by James Dale
"Greetings..."
"...Lord Dragonslayer," the pair said as they dismounted, bowing to the King of Brydium. "Greetings..."
"...Marten Dragon-Fist."
"Greetings honored sons of Cilidon," Theros replied, returning their bow. "Your arrival was most...timely."
"Timely indeed," Captain du'Gail agreed with a nod. "Another few minutes and you would have found nothing but corpses. On behalf of the Dragon Guard, my thanks to the House of An'Mera."
"Save your thanks..."
"...Marten," the pair replied gravely. "I fear the blame..."
"...for this unfortunate encounter..."
"...is ours."
"It was our pursuit of the pack..."
"...that drove them to this valley."
The two Ailfar appeared to be somewhere in their middle twenties. One look into their sea green eyes however, dispelled any sense of youth. Ancient was the only word Jack could summon to describe what he saw. Ancient eyes full of wisdom and... something else he could no quiet put a finger on. Pain?
"You could not have known we were encamped here," Theros replied quickly to assuage their fear. "There is no blame."
"Nevertheless..."
"...father will not be pleased..."
"...when he hears of this."
They were also obviously twins, possessing the same sharp, angular features, the same golden hair. A reflection in the mirror could not have been more identical. The way they finished each other's sentences in the same soft, musical voice Jack could almost believe they shared the same mind as well. He must have been staring at the pair, for Theros turned to him with a look of sympathy.
"Disconcerting, is it not?" he asked. "Do be embarrassed. Few outside of Elvendale can tell them apart with any degree of certainty. Prince A'randraial, Prince Cilandrion. May I introduce Jack Braedan, the Duke of Thonbor. Jack, these are the Sons of Cilidon, pride of the House of An'Mera."
"Your grace," the twins bowed.
"Aydayon Elo'hoyas Prince A'randraial," Jack bowed formally. Aydayon Elo'hoyas Prince Cilandrion. Eila'na di indorian Ahvendalia. Honor to the Guardians of the Sacred Grove."
The two Ailfar smiled for the first time and honored him with another bow, deeper than before.
"Aydayon Elo'hoyas Jack…Braedan." the one on the right replied. A'randraial?
"We are surprised to hear High Ailfara..."
"...spoken so well..."
"...by a human," they remarked curiously.
"And more surprised still..."
"...to hear it spoken..."
"...by a human..."
"...with green eyes."
"Green eyes and High Ailfara are the least of Jack's... surprises," Theros informed the twins.
What the two Ailfar thought of Theros' cryptic statement, beyond a lifting of identical eyebrows, was interrupted by the arrival of another pair of Ailfar horseman as they came galloping up to join the twins. One was more rugged than the other, with strawberry blonde hair sprinkled with gray, while the second... the second Jack recognized as his savior on the ghostly white stallion. He was also a younger version of the twins, the only difference being his eyes shown with a mischievous twinkle more suited to a rambunctious child than a hardened Ailfar warrior.
"Hello Uncle Dragon," the young Ailfar grinned, sliding from his saddle with easy grace.
"Arrinor," the king smiled warmly. "Does Aydera know you are out here in the wilds?"
"I slipped out while mother’s back was turned," the elf grinned, then turned to Jack and bowed. "We meet again kinsman. I see you have recovered your sword."
"Thanks to you," Jack bowed. He couldn't help but smile in return. The Ailfar's grin was infectious. A soothing balm against the carnage littering the vale.
"You have met before?" A'randraial and Cilandrion asked together.
"We have indeed," Arrinor nodded.
"Arrinor..."
"Please kinsman. Call me Arri," the Ailfar insisted. "I am not so formal as my honored brothers.
"Arri..." Jack began again, "was kind enough to feather a wolf set on having me for dinner."
"And a most toothsome beast it was," Arrinor laughed. "With fierce yellow eyes and a..."
"We can hear your tale..."
"...another time brother," the twins interrupted. "How goes the hunt Elwain?" they asked, turning to the other elf who'd ridden in with Arrinor.
“I fear a few may escape us," Elwain replied hesitantly. "Even Ailfar steeds cannot run all night without tiring."
He made the statement grudgingly, as if loath to admit this imagined weakness in the presence of humans. Even those who were allies. "I believe it will be the last pack to venture so near Ail'itharain with such impunity," he added confidently.
