Disclaimer: see previous chapters
Author's Note: I know that there is absolutely no excuse for my utter neglect of this story. Nonetheless, I apologize profusely. From now on, I will make a concerted effort to increase the frequency of my postings, even if it means mild sleep deprivation.
Please, please offer me criticism of my story!!! Especially with regards to Allanon, though also (for those of my readers who know the five girls in this story) my friends.
Questions Answered and Raised
The night sky was cloudless and star-studded, but the land beneath it was eerily still. It seemed to be holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. Cloaked in the silence, Allanon picked his way carefully down the treacherous valley wall toward the Hadeshorn, trying to clear his mind of distracting thoughts so as to better concentrate on the task ahead. He was finding it difficult, mainly because there were so many.
The first that came to mind was Erin. He was still working out his feelings towards the girl, had been trying to for quite some time. He did not believe that he had fallen in love with her. It was more a kinship, a bond of friendship, a tie forged from their mutual need to keep unpleasant secrets from those they most wanted to help. Brought together by this, their friendship had quickly deepened. He admired her as well, knowing how hard it must have been to accept the reality of magic and Dark Lords and Druids, knowing how well she had performed in her battles with the Skull Bearers despite the fact she had never in her life been faced by such creatures. Allanon felt a great need to protect her from any more such dangers, to become a wall about her that nothing could penetrate. The idea of harm befalling her frightened him, though he knew that it would happen many times before the end of the journey.
Allanon was surprised and somewhat embarrassed by the intensity of his feelings. He had only known Erin for a few weeks, and already she knew him better than any other living soul in this world or the Four Lands. She had an air about her, a tone of voice and posture, which seemed to encourage you to confide your deepest fears.
And yet, though he had longed to, he had not. There was almost an unspoken agreement between them not to speak of how he had come to this world. But returning here brought back the memories—and the fears. Memories of traveling though the spirit world, a din worse than the banshees in the Hall of Kings, fleeting touches chill as ice from which the equally frigid shade who carried him could not shelter him.
Allanon stumbled slightly, his concentration broken momentarily as the fear came flooding back. He held himself rigid against it, built a wall about himself, a barrier constructed of iron determination and desperation. He made it as a protection against the kind of emotions that would be his downfall here. Within his mental blockade he allowed only the knowledge required for the summoning and the conviction he needed to withstand it.
Now he reached the bottom of the valley, striding quickly and confidently across it, his mind and face devoid of the emotion which had occupied his attention for so long. Another minute passed, and the water's edge lay feet before him, still as death itself. Allanon glanced one last time at the clear, star-studded sky, and then his instincts told him the time had come.
Silently Allanon's arms came up, and the lake before him stirred in response, ripples dancing across its glass-like surface. In a soft yet strong voice, Allanon began the words of the summoning. The ripples became waves, the lake becoming increasingly agitated in response to the rising volume of Allanon's chant. A rumble seemed to begin within the earth, growing louder as the summoning went on. Allanon paid it no heed, the brunt of his concentration focused on the words which were pouring from his lips with increasing speed. The waters before him were churning now, boiling as if a huge fire had been lit beneath them, and the earth's murmur of discontent had built into a shout so loud it seemed the valley would tear apart with its force. But the rock upon which Allanon stood was steady, and so was his voice as he continued heedlessly, tone commanding and powerful as he invoked the irresistible call to the spirits.
Allanon shouted one last word, completing the invocation. Then the thundering of the earth seemed to gather itself like a snake coiling to strike, its volume dropping suddenly. The waters of the lake drew inward in a swirling motion, a whirlpool forming in the center, a tunnel to the spirit world. The coiled rumbling burst forth in an overwhelming rush of sound, and on its heels came the spirits of the dead.
Upwards they rushed in a geyser of transparent shapes, their earsplitting wails drowning out the rumbling of the earth. Allanon's arms dropped to his sides as he waited expectantly. One spirit rose above the others, who darted about its shadowy form like jealous children.
"Father," Allanon whispered unconsciously as the shade of Bremen rose and glided across the roiling waters towards him.
—Why are you here— The shade's voice appeared within Allanon's mind. He fought down the subconscious fear the shade evoked within him, as well as the anger and shame he felt towards himself because of it. He hated to think that he now associated the spirit of the man who had once cared so deeply for him with such primal fear, the same feeling he experienced in the presence of evil such as the Skull Bearers. But he resisted the urge to flee, instead answering in a voice much stronger than he felt, "I seek knowledge and answers which are hidden from me."
