Archer of the Lake Read online

  ***

  Caelfel hadn't realized sitting in a prison cell would be so boring. ?She easily remembered the terror she had felt hours before when Markis had arrested her on her way to the college that morning. ?It was inevitable and not shocking, but Markis was a frightening elf. ?He had a wild, untamed air about him that suggested a roguish nature. ?What was most unusual, Caelfel thought, was that he had decorated his face with silver paint. ?She didn't understand it but felt it made Markis look that much more sadistic.

  But that was hours ago. ?Her initial fear had ebbed, quickly replaced with boredom. ?She shared a prison cell with Thoroth who was already there when she arrived. ?He had attempted to speak to her, but Caelfel had spurned his desire for conversation or explanation. ?She preferred sulking in silence, even if it was boring.

  Their cell had three solid walls, and a fourth wall of metal bars that made up the gate that locked them in. ?Through the bars, Caelfel and Thoroth could see the forest, as the guards that flanked their cell. ?The chilly evening made their cell drafty.

  There was only one bench in their cell, and when it grew dark, Thoroth immediately elected to sleep on the ground. ?Caelfel didn't argue with him and remained silently on the bench with her knees drawn up to her chin. ?After a while, she felt her mind go hazy as she struggled to keep her eyes open. ?At some point in the night, she heard the guards talking, but when she pried her eyes open, she didn't see anyone.

  Her eyes had closed again, when one of the guards spoke to her. ?"Your parents are here to see you."

  Caelfel started and felt disoriented when she saw it was still dark. ?Her parents were not supposed to be coming until morning.

  "Please approach the gate," the same guard ordered firmly. ?Caelfel stood and did as she was told. ?Thoroth sat up, wide awake at the hint of visitors. ?The guard told him to stay where he was.

  Caelfel stepped closer to the bars, seeing two figures standing just outside her cell, her parents. ?The slighter of the two drew closer, revealing her mother's nervous face.

  "Mother?" Caelfel whispered in the darkness. ?"What are you doing here? ?I thought you weren't coming until morning."

  Sylaera glanced at the other figure behind her. ?"Your father and I wanted to make sure you were all right."

  Caelfel turned to the figure of her father, squinting through the darkness. ?"I am," she answered. ?"Was there anything else?"

  It wasn't until Sylaera glanced behind her again that Caelfel noticed something out of place. ?Even standing a few feet away, her father looked too tall.

  "Who is that?" Caelfel asked.

  Sylaera gave Caelfel a pointed look and offered a weak smile. ?"Don't you recognize your father? ?He's come to give you something."

  At this, the second figure stepped forward with something in his hands. ?He discreetly passed it through the bars, and Caelfel saw that the hands were certainly not her father's. ?She tried to see through the gloom to identify the stranger, but his hood cast the unknown elf's features in deep shadow. ??Caelfel took the parcel handed to her, and he stepped back before Caelfel's eyes could adjust to the darkness. ?Sylaera reached through the bars in his absence to stroke Caelfel's cheek.

  "Be safe, my daughter," Sylaera whispered before backing away from her cell.

  "I don't understand-" she tried calling out, but they were already gone.

  She stayed by the bars for a few minutes, using the moonlight to see the gift they had brought her. ?It was a book, and further inspection proved that it was the book Feraan had given her the previous day. ?She hadn't told her parents about it, so she speculated that it was Feraan that had visited her in Eviat's stead. He certainly had the correct height. ?She flipped through the pages anxiously, wondering if there was some hidden message that would help her. ?Surely Feraan would give her this book for a reason, but as she scanned the pages, all she could read was the creation myth of Ewyn. ?She had already learned that from Sir Kennyratear.

  She sighed and returned to her bench. ?Caelfel waited until she heard Thoroth's airy snores before continuing her search through the book's pages. ?Another inspection revealed nothing new, so Caelfel balanced the book on its spine and waited for it to fall open to a random page. ?She started reading there.

  It detailed a story about Ewyn's fourth child, Elewyr. Elewyr loved the sea and the city named for her was a beautiful port. ?A sailor came to her city one day, visiting from faraway lands. ?Like Elewyr, he also had a love for the ocean. ?He called himself Sidhe. ?Elewyr fell in love with his free spirit and sense of adventure, and Sidhe fell in love with Elewyr's beauty which was comparable even to her mother's. ?The story went on to say that Elewyr's beauty made many people jealous. ?There were many attempts on her life because of it. ?On one particular incident, Elewyr had been attacked by remnants of the resistance from the Vinius Islands. ?Sidhe saved her life, and there was a great celebration held in his favor. ?Elewyr granted him many gifts and royal titles. ?They were to be married.

  However before their ceremony, there were many disagreements among Ewyn's children. ?Yamalvon did not want his sister to marry Sidhe, a foreigner who was neither human nor elf. ?Yamalvon considered Sidhe inferior and unworthy of his beautiful sister. ?As such, Yamalvon sent assassins to eliminate Sidhe.

  Sidhe fended off his assassins well, but there was a moment when he became overwhelmed. ?Elewyr threw herself in front of Sidhe's attackers, and they killed her.

  Sidhe fled the Fey Forest, taking refuge in Umfang. ?Whatever his race was, he also had the gift of longevity because nearly a century later, he commented on the occurrence. ?Someone asked him about the depth of Elewyr's devotion for him.

  Sidhe responded, "She admired me. ?She never loved me. ?She sacrificed her life for my sake because of a debt."

  Caelfel noticed that Sidhe's quote had been circled with dark ink. ?She instantly knew Sidhe referred to the life debt. ?Caelfel leaned her head back on the cold, stone wall.

  "Life debt," she repeated to herself under her breath.

  5. Trial

  Caelfel didn't sleep for the rest of the night, preferring, instead, to remain conscious through the excruciatingly long hours before daybreak. ?When her mother returned at sunrise, one of the guards escorted Thoroth away to allow them privacy. ?Sylaera came alone.

  "Where is Father?" Caelfel asked.

