"This is Ullin Saheed, House of Fairoak, House of Tallin."
"The Joined House of Fairoak and Tallin. I know of it. Many Fairoaks have been my friends, though it is a long time since their lands were given up. Tallin was a great lord of Men, and I recall his defiance, both in battle and, later, in the courts of Duinnor. A general who led his forces at their front. I heard that when the Fairoak lands were lost, Lord Tallin took his family back to their old lands in the east. It is a place nearby, I think."
"He is my grandfather. Tallinvale is some days ride from here."
"Hm-m," she nodded. "Then perhaps I have seen you before, too. I was told that Tallin Kingsmen are first among those sent by Duinnor to fight the Dragonkind. The honor of doing so is only given to the mighty, or to those Duinnor fears. It may be that we have fought together? Upon Tamkal Plain? Or perhaps at the Battle of Saerdulin?"
"I am not Elifaen, and those battles were before my time."
"Oh, well, there have been more recent battles. Garmitor. The Green Citadel."
"I fought at Garmitor. My father was at the second siege of the Green Citadel and died near a place called Peldown."
"Ah, the Gory Gulch," she said, and a cloud crossed her face. "I was not there. Many of our kin rest forever in that place."
During this time, the two who were still mounted put away their arrows, though they remained wary. After a long pause, the lady looked at Eldwin, then at Herbert. Addressing them all, she said, "My name is Esildre, of the House of Elmwood. We are in the northlands of Vanara."
"I have traveled through that country," Ullin nodded, "and have seen the great trees that grow there. And I have passed through the Valley of Dreams and visited the Temple of Beleron there. It is a beautiful land, and its people no less than the land."
"My father retains extensive lands there," she said, "but my relations are mostly in lower Vanara. I, myself, reside in northernmost Vanara, near the border of Duinnor."
She smiled and turned to Eldwin, reaching out her hand.
"I am pleased to see you, Eldwin. I think you have much to tell me, as you had the first and second times we saw each other."
Eldwin blushed and took her hand meekly and bowed.
"I do, Lady. Yer comin' is as ye foretold, an' those things ye divined have come to pass."
"Are they? But you do not seem happy. Tell me, is there trouble among your people?"
Eldwin shook his head, glancing at Ullin, and then nodded, struggling for words. Ullin looked on, sensing the many emotions stirring within himself and within those around him. She was beautiful, and, like Sheila, was feminine in spite of her manner of dress. But Esildre sought not to hide her qualities. And everything about her—the sensual cast of her armor, the movement of her head and arms, her poise and enigmatic smile, everything—was feminine with a natural air of confidence. Ullin felt an unexpected pang in his heart when she turned her veil his way, but, at the same time, he felt an unimaginable gulf between them. He wondered if she might be one of the First Ones who once soared lithely through the air and who later felt the wings torn from her body. One who saw the departure of Aperion and a host of her own kind, trapped ever since in a spiral of violence, steeped in melancholia alien to her fiber yet now the ruling stars of her long life. How much of the Faere was still within her? And how much of the Elifaen might she be? Ullin had seen the Elifaen in battle. Their blood ran as red as that of Men, and yet when in the pitch of the fight they fought with a viciousness and cold cunning that made one wonder if ever they had a heart. But, no. He had also seen the Elifaen in sorrow. Their tears ran as hot and their anguish as deep, perhaps deeper, than any Man. Ullin wondered how, after such losses, they found the heart to grip the hilt or pull the bowstring. Having lived among them for so long, as close relations and as comrades, Ullin was no closer to any such answer. His grandfather could perhaps tell him. Or Mirabella, who was one of them. Or Ashlord. Perhaps, as a Dragonkind once said, they lost their heart with their wings. Shaking himself, he interrupted Eldwin's stammer.
"Lady Esildre," he said, not without some wavering in his voice, incongruously wishing he could glimpse behind the veil that shrouded her eyes. One can tell so much from the eyes, he thought as he spoke. "Lady Esildre, these woods are not safe," he stated. "I beg you come away from here and join us in Eldwin's town."
