Page 36 of Light and Shadow
Fancor drops the bucket and hauls up water. He tastes it. “Not bad. Not poisoned.” He carries the bucket to the partially crumbling wall I’m sitting on with Harper in my lap.
Bert leans my sword against the wall beside me.
Nainsi kneels, and without touching Harper, she runs her hands from head to toe. “It was her magic Venora was after. She vibrates with defenses I don’t understand, as if something surrounded the part of her under attack.”
A female elf with haunted eyes drops to her knees and places her hands on top of Nainsi’s. Together, they press their palms to Harper’s abdomen. Magic glows around them and through Harper.
It vibrates along my spine as healing flows through this woman I pledged to keep safe. I failed. She might have been killed, and she’ll never again be the sweet unsullied person I found getting her driver’s license. Her injuries may be healed, but everything leaves a scar. The blame lies with me.
Blinking her eyes open, Harper draws a deep breath. She stares at me. “You came.”
Fancor kneels beside her and holds a cup of water. “Drink, girl.”
With a long look at Fancor, she tries to sit, but winces. “Have we met?”
“Drink.” He puts the cup to her lips.
Glancing at me, she waits for my nod before complying. “Thank you.”
“I am Fancor, son of Fan of the Great Mountains. I came to give aid in battle in the name of my father.” He makes an awkward bow.
“The water was good.” Closing her eyes, Harper lays her hand over the two at her stomach. “I hope this doesn’t mean I’m dying and you’re easing my pain. If I’m going to die, I want to know.”
Nainsi grins. “You’re not dying.”
The sober elf who helped with the healing stands and backs away with her head lowered.
“Thank you, Cara.” Harper keeps her eyes closed. “Did Venora leave? Are they gone?”
We are still in danger. Perhaps a hundred elves are looking to me for guidance. “She ran, but she’ll be back when she’s healed. We need to get out of here.”
Getting to her feet, Harper stumbles and leans on Fancor for support. “You’re very sturdy.”
“I am, indeed. It would be my honor to be your crutch, or I’ll carry you if you’d prefer.” He grips her elbow and scans her, as if determining the best way to be of service. “I’m as strong as any elf or the man from your world.”
“Have you been to my world?”
He huffs. “No.”
Her laugh is short but sends a shred of hope to my heart. “Still, you’re probably right, Mr. Fancor.” Staring into my eyes, she raises her eyebrows. “Now what?”
Wrapping my arms around her, I lift her, and she puts her arms around my neck. “Now we get you out of here.” I stride toward the outer gates. They used to gleam silver and gold, but now are black, as if a fungus has grown on them.
Swords drawn, the soldiers who came with me surround us.
Harper whispers, “Aaran, what about these people? Will you leave them here to be slaves to that monster?” Resting her head on my shoulder, she gazes back at the ragged group staring after us.
Part of me knows I should leave them or come back for them, but I can’t do that. These are my people just as much as those inside the new city. Taking a hundred undernourished and ill elves so far will add time to our journey. “No. We won’t leave them, Harper.”
Nainsi smiles and points up the mountain. “If we can get over that ridge, I think we can draw enough magic to mask ourselves.”
I nod despite the difficult logistics of moving a group this large. A portal would damage the sick and injured. Harper isn’tstrong enough. Even for me, a fourth portal this soon would be dangerous. We’ll have to walk, and it’s a long way, with an ocean between here and home. Putting Harper on her feet, I wait until she’s stable.
Fancor rushes over to catch her if she should waver. I’ve never spent much time with dwarves. My people have made a habit of avoiding the Great Mountains and their inhabitants. For the first time, I question the wisdom of that.
Facing those who were slaves to the witch queen, I take a deep breath and hope this is the right thing. Two men stand with the healer at the front as I approach. “Do you think with help your people can make it over that ridge?”
Relief flickers in the taller man’s blue eyes. He holds out his hand. “I am Dorian. We have enough who still have the strength to carry those who have none. If it means the possibility of freedom, we will make the journey.”