  "He's already in the Hall of Court, waiting for your trial to begin."

  "Did Feraan risk coming here for my trial?" Caelfel whispered, eyeing the other guard outside.

  Sylaera met Caelfel's gaze and said nothing. ?Instead, Sylaera gave a slight, nearly imperceptible bob of her head, affirming Caelfel's suspicions. ?Then she turned her attention to the dress she had brought.

  The bodice and skirt were made of azure blue velvet. The sleeves came from a separate chemise that her mother explained was spyder silk. ?Sylaera helped Caelfel to put it on, tightening the corset as Caelfel tugged at the sleeves.

  "Stop that," Sylaera reprimanded. ?"I worked on this dress all night so I will not have you ruin it with your stubborn distaste for dressing like a lady."

  "Sorry," Caelfel muttered.

  When she finished with the corset, Sylaera pulled out a swan feather to tie into her hair. ?"I know how much you like feathers."

  Sylaera paused, as if waiting for some response from Caelfel, but Caelfel said nothing.

  "You're nervous about the trial," Sylaera guessed.

  "You think so?" Caelfel asked. ?Her sarcasm fell flat.

  "If you are innocent, they should have nothing to convict you for."

  "Innocent by whose standards, Mother?"

  "You know you've done nothing wrong."

  "The Council says I've committed treason."

  "Then the Council is wrong," Mother answered simply. ????

  "I'm not sure how that is supposed to save me from an execution."

  Sylaera turned around to look her seriously in the eye. ?"You will not be executed," she told Caelfel severely.

  Sylaera's
tone offered little room for disagreement, so Caelfel permitted herself to believe her mother's words. ?She gave Sylaera the book on Ewyn and Elewyr. ?"Here. ?I don't think the guards would be happy to discover I've had this," she whispered.

  Sylaera took it, wrapping it with her weather cloak. ?"Did it help?" she whispered back.

  "It gave me an idea."

  Seeing that Caelfel was dressed, her remaining guard turned impatient to usher Sylaera away. ?Then he escorted Caelfel to the Hall of Court.

  It wasn't an actual building. ?The walls were merely cherry saplings that surrounded the floor space. ?There was a marble bench at the end that seated all five Councilors. ?Audience seats were fashioned out of overgrown roots. ?As Caelfel walked the long aisle, she saw Thoroth was already there, dressed in a tunic of green velvet. ?Her guard stopped her when they reached the healer and turned around to fasten bronze cuffs around her wrists. ?A chain ran from the cuffs to a ring solidly embedded in the ground.

  "Hey!" Caelfel gasped when he tightened them.

  "A precautionary measure for necromancers," was the only explanation the guard gave. ?Caelfel saw that Thoroth was similarly chained. Silence fell in the Hall of Court.

  "Caelfel Gyssedlues and Thoroth Orletylar," said Head Councilor Uthruil, who was also Daerad's father. ?"The two of you have been brought before the Council for the crime of necromancy. ?Miss Gyssedlues, how do you plead?"

  Caelfel steeled herself with a short breath. ?An urge came to look at the elves seated behind her, but she suppressed it. ?She kept her eyes on Councilor Uthruil instead. ?"To necromancy? ?Not guilty."

  The Head Councilor marked something on his paper before transferring his gaze to Thoroth. ?"How do you plead, Master Orletylar?"

  Thoroth glanced towards Caelfel to meet her steely gaze. ?"Not guilty," he said, looking back to Uthruil.

  Councilor Uthruil sighed. ?"This presents a problem. ?I will narrate the sequence of events, regarding the death of Master Auvrearaheal, and then each of you shall have an opportunity to present your own case. ?Understand?"

  Caelfel glared at Uthruil and hoped that Thoroth's features mirrored her expression.

  When they said nothing, he continued, "Feraan Auvrearheal was accounted for during the last hunting party, involving our retaliation with the goblins. ?Upon the return of the party, his hunting partner Sir Markis Rilynnzea reported him as deceased. ?When officials went to retrieve the body, it was found missing. ?Our investigation led us to question the healers of Sal'Sumarathar for his whereabouts. ?One healer, Master Orletylar, claimed under oath the body had been brought to him for last rites. ?When he failed to provide a body, Master Rilynnzea's investigation concluded that this was false. ?Lady Awen Baeltylar testified that the body of Feraan Auvrearaheal was brought to her home by one Caelfel Gyssedlues. ?Is this correct?"

  Uthruil paused for their answer, and Caelfel glanced at Thoroth uncertainly. ?There were flaws and truths to his story, and Caelfel could not wholly confirm it. ?"I don't-"

  "Miss Gyssedlues, was that correct or not?" Uthruil repeated firmly at her hesitation.

  "Is what part of it correct, exactly?" Caelfel asked, clenching her jaw.

  "It is an observation of events following the incident of Master Auvrearaheal's death."

  "It is not a completely correct observation," Caelfel countered. ?She hoped she appeared menacing to the Councilor, but Uthruil continued as if unconcerned with her dissent.

  "Upon receiving the information from Awen Baeltylar and after collecting several eye witness statements confirming the animated state of Feraan Auvrearaheal after his death, the Council sent Chief Executor Rilynnzea to arrest the two of you under suspicion of necromancy."

  "We are not necromancers," Caelfel insisted stubbornly.

  "Is Feraan Auvrearaheal currently alive?" Uthruil asked.

  "Yes-"

  "Then it must be a result of necromancy, after the report of his death from our Chief Executor and the confirmation made by Healer Orletylar."

  "He wasn't dead," Caelfel hissed, feeling her face grow red.

  Uthruil grew silent at the outburst and his eyes bored into Caelfel. ?"You have two accounts that disagree with you, Miss Gyssedlues, both of whom have a higher form of integrity with the Council."

  "The Council asked me to attend the same hunting party, yes? ?I was there when Feraan Auvrearaheal was attacked."

  Uthruil arched an eyebrow and consulted a book he had before him. ?"The list indicates you were with a separate division for the confrontation with the goblins."

