The Whispering

  “You two behave without me,” says Mellis. He appears beside us without warning and we both jump. He laughs unashamedly and is rewarded with a double smack.

  “Ouch,” he cries out, rubbing his arm.

  “Are you scouting ahead, too?” I ask.

  He shakes his head. “I’m to stay and meet whoever will show up.”

  “What do you mean you’re staying?” asks Julia.

  “We need to know what’s causing the doorways to close,” says Tolan, coming up from behind me. I turn to see Tharin approach alongside him.

  “Don’t we already know who?” I ask, confused. “It’s Eathos, I mean Kolinest, right?”

  Tharin nods. “Yes, but he or Harlu, or anyone of the Ange, doesn’t know the Summoning to close all the doorways. Only the Summoner and his son,” he pauses, indicating his brother, “and Tolan knows the Summoning. If they know a door has been opened, they’ll send the person who closed all the other doors here to close it.”

  Julia turns to Tolan. “I thought your uncle only instructed you and Phoris?”

  “He did,” answers Tolan. “I’ve traced my memories back to the days of our training and as far as I can remember, we were alone with my uncle each time. If I can get to one of the doorways there might be remnants of the summoning used. And maybe, just maybe, I can figure out who made the calling.”

  I turn to Mellis. “Will you be okay by yourself?”

  Mellis’ smile broadens, saying, “I love you too, cousin.”

  “Maybe I should stay with him?” Julia asks, looking at Tolan.

  “No,” he says simply.

  Without warning, Mellis hugs Julia hard, startling her. “I knew you loved me, Jules.”

  She pushes herself from his hold, trying not to laugh. “You don’t get to call me Jules.”

  “Don’t try to deny it now, Jules, you love me,” replies Mellis with a huge grin on his face.

  “I won’t leave you here,” says Tolan with a determined look.

  Julia stands with a determined look of her own. But before she can utter a word, Tharin interrupts. “I need you with Lily.”

  That stops any argument from Julia. She nods to Tharin before stepping up and taking Tolan’s hand, putting him at ease. Although she takes Tharin’s order without question, I can see by her face she would have preferred to stay behind.

  “Tharin,” I say getting his attention, “maybe we can leave Cessa with him. After he sees who the person is, they will head back to the tower, right?”

  Tharin takes a moment to think about it and then turns to Mellis. “She stays for a day. If no one shows by then, you send her back to Lily and you head for the tower.”

  Mellis nods and before I am able to call her, Tharin beats me to it. The black stealth saunters toward us from the jungle. She greets us first before moving to sit next to Mellis.

  “What’s up, Cess?” says Mellis. In return Cessa bumps him with her big head.

  Tharin moves to Mellis, placing his hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “No heroics. Just find out who it is and then come home. We don’t know what’s happened at the tower and I will need everyone with me.”

  “No worries, cousin,” replies Mellis, his usual smile on his face. “It’s no fun being heroic when there’s no one but the bad guys to witness it.”

  He waves to Julia and me before he and Cessa turn from us, heading back to the doorway.

  We move through the thick jungle easily, but cautiously. Tharin and Tolan are moving through the tree tops as Julia and I jog at a steady pace below. As much as I want to be out in the rain, Tharin keeps us close to the trees and out of sight. We duck for cover when Alorn catches movement within the deep brush. We wait silently, hidden within the brush when families of baboon-like creatures passing through appear. They are similar to their Pathen cousin except these are of royal blue fur with bright pink eyes. Tharin sends me a thought with the word “bouians”.

  We have been moving for almost eight miles and Julia and I can’t go any farther without rest. We weren’t going to stop but Tharin appears beside us, catching me by the arm, when I trip for the third time. Julia is having problems staying upright as well, stopping to stoop over and catch her breath. He moves us next to a large tree and call up two blocks of earth for us to sit on; Julia lies back on hers while I sit and try to catch my breath. Tolan appears a moment later with water from a leather flask, which we greedily drink from.

  Twenty minutes later, we are on the move again. For the second leg the twins travel on the ground with us, staying close. This time it is less than six miles before Julia and I need a second break. Without waiting for either Tharin or Tolan to call up a seat, we collapse against a nearby tree and literally pass out.

