The Tears of Elios

by Crista McHugh

  “Perhaps, but I ask that we try not to attack one another until we have reached our goal.”

  Arlise glanced around the tent, stroking his beard. “Forgive my ignorance, but I dinna see the representative from the wee faeries here.”

  “Fairlin left for Sylvania two days ago to discuss certain issues with Queen Mab. I plan on leaving in the morning to personally convince her to become more involved in the Resistance.”

  “Best of luck to you, Galen,” one of the dwarves said. “You're going to need it with her.”

  “Is there anything else you wish to discuss?” Galen looked around the circle, but the occupants remained silent. “I ask two things of you over the next few days. First, try and determine who the most skilled casters of your races are. We'll need them if the ritual to create a barrier is to succeed. Secondly, as much as I hate to ask this of you, you also need to be preparing the camp for battle, should the Elgean army arrive before we acquire all the Tears of Elios. Until our next meeting, then.” He stood and waited for the others to file out the door.

  Thoranus paused in front of him and met his eyes. No words were needed as he laid his mind open to be read by Galen. He wanted to know if the Scrolls of Corang had been safely hidden, but he dared not speak his question for fear he would be overheard.

  Galen nodded, and some of the worry eased from the Elder’s face. He watched him and the rest of the council exit the tent before leaving with Jaius.

  “That went well, all things considered.”

  “I suppose so,” Galen replied. “I wasn't expecting you to react so strongly to Elisus.”

  “Sometimes I tire of him. I know I’m not a High Elf like you or him—”

  “Do you classify me with him?”

  Jaius' brow wrinkled. “Not exactly, although I sometimes wonder why you would choose to associate with all of us, considering who your father was.”

  “Just because I was born a High Elf doesn't mean I agree with them. I tire of Elisus, too. I would rather judge someone based on his character rather than his pedigree. There's a reason why I've counted you among my closest friends all these years.”

  Jaius smiled. “You honor me with that compliment.” He stopped short of Galen's tent. His grin became more mischievous as his eyes flickered from Galen to the tent. “She's waiting for you.”

  Galen turned to the tent, confused by what he had just said, but when he looked back, Jaius was gone. He pushed open the flap and spied Kira examining the chest in the center of his tent. She spun around in surprise, the skirt of her red dress whirling around her ankles

  “Galen!” She took a moment to catch her breath. Her cheeks grew pink as she smiled at him. “I was wondering when you’d get here.”

  “Is there a reason why you're waiting for me?”

  She frowned. “You told me to come by this afternoon for my lesson.” Her fingers knotted together behind her back as she waited for him to reply. He’d forgotten about her lesson, and she knew it. “Of course, if you're busy with other things, I understand. I can always come back later.”

  He caught her hand as she passed him and felt a shock travel up his arm from his fingertips. She gasped as if she felt it, too. Her eyes met his, and once again, the silver fog began to creep upon the periphery of his vision. When he released her hand, it retreated. “No, now is as good a time as any. In fact, I’d rather be teaching you than deal with any more politics.” His confession caught him off guard as soon as he said it, even though he knew it was the truth.

  She beamed at him in response, and he was happy he had shared that with her. At least he could please someone today. “I've been working hard on the teleportation spell, and I think I almost have it.”

  “Let me see, then.” He sat on the trunk. “Try from where you are now to the other side of the tent.”

  “I'll try.” It was almost comical the way she chewed on her bottom lip as she concentrated. But when she closed her eyes, he was amazed to watch her body become more and more transparent. She may have actually mastered it. He held his breath as he leaned forward and wished he could somehow give her the final boost she needed to complete the spell. Then she gasped, and her body became solid once again as she tumbled to her knees.

  He rushed to her side. “Kira, are you all right?”

  “Fine, fine.” She pushed him away. “I just lost my concentration.” She frowned as she tried to stand, and he steadied her once she was on her feet again. Her face was pale. “Maybe there's a reason why humans have never mastered the spell. It's difficult enough to try and focus on making your body disappear, but when you add having to make it reappear at another location…” She shook her head in defeat.

