The Silver Quarrel 7/9

[skieblue]

Chapter Nineteen


Awaking as the sun shone through the bars of the high tower window, Aravan lay flat on his back, attempting to stretch out a little, and winced with pain as the bars along the bottom of the cage pressed into the welts on his back. Now, sitting up and looking about the small, rounded chamber, he noted that the dark weapons still lay upon the same table they had fallen to some days past. What could be this dark power Dantor is taunting? thought Aravan. Now looking to the end of the table, he noticed his spear, Krystallopyr, leaning against the wall.

Feeling about his cage, Aravan found nought but rotting straw, his feed bowl, and nothing else. All that was left on his person were his pants and his necklace. Now fingering the stone about his neck, Aravan wondered why the Mage had not taken it as he had done his weapons and meager possessions. Holding the small stone in his hand, Aravan felt its coolness and wondered if he would live to see the day that the stone once again grew warm.

As he sat wondering at his fate, the heavy wooden door to the room began to open. Groaning on its three large hinges, the door laboriously opened as two Loka entered the room, they to be followed by the Dark Mage. The Loka performed their daily routine of doling out the prisoner's daily ration of gruel. After they had finished, Dantor, speaking in Sluk, issued a few harsh commands to the two ere they left the room. And nodding assent, the Loka hurried from the room, hurrying to complete their master's commands.

Leaning against the weapon laden table, Dantor fixed the Elf with a wicked glare, then said, "I know your friends come for you. I have felt them delving my spy's mind in search of my identity. They travel with a large army of Dwarves, their number some one-hundred-fifty. That force is but a mere pittance of the force at my command." The Mage's lips curled into a cruel sneer as he spoke.

Now turning to the table and drawing up the dark, longsword laying there, he turned back to face Aravan, then addressed him once more. "Tell me, Elf, what know you of this sword's companion?"

Aravan said nought.

"Ah, tight-lipped again, I see," said Dantor. "Well, I figured as much. It is no moment whether you tell me or not. You see, I understand the workings of these dark weapons. I understand the power hidden within each of them and how to wield that power. You see, to exploit the power hidden within each of these weapons, I merely need its opposite."

Aravan now spoke. "Be that as it may, Dantor. Thou do not have in thy possession any weapons to match the dark ones."

The Mage now displayed a wicked grin as he began to chuckle, then said, "Oh, my poor friend, think you that I do not have any light weapons to match those of dark? Do you really think I would go to all the trouble of tracking down these weapons and bringing them to my lair if I had not one single mate to these Dark Weapons?" Now laughing out loud, the Mage, turning and placing the sword back among the jumble of weapons upon the table, strode across the room and stepped to a closet a few feet to the right of the table. And opening one of its doors, Dantor removed something from the closet.

Aravan, sitting in his cage and looking at the Mage's back, drew in a sharp breath as the Mage turned and displayed the weapon he held in his hands. Looking from the weapon the Mage now held and to his own spear leaning against the wall, Aravan felt a sudden sinking in his spirit.

Noticing the Elf's chagrin, Dantor, now laughing hard, said, "Have I no mates for the Dark Weapons?" Stepping closer to the cage and bending down a bit, holding the dark spear out in front of him, Dantor said, "What, my pathetic friend, do you think this is? Does it not match your own weapon?"

Aravan, now looking away from the Mage, closed his eyes and silently cursed himself for having been captured. As he did so, he swore that, should he escape this nightmare, the Elfess that had befriended him and then brought about his capture would feel the lethal fire of his spear.

Now, standing up straight with spear in hand, Dantor, with a malevolent look on his face, said, "Pah! You Elves thinks yourselves above all other life forms on Mithgar." Turning and walking back to the table, Dantor laid the spear down on the table. Then, turning to face Aravan once more, Dantor said, "Why your very presence here in this chamber proves that even the fair Elven folk are not above the keen knowledge and power of one such as I. Do you really think your friends and their paltry escort of Dwarves are a match for my power?"

Stepping closer to the cage, Dantor, with the glint of dark fire and evil in his eyes, leered down at the Elf, then said, "Know you this, Elf: If your friends do come to my lair, and I'm sure they will, they too shall be caged as you are and made to witness the awesome power that shall be released upon Mithgar."

As Dantor was speaking, the door to the chamber opened. A Lok, holding a chain connected to a leather and steel manacle fastened around the neck of a man, entered the chamber. The man, upon seeing Dantor, spat at the Dark Mage and cursed him. Dantor merely laughed as the Lok fastened the chain to a small steel hoop bolted to the wall. As the Lok exited the room, Dantor turned once more to the table and took up the dark spear. Now, turning and walking toward where the man was chained, Dantor inserted the butt of the spear into one of two small holes in the floor.

