Archer of the Lake

by Kelly R. Michaels

  ***

  It was to everyone's immense relief when Sylaera returned with a small, measured amount of Ruxlitta's Light. ?She wouldn't say what it required of her to get it, but Feraan was under the impression that Sylaera gave up something of great value.

  "It was worth it," she said to Feraan as Thoroth set to work brewing the elixir. ?"I'm sorry there wasn't enough for you as well."

  Feraan shook his head, as if it were of no consequence. ?Caelfel remained glued to her father's side, and as much as Feraan wanted to, he didn't have the heart to disturb her. ?He let her be, with Thoroth working his alchemy magic, and went to occupy himself outside in the corner of his garden where he kept his small forge. ?He took a whetstone and some oil and went to work sharpening his sword with slow, methodical strokes. ?He wondered off-handedly where Sylaera had gone but he didn't want to think of Sylaera or Thoroth or even Eviat and Caelfel. ?He had already deemed himself incompetent in helping others with their grief.

  Sometime after dark, Feraan sheathed the sword and put away the whetstone, throwing some charcoal in the forge to warm up the garden. ?The orange embers provided little light but when he turned, it was enough to see the curious black bird sitting on a nearby drooping branch. ?The sight made Feraan freeze as he watched the bird tilt her head first to one side, then the other, watching him inquisitively. ?The shockingly bright blue eyes told Feraan she wasn't a mere animal.

  "Where did you come from?" he asked it.

  The raven tittered, jumping from the branch to the forest floor outside the forge. ?Feraan rose just as a face appeared over the stone, garden wall. ?Her hair was cropped short, except for the fringe in front, and her eyes were the color of ice but most notably, her ears were rounded.

  "Where is your tattoo?" she asked suspiciously.

  "Tattoo?" he repeated. ?"Who are you? ?You're human, not an elf. ?Are you a werebird?"

  "I need to see your tattoo first," she insisted. ?"You are one of us, are you not? ?The elf wanderer that lived among humans and found himself a family of misfits that would claim him?"

  "I'm certain that I would be the only elf that would marginally fit that description."

  "Prove it. ?Show me your tattoo."

  "I never took the tattoo. I am an elf. ?It would not be appropriate."

  She narrowed her eyes, having little choice but to trust him. ?"What is your name?"

  "Feraan Auvrearaheal."

  She frowned, and he knew she would not to try to pronounce his name. ?"I'm Macha."

  "Macha. ?What brings you to the Fey Forest?"

  "I was put on an assignment for suspicious activity in the Amhsis Desert of Umfang. ?I went undercover as a soldier in some commander's army where the admiral of the fortress struts around and calls himself a desert princeling."

  With the mention of the princeling, Feraan suddenly became alert. ?"So why are you here?"

  "To warn you of his intentions," Macha said impatiently. ?"He was building and training his army. ?Then one day, a messenger emerged from his castle with some sort of signal. ?When they disappeared, the princeling mobilized his army. ?They've been trekking across the desert, past the Baetic Mountains. ?He's bringing the army here, to the Fey Forest."

  "Why? ?He wouldn't make it past the borders," Feraan said.

  The excitement didn't leave her bright eyes. ?"He spoke of obtaining revenge from an elf, rumored to be descended from gods, if I remember my elvish correctly."

  "So he's out for revenge against me. ?How does he plan to do this with an army that can't even march through the trees?" Feraan asked with a light smile, crossing his arms over his chest. ?He would have laughed at the princeling's attempts but thought better of it. ?The princeling wasn't an idiot, or at least, his advising steward would be smarter than that. ?He didn't mention to Macha that, even with an army that could penetrate the forest, the princeling or his steward wouldn't be able to find him.

  "I didn't know at first. ?When I found out, I tried escaping, but they captured me. ?I flew away before they could really interrogate me."

  "So what did you find out?"

  "The princeling doesn't intend to attack you or other elves. ?He's after a different elf entirely. ?An oracle told him what to do."

  "Another elf?" ?The arms unfolded and hung limply at his sides.

  She nodded. ?"There was a conversation about being unable to find you, so they settled on a different elf they could find. A she-elf, if I'm not mistaken, that would force you to find him."

