Close, Nature Walker. I am D’Ayna Turlach, and the Elspethe of which you speak is my descendant.
With eyes as wide as saucers, Gin and Sath looked at each other once again.
I am sorry to invade your bond, Nature Walker, but since only a few are taught to use it anymore, I find it easier than trying to initiate a new bond in these circumstances. You understand.
Sath growled low in his chest. What do you want?
Ah, Rajah, you are as forthright as your ancestor was when he tried to assist us in the war rooms. I am pleased to see his directness was passed down to your generation. As for what I want, I am here on behalf of my great-great niece, Elspethe. She can no longer communicate with you because she is imprisoned within her mind by the wizard. But I am free to help as much as I can from the Void. I believe you wish to know who the other Guardians are?
Gin looked at Sath before she responded. Yes, please—Lady Turlach?
Please, Nature Walker, call me Ayna, I was forced to give up my allegiance to my house to help your ancestor, Draoch. I will go to the gods and goddesses in the Void and find these other Guardians for you, and then return with their answer.
Thank you, Ayna. I am proud to be from the city that bears your name.
The bond weakened but did not sever. Gin rubbed her temples. This felt like the bond she formed with other ancestors—her head throbbed, and her muscles burned as though she had been running. Sath reached over to move her fingers and then started rubbing her shoulders and neck. She relaxed against him.
“So, now we wait?” he asked, half whispering into her hair.
“I suppose.” Gin let her head fall forward. “Oh, that’s good, Sath, thank you.” She cleared her mind, searching at the same time for any other intruders. Her mind was blissfully her own. “I have no idea how long it would take for her to find out -”
I have an answer for you, Nature Walker.
Gin almost came out of her skin at the abrupt interruption, and Sath’s hands froze in place on her neck and back.
Apologies, I feel that I have startled you. I was able to find your Sephine and Kildir. It seems that there is currently no high elf Guardian—when King Nim gave up his throne to the council that now rules Alynatalos, his line of Guardians ended. She did have a suggestion, though, that she thought you would approve without question: Nelenie, the exiled paladin.
She knows where Nel is?
Aye, Nature Walker, and she will bring her to you if you agree to -
Of course I do! I have known Nelenie my entire life, and I trust her.
Rajah, do you agree?
She is Tairn’s sister, Gin, I just don’t know—okay, there’s no need to glare at me like that. Nelenie is fine. I approve as well.
They could both feel Ayna’s amusement at their exchange and laughed along with her.
Excellent well, Nature Walker. Now, for the humans, I can find a descendant of Eleinnagh Calder, but Isona refuses to assist in bringing him to you. He lives in the Great Forest, on the coast by Qatu’anari as he seems to be some sort of ambassador from the humans to the Qatu. I will continue to work on him, but I feel that with at least the high elf Guardian in your camp, you have a better chance of success.
Thank you, Ayna. We will await Nel’s arrival.
If it works like her question and answer did, Gin, we won’t have to wait long.
I like your humor, Rajah. You are a lucky female to have him, Ginolwenye of the Trees. Draoch was like a father to me, and I envy the family bonds your kind form. You are lucky that your family is intact and secure.
Sath and I are lucky, indeed, Ayna.
Your child will grow in love for sure, something my own kind knows nothing about as young ones -
Our—what?
Oh, dear—I may have spoken out of turn. I will make the bond with the high elf and bring her to you at once.
The bond severed with an almost audible pop. Gin’s eyebrows knotted as she looked at Sath. “What was that about?”
“She must have meant Khujann, Gin. I told you, he thinks of you as his mother, and I intend for you to be First Wife of Qatu’anari.”
“Right.” Gin stood and stretched, walking out from under the shelter. She turned back to say something to Sath but stopped as a bright light suddenly appeared in between them. “SATH!” She ran toward him and headlong into a female high elf, knocking both of them to the ground.
“Easy, Ginny, you’re liable to knock yourself unconscious against my armor.” Gin found herself eye to eye with Nelenie, her childhood friend. Before she said even ‘hello,’ she threw her arms around Nelenie’s neck and pulled her into a tight hug. Nelenie matched the embrace—the tears on her cheeks matching Gin’s as well. “I can’t even—so good to—oh, Ginny -”
Gin pushed back from Nelenie’s embrace. “Just don’t call me that anymore, okay? I’m just Gin now. Ben used to call me that, and -” A loud growl from Sath sent Nelenie scrambling for her feet and her weapon. “It’s all right! That’s Sathlir Clawsharp. Nel! Stand down, he is on our side.”
“Of course he is, I’m sorry. The All-Mother filled me in that you were—um, that you and he are—um…”
“I guess he is my—um, mate?” Gin smiled over her shoulder at a still scowling Sath, who softened his expression as he caught her eye.
“You guess? Bah.” Sath turned and busied himself with stoking the fire so that Gin wouldn’t notice his grin. The sun had finished dipping below the horizon, and it was becoming colder by the minute.
“So, Sath, this is one of my oldest friends, Nelenie.” Sath