  I come awake with a start.

  It is dark out and I give my eyes a moment to adjust before scanning the area. Next to me is a snoring Julia, but something about her snoring catches my attention – it’s too quiet. I move slightly to lean over her and note a thin linen cloth over the bottom part of her face. Tolan must have placed it there to muffle the sound from prying ears.

  I shake Julia and she comes awake in an instant, yanking the Sidhe cloth from her face. Once again her blades are in her hands and I block her by her forearm to keep her from catching me on the chin. I quickly put my finger to my lips and she nods looking quickly about her.

  I lean in close, my lips almost touching her ear and breathe, “We’re not alone.”

  I feel the tension in her body and she takes my left hand, pointing to my ring finger. I understand immediately, pointing upward. She looks up and then nods.

  “Lily,” calls Tharin. “To the left, two orcs and a human.”

  “Okay, Tharin,” I reply.

  Julia turns to me and points to the left, confirming my guess that Tolan has connected with her.

  “Alorn, Ziri what do you see?” reaches out Tharin.

  “I only see the three,” replies Ziri.

  “I’ve checked the perimeter,” adds Alorn. “I don't sense anything other than the three here.”

  “Do you sense anything out of the ordinary from the human?” asks Tolan.

  “No,” answers Alorn.

  “Let them go,” instructs Tharin. “We have other matters to worry about. They’re not the ones who’ll show up at the doorway with Mellis.”

  Julia and I sit in the darkness waiting for the others to give us a sign that we can move again. I notice the tree we are sitting against is not the same tree we collapsed against earlier. Tharin and Tolan must have moved us while we slept. For all I know we could be miles from the tower or only a few yards.

  “Lily! Julia!” Tharin’s warning comes so suddenly a javelin of fear spears through me as Julia grabs onto my coat and drags me behind her.

  “Run, Lily. Keep up,” she calls over her shoulder.

  I speed ahead, grabbing her hand as I pass her up. Within seconds Alorn is with us and without missing a beat, picks Julia up. I keep up with his pace, at the same time praying Tharin and the others are okay.

  “Alorn,” I yell.

  “Not now, Lily,” he commands, connecting me to him.

  “Why aren’t we staying to help?” I ask, trying to keep my eyes on the jungle speeding toward me.

  “I told you, Lily. Trust Tharin.” He disconnects and I have no choice but to stay focused on my surroundings and keep up with the warrior elf. I try not to notice how every second takes me further away from Tharin.

  ~ * ~

  Chapter Fourteen

  ~ Tharin ~

  I felt the witches’ presence a split second before moving on. The orcs and human must be her scouts, but what witch needs that many scouts, including the four mercenaries at her side and the two hidden in the jungle, moving stealthily close by? Once detected, Alorn doesn’t hesitate to follow my command, taking Lily and Julia away from here.

  I knew the moment I sensed the witch that she is powerful – and familiar. I know her essence, but I can’t place her. Maybe I s
ent Alorn away too soon; he might have recognized who she is. I reach for Tolan.

  “Can you make her out?” I ask.

  “No,” he replies. “Her hood covers her completely. And I can’t tell her kind with her hands gloved. But, Tharin, there’s something about her that seems familiar.”

  “I got that, too,” I answer, feeling uneasy.

  Both Tolan and Ziri are well hidden in the trees, but I keep us connected. I remain on the ground, standing motionless, allowing my coat to camouflage me against the greenery. We watch in silence as the group pass by seeming not to care if they are discovered.

  “Ziri, the three scouts ahead,” I instruct.

  Ziri slips away to take care of the two orcs and the human.

  “Tolan,” I call, “the two moving along the group undercover.”

  “Easy enough, I already have a lock on them. Will you be able to handle the rest, Tharin?” he asks.

  “I can take the four easily; it’s the witch I’m worried about. Without seeing her face I don’t know what we’re up against.”

  Tolan silently disappears from his perch and I keep track of both he and Ziri while keeping my eyes on the hooded figure. She moves within the protection of the four mercenaries and I sense they are not only wary of her, but afraid.

