Page 91 of Light and Shadow
Tús Nua is walled with pale-gray stone that seems to have no beginning or end and makes me wonder if the entire thing was carved out of a slab of marble. The city glows white in the sunshine. A horn sounds from the ramparts above the gate. A bright blue flag flies high. In the center is a gold crown with three jewels beneath: one blue, one green, and one yellow. It flaps in the breeze while another flag rises to its right. This flag is also blue, but the circle in the center is a simple gold crown with only one palisade at the front. It rides above an elaborate R, also stitched in gold.
The gates are open, making me wonder when they close them. Will I be trapped inside once we cross the threshold?
It’s impossible to look anything but astonished as thousands of elves crowd the street to get a glimpse of us. I can’t decide if they’re happy to see Aaran or me, then someone calls out Aaran’s name and a great cheer rises. Somehow, that makes me less nervous. They don’t care about me, and that suits me.
Pride swells inside Aaran, and he waves at the crowd, which parts for the horses. The castle has three white towers, and the largest rises from the center of an enormous building.
“I can see that you have been raised very simply.” I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. Perhaps something grander than the houses at Clandunna, but not a castle nearly as big as the blackened tower where I was held.
At the bottom of a white marble staircase, Aaran slides from Goafar’s back and reaches up to help me to my feet. He takes my hand, and we climb up stairs that seem to never end. Every twenty or so there’s a stretch of flat marble and then the steps again.
Bert and Nainsi are behind us. Bert says, “I guess there are no elevators in this place.”
Nainsi chuckles.
“What in the blazes is an elev iator?” Fancor falls in step beside me. “Hang on, lass. You’re nearly there.”
“Yes, but where is there?” I command my legs to stop shaking and squeeze Aaran’s hand.
After twelve rises of steps, we reach the last, which is steeper and twice as high. At least any shaking is from my muscles and ass about to seize up rather than fear. At the top, we stand at the front of a courtyard at least two hundred feet wide and a hundred feet deep, and my breath catches.
The front of the castle is pure white, with the three towers resembling a crown. Below the crown, scenes of battle and triumph are carved into the stone. Beneath that are six pillars, and at the center, an enormous arched door with three diamonds carved over the top. Soldiers dressed in blue and gold livery flank the door.
In the center of the courtyard stand a man and woman dressed in the same blue as the flag. The woman is Elspeth Riordan. Her bright blond hair catches the breeze, and her smileis warm and welcoming. The man doesn’t smile. His hair is tinged with red, and his eyes are the brightest blue I have ever seen.
When we’re a few feet away, Aaran releases my hand and bows before rushing into his mother’s arms. “It’s good to see you.” He hugs his father, then steps back. “Mother, Father, this is Harper Craig. She has been through a great deal on our behalf. I bid you welcome her to our home.”
He’s so formal I barely recognize him.
Elspeth stares at me.
I have no idea how to curtsy, so I lower my head as some sign of respect. “Thank you for helping me when I needed you…” I don’t know how to address her, so the sentence hangs in want of a name.
Widening her grin, Elspeth pulls me into a hug. “I’m so relieved you are here and well. It is a great gift that you also brought with you so many who need our help.”
My heart sinks. “Some, but not all.”
She brushes my hair from my face in a way that reminds me of my mother. “You have much to tell us, and we want to hear everything. First, you need food and rest. May I introduce my husband, Brion? You needn’t look for titles. They are rarely used in these times. Elspeth and Brion will suffice.”
Well, that’s not happening. I shake Brion’s hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.”
Lips twitching with the hint of a smile, he bows his head. “I’m relieved you have come, as are all who suffer under Venora.” He turns to Fancor. “You travel with a dwarf.”
Fancor makes a deep bow. “My Lady and Lord Riordan. I am Fancor, son of Fan. I offer myself to the cause. To be honest, I have no intention of leaving until either Harper is safely home or the witch queen is vanquished.”
Even if I didn’t already adore the man, it would be impossible not to like him. I don’t know why he’s accepted me as his to protect, but I’m touched by his devotion.
Brion gives Fancor a long look. “Then you will stay as our honored guest.”
Fancor pulls his shoulders back and lifts his chin. “My thanks.”
“Nainsi.” Brion pulls her into a hug, then shakes Bert’s hand. “It’s good you see you both. When we heard you had come through with the prophesied and Aaran, I was not at all surprised and a good deal pleased.”
Elspeth hugs Nainsi and beams with pride. She shakes Bert’s hand. “Bertram Donaldson, the years have been kind to you. I can see you have made our girl very happy.”
“It is she who has made my life worth living, Elspeth. It’s good to see you again.” Bert keeps Nainsi’s hand in his as he makes his greeting.
Once the hugging is finished, we are escorted through the arched door.
