“He’s a dark crafter. How long do you think he would have stayed bound? And once he got free and got a message to his people, how long do you think it would be until the gaunts showed up? Do you want them descending on your friends’ summer festival?”
“They would never find this place. It’s protected by pure elven magic,” said Erion, haughtily.
“Are you willing to take the chance?” asked Leilas. “I can always ask Kai to take us back to the ship.”
Erion scowled. “Just make sure he behaves.”
“I’ll do my best. He, in turn, can make sure I behave.” Garabaldi cackled, but refrained from speaking. Erion had the decency to look ashamed. Then he turned away from the other two and waited for Kai to return.
Leilas was tired from the walk and it had seemed an age since Kai had left. Pulling off her pack, she let it drop to the ground. Then she sank down next to it. Garabaldi joined her. Erion stood, waiting.
“Erion seems anxious to make a good impression,” said Garabaldi, conversationally.
“She’s very beautiful,” said Leilas, looking down at her dirty clothes, her hand going to the hair straggling from her braid.
“But you’re the one the Creator chose,” Garabaldi reminded her.
Leilas smiled wearily. “So I am. Sometimes I think he should have chosen someone more worthy.”
“He’s the Creator. He knows best,” replied Garabaldi.
“You’re a strange creature, Garabaldi. I haven’t quite figured you out. But somehow, I know I’m going to be glad you’re with me.” Leilas looked up to see Kai returning.
“Since I’ve been sent to find you, I assume I’ll be of assistance to you. Just remember–”
“I know. You have other obligations. As do I. I hope they don’t collide somewhere along the way.”
Kai spoke quietly with Erion and he indicated they should follow their guide. Leilas rose, picked up her pack and followed Kai to one of the outlying buildings. “This is where you’ll stay,” she said hesitantly, in the common tongue. “Someone will come for you.”
Leilas thanked her and stepped inside to a light, airy room with curtains that billowed in the soft breeze. Pillows were stacked in the middle of the room as a bed. A couch was fashioned from wood, intricately carved and covered in more cushions. A basin of water, fashioned from a massive abalone shell, sat on a table that was also fashioned from wood and covered in etchings of the sea. As she stood looking around, a young girl came in, beautiful, but not quite as beautiful as Kai, bearing a robe. In halting common, she told Leilas she would take her clothes to wash. Leilas disrobed and donned the silk garment, marveling at the quality and comfort. The girl took her clothes and left. Washing with the water in the basin, Leilas sat and began braiding her hair. It had grown since she last had needed to disguise herself. The braid hung down to the middle of her back. The last time she’d seen Joshuas, her hair had been short. She’d ridden into Menas looking like a young boy. She wasn’t the beauty that had met Erion at the ship. Lying down on the pillows, Leilas went to sleep thinking of Joshuas.
The cloud swirled over the city. The feeling of fear was palpable. There were so few on the ramparts. Dredrac was swirling the cloud of lost souls and they were screaming and moaning. No one seemed to notice, but her. Cephom was there with her mother and Joshuas. To her surprise, Trion was there with the beautiful warrior Ariel. Leilas looked down at her dirty clothes, which were worn from travel. What did she have to offer Joshuas? Dredrac laughed at her from his place among the clouds. “Do you care for this pathetic crafter, Chidra?” He spoke into her mind. “Join me, and I’ll spare him. I’ll spare all of them. This war could be over. So many innocent people could be saved. Just abandon this search and join me.”
Leilas could see the tears streaming down her face. Her mother, Joshuas, Trion, Cephom, how could she abandon them to the fate Dredrac had in store for them? “No,” she said to the voice of Dredrac.
The clouds boiled and lightning began to strike Barat. The sea of dark soldiers rose and prepared to strike Barat. The lightning strikes caught buildings on fire. Arrows rained from the volleys shot by the soldiers. A battering ram was being moved into position. Leilas fell to her knees in despair. “No,” she whispered again.
