Heirs of Prophecy - Lisa Smedman [121]
Larajin turned her attention back to the amber. The feather moved through the town, drifting over rooftops and corrals, seeking the road Maalthiir and his men were walking. As it passed over the chimneys of the temple of Gond, the image inside the amber tumbled wildly as a current of hot air from a chimney caught it, and for several heart-stopping moments Larajin thought Leifander
had lost control of the feather. When the view steadied, the street zoomed up from below.
Walking along it were six men. Their figures enlarged inside the amber as the feather drifted down toward them. One of the figures-an officer with a scar running in a vertical line down one cheek-looked up as if sensing something was wrong, and Larajin held her breath. Maalthiir, walking beside him, noticed his officer looking up and glanced in the same direction, a look of bloodthirsty anticipation on his face, as if he was expecting the return of the crow that had spied on him earlier.
As Leifander blew out the last of his breath in a rush Maalthiir's face enlarged, filling the amber completely. Closer still-a square, stubbled jaw-and closer still- tight, cruel hps-and-
Nothing. The amber was empty.
Leifander slumped, closing his eyes. His breathing became rapid and shallow, and his skin paled. Larajin reached for his shoulder, thinking he was going to fall, but then his eyes opened and his back straightened.
"I did it," he said in a proud voice. The feather struck Maalthiir full on the hps. It was amazing. Never have I felt so close to the Lady of Air and Wind. I felt like a nestling, enfolded in her powerful wings."
"And now it's up to Doriantha," Larajin said. "May Hanali Celanil and Sune watch over her, and protect her."
That brought Leifander down to earth.,
He gave Ryhth a worried look and asked, "Can you see her in the amber?"
The druid spoke a flowing phrase in Elvish. A figure appeared within the amber. It was Doriantha, walking along Rauthauvyr's Road. Anxiously, Larajin peered over Ryhth's shoulder, watching as Doriantha was challenged at the gate, then allowed to pass through. Doriantha hurried up the road, toward the manor, then up its steps. The view shifted then, showing her entering the great hall. Figures were clustered at the end of it. Maalthiir, his officers, and Lord Ilmeth of Essembra were there. They were
*
involved in an animated discussion, heads close together, but when Doriantha entered, Maalthiir glanced up and the scowl on his face softened. When Doriantha placed a hand above her heart and gave a graceful bow, the scowl melted from his face. A moment later, after beckoning Doriantha forward and listening to her speak, his expression changed to a dreamy smile.
"The spell worked!" Larajin exclaimed with relief.
"It did indeed," Leifander added a moment later. He too was staring into the amber, watching Larajin's plan unfold. "You see? Maalthiir's drawn away from his men and has led Doriantha to a quiet corner to talk. Just look at the desire, burning in his ugly eyes. Hell be asking her to lay with him in another moment. Yes, there! They're leaving the hall together."
With that last comment, Leifander's voice had dropped to a low growl. Tearing his eyes away from the amber, he leaped from the boulder and began pacing back and forth across the clearing.
Watching him, Larajin suddenly realized something. Her brother had feelings for Doriantha. The elf warrior, in turn, cared for Leifander. Hanali Celanil had blessed them both, though their love had yet to fully blossom.
Larajin offered up a prayer for Doriantha's safety, imploring the goddesses to give the archer's budding romance with Leifander time and tranquility in which to blossom. It would be a grim thing indeed if