By the time Edlyn had instructed those mages who were up to the task of charging wands, the sun almost rested upon the western tree line. Shona arrived and charged her own wand. She spent a few moments in conversation with her senior mage and the Elven queen. All the while, her gaze drifted toward Dally, then away. Dally had no idea how to react, but as the young queen did not motion for her to join them, she remained apart. Shona started to walk her way, then seemed to change her mind and retreated to the Elven tunnel, accompanied by Alembord. Dally watched her departure and wondered if perhaps she had done something wrong.
Soon after, Edlyn led the remaining company back toward the forest boundary, where Elven guards waited with their queen. There was no portal to be seen from that distance, of course. But Dally knew it was there. She could taste the portal’s magic like a spice in the air. The magic drew her forward and repelled her at the same time. She started to ask Edlyn if all mages could detect such a presence, when she was struck by another image.
This one came and went in a blistering assault, a blow to her senses and mind both. One quick flash was enough for her to stumble and almost fall. But the nearest mage caught her and kept her upright. Dally mumbled her thanks and tried to manage under her own steam, but as Ainya hastened them along the emerald tunnel, the only thing Dally saw clearly was an image that was no longer there.
When they arrived at the tunnel’s far end, Ainya spoke to the Elven warriors in a tongue Dally loved without understanding what was said.
Ainya then told Edlyn and her contingent, “I asked if everything was prepared. My captain replies that all we need is an enemy. For they have seen nothing.”
“The fiends are there,” Edlyn said. “Of that I have no doubt whatsoever. The lass has been right on every score thus far.”
When Ainya translated, the Elven officer frowned but said nothing more.
Dally started to speak, but her natural shyness blocked the words.
Edlyn’s tone became sharp. “Young lady, you are forbidden from such hesitations, do you hear me? Forbidden! Lives depend upon your words.”
Dally nodded and said to Ainya, “I reached out when I was in the forest. Before the first attack.”
Ainya spaced the words well apart. “You . . . reached . . . out.”
Edlyn said impatiently, “As she does with her dogs. Go on, Dally.”
“They have the capacity to mask themselves. You see only shadows. But they are there.”
Ainya had features carved from a rare stone, palest green, like a meadow seen through a dawn mist. Even her frown was majestic. “Can you reach now?”
“Do not ask that of her,” Edlyn snapped. “If the enemy is there with his fiends, what then?”
“We need to know,” Ainya insisted.
“We already know,” Edlyn said. She motioned to Dally and the others. “Come. The army awaits us.”