There were tears in her eyes when she woke. She’d no idea if what she’d dreamed was real, but it had left her feeling depressed and empty. How could she fight against Dredrac? The young elf girl entered the room and Leilas felt some of the gloom dissipate. She was glad for the distraction from her thoughts. She hated to think that Preterlandis was being torn apart to keep her from completing her task.
“When you’re dressed,” said the girl, “they want you in the main hall.”
“Which is the main hall?” asked Leilas, taking her travel worn clothes from the girl. With some regret, she shed the beautiful robe so she could dress.
“I’ll take you,” replied the girl, disappearing out the door.
Leilas finished dressing, reattaching the pieces of the staff around her waist. With a quick glance in the glass to assure herself that she looked acceptable, she stepped out the door into the late afternoon sun. Garabaldi was waiting with the young girl, who appeared uncomfortable in his company. With some relief, she turned to lead them to the main hall.
“You have quite an effect on the people here,” remarked Leilas, to the dark crafter as they walked.
“They have the same effect on me,” replied Garabaldi, grumpily. “I’ll be glad to leave this place.”
Although the building appeared to be long and low, once they were inside the roof seemed to raise high above them. Long windows let light into the room as well as a soft, sweet-smelling breeze. A handsome elf, with mother-of-pearl hair and eyes the color of the sea rose to greet them. He wore silk robes, which also reminded Leilas of the sea.
“We’re honored to have you as our guest, Leilas Leyson,” said Kalin. “It’s good to see you again, Garabaldi,” he turned to the dark master.
Garabaldi bowed low before the elf king. “It’s been a long while since I’ve had the honor.”
Erion looked at him in surprise from his position among the other elves. Obviously, they’d spoken with him alone, before they called Leilas and Garabaldi.
“We’ve heard of your quest, my lady. We’ve been waiting for your arrival. Though I have to admit, I thought you would be Solein’s Lady. Still,” he paused thoughtfully, “we all had our ideas. We’ll discuss this matter further after the festival, in two days’ time. Until then, you are our guest here in Nereid.”
“I thank you, Kalin,” said Leilas, bowing. She was anxious to move on, but this was where she was supposed to be and she would have to be content to follow the elves’ time schedule.
Erion was standing next to Kai. Leilas wanted to ask him what he’d told Kalin, but she didn’t want to interfere with the elves. Also, she felt awkward around the beautiful elf maiden. There would be time later to talk to her friend.
Grabbing Garabaldi by the sleeve, Leilas left the main hall and headed for the nearest trees. Settling herself against the trunk of a large fir, she motioned for Garabaldi to join her. “I suppose you simply forgot to tell us you’d been here before?” she said when the dark master joined her on the ground.
“I don’t remember anyone asking if I’d been here before,” he replied evasively.
“Why were you here? Were you looking for Sylph’s temple?”
“Sylph’s temple? No, not Sylph’s”
Leilas’ thoughts went back to the conversation with Kalin. “You were looking for Solein’s temple,” she concluded. “Kalin expected Solein to send someone special for the piece of the staff.”
“Some expected the Chidra to be Solein’s Lady. I wasn’t among those who made that assumption. But I didn’t enlighten them if they did believe it was to be Ariel.”
“Ariel,” said Leilas, softly. The picture of the woman in Barat flashed in her mind. Had she and Trion been freed from Neothera?
Leilas felt her spirit drop. Ariel would have been a better choice for this quest. Had she been picked simply because Ariel had been back in Neothera? Was she a poor substitute for the original?
“Ariel was never the Chosen One,” said Garabaldi gently. “You should know that by now.”
“Sometimes I begin to doubt myself,” replied Leilas. “I have no idea where I’m supposed to go. While I sit here, my family and friends are putting their lives on the line to defend themselves against the evil of Rengailai and Dredrac.”
“Did you see this in the mists?” asked Garabaldi,
“In a dream,” replied Leilas.
“Dreams are easily manipulated,” said Garabaldi with a wise nod. “I wouldn’t always trust what they told me.”