"The last?" Theros asked, "There have been others?"
"This was the third..."
"...in the last month," the twins nodded grimly.
"Each bolder..."
"...than the one before it."
"These dared to pass within a league of Goldenbriar Gate," Arrinor muttered angrily. "We could not let such arrogance go unpunished."
"We saw signs of another pack about ten miles east of here," Jack informed the elves. "Not as large as this one but there were grim'Hiru with them."
"That is ill news," Elwain rumbled. "Beast-men and the packs together again. Which direction were they headed?"
"South," Jack replied.
"And east," Captain du'Gail added.
"You mean toward..." Arrinor could not bring himself to name the ultimate destination the direction implied.
"Exactly," Jack nodded.
"Ill news indeed," Elwain sighed. "If tis true."
"Oh, it true all right," Jack said quietly. "From what I seen..."
"Jack."
"...in the places I've been..."
"Duke Thonbor."
"Mmmm? What?"
"Perhaps it would be best to save what you have seen and where you have...been until later," Theros suggested. Several of his Dragons had gathered around their little conference, curious to learn what their leaders where planning. Though they doubtless knew some part of his story, hearing the full account of his odyssey in Grethor, coming so soon after they'd escaped death, well...it might prove at bit...unsettling.
"Right," Braedan nodded. "Sorry sir."
"How soon until thy men can ride?" A'randraial asked.
"Marten?" Theros inquired, turning to his captain.
"It's maybe half an hour till first light," du'Gail gauged, looking east to check the slowly brightening sky. "I'll have them ready by then."
"See to it," the king nodded.
"What shall we do with the dead?" du'Gail asked.
"Sire," Jack said, "One of my Lions, before he died... Kaegel asked to be buried...I promised I'd take him to Ail'itharain."
The twins stiffened at this but Arrinor spoke before they could even consider denying the request. "If I may make a suggestion King Theros...honored brothers?" the young elf said quickly. "Take the fallen with us. We can bury them with honor before Goldenbriar Gate. Their mound will stand as a testament to the treaty between our people. A memorial to the alliance between Brythond and Elvendale."
A'randraial and Cilandrion looked thoughtfully at their younger sibling for a moment, then nodded as if coming to an unspoken agreement. "Very well," they replied. "The task shall be thine Arri."
"See they are ready...”
“….to be moved at first light."
"It shall be done," Arrinor bowed, then turned to Jack. "Come kinsman. We shall see to thy fallen comrade first."
"Athlena du Lai'anral," Jack said as the two began to make their way across the bowl. "Thank you Arrinor. For granting Kaegel's last wish. I hope...I hope it will not cause any trouble. This is my first meeting with true Ailfar. I would not want to start off on the wrong foot."
"It was...unusual," Arrinor admitted. "But will not cause any trouble. The Golden Wood is last remaining refuge of the Ailfar. B
ecause of this some hold its borders scared."
"And you do not?"
"Sacred? No, I do not hold it sacred. Don't misunderstand," he added quickly. "Ail'itharain is my home and I love it dearly. But it is no more holy than any other kingdom in the Whesguard Alliance. Of course, I would appreciate it if you did not repeat this. Coming from one of Cilidon's son..."
"Repeat what?" Jack asked.
"Athlena du Lai'anral," Arrinor smiled. "Thank you. Your Ailfara is excellent by the way. Though with an unusual accent I cannot quite place. You say this is your first dealing with my people? May I ask where you learned our language?"
"On Brimcohn," Jack grinned. "From Captain Alnordel..."
"Iranahil?" Arrinor coughed. "The pirate?"
"You know him?"
"I know of him," Arrinor nodded. "Tell me kinsman," he asked suddenly, stopping to consider him. "Would your full name happen to be Jack Braedan?"
"It would."
"The same Jack Braedan of the Free Brothers of the Sea who returned Thessa Arthol to Brydium?"
"At your service," Jack bowed.
"Even in Woodhaven we have heard your tale," Arrinor said, regarding Braedan with growing respect. "So, Uncle Dragon made you a duke? And of Thonbor no less. Whatever did you do to warrant that hard bit of rock? Insult Queen Elaynor?"
"I gave him back the Talon of the Hawk," Jack replied.
"Bi'net ardendel!" the elf whispered. "It has been found? By you? Where?"
