“I was told she unleashed a nin mellon. Strange for someone on a secret mission.”
“She wanted to take out charm guards.”
“Which would have immediately sent out an alarm to Asmeodai,” Nabbe argued. “The reason that the sentries reacted so quickly upon you.”
The thought had never crossed Alric’s mind. He had taken her word that it would be of use. Bae was going to leave after we rescued Ewan… Ewan who held no magic. It had been Yarro who wanted to save the Orimons.
Alric shook his head. He was letting their foolishness get to him. He said staunchly, “Bae does not work with Asmeodai.”
“Perhaps not now,” Nabbe said. “Though, I fear, she did. Bae was the reason that Asmeodai was able to break through the Maunga Mountains.”
“This is nonsense—”
Alric was interrupted.
“Tasar lives, Ser Alric.”
At the mention of Bae’s late husband, Alric was not pleased. He stood. His eyes flamed at the one who had spoken the words.
Sangrey tipped his hat to Alric.
“Sit, milord, I do not say these things lightly nor have I come back without reason.”
Sae’s Tale
Alric made no attempt to talk. His anger would not let him. They all knew. Yet, none had told him their belief until this moment.
He felt foolish, but not convinced of his wife’s sin.
For years, he had dedicated himself to Rentanga. He had given all to the resistance. Bae had helped him do so. Seven hells, she knew all the details of their plans. More importantly, she knew where they hid.
Sae had been right. There had been a few things that troubled him about his wife.
Bae worked endless hours with the Augur Council. He had not seen her in over four months. Moreover, since the birth of Thea, Bae had not allowed him to touch her.
“I cannot chance another child,” Bae told Alric. “Not until Asmeodai is no more. Thea can live with Sae at Tuhinga O Mua so you can be close to your daughter. I will stay here at Briar Fuana to oversee the resistance with my people.”
Bae had told him that she had no desire to procreate. When she had been younger, she had hoped, but in time, Bae said she learned to transfer those feelings to the work needed to be done to better her people.
The arrangement was not one Alric wanted, but within the world of elves, living separately for an extended period of time was not unheard of, especially in time of war.
In truth, though, he missed the intimacy. No, it was more. He craved… lusted for his wife.
He loved her.
Bae would never betray him.
Never.
Now, he was questioning the separation. What was she doing?
Sangrey had brought with him ale, which the Orimons never allowed at meetings. Sangrey ignored their rules.
Alric had already downed one tankard. He filled another.
“If you want to know Bae’s intent, she is preparing to run with her chosen few as she claimed the fairies and dwarves had done,” Sangrey said.
“What kind of fool do you take me for, Tollin?” Alric grunted, throwing his arm wide. “The others must be scared of our upcoming venture to be listening to this rhetoric, but I am not.”
“No, you are no coward,” Sangrey chuckled. “You could not be to do what will be asked of you.”
“The venture we are to make is indeed frightening.” Alric stood to find all eyes fixed upon him, anxiously waiting his response. He lost patience. “Are you all scared of destroying Asmeodai’s tunnel? Is this really what this is about?”
Sae stirred uneasily. “This breaks my heart. You are my brother. We have been through much. So, you must know I would not lie to you.”
Reluctantly, Alric admitted to himself. Sae had no reason to lie. Without her, there would be no resistance.
She had sacrificed so others would live… ones that were not her kind. Her family had come with her so the crops would grow and the streams would flow.
Yet, he would not be disloyal to his wife.
“You believe Bae is capable of what she has been accused,” Alric snapped at Sae. “Do you envy her? Do you wish that it was you that led your people?”
“Have you forgotten that she admitted that she could have warned King Darius? Bae has always thirsted for power,” Sae said, showing a side Alric had never seen. She was angry. “I fought against Bae… against the whole of the council…when Asmeodai attacked. I came to help you… not Bae. I did not leave my family because I was envious.”
Her words stung.
Sae was not done.