  Feraan purposely kept his face neutral and unchanged. ?"I'm not aware of any elf or she-elf that could do that." ?He eased a smile to his face. ?"Perhaps this oracle of theirs is mistaken. ?They will find nothing."

  Macha tilted her head curiously. ?"I do not think the Blind Seer is often mistaken. ?They are very certain of their efforts. ?I don't know who the she-elf is. ?The only one who would know is the princeling, but if what you say is true, then my warning came for nothing."

  "The Blind Seer?" he repeated. ?He kept his external features calm but secretly, Feraan panicked. ?The Blind Seer didn't have the power to break past his wards, but she could give the desert princeling everything else he wanted. ?He wondered what the princeling had paid her. ?He couldn't imagine the steward approving the utilization of her services.

  "I haven't seen her, but she sent a messenger who had the Voice of the Unknown. ?The princeling and the steward disagreed over it though. ?Lisiek wasn't fond of her methods."

  Lisiek the steward. ?Feraan committed the name to memory. ?"And why do they think that targeting this supposed she-elf would help? ?What do they plan to do with her?"

  "I can't imagine the purpose of the army if they only mean to kidnap her," Macha pointed out. ?"The princeling believes that you would care so much for this she-elf, you would reveal yourself to him. ?That's what he wants-to bypass your curse."

  "It's not a curse," Feraan corrected. ?"It's a protection spell. ?And they're wrong. ?I wouldn't reveal myself to him for any purpose. ?Their journey has been in vain."

  Macha narrowed her eyes suspiciously until they caught something behind him. ?"So there is no she-elf, then?" she repeated with a light smirk.

  Feraan spun around to see Caelfel carefully approaching. ?The sound of beating wings followed, and when Feraan turned again, Macha was gone.

  "Who was that?"

  "That was no one," Feraan said quickly. ?"No one important."

  "She just turned into a bird."

  "She is a werebird."

  "What did she say?"

  "She came to warn me of an army gathering in the desert. ?I told her there is nothing to worry about. ?Did you need something?" Feraan asked, changing subjects when Caelfel's brow only furrowed deeper in confusion and concern.

  "Father woke briefly. ?He groaned some but didn't say anything."

  "Did Thoroth give him the antidote?"

  "Yes, Thoroth has been very helpful," she said. ?The remark made something in Feraan prick uncomfortably, but he pushed the feeling away.

  "I am sorry I have not been very helpful, then."

  Caelfel shook her head numbly. ?"Don't be. ?There is not much any of us can do. ?I wanted to ask if you wanted to come inside to see him or to eat."

  "Offering me my own food? How generous of you."

  Feraan was thrilled to see the small smile that touched her face. ?"Mother took the liberty of preparing dinner. ?What was that girl's name?"

  "She said it was Macha."

  "Do you know her?"

  "That was the first time I have ever seen her."

  "She didn't look elvish. ?Is she from Honey Water?"

  "I would venture not."

  Caelfel nodded but still appeared troubled as she hesitated before the door. ?"She was naked."

  "I did not notice."

  She shot him a disapproving look, angling her eyebrows suspiciously. ?"I have trouble believing that."

  "It's a trademark of the werefolk. ?Clothes do not fit them properly in animal form."


  Caelfel rolled her eyes and went inside.

  Nobody ate in the kitchen. ?Thoroth and Sylaera took their food to Eviat's room while Caelfel and Feraan went to sit in the narrow library. ?He was aware of a book she had been reading, disturbed from the pile he left on the floor, but she hid the title from him before he could read it.

  "Have you ever been to Kanetalm?" she asked suddenly.

  He blinked. ?"It's been a few decades, but yes. ?Why do you ask?"

  "I thought you moved back to Sal'Sumarathar a century ago."

  "I visit Sorasaen on the rare occasion. ?I left the Fey Forest briefly, about twenty years ago now. ?There was a priest there, and I taught him some elvish magic. ?He worked in the temple of Hubertus." ?Feraan paused at the memory. ?"He wanted me to find a cure for werewolves."

  "Did you find one?"

  "Not yet," he said uneasily. ?If Feraan was being honest to himself, he hadn't spent much time looking for one. ?Perhaps he should put some effort into that task. ?Twenty years was longer for humans than elves.

