Authors: Cheyenne McCray
Shadow Magic (22 page)
GARRAN ENTERED HIS THRONE room through the obsidian door to find his First and Second, Vidar and Carden, seated with the two head members of the Directorate, Sepan and Hark. They occupied one end of the large oval strategy table.
The only others in the room were the guards stationed to either side of the door leading into the great hall. Familiar scents of his world met Garran. Earth and minerals carried on a cool breeze coming from the hall.
The sharp words “He should have returned by now,” from Sepan, and “What is this madness we are to lend our efforts to?” from Vidar, met his ears as he stepped into the room, and a slow burn began in his chest.
Four chairs scraped the floor as the men stood and each bowed. Varying expressions of respect, concern, and anger were reflected on the faces before him.
“Be seated.” Garran took the chair at the head of the table that Vidar had vacated at once, and settled into it as he braced his arms on the granite tabletop. He maintained his calm as he looked from man to man. “How go preparations to aid in the war against Ceithlenn?”
Vidar's disapproving expression was too easy to read. He would not be a good ruler.
Garran resisted grinding his teeth as the burn in his chest became greater.
“Carden has our forces prepared.” Vidar leaned back in his chair and folded his arms, an angry, judging posture, causing Garran to narrow his eyes. “Our warriors are ready to do your bidding as soon as you command them to,” Vidar added.
Keeping his expression neutral, Garran leveled a long stare at the dark-haired, dark-eyed, fierce warrior who did not back down from his obvious disapproval of Garran's decision to aid in the war against the goddess and demons.
Yes, he would deal with Vidar once they were alone.
Garran's gaze settled on Carden, who had a much more balanced view on most subjects and who was far more respectful. Not to mention he was strong in belief and honorable to the core. Was it too late to replace Vidar with Carden as Steward?
“What brings the Directorate to speak with my First and Second?” Garran said as he looked from Hark's blue eyes to Sepan's gray ones.
Sepan's gray eyes narrowed. “We believed it necessary to convene to discuss the possibility of your failure to return.”
Garran studied him for a long moment, then slowly nodded. “This is good. The Directorate and my highest in command should always be prepared for the worst.”
His words shocked the four men at the table into silence, which Garran easily filled. “I have been working with the D'Danann, D'Anu witches, and the human law enforcement, the Alliance, to strategize and find a way to eliminate Ceithlenn and the demons.”
He looked from one man to the other as he continued, his gut churning at the realization that at least once more he would be forced to use the power the Great Guardian had gifted him with. “Half of the Fomorii have been returned to Underworld.” He barely held back a frustrated sigh. “The other half remain in the San Francisco Otherworld.”
Hark's gaze widened. “How was it that such a large portion of the Fomorii were returned to Underworld?”
“It does not matter, it is done.” Garran maintained his regal
position. “What is important now is that the Drow are prepared to fight the Fomorii who remain. It has been divined by the D'Anu witches that a great battle will take place. We will honor our promise and fight by the sides of those we are pledged to.”
position. “What is important now is that the Drow are prepared to fight the Fomorii who remain. It has been divined by the D'Anu witches that a great battle will take place. We will honor our promise and fight by the sides of those we are pledged to.”
“A pledge you made without consulting the Directorate.” Sepan's voice had a sharper bite to it than was appropriate.
To make his point even clearer, Garran firmed his expression and hardened his tone as he spoke to Sepan. “Lest you have forgotten, I am king.” The burn in Garran's chest had spread along his skin. “Make no mistake, Sepan, the Directorate is here to advise should I require it. But the final decisions lie with me.”
The older Drow did not back down. “You never gave us the opportunity to advise.”
“That is correct.” Garran inclined his head in acknowledgment. “I sought counsel with the Great Guardian.”
Another silence filled the room and Garran could imagine the crystal walls ringing with that silence. Shock registered on every face in the room.
“You would seek counsel with one of the Light Elves before your Directorate?” Sepan finally sputtered as he leaned back in his chair. “She, above all, could have changed the Elders' minds before they placed the curse over us.”
“I still have much respect for the Guardian.” Garran kept his temper in check, holding back the fire in his gut. “She requested my audience. I accepted and I chose to follow her wisdom.” His eyes remained on Sepan. “All of the Directorate is well aware that when the Great Guardian speaks, it is best to listen.”
“That is so,” Hark said in his calm tone, as Sepan snapped his gaze to the other member of the Directorate. “She above all is revered.”
If it were not for her insistence that he tell no one of the “gift,” he would have explained it to his men, but she had made it clear that was not an option.
Garran looked to the two leaders of his Directorate.
“Now I must speak to my First and Second, if you will excuse us.”
“Now I must speak to my First and Second, if you will excuse us.”
Sepan still had an entirely unacceptable angry glint to his eyes as he stalked out the door. Garran would deal with him later. Hark merely bowed and left the room.
While the two members of the Directorate exited, Garran allowed himself to mentally touch the link established between himself and Hannah. Now that they had traded essences, Garran could feel Hannah, sense her deep in his gut. But at that moment the link seemed weaker than it had before he had entered the Drow realm. He brushed aside the weakening as a result of his trip back to Otherworld.
When only Carden and Vidar remained, Garran eased back, rested his elbows on his chair's arms and folded his hands on his belly. “What has occurred in my absence?”
As Vidar was First in Command, Carden did not speakâthe warrior looked to Vidar to give the report.
“The legions wonder why you left the Drow realm and why we are going to war,” Vidar said, his black eyes narrowed.
Garran's chest tightened and he could barely leash the fire in his body. He leaned forward and braced his arms on the table again, this time making no pretense of his displeasure with Vidar.
