The first rank of archers set fire to their arrows and loosed them into the sky, signaling the oncoming dragon and his rider. Even as Ancaladar circled to land, Keirasti had vaulted from Orata's back.
"Maredhiel," she said over her shoulder to her Second, "it would please me greatly if you were to make camp here until I return."
"It would please me greatly as well," Maredhiel said, relief in her voice. She raised her horn to her lips and blew the signal to make camp.
* * * * *
ANCALADAR had barely settled into the snow by the time Keirasti reached him.
"Jermayan, I know not where you fly, but you must take me to Redhelwar at once. Kellen has ordered this, and it is more vital than any other purpose you may have that I reach him at once."
"He is riding into a Shadowed Elf trap at Halacira," Jermayan said. "When did you leave him and where?"
"On the Gathering Plain, six days past," Keirasti said promptly. "He will not reach Halacira for another four days yet, by my judgment; we would have reached it a fortnight ago, save that weather delayed us on the road. But my message will not wait even an hour."
"Then come," Jermayan said. "We will talk upon the wing."
As soon as Keirasti had strapped herself into place, Ancaladar began his larruping run upslope to gain the necessary speed for takeoff. After a few moments he had gained the necessary momentum, and bounded into the sky.
* * * * *
THIS time there was no need to fly close to the ground to try to track a warband that might be lost or injured, and Ancaladar was able to take advantage of every current in the high sky to ease their flight. It also meant that they flew very high, and Keirasti's teeth were quickly chattering, even with the heat the dragon's body radiated to warm her.
"Of what I carry I may not speak," she said. "But Kellen and all who travel with him were well when I left him. We have had no casualties and few injuries more than I can say for the Shadewalker we encountered in the pass, which Kellen slew. No more messengers will find their deaths trying to reach Sentarshadeen, I think."
"So much makes good hearing," Jermayan said. But why Kellen felt it so vital to send Keirasti back from Ondoladeshiron with a message for Redhelwar and apparently a message of such terrible urgency was a puzzle of grave importance. "Yet I would hear more."
"And I would tell it to you," Keirasti said, her voice tight with frustration. "Yet Kellen swore me to silence, that the information I carried, and that which I know, be given to the hand and ear of none but the Army's General."
"Now that is disturbing," Ancaladar said mildly. "I really do think we'd better go ask Kellen about this ourselves."
"So do I," Jermayan said. He gritted his teeth, duty warring with the inclination of his heart. "Unfortunately, there is one thing we must do first."
"I would be grateful, if it is possible, if you were able to return me to my people on your way to speak to Kellen, of course," Keirasti said. "Maredhiel will wait there until spring, otherwise, and once I have delivered my message, there is no reason my troops should not return to Kellen."
"That I may promise with a full certainty of accomplishment," Jermayan said with relief. "Once I have delivered you to Redhelwar, I must make my last flight to the Fortress of the Crowned Horns, to discharge the last of my duty to Andoreniel. Then I shall return you to your people, and join Kellen by sunset, long before he has reached Halacira."
* * * * *
JERMAYAN landed as near the horse-lines as he dared. He helped Keirasti unbuckle the unfamiliar straps, and as soon as she was safely clear, Ancaladar began his takeoff run again. It was only a short flight to Ysterialpoerin, but he would have to choose his landing-place carefully.
Jermayan only wished he could afford the time to stop and speak to Idalia, but now he grudged every hour that must elapse until he could fly to Kellen. If he knew his heart's twin, she would already have brought Cilarnen down to Healer's Row, where he could be tended more efficiently, and news of his and Keirasti's arrival would already be spreading through the camp. Soon Idalia would know that Kellen was alive and well.
Or had been six days ago, at least.
Keirasti must have pushed her small band like Maiden Winter Herself to have gotten so far into the Mystrals in only six days; whatever message Kellen had entrusted her with must be of a terrible urgency.
And you will know what it is soon enough. By this evening's sunset, if fortune favors you.