  He led her to the trunk. “You’ve come closer to mastering it in a few days than most humans have in a lifetime. It just takes practice.” He sat next to her, and she stared at her feet. “You can do it, Kira, of that I have no doubt.”

  The corners of her mouth lifted. “I'm glad you have faith in me,” she said with a weak laugh. “This has to be the most exhausting spell I’ve ever had to learn.”

  “Even more difficult than the gate you created?”

  Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to protest.

  “Don't try and give the credit to Tyrrus. I know you are the one who created it, not him. The question is, how?”

  “I'm not quite sure. It just sort of came to me one day.”

  “In one of your visions?”

  Her dark eyes grew even larger as she nodded. “I saw the gate in my mind, with the pink crystal wedged between the rocks. When I awoke, I saw a similar crystal in a box Master Tyrrus had open on the table. I told him about my vision, and we built a matching arch along the back wall. Then it was like the spell took over. I don't know exactly how or why. It was as if Mariliel was guiding me. There was this blinding flash of blue, and the next thing I remember was Master Tyrrus hugging me in excitement, telling me the spell had worked.”

  Galen tightened his jaw. That wasn’t what he wanted to hear. “Do you think you could create another gate if needed?”

  She bit her bottom lip again, and he wondered if it always looked so full due to repeated trauma. “I don't know. Maybe. I still have the crystals. But why would you need me to create another gate?”

  The naivety of her question troubled him, and he tried to push the thought of the Elgean soldiers storming the camp out of his mind. The macabre image of them slaughtering the inhabitants had been haunting him for several days, but he knew it would become a reality if he failed. “I want to make sure the women and children have a way to escape if something bad happens.”

  Her fingers brushed his hand, more soothing this time than the shock he felt earlier. When he looked at her face, he marveled for a moment in its expressiveness. Elves always tried to keep their emotions concealed from others. Kira, on the other hand, wore her thoughts clearly on her face for everyone to see. She was confused, yes, but he was surprised to see worry there. Not concern about herself, but worry for him.

  “Am I interrupting something?” a nasal voice drawled from the flap. Galen knew the voice before he turned to see Elisus staring at Kira without attempting to hide his disdain. “Is this your little human I've been hearing so much about?” he asked in Elvish.

  “What do you want, Elisus?” he replied in the same language. He already knew this was one conversation he didn’t want Kira to hear.

  “I wanted to have a private word with you, but now you've whetted my curiosity.”

  Galen jumped to his feet to stand between him and Kira, but not in time to block the spell that flew from Elisus’ fingers. Kira's body began to glow with the bright blue light her aura produced.

  Elisus arched one blond brow. “That was unexpected.”

  “Leave her alone.” He moved closer to her.

  Elisus laughed as he circled them. “You were always too fond of humans, Galen, but with this one, I can see why. Her potential powers are remarkable, especially for one of her race.”


  Galen's fingers tightened around his sword. The implications of Elisus’ words caused his gut to clench. He was threatening both of them. “Elisus, stop.”

  Like a snake striking, Elisus was behind her. His palms pressed against her temples, his slender fingers forming white spikes through her dark hair. “I could crush her fragile little human mind.”

  Galen began to draw his sword to defend her, but a flash of blue magic knocked Elisus back.

  “Stop it!” Kira shouted as she stood and faced him. “I don't know who you are, nor do I care, but I don't appreciate you touching me without my permission.”

  Elisus stared up at her from the ground with wide eyes.

  Pride surged through Galen at her spunkiness. Perhaps she wasn’t as helpless as he thought. He released his sword and felt it slide back into the scabbard with a comforting thud.

  “Galen, I think I should leave,” she whispered as she leaned closer to him. “I don't know what you’re talking about, but I know when I'm in the middle of something I shouldn't be involved in.”

