with sickeningly wet pops.

  Bran swayed, and, without thinking, she stepped to his side. She slipped her arm about his waist, bracing him. It was foolish to think that she could lend this tall, muscular warrior her small mortal strength, but somehow she knew she must.

  Heat streamed from his body. He gave a grunt of approval and leaned more heavily against her. Mara dug her booted feet into the ground and braced herself against his weight.

  The Dark Elf woman came to lend her aid on his other side. Mara drew in a deep breath and held on. Her side and arm began to pulse where they were in contact with Bran, as though he were not simply made of flesh. Perhaps it was his magic she felt, and she prayed it would not harm her as it did the invading creatures.

  As if summoned by that thought, a strange prickling swept over her, as though she’d rolled in a patch of stinging nettles. Despite the discomfort, she screwed her eyes shut and continued to hold Bran up. Then, as if she were an egg, something inside her cracked open.

  Pain, and l
ight, and a surge of sensation that made her gasp.

  Bran let out a shout. Blue light flared against her closed eyelids, then faded. She was not sure if she supported Bran, or the other way around.

  “Mara?” His arm around her shoulders, his hand gentle on her cheek.

  She forced her eyes open. The camp was quiet, the invading creatures gone. The Dark Elves spoke quietly to one another, and the woman next to Bran did not look nearly as spent as she had mere moments ago.

  “What happened?” Mara asked.

  “We closed the breach,” he answered, his voice stiff with surprise. He studied her, brows lowered.

  “Wait—I can understand you. And you understand me?” Relief blossomed in her chest. Suddenly, she felt far less alone.

  “I always did.” His voice was dry.

  “Oh.” Her cheeks heated as she recalled some of the things she’d said to him.

  Another Dark Elf strode up to where they stood, her hair in elaborate braids, a sword in either hand. She glanced at Mara’s arm about Bran’s waist, and his around her shoulders, and raised one thin brow.

  Mara tried pulling away, but Bran’s hold tightened. Very well—she still felt shaky after whatever had happened, and his support was not unwelcome.

  “That was an impressive show of power,” the warrior woman said.

  Mara drew in a breath. She could understand everyone! Whatever magic had just touched her, it seemed to have brought her more fully into the Dark Elves’ world.

  “That effort nearly drained me,” Bran said. “Until Mara’s wellspring opened. It was her power blended with mine that you saw.” He sounded bemused by the fact.

  Not nearly as stunned as Mara was, however, to discover that apparently she possessed magic of her own. Her mind scrambled, trying to make sense of it.

  “Well.” The Dark Elf warrior made a thoughtful frown. “The prophecy appears to be functioning correctly. I suppose you’ll take her to court now?”

  “I must, as soon as possible.”

  “I’ll stay here,” the woman on Bran’s other side said. “My powers are restored enough to be of use again.”

  “Are you certain, Lieth?” He gave her a stern look.

  “One of us has to remain, and it can’t be you. I’m sure Commander Hestil agrees.”

  The woman with the braids gave a short nod. “The camp is safe for now, and the border secure. It’s high time you fulfilled your destiny.”

  She shot Mara an unreadable glance, then looked back at Bran.

  “We’ll depart immediately,” he said. “I assume Fuin is with the other horses?”

  “Yes,” the woman he’d called Lieth said. “I can make up a pack for you—”

  “I have one. Both of you, contact me if the Void attacks again, beyond the usual small breaches.”

  “Of course,” Commander Hestil said. “Good luck.”

  Bran inclined his head, then looked at Mara. “Can you walk?”

  “I think so.” Despite her legs feeling like wilted stalks. “What’s going on? What do you mean by my ‘wellspring’? What—”

  “I’ll tell you as we travel.”

  His arm still about her, he turned them both. She took a step, and nearly fell. With an annoyed sound, Bran swept her up in his arms. It was becoming a habit of his, to cart her about like a sack of vegetables. Nevertheless, she did not have the strength to protest. This time.

  “Lieth, my pack is at the edge of camp, there,” he said. “Be so kind as to fetch it.”

  The other woman nodded and went to get Bran’s supplies.

  He strode to where the horses were tied, and his tall black steed whickered at their arrival. Lieth stowed his pack in the saddlebags and bade them farewell. Soon enough they were mounted and on their way, Mara seated in front of Bran as before, his strong arm holding her in place. She tried to ignore the sharp claws at the ends of his fingers.

  “Where are we going?” she asked. “Is it far?”

  He did not answer immediately. She was coming to understand that he was comfortable with silence. Long silence. Still, she tried to curb her impatience and wait for his reply.

  “We are going to the Hawthorne Court,” he finally said. “It is not too far a distance.”

  “By court do you mean something like a castle, where your rulers dwell?” She must know, though she dreaded the answer.

  “Yes. Something like.”

  Why did he always answer quickly when the answer was unpleasant? She grimaced, glad he couldn’t see her face. It seemed she was to meet the Dark Elf nobility after all.