  "I didn't know that there was a cure. ?I thought werefolk were born being part animal," she said, her brow wrinkling.

  Feraan leaned against the bookshelf. ?"It's complicated. ?Some are born and some are created, from my understanding of it. ?They are very secretive about the process."

  Caelfel was silent a moment as her gaze slipped and became unfocused. ?"What about that army Macha warned you about? Aren't you worried?"

  Feraan smiled to reassure her. ?"Not at all. ?To bring an entire army in the forest? ?It's impossible."

  "You did," she pointed out.

  "Because I am capable of the impossible. ?Wards surround the Fey Forest, similar to the ones that surround the college."

  Caelfel hesitated to say something on her mind. ?She succeeded after a moment of mouthing syllables silently. ?"Will we go to trial for saving Father, like I did with you?"

  Feraan did not have an answer for her. ?He looked at her empty bowl. ?"I'll take that if you're finished with it."

  Caelfel handed it to him, and Feraan went to return it to the kitchen.

  Feraan found sleep difficult that night and doubted it came to the others any easier. ?Sylaera stayed in an empty room next to Eviat's, and Thoroth had been offered the room across the hall. ?Caelfel preferred staying by Eviat's side. ?In the few hours before dawn, Feraan roamed the house, until he realized that he still had his sword belted at his waist. ?He turned to put it away, passing by Eviat's room. ?He paused, seeing Caelfel asleep with her head on her arms next to her father. ?Thoroth was in there too, which made Feraan pause to watch.

  He was washing and bandaging the open wounds that dotted Eviat's chest, and Feraan briefly wondered if the arrows had penetrated the flesh on his back. ?Thoroth moved quietly to gather his instruments, wrapping the excess bandages into a single wad. ?Thoroth made a motion to leave the room, but the unconscious Caelfel caught his attention. ?The satchel of utensils fell silently to the floor, and Thoroth crouched to place a hand on her shoulder.

  Feraan hardly registered his movements but suddenly he had drawn his sword and held it to Thoroth's throat. ?"Do not touch her," came the even warning. ?

  Thoroth froze. ?"I was just comforting her. ?She is having a bad day."

  "You comfort her by using your hands to heal her father, not by touching her."

  "Don't be so insecure of yourself that you fear my hand on her shoulder will take her away from you," Thoroth hissed irritably but did not argue with the sword as he got to his feet.

  "I don't care what you may think. ?You are in my house under my generosity. ?Don't risk my hospitality over something stupid."

  "I thought I was here for Caelfel." ?

  Feraan cocked an eyebrow at him and looked at Thoroth as if he were mad. ?"You're here for Eviat and you will soon overstay your usefulness." ?He followed Thoroth to his room as if he were a misbehaved child and only sheathed the sword when they reached his door.

  "Why did you suddenly care for her? ?Before she brought you to me that day, you never spared her a passing glance."

  "And when did you suddenly decide to care for her yourself?"

  "It was only the realization that was sudden. I have cared for her for many years."

  "Exactly. ?Your only problem is that you never decided to act upon it until her attention turned elsewhere."

  "Perhaps this is only a small distraction. ?She is still rather young and you have a reputation of disappointing people."

  Feraan scoffed. ?"I've not disappointed anyone. ?Perhaps in time, you will accept her decision. ?Good morning, healer."

  Thoroth grumbled something inaudible and left Feraan in the hallway, shutting the door in his face. ?Feraan looked at the door a moment and briefly considered locking Thoroth in his room before deciding against it.

  He returned to his room, thinking over Macha's warnings of the desert army marching for him right now. ?But then he remembered Macha saying they weren't after him. ?They were after a she-elf. ?It was no question who that she-elf was, Feraan knew. ?His concern was if the princeling or his army could penetrate the trees.

  You did.

  Caelfel's insightful words rang through his head. ?He did lead his own army of werewolves through the Fey Forest, because the intention had not been to harm elves. ?In this way, the princeling could make his way through elvish land, and Feraan doubted they would even attempt to make their way across the desert if they were not completely certain of their efforts. ?He wondered if the Blind Seer had truly shown them how to reach him or, worse yet, how to find Caelfel.

