Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,50
I had only visited the forest once, I had truly felt like I could build a home there, and the thought of it being destroyed fractures a little piece of me.
Speaker Hawthorn also spoke of how he had been poisoned with magic. The wood elves evacuated their homes and made camp on the edge of the forest at the base of the mountains, as far away from Galandell as possible without leaving the safety of the trees. A small group of them had chosen to travel to find me. The journey was tough, and being away from the magic of the forest had been hard on them, especially the speakers, who haven’t left the woodland in centuries. He explained that one day, a shadowy apparition in the shape of the queen appeared. It called him before throwing itself at him, clinging to his legs. It instantly disappeared, and at first, he didn’t notice anything, but over time, he discerned a dark spot on his bark-like skin which spread, causing agonising pain and draining his strength. They only just made it to the meeting place in time.
The fact that the queen is somehow able to send magic like that is worrying, and from the looks on the faces of my high elf companions, this was new and concerning news to them too. I wish Grayson was here so I could ask him about this. As a mage, he would have a better understanding of magic, even if it was elvish magic. The magicians are the humans’ greatest defence against the elves in the war, so he should know all about their magic, even if it’s just how to defend against it.
After they finished their explanation, they once again offered their services, except this is where the problems started to arise. The wood elves are willing to fight against the queen and her darkness, but they will only follow me.
The wood elves treat me with a reverence the chiefs find difficult to swallow, especially Ragnar. Now that I am one of their own, I am expected to follow their rules, yet the elves believe I am a goddess reincarnate, which is beginning to cause some raised tensions between them. While the tribes treat me with respect, especially Vida and the other guardians of the stones, remembering what happened at the ceremony, they’re not prepared to give me control of their ranks in any upcoming war. A vicious argument broke out between Chief Ragnar and Speaker Fawne. The wood elves refused to follow any instruction that wasn’t given by me, putting the tribes in an awkward position, since they know they will need the numbers. Eventually, it was agreed that I would be given a position on the war council as ‘religious adviser,’ given my connection with the Great Mother.
Now, sitting around the campfire, I ponder the situation. On the other side of the crackling flames sits Tor and the high elves. I can feel their eyes on me, and sure enough, I look over and see Tor and Vaeril watching me, their faces lit from the orange glow of the fire. However, they aren’t the only ones. On the other end of the long bench they’re sitting on is Eldrin. Leaning forward, he props his elbows on his knees, his chin resting on his fists as he stares at me. I’m not sure if it’s the light from the flames, but the shadows seem to dance across his face, making his pensive expression appear all the more aggressive and shut off. Except that’s not what I see in his eyes. His eyes are full of emotion, emotion I’m not ready to deal with. Quickly glancing away, I look down at my hands which are tightly clasped in my lap.
Speaker Hawthorn shifts from his position next to me, each movement creaking like the branches in the trees. “Menishea, the great goddess, has put her faith in you.” His words are soft as he places his hand on top of mine, squeezing gently. “She thinks you are good enough, so I do as well.” He says it so simply, as if it really is that easy for him. Looking up, I meet his gaze and let him see what those words mean to me. How hearing that I’m enough, how that little piece of validation will help to heal the fractured pieces of me. I don’t say anything, but I don’t need to, he sees it all in my eyes. He nods slowly with