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changed with a suddenness that took him aback. Where before there had been
nightfall, bone-numbing cold, and crunchy snow underfoot, now there was light
as though a hundred lanterns had been lit at once. The warm breeze was
fragrant with the scents of flowers and foliage. The trees towering around
them were fully leafed in green, their canopies whispering and rustling
softly.
The ground itself was carpeted with moss that released a pungent, almost spicy
aroma when stepped on. A path edged with glowstones wended its way toward a
collection of dwellings close by, and Dain could hear the sound of voices and
laughter.
He glanced back across the bridge at the other side, but all lay shrouded in
darkness, and he could see nothing now of the other riders or his horse.
Alexeika was gazing around in wonder. Meeting his eyes, she smiled with the
delight of a child.
He felt himself relaxing in these gentle surroundings. This was all he could
have imagined and more;
once again he thought of his sister, and how wherever she d been present,
plants grew lush and flowers bloomed with an intensely sweet fragrance.
Their guide, however, looked as stern and unfriendly as ever. He gestured
impatiently, and they followed him up the path to the village.
Tidy dwellings enclosed within blooming hedges circled a grassy clearing. In
its center stood a tree growing straight and true. Although it was fully
leafed, it cast no shade. The same gentle clear light seemed to shine
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everywhere. Eldin children were at play, running and chasing a ball made of
leather, but at the sight of Dain and Alexeika they stopped their game and
scattered for home.
That s when Dain noticed an individual sitting on a wooden chair beneath the
tree. The chair had sprouted leaves along its surface, as though the wood it
was carved from remained alive and rooted.
Robed in clothing of soft green, wearing shoes of supple leather, and holding
a leafy staff in his hand, this individual had the distinctive eldin features.
His face was unlined, but as Dain met his rain-colored eyes he knew
instinctively that the eld was very old. His pointed ears were pierced by
multiple gold rings, and in his white, constantly stirring hair he wore a gold
diadem.
A few eldin, both male and female, stood near him. One of them held a small
harp, although Dain had heard no singing. The pleasant expressions on their
faces dropped away and hardened as they caught sight of Dain and Alexeika.
Their hostility was like a blow. Dain frowned, wondering what had happened to
the famed gentleness and hospitality of the eld-folk. What had made them so
tense and wary of strangers?
The guide gestured for Dain to stop, then walked forward alone to kneel before
the old eld.
 Grandfather, he said reverently, and kissed the hem of his garment.
The old eld leaned forward to place his hand benevolently on the younger one s
head. He asked a question in the eldin dialect that Dain did not understand.
Still kneeling, the young eld replied in kind.
Something familiar about the words flickered and shifted in Dain s mind. He
frowned, feeling he should be able to understand if only he concentrated a
little harder.
Alexeika edged closer to him.  Do you know what he is saying? she whispered.
 No.
She frowned.  Did your lady mother teach you nothing when you were a child?
He glared at her.  Did not yours?
Her face puckered angrily as though she d bitten into a sour grape, but before
she could retort, the old eld was beckoning to Dain.
 Come forth, he said in Netheran.
Not sure whether to be elated or nervous, Dain swallowed and walked up to him.
He bowed in the
Mandrian way, then
r dropped to his knees, willing to humble himself if it would help.
 This is King Kaxiniz, the younger eld announced.  Leader of the eight Tribes
... and father of she who was Nereisse.
Dain looked up in startlement, realizing he was staring into the pale gray
eyes of his own grandfather.
At last, against all odds, he had found his true family. Tangled emotions
surged into Dain s throat. For a moment he was too choked up to speak.
Kaxiniz stared at him and through him, offering no greeting. Dain met his
regard steadily for a moment, then shifted his gaze to the younger eld, who
had taken a place beside Kax-iniz s chair as though he had the right to do so.
 You called his majesty  grandfather,  Dain said in puzzlement.  Is he in
truth your relation, or do you call him so as a title of respect?
The young eld s amber eyes flashed proudly.  I am Potanderzin, he stated.
 Grandson and heir to
King Kaxiniz.
Dain smiled in genuine pleasure.  Then we are cousins. I am glad to find
family.
Potanderzin stiffened.  We are not your family, mixed-blood!
Kaxiniz held up his hand, and Potanderzin subsided with a glare.
The king of the eldin turned his pale gaze back on Dain and said,  You have
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invoked the old favors owed to Solder the First. What would you ask of us?
Dain blinked at the direct question. He was still trying to adjust to the fact
that he possessed both a grandfather and a cousin, and possibly numerous other
relatives as well. He wanted to meet them all, to be welcomed. However, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]