The Shards Read Free Page B

between the evil that thrives among us and that which is totally apart from this world. This understanding will help him to combat it without wasting any of his own vital energy.”
    “Cairn is the right man,” Elsinestra replied. “I knew it when I first met him. Though we had little time or opportunity to converse, I have complete confidence in his ability to instruct the boy.”
    “Davmiran must also have weapons of another sort if he is to prevail,” Teetoo said. “And he must know how to use them.”
    “Robyn dar Tamarand will teach him what he must. That Chosen is stronger than even we imagined,” Elsinestra replied.
    Alemar lifted her head abruptly at the mention of Robyn’s name, and both Elsinestra and Teetoo noticed the immediate change in her demeanor.
    “They are a good team, the three of them. The warrior woman from Avalain provides the final link in the chain. Filaree is quick and certain in her movements and decisions. They seem quite attuned to one another. I have great faith in their abilities,” Elsinestra continued. “Davmiran responds to them well. They seemed to have formed a strong bond in so short a time. Circumstances forced them to trust one another completely at the onset. They had little time to doubt.”
    “I have heard much about the bravery of Filaree of Avalain. Is she all that they say she is?” Alemar questioned.
    “All and more, my dear, as are the others. I was impressed with her immediately,” Elsinestra replied. “Perhaps you two will get the chance to meet them all one day. You are much alike.”
    “Robyn dar Tamarand and I are already acquainted with one another. He has visited Eleutheria a number of times. It seems that I was the only one who was willing to associate with him,” she recalled. “My brother was mistrustful for so long of anyone and anything from the outside world. He had my father’s ear then, and Robyn was never completely welcome in our land.” Alemar’s eyes were suddenly soft with sorrow. “Had Kalon been able to overcome his suspicions, they probably would have gotten along quite nicely. Despite his obstinacy, his heart was pure. My brother died well, did he not?”
    “Quite nobly, I am told. My brother-in-law still speaks of his prowess, and he has never been an elf whose admiration was easily attained. Your brother rests eternally now with my nephew Adain, and all the others whose lives were cut short by our opponent. His name has been recorded in the books of legends, among the other heroes of our race.”
    Changing the subject so as not to become too morose, Alemar turned to Teetoo once again.
    “Is the Lady Filaree as comely as the rumors suggest?” she asked.
    “Her beauty matches her prowess, if that gives you an idea,” Teetoo said. “They are all four a comely group, well suited for the tales that will inevitably rise around them. The Chosen and the Lady make a handsome couple. It is fitting that our heroes bear the qualities that people will respond to.”
    “A couple, you say?” Alemar asked tentatively. “I did not know.”
    The Princess was looking down at the ground distractedly, while considering the Weloh’s words. A sharp pang of jealously pierced her heart momentarily, and the unbidden emotion made her exceedingly uncomfortable.
    “‘Our’ heroes?” Elsinestra questioned Teetoo with a slight smile upon her finely drawn lips. “You just referred to them as ‘our’ heroes.”
    “Should I have said ‘your heroes’ instead?” he asked, embarrassed. “I have come to feel very much a part of this world.”
    “It is an honor for us all to be accepted by you, Teetoo. We have always felt the bond between us, you and I,” she said, and she reached over and grasped his hand. Shyly, he lifted his face to hers, and with wide open eyes he stared deeply at the Queen. “Have you finally come to realize that your life and your fate cannot be separated from ours any longer?”
    “I have known that all along,” he