  He decided he couldn't rely on the magical barriers around the forest. ?Their journey alone proved they had found a way to bypass them. ?How they discovered Caelfel completely baffled him, but Feraan supposed that the Blind Seer wasn't necessarily blind to her own gift. ?The discovery must have been recent, since they had not come sooner, or perhaps the Seer had been waiting for him to make a decision, to subconsciously will the significance of Caelfel into existence and to allow them the opportunity to snatch her away.

  Why did you suddenly care for her?

  It was Thoroth's words this time that repeated themselves, and Feraan pondered on them. ?Perhaps Thoroth was right, and the decision had been instantaneous and sudden. ?Perhaps even when Caelfel had kissed him. ?That was when Feraan had made the conscious and deliberate decision to act on his desire for her.

  It then became apparent that Feraan's only option was to be resolute in his next decision to not care for Caelfel at all. ?He waited for the verdict to settle on him and he nearly choked on the decision. ?He swallowed past it, deciding Caelfel and her family should leave once Eviat was well again.

  Feraan locked his bedroom door to allow himself privacy as he came to terms with this. ?He should have left her alone long ago and not deviated from the task the Blind Seer had originally charged him with. ?Feraan had no business involving himself with other elves. ?He had no place in pursuing romance or companionship. ?He was the Wandering Elf, doomed to an eternity of duty and solitude. ?His only consolation he found in this new loneliness was that Caelfel should be safe from the Blind Seer's sight.

  Never mind the fact that she would more than likely turn to Thoroth when Feraan no longer had affection to give her.

  15. Call to Arms

  Caelfel was woken by a greyling ruffling her hair, and it was an especially welcome sight since the greyling was her very alert father looking down on her with bright eyes. ?She jumped to her feet and raced to tell Feraan about his recovery. ?The door was shut, but she didn't think much of it, figuring he wanted his privacy in a house full of elves.

  However when she went to open it, Caelfel found it locked. ?This puzzled her. ?She wondered if she was supposed to knock and tried doing so. ?The sound was met with faint shuffling from the other side of the door. ?A moment passed, and Feraan appeared before her, looking haggard with disheveled hair and oppressive, dark circles beneath his eyes, as if he had no sleep at all last ni
ght. ?He looked at her expectantly, and Caelfel found she didn't know which concern to address. ?She decided to fall back on her initial purpose for coming to him.

  "Father is awake-really awake. ?He's been completely healed." ?But even her excitement did not seem to reach through Feraan's weariness, and it took him a great deal of effort to manage a small smile.

  "That's wonderful," he said. She expected him to inquire further on Eviat or to walk past her to see for himself, but Feraan remained where he was. ?Something curled in the pit of her stomach, but she tried convincing herself that shouldn't be worried. ?Anyone would act uncharacteristically without a night's sleep, but this did not explain why something with Feraan felt inexplicably off.

  "Your door was locked," she tried conversation again, her stomach twisting itself into knots.

  "I locked it," he merely agreed.

  Something in Caelfel's chest clenched at his words. ?"Would you like to see him?" she asked finally after they had stood in awkward silence for what felt like an eternity.

  "Perhaps later," he said before retreating again to his room. ?Caelfel heard a lock clicking into place once the door was shut.

  She stared at the door as something thick settled on her chest, making her throat swell up. ?She combed a hand through her hair and pushed the discomforts down as she slowly returned to her father's room. ?Sylaera had already been by her husband's side before Eviat had disturbed Caelfel, and now Caelfel saw her parents smiling and muttering sweet nothings to one another. ?The tightness in her chest moved to her stomach as she was reminded of Feraan's coldness. ?Something was wrong.

  Caelfel hardly saw Feraan again for the rest of the morning. ?She only caught a glimpse of him as he escorted Thoroth home with a cold shoulder. ?She sat with her parents in the spare room where Eviat was staying, feeling mostly invisible because Sylaera and Eviat were so absorbed with each other.

  "So your sister found it? ?Well, they don't entirely hate me."

  "Of course not. ?They never have. ?They just hated me," said Sylaera. ?There was a giggle and a chortle, but Caelfel didn't bother to notice who they belonged to. ?She grew impatient.

