Return to Jorgaldur Volume V: Reunion (2)

Good news

"Elendnas? Is something wrong?" a red-haired elf with whom he was discussing the advance of the troops asked worriedly.

"Nothing bad, they're good news," was the only thing he revealed.

She looked at him curiously, but didn't ask more, it would have been indiscreet. She had been worried when the elf has held his chest, but apparently, he had only grabbed some object. Besides, Elendnas was smiling, he seemed relieved. It did really seem like good news.

Caranlin had met Elendnas in this battle, although she had heard about him long before. For her, he had also been a kind of idol in her youth, a hero.

He hadn't hesitated to help her, to share his experiences. He hadn't been arrogant with her or with the other officers. It contrasted with the attitude of some other elves with whom she had had to deal given her post. As a colleague, she appreciated him. As an idol, she had long since left her adolescence behind, although she had been excited to meet him.

Caranlin liked him, and had even joked about introducing their respective children. He had laughed, and warned that his twins had very possessive aunts. Of course, he hadn't revealed that one of them was the Blood Queen, or it would have scared more than one.

Now, the Elendnas was grabbing a gem that was on his chest. It was hanging from a necklace tucked inside his clothes, and served to transmit simple and predetermined messages. The one he had received said that they had news of Goldmi, and that she was fine.

Melia, her sister and mother of Maldoa, Liodon or Diknsa were some of those who received the same message, directly or indirectly. Although they knew that their loved ones were still in danger, and had no idea where they were, it was comforting to know that, for now, they were fine.

In a certain elven village, where some Guardians of the North remained with the children, everybody burst into joy. Not only the guardians, but the elves, with whom they had lived for years.

Some of those who received the news hugged each other. Others held the gem tightly, like Elendnas. There were those who went to inform their other acquaintances. Also, there was Kroquia, who simply smiled. After all, she had been the first to receive the news from a certain dryaptile. The fact that it was reported to her again was simply because all the gems were activated at once.

This dryaptile was now emitting a powerful aura, and she wasn't the only one. A line of half-dryads went from their position to the elven forest. They were escorted along the entire path, and there was separation between each of them of a considerable distance. Krinia was one of those escorts, specifically of Cocrra. In fact, the dryaptile was going to be more than likely her daughter-in-law.

All of them were motionless, emitting a similar aura, and using their own roots to join them to their companions'. These roots would be left there, which would cause them a considerable loss. Under normal circumstances, it could take weeks for them to recover.

Once joined, however, the power of the elven forest dryads would flow through them, and connect with the dryads who had been sleeping in the corrupted area. When that happened, the half-dryads would see their efforts rewarded, by regaining even more than they were going to lose. However, they didn't know that yet.

It was preparation for something much more important, but it would take a while to be carried out. They had to wait for the right moment so that its effect would be as great as possible. In the meantime, they would catch up. They had a lot to tell those who had been isolated, a lot to share.

The isolated dryads would also have things to explain. Without a doubt, Melia and her sister would harass them with questions. They were looking forward to it. Their lover and daughter, respectively, had been in contact with these dryads.

Without a doubt, they would be talking non-stop for days. There were few creatures as sociable as the dryads, which was a consequence of the intimate connection that bonded them, even at great distances. Perhaps, because of that, for them, loneliness was a torture difficult to bear. They weren't complete without connecting to their sisters.

Of course, that didn't mean that they didn't disconnect from time to time, especially those who had a partner. Although that didn't prevent their sisters from trying to snoop when that happened. It was part of their nature.

Again, it was time to say goodbye. They had unexpectedly met, and had been able to regain strength and share experiences. Now, they had to continue their respective missions.

Menxilya hugged her father again. She would have liked to see with her powers that everything would turn out well, but not even a prophet can choose what their visions showed. Besides, she was still an apprentice.

Maldoa had been transporting them to this Source on several trips, from the one they had entered to rest after the battle with the losts. The number that the drelf could carry was limited, even with the help of the elf, so they had spent some time and mana.

Finally, Maldoa had taken the last guardians a few minutes ago, with the girl and the elf included. All that remained was to open a door for them to leave the Source, and make sure that at least they had free passage as far as they could see. As soon as the Guardians of the North left, they would no longer be able to enter again, they would no longer have a place to take refuge.

She stayed watching with Menxilya and Goldmi, even for a while after they lost sight of them. The goshawk had also come with them, had scouted part of the way, and was temporarily escorting them. There was nothing dangerous in the vicinity, not even a shadow was hiding. Pikshbxgra could guarantee that.

Finally, the four of them entered the plant structure, to go to the Source where Gjaki, Eldi, the feline and the kraken were waiting. The goshawk would arrive on her own, and all of them would also leave after recovering their mana.

They had been waiting for days, and made some incursions, until the dryads had found the right Sources. Now, it was the moment of truth. Their enemies would surely be prepared, perhaps even fortified, waiting for them.

They didn't know very well what they would find, nor what their allies would. They didn't know the power and number of the enemy forces either, although they did know the names and some characteristics of those who had to be their most fearsome opponents. One was Calhdor, the Guardian of the North who had betrayed his own people. He had even turned himself into a vampire to gain more power.

The other was presumably Kan Golge, an ancestral vampire. They assumed he was injured, and had lost many of his assets in the surprise attack on his main base. However, they knew better than to be overconfident. With thousands of years of age, there were suspicions that he was behind Cahldor's corruption and betrayal. No doubt, despite his recent losses, his resources would be dangerous.