  "At the end of the confrontation, I was asked to eliminate any goblin survivors along with an elf named Winwaloe. ?During my search, I came across Feraan, fully conscious and alive. ?There was a moment when I was attacked by another goblin, and by the time I looked up, Feraan was on the ground, unconscious."

  "Dead?" Uthruil asked.

  "No, he was still very much alive. ?I did not see any sign of his hunting partner, so I took him back to Sal'Sumarathar with me to find help for him."

  "And this was when you came across Awen Baelytlar?"

  "Yes."

  "And she refused her service?" Uthruil continued, as if this did not surprise him.

  Caelfel sighed through her nose. ?"Yes."

  "So then you proceeded to the dwelling of Master Orletylar?"

  "Right."

  "Then Master Orletylar confirmed his death."

  "No, Thoroth saw he was alive." ?She looked to the healer desperately. "Tell him, Thoroth."

  Uthruil turned to Thoroth who sighed. ?"It is true. ?Although unconscious, Feraan Auvrearahel was still alive. ?He suffered from a wound on his back."

  Uthruil suddenly looked very angry and shifted his weight in his seat. ?"This only gives you an unreliable witness, an elf who claims one thing a few days ago and then admits the opposite now." ?

  Caelfel angled her face to him. ?"If you would like another reliable witness, just look to your left, Councilor." ?Caelfel pointed, with chains rattling, to the Councilor sitting next to Uthruil. ?It was Tahlmus, her hunting partner, who, with all attention focused on him, suddenly appeared very anxious.

  "Explain yourself, Miss Gyssedlues."

  "Tahlmus was my hunting partner. ?He was there when I found Feraan. ?He knew Feraan was alive."

  "I saw he was on the ground," Tahlmus defended hastily. ?"I did not see if he was alive."

  "You told me to leave him! ?You told me he was better off dead!" Caelfel spat, her voice rising dangerously.

  "I said he was already dead, and there was nothing you could do," Tahlmus shot back.

  Everything grew silent, and Caelfel became acutely aware of her heavy breathing. ?She pressed her lips together to silence herself as she waited for Uthruil's response. ?The Head Councilor took his time, considering the two convicted necromancers before him.

  Finally, he turned to Tahlmus. ?"Councilor Tahlmus, I must ask you to leave the Hall of Court at once."

  Tahlmus looked as though as he was about to argue, but Uthruil's expression forbade any sort of retort from the veteran, who left without a word. ?Everyone was silent after Tahlmus was dismissed, so Uthruil returned to asking questions.

  "Master Orletylar, would you please relate to the Council your diagnosis of Master Auvrearaheal after Miss Gyssedlues delivered him to your door?"

  Thoroth was visibly nervous, but when he spoke, it was in a clear voice. ?"Miss Gyssedlues brought the patient to my dwelling, and I performed a simple examination. ?Master Auvrearaheal had received an injury to his back. ?Further inspection showed that the wound had been inflicted by an arrow."

  "Is this all your diagnosis yielded?"

  "No, the patient had also been poisoned with the arrow."

  "Miss Gyssedlues, since you claim to have been present during Master Auvrearaheal's attack, you were able to identify his attacker, I presume?"

  Caelfel took a deep breath, remembering. ?She had only seen a flurry of movement before falling to the ground. "No, I was attack
ed by a goblin."

  "So the great Feraan Auvrearaheal was taken down by a goblin, of all things."

  Caelfel pressed her mouth together. ?She did not think Feraan had been bested by a goblin. ?"Councilor, I was there when Feraan was conscious, I was there when he was attacked, and I was there afterwards. ?You said Markis had reported him dead? ?But I did not see Markis there at all."

  From the corner of her eye, Caelfel saw someone shrug themselves off the wall and approach the raised dais. ?A glance told her it was the Chief Executor with the renowned silver markings on his face. ?He approached her with the slippery stealth of a snake, and she couldn't help but associate him with a deceptive serpent, the paint on his face glinting like scales. ?He stared at Caelfel with unnerving, wild eyes. ?She wanted to stop looking at him but was afraid to do so.

  "Sir Markis? ?What is your response to this allegation?"

  "I saw the attack," Markis explained in a smooth voice, his back still turned to the Council as he continued staring at Caelfel intently. ?"Even from a distance, it was evident that Master Feraan would not survive the incident, so I hurried for aid. ?Miss Gyssedlues must not have seen me." ?His cheek twitched as he leaned closer to Caelfel, whispering only for her to hear, "I must have missed you somehow."

  Caelfel's body went very cold even after Markis backed away to return to his position on the wall. ?She balled her hands into fists to keep them from shaking, and the trial continued as if nothing had happened, the others in the room completely oblivious to the waves of terror Markis had sent coursing down Caelfel's spine.

  "Feraan Auvrearaheal was poisoned, and as we all know, there is no longer an antidote for such a thing. ?Nothing could have saved him," Uthruil said. ?"Master Orletylar already informed us of your attempt to get rid of the body. ?If you insist he is alive, then by all accounts, you must be a necromancer."

  "But that was a lie," Caelfel insisted, struggling to keep even her voice from shaking. ?"Feraan never died. ?Thoroth was unable to save him, so I took Feraan home with me. ?I saved him."

  The other Councilors exchanged expressions of confusion, but Uthruil never wavered. ?"Miss Gyssedlues, I'm rather uncertain of the details. ?How could you possibly cure the poison in his body?"

  "I never completely cured it. ?I had a protection amulet, given to me by my mother when I was a youngling. ?It has several magical properties, one being the resisting of the effects of poison. ?I gave that to him," Caelfel admitted begrudgingly. ?She was reluctant to reveal her methods to the Council who were so eager to have Feraan murdered. ?Divulging the existence of her amulet would only expose Feraan's weak spot to them.

  The Councilors shared their surprise with each other. ?"Where did your mother receive such an amulet?" Uthruil asked.

  "My mother was Sylaera Ambrosius before she married. ?She was a member of the Sal'Sumarathar Family. ?The amulet was an heirloom given to her before she married my father."

