Sons of Ironstorm: Book 5 - Griffon's War

A Pause to Plan

Dezi slowly and subtly nodded in satisfaction as she watched Faith cuddle closer to Shawn. While it hurt her heart to share her one true love with another, even if she was another dark elf, she also knew Faith respected her too much to have approached Shawn on her own. And the Covenant's strength came from their individual relationships with the human the Star Sword had chosen as their husband.

<<I envy her,>> Draneen stepped forward to lean in and say quietly to Dezi. <<To be that close, even for a moment ...>>

<<She saw an opportunity and took hold of it,>> the dark elf replied in a voice just as low without looking over at the athletic lithosin elven woman. <<Just as you must now do, Draneen, my sister. Look for your opportunity.>>

<<How, Dezinor?>> she quickly fired back, with no little frustration in her voice. <<We're in the midst of a campaign! If he has even a moment to himself, I will be fighting not only the rest of my sisters for a sliver of his time, but you as well.>>

When Dezi looked over her shoulder at her, Draneen dropped her eyes.

<<Respectfully,>> she said without looking up. <<You are First amongst us. We all defer to you.>>

<<Perhaps,>> Dezi returned his attention to Shawn and Faith, her dark elf sister now chatting animatedly with Shawn's sister, Shiana. <<But our husband understands the importance of having a relationship with each and every one of us.>> Her expression became thoughtful. <<The Aeshin'laur in their hubris thought to control the Wielders by creating Covenants for each, elven women who would be loyal to their people instead of their husbands. They thought to use that loyalty, and our flesh, to manipulate the human men we would wed so they would support any elven cause the council put forth.>>

She paused there to once again look over her shoulder at the thoughtful lithosin maiden.

<<What they failed to realize is that the Wielders are so much more than mere men. They are more than warriors, and heroes. They are ...>>

Dezi paused again, this time to look into the distance, her expression abruptly unreadable. When she spoke again, there was a definite note of reverence in her voice.

<<They are our last hope,>> she said before looking at Draneen, who now returned her gaze unflinchingly. <<Only the Star, the Earth and the Tree will defeat the Return and make safe our entire Reality. If our people have agendas outside of giving them their full support, they are fools.>>

A smile touched her lips then.

<<As the Covenant of the Star, we now have a special and unique opportunity: give Shawn our unflinching love and support so he may draw strength from it and achieve the purpose the Maker has blessed him with. And he knows if he does not return that love and support, his Covenant will weaken, that love will wither, and the support he so desperately needs from each and every one of us will dwindle to nothing.>>

The smile broadened slightly.

<<We are loyal. But not to the Aeshin'laur Alliance, or even to the elven people.>>

<<We are loyal to Shawn Ironstorm, Wielder of the Star,>> Draneen said, her voice filled with emotion. <<To the end.>>

<<Yes. And he is loyal to us. So, if you seek him out, no matter if he is busy or not, he will make time for you. As he just did for Faith.>> Her smile became roguish for a moment. <<Perhaps we should just sit down at the first chance we get and work out a schedule between the sisters. That way there won't be any collisions.>>