She shot a thumb over her shoulder, indicating the cabin behind her. Jaax merely blinked at her in pure astonishment.
Jahrra stifled a laugh. “I already know about the ball, Jaax. Someone has asked me to go with them, and I accepted the invitation.”
Before Jaax could come up with a response, Jahrra stepped away from the cabin, heading in the direction of the practice area.
“I’ll see you later,” she called out over her shoulder with a wave.
Jaax watched with narrowed eyes as his ward disappeared into the bustling crowd of late morning commerce. Across the muddy street, a door opened and shut on squeaky hinges, and Jaax sensed more than witnessed Ellyesce’s approach.
“You’re lazing about late this morning,” the elf commented.
The Tanaan dragon quirked a haughty eyebrow at his friend. “Why is everyone so concerned with my sleeping habits of late?”
“Everyone is concerned with your sleeping habits?” Ellyesce asked with a light chuckle.
Jaax nodded in the direction of the stables. “Jahrra nearly tripped over me on her way to practice this morning. Did you know that someone invited her to attend the Spring Equinox ball?”
Ellyesce was quiet for some time, and Jaax was beginning to wonder if there was something his friend might be keeping from him.
“Ellyesce?” he pressed, none too gently.
The elf was stroking his short beard in contemplation. “No, I didn’t know she’d been asked. But I’m not surprised.”
Jaax felt his teeth clench involuntarily.
“Who?” he demanded.
“If I were to guess, I’d say Keiron Fairlein.”
The dragon gave the elf a sidelong glance. “As a favor to his father?”
Ellyesce only laughed sardonically. “Truly, Jaax? Could the boy not have any other reason to ask her? Do you not remember our conversation back on the road? She’s not a child any longer, and she’s both strong and confident. I’ve not spent much time with her here in Cahrdyarein, but it’s clear the young men have taken notice.”
The headache that had been plaguing Jaax since the evening before threatened to overpower his will to ignore it. Why was it their conversations of late had been turning to this topic more often than not?
“No,” Jaax replied, “you’re right. But when could he have formed enough of an opinion to ask her?”
Ellyesce snorted again. “Jaax, you have been so busy scouting the mountains and keeping Morivan in a fair enough mood to allow us to rest here that you haven’t been around much to actually talk with Jahrra.”
Again, his friend was right, and that was one of the things nagging at him the most. He had barely spoken with Jahrra since their arrival, and now they were due to leave in less than a week. He had thought they’d have more time.
“Jahrra has been spending most of her days in the lists, sparring with the regent’s guard. Keiron has met her here almost every morning to walk with her to practice.”
Suddenly, Jaax wanted nothing more than to burn something. True, he was glad Jahrra had a friend here and that she was using her time to better her fighting skills, but there was just something about the regent, and his son, that rubbed him the wrong way. Part of the reason he attended Morivan’s court, as insignificant as it may be, was to observe the regent’s actions as well as listen to his words. There was much more to politics than what was presented on the surface, and Jaax knew this all too well. During his days sitting in Morivan’s cavernous hall, he had also taken note of his son’s comings and goings. The young Resai elf was always formal with his father, but never paid much attention to the Tanaan dragon sitting silently in the shadows. But Jaax had noticed him. The tightness of his shoulders, and the exhaustive effort he took to remain still and quiet, as if he feared any sudden movements might cause him to give away some vital information he was desperately trying to keep to himself. This behavior had immediately caught the dragon’s attention, and Jaax had kept careful watch on him ever since.
He must have growled during his musings because Ellyesce spoke up again, his voice tinged with surprise.
“Dervit often accompanies them, if it makes you feel any better.”
Jaax shook his head. He could attempt to puzzle out the regent’s son later.
“I knew she was spending her days practicing. Morivan told me. He most likely heard it from his son. I even went to observe her progress the other day.” His voice dropped its hard edge, and he even allowed a grin. “In fact, I got to witness her defeat the captain of the guard.”
Ellyesce whistled. “Now, that had to be something to behold.”
