Elsin began to fear she might be forced to leave Millan behind or watch her die, but she began to recover on the fourth day. She could walk further each day as her legs strengthened, though being kept inside the carriage still made her ill. She quickly made her hatred for riding obvious, but Millan showed enough determination to keep up with her Mistress.
Elsin silently saluted her sylph's courage.
"All right Sergeant, let's get it over with," she replied. She rode forward with Argrofan to meet and welcome the Metton soldiers. She could not help but glance back again at the borderstones.
The Vintners in Sandester believed Elsin's exile began here, but Fareen had the right of it. Elsin was entering a new beginning, with plenty of opportunities to exploit.
This exile would be the making of her.
***
Dervra prayed.
He rarely prayed; the malefic sephiroth demanded practical obedience rather than verbal obeisance, but there were times the Ranked Ones liked to hear a report. They were everywhere of course, but the cursed Siranva kept this benefic ilvenworld veiled from their view.
Soon, that would change.
The dragon's head banner had been raised in Sandester and Nazvasta had laid his claim to the Markan Throne. Eldova was in uproar as factions squabbled over the infant Prefect who now ruled there. Turivkan – which he had deliberately abandoned – convulsed as old scores were settled and some peasant boy tried to learn the skills of high office.
And now Dervra had the Imperial Republic in line for his special attention. Once that land descended into chaos, the dream of a new, reunited Markan Empire would be over.
Then humanity would be ready for a new, better, way.
This was a benefic ilvenworld and Siranva kept it veiled from the malefic sephiroth's view.
Soon, that would change.
But for now, Dervra prayed.
***
The end of Markan Sword.
***
Nicholas A. Rose is the author of the Ilvenworld novels and novellas. He enjoys everything to do with the sea, the outdoors and the mountains, which he finds inspirational. Nicholas also enjoys the rather more sedentary pastimes of chess, reading, real ale and, of course, writing.
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