The night grew cold as a stiff wind rattled the spiny sage bushes and tossed the flames of the dying bonfire. Hissing and popping sparks trailed into the sky. Most villagers gave up waiting for the mysterious girl to return and made their way back to their huts, muttering as the wind howled.
Dawn was graying the sky to the north. The second sun wouldn’t rise for many hours at this time of year. The bonfire burned low, smoldering and smoky, trailing the scent of charred wood across the desert valley. Those that had stayed at the fire on guard had since huddled close to the blackened mound of sticks and branches and had fallen asleep close to the coals for warmth.
The bonfire erupted, showering crackling sparks and curling orange and yellow flames. The guards scrambled away, crying out in fear. They froze at the sight of four figures standing near the raging fire, gloved hands outstretched to warm them. They backed away, unable to take their eyes off the strangers.
“I think they have never seen an Elf before. Maybe I’ve scared them?”
The low, sultry voice came from the tall, willowy creature to their right. In the dim morning light all the men could now see wide blue eyes that glittered like sapphires—and the pointed, elongated, ears that poked from dark red braids. A muffled snort of laughter from the male to her right sent blue daggers and a sharp jab with an elbow his way.
“No, they are not scared, Jadeth,” Emaranthe said. She smiled at her friend and tugged the threadbare hood closer around her ears to ward off the early morning chill. She smiled teasingly. “But I think you’ve enamored them.”
She replaced the charred staff at her back and turned away from the gaping guards. Jadeth smiled at them. More than one swallowed. Another rude snort, this time from the second male, drew their attention and alarm.
He was huge. Plate armor, dull and battered from use, covered him from head to toe. Blazing green eyes glowered from the depths of the iron helm. The first male, also clad in plate armor, was helmless. Shrewd blue eyes studied the guards as the women turned away and led the horses to the desert field behind the huts.
“I don’t like it here,” Jaeger muttered. He ran a gloved hand over his pale hair until it stuck up in sweaty spikes. He jammed his helm on and turned away from the stunned guards to tend to his own stallion. “These people have no idea how much trouble is coming.”
“That is what we are here for, Jaeger. Our quest is to protect them.” Ivo studied the desert valley, seeing everything in an instant. The sheer red valley walls climbed to soaring peaks and jumbles of stone formations. Narrow trails wove up the cliffs, leading to the reason they were here to protect the tiny village.
The Immortals Part One: Shadows & Starstone Page 2