  Uthruil rose to his feet, a new intrigue to his features. ?"May we see this amulet?"

  Caelfel shook her head, feeling more confident since the accusations had left Uthruil's voice. ?"I'm afraid not. ?The amulet is with Feraan."

  "And where is Feraan Auvrearaheal now?" he asked.

  Caelfel's pulse quickened, and she feared the only interest Uthruil or the Council had in the matter was finishing the work she had stopped them from completing. ?"I do not know," she said carefully. ?"I took him to my house that night after the hunting party. ?I left him in the garden while I stepped inside for a few minutes. ?By the time I returned outside, he was gone. ?I assumed he awoke and left for his home."

  Uthruil leaned forward, placing his hands on the stone table before him. ?"Where is his home, Miss Gyssedlues?"

  Caelfel leveled her face with the Head Councilor's and kept her voice even as she answered him. ?"I do not know, Councilor."

  Uthruil took his seat again and watched Caelfel for a few minutes. ?Then he released a sigh. ?"Miss Gyssedlues, I am afraid that without Master Auvrearaheal or the amulet, there is no way we can confirm your story."

  Her mouth fell open, and she stammered before forming a coherent question. ?"Can't you bring him here?"

  "No one knows where he lives. ?Our Chief Executor has been unsuccessful in locating his home. ?Contacting Feraan Auvrearaheal is no small feat."

  "Then how did you invite him to the hunting party?" Caelfel asked.

  Uthruil scoffed derisively. ?"Master Auvrearahealed volunteered to join, just before the party left."

  Caelfel exhaled through her nose and tugged at her sleeves again. ?"What happens now?"

  "Miss Gyssedlues, you are left with very few choices. ?Without evidence, there is no way to refute the charges that you are a necromancer-"

  "But that's ridiculous! I am only seventy-six years old! ?Mastering that scale of necromancy takes centuries. ?Not to mention, I've only just started at the College of Sal'Sumarathar. ?I can't even perform magic yet!" Caelfel said, feeling herself slipping into hysterics.

  Uthruil patiently waited for her to finish. ?"Normally, it would take centuries to master necromancy, which is why the Council believes you were not alone in this endeavor. ?The other necromancer is standing to your right."

  Caelfell glanced at Thoroth. ?"He's not a necromancer either."

  "In the time since his birth, nearly four centuries ago, Master Orletylar would have had plenty of time to master the art. ?When you saw the dead elf in the forest, you saw a perfect opportunity to practice your art. ?Here was a fine and powerful specimen for your master's magical prowess, and as his apprentice, you brought Feraan's body to him. ?Since you are unable to provide the necessary evidence, this is the only story the Council will believe. ?Now, Master Orletylar and Miss Gyssedlues, you have two options."

  Uthruil paused to wait for their response, but the two of them remained silent.

  "You will be convicted necromancers. As criminals, you will be taken to Yamalvon for execution. ?In the simple case of treason we would perform our own executions here in Sal'Sumarathar, but the Empress has set aside specific protocols for the crime of necromancy."

  Caelfel tried not to show her fear in the face of the Council. ?"And our second choice?"

  "You will provide the Council with a body."

  "You mean show you Feraan?" she asked.

  She saw Markis moving again. The Chief Executor stepped to her, holding out a dagger on a velvet pillow. ?Caelfel stared at the dagger and felt herself grow deaf to everything but Uthruil's voice.

  "No, I mean you show us his body, his corpse. ?As necromancers, you must reverse the act against nature that you have committed and put to rest the soul you revived."

  Eventually Caelfel was able to tear her gaze away from Markis's gift. ?"You want me to kill Feraan?"

  "Feraan Auvrearaheal is already considered dead by the Council. ?We are simply asking you to purge our city of the undead."

  Her eyes went to the dagger again. ?"If you cannot even find him, how do you expect me to?"

  Uthruil grinned, but Caelfel thought it looked more like a smirk. ?"Necromancers usually have a special link to their creations. ?I'm sure finding him will not prove difficult for you."

  Caelfel looked up at the expectant Markis holding the dagger on its pillow. ?His head turned marginally, and sunlight glinted off the silver paint on his face. ?She remembered the sight, and it filled her with a new rage. ?With the back of her hand, she knocked the dagger out of the Chief Executor's hands where it clattered to the floor some distance away.

  She tried to be brave and rebellious with her blatant refusal, but the Council did not appear particularly shocked with her decision. ?"You refuse this option?" Uthruil asked.

  Caelfel merely nodded.

  "Then you shall be escorted to Yamalvon immediately."

  She heard the elves behind her gasp in unison, and it felt like all the air had left the Hall of Court. ?Caelfel's knees began to buckle as she saw Markis approach, flanked by four guards. ?Markis's features were a
rranged in an eerily smug expression that made her feel sick.

  "Wait! ?What about the life debt?" Caelfel cried out desperately, thinking back to the book she had read.

  "What of it, Miss Gyssedlues?" Uthruil asked, his voice unimpressed.

  "If I saved Feraan's life, then that would mean he's required to do the same for me. ?It would not benefit me to kill him now like you have asked me."

  "The life debt does not extend to the practice of necromancy, because it only gives you the motivation to perform necromancy. ?That doesn't prove that you are innocent."

  "What if I find him and bring him to you? ?Would that prove our innocence?" Caelfel asked, thinking quickly. ?Her heart raced as she watched Markis draw closer.

  "If you bring Feraan Auvrearaheal before the Council, we might consider this proposal, dependent on his condition."

  "His condition?"

  "If he proves to be a victim of necromancy, you will be taken to Yamalvon for execution. ?If he is how you claim, you may retain your innocence."

  Caelfel nodded quickly. ?"I don't know where he is. ?I'll need time to look for him."

  "We will give you one week to return with him. ?During that time, Master Orletylar will remain under our custody.

  "You can't keep him for that long," Caelfel protested. ?"He has done nothing wrong."

