Chapter 5.

Bryan of Corning MERIWINDLE EASED THE gleaming sword halfway out from its jeweled sheath, remembering the land, his homeland, where it had been forged. The weapon's slender design and graceful hilt marked it as elvish, and of course it was, and so was Meriwindle, though he had not walked the ways of Illuma Vale, that magical mountain valley called Lochsilinilume, in half again more than a dozen years. Not such a long time in the ageless lifespan of an elf. gleaming sword halfway out from its jeweled sheath, remembering the land, his homeland, where it had been forged. The weapon's slender design and graceful hilt marked it as elvish, and of course it was, and so was Meriwindle, though he had not walked the ways of Illuma Vale, that magical mountain valley called Lochsilinilume, in half again more than a dozen years. Not such a long time in the ageless lifespan of an elf.

Still, thoughts of mortality now led Meriwindle's gaze out through the window of his small cottage to the solitary marker in the backyard: the gravestone of his wife.

He would return this year, in the autumn, he vowed, to visit those many friends he had left behind in the elven city. Ever the wanderer, Meriwindle had been the first out of Illuma Vale after the Battle of Mountaingate, when Benador, the new King of Calva, had opened his doors to the elves. What sights the adventurous elf had seen in those days!

But none more beautiful than his sweet Deneen.

She had caught the nimble elf in her gaze, and held his wandering feet firmly in place. Love took them both by proverbial storm, overwhelming them and refuting their denials. Both of them feared the inevitable joining-not all of the prejudices the two races, human and elf, held for each other had been washed away by the carnage of the battle. Such a mixed marriage would invite whispers, even open hostility. And as Meriwindle and Deneen were the first couple to actually attempt such a union, none knew what to expect from any offspring they might bring into the world.

But emotions greater than fear kept Meriwindle and Deneen together and brought them to marriage.

The whispers did come, but less than the couple had expected, and it did not take long for the northern elf to carve out a place for himself and his soon-to-be-growing family among the kindly farmer folk of Corning.

And then Bryan had come into their lives, had brought to the small cottage on the western edge of town more joy than the couple would ever have believed possible. That baby smile, Bryan's whole face lighting up at the sight of mother or father, surely washed away any of the fears either of them had ever felt. If any believed that the union of the two races was against some unspoken laws of nature, one sight of Bryan would surely change their stubborn minds.

But then Deneen had gone away, taken in the pain of her second birthing, with the tiny girl who would never see the world beyond the womb.

"Are you all right?" came a voice that shook Meriwindle from his memories. He turned to find Bryan, now a fine young lad of fifteen years, standing in the doorway to the little kitchen.

"Yes, yes." Meriwindle brushed away his son's concern, and sniffed away a final thought of Deneen and the unnamed baby girl.

Bryan took a moment to consider his father's position in front of the window, and the view such a seat gave to him, and he understood. "Thinking of Mother?"

"Always," Meriwindle replied, and Bryan did not doubt that his father spoke the truth. A sadness touched the corners of the elf's gray eyes, a sadness that would endure through the centuries.

"Are you still planning to go?" Meriwindle asked, needing to change the subject.

"Yes," Bryan replied, but he quickly added, "unless you would like me to stay. I can change my plans. The others would understand."

He would do that for me, Meriwindle thought, and without regret. What a fine young man his son was growing into! "No," he said to Bryan. "I gave you my word, and you certainly did more than your fair share of the spring planting. But all of the work is done now, and summer nears its high point. As we agreed, you may go."

Bryan's face lit up. He would indeed have remained beside his father without complaint if he believed that Meri-windle needed him. But he was thrilled to be going. He and his friends had been planning this expedition for the whole winter.

"But..." Meriwindle said, stealing a bit of the smile. The elf paused for a long, teasing moment. "You must take this." He spun and tossed sword and scabbard to Bryan.

Bryan's eyes popped wide at the gift. So long he had admired the crafted blade hanging over the mantel in the sitting room. His father had trained him in the use of a sword-all fathers taught their children in this land, so close to the wilds of the Baerendel Mountains-but never had this blade been used in those practice sessions. It was a family heirloom, a magical blade from the elven valley, the sword Meriwindle had wielded during the Battle of Mountaingate, when he had fought beside Arien Silverleaf himself.

