Leslie Moore - Griffin's Daughter

As if he had somehow heard her wish, the crowd parted, and Ashinji stepped through and walked up to her. He took her hand and led her into the center of the group where Sen, now up and leaning heavily on Sadaiyo, awaited.

The Lord of Kerala cleared his throat as the crowd fell silent. “This girl here, Jelena is her name, came to Kerala last spring. My son Ashinji found her, wounded and lost, and needing my help. She is in search of her elven kin, and I promised that I would aid in her search. She has been in service to me as my messenger these last few weeks.”

Jelena felt like an exotic species of insect pinned under a glass for examination. She kept her eyes firmly affixed to the toes of her boots. Ashinji had released her hand but remained standing beside her, and the steady warmth of his presence gave her comfort.

Lord Sen continued. “When I flushed the boar, my horse reared and threw me. I lay unconscious…helpless. I thank The One that Jelena came when she did. T’was her shot that skewered the great, ugly beast, straight through his eye! I couldn’t have done better myself. I owe this girl my life, and she shall have her reward…Whatever she desires.” A ripple of shock flowed through the crowd.

“ Jelena…Look at me, girl,” Sen commanded. Hesitantly, Jelena obeyed. “You shall be the honored guest at my table tonight,” he announced, “and I’ll make sure that you get the choicest morsels from yonder porker! Now, that’s all I have to say. Get me back home, sons.” He looked to Ashinji and Sadaiyo, grimacing in pain.

Jelena’s head reeled. The reversal of her fortunes had been both swift and shocking. As Sadaiyo and Ashinji assisted their father, Lord Dai assumed command of the hunt. Two riders were dispatched to fetch servants and bring them back to assist with the boar. A frenzy of barking heralded the arrival of the hunt mistress and the pack. Jelena overheard her telling Lord Dai that the carcass of the doe awaited dressing and removal.

Since nothing more seemed required of her, Jelena went in search of Willow. She found the chestnut mare quietly munching shoots a spear’s throw away. “There you are, girl,” she said, stroking the mare’s velvet nose. She hung her bow across the saddle horn, gathered up the reins, and scrambled ungracefully into the saddle.

Then it hit her.

A storm of trembles seized her body. Her thoughts tumbled over each other in a swirl of confusion.

What just happened? Did I really leave my body behind? Is this what it feels like to float on the aether in spirit form?

How did I cause the arrow to burst into flame, and why was it not consumed?

She hugged herself to stop the shaking.

The flame was blue! Blue fire…Magic!

The nobles had all remounted and were moving off. Ashinji and Sadaiyo had assisted Lord Sen back onto his horse and rode along on either side of their father in order to steady him, if needed. Jelena fell in behind, trailing the group at a respectful distance.

When they at last broke the cover of the trees, word had already reached the common folk of the events that had just transpired. A knot of riders immediately surrounded Jelena.

Aneko spoke first. “Is it true, Jelena? You really killed a tusker about to gore Lord Sen?” Jelena nodded weakly, still too shaken to speak. “D’you know what this means?” the older woman exulted. She didn’t bother to wait for an answer. “It means that you’ll get what you want, Jelena.” She reached over and gripped Jelena’s hand and squeezed hard. “It means that there’s hope! ”

Jelena understood Aneko’s meaning, but she dared not let herself begin to believe. She knew Lord Sen meant what he had said-she could ask anything of him, and he would grant it-but she didn’t think that “anything” included Ashinji…Or did it?

As the hunt made its way back to the castle, despite all her efforts, Jelena felt herself surrendering to hope.

For only the second time in her life, Jelena sat at a high table, surrounded by noble folk, partaking of a rich feast. This time, however, she was among elves, and an honored guest, not an object for sale. None of this made her feel any less nervous.

She wore a gown of russet silk, secured at the sides with tasseled cords, and matching slippers-all borrowed. Only her mother’s ivory combs holding her hair at bay and the strand of blue Kara glass beads that had been Claudia’s last gift to her could she call her own. She sat directly to the left of Lord Sen, a position normally held by Lady Amara. To honor Jelena, the Lady of Kerala had willingly yielded her place this night to the girl who had saved her husband’s life. She sat to Jelena’s left, and insisted on serving her guest with her own hands.

At the center of the table, stuffed and roasted to perfection, rested the very reason for Jelena’s honored presence tonight-the boar she had so valiantly slain. Even in death, his fierceness had been preserved, for the cooks had left in place his vicious, curving tusks.

Ashinji sat across the table from his mother, where he made little attempt to hide his true feelings. He had exchanged his plain brown hunting leathers for a simple tunic and trousers of dark green cotton, and to Jelena, he looked far more elegant than anyone else in the room, despite the plainness of his clothes. His gaze kept wandering to her face, and she struggled to resist the pull of his desire and not meet his eyes. His behavior was not going unnoticed.

From the corner of her eye, Jelena could see Lady Amara scrutinizing her youngest son closely, and in that instant, she knew the love she and Ashinji shared remained a secret no longer, at least not to his mother. She felt a cold knot of apprehension tighten in her belly.

“ Little Brother, I can’t help but notice how fascinated you are with our Jelena. Take care, or we’ll all think you have designs on her.”

Sadaiyo’s tone contained equal parts amusement and mockery. He sat in his usual place at Lord Sen’s right hand, his wife Misune by his side. Jelena risked a glance in his direction and found him leaning forward, staring at her with frankness bordering on insult. She refused to meet his eyes, looking instead to Ashinji, who nodded his head almost imperceptibly, as if to reassure her.

“ Whatever feelings I may have for Jelena are entirely proper and none of your concern, Brother,” Ashinji responded. Outwardly, he seemed calm. A tiny muscle along his left jaw began to twitch.

Lord Sen cleared his throat and raised his wine goblet. He looked pointedly at each of his sons, then addressed the gathering. “Raise your cups to this girl in salute, for she saved my life today with her bravery and skill.” He turned to Jelena. “Jelena, you shall ever hold a place of honor at my table and in my house.” He waited until all the others had raised their goblets, then put his own to his lips and drank.

Jelena felt slightly dizzy, as if caught up in a dream. How was it possible that she, a girl of dubious breeding and no family, now found herself toasted by an entire assemblage of elven nobility?

She remembered the flaming arrow, and the surreal sensation of floating outside of her body. Had that been a dream as well? How could it have been, when the evidence of its reality now lay roasted and sliced on a platter before her?

Sadaiyo’s derisive laughter snapped her back to the present. “Look at him! He’s hopelessly smitten. Father, I think it’s high time you found my little brother a bride. He is obviously suffering from a lack of suitable female companionship. A proper wife is just what he needs to take his mind off, er, other things.”

“ My wife’s cousin has a daughter who is of suitable age, Sakehera. I’d be happy to make inquiries on your behalf,” Lord Dai offered.