Despite Galad Hawksheart’s numerous refusals, the Elves had come at last to join the war.
“Welcome,” Rain said when the leaders of the Elvian army halted before him. “I am glad beyond words that Lord Hawksheart changed his mind after all.”
The Elvian commander, a tall, broad-shouldered Elf with waist-length hair the color of sunset and rich sapphire eyes regarded Rain with the disconcerting intensity of his kind. “We do not come at Lord Galad’s bidding,” he replied in a low, lyrical voice. “The Lord of Valorian commands the Elves of Deep Woods. We answer to the Lady.”
“You are from Silverwood,” Ellysetta said.
The commander’s bright gaze fixed instantly on her, and the power of his gaze made the breath leave her lungs. “And you are Ellysetta Erimea. I have heard tales of your brightness, but they do you no justice.” To her surprise, the Elf commander clasped a fist to his breastplate and dropped to one knee before her. “Blessings of the day upon you, Ellysetta Erimea. It is our honor to serve the Winter Star.” He bowed low, over his knee, murmuring something in Elvish that she did not understand, but the thousands of Elves behind him suddenly followed his lead, each dropping to a knee and bowing low before her.
“It is I who am honored, my lord commander.” The welcome of these Elves shocked her, and the near reverence with which they regarded her left her unsettled and embarrassed. “Please, rise, and be welcome.”
“I am called Tamsin Greywing, my lady,” the Elf said as he stood, “general of the armies of west Elvia.” He turned to the two elves beside him, one a broad-shouldered, chestnut-haired male with the unflinching yellow eyes of a wolf, the other a stunningly beautiful Elf maiden. “This is my second in command, Gavin Fenwolf, and this is—” He glanced back at Ellysetta and his voice trailed off.
“You may call me Commander Silverleaf,” the Elf maiden finished for him. Her voice was pure music, sweet as a song played by crystalline bells, but her face, with its piercing silver-grey eyes, possessed a composed, almost stern quality despite her great beauty. Masses of pale gold hair hung down her back in a multi-ply plait as thick as Ellysetta’s arm. “I lead the Aquiline riders.”
“We bring you greetings from our queen, Illona Bright-hand,” General Greywing continued. “The Elves of Silverwood extend our hand of friendship and offer you our strength in this battle against the enemies of Light.”
Across the river, on the shores of Eld, Vadim Maur noted the arrival of the Elvish army. His lips compressed in a hard line.
So, the Feraz hadn’t been keeping Hawksheart occupied after all. He would have a word or two for Fezai Madia the next time he saw the arrogant witch.
Turning to Vargus, he barked his next command. “Release the revenants.”
Sound rumbled across the scorched plains outside Lower Orest. The ground beneath the allies’ feet began to shake. Ellysetta looked down in surprise. “Is it an earthquake, ‘Jonn?”
The giant Earth master’s dark eyes glowed green as he sent his great magic plunging into the ground below. A moment later, he shook his head. “Nei,not the earth. Something inside it.”
“Something like what?” Rain asked Before Rijonn could answer, a cry sounded down the line.
“Look!”
Rain and Ellysetta turned. Something was pouring out of the ground near the south gate of Lower Orest. From a distance, it looked almost like a swarm of termites bubbling up from a disturbed nest. “What is that?” Ellysetta asked.
Beside her, the Elf commanders muttered something in their native tongue.
Rain’s expression went grim. “Revenants? What the Seven Hells are revenants? “
General Greywing’s eyes went dark. “Black magic. Very old, very deadly black magic. The world hasn’t seen their like in at least ninety thousand years.” He glanced at Commander Silverleaf and said, “The knowledge was lost. How did this Mage find the spell?”
“It doesn’t matter, Tam.” She turned piercing gray eyes on Rain. “Get your people out of there, Feyreisen. This is not an enemy Celierians can kill, and Fey will find it difficult.” Authority snapped in her voice. “Swords are useless—worse than useless—as is most magic.”
Rain gave the command without question, then scowled at Silverleaf. “If swords and magic are useless, how the Hells are we supposed to kill them?”
“Elvish Light arrows. Tairen fire. Hundred-fold weaves—though more than hundred-fold is better. Other weaves have little effect. Whatever you do, don’t slice off even the smallest bit of the revenants’ flesh. They multiply when split.”
“Lovely,” Gaelen muttered.
Beside him, Bel’s eyes went hazy as he spun the warnings to the allies. Dozens more holes in the ground had opened up, and revenants were pouring out into the sunlight. The Celierians were running for their lives back to the allied encampment, while the Fey brought up the rear and spun shields to slow the revenants’ advance.
“Bas’ka,you heard her,” Rain commanded. “Swords and magic are useless.Kaiven chakor,get Ellysetta and theshei’dalinsto safety.”
“Bayas,”Commander Silverleaf countermanded. “That you must not do, Tairen Soul. The Feyreisa must fight at your side.”
Rain’s brows slammed together. “What? Are you mad?” He glanced from Greywing to Commander Silverleaf. “Who the scorching Hells are you, Elf? And don’t give me that ‘You may call me, Silverleaf’krekk.Obviously you are not Greywing’s subordinate.”
“I am a seer of the Elves, Tairen Soul, and I have come to advise you on behalf of Elvia’s queen, Illona Brighthand. If you send the Feyreisa away, you will perish and she will fall to Darkness. Your only hope to survive this battle is to stay together and fight as one. You hold each other to the Light.”
“Are you saying if we fight together, we will survive this battle?”