Turning to face Aravan once more, Dantor said, "Now, Elf, you shall witness a small measure of the power contained within these weapons." Turning and walking to where Aravan's spear was resting against the wall, Dantor picked up the weapon and walked back to where the dark one stood. Then he placed Aravan's spear into the other hole, so that the two spears were positioned about ten inches apart and a slight aural glow emanated from them.

Standing with the two spears between himself and the man, Dantor turned his head to the left and looked at Aravan, then, with a look of pure evil upon his face, said, "Behold, Elf!" Dantor, now turning to face the two spears and raising his arms into the air, said, "Vida!" And the glow about the weapons turned from a soft radiance into an almost blinding, blue-green flame that pulsed as if alive.

Dantor once again turned to look at Aravan as a hideous laugh emitted from his demonic face. The blue-green, pulsing glare of the weapons gave his features an even more sinister look, and his laugh boomed and echoed in the small chamber. And the man chained to the wall cowered as the blaze beat down upon him.

"Prepare to witness the pureness of evil incarnate!" said Dantor. Then, raising his arms higher, fingers reaching to the heavens, Dantor said, "Rasgar!" A red-white blast lanced out from the two spears and into the man chained to the wall. As this happened, the man's flesh was rent from his body as the blast slammed into his chest, the small frame of the man to be thrown against the wall, then to land in a bloody mass upon the floor.

Now, as the red-white flame receded back into the two spears, the blue-green flame changed to a deep purple. As this happened, Dantor said, "De el Alma a Mi!" And the purple flame blasted into his own chest, the two spears once again to take on their pulsing blue green color, Dantor's body to become illuminated as if set to flame.

Aravan, sitting in his cage, a look of total revulsion and rage causing his facial features to become distorted, shouted, "Damn thee, Dantor! May Gyphon take thy soul!" Then, pressing his forehead to the bars of his cage and squeezing the bars so hard that his fingers turned pale, blood running from his damaged fingernails, Aravan looked at the Dark Mage and said, "You cowardly bastard! If ever I am loosed from this cage, thou shall feel the fire of my spear!"

Dantor, with popping and sissing all about his glowing body, looked at Aravan and laughed. The sound seemed to reverberate off the walls and ceiling as it grew louder and louder; so much so that Aravan clasped his hands to his ears for he could but barely endure the din.

Then, stepping to the small cage, Dantor looked down at the Elf and, in a booming voice that vibrated everything in the chamber, said, "You idiotic fool. If Gyphon should take my soul, I shall be overjoyed, for he is my master, and I would have it taken by none other."

Now, turning away from the cage, Dantor stepped to a window overlooking the cold, frozen scape stretching out below the castle, and looking once more to Aravan, Dantor, holding up his hands, said, "This is what awaits all that oppose me!" Extending his hands out before himself and toward the window opening, Dantor said, "Disparador!" As the words were uttered, a blinding flash of pure white light emitted from Dantor's hands, a blistering bolt of energy issuing out of the window and down to slam into the frozen surface below the castle. As the ice fractured and exploded under the immense pressure of the blast, tremors caused the very stones of the castle to tremble.

Dantor, the spectral glow now dissipated from his frame, turned to address Aravan once more, "So you see, my friend, I can harness the great power contained within these weapons. And that," Dantor said, pointing a slender, bony finger toward the bloody mass lying on the floor, "is the fate that awaits each of your would-be rescuers. The blast I sent out the window and into the ice below was but a small display of what awaits all others who would seek to oppose me."

Laughing once more, Dantor turned from the cage and pulled Aravan's spear from its hole in the floor, then placed it against the wall. Then he took up the other spear from its hole and placed it on the table. Turning to exit the room, Dantor laughed even louder as he said over his shoulder, "The next few days should prove to be very interesting. Very interesting indeed." And then, as the heavy wooden door slammed shut, Aravan was left alone with his rage and fury.


Chapter Twenty


While Dakkon slept he had many visions, none the least being about Kaelea, for the most part because of the words she had whispered to him in his sleep. Yet, like most times Dakkon slept, his dreams reverted to those of the day he had witnessed the cruel death of his family. This could awaken him from the deepest sleep.

