Soul Seeker (The World of Lasniniar Book 1) (46 page)

Linwyn led the way with Falan and Galfidar at her side. Falan helped guide her through the dark. No one spoke. They had become a silent wave of purpose.

Golaron rode close to the front, with Silvaranwyn beside him. He tried not to worry about her. She was on horseback and her quiver was full. She could take care of herself if need be. Still, he did not mean to stray from her side. He did think it strange they could not see any of the other army’s campfires. They should have been visible by now.

The faint sound of rustling in the grass and the creak of leather armor made the hairs on the back of his neck rise.

They were not alone.

Golaron silently cursed. The night was the dark army’s time. What had they been thinking? All around him, people readied their weapons. Golaron positioned himself between Silvaranwyn and the sounds. His eyes had adjusted, and he could just make out the silhouettes of their enemies. His grip on his sword tightened as he quietly cleared it from its sheath.

The shadows hesitated, as though waiting for something. Golaron expected a Forsworn One to fly overhead at any moment. The shadows gathered themselves and moved forward. Golaron and the rest of the army rushed to meet them. He raised his sword, preparing to bring it down on the first creature that got close enough. The familiar calm and commitment to battle settled over him.

At the last moment as Golaron prepared to throw himself at the closest enemy, a wall of fire sprang up from the ground, separating them.

Golaron’s horse reared in surprise. He spent the next few moments trying to calm him. Once Vanyar was back under control, Golaron looked around. The wall of fire spread for leagues in both directions, effectively separating the two armies. He wondered what new magic this was. The Forsworn were nowhere to be seen.

Everything fell into place when Lysandir walked through the flames to meet Linwyn. At least it explained the fire. But why was Lysandir interfering? Had he come this far only to betray them? Golaron got a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He nudged Vanyar closer to Linwyn to hear their exchange. If the Learnéd One tried to strike down his sister, it wouldn’t be without a fight.

“What are you doing?” Linwyn demanded without preamble. She lowered the point of her sword toward him.

“I am stopping you from making a grave mistake,” Lysandir said. He seemed unruffled.

“What do you mean? Have you changed sides this time in truth?” Linwyn’s eyes narrowed. “You have been missing for hours!”

“I went to investigate the other army. I couldn’t get close enough while it was light, but I have observed them as they have approached you. Once I realized who they were, I tried to intercept you before it was too late, but both sides moved too quickly. Hence, the wall of fire. I could not allow you to attack one another.”

“Why can’t you let us attack? They were about to attack us!” Linwyn was losing her patience.

“Order your people to stand down and I will show you.”

Linwyn’s eyes darted to meet Golaron’s. Golaron could only shrug. Who knew what Lysandir had planned? It did seem strange he would help them get this far only to thwart them. Linwyn must have come to the same conclusion. She called out the order to stand down.

“If you have betrayed us, I will run you through myself,” she promised the Learnéd One.

Lysandir disappeared through the wall of flame. Several tense moments later, the fire dissipated only to spring to life in the air like many small torches. It took a few moments for Golaron’s eyes to adjust to the shift in light. As his eyes cleared, he could finally see the army before them. They were dwarves, elves, and people he recognized from Belierumar. They stared back, looking just as stunned.

“Lady Linwyn, Lord Golaron!” The general of Belierumar’s army threw himself to his knees before them. “Forgive me. We thought you were the enemy. We did not know you had returned.”

Linwyn took a moment to compose herself before speaking. “We also thought you were the enemy. Fortunately, the Learnéd One has interfered on our behalf. Please rise.”

The man climbed back to his feet. “If I may ask, how does Lord Eranander fare? He was carried back to the city gravely wounded.”

“Our father is dead. It was his dying wish I become Ruling Lady of the city. We held the ceremony after his funeral. Until I bear children, I have named Golaron my heir.”

