Beorn still had no evidence she was here. What if she had escaped, or fallen from a cliff, or taken ill? Trudging along the rocky path with Trask by his side he wondered what he would say when he saw her.
The trail eventually led them around a hill to a small plateau, placed high and sheltered on one side with expansive views of the surrounding ocean. Beorn immediately knew who the middle-aged woman flanked by an older couple was.
She was tall and brown-haired, with a narrow face and sharp features, and there was something… regal about the way she held herself. There was silver in her hair and her blue-grey eyes were shadowed, as if by the marks of suffering. The skin of her face was pale and marked by concern; this was the face of a gentle soul taken on a difficult journey. Her brown dress twisted in the wind, while the expression she wore was one of alarm.
"Who in the name of the Evermen are you?" the old man at her side challenged. "What are you doing here? Why have you come to trouble us?"
The three of them stood close together, while the old woman clutched at the one Beorn reckoned was Lady Alise. Beorn wondered what was terrifying them so much.
Then it came to him.
"Stop," he held out his hand to hold Lieutenant Trask back. "These people haven't seen another soul in who knows how long. We're frightening them."
Beorn and Trask kept a distance several paces from the three trembling people.
"Lady Alise?" said Beorn.
"Y… Yes. That is I," the tall woman said.
"I am Marshal Beorn. I know it's been a long time, and neither Lieutenant Trask here nor I wish to cause you any alarm."
"Why are you here?" Lady Alise asked.
Beorn scratched at his beard. He'd rehearsed this moment, but the words suddenly deserted him. "Well… There have been changes in the Empire. Your brother, Xenovere, is dead. I don't know how to say this, but I'm here to take you back to Seranthia. My Lady, I'm here to bring you home."
"Home as what?" the old man said, scowling.
"Home with titles fully restored. In fact, the Lord Regent, a man named Rogan Jarvish, wants me to ask Lady Alise to take a place in the new Empire."
Beorn looked imploringly at Lady Alise. If she didn't want to come with them, he wasn't sure what to do.
"My son, Killian…" Lady Alise finally said. Her voice trembled with emotion. "That's all I care about. What happened to my son? Can you tell me?"
"I'm sorry, My Lady," Beorn said. "I don't know. But if anyone can help you, it's the Lord Regent. He's a good man."
Lady Alise turned to the older couple. "I am going to go with them. Marlow, Tara, will you come?"
The old man looked at the woman, Tara, before turning back to Lady Alise.
"No, M'lady," the old man said gruffly. "Tara and I, we'll stay here. This is our home now. They won't have much use for us in the Empire."
"Are you sure?" Lady Alise asked. She suddenly seemed small, like a little girl. "I might need you."
"You'll do fine," Marlow said. "Be brave. There's nothing they can take from you they haven't already taken. Find your son. Something tells me you will."
Lady Alise turned to Beorn. "Can I get some things?"
"Of course," Beorn said. Lord of the Sky, he couldn't imagine how hard this must be for her.
She turned, but then turned back. "My titles and my lands are returned to me?"
"Yes." Beorn met her gaze, now steadied.
"There's nothing I'll take from here, then," Lady Alise said. "Let's go then, immediately. My son may need me."
37
"HOW LONG did you say it's been?" Killian asked.
"About two and a half years," said Ella, looking at him with concern. "How long has it been for you?"
"No," he shook his head. "I think time flows differently here. It's been a long time, but I don't think it's been that long."
"How long has it been for you?"
"A year? More?" He shrugged and smiled shakily. "I don't know."
"Why did you attack me?"
The madness briefly returned to Killian's eyes. "How could I believe it was you? I… I can't explain what it's like. Only living here would tell you, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. The days are living nightmares, and they're incredibly long. The nights are short, but they're worse, much worse. I try to sleep in the daylight hours and stay awake for the nights. When I sleep I have dreams… vivid, uncontrollable dreams." He looked at her. "You're in them, as are others, people from my youth and from the dark times in my life."
"I hope you don't associate me with dark times," Ella said, attempting a smile.
"No," said Killian, and Ella was pleased to see him smile, however thinly. "I think I dream of times when I was… emotional."
Ella looked around the chamber; the shells with their motionless occupants still gave her chills. "You've mentioned dangers. Are we safe here?"
"This is one of the few places we can be sure of being safe. There's nothing here though, nothing except the Evermen, waiting to return. We can't stay here forever."