The Alterra Histories: The Fire King by C. S. Marks Read Free Book Online

hand down to rest upon his heart in a gesture of farewell. Even from this distance he could see the worry in her pale face. She extended her right hand toward him and brought it to her heart, but there was no joy or enthusiasm in either the gesture or in her melancholy expression. Aincor sighed and shook his head once before putting her out of his mind, wondering if he would ever really understand what motivated her.
    A more magnificent sight had not been seen in Tal-elathas. The three Asari stood upon the walls, their arms extended in a gesture of farewell, and began to glow with powerful Inner Light. This light flared forth from their hands and enveloped the army in a soft, radiant glow—a parting blessing.
    Aincor raised his right hand to acknowledge the gift, and his warriors all followed suit. Then he blew his great horn—a beautifully carved, gilded dragon—and spurred his powerful red horse toward the North.
     
    ~~
     
    After he had gone, Faelani returned to her private chambers. She had preparations to make. Once the great gates had closed again, the City would return to its usual business, but though Faelani had been appointed by the King to rule in his absence, she had no intention of remaining in Tal-elathas. Everyone would assume she had gone into temporary seclusion to lament the departure of her life-mate—she had, in fact, laid the groundwork for that assumption—but her plans were quite different. She had to keep them secret for as long as she could, for they would greatly upset her younger son, Dardis, who was already broken-hearted enough.
     
    ~~
     
    Dardis had not attended the departure of Aincor’s army, retreating instead to his underground study to await the return of his master, Léiras. He truly had not wanted to say goodbye to his father and brother, for he knew of Léiras’ premonition, and he was afraid.
    Léiras finally appeared in Dardis’ study-chamber, the sadness evident on his ageless face. “We tried to dissuade him, my friend,” he said, placing a gentle hand on Dardis’ shoulder in an effort to comfort him.
    “I don’t understand why he wouldn’t listen…why he never listens!” said Dardis, his voice unsteady, tears starting in his eyes. “I almost wish h e had known some humiliating past defeat—something which could have made him see that he can fall to an enemy.Léiras drew a deep breath.
    “So do I. Wrothgar is an enemy that may be beyond him. There is no worse one in the West, at any rate. But perhaps he will prevail…my premonitions do not always come to pass.”
    Dardis raised one eyebrow. “Can you tell me of one which has not?”
    He waited for several moments, but Léiras did not reply.
     
    ~~
     
    Wrothgar had been preparing for this day for many years. He had assembled a far greater force than anyone was aware of, sending them forth a few at a time. They had amassed in quite respectable numbers within striking distance of each of the realms of Elves, Dwarves, and Men, including Tuathas, the Cavern-realms, the Greatwood Forest, and the City of Light. These underground armies went undetected, for they were hidden by the Shadowmancer’s art. He had placed them into a sort of dark sleep, to awaken only when he summoned them. Each force was commanded by a dark, fearsome Bödvar.
    Wrothgar planned his uprising carefully, knowing that his dark forces would likely prevail in a surprise attack. After all, his power was at its peak, despite his leading Aincor to believe otherwise. Word reached Wrothgar’s ears that Tal-elathas had been “sealed”…that no emissaries had been allowed to warn their allies of the impending conflict. The Shadowmancer chuckled from within the flames of his stronghold. There would be no warning given. Everything was as he had predicted.
    Aincor had been the one obstacle of real concern—Wrothgar had never met another like him. This Elf did not fear the Bödvari, a fact Wrothgar still could not fathom. Aincor had fortified