Sword of Ice and Other Tales of Valdemar

understand?'

Treyon thought for a moment, nodded, then asked, 'Constructs. What're those?'

'Cruel mockeries of life, created by magicians and fueled by magic. They can be given limited powers by their creators, but are still dangerous.' Vanyel fell silent as he remembered one of the few he had ever seen, the raven- beast that had killed his Aunt Savil decades ago. The form of that particular monster was still clear in his mind, as if he had seen it yesterday. His thoughts were interrupted by Treyon.

'I ... think Ke'noran has one.'

'Oh? Have you seen it?'

Treyon shrugged, trying to put what he knew into words. 'I'm not sure. Sometimes, when she's talking to the men at night, I catch a glimpse of something behind her, in the shadows. Man-sized or a little shorter. It never comes into the light and she never refers to it, but something's there, all right.' A sudden thought occurred to Treyon while they were on the subject. 'Van, what if she's got things huntin' in the woods right now?'

Vanyel shook his head. 'Don't worry, there aren't. If there were, they'd have been dealt with long before they got here. My guess is that she wants to be here to recover you personally, since the bandits couldn't finish the job. No doubt she probably also wants to investigate the forest, to see if there is anything here she can use for herself.'

:Man-sized, eh? This one must have a fair amount of power, to keep something that big alive.: Yfandes thought worriedly.

:Yes, I know.: Vanyel thought back distractedly.

'But you're going to stop her, right?' Treyon asked, a familiar light in his eyes.

Vanyel smiled. 'Yes, I promise.'

The sun was just below midpoint among a scattering of clouds when Vanyel, Yfandes, and Treyon reached the northern edge of the forest. From their vantage point in the treeline, they could see up and down the border of the forest. As expected, there was a contingent of men waiting about a hundred paces away. Most were dressed much like Treyon, in ragged shirts and vests, tattered and patched breeches and wearing shapeless, well-worn boots, rough sandals, or nothing on their feet at all. The force of men was split into two groups, about half a dozen on each side of the central figure, who had to be Ke'noran.

She stood at least a hand-span over most of her men, more in some cases, less in others. Unlike the bandits, she was dressed well against the cold fall afternoon, in dark gray robes and a dazzling white fur cloak, complete with the claw-studded paws of whatever animal the pelt had come from holding the cloak in place on her shoulders. Her skin matched the tone of the fur, stark white, with red-irised eyes like ruby chips glittering in a snowdrift.

She was standing near a cairn of stones piled long ago by someone who had buried another while traveling in or out of Valdemar. As he looked at the scene before him, Vanyel hoped he wouldn't have to make another smaller pile before the day was out.

:A Cheldaran.: he heard Yfandes muse, / didn't think they came down this far.:

Vanyel squinted, trying to examine her more closely. -.I've never seen anything like that before. What do you know of them?:

Just that you should be wary, beloved. She may be more formidable than you think.:

Vanyel focused his Mage-Sight on the tall woman for a minute, than replied, -.Actually, I don't think she's formidable, I know she is. Look for yourself.:

Yfandes silently stepped up beside him and stared for a second, her blue eyes widening in disbelief. :Does she have what I think she does?:

Vanyel nodded. .-She's found a way to tap the Mage-Gift as well. She's connected to a node out there.: He tried not to think of what else she could have waiting and addressed Yfandes again. :Do you know anything else?:

Just rumors, that's all. Supposedly one of the many barbarian groups to the far north. But it's said that of outland magicians, these white-skins are more closely attuned to their powers than most.:

:Thanks for the confidence builder.: Vanyel groaned in his mind.

As if she could hear their conversation, the pale woman called out, 'Spirit of the Forest, hear me. One of my own has become lost in your woods. I know of you and what you are. Return him to me, and the forest will be left unharmed. Hide him from me, and I will find him, no matter what it takes. I will not wait long upon your answer, for I know you are nearby.'

Her gaze swept the line of trees, pausing for a moment as her eyes passed over the three figures in the treeline, invisible to all save her. A humorless smile creased her

mouth, then disappeared as she crossed her arms and waited.

Vanyel contacted Yfandes. :I'm going out.:

:Van, you can't. What about Treyon?: :

:Someone has go out and give her what she wants, or she'll make her threat real. You're going to have to stay here and watch over him. 'Fandes, you're my back-up. If that construct is out here, you'll have to guard Treyon while I deal with her.:

:Well, what if something gets by both of us?:

:Then we'll just have to play it by ear, I guess. This could take a while, she's stored up a lot of power, both in blood-magic and from the node.:

:Worried?:

:No, just angry at all that destruction.:

:Vanyel. . . be careful.:

:Always.:

Turning from them, Vanyel started to step around a tree, but was stopped by a hand on his arm.

'Where are you going?' Treyon whispered.

'To face her.'

'Alone? Are you crazy? You're one against more than a dozen.'

'No, this will be between me and her. Stay here with Yfandes.'

'What do you want me to do if ... something bad happens?'

Van looked at him. 'I don't suppose you can ride?' Treyon shook his head. Vanyel thought for a moment, than continued. 'If something does go wrong, I want you to run into the forest as fast and as far as you can. Yfandes will stay with you as long as possible, but you should be safe enough until I can find you afterwards, just keep moving. And no matter what happens, I'll make sure Ke'noran can't come after you, all right?'

Treyon nodded, looking past him at Ke'noran and her brigands, 'Van, I don't see the construct anywhere.'

Van nodded, pleased the boy was still able to think clearly, even when so obviously frightened. 'I don't either, but I don't sense him anywhere as well. Either she's not using it for this, or it's shielded so well I can't sense it. Either way, trust Yfandes to protect you, for she will, with her life if necessary.'

Treyon nodded silently as the silence of the forest was cut by the sorceress's voice. 'Spirit, I grow weary of waiting for you. Return him, or I will begin the search. And I will leave no rock unmoved, no tree living where I look.'

Vanyel winked at Treyon, then stepped around a large oak and disappeared. Treyon looked for him walking through the forest, but in vain. A gentle touch on his cheek from Yfandes' warm nose brought his attention back to the plains and the bandits before him.

Suddenly, there he was, standing just outside the forest's boundary, the sunlight making his silver hair flash and glitter. All was quiet save the two magicians, so their conversation easily carried to Treyon and Yfandes.

'I am here.' Vanyel said.

The Northern sorceress' ice-blue eyes narrowed for a moment, then she smiled again. 'You are not a simple forest spirit. There is much power within you. But I am sure neither of us wishes for conflict, so I will be blunt. You have what I want, forest-walker. Give him to me and I will leave in peace. Deny me, and be destroyed.'

Both Treyon and Yfandes watched silently, hanging on every word. Vanyel was impassive. 'If I give my life in defense of another, so be it. What you want from this forest you shall not have, for he is under my protection.'