Page 2 of Battle of Evyndral

Elle took a deep breath. It wouldn’t do to argue, so she dropped her satchel by the door, then began tidying up theparlor. Tovin brushed past her, hitting her shoulder with his, as he took his own bag out the door. Grevolus was nowhere to be seen, and as soon as Asherah followed her son outside, Elle waved her hand across the mess as she spoke the incantation to make some of it disappear. It would be obvious if she had it all cleaned within seconds. Elle gathered the remaining detritus and put it away quickly.

Grevolus threw open the door. “Let’s go.”

Elle wiped her hands on her dress and made her way outside, stopping to grab her satchel that no one else had bothered to take for her. After making sure the door was fastened, Elle turned, then froze. Several families were gathered on the lane. Elle knew some of them by sight and fewer by name. There were three wagons hooked to horses, but by the number of fae milling about, it wasn’t enough for everyone.

“You won’t need this.” Tovin lifted her satchel and tossed it back toward the cottage before climbing onto the seat next to Asherah, where he gathered the reins. Elle strode to the carriage, but Tovin stuck his foot out when she tried to climb on. “You can walk.” Asherah didn’t contradict her son, keeping her face forward. Elle knew better than to ask Grevolus to intervene. When the others were either settled in their own wagon or sitting astride a horse, Elle was the only one left without transportation. That was fine with her. She would rather have herself for company than endure ridicule and teasing from others, even if it meant following on foot.

The thing about being alone was that no one paid attention to her. Neither did they talk quietly so she couldn’t hear their plans. It didn’t take long until dread filled her heart. The dark Queen had tasked them with killing the royal family. If only Elle could get word to the twins. By now, they would have been chosen for the dragon guard and would be among the elite team standing in the way of the dark fae. But why wasGrevolus dragging her along? Did he intend for her to fight? Had he somehow learned of her skills? None of the other families on their journey included young females, so what were his thoughts?

Ah. If she had been left behind, Elle would take off for Summerland as soon as the last horse was out of sight.

A familiargronksounded overhead, and Elle glanced up to find Novus circling above. He wasn’t alone. A smaller raven danced on the air currents with him, and it warmed Elle’s heart to think he had a mate. Or it could be a sibling. If only she had been able to interact with her feathered friend more over the past ten sun cycles, maybe now they would be able to communicate. When she was still in Summerland, Elle thought Novus understood her words, but that might have been wishful thinking. As it were, she couldn’t speak to the raven without calling attention to herself, so she remained quiet.

They didn’t stop until the sun was high. Those on horses dismounted and led the animals to a stream to drink. She wondered about those yoked to the wagons, but she was enlightened soon enough when Tovin tossed a bucket at her. “Fetch some water and bring it for the beasts.”

Elle trudged to the stream, sidestepping a pile of horse droppings. She knelt beside the icy water, dipping the bucket until it was full. When she returned, the other fae were eating. Elle was offered nothing of the meals she had prepared earlier that morning as she held the bucket aloft to each of the four animals waiting patiently. After they drank their fill, she gave each one a rub under their jaw, and in return, they blew out a nasty breath in regards. Elle strode to their carriage, staring at Asherah. The woman ignored her while munching on bread. Grevolus returned with his horse and tied it off to a low branch.

Wordlessly, he took the bucket from her hand and tossed it into the back of the carriage. Asherah set her food down,then handed her mate one of the c?lim?gh Elle prepared that morning. Grevolus tore into it as though he hadn’t eaten in days. She was used to being ignored until they needed her, so Elle went to the back of the wagon and retrieved her own c?lim?gh from the basket she had stored them in. It was a simple meal of sliced cheese between two pieces of bread, but when Elle added an herb-infused butter to the bread, it then became somewhat tasty. Asherah complained the first time Elle put the butter on her bread, but afterward, when she left it off, Asherah demanded she add it going forward.

At home in Summerland, these were piled high with thin slices of meat, a variety of cheeses, and sliced vegetables. Since they had no meat and few vegetables, Elle made do with what she had. What she wouldn’t give to dine at her father’s table with the twins where there was no shortage of food or wine. Maybe it was a good thing Grevolus didn’t have as much gold as Ballymar. Elle could see him spending every coin on the honeyed drink. As it were, their skins were filled with water, which Grevolus drank quickly, the liquid spilling down his chin. He tossed the empty at her, but with her hands wrapped around her c?lim?gh, it fell to the ground.

“Pick that up and go refill it.”

