Well, tomorrow morning I finally get to leave hotel-land and go home. Then I'll finally get to comment on some of the great stories I've read here. Unfortunately, my line here is so slow my surfing has been restricted. Hey, more time for writing.
Here is another (and probably the last) tale of Clan Delryn. This takes place during the summer, after Rites of Spring but before Footsteps. This is one of those stories that starts out a small vignette and sort of takes on a life of its own. I hope you like it.
Kelaran climbed the great old tree, pulling himself higher and higher until he could see the tops of the other trees. He stretched out on his stomach on a limb, and watched a hawk swooping and diving through the air. He sighed with boredom.
This summer had been different from any other year, and he didn't like it at all. Moira was more and more moody, and Gorion had stolen his favorite friend. In years past, he and Magdala Corthala had played in the woods together, exploring nature and tormenting their siblings with practical jokes. He fondly thought of the sticker weeds in Moira's bed and the bitter nettles in Gorion's water flask.
But that had all changed this year. Magdala looked all grown up now, and didn't have time for pranks with him anymore. She was too busy mooning around with Gorion. There was nobody else for him to play with. The only fun person was Mother, but she was spending so much time with Moira she didn't have as much time for him.
“Feeling sorry for yourself?”
Kelaran gave a start. He turned and looked behind him. Magdala's father was sitting on a tree limb with his back against the trunk, his legs outstretched on the limb. He looked as comfortable as he would lounging at home. He blended in with the tree so well that Kelaran wondered if he'd been there the whole time.
Kelaran took a moment to study the man who had been a family friend for as long as he could remember. His hair was silvering, and the boy noticed for the first time the lines that were beginning to crease the ranger's face. He had never really talked to Valygar alone before, the older man had always just been Magdala's father or his parent's friend.
“Magdala won't play with me anymore.” As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized how childish that sounded. It sounded like something Imorina, his little sister, would say.
But Valygar didn't laugh, he only nodded thoughtfully. “She spends all of her time with Gorion now. Strange, I always thought the two of you… never mind. So what brings you to my favorite tree?”
“I'm just bored. There's no one else my age around here that wants to be in the forest. All the girls fuss over getting things in their hair, and most of the boys are either helping on their farms or want to pretend they are great warriors. Magdala liked the woods,” he said morosely.
“I thought Silrana was taking you with her on patrols?”
“She was, but now she's getting Moira ready to be a squire. Moira's all worked up about it, and Mother's constantly having to calm her down over something. So now she does her patrols as quickly as she can.”
“So you don't have anyone to teach you the ways of the forest this summer? Perhaps… you'd like to learn from me? Assuming your parents wouldn't mind.”
“From you? That'd be great! But… what about Magdala?”
“Oh, she'll be along most of the time. She can't spend all her time with your brother. Speaking of which, I'd like to ask you a question. How does your brother feel about Magdala?”
Kelaran snickered, “Oh, he writes music about her and makes up poems. He writes sappy stuff about her eyes.”
“I see.”
“Mother has been talking to Father about sending Gorion to Candlekeep. Then Magdala could go into the woods with me again.”
“Why do they want to send him away? Don't they approve of my daughter?” Valygar's face turned stern.
“Naw, they think she's nice, but they said she's too young for him to be hanging around.”
Kelaran heard a low rumble that he assumed was Valygar's laughter. “And what does Gorion say to this?”
“He always loves going to Candlekeep, but this time when they suggested it he got really mad and said he didn't want to go.”
“Hmmm, I think I'm going to speak to your parents about several things. Come lad, let's go to your home.”
Kelaran scrambled down the tree, noticing with envy the smooth way that the older ranger descended. After they reached the ground, they headed off for the Delryn cabin. As they walked, Valygar questioned the boy about various plants they passed, and told him many interesting things he didn't know.
When they reached his home, Kelaran ran in the front door. “Mother? Father? Lord Corthala's here.”
Silrana came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a cloth. “Valygar, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?”
“Just a few things we need to discuss. Is Anomen about the place?”
“Not at the moment.”
“Then just the two of us will do.” He cast a rather pointed look in Kelaran's direction.
“Son, why don't you leave us alone for the moment? There are some cookies in the kitchen. Don't eat too many!” she called out as he dashed for the kitchen door. She turned back to Valygar. “This wouldn't be about Magdala, would it?”
“Mostly, yes. Kelaran tells me you are considering sending Gorion away to Candlekeep.”
