“That is good news,” Phae whispered. “What else? Do we know where to find it? What direction to go?”
“Yes. It was not far from the Dryad tree we were at earlier. When the Tay al-Ard refreshes, we can go back there again and head the right way. Roaming the woods at night is too dangerous right now. But we should go at dawn and see if we can reach the promontory before night ends. The longer we stay in these woods, the more hunters the Arch-Rike releases against us. This has been my strategy, to keep them hunting us away from the center. To draw his forces away from protecting the tree. If we can jump over his lines, so to speak, we can rush to the center and there will be fewer guardians.”
“He will not leave it unprotected,” Prince Aran said. “A sizable host will be waiting for us. How many Fear Liaths does he have chained in his service, do you think?”
“I cannot even guess,” Tyrus replied. “Which is why attacking during daylight is critical. Those creatures are vulnerable in the day. Every foe we have faced bears a weakness. I suspect that we will be vastly outnumbered. I have brought certain magics with me to help in such a case.” He gave a quick look to Annon, which Phae noticed. “The sooner we find the tree, the sooner Phae can enter it. Now there is something else you need to know.”
Tyrus put his hand on her leg. “The Dryad warned that Mirrowen is destroyed and that venturing there will be lethal. I doubt this is true. It sounds like just the sort of deception Shirikant is famous for. But I had to speak it regardless. She also mentioned a being called the Seneschal. It means some sort of steward. A protector, maybe. Have you heard of this before, Phae?”
“Yes,” she answered softly. “I don’t think I’m supposed to speak of it though. I was told I must seek him in order to make my oath and be bound to the tree. I learned that the Dryads here are fallen. They have forsaken their oaths.”
“I believe that is so,” Tyrus said. “Even a Dryad can steal another Dryad’s memories. Something happened at the Mother Tree. Some betrayal. I’m certain Shirikant is involved and that he has usurped the memories of the trees. Annon said that the Dryad he just met wore a ring like the Kishion have. They are forced to obey him. When you reach the tree, Phae, you must be very careful. The Dryad will probably try to kill you.”
Phae’s heart shriveled. “Even though I have come to free her?”
“Even so. The Arch-Rike would lose his grip on the Scourgelands if he lost control of her. Shion—you must protect Phae when she approaches the tree. He may even try to destroy the tree. I’m not certain what he will attempt, but we must expect every trick and cunning. If we do not succeed in finding it before the sun sets again, I fear we will be too late. All of our efforts, all of our thoughts must be focused on succeeding. Courage, my friends. We are so very close.”
He reached out and took Phae’s hand, squeezing it firmly.
A catlike shriek sounded from the lip of the gully and a Weir hurtled down at her.
Shion sprang like a crossbow and vaulted over her, slamming into the beast and knocking it aside. The Weir hissed and howled, raking Shion with its hooked claws, but Shion drew his twin daggers and slammed them into the beast’s throat to end the savage cry.
“More!” Hettie warned, rising into a low crouch and readying her bow.
Phae’s heart was hammering with fear from the sudden, savage attack. Tyrus grabbed her by the arm and motioned for Hettie to lead the way down the gully throat. Another Weir loped into view along the ridge.
Hettie sent one arrow into its hind and had another out as it dropped.
“They have the high ground,” Aran warned. “We must scale the side . . . watch out!”
Suddenly the Weir were leaping into the stunted ravine, snarling and gashing. Phae watched the fireblood bloom from Annon’s hands as he sent it racing along the edge of the brush. She thought the words to tame fire herself, and her fingers began to burn blue. One of the cats swiped at her middle, but she lunged to the side and burned the creature to ash. Shion caught up with her again, pulling her to the other side of the gully. He scrambled up first and then reached down and seized her wrist, pulling her up after him. The companions fought in the gully below and Phae could see the glowing eyes of the Weir as they advanced in the dark woods.