“Are you hurt?” I asked Dalandaras. My hand twitched, wanting to draw Dauntless.
“I am unharmed,” Dalandaras replied.
“You hold your own kinsman at a blade point?” I demanded of the soldiers.
“If he hinders us in the course of our duty, yes,” the one who held Dalandaras said.
I weighed my options, including the shedding of elf blood here, now. But I would have to pass too close to Tal Uil to reach the river that would take us to Tal Anor. I could not shed blood now. “If I refuse to come with you?”
“I am afraid that is not an option, Lady Evalandriel. Dismiss your hounds, or we will shed their blood.”
“Not before they end you, sir. You are the one surrounded.”
“My life is given to my duty. As it is, we have fought and killed foulings before. My life will be forfeit, but your hounds and the prince will not fair so well either.”
He was right, and there was no hesitation in the warrior’s silver face. He would die to fulfill his orders.
“Run,” I said to the foulings. “Run to the mountains, and wait for me.”
The growling quieted, but their hackles did not go down. They backed away from the party, and ran quickly into the snow and up the side of the mountain.
“We can dispense with blades, don’t you think?” I asked.
But the sword point did not waiver from Dalandaras’ neck. “Your weapons first, Lady.”
I undid my belt, the loss of weight more heavy a burden to me than bearing the blades. An elf approached, and I handed him the bundle.
The leader removed his sword from Dalandaras. “If you will follow us, please.”
“To Tal Uil?” I replied. “We know the path.”
We knew the path, too well. I had not thought to be taking it so soon again.
The elves had sheltered their boat in the little harbor next to Singael’s outpost. But when Dalandaras and I arrived there, I did not see Aerik or Firien. Maybe they had remained hidden. Maybe the Queen did not care about either of them.
I stole a look at the tall spires of the outpost, jutting out of the mountain as if they had grown from the dark rocks. The glassless windows held only darkness within them – there was no sign of movement, or any hint that the elves had trod the path up to its entrance. I could only hope that they remained out of sight, and safe.
When we were back in Tal Uil, Dalandaras was separated from me. I was taken directly to the Queen. There was no entourage this time. There was only the Queen, her balcony overlooking the ravine of Tal Uil.
“I did not think to be back here so soon,” I said to her. The warriors did not leave - they flanked me as if I was a murderer.
“Why were you in that place?” she asked calmly. She didn’t turn to face me. I saw a bit of a bandage on the hand she had injured.
“I was there to destroy it,” I said honestly. “Surely, considering the place, that is not such a crime? Nor, I believe, is it any land the Dagnar ever claimed.”
“You plan to destroy that…place…would jeopardize the stability of our outpost.”
I scoffed. “Let us not play games. No one is in that outpost. I know that as well as you do. What is this truly about?” A human messenger surely had not reached Tal Uil yet…had they?
“You would use blood magic?” she asked, and finally turned to face me. Her gray eyes were piercing, but I held firm.
“Surely, an elf Queen of your age and wisdom knows that that is the only way to destroy such a cruel place?”
“Then, Lady Eva, I arrest you.”
“For?” I wasn’t surprised. But I couldn’t be here when any messenger from Tal Uil arrived, bearing a warrant for me.
“For practicing blood magic.”
“You hope to keep a practitioner of blood magic jailed? Lady, I may have overestimated you.”
She said nothing, but gestured. The warriors grabbed hold of my arms, and led me away.
I was taken deep into the trees, farther than we had ventured when I was merely a guest, deep into the ravine of Tal Uil. And then we came to a stone tower, nestled between the trees and along the water. The doors were heavy and iron-barred. Inside it was dark, and dank. There were only a few individual cells, and Dalandaras was in one. He reached for me through the narrow bars in the doors, but I could not reach back with the grip that the Queen's men had on me. Instead I was shoved into the neighboring cell, the door locked swiftly behind me. There were only the two small, barred windows - the one in the door, and one that overlooked the river of Tal Uil. There were no beds or cushions, or even food or water.
