The Mirror And The Maelstrom (Book 4) (17 page)

“I will do as you ask, my lady,” returned Viday. “I see no reason not to trust you.”

Jenpry once again bowed then moved in beside Teeg. She offered the Elf her arm.

“Walk with me, Lord Teeg.”

Teeg wrapped his arm within hers and the pair moved off through the swamp.

“The people of Sprite wish to be informed of the battles to come,” stated Jenpry. “We demand to fight in the name of Avra.”

“I foresee a brutal exchange against a foe of unimaginable power,” said Teeg.

Jenpry broke from her escort and arched an eyebrow.

“And you think us incapable of standing toe to toe with such a foe?’

“No, my lady,” returned Teeg. “I am simply uncertain of the best way to utilize your talents.”

“You are unaware of the true abilities of the people of Sprite, my lord,” stated Jenpry. “You and I were young then, but those in power within the White Palace looked past our contribution once before. It caused my father to leave Luxlor.”

“Those of us in power regretted your departure ever since,” replied Teeg.

“You ....?”

“... had a voice within the council chambers even then,” finished Teeg. “I was quite young, but my thoughts were heard. I voted against the House of Sprite’s participation in the battle. I saw no reason to jeopardize such a valuable commodity as your father, and I see no reason to jeopardize his children now. There are none like you. What you deliver in intelligence and information far outweighs your contribution on the field of battle.”

“But that decision is not yours to make,” replied Jenpry, her face reddening. “We suffered just as deeply at the hands of Amird’s minions. We lost those whom we love. We will choose our own time and place to lay down our lives for Avra.”

“No, you will not,” replied Teeg his voice rising. “I grieve with you at the loss of Lilywynn, but your place is not on the battle lines. Just like your father, you understand duty and honor but ignore the difficult decisions of leadership. A true leader utilizes the strengths and weaknesses of all the parts he commands.”

“What if that leader does not fully understand or appreciate the strengths of one of those parts? It is up to those who are led to do their utmost regardless of their leaders blind spots,” she paused. “I will let you mull that over. I tell you now, Lord Teeg, we will not be held back from the fight!”

Teeg set his jaw, bowed and once more hooked his arm within Jenpry’s.  They continued their stroll.

“Do you hold the entire Borz army captive, my lady?” asked Teeg as they moved through the swamp.

“My dear Lord Teeg, this is my interview not yours,” laughed Jenpry.

“I beg your forbearance, but as I said, the Borz suffered a great loss at the hands of Amird’s disciples. I am concerned. Their hearts lie open and might well be twisted if they are improperly handled.”

“We control nearly a third of the Borz Windriders,” replied Jenpry flatly.

Teeg paused and his eyes arched in surprise.

“How?” asked Teeg.

“You witnessed the deadly potency of the rare Reas flower, Lord Teeg. The darts tainted with their poison are the most dangerous weapon we possess. However, other plants produce similar yet less deadly results. The Reas is not the only flower of the Toxkri that uses beauty to lure prey and weapons to dispatch it.”

“Just as a beautiful songbird lured me into the willow’s clearing in order to face archers and swordsmen,” smiled Teeg.

Jenpry’s laugh tinkled like a bell. She grinned at the Master of Spies.

“You have not changed in all these years, Teeg Admir. In our youth the perfume of your words drifted across all the young ladies of the court. It was only I who refused to let my head be turned by your flattery.”

Teeg’s expression grew serious. He leaned in close to Jenpry’s ear as they strolled.

“It was not your head I wished to turn in my direction, Lady Jenpry, but your heart,” breathed the Elf. “It was and has always been so.”

Jenpry blinked and her eyes rose to those of the Elf lord. Questions filled their deep blue pools. Teeg stopped and turned to face her.

“You were young and not wise in the ways of the world. I was not much older but my reputation as a court dandy needed to be established. A reputation I cultivated in order to play the role given me.”

“I thought I was just another distraction for the notorious Lord Teeg.”

“You were, but the only true distraction,” said Teeg. “When you married and eventually left with your people, I broke. I threw myself even more vigorously into my duties.”

Jenpry withdrew her arm from Teeg’s, clasped her hands together and looked to the ground.

