Taming the Elements: Elwin Escari Chronicles: Volume 1 (53 page)

He stopped when his eyes fell on the boulder next to Taego, where Elwin had been sitting a moment before. It was the same boulder Abaddon had used the night before. He shook his head. The Seeker had looked and acted so normal. No. He wouldn’t think about him. He wouldn’t think about the lies Abaddon had told him.

“What is it?” Feffer asked.

“Nothing. I just want to go home.”

“We should go,” Daki said. “It doesn’t look like the giants have been here, but they may still realize we climbed up the tunnel and try to track us. They will not come too close to Goldspire. We need to move.”

“You won’t hear me argue,” Fefffer said. “Go go go.”

Daki nodded and began to walk west atop the ridge, and Feffer followed. Elwin let Taego go next. The bear had followed him for long enough.

As he turned to go, Elwin spared a backward glance at the boulder. Abaddon’s words seemed to echo in his thoughts.

“Not yet. But someday you will ask for my gift. I have seen it.”

A cool wind rose, and Elwin shivered. He ran to catch up with the others.

Chapter
2
9

Goldspire

With the sun overhead, Elwin’s shadow ran along the rocks and trees as he flew just above the ridge. Every time he passed a tree or tall rock, the oblong shape of his shadow stretched in disproportions with the flat ridge. He flew high enough to avoid the few trees speckling the mountaintop, but avoided going higher. The height of the mountain peak provided a clear enough view of the countryside, and going much higher made his head feel light.

From his vantage above the mountain, the rocky peak looked like a sinewy line cutting through an ocean of green. Either side of the peak dropped off at odd angles and gave way to lush green valleys far below. The trees swayed in the wind that swept through the mountain.

With so much of it around him, he felt a part of the Air. Though he did not travel at a swift pace, he had flown all morning, and taming for so long had not even begun to fatigue him. The breeze seemed to carry him over the mountain, and he was not the only one riding the wind. On both sides of him, he could make out flocks of birds in the distance.

For the first time in a long time, he felt free. A part of him wished the feeling would never end. But it would. Others had plans for him. Prophecies and fates and the Lifebringer knew what else. Once he reached Goldspire, his freedom would end.

Jasmine would be waiting for him to take him back to Justice to finish his training. Or would she? What had become of the trial? Maybe there had been an order for his execution. Would the warders be waiting to behead him?

Suddenly, he felt heavier. That could be a best-case scenario. Jasmine would not be the only one waiting for him in Goldspire.

Zeth and his other black savants would be there, too. Should they try to find them? Zeth was just a man. He could be killed. The memory of the child giant entered his thoughts. There had been so much blood. It had felt
wrong
. No matter what Daki said, the loss of any life felt like a tragedy to be avoided at all costs. Even Zeth?

Elwin shook his head. Even if Zeth didn’t belong to Abaddon, he was a murderer. Zeth’s death would be a justice to those who died by his hand. To Feffer’s father and Elwin’s. Whatever had happened to Wilton, that too could be laid at the black savant’s feet.

But could Elwin kill him? The dream that was not a dream had taught Elwin he was capable of such a thing. But that had been different. Asa was his little girl. Rather, she had been his little girl in the dream. Strange. The feeling to protect her still had not diminished. Part of him wanted to find her and keep her safe, no matter the cost. Not just her.

Zarah needed him. So did Feffer and Daki. His mother would need him before this war was through, and by the Lifebringer, he would find a way to save his father. His
real
father. There had to be a way to free Drenen’s soul from the soulkey. Somehow, Elwin would find a way to save him. He would save them all. To the abyss with prophecies and fates. He would save his family. If it killed him, he would find a way to protect them all.

In the distance, he saw smoke streaming into the sky, and he stopped. Lost in his thoughts, he had missed it.

Buildings like wooden toys of various sizes nestled against the base of the mountain. Smoke rose from hundreds of red chimneys. Though more spread out than Justice, the city was a fraction the size, and Elwin could just make out small specks moving between the structures.

