Alaric shrugged and waited for Lorymer to catch up. The High Mage’s assistant was a little out of breath as he stopped in front of Alaric.
“This came for you just this morning,” Lorymer said. “Before...”
He suddenly looked embarrassed as he glanced almost furtively at Fenelon and the others. Without another word, he held forth the packet. As soon as Alaric accepted the packet, Lorymer turned and walked back to the inner gate.
“What was that all about?” Fenelon asked.
Alaric looked and the packet. His name was scripted across the surface. The handwriting looked very familiar.
“Oh, no,” he muttered before he could stop himself.
“What?” Fenelon asked. “Who’s it from?”
“My mother,” Alaric said.
He tore open the ribbons as wild thoughts flashed through his head. His mother was writing. Was his father ill? Had something happened to them while he was gone?
The ribbons fluttered to the ground as he unfolded the palimpsest and scanned the words therein. A different script greeted his gaze, the solid blocky writing that was his father’s sturdy hand.
“What does it say?” Fenelon asked.
Alaric frowned and read it aloud.
“My Dear Lark,
Your mother is insisting I write and demand to know what the blazes is going on, and when I told her that we should wait to hear from you first, she insisted that we should start this letter now in case we didn’t hear from you at all.”
“Are your parents always so succinct?” Fenelon asked.
Alaric rolled his eyes and read on.
“The strangest thing happened just a short while ago. A man showed up here looking like a peacock in blue and white, demanding to know if we knew where you were. Since we assumed you were at Dun Gealach learning magecraft, we had no clue what to tell the blighter except that we had not seen you since you visited with your friend Finnyloin or whatever his name was.”
Shona giggled and even Etienne stifled a laugh.
“Anyway, the bloke struck your mother as rude and overbearing and pompous and several other things which your mother said that I shall not repeat here as I was not aware she knew such words, and anyway, she is looking over my shoulder as I write and trying to tell me what to say.”
“I do pity your father,” Fenelon said. “Woman like that would make any man forgetful.”
The temptation to hit Fenelon was overwhelmed by the knowledge that Alaric might tear the letter before he finished reading it. Besides, the handwriting changed back to his mother’s more elegant script.
“As your father meant to say, we were rather worried because that man seemed to be accusing you of matters that I am sure you had no involvement in whatsoever, but I would appreciate it if you would write or come visit and let us know that all is well. Elsewise, I shall be forced to load your father into a wagon and make haste to Keltora to look for you.”
Please let us know at once.
Your Loving Mother.
“Ah, family,” Fenelon said.
Alaric rolled his eyes. He would have to write her as soon as he reached Eldon Keep. Otherwise she really would plop Father in a wagon and run the horses to the bone to get here.
EPILOGUE
“Oh, no,” Fenelon shouted, waving the bottle of wine. “You are not getting away that easy, Alaric.”
Alaric smiled and took a slug from the bottle he was holding. Good old Keltoran heather ale. He had missed the flavor. Best of all, if he got drunk, he would remember it. He was looking forward to a normal hangover.
Around him, the chamber at Eldon Keep was quiet, except for the crackle of the fire. Etienne and the others had long since professed their exhaustion and gone to bed. Alaric had told them as much as he dared, including his fight with Je’Rhel. But Fion had said that others could not see the demon in him, and he figured it should stay a secret.
Besides, he was happy to be back, to see Shona was alive. They watched one another from across the chamber, but always there was Fenelon demanding the tale, preventing Alaric from doing more than looking at her. And to Alaric’s surprise, Wendon and a young healer woman were part of the audience with which he shared his adventures that afternoon and evening. Wendon and the healer seemed rather smitten with one another. But at last, the others professed being tired, and even Shona slipped away, though Alaric was certain she watched him briefly from the doorway before she left.
Perhaps he should have gone after her, but Fenelon was not willing to let the celebration—or the explanations—end. At least, not where Vagner was concerned.
“What really happened to poor old Vagner?” Fenelon queried.
“What do you mean?” Alaric asked.