She smiled and looked around at the other Nowhereans who quietly stood by. She then looked into the trees beyond them and up onto the hills around.
"I see that I am not the only source of your fear," she observed. "Take me to the treasure of Tulith Attis. First, let me look upon it. Then we shall speak."
• • •
It was in complete and eerie silence that they entered the Foyer, with Eldwin leading Esildre, and the other Nowhereans following. As Esildre passed through, she turned her head and looked across the room at Robby who was examining his maps. Raising his head at the procession, he caught her veiled gaze as she moved lightly along. Just before she disappeared into the passage leading to the Treasure Room, she turned from Robby and looked at Ashlord, giving a slight nod to his bow. When she had gone, Robby pushed back his chair and stood at his table, somewhat shaken.
"It appears as though, but for my refusal of the Treasure, all of the curses may soon be broken," Ullin said, coming over to Robby.
"Is that her? The lady of their tales?"
"Why, she's the very image of Sheila!" Billy whispered, standing close to Robby. "Only, well, not."
Ullin nodded and told them her name and how they came along the Toll Road from across the bridge.
"Ashlord, do you know her?"
"I have seen her once before. Long ago. But I only know her by reputation. My associate in Duinnor knows her quite well, though, and he has told me somewhat about her. Like Lyrium, she has long been a recluse. That she is traveling in the open world..." Ashlord's voice trailed off as he scratched his chin. "First Lyrium. And now Esildre." He shook himself. "Like all her kind, she is not to be trifled with."
"Reputation?" Billy asked. "What reputation?"
"I cannot tell you now, if you do not already know. But I beg you all to speak no more than you must. Her House is closely allied with Duinnor. Her father is Lord Banis, one of the most powerful in Duinnor, second only to the King, though I understand she and her father are estranged. At any rate, do not allow yourself to be alone with her."
"Of, course! Lord Banis!" Ullin declared. "Who has not heard of him!"
"Me, for one!" snorted Billy.
"And me, for two. Will she lift her curse from the Nowhereans?" Robby asked.
Ullin shrugged. "I don't know. She seems to have chosen Eldwin to speak for his people. I am sure he will ask her about it."
At this time the Elders began emerging from the passageway and leaving the caves. They looked subdued and worried. Millithorpe broke away from them and came over to Robby.
"She dismisses all of us, save Eldwin. She wishes to speak with him alone. She tells us to assemble our people and wait for her in the town. But she asks that you and your companions remain here so that she may speak with you before she comes to us."
Millithorpe then departed with the others just as Sheila and Ibin arrived bringing the horses and all of their belongings. In addition to returning the things taken for the fine, the Nowhereans also gave them fresh provisions of hard cheese and flour, dried fruits, nuts, and a sack of fresh-picked apples. They had been especially generous since Ibin and Sheila had given them so many new songs.
"I heard there were visitors from the west," Sheila said when she entered, gesturing at Esildre's escorts at the entrance. She saw the pensive expressions of her companions, and when she was told who had arrived, she grew just as concerned as they. While they waited for Esildre's return, they talked of their preparations to leave, and Ullin told them about the bridge at the gorge while Ibin softly plucked the mandolin. Robby sat back down, but, instead of looking at the maps, he tapped his pencil to Ibin's tune and listened as A
shlord spoke about the region ahead of them.
"Beyond the gorge are two or three days of travel to the Plains of Bletharn," Ashlord said. "Between here and there, it is a thick forest, mostly uninhabited, I think. Where the mountains end, there is a road that reaches north and south along this side of the Missenflo. If I'm not too far off, we should reach our crossing on the third day out from here, where the Missenflo's waters are broad and shallow. It has been a fording place for so many years that its bottom was paved in the last age. There once was much more traffic that way, but for many years, now, most travelers have chosen a more northern route. But just north of the river crossing sits Tulith Morgair, Robby, and it overlooks the ford. And, beyond the river stretch out the plains."
Robby nodded and was about to say something, but seeing Esildre and Eldwin emerge from the passageway, he stood. The others stood, too, and bowed. Esildre turned to Eldwin and took his hand, giving him a little smile.
