Chapter 3
Garandol and Efreal stood on the large balcony Efreal used to address the people. It gave a view of most of Ashenland. Facing the South, he could see most of the West and East as well. Looking up simultaneously, Garandol and Efreal saw both Arrow and Shelby speeding towards them in competition once again. Shelby reached Efreal a second before Arrow reached Garandol.
“You're getting slow in your old age, my old friend,” Garandol said.
Screeching in reproach, the hawk lifted off of Garandol's arm, landing on the railing of the balcony. Shelby perched next to him looking as proud as a bird could.
Garandol read Mark's message then rolled up the parchment. Turning towards Efreal, he waited until the Ri was done reading Seth's message.
“So, what is Seth's progress?” Garandol asked as Efreal rolled up his message.
“Mandin is dead, his servants poisoned him and escaped with Seth and Serina. They barely made it out with their lives. Seilnai and her troops, they say are from Underworld, set the house on fire with them still inside. The servants led them through a tunnel below the house before it collapsed.
“Seilnai killed their guard before Serina could warn them. They're going to follow Seilnai to Trondil to try and save as many as possible. The servants are staying with them to help in any way they can.”
Efreal turned and faced the edge of the balcony.
“Did no one from Sparrenth join them?”
“Seth said the town was all but deserted. Serina seems to think many of the people of Sparrenth are either on their way here or have probably joined Arnath's ranks.”
“Let's pray more are joining our side than Arnath's.”
“Aye. What of Mark?”
“They have taken a Cathian Captain captive. They were on their way to Fortuna to take back the city. Arnath wants his gold.”
“What have they done with the Captain?”
“They plan to bring him here as a prisoner of war.”
“They should have killed him.”
“Perhaps, but you know Mark will only kill someone in a fair fight, unless otherwise directed by Sol.”
Efreal nodded, saying, “Yes, he's very noble.”
Garandol chuckled, grabbing Efreal's shoulder as he said, “No, he's just very young.”
Efreal chuckled a little as well saying, “Yes, he is. But a fine warrior and a great leader as well.”
Both men stood for a long time just staring at the city stretched out before them. Five minutes passed before Efreal finally spoke up.
“Let's send some men to meet Seth and Serina in Trondil. A small regiment, twenty men. Not to engage in battle necessarily, but to help rescue as much of the town as possible.”
Garandol nodded with a small grunt saying he agreed.
“And send some reinforcements to Fortuna ahead of Mark. Tell him to hold back the Cathian camp back as much as possible. Wipe them out if he needs to.”
“I will send your orders right away, sir,” Garandol said with a slight bow.
“Father,” Lana said, surprising them both.
Turning, they found Efreal's daughter, red eyed and worried, walking towards them. Just a few months ago she'd promised herself to Seth. Their separation since then had been rough on her, but she repeatedly told them how proud of Seth she was.
“Lana,” Efreal said, kissing her on the cheek and embracing her. “The sight of you is a breath of fresh air.”
She didn't smile at his compliment.
“What brings you here, my daughter?” he asked warmly.
“Arrow may be fast, but his call is unmistakable. I saw him racing Shelby to the balcony. Has Seth sent word?”
Efreal hesitated, then said, “Yes, he has.”
“Why do you hesitate? What's happened? Is Seth okay?” She asked frantically.
“Seth and Serina are fine,” he assured her. “However, their guard was killed by Seilnai's troops. They escaped with their lives and the lives of Mandin's servants.”
“And what of Mandin?”
“Died before Seilnai set the house on fire. He is lost.”
She nodded, saying, “He was a troll of a man anyhow. Is Seth on his way back here?”
“No, he is continuing his work. They are following Seilnai to Trondil to save as many as possible, then moving on to Serpa to try and persuade the men there.”
“Serpa is a lost cause. The town is full of nothing but criminals.”
“Yes, but if criminals can be swayed to help you, they can be a great ally. They are ruthless and have no problem killing.”
She crossed her arms, sighing heavily as she looked away.
“Are you sending word back to Seth then?” She asked Garandol.
“Yes,” Garandol said, taking a step towards them again. “I was about to draw up the letters now.”
“What is happening with Mark and Karis?”
“They scouted out a regiment of one hundred Cathians, took their Captain captive and have questioned him.”
“What have they learned?”
“Arnath wants Fortuna back. We will be sending troops to reinforce the city. Mark will have the Cathians taken care of and then he and his 'special ops' team will be joining the troops in Fortuna to assist in guarding the city.”
