The First King of Shannara - Terry Brooks [60]
“Bremen was right,” he said. “Paranor has fallen. All the Druids within are dead. If any escaped besides those who went with you, they are in hiding.”
Tay stared at him, letting the weight of the announcement settle in, then glanced at Preia. There was no surprise in her face. She already knew.
“You sent Preia to Paranor?” he asked quickly, suddenly realizing why she was there.
“Who better?” Jerle asked matter-of-factly. And he was right.
Tay had asked him to send someone dependable, and there was no one more dependable than Preia. But it was a dangerous task, filled with personal risk, and Tay would have chosen someone else. It pointed up the difference in their feelings for Preia, he realized. But it did not make his the more noble.
“Tell him what you saw,“ Jerle urged her quietly.
She faced Tay, her coppery eyes soft and reassuring. “I crossed the Streleheim without incident. There were Trolls, but no sign of the Gnomes and Skull Bearer you saw. I entered the Dragon’s Teeth at dawn on the second day and went directly to the Keep. The gates were open and there was no life within. I entered without challenge. All the guards lay slaughtered, some by weapons, some by claws and teeth, as if animals had gotten them. The Druids lay within, all of them dead. Some had been killed in battle. Some had been dragged from the Assembly and taken to the cellars and walled away. I was able to read their passage and find their tombs.”
She paused, seeing the look of horror and sadness that crept into his eyes as he remembered those he had left behind. One slender hand closed on his own. “There were signs of a second battle as well, one fought on the stairs leading up from the main entry. This one happened more recently, several days after the other. Several creatures were destroyed, things I could not identify. Magic was used. The entire stairwell was seared black by it, as if a fire had burned it clean, leaving only the ashes of the dead.”
“Bremen?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I don’t know. Perhaps.” Her hand tightened over his. “Tay, I’m sorry.”
He nodded. “Even knowing it these few days past, even preparing myself to accept it, it is still difficult hearing you speak the words. All dead. All those I worked and lived with for so many years. Maybe even Bremen. It makes me feel hollow inside.”
“Well, it’s over and done, and there’s no help for it.” Jerle was ready to move on. He rose. “We must speak with the Council now. I will go to Ballindarroch and set a meeting. He may fuss a bit, but I will find a way to make him listen. Meanwhile, Preia can tell you anything else you need to know. Be strong, Tay. We will have our own back from them in the end.”
He strode off without looking back, finding purpose in action as always. Tay watched him go, then looked at Preia. “How have you been?”
“Good.” She regarded him quizzically. “You were surprised I went to Paranor, weren’t you?”
“Yes. It was a selfish reaction.”
“But a nice one.” She smiled. “I like having you home, Tay. I missed being with you. You were always interesting to talk to.”
He stretched his long legs and looked out across the Carolan to where a unit of Black Watch were moving toward the Gardens.
“Less so now, I’m afraid. I don’t know what to say anymore. I am back four days and already thinking of leaving. I feel rootless.”
“Well, you’ve been away a long time. It must seem strange.”
“I don’t think I belong here anymore, Preia. Maybe I don’t belong anywhere, now that Paranor is gone.”
She laughed softly. “I know that feeling. Only Jerle never has those doubts because he won’t let himself. He belongs where he wants to belong; he makes himself fit in. I can