Margaret Bonham - Lachlei

“Not foolish, just unprepared,” Rhyn’athel said. “Many have fallen for Areyn’s lies, I assure you. And some of those have been gods.”

“What happened with the Fyr and what happened when you challenged Areyn?” Lachlei asked.

“Later, beloved,” Rhyn’athel said. “It is time we rejoined our army.” He held Fyren out to her, whole as though it had never been broken. “You’ll need this.”

“Our army?” she said, staring in wonder at the blade.

“Have you forgotten about your army?” came a wry voice.

Lachlei turned and saw Ni’yah sitting on a horse, leading two others. “Ni’yah?” she spoke.

The god grinned. “It seems, lady, I am in your debt. But your army awaits you.”

“The Chi’lan ? We were decimated,” Lachlei whispered.

Ni’yah glanced knowingly at Rhyn’athel.

Rhyn’athel shook his head. “No, beloved,” he said. “Your warriors await.”

They mounted their horses and rode forward. Through the smoke, Lachlei could see row after row of Chi’lan warriors. She stared at them and then glanced at Rhyn’athel in wonder. There were faces she recognized, but many she did not. The warriors began to cheer as they rode by.

“Rhyn’athel! Rhyn’athel!”

To her surprise, Lachlei began to hear her own name mixed into the chants. “Lachlei! Lachlei!”

She glanced at Rhyn’athel in wonder. “Why are they cheering me?”

“When you freed Lochvaur and me, you tipped the balance back in our favor,” Ni’yah replied. “Rhyn’athel used much of his power to contain the Fyr , he couldn’t return to fight Areyn without our help.”

Lachlei stared. “Is that true?”

Rhyn smiled slightly. “My brother tends to exaggerate things, but yes, you brought me back.”

Lachlei laughed. “So I did get my revenge after all,” she said.

“Indeed,” said Rhyn’athel, but his gaze was distracted. He reined his horse before a warrior. Lachlei stared at the man who stood before them. It was Lochvaur, but the last time she had seen him, he had either been in chains or as a glowing warrior. Looking on him now, Lachlei stared at the godling in awe. He was nearly as impressive as his father, looking like Rhyn’athel in mortal form. He was a tall Chi’lan warrior with a hardened gaze. Rhyn’athel dismounted his steed. They embraced in the typical Chi’lan greeting, gripping both arms.

Lochvaur laughed and hugged Rhyn’athel. “Father!” he said.

“I told you I wouldn’t abandon you to Areyn,” Rhyn’athel said.

“I never lost faith.” He paused. “Even if you did need my help.” He turned and nodded at Lachlei. “Lachlei.”

“Lochvaur,” Lachlei said. “I am glad to meet you under less dire circumstances.”

“Indeed,” Lochvaur said, considering her carefully. “So, you are the mortal woman who defied Areyn Sehduk.” He met his father’s gaze, and Lachlei could sense something unspoken passed between the two. “There is someone you should meet,” he said. He turned and nodded to a Chi’lan warrior who stood back among the other warriors.

“Hello, Lachlei,” Fialan said.

Cara stared as an army of warriors, larger than anything she had seen yet, filled Darkling Plain. “By Rhyn’athel’s mane—who are they?” She turned to Haukel, who shook his head.

“They’re not the Braesan ,” Haukel said. “They look alive.”

Cara’s eyes scanned the warriors. Red and gold manes and surcoats shone in the sun. “They’re Chi’lan ,” she whispered. “But I’ve never seen so many.”

“Not all Chi’lan ,” came a familiar voice. “Though I suspect Rhyn’athel considers me one of his warriors.” Cara turned and saw the Elesil king standing beside her. “Conlan!” she gasped and hugged him. “By the gods! You were dead!”

“ Were ,” Conlan said. “But not of this world, either. Rhyn’athel forced Areyn to give up his warriors.”

“Areyn has lost the dead?”

Conlan shook his head. “Not entirely. Those who were loyal to Rhyn’athel will return to the Hall of the Gods. And I suppose, those who have aided Rhyn’athel’s cause…”

“Then, you won’t be staying?”

He shook his head. “Not long. I’ve already spoken to Rani, she is now queen of the Elesil .” He eyed her as she lowered her head. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” Cara admitted. “I’ve felt so…” She shook her head. “Damn it, Conlan! I’ve felt responsible for your death.”

“The price of being Chi’lan …”

“ Chi’lan ,” she muttered. “I don’t know what it means to be Chi’lan .”

Conlan gazed at her, his silver eyes filled with sympathy. “You do, Cara, but right now, you feel lost. Your kindred is nearly destroyed because of what Areyn did.”

“Why didn’t Rhyn’athel stop this?”

“Why does the Wyrd weave the web it does?” Conlan shrugged. “Who can say? And if the god would answer to you, would he give you an answer that would satisfy you?”

Cara smiled grimly. “I suppose not.”

Conlan gripped her shoulder. “You have much work to do, Chi’lan , to rebuild your kindred. Your father is still among the living.”

“Silvain is still alive?” she said. “He won’t speak to me.”

“Perhaps not now, but he’ll need you.” Conlan looked at the other renegade Silren . “He’ll need all of you to rebuild what is left.” He hugged her. “Go—find Silvain, Chi’lan .”

Cara nodded. She mounted a horse and led the Silren towards the enemy’s wounded.

“Fialan?” Lachlei whispered. Before her stood her former husband as she had remembered him. Fialan stood next to Lochvaur and a Chi’lan woman.

Lachlei ran to him and they embraced. Rhyn’athel watched stoically as Fialan held her and kissed her.

Brother? Ni’yah’s voice spoke in Rhyn’athel’s mind.

Not now, Ni’yah , Rhyn’athel said heavily. I don’t want to discuss this. I knew it could happen …

Lachlei pulled away and glanced back at Rhyn’athel. “It is good to see you, Fialan.”

Fialan smiled at her. “Indeed, Lachlei,” he said, glancing at Eshe. “It looks as though things have changed.” He paused. “Walk with me.”

How could she explain her love for the warrior god? Dread filled her heart. “Fialan, I…”

“Listen to me, Lachlei,” Fialan said. “I know already about Rhyn’athel…”

“You do? How?”

“Lochvaur—he told me.”

“How does he know?”

“Lochvaur is, well, he’s more than a godling, even though he won’t admit it,” Fialan said. “Lochvaur told me that death had a way of changing things. He was right.”

“Fialan,” she raised her hand, causing him to fall silent. “I believed you were dead. I was your wife, and I will respect that vow if you hold me to it, but many things have changed since we parted. I could not love you as before. I am Rhyn’athel’s now.”

“I know,” Fialan said. “I understand now that I was never intended for you—you were intended for Rhyn’athel. I didn’t believe it until I saw you at Caer Lochvaren. I love you and I always will, but I know that you and I were not meant to be.” He paused. “Do you love him?”

“Deeply, Fialan. I have never loved anyone more.”

“I know this. I could never be here with you, and you would have to come with me to Athelren . But, it is not your time.” Fialan shook his head. “What of Haellsil? And what of your unborn sons?”