by Toni Cox
He swung to his left and headed for higher ground. There was less vegetation higher up the mountain to shelter him, but there were many crags and caves he could hide in if necessary. The higher ground would also give him an advantage if it came to a fight and he would be able to see them coming.
Soon he had them in his sights again and, as he had suspected, the Vampyres had made camp in the old stronghold. It was difficult to see now exactly how much evidence was left for the Vampyres to find with so many of them moving around in the camp site, but he hoped that in this case their numbers counted against them and their sheer multitude would trample any evidence that would lead to him.
As the Vampyres erected their camp, the valley of the stronghold only just large enough to hold their number, Blaid found himself a position far away enough not to be detected, but close enough for his sharp wolf hearing to pick up any sounds the Vampyres made.
This group, however, was not accompanied by Elves and Blaid was not able to understand any of the commands given by the Generals. During his studies with his master he had chosen Dwarfish, all five dialects, as well as Meridian, the main language of Mer-Rom, and English, the main language of Earth. Nayleran would have been so much more helpful right now. But it did not take him long to discover who the true Generals were and who was just following orders. Only about one hundred of these Vampyre were what they had come to know as Generals; bigger, stronger, faster, and obviously higher ranking; the rest of them were mere foot soldiers.
He had learned from the Elves, and Vampyres, who he had already killed, that these reinforcements were supposed to carry out some mission on this side of the lake, maybe even in and around Stoneloft. If he left now to return to Shadow Hall, he would leave the people on this side of the lake to whatever fate these Vampyres had planned for them. He had to find out what they were planning and let the people of Stoneloft and the surrounding towns know. As far as he knew, the army of Stoneloft had already left for Greystone, which put the remaining people at risk. He could not leave now. The people needed to be warned and, if he had anything to do with it, the Vampyres had to be stopped before they could do any damage.
With a low growl, he settled in for the night in a tight crevasse within the steep cliff above the camp and watched as the Vampyres went about their business. Slowly, a plan was forming in the back of his mind.
Maia fretted about going to see her father all the way home. She expected him to be furious, rightly so, and she thought of the right words to tell him when they returned.
But when she finally stood before him and he greeted her with deathly silence, she was at a loss for words. Only when her mother came running through the door and took her into her arms, tears streaming down her face, did Jagaer finally stir. He cleared his throat and sat down behind his large desk.
Malyn gave Maia one final hug and then retreated to the small sitting area at the back of the large room. Maia stood uncertain for a moment longer, but then Jaik took her elbow and guided her to one of the chairs in front of her father’s desk. He took a seat beside her.
“So,” Jagaer said, “you have returned. Deliver your report.”
Startled that he could be so cold, she looked at her brother for help.
“Go ahead,” Jaik encouraged.
“Um, they have a supply camp based around the stones,” she finally said.
“Yes,” her father said, “Somas mentioned this last time as well, but it was not well stocked.”
“Then that has changed. There are crates and crates of equipment stacked within half a square mile all around the stones. There are some items which look like they were manufactured on Naylera, such as the crates themselves, but the majority of all goods are elven.”
“Such as?”
“They have rolls of canvas, which they are mainly using for tents. There are piles of wood which they are using to manufacture spears and arrows. I found boxes of elven clothes, weapons, armour and various metals. But the strangest thing I found within the supply camp was a large collection of maps. The largest one, a complete map of Grildor, has places marked on it. There were also detailed maps of our cities, as well as maps of neighbouring countries.”
“If I showed you a map, would you be able to mark the same places that you saw on that map?” her father asked, finally some animation on his face.
“Yes, Father.” she replied.
Jagaer nodded to someone standing by the door and Maia heard them leave.
“What else did you see?”
“There was not much else of use close to the Gate, so I followed their main path which led me to a large, military camp.”
Her father narrowed his eyes for a moment and she heard a distinct intake of breath from her mother behind him.
“Go on.”
“The camp was fairly empty, with only a fraction of the tents occupied. But it was clear that they were expecting their troops soon, as everything was ready for them.”
“How many tents? What do you estimate their number to be once the camp is at capacity?”
Her father was clinical now, their Lord Regent, and Maia reminded herself to give him facts and numbers. That is what he wanted.
“The area was very large and I was not able to see all of it, but it looked large enough to hold at least thirty thousand soldiers.”
Her father made a note on one of the papers in front of him.
“They are waiting for forces to arrive from the different cities around them. I struggled understanding their numbers, but I think they plan to attack within six to eight Quarters.”
Her father looked up in surprise.
“So, we have some time then?”
“That is what it seems like to me. Their forces are not yet together and they will not make a move until then. They are, however, already well armed, with large caches of weapons. And I think they might have a secret weapon which they want to employ against the dragons, especially Midnight.” Maia took a quick breath; she wished she could have found out what this weapon was. “But they were also talking about forces already within Grildor and their strategic positions. I believe those positions to be the ones I saw on the map. And I think we might be underestimating the number of Vampyres already within our country. I might be wrong, but there might be as many as ten thousand already within our borders. The Generals were even talking about the Pyramid of Senza and I think that some of their army might be on their way here from there.”
