Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,46
see who they were, I could see their ears from a mile away.” He glances at my companions behind me, and although he tries to hide it, I can almost hear the sneer in his voice. “They are elves.”
Sharing a wide-eyed look with Vaeril, I turn to my aunt. She’s the high chief here. Although I want to demand to be taken to the elves, I have to defer to her judgement. There’s a pause as her eyes run over me, weighing the risks, but she doesn’t know the elves like I do. She’ll be remembering the attack and the lives lost, whereas I’m picturing my friends. I know this could be a trick, but that urgency, that need is still pulling at me. Eldrin and Naril move in closer behind me, and I can feel them starting to bristle. I may be confined by the rules of the tribes, but they aren’t. Glancing over my shoulder, I give them a look, asking them with my eyes to wait, and to my surprise, it’s Eldrin who nods.
Turning back to Revna, I see she’s watching me with a severe frown, but she nods her head sharply. I grab her hand and squeeze it once in gratitude, our eyes meeting, and her expression softens slightly.
“Take me to the elves,” I say to the watchman who whirls around to face me with a frown, glancing at his chief as if he can’t quite believe I’m giving him orders.
Any softness that was on her expression has completely disappeared as she stares at the watchman, a slight frown marring her brow. “Do as she says.” Her tone makes it obvious she won’t be telling him twice.
Understanding he’s close to overstepping his place, he quickly crosses his fist over his chest in a show of respect. “Yes, Chief!” Gesturing for me to follow him, he turns without another word and makes his way through the tents. We follow, Revna accompanying us, until we reach one of the edges of camp.
I can’t see much, as a wall of tribespeople block my view, all of whom have their weapons drawn. Although the atmosphere is tense, it feels more uncertain than hostile. Maybe these elves really have come in peace, my mind whispers, hoping and praying that my instincts are right. I’m not sure I could cope with another attack so soon after the last one, although with the queen, I shouldn’t rule anything out.
When we reach the blockade of warriors, I pause and take a deep breath. Feeling my hesitation, Tor and Vaeril step up, each placing a hand on my back, their bonds helping to ground me. With them at my side, I know I can do this. The only person who’s missing is my mage, my chest throbbing at the loss. Pushing that aside, I roll my shoulders back and hold my head high, knowing Eldrin and Naril are just behind me should I need them.
“Let me through.” I don’t raise my voice, but it seems to have an instant effect. The warriors pull back, allowing myself and my friends through, with Revna and some of the gathered chiefs following.
My composure breaks as soon as I see the elves standing in a huddle. There are about ten of them, and unlike the elves at my side, they are all shapes and sizes, their skin different hues of greens and browns, identifying them for what they are—wood elves. They look so out of place in the open rocky clearing. Being so far away from the forest they love and made their home in is obviously having an effect on them, making them feel exposed, which is evident in the way they cluster together.
Seeing the two elves at the front of the group, I can’t hold back my smile as I hurry over to them, not caring that we’re being watched.
“Speaker Hawthorn! Speaker Fawne!”
Hawthorn smiles warmly at me, his dark, bark-like skin wrinkling slightly as he moves. The speaker took me under his wing during my visit with the wood elves and showed me much kindness. My attention is pulled to the other speaker at his side as she dips into a deep curtsy. Fawne is beautiful, with her pale skin, but what makes her stand out are the stunning, delicate antlers that protrude from her hair. Speaker Fawne believes I am a goddess reincarnate, so she treats me with reverence whenever we’re together.
Vaeril, Eldrin, and Naril are standing with me now and dip their heads in greeting,