Bremen did not reply immediately. The shade turned the formidable force of its gaze upon Allanon, boring into his own, giving the Druid the impression that his recent thoughts and memories were being rifled through like records in a library. It sent shivers down his spine. But still he did not flee.
Then the uncomfortable feeling disappeared, though Bremen did not break eye contact, further convincing Allanon that the shade had indeed been reading his mind. Before he could voice his suspicions, Bremen answered his request with a single word.
—Watch— Bremen's arms spread wide, and his body seemed to shift, changing color and configuration to form an image. The image was of six people on horseback, who Allanon saw at once were he and the five girls. They were riding in a line through mountains similar to those they now traveled, in the usual order. Suddenly Allanon realized that the four girls who normally carried short swords now had longswords of their own. The others had all been given second forms as well! And there, two places behind him, rode one of the twins…with the Sword of Shannara strapped to her back! The Eilt Druin in the hilt was unmistakable. But which twin carried it? From behind the two were identical, and it was nearly impossible to tell. Then the twin bearing the Sword turned in the saddle…
The image shifted, and Allanon soon saw he was no longer looking at the scenic mountains Erin called the Rockies. He knew the location immediately; he had been here only once before, but the skull shape of the rock was instantly recognizable. So was the army, perhaps a thousand strong, Trolls and Gnomes together. They were all surging towards an entrance carved in the rock face before which two solitary figures stood. Both were Druids, Allanon saw with a jolt, black-cloaked with blue fire shooting from their fingertips. One he recognized as himself, but the other? Then the second Druid's hood fell back and their face was revealed, twisted into a fierce snarl…
Once more the image changed but this time Allanon was surprised to find it displaying the Hadeshorn. It could have been showing him the present; he and Bremen were in the same positions as they were now. But there was one difference, and it was this which had caught him off guard. Three of the girls were with him, their faces clearly shown, fear and anticipation in their eyes. All three were in their second forms…
The last image was dark and difficult to distinguish clearly. It was night, a moonless night by the utter lack of light. Allanon could barely make out three large, bulky forms holding a single struggling shadow between them…
For the last time the shade's body shifted, now back to itself. Allanon took a deep breath and filed the images away into the library of his mind. Before he could comment on them, Bremen spoke.
—You do not yet understand, but you will. Now, you must listen.— Allanon did not protest; he certainly did not understand, and knew that there was little point in trying to get the shade to explain. Perhaps now the shade would answer some of his questions, rather than creating more.
—There is only one Sword of Shannara. It is where you left it: in Tyrsis, in Callahorn—
"In the Four Lands," Allanon whispered, the sense of dread he had felt when he first entered the valley swiftly manifesting itself in a knot of fear within his stomach. He ignored it, concentrating on Bremen's words.
—You must travel there and retrieve it. Without the Sword you have no chance of success. I will take you and your companions to the Valley of Shale, but no closer. That is all I may do. Farewell, Allanon.—
The shade of Bremen began to retreat into the roiling broth from which it had appeared. "No!" Allanon cried in frustration. "Father! I still have questions! Father, do not go!"
—I may stay no longer—
"No!"
—Farewell—
"Father!" Allanon shouted desperately one last time, his voice drowned out by the screams and rumbles which had resumed about him. "Father," he whispered once more, and then stood amidst the chaos, letting it flow around him like a river. Gradually the cacophony dimmed as the spirits were drawn back into the whirlpool. The rumbling subsided, and the waters calmed once more. The valley was returned to its state of watchful silence.
During the summoning, dawn had crept up upon the valley, and as the first rays of sun dyed the rocks red, they fell upon the heap of black robes at the lake's edge.
Amanda watched the summoning begin from her position next to Erin, her anxiety etched upon her features. She had waited nearly a month for this moment, to find out whether she or her sister was the Heir of Shannara. For much of that time, she had fought an internal war of faith. She found it hard to accept Allanon's story, despite the fact the Skull Bearer had obviously been real and had mentioned an Heir of Shannara. Besides, how could they succeed, if they did not know where the fabled Sword was? What would happen if the shad could not tell them how to find it?
Thinking about the spirit brought Amanda back to her nervousness. It seemed to reside in her stomach: a swarm of butterflies, a sharp-clawed creature, and a cold ball of iron all at once, heavy with worry, dragging her deeper into the sea of madness into which she had fallen that day a month ago when the Skull Bearer had entered her class.