Silrana motioned for him to sit, and settled into her own chair. “Your daughter is a lovely girl, my friend, but she is very young still. For that matter, Gorion is only fifteen, and is far too young for a serious attachment himself. Anomen and I thought it might be best to divide them so that things could settle down.”
“I am not sure I agree. If they truly have developed a bond between them, separating them might only increase their desire to be together. Young people sometimes do foolish things when they are thwarted, and this could push them together. Left to run its course, it may prove to be an infatuation that burns itself out.”
“You make an excellent point, but I am not comfortable with them spending so much time alone. I don't want anything to happen that neither of them are ready for.”
“My wife has already spoken to her about such matters, and Rani doesn't think anything is… going on between them. However, I have an alternate solution. Kelaran has been left without a teacher since you are training Moira, and Magdala has been neglecting her studies. Why don't I take over their training for the summer, and invite Gorion to join us?”
“Are you sure you want three youngsters following you? And Gorion isn't really trained in the ways of the forest, he's never been interested.”
Valygar chuckled. “He'll learn quickly. Do you think he will want to appear inadequate in front of Magdala? Besides, this way they will be too tired and busy to get into any mischief.”
Silrana laughed. “You do have a point. If you are willing, my friend, than I have no objections, and I doubt Anomen will either. Perhaps it will help Gorion settle on something, he has seemed so aimless and vague about what he wants to do with his life.”
Valygar opened his mouth then closed it again. He had heard Gorion practicing his harp in the woods and singing, but if the lad hadn't told his parents then he wouldn't betray the boy's secret.
Kelaran had to admire his older brother. Gorion was obviously sore, tired, and scratched on every visible inch of skin, but he refused to complain, trudging along behind the others, determined not to let Magdala see how miserable he was. Valygar was leading them on an all-day trek farther away from home than they normally went, and Kelaran was fascinated by all the new territory he was learning.
Valygar held up his hand, and the three young people stopped. Kelaran craned his neck to see what Valygar had seen, but there was nothing.
The ranger turned. “All of you, down and stay down,” he hissed. They fell flat on the ground as they had been taught to, and watched as Valygar strode away.
They heard his voice from not far away. “Hold, creatures. What business do you have in these woods?”
A guttural voice replied, “We hungry! We eat! You'll do!”
The three youngsters looked at each other with horror. Slowly Gorion lifted his head and ducked it back down again. “Kobolds! Lots of them.”
“There must be something wrong with them. They're not usually so bold,” Magdala said. Her face was twisted in a mask of fear. “What about Father?”
Gorion gulped. “We…I'm going to help him.”
“He said to stay down. Besides, we don't have any armor.” They all had heavy leather tunics, but none of them had frames strong enough to support real armor.
“That was before he saw how many of them there were, and we do have weapons.” They heard Valygar bellow an oath. “I can't just stay here.”
“Gorion's right, we have to help,” Kelaran chimed in. “Magdala, you and I can use our bows. Your dad won't be mad, then.”
They all looked at each other as if trying to draw courage the others' support. They rose as one, Kelaran and Magdala notching arrows, and Gorion drawing his sword.
Kelaran's stomach twisted when he surveyed the scene before him. There had to be two dozen kobolds swarming around Valygar, with an unknown number already dead at his feet. He saw Gorion running to slash at the beasts attacking the ranger from behind, and carefully aimed his bow at one that was to the side.
He heard Magdala's bow twang at the same moment that his own did. He saw an arrow appear in the throat of the kobold he had aimed at, and watched it fall. He felt a rush of exuberance, followed by a cold feeling in the pit of his stomach. He had hunted many times, but he had never killed anything that could talk back to him.
They attacked us, that's all I need to remember. We are defending ourselves, he chanted in his mind. Ignore the blood, ignore the screams, just do what has to be done.
His bow sang time and time again, with a fair number of hits. His arms grew tired…where were they coming from? There were so many, and it seemed for every one they killed another sprang from nowhere.
He tried not to be distracted, but he couldn't help but admire Valygar's fighting style. His two blades were mowing through the kobolds like grass, and Gorion seemed to be doing fairly well himself. While he was drawing back for another shot, he wondered if that was what Father looked like in combat, because Gorion had an intense look that almost made him his sire's twin.
Without warning, a group of kobolds broke off from the main group and charged towards him. He fell back, still firing arrows as he went. Magdala did the same, and he heard her yell, “There's a big tree… we can get the high ground!”
