Andre Norton - The Key of the Keplian

If any enemies find her, they may not live to regret it , Eleeri thought, seeing the ferocity. This one will fight pukutsi when she fights. She may go down, but she will take many with her . She took a breath.

“Go, think of this. I ride now to talk with the human keep. We must make plans. An attack must be made that is coordinated so we waste none of our strength.”

She saw the colt nod slow agreement to that thought. The scarred mare nodded, trotting off to graze. Eleeri noticed that she was no longer alone though. With her Shenn had gone, his flanks brushing hers as he grazed beside the mare. She met Tharna’s eye and a gentle amusement flickered between them for an instant. Then the two were all business.

“Will you both come with me?”

Tharna moved closer. *I will carry you .* Her tone was a little jealous so that Eleeri was touched. Hylan crowded up.

*I can carry you back?* His mind-send was hopeful and Eleeri laughed.

“Even so, kin-brother. We are three, but I’ll have to bring the pony.” There was an irritable snort but no objection. Swiftly she saddled the willing animal, balancing packs of hides and weapons she would take for the lake keep. She vaulted to Tharna’s back and they trotted toward the canyon exit. Seemingly from thin air Pehnane materialized, eyes sapphire flames.

*Where do you go?*

In a few quick words Eleeri explained, guessing he wished to hear it from her, although surely he must already know. Approval came to her.

*The plan may work. What of those who say they, too, will fight?*

“What of them?” Her voice was hot. “They have a right to protect what they believe in.”

His sending was mild. *I did not say aught against that. Do they fight for the Light?* There was an odd intensity in the sending of that question.

From behind came a snuffle as Theela joined them. *I hear.*

Pehnane swung his head to her. *And you answer?*

Her head dropped as she considered, then lifted again. *To kill foals is evil. To mate with mares who do not wish is evil—wrong. To live as we did in our lands was . . .* she fumbled for the right word.

Tharna supplied it. *Dark.*

*Yes. If that is Dark and how we live here is Light, then I fight for the Light. I die for the Light.* Her sentences stopped, but her mind still sent—a bitter litany of pain and sorrows in pictures that tore at them all. *I stand with the Light.* The mare repeated slowly, as Pehnane looked at her. Her mind sent a sort of grim satisfaction. *I know what I say. So do those others there.* Her nose indicated the grazing Keplians. *They do not hate so greatly, but they will fight.*

*I believe. Come—follow.*

Trailed by the mare, he paced slowly toward the exit. At his approach, the runes blazed into life. His nose went up to trace one, then another, and finally a third.

*Do this also.*

For an instant she gazed up at the flaring signs. Then her nose, too, traced over the ancient signs. They blazed higher, blue mist swirling and condensing, smoking from them to cast a veil over Theela’s head. It cleared and Eleeri bit back a gasp. The mare stood proudly, her eyes yet fire, but now the clear pure blue that marked the other Keplians standing with her. The colt moved in slowly from where he had waited behind his friend. His head lifted to study her, then the signs.

*I stand with Theela.* He said no more, but before they could prevent it, he was tracing the first sign. Eleeri drew in her breath in wonder. The blue mist swirled out to take him in its embrace. The power knew its own and all hearts. In that fraction of a second as he touched, it judged and sentenced. A colt with sapphire eyes faced them, shivering a little still at his own boldness.

Hylan’s mind-voice was dry. *If we are done here, can we now leave? Or must we wait while everyone lines up to rub noses with a wall?*

The colt pawed the ground. *I would journey with you.*

Eleeri dropped from Tharna’s back and stepped toward him. Her fingers went up to stroke the mane from his eyes. Wordlessly she sent a picture. Mayrin—laughing, playing with her children. Looking down at Romar’s limning, pain in her eyes. Pictures, memories of gentle laughter, of the essence of her friend.

Shenn’s ears perked. *I would carry her. She is like you.*

Theela strolled over and waited. Now Eleeri sent Jerrany, of his strength, his caring for his mate, his small ones, his anger at cruelty. His kindnesses.

A nose thrust into her hands. *I will carry this one if he wishes. If he will trust me.* Theela sent.

“Then come. At the keep you can meet him and make your decisions. Pehnane?” She turned to find the stallion had vanished once more. “I wish he wouldn’t do that. It’s like having a ghost about the place.” There was a soft mental giggle from her kin-sister as Eleeri remounted.

*That one does as he will. We do not need him.* She moved into a gliding walk and, followed by the obedient pony and three of her kind, paced away along the trail.

As they traveled, the woman was making up her mind. To simply arrive with four Keplians might cause some—well, surprise at the very least. It might even provoke someone into an attack before they thought. Better to ride in on the pony, explain it all to her friends, then call in the Keplians. Jerrany could be as lighthearted and as giddy as any boy. But under that he was a warrior of a warrior people. He would see the advantages to all of this.

She had only to tell them both of Romar and her dreaming. That would be to drop stones on one side of the scales. If they knew there was a chance to free Romar, to defeat the Dark Tower in the doing—to make safe their lands for a while longer—then they would go to battle with goodwill, taking allies where they offered.

She glanced sideways to where Shenn pranced, unable in his youthful high spirits to prevent himself from a few caperings. The stunning blue of his eyes struck her anew. A sign of the Light. Seeing them, she was certain Jerrany would be able to keep any from acting foolishly once she had spoken to him. The keep had its own runes of ward and guard. The Keplian should be able to pass those also. Another demonstration that they were now of the Light. She nodded to herself. So long as she moved carefully, all should be well.

They wended their way along the trails, always keeping a lookout. Here in the higher hills they were far from the Gray Ones’ ranging, but there were other things which dwelt here. Some were of minor darkness, others quite simply dangerous. The rasti colony was many miles away, but solitary males often wandered up into this area. One rasti was no danger to five warriors, but even so, a bitten fetlock would be no light problem should the teeth go deep. However, they saw no one and nothing over the several days of journeying.

They worked their way down toward the lake on the third day and the keep tower came into view as they topped a small rise. Part of the journey had been spent in discussion, so all knew what they should do. Eleeri dropped from Tharna’s back, calling the pony to her. By now she was skilled in the uses of her gift. As her power had grown with experience, she was finding she could do far more than she had ever imagined. It was now that Cynan’s patient months of teaching and his stores of shared information were coming into their own. She swung into the dun’s saddle, leaning over to pat first Tharna, then Hylan. Then, gathering the reins, she rode down the hill to where a sentry was announcing her appearance in stentorian tones. Mayrin and Jerrany came running.

“Eleeri, welcome, but—” Mayrin paused, “you look so grim. Is something wrong?”

“Not wrong, no. But let us be private quickly.” She saw the way both faces looked then. Eager, yet half afraid to know. She swept them into the solar, where Mayrin slammed the door.