Leilas fell silent contemplating Garabaldi’s advice. She’d been putting a great deal of trust in her dreams and Dredrac seemed to walk in and out of them at will. “I’ll be more cautious about believing everything I dream,” she told Garabaldi. He smiled a crooked, evil grin that sent a shiver up Leilas’ spine. She supposed he meant it to be encouraging.
“We aren’t far away from our goal,” said Garabaldi, after a few moments contemplation, “and we won’t be here that long.” He smiled his evil grin again.
Leilas frowned at his use of the word ‘our’. What really was his goal? “I haven’t come this far and given up everything to let anyone stop me,” she said warningly.
Garabaldi rose from his position by the tree. “I’ll keep that in mind, my lady.” He bowed then left her alone to brood over his answer.
CHAPTER 34
Leilas was in no mood for celebrating. Since they’d arrived, Erion had abandoned her to Garabaldi’s company, while he helped with the preparations for the festival. She’d caught only brief glimpses of him, always in the company of Kai. Adjusting her tunic, she attached her insignia to the collar. It was a warm night and there was no need for her cloak. After a short debate with herself, she left her axe in the room. This was supposed to be a night of festivity. By all accounts, a night of unequaled beauty and delight. Still, she wasn’t in any mood to celebrate.
Every time she’d asked about her quest, the elves had smiled and told her to be patient. She knew no more about what she needed to do than when she’d arrived. The picture of her mother and Joshuas in Barat flashed through her mind. It seemed wrong to be sitting idly and celebrating when they were in a desperate struggle for their survival. But she didn’t seem to have a choice in the matter.
Garabaldi had declined the invitation to attend the festival. Leilas didn’t blame him. Stepping out of her dwelling, she took a deep breath. The air was heavy with the smell of flowers and ripe fruit. It was a beautiful place, full of exotic plants and animals. It would be a perfect night for the elves to dance the ancient pattern and celebrate their life, their history, and the season.
Her maid was waiting to accompany her to the area that had been made ready for the night. It was deeper into the tropical forest. As they walked, Leilas had the feeling they were walking into a much older section of the forest. The clearing where the elves had gathered was near a rock cliff that rose out of the forest. Pillows had been placed on the ground. Tables were piled high with food and the mead was flowing freely. Although there were a few still arriving, almost the entire clan of elves was already in the clearing. Leilas was bewitched by the sight. Never had she seen such beauty. The maid led her to a pillow and then ran off to her own group.
Someone brought her food and drink, but otherwise, the elves left her to her own devices as they celebrated the season. Leilas was content to sit and watch while the hours passed.
The dance began with the setting of the sun. King Kalin and his partner Nia began a slow rhythmic pattern. Then one by one, everyone joined the circle. Erion joined with Kai and together they repeated the intricate pattern of the dance. Slowly, so slowly it was almost imperceptible, the pace increased and kept increasing with every repetition. By the time Leilas fell asleep, the elves were whirling madly through the pattern, never missing a step. The rhythm of the music coursed through Leilas and invaded her dreams. It was strangely alluring and terrifying at the same time. The dance continued long after she was lost in her dreams.
A knock on her door brought her awake the next morning. “Who is it?” she asked, climbing from her bed and donning her robe.
“Erion, my lady. The King is ready to speak with you now.”
“I haven’t even risen yet,” she replied, wondering how she got into her bed in the first place. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep out in the forest.
“Hurry,” said Erion. “I’ll wait.”
Leilas opened her mouth to protest then changed her mind. Instead, she pulled the robe back off and began dressing. She took only a minute to fuss over her hair then stepped outside. Erion was waiting there, as well as Garabaldi. They were facing opposite directions, studiously ignoring one another.
“The King is anxious to discuss our business. He is aware how important it is to Preterlandis,” said Erion, leading them toward the main building in the city.
“If he was so anxious and knew how important our quest was, why did he make us wait almost three days?” asked Leilas, grumpily. Rushing somewhere, already late, wasn’t something she enjoyed.
“His first obligation is to the elves he serves,” replied Erion, haughtily. “Then to outsiders.”
