"Do you have any sway in your father's politics? Does he ask for your counsel?"
Arnanor frowned. "Not yet…no."
"Then you should only make it your concern ifyou wear the crown in the future. You should not worry over something that is out of your hands and perhaps may never come to you. Then, unfortunately, you will have wasted all that time--on nothing." Randor did not look at the prince as he spoke, but concentrated on the passage ahead. "Focus on the here and now, Arnanor. Take your life in strides. If you look too far down the road at the horizon, you will not see the snake that crawls at your feet. And before you know what has happened, the nearer threat has struck you--and now you will never see what you spied in the distance, for you are unable to make it."
"So you'd rather me face uncertainty upon the throne?"
"Your knowledge and wisdom will prosper your kingdom once you are anointed. Learn what you can from your father and his nobles to become a great ruler, but do not stress yourself about the fortunes of the Northern Kingdom that you cannot control." He laughed and said, "If you need counsel, you can always call upon my aid."
"That will be the day."
"You will gain wisdom as the days move onward,: Randor said.
Arnanor tried to ignore the sincere advice Randor spoke, not wanting it to make sense. Muron looked to his brother, agreeing with the wizard's wisdom. "What has this to do with the enchantress and Adian?" Arnanor asked peevishly.
"It deals only with living your life one step at a time. When we pass through these caves, then shall I worry about the next phase of the journey."
"I wonder where the Darnoth have gone," Helfare whispered.
By this time the company found themselves on a wide, level plain, which narrowed to a long tunnel before them. To their left lay a large pool of murky gray liquid that collected there as it streamed down the jagged rocks. Plagued by thirst, the travelers made way to the pool, but were stopped short by Randor before they could touch the mysterious matter. Randor knelt down, ran his hand through the unreflecting gray, and brought his damp fingers to his parched lips. Savoring it, he smiled. "This is indeed a great find--and the answer to a question I was pondering."
"What is it?" Seth asked.
"This is the substance known as lebe," Randor answered.
"Truly?" Gildan gasped in wonder as he knelt beside the wizard.
"It is safe to drink," Randor said as he scooped the cold liquid in his hand. Drinking it slowly, he thought, Perhaps this will ease my pain somewhat.
"So what is lebe?" Seth asked as the rest of the company came to join the wizard.
"It is a magical substance that gives the drinker renewal and replenishment--the reason that the Darnoth were able to remain alive these many decades. If you have an abundant source of lebe, then you have no need for food."
"Then it is a valuable find," Gildan said, taking a drink. "It could fetch a few gold coins from those on the outside, that is for sure."
"Drink your fill quickly," Randor said sharply. "We must continue onward."
A faint song of mystery filled the air, and Helfare was first to his feet, moving briskly toward the sound. Randor wiped his mouth free of the drips of nourishment and turned to the general, who tried to distinguish the echoing verse.
"What do you hear?" Randor asked.
"I am yet too distant to catch its meaning," Helfare replied. "Yet I trust we shall see what causes this rift in the silence."
Randor led on after the brief rest at the pool of lebe, pressing the company on through the monstrous caverns. After several more miles were behind them, they saw flickering lights in the distance.
After their arduous journey back into the depths of Eln-Radah, the Darnoth had made camp near a long cliff's edge, where they sat in small huddles around their many fires created by a device of older times. Randor looked at the fires and noticed the Darnoth were fortunate to have small metal rods known as sanctens in their possession. Sanctens were not common these days and were capable of creating a strong and warm fire under any circumstance--yet without emitting smoke, which was ideal for these caverns. As Randor and his companions made their way past, the Darnoth watched them with mixed obvious mixed feelings. Two Darnoth soldiers quickly rose and sprinted toward Cailen, weaving through their brethren, no doubt to warn their commander of Randor, who maintained a steady pace, keeping his focus ahead.
The two soldiers entered Captain Cailen's circle and stood to attention. Rising, Cailen nodded and dismissed them. With the captain were her five advisors, wearing blue robes trimmed in gold over their armor. Randor could see an intense conversation taking place, with Cailen looking up as she spoke and making eye contact every so often with the approaching wizard.
