'After midnight, sir.'
'Well, then, we can still get in a solid night's sleep, Magnificence,' said Amafi. He sat on the other bed.
Malikai said, 'I'll be in the room next door until breakfast, gentlemen. I have classes in the morning, but should you need me, just ask any student you see to come fetch me. They'll know where I am. It's a small group here.'
'Very well,' said Kaspar. 'I expect we'll have many questions, but as you have a busy morning ahead, we'll save them.'
The boy left and Kaspar lay down, pulling a blanket over himself. Amafi did likewise and blew out the candle. Then he said, 'Magnificence, what will you do now?'
'Sleep, Amafi.'
'I mean, after we leave this place?'
Kaspar was quiet, then said, 'I have some ideas, but nothing I'm ready to talk about. Good night, Amafi.'
'Good night, Magnificence.'
Kaspar lay there and realized it was a very good question. He had completely lost himself in getting the Talnoy and Kalkin's warning to the Conclave of Shadows, and beyond seeing his sister one more time, he really had no idea what he would do after that.
As tired as he was, sleep was slow in coming.
For three days Kaspar and Amafi were guests of Pug and his family at their villa. Kaspar discovered this was the almost legendary Sorcerer's Isle, where ships were kept away by a mix of rumor and magic. The rumors were of horrors visited on those who stopped at the island, and the magic consisted of several illusions that made the otherwise bucolic and tranquil isle appear less than hospitable to anyone sailing close enough to get a look.
The island was beautiful, and as it was now late spring in the north, in full bloom. Amafi and Kaspar both took the time to rest and refresh themselves after the rigors of their time in Opardum.
For the old assassin, it was his first trouble-free rest in a year, and for Kaspar it was a place to unburden himself from the terrible responsibility he had felt since meeting Flynn and the others. Both men enjoyed the relaxation.
On the morning of the fourth day, Malikai found Kaspar sitting on the verge of a large green behind the villa, listening to a lesson being conducted by an instructor who appeared to have slightly orange skin. Other than that, she was remarkably attractive. Kaspar could barely grasp the scope of her discussion, but as with the university in Novindus, the simple fact of all these eager young minds being educated fascinated him.
'Good day, Kaspar,' said a woman's voice from behind him.
Kaspar turned and saw an unexpected face. 'Rowena!' he said, rising. 'Why . . . ?'
She smiled. 'Here I am Alysandra, which is my real name.'
Kaspar laughed. 'So you were one of Pug's agents?'
'Yes, as was Tal.'
Alysandra motioned for Kaspar to walk with her. 'I almost died at the hands of that madman, you know.'
Kaspar said, 'At the end . . . things were out of control. I rarely understood what I was agreeing to.'
'Oh, I don't hold you responsible,' she said brightly, her smile as engaging as before. 'After all, I was told to get close to Varen, to see if he had any weaknesses. He didn't find me interesting in that way. He did enjoy cutting me up bit by bit.' She said the last matter-of-factly. 'They did a lovely job of healing my wounds. Not a scar to be found.'
Kaspar was at a loss. When he had known her as the Lady Rowena of Talsin, a third daughter of a minor noble of a back-country barony in the land of Miskalon, she had been the most seductive woman he had encountered. Here, she was different. Her manner gave him the feeling that she viewed what happened to her in a distant fashion, as if it had happened to someone else.
'Well, even if you were following another's orders, it was while you were ostensibly under my protection. I allowed it to happen.'
'That's all right, honestly. After all, I was there to kill you if I had the chance.'
Kaspar stopped dead for a moment, then caught up with her. 'You were?'
'Only after I found out what Leso was doing.'
'Did you?'
'No, but they're still investigating what they found in the citadel. It's something . . . very strange according to those who know about such things.'
'What about you?' he asked. 'Now that you're well, will you return to your family?'
She laughed—the same musical laugh Kaspar remembered as they lay in one another's arms those many nights in Opardum. 'Family? I have no family, or as close to a family as I will ever know. There's something wrong with me, Kaspar, or at least it seems that's what people think. It's not that I like to hurt people, it's just that I don't care if they're hurt. Do you see?'