Jaax nodded. “It was.”
A few moments were allowed to pass with neither of them speaking. Jaax continued to recline in the somewhat muddy street, and Ellyesce leaned against the outer wall of Jahrra’s cabin. A few wagons carrying supplies for the Equinox ball clattered by, the occupants waving and calling out a greeting to Jaax and Ellyesce. Across the street, the bakery was growing busy as people stopped in to buy a loaf of bread or some sugary confection to enjoy on their way to work.
Jaax sighed again. “I meant to spend more time with Jahrra, with you as well, during our stay here,” he admitted with some regret.
Ellyesce crossed his arms. “I know. I’m sure Jahrra knows, too. But Ethoes is calling upon us to perform another task right now.”
Jaax surprised him when he murmured, “I don’t like her spending so much time with Keiron Fairlein.”
The statement had been completely out of the blue and almost too quiet for Ellyesce to hear. Fortunately, or unfortunately, his elf ears picked up the words clearly.
“Why?” he asked carefully, drawing closer to his friend.
Jaax cast him a quick look before returning his eyes to the street. “I do not trust him, Ellyesce.”
Ellyesce grinned. “Is it because of his interest in our young Jahrra?”
“No,” Jaax said, his tone unwavering, “and yes. I would have no objections if I didn’t think his intentions were dishonorable.”
This surprised Ellyesce. “You believe him to be ignoble? From what I’ve seen, he’s been nothing but politely attentive to Jahrra.”
Jaax drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “I sense something far grander at play here, Ellyesce. I watch the young Resai elf when he enters his father’s great hall. I see the way he puts on a gracious facade, but when alone in the shadows, he watches everyone with keen eyes.”
“What are you saying, Jaax?” Ellyesce interjected, with some impatience.
“Don’t you find it odd that the Red Flange disappeared without a trace?” the dragon asked by way of an answer. “I’m aware they are using dark magic to aid them, but surely I would have seen something. You would have detected something. And I know they did not go limping back down the mountainside to lick their wounds. They would not have given up so easily.”
Ellyesce hissed in a breath. “Are you suggesting–”
“Someone inside Cahrdyarein’s walls is feeding them information. I cannot prove it, but all my dragon senses are prickling with suspicion. I cannot ignore my instincts.”
The elf stared at him numbly. When he finally found his voice, Ellyesce said, “And you believe Keiron is this nefarious person? Are you mad?!”
Jaax whipped his head around, his eyes snapping with malice.
“I am cautious!” he snarled angrily. “I am worried for my ward’s safety, and I am discounting nothing I deem even remotely suspicious until I am convinced, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am wrong in what I’m feeling. I do not like the attention he gives Jahrra because of the way he behaves when she is not around.”
Jaax drew in a great breath and forced himself to relax. His slight suspicions of Keiron had him on his guard, but learning of the Resai’s growing interest in his ward had wound him even tighter.
“The sooner we leave this place, the better,” he snarled softly.
Ellyesce, unmoved by his friend’s sudden flash of
anger, sniffed and said, “And, when will that be?”
Jaax tilted his head toward the heavens, the sky still clear save for the smudge of dark clouds on the far horizon. “Two nights from now would be an opportune time. A storm approaches, so we can leave and let the snow cover our tracks.”
“Why not leave tonight?” Ellyesce asked.
The Tanaan dragon tilted his head toward the ground. He studied his scaled fingers a few moments before answering, “As much as I want Jahrra removed from Keiron’s influence, I will not keep her from enjoying the ball tomorrow night.”
He grinned and looked up at Ellyesce, a glimmer of sadness in his eyes. “Jahrra has had to miss out on so much in her life, and I cannot say what the dismal future holds for her. I will not deny her one evening of celebration if I can help it.”
Ellyesce smiled back at his old friend, placing a hand against his scaly arm. “Very well, my friend,” he said.
He turned to walk away, but Jaax said, “Ellyesce.”
The elf paused and looked over his shoulder. “Don’t tell Jahrra. I want her to enjoy her evening without having to worry about preparing for yet another departure.”