Helfare came from the back of the group and, reaching Randor's side, said, "I hope you know what you are doing here, Randor. We are outnumbered a hundred to one, and their dislike for you does not help the rest of us much, either."
Randor did not respond, and Helfare unobtrusively slipped his hand into the inner lining of his coat, keeping his index finger on the hilt of his sword as a precaution.
"Captain Cailen," Randor announced loudly, "a moment of your time, if you please?" He halted at the rim of the circle and clasped his hands together in front of him.
"You are brave in coming here, Miithra," Cailen said. "I do hope you bring good tidings. It would be shameful to do away with you and your friends."
"I have come to a decision, if it would so please you."
"Then you shall tell this to me at once." Cailen crossed her arms and stood tall.
"Since my magic has foiled your immediate departure from Eln-Radah, we shall aid you against the last of the Argos. In time we will all emerge victorious to see the sun once more."
"So this is your great plan, Randor?" Helfare asked. It was not the decision he had hoped for. "What about ourplans? Have you forgotten about those?"
Cailen brought her colleagues to silence, intrigued with Helfare's slip of the tongue. "What plan do you speak of? You have not told me of your business here, Miithra."
"I do not wish to burden you any further--not yet, anyway. It will only cloud your affairs," Randor said.
"Tell me or else," Cailen said boldly.
"Or else what?" Helfare replied, giving the elf captain a cold stare.
"Please, Helfare," Randor intervened. "Do not anger her so."
"Is it too important to share?" asked Cailen.
"The world is saddened by this loss. I ask you to withhold your questioning about its illness until it is truly necessary."
Cailen had no clue to Randor's meaning, and she was unable to look into the wizard's impenetrable mind. And yet, she had to know. "Do your absolute worst and explain what has happened to Londor. You have already grieved me enough. I am sure these added ill tidings won't be too much to bear."
Randor drew a long breath and told as much as he knew about the disappearance of the moon, and the adventures he and his company had endured to this point.
Cailen and her advisors were overtaken by a long and sad silence.
"Now we stand before you until we ascend from Eln-Radah and continue on our journey. Our paths lie together, and you have our alliance. Do not dismiss it lightly." Randor stepped back humbly into his line of companions.
"Beldas is gone?" Cailen whispered. "What evil did this Adian conspire with to lay death to the world?" She rubbed her weary golden-colored eyes, dismayed at hearing the wizard's stories. "I must see the sun once again. The Darnoth army will see to it that the moon is returned."
"After a short rest," Randor began, "I think we should move toward the Argos--and end this once and for all. The Argos were defeated in the Dark War, and we will defeat them again." He looked sternly at the captain. "My companions and I shall assist you whenever you are ready." Randor bowed in respect and then turned to the masses behind him. "Seth, would you and Lorn be kind enough to scout a campground for us?"
"It would be an honor."
/> "There will be no need for that," Cailen said, raising her hand. "Please join me here for the duration of our idling. I still desire your fellowship."
Randor smiled. "I will enjoy my time with you as long as we remain together."
"I would much like to hear some of the tales you have, but I pray you, speak only of happier times than these."
"Indeed, I will."
The company and Randor sat close to the fire. Cailen looked to the wizard, who pulled out his pipe, with Gildan joining him as usual. Cailen had not seen the likes of tobacco since the beginning of the war. Seeing the elf's longing expression, Lorn extracted the pipe from his pocket.
"Going to join us for a change?" Randor asked Lorn.
"No," the dwarf replied as he looked to the Darnoth commander. "Here you are, Captain," he said, and held the pipe out.
Cailen was amazed; never had a dwarf given her anything before. "Why do you give something of your own to someone…not of your own kind?"
"I am not using it at the moment, and I can see your look of longing for the taste of a pipe." He sat upright and stretched his arm as far as it could reach. "Here, Captain, please use it as your own."