And suddenly Kaspar did. 'You're the perfect assassin.'
'Well, I don't know about perfect, but I certainly feel no remorse. I found you to be a great deal of fun, and as a lover you're considerate and very strong, but if you died now, I wouldn't care. So, Pug thinks it best for me to stay here and work for him.'
Softly Kaspar said, 'I agree.'
She smiled and gripped his arm. 'Well, I must go. But if you see your sister soon, tell her I said hello.'
'I will,' he said, and as he watched her walk away he felt a profound sadness.
Later that morning, Malikai found Kaspar and said, 'Magnus would like to speak with you, sir.'
Kaspar followed the young man, luxuriating in the scent of fresh blossoms and the feel of the sun on his back as he walked through the garden. Magnus was standing next to some very lush flowers of a type unknown to Kaspar. The pale magician said, 'It has been arranged for you to visit your sister.'
'When?'
'Now,' said Magnus, putting his hand on Kaspar's shoulder.
Suddenly they were in the back room at the River House. 'There's a private dining room at the back. She is waiting for you there.'
Kaspar found his way to the rear of the dining room which was already crowded even though it was still early in the evening in Opardum. He entered the room and found Natalia sitting at the end of the table.
She rose and said, 'Oh, Kaspar,' and came to him. She was obviously pregnant. She kissed him and said, 'I thought I'd never see you again.'
'Nor I you.'
She stepped back. 'You look so different. You're so much thinner!'
He laughed. 'And you're not.'
She blushed. 'Varen and I will have a son, so the midwives tell me, in another two months.'
Kaspar calculated. 'He didn't waste much time, did he?'
Natalia moved to her seat and took it, motioning for Kaspar to sit down. She rang a bell and Magary appeared. 'You can begin serving now.'
'Yes, Your Grace.'
Kaspar laughed as Magary left. 'Your Grace! That's right, you're now Duchess.'
She leaned forward. 'Kaspar, I know things have been . . . difficult.'
He patted her hand. 'That word doesn't do it justice. But I'm really fine.'
'Varen is a good man. He and I will never . . . well, I respect him and he's gentle. He also is a wonderful father and he's a fine ruler. Your nation is in good hands.'
Kaspar sighed. 'Nation? No longer.'
'Well, if it's any consolation, the next Duke of Olasko will have your blood in him.'
Kaspar laughed out loud. Slapping the table, he said, 'I can't begin to tell you how surprised I am that that particular bit of news actually does please me.'
'I'm so glad.'
Magary entered with soup, and from the smell of it, Kaspar knew he was going to enjoy it. When she left, Kaspar picked up a spoon and said, 'I am doubly pleased to be meeting you here, my darling sister, for if this meal is like the first one I had here last week, you are in for a treat.'
They talked throughout dinner and into the night. Kaspar sipped fortified wine and she had hot tea after supper. At the end, they found they had run out of things to talk about. And both knew why.
Tal entered and said, 'Your Grace, your carriage awaits.'
Natalie rose and came to kiss Tal on the cheek. 'Thank you for my brother.'
&nb
sp; 'You're more than welcome. I'll wait outside as you say goodbye.'
When they were alone, Kaspar said, 'Shall I walk you out?'
'No,' she said. 'Someone might recognize you, even at this late hour. It's best I go now.' They stood holding hands for a silent minute.
Kaspar said at last, 'I know. We may never see each other again.'
'What will you do?'
'I don't know yet, but one thing I've discovered in the last year is that this world is a vast place, with great opportunities for someone who wishes to begin again. When I have begun again, I shall send word.'
'May the gods protect you, dear brother.' She kissed him and left quickly as if fleeing before tears overwhelmed her.
A minute later Tal re-entered the room. Kaspar said, 'As she said, thank you.'
Tal shrugged. 'We both love her in our way.'
Kaspar laughed. 'Irony isn't your strong suit, but you see it, don't you?'
'That I could love your sister while wishing you dead?' He nodded. 'I could never love Natalia the way a husband should love his wife.'
'But you found the girl you were destined for?'