Kelaran knew she had the right idea, but there was no way they could scramble up the tree before the kobolds caught them. When they reached the tree, he drew his sword as Magdala climbed the tree. She was barely off the ground when the first of the beasts drew near.
Kelaran felt his blood run cold. He had been taught to use a sword from an early age, but this was the first time it was real. This creature was no sparring partner, this was a foe who intended to kill him.
The kobold thrust at him with his sword, and he heard Magdala's scream overhead. “Keep climbing,” he yelled as he parried the creature's blade. The exchange of blows was over quickly, for either through luck or skill he buried his sword into the kobold's chest. Its blood splattered over him, and he could smell the beast's fear as it died.
There was no time to reflect on this first close kill, because three more were closing fast. An arrow sang through the air, and in the brief seconds before the kobolds reached him, he threw his quiver up to Magdala. She would need them more than he would.
He swung his weapon at the nearest kobold, and was relieved to see one of the others fall, an arrow in its head. As he fought one beast, the other caught him a grazing blow on his side. He could feel a breeze through the hole in the tunic, and a wet trickle down his side that he didn't dare think about. The little creature that had struck him shrieked as an arrow pierced its leg.
Ignoring the fire in his side, he snarled in anger and swung hard at the kobold that was in front of him. To his amazement the creature's head flew off. He chased the one limping away and gave it similar treatment. He looked up at Magdala, who had seen everything through wide eyes. Her eyes took on a calmer look as she turned her gaze towards her father.
Kelaran turned to see that Valygar was taking care of the last two kobolds. He helped Magdala down from the tree, and walked towards the ranger. He saw many dead kobolds, but where was Gorion?
His heart fell into his stomach when he saw his brother sprawled face down on the ground. Like a sleepwalker, he started towards his fallen sibling. He heard Magdala gasp, and out of the corner of his eye he say Valygar restrain his daughter from moving forward.
Kelaran fell to his knees beside his brother. With a trembling hand he turned him over. Gorion had a long slash down his face that crossed over his left eye. His face was covered in blood, and a large purple bruise marred the side of his face.
In that moment, Kelaran changed. He knew that he could never play in the woods in the same carefree way ever again. The world of his parents, the world of monsters and danger and combat, all became real. The stories he had heard over the years weren't just stories anymore.
He saw the rise and fall of Gorion's chest, and tears of relief sprang into his eyes. Trying to keep the tremor out of his voice, he gently shook his brother and said, “Gorion?”
Gorion's eyes opened and he groaned. He reached up and brushed the blood out of his eyes. He slowly sat up, tenderly probing the bruise on his face. Gorion looked around with an embarrassed expression. “Don't tell me I was the only one who got hurt? Mother and Father are going to be so mad.”
Valygar kneeled down next to the older boy. “Lad, there is nothing to be ashamed of. You fought very well for one your age, and especially for one who is not in warrior training. If your parents are angry with anyone, it will be with me for leading you into danger.”
Kelaran winced. “And you're not the only one bleeding. Ouch!” he said as he pulled his tunic away so that he could see the shallow cut along his side.
Valygar nodded. “Aye, I have a few bites from their blades myself. There is no disgrace in an bravely gotten injury.”
Gorion felt the slash running down his face and gulped. He covered his right eye and blinked, testing his left. He visibly relaxed when he realized his eye was undamaged.
Valygar smiled. “Well, my boy, if you don't use healing you'll have a very dashing scar. The ladies will find it very mysterious, I'm sure.” Magdala snorted, and Valygar grinned up at his daughter. He continued, “It would be an asset to a bard to have an air of danger. It makes people take your stories seriously, because you have proof that you have experienced them firsthand.”
Gorion nodded absently. “I'll think about it.” Then his head snapped up. “A bard?”
“Sound carries. Your harp playing is coming along nicely. Are you going to learn any other instruments?”
“I…I haven't decided yet. You're not going to tell Father, are you?”
“Not if you don't want me to, lad. Though I don't think he would mind as badly as you think he will.”
“But Mother and Father… they'll be disappointed if I'm not a warrior like them.”
“Like them? Your father is a priest, and knows there is more to life than combat. Your mother thinks of herself as a defender, not a warrior bent on glory. If you want to bring beauty into the world, I seriously doubt they'd object.”
