Analindë (The Chronicles of Lóresse)

Free Analindë (The Chronicles of Lóresse) by Melissa Bitter

Book: Analindë (The Chronicles of Lóresse) by Melissa Bitter Read Free Book Online
Authors: Melissa Bitter
heart cold.
    “Five dead and one alive; the majority of the village must have been away for the Harvest Festival,” said Sintriel.
    “So it appears,” said Daerwen as relief and sadness swirled in her eyes.
    Why hadn’t the humans waited a couple of days to attack? The village would have been empty. He wondered. “Do we yet know if the Mages of Lindënolwë are among the dead?” Arandur kept his face still.
    “Yes, the four of them were there. With the boards having been activated, I would guess that one of them survived, though we know not which one.” They sat silent for a moment, absorbing the implications of three humans defeating a single mage of Lindënolwë. The family of mages who lived in that village were among the most powerful in the Realm, their strength becoming greater with each successive generation.
    “I think perhaps the youngest survived. The others would have farspoken their warning; that is, unless they were severely injured or maimed in the attack,” Thalion said thoughtfully, his face grim. “Which direction do you think the survivor will travel?”
    “Most likely north, toward Mirëdell; it is the closest settlement that is widely known,” she replied. Their outpost had been built and kept in secret. Good thing there were no settlements close enough to have heard their bell toll. Otherwise, from this time forward, their base would simply be an outpost, not a secret outpost.
    “What would you have us do now, Daerwen?” Arandur formally asked.
    “Gather two more to your team. I would have you track these humans and see where they go. Other scout stations will send teams from the north to search out the survivor.”
    “It shall be done,” Arandur answered.
    “Do we consider using the portal?” Thalion asked hesitantly.
    “No.” The answer was immediate. “The portal would burn brightly, to those who can see . . . for at least a month. I have orders for its use, and this situation does not warrant it.” She did not elaborate.
    Thalion nodded.
    “Be careful. I would not have any of you join those that are dead,” their commander said.
    “Yes, Daerwen.” They bowed low and took their leave.
    “May the Stars shine upon you, grace your path, and show you the way,” she whispered as they left.

    Arandur signaled the young scout apprentice standing outside of the Hall of Leaves closer. “Please, I would have you find Morcion and Urúvion and share with them that they travel with us. We go to Lindënolwë and leave as soon as they are ready.”
    “Yes, sir,” the young apprentice said before rushing off to carry out the order.
    Arandur spun around and strode outside toward their packs; he grabbed his without stopping and moved quickly to the head of the trail they would take. He stopped and stared off toward Lindënolwë as if he could see it from where he stood.
    His companions caught up with him, then made themselves comfortable as they waited, silently taking care not to disturb their friend. When Morcion and Urúvion arrived, the group set off without a word, running along the trail through the woods at a ground-eating pace. They would make good time.
    Elves could run as fast as an elk for hours on end without stopping, but scouts in general were valued above all others for their incredible strength and endurance. They could travel longer and push reserves further than any other in the Realm. It would only take the quintet three, maybe four days at most to reach Lindënolwë from the outpost, not the week it usually took. And from there, they would hunt the humans and look for signs of the survivor.
    The scouts pushed on through the night until Arandur called a stop to their journey. They had traveled far, spoken little, and had not taken time to travel in stealth since this time there was no need.
    They set up camp efficiently as a team who had done so thousands of times before, which they had. Thalion started a fire and prepared for their evening meal while the others hunted

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