“Wasn’t that really Vagner’s corpse that the Dvergar brought into the Council?” Fenelon said.
“Yes, it was,” Alaric said.
“And the demon is dead.”
“No,” Alaric said.
“No?” Fenelon repeated with a frown.
“No,” Alaric retorted.
Fenelon’s eyes narrowed. “Explain, oh apprentice of mine.”
Apprentice? Alaric thought. With what I know, I could be the master here... But he kept those thoughts to himself and said, “I think it’s late and you’re tired, and I’m tired and...”
“Explain,” Fenelon said. “There was not a hint of demon essence in that corpse...so what really happened to Vagner.”
“All right,” Alaric said. “Vagner’s body is gone, but Vagner lives on...”
“How?”
“Well, death is not the same to demons as it is to us. They can live on as other things...”
“So Vagner is really a...what?” Fenelon asked, waving his hands about and nearly hitting Alaric with the wine bottle. “A tree? An owl? A book?”
“What does it matter?” Alaric asked as he pushed the bottle aside to save his head. “It’s over. It’s done. We’re both free and Ronan is gone and I’m my own man now.”
“I’m just curious,” Fenelon said. “I mean, I thought you actually liked the demon. You didn’t seem too upset that he was gone.”
“Why should I be?” Alaric said. “It’s what I always wanted, you know. To be rid of that mark on my hand. Why should I be upset when I have what I want?”
“You tell me why,” Fenelon said.
“Because, Fenelon, he’s not really gone.” Alaric took another drink of the ale.
“So...if he is not gone, then where is he?”
Alaric sighed. “What does it matter, Fenelon. He’s free, and I’m free...and I’m tired, and I’m going to bed...”
Alaric crawled to his feet. Fenelon tried to stand, but didn’t seem able to do so. He sank back in his chair clumsily instead.
“Will you tell me one thing before you go?” Fenelon asked.
“What?” Alaric asked.
“That...Master Fion... Was that who I think it was?”
“Who do you think it was?” Alaric asked.
Fenelon shrugged. “I don’t know. There was this sort of...hazy look to that little fellow. I just kept thinking that maybe he wasn’t what he seemed...that he was...bigger.”
“After the wonders I have seen, Fenelon, I can tell you that nothing in this world is what it seems.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Fenelon said and hoisted the wine bottle...and frowned. “Except, I’m empty...”
“Come on,” Alaric said. “I’ll help you to bed.”
“Will you tell me another story about your adventures?” Fenelon asked.
Alaric rolled his eyes and he half dragged and half supported Fenelon on one shoulder. “I’m not your father.”
“Will you go wake my father up and ask him to tell me a story, then?” Fenelon asked.
Alaric shook his head. “That would earn us both a good hiding, I imagine. Now come on. You’re going to bed.”
“If you insist,” Fenelon said.
They staggered, making for the stairs. Alaric felt V
agner lending a quiet bit of strength to getting Fenelon up to the next floor where the bedchambers were. They marched up the hall, though not in any straight line because Fenelon kept trying to wander off when he wasn’t nearly falling over. But Alaric pulled and kept Fenelon on course, and finally reached the door of the master bedchamber. Having no free hands, Alaric had to kick it open...
...And froze as Etienne sat up, drawing the blankets up to her neck.
“Sorry,” Alaric said. “He...”
“It’s all right, Alaric,” she said and sighed. “I was wondering how he was going to get himself up the stairs.” Wrapping herself in one of the blankets, she crossed the room to lend a hand. By now, Fenelon was muttering incoherently, but Alaric was certain he heard several lewd suggestions. Between them, they got Fenelon to the bed.
“Thank you,” Etienne said. “I’ll see to him now.”
“And I’ll see to you, my love,” Fenelon muttered as he lolled back on his bed.
“Goodnight, Alaric,” Etienne said and began pulling off Fenelon’s boots. “Close the door, please.”
With a nod, Alaric did as she bade. Out in the hall, he stopped long enough to take a deep breath. Then drawing away from the stone, he crossed the hall and opened his own door.