“My lady, I am sorry for your loss. But I am glad for the return of you and Lord Golaron. I give command of this army over to you.” The man saluted with his fist over his heart.

“We have much to discuss,” Linwyn said. “Let us set up camp here for the night.”

“It shall be done.” The general frowned. “My lady, if I may ask, how is it possible you have brought another army of elves and dwarves?”

Linwyn smiled. “I can be very convincing.”

Linwyn, Lysandir, and the generals of all the separate armies, including the dwarves of Dwarfhaven and Dwarvenhome, as well as the Earth and Wood Elves, talked long into the night once they had set up camp. Golaron and Silvaranwyn were summoned to the command tent the next morning to sit in on the war council.

“We have all shared our stories,” Linwyn said. “The allies of Belierumar tried to stop the dark army from entering the Narrow Pass, but by the time they realized what the dark creatures had planned, it was too late. They followed in pursuit in the attack that ultimately killed our father.” After a pause, Linwyn continued. “They managed to catch the tail end of the dark army at the entrance to the pass, but it soon became clear they had been left behind as a rearguard to buy time for the rest of their army to move into the Adar Daran. Now they are camped just south of here, near Melaquenya.”

“What kind of a force do they have?” Golaron asked.

“Close to ten thousand strong.”

“And we have, what, perhaps five or six thousand?” Golaron’s mind reeled. “Linwyn, those are not good odds.”

“We are already committed. No one else is coming to our aid. The people of Nal Nungalid and Nal Huraseadro have been nearly wiped out. The Lesser Men have joined the dark army as allies. If we do not take a stand now, we will become their victims later. If we are to give Iarion any kind of chance at success, we must do this somehow.”

“We do not even know whether he is alive, never mind whether he still has the Stariquenya!” Golaron threw his arms up in the air.

“I believe that he is,” Silvaranwyn said in a quiet voice.

“Then where is he?” Golaron pressed. “How long must we throw away the lives of the people of Lasniniar in a hopeless battle before he arrives?”

Everyone was distracted by a commotion at the entrance to the tent. One of the sentries poked his head inside.

“I apologize for interrupting, my lady,” he said. It was one of the men from Belierumar. “But there is someone here you need to see.”

Linwyn frowned. “Let them in.”

The tent flap was pushed aside by an elf with golden skin, blue eyes, and white hair tied back in a tail. There was a swift intake of breath as the council members saw the wings protruding form the elf’s shoulder blades. It was Iarasinta, the Sky Elf Golaron and the others had met during the battle for Belierumar.

Golaron placed a supporting hand on Silvaranwyn’s shoulder as she faced one of her Light Elf brethren. She trembled under his touch. Iarasinta made a deep bow in her direction before beginning to speak in Elvish.

“Iarasinta has arrived from Melaralva, where the Lady Golalfia holds court in her parents’ absence,” Silvaranwyn translated. Two elves that had been introduced to Golaron as the Lord and Lady of the Wood Elves leaned forward to listen.

“She has sent him to tell us Iarion has passed through Melaralva with the Stariquenya.” Golaron’s hand tightened on Silvaranwyn’s shoulder. He noticed a faraway look on his sister’s face.

Silvaranwyn took a deep breath and continued. “But Iarion has learned of the presence of the dark army, which lies directly in his path, blocking the way into Melaquenya. He knows we are severely outnumbered, and a direct battle would be disastrous. But the dark army does not know what we are willing to do to stop them. So he asks that we make them believe we are fully committed to meeting them in battle. This will provide him the opportunity to slip through.”

“Is he alone?” Linwyn asked. Silvaranwyn relayed the question. The Sky Elf answered.

“No,” she translated. “A dwarf and a large cat travel with him.” Golaron found himself smiling at the news.

Linwyn collapsed into her chair with a look of relief. She glanced around the table at the other leaders.

“This is the news we have been waiting for. We need to move as quickly as possible.”