Ellyesce quirked an eyebrow. “And you don’t want the potential spy catching wind of our plans?”
Jaax nodded, his face grim. “That, too.”
Ellyesce left then to return to his own lodgings. Jaax thought about their discussion, hoping his suspicions were false but knowing from past experience that he had better prepare for the worst. This new information regarding Keiron’s growing attachment to Jahrra had him worrying again, and he couldn’t help but chastise himself for overlooking that particular detail.
Perhaps you are wrong, his inner voice mused. Maybe Keiron’s interest is purely innocent, and he has no devious plots up his sleeve.
Jaax wanted to believe that, but again, his instincts refused to leave him be. He was very tempted to find Jahrra and tell her they must flee Cahrdyarein, but she was so looking forward to the Equinox ball. He had seen it in her eyes and heard it in her voice. Making her leave before enjoying the celebration would be cruel, and he could not bring himself to do it. Not this time.
“I hope you know what you are doing,” he grumbled to himself as he studied those dark clouds moving in from the west. Yes, a late spring snow storm would be most welcome in helping them make their surreptitious retreat from the city.
Still eager to get some sleep before making a sweep of the mountains outside of Cahrdyarein, yet again, Jaax tucked his head under his wing with the hope that his dreams, for once, would not be filled with darkness.
* * *
Jahrra woke the next morning only to find the world outside blanketed in a fresh layer of snow. Although she had been enjoying the spring weather only a few days previous, she smiled at the winter scene before her. This high in the mountains, any sort of strange weather could occur late in the season. She did, however, find it ironic that snow should fall on the day of the Spring Equinox of all times.
“Dervit,” she called back into the cabin.
The limbit, who had been snoozing on his couch, jolted awake.
Jahrra stifled a snort of laughter. “Since practice is likely to be canceled this morning, what with the snow and the upcoming ball, would you like to take the horses for a ride?”
Dervit blinked the sleep from his eyes and stretched. “Sure,” he said through a yawn. “Let’s see if Ellyesce wants to go, too. He mentioned having the day free from meetings with the regent and his dignitaries. They need to make the steward’s hall ready for this evening’s event.”
Jahrra grinned and darted across the street to knock on Ellyesce’s door. The elf, already awake and dressed, gladly accepted Jahrra’s invitation. They returned to her cabin where she proceeded to make breakfast for the three of them.
An hour later, they were guiding the horses down one of the trails encircling the city, the one running closest to the base of the great wall. Jahrra and Dervit rode atop Phrym while Ellyesce led Gliriant close behind. Their breath misted the air, the snow all around them thick and deep in some places.
“A shame this storm couldn’t wait until after the foray tonight,” Ellyesce remarked, dusting a clump of white powder from his shoulder. It had fallen from a tree branch above when a rambunctious squirrel made a leap from an adjacent tree.
“I don’t know,” Jahrra threw over her shoulder with an impish grin, “I kind of like how it makes the world look.”
And she did. The crisp cleanness of it, the fresh, vibrant white. It almost made her forget about her worries concerning the Red Flange and the potentially dangerous journey to Nimbronia. A journey that was fast approaching. They had been in Cahrdyarein longer than a week now, and Jaax had wanted to leave within a fortnight. Jahrra had let the time slip by without noticing it, but now, with the ball that evening and Keiron’s growing attentions, she was reminded of the fact that this was all temporary. Sighing, she tightened her fingers on Phrym’s reins and tried to enjoy the time she had.
Ellyesce and Dervit let Jahrra choose their path, so she led them toward the Round, the place of stone where Keiron had asked her to accompany him to the ball. She wanted to see what the waterfall looked like after a fresh snowfall. Since they were taking the perimeter path around the city, she hoped they might stumble upon the trail leading to the Round in the opposite direction. The snow made things a little more difficult, but after passing several signs naming a number of destinations, they finally came upon one that stated To the Round. Jahrra smiled.
