They left the infirmary just as the sun touched the treetops. Dally was carried upon a cushioned pallet by four troopers. She disliked intensely how Shona’s company watched and worried as she passed. Edlyn and Meda accompanied her. Nabu and the unnamed wolfhound trotted to either side of her stretcher.
Dally wasn’t sure how to react as work halted and most faces turned her way. She tried to tell herself that they cared for her, that she was one of them. But her past experiences with being the center of attention were harsh and painful. All she said was, “I saw myself doing this alone.”
“You saw yourself alone at the Ashanta boundary stones,” Edlyn corrected.
“Mistress . . .”
“That is what you said. Correct?”
Dally sighed.
“Fine. Alone you shall be. There.”
“Let’s make this perfectly clear,” Meda said. “You are not going to isolate yourself for however long this requires.”
“The enemy is still out there,” Edlyn said.
“The Ashanta must see me as alone and vulnerable,” Dally protested. “That much was clear.”
“And so you shall be.” Connell pointed to where Alembord listened as Shona and the Elven queen discussed something with grave intent. “Alembord has erected the guards’ tent by the forest. Your own is on the other side of the headland.”
“No guards,” Dally pleaded. “No soldiers, no blades—”
“I will be with you, but on my own,” Connell replied. “Standing well back. Armed only with my wand.”
Further protest was halted as they approached the portal. The Elven queen broke away from her discussion with Shona and walked over. “How are you?”
Dally struggled to rise. “Fine, Majesty.”
“Stay where you are. And treat me as an ally. I ask again, how are you?”
“I cannot find the energy to stand. Even my thoughts feel heavy. I feel as though despair is an enemy just waiting to attack.” Dally gestured toward an invisible line, beyond which awaited the portal’s force. “And I dread another encounter with whatever powers will assail me.”
Shona said, “Our healers have done what they can. Which is to make her comfortable and little else.”
Ainya reached up and allowed her fingertips to drift about the air next to her head. The crown appeared. “Show me your wand. No, keep hold of the hilt.”
The Elven queen bent down and breathed upon the gemstone. It burst into a brilliant green fire. She began shaping the light so that it covered both Dally and her pallet. The entire world became viewed through a gemlike veil. Every living element, all the people and the animals and the smallest blade of grass, now carried the same emerald glow.
Ainya straightened. “The naming of a regent’s spouse carries with it a series of responsibilities. One of them is the task of serving as the ruler’s last line of defense. I want to see if this might shield you from yet another experience as we travel.”
Dally didn’t know what to say except, “Thank you, Majesty.”
Ainya remained where she was, gazing down at Dally, the jewel at the center of her crown burning with a fierce light. “You will carry a message from me to the Ashanta?”
“Of course, Majesty.”
“Tell them of the name you have bestowed upon your beautiful dog, and how this came to you. Then you shall pass on these words from me personally. Tell them that the past is now.”
Dally found no shame in the tears that came unbidden to her eyes. “The past is now,” she repeated.
“Tell the Ashanta that we shall endeavor to hold the field. Just as we did a thousand years ago. But we ask that they not show the same reluctance to join with us. The danger is too great. Together we shall vanquish the foes. Divided . . .”
Dally wiped her eyes and said once more, “The past is now.”
“Now go.” Ainya stepped back. “And may you succeed in your quest. For all our sakes.”