Dakkon's eyes unblurred as he opened them. Then the sharp pain in his chest returned. A tear came to his eye when he thought of the dreams that had awoken him. Then, as he thought, he remember the dreams about Kaelea. He could he now think that she held ill intent, now that many auguries told otherwise? Yet in the back of his mind, Dakkon held a bit of doubt; some things about when they met just didn't fit to him. The thought had just occurred to him: She had asked why the party was near Gron, yet why was she near Gron? Dakkon felt weak, so he dismissed the thought saying that he would return to it some other time.

Dakkon looked up, despite the pain it caused in his shoulder. Vanidor was there tending his wounds, still thinking that Dakkon was asleep. Dakkon made his presence known by starting a conversation, "So, Alor Vanidor, will I yet live to fight again?"

Vanidor frowned. "Well, most likely thou shall not fight again. The shot to thy shoulder mostly caused that; even a small amount of pressure will put thee in a large amount of pain. Also, the shot to thy chest is weakening thee; it may eventually slay thee."

It was now Dakkon's turn to frown. "Most likely, I will have slain Dantor by then, and in turn, he will probably have slain me." Dakkon paused, then continued, "It is not mine own self I am worried about. It is Cordelia; she will be heart-broken. She was living off the thought that the vision of Dantor killing me could be reversed. I do not know how I can say this lightly to her. Vanidor, my friend, do thou have any ideas?"

Vanidor shook his head.

Dakkon pleaded, "Vanidor, please do not tell Cordelia. Leave that to me. And could thou please fetch Kaelea for me. I wish to speak to her."

Vanidor looked puzzled, but he thought better than to question Dakkon at this time.

Kaelea came to Dakkon, quite shaken by the look of her. Dakkon started, "Kaelea, I wish my sincere apology will be accepted. I do not expect thee to by the way I have acted. While I lay asleep I had many visions, some of which were about thee. I now see that I had judged thee even before I knew thee. I suppose it is because of my family."

Kaelea looked puzzled. "What about your family?"

Dakkon related the story of his family's death to Kaelea, choking back sobs every so often. "So, Kaelea, thou see when I meet a stranger in such a way as I met thee, I think that something awful will happen to the ones I know and love."

Kaelea nodded. "I am truly sorry about your family. Your apology is accepted."

Dakkon finished, "I thank thee, Kaelea. Will thou please fetch Cordelia? And prepare her for the worst."

Kaelea walked away toward Cordelia. Dakkon thought how he was going to tell Cordelia the truth.

Shortly after, Cordelia came and sat next to Dakkon. "You call for me, my friend."

Dakkon nodded and began, "Well, Cordelia, thou see everything has to change. From the smallest insect to the largest Dragon, everything changes. Some for the better, some for the worst. In this case, I tell thee for the worst."

Cordelia looked horrified, knowing the truth.

"Yes, Cordelia, it is true." Dakkon did not wish to speak the word death or anything of that sort, as if it would only make things worse. "The wound in my chest, according to Alor Vanidor, whom I hold much faith in, is weakening me everyday. And eventually will cause the inevitable. It may happen from Dantor or the wound. I cannot say."

"No," Cordelia said, beginning to cry.

Dakkon frowned. When he had brought up the vision, he could comfort her, and also it seemed himself. Yet now, there was nothing he could say that could make Cordelia think that there was a way he might yet live. Finally he thought it best to only try and ease the pain in Cordelia. There was no cure.

"Young one, I know thou feel that my death is thy fault. 'Tis not. The fault instead goes to the Rupt at the battle. It was not thee that shot the arrow. The man sent the Rupt, so therefore the fault goes to the man."

This helped Cordelia, yet not significantly.

Dakkon continued to try and comfort Cordelia. "I met a Drimm during my travels. He told me that once a person dies their spirit leaves their body and is reborn. Who knows, mayhap I will know thee in my next life."

This seemed to make matters worse. Dakkon wished he had not said it. He tried one more thing, hoping it would work. "Cordelia, before I met thee, I oft wondered why I was alive. I was only chasing the man and unsuccessful at that. Now, Cordelia, I have met thee, and I know what my life is for." Dakkon grinned at the girl.

Cordelia looked at Dakkon and smiled slightly through her tears. Then she stayed by him as the crusaders set about the task of breaking camp.


Chapter Twenty-one


The morning sun found the Drimm army, as well as the small group of Elves, Humans, and Warrows, preparing to travel once more. This day's travel should see them to the mouth of Jallor Pass and the departure of some one-hundred-thirty Drimm warriors.