  I breathe calmly, easing the air through my nose, allowing it to slip into my lungs and slowing my heart rate. I concentrate on my surroundings, using the jungle and rain to help conceal me. My own hood is up, and I peer through its shadow watching as they pass several yards from where I stand. I am about to shift with the breeze to cover my movement when the witch suddenly stops.

  The four protectors immediately come to a halt, weapons held ready. The witch lifts her head slightly as if catching a scent, and after a moment brings it down slowly. Although she doesn’t move again, I can feel her eyes scanning the immediate area. I watch as one of the men in front of her steps backward, not taking his eyes off the jungle. When he is at her side, he leans down and speaks quietly.

  “What is it, Mistress? What do you hear?” She doesn’t answer but stops him from speaking any further with a small wave of her hand.

  She steps forward and without removing her hood calls out. “Prince Tharin, why do you hide from me? Do you not want my company?”

  The moment she utters her first word, I know who she is. Nameth.

  Of course, it all makes sense. My uncle would allow Phoris to bring his blind friend to sit quietly as he and Tolan went through their training sessions. He allowed it because not only do you need to know the words, but you have to know the proper stance, hand movements and nuances for each calling. My uncle would not have thought twice to allow Nameth to stay, believing she couldn’t know the callings in their entirety. If I remember, however, when it came to teaching the Summoning, no one, not even a little blind girl was allowed in those sessions. Which poses another dilemma for me; Kolinest and Harlu are now aware that Tolan knows the Summoning to opening the doorway to Eirrell. Damn it.

  I recognize the challenge, but my thoughts are on Ziri. The last time I saw Ziri and Nameth together was the night before the Seating; and instead of being with Glynnis as I had hoped, he chose Nameth. Knowing my brother’s emotional state when it comes to Nameth, I may have a problem on my hands once he sees her.

  I release my breath and walk forward. The four mercenaries don't miss a beat, charging me as soon as I appear; two let loose daggers from within their coats as another comes at me with a spinning staff, missing my head by mere seconds. I move quickly between the four, deflecting their weapons as I go, all the while trying not to lose sight of Nameth. Not that it was necessary; she remains standing, making no move to escape.

  Tolan is at my side, appearing out of nowhere, catching two of my attackers off guard. When I sense Ziri behind me, I sidestep him, allowing him to take the remaining two mercenaries. I let my brothers finish off the attack as I continue to move toward the witch, keeping a close eye on her hands. I listen carefully through the pouring rain for any sound coming from beneath her hood, but there is only silence. I continue to walk until I can go no further; her shields are up and I bump into the invisible barrier, coming to a stop.

  I wait. I will let her make the first move, knowing she has no way of escaping. Tolan and Ziri move to my side, each ready for any attack coming from the witch.

  Nameth takes a step forward, removing her hood to expose eyes that are sharp and focused. Tolan takes in a sharp breath while Ziri steps forward, stunned.

  “Nameth? What are you doing here?” he asks confused.

  “Ziri,” I call quietly. “Step back.”

  Ziri turns to me. “Tharin, it’s Nameth.”

  He turns to face Nameth again. “Why are you here?”

  Nameth catches my eye and gives me a derisive grin before changing her expression, taking advantage of Ziri’s confusion.

  “Ziri…is that you?” She puts her hands out as a blind person would. “Please Ziri, help me. I was kidnapped!” Without thought, Ziri moves toward her.

  “Ziri, no!” yells Tolan.

  Tolan and I move as one. Tolan takes Ziri down and I block the energy blast from Nameth, deflecting it off Tazo. My blade comes alive, her flame giving off an eerie glow to the witch’s face glistening in the rain; her red hair seeming to be on fire. Her disguise drops and the blind servant girl is gone. She drops her long coat and exposes a mercenary’s outfit, fitted in a way that leaves nothing to the imagination. But, it's the hue of her skin shifting that stops us in our tracks. The color change is subtle; a silver tone with a hint of steel blue. Her eye color changes as well, a clear ice blue under white brows gives her an icy effect. Her hair is no longer red, but now black with a blue tint to it. A Sithide, a dark elf. No longer pretending to be blind, Nameth sneers at Ziri, who stares up at her, his face expressing disbelief and shock.