  "Neither of you have proved your innocence yet, Miss Gyssedlues. ?For now he will be enlisted in the militia for community service. ?Even if the two of you are not necromancers, Thoroth Orletylar still lied, providing false information to the Council. ?A week in the militia will serve as adequate punishment."

  Caelfel looked to the healer and tried imagining him dressed in the armor of the militia. ?The thought unsettled her. ?Thoroth was a healer; he was not meant for combat.

  "Miss Gyssedlues, you are free to leave under the condition that you will bring Master Auvrearaheal to us in a week's time," Uthruil said, rising. ?Markis approached her with keys in his hands. ?Caelfel resisted the urge to recoil from him as he reached for her hands to release her from the chains.

  "I missed you in the forest," he said again in a voice only she could hear.

  Caelfel saw the sun glinting off the High Executor's face and suddenly recalled the flash of silver she'd seen that day of the goblin hunt when Feraan was attacked. ?"I didn't quite miss you, even though I was attacked by that goblin. ?Convenient timing," she muttered back.

  He chuckled. ?"Plucky, aren't you?"

  Caelfel said nothing, mutely watching as they escorted Thoroth away and wondered suspiciously at her own luck for getting off so easily. ?When the Council left the hall, Caelfel was suddenly surrounded by a number of elves. ?She turned, pushing through the crowds that were all anxious to see the suspected necromancers. ?She saw her parents leaving, accompanied by a third figure, the tall one from the previous night. ?Caelfel knew it was Feraan and pushed harder through the crowd to reach him before he disappeared. ?She glimpsed her parents pausing beyond the entranceway to wait for her, and then someone caught Caelfel's shoulder and spun her around. ?An angry face framed by copper hair was suddenly inches away.

  "This is your fault," Garvanna spat. ?"Thoroth is going into the militia because of you."

  Caelfel's face slipped into a frown, and she pushed Garvanna's hand off of her. ?"I think it's preferable to an execution."

  "You best turn in that damn traitor. ?It sickens me to think that you even saved him. ?You should have just killed him like Uthruil wanted and been done with it."

  Caelfel turned to leave, but Garvanna stubbornly followed her. ?"I'm sorry," Caelfel said. ?"I'm not sure if I know you. ?I thought I was just a baby and fool to you."

  "You are a baby and a fool if you're sticking your neck out for that murderer."

  Caelfel paused and turned to look at Garvanna. ?This was not the first time someone had referred to Feraan as a murderer. "Who has he murdered?"

  But someone else caught her by the elbow and steered her away. ?"You should have waited, Miss Gyssedlues. I would have gladly escorted you outside." ?Markis, she realized.

  "I don't need an escort," Caelfel hissed at him, trying to wrench her arm free from his grasp. ?He didn't release her until she was standing before her parents.

  "Master and Lady Gyssedlues," Markis greeted with a wide grin as he delivered their daughter to them.

  Caelfel didn't see a third figure or any sign of Feraan so she forced herself to look at Markis.

  "Thank you, Chief Executor," she said through tight lips. ?"We'll be leaving now."

  "Watch yourself, Miss Gyssedlues. ?I'll be keeping an eye on you, so stay out of trouble." ?Markis winked, smirking at his thinly veiled threat, and left.

  Caelfel wanted to ask her parents about Feraan, but a glimpse of Garvanna's face made Caelfel usher the three of them home. ?She had no desire to stay in a crowd of elves who thought she was a necromancer.

  "Let's just hurry home," Caelfel said as she prodded her parents along. ?She glanced behind her when they passed the street of merchants and, seeing no sign of Garvanna, slowed down. ?She sighed in relief.

  Caelfel confronted her parents when they reached the safety of their home. ?"That was Feraan last night, and he was at the trial today," she said, getting straight to the point.

  Father nodded.

  "Did he say anything?" she pressed when they remained silent.

  "He was insistent on giving you that book himself last night," Mother explained. ?"He went to the trial with us this morning but never said anything. ?He didn't even move. ?It seemed like he was about to stand up when it looked as though they were going to send you to Yamalvon."

  Caelfel pressed her fingers to her temples. ?"He was at the trial, but no one saw him?"

  "He wore a hood, saying that there was a cloaking spell on it. ?I didn't think it would work," Sylaera admitted.

  "Then he left? ?He didn't say anything about what I should do?" Caelfel asked, growing impatient. ?She was beginning to feel quite abandoned by him.

  "I assumed he had some elaborate plan written in that book he gave you," Sylaera said. ?"One thing is for certain. ?He has no intention of showing himself to the Council."

  Caelfel's knees felt weak, and she slowly sank to the floor. ?"What am I supposed to do? ?I don't want to be executed."

  "Go see him," Mother suggested.

  "You heard Markis. ?He's probably watching me now, waiting for me to show him the way to Feraan. ?I can't risk that."

  "It's not like Feraan's left you with much choice. ?I say show the Council where he lives. ?That's what he gets for putting you in this mess."

  Eviat shot her mother a look, and Sylaera fell silent. ?"We'll think of something," Father amended. ?"I don't believe Feraan will just let them take you to your execution."

  Then Father touched her shoulder lightly, and it was a reassuring gesture, quite unlike when Garvanna grabbed her. ?Caelfel smiled at him, feeling slightly comforted. ?She left her parents and went to her bedroom to change out of the dress. ?Before she reached her wardrobe, something dark sitting on her bed caught her attention. ?She paused to look at it.

  It was the same book she had spent the night studying. ?Caelfel gave it to her mother that morning, and Sylaera had not returned home before now. ?The book was flipped open, and a note Caelfel knew had not been there the previous night was scrawled onto the page.

  Go to the college. ?Meet Sir Kennyratear.

  Caelfel hurried to leave without even changing out of her dress. ?When her parents asked what she was doing, she told them an excuse about meeting Sir Kennyratear to catch up on her lessons. ?She took the book with her, aware of Eviat and Sylaera's confused glances. ?They let her leave without another word.