She was sitting on his bed, wrapped in a thin robe, smiling. And in the light of the fire, it occurred to Alaric that he had almost forgotten how pretty Shona was.
“Should you be here?” Alaric asked.
“Now, now, let’s not pass up an opportunity that presents itself so openly,” Vagner whispered in his head. “I mean, isn’t this what the hero earns at the end of his journey? The love of a beautiful lass?”
Don’t start, Vagner, Alaric thought as he rolled his eyes.
Shona looked a little confused. “You don’t want me here?” she asked as she slipped off the bed and crossed the room to face him.
“I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant,” he said. “It’s just that you’ve been ill and...”
“I feel perfectly fine now that you’re back,” she said, and her smile was so infectious, he could not help returning it. “I’ve missed you so.”
Alaric sighed. “Actually...I’m glad to finally have a little time alone with you,” he said. “I wanted to tell you that I missed you...and that I was sorry I had to leave you when you nearly gave your life for me, but I didn’t have much of a choice.”
“It wasn’t exactly your fault,” she said and slipped her hands into his.
“Shona, I...suppose I should warn you.”
“About what?” she asked.
“I’ve changed,” he said.
“Yes, I can see that,” she said.
“You can?” Briefly, he worried that she was sensing the demon in him.
“I think you have grown more confident and daring and stronger,” she said. “I think I still love you, though.”
“Really?”
She smiled and nodded. “Really,” she said and she leaned closer to kiss him. Then she drew back to face him, locking arms around his neck and meeting his gaze.
“When I was fighting that Elderkin demon,” Alaric said and smiled, “do you want to know what helped me?”
“What?” she asked.
“You...and bees,” he said.
“Bees?” She laughed.
“That’s right. I thought I heard bees and I knew then that I had to survive, if only to come back and protect you from them...”
Shona kissed him more slowly this time. Then she drew back just enough to look him in the eye. “Would you please stop all this blethering about bees and come to bed?”
“Your wish is my command,” Alaric said and let her lead him there.
Horns, it was good to be home.
For now.
THE END
GLOSSARY OF PRONUNCIATIONS
The people of Ard-Taebh find their inspiration in various Celtic cultures, so naturally their language and place names reflect these types of pronunciations. What they refer to as the “mage tongue” finds its roots in Gaelic, though many of the words have been modified at the author’s whim to suit the story.
Some words, however, because of Haxon influence, are Anglo-Saxon in origin.
The following is a key to pronunciations of words, names and places that appear in this novel
Adhar (AHD-ar) literally “air” in the mage tongue
Aelfar (ALE-far) Hidden folk, one of the elder races of the world
Aelfyn (ALE-fin) cousins to the Aelfar, they settled Garrowye and lost much of their magical history and knowledge after the Great Cataclysm. Others ended up in Taneslaw where they continued to follow the old ways and remember their roots
Alaric Braidwine (AL-er-rick BRAYD-wine) a young mageborn bard
Ard-Taebh (ard-tave) the fourteen kingdoms of the Unification (see map)
Arianrhod (AH-RI-AN-hrod) goddess of mageborn, lady of the Silver Wheel
Baldoran (BAL-door-ran) a crochety old dwarf of ancient days, one of the earliest settlers of The Ranges, his pass was purported to be the secret way into Garrowye
Buail (bwall) literally “strike” or “hit” in the mage tongue
Caer Keltora (KAY-er kel-TOR-ah) capital city of Keltora
Carn Dubh (karn duv) also known as the Mountainous Wastes, the Haxon lands to the north of Ard-Taebh
Cernunnos (cher-NOO-noss) The Lord Protector, chief god of all, one of the Old Ones
Culann (COO-lin) king of Taneslaw
Desura (dey-SOOR-ah) A Watcher of the Temple of the Triad
Diancecht (jee-AN-ket) The Blessed Brother, god of healers, an Old One
Dokkalfar (DOK-kal-far) Dark race of Hidden folk, one of the elder races of the world
Dubh (duv) mage tongue for dark or shadow
Dun Gealach (dun GYAL-ack) literally Moon Fortress, seat of power of the Council of Mageborn in Keltora
Dvergar (D’VER-ger) Stone folk or dwarves, one of the elder races of the world
Elderkin (EL-der-kin) Demons born before the Corruption.