  Ziri gets up slowly, obviously still stunned by Nameth’s change in appearance. Tolan is already on his feet, standing close by with chains loosed.

  “Nameth…you...all this time...you could...?” Ziri turns to me, anger quickly overcoming his shock. “What the hell is going on here?”

  “Go on, witch…tell him. Or should I?” I offer quietly, waiting for her to make her next move.

  Nameth takes her eyes off Ziri, snarls at me and then turns back to him. She remains quiet.

  “Tolan,” I call. “Keep your eyes on her hands.”

  “How is this possible? Sithide can’t change their appearance like this,” says Tolan stunned.

  “We have Kolinest to thank for this. It’s the same spell he uses to prevent us from finding out who he really is. But she’s too far from the tower. Even his powers have its limits.”

  I feel Tolan changing his strategy. The Sithide are formidable foes, brothers to the Sidhe. They sided with Kolinest during the rendering and only a handful came through the doorway, numbering maybe two, three hundred. Now their numbers are as high as the Sidhe and a shaky alliance grows weaker and weaker each century between the two races.

  “Tharin,” calls Ziri, his anger growing. “Tell me.”

  “She’s with Kolinest,” I answer. “She has been working for him from the beginning.”

  Ziri continues to stare at Nameth, his face hard. Shaking his head, he says, “No.”

  “I’m sorry, brother, but it’s true,” I reply, not taking my eyes off Nameth.

  “I need you calm, Ziri. I lost you once to her; I won’t let her take you again.”

  I make the impact I was hoping for. Ziri turns to me, still angry, but my unexpected words stay his attack. He turns back to face Nameth, his anger evident by his hard breathing, but he remains between Tolan and me.

  Nameth smirks at Ziri. “Poor Ziri, still trying to fit in. When will you learn that you’re not one of them? You don’t belong – get a clue, Lithi.”

  “Shut up, witch,” I say quietly, putting out my hand to feel the strength of the shield. It is strong, but not as strong as the one cal
led up by Ka’sith.

  “What’s wrong, prince? Jealous? Maybe you should have taken up my offer when you had the chance. And if I had any say in it, I would have had my way with you the night before the Seating.”

  So, Kalis was telling the truth. She may not have had anything to do with drugging me, but she was still there when it counted; and, it still doesn’t explain her tie to Harlu. I shake her from my thoughts and refocus on the shield.

  There is a familiar element infused with her energy, but it is faded, almost exhausted. I understand her cockiness now. The familiar element is an energy I felt before; it belongs to Kolinest. I felt it when he confronted Ka. Nameth believes she is still protected but she is about to get a rude awakening.

  “Tolan,” I call, “she has the basics of her magic, but being away from Zenibrunolithe she hasn’t learned all of her people’s abilities with the dark arts. Her shield is weak, but she doesn’t know it. Move to her right.”

  Tolan does as I ask, causing Nameth to briefly switch her attention to his movements. She moves her hands out to her side and I feel Ziri tense, ready to attack as soon as I take down the invisible barrier.

  “Ziri, hold back. Her abilities aren’t strong, but we don’t want to take any chances.” I feel him tense, but he nods as he continues to keep his eyes on Nameth. “I need you to talk to her, distract her.”

  I feel him resist at first, but he does as I ask. “You told me once you loved Phoris as a brother, that he was the only one who seemed to care about you. Yet, you’re as much to blame for his death as your master.”

  It works. Nameth drops her hands and glares at Ziri. “You know nothing about how I felt for Phoris. I loved him. But he wouldn’t even think of getting in your way knowing how much you followed me around like a stray puppy, so pathetic. He loved me, but he loved you more. And I hate you for it.”

  “Phoris loved everyone, it was his nature,” replies Ziri. He remains calm, but I feel his anger seething at the surface. “He was never in love with you, Nameth. I know because he told me so.” He pauses, shaking his head before continuing. “All this time I thought you were in love with Tharin, using me to get to him. But like everything else that is you, it was all a lie.”