A low growl penetrated the mist.
"Stalkers!" said Gerrand.
The sound came from all around them. There was no source to the sound. It seemed to swirl with the mist, coming closer, then fading. The men stood back to back.
Gerrand tried to shield them but he was too weak to call upon his sorcery. The unhealed arrow wound from Eva's cursed quarrel seemed to absorb what sorcery he put forth. Kisle Ber rushed to meet the Stalkers with his sword high. The Stalkers dodged with amazing speed and one struck him from the side sending him sprawling. Skellen struck one but the tough hide did not allow the blade to penetrate. Kisle Ber jumped to his feet and joined Skellen in attack. The second Stalker moved in on Gerrand who was shielded by Deah Vole.
The Stalker raised its arm to strike Deah Vole then paused. Its feline eyes stared at him for several moments. Deah Vole could see traces of human features in the savage face, but only because he knew of its origin. His initial fear turned to pity despite the fact he knew he might die. It lowered its arm and starting mewing.
"What's happening?" asked Deah Vole.
"It remembers you," whispered Gerrand.
"Remembers me? How?"
"When you touched that dead Stalker, remember what you saw?"
"That was a dream."
"No, it was real. I saw you outside the camp when I was a young man. I spoke to you. The Stalkers remember your smell. I have none because of my sorcery. I freed several that day before they were changed. But your smell was in the wood. It remembers you as the one who helped them."
"How old are they?"
"Hundreds of years old. Macelan wove spells to make it so."
The Stalker mewed again and the other one came to it. They both looked at Deah Vole and then turned away and vanished into the mist.
"I don't believe it," said Skellen. "I knew you were fearsome Deah, but that was amazing."
"I stand in awe, also," said Kisle Ber.
Gerrand got to his feet with Kisle Ber's help and closed his eyes in concentration. The others watched him glow with power and he opened his eyes smiling. He laughed to himself.
"Well, things are not so bad. I'm an old fool. Faeya is a hundred yards ahead of us with Macelan and Princess Alicae."
"Is she a prisoner?"
"No, no. We must join them."
They found them as Gerrand had said with Macelan and Princess Alicae standing with their backs against an outcrop of rock. Faeya Ryr stood before them, waiting for Gerrand.
"What have you done?" whispered Gerrand. Macelan appeared frozen in place. His skin began to turn blue and he crumbled into ash. Gerrand nudged the ash with his foot.
"Only what you hoped Alicae could do."
"Macelan?" Gerrand's expression was unreadable as he conjured flowers and placed them gently on Macelan's remains. Then he turned to Faeya Ryr.
"But that's a spell of a sorceress! Where did you get such power?"
"Gerrand, you are a dear. I've always been a sorceress."
"What? I don't understand?"
"Of course you don't, that's why you're so dear. I am a sorceress because my mother was a sorceress, and my father was a sorcerer. Melith was my mother."
"Melith! But she banished Macelan the first time!"
"Yes, she did."
Gerrand absorbed this information, then his eyes widened.
"Then Macelan's your father?"
"Yes. Melith did not see his true nature soon enough. Once she did, she wanted nothing to do with him. But I was already on the way."
"Where have you been all this time?"
"With my mother, in the Toraba Forest. I decided to come south a few years ago and took up residence on Cothos. I wanted to see the rest of the world and mother spoke so highly of you, Gerrand."
"Is she still alive?"
"I like to believe so. She left Anavar years ago for a new start on Ryammar."
"Why did she hide up north?"
"She was sick at heart, and then after I was born, she was fearful for me. I think she wasn't sure how much of Macelan was in me. She had her arts and we watched you through the years. She had seen Macelan take you as his apprentice and marked your progress."
"You look so young and yet I'm not much older."
"Watch your tongue, Gerrand! A woman does not like to hear such things. I am young, however. Mother wrapped spells to make me age slowly."
"Okay. I will use better discretion when speaking. Why did you not say anything before?"
"Would you have believed my words? I would have had to display my sorcery to convince you and then Macelan would be warned."