I might not even be the Heir, she told herself in an effort to calm her nerves. It might be Elissa. In many ways that might be considered desirable, especially since she would not have to deal with the burden of such responsibility. Nonetheless, in the past few weeks she and Elissa had grown much closer, and Amanda realized that the prospect of her twin sister being the Heir was not so desirable after all. To know that Elissa was going into that kind of danger, and there was nothing anyone could do about it…Amanda shuddered inwardly at the idea. She would much rather take it upon herself, though she had no idea what it would bring down upon her.
With a frustrated sigh that was lost among the cacophony about her, Amanda went back to watching and waiting.
Erin stared in awe at the spectacle unfolding before her. The sheer, unbridled power emanating from the valley was nearly tangible, and though she was no Druid, it was impossible to miss. She could hardly imagine what it was like for Allanon.
Suddenly the shade began to retreat, moving back toward the lightless tunnel from which it had come. The noise level about the girls, which had dropped after the shade's arrival, rose again to a new intensity. Erin covered her ears against it, as did everyone else, breathlessly watching the grand finale. Her eyes were drawn to the water's edge, where Allanon seemed to be very agitated. She just hoped he had learned all that he needed to know.
Gradually the noise subsided, and the gray light of dawn crept in to reclaim the valley from its dark sibling. The five friends stayed in place for a time, watching the stilling waters and letting their hands fall back to their sides with sighs of relief. Finally Erin stepped back and called to them. "Come on. Let's break camp. Allanon will return when he's ready." She glanced down at his tall form standing motionless at the lakeshore, and a swell of sorrow and sympathy welled up in her heart. She could only guess how difficult it must have been for Allanon to see Bremen for so few minutes and then be torn away from him, destined only to visit his foster father when dire need required it.
The others glanced warily over their shoulders at the silent valley as they followed Erin back to the camp. They moved slowly to gather their belongings, as if in a dream, their awe plain in their expressions. Once they had packed they milled around aimlessly, speaking only in whispers. The peaks about them flamed with the sun's new rays as the golden orb rose higher in the sky.
After fifteen minutes had passed, Erin went again to the edge and peered down at the lakeshore. With a cry she leaped down the steep slope, and all four of her friends rose quickly to follow. The sight that greeted their eyes was unexpected indeed.
Allanon lay motionless on the lakeshore, one arm only inches from the deadly waters of the Hadeshorn.
Hurriedly they made their way down the valley, more careful about avoiding a fall than Erin, who was sliding down amid a torrent of sharp rocks. She was heedless of the cuts that crisscrossed the pale skin of her hands and the sound of stones falling that echoed off the valley walls. The crumpled form of Allanon was the only thing she saw. She wasn't worried that he would not be able to tell them what Bremen had said, or wondering how they would succeed in their quest without his guidance and protection. It was the pure need to see the man she cared so deeply for open his eyes, sit up, and tell her everything was all right.
As Erin reached him, her breaths coming in sobs, she grabbed his arm and pulled it away from the waters, turning him over so that she could see his face. He was breathing, and a moment later Erin identified a pulse, which meant he was alive. Tears flowed down her face as relief overcame her, falling onto his face as she called his name. His eyes opened slowly at the soft touch of the salty drops, and Erin found herself looking deeply into their blue depths for the first time. For a brief moment, she saw his overwhelming, unguarded fear and boundless sorrow laid out before her in a way he had never allowed her to see before. In the next instant his inscrutable expression was back, his defenses thrown up once more, before he realized that it was Erin who was crouched over him. She smiled sympathetically through her tears, understanding his aversion to such vulnerability.
Allanon sat up weakly, glancing around him to get his bearings. Before he had a chance to rise to his feet Erin threw her arms around his neck and hugged him fiercely, startling a chuckle from him. He awkwardly returned the gesture, and she sat back again, brushing away her tears as her friends neared. Her eyes were still bright with relief as she whispered, "You scared me there for a minute."
Before Allanon could reply Adrienne, Sarah, and the twins surrounded them. Adrienne was the first to speak. "Allanon, are you all right?" she exclaimed.
"I am merely weary. Summoning the dead requires much strength. With a little rest I will be fine," Allanon replied.
The twins did not have to speak. They merely stood there, expressions begging for the answer to their most pressing question more clearly than words.