Tal shrugged, and his expression was one of mixed regret and resignation. 'Teal isn't the girl I knew in the village. She is . . . changed. She will never truly be happy, I think. She was raped so many times she doesn't even know who our son's father is. I treat him like my own, but . . . it'll never be the same for her. However, she has good days, weeks even.' A far-away look came over his face. 'She never cries, Kaspar. Never. I would welcome it if she did.'
'You took on a burden.'
'Who else was there to give her back a tiny bit of what you took away?'
Kaspar was silent: there was nothing he could say to defend himself. Finally he said, 'Alysandra said to say hello. She is well.'
Tal laughed, and there was a note of bitterness in it. 'I was so young when I met her, I thought her the love of my life. It was a harsh lesson.'
Kaspar said, 'There's another one who never cries.'
After a long pause, Tal said, 'If you are fortunate and meet a woman you can love without reservation, do so. For then you'll know the gods have truly forgiven you.'
Kaspar nodded. 'I should be getting back. How is that arranged?'
Tal handed Kaspar an orb fashioned out of some golden metal which was much lighter than gold. 'Press that button there and you will be back at the villa.'
Kaspar said, 'Then it is goodbye, young Talwin Hawkins, though not so young as when I met you. Shall we meet again?'
Tal smiled a rueful smile. 'Where the Conclave is concerned, nothing is certain. As much as I can, Kaspar of Olasko, I hope you fare well.'
'And you, Tal.'
They didn't clasp hands, but they did lock gazes for a moment, and something passed between them. Kaspar pressed the button on the orb and suddenly he was in Pug's study.
Pug looked up. 'Was it an enjoyable visit?'
Kaspar said, 'Very enjoyable. Thank you for your help.'
'Tal did most of it. I just sent him a message.' He paused.
'You look tired.'
'There are times I think I was born tired,' said Pug. He smiled. 'I remember being a lad back at the castle in Crydee, and while it was only a hundred or so years ago, it seems a lot longer.'
Kaspar laughed. 'You have wonderful beaches here, I have been told. You should go for a swim, lie in the sun for a day.'
'I would if I could. But we have things to do.'
'We?'
'Yes, rest, for tomorrow you and I will take a journey to see someone who may shed some additional light on the Talnoy.'
'Who and where?' asked Kaspar.
'A friend of mine, who knows more about the Dragon Lords than anyone living.'
'And where does he reside?'
'Elvandar. We are going to the court of the Elf Queen.'
Kaspar said, 'Talwin was right. You do never know what will happen next.'
Chapter Twenty
Elvandar
Kaspar blinked.
One moment they had been on Sorcerer's Isle, and the next they were in a deep forest, standing on the banks of a river.
Pug said, 'This is the Crydee River.' Then he turned to ensure that the Talnoy was still with them.
'What now?' asked Kaspar.
'We wait,' said Pug. 'We won't have to wait long. The elves are vigilant at their boundaries.'
'Why do we wait for them to come to us?'
'No one may enter Elvandar or the surrounding forest unbidden. To do so would invite dire consequences.'
The temperature was brisk, but not uncomfortable. They had departed after breakfast, but as Elvandar was farther west than Sorcerer's Isle, it was still early morning at the time of their arrival.
For roughly an hour they waited, Kaspar sitting on the ground, Pug and the Talnoy standing motionlessly. Kaspar had spoken little to the magician in the time they were together. It was obvious that Pug was the leader of the Conclave, though no one had openly said as much. He didn't seem the sort of man to engage in idle chatter, and so far nothing Kaspar had seen had disabused him of that notion.
At last, Pug said, 'They're here.'
Kaspar looked across the river and saw nothing, but Pug called out, 'Hello! It is Pug of Crydee!'
A laugh sounded from the other side of the river, and a voice called back, 'Welcome to Elvandar, Pug of Crydee. You and those accompanying you may enter.'
Pug beckoned to Kaspar and commanded the Talnoy to follow them across the ford. Kaspar, glancing behind him to make sure it was following, thought that it looked twice as menacing in the shadows of the forest. He had gratefully relinquished the ring to Pug, who seemed able to wear it for longer periods without apparent difficulty.