“Goldspire,” he said. “We actually made it.”

Studying the rocks below, he mapped out the best course to the valley below. Then, he turned back toward the east and put a hand over his eyes as a shield from the sun. Far to the north, he could see white peaks and ridges even higher than this one. Squinting, he surveyed the sinewy ridge for his companions.

Elwin had flown at his slowest pace, but the others had lagged far behind. He saw Taego first, lumbering over a tall rock. In front of the bear, he could see the other two. Taming more Air, he flew toward them.

Sweat streaked through the dirt on Feffer’s face, and his eyes looked as if they had been blackened. Daki also had the sunken eyes of little sleep. Sweat soaked his brow and streamed down his face. Elwin found himself wondering if he looked as rough. They had gotten little sleep the night before, not stopping to make camp until well into dark. And Feffer had been healed in a way. He should have been in a bed, not on a mountain. They could have spared some time to rest.

There had been no sign of pursuit, and Elwin had scouted out for the giants in the shadow realm to be sure. He had not found them, but Daki had insisted that the group should rise before first light to put as much distance between them and the Mystic Valley as possible.

“How much farther?” Feffer called.

Elwin lowered to their level, so he wouldn’t have to shout. “Not far. Maybe fifty paces. This way.”

Elwin led them to the place he had scouted.

Daki smiled. “The giants helped us to find a shorter path than the one we knew. My way would have taken us another day.”

“How will we get down?” Feffer leaned over the edge to look down.

“You will need your rope,” Elwin said.

Feffer pulled the rope from the tattered pack and looked at it doubtfully. “This won’t be long enough.”

“Tie it here,” Daki said. “Elwin can untie it when we reach that cliff and then we can tie it again and lower to the next.”

Feffer began to tie the rope to the peak of a boulder with Daki’s help. Just to be sure, Elwin held the rope in place as Daki and Feffer climbed down. Taego dangled his hind legs behind him and used his sharp claws to descend. When his companions reached the ledge below, Elwin untied the rope and joined them.

“I never thought we would make it,” Feffer said, staring at the city. He turned to Daki and placed a hand on his shoulder. “It is thanks to you. Without you, we could have never survived that valley. I owe you a debt.”

To Elwin’s surprise, Daki’s cheeks reddened. “It is I who owe you. My path is yours.”

“I mean it,” Feffer said. “I will find a way to make this up to you. And Taego. I promise.”

Elwin wanted to give Daki the same promise but decided against it. At Feffer’s words, Daki’s face became a deeper crimson, and he looked away.

“Feffer,” Elwin said. “Help me tie this rope.”

They tied the rope and lowered to the next cliff, then the next. Seven more times took them to haphazard stacks of boulders that sloped into the valley that housed Goldspire. Far to the east, Elwin could see people with picks going in and out of entrances to the mountain that were supported by wooden columns in the mountain’s base.

The trees became thicker as they moved down the slope. And, as the land flattened out, Elwin eased down next to his companions. He could see the first building through the trees.

“I have never actually been into the walls of men,” Daki said in an anxious voice. “I have always looked at the city from afar.”

“Don’t worry, my friend,” Feffer said. “It is not all murder and mayhem. Can you smell the crowncakes and mutton?”

Elwin took a deep breath. It smelled like spiced fruit. “I can.”

“What was the name of the place Jasmine told you to find?” Feffer asked.

“The Hammer Forged Inn.”

“I need an ale,” Feffer said. “I’m going to have a pint. Maybe I can trade this well-used rope and lantern for some coin.”

“I have never had an ale from your lands.”

“You haven’t?” The incredulity was thick in Feffer’s voice. “It is the most amazing drink ever. At first it is bitter, but after the third or fourth drink, you don’t care. It makes you feel really good. I could feel really good right about now. A bed will be nice, too.”

“Yeah,” Elwin said, “a bed would be nice. I could use an ale, as well.”

