Into the Dark Lands Read Free Page A

floor below to wash the room.
    She headed down the familiar hallway to the stairs and, clinging to the banister—which was just above her shoulder—she made her way down, bare feet padding against worn wood.
    She peered around the corner very carefully, then stopped, all caution forgotten.
    Her mother’s back was toward the staircase. But beyond her mother stood the most gloriously beautiful man that Erin had ever seen, She knew him at once for the Lady’s kin—Servant to Lernan. He cast a light, obvious to her eyes, that put her achievement to shame, for it was white and pure, whereas hers was mere green. He was white as well, or as close to white as made no difference. Only his eyes, the deepest and clearest of green, had any strong color. These eyes looked beyond her mother to meet hers.
    He looks like the Lady.
    It was the first time that she had ever seen Kandor, Third Servant of Lernan, but it would not be the last.
    Her mother turned.
    Her mother’s face was white, as white as Kandor’s, but without Kandor’s immortal beauty behind it. Erin took a step back.
    â€œErin,” her mother said softly. “Did we wake you?”

    Something was wrong. Erin shook her head mutely, and moved down the stairs.
    â€œSo this is your daughter, Kerlinda.”
    Her mother nodded quietly. “Come, Erin. Have you met Kandor before?”
    â€œNo, we have not met.” Kandor looked at her then, his unblinking eyes taking in every detail of her strained silent face.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Mommy?”
    Her mother smiled and gathered Erin into her arms. Erin had never seen a smile like the one her mother gave her. It was too tight, as if it didn’t fit her face anymore.
    "I--"
    â€œKerlinda. Kera, let me.”
    Wordless, her mother nodded into Erin’s hair.
    â€œErin, do you understand what the Line Elliath—and all the rest of the blooded lines—must fight for?”
    â€œYes.” Why was her mother trembling?
    â€œDo you understand how we must fight, and why we must train so long and so hard?”
    â€œYes.” Why was he asking her these questions? Why was her mother shaking?
    â€œErin, your father, Cordan of Elliath, has been gone for two months, fighting the Enemy and those who serve Him.”
    Erin nodded, frowning. She knew this. Why was he telling her this?
    â€œHe was adult, as you are not. He fought well for our cause and aided it to the best of his ability.”
    â€œMommy?” Her mother hugged her so tightly she could hardly breathe.
    â€œCordan of Elliath has finished his fight with honor.”
    The words were formal; Erin had heard them before many times. Without thinking, she said, “He rests in the peace beyond.” It was what she had been taught.
    â€œYes, child. He rests now. We Servants of Lernan believe that in the beyond there is no war, no pain, no fighting.”
    Why was he saying this? “Mommy?”
    Her mother pulled away, her face still wearing that awful smile. Erin was suddenly afraid to ask her mother any questions; something lay beyond that smile that she didn’t want to know.
    With a child’s directness, she looked up at Kandor again. The Servant had not moved.
    â€œIs my daddy dead?”

    He closed his eyes, shutting off for the moment the glow of emeralds. “Yes, Erin.”
    â€œOh.”
    She was silent as her mother watched her closely.
    â€œDoes that mean he won’t be coming home?”
    Â 
    They wouldn’t let her see her father. Her mother was called by the Lady, as were most of the adult members of the line, but Erin was left behind; the ceremonies of departure were, in this case, not meant for children.
    Everyone had always said that Erin was not an ordinary child. She was cunning, in the naïve way that children are, and direct as well.
    â€œPlease wait here for me, Erin. I’ll return as soon as I can.”
    And she had nodded without speaking, to make