By midday, the whole group had reached the point where the North Rimm River met the Argon. At this point, the Drimm, Elves, Humans, and Warrows stopped to take a small meal and rest the few horses traveling with them. Dakkon, having been placed on a horse-drawn travois, reeled between sleep and wake. During the times he was awake, Cordelia could be found, either walking on upon her horse, at his side. During the times Dakkon slept, Amalia and Cordelia were seen to walk or ride alongside each other.

As the group prepared to move once more, Vanidor and Kaje, having talked on the matter earlier with Vygon, rode on ahead of the group; they to act as forward watching for any Rupt that might be upon their path.

Now, riding a few miles ahead of the main group, Vanidor and Kaje came to the mouth of Jallor Pass, only to be confronted by a woeful sight. Rounding a stand of trees and coming to the sloping pathway leading up and over the Grimmwall Mountains, Vanidor and Kaje came upon the remnants of the other half of the Drimm army; these battle-worn and wounded.

Reining up their horses as they approached the lead of the army, Vanidor and Kaje asked for the captain of the contingent, as the whole of seventy some odd warriors stopped to look toward the two Elves.

Now, stepping to the fore, a badly wounded, haggard Dwarf addressed the two Elves. "Who would have his name?" asked the Drimm.

"I, Vanidor Silverbranch, Lain warrior and guardian of Arden Vale," said Vanidor. Then, indicating Kaje, Vanidor said, "This is Kaje, traveler of Mithgar and trainer at arms."

The Drimm, looking up at the two Elves and stroking his beard as if in thought, said, "I am Saule, son of Vygon."

At the mention of Vygon's name, Vanidor and Kaje looked at one other and smiled, then, turning back to the Drimm captain, Kaje said, "Saule, we bring good news. Thy sire, Vygon, was victorious in his chase and fight with the Rupt. We had thought ourselves besieged by the Foul Folk and heavily outnumbered. Yet, thy sire and his army took the foe from the rear and proved to be the deciding factor in the outcome of that fight."

Saule and the rest of the Drimm army thrust their axes to the sky and shouted, "Hai, Vygon! Chakka shok! Chakka cor!"

Lowering his axe and looking at the Elven riders, Saule said, "We, too, were victorious, yet we have paid a heavy price for such. When we set out, our numbers were some one-hundred-forty. Now, we number only seventy-two." Looking back over his shoulder at the remaining warriors, Saule said, "We have met the foe upon his own ground, and bested him as we could. After that dire battle, we deemed our next course of action would be that of returning unto our home, Mineholt North. For, even as we were finishing the battle with those we pursued, a larger group of Grg were seen to be moving across the icy scape, and making as if to come unto our position. Knowing that my army had been cut down by at least half, I ordered all to make for Jallor Pass, for I knew that my few remaining men were weary beyond measure and to face a rested foe would be the death of us all. So, we resigned to return unto our home and gather unto us a larger, rested army. And, once this was done, return unto the wasteland of ice and snow, and lay siege upon the Grg."

"Well, Captain," said Vanidor, "Alor Kaje and I are but forward scouts for Vygon's army. That great host of Drimm warriors trails some two leagues south of us."

At this, voice's from Saule's army were heard to shout once again, "Hai! Vygon!"

And, as these voices settled to murmurs, Kaje said, "Captain Saule, would that thou and thy men move off the path, for I would have us wait for thy sire and his host."

With this the Drimm captain gave Kaje a questioning look, then, looking from the captain to Vanidor, Kaje said, "I deem that we tell the captain our destination and Vygon's pledge of a Dwarven escort to that place." And with a nod from Vanidor, Kaje, turning to look once more at the Drimm captain said, "Captain, we are on a trek of dire import. We seek to halt the plans of a Black Mage by the name of Dantor. This Mage seeks to bring the whole of Mithgar unto its very knees, and then to rule over all therein."

"This is dire news indeed," said Saule. "If Vygon has pledged his men unto your service, then we too shall stand at your side. All in my ranks that are able to fight shall join in your quest, if you will have us."

At this, both Vanidor and Kaje smiled broadly and readily accepted the captain's offer. The two Elves and the Drimm captain spoke for several more minutes on the matter of Dantor's plans. After a while, Saule said, "Some of my men have wounds that require the attention of a good healer. These I shall dismiss from my ranks so that they may find such." And with Vanidor and Kaje following, Saule moved among his men and bade the more wounded of the Drimm warriors to return unto their Holt for proper care. Though none wished to go, they did so only because they had been ordered and for no other reason. When this task was completed, the remaining Drimm army, now some sixty-four, set about making camp, and then awaited the arrival of Vygon and his men, too, the rest of the small group of Elves, Humans, and Warrows.

