Bloodfire Quest (The Dark Legacy of Shannara, #2)(55)

“Thank you, Grandfather,” she said. “Thank you for your trust in me.”

He nodded without speaking and turned to Arling. “I am sorry so much is being asked of you, child. I wish I could do something to change that.”

Arling went to him, bent close, and kissed his forehead. “I must find my own way, Grandfather.”

The King put a hand on her arm. “As must we all.”

They kissed and hugged their grandfather one last time before slipping back out the garden door and heading through the trees to the edge of the palace grounds.

“He doesn’t look well,” Arling said as they stepped out onto the roadway and started walking for home.

“No, he doesn’t,” Aphen agreed.

“I wish we could do something to help him. Something to reassure him things will be all right. Something to make him feel better.”

Aphenglow was speechless. Arling, whose own situation was so unimaginably overwhelming that her grandfather’s struggles paled in comparison, was more worried for the old man than for herself.

“Let’s go tell the others how things stand,” she said at last.

Hiding the tears that filled her eyes, she picked up the pace.





15





The sisters returned to the cottage and told Seersha and Mirai Leah what had been said at their meeting with the King, emphasizing the deterioration of his health and the feeling of both his brother and himself that the support of Phaedon and the Elven High Council would be questionable. Other than the four of them gathered now, only Emperowen and Ellich knew of the plan to go in search of the Bloodfire.

“This is not good,” Seersha said at once. “To keep what’s happening secret from everyone? How can they expect to do that?”

“Only until we are safely away. Then they will tell both the High Council and the Elven people,” Aphen said.

“What will your grandfather say to them?” Mirai asked.

The sisters exchanged glances. “He didn’t tell us that,” Arling answered.

“So at some point he will be forced to reveal that the Forbidding is on the verge of collapse, that the seed that will quicken it anew is en route and in danger, and that both of you are gone from the city bearing the only real weapon of magic the Elves can rely on if they have to defend themselves?” Seersha was appalled. “I can’t imagine that this particular piece of news will be well received.”

Aphenglow was chagrined. “I told my grandfather that even though I would be gone and the Elfstones with me, perhaps he could rely on you to help keep the Elves safe until I return. I told him you were skilled in the use of magic and would be invaluable to them.”

Seersha glared at her. “You had no right to do that, Aphen.”

“But I thought you would be anxious to help. It would mean traveling with an army to the Breakline in order to prevent any demon-led breakout. It would give you a chance to discover if there is a way back into the Forbidding, a chance to reach the Ard Rhys and bring both her and Redden Ohmsford out safely.”

“Not if I have to spend my time looking after a thousand men and women who have no magic at all to protect them against the kinds of creatures our failed expedition ran up against in the Fangs. You weren’t there, Aphen! You didn’t see what it was like!”

Aphen flinched in the face of her fury and shook her head in dismay. “I didn’t meant to put you …”

“What were you thinking?” Seersha interrupted, so angry by now she was no longer interested in hearing anything her friend had to say. “You were the one responsible for sending us on this hunt. Remember? We went because you found that stupid diary! And now you intend to go off with you sister while you send me—”

“Stop it!” Aphen snapped. “Don’t say another word, Seersha!”

The Dwarf rose and stood looking at her. “You’re right. I’ve said enough. Too much. I’m sorry. You do what you have to. But I intend to do the same, so please don’t think that any pledge you might have made on my behalf will be honored.”

She wheeled away and stalked out, slamming the door behind her.

For a moment, no one said anything. Then Aphen sighed audibly. “I went too far. I should have asked her before I said anything to Grandfather.”

“You were trying to reassure him that the Druids would help,” Arling said quietly.

“There are no more Druids,” Aphen declared, her voice hard and bitter. “The Druids are finished.”

Mirai gave her a quick glance. “Seersha’s angry, but she’ll get past it. You didn’t do anything wrong. She’s worried about the Ard Rhys, and she thinks it might already be too late to bring her back.”

“She might be right. She’s certainly right about what happened being my fault. If not for me, there would have been no expedition, and everyone who went on it and died would still be alive.”

“You didn’t decide there would be an expedition.” Arling was suddenly hugging her. “You only suggested it might be worth doing. Everyone else agreed and the Ard Rhys made the decision. Seersha is wrong to blame you.”

Mirai was on her feet. “Arling is right. I’m going after her and ask what she intends to do. If she’s going back into the Forbidding to look for Redden, Railing and I will both be going with her.”