“Bae has always desired to head the Augur Council. Now, she has our people calling her queen,” she said with venom in her voice. “You believe that your Orimon came to me… it was I going to your wise one.”
“Why?” Alric questioned, suddenly hurt she had not come to him. He stared into her eyes. The sparkle had dissipated, leaving water welling. “What is so wrong that you could not have come to me?”
“You have struggled for the good of the realm, Ser Alric of House Sexton. I had not wanted to burden you with my pain. The pain I suppressed…I can no longer.”
Alric had known that during the sundering Sae had suffered grievously while Tuhinga O Mua was established. The separation from her family drained her.
“You know that the elves lost thousands during the Darkening,” Sae’s voice steadied. “My eldest son, Cilben, served to protect. He was lost. Lost had come to most. Gormar and I mourned deeply, but with the understanding he died in honor.
“I have learned that Cilben had not died in the manner we believed.”
Strength seemed to grow within Sae. She turned to Sangrey. “It is time.”
Sangrey nodded and whipped his hand forward.
An elf appeared. He wore the robes like most Elfin men. In the cavern light, it seemed a cream color. Yet, he stooped with a cloak hanging loose over his body.
Slowly, the elf lifted the hood from his face.
Pity surged through Alric.
The elf’s upper face had been badly burned. His eyes were gone as well as the tips of his ears. His nose had no damaged, nor did his mouth, but he no longer held the renowned beauty of the Elfin race.
“Ser Alric,” he called out unable to know where to address his tale.
“I am here,” Alric said simply.
The elf turned toward Alric’s voice. “I am Noldor. Cilben was my commander. I was gravely injured during the Darkening. Often, I have thought of releasing my spirit back to the land, but have clung to life with one purpose—to tell my tale.”
“That would be?” Alric asked, looking questionably at Sae.
Sae breathed in deeply. A pained look crossed her face. “Ewan was the one to have found Noldor.”
“I found him at the Arch of Garten,” Ewan offered. “He was living in a hole in the ground that had been the stables.”
Aric turned to his brother. “Why were you there? You know how dangerous it is? If Asmeodai—“
“I go for a moment…two at the most. Bereth takes me.”
Alric ignored the fact that Ewan had transported with one of Sae’s daughters. He understood the need to see their home, but nothing remained of the manor. As the other Orimon homes, the Arch of Garten had been destroyed.
Moreover, Asmeodai would be expecting such a venture.
“He is a spy of Asmeodai,” Alric said firmly.
“No, milord, I am not,” Noldor interceded. “I was told to go there.”
“By whom?” Alric’s patience was wearing thin.
“Aurra, the witch from Tharon.”
“An Arachnidan? By Heavins! What trick are you playing upon me? I have had enough of this madness.”
“Ser Alric, you cannot believe that all Arachnidan believe in Asmeodai. He has made many enemies,” Nabbe implored Alric to listen. “Aurra’s parents were sacrificed to add to Asmeodai’s powers. I have met her. If you hold to my powers, know she has no deceit in her heart toward
s us.”
“Aurra and I have waited for years for this moment,” Noldor spoke in earnest. “On that fateful day, she saved me, nursed back to health. We knew nothing, except that in time we would find you if we stayed at the Arch of Garten.”
“Tell him, Noldor, what you have told us all about the Darkening,” Sae urged.
The scarred elf straightened himself and lifted his chin. “We were waken in the depth of the night with the call to assemble. I along with the other fighters gathered our arrows and followed Cilben to the edge of the Charmed Woods.
“We stood before the Maunga Mountains,” Noldor swallowed hard. “A blast knocked us to the ground. It was then he came. Asmeodai roared out of the mountain riding a dragon.
“The dragon breathed fire, burning a clearing before us. We were frozen. Too afraid to move, a dragon flapped his wings and landed in front of us. Asmeodai descended, dressed in a heavy black robe.
“It was then that the Augur sister, Bae, emerged with her husband, Tasar. She cried for us to step forward…transport the monsters to Troms…to kill King Darius and his family…Elves would rule Witheleghe.”