The sun was just setting over the western peaks of the Grimmwalls when the awaited group hove into view. As they made their way to the small camp of Saule's warriors, Faedra, Kaelea, Cailean, and the Warrows rode ahead of the Drimmen army and came unto the camp first; they to be met by Vanidor, Kaje, and Saule. When Vygon and his men reached the camp, a celebration of sorts was held, for both contingents of the Drimmen army had been victorious in their endeavors.

Once all had eaten, Kaje, sitting on the ground next to Faedra, asked her about the new Human lady that was traveling with them.

"Her name is Amalia," said Faedra. "As far as I can tell, she has some connection with Cordelia. As for the which of it, I don't really know."

Kaje, now looking at Amalia said, "Well, perhaps we should go and have a talk with her. Find out if she is to join us on our journey. And, if she is up to the task."

With that, Faedra and Kaje stood and walked over to where Amalia now sat, talking with Cordelia. As they approached, the two Humans looked up to greet them.

The Elves returned the greeting in kind. Then, looking at Amalia, Kaje asked her, "Has our young friend here told thee of our journey and its meaning?"

"Yes, she has," said Amalia. "I must say, it is a grave undertaking, yet an undertaking which must be faced and contended with."

"Aye, lady, it is," said Kaje. "I would ask if thou doth intend on following us on this dire path we now follow?"

Amalia, now looking from the Elves and to the young girl, looked back at them with a look of indecision upon her face. Then, turning back to Cordelia, she asked, "What would you have me do?"

After a few moments, Cordelia smiled slightly and said, "I think you should come with us. We need all the help we can get."

Amalia turned back to the Elves. "I will join you then," she said, and smiled.

Looking from Amalia to Cordelia, Kaje said, "Well, it is agreed then. Amalia shall ride with us on the morrow." Now, looking back to Amalia, Kaje said, "Yet I feel I must warn thee of the impending danger thee may face. This shall be not jaunt of pleasantness, for dark times are upon us and able bodies are needed for the fight." Looking to Faedra, then Cordelia, and finally Amalia, Kaje's features took on a more serious look, his tone more ardent. "If thou are unwilling, or able, for that matter, to face the foe and then see him slain by thine own hands, then I should ask thee not to accompany us on our mission. Yet, if thou art able, if thou art willing, and if thou would see thine enemy slain by thine own hand, then I would ask thee to accompany us on our journey unto that dark place."

Amalia, looking from Faedra and then to Kaje, said, "I will stand and fight with you. I have some skills with the sword and am somewhat familiar with fighting techiques." Now, looking to Cordelia, Amalia added, "Besides, I have something of a personal interest in seeing this task completed with as little harm coming to your group as possible."

Nodding his head and looking from Amalia, then to Cordelia, and finally looking to Faedra, Kaje said, "If thy skills with the sword are suitable, then I would have thee join in our mission."

Then, in a flash, Kaje stood before Amalia with sword in hand, its tip pointing at her chest. Amalia, taken a bit by surprise, stepped back a pace and drew her own sword, raising her blade and bringing its tip in line with Kaje's.

As this happened, Faedra, stepping closer to Kaje and placing a hand on his shoulder, said, "Alor, I am not sure this is the proper time to test her skills."

"It's okay," said Amalia. "I think your friend here merely wishes to gain some sense of my skills before we are on the road and the chance comes too late." Now, looking toward Faedra, Amalia asked the Dara, "Would you not wish to know that all who fought by your side were able warriors?"

Faedra, shrugging her shoulders and turning her palms up, stepped back from Kaje and said, "Be it as it may." Then, looking to Cordelia, Faedra motioned for her to come and stand beside her as to be out of the way.

Looking into Amalia's eyes, Kaje saw a small amount of uncertainty as she prepared for the coming attack. Then, much to his surprise, Amalia attacked! Moving his sword tip down toward the ground and to his left, he fended the sweeping arc of Amalia's sword. Spinning about on one foot, Amalia then brought her sword around as if to strike at Kaje's right side. As he prepared for the blow, keeping his tip toward the ground, Kaje moved his sword to his right, only to find that he now needed to fend a blow with came from over Amalia's head, she having brought her sword up and over her head mid-way through her spin. Quickly moving his sword up to thwart the blow, Kaje was beginning to believe this woman's skills could be used in the coming fight.

