Jelena’s hazel eyes blazed in defiance; then, as Raidan’s words penetrated the wall of desperate fury she had erected, he watched reason begin to cool his niece’s inflamed emotions. Her face crumpled and, without warning, she leaned against him and laid her head on his shoulder.
Caught completely off-guard, Raidan slipped his arms around Jelena almost without thinking. He held her until the spate of tears had passed and she broke the embrace. Wiping her eyes on the hem of her sleeve, she lifted her chin and stared back at Raidan with calm resignation.
“You’re right, of course, Uncle. My place is here with my daughter and I’m ashamed I had to be reminded of it.” She paused, took a deep breath, then asked, “Is there any treatment you know of that might help my father?”
“Nothing specific, other than supportive care,” Raidan replied, moving closer to the bed so he could examine Keizo more thoroughly. “My brother has a very strong constitution. I have every reason to hope he will survive.” He leaned in close and spoke into Keizo’s ear. “Can you hear me, Brother?”
The king moaned and his lips worked but no words slipped out.
“Don’t worry, Keizo. Sen and I know what must be done.” Raidan spoke in a rapid whisper. “Alasiri will not fall, not as long as there is a single elf left alive to defend her. I swear to you on the graves of our father, brother, and mother, that I will not let the humans take our land from us!”
“I’m here too, Father.” Jelena came up beside Raidan and closed her hand around Keizo’s. Lifting it to her lips, she kissed her father’s palm, then pressed it to her cheek and closed her eyes.
“Where is Sonoe?” Raidan asked, surprised and puzzled at the absence of Keizo’s Companion.
The girl shrugged. “I don’t know. When I arrived to see my father, she wasn’t here. He must have taken ill after she had gone out for the day. I doubt she would have left him, otherwise.”
“I’ll send a page to find her. She should be here with him,” Raidan said. “Jelena, things are going to get difficult very soon,” he continued. “As much as any of us hate to admit it, there’s a good chance the elves will lose this war. We are badly outnumbered by a determined enemy.” He paused to gaze deep into his niece’s eyes. What he saw there reassured him. “It may very well fall to you to assume leadership of our people should the worst happen and your father, myself, and my two sons don’t survive.”
“But, Uncle, the elven people won’t accept me as their queen…” Jelena began, but Raidan interrupted.
“The elven people may have no choice,” he countered firmly. He paused to take a breath, then continued. “This is very difficult for me to admit, but I was wrong about you. When you first came to Sendai…more specifically, when we all learned the truth about you, I was angry, no, furious is a better word. Despite your protestations to the contrary, I did view you as a threat and—please don’t be afraid when I say this—I was fully prepared to eliminate you.” Jelena’s eyes widened in shock. Her lower lip trembled, but she remained silent, her face gone pale.
“I’m a proud man, sometimes arrogant, this I know, but I like to think I’m ruled by reason and not passion,” Raidan continued. “I wish I could say to you that I saw reason, but the truth is much less tidy. My wife stayed my hand, Jelena. She asked, no…” He smiled wryly. “She ordered me not to harm you. Taya is the only person, other than my brother, who can order me to do anything! It seems you have a destiny not even I can interfere with.”
He took Jelena by the hand and led her to a cushioned bench against the wall opposite Keizo’s bed, and together, they sat. Raidan kept her hand folded in his as he spoke. “I can’t point to any single moment when my heart changed, Niece, but it was definitely you who changed it. You are Keizo’s daughter, a true Onjara, and you are old enough to rule. Alasiri will need an adult of royal blood at the helm should the worst happen, someone able to make hard decisions. I have come to accept that this person is you.”
Jelena bit her lip and lowered her head. Reaching beneath the collar of her tunic, she withdrew her Griffin Ring upon its sturdy chain. She stared at the heavy circle of white gold, then closed it in her fist. She lifted her face to meet Raidan’s eyes, and in that instant, he witnessed the completion of her transformation from bastard outsider to royal princess.
“If the One decrees it, I’ll be ready,” she replied.
