FORBIDDEN TALENTS (54 page)

Dahleven spun around, sword in hand, and looked beyond the walls to where the armsman pointed.

Coming through the trees was a host of Elves.

“
READY ARMS!
”
Dahleven shouted, and his order was echoed by commanders all along the base of the wall. He could tell from his men’s reactions that these Elves weren’t even trying to use a glamour. They marched quietly, no, silently, through the forest-clogged streets of the village, their pale faces grim and blood smeared from battle.

Are they Light or Dark Elves
?
Friend or Foe
?

Assuming any Elf could be called a friend. Dahleven flexed his fingers on the hilt of his sword, searching their faces, their weaponry, their armor for some clue. Some carried powerful bows with arrows nocked, others had wickedly hooked polearms, and still others bore swords that gleamed despite the blood that sheathed them. A smaller number gripped the hilts of strangely curved blades that had yet to be blooded. They would be a formidable foe, an impossible one if the Elves used their glamour. And half his men were already exhausted from swinging hammers all morning. It was some small consolation that the Elven warriors had been in battle for the same time.

Who had they been fighting?

A tall Elf stepped forward, flanked by two others, and removed his helmet. His fair hair was dark with sweat and his armor bore the marks of hard use.
“
I am Lord Kaeron, Praefect among the
Lios Alfar
. The Oathbreakers have been vanquished.
”
He looked beyond Dahleven and tipped his head toward the piles of stone and rubble. A hint of a smile played upon his lips.
“
It would seem you have no need of our Khryss blades. It is well. My people are weary enough.
”

“
I am Lord Dahleven
…
Jarl of Quartzholm.
”
He hesitated an instant over the truth of saying it aloud.
“
Your aid is greatly appreciated, Lord Kaeron. Until you came and dispersed that mist, we couldn’t even see the forces ranged against us.
”

“
That I cannot take credit for. The tree-folk aided you for their own reasons.
”

Dahleven glanced quickly at the trees nearby, then back at the Elf.

“
But for the rest, we swore an oath to the Vanir, as did our Dark brothers. Their perfidy was a stain upon our honor. We could not let it stand.
”

Dahleven nodded.
“
It is a terrible thing when brothers must face each other over drawn blades.
”
He sheathed his sword. All around him he heard his men stand down.

A spark of surprise showed in Kaeron’s cat-like eyes as he nodded, accepting Dahleven’s sympathy.

Did he think us without understanding or honor
?

And honor demanded that he invite them in, Kaeron and his commanders, to feast their victory.

What if this is all an elaborate and clever Fey trick, aimed at getting within the walls
? He had only their word that they were Light Elves.

Better dead than without honor
. He hesitated.
But better clever than dead
.

“
My brother went to find you and your people, Lord Kaeron. Did he succeed?
”

Kaeron looked at him as though he understood full well that he was being tested.
“
We hosted Lord Ragnar and his company for three days. Lady Celia told us of the siege.
”

Dahleven’s heart leapt.
“
Are they well? Are they with you?
”

“
They were well when they left us. They meant to search out those who would sunder the barriers between the planes.
”

The chill Dahleven felt had nothing to do with the winter air.
Celia went into that danger
?
“
Have you heard from them?
”

“
No. Not for some days.
”

“
Then this may be only the first battle.
”
They should celebrate this victory while they still could. Though how he could make merry when he didn’t know whether Celia still lived, he could not imagine.
“
Gather your commanders, Lord Kaeron, and come within. We will feast our new friendship and honor you, who have come to our aid.
”

Lord Kaeron tilted his head as though listening to something else, then the Elf turned. A moment later Dahleven heard a small commotion. The ranks of Elves parted.

“
Dahleven!
”
Celia ran into his arms.

The force of her greeting was better than a caress.

It wasn’t the decorous address his mother would want a Jarl’s wife to give in front of strangers, but Dahleven didn’t care. Celia was safe! He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head, her forehead, her mouth. Behind her came Ragni, Fender, and Utta, followed by Masale, Che’veyo, Tiva’ti, and more Elves.

Celia drew away first and turned to the Elf Lord. Reluctantly, Dahleven let her slide from his arms.

“
Lord Kaeron, I am pleased to see you again,
”
Celia said in warm greeting.

The Praefect nodded an acknowledgment.
“
And I you, Lady Celia.
”
He looked beyond her, his attention drawn by another arrival.

A tall, slender woman walked toward them, the host of Elves parting and bowing as she passed. Even Lord Kaeron bowed to her. She moved with a willowy grace and her black and silver hair branched softly like the spring growth of a tree.

Dahleven stared, too stunned to speak.
Tree-folk
! He’d never thought to see one in this life.

She looked around.
“
Where is our sister-son’s daughter?
”

Dahleven looked around, then at Celia, questioningly. Before she could answer, a familiar voice called,
“
I’m here, Mother.
”

Saeun came forward and knelt before the lithe, old woman.

Saeun is alive
?
And calls Tree-folk kin
?