  "But what happened? ?In the forest, with Markis?" Caelfel asked. ?They both turned, as if noticing her for the first time. ?Eviat had a look that indicated he was not ready to discuss the encounter with Markis yet.

  "I've decided to retire from hunting."

  And the sweet nothings continued between her parents.

  When it was determined that Eviat was strong enough to return home, Feraan was there to see them off. ?Eviat thanked him profusely, to which Feraan responded with a thin smile. ?He still had the dark smudges under his eyes.

  She let her parents go on ahead as she lingered by the doorway, staring at him first before fixing her gaze on the floor. ?When she realized that she was wringing her hands nervously, she hid them behind her back.

  "You should be with them," Feraan said at length. ?He didn't cross the room to be with her. ?She felt as though she should kiss him, given everything that had transpired between them. ?Caelfel felt as though she needed it then to assure herself nothing was amiss. ?But his stony expression told her he wasn't interested in kissing, and this was rather damaging to her confidence.

  "I will see you later, then," she said. ?As was her habit, she fled before he could respond, thus avoiding the risk of Feraan declining the offer.

  She had planned to leave Feraan alone for the rest of the day, thinking he probably needed time to himself. ?She tried to take the opportunity to catch up on her own sleep, but sleep did not find her as she was constantly reminded of Feraan's indifferent expression. ?By afternoon, she could only sit at her window and stare dejectedly outside. ?Her position gave her a wide scope of the main street which was deserted.

  Minutes passed and suddenly Caelfel saw royal couriers flooding the street, some stopping at houses while the rest continued to the next city. ?When one turned for their house, Caelfel ran to answer the door. Her parents were in the garden, completely oblivious to what was happening.

  The courier that called was tall and clad in imperial armor. ?His hair was pale and swept into a long braid draped over his shoulder. ?He handed Caelfel the scroll with a ruby ribbon.

  "Urgent response requested," he said, folding his hands behind his back, waiting as patiently as any impatient elf could.

  Caelfel tore open the scroll.

  Empress Haelyn calls upon the house Gyssedlues to join the militia forces and protect Honey Water as a ranger due to a sudden threat of war that approaches our borders.

  Signed.

  It was a summons to war. ?She thought of her father who was the only properly trained ranger of the family, but Caelfel knew all the secrets he had taught her. ?Eviat was in no condition to leave or volunteer. ?Not only that, he had just announced his retirement from such matters and was probably considered as officially dead.

  "I will go," Caelfel said.

  The courier, who was probably a commander of rangers, did not argue. ?"We meet in the meadow in half an hour. ?Pack your bow and light essentials. ?The rest will be explained there." ?Without further question, he left for the next house.

  Caelfel approached her parents hesitantly. ?The pair hid among the lavender bushes, near the very same spot Gwyndolyn had discussed Feraan with her. ?But that seemed ages ago, and now her parents had noticed her and fallen silent. ?She took one look at Eviat and despite his recent recovery, saw that he was still quite weak. ?She looked away and decided news of wartime would not be suitable for him.

  "Mother, may I speak privately with you?"

  Sylaera, confused but obliging, followed Caelfel to her room. Without a word, Caelfel showed her mother the scroll the royal courier gave her. ?It did not take long for her to read it.

  "He cannot go to war!" Sylaera hissed venomously. ?"He's only just survived that damn hunting party. ?The empire just tried to murder him and now they want him to fight-"

  "I've volunteered to go," Caelfel interrupted before Sylaera could finish her tirade. ?

  Her mother was stunned. ?"You volunteered?"

  "Yes, and I'm supposed to meet them in the meadow in thirty minutes. I don't know how long I'll be gone."

  "You did not need to, Caelfel. ?They're merely gathering volunteers. ?This isn't a draft. ?This is only an investigative recruitment."

  "I want to go," Caelfel insisted. ?"I've always wanted to fight in battles as a battlemage, but I can't do that now. ?A ranger, though? ?I can be the perfect archer. ?I already am." ?

  Sylaera looked doubtful. ?"Your father will not be pleased."

  "Then don't tell him I'm going. ?Say nothing about it at all."

