The two men exchanged glances and Jim whispered, ‘What happened here?’
Kaspar said, ‘I’ll give you the details later, but the heart of the matter is you did well in not killing Sinda and his friend. Had you killed those two, we would all most likely be dead by now. Sparing him and giving him that trinket convinced Castdanur that I spoke the truth about… certain things. I’ll tell you more later.’
They entered the hall and sat in a circle, with Tomas opposite the old elven leader. Two other ancient elves sat on either side of him and Kaspar and Jim took up position on either side of Tomas.
‘Know, Dragon Rider, that we are a free people, according to your own words.’
Tomas remembered the last flight of Ashen-Shugar, when the Valheru whose armour he wore had flown around the world freeing every servant of the Dragon Host, letting all know they were a free people. ‘I remember,’ he said, not wishing to debate the nuances at this moment.
‘You know the mandate,’ said Castdanur, and suddenly Tomas did remember. As in times before, memories came unbidden.
All elven-kind had been slaves of the Valheru, and while the Dragon Host rose to challenge the gods, Ashen-Shugar, the last of the living Dragon Lords flew the skies of Midkemia, freeing all the peoples once in thrall to his brethren. But the anoredhel were unique, elves given a special duty. ‘You are the protectors of the Quor.’
‘A task set to us in the times of our ancestors, and one we have discharged to this day. But our number has diminished and we stand at peril, and so do the Quor.’
Jim and Kaspar exchanged glances. Both had the same question: Who or what are the Quor?
‘How fare those gentle beings?’ asked Tomas.
‘They struggle,’ said the old man. ‘The creatures from beyond plague us, but they are far more intent on destroying the Quor and we can only do so much. We have failed our charge.’
‘No,’ said Tomas with a surprisingly gentle tone of voice. ‘We are here, and we shall help, and the Quor endure, imperilled though they be.’
‘We are a free people,’ repeated the old man. ‘But we need aid.’
‘Aid you shall have,’ said Tomas. ‘I shall ask my wife the Queen of Elvandar to send those willing to serve with you –hunters, weavers, artisans, and more: spell-weavers and warriors – so that we may once again see the Quor safely in their homes above us.’
‘We thank you,’ said the old man, the relief so visible on his face that he looked to be on the verge of weeping.
‘It is we who thank you,’ said Tomas, standing and bowing his head in respect to the three old men who sat across from him. ‘I must return to Elvandar, and I will return as swiftly as I may with a few who will lend help at once. Others will come later, and we shall see Baranor reborn.’
‘Children?’ asked Castdanur.
Tomas smiled. ‘Some will bring children, so that your young will have others to play with, and I know some of those who come will remain with you. Many of those who lived in the Northlands, who have since come to abide with us in Elvandar, will welcome coming here, for they are more like you in their ways than they are like us.’ Tomas spoke of the glamredhel, the ‘mad elves’ who had struggled against the Brotherhood of the Dark Path for generations before coming south to Elvandar a hundred years before.
‘Then I will recant our defiance, and we will swear fealty to your queen.’
Suddenly Jim realized that there must have been an ancient schism here and that Castdanur was making an enormous concession of some sort.
Tomas said, ‘Only if you wish. We shall offer aid because you are blood-kin and because you bear a grave charge. We offer our help without condition and you remain as you have always been, a free people.’
Now the old man did, indeed, weep, and Tomas said, ‘Soon, all will be made right.’ He motioned for Kaspar and Jim to accompany him and once they were outside he said, ‘There is more to explain here than time permits. Stay with these folk and help them gather food. They are at peril and the risks are far greater than anything you can imagine.’ He glanced back to the entrance to the main hall and added, ‘What plagues these people may be part of the other risks we face. The creatures they speak of are… children of the Void, creatures that should for no reason be in this world.’ He smiled ruefully. ‘It was one such, a minor wraith, who was responsible for me being as you see me today. I shall tell you that story some time, but for now, just know that we must ensure that these people survive. I will be back with as many warriors as Ryath can bear, and others will soon follow.’
‘One thing,’ said Jim.
‘What?’
‘What or who are the Quor?’