Lana raised an eyebrow, asking, “Don't you think that's a waste of his and his team's talents? Security?”
“That's where they will stay until we have a new mission for them.”
Nodding she turned away and walked away from her father. Efreal watched her leave, when she was out of sight he turned back to the railing of the balcony and leaned against it. Garandol joined him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“These are hard times, Efreal. Have patience with her.”
“I have patience with her. My heart breaks because hers breaks.”
Garandol smiled down at him warmly, giving his shoulder a kind squeeze.
“I must send word back to our soldiers.”
“Of course, go ahead. I will be fine.”
Lana wandered the castle grounds, seemingly aimlessly, until she found herself at the Silver River, on the flat, white rock where she'd found Seth with a message from Garandol a year and a half ago. It was then she realized she'd loved him, as they read the note together, their heads so close they nearly touched. Taking a seat on the rock, she tucked her legs behind her, leaning to her side as she stared at the river. She rested her head on her shoulder, propping herself up on one arm. Wiping tears from her eyes every so often, she allowed herself to miss Seth.
They'd been able to spend a month together, almost everyday, before he and Serina left to win Eranithian's to their side and begin the rebellion. They were successful for the most part, many of the small villages abandoned their homes, seeking refuge in Ashenland, having full faith that one day they would return to their homeland and rebuild their nation. History taught them all that when an evil king ruled over Eranithia, the war that ended his reign was destructive. It wouldn't be any different this time around. Current events were already proving that to be true.
Towns and villages who joined Seth and Serina were all but wiped off the map now. Seilnai saw to that. She and her troops set to burning down every town and village that rebelled against Arnath.
Lana struggled within, telling herself that Seilnai only did what she did because Arnath had control of her mind. It wasn't really Jennifer, whom she'd yet to meet, who carried out these orders. It was Seilnai, under the control of Arnath. She had the argument with herself daily.
Lana jumped, startled by a touch from her mother. Luma sat next to her, running her fingers through Lana's hair.
“Are you okay, Lana?”
She shrugged, looking back down at the river.
“Did you talk to your father?” Luma asked.
“Yes, Seth and Serina's guard were killed.”
“I know, he's just told me. You know Seth will be okay, right?”
“Of course. He has powers no other has.”
“That's not why I know he will be safe.”
“He also has Serina with him-”
“Lana,” Luma laughed, “he loves you!”
Lana looked at her, unable to control the tears that poured from her eyes. She was surprised she still had tears to cry. It seemed it was all she ever did lately.
“Lana, his love will bring him back to you. Your love for him should be telling you that.”
“My love does tell me.”
Lana stared at the river. Something about the gentle flow of silver calmed her. It was her favorite piece of Ashenland.
“Do you remember that summer Seth and Serina last came to Ashenland?” Lana asked.
“Of course, they were about ten years old then.”
“I was eight. I remember it as if it happened yesterday,” brushing a fly away from her face, she continued. “We always played heroic games. Serina and I would be taken captive by a couple of older boys. Even then, Seth was so strong, teenage Elves could just barely fight him off.”
“I remember many black eyes that summer,” Luma laughed.
“Yes, not only from Seth. After a week we had to find new boys to take me captive.”
“I believe Seth loved you even then.”
“I believe that too.”
Lana couldn't speak for a long moment as emotion tied a knot in her throat. The aching could only be eased by releasing the tears flooding her eyes. Letting them fall brought relief to the ache in her throat, but the only thing that would ease the pain in her heart was seeing Seth again.
“Arrow?” Luma said responding to the sound of a hawk's call.
Lana looked up at her mother, then to the sky. Circling above them was a hawk, but it was too small to be Arrow.
“No, that's a younger bird,” Lana said. “He's much too small to be Arrow.”
The hawk swooped down at her whistling and landed on a branch in the tree shading the rock she sat on. Lana stood up whistling again. The bird dropped down to a lower branch. Lana reached up to the hawk and it stuck its leg out for her to untie the rolled parchment.
“Thank you,” she said stroking the hawk's head with a long nail from one of her fingers.
The hawk screeched softly then took flight.
Lana untied the red ribbon holding the letter closed, unfolded it and began reading.
“Is it from Seth?” Luma asked.
“Yes, it is!”
“What did he say?” Luma asked, brushing a strand of hair from Lana's face and tucking it behind her ear.
Smiling at her mother she said, “Just that he loves me and misses me.”
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