Michael Mathias - The Wizard and the Warlord

The underground burrows were roomy enough. The walls and ceilings were generally stone slabs formed into square structures, buried by the giants aeons ago. The burrow the companions were sharing had four rooms and a long, covered entry tunnel. The central room was furnished with a carved wooden table and chairs, and a divan made from lashed-together deadfall, cushioned with stuffed goatskin pillows. The other three rooms were for sleeping. Each had a soft, wood frame bed and a small table along with a shelved cubby to store personal items.

Telgra was given her own room. Phen and Hyden shared, as did Oarly and the lieutenant. The main room sported a hearth, and the fire served to warm the other rooms. Smoke was vented through a shaft at the highest corner of the ceiling. There were no windows, but the walls of the main room were carved into a leafy, vine-strewn pattern, which had been worn to near obscurity over the centuries.

Oarly spent a long time admiring the work that one of his ancestors had obviously done. No giant or elf could work stone that well. He drank several toasts to the quality of the craftsmanship.

When the time came, Hyden used Lord Gregory’s farewell as an excuse to get himself, the Lion Lord, and the Eldest alone. He had something of the utmost importance to tell them, but for the three days that his friends were in the village it had been impossible to get the two men away from everyone else.

First, it was the gifts. It took a whole day for the clansfolk to open the thoughtful presents the Lion Lord had brought them. No one had been left out. Every man, woman, and child received something from him and Lady Trella: dolls, wooden blocks, letter boards, toy swords, jewelry, farming implements, leather goods, cloth, and even a few bottles of expensive liquor. It was clear that Lord Gregory had spent a fortune.

That first day, Hyden had given up trying to isolate his uncle and the Westlander. He was thankful that his people were too occupied to worry about Lady Telgra’s presence. The whole snow-covered valley was alive with clacking sword fights and giggling glee.

The second day, Hyden got caught up with the companions in a discussion about the route they should take, the supplies they would need, and the matter of packing the gear for their trek through the Giant Mountains. The ideas and concerns kept him preoccupied throughout the day. Later in the evening, Phen and Oarly approached him, worrying over his unease. Hyden assured them that it had nothing to do with them.

The third day, Hyden finally herded Lord Gregory into his Uncle Condlin’s burrow. Condlin’s boys, Tylen and Little Con, and their mother said their goodbyes and thank yous to the Lion Lord. Hyden showed them his agitation, and thankfully they excused themselves. Finally, Hyden sighed and gathered both men’s attention by getting to the point of his distress.

“She is the daughter of the Queen Mother,” he blurted out to their blank expressions.

“Who is?” Lord Gregory asked.

“The Lady Telgra,” Hyden answered. “I cast a seeing spell on her. One day she will be the leader of all elven kind.”

“By the goddess, she must be moved to a private burrow and treated as her station dictates.” Hyden openly showed his surprise when the Eldest said this. His Uncle Condlin went on. “Just because we have issue with the feral creatures, we can’t just treat her like common folk.”

Hyden couldn’t help but smile at his uncle’s reaction. Maybe there was hope for his people yet. “She doesn’t know who she is,” Hyden reminded them. “Besides that, my father would start a ruckus if any elf were treated better than a clansman.”

The Eldest nodded his agreement. “But what do we do?”

“There are other people looking for her, Hyden,” Lord Gregory said. “Another elf, and a Salayan monk who were in her party. They were separated in a storm. Phen and Oarly washed up on the same chunk of marshland she did.” The Lion Lord went on to explain what he knew about the situation.

“We don’t do anything,” Hyden finally said. “She’s going with us to restore her memory. My concern is that her mother, the Queen Mother, has to be aware that she is alive and well. Phen sent word to the elves from Dreen.” Hyden looked at Lord Gregory with a sympathetic grimace on his face. “No doubt a delegation of elves will soon visit the red city, looking for her.”

“She has made it clear that she doesn’t want to deal with her people until she has been to the Leif Repline fountain,” Lord Gregory said. “It will be a delicate situation. The Queen Mother won’t be happy. I don’t think Mikahl will allow me to betray Lady Telgra’s trust.”

“Why not just tell her who she really is, Hyden?” the Eldest asked.

“It’s not my place,” Hyden answered simply. “She said she didn’t want to know until her whole memory was restored. I only told you because, as the Eldest of this clan, you should know who is in your village and under your protection. I honestly think that her going on this quest will help the future relationship between men and elves tremendously.”

“Only if she survives,” Lord Gregory said. “If she were to die while questing with humans, it might easily start a war.”

“I cannot deny her a place on this quest,” Hyden said. Then to his uncle, “Even if we have to spend the winter elsewhere.” His voice told them both he was firm in his decision.

“Have you sought the advice of the goddess on this matter?”

“I have,” Hyden nodded. “As should you.”

“I have no problem with the situation,” Lord Gregory offered. “But the other elf and the monk will be in Dreen when I return. What do I tell them? Not long after, a delegation from the Evermore will come as well. I’ve heard that older elves can divine things from men with their magic.”

“I will consult with the White Goddess, Hyden,” Condlin said after a long moment of thought. His expression showed that he didn’t want to say what he was about to say next. “But unless there is some great revelation as to why I should put our people at risk while betraying the Queen Mother, then I am afraid you and your friends might have to winter somewhere else.”

“I understand, Eldest,” Hyden said. “I will make preparations to leave here as quickly as possible. I hope that a day or two more of Skyler hospitality will be extended so that we may leave fully prepared.”

“Aye, Hyden,” Condlin said. “Make careful and complete preparations; do not rush into the winter.”

“Where will you go?” Lord Gregory asked.

“If I don’t tell you, my friend, then you don’t have to feel as if you're being untruthful or withholding from the elves when they question you.”

“Nor will they be able to divine the information from you,” the Eldest said. “You won’t be forced to lie to King Mikahl either.”

“You’re sharp as a blade, Hyden Hawk,” Lord Gregory laughed. “I have an idea where you will go, and I approve.”

“I won’t have to lie to the elves when I send Tylen into the Evermore to tell the Queen Mother that I have seen her daughter and that she is well,” the Eldest said.

“Why contact them at all?” Hyden asked.

“If you ever have children, Hyden,” the Eldest started prophetically, “you’ll understand. The Queen Mother is a parent, and no parent should have to wonder about her child’s safety. It’s just a matter of respect.”

“Telgra’s more than a hundred years old, but it couldn’t hurt relations between our clan and the elves.” Hyden shrugged. “At least wait until we are well away.” He remembered watching Condlin carry a travois with his dying son on it for days. This was just after another of the man’s children had fallen to his death. If anyone alive understood the grim realities of parenting, it was Condlin Skyler.