Kelaran laughed. “I'll make a deal with you, Gorion. I haven't worked up the nerve to tell father I want to be a druid. Let's agree that when we're ready we'll tell him together.”
Gorion grinned. “All right, but just not anytime soon.”
Valygar stood and helped Gorion to his feet. He faced the three young people and became serious. “You all did very well today. You didn't panic and you kept your skins mostly intact. That's far better than most your age would do. Let's get these wounds tended to and then we'll head back for home.”
As they started the long march back towards Imnesvale, Kelaran noticed that Magdala had dropped back to walk with Gorion. He heard whispering behind him.
“You aren't really going to keep that for a scar, are you?”
“I don't know. I think I want to see it in a mirror first. What… what do you think?”
“Well, if you want to attract other girls I don't know why you'd care what I think.”
“That's not why! But your dad was right, maybe it will make me look more adult.”
“Or maybe you will look like an idiot that can't duck fast enough.”
“Hey!”
“I'm sorry, I shouldn't say such things. But when I saw you on the ground… I was so scared. I thought you were dead.”
“Aw, it's… Magdala, don't cry. I'm all right, really.”
Kelaran started to turn, but he caught Valygar's eye. The ranger gave a slight shake of his head, and Kelaran took the hint and ignored what was going on behind them.
After hours of walking, they reached the Delryn home after dark. As they filed in, Silrana looked up with a smile that quickly faded. “Gorion!” she shrieked. The tone of her cry made Anomen and Moira come charging into the room. Anomen took one look at his son's face and his jaw clenched.
There was a babble of explanations and questions flying all at once, until Valygar raised his voice. “Everyone is fine!” The noise subsided.
Anomen took a shaky breath and said with reasonable calmness, “What happened?”
Valygar responded, “I am sorry, my friends, I had no intention of endangering your children. We ran into a pack of strangely aggressive kobolds. Silrana, you and I will need to explore this further.”
Silrana nodded, still staring at Gorion's injury. “Indeed. I take it the children wouldn't just quietly wait for you to deal with the situation?”
Kelaran piped up. “There were too many of them, Mother. We couldn't just sit there and let Lord Corthala get hurt.”
Anomen walked up to Kelaran and pulled his tunic out from his body, revealing the hole. “And Gorion's was not the only injury, I see.”
“It was just a scratch.”
Anomen turned to his oldest son. “Well, lad, would you like me to take care of that for you?”
“Where's a mirror?”
“A mirror?” Silrana gasped. “Don't tell me you want a dueling scar?”
Moira grinned as she brought him a mirror, but there was a hint of envy in her eyes. “Here you are. Think it's debonair enough?”
Gorion studied his reflection. Finally he said, “I think I like my old face better.”
Anomen smiled. “I happen to like it myself.” He placed his hands on his son's face and chanted the words to call upon Helm's grace. The wound closed and faded. Anomen then pulled Gorion close to him and gave him a fierce hug. “Try to take better care of yourself in the future, son,” he said as he released him.
Suddenly Kelaran felt all the energy drain from him. He was home, he was safe, and his parents evidently weren't angry with them. He swayed on his feet slightly from his exhaustion.
His fatigue didn't escape his mother's eye. “Off to bed, both of you,” she said briskly. “There will be time enough for you to tell us all about it tomorrow. The boys shuffled out of the room, with Gorion calling out, “Goodnight, Magdala.”
Magdala, however, had sagged down on a couch and fallen asleep herself. Moira grinned. “I don't think she's up for a walk anytime soon. I'll put her in my bed.” She helped the younger girl down the hallway.
The three adults all stood in silence for a moment, then sank into chairs. Anomen said with a sigh, “We knew this day was coming. One cannot have a child who wants to lead our sort of lives and expect them to never be injured, but still….”
“I am truly sorry. I never would have taken them there if I had known there was any danger.”
“I know that, Valygar. You are not to blame. I am just thankful that all our children are safe now. You are welcome to sleep here tonight if you like.”
“No, Rani will worry. I'll collect Magdala in the morning. I think they all deserve a few days of rest after their adventure. They'll need some time to think, as well. First kills can be disturbing.”
“Yes, they can,” Silrana said softly.
As Valygar reached the door, he turned. “Your sons fought very bravely today, and you should be proud of them. If this attraction between Magdala and Gorion proves to be more than just a summer romance, well… I think an alliance between the Corthalas and the Delryns would make a powerful combination.”
Anomen grinned. “It would indeed, my friend. It would indeed.”
