“Build a barrier in your mind. Use the strongest weave of Spirit you can in a pattern like this.” He demonstrated a dense, complex pattern of lavender threads. “It won’t stop him from Seeing more than you’d like, but it will help you bear his gaze without discomfort.”
She did as he suggested and together they approached the blond Elf, who introduced himself as Fanor Farsight of the Deep Woods clan.
The Elf fixed his penetrating gaze on Rain and said, “Galad Hawksheart, Lord of Valorian, Prince of the Deep Woods, King of Elvia and Guardian of the Dance, sends you greetings, Rainier vel’En Daris of the Fey.”
Rain inclined his head. “I accept his greetings, and I offer his envoys welcome to our camp and my deepest thanks for your aid last night. Our hospitality is not so fine here as it would be in Dharsa, but we offer you all that we have.” Rain waved towards the center of the makeshift camp. “Please join us and refresh yourselves.”
“Alaneth. With pleasure, we do accept.”
Fanor Farsight nodded and he and his Elves followed Rain and Ellysetta into the center of the gathered Fey. Earth masters spun a simple wooden table and stools for their use, and set out a platter of journeycakes while Water masters filled cups with cool water drawn from a nearby stream.
Fanor was the only Elf to take a seat. The others remained standing in a semicircle at his back, but one of them leaned forward to pluck a journeycake and a cup of water from the table. He took a bite of the journeycake and passed it to the Elf beside him, then took a sip from the cup and passed that on, too. The gesture was an Elvish sign of courtesy, a formal acceptance of Feyan hospitality shared by all the members of Farsight’s party. The last Elf to eat and drink handed the final bit of the journeycake and the near-empty cup to Fanor, who consumed what was left.
Rain waited for the Elf lord to finish before he leaned forward and put his palms on the table. “I must tell you, Fanor Farsight, I am as surprised as I am grateful that the Elves have decided to join us in this war after all.”
“You misunderstand, Worldscorcher.” The Elf’s expression did not change. “We know what you wish from us, but that Song ended before it could begin. The aid you seek from the Elves can no longer help you.”
Rain’s eyes flickered, the only outward hint of the anger coiling in his veins. “If you are not here to join us, then why did you come?”
“Because my king sent me to escort you and your mate safely to Navahele.”
“Keita?Why?” Rain’s shoulders drew back.
“You already know the answer. Your mate calls a Song in the Dance. My king wishes to understand that Song better.”
Anger rose, swift and furious, threatening to rip the fragile rebuilt barriers in his mind. Ellysetta laid a hand over his, and that warm touch gave him the strength to stifle his Rage.
He drew a short, hard breath and curled his free hand in a fist. “I do not understand you or your king,” he said in a low voice. “The Eld slaughtered thirteen hundred Fey and nearly five thousand Celierians at Orest and Teleon less than a month ago; as you saw yourself last night, the High Mage hunts my mate to claim her soul; we’re facing a new Army of Darkness; and still you tell me the Elves will do nothing to help us?” Despite his efforts, anger spiked. He flattened his palms on the wooden surface of the table and half rose from his chair. “What will you do when the Fey are gone from this world and there are none left with the strength or will to champion the Light? What good will your Dance be then?”
Rather than taking offense, the Elf lord crossed his hands over his heart and bowed his head in a polite Elvish gesture. “The Elves have Seen your plight and the dangers that exist for your truemate. Our king understands what hangs in the balance, but the way is not certain. That is why you must come to Navahele.” Farsight turned to Ellysetta. “The Song you call is more powerful than any living Elf has ever Seen. More powerful even than the Worldscorcher’s Song. Many will die; that much is certain. How many will live is yet to be Seen.”
Ellysetta flinched, and Rain wrapped an arm around her in a protective gesture. “Enough, Elf,” he growled. “You will not frighten my mate with Elvish visions of doom.”
The Elf looked puzzled. “Tenala. Forgive me. But how did I offer fright, when your own Eye of Truth has already shown a much grimmer future in greater detail?”
“The futureShei’Kessshowed us is only a possibility, not a certainty,” Rain replied with an aggressive thrust of his chin.
“Bayas,” the Elf agreed, “but the possible outcomes of her Song are far fewer than they were when Ambassador Brightwing extended my king’s first invitation this summer. Lord Hawksheart regrets you did not come then.”
“Well, our apologies for his regret, but tell him we will make our way to Elvia once we’ve been to Danael. Celieria needs allies willing to fight at her side, and time is of the essence.” Navahele was on the other side of the continent. If they traveled there first, there would be little hope of Danae aid reaching Celieria before the Eld attacked.
“We Saw your intent, but Lord Hawksheart bids you come now, without delay. We will escort you safely to Navahele. Lord Hawksheart will summon the Danae to meet you there once his business with you is concluded.” Farsight lifted a hand and several hundred more Elves emerged from the surrounding vegetation, bows in hand.
Rain regarded the small army of Elves. Mad though he was becoming, he wasn’t a fool. That show of force meant Hawksheart’s request was a command, and one he was prepared to enforce. Rain closed his eyes against an instinctive surge of anger. He’d never taken well to commands of that sort, even without Rage and bond madness urging him to rebel. “As you insist,” he growled. “We will accompany you to Navahele.”
“A wise decision,” Farsight agreed. He stood. “If you and your mate will come with us. The rest of your warriors may await your return here.”
His eyes flashed. “Unacceptable.” A change of travel plans he might accept, but he would not let the Elves endanger Ellysetta. “The weaves of myshei’tani’slu’tanhelp protect her from the influence of the Mage when she sleeps. Surely you and Hawksheart already know this. We go nowhere without them.”
Fanor considered it, then nodded. “Very well. Your mate’s dreams will be safe from the Mage once we enter Elvia, but until then, thelu’tanmay accompany us. Only her quintet may cross our borders, however,” he added. “Deep Woods is home to too many wild creatures who would consider the presence of so many unfamiliar Fey warriors an act of aggression. Blood would be shed.”
Rain bowed his head. So long as Ellysetta was safe, he wouldn’t push his fragile control enough to argue. “Bas’ka. We are agreed.”
Fanor spread his hands. “Then let us depart.”
CHAPTERELEVEN
Celieria ~ Celieria City