"Leave us, now, dear Eldwin. Await with the others. I promise I will consider what you have told me, but no other promise do I make."
"I thank ye," he bowed. And to Robby, he said, "By yer leave, sir."
"By all means. I will see you before we depart."
They watched Eldwin go, then Esildre turned to the group, looking at each in turn. She seemed as if she was about to speak to Sheila, but she suddenly turned to Ashlord.
"Collandoth, you are called among my kind."
"That is so."
"There are many stories attached to your name."
"And to yours, Esildre, Lady of Elmwood."
"It is said you are a Watcher and, as well, that you have been counsel to many of the high and the mighty, both Men and Elifaen. Is it true, that you were even an envoy to the Palace of the Sun?"
"All that was long ago."
"They say the women of the Dragonkind are as beautiful as they are fierce, and that few can resist their charms."
"Beautiful, indeed. And as fierce as any woman may be who has something to be fierce about. But the few I was privileged to know were gentle, and they were as concerned with their households and their arts as any woman elsewhere, I would say."
"It is strange to hear you speak of privilege and gentleness where it concerns the race that has brought so much pain and suffering into the world."
"Aperion is wise, Lady, as is his Creator. Surely, you need little reminding that it was not the Dragonkind who caused the Fall, nor they who first gave offense. The entire sufferings of the world cannot be blamed upon them." Ashlord sensed that he was too sharp and added, "Besides, it was a time of peace when I was there."
"Peace! A thing seldom seen. And the chill in my bones tells me that less will be seen in the days that come. Perhaps you feel it, too?"
Ashlord did not answer.
"There are rumors," she went on, looking at Robby, "spoken in the courts of Duinnor, of a new power arising in the east. Of old prophecies coming to pass, bringing change. Those who watch the heavens say Aperion stirs from his abode. Some say that the growing might of the Redvests is the power foretold. But others say elsewise. Some even whisper that a new king comes forth. Naturally, all these rumors make Duinnor wary, and the people are unsettled."
Robby remained expressionless, and none of the others spoke or took their eyes from her.
"And even though the frontiers of southern Vanara are quiet, and few Dragonkind stir," she went on. "My people grow nervous, too. It is as when the air grows still before a coming storm. Might it come from the south, I wonder? Or from the east?"
"From both, I fear," said Ashlord, "for the powers of the southeast will soon be joined to those of the southwest. The Tracian leadership, it seems, has made some pact with the Dragonlands. They gather their forces against Masurthia and Altoria as we speak. The Damar are now the servants of Tracia, and in the middle Eastlands between Glareth and Tracia, only Tallinvale stands, cut off on all sides."
"Tallinvale," she stated. To Ullin, she turned. "Your home. Knowing these things, you leave there?"
"Our hope is to arouse Duinnor," Ullin replied.
"Arouse Duinnor? Duinnor is as a person in a deep but restless sleep. It will take a great shaking, indeed, to wake Duinnor to any threat. But is that not what Vanara is for? To thwart any advance from the south? And has not Vanara always done so?"
"Yet that's our task," Billy said, somewhat defiantly.
"I see. And something more, too. Why else would such an odd company travel together? A Kingsman, a Melnari, three boys and a girl? And if it is Duinnor that you go to, why do you take this way, through the land of your enemies?"
"We take the only way open to us," said Robby. "And our business with Duinnor is just so."
"Ah," Esildre nodded. "You do not trust me. And why should you? These little people fear me, too. But look at them. They have overcome the hardships laid upon them and have turned their curses into blessings. Because they could not leave, they made an inhospitable land into a place that would be the envy of many. Because they were made small, their needs are smaller. And yet notice you their vigor? It is the match of any three times their size. Even the shunning that came about because of their early misguided ways of thieving has now given them peace from others, and their way of moving, a surprise even to me, is a gift to them. Yes, they fear me. And they fear you, too. Who are we to take these things away from them?"
"They should be given a chance in the world," Sheila said. "Whether they leave or stay should be their decision." Sheila glanced sharply at Ullin.