  6. Auras

  The gate to the college grounds was closed but not locked. ?It was never locked. ?Caelfel hesitated, opened it slowly, and jumped when it made a loud, rusted creak. ?She quickly slipped through and closed it behind her. ?The grounds were silent with no one in sight, so Caelfel ski
pped nervously into a slight run as she searched for Sir Kennyratear's room.

  Once she was inside the hall of the college, she passed by the Eye of Ewyn which hummed softly. ?Caelfel paused beside it and wondered if it would give her another vision if she touched it. ?She quickly decided against the idea, hurrying to the staircase.

  "I wonder if it's really an eye," Caelfel muttered to herself. ?"I wouldn't think so, but it seems strange to call it one."

  The college looked empty, but she knew that the second level held most of the instructors' quarters. ?Caelfel crossed the rotunda and turned a corridor before freezing in her tracks. ?At the end of the hall, she saw light streaming from the only open door. ?Caelfel assumed it belonged to Sir Kennyratear and approached it.

  She shielded her eyes as she looked inside. ?"Sir Kennyratear?" she called. ?The expansive silence of the college grounds made her voice sound unnaturally loud.

  The greyling appeared in the doorway as a silhouette. ?"Miss Gyssedlues," he greeted. ?"You've been absent from some very important lessons." ?Slowly, her teacher came into focus.

  "I was arrested and put on trial for necromancy," she explained uneasily.

  "Yes, so I've heard. ?I won't accept excuses though. ?Hurry inside and I will catch you up to speed with your classmates."

  Caelfel made a move inside just as Sir Kennyratear left the room. ?She paused, watching him walk away.

  He briefly looked back to her. ?"Well, go on in. ?We shan't be kept waiting."

  Caelfel wanted to ask where he was going, but Sir Kennyratear disappeared along the hallway before she could formulate her question. ?She entered his office alone.

  The bright light was quickly extinguished once she stepped inside, and Caelfel's eyes took some time adjusting to the darkness again. ?She blinked rapidly, eventually discerning the outline of an elf.

  "Took you long enough," remarked a voice that was undeniably Feraan's. ?He stood at the other end of the small room beside a window with drawn curtains.

  "What are we doing here?" she asked.

  "I figured this was a safe place to talk. ?No doubt you are being followed. ?I didn't want you bringing the Chief Executor to my house."

  "Right," Caelfel sighed uneasily.

  "You read the book I gave you last night," Feraan observed, a hint of pride in his voice.

  "Not that it did any good," Caelfel said, crossing her arms and frowning.

  "No, you did well," Feraan said. ?"You gave us some time, and once the necromancy issue is cast aside, the life debt gives you motivation for saving my life. Perhaps it will be enough to satisfy the Council for a while."

  "You think they'll still try to kill you?" Caelfel asked.

  "Know that this is not the first attempt they've made," Feraan said, fixing her with a hard stare.

  "What do we do now?" she asked.

  "I'm still trying to figure that out."

  Caelfel hesitated. ?"Mother says you won't show yourself to the Council."

  "She's right. ?I won't."

  "How else am I supposed to prove that you are alive, then?"

  "I am open for suggestions."

  Caelfel pressed her back to the wall and slid to the floor. ?Something in her belly churned. ?"I don't want to be executed," she mumbled miserably.

  "Caelfel," Feraan started.

  Caelfel shook her head and buried her face in her hands. ?She held her breath as she tried to block the sudden panic and despair she felt swelling within her. ?"I don't want to be executed," she repeated softly.

  And suddenly Feraan was on the floor beside her. ?She felt his hand on her shoulder but it did not feel the way either Garvanna's or her father's did. ?There was warmth to his touch Caelfel had never felt from anyone else. ?She looked up at him and saw his face was very close to hers. ?When he spoke, it was with a severe tone that Caelfel assumed was supposed to comfort her.

  "I will not let them take you to Yamalvon. ?I will not let them execute you. ?They won't even get to lay a finger on you. ?If it comes down to it and we've no other choice, I will take you as far away from Sal'Sumarathar as I possibly can."

  "And where would we go?" Caelfel asked, her throat thick with misery.

  She felt his arm moving as he shrugged. ?"Maybe I will take you to the coast, so you can see the sea."

  Caelfel pushed her hair back, recovering from her panic and despair. ?"What of Thoroth?"

  Feraan's face turned guarded, and he dropped his hand from her shoulder. "What about him?"

  "We have to help him too."

  "Why should I help him?"

  "He helped you too and he's been imprisoned for it," Caelfel pointed out.

  Feraan leaned back. ?"That is his fault. ?He's done nothing to help me."

  Caelfel rolled her eyes. ?"Aren't you older than I am?"

  "Of course I am."

  "Then you shouldn't be so childish."

  Feraan sighed, a sound of reluctance and disgust. ?"You are currently my priority. Thoroth is not. ?Perhaps you should have thought of that before getting him involved."

  Caelfel sighed. ?"What do I do now?"

  "Keep going to the college. ?We'll talk again, I'm sure. ?If you need to see me, speak to Sir Kennyratear. ?Don't go to my house. ?Understand?"

  "Do you trust Sir Kennyratear?"

  "I trust him more than most. ?He's been a good friend."

  "Is Markis here now?"

  "I've no doubt he is."

  "How will you leave?"

  Feraan looked around the room with feigned interest. ?"I'll wait until you draw him off or I might just stay here."

  Caelfel got to her feet, brushing off her dress. ?She went to the door and threw a last furtive glance in Feraan's direction, feeling as though she should say something to him but was at a loss for words. ?She left the room in silence, coming across Sir Kennyratear down the hall.

  "I shall see you tomorrow morning, Miss Gyssedlues," he bid.

  Caelfel offered him a smile and left the college grounds. ?On the way home, she searched continuously for any sign of Markis but saw none. ?She had no doubt that he was there and only wished she had her bow with her. ?The thought of being followed made her nervous.

  She paused as she passed the horse meadow. She allowed herself to stop there. ?She found her horse Rowan grazing by the lake, Rumfel Lake. ?The lake was surrounded by thick trees on all but one side, and its water stretched further than the length of Sal'Sumarathar's square. ?Caelfel sat on its bank with Rowan by her side.