* * * * *
KEIRASTI presented herself at Ninolion's pavilion shaking with cold and weariness. Redhelwar's adjutant shot to his feet, looking as if he beheld a spirit risen out of the earth itself.
"I come from Kellen Knight-Mage with urgent information for Redhelwar Army's General," Keirasti said, holding herself upright with great effort.
She'd thought she'd been cold, crossing the Mystrals, but the flight back to Ysterialpoerin on Ancaladar's back had introduced her to realms of cold she had never before imagined and unnatural conditions of height and speed, as well. If that was what being an Elven Mage entailed, she was thankful that the Gods of Leaf and Star had seen fit to make her a simple Elven Knight.
Ninolion rose to his feet and bowed. "I will inform Redhelwar. And I will bring tea."
* * * * *
LESS than half an hour later she was seated in Redhelwar's scarlet pavilion, drinking yet another mug of tea. The potent liquid was rich with Allheal and honey, the brewing nicely judged to her weary state.
"I know already how you have come here, for all saw Ancaladar overfly the camp," Redhelwar said. "And you have said that Kellen sent you."
"He wished me to give this dispatch into your hand as fast as possible, and at all costs," Keirasti said, untying the scroll-case from where it lay against her armor and placing it into Redhelwar's hand. As she did, she felt a great burden ease. "In case it was lost, or had to be destroyed, he told me what it contains, but I am sworn never to speak of it, save to you."
Redhelwar broke the seal and began to read. As he read, a greater stillness descended over the tent, as if the air itself grew heavier.
At last Redhelwar finished reading.
"When you left Kellen, where was he?" Redhelwar asked bluntly. Keirasti had been expecting this. If there were ever a time for War Manners, it was now.
"He continues on to Halacira. I left him six days ago; it will be four days more at least, I judge, before he reaches there. This is good, as Jermayan tells me that the Shadowed Elves lair there, and he flies to bring Kellen warning as soon as he returns from the Crowned Horns."
"As I too have heard," Redhelwar said. He sighed, shaking his head. "I am grateful that our passage through the Mystrals will be peaceful, at least. You will wish to return to your command, and I believe Jermayan will wish to accommodate you. I will ask that you inform Rochinuviel to expect us."
Redhelwar would do as Kellen wished, and bring the army to Ondoladeshiron. Keirasti's emotions were in turmoil. She was certain that Kellen had been sent by the Wild Magic to aid them in this time of their greatest need, but part of her felt a strange disquiet that the orderly arrangement of things that had stood unchanged for uncounted centuries was being blown away as abruptly as blossoms in a sudden storm. If things could change so suddenly, who could say what the future might hold?
"It shall be as you say, Redhelwar," she said, bowing her head.
"Now go. Rest and eat. There is much to do to prepare the army to move, and for the sake of Kellen's warning, it must be done with speed. I will send someone to you when Jermayan returns."
Keirasti stood. "I thank you for that kindness."
Redhelwar smiled. "Some would say it is no kindness, to send you back out into the cold and the snow. But I know it is what you would wish."
Chapter Ten
The Xaique Board Underground
THE FOREST LOOKED different in winter. Or it might only be he who'd changed, Kellen thought. The first time he'd ridden through these trees, searching for the Black Cairn, he'd had no idea of who he really was. Now, he was… whole.
The winter weather, comparatively mild south and west of the Mystrals, continued to favor them, though the Wildmages said another storm was coming. That was one of the reasons Kellen had pushed the army as hard as he had that, and his desperate need, now, to reach Sentarshadeen and Andoreniel. Once he was in Sentarshadeen, he could send a message by unicorn to Redhelwar, and recall Keirasti. With luck, the riders could catch her before she reached the mountains themselves. He'd left her barely six days ago, but his troops had gotten a good rest at Ondoladeshiron and he'd pushed them hard through the lowlands. He didn't intend to tarry at Halacira, either a quick check to make sure the caverns were safe, then he'd leave Artenel and a reserve force there to begin the work of readying them to become a fortress, and move on to Sentarshadeen. In summer, the caverns were a day and a half's ride from the Elven royal city the journey might take twice that time in winter.