Dark of Winter: A Between the Worlds novel Read online

  “It does,” he confirmed.

  “Then let us return to the Outpost and report, and then crossover there and start our hunt anew on the other side.”

  Bleidd frowned, “Why should we not just proceed forward from here? We – you – have nothing significant enough to report to merit going back to the Holding and we will lose precious time going back to the Outpost.”

  “We cannot cross here without a mage to open the way,” Jess said, as if he was being very reasonable, although Bleidd saw nothing at all reasonable in this.

  “Any adept mage can pierce the barrier to cross here, particularly with an already existing gateway in place as a structural base,” Bleidd said, irritated.

  “Mariniessa is a master not an adept,” Jess said, as the proud elven woman flushed. “And in the time it would take us to get an adept from the Outpost we may as well just go there ourselves and cross. We can find our way back here on the other side.”

  “Time is of the essence,” Bleidd said, gritting his teeth against what seemed to him to be foolishness. “I can open the way for you if it comes to that.”

  He ignored the looks of surprise on the faces of the other Elven Guard, refusing to be offended that none of them realized the level of his skill. Jess sighed. “No matter how expedient that would be I cannot allow it. Only mages authorized by the Queen can open paths through the barrier and I do not have the authority to give you permission even under these circumstances.”

  Bleidd was drawing breath to argue, his temper slipping, when Tashlin spoke into the tense silence. “Commander, there is a solution, if you believe we need to cross here immediately. Bleidd was a member of the Elven Guard in another Holding and he is a mage, he says an adept. You may not have the authority to allow him to open the way for us, but you have the authority as a Guard commander to accept him into the Elven Guard in the Queen’s name and to hear his oath. If he becomes a member of Queen Neassiryea’s Guard then he by his place in the Guard here would have the same authority as any other adept mage to open a crossing.”

  Bleidd stiffened, his mind going blank as the other elf’s words sank in. Brynneth and Mariniessa looked from Tashlin to Jessilaen to Bleidd obviously unsure how to react to this idea.

  Jess started to speak, then stopped, switching to mental communication to make their conversation private. “Gadreene, I would not ask you to do anything you are unwilling to do. You have chosen to keep the use-name you took after you were Outcast, and you still work at that human-run livery. Swearing fealty to the Queen and joining the Elven Guard is an extreme decision even to help find Allie, and we will not lose so very much time by going through the Outpost.”

  Bleidd felt his pulse racing, everyone’s eyes still fixed on him. He had been very stubborn in resisting any attempt to reintegrate into Elven society after he had been redeemed from his nearly 60 years of shunning. Part of him still hated the culture and people who had caused him so much misery. Yet another part of him, a part he had refused to even acknowledge existed but was now clamoring loudly at this opportunity, was delighted by the idea of fully reclaiming his lost place. He could easily see himself in uniform again, respected – even feared – with all his old authority and power back again. As if these last decades had truly been erased.

  “There is wisdom to this,” Brynneth said slowly into what the other three perceived as silence. “You have already been trained in the Guard, so there would be no need to worry about that aspect of it. As it is, you would not be able to go any further than this with us because we cannot bring you into the Holding to investigate with us. But if you were a member of the Guard, and if you were assigned to this case with us, it would allow you to continue searching for Allie with us. And we would, as you have pointed out, be saved the time of either requesting an adept mage or going back to pass through the Outpost.”

  Tashlin was nodding. Mariniessa looked unhappy, but she said nothing to contradict the healer’s logic. Jess kept his eyes fixed on his lover, saying nothing more than what he said directly into Bleidd’s mind. Bleidd looked down thinking furiously. I had not even thought…but Brynneth is right even if they allowed me to open the way for them here they would never let me go along with them into the Wildlands looking for Allie. And I cannot easily pass through the Outpost without a great delay getting paperwork cleared. If I try to jump the Border, well I may as well slit my own throat here and save the Border Guard the time. The Law is absolute on that. But if I was a member of the Guard…and yet, I cannot join and then quit again at my own convenience. I would be committed to this. I must not rush into this foolishly.