  "He will notice your absence, especially if you don't return to us." ?She arched an eyebrow, glaring quite pointedly.

  "If it turns into a war, then tell him once I've already gone. ?Tell him it was what I wanted."

  "What about Feraan?" Sylaera asked. ?

  Caelfel's shoulders shifted uncomfortably. ?"I will tell Feraan myself."

  She packed her things quickly, kissed her mother on the cheek, and soon stood before Feraan's door with time to spare. ?She knocked, and he answered shortly.

  "It seems as though Macha's army might be more dangerous than you had thought," she said, shoving the scroll into his hands.

  "It's a preemptive measure," he said after reading it. ?"It's only natural for the empire to meet an army gathering at their borders. ?It doesn't necessarily mean war."

  "They have an army, we have an army. ?I'm not going to ignore the inevitable."

  "No, but is Eviat going?"

  "No, but-"

  "Then there is nothing to worry about. ?It's a voluntary recruitment, not a draft."

  Caelfel exhaled through her nostrils impatiently. ?"You are not listening."

  "There is nothing to listen to. ?You're safe. ?And as long as you're safe, you have no business here," he said. ?Caelfel's twitching stomach froze, and the weight felt too much for her knees. />
  "What do you mean?" ?Her voice sounded hollow and distant to her own ears.

  "I've helped save your father and yourself many times. ?Don't you think that settles my life debt to you?"

  "Your life debt?"

  "Don't you remember saving me from the forest and being called to trial for it?"

  "Of course I do."

  "Then wouldn't you agree I've done plenty for you in return?"

  Caelfel gaped at him. ?"Well, yes. ?I don't understand what you mean."

  "I was always alone before you picked me up from the forest. ?Since then, I haven't been. ?I'd like to return to that. ?I want to be alone."

  Caelfel's mind reared about wildly. ?"But I thought-"

  "I don't need you. ?I've spent enough of my time taking care of you."

  "But we went to the festival together-" ?But Caelfel couldn't muster the heart to finish her thoughts.

  "You insisted on going to the festival, like a child, and it was you who picked me for the Victory Dance." ?

  Caelfel searched desperately for the words that would bring sense to his but she was left fighting to swallow air. ?"Do you not like me?" she asked. ?

  Feraan smiled, but Caelfel could not read its intention. ?"If you truly care enough about my opinion of you, then you will stay away from me, because I do not want you."

  Caelfel couldn't respond; she didn't know how to. ?He stepped closer, his face much kinder than his cold manner and words. ?She managed, "This isn't about the debt."

  "No, you're right. ?The life debt is my own pathetic excuse, but, Caelfel," he began uneasily. ?"I have decided I don't want what's between us. ?It's not a lifestyle for me to settle down."

  "I never asked you to settle down. ?I want to go places."

  "And I don't want to be responsible for you. ?You're like an infant, always need watching, saving, or protecting. ?I'm tired of it."

  "I'm not like that," Caelfel protested, hurt that he thought her so immature. ?"What has suddenly changed with you? Why are you so different now?"

  "I'm not different. ?Only, I've had a realization. ?I don't want to dedicate the rest of my life to looking after you-"

  "I'm not a child!" Caelfel hissed, face turning red as something hot dangerously pricked at her eyes. ?

  Feraan checked himself. ?"You still have some aging to do," he pointed out. ?"But I'm incapable of making you happy. I'm too different and I've never had that sort of companionship before. ?I don't want to. ?It puts you at danger and makes me unhappy. ?I'm sorry. ?I don't want to see you anymore. ?Return to your home, spend time with your family, and forget about that desert army." ?Feraan's voice had become threateningly low, as if he were warning her of something.

  But Caelfel's chest felt like it was shattering, and it took a great deal of effort to draw breath. ?So she heeded no such warning. ?She was hurting and breaking, crumbling before him. ?Her wide eyes must have shown this, because, as if from mercy, Feraan touched his forehead to hers. ?She thought the gesture must have meant he didn't mean what he said, but his next words were not so comforting.

  "I'm sorry. ?I know this must hurt you, but I cannot continue caring for you. ?Feel free to pursue someone else."

