The priest-like elf stopped his recitation.
“That’s all well and good,” the prince said, squeezing the bridge of his nose between his thumb and ring finger. “But where does that leave me?”
“An end of the campaign in twenty-two days, an unexpected boon in ten. A fortunate departure by the end of the day.”
The prince grunted and dismissed the warpriests. “Keep up pursuit with our runners. Report back to me when they’ve caught track of the leaders. Where’s the human? I would speak with him.”
The aide made a face. “He would be with the rest of the train-back along the road. The warriors do not like him. They believe such a thing brings bad luck. He is too interested in the prisoners, they feel.”
“He is a valuable oracle, and I would hear his counsel.”
“Yes, my prince.”
Kione Traast surveyed the landscape. “Unless they flee to the lake, which I doubt, then they will be doubling back. It would be better for us to rejoin the train. Give the orders to return. And next time bring the man with the entourage.”
“Very well, my lord. It will be done.”
Daniel rose up and now faced a decision. He was intrigued by this talk of a human, but it may be better if he meet up with the elves escaping from the battlefield and aid them in their flight.
But there was also talk of prisoners, and he wondered who they might be-it could be anyone, since he hadn’t determined how long the Night had kept him this time. It could be either of the generals, one of the wizards, or the prince himself. And then he might glimpse the human too. .
Daniel decided to look into it. He could easily be there in a matter of minutes, and if he saw nothing, then he would quickly be on his way to Prince Filliu.
He started swiftly along the paved road and before too long the elfish war host’s encampment could be seen on the road ahead. Daniel slowed, not because he was cautious anymore, but because he needed to take it in.
It looked much like the Fayre he had visited on his first trip to Elfland, but populated by a very different looking type of elf. Where the Fayre had attracted colourful and pageant-like elves, this one was full of warriors in sparkling gear and weaponry, and their attendants who dressed and behaved more utilitarian. Inspecting the tents and the elves passing in and around them, he found butchers and bakers bustling around baking pits, herders tending to strange livestock that looked like massive, ornately horned oxen, drink-makers pulping and distilling fruits that had been harvested from the nearby wilderness. There were smiths working industriously at repairing sword blades, shields, and odd pieces of armour. Fletchers were creating arrows and unstringing and steaming bows, and there were any number of elves doing a dozen other tasks.
But where would he find this “human,” who was trusted by the prince, but not by anyone else?
From helping the Elves in Exile, he had a passing familiarity with how they organised up their military camps. He quickly located the prince’s tent, which was a deep blue trimmed by dark purple banners and pennants. Because he couldn’t see into it, he had to materialise at the entrance and push his way through.
“Hello?” a voice called out in Elvish.
Daniel instantly dissolved into the air.
The tent was just a single, large space, not separated into different rooms by fine cloths and carpets as they usually were. Lush rugs were strewn across the ground and a black polished wood table the size of a merry-go- round dominated the centre of the area.
There were small booths around the edge of the tent that contained beds, wardrobes, maps, scrolls, and books. It was from one of these that a white-haired man-and he did seem to be a man, not as tall or angular as the elves-popped his head out and peered at the tent entrance.
It was Ealdstan.
“Hello?” he asked again. “Is anyone there?”
Daniel was so surprised that he did nothing and the wizard turned back to his booth where a large scroll of parchment had been unrolled. Daniel came nearer to Ealdstan as he saw he was copying it into a large notebook with a gel pen, both of which Daniel recognised as being from his own world and incongruous not just in this world but also in Ealdstan’s hand. The image that was being copied was a complex series of interlinking rings that Daniel recognised as being very similar to the map of the spheres that Reizger Lokkich had once consulted.
“So inaccurate. .” Ealdstan lamented under his breath, and then he turned around again. “Truly now, who is there?” he asked. “Show yourself,” he commanded weakly, sounding thin of breath and disturbed.
Daniel waited. He couldn’t really sense him, could he?
The wizard spoke a few words that he didn’t understand in either English or Elvish and waved his hand.
Daniel felt a heaviness build inside of him, like he was made of lead weights, and suddenly he found himself standing before the elderly man, re-corporated against his will.
“Hello, Ealdstan. What are you doing here?”
“What am
“Don’t you recognise me? It’s Daniel-Daniel Tully. I killed Gad for you. Well. . tried to.”
“You mean. . you. .? What are you doing here?” The old wizard seemed really rattled.
“I asked you first. Why aren’t you in Ni?ergeard? Don’t you know it’s been overrun?” Daniel asked. He tried to dissipate but found himself unable to; it was like he was being bound together by thousands of rubber bands. It was uncomfortable, and he started to become nervous in case any of the elves outside should come in and see him. “Why are you here and not there?”
Ealdstan recoiled from the questions, moving a step backward and drawing into himself. He pulled at his beard. “I am concerned with matters greater than those of my own little fortress. But what news have you of Ni? ergeard? You have been there recently?”
“It’s been completely invaded-overrun. Knights and the people who live there have been killed or chased away. We don’t know where Godmund or Modwyn are-Kelm is its ruler now.”
Ealdstan just nodded.
“You don’t seem particularly surprised.”
“It is unfortunate. But as I said-greater matters.”
“What greater matters are those?” Daniel asked. “Can I help?”
“Perhaps, yes, I think you may. At the moment, I’m trying to find my way back to our world, but I’m having difficulty finding exactly where the gate is.”
“‘Gate’?”
“It’s a place of confluence, of origination; a gate between the worlds.”
“Could it be anything?” Daniel asked, starting to get a feeling. “Could it be just, like, in the middle of a field?”
“It could very well be that,” Ealdstan said. “Indeed, that would make much sense of what is here before me.” He gestured to the diagrams. “You must already have the place in mind?”
Daniel told him about the field he kept waking up in. “It’s the spot I first came to this land, about a month ago in our world’s time. And then I got pulled back there this time, without my body. It’s where I keep waking up in again. That sounds like the thing you’re looking for, I think.”
“It very much does,” said Ealdstan. “It sounds like the exact thing. That might be the way for both of us to return back to our world-it keeps trying to draw you back, even though you are trapped here. Your soul is like a twig in a stream-trying to continue through, but caught up on something that is keeping you here. If we make it there, then I am certain I can help you. Can you take me there?”
“Yes. It’s pretty far away though.”
“You will find me a tireless traveller.”
“So do you think you could undo whatever it is you did? I’d like to be able to go invisible again.”
“Of course.” He murmured the unknown words again, and Daniel felt the bands around him loosen and then fall away completely.
“Thank you,” Daniel said.
“I shall be ready in just a moment. .” Ealdstan started to hastily roll up the scroll and close his notebook.
“Shall I meet you somewhere? I don’t think I should be seen here.”