“I ... we received reports on activities within Luxlor,” said Jenpry. “I amazed upon hearing that you remained unwed.”

“My work became my bride,” replied Teeg.

A moment of silence hung over the pair as Teeg strained to search Jenpry’s downcast face.

“I could make the same observation of you,” continued the Master of Spies softly. “Your daughter reports how you remained alone after the death of your husband.”

Jenpry smiled and she looked back up into Teeg’s eyes.

“Sprite grew old by then and his people needed a leader. My husband would have fulfilled that role had he not died. I felt it my duty to carry on in his stead.”

“So we both became slaves to duty.”

“And remain so,” added Jenpry.

“Must we?” questioned Teeg.

Jenpry furrowed her brow and stared at the Elf lord. He continued.

“Chimbre stands at the ready to lead the people of Sprite and another has been found to stand in my place within the court of Luxlor. If the future unfolds and this world survives, then we must break the bonds holding us hostage to our duty. In a lifetime I have been unable to wash you from my dreams. Let me live my dreams and banish my lifetime to memory.”

The intensity of Jenpry’s eyes bore through Teeg. He did not flinch.

“I ... you said nothing. You let me marry. You remained silent.”

Teeg moved closer and his hands moved to Jenpry’s shoulders.

“I am not silent now,” he whispered. “And you are no longer married. Do not remain lost from me.”

Teeg’s arms slid to Jenpry’s back. He drew her closer and their lips met.

CHAPTER 13: FOREND

KAEL HELD THE scrap of parchment he retrieved from the gorse bush in the shadows of the towers of Astel. Its tattered edges fit perfectly beside the torn page of the volume on his lap. The boy read aloud.

“And in the towers the new and the old shall face the fallen one. Blood will be spilt. Fire will rage. The Voice will be silenced and the Sword will find its path. Rejoice those who wait for his return. Rejoice. The Silencing hastens His coming.”

Kael looked up at the symbol of the Voice of Avra.

“You knew,” whispered the boy as a tear rolled down his cheek. “You knew what would happen, yet you still came with me.”

His eyes drifted to the case where he discovered the book with the damaged page. Each volume shown with the same symbol embossed on its spine, a hand encircling an all seeing eye. Kael closed the book and wiped the tear from his face.

“Much to read in this little room. Much to absorb.”

Kael turned. In the doorway stood a woman dressed in a flowing blue gown. Her hair was as white as snow, cascading around a regal thin neck and across delicate shoulders. Her hands lay entwined before her and as she entered the room she bowed her head lightly. She glanced at the table set for tea and noted how it remained untouched.

“You did not eat,” she clucked. “Shame on you, Kael Brelgson. It is time to close the books and have a bite or two.”

The old woman slid into the chair opposite Kael and lifted the tea pot from the silver tray. She smiled at the boy as she leaned forward and poured tea into a small white cup set before him. Kael remained speechless, staring at the beautiful smile of the beguiling old woman.

“Come now, Kael,” she lifted the teacup toward him. “Have a bit to drink. It will restore your appetite.”

Kael accepted the cup and took a sip.

“Thank you,” he replied.

She turned and looked at the shelves within the library.

“You have been at it quite some time,” she smiled. “I remained as patient as a woman can be, but it wore thin. So here I am. The books may wait. Some of them waited for centuries.”

Kael placed his cup back upon its saucer. He leaned over the table and studied the woman.

“You are Ilvir Admir,” stated Kael. “My grandmother.”

A broad smile crept across her lips and color flushed her porcelain skin.

“Yes,” she said beaming with pride. “I am.”

Alel stood and cleared his throat. Those arrayed around the long table quieted and showed their respect.

“Good evening to one and all,” said Alel. “I am sorry for calling you forth on such short notice, but events occurred and require immediate attention.”

The Elves remained silent, stoic.

“Amird continues his assault. His forces grow in power and even now move on the human races and your cousins the Grey Elves. Those who align themselves with our Lord Avra will be greatly outnumbered. Their future looks dire.”

Once again not an eye blinked nor a pair of lips parted. The Fair Elves of Forend were fixed upon Alel.

“Ader DeHartstron passed on to Avra,” stated the Seraph.

The room broke into a murmur. A stately Elf near the opposite end of the table rose.