“I must try your ale,” Daki said. “Do you think Taego can come?”

Feffer’s smile showed all his teeth. He always gave that smile when considering a mischievous act. “I am willing to wager that no one will try to stop us.”

“I am sure it will be fine,” Elwin said. “The buildings are spread out. Besides, Zeth may be in here, and we might need him.”

“The black savant is here?” Daki asked.

“Could be,” Feffer said. “Hopefully, Jasmine is here too with Lord Zaak and a legion of the White Hand. Come on. That ale is waiting.”

Feffer took the lead, but Daki followed close behind. Both of them had hands on the hilts of their blades and tried to look everywhere at once.

The trees thinned into a clearing that stretched to the city. Elwin could hear the familiar sound of a hammer smashing down on an anvil. A feeling like butterflies began to move through his stomach and spread through his chest as images of Faron working his forge came to his mind. He followed the sound to the first building on the edge of town. A large man with brown hair slammed a hammer down on a piece of metal. Sparks flew from the red-hot metal with each strike.

It wasn’t Faron. But Faron was alive. He had made it out with Poppe and his mother. Elwin would see them again.

Feffer walked toward the smithy with a bounce in his step.

The smith looked up, and his eyes widened. “The Lifebringer save me! It’s a bear!”

He had the hammer raised as if to defend himself and backed away from them. He bumped into the door behind him and tried to work the handle without taking his eyes off Taego.

“He is a friend,” Elwin said in a calm voice. “He won’t harm you.” He held out his arms to make a calming gesture and saw his sleeves. Then he saw the dirt and dried blood smeared into the silks. He hadn’t noticed it before. It must have come from Feffer.

He glanced over at his friends. Feffer’s jerkin had spots of blood as well, and he gripped his sword as if he was ready to use it. Daki appeared to have no red stains on him, but his hands rested comfortably on the hilts of his blades.

The hammer shook in the smith’s hands. “Wha... What do you want from me?”

Feffer’s voice held no compassion. “Tell us how to get to the Hammer Forged Inn. Is that a pie I smell?”

Elwin sighed.

It was just past noon when Zarah saw Goldspire in the distance. The red-tiled roofs matched the redwood boards that constructed the buildings. Only a few of the buildings stood taller than the others. One was the Miner’s Guild and two others were inns. The mining community had a few small shops but not much else here. Most of the gold and metals the miners pulled from the earth went to the king, but the supply gave the small city a bit of wealth as well.

Her mother flew next to her. Below her were the three remaining wagons traveling along the cobblestone road. She wished she could
will
the wagons to move faster.

Over the last tenday of travel they had seen no more signs of skeletal warriors, but she had not stopped worrying over Elwin. When she had
finally
been allowed to talk to Kyler, the man had not been able to tell her any more. He had dreams he couldn’t quite remember.

If Elwin had gotten himself killed, she would kill him. What if he had become Death bound? It was not possible. He had to have won.

Again she glanced at the wagons below. It appeared as if they had not moved an inch, but they had. She knew they moved several paces, in fact. It was the height that made them look as if they were parked on the road.

She tried to battle down the frustration. Impatience was beneath her station.

But now she could see the city. He could be here. But instead of flying ahead, she watched the slow wagons inch their way up the road.

“We should join the others,” her mother said above the rush of wind in her ear.

Zarah stopped the flow of Air and fell toward the ground. The rush of the wind surrounded her as she plummeted toward the earth. She angled her body to move to her father’s horse at the front of the caravan. Hulen sat atop his horse next to her father, and there was no sign of Tharu.

A few paces from the ground, she tamed enough power to slow to a stop. Similarly, her mother landed next to her. Father’s horse came to a halt in front of them. The procession stopped as well. Zarah suppressed a sigh.

“We arrive within the hour,” Mother said. “I do not know if Elwin has arrived before us. But, more importantly, we do not know how far Zeth is behind him. The black savant could already be here. He could have already taken Elwin. We must be prepared for anything.”