As she stopped her spin and was once again facing the Elf, Amalia was taken by surprise as Kaje, bringing up his sword alongside hers and then moving it in a tight, quick circle, removed her blade from her hand. Then, sheathing his sword as fast as he drawn it, Kaje looked at Amalia and smiled at the look of dejection now set upon her face.

"Thou handles a sword well," said Kaje. "I deem thy blade could be of great use in the coming fight." Stepping to where the ejected blade had fallen, Kaje bent down to retrieve it. And as he reached to grasp the blade, Kaje heard the sudden sound of feet rushing toward him. Starting to rise, Kaje turned his head in the direction of the sound, only to find Amalia diving toward him, arms outstretched, body horizontal to the ground, a look of sheer determination on her face. Then, before he could fully stand upright, she was into him, arms wrapped round his waist, a piercing shriek coming from her mouth.

As the two tumbled across the ground, Faedra looked on in amazement as both she and Cordelia stifled a laugh. Kaje, taken a bit by surprise by the woman's determination, rolled her onto her back and grabbed both her hands as she made to strike at him. And, with a broad smile on his face, Kaje said, "I deem I've riled a wild cat." This statement only made Amalia struggle more. "I would say that there is much fight in thee. Thou art an admirable opponent, and a cunning warrior." And, as he released her hands, Amalia, too, smiled up at the Elf as he stood and offered her a hand up.

"Though my sword skills are not that great," said Amalia, "I make up for their lack in other ways."

"I would say so," said Kaje, now looking from her to Cordelia and noticing a resemblance between the two. "Thou shalt be a most welcome addition to our group and may prove to be an integral part of the mission."

Reaching down to once again attempt to retrieve Amalia's sword, and keeping an eye on her, Kaje said, "The hour is late, and tomorrow's ride will be a hard one." Now standing, ejected sword in hand, Kaje extended the weapon, handle first, toward Amalia. "Let us all to bed for we shall not see much rest in the coming days."

Taking her sword from the Elf, Amalia sheathed the weapon and, breathing a little heavier from her exertion, nodded her understanding.

Amalia and Cordelia moved to their bedrolls, as did Kaje and Faedra. As they stepped to theirs, Faedra said, "What were thy thoughts when thou said Amalia may prove to be an integral part of our mission?"

Sitting down on his bedroll, Kaje then reached up to take Faedra's hand and pulled her down to hers. Now sitting cross-legged and facing the Dara, Kaje responded, "Did thou not notice the resemblance between Amalia and Cordelia?"

"I had not thought about it," said Faedra, "but not that thou has raised the question, I would have to say that they do seem to share some of the same features. Doth thou think it stands as a matter of import?"

"I'm not sure," said Kaje. "It just brought to mind something from the rede we discovered." At Faedra's questioning looking, Kaje continued, "Recall the line that read: The one with kith of the Two. This is one line that, as of yet, has not been fulfilled. I deem there may be more between Amalia and Cordelia than we yet know."

Kaje fell silent, and Faedra sighed at this new riddle and pursed her lips. Gently, she shifted her weight and uncrossed her legs from underneath her to bring them up so that she could hug them about her chest with her chin resting on top of her kneecaps, her eyes not focused on anything in particular as she tried to discern Kaje's words.

After some time of silence, she shook her heard and lifted her head off her knees to look into Kaje's eyes. "I know not the meaning. Perhaps the riddle will become clear with rest."

She offered him a gentle smile, and for some reason the scar upon his face grabbed her attention. She had not really paid any heed to it since he had explained its origin that day. And suddenly, multitudes of mixed emotion slammed into Faedra's already weary and full mind, and her smile very quickly turned to a frown. Unconsciously, she reached up and rubbed her should . . . partly out of habit when her mind returned to old memories, and partly out of the dull ache brought about to the old wound by the cold weather.

Suddenly, Faedra realized what she was doing and ceased the message. She reached out with a slender hand to Kaje's scar, but just before her fingertips touched his cheek, she pulled back, conflicted emotions flooding her being. A small tear began to trickle down her cheek, but she angrily wiped it away before it could get too far from her eyes.

Without looking anymore at the Alor, her dear friend of old, Faedra crawled into her bedroll, and fell into a fitful, restless sleep in which she tossed and turned all through the night, her mind full of visions of certain people: Galador, Kaje, Kaelea, wounded Dakkon, Vanidor who had become weary with tending the injured Elf day and night, Amalia, and Cordelia . . . The last two, she saw side by side with a striking resemblance standing forth, one which Faedra could not deny.