Golaron cleared his throat. “This may seem a strange question, but if the dark army is so large, why have they not stormed the wood and claimed the Quenya already? Why do they wait?”

Silvaranwyn leaned forward. “My people are not violent, but they will guard the Quenya with their lives. They also have access to the Quenya’s magic. Although it cannot be used as a weapon, it can provide protection. They will use it to shield the Quenya from the dark army.”

“The dark army is waiting for reinforcements,” Lysandir said. “The rest of the Forsworn are still unaccounted for. They will come, along with their master. Their combined force is the only thing that could overpower the magic of the Light Elves.” Silvaranwyn nodded her agreement.

“Then we need to strike now, before it is too late,” Linwyn said. “Iarasinta, can you show us the exact location of the dark army?” She pointed to the map lying on the table.

Silvaranwyn translated once more and the Sky Elf pointed to the region just north of Melaquenya. His finger trailed from the Rolling Hills in the west to the eastern coast.

Linwyn chewed her lip in consideration. “We will have to split into groups to spread out and create as much chaos as possible. We should use hit-and-run tactics and attack when the dark creatures are at their least alert.”

“Just before dawn would be best,” Lysandir said. “They will be preparing to sleep and we will need a time when the sun is not fully out in order to disguise our numbers.”

“How can they sleep during the day out in the open?” Golaron asked.

“A large, dark cloud has followed them south as they travel,” Lady Melalynia of the Wood Elves said. “It provides them the darkness they need.”

“Saviadro’s doing,” Golaron muttered. Several people around the table nodded in agreement. Although Iarion bore the Stariquenya, the Fallen One could still tap its power.

“The Rolling Hills would provide a good base to strike from,” Lord Daranadil of the Earth Elves said. The dwarf leaders nodded in agreement.

“Where are the Sea Elves?” Golaron asked. They were the only elves not accounted for. “Why have they not come?”

Lady Melalynia wound a lock of chestnut hair around her finger and frowned. “No one has been able to contact them. They have kept to themselves for many years. We are all insular people, but the
Rasadar
are physically isolated from the rest of us by the Daran Falnun and the sea. I wound not count on their assistance.”

“When I was in Mar Valion with Saviadro, he hinted he had corrupted all the Learnéd,” Lysandir said. “If what he said is true, Feoras will not allow the
Rasadar
to join this war.” Shocked murmurs made their way around the table. Lysandir continued. “But I am here with you. I can help put the fear of fire into our enemy.”

“Lysandir managed to kill the steeds of two of the Forsworn Ones at Belierumar,” Linwyn said. The eyes of those who had not been there to witness it widened.

“I am also hoping I can get Silvaranwyn’s help with something,” the Learnéd One said.

“Oh, no.” Golaron was already shaking his head. “Not again. I will not let you use her like that again. Do you remember what it did to her? Every time she uses her magic, she fades some more. I won’t allow it.”

“Won’t allow?” Lysandir raised an eyebrow. “I did not think your permission was required.”

Golaron instantly regretted his choice of words. He flushed. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that, well, look!” He gestured at Silvaranwyn’s radically altered appearance. “She loses another piece of herself each time. It could kill her!”

“So can riding into battle,” Silvaranwyn said. She placed a hand on Golaron’s shoulder. “I am not any more dead if I am killed by magic. I was willing to come along and risk my life for this cause. It is what I was born to do. I will do everything in my power to stop Saviadro from attaining the Quenya. Please do not ask me to do any less.”

Linwyn gave Silvaranwyn a nod of approval, and Golaron felt his shoulders slump in defeat. “I’m sorry,” he whispered to Silvaranwyn. “It’s just…”

“I understand,” she said. “I had best go with Lysandir to see what he has planned. I will see you when we move out.”

She gave him one long, last look with her silver eyes before turning away. Golaron tried to suppress the wave of dread rising in the pit of his stomach as he watched her walk off with the Learnéd One.

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Chapter Forty-Seven –