After breaking her fast, accompanied by Ardu, Elyn hobbled about the keep, examining the damage, the dawnlight casting long shadows across the bailey. And as she looked in dismay upon the wrack, Mala arrived, lines of worry now creasing her countenance.
“Child, you should be at rest,” admonished the spinster.
“No more than should you, my Aunt,” responded Elyn, “since you’ve guided the efforts here as well as watched over me-and for that I am grateful, though such a double undertaking might well put you into the sickbed alongside your patient.”
Mala glanced down at her hands, pleased that she had been complimented yet knowing that in the same breath she had also been admonished.
“Have you sent word to my sire?” asked Elyn.
“Not yet, Princess,” replied Mala, “for I did not know just how the news of such a calamity might affect his conduct of the War.”
“Aye,” agreed Elyn, “there is that to consider. Even so, Black Kalgalath swore to take vengeance upon Aranor for the deeds of Elgo: the Drake seeks to extract payment from the sire for the act of the son.” Elyn stood in thought for a moment. “Mala, I deem Father must be warned of that e’en though news of the devastation here might act ill upon him in this fight with the grasping foe.”
Elyn turned to Ardu, her words bringing a swift grin of pleasure to the youth’s face. “Saddle a swift horse and tether a remount, Ardu, for I would have you bear a message to your King. Stock up with enough provisions for yourself and the steeds for a swift journey to Kachar. Weapons, too, bear weapons, for ’tis not known what you may encounter. Go now, and return to me when you are ready, for I will have a letter for you to carry.”
As Ardu raced away, Elyn turned to Mala. “Let us find pen and parchment, and compose a missive to my sire, couching it in terms true, yet terms that will cause the least distress.”
Sire:
Two days apast, Black Kalgalath descended upon Jordkeep. The gate is broken and the main tower fallen, whelmed by Dragon might. Twenty-six people were slain, by flame and falling rock, and forty-three horses were destroyed by fire; and Sleeth’s trove is gone, borne off by the great black Drake.
Mala and I are well, and we are repairing the damage: A force has been dispatched to Reachwood to cut timbers for a new gate, though the iron cladding will now have to be replaced by the hands of smithies different from those who first installed it, with whom we presently war. Too, experienced masons are being called upon to begin rebuilding the tower. Though this work will go slowly, chafe not about our shelter, for the remainder of Jordkeep is in good repair, but for a stable or two lost to the Dragonfire.
Father, the prime reason for this message is to warn you of Black Kalgalath’s words: the Drake has sworn to seek you out and extract vengeance for that which Elgo did-the slaying of Sleeth. Take care, Father, and let not this Dragon find you unprepared.
We would welcome news of the progress of the War.
Your loving daughter, Elyn, Regent
Letter in hand, Elyn stood at the sundered gate and watched as Ardu led two horses toward her: one bridled and saddled, bearing a bow and arrows and a saber, as well as a light bedroll and waterskins for rider and steeds alike-though clear streams were to be found all along the route to Kaagor Pass-and saddlebags bulging with grain for the horses as well as waybread for the rider; the other a remount upon a long tether behind, this horse bearing nought. Ardu would ride swiftly, changing mounts every hour or so, one laded with his lithe frame and the supplies, the other running behind unburdened.
As the lad came to her, Elyn handed the wax-sealed letter to him, and Ardu slipped it into a leather message pouch securely fastened beneath his jerkin. “You will be able to exchange horses when you reach the drovers watching o’er the cattle herd this side of the Grimwall, this side of Kaagor Pass,” said Elyn. “Ride swiftly, but do not founder the steeds. Heed me! Take care to not dwell upon our troubles here when you speak with the King, for he will have enough to burden his mind without adding more. And bring to us word of the War.”
Ardu mounted up, and with a rakish grin, spurred forth, the horses running at a canter, the first of the varying paces of a Jordreich long-ride. And as the lad hammered out upon the plains, long did Elyn watch, her spirit racing across the prairie with the youth.
Over the next eight days Elyn steadily healed, the soreness soaked from her bruises by hot baths laced with herbs and mineral salts. Gradually, the purple blotching turned to a yellowish green and slowly faded from her Dragon-battered frame. And during those days, Elyn and Mala began to see to the repair of the keep, assigning work crews to clear the rubble, speaking with eld masons as to the rebuilding of the tower. The old Men and youths made good progress, though the Princess did wonder how swiftly the work would have gone had the hale and hearty Men who had ridden off to War been here to do the labor instead. And as to the eld masons, many were glad to be at work upon a great endeavor once again, for in their declining years they had puttered only at small tasks, the greater ones being accomplished by those who were younger, stronger; and the faded eyes of these old Men gleamed at the thought of rebuilding the central tower.
On the fifth day a waggon train bearing heavy timbers returned from Reachwood, and eld carpenters set to, making a mighty wooden-beamed gate to set in the west wall, a gate to take the place of the portal sundered by Kalgalath.
It was on the evening of the eighth day that horns sounded the arrival of a messenger: Ardu had returned from Kachar.
Elyn received the yellow-haired youth in the hall where in days past she and Mala had first begun to keep track of the logistics needed to supply the Host afield, a chamber not in the main tower of the keep, hence one that had escaped destruction; now it was the chamber where nearly all the business of the Kingdom was conducted. And here it was that Ardu came to make his report.
When the youth stepped in, Elyn noted that his face was drawn and weary; yet it was not only the fatigue of a long-ride she saw, for something else lurked within his eyes, a doom that she could not at first fathom; but when he came nigh, she could see that it was despair filling his being, hagridden torment.
Stepping before the Princess, Ardu saluted, striking a clenched fist to his heart. “My Lady”-his words poured out as he reached into his jerkin, pulling forth his message pouch-“I have failed you: your missive remains undelivered, for Black Kalgalath has descended upon the King’s Legion, driving them into Kachar.” And hammered by emotions he but little understood, the lad burst into tears.
The next day, Elyn called an unprecedented meeting: she not only gathered together her Counsellors, she also asked that any who had knowledge, knew tales, or even heard rumor of the ways of Dragons to attend as well; and if any had even the faintest knowledge of Black Kalgalath, then they were doubly welcome. Some sixty or so came to the assembly, a meeting held in the mess hall of the Castleward, for it was the only chamber still standing that was large enough to hold that many. The tables had been arranged in an open square, Elyn at the head board, Mala to her right, Ardu upon her left, with the Counsellors arrayed to either side. All others were bidden to sit where they would. When all had taken a place, she bade Ardu to repeat his tale in full, and the youth, now rested, stood and delivered the story in a clear voice that all could hear:
“Nine days past, I rode forth from Jordkeep with a message from Princess Elyn to be delivered to my Lord Aranor. I was to change mounts this side of Kaagor Pass when I reached the drovers keeping the herd nigh the Grimwall, the cattle needed to feed the Legion.