"Are you really related to the Empress?"
"I'm not her niece but we are distant cousins."
Gerrand shook his head. He planned for centuries for this moment and he wasn't even needed. He sat down in the dirt.
"Is Princess Alicae all right?" asked Kisle Ber.
"Of course," replied Faeya Ryr. "You can go to her."
Kisle Ber ran up to Alicae who threw her arms around him and kissed him.
"At least that worked out," said Gerrand. "Nothing else did."
"Everything did!" cried Faeya Ryr. "If not for your planning I never would have gotten this close to Macelan."
"A diversion, then. An 800 year old diversion."
"Methinks your pride is ruling your head," said Faeya Ryr. "Don't you agree?" She looked to Deah Vole and Skellen who quickly moved away from the conversation. She put her hand on his arrow wound. Macelan's passing had healed the wound. Not even a scar remained.
"Smarter than they look," murmured Gerrand.
"And what about you, old man. How smart are you?"
"Smart enough to know you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in all my life." He stood up and put his arms around Faeya Ryr.
"Oh, you are as clever as the legends say. Let's see if we can make some new legends." She kissed him.
"All this kissing makes a man thirsty," said Skellen. "Especially if he isn't doing any of the kissing."
"I hear that," said Deah Vole. "I think there's an inn about six miles north. The innkeeper used to pull a fine pint of ale."
"Finer words never spoken," said Skellen. "Let us leave these people to their own devices." They linked arms and walked north as the mist rose above the treetops.
Kisle Ber led them to the private chambers of Queen Beatrice. The guards nodded as they passed. Princess Alicae held him tight as if she feared he would vanish. Just a look in his eyes showed that he would never leave her. Alec and Artus Endria, Zae Pol, and Lars Vokas were instructed to take their seats.
"I did not expect to see my daughter again," said Queen Beatrice. "I thank you for returning her to me."
"Our assistance was minimal," said Zae Pol. "Gerrand and Faeya Ryr did the lion's share."
"Nevertheless, I am grateful. I judge by your son's expression that he knows the truth, Alec?"
"Yes, he does."
"What plans do you have Alec?" asked the Queen.
"I plan to rebuild the castle at Lathor and reorganize the council of Mages. There are a couple more Mages to invite to the Council. Alicae for one and Deah Vole for another."
"I see. That activity might keep you from attending me."
"Artus can see to much of the work," smiled Alec Endria. "He is quite capable. I should have ample time at my disposal."
"How nice," said Queen Beatrice. "Are we safe from Macelan?"
"Yes," said Alec Endria. "Faeya Ryr sealed the ash from the body Macelan possessed in the same cave where his body lies still frozen by her mother's spells and Gerrand enhanced the spells warding the cave. It would take a great sorcerer to free him."
"Kisle Ber, I hope you are free to remain with us?" asked the Queen.
"Yes, your Highness." Alicae hugged him.
"As I see no way to forbid it," the Queen muttered. "So tell me where is Gerrand? I have much to say to that old man." "He and Faeya Ryr have gone back to Cothos. They have some things to work through but I think we will be seeing them soon."
"Will there be a big wedding?"
"If Faeya Ryr has her way," said Zae Pol. "And she will. She related to the High Priestess so I believe it will be quite the event. Poor Gerrand won't know what hit him."
"I am disappointed to hear that Gharom escaped. He is craftly and will not fear the Mage Council. Sending troops after him would be a waste of effort. However, he will attack us again I fear."
"At least he won't have the entire Curesian army at his command," said Alec Endria. "Lemmin Menn is in power until the nobles of Curesia decide on a ruler."
"Lemmin Menn is who they should choose," said Kisle Ber. "I would welcome him as ruler of Curesia. He earned his rank. Few of the nobles can say the same."
"Yes, and I suppose I should make you a Duke or something," said the Queen. "If you are to be my daughter's husband." She looked at Alec. "I knew you would complicate my life, Alec. I should have listened to that little voice in my head."
"I am glad you did not," said Alec Endria. "Who could stand a boring life?"