  Caelfel's throat tightened, and her breathing became even more difficult. ?"But I don't want anyone else," she managed breathlessly.

  "Then perhaps someone else will want you."

  "And you?" she shot back angrily, glaring at him. ?It was much easier to be angry than sad. ?She had been sad too much as of late.

  "Remember the other night? ?Remember what I said after?"

  "No," she said darkly.

  "Remember it. ?Remember it like I do."

  Caelfel shook her head with a single, violent movement. ?She didn't understand what Feraan meant nor did she want to. ?She stepped back from him, understanding only one thing.

  He didn't want her. ?He didn't love her. ?And though he never said it, she was nearly sure he had. ?She knew she loved him. ?But that didn't matter now.

  "Goodbye then? ?Forever?" she asked bitterly. ?

  He smiled, sadly, regretfully, or perhaps spitefully, and didn't answer her question. ?"Forget about the desert army," he reminded her as she bounded down the front steps.

  "Not likely," she muttered under her breath. ?

  She left for the meadow, seeing all sorts of elves streaming along with her. ?She caught sight of Garvanna and Markis. ?Caelfel wondered what assignments they were called for. ?She would have asked Garvanna, but the royal courier with the blond braid raised his hand and called for the archers. ?Caelfel went toward him as another asked for battlemages. ?She glanced over her shoulder to see Garvanna moving toward the battlemage line.

  There were two others in the group of archers from Sal'Sumarathar, one of them Winwaloe, and Caelfel remembered him from the hunting party and the college exams. ?She kept watching for Markis from the corner of her eye. ?He floated about from group to group, as if everything was under his charge. ?The idea made Caelfel's stomach turn.

  "My name is Sanddef, and I am the Captain of Archers. ?I am the commanding officer you will report to. ?We of the Royal Militia and the honorable Empress Haelyn appreciate your contributions to the Imperial Army and whatever else you may sacrifice."

  Captain Sanddef paused, as if waiting for questions. ?When none were asked, he continued.

  "A military threat has been seen approaching our borders. ?We know not what this threat wants or hopes to achieve. Your commanding officers suspect they are not here for simple negotiations. ?The plan will be to confront them at the treeline border in the shadow of the mountain. ?We will raise the white flag and demand their purpose. ?If a settlement cannot be reached, we will engage them in battle and we will win."

  Caelfel swallowed, her throat feeling immensely dry, and could not bring herself to question Captain Sanddef's confidence in their victory. ?He simply flashed them a brilliant smile and instructed them to mount their horses and to ride for the border.

  "A camp is being prepared for our small outfit at this moment. ?We shall not be away for long. ?This engagement should not last a week. ?When we arrive, you will be sent to the smith to be fitted for your new imperial armor. ?We ride with our divisions, the archers behind the swordsmen and battlemages. ?The healers are behind us. Tomorrow begins your training."

  Caelfel called Rowan and saw her sunbathing at a distance. ?Beside her was the dark stallion Firnis. ?Caelfel stared at the pair as her fingers turned cold and something caught in her throat. ?She coughed to clear the feeling and whistled for Rowan once more. ?The mare trotted up to her faithfully, and Caelfel saddled her, preparing to join the line. ?"We're going to be in battles now, Rowan," Caelfel murmured excitedly.

  The mare, not moved by her feigned excitement, only snorted. ??Caelfel looked up to see Garvanna mounting her own dark bay horse nearby. ?She neared them cautiously, adjusting Rowan's reigns.

  "What is his name?" Caelfel asked. ?

  Garvanna peeked at her sideways. ?"Nerium."

  "He is beautiful."

  "He was my mother's. ?She gave him to me so I could go to Yamalvon?and the other cities to study magic at their colleges, before Amasel was destroyed." ?

  Caelfel blinked, realizing that leaving Amasel had probably saved Garvanna's life, though she would probably never accept the truth of her family's death.

  They rode, heading southwest. ?Caelfel was behind Winwaloe and the other archer the entire way and she concentrated on keeping speed to prevent her mind from wandering. ?She wasn't sure how long they had been riding, but darkness had fallen by the time they stopped the procession of volunteers in the designated glen. ?She dismounted with the others, and there was a deep soreness in her legs. ?She was tired, but as promised, Sanddef urged them to the blacksmith tent. ?She waited in line to have her measurements taken.