Allanon glanced from one to the other a few times, and then answered their unspoken query. "The Heir is Amanda," he said simply.
All eyes turned to her. Relief passed first across her face, because the tension of not knowing had been removed, and because the heir was not Elissa. Then the relief was replaced by a fear more intense than before, because the feeling of not knowing had returned. But it was tempered with resignation, because although she did not know what was to come, did not know what she was to do in the future, she did know with reassuring certainty that it would come, and she would face it.
After giving everyone a few moments to digest Allanon's declaration, Erin met his eyes again. "And the Sword?"
She was surprised to see the fear stir momentarily within the Druid's eyes before he replied, "I will tell you later. I need some time to ponder the rest of what I have been shown."
Erin nodded and gave him a smile of understanding. "Let's get back to camp." she ordered, then a feeling, almost a premonition, made her ask, "Allanon, will we be moving camp yet?"
"No." the Druid answered. "Not yet. Later in the day, perhaps."
Allanon's gloominess extended like a raincloud over the girls, silent as they climbed the valley wall. Erin dropped back to Allanon, lending him a shoulder as he slowly made his way up the slope.
"You all right?" she asked him again.
The Druid glanced at her quickly. "Yes, I am just tired."
Erin gave him a critical look, but let it go. "What did you find out about the Sword?" she asked in a low voice.
Allanon sighed. "I will tell you later, when I tell everyone else." he replied in a harsh tone.
Erin looked hurt for a moment, then reminded herself that Allanon had just been through a very difficult experience. However well he hid his emotions, Erin was sure that he was still working to suppress them. In the same soft tone she said, "Allanon, I know that was hard—"
"You do not know." Allanon cut her off, then quickened his pace and moved ahead of her. Erin looked after him sadly before continuing at a slower pace. Let him go, she told herself. He needs to be alone.
Adrienne glanced at the rising sun in surprise. The sun had nearly reached its peak, which meant the five friends had been talking for the entire morning. Allanon still had not returned, and so the company had whittled away the time discussing anything and everything. They all knew that their pointless chatter was a distracter, that they were avoiding the one subject that most needed to be discussed: what to do next. But they could not really come to any decisions until Allanon returned. Erin had apparently been unable to pry any more information out of Allanon's possessive clutches, and the only conclusion they had been able to reach with the facts they had was that they needed to know more. The Heir of Shannara had been identified, yet they still needed the Sword before they could launch their attack on the Warlock Lord.
Erin broke into the current discussion, which apparently was about the quality of cafeteria food, or rather the lack thereof. Someone's stomach rumbled in the ensuing silence, just as Erin opened her mouth to announce that it was time for a bite to eat. Everyone jumped up and started eagerly for their packs; obviously, the conversation about cafeteria food had reminded their empty stomachs of the time as well. Adrienne gratefully retrieved an apple from her pack, munching on it contentedly. The day before they entered the mountains, the company had quite accidentally come upon a little orchard, and had decided that the owner wouldn't miss a few luscious fruits, especially when they went to such a good cause.
Nearby Adrienne heard the sounds of yet another argument building between the twins. "That's my pack! I remember putting it right next to that tree!" "No, see in this pocket, there's that stone I picked up a few days ago!" "I don't know how that got there, but it's my pack!" The twins had been bickering a large part of the day, and had adopted an irritated attitude toward everyone else, including each other, that had Sarah, Adrienne, and Erin searching vainly for some cotton balls or ear plugs. Why can't they behave like proper teenagers, and not kindergarteners? Adrienne thought in exasperation. She grabbed a couple of strips of dried meat from her pack to supplement the fruit, and wandered to the edge of the valley near the forest, marveling at the rough beauty of the land. It was somehow both rugged and elegant at the same time, bare rock and stunted trees shaped by the fierce wind and driving rain.
Adrienne's thoughts wandered from her scenic surroundings, her own irritation coming to the surface. She suspected that the reason for the twins' edginess was Allanon's absence, and the same was true for her. She was still suspicious of the Druid; no matter what light she tried to see him in, part of him always seemed to be shrouded from view. She despised the code of secrecy and caution he followed when it came to the twins. She didn't know his reasons, his motivations, although she was pretty certain they weren't ill-intentioned. And no matter how much he revealed to them, Adrienne always left those discussions with the feeling that there were important details still hidden from her, and that she couldn't make a good decision unless she knew them. Which of course left all the decision-making to Allanon and, to an extent, Erin. At least they had Erin representing them in Allanon's decisions. She wouldn't let him do anything that brought unnecessary danger to her friends. Nevertheless, Adrienne still resented the lack of control, or at the very least input, when it came to this quest. She felt as though the company was following Allanon blindly into a maze which only he could lead them out of, and if something happened to him, they would be lost in it forever.