Eldon Forest (EL-don forest) A forest in the center of Loughan, home to Fenelon Greenfyn.
Elenthorn (EL-in-thorn) A kingdom to the north of Ard-Taebh (see map)
Etienne Savala (et-TYEN-ah sa-VA-la) mageborn woman from Ross-Mhor
Fenelon Greenfyn (FIN-ah-lon GREEN-fin) The greatest mageborn in the world (in his own mind)
Fion (FEE-yon) an ancient albino dwarf in Taneslaw, purported to be an Elder, and one of many guises.
Fionasidhe (fee-YO-na-shee) The White One, also known as She Who Sits At the Center of All Things, supreme goddess and sister to the Na’Sgailean, sworn to preserve the Balance of All Things
Gareth Greenfyn (GARE-uth GREEN-fin) father of Fenelon
Garrowye (GAR-oh-wye) Ancient land of the Aelfyn in The Ranges (see map)
Geata (GATE-a) literally “gate” in the mage tongue
Gordslea Hold (GORDS-lee hold) Alaric’s home in Tamnagh
Gwyrn (gwern) southernmost kingdom of Ard-Taebh, whose king is said to have founded the Unification
Haldane Braidwine (HAL-DANE BRAID-wine) Alaric’s father
Hamlin Gobbler (HAM-lin GOB-ler) an ancient dwarf who legend says was one of the companions of the Hammer Maid who helped lead the humans out of Haxony and into Garrowye and eventually to Ross-Mhor
Haxons (HAX-uns) a race of barbarians from the area now known as The Ice Plains who claimed Carn Dubh as their home after the Great Cataclysm; their scholars and priests migrated to Ross-Mhor
Haxony (HAX-un-nee) the ancient northern land that the Haxons were forced to leave after the Great Cataclysm (now known as The Ice Plains)
Je’Rhel (jee-HREL) an Ancient Demon, one of the Elderkin
Keltora (kel-TOR-ah) Land of Myth, a kingdom in the west of Ard-Taebh (see map)
Loisg (losk) literally “fire” in the mage tongue
Lorymer (LORE-ah-mur) assistant to the High Mage of Dun Gealach
Loughan (LO-wan) one of the
central kingdoms of Ard-Taebh (see map)
Lunari (loo-NAR-ee) stones from the Moon Isles that contain essence similar to living essence
Mallow (MAL-oh) northwestern coastal kingdom, sometimes referred to as the “sphincter of Ard-Taebh,” depending of the direction of the wind, best known for its swamps and the high number of demon gates
Marda Alfrey (MAR-dah ALL-free) Alaric’s mageborn tutor
Na’Sgailean (NAH-ska-LEEN) Literally, “in her shadow,” also known as Dark Mother, a goddess of ancient times who tried to disrupt the Balance of All Things, and who constantly opposes the White One who is her sister.
Renton Morwaine (RIN-ton MORE-wane) cousin to Fenelon Greenfyn
Rhunwud (RUNE-wood) Haxon name for Ross-Mhor
Ronan Tey (ROW-nan TAY) a bard of the old way, Alaric’s mentor in bardic ways
Ross-Mhor (ROSS-mar) also known as the Forestwall Kingdoms, situated to the East of Ard-Taebh (see map)
Saighead (SEE-ud) literally “arrow” or “bolt” in the mage tongue
Sedar (SAY-dar) an Ancient Demon, one of the Elderkin who serves Fion
Sgillinns (SKILL-ins) the coin of the realm, they come in copper, brass, silver and gold
Shona Ni’Warden (SHOW-nah nee-WAR-den) a young mageborn apprentice to Etienne
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