Bryan slid the slender blade out to feel the perfection of its balance and to witness the soft glow of blue light that held the magic of the fine edge.

"The Baerendels are a wild place," Meriwindle explained. "It is best to be prepared."

"I fear I might break it," said Bryan, so obviously overwhelmed, his hands trembling.

"I have trained you myself," Meriwindle reminded the lad. "And your talents exceed any I have ever seen of your age and experience. Few understand the dance of the blade as well as you, my son. And that sword is elven make, hardened by the magical fires of the Silver Mage and far stronger than its slender size would lead you to believe. No, you'll not break it, nor will you break the armor and shield."

"Armor and shield?" Bryan could hardly speak the words.

"Of course," answered his father. "If you wish to act the part of an elven warrior, then you must look the part of an elven warrior."

Bryan mocked a quick inspection of himself. "But I am not true elven," he said skeptically. "Half my blood is human."

"So it is," muttered Meriwindle, but the disappointment in his tone was feigned, and Bryan knew it. If Bryan was an example of the offspring of elf and human joined, then more would be wise to consider the formula. He was possessed of the best of both worlds, slender and handsome as an elven lad, yet with the hardened muscles and strength more common to the humans.

"You decline the gifts, then?"

"Oh no!" Bryan cried, hoping his father would not rescind his offer. "Truly I will wear them as best I may. Truly-"

Meriwindle stopped him with an outstretched hand. "No need to plead your case, my son," he a.s.sured the boy. He walked over and put his hands on Bryan's hardened shoulders. "Never has a father been more proud of his child," he said, moisture r.i.m.m.i.n.g his large eyes. "You have all my faith. You will wear the outfit more finely than ever I could."

Bryan responded in the only way he possibly could. He gave his father a hug.

Meriwindle answered the excited knock on his door with a mixture of pride and sadness. He recognized the unique pattern to the knock-that of Bryan's best friend-and he knew what that meant.

"Good morning, sir," greeted the diminutive lad at the head of a column of twelve, every one of them outfitted for the road.

"Welcome, Lennard," Meriwindle replied. "Do come in." He called out to Bryan, who was getting ready in another room, while the adventuring party, boys and girls of Bryan's age, marched into the sitting room.

"Are you all gathered and prepared?" Meriwindle asked them.

"All except for Bryan and Jolsen Smithyson," replied Lennard. He drew out a narrow blade, a foil, for Meriwindle's inspection.

"Fine weapon," the elf commented politely, though he had reservations about the wisdom of carrying such a blade into the wilds of the mountains. In trained hands, the whipping speed of a foil could be a great advantage against an armed opponent, poking through defenses before one's enemy ever brought his heavier blade to bear. But the dangers the troupe would likely encounter up in the Baerendels, bears and boars and giant lizards, would better be fought with a heavier blade such as a broadsword or an ax.

No matter, Meriwindle reminded himself. All of the youngsters carried bows and knew how to use them, and Bryan would certainly be prepared to handle anything that came his way.

"Bah, you should have brought the spear," remarked Siana, one of the girls. "That little blade will snap the first time you strike something bigger than you."

Meriwindle tried to hide his agreeing smile. He liked Siana perhaps best of all, and was pleased that she was wise enough to see the logic.

"Never it will!" Lennard shouted back. "In and out." He accentuated his point by snapping off a quick back-and-forth stab with the foil. "Before anyone-or anything-even knows what hits him."

"A bear will know soon enough when it looks down and sees half the silly thing broken off and sticking out the front of its hide," Siana replied without missing a beat. The others, Meriwindle included, shared a laugh at Lennard's expense, but the diminutive lad just shrugged and joined in.

"Should have known better than to match wits with Siana," the defeated Lennard reminded himself under his breath.

"Let the day begin!" came Bryan's call as he entered the room. Meriwindle tried to hide his satisfaction as a general gasp rolled through the group, stealing their laughter. And when the elf turned and looked upon his son, he, too, caught his breath.

