‘All right Slivver, itlooks like we are destined to be together for a while. I hopeyou’re ready for some excitement. I’ve got a feeling that tomorrowwill be a busy day. How about you keep watch while I sleep.’ andAquitain went to sleep feeling much safer.
**
The next day beforethey left, Somanller sought a parting word with Aquitain.
‘In many ways I’m sadto see you go. It has been most interesting to talk with you. Ihope we get another chance under more cordial circumstances in thenear future. My friends are suspicious and distrusting of you, asyou would probably be of them, if our situations were reversed.However, I am one of the few who knew Llanlorian well. I amconvinced that if she sent you to us she thought you might be ableto help in some way. Consequently, I am going to tell you a littleof our problem.’
‘For years we havebeen loyal and trusted subjects of Queen Aurora. Many of theQueen’s Royal guards are our people. Llalorax, the Royal Wizard andLlanlorian the gatekeeper are Llanlleans. About six months ago agroup of young Llanlleans under the supervision of an elder leftfor a hunting expedition and disappeared without a trace. A coupleof weeks later, a small settlement of Llanlleans were attacked by alarge group of Elendari soldiers. This time there were severalelders present and there was a serious fight leading to the deathsof many of the attackers and unfortunately many of the settlement.The attackers all wore the livery of the queen.’
‘We sent evidence ofthe identity of the attackers with a petition to the Queen askingwhy we were being attacked. She sent back a reply stating that ifwe continued to attack outlying settlements then she would have topunish the lot of us. We protested our innocence but to littleavail. She won’t listen. It appears that we have become victims insome game of power. This will jeopardize the positions of both theRoyal wizard and the gatekeeper.
We know that manyLords are unhappy with them purely because they are Llanllean andnot corruptible. They were both appointed by the King before hedied many years ago and have served faithfully ever since. We areafraid that there is some plot to discredit them, which will leavethe queen more vulnerable. Unfortunately she is quite fickle anddoesn’t seem to understand her danger. We have been trying to scryfor the problem but where do we look? I am hoping that you canhelp.’
‘Thanks for yourtrust.’ said Aquitain. ‘These events certainly seem a part of thelarger puzzle. I’ll do what I can.’
A few minutes laterthey were escorted out of the cave and Somanller teleported them toa path leading towards a large castle sparkling with lights about athousand paces away. They were on the far side of a hedge maze thatled to the castle.
**
Snowbelle stood at theMoonmist entrance of the gateway to Astaria.
‘Hail Llanlorian,Gatekeeper of Astaria, I seek your approval to pass through yourgate.’
‘You may pass.’replied a voice.
Snowbelle entered thegate and walked briskly down the path towards the Mudrun exit. Shehad nearly reached the exit when Llanlorian appeared in front ofher in her Newman form.
‘Greetings, Snowbelle,what ill fortune forces you to pass through my gate.’
‘My ex-husband seemsto dislike me opening my own gate to Moonmist. This time he managedto find and close it before I got back.’
‘But surely you caneasily open a closed gate?’
‘The gate was not onlyclosed but sealed with an arcane effect that I have never seenbefore. It defied my every effort to open. It seems that he has newknowledge or we have a new player in the game.’
‘That is curious. Iwas instructed by the Queen to deny you entry to this gate. It isalmost as if someone wanted you trapped in Moonmist.’ saidLlanlorian.
‘Why then are youletting me pass? Is this a trap? Do you wish to fight me?’ repliedSnowbelle tensing for action.
‘Calm yourselfSnowbelle. I wish only to exchange information. It seems that somefoul plot is afoot and I would rather maintain the balance than aidin any mischief. I have chosen to interpret the Queen’s order thatI deny you entrance from Mudrun. Consequently you are free to pass.However, should you wish to return to Moonmist then you mustrealize I will have to stop you with all the resources at mydisposal.’
‘Thank you,Llanlorian. I understand.’
‘Is your formerhusband involved in whatever’s happening?’
‘I don’t know. No oneseems to know. That’s what worries me. Someone is causing troubleand trying to pass the blame onto your kin. It doesn’t make sense.Your brother doesn’t seem to know what’s happening either. I have abad feeling about this.’
‘And where doesAquitain, the small Llanllean, fit in the puzzle?’ asked Llanlorianwatching Snowbelle’s reaction carefully.
‘Ah, so you’ve met himand he’s passed through the gate already. He is somehow tied inwith whatever is happening, although I have no idea how.’
‘And your daughter,she also passed through.’ said Llanlorian.
‘She was with theLlanllean?’ asked Snowbelle trying not to act surprised.
‘No. She was withanother, an Elendari hunter who had her bound and hooded.’
‘What?’ exclaimedSnowbelle ‘Are you sure it was her. Surely if she was hooded youmight be mistaken?’
‘It is possible,however, not probable.’ replied Llanlorian.
‘If you wish to goback to Moonmist I will not bar your way as you have not yetcompleted your journey.’
Snowbelle was worried.For the first time for years she was really worried. Had WyvernDarkmantle somehow captured Miranda? Why had someone sealed off hergateway? Was it to stop her getting in or out of Moonmist? Was hergateworld in danger?
‘No thank you, I willcontinue on my way. May The Lady bless you.’ said Snowbelle andafter bidding farewell to Llanlorian she hurried off to find outwhat happened to Miranda.
Snowbelle first usedher last charge in her teleport ring to return to her shelteredgully and passed through the gate there to check on her own gateworld. Everything was normal. That was a great relief. She warnedher people to be on the alert and spend a restless night broodingabout all the horrible things that might happen to her daughter inthe