Journey’s End
Gran awoke from the mage sleep two days later. Her thin face still bore traces of the tremendous strain she had endured, but she seemed to have regained most of the strength she had spent to save their lives. After breaking her fast on bread and cheese, she climbed out of the barrow chamber, Ashinji and Magnes at her side.
“How are you feeling Ashi?” Gran cupped Ashinji’s face between her hands, her pale eyes boring into his. The gesture reminded him of his mother.
“Better. You were right. It didn’t take me long to recover.”
Gran dropped her hands, nodding. “How much longer ’til we reach Amsara?” she asked.
“About ten days, if we don’t encounter any trouble,” Magnes replied. “The road is pretty good all the way.”
“We’re so exposed out here. It makes me very nervous,” Ashinji said. “How likely are we to run into trouble?
“Not very,” Magnes assured. “The Imperial Army lies well to the west and the land hereabouts is thinly settled. Shepherds, mostly. Even if we do encounter any people, as long as you and Gran are disguised, they’ll probably leave us alone.”
“We’d better get going, then,” Gran said. “We’re running out of time.”
“Have you sensed something new, Gran?” Ashinji asked, a thrill of fear spurring his heart into a gallop.
Gran shook her head. “No, no, Ashi. Nothing has changed.” She reached out and patted his forearm. “I just meant that we can’t afford to dawdle.”
Ashinji took a deep, calming breath, then did some quick calculations in his head.
Ten days to reach Amsara, then another couple of days to the Alasiri border. After that, we’ll need at least two days to skirt the Fens and two more to reach Kerala Castle. We can get supplies and fresh horses there for the ride to Sendai. Gran can’t ride as fast as I can, so that’ll add a day or two. We should reach the capital in six days, seven at the most.
And when we finally do reach Sendai…
His mind shied away from the dark thoughts now trying to push their way to the fore of his consciousness, thoughts of suffering and loss yet to be endured. He did not feel ready to face them though he knew, in the end, he must.
They packed their meager supplies then set out across the rolling countryside. The sun had nearly reached its zenith by the time they found the road. As the horses clopped along its uneven surface, their unshod hooves kicked up puffs of red-brown dust that floated away in lazy wisps on a light breeze.
They encountered no other people that day. To Ashinji, it felt like they alone inhabited the world, save for the sheep dozing in clusters by the roadside, or standing in bleating groups beneath the precious shade of solitary trees.
That night, they took shelter in the ruin of a stone tower. The tiny fire Magnes built served mainly to chase away the shadows, for the night was warm and they had no fresh food that needed cooking. Ashinji fell asleep to the sound of the horses cropping the thick, sun-scorched grass beyond the tumbled stones of the tower’s fallen upper stories.
The days passed in a somnolent blur, falling away behind them like barely remembered dreams. They continued to have the road to themselves. Only the occasional herder or crofter seen in the distance reminded them that people did make this desolate area their home.
After the fifth day, the land began to change, the rolling hills giving way to flat, cultivated fields.
“We’ve crossed into Veii,” Magnes informed them. “Amsara’s southern neighbor. My father sold Jelena to Veii’s duke. If she hadn’t had the courage to defy my father and run away…”
“She would have es
caped somehow and found her way north to me, even so,” Ashinji said. “We were destined for each other.”
A flash of pain twitched across Magnes’ face. “You and Jelena will soon be together again, Ashi.” He would not look at Ashinji as he spoke.
At sunset on the eighth day, Veii Castle hove into view like a big black ship on the horizon. The three travelers stayed well to the west of the fortress, skirting several hamlets and taking a wider detour around a large village. Gran remained ready with a glamour to disguise herself and Ashinji should they chance upon any people, but it never became necessary. They always managed to avoid any close encounters.
Twelve days after fleeing Darguinia in the mobile infirmary of the Eskleipans, the three fugitives crossed into Amsara. A stone tablet marked the border, nothing more. To Ashinji, the landscape appeared much as it had through most of Veii, but he could see by the subtle lift of Magnes’ shoulders and the renewed spark in his eyes, his friend knew the look and feel of home.
