Chronicles of Den'dra - Spencer Johnson Page 0,150

least. That level of healing is not common among elves although it isn’t unspoken of. Of light elves at least.”

“Is this true?” Inadar’s eyebrows were lifted slightly. Their recent discovery of Tamara had opened her eyes to the possibility.

“I know not of what you mean.”

“Is it true?” Cero demanded as he caught stranger’s eyes with his own icy blue gaze.

“My… mother… was Iliara. She loved a human.” The stranger scowled but was unable to look away from Cero. Inadar noticed that Cero was squinting and working harder than usual at keeping control.

“What is your name?” Cero kept the stranger caught under his influence.

“She… called… me… Spirion.” Cero glanced at Inadar for a moment. Spirion was blinking and shaking his head as Cero returned his attention to him.

“From my understanding, half elves become either fully human of full elf as they age. You seem to have taken after your mother. Your kind are a little more common than I had thought.” Cero rested his chin on his forefingers as he thought.

“I have never told anyone of my mother. How were you able to force me to tell you?” Spirion was still rubbing his forehead.

“He has a gift at dragging secrets out of people. If you really are elf, then it is dangerous for you to be in the Braebach.” Inadar spared a glance between Cero and Spirion. Instead of replying, the man pulled back his hair and revealed the ears that they instantly recognized.

“Encer, can he come with us?” Inadar entreated with a glance up at Encer.

“It isn’t really up to me. There is still much we don’t know of this elf. How is it that you were raised in a dungeon and still are able to speak intelligently?”

“I wasn’t born in the dungeon. I was a few years old when we were taken. Still, I had the kindness of the man I mentioned to thank. He was something of a scholar in the order he belonged to before having been captured.”

“The order… What was it called?” Cero frowned for a moment, but since he was focusing on a pebble in his hand, Spirion was free to answer of his own volition.

“He never said. All I remember was that he wore black robes.”

“Black robes? You mean the Shadow Order. They are working for Reigns now.” Cero pondered the dilemma presented. This mysterious group had once chased him and nearly caused his death. Now this elf spoke of having been a friend of one member. It seemed strange that there would be members of the Order in the dungeon if one considered their working agreement with Reigns.

“That may explain why they have already left once you secured their freedom. That group of people wasted no time in leaving the area. There are just a few, beyond myself, that have nowhere to go.”

“I see one solution for your problem. Elves of light are our allies to the south. I will inform the patrols to permit you access to the village if you guard Setur until Iradaemi’s return.” Onwier bared his fangs as Torroth broke in.

“You can’t be serious! We hardly know anything of this one. We don’t know anything about the rest of his friends. It seems rather premature to make a decision of that magnitude.” Torroth nearly exploded at Onwier’s proposal.

“Come forth all who wish to accompany this Spirion!” Several apprehensive men in tatters appeared out of the stands of trees at the base of the cliff. “One Cero, ask them if they speak yarin as to their purposes.” Cero wasn’t entirely sure what to think of the golden dragon’s demand, but he decided to comply anyway. There were only three other men and one woman in the group that assembled before the dragon. All were pale and emaciated. Hope had died down to a dim glimmer in their eyes.

“Do you speak truth when you say that you only desire refuge? That you have no evil intent?” Cero felt a strange pressure in the back of his head as all the individuals stared at him, completely under his influence. When they all nodded in unison, he nearly fell to his knees from the sudden effort it took to remain standing. His head ached slightly as he looked away from the people. Something felt different. Like it was not quite missing, but less than it was.

“What is that supposed to prove?” Torroth was unconvinced.

“There is power in the eyes of one Cero. No one who looks on that power can tell a lie.”