Sons of Ironstorm - Book 3: New Alliance

Chapter 11: The Elder Covenant

"Fearing the Wielder prophesied to stand in their stead

would somehow forsake them in the midst of the Return,

the kings of the Aeshin'laur sought to bind him to them.

And knowing no bounds of magic would do,

they formed the Elder Covenant to bind him with flesh."

- an excerpt from the elven histories

 A sigh eased past his lips as Shawn glanced out of the forward post's command tent at the ranks of Redeemed soldiers marching by, kits over their shoulders as they headed for the portals carrying them back into the heart of the Sovun'chul. The battle for the final enemy supply tunnel was over, the Owl fortress in allied hands. Thousands of tjor'riin had fallen in the brief but furious conflict, and nearly that number of allied elven warriors lay wounded or dead as well.

The price of victory had been high, but, at long last, the Ka'thesck was finally broken in the elven marches. Shawn sighed again and brought his eyes back forward, past his own bundled belongings and war gear sitting at his feet to focus on Kaelin, Feladorn and the other Redeemed commanders, loosely grouped around the map table as they discussed closing strategies.

"As much as I would like to assist you fine commanders in wrapping up our victory over the Shadow, other matters now press," he said in Taren for Tenne's benefit, the dark-skinned human speaking with Thom about how to dispose of all the slain tjor'riin. The sound of the Wielder's voice, husky with fatigue but resolute nevertheless, brought each head up to look at him.

"Your meeting with the Var Ethisdil and Aeshin'laur representatives?" Feladorn asked, his eyebrow lifted in question. He became grim when Shawn quickly nodded in confirmation.

"Keep your sword close, my friend, and the Star even closer; I fear what they have in store for you."

"No less than I do, my old friend," Shawn retorted. "See you all in Aerlorn." Then he was picking up his gear and stepping out of the tent even as his assembled commanders saluted, or gestured in farewell.

Instantly Dezi was in his shadow, her own kit slung over her shoulder. And, falling into step with him on the other side, was his twin sister, Shiana in Redeemed blue, her kit also over her shoulder with her golden hair pulled back into a utilitarian tail. While she hadn't been directly involved in the battle for Kada Sorn, the Ironstorm princess had served in a number of vital roles since coming over with Kaelin's command to the forward post from Aerlorn. Shawn glanced first at her, then over at Dezi.

<<Are you two my escort to my meeting?>> he asked with a half smile.

<<As if you need one with that glowing sword over your back,>> Shiana quickly retorted in perfect Vanje, the elvish tongue, with a wink at Dezi and a smile of her own. The ability to speak Vanje was just one of the gifts her blood bond with her twin and her brief contact with the Star Sword had brought her in the days she had been reunited with him. As if in further confirmation of that bond, Shiana too wore her weapon, a dark elf broadsword gifted to her by Dezi, in eerie echo to the Star slung over her brother's back in its rune-covered and protective sheath.

<<Still, we thought you could use the support. Dezi tells me the Aeshin'laur and Var Ethisdil both haven't been that happy about how you've been carrying the war against the Ka'thesck forward.>>

<<Yet, here he is, sister to my beloved, triumphant despite,>> Dezi added, more for Shawn's benefit than for Shiana's, though she spoke directly to the young human princess. <<Testament to the power of the Silver Flame and its ability to dispel all shadow!>>