Every Eletian that he had ever seen was possessed of an almost unearthly beauty. Without fail, they were tall, slender, and so graceful that even watching them walk was like watching the wind whisper softly across spring leaves or new snow flakes fall gently upon a meadow. Their skin was always pale, like moonlight rippling along still water. Their hair was long and fine and invariably as silver as the stars or as golden as the sun. Their eyes were more brilliant than anything found in nature. They lived forever, or so it seemed to the Clans. They were magical; they were the stuff of fairy tales.
Stevic hated them more than any living being he could think of.
Eletians had captivated his wife and his beloved Kariny had died.
Eletians had aided Karigan and his daughter was plagued with magic and danger.
Now his daughter had actually traveled with Eletians and she was lying on death's doorstep and he had been told that only their intervention would help her.
Stevic G'ladheon, first Clan Chief of his family, paced down the lavishly decorated halls with his king and queen and tried desperately to reign in his temper as he attempted to reconcile his hatred of the Eletians with their apparent necessity in saving his only child. He had often sensed they played a larger role in Karigan's stories. He was no stripling fool. He was well aware that Karigan's accounting of her activities for king and country were highly edited, but he could not blame her for not being more open. Her last visit had proven her right in that particular regard.
I wish she had not overheard me, he fretted one moment. In the very next moment, he silently seethed. She should not have tried to listen in to what did not concern her! His emotions refused to be easily contained and worry and anger shifted easily to despair. It was quite clear from the king's expression that there was a real concern that Karigan might very well die from her injuries. Stevic realized in an instant that if Karigan died, he would as well. Everything he had built out of his life, he had built first for Kariny and then for Karigan. His daughter was all he had left. He was proud of his Clan, but if he were to lose his daughter in addition to his wife, he would have nothing left to live for.
The castle wing holding ambassadors to Sacoridia was richly appointed with the finest furniture and most skillfully woven tapestries available. Everything in it practically seeped money and power. He was widely considered the wealthiest merchant in the country, if not quite the wealthiest man, but he knew that he did not have the resources to acquire even a tenth of what he saw merely walking through the halls. He was equally certain that an entire delegation of Eletians would utterly eclipse anything on display.
At length, they reached the apartment housing the Eletians and a Weapon announced their presence. They were admitted without any delay and for the first time in his life, Stevic G'ladheon looked upon the Eletians he had heard so much about.
They were indeed very beautiful. Hair of silver or gold, eyes of sapphire or emerald, pale and perfect skin – the stories were all true, in that regard. And their voices... Stevic let the music of their polite greetings wash over him and was, for a moment, lost in that perfect sound. Tears filled his eyes. A lithe shape stepped around the Eletians speaking to the king and queen and approached him. He was shorter than the others present, although of a height with Stevic. His hair was a shimmering color somewhere between gold and silver and his eyes were a pale pewter. The two stood looking at each other for a long moment and then, to Stevic's astonishment, the Eletian bowed very low.
The motion caught the attention of everyone else in the room and silence fell.
"Stevic G'ladheon," the Eletian said softly. It was not a question. Stevic raised an eyebrow in question before he could stop himself, because he knew that the physical resemblance between himself and his daughter was not very pronounced. "She has your spirit," the Eletian said simply in explanation. A gentle good humor lay beneath the words with a hint of laughter. "Your will. It is impossible to not recognize the resemblance between you for one that looks beyond the physical." A slight smile curved his lips as he expounded on his observations. "You are both stubborn and both fighters. You are loyal. I am honored to meet the father of a woman I admire so much."
Stevic felt his jaw fall open in surprise and struggled to contain it. I hate Eletians, he reminded himself firmly. Fortunately, the king seemed to feel the same way.
"Next to Rider Sir G'ladheon, I have had the most contact with your people since the Long War and I have yet to hear an Eletian speak so frankly." The king's voice was quite cool. "Perhaps you would care to elaborate on how you know my Rider so well."
"Peace, Firebrand." The Eletian was so serene it was impossible to tell if he had picked up on the king's tone or not. "I mean no one harm, least of all Rider Sir G'ladheon. Before she had ever set foot in Sacor City, I helped her recover from wounds dealt by Mornhavon's evil minions. I am Somial and I am one of the last of the Eletian healers. If it is in my power and if you permit it, I shall not allow her to die now."
"Why?" Stevic realized that the hoarse question had come from his own throat.