"Perhaps," Esildre replied, looking at Ullin, too. "Eldwin told me of the return of the Treasure to the heir. Of his refusal until certain conditions are met. Perhaps your decision was wise, Ullin Saheed, and not for the reasons you had in mind. The choice will indeed be theirs, and a serious matter to decide. Whether to leave, and, if so, where to go, east or west? If they do as you say, their effort may teach them much they have not already learned. On the other hand, if they do not go to the aid of Tallinvale, but choose instead to abandon these lands, their way of life will be unmade. Who can say what evil they may set their hearts upon?"
"Evil? Why do you speak of these people so?" Sheila asked.
"Yes, if they fall away from their ways, from this land that holds them to their ways and the fates that brought them here. For I cannot take away the gift of movement their Elders possess. They will have the ability to travel easily and quickly throughout the world. No land will be closed to them. Great things they may do, if they choose, in darkness or in light. Yes, wise, Ullin. And a great risk, too, for who can resist mighty power? And who may resist the corruption that such power brings?"
She let that sink in for a few moments.
"For my part, I will tell you why I come this way, and perhaps you will tell me how you came to be here, too?"
They looked at each other, nodding reluctantly, mindful of Ashlord's words.
"We shall let Ashlord speak for us," said Robby, "but we would indeed like to hear of your travels. There is some fine beer here in this keg, and I'm sure Ibin would be glad to hoist it to the table and twist the tap, if you'd care to have some."
"Beer, oh my, yes."
"OhI'll, I'll, I'lldothat," Ibin said, nearly throwing down his mandolin and rushing over. Perhaps he did not understand all their talk, or if he did he found it somewhat distant, but he understood good hospitality, and he especially understood good beer.
"Maybe ye'd like to sit a spell?" Billy asked, trying to be cordial and putting a blanket down on a crate for her. "An' d'ye reckon yer two fellers would like a sip?"
"Most surely they would."
"Then I'll fetch them."
"They will not join us. They will remain just outside, vigilant as they always are. And do not be offended if they do not speak," she said. "They seldom do. A nod from them is as good as a tale."
"Alrighty," Billy shrugged, taking two tankards from Ibin. "Then I'll hand 'em these an' be right back."
Esildre took off her cl
oak and undid her straps and light armor, and slid out of them, revealing much more of her feminine shape than any expected to see, barely hidden under a short, tight-fitting bodice, the drawstrings of which she loosened for further comfort. She wore no other clothing below her breasts and above her low, narrow breechcloth, black and crimson-edged that draped over leather leggings. But around the narrows of her waist was a thin gold chain, glittering against her tan skin as she moved in the lamplight. Whether she was conscious of her beauty's effect upon the males present or simply immodest, she gave no sign and was, regardless, very comfortable with herself.
"There! That's better, and thank you." She accepted a tankard from Ibin. She took a drink, then another deeper draught. "Mmm. Men make such rich beer! Not like the airy stuff we call beer. Well, I suppose I'll speak first."
She took another drink and sat down on the crates and pulled one leg up under her, and leaned back on one arm while she held the tankard with the other.
"Great stars!" Ullin muttered softly, closing his eyes and raising his eyebrows with a little shake of his head.
Billy struggled to close his mouth, failed, and at last did so with an audible clop. He hurried to the opening, and, while looking over his shoulder at her, he shoved the tankards into the hands of her escorts, and fairly rushed back in, stumbling into a seat, hardly taking his eyes from Esildre for even a moment.
"A very long time ago," she said, "I withdrew from the world, to live privately and in my own way. I remained somewhat ignorant of the happenings of the world, and for a long time dismissed the stirrings that I felt. But, many months ago, I received a message from an old friend, begging me to visit him in Duinnor to discuss matters that are private between us. I was reluctant, for I have no love of that place. And though it was not the first invitation I had received from him, I could refuse no longer. So I traveled there to abide for a time. I learned much and saw much. The might and power of Duinnor and the changes wrought in that realm since I was last there are profound. My father, who holds a position of authority there, is now at the center of this power, though I did not wish to see him or for him to know that I was there. We are not close, as a father and daughter should be. I will not explain why."
The Nature of a Curse (Volume 2 of the Year of the Red Door) Page 50
