22

The Crew Returns

Once again, Ealrin found himself seething as he looked out past the walls of Lone Peak. Blume had left in a hurry and he hadn't been able to find out where she had gone.

All he had found was a stable boy who was swearing at mostly everything and blaming Blume for denying him his ride for the day.

Whatever apology he may have worked out in his mind was long forgotten as he watched the main road for signs of the runaway girl. He imagined her coming back with a sad expression, finally able to see reason and sorry for her outbursts and saying she was willing to stay a little closer to Lone Peak from now on.

Especially since she didn't even take Jargon with her this time. But that was not what Ealrin saw coming over the hills towards Lone Peak.

He saw an army.

Marching up the road that lead all the way to the gates was an army brilliantly arrayed in purple and gold. They carried banners that had stars encircling a crown. At the front of the procession was a massive throne that was held aloft by no less than fifty elves. A lone elf wearing a crown sat upon the beautiful chair, banners flying all around it.

At least this army didn't appear to be marching to war.

Bells tolled behind him and Ealrin knew that those on the watch tower had seen the sight as well. The nobles of the city were bustling up the road, towards the castle of Lone Peak, having been told a huge procession was headed their way.

For a moment, Ealrin forgot his anger and was trying to figure out what he should do. Holve would want to know about this. He turned and intended to run back towards the library to tell him, only to find the older man making quick strides towards the gate, spear at his side.

“Peaceful,” Ealrin said, shouting down to Holve from his view on the gate.

Holve was by his side in just a few moments. He surveyed the lines of elves for himself for what felt like a long time before saying, “So far.”

Ealrin knew Holve to be distrusting of armies, but these elves had neither siege weapons nor battle formations among them. And if they planned to attack the city, it was quite foolish to have their king so exposed at the front of the line.

The procession stopped before they reached the gate and a loud trumpet sounded. Holve and Ealrin watched from on top of the wall as the noble houses of Darrion descended on the gates, each wearing their own colors and having their own livery flying behind them. The three house leaders and their attendants walked out of the gates and stood at attention.

“Where's Max?” Holve asked, peering down at the welcoming party from Darrion.

Ealrin looked as well and, instead of seeing the familiar face of the head elder of House Condor and ruler of Darrion, he saw a woman he didn't know dressed in white and blue: the colors of Condor.

A fine looking elf wearing a decorated helmet and a purple coat stood in front of the throne.

“We are the elves of the Empire of Enoth. We come to your fine country in peace.”

His voice was loud and strong. Ealrin thought this elf could be a great adviser, or a general, or even the King's brother. He held his head high and spoke with authority.

“His Excellency, the Emperor of Enoth, Rophilborn the Eternal, begs an alliance between his nation and the kingdom of Darrion. Let us bring inside your gates the gifts of our lands and the bounties we have there as a sign of our friendship.”

The nobles looked at each other for a moment, before the woman, dressed in white, stepped forward and spoke.

“We accept!”

“They'd be fools not to with an army at their gate,” Holve said under his breath.

Some of the elves, including the emperor, moved into Lone Peak while the rest began to set up a camp just outside the castle walls. As they began stepping off the main road, Ealrin could just barely make out a figure coming through them all on a white horse.

Blume looked uneasy, but unscathed.

“When I get my hands on that girl,” Ealrin said before flying off in the direction of the nearest stair.

He wasn't sure what he was going to do exactly, but he knew it would be memorable.

It was quite a while before Holve could stop the shouting match that took place between Blume and Ealrin. At some point in the argument, Ealrin distinctly remembered Blume saying she wants nothing more to do with him, Lone Peak, or any one else in the world and Holve letting him know that being confined to their temporary home forever was not a viable option.

Blume had just about wore out every terrible word for Ealrin he was sure she had been holding onto for quite a while, when he realized a small crowd has gathered around them. The heat from his face began to subside as he looked around.

These faces weren't of elves or the dark skinned people of Darrion.

These were familiar.

Ealrin stopped threatening Blume that she'd never ride horses again when he caught the look Tory gave him, shaking his head with both hands on his hips.

“You done acting like Blume's dad long enough to say hello?” he asked, nose high in the air. “I've never been so ignored!”

“Bah,” Gorplin says from behind the ax he was polishing. “I'd take lessons on ignoring you.”

Felicia stepped forward and gave a nod to Holve.

“Welcome back,” Holve said, returning the gesture and looking around at the crew. “All in one piece?”

“Barely,” Felicia replies. “We've got some stories to tell, and two prisoners to interrogate.”

“Prisoner?” asked Blume, all redness from her anger drained from her face. Ealrin thought the stories of the crew's adventure would abate her for a time.

With that, the current argument Blume and Ealrin had was dropped. He knew he'd have to bring it up again soon. He had to remind Blume that she couldn't just run off like that if he's to keep her safe.

For the time being, however, the crew that sailed away had returned, and that was worth celebrating. Among the elves who came bustling in, and the normal busy patrons of Lone Peak, they made their way back to the house they have claimed as their headquarters.

It was a difficult trek, as the city had come alive with people hanging out of doors, windows, shops and houses to get a glimpse of the newcomers. The first level of the city was buzzing with excitement.

Store owners threw open their doors at the prospect of new customers and children ran up and down the streets, staring unashamedly at the elves in brilliant armor.

The travelers from Ruyn weren't the main attraction, but getting through the crowd was difficult work. Lone Peak guards marched this way and that. Elves of Enoth were marching in columns down one street and then another.

Once they arrived at the first set of stairs that led to the lower levels of the city, things became easier.

Ealrin couldn't help but notice, however, that while he walked towards the front of the line of his friends, Blume hung back at the end, brought along by Jurrin and Jurgon.

Blume seemed to be happily engaged in conversation with the polite halfling as he was retelling of their travels to Jurgon. She caught his eye, however, and immediately acquired a very sour look. She turned her attention back to the pair walking with her and attempted a smile, but her brow did not release its furrow.

He turned back towards the front and listened to the chatter of the party.

“Can't sleep a wink with a dwarf,” Tory was saying. He looked at Ealrin expectantly.

Apparently he had been talking to him.

“Still snores as bad as you?” Ealrin recovered in time to say.

“Worse!” Tory said starting to laugh, before catching the jest. “Hey!”

He punched Ealrin lightly on the shoulder.

“Though between you and me,” he said in a whisper. “I'll be glad to get away from Felicia for a moment. She's a slave driver!”

Urt growled at them from behind them. Tory straightened up and quickened his pace.

A small smile crossed Ealrin's face.

He had missed these companions.

Felicia and Holve were talking in low tones in the front of the line and Gorplin strode next to Urt.

Both received quite a few stares from passersby.

Ealrin couldn't help glancing over his shoulder every few turns, however.

Every time he did, he saw Blume trailing along with the rest of them.

He didn't think she'd try to run off just yet, but he couldn't help looking back just to make sure she was there.

They had an argument to finish.