Emerali: A War Song Tapestry

Chapter 1

Emerali brought her knees up to her chin and huddled up against the wall of the newly vacated worg den. Ahead of her, just a yard away, laid the fresh carcass of the worg pack leader.

A gust of icy wind blew past the yawning opening of the den, making a sullen moaning noise, and causing Emerali, who was already chilled to the bone from the torrential autumn downpour, to shiver violently. She wrung out her skirt and leaned against the cold, rocky wall with a sigh. A damp, chilly cave wasn't much of a shelter, especially with no hope of a fire or a warm meal, but what couldn't be helped had to be endured.

Presently, Emerali began to feel a little better, though her teeth chattered incessantly. Stretching her legs out before her, she took her harp in hand and clutched it to her bosom, her fingers resting silently on the strings. That shabby little instrument had been her constant companion and savior since she had opened her eyes back on Poeta. It was the one thing that seemed familiar to her in the dense cloud of oblivion that fogged her brain. In the heat of battle, she played that harp as if it were second nature; as if every note emanated from the core of her being-from her very soul-and extended through her fingers into the instrument. If only she could remember who she had been! Even now, snatches of music floated into her brain, but she could make nothing of them.

Exhausted, Emerali tried to settle in for some rest. As she was stretching out on the earthen floor, a distant noise outside made her stop and sharpen her ears. Was it the rain? No. It was a rushing sound, yes, but it wasn't water. The rushing now mingled with a thunderous quaking. Emerali was on her feet in an instant, clutching her harp with an iron grip. She dashed to the cave entrance and pressed her body against the cave wall, every nerve thrilled, ready to attack if necessary. She laid the bow to the harp strings, calling to mind the most powerful attack song she knew.

A feminine voice joined in the din of rush and quake with a loud cry of terror. The sound of footsteps darting desperately through rain-drenched bushes and fallen leaves passed close to the cave, following the noise of panicked running, was the rumbling of heavy foot falls and an enraged roar. A rush of adrenaline coursed through Emerali, and before she realized what she was doing, she had left the comparative safety of the worg cave and stood erect beneath the relentless rain, poised to begin playing. Striving to see through the sheets of rain, Emerali finally made out the source of the din:

A young female Daeva was running as hard as she could away from Frillneck Hatchling and its mother which were savagely attacking her. She turned around to face them, a look of furious defiance on her pretty face. She took her battle stance and began brandishing her weapon-a long staff-at the horrid creatures. She was a Priest-a Chanter-judging by her armor, but she was in a serious plight.

Although Emerali had had unpleasant experiences with many other Daevas out on the field, she was moved with compassion for this one. She whistled hard and loud. "Hey! You brainless brutes, over here! Look at me!"

The Frillnecks' attention was arrested by the shrill whistle and shout. They hissed and growled and made a rush at Emerali. Immediately Emerali played the Protective Ode, shielding herself from the brunt of their initial attack, but the violent charge knocked her down to the ground, stunning her. Emerali struggled to get to her feet before the shield was broken; already cracks were forming in the invisible magical barrier. She didn't have much time. The next moment, she was up and playing her harp fiercely.

The attacks were effective; already the mother Frillneck was weakening, but just when it appeared that the creature might be defeated, the hatchling butted into Emerali so hard that the magical shield shattered and she was dashed against the worg cave wall. She crumpled to the ground in a dazed heap.

At that moment, Emerali heard the Chanter casting a spell. She felt somewhat better and started to her feet again.

"Beware, Songweaver!" the Chanter exclaimed. "I'm nearly out of Mana; I can't do much more for you just now!"