  The silence stretched into minutes, everyone standing still as Bleidd considered his options. In the woods birds called and further off there was the low sound of the Border Guard talking as they continued to work the scene at the house. The wind picked up lifting some of the loose snow into the air. Finally Bleidd looked up at Jess. “Can you call Zarethyn?”

  Jess tilted his head to the side, curious, “I can.”

  Bleidd felt his resolve hardening. “Do so. I will speak to him before deciding this.”

  Jess called the Guard Captain on his cell phone, his eyes constantly seeking Bleidd’s as he quickly recapped the situation. After a moment of listening he took the phone away from his ear and put it on speaker, holding it out towards the gathered elves. “Everyone can hear you now, go ahead.”

  “Good afternoon, Morighent,” Zarethyn said, the use of his old name throwing Bleidd off considerably. “Jessilaen has informed me of the situation and that you would like to speak to me.”

  “Good afternoon, Captain,” Bleidd said, his mouth dry. “Indeed I requested that he call you, as it seems foolish to me that the Elven Guard waste time by backtracking when a Path can be made here and now as it is needed.”

  “Only a mage in either the Border Guard or the Elven Guard would be authorized to do such a thing. The Border Guard would be unwilling and we do not currently have a capable mage at the scene,” the Captain said, calmly stating the obvious. Bleidd knew that this verbal dance was to be expected but it still grated on his nerves.

  “I am capable of opening a Path,” Bleidd said, his stomach dropping as if he was plunging off a cliff.

  “You are not a member of the Elven Guard,” Zarethyn said. The words hung in the air, the silence thick among the other elves.

  “That could be remedied.”

  “Indeed,” the Captain said. “I will not pretend that I would be anything but pleased to have you as a member of my Guard. Your record with King Vouteriel was excellent for the years you served. I only have a handful of adept mages and you have a unique and perhaps vital grasp of human culture, so having you would be an asset from the beginning. However much as I might desire you for your usefulness to me, I would advise you not to be rash in this decision.”

  “I understand,” Bleidd said trying desperately to read between the lines. “Swearing fealty to the Queen and joining her Guard are not short-term actions to achieve an immediate goal.”

  “You speak as if you have already made your decision, yet you asked to speak to me, when Jessilaen could as easily have heard your oath.”

  “I would not have asked him to call you if I had not made a decision,” Bleidd said. “But I have three conditions which he has no authority to grant. Whether or not you will meet them will decide what happens next.”

  “Name them,” Zarethyn said calmly.

  “Firstly, I will be assigned permanently to Jessilaen’s squad, as long as he serves, I serve, and where he serves, I serve. Secondly, I will be allowed to continue living where I am currently with my spouses unless or until that arrangement is changed by us. Thirdly, I will be paid as an adept mage with 800 years experience in the Guard, reflecting my time in the Elven Guard of King Vouteriel’s realm,” Bleidd said, believing his terms were fair and unwilling to negotiate on them.

  There was a long pause, during which Bleidd’s nerves screamed at him and he fought to avoid Jess�
��s dumbfounded look. Then. “Agreed. Jessilaen, take his oath and give him a badge.”

  Bleidd felt a rush of exultation then something like panic as he realized what he had done.

  *************************************

  Allie was still sitting in front of the fire, almost dozing as she watched the flames, when the front door started to creak open. She and Sal both jumped to their feet, Allie with considerably less grace, as Anna dropped her knitting and went to help open the heavy door. Through the opening came a single heavily clad figure, wrapped in layers of coats and covered in snow. Allie glanced out the nearest window and saw nothing but a flickering wall of white; it had started snowing at some point when she was distracted and was coming down hard now. Her heart sank, realizing that anyone coming to find her would have no choice but to hole up somewhere warm until the weather settled.

  Anna’s voice called her back to the present moment, “Ah there now Mac, let’s get this wet stuff off an get ye warmed up.”

  The figure – a dark haired, bearded man – was quickly sliding out of one heavy coat after another. When he spoke his voice was so deep Allie could almost feel it resonating, “Ah Anna, are ye offering to warm me up yerself? Might be just what I need after that hike.”