“Lord Alel, the signs are nigh. All is as was foretold. Our journey must be near.”

Alel smiled.

“It is. The Army of Light waited millennia, Riel, and now is their time. The Final Battle is near and you are well prepared.”

“But my lord, one from among us has not been singled out. It was our understanding that one would be chosen. The prophecies are clear. The Sword of Avra must lead the Army of Light against the men of Darkness. Which of us has been chosen?” questioned the Elf swinging a hand in reference to those seated at the table.

Alel frowned.

“None of you,” he replied.

Ilvir relaxed in the library chair sipping tea. Kael sat opposite her calmly sipping his own. She smiled delightedly at the boy.

“It is kind of you to indulge me, Kael,” said Ilvir. “I am sure you have many questions.”

“I do,” said Kael. “But after all that has happened,  I could use a brief respite.”

“So kind of you to show patience on my part,” beamed Ilvir reaching over and patting Kael’s knee. “But I will hold you off no longer. What is it you wish to know?”

The boy hesitated with a slight smile, then plunged forward.

“The Grey Elves? How did we get from this world to the Nagur Wood?”

“Ah, you wish to get to the beginning of things. Usually the best place to start,” she laughed. “It all revolves around the transgression of Treigh and the departure of the Deceived.”

“The Deceived?”

“Why yes, the Grey Elves, the Deceived,” returned Ilver.

“I never heard them referred to in such a way,” stated the boy.

“Well,” frowned Ilvir. “I am sure the Grey Elves are not particularly proud of the name. You see, Amird deceived Treigh through flattery and guile. I believe the book you were reading contains the passage used to trick him. It refers to the sixth Seraph.”

“From the line of Forend will rise a leader. He will be one of the six who will stand before my throne. A Seraph. The Sword Of Avra,” quoted Kael. “I read it over and over.”

“Yes, that very line. It is the lynchpin to all that befell the Grey Elves and the future of the Elves of Forend. The prophecies spoke of an Elf, a Seraph who would lead the Elves in the final battle against the darkness of Chaos. Many amongst us believed they would be the one. Many tried to take on the mantle of a savior. Treigh was one of those,” Ilvir shook her head and smiled. “Others believed it to be true. Treigh was an Elf of unusual abilities and significant power.”

“But he was not the one,” stated Kael.

“No,” smiled Ilvir. “You of all people know he was not.”

Kael dropped his head and shrugged.

“I suppose not, but why didhe believe it?”

“As I said,” continued Ilvir, “Treigh was blessed. No other was as brave. No other as intelligent. He was a natural leader. A man of charisma and charm. An accomplished swordsman and archer. There was nothing Treigh Admir could not do. Others rallied to him, believing Treigh had been given a sign.”

“Had he?”

“Of course he had, but it was not from Avra. The sign came from Amird. The Deceiver saw into the heart of Treigh. He saw the bravery. He saw the selflessness, but he also saw the pride. He saw an Elf who knew no equals. Amird saw a being not unlike himself. A being so caught up in his accomplishments, he was unready to face his most important adversary, himself.”

“I don’t understand,” said Kael.

She smiled at him and patted his hand.

“That is because you are not unlike Treigh Admir. You are a boy to whom things come easily. Your abilities grow even without your exercising them. A man without equals is a dangerous man indeed. He must exercise the most difficult of attributes, restraint.

Treigh could not. He challenged every boundary in his life. He built walls so he could knock them down. He stretched both his physical and his spiritual worlds. When Amird showed him a world in need of his special talents, Treigh rallied those who believed in him. When presented with a way to that world, it did not matter that Avra forbid the path. Treigh challenged all and the Grey Elves journeyed to your world.”

“Forbidden by Avra?” questioned Kael

“The Elves were to wait for the Final Battle. We are the Army of Light. We are to be led by the Sword of Avra. Avra was to provide a path for us to travel and a time for us to travel upon it.

Amird showed Treigh an alternate path.  The Fallen Seraph deceived Treigh into thinking the time had come. I believe Treigh knew in his heart of hearts that it had not, but his search for challenge led him down the wrong road. He convinced his followers and they journeyed to your world.”

“But what of Avra? Why did he allow it?”