Search for the Extinct [Last of Elves book 2]

Thirty-Nine: Ailill

Ailill

The song had grown quiet as he'd talked with his sister, fading to a murmur. Almost as if the Soul had understood. Now, though, it was louder than ever, blocking out any other sound.

Except his sister's cry.

Everything in him wanted to answer her, but he couldn't. He had no choice but to go forward, and he couldn't make a sound. Not yet.

The walls of the tunnel were polished smooth, the rock cool on his fingers. He followed it as it went straight and true, going even deeper into the heart of the city.

He was more than relieved to see that nothing had been damaged.

Finally, at long last, the tunnel widened, and he stopped, waiting.

"You come alone."

He closed his eyes briefly, and opened them again. "Yes."

"There were more than your footsteps on the city stones."

Again, he agreed. "Yes."

"And they joined you through the tunnels."

"Yes."

He knew the speaker would show themselves now. Now that it was assured he was friend and not foe.

He was right.

Out of the shadows emerged a figure, who studied him out of wise dark blue eyes. After a long moment, they bowed, dipping their head.

"It has been too long."

"It has." He said little as he stepped closer. "How many?"

"Too many, hövding. The line is long now."

He nodded. "But you have been safe."

"Yes. The Soul is safe, hövding. Waiting."

Again, he nodded, the song ceasing. There was nothing. He was close, so close that he no longer needed the guiding voice.

He moved past his companion, heading ever deeper into the tunnels.

"Hövding."

He paused, turning back, his eyes dark. He waited in silence.

"Bring us home."

He nodded silently, and kept walking.

The sunlight was gone, but the tunnel was still lit. The last remnants of elfin magic, the warm light spilled through the rock, lighting his way, brushing soft fingers over his skin. He recognised the touch, and smiled, reaching out to pass his own fingers through the light. It shimmered, seeming to grow brighter, and his path shone for a brief second. He followed it until even the elf-light faded, leaving him in darkness.

Only his light could help him see now.

With a flick of his fingers, a tiny ball of light began to float above them, revealing the floor on which he was standing. He sent the light upwards, the rays growing stronger, until the cave was full of soft silvery light. Like the moon.

It revealed something other than a cave.

Huge and curved, there was something in the middle of the cave. Its sides rose and fell, as if it was breathing, and the colour of it was almost as dark as the earth. As Ailill let his feet take him close, it moved.

It was a beastkin.

Nearly twice the size of Vakt, the beastkin's shoulders were as high as a child of about ten summers old. The dark stripe, common on all beastkins, was nearly black, tracing a path from nose to tail. Golden eyes stared at the elf, shining with intelligence.

The elf waited. It had been a long time.

After moments passed, too many to count, the beastkin moved, pulling itself to all four feet, standing in the circle of earth that it had been laying on. Only then did Ailill speak.

"Åska."

With that one word, all the tension vanished from the beastkin. He bounded over, a deep purr rumbling in his throat, and pushed his head against the elf's side. Ailill buried his hands in the long thick fur, holding him close.

Far too long.

"You are safe," he muttered. "As am I. And we are together once more."

Åska's purr only grew louder.

"Come. The sun awaits us."

With that, they left the cave for the very last time. They would never return to it again.

The song had been answered.