  Allie’s Low Elvish was more than good enough for her to get the innuendo, even without watching the stranger grab a handful of Anna’s backside, or feeling his lust curling out across the room. She felt herself blushing. Sal rolled his eyes. “Welcome back Cormac. I trust you delivered my message?”

  The dark man, who was about Allie’s height and thin once all the coats were off, let go of Anna’s ass and turned to the elf, “Don’t ye worry any Salarius. I did just like ye wanted, delivered yer message and waited for a reply. Two days they said.”

  Sal was trying to look arrogant, his head tilted up and his tone officious, but Allie could feel his worry. “Two days? That was all, no other message?”

  “That was all, just two days,” Cormac shrugged. “Don’t worry. Yer paid up here on his account for a week’s worth. Honestly ye worry too much, it’s not good for ye.”

  Sal glowered at that, “Don’t presume to tell me what I do too much of. I don’t need life advice from a mere Púca.”

  Anna sniffed, but Cormac didn’t seem offended. Allie looked closer at the new man; she’d never seen a Púca before, that she knew of. They were shapeshifters who could take the form of several different animals, although his current appearance was his natural one. Mischievous and prone to playing tricks they were also known as hard workers, and could belong to either Court. Huh, and one of their forms is a goat, and the Glaistig are part goat…oh Gods I really wish I hadn’t just thought that Allie felt herself blushing again. My mind is right in the gutter, ugh. I wonder if it’s because I’m picking up on their emotions for each other right now? Or if it’s because I miss Jess and Bleidd and I haven’t fed in several days now? Oh crap…if it is that second one, this might be a problem.

  Her slightly mortified thoughts were interrupted as Anna grabbed Cormac by one arm and dragged him over to the where she was standing. “Come here Mac and meet our other guest. This is Allie, she’s mixed blooded and pregnant isn’t that interesting!”

  The Púca it turned out also had a slightly musky smell to him, although it was less pronounced than Anna’s goatiness. He regarded Allie in wide eyed amazement, his gaze going from her face to her abdomen to her face again. Unlike Anna’s golden eyes his eyes were so dark she thought they might actually be black. Before she could stop herself she reached up and brushed her hair away from her ears, showing the slight points she usually went to great lengths to hide, “Yup, half-elven. Quite the novelty.”

  Anna giggled loudly, but Cormac’s cheeks colored and Allie felt bad for teasing him when she really didn’t know any of them well enough to take liberties. Behind them Sal was standing with his arms crossed looking entirely put out.

  Cormac cleared his throat, his confusion wafting over her, “Hello, er, Allie. Name’s Cormac and this is me mate Anna. I’m sure she already introduced herself but as ye can see she isn’t always mannerly-“

  “Hey!”

  “Don’t take offense at nothing, that is, er, please don’t be offended by our way. We don’t deal with the high Lords very often ye see-“

  “It’s alright Cormac,” Allie cut in gently. “I live among humans when I’m not being rudely kidnapped, so I don’t hold everyone to high elven manners all the time.”

  “Oh forgive me,” Sal said, leaning back against the wall, “I didn’t realize there was a polite way to kidnap a person.”

  “Er,” Cormac said before Allie could think of a response to Sal, “Right. That is interesting. We never been to mortal earth, nor the Borderland neither. Saw a human once though, when I was on the road near Dunruan. And, ah, not that I’m complaining but seeing as ye are kidnapped shouldn’t ye be more restrained or something?”

  “Oh now who’s being rude,” Anna scoffed. “For yer information Salarius got her to make a’ oath not to try to hurt us nor use her magic against us. And he took her boots away so she won’t try to run. So there’s no reason for her not to be comfortable while she’s a guest here.”

  Cormac grunted slightly, eyeing Allie’s sock-clad feet. “Well even with boots a person’d have to be mad to go out wandering the Wilds in that mess.”

  Allie looked out the window again, worried about Jess and Bleidd, and whoever else was out there looking for her. Sal though relaxed, obviously realizing that the weather meant they were safe, at least temporarily, from anyone unexpected bursting in.