When the guards had left us, Dalandaras called to me. "We could break out," he said quietly, his voice echoing against the stones. "This place is not strong."
"Would you kill your own kindred?" I asked quietly. Though I could feel him at his own door, straining to see mine, I could not approach my own. Unless he was prepared for bloodshed, there was not much we could do, and I was strangely bereft that I had caused him to be in here with me. "Would you fight alongside me as I slaughtered elf after elf, clearing a path to freedom, and the foulings clear a path to us. Could you forgive either of us for that?"
"I said I would follow you," he replied. "To whatever end."
"That is not an answer," I said.
"Then know that I will follow you," he said firmly. "Whatever you decide. I see the cost to you already. I know that you were considering leaving Aerik behind, and you hated yourself for the thought."
"You...knew?" I came to the window this time, and reached toward him. Our arms strained, but our fingers hooked.
"Like the foulings, I think, I know your thoughts. Only sometimes," he said wryly. "Not always. When your emotions run deep but your words are silent, that is when I feel you."
I wished he could hold me now. "I cannot ask you to kill your own kind," I said quietly.
"You have killed yours, and know the burden," Dalandaras echoed my thoughts. "But I choose to be with you. I will follow you to whatever end, Evalandriel."
I squeezed his fingers as hard as I dared, and he squeezed back, until our arms tired and another dusk started to descend upon us. When we separated, it was out of the tiredness of our limbs.
"Though," Dalandaras said. "There may be another way."
"Which is?"
"My sister."
I did not like Alid. The feeling was mutual. I did not like her because she did not like Dalandaras. I did not know what sins he had committed, and I could not see why she would help him now. But Dalandaras knew her better than I could ever claim to. "It's our only option at the moment."
Elves had a bond. I knew that. I had not quite comprehended what that meant, though I had seen its effects before - how Dalandaras did not always need to speak with Eliawen and Lorandal; how Firien and his warriors said very little. Now, Dalandaras spoke not at all, but after a while, his sister came.
She was let into the building by a warrior, but instead of approaching her brother’s prison, she approached mine. I hid my surprise as best I could. But he was let into my cage and it shut behind her. Alid had powers of her own, it seemed; I felt a flare of old magic along the windows and door.
Alid circled me. I let her. Whatever Dalandaras had told her, this was something she had decided she needed to do.
When she passed in front of me again, she halted, drawing her robes about her. “My grandfather did many cruel things,” she said quietly. “Most before I was born. I know you think I hate my brother, but I saw what Singael wanted to turn him into.”
“Did you think that Dalandaras would be another Singael, another Adhannor?” I asked.
She gave the slightest of shrugs.
“If you have questions,” I said. “You should simply ask.”
Alid couldn’t seem to find the words. She frowned and fidgeted and bit her lip.
“Do you know what the question even is? Or are you afraid of the answer.”
“Are you the Lady?” she asked. “Somewhere
in you, are you the pure essence of what Singael and Adhannor tried to harness, many years ago?”
I let her see me. Why not? She was still too angry at Dalandaras to see beyond her own needs, to angry at her grandfather for his mistakes and for living too long. So I found the Lady deep within me and I brought her forth. And I let Alid see the white-clad guardian of the frozen north, the flowing robes of state and the five-pronged crown that felt as heavy on my head as if I was truly wearing it. Let her see the power in my eyes, and the judgment, and condemnation. I did not want to be the Lady, but let her see what I did have at my command should she continue to trifle with us. I could have shown the Queen, but why let her see the true prize she kept imprisoned here? No, I would show Alid the tale so unreal that none would believe her save her brother. If I had shown the Queen, she would have bound me tighter. No, let Alid see me; she was powerless to keep me, but possibly useful to freeing me.
Alid’s eyes widened. “It is true.”
“I understand why you condemned your brother,” I said with all the Lady I possessed. “But he needs your help now.”
Alid sank to her knees. “Forgive me,” she whispered.
“I am not the one who can forgive you. Rise, Alid.”
