Horn

Chapter 3. The Marshland

Note: Thank you, Jeanpragot, for your suggestions!

The day of Elis' departure was finally there. I was stuck in the chamber with a mountain of construction plans and designs for the new capital. My bow and arrows looked out of place next to the scrolls just as myself in Adelmo's court.

The elf king had saved me more than I could count. Both in battles and in court. I had been Adelmo's right-hand person for so long that if it was not because of the jealousy and hatred I still faced daily, I would have thought I was one of the elves.

I had been sent here to assassinate him, but in return, Adelmo had given me a new life and purpose. How could they not hate?

Elis had left early that morning with a team of riders. They would ride West, through the green fields of Melfe into the marshland of Yilhen. Odreagor and his Harpy were supposed to settle there for the winter. The plan was for the riders to sneak in at the right moment and steal the Frost Shield, not fight Odreagor and his Harpy head-on. That would be unwise.

It was expected to take a week, or five days if they did it fast, but it slowly turned into two, then three weeks with no responses...

I watched Adelmo pace back and forth in front of the fireplace. His fists clenched. His whole body tensed up like a lion waiting to pounce. Under the stony surface was rage.

"Your Grace," I opened my mouth. "I know it's not the best thing to do but I'm willing to take the risk... You have to agree with me, Elis is still out there somewhere, and if there is something, anything we can do to bring him home, we have to do it. The only person who could help us is Mothe—I mean the enchantress. She is powerful and she can take Odreagor, and the only one she would talk to is m—"

"Will she do it for free?"

"Pardon?"

"Will she do it for free, Nyana? Out of the kindness of her heart? Or will she take you back, put something in you, then send you for my head once again?"

I knew Adelmo's concern was valid. Cia was a cunning witch with dark, ancient magic. No elf in their right mind would want to deal with her. Especially the one who had escaped his assigned death. The fate of Elis and his riders looked grimmer by the day, however. I knew Adelmo was in a bind, but now wasn't the time to be indecisive if he wanted to save his brother.

"Your Grace..."

"Nyana, you don't understand! I can't risk losing you too. I know you call her Mother but she is not your or anyone's mother. Cia is evil. We're in the middle of the winter. Elven magic is not strong during this time of the year. I can't even rescue you if I want! We have lost enough time here already, we will have to proceed South as planned without Elis."

"Are you listening to yourself?" I snarled at Adelmo. Never in my wildest dream, I would imagine myself doing that, but it didn't stop me. "Elis is missing because of you! You gave him the order, knowing fully well how he is! He is not someone who could lead sixty riders to face Odreagor. The old wizard, Odreagor, for God's sake! I don't even know why you would do such a thing to your brother!"

Adelmo leaped at me. I didn't expect him to move that fast. "You don't know how lucky you are, Nyana," he whispered. "I need you here in the camp. I need you here with me. Your king values your talents. That's why I would not punish you for speaking out of turn this time."

His hand slid down my hair gently, but I didn't miss the deadly glint in his teal-colored eyes. The years serving under Adelmo must have dulled my senses. I had lowered my guarded and forgotten who he was. As regal and proper as he carried himself, Adelmo was a proven warrior. A killer. Elves had superior physical and mental abilities compared to other species. Adelmo, even not as a king, wasn't someone I should ever underestimate, not when he was in this mood.

Fortunately, he only threw me to the side and walked over to the coat rack. "You, indeed, are very lucky." Adelmo fixed the collar of his moss-green cloak and looked back at me with a charming smile on his face. "Not only that I won't kill you, but I will treat you very well."

I stared at the golden Salazar house crest on the back of his cloak when Adelmo walked out of the tent. Forget about what he had said, I must do what was necessary. I would worry about the punishments later when, or if, I came back.

I rode out of the gate and kept west. Days turned into nights, and before I knew it, I reached Yilhen.

I remembered this vast marshland. On my way from Nueleth, I had crossed this place. It was hell, especially during the winter. The marsh froze in some parts. Mud and snow mixed together, creating a slippery mess for whoever was brave or dumb enough to come here.

A permanent fog blanketed the place. I couldn't see beyond the head of my horse, but I could hear the wailings.

Thousands of souls. Layers and layers of people and beasts who had lost their lives here once. They were embedded in the soil and water and lingered in the air I breathed. The souls were restless. They were hungry and feral, but I was not a living thing, not exactly, so they let me through.

I didn't ride straight to the forest in front of Odreagor's camp but circled to the back. The river was as turbulent as ever. Anything that fell into its icy water would be carried away within minutes. I stared at it for a long time before closing my eyes.

Mother, I need your help.