They traveled for one more day and part of another before the road at last split into two branches—one heading north, the second angling to the northwest.
Magnes, who had been riding in the lead, raised his hand to signal a halt. He slid off his mount and Ashinji followed suit. “This is where we must part company, my friend,” he said. He pointed to the northward path, then fixed his gaze upon Ashinji’s face. “Amsara lies that way…” His voice faltered and he looked away.
“Come, my friend,” Ashinji said quietly. “Let’s walk a little.” He looked back at Gran.
Go, she mindspoke. I know you two need a few moments alone.
Magnes ambled a few paces up the northward path, Ashinji a step behind, then stopped and turned to face his elven friend. He made no attempt to hide his feelings. Ashinji met Magnes’ naked yearning with compassion as his only offering, but then an idea sprang into his mind.
Maybe there is something I can do for my friend. A gift to ease his pain.
“Magnes, you know we elves can communicate with each other, mind to mind,” he said. Magnes nodded. “I’m not sure if it will work between an elf and a human, but I want to try it with you. If I’m successful, our minds will be joined for a time. It’s an extremely intimate experience, usually shared only between two people who are very close.”
Magnes swallowed hard. “Are…are you sure you want to do this now, Ashi?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” He laid a hand on Magnes’ shoulder. “We may never have another chance. We are friends…no, we are much more than friends. We are brothers.”
“If you’re sure, then I would be honored,” Magnes replied. “What do I have to do?”
“Sit down first, then relax. I’ll do the rest.”
Ashinji wasn’t at all certain it could be done, but he had to try.
Gran really should be the one doing this. After all, she’s the trained mage, not I.
He had no experience or schooling to guide him, only gut instinct, determination, and the intense desire to help his friend. Perhaps he shouldn’t, but nevertheless, he still felt partly responsible for Magnes’ emotional torment.
No, I must be the one to fix this, not Gran.
The two young men sat down in the grass beside the path. Ashinji held out his hands to Magnes and smiled.
“Rest your palms on mine, and close your eyes,” he directed.
Ashinji let his consciousness flow outward, seeking the barrier separating his own mind from Magnes’. When he found it, it dissolved before him like a veil of smoke and left Magnes’ mind exposed and vulnerable. Ashinji searched for and discovered what he needed to change but before he gave his friend the gift of forgetfulness, he would give him the joy of a true bonding.
Ashinji let drop the barriers shielding his own mind and allowed his consciousness to flow like water into the pool of Magnes’ being. He immediately sought to dampen his friend’s shock at first contact, instinctively sending the energy of his Talent coursing along Magnes’ nerves—soothing, reassuring, wrapping the other man’s mind in a calm, loving embrace. He held Magnes thus, and rejoiced as the other’s fear turn to wonder. He recalled the first time he and Jelena had shared the mind link. Her reaction had been much the same.
Ashinji held steady within the link and allowed Magnes to roam where he willed. He concealed only that part of his mind which held all the private experiences he had shared with Jelena. When Magnes had seen all he could, Ashinji, in turn, traveled through the myriad rooms and corridors of his friend’s mind, leaving unexplored only those darkest corners he sensed the other man guarding, albeit unconsciously. Ashinji had no wish to be privy to Magnes’ most sensitive secrets.
When he was done, Ashinji sent forth a ghost of himself onto the landscape of Magnes’ mind, to serve as a distraction while he performed the task that would set his friend free. He felt no hesitation or doubt; somehow, he just seemed to know what to do.
Quickly, he returned to the source of pain and cauterized the wound, sealing the raw edges and spreading a soothing balm of forgetfulness over the entire area. He then withdrew and broke the link.
Magnes’ head jerked up and his eyes snapped open. He stared at Ashinji for many heartbeats. Finally, he spoke. “Gods!”
Ashinji smiled.
“All elves do this, this mind thing?” Magnes stuttered.
“Yes, we all can do it, but as I’ve said, we almost always reserve the mind link for those we feel closest to. As you saw, it leaves one completely exposed.”
“Ashi, I…I don’t know what to say,” Magnes whispered.