  The blacksmith was a she-elf who introduced herself as Adar. ?Her fumbling apprentice was an elf called Olwen. ?She turned Caelfel this way and that with quick movements, measur
ing her sizes with her eye and bits of string she threw at Olwen for cataloging.

  "Your name?"

  "Caelfel Gyssedlues," Caelfel said, holding her arms out.

  "Good name for an archer. ?Do you know Sylaera?" Adar asked, stretching the string from Caelfel's underarm to her waist.

  "She's my mother. ?How do you know her?" ?

  Adar froze, then barked at Olwen to write something down. ?"Have you ever worn armor before?" she asked, either ignoring or avoiding Caelfel's question.

  "No."

  "As an archer, you will be given standard issue leather. ?How does that sound?"

  "That's fine," Caelfel answered uncertainly. ?"Where do you get your leather from?"

  "The militia tanners provide it for me. ?If there will be no further questions, you are free to go. ?Your armor and a new set of arrows will be delivered to you by morning."

  "Will you not sleep?" Caelfel asked, astonished.

  Adar offered a thin smile. ?"I have an army to arm and protect. ?Sleep can come later."

  She next met Captain Sanddef with six other archers, the two from Sal'Sumarathar, three archers from Yamalvon, and one from Rasaen.

  "As archers, you will sleep in hammocks among the trees. ?There are seven of you, so space yourselves out around the clearing. ?Once you've set up your hammock, you may sleep. ?Training begins at dawn. ?I recommend that you get to know each other. ?If this threat becomes real, you will have to depend on one other. ?Sleep well, archers."

  "Where will you sleep?" Caelfel asked.

  "In the Captain's quarters, of course," Sanddef answered. ?

  No one else commented, merely giving Caelfel odd looks until she turned her gaze to the ground.

  "Get to know each other then?" one of the she-elves offered brightly when Sanddef left them. ?"I'm F?dla from Yamalvon."

  "Winwaloe from Sal'Sumarathar," said Winwaloe.

  "Caelfel, also from Sal'Sumarathar." ?

  But the other archers became impatient and wandered off to claim a tree, except Winwaloe, F?dla, and the silent elf from Rasaen.

  "What's your name?" F?dla asked him. ?

  He looked at the three of them, eyes resting on Caelfel. ?"Galath." ?He pointed at her. ?"You're not very old, are you?" he asked.

  Caelfel's face burned, and she didn't know if she should be timid or angry. ?"I'm seventy-six," she answered quietly.

  "I ask because I am the youngest of my city. ?I am only sixty-three." ?

  The instant relief she felt surprised Caelfel. ?"How can you tell I'm so young?" she asked. ?

  Galath offered a noncommittal shrug. ?"It's something you notice. ?At least now you know you are not the youngest of Honey Water."

  She smiled at him. ?"If it helps, you do not look so young to me."

  F?dla shifted as a small breeze blew through the encampment. ?"Shall we find our trees?" she asked. ?

  Everyone nodded in agreement and scattered to find a tree. ?Caelfel picked one she thought closest to the border and after she set up her hammock, she climbed to the topmost branches to try to see the desert army. ?When she reached the thin branches in the crown, she could pick out the army's campfires twinkling at the base of the Baetic Mountains that rose above the Fey Forest. ?Her nerves quivered at the sight of the dormant camp of soldiers she may soon be fighting. ?She had never seen an army, save for the Sal'Sumarathar militia.

  Then a ruffle of feathers and leaves interrupted the silence of the forest. ?Caelfel adjusted her footing and watched as a black mess of feathers flew from the grasp of the trees and soared as high as the peak of the mountain. ?Caelfel thought back to the previous evening and wondered if the bird was Macha, the werebird who had first brought news of the army. ?A thought crossed Caelfel's mind, and it suggested that Macha had divulged more to Feraan than he initially led her to believe. ?Perhaps it was at Macha's word that turned Feraan so suddenly cold.

  Caelfel shivered as an unseasonable wind whistled through the trees. ?She decided to return to the forest floor and her hammock for the night.