  “Does the king live there?” she asked.

  His chest vibrated with a short, mirthless laugh. “We have no king, not in the way of mortals. There are seven courts, each governed by a Lord or Lady. They meet in council when necessary, but mostly the courts are content to rule themselves without interference from their neighbors.”

  It did not sound like an arrangement that would work in her world. “Do you not fight among yourselves?”

  “No.” His arm around her tightened. “There are plenty of outside threats to occupy us.”

  “Like those creatures.”

  “The Void, yes. And other things.”

  “Your world doesn’t seem particularly pleasant,” she said. “Does the sun ever shine here?”

  “We do not have a fiery orb in the sky. The brightmoon casts plenty of light. And, in its defense, Elfhame currently is not at its best.” His voice had turned grim. “But once the Void is defeated, you’ll see how lovely your new homeland is.”

  “What?” Panic swept through her. She turned to look at him and nearly fell off the horse, staying on only by grabbing his linen shirt. “My new homeland? Are you saying I’m trapped here?”

  He pulled the horse to a stop, and cocked his head at her. “It is not so bad.”

  “How would you like to be ripped away from your home and family, from everything you’ve ever known?” She let go of the silky fabric of his shirt, and pushed hard against his chest. “Put me down this instant.”

  Still holding her, he slid off his mount, then set her gently on her feet. She took a step away from him and balled her hands into fists, wanting to strike him, wanting to strike the entire twilight world of Elfhame.

  “I don’t belong here,” she said fiercely.

  He folded his arms. “It is your fate.”

  “It is no such thing.”

  She wanted to go home, to a sunlit world filled with the scent of baking bread and the good-humored teasing of her siblings. The thought of being trapped in this shadowy place, menaced by horrible creatures for the rest of her life, was unbearable.

  “Since the day I was born,” he said, “I’ve known that a mortal woman would come through the doorway into Elfhame. It is the prophecy.”

  “That’s all very well for you,” She ground her boot heels into the soil. “I didn’t grow up surrounded by magical forces, and I don’t believe in your so-called prophecy. Can’t you send me home?”

  “No.” His expression was hard.

  “Then what good are those powers you like to fling about?”

  “I remind you they’ve saved your life twice. And you have newly awakened magic of your own—magic that does not belong in the human world. Magic that can help us fight the Void and save Elfhame.”

  “I don’t care.” She crossed her arms, mirroring his stance. “I won’t use it, not if it means I can’t ever go home.”

  The wind brushed the tall grasses around them and sent silver shadows dancing through a nearby grove of trees.

  “You have no choice.” He stepped forward and took her shoulders. “You cannot fight fate.”

  His hands were warm, and he smelled faintly of some exotic spice—cloves, or sandalwood. But those things didn’t matter.

  Mara narrowed her eyes. Her stubbornness was her most exasperating quality, according to her mother. Well, she had every intention of putting it to full use.

  “If you can’t send me
home, I’ll find someone at the Hawthorne Court who will.”

  His lips flattened in disapproval. “I very much doubt that. I’m the strongest magic user in the land.”

  “But you’ve never gone through the doorway between our worlds. I have.” A wild hope ran through her. “Take me there right now—the place where the door stands.”

  He shook his head, one of his thin, dark braids brushing his angular cheek. “It’s too dangerous.”

  She twisted her shoulders, and he dropped his hands, freeing her from the warmth of his grasp.

  “You said you need my magic to help save Elfhame?” she asked.

  He did not answer. Secrets swirled in his violet eyes.

  “Well?” she demanded. “Isn’t that what your so-called prophecy says?”

  “Something akin to it,” he said. “Your presence is essential to saving our world from the Void.”

  “Then I’ll help you—but once the Void is defeated, you must promise to help me return home. To the mortal world.”

  He turned the silver bracelet on his wrist back and forth, the harsh planes of his face unreadable. “I do not know what you’re accustomed to among humans, but in Elfhame we do not give promises lightly.”

  “I’ll keep my word.” She lifted her chin, determined that he believe her. “If I tell you I’ll help, then I will. I’ll even learn to use whatever this new power is, if I have to.”

  His lips twisted slightly, as though he tasted something sour. “It is not your side of the bargain I am concerned about.”

  It took a moment for her to catch his meaning.

  “So you won’t try to help me get me back home?” It felt like a betrayal, though she had no real reason to think of this forbidding warrior as her ally.

  “It is not a matter of what I can and cannot do,” he said. “There are other elements in play.”

  She folded her arms. “Then why should I help you?”

  His eyes flared. “If you do not, you will perish along with Elfhame.”

  His words rang with truth. The Dark Elves were hard-pressed, from what she had seen.

  And she was somehow bound up in their future, whether she wanted to be or not. There was no winning this argument—and she was no closer to finding a way home. Defeat wrapped around her like a clammy cloak.