“Keiron showed me this place a few days ago. I thought you both might like it.”
The trail threaded its way through a small grove of trees, curving around stone and stump alike. It appeared they were the first to use the path that day, for no other tracks were present. Fortunately, the trail itself was wide and obvious, a ribbon of flat white against all the other snow. A while later, the familiar sound of trickling water met Jahrra’s ears. A narrow stream sliced through the fresh snow, spilling down the rocks piled below the trail to the right. Jahrra concluded the water originated at the spring behind the Round.
Fifteen minutes later and the trail opened up into a spacious clearing encircled by enormous stones, some tall and narrow, others short and broad. The waterfall still flowed from the hillside, but fingers of lacy frost crept up the stones on either side of it.
The familiar creak of old leather caught Jahrra’s attention, and she turned to find Ellyesce dismounting his semequin.
“This is a place of deep magic,” he murmured, kneeling to the ground so that his dark cloak spread out around him. He pressed his fingers into the snow and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “Many have met here over the ages, consulting the spirits of the trees. In fact,” he added, glancing up and scanning the forest around them, “I would not be surprised to find one of Ethoes’ sacred trees nearby. It would explain the construction of this place.”
The elf stood up and strode toward the waterfall. Jahrra dismounted Phrym and hurried to join him, pausing only to turn and help Dervit down as well. The two of them scurried after Ellyesce, finding him behind a rock outcropping on the other side of the fall. A second cluster of tall standing stones, these ones placed much closer together, crowded around an ancient tree, their crooked nature mimicking subjects bowing to their king.
“Ethoes’ Dogwood Tree,” Ellyesce breathed with reverence. “Not as powerful as the Oak, or the Pine or the Sycamore, but still a sacred tree of Ethoes.”
Jahrra felt her jaw drop, and she reached out a hand, suddenly compelled to brush her fingers against the tree’s smooth bark. As soon as her fingers made contact, visions flashed through her mind. Pictures of pale-haired elves holding council with this tree, of seasons passing and time changing their surroundings. Laughter, birdsong, the morose moaning of the wind, the angry voices of Resai elves arguing … The whirlwind of color and memory spun and spun again until it finally showed her the mountain road they had climbed to reach Ca
hrdyarein. The Crimson King’s soldiers camped along that same road about five miles back, their brilliant uniforms of red and black standing out against the snow.
Jahrra gasped and withdrew her hand, breaking the connection. A burning sensation flared at her wrist. Hissing, she wrapped her hand around the injured area, remembering the wood bead bracelet there. She didn’t have to look down at the bracelet to know the rune on one of the beads, the Dogwood bead, was glowing. Instead, she glanced up at Ellyesce, the dark look on his face telling her what she had already assumed.
“You saw it too, didn’t you?”
He nodded grimly.
“But Jaax has been looking for them for days!”
“They have powerful dark magic on their side, and they’ve been using it to cloak their presence. I should have known. I should have insisted on going with Jaax to scout, but he thought my presence here of more use.”
“What are you talking about?” Dervit interjected.
Jahrra had almost forgotten about him, what with the residual shock of connecting with one of Ethoes’ sacred trees.
“The Red Flange,” Ellyesce said quickly, his voice rough. “They are gathered not too far from the city.”
Dervit’s face went pale, nearly as white as the snow. “Are they planning to attack?” he breathed.
“I couldn’t tell from the vision just now. Let me try again,” Ellyesce murmured, placing his hands gently upon the dark skin of the Dogwood.
He was silent for many moments, breathing deeply through his nose and keeping his eyes closed.
“What is he doing?” Dervit whispered.
“I’m not entirely certain, but I think he’s taking advantage of the deep magic in this place, as well as tapping into the tree’s consciousness.”
When Dervit continued to look baffled, Jahrra added, “The sacred trees of Ethoes are far more magical and sentient than their brethren. They hold secrets and memories, and sometimes they share what they know with us.”
Dervit jerked his head in assent, though Jahrra wasn’t certain he fully understood. Her answer must have been enough, though.
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