“Your loss,” Shadow said.
Elenyr smiled at her sons, tears forming in her eyes. In the week since the battle had ended, The first night, Elenyr had slipped away, and found a private corner where she could cry her gratitude and relief. Shadow, of course, had found her. Without a word, he’d simply hugged her. Elenyr had thought Shadow would tell his brothers, but he kept the moment to himself.
“Looks like Fire and Light are almost finished with the caravans,” Shadow said.
A long collection of wagons was placed on the outside of the camps, all filled with the honored dead. Light and Fire had covered them in coffins of light, allowing the thousands who’d arrived since the battle to mourn for their passing. The wagons were crafted of fire that would not burn, a glittering tribute to the thousands who’d paid the ultimate sacrifice. At their head, two wagons carried a single occupant each. Sentara and Lachonus Dralen.
“Where’s Mind?” Elenyr asked.
“He’s still working with Stella,” Water said with a broad smile. “And anyone can see the budding attraction.”
“I knew we all changed since the separation,” Shadow said, “but honestly, watching Mind flirt is, what’s the right word? Oh, that’s right, disturbing.”
Elenyr chuckled. “Maybe, but you cannot deny his happiness.”
“Has Jeric returned?” Elenyr asked.
Shadow shook his head. “I don’t know why he was so disturbed. So one prisoner escaped from the Melting. Why does it matter?”
“He was no normal prisoner,” Elenyr said.
“You know him?” Water asked.
Elenyr shook her head. “I only know that Jeric doesn’t want him found.”
She recalled Jeric’s disturbing expression when he’d discovered one had escaped from the Melting. With little explanation, he’d departed, intent on locating the man. Elenyr had wondered before if Ero had imprisoned someone on Lumineia, and now she was certain. But what was his identity? And why did Ero fear his freedom?
“We could use the amplious to find him,” Water said. “Mind said it can empower any mage, even us.”
“True,” Shadow said, and wrinkled his nose. “But Mind already hid it.”
Elenyr smiled at his irritation. “You tried to steal it, didn’t you.”
“Of course,” Shadow said. “Do you know where he put it?”
“The one place it will not be found,” she replied.
“So you do know where it is.” Shadow leveled an accusing finger at her.
“It is not prudent to have a piece of the fragment of Power in easy reach,” she replied.
Captain Horn appeared at the edge of the camp and spotted them at the top of the hill. He turned in their direction and hurried up the slope. Princess Serania raced at his side, taking two steps for every one of his.
“Elenyr,” Captain Horn called. “There’s something you need to see.”
Catching the urgency in his tone, Elenyr dropped from her spot and joined him. “What’s wrong?”
“Urindilial is speaking.” Serania said.
Elenyr’s eyes widened and the five of them returned to the city. Threading through the fallen buildings and soldiers working in the ruins, they crossed an aquaglass bridge to reach the island at the center of the city.
Queen Alosia was there, as were Queen Nelia of Erathan, and Queen Annah of Griffin. The three women stood around the trunk of the tree, talking in low tones. As Elenyr and the others arrived, Alosia turned to her.
“I’m glad you’ve come. Urindilial is asking for you.”
“Me?” Elenyr asked, surprised. “Why?”
“She’s very weak,” Alosia said. “I don’t know how much time she has.”
Water frowned. “You mean . . .”
Alosia’s features constricted. “She is dying. And there is nothing we can do.”
The grief was evident in her face. Urindilial had lived for ages, and even been transplanted from their former capital. It had seen ages and eras pass, and survived wars and conflicts that had ravaged the elven kingdom.
Elenyr approached the tree and placed her hand against the bark. Rough to the touch, the bark had been burned, and Elenyr could feel the sense of pain. A consciousness stirred, and then Elenyr sensed a faint voice touch her thoughts.
Hauntress . . .
“I am here,” Elenyr said softly.
You have my gratitude for protecting my people, the tree murmured.
“I fear I have done very little.”
. . . I see much, Urindilial said, and I have witnessed your devotion to your sons. They survived because of you, and now I witness their integrity . . .
I did not do enough, Elenyr silently replied. For one of my sons was the cause of this war.
