"It was them," Tanis said with great feeling. "They're gone!"
"Gone?" Caven demanded. "Half-elf, this is Darken Wood! That flash could have been anything."
"No," Tanis said stubbornly.
Minutes later, Xanthar landed atop a barren tree nearby. He kept twisting, facing the mountain, then to the south, then the mountain again. Suddenly the bird opened its beak, displaying a gray, wormlike tongue the size of Tanis's hand. And then Xanthar cried out, his rage and loss and desolation echoing through the valley. Even Caven shuddered.
After a while, the bird quieted down. Xanthar fastened a stare on the half-elf. Lida carried that same look in her eyes, a riveting stare that sucked the victim in, picked him over, practically stole his thoughts. Caven had to glance away, but Tanis held the giant owl's stern gaze.
On the ground, the creature dwarfed the half-elf. But from his vantage point atop the spire, even with the two men mounted on the Mithas stallion, the bird still towered over them. Fury emanated from the bird. Then the giant owl blinked, and he was the sardonic Xanthar again.
We have erred.
Tanis nodded. Caven did, too, so the half-elf knew the mercenary also had heard the owl's mind-speak.
They are in the Icereach now.
"Why the Icereach?" Caven snapped. "Because some stupid dream said so? The Valdane lost the war in Kern; why go nearly a thousand miles south to a place like the Icereach if you want to conquer the world? Assuming, that is, you and the mage are correct in guessing that's what he wants. Why the Icereach, owl?"
Perhaps there is something there that he values… something he seeks.
"Like what? Snow?"
The portent mentions jewels.
Caven was having nothing of the owl's argument. "Jewels in the Icereach? That's a laugh."
Stranger things have happened, human.
But the Kernan merely sputtered. "I say we go back to Haven."
Do what you will, human. You will find it difficult to wend your way out of Darken Wood without the help of a guide.
Caven glared. "You'd abandon us?"
You are nothing to me. I am going to the Icereach.
Tanis finally spoke. "Lida said you couldn't leave Darken Wood."
A pause. She was wrong.
Tanis thought for a moment, then slid down from Maleficent. He began to pull his own pack and Kitiara's from the tangle of equipage behind the saddle.
"Half-elf!" Caven demanded. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going with Xanthar."
Caven chortled. "You Qualinesti are more talented than I'd thought. You can fly, too, half-elf?"
"No, but he can."
Caven paled. He grasped the pommel of his saddle and leaned toward the half-elf. "You'd ride a giant owl?"
"If he'll let me." Tanis looked at the bird, who dipped his head in what Tanis took for assent.
Caven's voice hissed, drawing the half-elf's attention again. "But why? Kitiara isn't worth the risk. There are millions of other women in the world, half-elf. Besides, what guarantee do we have that she is there?"
Tanis snorted, pawing through his pack. He would have to lighten the load as much as possible. Tanis outweighed Lida. He selected what little food remained in his pack, his bow and quiver, and his sword. Then he picked up Kitiara's pack, thinking.
Caven's voice broke in. "Why not just give this up? We can find our way out of here together. To the Abyss with the crazy owl and his lady mage. And with Kitiara, too."
Tanis shook his head. He shoved aside clothing in Kitiara's pack, searching for anything that would aid him in his quest. "I'm not a mercenary like you, Mackid. That's the only explanation I can give you. I don't do things for money but for my own reasons."
Caven gestured broadly with his arms. "How will the two of you find them? The Icereach is practically a continent away."
The owl broke in. I will attempt to mind-speak with Lida. I will reach her. She will lead me to them.
"You lost contact with her in Darken Wood almost immediately," Caven replied irritatedly. "What are you going to do, search the entire Icereach? How much time do you think you have?"
My relatives have been there. They have described this place. I remember my grandfather's tales when I was a nestling. There is a likely area-a place, I was told, of vast warrens under the ice. Such a place, I believe, would attract a mage. I will search there first. I will find her, human.
At that moment, Tanis's fingers rubbed against something at the bottom of the swordswoman's pack. Puzzled, the half-elf kneeled, dumped the contents of the pack on the ground, and examined the canvas back. The pack, in the bright light of day, looked deeper from the outside than it was on the inside. "A false bottom," he murmured.
Caven dismounted, crouching beside the half-elf. Even Xanthar hopped to a nearby perch. Tanis prodded the bottom, searching for a catch. Then he uttered an exclamation and pulled up the stiffened canvas that hid the cache. The three gasped as purple light erupted from the travel-worn pack. Caven stepped back warily, but Tanis thrust his hand into the false bottom. He cradled three ice jewels in his palm as he withdrew his hand.
"By the gods! What are they?" Caven asked.
Tanis shook his head, but Xanthar murmured something the half-elf couldn't understand. "What is it?" Tanis asked.
Ice jewels. My grandfather mentioned them long ago, but he thought they were only legend. They were said to be ice compressed under great weight, until they turned to precious gems.
"Are they magic?" Tanis asked the giant owl. "There are more in there."
In the right hands, yes, they must be magic. But they frighten me. Tanis and Caven looked up again, startled. Am I correct in assuming that the swords-woman wasn't the rightful owner of these jewels?
Caven replied carefully. "After we left Kern, Kitiara said something that made me wonder. I was complaining that all of the Valdane's mercenaries had gone unpaid, and she said, All but one.' But she wouldn't explain further. Later I took that to mean she was planning to rob me. But now I think…" He gestured meaningfully at the glowing ice jewels.
Tanis was still gazing at the ice jewels when Xanthar's voice penetrated his mind. Perhaps we can make use of these stones.
The half-elf looked up, immediately comprehending the owl's drift. "Ransom?" he asked.
The bird nodded. Or magic. If we can discover their secret. But I say we bring them along.
Tanis thrust the jewels back in the pack, replaced the false bottom, and transferred his own things to Kitiara's pack. Then he stood and faced the owl. "I'm ready."
Caven sighed, rising as well. "As am I."
I cannot carry you both.
"I will ride Maleficent."
We will outdistance you quickly.
"Leave a trail for me to follow."
I have many relatives. I could mind-call to them. Perhaps you could ride…
"No!" Caven said, adding hastily, "I'll not leave my horse. Maleficent and I will go day and night if need be. He is a Mithas stallion; he can endure the strain. And so can I."
You fear heights, then, human?