He laughed again, and the sound surprisingly put her at ease. She liked him better this way. Jovial rather than tetchy.
The rapid river continued to take them away. At the speed they were going, the journey would certainly take them through the mountain within the day. The waterways altered between winding tunnels and dangerous lanes with obstacles of sharp rocks they had to navigate, but Klyde had no problem dodging them. Eventually, she relaxed, choosing to trust he would maneuver them safely. It was hours before the current slowed and brought them to a wide cavern with still green waters.Lucenna slumped with relief at the sight of daylight pouring in from the opening ahead.
Thank the Gods.
They rowed out of the cave onto a steady river passing through a picturesque forest. At the cusp of a ridge appeared two statues of enormous rearing horses carved out of stone. The statues arched over the river, facing each other. They passed under as Lucenna gaped up at them in wonder. They stood hundreds of feet high, their hooves easily dwarfing them.
The river led them through a canal with walls of bridges built into the stone, draped with vines and moss. They crisscrossed over each other, above the river, and along the ridge leading to who knows where. The rush of waterfalls tumbled down the rocky terrain into the river with a trickle that was almost musical. Evening sunlight poured in past the ledges, casting rainbow refractions in the mist.
Leaving the gorge, the landscape opened before them, and she was rendered speechless.
“The province of Sellav,” Eldred announced.
A valley spread wide, resting within the protection of the Anduir Mountains that were coated in a light fog. A clear blue river cut through the land, breaking off into many streams along the homes that had been exquisitely carved from the natural white stone of the rolling hills. And field upon fields of dynalya flowers fluttered gently in the breeze.
It was exactly as Rawn described it.
Lucenna’s vision misted. She couldn’t help but appreciate the beauty of this place. There was a peace here she didn’t feel anywhere else. As if this little pocket of life was free of all that was dark and wrong with the world.
An estate rested on a peak within the center of the valley on the edge of the main river. It was a beautiful, four-story structure made of white stone coated in ivy, with several towered peaks and arched windows catching the golden rays of the sun. Nestled within a vibrant garden, stone steps led to an open courtyard with a glittering fountain and more stone bridges that led to the following floors.
“There stands House Norrlen,” Eldred said.
Lucenna gawked at it. “Rawn livesthere?”
Klyde let out a long whistle. “I thought he was only a general.”
Eldred frowned at him. “His Graceowns the entire province. Lord Norrlen is the Duke of Sellav.”
“Aduke?” Zev repeated from the boat beside her, exchanging a surprised look with Dyna. “Well, he certainly kept a few things to himself.”
“So it would seem,” Dyna said thoughtfully.
Eldred led them toward the estate, and they passed through a busy town. Green flags billowed in the wind with the golden sigil of House Norrlen: a rearing horse atop a shield, framed in laurel. Elves stopped to watch them row past. They reached a harbor where they moored their boats with the help of the shoremen.
“Who is with you, Master Eldred?” one of the boys asked.
“Guests,” he replied. “Send word to the young master to meet me at the front gates. I bring dire news.”
The boy nodded and took off in a run toward the town.
“Follow me,” Eldred told them next. “I must introduce you to Her Grace.”
Rawn’s wife…
From the little they heard of Lady Aerina she was very special to Rawn. Lucenna had felt it the day they cast a locator spell, and saw it whenever he spoke of his wife.
Taking his staff, Eldred motioned for them to follow him to the stone bridge that curved over the river, with a path that led up the peak to the estate. Lucenna’s heart raced with every step. Clouds passed over the sun as they reached the top and shadow fell over the land.
They arrived at gates guarded by Elven soldiers. Hooves beat on the path behind them as another elf came galloping up the road on a white stallion.
Yanking on the reins, he came to a stop in front of them, startled and confused.
So were they.
“Rawn…?” Lucenna gasped.
He was nearly the exact image with the same horse. He had the same long blond hair braided away from his ears, dressed elegantly in a fine, dark green doublet trimmed in gold over a long-sleeved white tunic and brown trousers. An elegant green cape was pinned to his left shoulder.