Adrienne calmed her thoughts, working the anger and annoyance back down to a manageable level. She did her best to hide it among the others; Erin and Sarah had enough bickering on their hands with the twins.
"Very considerate," a deep voice whispered into her ear. Adrienne gasped and whirled to see Allanon striding past her into camp. His face was unreadable, an expression Adrienne had never seen him drop. The man must have iron control to maintain such an impassive look. He met each of their gazes for a few seconds as he walked up to the remains of the campfire and seated himself. Adrienne and the others quickly gathered their impromptu lunches and joined him on the ground, Erin handing him some dried meat as she sat beside him. The Druid quickly devoured it, and an uncomfortable silence fell as all waited for the Druid to speak. "The shade showed me many visions." he finally began in a thoughtful rumble. "The first revealed to me the identity of the Heir—" he nodded at Amanda—"and the forms that each of you shall be given. I have already given Erin the weapons and guise of a Prince of Leah, but the rest of you have only your short swords. That must change. Sarah, come here. You shall go first."
Sarah rose and moved to stand before him, her apprehension showing clearly in her face. She glanced at Erin, who smiled reassuringly.
"I shall give you the form of a dwarf of Culhaven." Allanon announced. Sarah looked clearly unhappy, but Erin spoke up. "Don't worry, he's just going to change your clothes and the weapons you carry. He won't make you stunted, or give you a beard or anything."
That seemed to reassure Sarah, as she chuckled nervously and nodded at Allanon. The Druid rose to his full height before her, towering over her, a somewhat frightening sight even in the daytime. He shut his eyes for a moment in concentration, and a blue glow grew about his hands. Allanon opened his eyes and began moving them over Sarah's body, not touching, but leaving behind a blue light until Sarah's whole body was aglow. Then the Druid made motions with his hands as if he were shaping clay, and to the astonishment of the others, Sarah's clothes began to change. Through the blue glow the others could see the tan-colored tunic and leggings darken to a brown that was almost black. A leather jerkin appeared over these. A black belt was fastened about her waist, with weapons of many different types: a mace, a short sword, and several small axes for throwing. A battle-axe was strapped across her back, over a dark green cloak.
Allanon stepped back a pace, and the blue glow dissipated like smoke in the wind, lingering a few moments about her head. Sarah staggered back a step as well, surprised at the sudden weight of her numerous new weapons. One by one she took them out and fingered them, even taking a few experimental swings. Her expression was one of amazement, as she carefully tested whether each and every new addition was truly real. She finally looked back up at the Druid, her eyes glowing with wonder. He met her gaze with a small smile of satisfaction as he looked her up and down. "Speak your name to change back to your normal form. Speak 'Culhaven' to change to this one." he told her.
Erin shook her head with a little laugh. "I certainly wouldn't want to meet you on a battlefield." she said before glancing at Allanon. "All right, who's next?"
Allanon considered for a moment. "Adrienne." As the girl rose and came to stand in front of him, he continued. "I shall give you the form of a Borderman of Callahorn." As all watched, the Druid enveloped Adrienne's body in the blue glow and altered her clothes and weapons. When the glow finally dispersed, Adrienne wore a suit of chain mail over her tan-colored clothing of before, covered by a long green cloak. Hanging at the right side of her belt was a long, thin knife, and at the left a broadsword. Adrienne drew the great blade and swung it a few times before sheathing it. "I'm definitely going to have to practice with that some," she said in a voice soft with wonder. "That's a heavy sword!"
"To return to your form, speak your name." Allanon informed her. "To change to this one, say 'Callahorn'." Then, instead of calling one of the twins to him, he sat down. "Aren't we going to get our own forms?" Elissa asked in a small voice.
Allanon pinned her with a piercing gaze. "You will. The use of sorcery can be very draining, and I am not yet fully recovered from the summoning. There are other things you need to know, and I must save my strength as best I can." Everyone listened intently, sensing that something very important was about to be revealed. Allanon's last comment seemed to worry Erin, as her brow creased faintly, but she said nothing. "The shade revealed to me the location of the Sword." The Druid paused. "It is in the Four Lands."
