“Well, then, let me meet with each of these nines, for I would express my gratitude that they have taken up the cause.”
“Lad,” said Alamar, “it is cause enough that you have found a way for us to travel the Planes.” The Mage gestured back toward the way Valke and Hunter had come. “And since passing through Neddra is the only way we can do so, ’tis meet that we control the nexus.”
“With our allies, the Elves, and whoever else might come,” said Aylis, hugging Aravan’s arm.
“Yes, yes, daughter,” snapped Alamar. “With our allies.”
“Speaking of the Elves,” said Cadir, “are they now on the march?”
Bair nodded. “Captain Arandor leads them. And in that company are Vanidar Silverleaf, Loric, Phais, Tillaron Ironstalker, Ancinda Soletree, Ellisan, Inarion, Gildor Goldbranch, his sire, Talarin. .”
Bair was yet naming Elf after Elf as he and Alamar and Cadir went down the slope to introduce the lad to the individual members of the seven nines.
Aravan turned to Aylis. “Would that I had thought to bring Drimma to the cause, for they are fighters nigh beyond compare, as thou hast seen on the Eroean .”
Aylis beamed up at Aravan and said, “Oh, Aravan, sailing with you on that ship, those were days of splendor.”
“Aye, they were, though they ended in tragedy, and I thought you gone forever.”
Aylis took his face in her hands and said, “Oh, my love, I am so sorry. Still, you cannot get rid of me that easily.”
“Get rid-? Never.” And now he kissed her long and tenderly, caring not who might be watching.
When they finally broke for air, Aylis said, “Even so, voyaging with you o’er the vast seas, I would do so again.”
“Fear not, love, for the vessel is in good hands and awaits us at Arbalin Isle.”
“Is it yet Long Tom who cares for her? You spoke of him when last spring you were here.”
“The very same, Chier, and thou wilt meet him anon, for I would have thee in my cabin again and sailing the oceans of all Mithgar after this business is done.”
Dalor cleared his throat. “Speaking of business, Aravan, is the plan yet the same?”
“Aye, Healer,” replied the Elf. “Mages and Elves cross over at the mark of midnight on Winterday two days hence.”
“And the number of Elves in the assault?”
“At least fifty tens, all told, just as intended, though since others have discovered our aim, I believe that number might grow. From the High Plane they come, for, because of the Sundering, it has been long since any on Adonar took part in a battle against the Spaunen , and they would do more than their share. Yet Elves who have dwelt on Mithgar would not be denied, and they have crossed from the Mid to the High World to join the ranks as well.”
“Good,” said Dalor.
Branwen then looked at Aravan and said, “So you would have Dwarves in this fight?”
Aravan nodded. “Aye, the Drimma are mighty warriors.”
“But how would they cross the in-between? I mean, they know not the ritual.”
“Branwen, thou dost forget, the Drimma cannot lose their feet. And once they tread a path, it is with them forever. Hence, once through the steps of the crossing rite, they would repeat it without error.”
“Oh, I see,” said Branwen. “Then you are correct: we should have asked the Dwarves.”
“And you say you have them on your ship?” asked Dalor.
“None at the moment,” said Aravan, “but soon, I hope. A warband of forty will sail with us.”
“Oh, my, the Eroean ,” said Aylis, her eyes lost in softness. “I remember it well.”
They sat in silence for long moments, but at last Aylis said, “Come, Aravan, there is something in my cote I would have you see.”
Together they strolled to the small mountain cabin, and when Dalor heard the lock click shut behind them, he turned to Branwen and said, “As Alamar would say, canoodling.”
Together they broke into laughter.
In the black marks of the darktide, Elves on Adonar and Mages on Vadaria canted the chant and stepped the steps and crossed into the Untargarda, into the world of Neddra. The moment he reached the plateau, Aravan knelt and, shielded by Bair’s cloak to conceal the flash of light, transformed into a black falcon and took to wing. Up he soared and up, and then sailed o’er the crags, his flight curving on a long arc to another cardinal point of the nexus, a league and a mile due west the Black Fortress. There he settled down in an open area deliberately cleared in the midst of the Elven host where the captains waited for him. One of these captains, Silverleaf, whipped off his cloak and coaxed the near-wild bird to huddle beneath, the falcon keck ing in irritation at having to do so. Finally, though, shielded by the garment, Valke transformed back into Aravan, the argent flare flickering under the edges. When the light died, Aravan stood and looked about to see not only Lian Guardians but Dylvana as well, the Elven race of the woodlands, come to join in the fight.
Aravan turned to Arandor and said, “The Mages are across. Cloaked by illusion they are on their way here.”
Arandor nodded and said, “How many, all told?”
“Seven nines.”
“Then I will divide my force into sevenths,” replied the captain, “a century and a half for each nine.”
“Thou hast over one thousand?” asked Aravan. “I thought fifty tens was the count, though I suspected there would be more.”
“Aye, our ranks have swelled,” replied the captain, grinning. “Wouldst thou care to command one of the companies?”
Aravan shook his head. “Nay, for Valke is best as a scout.”
Arandor spread his hands wide. “Aravan, ’tis a marvel that thou canst do such a thing.”
“The crystal makes it so, Arandor.” Aravan paused a moment and then said, “When Valke is no longer needed, then will I join one of the companies, the one wherein Aylis marches.”
Arandor shook his head. “Nay, Aravan. Thou art too valuable a warrior to spend thy time ever fretting at her side.”
Among those gathered immediately about, two stepped forward-both Dylvana. “Vail and I will take Aylis under wing,” said Arin Flameseer, her bow in hand, as was Vail’s.
“As will we,” said Ruar, touching his own chest and then canting his head toward Rissa and Eloran.
Disappointed, yet understanding why Arandor would rather he be at the forefront instead of withdrawn and protecting Aylis, Aravan smiled and said, “Dylvana all, I see, and I could not ask for better.”
Arandor nodded his agreement, and then said, “Dawn on this miserable world comes but six candlemarks hence. Let us form up our seven companies to be ready when Magekind arrives.”
As Arandor went about the task of assigning one hundred and five tens among seven companies, one for each of the seven nines, Aravan paced and paused and paced again as he waited for his beloved to appear.
And dimly silhouetted against the stars, the sinister black moon of Neddra stole across the dark skies above.
6
NEXUS
WINTERDAY, 5E1010
[THE FINAL YEAR OF THE FIFTH ERA]
They came as a whisper through the night, a soft murmuring not unlike that of the wind. And of a sudden and before the Elven army, a Silver Wolf and seven nines of Magekind appeared: first they were not, and then
