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Her friend more than likely meant one elf in particular. Cal cocked a brow. “What do you think?”
“Yeah, probably.”
“Ah-huh.” Cal paused and shook her head. “Wait, wait, how did we become so sidetracked?”
Maggie shrugged. “Not sure. All I know is that we know very little, Cal. You went. You were chased. You came back. Now Relian and lots of hunky soldiers are riding off to some kind of battle to face an enemy we don’t know.”
“That about sums it up. We don’t know anything about their possible enemies. I couldn’t even get a good look at them.”
Maggie nodded sagely. “In fact, we know next to nothing about this world. But until we learn the language, we won’t be able to learn anything. Not that they’d probably tell us much, anyway, but polite eavesdropping would be possible.”
“Polite eavesdropping? Is that what they call it here?” Cal sighed. “Guess that’s our cue to go and study, right?”
Maggie laughed, linking her arm with Cal’s. “I think you’re right, my lady. Let’s go!”
***
Later that day, Cal glanced up from her book and took in the setting sun. Silence reigned between her and Maggie, as it did among the palace at large. They’d found a bench in one of the airy gardens outside the primary library and had been there for hours, undisturbed. Everyone forgot about their existence—a rare occurrence. The occasional elf, usually a servant or a sentry, would wander into their sanctuary for a bit. Still, no one paid attention to their presence beyond a brief nod.
She ran a finger along the spine of the book, finding some comfort in the supple leather. How long would the soldiers be away, and would Relian return unharmed? Those questions were all a mystery, as was the nature of where they trooped to and who exactly they were after. Had their pursuers been elvin? If not, what else could they be?
This wasn’t the first time Relian had gone out with the warriors. He was a captain and took part in patrols. Though he sometimes ventured to the borders, he hadn’t gone that far since she’d arrived. She didn’t know what borders these referred to. Now she had no way to ask.
Even with all his duties, he’d made an effort to visit her every day, even if for just fifteen minutes here or there. They spent much of that time walking the gardens or town in silence, as verbal communication beyond the most basic of words wasn’t possible. Oh, how she dreaded those meetings. But her trepidation grew even stronger when they didn’t happen, and she’d feel like a child who’d lost her favorite toy. When he did stop by, she’d perk up until administrative matters called him away again.
If she did stay—and that was a huge if—she’d have to share him with his people. There was no life of leisure for him. Could she deal with being with a male who was needed by everyone? But if she wasn’t allowed to leave for some reason, did she have a choice? Well, yeah, she could live as a spinster for the rest of her years. Maybe adopt a few cats... No, Maggie had to get home.
Noise intruded. The thundering of hooves echoed off the stone that made up the palace paths and buildings. Even the bench they sat on reverberated with it. Cal’s heart tried to pound its way up her throat. Could it be?
Maggie glanced at her in unspoken question. Cal nodded. They rose quietly, leaving their books and parchment behind, and went to explore where the racket was coming from.
Apparently, they weren’t alone in this desire. Elves clogged the myriad hallways and corridors. Any hope for stealth disappeared. Cal clasped her shaking hands before her and took in a deep, settling breath. By the time they reached the main courtyard, a whole horde of onlookers had gathered.
Cal peered past heads and shoulders. Weary riders formed groups on either side of the open gate, allowing the non-mounted soldiers easy entry. That definitely explained the noise.
Stable hands came forward to help, and she craned her neck. Where was Relian? Surely, she’d spot him somewhere among the throng. When utter silence overtook all assembled, she halted her quest, an eerie feeling settling into her stomach like a lead brick.
A dragging, scuffling noise she couldn’t identify ripped into the quiet. She looked back toward the gate. There, two warriors were tugging a struggling creature into the courtyard. Two other elves served as guards, one behind and one in front of the prisoner.
In horror, she clasped a hand over her mouth. Was that what had been chasing them? The male looked like an elf, yet not, because of his distorted features. She couldn’t quite describe the manner of their distortion, other than to say the effect was feral. It was as if an image of something nightmarish had superimposed itself over the pristine framework of an elf’s visage. The creature’s long hair appeared as if someone had taken a blunted knife to it. It was matted with a substance she didn’t want to guess at. Whatever remained of his clothes hung in tattered, filthy shreds about his skeletal form. She wanted to look away, but the unnatural sight enthralled her by the very wrongness it portrayed.
Out of the crowd, Relian, Kenhel, and the king emerged. Kenhel addressed the soldiers guarding the creature. Grim in countenance, the soldier in front replied in a rapid stream of words she couldn’t follow. Gasps and sobbing from somewhere in the crowd ensued.
The king laid a comforting hand on the soldier’s shoulder before turning away. His sonorous voice rang out in the silence, only the weeping remaining as he called out the names of a few people. A family of four came forward, an adult male and female, and two adolescents. With twin looks of devastation on their faces, the adults gestured back to the throng, apparently wanting the teenagers to stay back. The boy and girl wouldn’t be deterred, though. They followed their parents—at least she assumed that was who they were—but stayed behind them.
The creature quieted as the four neared and cocked his head to the side. The older female reached out a tentative hand, tears in her eyes. Whatever lucidness had lurked in the creature’s eyes disappeared. He lunged. Only the restraining hands of the warriors stopped him from reaching his goal. The elvin woman fell back against her husband, sobs racking her body. It was the same weeping Cal had heard earlier.
Talion and Relian herded the family away by taking a gentle hold to arms and shoulders. The creature fell silent again, watching as they walked away.
In a flurry of movement, he lunged again, managing to break free. He mowed into the elf standing in front of him. Just the thought of how much strength was needed to overcome four trained elves caused a sick feeling to coil in Cal’s stomach. The creature headed toward Relian and the family. Impossibly fast, he knocked aside any elf in his way, only focused on reaching his destination.
Warriors raised their bows even as Kenhel, Relian, and the king unsheathed swords. Oh, God. Everything in Cal cringed away from the sight that was surely about to happen. She turned to Maggie, and the same horror was stamped on her face.
Arrows whistled through the air and riddled the body of the creature. His body jerked convulsively before the first sword could fall. He stumbled and fell, eyes wide and mouth open, revealing sharp teeth where there should’ve been smooth, rounded ones.
Bile crept up Cal’s throat. A chill sweat broke out on her forehead. She shared another glance with Maggie. Her friend’s chest heaved as if she might throw up at any time. God, they were from a world where violence of this nature was on TV and in newspapers but never, ever in front of them. She and Maggie grabbed onto each other as though they each were an anchor of stability.
Cal’s gaze landed on the poor family. They stood paralyzed, shock and pain painted on their features. The king’s sharp voice called out words with a few names interspersed. Three healers, in the dark red robes of their profession, rushed forward to take possession of the family.