“Senza is three thousand miles away. Why would they send their forces from there?” Jaik asked.
“The question is not why, but when,” her father replied. “It is probably already too late to warn the people of Senza and if there is a detachment of Vampyres coming from the south, then I expect them to arrive within our borders within the next few Quarters.”
Her father made some more notes and then someone came with the map. Jaik assisted in rolling it out on the table and then pinning the corners under some weights.
“Show me what you saw on their maps,” her father requested.
“The symbols with which the map was marked were unfamiliar to me and I do not know what they mean, but I can show you where they were placed.”
They spent about an hour pouring over the map and making notes. Maia pointed out all the places marked on the map and her father ordered for Scouts to be sent there immediately to find out if any Vampyres were indeed stationed there. Maia also explained how she had managed to enter and exit the Gate unnoticed and how she suspected that the Vampyres possessed the magic of Air, which allowed them to pass through Greystone without the forces stationed there being aware of it.
“This is good information, Maia,” her father said. “Finally, something we can work with. The remaining armies should arrive with us within the next Quarter or so, which gives us enough time to prepare and get our forces into position. And, if we can find the Vampyres’ hiding places, we might even be able to overrun those before they send their main army through Greystone.”
At the beginning of Fire Moon Maia contemplated the past few Quarters. Going to Naylera had enraged her father such as she had never seen. After she had given her official report and they had gone home, he had berated her for what had seemed like hours. When Jaik had dared intervene on her behalf, Jagaer had threatened to demote Jaik from rank of Commander if he did not know his place. It had been one of the worst nights in Maia’s life.
But the information had been valuable and Jagaer had acted immediately. All forces arriving in their region were sent immediately to Greystone and the camps had been set around the Gate in strategic places. The Scouts had managed to locate two places where small detachments of Vampyres had gathered and warriors had been sent to eliminate them. But they had been small groups; neither larger than thirty or so Vampyres, all without Werewolves; and their larger forces had still to be found.
Effectively under house arrest, Maia had spent her time studying again. Silas had been very interested in Maia’s new-found ability to control Air and they had experimented with it until Maia was able to disappear and reappear without giving it much thought or energy. She was astounded by her own ability, but realised how useful this could prove in a fight. Riker, now more protective than ever, watched her progress with awe and Maia felt his admiration for her grow. She found it increasingly difficult to distance herself from him; his love for her so true that despite herself she felt herself respond to it.
The absence of Blaid was not making it any easier for her either, but at least now she knew how he felt for her and even though he was not with her right now, she had hope that one day they would be able to be together. Until then she just had to remain strong; for herself and for her people. Sometimes, though, this proved to be difficult too, as she was having dreams of him again. She usually woke up from them sweating and shivering as in her dreams he was always in danger. She hoped theses dreams were simply an indication of what was to come and not something that had already happened. It took all her will power to suppress her urge to go looking for him and instead to concentrate on her training.
With the estimated arrival date of the Vampyres only a few Quarters away, activity within Shadow Hall increased. Jagaer had instructed that the city be fortified and the Builders and Carpenters were busy every day erecting, not only a perimeter fence, but also special gates, watch posts and attack points at all entrances to the city. Those that were to stay at Shadow Hall were given defence positions which they were to man as soon as the rest of Shadow Hall’s fighting force left for Greystone.
Maia was surprised to learn that both Jasmin and Aaron would play an active part in the defence of the city. Jasmin, she knew, was an accomplished Hunter and her skill with the crossbow was known to all. But Aaron she had only ever seen fight at the Spring Feast and, although he had won his class, his attempts had been feeble. Only when she decided to learn more about it, did she find out that Aaron had been training for many Moons now and she found out from some of his sparring partners how proficient he had become with the sword. Apparently, his abilities with the crossbow were improving too.
She was surprised by this and wanted to find out for herself. So, she decided to spend a day on the Sparring Grounds. On the pretext of practicing herself, she would be able to observe Aaron during training. She had to admit that even she could now see the changes within him. He had always been tall, but now he had also built muscle and he moved with a litheness not unlike an Elf. His hair, no longer grey, but brown, had grown longer and he held it together in the back with a leather band. She had to admit it made him look almost handsome.
“Mind if I cut in?” Maia said and the Elf Aaron had been sparring with bowed and then backed away with respect.
Aaron tilted his head at her and narrowed his eyes, but there was a slight smile on his face and she wondered what he was thinking. Drawing her sword, she took up position.
“My Lady,” Aaron said and bowed.
Maia blinked; he did not usually address her so. She realised just a moment too late that it had been a ruse and within the blink of an eye his sword was by her throat. She raised an eyebrow at him and he laughed.