Elle nodded as she wrapped her food up and slid it into the wide pocket of her dress. No way was she leaving it behind for Tovin to steal. At the stream, Elle dipped the skin into the water, then pressed the cork into the opening to seal it. She dipped her hands into the water and took several drinks before returning to where the others were ready to go. Taking aim, Elle tossed the skin to Grevolus who caught it one-handed. As their party moved out, Elle waited momentarily before walking behind them, removing the wrapped c?lim?gh from her pocket, and tearing bits of her bread into tiny pieces. She dropped them on the ground for Novus and his friend.

The closer they got to Evyndral, the more worried she got. Holding the last piece of bread between her hands, Elle whispered an incantation, turning the food into a thin, hard surface. With her fingernail, she etched a sigil into the hardened bread that her sister would understand. When finished, she whispered, “Novus.” Dropping to one knee, she held the message in her hand. “Trouble is coming for the dragons. Please find your way to Evyndral and give this to Yari.” Novus started to peck at it, but Elle closed her fingers. “Do not eat this. It’s a message. Can you take it to Yari?” Novus croaked once, and Elle opened her hand. The raven grasped the bread in his talon and took flight. Having never been to the royal city, Elle had no estimate of the distance from Winterland. She often dreamed of visiting Evyndral for the guardian trials where the dragons would shift into their magnificent beasts. Now, though, she dreaded seeing the posh land, the exquisite castle, and the numerous guards waiting to cut them down for daring to approach the royal family. Elle prayed to the mother goddess as she walked, asking her to intervene on behalf of the royals and the twins.

Chapter 2

Yaricelan

Yari stood againstthe wall next to Thran as was their duty when Prince Rhoan and Princess Cassiopa were dining. The King’s and Queen’s guardians stood on the opposite side of the hall, with several more stationed at each door. Several moons after losing their sister to the dark fae, the twins excelled in the dragon guard trials. Yari and Thran had proven themselves, besting each opponent they fought. They joined other elite D?nthúlú as winners, and for three sun cycles, they protected the castle grounds from the threat of Und?nthú. During the fourth sun cycle, Yari and Thran were promoted, and now they personally protected the royal heirs. Yari was given a room attached to Cassi’s quarters, and the two had become the best of friends. According to Thran, he and Rhoan had a similar bond.

Yari still missed Elle. The weeks after her young sister was stolen from them were hard for their family, even more so than when their mother died. Elledan was a bright light with a quick wit. She was better with a bow than Yari, and her goodness showed in every word and deed. Yari begged her father to get Elle back, but with their mother gone, there was nothing to be done once the elders proved Grevolus of Winterhaven had sired Elle. Yari was present when the blood test was administered to ensure there was no corruption involved. She thought of her sister often, wondering how she was, praying she hadn’t been swayed by her new family’s evil ways.

King Titus rose from his seat, pulled out Queen Penelope’s chair, and held out his hand. The smile she bestowed on him was the same one she wore every time she gazed upon her mate. Yari had no idea how old the couple was or how long they’d been together, but their love was evident. The royal couple strolled hand-in-hand from the room, their guards taking up ranks ahead and behind. Once they were out of the dining hall, Cassi turned and waved to Yari.

“Come eat.”

It was no use arguing with the Princess. Yari had tried. Thrandyr remained where he was to keep watch while his twin dined with Cassi. Once she had been fed, they would trade places. They agreed long ago to not eat at the same time, taking both their focus away from possible threats. Yari strode to the massive table and adjusted her sword so she could sit. Cassi was already preparing a plate for her. When it was piled high, she set it in front of Yari, then motioned for one of the kitchen staff to pour Yari a cup of tea. Whenever Yari sat at the main table with the princess, she rushed through her meal. The other guards had assured her they didn’t mind, but she hated feeling as though she were singled out as a favorite.

“Slow down,” Cassi chided as Yari shoveled food in like it was her last meal.

Once she’d swallowed the large bite, she shook her head. “Can’t. You know this.” Yari would never deny the princess anything, but she never felt comfortable eating at the royal table. She preferred dining in her room where she could take her time.

Cassi slumped back against the hard wood of her chair. “I know. But you—”

Several guards shouted, as a black bird flew into the room and landed on the table in front of Yari. She stood so quickly the chair fell over. Before she could reach for her sword, the ravendropped something on the table and croaked. When the guards rushed the table, the bird flew off amid calls to kill the creature.

“Let it go,” Yari yelled as she stared at the item in front of her. It looked like a smashed piece of bread, nearly the size of her palm, with a symbol on it. Upon further inspection, she cursed under her breath. “Thran, get over here.”

Her twin rushed to her side with Prince Rhoan looking on. When Yari pointed, Thran reached for the item. “Is that a sigil?”

“Yes, and it’s a warning from Elle.” Yari grabbed her twin’s arm. “Thran, the dark fae are coming.”

“Yari, are you certain?” the prince asked.

“Yes. I would know my sister’s work anywhere.”

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