The elven sword hung easily on Bryan's hip, hidden by the jeweled scabbard, but from the rest of Bryan's outfit the others could well imagine the sword's incredible workmanship. Bryan wore the chain-mail armor common to the elven folk, yet rarely seen outside of Illuma Vale, a fine mesh of interlocking links so perfectly crafted-and so perfectly fitting Meriwindle's son-that it bent and formed to the contours of Bryan's body like a second skin. The shield was of a shining silvery metal, inlaid with the quarter-moon crescent of Lochsilinilume. A wide-brimmed hat cunningly inlaid with strips of protective metal, high but supple leather boots, and a thick forest-green cloak completed the tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs over Bryan's normal clothing.

"Are you going somewhere?" Lennard remarked, an awe-inspired smile spreading over his face.

"Just to market," replied Bryan, and he swept off the hat, dipping into a gentleman's bow.

"The Baerendels are not a game," Meriwindle put in sternly. He didn't want to dispel the fun, but neither did he want the troupe moving out from the safety of the town with an improper att.i.tude. "You will find danger up there, do not doubt. Many animals wander the course of those uncharted mountains, and talons have been spotted there on more than one occasion."

"We can take care of ourselves," one of the girls that Meriwindle did not recognize a.s.sured him.

Meriwindle regarded the group for a long moment. They were the children of farmers and craftsmen, more accustomed to wielding a hammer or hoe than a weapon. But they were a smart lot, and grown straight and tall under the brilliant sunshine of western Calvan fields.

They all waited now, breathless and anxious, for the judgment of the most famous warrior in all of Corning, perhaps in all of the lands west of the great River Ne'er Ending.

"So you can," Meriwindle told the girl sincerely. "I do not doubt that for a moment. If I did, I would not allow my son to accompany you." The group relaxed visibly, a smile finding its way onto every face. If Meriwindle, the elven warrior who had fought in the Battle of Mountaingate, had faith in them, they could not fail.

"To the road, then!" cried Lennard. "To Jolsen's and then to the Baerendels!"

They filed out of the small cottage with a heightened spring in their step. Bryan lagged behind for some final words with his father.

"Do you really believe that we can take care of ourselves?" he had to ask.

"If I did not, I would surely not let you go," Meriwindle replied.

"We will return within the span of two months," Bryan a.s.sured him. "In time for the autumn harvest."

"Of course," said Meriwindle. "And after that..." he began tentatively.

Bryan c.o.c.ked his head, realizing from the suddenly grim tone that his father had something important to tell him.

"I had thought to do some traveling myself," Meriwindle explained. "After the crop is in and safely off to market."

"Pallendara?" Bryan asked excitedly. "We will go with the wagons?"

"A road longer," replied Meriwindle.

The hesitant look on Bryan's face showed that he suspected but did not dare to speak the true meaning of his father's words.

"I had thought to be returning to Lochsilinilume," Meri-windle said plainly. "I desire to walk again through the land of my birth."

Bryan fell back a step, not knowing how to take the news. "But, could I?" he stammered, hopeful and afraid all at once. He would like nothing better than to see the enchanted valley, but he wasn't certain how long his father planned to be gone. Certainly they could not leave the farm unattended. "Would I...I mean, there's the farm to consider. Would you want-"

"I most certainly would!" Meriwindle replied with a hearty laugh. He dropped an arm over Bryan's shoulder and shook him. "The farm will be here when-if-we choose to return. But you must come with me. What fun would an old elf find along the road if his most trusted companion was not riding by his side?

"Besides," he continued, giving Bryan another playful shake, "the armor and the blade belong to you now. It is your duty, in return for the gifts, to protect your aging father on his long journey."

Bryan straightened at his father's honest respect, smiling from ear to ear. "They'll be picking a leader before we get out of town," he said, looking back over his shoulder at the open door. "I believe that they meant to choose me when we planned this journey. Now, bearing the sword and armor, it is very likely that I will be selected."

"Then accept," Meriwindle was quick to reply. "But remember always that a true leader speaks less than he listens."

"Come on, Bryan!" came an anonymous call from outside.

"To Jolsen's!" the rest of the anxious troupe piped in on cue.

"I have to go."

Meriwindle gave his son a final hug, then put him out at arm's length to look him over. "You certainly do," he said. For some time Meriwindle had feared the inevitability of this moment, but now, looking at Bryan, the elf found his fears washed away on a tide of sincere admiration.