She did so, and I released the old magic. I came back to the flesh world roughly, and staggered. Alid herself caught me, and helped me to sit on the stone floor.
“Do you know the price that Dalandaras is paying for Singael’s sins?” I asked.
“I know now,” Alid said quietly. “He is imprisoned as you are. But you are the Lady of Tal Aesiri now, or you are supposed to be - why do you not just break free from here, and flee?”
“Would you have me so slaughter your own people?” I asked once more, wearily. “Do you have water?”
She retreated out the door, her old magic shield snapping with a rush of heat; she came back with a pitcher and glass. I did not bother with the glass - I drank greedily from the pitcher itself. I made no excuses for my bad manners.
“I was never as skilled with the old magic as an elf should be,” Alid said. “But even I can feel the power that shakes and trembles the air around you. I know why the Queen is so afraid of you.”
“I am trying to prevent the slaughter of thousands, hundreds of thousands,” I replied. “I am trying to prevent a repeat of Singael, of Adhannor. I have no wish to spill any blood by own. Help me, Alid. Help your brother.”
“How?” she asked, her voice a whisper. “Tell me, and I will try.”
“We must escape Tal Uil. I must return to the dead city by the outpost. Do you know how we can get out? It cannot be by the main road.”
Alid nodded. “They would be looking for you, of course. There are many ways, but if you wish to leave speedily, then it will have to be by boat, or by running. And you are human, so—”
“I can run,” I said. “I can keep up with your brother.”
“Then there is what must be done. You will have to cross the water, and go up the other side of the ravine. Dalandaras will know the ways to leave Tal Uil. Nearly exactly opposite to where we are now,” she went to the window, and pointed a line through the trees on the other side of the ravine. “There is a little harbor on the sea. If there is wind, steal a boat. If there is not, then run. The shore is rocky, but you can make it on foot. It is not well patrolled if you stay on the beach and as out of sight of the trees. Luck may be on your side - the tide should be going out now, and much of the shoreline exposed.”
“Thank you, Alid.”
“You will have to break yourselves out, I’m afraid. I will not be able to help you there. But I will leave a boat in the little shelter so that you can cross the ravine. Dalandaras will know of where I speak. Leave at twilight. Leave at midnight. There is a change of guard then.”
“Say your farewells to your brother.”
“I will keep hope for you, Lady Eva.”
“And I for you,” I replied, and she halted. “That Tal Uil remains strong, and that your home will not face the destruction of Adhannor and Singael.”
She inclined her head to me, and I heard her go to her brother.
I did not have the strength to listen to their murmurs, and did not even notice that I had been locked in again until the door was barred. My heart was pounding hard, too hard. I had called up the Lady with ease before; why was it so hard now?
I lost track of all time, until Dalandaras whispered my name urgently. “Eva, Evalandriel, we must go now.”
I rose from the stone floor, my body stiff. “The guards?”
“Changing.”
I leaned against the door, and with a surge of old magic I shattered the lock. It was a simple bolt, if strong - but not strong enough for me.
I did the same to Dalandaras’ door; and we fled.
True enough, the guards weren’t there.
“Come,” Dalandaras said, and took my hand.
I let him lead me through Tal Uil, through the trees and the darkness of the night. We saw no soul - were we on the outskirts of the city, or did Dalandaras simply know all the nooks and crannies of this place?
We came to the water, where there was very little shore. The great tree roots reached into the water, and formed little hollows. We passed behind them, Dalandaras touching each tree trunk, until he chose one and waded into the water. Tucked into the hollow was a small boat of smooth, pale wood.
In the boat was my belt, Dauntless attached.
"Blessings to you, Alid," I whispered, and felt the old magic flow out from me. "Protect yourself, Alid."
Dalandaras had is own sword and bow back as well. He strapped them to him, and grabbed the paddles. I shook my head. "We won't need them."