One of the captain's advisors took the pipe from his hand with delicacy and placed it in Cailen's palm. The elf captain admired the briar's deep auburn color. "This means a great deal to me…It connects my soul with the olden days of Darnoth, sitting beneath the stars on a clear night as I rested my head upon the heathered hills of Montethen. Those were times of endless peace. I would always take leave after sunset and lie there beside a campfire, writing poetry and blowing smoke rings up toward the moons--it made my life splendid indeed." She laughed as images of her homeland came alive again. After drifting with her memories for a few moments, she said, "The flowers are in bloom--the sweet smell lingers in my nose…In the distance I can see mighty ships returning home from their voyages. The moonlight dances gracefully upon the ocean." She trailed off deeper in thought, and her words softened, becoming indistinguishable.
"Captain Cailen?" said Lorn, breaking the elf free of her reverie, "you will need tobacco before you begin."
"Indeed," Cailen said.
"How about a nice bowl of Goldtrine?" Gildan offered.
"You have Goldtrine?" Cailen asked, and Gildan nodded, grinning. "Bless my being, it still grows!"
"The finest you shall ever have."
"Very hard to get hold of, I would guess."
"Not if you know who to barter with," Gildan boasted, passing the pouch of tobacco to the elf captain.
"Then Goldtrine it shall be," Cailen said as she poured the shimmering leaves into her pipe. Lighting it with the fire, Cailen took a long draw and closed her eyes, almost falling backward from the overwhelming bliss that it brought her. "Very rich and soothing; it is just as I remember." She looked to Lorn and nodded. "I thank you, sir."
"You are more than welcome."
"It is good to see others of my kinship with you, Randor. Princes, more or less, and I take the latter of the elves as a mercenary."
"Correct you are," Gildan replied, pleased. "The greatest mercenary in the world."
"Are times so horrific that royalty must leave the comfort of their palaces to aid those in need?" Cailen asked.
"We are here in defiance of the Council," Arnanor declared. "They completely forbid our being here, and great trouble would come to us and my kingdom should they catch wind of our being here. It is ultimately my choice to take this necessary journey."
"This Council has such laws?"
"The Council only mean well for their citizens," Seth said in defense of his masters. "Our numbers are small, and their help was much needed. I am confident the Council will never know."
Arnanor laughed in agreement.
"I have much to learn," Cailen admitted, thinking this new age had many strange laws.
The fellowship continued for a long while as all within Cailen's firelight told stories--except for Malander, who had no wish to communicate and left the confinements of Cailen's inner circle. Cailen enjoyed every story as she puffed away on Lorn's pipe, though she was particularly drawn to Lorn's tales of Beowulken. The elf captain hid her misery deep inside and somehow mustered a smile so as not to worry her companions, though she began to despair that Randor and his doughty little company could ever help her in her lifelong struggle. Cailen had not yet revealed to her newfound friends the greatest strength the Argos possessed--the one power that kept their numbers well above the Darnoth's. An ancient, powerful evil ruled Eln-Radah, and nothing thus far could bring the terror down.
Chapter Fifteen--Twisted Ways
Randor then began to think of Malander. Everyone around him slept in the warmth of the fire, but he preferred to sit up and let the constant radiating heat relieve the shivers that plagued his body. The wizard rose from the fire, tipped his hat to his sleeping companions, and set off in search. Weaving through the army, Randor scanned the area, finding no trace of the grim knight. As he continued steadily onward, his mind drifted to thoughts of the moon and how the outside world was enduring the great tribulation. Many days had passed since he was bonded to the winds, and he could not guess how many prayers filled them.
At the edge of the Darnoth battalion, where many soldiers patrolled the perimeter, Malander sat on a large rock with head lowered. Malander's sword rested against his leg, blade down, as he whetted its edges with a small, dark stone, making a rhythmic grinding sound. The knight's back was to Randor, and did not hear the wizard's approach.
"Malander?" Randor said, receiving no response from his cohort. "Come and join me, would you?"