Leilas frowned at Erion’s attitude, but refrained from commenting. She was just glad her mission had finally been considered important enough to discuss and she didn’t want to argue with him. He was her friend and had been with her through a great deal. It had been hard not to dog his steps while they were here in Nereid. It had been hard to share him with Kai. She was glad he was here leading her to talk with Kalin. He could have sent the maid to bring her.
Garabaldi looked as though he’d prefer to be any place other than walking toward a meeting with an elf king. Leilas had to wonder why, since Kalin had greeted him as a friend when they first entered Nereid.
Erion led them inside the main hall to stand before Kalin once again. This time, Erion stood with her, instead of with the elves. “The elves of Nereid have lived in this forest, near this sea, since the beginning. From that time, we’ve always been loyal to Sylph, the Sea crafter who was with the Creator,” said Kalin, rising to stand before them. “Long ago, Sylph entrusted to us the location of an artifact he said would help save the world when the time was right.” He paused, looking around the room. “We would know when the time was right when three arrived on the ship he’d provided, one light, one dark, and one who shares the light and dark. I think all of us here recognize that the three standing here are the three predicted.”
“The way through our forest is difficult,” he said to the three standing in front of him. “The path to Solein’s temple is dangerous. We wish you success on your journey. We send our fair Kai to lead you. It was determined long ago, she would be your guide.”
Leilas tried not to frown at this revelation. They already had one unexpected companion in Garabaldi. Now, they would have two. Did they really need all these people to retrieve a small piece of a staff? She stole a glance at Kai. The king’s daughter had known from the moment they walked into this city that she would be leaving with them. Yet, she had made no effort to become acquainted, at least not with her or Garabaldi. Perhaps she already knew Garabaldi, but why hadn’t she come to meet the one she was supposed to be guiding?
“It’s a great honor for us to finally be able to complete this duty Sylph has entrusted to us. We wish you good fortune and may the Creator be with you.” Kalin finished his speech. Erion bowed, Leilas mimicked his motions, as did Garabaldi. They left the hall quickly.
“Did you know Kai would be coming with us?” Leilas asked Erion when they were outside.
“She did mention it to me,” replied Erion.
“You didn’t think it important enough to tell me?” asked Leilas, anger in her voice.
/> “It was Kalin’s responsibility to tell you,” Erion replied gravely. “I wouldn’t presume to take over his responsibility.”
Leilas sighed. Sometimes she didn’t understand these people at all. Surely, Erion must have known she would think it important to know they were adding yet another to their group.
“Did you think you had no responsibility to me?” asked Leilas, finally.
“It was difficult, my lady, to say nothing. But it was not my place.”
Leilas bit her lip at the pain in Erion’s voice. She should have known he would have told her if he could. They reached her dwelling and she opened the door to step inside. “I’d like to leave as soon as possible.”
“Within the hour, if you’re ready,” said Kai, seeming to come from nowhere. Leilas’ hand was on her knife before she realized who’d spoken.
“I’m ready,” said Leilas. “I just need to get my things.”
“The sooner the better as far as I’m concerned,” muttered Garabaldi, irritably.
“Then I’ll say my goodbyes and meet you here,” said Kai. She strode off without waiting for an answer. Leilas didn’t like her haughty attitude, but decided it must be an elven trait. Shrugging off her disgust about adding Kai to their group, she went to collect her things. She didn’t have a choice about including her. This was the way Sylph had designed for them to find Solein’s piece of the staff. But that didn’t mean she had to like it.
Still, she told herself, Erion seems to like her and I hope that works out for him. She buckled her axe around her waist and shouldered her pack. Garabaldi was outside waiting when she stepped out.
“I thought one elf was bad,” he complained. “Two will be impossible.”
“Yet it seems it was destined to be,” replied Leilas.
“I can’t imagine it’ll be a pleasant trip,” muttered Garabaldi.
Leilas wasn’t sure it would be either. But she decided to make the best of it.
Erion and Kai joined them in a few minutes, carrying packets of food for Leilas and Garabaldi. The gnome sniffed the food and wrinkled his nose in disgust, but he tucked it away in his pack.
First Comes The One Who Wanders Page 55