There were surprised looks all around. No one, not even Erin, had been expecting that answer. "Why didn't you bring it with you when you came in the first place?" Amanda asked angrily.
"Because I did not know it would be needed." Allanon replied, his own temper shortening in turn. "I did not know of the Warlock Lord's reappearance in this world until the shade told me, and by that time I was already here."
Adrienne could see why everyone was worried by such an announcement, but it seemed that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the Four Lands. It would be like time-traveling into the Medieval Ages! She glanced over at Erin, who shared her interest in that period of history. Erin, however, seemed to be paying very little attention to the repercussions of Allanon's statement. The furrow in her brow had deepened, and she watched Allanon almost suspiciously. "You're going to have to summon the shade again, to travel back to the Four Lands and retrieve the Sword." she stated. Allanon nodded.
"When?" asked Adrienne excitedly.
"Tonight. We should not waste any time. We will have to journey from the Valley of Shale to Callahorn and back, and at least the first leg of the journey must be made on foot."
"Tonight?!" Erin interrupted incredulously. "Allanon, are you out of your mind?" The Druid stiffened in anger at her tone. Few dared to speak to him that way. Erin did not appear to notice. "You are weary, you said as much yourself! And I'd be willing to bet that it takes a great deal more strength to travel between worlds than it does to merely summon a shade! You should take at least a full day of rest!"
"Did you hear nothing I said?!" Allanon replied harshly, his own anger aroused. "There will be no horses waiting for us in the valley! It will take weeks to journey to Callahorn on foot!"
Erin didn't back down. "And it will take longer if we have to wait for you to recover!"
Both were silent for a moment, though they exchanged glares. Finally Allanon spoke, in a calm tone that gave no sign of his previous anger. "Very well. Since you are so determined to make certain I keep my strength up, you shall help me."
Erin's expression showed her apprehension. She certainly hadn't been expecting that reply. What has she gotten herself into? thought Adrienne. When Erin spoke, her voice belied her fear as well as her stubbornness. "With what?"
Allanon rose to his feet in reply. "Elissa!" he called, utterly ignoring Erin, who clenched her jaw in frustration. What is he going to make her do? Adrienne wondered again, looking at Erin anxiously. Erin caught her gaze and smiled, but the smile was quite visibly forced. Erin was worried too.
But then Adrienne turned her attention to Elissa, who had come to stand before Allanon. The Druid's piercing gaze passed over her as he looked her up and down, considering what form to give her. "You have the build of an Elf," he finally said, "so that is what you shall be." Once again he enveloped her in the blue glow, and when it dissipated, she admired the new additions with the wonder of a small child on Christmas morning. The only change to her clothing had been a long green cloak, but she now carried several weapons. A bow and arrow were strapped to her back, and her short sword had been replaced by a long, thin knife.
"Speak your name to change back to your normal form, and 'Arborlon' to change to this one," Allanon told her shortly, his exhaustion evident in his voice. As Elissa sat down, Amanda stood without waiting for her name to be called. She came forward with an expression of mingled fear and excitement. Elissa was an Elf, Sarah a Dwarf, and Erin and Adrienne Men. What was left for her, a Gnome?
Allanon started in without warning, the blue glow silently enveloping Amanda. Everyone watched without a sound, breathlessly anticipating what form Allanon might give her. He was taking much longer, perhaps putting more thought into Amanda's transformation than the others. Colors and shapes were distorted by the blue glow, so they didn't really get a good look at Amanda until it had disappeared.
Adrienne's first impression of her then was that she looked like a rural villager. She wore brown, earthy clothes and boots rather than close-fitting shoes. And though she had retained the Stoors' short sword, she had been given no new weapons. "The cry to change to this form is 'Shannara'." Allanon said, swaying slightly on his feet. Erin watched him with concern, but the warning look he gave her kept her from rising to his aid.
"Who did you model my form on?" Amanda asked in a soft voice.
The hard lines of Allanon's face softened, a small smile curving his thin lips as he remembered. "Shea Ohmsford, the Valeman who last bore the Sword." he replied with a sigh. Then the lines returned, the fond memories gone, and he continued, "It will ease our passage in the Four Lands if those of you who accompany me look authentic."