  Her mother had told her once that this lake was Caelfel's namesake. ?Caelfel was never sure why her parents would name her after a lake but she did know that the water had special healing properties that helped aging elves find sleep, her father included. ?If she had her waterskin with her, Caelfel would have brought some water home to her father. ?However as she did not, Caelfel said goodbye to Rowan and was about to leave the water's edge when she saw odd shadows dancing on the lake's surface. ?She blinked to clear her vision, and the dancing shadows vanished.

  As she turned towards home, the fine hairs at the base of her neck prickled as her thoughts returned to the elf that was surely following her, even now. ?Markis had to have excellent training as a tracker to be so undetectable.

  She left for the college early the next morning, and a tiny voice inside her head reminded Caelfel she had six days left to prove her innocence to the Council. ?As she squeezed her way through the other students to reach the college grounds, more carefree voices, those belonging to the other students, reminded Caelfel that another important date was fast approaching.

  "I wonder who will be crowned Beauty of Spring this year?" trilled a nearby she-elf.

  The Spring Festival was a celebration of the new season, held only once every century. ?It was an enormous gathering of elves full of feasting, drinking, and dancing. ?A contest was held to determine the most beautiful she-elf, who would be crowned as the Beauty of Spring. ?Having never been, the Spring Festival was an event that Caelfel had anticipated
since she was a youngling along with the whole of Sal'Sumarathar. ?Now however, she could not muster the excitement for it. ?She swallowed, dreading what would happen in a week's time, and pushed through to reach Sir Kennyratear's class.

  "Caelfel!" called a voice before she could reach the proper archway. ?Caelfel's heart surged into her throat until she saw it was only Garvanna.

  "What is it?" she asked, doing little to hide her displeasure upon seeing the she-elf.

  "Please tell me you've solved all this with Thoroth," Garvanna pleaded with an uncharacteristic note of desperation in her voice.

  "Not yet," Caelfel admitted quietly.

  "You can't abandon him. ?The military is no place for a healer!" Garvanna yelled, pulling Caelfel away from the stream of students filing in Sir Kennyratear's classroom.

  "I didn't abandon him. ?Talk to Daerad. ?His father is Head Councilor," Caelfel countered irritably.

  "As far as I'm concerned, you left him in there," Garvanna said, face tight.

  Caelfel pressed her lips into a thin line, feeling a wave of anger as she looked at Garvanna's face. ?"I will do everything I can to help Thoroth."

  "If you really want to help him, just hand Feraan over to the Council."

  Caelfel focused on the wall next to them, her eyes following the line of blue crystals embedded within the glassy surface. ?"I don't know where he is," she admitted through clenched teeth.

  "Caelfel, Garvanna would you like to join the rest of the class?" Sir Kennyratear asked, stepping into the hall with them. ?"We're going to be dueling again today. ?The two of you will be on a team with Daerad."

  "Dueling?" Caelfel repeated, confused. ?Sir Kennyratear disappeared into the classroom again, and Garvanna rolled her eyes.

  "You've missed the past two days. ?Sir Kennyratear divides us into teams to have everyone practice using their auras," Garvanna explained, herding Caelfel into the room.

  "What are we doing? ?I haven't been able to use my aura yet."

  Garvanna gave Caelfel a wide-eyed look. ?"Do you mean that?"

  Caelfel nodded as Daerad approached them with a smug smirk. ?She realized her team consisted of an insufferable she-elf and an elf whose father nearly had her executed. ?The realization did nothing to calm her nerves.

  Caelfel quickly learned that Sir Kennyratear had each team facing off against one another. ?There were ten teams each with three elves. ?Every team had to learn to attack and defend themselves with their own aura. ?Before it was their turn, Caelfel watched other teams easily manipulate their auras. ?She stared at her hands, willing her own aura to appear.

  Sir Kennyratear called for Caelfel, Garvanna, and Daerad, and the three of them stood up from the benches that were pushed up against the walls to provide space for the dueling area. ?Caelfel willed herself to follow the other two and tried not to stumble when her legs suddenly refused to obey her.

  "Garvanna, your team is at a serious disadvantage since one of your team members has not been able to fully access her aura," Sir Kennyratear said.

  Caelfel's stomach sank as Sir Kennyratear exposed her as the weakest link. ?Garvanna threw a glare over her shoulder before stepping in front of Caelfel to shield her.

  There wasn't a clear scoring system. ?It seemed that Sir Kennyratear let the students bash each other until he had had his fill of entertainment. ?Caelfel was careful to stay behind either Garvanna or Daerad, but since the opposing team had three fully functional players, it placed Garvanna and Daerad at an obvious inconvenience. ?They were too preoccupied with charging their aura shields to fight the others back. ?Daerad grunted loudly every time his shield was depleted. ?Garvanna did not mask her impatience so mildly.

  "At least try to use your aura!" she screamed over the whizzing auric balls of energy.

  "I'm trying!" Caelfel screamed back.

  Caelfel was actually impressed with how well the other two held up on their own, but Garvanna wasn't satisfied. ?She threw Caelfel to the ground in front of them, and Caelfel became an easy target. ?She raised her arms to shield her face as the opposing team hurled more energy blasts at her. ?They didn't burn like she expected but they could deliver a solid punch. ?As she scrambled to her feet, Caelfel could feel bruises forming.

  For a brief moment, green light had filled her vision but it quickly ebbed away. ?Caelfel tried summoning it again but was knocked back to the ground before she had a chance to stand. ?The sounds of laughing students filled her ears, and her face burned with embarrassment.

  "That's enough," Sir Kennyratear barked, and the room instantly became still. ?Caelfel's panting was the loudest noise in the room as she got to her feet once again. ?Garvanna surprised her by offering a helping hand. ?Caelfel took it without question and hastily dusted herself off before realizing that everyone's attention was focused, not on her, but on a certain visitor.

