Talarin called to the gathering: " 'Tis nought we did not already presuppose; Modru, Gyphon's chief agent, has begun a war for dominion o'er Mithgar. Yet Adon stands with the Free Folk, and we shall prevail. Let us on this turn of the season pledge our hearts unto His cause." Talarin raised his chalice, and all stood and held their cups aloft. "For Adon and Mithgar," he cried.
And as one voice came the collective response, For Adon and Mithgar, Tipperton and Beau joining in.
Now Talarin signaled the harper, and the harp rang out a stirring song, the notes belling across the gathering to kindle hearts aflame. Tone and voice, melody and lyric, voices rose up in accompaniment, Lian unified in harmony. In Sylva they sang, and neither of the two buccen understood a word, yet following Aleen's hurried whispers they sang along as welclass="underline"
[In Lianion, the First Land, in Adonar so fair…]
And when the song came to an end, with a great shout all raised their cups and quaffed the contents down, and then without a further word, Lian began filing from the hall.
Tip and Beau turned to go, but Rael whispered to Lord Talarin and he in turn called unto them. And when they stepped unto the dais, he said, "As representatives of thy folk, I would have thee join me in my chambers, for we may have much to discuss and I would have ye advise me."
Taken aback, Tip glanced at Beau to find that buccan as astounded as he. Tipperton turned once again unto Talarin and said, "Well, sir, I cannot say we speak for all our folk, yet we would be honored to serve you in any way we can."
"Indeed, yes," said Beau, nodding vigorously.
Talarin smiled. "In eight candlemarks, then, come unto my quarters."
"… not only the Foul Folk but perhaps the Lakh of Hyree and the Rovers of Kistan as well," said Faeon.
"Thou art right, my jaian," said Vanidor, taking a sip of tea.
They sat in a parlor in Talarin's quarters-Talarin, Rael, Faeon, Vanidor, Gildor, Eloran, Tip, and Beau.
Tip looked up at Faeon. "I don't understand."
"The Kistanians and Hyrinians-they are under the sway of Black Mages, acolytes of Gyphon," said Faeon. She turned to Rael. "Is it not so, Ythir?"
"Aye, 'tis true," replied Rael, "or so Aravan tells."
"Aravan?" asked Beau.
"One of the Lian," said Rael. "He sailed the seas when Rwn was yet an isle."
"Oh." Beau nodded and looked at Tipperton, who sadly shook his head, for both buccen knew of the destruction of that place. After all, it was a cataclysm marking the end of the First Era and the start of the Second.
"Aye, for thousands of seasons Aravan traveled the world, sailing the seas in his splendid ship, the Eroean. But when Rwn fell, Aravan left the sea behind. And though the destruction was Durlok's doing-Durlok, a Black Mage and votary of Gyphon-Aravan deemed that Gyphon Himself had had a hand in the devastation, though I understand Gyphon humbled Himself before Adon and declared He had nought to do with such-'twas a renegade acolyte, he claimed."
Tip held out his cup and Gildor refreshed the buccan's tea. As Tip added sweet honey, he asked, "What has this to do with the Hyrinians or the Kistanians?"
"Aravan tells that these two nations worship Gyphon in their temples and towers," replied Rael. "And so, aught concerning a war 'tween Gyphon and Adon will involve them as well."
"Hmm," mused Beau. "So you think they're in this fight, eh?"
All eyes turned to Eloran. He shrugged and set aside his cup, then said, "Most likely, wee one. Most likely. Though when I left Adonar we had no word on whether or no they were engaged or even on the move."
"Say now," said Tip, "just where is this, uh, in-between crossing you made in coming here?"
Eloran glanced at Talarin and, at a nod from the Alor, said, "Four days south of here lies the circle of stones… in Lianion, the land thou doth name Rell."
"Lianion?" Tip turned to Rael. "Isn't Lianion what we sang about tonight? Lianion, the first land? I thought that was on the High Plane, in Adonar to be precise."
Rael smiled. "Aye. Lianion is indeed in Adonar. Yet when first we came unto Mithgar, we made the crossing at the circle of stones, and the realm we came into was called Lianion as well, for it was the first land we trod upon in this world. 'Twas only later it became known as Rell."
Tip nodded and then turned back to the Dylvana. "Tell me, Lord Eloran, did you see any Foul Folk on your four-day journey through Rell?"
"Movement in the distance at times," replied the Elf. "Yet whether or no 'twas Foul Folk, I cannot say, for my mission unto Arden Vale was urgent, and I did not turn aside to investigate."
Tip sighed and glanced at Beau, as if to say, We should have gone south and 'round.
But Beau gave a slight shake of his head, wordlessly replying [No, bucco; wait till the thaw].
"When dost thou plan on returning, Eloran?" asked Talarin.
"Mayhap tomorrow."
Rael shook her head. "Nay, Eloran. Rest instead. Tarry a day or so." The Dara took up the small iron container lying on the table at hand and opened the clasp. "I feel that something looms. What, I cannot say." Carefully she unwrapped the crystal from its black silk as all remained silent. Deeply she looked into the pellucid stone, and no one moved, and Beau's mouth gaped circular and wide in bated anticipation. Long moments passed, but at last she sighed and looked up and shook her head. "Nothing," she murmured, and pent breaths were released.
Talarin reached out and touched her hand, then turned to Eloran. "Dara Rael is right: thou shouldst tarry awhile and rest, for alert eyes are needed in these times."
Eloran nodded. "A day or so," he replied. "But then I must go. First to the circle of stones, and thence across Adonar unto the oaken ring, where I will ride the in-between and back unto Mithgar."
"Ah, the Weiunwood," said Gildor. "Well do I like that shaggy forest."
"There's an in-between crossing in the Weiunwood?" asked Beau, his eyes wide.
"Aye," affirmed Eloran.
"Oh, my. Then you had better watch out where you ride, for I have foraged there and some of that wood is, um, 'closed.' "
Tipperton looked at Beau. "Closed?"
Beau nodded. "Places with an eerie feel, and you enter at your peril."
Eloran smiled. "Indeed, wee one, for in those places dwell the Hidden Ones, and they do make it so, and not all who set foot therein e'er come out again. The oak ring itself is within a place what thou dost name 'closed.' "
"And you plan on going there, to this oak ring?"
"Aye," agreed Eloran. "There I'll emerge. Yet fear not for me, for Elvenkind has permission to travel within."
Beau's mouth formed a silent.
Eloran turned to Talarin. "And from the ring I will ride to join King Blaine, wherever he may be found."
Talarin looked up from the floor. "When you reach him, say this unto the High King: Arden will rally to the cause and oppose Modru at every turn. Warn him as well that Draedani walk among the Foul Folk."
Eloran blanched. "Gargoni?"
Talarin gestured and Gildor replied. "Aye. Three of the Mandraki came through Kregyn a moon past. Amid a Horde they marched, though wide was the berth given.
South into Dhruousdarda they went, yet thence we know not where."
"I say," said Tip, "what with all this talk of crossing from Mithgar to Adonar and back again… could we ride down to this circle of stones and cross the in-between and then ride somewhere in Adonar and cross back over to Mithgar, to Aven? I mean, that way for the most part we could avoid any foe who might stand in our path."
Talarin looked at Rael, but she was gazing dejectedly at her crystal. It was Faeon who answered: "Ye both would need to know the ritual, the learning of which is no easy thing."