For the first time, Somial lost the serenity layered across his features and surprise flashed through his eyes. He glanced at the Eletian that Stevic perceived to be the leader and then at King Zachary and Queen Estora. Finally, the healer turned his attention back to Stevic. Pale gray eyes met the merchant's steadily. "There are three reasons that I desire to help your daughter, Clan Chief.
"First and foremost, Karigan has given a priceless gift to the Eletians by refusing to allow Mornhavon the Black access to our ancient Sleepers at considerable personal risk. It was an act of bravery and unprecedented compassion from a human. For that alone, her name will forever be remembered in the Alluvium. There is much to that tale and I do not know all of the details...nor is it my story to tell. Telagioth or Ealdaen will perhaps indulge you later, as they were witness to the deed.
"Second, I am a Healer. It is in my nature to succor the sick and aid the wounded. My gifts are such that it is impossible for me to ignore any pain I sense around me. The first time I healed Karigan, I healed her because I could not ignore her pain, although I did not utilize a true healing bond with her. Now, the pull is even stronger for having healed her once and for the extent of her current injuries.
"Third, I like Karigan. She cares deeply for those around her. She is brave and loyal, as I said, and I am tiendan. Her spirit and indomitable nature appeal to me. It is easy for me to want to help her."
Stevic listened intently, a little bit shocked that Karigan had made such a good impression on such an elusive people. He could detect nothing but sincerity in Somial's voice. He looked at Telagioth and Ealdaen as well, and saw nothing to contradict what he had been told. His instincts told him to accept their offer, but he had a hard time admitting that he needed their foreign magic. Finally, almost a little desperately, he glanced over at his king and queen. Estora's gaze was a little bit cold and Zachary's was a little bit hot, but both nodded ever so slightly. He refused to look at Captain Laren Mapstone.
At length, his shoulders slumped and he sighed. "You may come with me to examine my daughter," he said almost inaudibly. "You will do nothing unless I say you can."
"Agreed," Somial said instantly.
Stevic almost liked the Eletian a little bit better then, but hardened himself against the thought. "I will also have a guard for my daughter at all times while anyone but myself or a mender is present."
The pale gray eyes darkened minutely, but did not blink or turn away. "A roomful of hostile feelings will hardly help the healing process."
"You cannot truly blame us for being protective," Zachary broke in calmly. "It is reasonable that her father wants her protected and wants the final say in her care. It is our way." Somial did not turn his gaze from Stevic's.
A black shadow detached itself from the wall near the door. "We will watch over Rider Sir G'ladheon with your permission, Sire." The words jarred Stevic from his stare down with Somial. He looked at the man in surprise. This was a Black Shield, a Weapon. They were swordmasters and oath sworn to protect the Sacoridian monarchs from any possible threat. Why would they offer to protect Karigan?
The man was a little bit shorter than Stevic was, but with shoulders every bit as broad. His muscles were clearly defined even under his uniform. Each movement he made was precise, controlled, and perfectly graceful. His brown hair was cropped short in a fighting man's style and his hazel eyes had the intensity of a hawk's. Stevic knew that he would never pick a fight with a man like this, no matter how drunk or angry he was. It comforted him, a little bit, to know that someone of this nature was offering to watch over Karigan, but it brought back the question of why. He watched Zachary's face closely to see his reaction.
The king brought his hand up to smooth his amber beard, eyes distant and thoughtful. "I am not particularly opposed to the idea, Fastion," he said. "I would like to hear your reasoning, however."
The Weapon did not seemed at all phased by the king's request and stepped forward to join the group at the center of the room so that everyone could hear him. The other Weapons shifted their ranks to cover the hole left by his absence automatically. The Eletians were watching as well, but they did not appear displeased by the offer. Stevic was willing to bet that their reaction was the only reason the king was hesitating over approving Fastion's suggestion.
"First and foremost, we are pledged toward your protection, Sire," Fastion said calmly. "Where you go, we go. In normal times it is enough. I doubt that any of us would call these normal times, though. With Mornhavon the Black raising an army against Sacoridia and with the shattered protections on the D'Yer Wall allowing wild magic through its barrier, the danger to you and our queen is greater than ever. It is no longer sufficient to trail your footsteps and hope that we are fast enough to stop an attack. We cannot be everywhere, of course, but it only makes sense to me for us to prevent problems before they become dangerous. Our focus is on you. When we analyze a situation, we analyze it with an eye for danger toward you. Our alliances are shifting and changing and while our allies are trusted, they are different from us and have different priorities. You can trust a Weapon to always have you and the queen as their priority. Having us watch our allies not only lets them know that you care for their safety, it also gives you an additional warning should something happen.