I sat at the prow, and Dalandaras the stern. I gripped the edges of the boat, relishing the warmth of the old magic that seemed embedded in it. Were I not currently the enemy of Tal Uil, I would enjoy this place. Despite how tired I was, how the exhaustion seemed to seep into my bones, I plowed us silently through the water. The stars were not out tonight, nor was there any moon, and the lights of Tal Uil seemed distant as we crossed the water. When we approached the shore, I slowed us, and we beached with a gentle thud in shallow water. It did not cover the tops of our boots when we waded in, and Dalandaras led me once more through the trees. We climbed the wall of the ravine as if we were mountaineers. Sometimes the path was steep; sometimes it was vertical altogether, and the branches were as stepping stones to us.
When we reached the rim, we were back in the snow. I had told Alid I could run, and I did. I ran north, back to the dead city, along the beach, following Dalandaras. He did not hold back in his speed, and I kept up. It hurt, but I kept up. When dawn was breaking and the sun’s orange glow was muted by the storm clouds, we came into the dead city. My foulings paced there, an angry pack. There were other footprints too - not the heavy ones of Aerik, but soft ones of other elves.
At the entrance to the blood altars, I collapsed.
Annel came and licked my face, and Dalandaras lifted me into a siting position, cradling me against him.
“You have a fever,” he murmured.
Did I? I couldn’t feel it. I felt very little. I was numb; I was floating in my own skin. What was wrong with me?
I scratched Annel’s ears, but spotted Dhreo, my pirate fouling. The biggest; the bulkiest. He was a small horse, but with far more strength.
“Where are the elves?” I murmured to my hounds.
They had patrolled, I sensed, but would be back.
“Dhreo, I need you with me.” I had a plan. A plan to give the blood altars its required death. Dalandaras would not like it, and I turned to my lover. “Take the other foulings, find Aerik and Firien. You must be gone before the elves patrol back. They will follow your footprints anyway.”
“I would not leave you,” he replied.
I kissed him, and tasted the fever of my lips against the wind-blasted cold of his. “To any end,” I murmured. “Trust the Lady.”
He gr
itted his teeth, but nodded.
I wobbled to my feet. “Dhreo.”
I made my way down the stairs on wobbly legs; I sensed the foulings and Dalandaras move off, towards the outpost.
The old magic pulsed bright in the black hallway, outlining every nook and cranny of the rock. I found a weak spot in the wall, and brought it crumbling down after us. It was not a permanent block - I would have to get back through, after all, but I could not have the Dagnar elves getting to me too quickly.
Any time I faltered, Dhreo nudged me on, his presence reassuring me.
We came to the room of altars, and I headed towards the center wards.
The blood altar needed a life - I could only hope that Evalandriel’s life counted as one, and the Lady’s life as another entirely.
I knelt in the seal. Dhreo circled around it, sniffing, his hackles up.
I stripped off a glove, rolled up my sleeve. I took one of the elves’ small torches from my belt pouch. “Thaeglir,” I said, and it lit brightly. I set it on the stone floor. My eyes protested, but I would need the heat.
I took my knife, and pressed it against my skin. Dhreo lashed out, and bit onto my hand. It didn’t hurt, but he held me firmly all the same.
I was touched, but I could not be hindered. “Did you think I would cut you open?” I asked quietly. “And you came willingly anyway?”
He didn’t nod, and couldn’t speak, but his dark eyes told me the same as Dalandaras’ words had: to whatever end was needed to finish this.
With my free hand I petted him, smoothing his coarse hair down, rubbing gently at his raised hackles.
“Let this happen,” I murmured.
Reluctantly, he released my hand, and backed out of the ward.
“It will be okay,” I said, but whether it was to Dhreo or myself I did not know.
I pressed the blade to my skin once more, and opened the vein.
It spurted, and flowed freely down onto the stone, into the groove, into the stone circle. Dhreo circled me, whining.
“A little more,” I murmured. “Just a little more.” I watched my blood flow into the grooves in the floor, waited for them to be filled entirely. I held my knife over the fire, and heated the blade.
Winter's Sword Page 6