"Gorthiel," Jack replied quietly.
"You have been to...to Agash Thugar?" Arrinor hissed. "Speak no more of this. Not while the night still reigns. Though I would gladly hear this tale under the protection of the sun."
"As you wish," Jack nodded.
Though Jack had only been away from his Lions for a few minutes, when the pair arrived back at the center of the bowl, he found they had already completed preparing Kaegel for travel. They had made a litter for his body from two stout saplings gleaned from the nearby hillside, wrapped him securely in his cloak, and suspended the litter between four horses.
"Kaegel?" Arrinor asked, pulling back a corner of the cloak to reveal his face. "So young." he sighed sadly, though he appeared no older than the dead guardsman.
"Gentlemen," Jack said. "This is Prince Arrinor An'Mera. He has graciously consented to Kaegel's request to be buried in Ail'itharain. Arri, these are the Golden Lions of Thonbor; Captain Kirk Vanar, and Lieutenants Anghol Bharell, Cyran d'Abba, Brian d'Locca, Erlwin val'Durn and Michael val'Baer."
"Highness," Kirk bowed, speaking for all the Lions.
"It is the least I could to honor your comrade," Arrinor said. "Kaegel will rest peacefully beneath the shade of the Golden Wood. There, we will sing songs to honor of all the brave men of Brydium who fell today. With the singing, perhaps those they left behind will find peace as well. So young," he sighed again, though he looked younger than the fallen Kaegel. "From this day forward, the valley shall be known among my people as Sindial Kaegel. Kaegel's Stand."
"Thank you, highness," Kirk bowed again, beaming with pride.
"Kinsman, I must see the others are prepared as well," Arrinor said. "May I ride with you and your men as we journey to Goldenbriar Gate?"
"We would be honored," Jack replied.
"Until then," the young prince bowed.
"I have always heard it said the elves were a haughty people," Kirk remarked, watching the Ailfar head toward a group of Dragons who were tending to more fallen guardsmen. "It seems I have been misinformed. I'm glad."
"Kaegel's Stand," Cyran smiled, replacing the cloak over his friend's peaceful face. "He would be pleased."
"Pity he had to die to get a place named after him," Anghol muttered.
"That's usually how it works," Michael said, laying a hand on his comrade's shoulder. "He died well."
"Aye," Anghol nodded. "He did."
"Remember last spring when we were called to the border?" Erlwin smiled. "When he captured those two Kadinar scouts?"
"Where was I?" Brian asked.
"This was about a month before you joined us," Erlwin replied. "Kaegel was leading a patrol..."
Leaving the Lions to reminisce about their fallen friend, Jack walked over to Eaudreuil and began to rummage through his saddle bags for a clean shirt.
"Horse-brother..." the stallions beamed. "The younger Tree Shadow, what is he called?"
"Arrinor," Jack replied, sorting through the bags. The least finely cut garment he could find was a blue silk pull-over, with the crest of Thonbor sewn on its breast. Even a hundred miles away Gweneveare could reach out a select his wardrobe. "Why?"
"No reason."
Braedan studied the Val'anna curiously. For an instant he could have sworn the stallion was Mindspeaking with someone, but when he pushed his thoughts out toward the horse, he ran up against a wall. Guarded? Eaudreuil was guarding his thoughts. Why?
"What are you up to?"
“Nothing Horse-brother." the stallion beamed innocently.
"If you don't want to tell me, just say so," Jack muttered, pulling off his blood-stained shirt and setting it aside. "You don't have to lie." The stallion was definitely up to something. Probably planning some practical joke.
"I do not lie," Eaudreuil snorted indignantly, the wall around his thoughts becoming even stronger. He was hiding something all right.
"Suit yourself." he shrugged, donning the clean garment. "We're leaving at first light."
"Good," the roan nodded. "I am anxious to be gone from this valley. I do not like being near so many wolves. Even dead ones."
By the time Jack had finished re-packing his saddle bags and cleaning the blood from his face and hair, the sun was peeking orange above the horizon. In the dawn's early light, the full extent of the battle could finally be seen. There were over two hundred wolves lying on the floor of the small valley. Scattered among them, he counted the bodies of eight horses as well. At least all the wounded guardsmen would have mounts. As for the dead, they were even now being loaded onto litters similar to the one his Lions had built for Kaegel's body.