No more was Bryan his little boy.

Chapter 6.

The Black Tide THE St.u.r.dY FOLK of Windywillow Village, the westernmost settlement in the Calvan kingdom, were not unused to skirmishes against talons. Tribes of the wretched things lived all about them, in the great forest that gave their village its name, and to the west, in the marshlands of Mysmal Swamp. Plundering talons constantly searched out the homes of the village seeking easy takings. of Windywillow Village, the westernmost settlement in the Calvan kingdom, were not unused to skirmishes against talons. Tribes of the wretched things lived all about them, in the great forest that gave their village its name, and to the west, in the marshlands of Mysmal Swamp. Plundering talons constantly searched out the homes of the village seeking easy takings.

Mostly, though, what the talons got for their troubles was a general thinning of their raiding ranks. Windywillow Village had become a veritable fortress over the years, with tunnels connecting many of the cottages, and trenches and devious traps lining the perimeter of the entire settlement. And the people here, just over a hundred in number, including the few women, were practiced and fearless fighters.

But when the sun rose through a dreary gray mist on this particular summer morning, Windywillow Village saw the approach of doom.

"Big tribe," one of the villagers remarked over the shouts of alarm at the coming cloud of dust.

"Biggest I e'er seen," another man agreed. "Well, we'll give 'em a taste o' steel an' set 'em runnin' the right way."

But the villager was not so sure. Before long the very ground beneath his feet began to vibrate under the stamp of the approaching army, and the throaty song of the talons carried along on the morning breeze.

"d.a.m.n big tribe," he said, considering, for the first time in his fifteen years in Windywillow Village, the option of retreat. But he shook the notion away and clapped his great ax across his shoulder. "Just means there'll be more to hit," he grumbled, moving to his position in the first line of defense.

Less than fifteen minutes later, when the leading cavalry of Thalasi's army burst into view, rushing over the horizon, followed by rank after rank of filthy talon soldiers, the villager thought of retreat again.

But swamp lizards are swift beasts, nearly as swift as a horse even bearing a rider. For the villager, and for all of Windywillow Village, it was already far too late, and had been too late since the first sightings of the dust cloud.

The villagers fought savagely even when their hopes of victory and survival had flown.

Twenty thousand talon soldiers stamped the village flat. Within half an hour not a man, woman, or child remained alive.

From his comfortable chair in his litter, the Black Warlock surveyed the devastation. An evil smirk became a laugh of joy. How easy this all would be! Thalasi's only regret was that he could not take part in the slaughter, that he could not reveal himself. Not yet. The longer the Black Warlock was able to keep the news of his return from spreading throughout the land, the longer his talon army would be unhindered by the countering magics of his wizard adversaries.

He looked to the east, and his laughter continued. Another plume of smoke had already started its lazy climb into the late morning sky; another village had ceased to exist.

They would crush a third that same day, and two more the next. Thalasi clenched his bony fist in victory. Every kill kept the ranks of his rabble army at peace with each other; every kill spurred the wicked talons on in their relentless hunt for more human blood. With the eager pace they had set this day, and with only minor towns standing in their path, they would make Corning within a week, and the Four Bridges just a day or two after that. Pallendara would never be able to muster its peace-softened troops and get them to the banks of the great river, the only defensible spot in all the southland, in time.

Then the King of Calva would learn of the true power behind the talon uprising. And then the King of Calva would know terror.

Later that night, Thalasi's tireless litter bearers brought him up to the main force of the army, encamped on the flattened ruins of the third sacked village. The Black Warlock's glee only heightened when he learned that a large contingent of the troops, not satisfied with their kills this day, had pressed on into the night to a.s.sault the fourth village in line.

Four thousand bloodthirsty talons thundered up to the wall of the small town of Doogenville, smashing the wood and stone with more fury than the defenders at the barricade could hope to repel. The townspeople threw boiling oil, sticks and stones, whatever they could find, at the enraged beasts, to no avail.

The brave men of Doogenville, outnumbered forty to one, knew that they could not hope to win against such a throng, but it was not for their own lives that they fought. To the east of the town, running down the road, went the elderly, the womenfolk, and the children, the only refugees of the first day of the Black Warlock's campaign, the only witnesses to the coming darkness.