Alric wanted to shout no. Bae could never have done so. Yet, something in Noldor’s voice told he spoke the truth.
“Cilben cried for us to return to the Garden of Ninfa. He cried for us not to take up arms against the king… Cilben was struck down. I did not see the blow, but I saw Asmeodai stand over Cilben’s body, holding up his bloody head.”
Sae could take no more. Alric caught her as she collapsed.
“Asmeodai cried for each of us to transport one of his monsters to Troms. I refused. I was not the only one. Asmeodai released his dragon upon us. I had only time to raise my arm to cover my face.”
The rest of the tale came in waves. Hundreds lay dead, scorched, burnt beyond recognition. The ones untouched by the flames helped transport the monsters without protest. Noldor remembered nothing else.
The witch, Aurra, had returned after Troms destruction…after Asmeodai had killed his own dragons…the ones in which she had trained. She was intent on returning to Arachnida, once more disillusion.
Then, she found Noldor, half-dead, the only survivor.
Noldor regained consciousness to find the witch caring for him. “Aurra told me we were going to Arch of Garten. The winds whispered that the hope of revenge lies there.”
Whispers in the Wind
Icy snow crunched under Alric’s boot as he walked up the hill. Winter had come to Briar Fuana. The forest slumbered in the frosty air. Bare of leaves, trees had icicles hanging from their branches.
Briar Fuana had been a magical place to Alric. Now, it seemed no more than one of Okeden’s illusions.
Perhaps the whole world was an illusion.
Perhaps.
Yet, the pain he felt was real. Watching her loveliness twisted his heart.
Alric watched Bae walk with her slender grace to the side of the one who was her true husband. The one known as Tasar.
Tasar was tall and thin. His long, white hair hung down his shoulders. He carried himself with confidence that came with one assured of his status. His arm rounded Bae, kissing the top of her head.
Bae looked up at Tasar. Her eyes erased any of Alric’s doubts.
After the Darkening, Alric believed he had been called to save his people because there was no other. He rose to the challenge, but every night he went to sleep alone. When he met Bae, he thought he had found the one who would share his burden.
The dream had been sweet.
Lord, have mercy upon me! I still love her. Wake up, Fool, she used you…betrayed you…and Thea…her own daughter.
Slowly, he started toward the pair. Half-way down the path, Bae noticed his presence. He saw the shock in her eyes. Quickly, she composed herself.
“Alric,” Bae stepped back from Tasar. “I knew this day would come.”
“Did you?” he asked, maintaining his pace.
When he reached the two, he gestured with his hand. An elfin army emerged from behind the trees and undergrowth. Their bows armed with arrows aimed at the hearts of Bae and Tasar.
The Augur Council had already taken away the blackened elves’ ability to transport. There was nowhere for them to go.
Sensing she was trapped, Bae demanded, “What is this nonsense? Have you turned my people against me because my husband returned…my true husband?”
Alric caught her arm before she could slap him. He gave her a forced smile. “You know I had thought after this war was over that we would live here at Briar Fuana. After…now there is no after for us.”
Bae tried to jerk her arm away to no avail. Her eyes blazed.
“You will listen to me. Your plan has failed.”
Her nostrils flared. “You are sadly mistaken. I have no plan. I have kept from you that Tasar returned because I have no desire to hurt you—“
“I am done with this game.” Alric grimaced. “You will be taken immediately to the Augur Council, along with your husband. You have much to answer for.”
“I have done only what has been necessary.”
“For whom? Yourself. Certainly not your people. You murdered your people, including your own nephew! You planned on deserting your daughter… planned on betraying me and all who have helped you.”
“You know nothing of this world,” she snapped. “We do not live now, only exist. I can give to my people a new life.”
“You have given them death. It has become known it was you who helped Asmeodai break through the barrier in the Maunga Mountains. You allowed the Darkening into the realm.”
Her face whitened. Her eyes paled. For a long moment, Alric wasn’t certain she was breathing. Is she feeling guilty?