Adrienne immediately picked up on the Druid's phrasing. "Those of us who accompany you? Does that mean someone will have to stay here?" Adrienne didn't want to consider that possibility. She was exhilarated by the idea of traveling through the Four Lands, and would be immensely disappointed if she were forced to remain in this world.
"Yes. We cannot leave the horses untended for that long." Allanon replied. "Two of you shall stay." No one said anything, waiting for Allanon to announce who would remain. Adrienne could see the sense in his reasons, but it seemed to her that there was another reason that not everyone would be going, a reason Allanon wasn't going to tell. Maybe that was one of his visions, Adrienne thought. Or maybe he expects something to happen, and that's why he thinks more than one person should stay.
"Amanda must come with me," Allanon continued. "Other than that, the decision is yours." He started to turn back toward the forest. "I will return in another hour. Then we shall move our camp to the other side of the valley."
Erin stood. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked, her irritation plain in her voice.
"No." Allanon replied. "I need to speak with Elissa." Erin sat back down, a frustrated expression on her face.
Elissa rose and followed Allanon into the trees, exchanging confused glances with her sister.
"So," Adrienne said after the two had disappeared, "who wants to go to the Four Lands?"
Amanda wrapped her arms around her bent knees. "Looks like I don't get a choice," she grumbled.
"Who knows, you might even meet that Ohmsford guy," Sarah remarked in a teasing tone. "I wonder what kind of a pair you two would make."
Amanda glared at Sarah as the rest of the girls laughed. "I'm not passing up this chance," Erin declared, sobering. "No matter how much it takes to get there."
Adrienne nodded enthusiastically in agreement, but Sarah sighed. "I don't think I could do that Hadeshorn thing. I mean, how does that work? Will the shade just carry you guys over there one at a time?" She shivered. "I don't care what's on the other side, you couldn't pay me enough to go through any spirit world."
"Well that helps," Adrienne remarked. "If Elissa comes back and says she doesn't want to go, we've got it all worked out."
"Elissa's going to want to come, since I'm going." Amanda said sadly. Adrienne could see the prospect of being separated from her sister depressed Amanda, and made a sudden decision that she would probably later regret.
"If she comes back and says she wants to go, I'll stay," Adrienne declared, trying to hide the disappointment she felt at the idea. Amanda looked up, joy on her face. "You would?" she exclaimed. "Oh, that would be so cool!"
At that moment Elissa appeared, walking towards them out of the forest. She looked troubled, and Adrienne's suspicions only increased as she neared them. Elissa smiled, but it was so obviously forced that Adrienne wondered what Allanon had told her.
Amanda had seen it too. "Elissa—" she started.
"I'm staying here." Elissa announced abruptly, cutting her sister off. "Allanon wants me to."
Amanda's face fell. "Why?!" she asked in a choked voice.
"Twins would attract too much attention." Elissa replied dully. Adrienne knew immediately that wasn't the only reason. The ever-secretive Allanon probably didn't tell her any more, Adrienne thought bitterly. From the frustrated look on Elissa's face, she too recognized the inadequacy of the explanation. But there was nothing they could do, at least not until Allanon came back. "Who else is staying?" Elissa asked.
"I am." Sarah replied.
"Well," Elissa sighed, looking at Erin, Amanda, and Adrienne, "you guys ought to have a lot of fun. You'll have to write a book, you know. Three Teenage Girls in King Arthur's Court."
They all burst out laughing at that idea. "I strongly doubt that we're going to meet any kings. Allanon knows we would be absolutely clueless in a king's court. We have no idea about all the little details of court manners, and we'd have to practice for weeks to get the style of speaking down," Erin laughed.
"I am not so certain, my lady. I believe that our extensive perusal of fantasy literature has gifted us with a fine grasp of court etiquette and speech," Adrienne declared smoothly.
"Try that in front of a king, and we'll see how long that fine grasp lasts. I don't know about you, but I would be so nervous and excited about meeting a king I would probably stumble over every word I said! Allanon would have to make up some story about a speaking disorder!" Erin chuckled.
"I can see it now!" Sarah giggled. She imitated Allanon's voice. "I am sorry, your Majesty. This is Lady Erin's first experience in such a noble court. Please forgive her, she is normally quite silver-tongued."
"Silver-tongued!" Adrienne broke into gales of laughter. Erin pretended not to notice. "Lady Erin, hmm…I like the sound of that…"