“You don’t have to say anything. You are my friend and I’d gladly share the link with you again, now that I know it’s possible.” Ashinji rose to his feet.
After a moment’s hesitation, Magnes followed suit. He glanced over his shoulder toward the north then up at the sky. “If I hurry, I should make it home by sundown,” he said. He turned to look at Ashinji; the pain and longing had vanished from his eyes.
Ashinji breathed a sigh of relief. Up until that moment, he had not been sure if his attempt at psychic surgery had worked. “This is not goodbye, Magnes,” he insisted. “I know in my heart we will meet again. This war may be between our two nations but it’s not between us. We’re linked by ties too strong to break.”
“My future is uncertain, Ashi. I might find forgiveness at home or I might find myself an outcast…or worse. But if it’s within my power, I’ll seek you and Jelena out and we’ll be reunited.” Magnes drew Ashinji into a tight embrace, one Ashinji felt no qualms about returning.
Magnes stepped away first. He turned and approached Gran, who had been waiting patiently the entire time, sitting astride her horse and keeping watch from a discreet distance.
“So, young human,” Gran said. “This is where we part company, is it?”
“Yes, my lady, it is,” Magnes replied. He reached up and covered Gran’s hand with his. “Chiana, it has been a privilege knowing you. I’ll never forget you.”
“Nor I you, Magnes.” Gran stretched out her hand to caress his cheek. “You are a fine young man. May the One always guide you and keep you safe.”
“Stick to this road and you should be all right. I doubt any of the castle guard will patrol this far west.” Magnes turned and looked at Ashinji. “You won’t know you’ve crossed the border until you see the swamp.”
“We’ll smell it long before we see it,” Ashinji commented with a wry smile. He grasped his gelding’s coarse mane and swung onto the animal’s back. The horse sighed and shifted from foot to foot.
Magnes climbed onto his own mount and maneuvered it next to Ashinji’s.
“When you see Jelena, tell her I love her and I’m looking forward to seeing her again,” he said.
“I will,” Ashinji replied. He and Gran watched as Magnes turned his horse onto the northbound road and, just before he urged the animal into a trot, Ashinji called out, “Magnes, wait!”
Magnes pulled the horse to a stop and waited for Ashinji to
catch up, a questioning look upon his face. “Tell your sister I said ‘thank you,’” Ashinji said.
Magnes cocked his head in puzzlement. “For what?” he asked.
“Thessalina could’ve given in to her commanders and had me killed, but she didn’t. Instead, she let me live. I’m grateful to her for that.”
“I’ll tell her, my friend,” Magnes replied. He tapped his horse with his heels and the animal lurched into a lazy trot. Ashinji watched for a moment, then guided his mount over to where Gran waited. Together, the two elves started up the northwest road.
They rode for a while in silence before Gran spoke. “What you did back there, for Magnes…”
Ashinji looked sharply at her, frowning. “You were watching us?” he asked, shocked that she would intrude into such a private thing.
“I didn’t scan either of you, if that’s what you think, but yes, I kept watch, just in case you got into trouble,” she huffed. “Oh don’t look so offended, young man! You are completely untrained—which is a situation that should be rectified if at all possible, I might add—and you could have easily wiped out a part of your friend’s mind he needed in order to function. Psychic surgery is a procedure that should only be done by a fully trained mage.” Her scowl was so dire, Ashinji flinched before it and looked down at his hands, feeling like a child caught misbehaving.
“I had to do something for him, Gran. I couldn’t let him go on suffering,” he said.
“You were not responsible for Magnes’ pain, Ashi,” Gran snapped.
“That’s where you’re wrong!” Ashinji retorted, looking up. “I was the source of his unhappiness! I thought of a way I might help him, so I did what I had to, and it worked.”
He and Gran glared at each other for a few moments, but then the old mage sighed and shook her head. A ghost of a smile played about her mouth. “Yes, it worked,” she admitted. “And now that I’ve finished scolding you, I’ll praise you for a job well done.” She paused, then said, “Tell me what happened on the hill with the slave catchers.”
Griffin's Destiny Page 5
