Pool of Twilight - James M. Ward [106]
"I will miss him," Evaine said with a deep sigh. "But Faerun is a better place because of Ren o' the Blade, and a brighter place. His life had meaning, great meaning. It was all he would have wished. Don't ever forget that, Daile."
Daile knew that she would not.
Evaine was told all about the young archer's adventures, including the tale of Sirana's treachery and how the wild mage was in truth a half-fiend, the daughter of the Red Wizard Marcus.
"She's in league with the pool of twilight, Evaine. That's what the others were coming to warn you about."
The sky had steadily brightened as they spoke, and now the ruddy orb of the sun lifted itself above the snowcapped heights. As the first rays filtered their way into the clearing, the remains of the dreamstalker began to smoke and bubble, evaporating before their eyes. In moments, there was no trace of the shadow creature left.
They broke camp in the morning light. Evaine was still weak, her cheeks hollow and sunken, but now that the nightly attacks had ended, she thought she would quickly regain strength.
The first thing to do was to locate Kern and the others. How to go about it was a dilemma. It was possible that Evaine could cast one of her search spells, but that would have to be a last resort. The sorceress needed to save her spell components-and her energy-to find the pool of twilight.
"I could have used the magic carpet to scout the area," Daile said, "but…"
She didn't need to say the obvious. The tattered remains of the carpet were tangled in the branches of a nearby tree twenty feet above the ground. The magic carpet would fly no more.
Gamaliel turned to Daile. "Perhaps there is another way you might scout above the trees." There was a peculiar intensity in the barbarian's green-gold eyes.
"How?" Daile asked wryly. "Am I supposed to flap my arms and fly into the air?"
"Perhaps I mean just that, ranger."
Daile frowned. What was Gamaliel talking about?
"Gamaliel," Evaine said seriously. "Are you certain this is wise?"
The barbarian shrugged. "She must discover the gift someday, Evaine. Why not now, when it can be of use?"
Evaine looked skeptical, but did not disagree.
Daile regarded them both in bewilderment. "What are you talking about?"
Gamaliel reached out and took her hand. "Come. I'll show you."
He led her into the woods. Daile wondered why Evaine did not follow. Perhaps the sorceress needed to rest, she thought.
Gamaliel stopped when they reached the edge of a steep precipice. Rugged, pristine wilderness stretched as far as Daile could see, forested ridges gilded by the morning light. The sight tugged at her heart. It was a feeling she had experienced before, hunting with her father or stalking orcs in the Valley of the Falls, a desire to make herself one with the forest, the mountains, and the sky.
"It is the wild gift," Gamaliel stated in answer to her thoughts.
"I don't understand," Daile said, shaking her head.
"I have sensed it in you," the barbarian explained in his rich voice. "You move through the forest as if it is your home. You do not try to master it. Rather, you become part of it, sensing its sights and scents as if it is second nature for you." He laid both his strong hands on her shoulders. "The wild gift runs in your blood, Daile. Do you choose to accept it?"
The barbarian's words sent a strange thrill through her. She wasn't at all certain what Gamaliel was talking about, but somehow she knew he spoke the truth. The wind blew his golden hair from his square, chiseled face.
"Yes," she whispered before she really knew what she was saying. The wilderness did call to her.
Gamaliel nodded, a pleased look in his eyes.
"Close your eyes," he said, leading her closer to the edge of the cliff. "I will help you."
She did as he instructed.
"Can you hear the wind?" he murmured softly.
"Yes," she whispered. She could hear the voice of the morning breeze, singing through the ghost-pale aspen frees.
"Listen