"Along that line of thought, the Black Shields owe a blood debt to the Eletian Lhean for saving one of our own. We have no reason to feel hostile toward them; if anything we are grateful to them. If we guard Rider Sir G'ladheon during their attempt to heal her injuries, we will not be interfering with the process.
"Finally, the Green Riders have proven especially adept at evading and then ending the Second Empire's plans. Rider Brennyn has destroyed one of Mornhavon's revenants. Rider D'Yer may yet find a way to repair the Wall. Rider Sir G'ladheon has personally saved you and the queen more than once. They, and other brave souls like them, may do so again in the future. By protecting them, we are protecting you by extension."
King Zachary nodded thoughtfully. "Very well put, Fastion. Does this suggestion meet with your approval?" He arched an eyebrow at Somial.
"It does." The sudden smile that graced his face lit the entire room. There was nothing but joy in that expression.
"And yours, Clan Chief?"
Stevic also nodded, still feeling like he was treading water trying desperately to stay afloat. "It does, Your Majesty. I thank you for your consideration."
"Very well then. Fastion, see to it that you include this duty in your rotations." The Weapon bowed and silently left the room. Stevic blinked. He had been watching the man and almost missed the motion. How did they do it?
Still numb, Stevic trailed the group out of the room and toward Menders' Wing. Dread and hope warred in his heart and he could not make sense of anything that had happened so far. How had Karigan gotten her injuries? Why were the Eletians so intent on helping her? Why were the Weapons so intent on protecting her? Why was the king so caught up in her fate? Do I even know my daughter at all? He was instantly ashamed at the thought, but couldn't quite bring himself to push it away.
At a large intersection, Queen Estora stopped. "We have the council meeting soon, Zachary."
The leader of the Eletians stepped forward. "It would be best if you were present for this, Firebrand. It is important that you have faith in our alliance."
A shadow crossed the queen's features, but she quickly smoothed it away from her face. "Of course. I can take care of the council meeting, Zachary. Or I can postpone it."
Captain Mapstone grimaced. "It shouldn't be delayed any longer."
"Telagioth and Captain Mapstone are both right. You can deal with most of what comes up, my dear," Zachary said, kissing his queen lightly and said something to her too softly for Stevic to overhear. After a hasty discussion, Queen Estora and Captain Mapstone left for their meeting with several others. This effectively cut the party down to a quarter of its previous size. Only King Zachary, Stevic himself, two Eletians and four Weapons continued on to Menders'.
Once there, Stevic immediately noticed the presence of two Weapons standing to either side of the door. The king introduced him as Karigan's father and he had the sense that soon every Weapon would know exactly who he was and what he looked like. They had to grace to let him enter the room first. He took a deep breath and walked inside.
The room itself was quite small. It was all stone, with a drain in the center of the floor. A counter ran along the fall wall, with cabinets built into it underneath. The bed was in the corner of the room next to the door. It was just big enough for a single patient. Karigan lay motionless in that bed, with just a sheet to cover her.
Tears filled Stevic eyes as he caught sight of her and he rushed to the bed to lean over her. His daughter might as well have been dead. Everywhere he looked, she had a bandage on. What skin he could see on her face and shoulders was whiter than the finest porcelain china. He could only tell that she lived by the occasional faint rise and fall of her chest.
"Karigan," he said. It came out as a whispered croak. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Karigan," he said, a little more desperately. He picked up her undamaged hand and held it gently in both of his. There was no acknowledgment from her and for the first time, he realized that she might truly die and be lost to him forever.
A hand gripped his shoulder tightly in an attempt to lend comfort. He fought back his tears and glanced over to see who it was. "I'm sorry," King Zachary said softly, and tightened his hand briefly before letting it fall. The unmistakeable sheen of tears glinted in his eyes before he took a deep breath and resumed the slightly distant expression he had worn since Stevic agreed to see the Eletians.
He knew he should be more surprised than he was to see the king on the verge of tears, but at that moment it only seemed right that everyone should feel the same grief over Karigan's condition. At length, he gently placed his daughter's hand back on the bed and did the hardest thing he had ever done since his wife had died – he stepped away. With a single, wordless exchange he allowed Somial to take his place and take care of his daughter.
