The Howling Delve - Jaleigh Johnson [23]
"What are they?" asked Kail.
The stones are enchanted to give me speech your ears can hear, the druid explained. It need not touch yourflesh. Only keep it near you, and we can speak.
Kail slid the stone in his pouch. "Who are you?" he asked.
Cesira, the woman said. Or the Quiet One ofSilvanus, as the Starwater Six-the druids-are fond ofcalling me.
Kail jumped, startled, as mist rose around him again, plucking at his waist. Then he saw the antlers and realized the herd had regrouped-and not just the males. The frail mist coalesced under his hand and became a gray-black doe. Without thinking, Kail reached out to touch its fur, but his hand passed right through the doe's lithe body. He pulled back in shock.
Around him, other females appeared from nowhere, some with tiny fawns, all as translucent as the one that stood beside him. Its large black eyes regarded him steadily.
"Are they ghosts?" Kali whispered.
Cesira shook her head. They are Quessilaren-nearly gone, but for small herds that dwell here and on distant Evermeet. The females run between this world and the Border Ethereal for protection, never belonging wholly to either.
"Are they dangerous?"
Not at all. They've befriended the wild elves and a handful of us. I and the other apprentices watch over them, when we can. Cesira held up her spear. When a buck is killed by the goblins, we burn the carcass, but for this. She let the spear point catch the moonlight. What Kail had at first taken for bells actually looked to be bits of hollowed-out antler.
The chimes they make are as sweet a music as any human will ever hear outside the elf courts, she said. Her expression hardened. We feel itfitting for the goblins to hear it before they die.
Kali said nothing, unsure how to react to the passion in the young girl's eyes. Lightning split the sky, turning her skin silver.
Come. Cesira said. We should move-
"Look out!" Kail dived at her, crushing his shoulder into the ditt as a hand axe sailed over their entwined bodies.
A lone goblin crashed through the trees after its wild throw. It saw them, helpless in the underbrush, and charged.
Kail rolled off the druid, scrambling to get his sword. He braced the blade as Cesira wrenched the creature's leg, sending it sprawling onto the sword's point. The goblin crumpled as Kail pulled the weapon free, and the pair ran, retreating deeper into the forest.
Wait. Panting, Cesira pulled Kail up short.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
She nodded curtly, but her eyes were wide. You should wipe the blood from your weapon, she said.
Kali looked down at his sword. A red stain ran halfway up the blade. He drew it across the grass.
I didn't see the axe, Cesira said.
"I know."
She scowled. That doesn't mean-
"I was just as scared," he interrupted, and they gazed at each other in silence. "I want to go back," Kail said. In his heart, he did not mean to Garavin's hut.
She seemed to realize it, and softened. You can't. That path is closed.
Her voice was gentle, but the words felt like a slap. Kail's anger returned. "You know nothing about me!" he snapped. / know much of you, Kail. "How do you know my name?"
Garavin, she said simply. Go back to him. Dig holes and make tunnels. It's hardening work, work you'll need. In a year or two you'll be fighting goblins. Dig holes, make tunnels… She paused. And come to see me, at the boulder.
"Why?" Kail asked, confused. In the dark and the mist her profile wasn't easy to discern, but he knew she was looking at him.
You helped me, she said. The words clearly came hard to her. I can help you.
They didn't speak again. She took him back to the boulder between the trees, so he would know how to find it again.
They found Morgan and Laerin leaning against the rock, arguing.
"If he'd've been some frock-heavy, perfumed Waterdhavian snotling, you wouldn't ve thought twice about keeping them!" Morgan accused.
"Yet clearly he's not," came Laerin's gentler reply. He noticed Kail and Cesira, and smiled. "Nor is he quite a boy, after what he's been through. Well met,