“And who would have informed the legions of my activities?” Garran nearly bared his teeth. “As my Steward it is your responsibility to keep the legions battle-ready and confident in their leader and his choices.”
Vidar raised his chin. “My lordâ”
“It is unacceptable that the legions should feel any other way.” He narrowed his brows. “You and I have much to discuss after Carden reports to me.”
The angry spark in Vidar's eyes wavered. “Yes, my lord.”
Garran turned to Carden. “Tell me of the legions' preparations.”
Carden was a confident yet respectful warrior, who was several centuries younger than Garran. Carden's blue eyes
met Garran's. “All have been practicing for battle daily and are fit and ready to do as you bid.” He described the activities of the Dark Elves in detail.
met Garran's. “All have been practicing for battle daily and are fit and ready to do as you bid.” He described the activities of the Dark Elves in detail.
“Good.” Garran gave him a nod of approval. “You and I will converse later. For now leave us. Wait in the great hall and I will call for you.”
Carden stood and bowed before striding out of the room. Garran excused the guards as well, instructing them to remain out of the throne room but to stay beside the doors.
Garran pushed his chair away from the table, the scratch of the legs against the granite floor loud in the silence. He got to his feet and began pacing the room, his gaze landing on Vidar's arrogant one from time to time.
“My kingâ” Vidar started when Garran said nothing.
“Silence.” Garran's voice was a low roar as he stopped his pacing and riveted his attention on the other warrior. “I have failed. Not only in training, but in choice. You are not fit to serve as Steward in my absence or serve as king should I die and pass to Summerland.”
Shock crossed Vidar's features and his skin tinged to a paler shade of blue. He pushed himself up to stand and opened his mouth.
Garran held up his hand, silencing the warrior at the same time he gave him a fierce look. “Sit.”
Vidar dropped back into his seat, the thump of the chair loud enough to echo in the chamber.
“These past days, you have proven to me you are not capable of leading our people.” Garran walked up to Vidar, resisting the urge to grab the man by the throat with one hand and bring him to his feet. “Carden shall serve as my First and as Steward. I will reassign you to a position more befitting your temper and your failure to respect the needs of your people and the wishes of your king.”
Vidar shoved back his chair and stood, his eyes flaring. “You cannot do this.”
Garran let another low growl rumble out of his throat. “The gods bear witness to my word and you will not question
it any further. You will return to your quarters until my decision has been made as to where you will now serve.”
it any further. You will return to your quarters until my decision has been made as to where you will now serve.”
For a moment Vidar stared at him, his hand twitching at his side. Garran rested his palm on the hilt of his sword. He could best Vidar and ten other warriors at one time if it ever proved necessary.
Jaw tensed, Vidar gave a stiff bow, whirled, and strode from the room.
As soon as the warrior left, Garran felt a lessening in the tightness of his chest. He did not doubt his decision to make Carden his First. But what he deplored was his own arrogance in not training a suitable replacement
immediately
after Naal's death, and in not recognizing earlier, or perhaps admitting, that Vidar would have been a poor ruler.
immediately
after Naal's death, and in not recognizing earlier, or perhaps admitting, that Vidar would have been a poor ruler.
Garran summoned Carden. When the younger warrior walked into the room, his stance was proud, and his presence powerful, but respectful.
Carden lowered his eyes before returning his gaze to Garran's. “My king.”
“You will now serve as my First.” Garran faced away from the warrior as he climbed the small dais and sat in his throne. Carden's stunned expression greeted Garran when he turned around to recline in his throne.
“My lord?” Carden said.
“I will convene the Directorate immediately and notify them of my decision.” Garran reclined in his throne and rested one elbow on the chair's arm, stroking his chin with his fingers. “I will have them see to furthering your training so that you might serve in my stead if something should befall me.”
Carden looked too shocked to speak.
“What do you have to say to this duty that I bestow on you?” Garran asked, waiting to gauge Carden's reaction.
The warrior gave a bow before straightening and facing Garran. A noticeable change came over the younger Drowâone that reassured Garran he had made the right decision. Not that he had questioned it once he had realized what had to be done.
Carden's voice was deep, confident. “I will serve our people well during your absence and as your First when you return.”
Garran gave a low nod. “Instruct one of the guards to summon the Directorate to convene at once.”
His new First in Command obeyed immediately and it was not long before the Directorate gathered around the strategy table. For the most part the expression of each member of the Directorate was serene, noncommittal, non-judgmental, despite what each man may have truly been feeling. Only Sepan's face was openly disapproving.
Carden was the sole warrior in the room and he remained standing at Garran's side when he seated himself at the head of the table.
Garran announced his decision to make Carden First in Command and Steward in his absence. “I shall have you each swear fealty to him should something befall me and I pass on to Summerland.”
The silence only lasted a moment before Hark looked directly at Garran. “A wise choice, my king.”
While everyone in the Directorate looked on, Hark stood. He withdrew his sword, went to Carden, knelt and laid his sword at the warrior's feet. “You have my loyal service and guidance as Steward in King Garran's absence. If he should pass on to Summerland, I will serve you when you are King of the Dark Elves.” He retrieved his sword, sheathed it, and returned to his seat.
Garran looked on in approval as every member of the Directorate repeated the action. The rightness of his decision flowed through Garran like a smooth river that cooled the heat that had burned under his skin since arriving back in his realm.
Carden looked every bit the leader. Tall, proud, yet accepting each man's sworn fealty with a graceful nod.
Sepan was the last to approach Carden. Sepan's expression was unreadable, which pleased Garran. It would not do for any member of the Directorate to show disapproval.
Sepan finished, and all of the Directorate seated themselves. Garran opened his mouth to speak when a sudden feeling like a knife slicing into his gut caused him to grip the armrests of the chair so tightly his knuckles make cracking sounds.
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