Kaegel's body. Just thinking those words brought new tears. At least it had not been young Brian. If he had been the one lying lifeless...Jack didn't think he could have borne it. Damn Graith! Damn his wolves! Damn this whole bloody mess! When would the dying end? How many more of his friends would he see wrapped in death shrouds before it was over? What damn good was it being the Judas Bloody Heir of Ljmarn bloody Bra ‘Adan when he couldn't save them?
"I won't let it happen to Brian," Jack vowed silently. "Or Kirk. Or...or Anna! Do you hear me Graith! I won't let you take them!"
Overhead, he heard the first mocking caw of gathering crows. Mocking and greedy for the blood of his friends.
"Mount up Dragons!" Company Sergeant Vad'dreuil bellowed. Like several of his troopers, the grizzled veteran sported a bandage where sharp teeth had found purchase on exposed flesh, "We ride in one minute! Anyone who hasn't eaten yet can breakfast on the trail!"
Those few guardsmen who weren't already in their saddles hurried to finish whatever task delayed them, then joined the rest of the company as it formed at the mouth of the bowl. Jack and his Lions took up their customary place at rear of the column, Anghol grumbling out of habit about having to eat everyone else’s' dust, though there hadn't been dust on the Elfway in three days. Theros and Captain du'Gail moved to the column's center, joined by the twins and Arrinor, while Elwain and Sergeant Vad'dreuil took up places at the column's head. Interspersed among the Dragons in groups of two and threes, more where there was wounded, rode the Ailfar. When all were ready, Elwain signaled "forward" and they moved off at a slow pace in deference to the injured.
The column had been on the Elfway less than an hour when Arrinor fell back to join Braedan and his Lions.
"How far to Goldenbriar Gate?" Jack asked the young prince when he reigned his white stallion at Eaudreuil's side.
"Less than ten miles," the Ailfar replied. "We sho
uld reach it by noon at this pace."
"And Elvendale?"
"Another two days will see us at Woodhaven."
"I don't think some of the wounded will last two days," Jack muttered. More dead. Judas Bloody Hell.
"They will make it," Arrinor assured him. "Do not fear. Kinsman...the sun is high. Do you think now you might share your tale of Agash Thugar?"
"You sure you want to hear this?" Jack asked. "It isn't the most pleasant story."
"Pleasant or not," the elf replied. "I would hear it if you are willing."
Jack pulled his pulled out his pipe and filled the bowl. Though he had told the story before, it wasn't getting any easier. But the smoke tasted bitter in his mouth. One of the fallen he had learned after the company had gotten under way was the young trooper Daen. He soon put the pipe away.
Taking a deep breath, Jack began his story at the ruins of Tanaevar, quietly recounting the rain-soaked night of grim'Hiru and wolves, including Tarsus' sacrifice and the appearance of the Galekindar. He told Arrinor about the Bergaweld; Hell's Breath, spirit armies and about Bkormar taking him to Gorthiel. He recounted his meeting Nalon-Lox, the Warden and Thorak Angst, the Jailer, Maelcain and the Tears of Aildan, about how he found the Talon of the Hawk and his fight with Morgaamal, Tarsus' rescue, their escape from the Iron Tower, finally ending with Cil’lena and the destruction of her hidden cave. The only thing he omitted from the tale was Kiathan and the abominable ceremony. And of course, anything naming him as Ljmarn's heir.
"It may not be a pleasant story," Arrinor said regarding him with wonder when he finished, "but Ailfar will be retelling it for the next five hundred years! Sorcerers. Dragons. Agash Thugar. Jahrkirin. Magic stones and a lost sword. Morgaamal and the Lady Cil’lena. Surviving to tell any one of those would make you a legend! And you have them all in one tale! It is like a story from Path of Kings."
"Legend?" Jack snorted. "You mock me Arri."
"Our lord is modest to a fault highness," Kirk smiled, his first since Kaegel's death. "He didn't even mention rescuing a Kadinar prince and being adopted into the House of the Great Khan."
"Now it is your turn Arri," Jack said quickly, seeking to deflect the look of adoration in his captain's eyes. "Tell me about Cil’lena. When I said her name, you looked like you had seen a ghost. Do you know of her?"
