Aglaranna stirred next to him. Since his return from the confrontation with Martin over the Tsurani prisoners, he had been free of the alien dreams and the blind rages. He was no longer the boy from Crydee or the ancient Dragon Lord, but a new being possessing qualities of both.
She came awake and slowly reached out to touch his shoulder. The muscles were relaxed, free of the tension that marked his grappling with an ancient dream. She breathed a long sigh, then said, “Tomas, what is it?”
He reached up to cover her hand with his own. “I don’t know. Something odd occurred a moment ago.” He sat with his head slightly turned, as if listening to something distant. “A change . . . a shift in the pattern of things, perhaps.”
The Elf Queen said nothing. Since becoming his lover she had grown used to his uncanny ability to sense events elsewhere, an ability unmatched by even the most gifted of the ancient Spellweavers. A remnant of his Valheru heritage, this awareness had come fully into bloom since he recovered his humanity. She thought it strange, yet reassuring, that his Valheru powers had become more pronounced and acute only since regaining his humanity. It was as if some force had conspired to keep them blunted until he possessed the wisdom to use them.
Tomas stopped listening. “It is something to the east, a mixture of rejoicing and a great sadness.” His voice sounded thick with emotion. “An age is dying.”
He rolled off the sleeping pallet and stood, powerful muscles revealed to Aglaranna’s elven eyes in the dim light. He stood at the door of their sleeping chamber, looking out over Elvandar, listening to the sounds of the night. Everything appeared calm.
The scent of the forest, thick, sweet, and heady, was overlaid with the faint hints of aromas from last night’s supper, and the smell of bread fresh from the oven for this morning’s meal. Night birds sang, while day birds began their predawn warbling, and the sun prepared to rise in the east. The touch of cool air upon his naked skin was a caress to Tomas, and he felt more complete and at peace than he had ever been in his young life.
Aglaranna’s arms went around his waist, and he felt her press tight against him. He could feel the beat of her heart as she held him close. “My lord, my love,” she said, “return to our bed.”
He turned within the circle of her arms and felt the warmth of her body against his. “There is something . . . “He gripped her close, but gently. “There is a feeling of hope.”
She could feel his heat as his desire answered hers. “Hope. Would that it is true.”
He looked down at her face, his senses as acute in the gloom as hers, drinking in the sight of her. “Never lose hope, my Queen.”
He kissed her deeply, and whatever awakened him was quickly forgotten.
Lyam sat quietly in his tent. He was composing the message he would send to Crydee when a guard entered and announced the arrival of Pug and Kulgan. Lyam rose and greeted them, and when the guards left, indicated they should sit. “I am sorely in need of your wisdom.” He sat back and waved at the parchments before him. “If Arutha is to reach us in time for the peace conference, these must leave today. But I have never been much for letters, and I also confess to great difficulty in sharing the events of the last week.”
Kulgan said, “May I?” pointing to the letter.
Lyam waved consent, and the magician picked up the parchment and began to read. “ ‘To my beloved brother and sister: It is with the deepest sorrow I must tell you of our father’s death. He was injured mortally in the great Tsurani offensive, leading a counterattack to rescue surrounded soldiers, mainly Hadati hillmen, auxiliaries to the garrison of Yabon. The Hadati sing his name and make sagas in his honor, such was his bravery. He passed thinking of his children, and his love for us all was undiminished.
“ ‘The King has also passed, and it has fallen to me to lead our armies. Arutha, I would have you here, for we now are at the war’s end. The Emperor is willing to make peace. We shall meet in the north valley of the Grey Towers in twenty-nine days time, at noon. Carline, I would have you take ship to Krondor with Anita, for there is much to be done there, and Princess Alicia will have need of her daughter. I will join you with Arutha once peace has been made. With love, and sharing in your sorrow, I am, your most loving brother, Lyam.’ ”
Kulgan was quiet for a moment, and Lyam said, “I thought you might be able to add something or other, to lend elegance to it.”
Kulgan said, “I think you announced your father’s passing with simplicity and gentleness. It is a fine message.”