“I am sorry, My Lady, shall we start again?”
Stepping away from the reach of his sword she took up position; he would not catch her out again. The mischievous twinkle in his eyes was infuriating her and she circled him carefully.
He feinted to the left and then thrust his sword at her. She deflected it with a sideways swipe, but was surprised at his speed. They circled again and again, swords clashing with increasing speed. He cut and thrust, she deflected and protected. Then it was her turn to attack and, although she did not use all her speed or strength, she was impressed by his ability to hold her off and parry her blows. She varied her thrusts and, even when she used some difficult advances, he managed to hold his own.
Finally, she smiled at him; she had toyed with him enough; and with a movement so quick that the eye was unable to follow, her sword was piercing the light, leather sparring armour, pointing directly at his heart.
With a grin, she stepped away from him and he theatrically rubbed the spot where she had stabbed him.
“You wound me, My Lady,” he said playfully.
“And you surprise me, Aaron. I had no idea how good your swordsmanship has become. I am impressed.”
He bowed. “Then I have accomplished my goal. It was a pleasure sparring with you. Maybe we could do it again some time?”
“It would be my pleasure,” she replied before she turned to re-join Riker and Rothea who had watched from the sideline.
Riker and Rothea were discussing Aaron’s techniques on their way back, but Maia was silent. When had Aaron changed so much? How had she not noticed it? He was not only proficient with the sword, but his mannerisms were now more elven than they were human. Thinking back on their conversations over the past few Moons she realised that his changes had not only been physical, but mental as well. His knowledge of Elveron and their lifestyle was commendable and she now realised that she had enjoyed his company and his quick wit and knowledge. He had changed so much from the angry man that she had brought from Earth. She wondered if this was his true self finally coming back and if this was the man she had once fallen in love with during her stay on Earth.
Men, she thought. There was only one she wanted, but could not have. Yet there were so many that loved her or wanted her and she did not know how to deal with them. First there was Riker, who she knew loved her from the bottom of his soul. Then there was Aaron, who loved her because she had been his wife Lisa on Earth. But she also knew that during the time they had been here, Aaron had fallen in love with the person she was here and now that she did not try to shut him out anymore, his love for her was plain to see in his Eläm. And finally, there was Kanarel. He wanted her to cement the bond between their cities and, she suspected, for the status it would bring him. She felt nothing for him; he was weak, moody, and boring company.
“Where is Kanarel?” she suddenly asked, stopping dead in her tracks.
“He requested to return home to Braérn. He spoke to your father about it just yesterday and I believe he left this morning. I think he wants to be as far from Greystone as possible when the time comes. He is a coward.” The derision in Riker’s voice was unmistakable.
“Why do you ask, My Lady?” Rothea looked at her questioningly.
“I don’t know,” Maia said, hesitating. “I was thinking about him now and there is something that does not quite add up. Just the thought of him makes my hair stand on edge and if I think of everything that has happened over the past few Moons, there is something concerning Kanarel that bothers me. Come,” she finally said, “let us seek out my brother. I would like to speak to him about it.”
It was another hour before they located Jaik and then they had to wait for him to finish his briefing with his Guard. During that time, Maia had had time to sort through her thoughts and the picture was becoming clearer.
“What is it, Maia?” Jaik finall
y said as he led them to his desk where they all took a seat.
“It is about Kanarel. I think he is the spy we have been looking for.”
Jaik gave a disbelieving snort. “Kanarel? I doubt it. He fears his own shadow. He left this morning to return home to the safety of his father’s house.”
“Yes, that is exactly why he is the perfect candidate. He had us all believe that he is nobody to fear, that he is more of an annoyance to be avoided than an asset to rely on. But think back. Has he not attended every of the important meetings? Was he not present when the arrangements for the delegations that were murdered were made? In all the time that he was here as an ambassador to Braérn he has done nothing useful or of help. Can you account for his whereabouts whenever he was not at meetings or gatherings? Can you say for sure that he did not have the opportunity to send messages about what he had learned at our meetings?”
Jaik watched her in silence for a moment. She could almost see his brain making the connection and hoped he would see what she believed to be true.
“Everything you say is true, but security has been very strict, especially with messages going in and out of Shadow Hall. It would have been difficult for anyone to get something out. Do you have proof for any of your assumptions?”
“You know I do not, Jaik,” she replied, “and I cannot tell you exactly how I know; it is simply something that I feel is true. The longer I think about it, the more plausible it seems. I think we have underestimated him and because we did not want him around, we have ignored his comings and goings for the most part. Then, while I was on Naylera, I noticed that certain items were marked with symbols that somehow seemed familiar, but that I was unable to read. I dismissed it at first, but then when I thought about Kanarel, suddenly the symbols made sense. Have you never noticed the ring he wears? It carries the same symbols as I have seen on Naylera. Where would he have acquired such an item if not from the Vampyres themselves?”