  He grabbed her arm. The last thing he needed was for her to be wandering the camp without someone to watch over her. “I wish you wouldn’t, but if you insist, go immediately to some place you feel safe and stay near someone you trust. Don’t be caught alone—do you understand?” His voice softened as he added, “Please promise me that. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

  Fear flickered across her face. She nodded and cast one more glance over her shoulder at Elisus before she hurried out of the tent.

  “I'll be watching her closely, Galen.” Elisus brushed the dirt off his clothes.

  “As will I.” He would like to see him try and hurt her. It would give him a reason to silence the Elder once and for all. He crossed his arms. “Why did you come here?”

  “I demand to see the Tears of Elios.”

  Galen probed the contents of his mind, trying to discover his motives. Elisus must have sensed his presence in his mind because everywhere he searched, he was blocked. “The answer remains the same.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I don't trust you.”

  Elisus’ sneer darkened for a moment before fading as he tried to laugh casually. “You don't trust me, one of the Elders of the High Elves, yet you will let humans see them?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then at least tell me whom you’ve sent to find them.”

  Elisus no longer made an effort to conceal his anger, but Galen wasn’t frightened. He knew as long as he had something Elisus wanted, no harm would come to him. In his fury, Elisus let his guard down enough to allow his thoughts to become visible. He was planning to intercept one of the parties and capture the orb.

  “One of them is Ranealya,” Galen replied, knowing the he wouldn’t dare risk an encounter with her.

  “You would trust that creature and not me?” Florid color rose into his normally pale face.

  Galen savored the moment for a second. It wasn’t often he saw an elf lose control of his emotions—it was considered primitive. And here was Elisus, an Elder of the High Elves, sputtering with rage. His lips curled up in a smile. “At least she has no ulterior motives.”

  He then realized Galen had seen into his mind, which further enraged him. “You're a disgrace to all elves. If your father was alive, he'd be ashamed of you.” He paused long enough to add, “I can't wait to see you fail,” before throwing the flap open as far as he could.

  Galen exhaled. Dealing with Elisus was never a pleasant experience, but this encounter disturbed him more than usual. He knew his words were nothing more than a petty attempt to retaliate, but Galen still dwelt on them. Would my father approve of my actions? And what if I did fail? Could I bear to live knowing the blood of all those who trusted me would be on my hands?

  Galen pulled himself from his doubts when he remembered Elisus saying he would be watching Kira. He needed to find her before the High Elf and his entourage did. Her tent was deserted when he checked it, but he was quick to note it was already void of the beer barrel and tankards that had been its centerpiece when Tyrrus occupied it. He stood outside and contemplated climbing up to the bluff in the darkness but concluded it would be useless. Even with his elvan eyes, it would be difficult to spot her in the night.

  The wind carried the sound of her laughter, and he followed it. As he weaved his way through the maze of tents, the music of pipes and drums became louder. It led him into a corner of the camp he knew the Highmounters occupied. He hid in the shadows, watching them.

  In the center of the clearing, a large bonfire burned bright enough to cast the appearance of daylight on those surrounding it. Across from him, a woman kept time with drums as three men played a lively melody on their pipes. From the rising smoke, he smelled roasting venison.

  Shadows danced around a fire, their faces only becoming visible as they neared him before disappearing beyond the wall of flames. The woman playing the drum began to sing a song in the language even he didn’t understand, but the Highmounters cheered when she began. The dancing became faster as the couples whirled around the fire with renewed frenzy, their smiling faces flashing in the firelight.

  He almost missed her as she danced by him, but he immediately knew her. Kira laughed as a young man twirled her around the fire. When she passed him again, it was in the arms of another man. He watched the cycle through several rotations before he realized that the men were taking turns dancing with her. She was nimble on her feet, never missing a step as she switched partners, and she appeared happier than he had ever seen her before. Despite her boyish haircut, she had more male attention than she could handle at once.

  His chest tightened. He regretted giving her that red dress now.

