Archer of the Lake
Page 35
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Feraan thought it was extraordinarily opportune, though he did not expect it, for the elvish army to attack when they did. ?They distracted Grimault's soldiers from the fight in the castle and secured Feraan's and Caelfel's safety. ?Feraan had to admit to himself that if Sylaera had not brought down the doors of the castle, he was not sure if he or Caelfel would have made it back to Sal'Sumarathar.
But going back was another matter that Feraan was not inclined to concern himself with. ?The present focus was to ensure Caelfel's health returned to normal, and he personally saw to that. ?He saw the questions in her eyes but he chose to avoid them, at least until he had made up his own mind. ?He did not know what would happen when they left fortress.
Caelfel had fallen asleep again when Eviat approached him. ?Despite the greyling's near death experience only days before, Caelfel's father had insisted on accompanying the rescue mission for Caelfel. ?He looked troubled as he struggled to relay a message to Feraan.
"The sorcerer that took her," Eviat began. ?"He's still alive. ?Markis and Blaes wanted your opinion on him." ?Feraan nodded, irritated that a spell that took so much out of him did not even manage to kill Lisiek.
"I'll be there shortly."
Eviat left, and Feraan scanned the room to find someone he could trust to watch over Caelfel. ?When he did not immediately see her parents, his eyes fell on Galath, and he beckoned the boy to him.
"Watch over her, please. ?Don't let anyone except her parents get too close. ?I mean that."
Galath crouched over Caelfel, looking surprised. ?"Why trust me with her?"
"I trust you because you wanted to find her first, and you gathered the army to attack the fortress. ?Because of that, I trust you with her more than anyone else in this room." ?As Feraan walked away, a notion crossed his thoughts, and he considered that he might accept Galath as his replacement in Caelfel's life. ?But Feraan did not want to think of being replaced. ?Not yet, anyway.
As promised, Lisiek was still alive, sitting and blinking between Blaes and Markis. ?Feraan wondered at Markis being there, since he had never showed interest in protecting another elf before, least of all Caelfel.
"What should we do with him?" Markis asked, grinning cheerfully. ?His expression didn't suit the occasion.
"You're asking me?"
"You were the one to fight him. ?You know his capabilities the best out of all us."
"What are his choices?" Feraan asked. ?
Blaes answered him this time. ?"He will face execution or he will be interrogated and allowed to make a case for himself."
"The latter seems rather generous, given the first option," Feraan commented.
"Interrogation is not exclusive to torture, and no matter what case he presents, he is all but ensured an execution."
"So what will it be?" Lisiek asked, and Feraan crouched in front of him. ?"You left a pretty good mark on me," Lisiek noted, indicating the large scorch mark on his chest.
"I'm afraid it wasn't good enough. ?I would kill you right now with my own hands for what you've done."
Lisiek laughed, and Feraan hated him for it. ?"Caelfel wouldn't want that. ?She doesn't like it when you threaten people, much less kill them."
Feraan glared, all but willing Lisiek's own aura to turn him into ash. ?"Don't say her name."
Lisiek whistled sharply through pursed lips. ?"You don't like that. ?You probably won't like the present I left on her side. ?I was only thinking of you."
Feraan's mind went to the new scars on Caelfel's hip, and he straightened. ?"General Blaes, if you can guarantee his torture, you may interrogate him before his execution."