“
Thank you, Mother,
”
she said.
“
Quartzholm is safe because of you, and Dances-in-Light, and the others.
”

The woman took Saeun’s hands and drew her to her feet.
“
Your gifting was generous, daughter.
”

“
Madam?
”
Dahleven stepped forward.
“
Was it you and your kin who dispersed that unnatural mist?
”

The woman nodded.

“
Then Quartzholm owes you a great debt. How may we show our gratitude to you and yours?
”

The woman smiled gently.
“
As you would to any friend. Do not cut the aspen who remain, take only the bodies of our dead, and show courtesy to our children who walk among you.
”

Walk among us
? Dahleven glanced at Saeun, then back to the Aspen Mother.
“
Will you join us in our feasting? You would be most welcome.
”
Then he wondered,
What does one offer a tree to eat
?

“
No. The cold stone halls of men are not for such as we. Honor Saeun in our stead. It was because of her that we came.
”
She turned back to Saeun.
“
You are no longer alone. Dance with us when the spring comes. And call upon us if you have need.
”
Then she turned and walked away through the bowing Elves.

Saeun looked like she’d been handed a much longed for and unexpected gift.

“
Wow,
”
Celia said softly.

Dahleven held out his hand to Saeun. She hesitated, and he exchanged a look with Ragni. Thank Baldur his brother was here, ready to step into Wirmund’s shoes. His next words would have implications that would ripple throughout the Jarldom. None of his people would think of the Fey, of magic, or even the trees the same again. He’d need Ragni’s support. Dahleven took Saeun’s small gloved hand in his larger one.
“
Lady Saeun,
”
he said, pitching his voice so that his men standing near could hear.
“
For your service to Quartzholm, you are pardoned. All penalties pending against you are void. So say I, Dahleven, Jarl of Quartzholm, and Kon of Nuvinland. Please join us as our honored guest.
”

*

“
Well said, brother.
”
Ragni stepped forward, proud and relieved that he wouldn’t have to argue Dahl into accepting Saeun after all.

A grin split Dahleven’s face as he pulled Ragni into a thumping hug, but when his brother stepped back, there was a storm of emotion in his heart.
“
Much has happened in your absence,
”
he said softly. Then louder he said,
“
Tonight we will feast! Lord Kaeron, you and yours are welcome. Come within and let us see to your comfort.
”

Kaeron accepted, then commanded several of his company to see to their fallen. He confirmed that enough damage had been done to the stone-warriors; they would not revive with the night. Dahleven shouted orders to open the gates and a swirling bustle of hospitality commenced. Servants and warriors alike stared. One maid even fainted at the prospect of waiting on the Fey, but most swallowed their fear and made the Elves welcome.

Ragni couldn’t help grinning.
So far, so good
. This reaction was better than he had expected. The fear of being Fey-marked would fade along with the fear of the Fey.
Especially if Valender cures Neven of his affliction
. Dahl’s twilight-eyes might even become an asset in time, rather than a liability.

Dahleven ordered four squads to go out into the village to gather the dead for burial, then turned back to Ragni and Celia.
“
Come with me,
”
he said, pulling them both into a private room. They left Magnus issuing orders while hugging Utta in the courtyard.

Ragni’s grin faded. His Talent still seemed weak, but he could feel enough from his brother to know that whatever Dahl had to say wasn’t good.

Dahl shut the heavy door behind them. It was only a guard room, furnished with weapon racks, a trestle table, and wooden benches. Apparently whatever Dahleven had to say was urgent enough it couldn’t wait until they reached the family quarters. And then, as Dahl hesitated, his brother’s earlier words sank in.

So say I, Dahleven, Jarl of Quartzholm and Kon of Nuvinland
. Not
acting
Jarl. Jarl.

Their father was dead.

He’d known it was possible. Neven had been gravely ill when he’d left. But he couldn’t imagine Quartzholm without him. Neven’s will had seemed to hold the very stones in place.

And now he was gone.

“
What is it?
”
Celia asked, looking from Dahl to him and back again.

Ragni looked at her.
“
Dahleven is Jarl now.
”

It took her a second to understand, then her eyes widened.
“
Oh, Dahl!
”
She went to him and put her arms around him, compassion flowing from her like a river. Too bad Dahl couldn’t feel it directly.

Dahl held her for a moment, then eased her back a little, though he kept his arm around her. Ragni could feel how having her near strengthened his brother, and it made him wish Saeun were here, too. Or Utta. The latter thought surprised him, but it was true.

“
There’s something else,
”
Dahl said.
“
It’s good that you returned when you did, Ragni. Wirmund is dead.
”

Celia gasped.
“
Dead?
”

“
He called upon Baldur to disperse the mist, and murdered Father Hamma in the doing of it. Cut his throat. Apparently Baldur wasn’t pleased.
”

Ragni stared, stunned.
Wirmund killed Hamma
?
He gifted Baldur with a man’s life
?
How could he have thought Baldur would accept such a corrupt sacrifice
?