  "You run such an entertaining class, Sir Kennyratear," Markis remarked, stepping further into the room.

  "The exercise teaches them to defend themselves," Sir Kennyratear said in a hard voice. ?"But I'm afraid my classroom isn't open for public viewing." ?Caelfel shuffled to hide behind Garvanna even though Markis had already seen her.

  "I think you'll find Councilor Uthruil has granted me special permission," Markis said, eyes falling on Caelfel.

  "The Council of Sal'Sumarathar has no authority over the college. ?We are protected by the Board of Wizardry in Yamalvon. ?You can go speak with Headmaster Nimuath, if you like."

  "I'm afraid you are wrong, Sir Kennyratear. ?The Council reserves the right to maintain a presence on the grounds while the college harbors a necromancer. ?You may speak with the Headmaster yourself if you need further convincing of the legality of the situation."

  Caelfel felt everyone in the room look at her, the convicted necromancer, except Sir Kennyratear who kept his glare on Markis. ?"I will not tolerate any more disruptions," he said at length.

  Markis held his palms out, as if trying Sir Kennyratear's patience was the last thing he wanted to do. ?"Of course. ?I am here merely to observe one elf for the safety of you and your students."

  Sir Kennyratear grumbled something inaudible before he commenced ignoring Markis altogether. ?He told the students to switch teams, and Caelfel returned to her seat on the bench for a break. ?She did her best to keep her attention on the dueling students on the floor, but Markis's presence distracted her from everything else. ?Several more teams faced off against each other, and Caelfel began to suspect Sir Kennyratear deliberately kept her team seated.

  Caelfel was not the only one to notice this. ?Markis spoke up. ?"Sir Kennyratear, I do believe you're not distributing turns evenly. ?Every team, save for the one Miss Gyssedlues is on, has seen at least two turns in dueling."

  Sir Kennyratear rounded on the tracker. ?"Master Rilynnzea, I thought I asked for no more interruptions."

  "I believe my suggestion is for the benefit of your class," Markis said with a wide smile. ?"I think all of your students should receive equal attention."

  Sir Kennyratear frowned but nodded all the same for Caelfel and the other two to take their place on the floor. ?Then the onslaught continued. ?In the face of Markis, Garvanna made more of an attempt to shield Caelfel from the attacks that felt more ruthless than before. ?Several minutes passed, and Caelfel landed on the ground once more, arms around her stomach where she had just been hit. ?It took her a moment to find her breath again, but by then, Markis had stopped the class a third time.

  "One of your students has not learned to utilize her aura." ?Caelfel wondered if the tracker enjoyed annoying the instructor.

  "She will learn in her own time."

  "Your teaching methods do not appear effective or efficient for the needs of your students."

  "My teaching method is one that has satisfied all of my capable students for centuries," Sir Kennyratear snapped.

  "And what of the incapable ones?" Markis asked smoothly.

  Caelfel gritted her teeth. ?"I am not incapable," she retorted.
?"I am only behind the others because I lost two days of class for a ridiculous trial."

  Garvanna whistled beside her, and Caelfel wondered if she had managed to impress the she-elf with her nerve. ?Markis was not bothered by her words and stepped closer to Caelfel with the grin still on his face.

  "Miss Gyssedlues, I sense that you blame me for your lack of progress. ?Allow me to make it up to you." ?He walked toward her with his hand outstretched. ?Sir Kennyratear hurried to block his path.

  "That mode of aura activation is outdated."

  Markis tilted his head. ?"It is the quickest method, and the choice ultimately belongs to Caelfel."

  "What is?" Caelfel asked.

  Markis pushed past Sir Kennyratear and drew closer to Caelfel. ?"With the spark of another, active aura, your aura can instantly become active to use without the long wait of waking it naturally. Your aura at present remains in a dormant state. ?It is only a simple matter of waking it up."

  Caelfel remembered Feraan mentioning this method in passing and remembered his refusal to help her that way. ?"Is it dangerous?" she asked. ?Feraan had given the impression that it was.

  "If you are the capable student you claim you are, it should prove no problem to you," Markis said.

  "It is very dangerous," Sir Kennyratear interrupted.

  "There is always some measure of risk with any practice of magic," Markis brushed off.

  Sir Kennyratear grew angry, but Caelfel spoke before he could argue further. ?"It won't kill me, though," she guessed. ?Even Feraan could not admit that it would.

  Markis's grin deepened. ?"Since you have been proven with the Eye of Ewyn, there is little chance of that happening."

  Caelfel did not like how Markis left room for doubt, but she took a sharp breath and nodded for Markis to proceed. He held out his hand again, and Caelfel heard Garvanna's voice next to her ear.

  "He could take the opportunity and try to kill you," Garvanna pointed out, voice pitched so that the approaching Markis would not overhear.

  Caelfel considered this. ?"I doubt he would risk it with a room full of witnesses."

  "But he could always play it off as an accident."

  "He needs me to find Feraan." ?But Caelfel's resolve faltered, and she could not find the words to stop the advancing Markis. ?When he was in front of her, the tracker touched two fingers to her forehead. At first, Caelfel felt nothing. ?Then she saw red smoke curling down his arm. ?A surge of electricity coursed through her body a moment later. ?A loud, delayed boom resounded through the room. ?Caelfel tried to scream, but the energy clamped her mouth shut. ?No scream came from her throat. A combination of red and green smoke clouded her vision.

  Markis removed his fingers and stepped back. ?All the energy abruptly disappeared from Caelfel's body, and she fell to her knees in a state of indescribable exhaustion. ?She saw the room tilt dangerously as her head hit the floor. ?Then came Sir Kennyratear's sharp command, "Get her to the infirmary!"

  Caelfel made an effort to tell them that she was fine, but no words came to her lips, which made her consider the possibility that she was not fine at all. ?She tried searching for familiar faces among the sea of confusion. ?Only one stood out to her addled mind, though she knew he could not be there.

  "Feraan?"

  But then he was gone, and she succumbed to the dark void of unconsciousness.