Across the river, among the trees, waited four elves. Kaspar noticed that one of them looked a little different to the others; he was broader of shoulder and had slightly less pronounced ears.
'Ho, Calis!' Pug said, smiling at the unusual-looking elf.
'Greetings, Pug.' The young man looked no more than twenty-five years old. 'You are always welcome. I've already sent a runner to inform my mother and father of your arrival.'
'I'm afraid we must hie to the court by faster means.'
'Sorry I won't be there to see you,' said Calis.
'How is your family?'
'Ellia and the twins are fine.' He looked at the Talnoy and said, 'Am I safe in assuming that this is what brought you to court?'
'Yes, I need to speak to your father about it.'
Calis examined the Talnoy closely. 'It has an evil aspect, but there is something in it—' he grimaced. 'It reeks of death, Pug.'
'I fear you're right,' said Pug.
'Then we shall not keep you. It is good to see you again, Pug.'
'And you.'
Pug motioned for Kaspar to stand closer to him and suddenly they were in another part of the forest.
Kaspar's mouth opened.
Before him rose a truly awe-inspiring sight, a forest unique and otherworldly. They stood in a vast clearing. Before them, in its center, majestic oaks ascended to the very heavens. Each was easily three times the height of those in Olasko's hunting forests, and the colors!
Some were leafed in dark green, as befitted the season, but others were alive with red, gold and orange. He saw one that he swore was tinged with blue, and several bore leaves as white as snow. Between the mighty boles, below the main canopy, arched vast walkways built upon massive branches. Stairs, seemingly carved out of the living trunks, spiraled up out of sight and platforms could be glimpsed between the foliage. Upon all of these constructions walked elves.
They were a stately people, but what Kaspar had read about them did not do them justice.
Some wore hunting leathers, like the sentry elves at the river, but others wore regal robes of rich hues, hand-stitched with threads of silver and white, gold and yellow. They moved with a fluid grace, an economy of motion that made them appear to glide rather
than step.
'Breathtaking,' Kaspar whispered.
'I've been here more times than I can count, and I still gape in awe,' said Pug. 'Follow me.'
He led Kaspar towards a large sweeping stairway that curved out of sight around the trunk of one of the giant trees. Elven children played around its base, and several women sat observing them quietly as they worked at their sewing.
Pug exchanged greetings with many who passed them as they climbed. Kaspar felt that he couldn't take in the wonders fast enough. 'This is a most marvelous place, Pug,' he said.
'Indeed.'
'It is more than its beauty . . . it's also the tranquility of the place.'
'Sadly, it has not always been so. A battle was fought at the place where we arrived between the elves and Tsurani invaders during the Riftwar. I was a captive on the Tsurani world, but I have heard the sad tale many times. This lush woodland has been watered with the blood of the long-lived too often.'
Kaspar intuited what he meant by that, for the elves were rumored to live for centuries.
They reached a high pathway across several huge branches which led to a gigantic central court. Upon a large wooden dais rested two thrones, and upon these sat two people who looked as noble as their surroundings.
The woman's throne stood slightly higher than the man's. She wore a simple gown of winter-white, and he a brown tunic and trousers, but the simple clothing could not hide their majesty.
Her ears were like the other elves', upswept, pointed and without lobes, and her magnificent red-gold hair was gathered by a single golden circlet that allowed it to cascade loosely about her shoulders. Her almond-shaped eyes were blue with green flecks.
The man wore no adornment, but his body radiated strength. Kaspar felt awed by his power. Pug had struck him as a man of subtle strength, but this man was strength personified. He must have stood at least six inches over six feet tall and was broad-shouldered, but something about him conveyed that his power came not just from his size, but from deep within, as well.
'Welcome, Pug!' the man said, rising to greet them. 'You sent no word of your arrival.'
Pug embraced him. 'I fear we've arrived before the messenger that your son dispatched from the river. Time is of the essence.' He turned to the woman and bowed. 'Your Majesty.'
Exile's Return Page 25
