Chapter Twelve Elvine #3
Seeing no reason to refuse, and curious as to what might happen, Elvine hefted the spear and held it out to him. “Why most certainly, my lord,” she said in Alberic.
So far, those who dared lay a hand upon this artefact of the gods reacted either with stark terror or, as in Veilwald Torlund’s case, baffled disappointment.
“It seems…” he said, also speaking in Alberic as his hands explored the weapon’s haft and the iron head, “somewhat unremarkable.”
“That is to your credit, my lord,” Elvine assured him. “The spear’s indifference is a mark of the gods’ favour. Should it notice you, I doubt you would like the result.”
“Ah. Then, unless you object, I shall consider myself the bearer of your favour.” Releasing the spear, he stepped back and delivered another elaborate bow before making his exit.
“Don’t let his manners fool you,” Thera said as Elvine approached the table.
“He’s greedy, but loyal. There’s a sharp mind behind all that foppishness, and he’s no craven either.
Did his share of killing at Olversahl by all accounts.
” The queen exchanged a short glance with Lynnea, grunting in agreement at whatever unspoken observation she shared.
“And, as my Tielwald points out, he now carries the Spear Maiden’s blessing, which he will no doubt proclaim to any who will listen. ”
Looking Elvine over, Thera frowned and reached out to brush some dust from her shoulder. “I assume you come with another demand to be released upon your hunt?”
“I do, my queen.” Reaching into the pocket of her robe, Elvine produced the scrap of cyphered parchment she discovered in Lore’s concealed archive.
It had been placed within the pages of a book of Ishtan poetry.
The cover and vellum interior were recently crafted and Elvine instantly knew where Lore had found it.
She also saw it had been deliberately placed atop a stack of books near the traitor queen’s desk, certain to catch the Spear Maiden’s eye.
Part of her questioning of the scribe in the dungeon had related to the fate of the unfortunate bookseller Elvine met that day in Skar Magnol’s marketplace.
Eylka had informed her, with little obvious concern, that the poor man hadn’t survived his ordeal aboard Lore’s flagship.
“And I bring evidence of its import,” she said, handing the parchment to Thera.
Scanning the symbols, the queen pursed her lips in honest puzzlement. “What is this?”
“Aryptic hieroglyphs, my queen. A long dead language found on ancient monuments in a faraway desert realm. There are few scholars who can read it.”
“Including yourself, I assume?”
“And Lore, it appears. But she wasn’t content with leaving me such an easily deciphered message. The phonetic translation results in a passage in archaic Ishtan, which only made sense in Ascarlian when read in reverse.”
“Why go to such lengths if all she wanted to do was impart a message?”
“I believe it’s intended as a shared joke. When I was compelled to her service we would often spend the evenings discussing ancient languages, sometimes composing riddles and verse. It appears that, in some corner of her deranged mind, she still considers us friends.”
“And what does it say?”
“‘Find me, dearest heart. For I have something wonderful to show you.’”
“‘Dearest heart’?”
“One of the endearments she would address me by.”
Thera raised an eyebrow and exchanged another glance with Lynnea. “My Tielwald and I are in agreement that this message weighs against sending you in pursuit of Lore. If she wants you to follow her, why should we accommodate her design?”
“Because I believe I am the only soul capable of finding her, and preventing her from fulfilling that design. I know not what it is, except that it must be stopped. On that, the Spear and I are in firm agreement.”
“Then why would she entice you to come after her?”
Elvine paused, swallowing in discomfort. “Because she loves me, as much as she hates me for the death of her brother. I think she believes us entwined by fate.”
“Or she needs you to fulfil that fate, no doubt to our detriment.”
Elvine straightened, summoning the Spear Maiden’s voice once more.
“You know you have my fealty, my queen. But I tell you plainly I am resolved upon pursuing the traitor queen to whatever end. Even if I have to sail alone in the smallest boat I can steal. To prevent this, you will have to imprison me alongside the Volkrath in your dungeon, and explain to your captains and people why the Spear Maiden has been caged at your order.”
The immediate hardening of the queen’s expression warned Elvine that, Spear Maiden’s voice or not, she had very much exceeded her status.
Yet, what would surely have been a heated retort stalled on the queen’s tongue when her Tielwald moved to her side.
Elvine had already divined that the unspoken communication between these two was arcane in nature, it was too swift and complete for the mere interpretation of gesture or expression.
Yet, she hadn’t appreciated before just how deep it went.
Queen and Tielwald stared unblinking into each other’s eyes for only a few heartbeats, but Elvine perceived that much had been exchanged in the meeting of their minds.
When Thera finally spoke, it was with a heavy tone of resignation rather than anger.
“You know that my concern is not for the Spear Maiden, but for you, Elvine Jurest,” she said.
“It strikes me that you have already given much in the cause of our victory. Allowing you to chase after the most devious and expert schemer I ever encountered in my years as Vellihr of Justice was a risk I was not willing to countenance.” She paused to glance again at Lynnea.
“Until now. I hereby grant leave for you to go in pursuit of the traitor queen, put an end to whatever dark design she intends to orchestrate, and bring her to her just end.”
Elvine lowered her head in a respectful nod. “I shall, my queen.”
“And I trust your word, but, to ease my mind you shall not go alone. You will sail aboard the Ohlnir with the Chainbreaker as escort. Vellihr Kahlvik and Captain Veltta are two of my most prized assets. I do not give them lightly.”
“Nor do I accept them lightly,” Elvine assured her. “Or without deepest gratitude.”
“Don’t be too swift with your thanks,” Thera said, offering Elvine a tight smile of apology. “For you will also be accompanied by my former Tielwald. I know his company can be trying, but it would please me if you refrain from pitching him over the side. He is your queen’s kin, after all.”
“I shall do my best, my queen.” Elvine nodded again and turned to go, pausing as something occurred to her. “As regards your earlier discussion regarding the Fire Isles and the need for a wayfinder. I believe I may have a… solution.”