War Of The Wildlands(53)

“I don’t care how he treats his own,” Reylin stated. “They have the power to be rid of him. Maybe one of them will do us all a favor and kill him.”

“It’s possible but unlikely,” she pointed out. “People usually love their king, even if he doesn’t deserve it.”

“He murdered my parents,” Reylin said. “They were part of a small group of elves asked to negotiate a land treaty with Na’zora. He offered to draw up a map and settle the borders permanently. Instead, he slaughtered the elves to show his strength and started a war with the Silver Birch Clan. They had been the most receptive to the humans and were the first to be scattered by their hands.”

“That’s terrible,” Lisalla commented. “It is a despicable thing to disrespect a banner of truce. If he called them in to negotiate and then killed them, he is the most wicked sort of man imaginable.”

“That’s exactly what he is, and if I get the chance, I will kill him myself.”





Chapter 32




Reylana descended the trees in a fury. In a flash, she stood before the Overseer. “You’re just going to let them push you across the river? What happens when they keep pushing until you land in the sea?”

“They will not be able to cross the river,” the Overseer said smugly. “The God of the River will protect us from harm.”

“He doesn’t even exist!” She shouted. “If you think some make-believe, magical god is going to protect you, then you’re an even bigger fool than I thought.”

“How dare you insult-” the Overseer began, but he was quickly cut off by Reylana.

“Shut up!” she shouted. “I have no time for cowards.” She turned to the gathered elves and asked, “Who will fight with me?”

Scores of hands went up followed by cheers from the warriors willing to fight. Yori looked down at his feet and remained silent.

“What about you?” Reylana asked as she approached him.

“I have no desire to go to war,” he replied.

“We need you. Our weapons are insufficient, and you can sway the odds in our favor.”

“Prince Aelryk seems like an honorable man to me,” Yori replied. “He spared all of our lives and promises a future of peace. I don’t want to be responsible for countless deaths.”

“So you’re a coward too,” Reylana declared, turning away from him. “I’m leaving to rejoin my brother’s army. Anyone who wants to come is welcome. Bring your weapons.”

Nearly four hundred warriors prepared to set out for war. They gathered their weapons, including the arrow tips that Yori had made. All of them carried at least one runed weapon. Though he feared his kinsmen would still be outnumbered once the clans were united, Yori felt that he had already done enough to help their cause. He did not think it was right that Na’zora’s king was forcing the elves from their homes, but he did not agree with the elves slaughtering humans in retaliation. Somehow, there had to be a chance for peace. If only the prince turned out to be a man of his word, the war might come to an end.

The elves who remained in the village began packing their winter provisions for the journey across the river. Yori and Lem began packing up the tools from the forge. The forge itself would have to be rebuilt once they reached their destination.

“Why didn’t you go with them?” Lem asked. “You should have gone.”

“That was the same prince who freed me from prison when his father was going to have me killed. You could have gone if you’re so in favor of the war.”

“I’m no use with a bow, and I can’t etch the runes. I would have just been in the way.”

“Then don’t judge me,” Yori replied.



* * * * *



Three days later the Sycamore Clan was ready to cross the river. Several rafts had been constructed from fallen timber, and the shaman had been fasting in preparation for his ceremony to praise the River God. The clan could not hope to cross the Blue River in safety without the god’s blessing.

Yori watched spellbound as the shaman approached the riverbank at dawn. Dressed all in blue feathers, which had been specially dyed for the occasion, he danced proudly along the bank. His ankles and wrists were adorned with shell bracelets that rattled as he moved. As he danced, he chanted words that Yori did not understand, but he could certainly feel their power. It was clear to him that earth or water magic was involved, but he did not fully understand it. Instead, he listened closely to the chanting and admired the graceful, bird-like movements of the shaman.

As soon as the shaman finished the dance, he approached the Overseer and declared, “The River God will allow us to cross in safety.”