  “Aye, she's quite a lass, isn't she?” a thickly burred voice said next to him. He’d been so engrossed with watching Kira that he failed to hear Arlisle approach him. The fire glinted in Highmounter's dark eyes as he watched her.

  “Yes,” Galen replied, “she is a remarkable young woman.”

  Arlisle turned to face him. “Galen, do you mind if I ask you a question of a personal nature?”

  Galen focused his attention on Arlisle and watched him fidget with his shirt for moment before answering, “That entirely depends on the question.”

  “Well then, here it goes. I canna help but notice that you spend a right fair amount of time with Kira, and far be it for me to step on another man's toes, but I was wondering if there was anything going on between the two of you?”

  Galen raised one brow as Kira passed him once more. She was oblivious to his presence in the shadows. “She's my student.”

  “I meant more along the lines of a romantic nature?”

  An odd twinge formed in his stomach. “She's a human. I'm an elf.”

  “Then you won't mind if I pursue the lass.” It was more of a statement than a question, and Arlisle intercepted Kira when she passed by.

  As he watched them dance around the fire, Galen realized she wasn’t changing partners anymore. The firelight illuminated her face. She looked up at Arlisle with a smile, causing his gut clench even more. By the Goddess, am I jealous? He began to probe Arlisle's mind.

  At first, he only saw the obvious. The Highmounter was fond of Kira and found her pretty. He also knew she appreciated any sort of attention. But then, Arlisle's thoughts changed from what was right in front of him to what he wanted to do. Galen watched as he imagined leading her back to his tent and unfastening the ties on her red dress.

  How dare he try to take advantage of her! He’d seen enough to make him more furious than he had ever been in his entire life. He emerged from the shadows, attracting several stares as he moved through the dancers to them. They hid in a dark corner of the clearing, and Arlisle was in the process of lifting her chin as he lowered his head. “Kira, a word with you.”

  It was amusing to watch her jump when he spoke and even more amusing to see Arlisle's scowl. Galen didn’t need to read his thoughts to know he had
interrupted them at an inopportune moment.

  Kira regained her composure and smoothed her dress. “Of course, Galen. What about?”

  Even in the darkness, he could see the flush in her cheeks. “I was wondering if you would care to join me on my mission to Sylvania.”

  The entire bonfire reflected in her eyes. “I'd love to go!” She turned to Arlisle. “Doesn’t that sound exciting?”

  “Absolutely.” His eyes simmered as they stayed on Galen.

  He made no effort to hide his smirk. “We’ll leave at the usual place at the usual time.”

  “Daybreak?” The corners of her mouth turned down when he nodded. “Then I suppose I should go to bed now and get some sleep.”

  Arlisle looped her arm through his. “Please allow me to escort you back to your tent.”

  Galen positioned himself directly in their path. “That's quite alright, Arlisle. Her tent is on my way. Stay here and attend to your guests.”

  Arlisle refused to relinquish his hold on her. “I said I would escort her.” He locked his eyes with Galen's and tensed, ready to attack if further provoked.

  Galen's fingers caressed the cool metal hilt of his sword. He wasn’t as stocky as the Highmounter, but he could take him, if needed. “But it is completely illogical for you to walk all the way across camp and then walk all the way back when I will pass—”

  “I said I would take her, you pointy-ear.”

  A hush fell over the crowd, and several men flanked the Highmounter. “Is there anything we can help you with, Arlisle?” one of them asked.

  Kira's eyes traveled between the two of them. She pressed the palm of her free hand against Arlisle's chest as she unwound the other arm from his. “He does have a point, Arlisle,” she said soothingly. “It doesn't make sense for you to go out of your way when he can easily drop me off as he goes back to his own tent.”

  He took the hand on his chest and kissed her fingers. “Be careful out there with him, Kira. I'd be very upset if something happened to you.” His eyes flashed to Galen.

  “Don't worry, Arlisle.” She slipped her hand from his. “I can take care of myself.”