The Eletian examined Karigan normally, making note of her injuries and how bad they were. His hands brushed gently over her body and lingered over her thigh and wrist. He placed a hand on her forehead and a faint frown marred his face. At length, he turned back to the others.
"Her wounds are bad," he said gravely. "Ealdaen was not mistaken when he said that she would need a true healing to ever use her right hand again. These wounds are within my power to heal."
"But?" Stevic asked, dread clogging his throat.
Somial sighed softly. The sound was a beautiful chime in the still, cold room. "But she has gone away from her body and from her wounds. There is no guarantee that I can call her back to herself."
"I don't understand," Stevic frowned.
"Karigan is badly wounded in both mind and body. At some point, it became too much for her to deal with. Her spirit is only lightly connected to her body at this point and that connection fades further every day."
"But you can call her back?" Zachary's voice, calm and controlled, broke through Stevic's paralysis.
"I can try, Firebrand. I have the skills to do so, but there are other considerations. I may not have enough of a bond with her for her spirit to respond to my call. It is not possible to force a spirit to come back to its body against its will without the use of black magic. Should Karigan decide to truly leave this plane, I will not stop her."
"And is there danger in this?" Again, the king's voice provided an anchor for Stevic.
The Eletian nodded slowly. "There is a danger in this. I may lose myself in the calling; I may never return regardless of her decision."
"Will you try?" Stevic didn't even recognize his own voice. "Will you try to bring her back to me? I will do anything you ask, if you will but try this."
Somial's eyes were a wellspring of compassion as he gazed into Stevic's eyes. "Yes, Clan Chief. I will try. You owe me nothing. As I said earlier, she had already done more than any Eletian could ever hope to ask for. This is a small thing and a small risk in comparison."
Once again, he wondered what great service his daughter had provided to these elusive people to engender such gratitude. He closed his eyes, memories of first his beloved Kariny and then Karigan flashing in his mind. "Thank you," he said and then he opened his eyes so that Somial might realize everything he couldn't say.
Somial cupped Karigan's face in his hands. The Eletian's pale, slender fingers seemed fragile against her skin, although she was the one on the verge of death. He leaned over her so that his hair fell like a curtain around them and then he was perfectly still.
The minutes passed by slowly until they turned into hours. Behind him, King Zachary and Telagioth spoke softly, but he could not bring himself to care what they were saying. All of his attention was riveted on his daughter and the motionless veil of silver-gold hair shrouding her. He was too afraid to do anything but stand watch, as if she would die as soon as he turned his thoughts elsewhere. I'm so sorry for everything. I'm sorry Karigan. Please don't leave me yet, he begged shamelessly. I will make everything right between us, I swear. Please come back. He didn't notice the tears trailing down his cheeks or the tenseness of his hands clenched at his sides.
After an eternity of waiting, Somial bowed his head closer to Karigan's. "Karigan," he said, barely loud enough for the others to hear. There was no motion or sound from anyone in the room.
"Karigan," he said again. "We're all here." Again, there was no response.
"Karigan!" it was a desperate cry ripped out of his throat, almost violent coming from the Eletian.
Stevic braced himself for the worst. Aeryc and Aeryon knew that Karigan was always stubborn. If she decided she was tired of this life, it wasn't right for the Eletian to pay the price for it. "Somial," he said hoarsely.
His voice was utterly lost under the Eletian's triumphant laugh. "Karigan!"
"Somial." The woman's voice was cracked and as hoarse as her father's, but it caught the attention of everyone in the room anyway. "Somial. I'm alive." Her good hand reached up to curl around one of the hands holding her face and the Eletian straightened so everyone could see her.
"You're alive," he agreed, still holding her. The smile in his voice was obvious.
Stevic approached to lay his hand on her forehead. "You're alive," he repeated after them.
"Dad," she whispered. Confusion and grief filled her eyes. "I thought I would never see you again."
"I'm here," he said softly. "I'm here. I'm so sorry, Karigan, for everything." The tears fell openly from both of their eyes. Somial watched, his wise eyes gleaming with delight.
Maybe the Eletians aren't so bad, Stevic thought, before he pushed everything else aside concentrate on the most important thing in his life. You would be proud of us, Kariny.