  ***********************

  Jess settled down near the fire, watching Tashlin turn the rabbits they had caught earlier on a spit. The smell of roasting meat filled the air of the small cave, and thanks to Bleidd’s magical barrier at the entrance the warmth from the fire also filled the space making the rough enclosure far more pleasant than it might otherwise have been. While he wouldn’t have dared to say as much to Mariniessa, given her personality and inclination to take offense, Bleidd was a more talented mage than she was and much more inclined to use his skill on creature comforts such as this. Jess would also never admit to anyone except perhaps Allie and Bleidd that it had given him great personal pleasure to send Mariniessa back to the Outpost to be reassigned. He had never liked the prickly mage, and although he was still utterly baffled at Bleidd’s decision he was quite pleased to have his spouse working by his side.

  At the thought he looked up, his eyes searching the small space for Bleidd’s tall form. Tashlin was by the fire and Brynneth was stretched out, wrapped in his cloak, by the righthand side wall. After a moment Jess found Bleidd standing near the entrance, almost against the magical barrier, the snow swirling fiercely a few feet from the warm light of the cave. Even after hours spent working side by side with Bleidd wearing the uniform of the Elven Guard it was still jarring to see him standing in the distinctive dark green tunic and black cargo pants, a badge at his waist, his ponytail exchanged for a braid. Jess could not sort out his own feelings about this change; part of him was thrilled beyond measure that Bleidd had been completely redeemed and reintegrated into society, part was deeply concerned about Bleidd’s behavior that morning and this sudden inexplicable choice to completely redirect his life.

  Sensing Jess’s attention Bleidd turned slightly, his expression pensive. When their eyes met though his face softened and without a word Jess crossed the space between them, joining him where he stood and sliding his arm around his waist. He leaned his head against the taller elf’s shoulder, thinking to him, “For whatever its worth Gadreene, I am very much enjoying this magical barrier of yours and the idea of sleeping warm tonight. When the storm hit us I was certain we would all be sleeping cold.”

  “Knowing you appreciate my effort is worth a lot Commander,” Bleidd thought back. “Although rest assured I would not have let you sleep cold in any event.”

  “Indeed,” Jess smiled at the
thought, “that will make Tashlin and Brynneth jealous.”

  He wasn’t an empath like Allie but one side effect of the bond she had created between them all was that when he was physically touching either of his spouses and they were communicating this way he was able to get a sense of their emotions. He felt surprise from Bleidd and then amusement. “Actually I meant that I have a range of spells that I could use here in Fairy, where magic flows so freely, that would allow us to camp in relative comfort even in a blizzard,” Bleidd thought back, reaching out to wrap his arm around Jess’s waist. “But I think I like your idea better. Less effort on my part.”

  Jess grinned at the thought, then his smile fell away as he peered out into the swirling snow. “Do you think she is alright?”

  Bleidd sighed. “I am sure she will contact us again soon, and she can tell us herself whether or not she is well. But from what she said earlier, I believe she is at least safe for now.”

  Jess nodded slightly. “Bleidd, there is something I should tell you.”

  “Yes?”

  Jess hesitated, unsure how to proceed. He looked away, fixing his eyes on the opposite wall. Before he could find a good segue Allie’s voice was in both their minds, “Jess? Bleidd? Are you awake?”

  “Indeed,” Bleidd replied, “We have not even eaten dinner yet, as it happens.”

  “Where are you?” Allie asked, sounding worried.

  “In a cave at the edge of the Wildlands,” Jess said, delighting in the sound of her voice.

  “In a…cave? Really?” she sounded puzzled and Bleidd snorted aloud, then tried to cover it by clearing his throat.

  “Really,” he replied drily. “When the storm hit it was the most serviceable location we could find.”

  “Oh ugh, that must be miserable in this weather.”

  “Is everyone today going to insist on forgetting that I am an adept mage?” Bleidd teased, trying to sound annoyed, but his emotions made it plain he was amused.