He didn’t care. He had no mercy.
Casting his eyes into hers, he said grimly, “Tell me, Bae. Why…Why did you want me dead?”
She stared at him blankly. At first, he didn’t know if she heard him. Then suddenly, she smiled. “You are mistaken. I would never do so. You are the father of my child. Understandably, you have misunderstood what has happened.”
“Then clear it up for me.” His grip tightened. “For the way it looks, you gave up our mission to Asmeodai. His Night Raiders showed up at our site in Troms. If not for Okeden placing one of her illusions, we would have been captured and killed.”
Alric was afire with fury. Up unto that moment…that moment when the Night Raiders appeared…striking hard and swift at his image…he had hoped his friends had been wrong.
They had not been.
Bae’s betrayal had been devastating. The dream to halt Asmeodai’s tunnel of doom was finished. Nothing could stop Asmeodai now.
Sangrey had told Alric that Bae’s bargain had been for Alric and Ewan. Once Alric was killed, the cloak would drop.
There would be nothing to keep Asmeodai from hunting down every free Orimon. Moreover, Tuhinga O Mua and Briar Fuana were no longer safe havens.
Even now, Sae and her family were transporting their people out of Tuhinga O Mua. Briar Fuana would follow.
Alric could no longer deny Bae’s intent—she wanted him dead.
For what reason, he hadn’t figured out...yet. Surely, she didn’t trust Asmeodai.
Asmeodai had tried to kill her at the Darkening. Bae realized Asmeodai had killed trusted members of his council before. Though, there was more that Rentanga needed to know. How had Tasar reappeared? Where had he been?
Questions that had to be answered.
Yet, not here.
“Your followers are under guard,” Alric said. “You are to face the Augur Council.”
Bae lifted her chin in defiance. Gone was any attempt to deny her actions.
“Know that what is about to descend upon all is yours to own. It is a fault you have… believing others are like you. You will choke on your honor and duty.”
“Yours is you can’t look beyond your own need,” Alric stated dryly. “No matter what I face, I do so gladly.”
&nbs
p; Alric had had enough. He gestured for the guards to take their prisoners.
For the first time, Alric turned his attention to Tasar. Sae had described him as sly and cunning.
Until this point, this Tasar had been silent. He was silent no more.
“You are condemned by your actions,” Tasar said. Lifting his arms up toward the sky, the winds swirled, the ground shook.
Alric lost his footing and fell.
Darkening skies unleashed a fury of rain. Thunder roared.
Pushing back on his arms, Alric crawled back to his feet and unsheathed his sword. The act did little good.
Tasar had already swept Bae in his arms. The two disappeared into a wall of black, whirling winds.
Swinging his blade into the blackness, Alric heard a whisper. Move. Move. Move.
He obeyed. Sliding to his right, he felt the ground rumble. He leaped toward a ditch and rolled. Light flashed and flames burst forth.
Lightening had struck. Again, thunder roared.
Struggling to his feet in the icy slush, he stood alone as hail began to barrage the ground. He sought no shelter.
With his sword to his side, he stared at the place Bae had stood.
There was nothing.
Bae had escaped.
* * * *
Despite the hail having turned to snow, a fire seethed in Alric’s heart.
“Come, Ser Alric, we have need of you.”
In the driving snow, Alric turned to find Sae beside him. He expected nothing less.
Unlike her sister, Sae was faithful and loyal. She would never desert him.
His heart and soul had been ripped from his body, but he had no time to contemplate his hurt. He had pressing problems.
“Were you able to transport all out of Tuhinga O Mua?”
“Yes, my brave friend. Only a few elves remained in Briar Fuana. They will follow within minutes,” she said. “We need you to come now to cloak.”
Alric nodded.
It was as if time had stood still. He feared that Asmeodai had attacked while he was in Troms…while he was here in Briar Fuana.
“We haven’t much time,” Sae urged.
“Thea…Thea is safe?”
“Yes, she is with Gormar and Shalendra.”
The Path Now Turned Page 17