"I am a failure," Malander sighed. His pain radiated strongly, and Randor could feel it in his chest, amplifying his own torment. "How could Bharot contend with my abilities?"
"One cannot always be the victor," the wizard replied.
"Yes, one can. If it concerns physical prowess, then victory will always be mine."
"You fought well. Can you not see that?"
"It was not a victory for me. That fight was a complete loss!"
"Why are your skies so filled with gray?"
Malander remained solemn.
"Will you not let me ease your mind?"
"Let me be empty," Malander replied.
Helfare appeared silently from behind the wizard, his pipe smoke the only clue to his presence. Randor turned around to see him strolling toward them in an easy manner. "You were quite foolish back there against Bharot, Malander," Helfare said. "I noticed two things wrong with your managing of the enemy."
"Let me handle this, Helfare," Randor said.
"I assure you, good sir, I will let you do your work here," Helfare replied. "I come only to enlighten our friend for future reference. I am sure we will see that wretched man again." He puffed on his pipe, studying Malander's sad form. It was only natural and habitual for Helfare to advise great warriors, and it was a hard habit to let go of. "Do you hear me, sir?"
"I have nothing to say to you," Malander snapped.
"Well, then, let me speak to you for a while." Helfare watched Malander twist his head around and glare at him with cold blue eyes. "How do you find it logical, Malander, for a soldier to take arms against a greater, more powerful foe? Did you not see he is a more diverse warrior than yourself? Are you suicidal?"
"Indeed I am."
"You are truly mad, and I think it wise that you withdraw from service in this company. As much as I'd like to deny it, we are facing a powerful enemy. Lord Adian and his army will be no easy match for us. You, sir, are most unpredictable. I can already see this." Helfare continued puffing on his pipe as he strolled in circles around his unwilling pupil. "Perhaps it would be best for all if you left after we escape Eln-Radah." He stopped in front of Malander, knelt down, and blew a great cloud of smoke in the knight's face. Looming ever closer to Malander, Helfare smiled. "There is a small part of me, however, that wishes to see why you shroud yourself in such darkness and misery."
"You wouldn't understand," Malander replied. "Now, take yourself from me or pay for your trespass."
Helfare stood up, amused by the threat, and flipped back his jacket and brandished his sword, holding it at Malander's throat.
Malander's brow furrowed.
Randor quickly moved over and placed his hand firmly on Helfare's shoulder, pulling him back, and the sword drew back from Malander's neck. Then Malander shot to his feet like a coiled spring, with his own sword in hand, holding it toward Helfare, more than happy to return the intimidation.
"Pray that your blade does not fall in my direction again," said Malander. "I will not spare you; rather, I will run this sword so deep in your chest, it will take a team of oxen to pull it out."
Helfare persuaded Randor with a sincere look and was released from the wizard's grasp, laughing softly as he walked away in amusement. "I'd love to see that, really. As a matter of fact, I'd pay to see you try."
"Cross me again, and you truly will pay! This is your only warning."
Randor intervened once again and pointed in the direction of the camp. "I want both of you at the head of the battalion now! If either of you continues this nonsense, he will deal with me."
Malander sighed, shaking his head as he marched away, Helfare's words still ringing in his ears. When he reached the rest of his old company he drew dangerously near the edge of the cliff and stared outward into the abyss. Everyone around the elf-captain's fire was now wide awake, curious to see what the commotion was about.
Randor and Helfare reentered the circle, where the wizard resumed the spot where he had sat before leaving in search of Malander, but Helfare had no thought of rest. Rather, he grabbed Malander's shoulder and spun him around. In reflex, Malander swung his sword upward, barely missing Helfare. Also acting reflexively, Helfare kicked Malander in the chest, sending the knight tumbling backward over the cliff edge.
"By the gods, what have you done?" Cailen gasped as she shuffled to her feet. Everyone rushed to the edge and looked down. Helfare smirked, seeming not to care, and stepped away from the knot of searchers for any sign of Malander.
The White Shadow Saga: The Stolen Moon of Londor Page 27
