Into the fire

Chapter 33

Halting his pony before the withy bower, Tipperton sprang to the ground, while Kell and his fox darted on beyond, heading through the woods for Tynvyr's wee dwelling.

"The High King has called," declared Tipperton, puffing with excitement.

How-? Where-? When-? voices blurted.

Tip thrust forth his hands palms out to stop the babble. "We were passing the ford, Kell and I, when…"

[Rudd hears something,] said Kell, looking up at Tip on his pony.

The fox's ears were pricked and twitching, and he faced south across the shallow flow of the Rissanin, the animal sniffing the mist-laden air.

Tipperton dismounted and put his ear to the ground, and after a moment said, [I hear nothing.]

But still the fox faced southward, though now and again it looked over its shoulder at Kell, as if expecting a command.

[Let us to that stand of trees and watch,] said Kell.

Tipperton nodded and remounted, and to the grove they went, stopping just inside the edge.

Moments passed and moments more, and then above the swirl of water Tipperton faintly heard-[Hoofbeats!]

He took up his bow and set an arrow to string as did Kell, and from their covert they waited, as the thud of hoofbeats grew stronger.

[Sounds like several,] said Kell.

Tipperton nodded but remained silent.

[Mayhap it's Ghulka on Helsteeds returning,] said Kell.

[Mayhap,] replied Tip. [In which event, be ready to flee should they spot us.]

And they waited among the dripping foliage.

Kell spoke a word to Rudd, but what the command may have been, Tipperton did not know.

Louder still the hoofbeats came on, and now through the swirling vapor Tip and Kell could see cloaked riders: five of them altogether and running at a good clip, trailing two remounts apiece.

[Not Helsteeds,] hissed Tip, [but horses instead. Even so, stay well hidden, for it could be Hyrinians or Chabbains or other allies of Modru.]

They ride in haste,] said Kell.

Aye, and with little rest,] added Tip.

How so?]

The remounts,] replied Tip. [It means they cover long distances.]

Now the riders came to the ford, and they splashed to a gravel-bar in the center and halted, allowing the horses to drink.

And the riders themselves cast back their hoods and dismounted to take on water.

They were Elves-Lian.

Tip rode outward in the morning mist. "Hoy!"

Swords and long-knives appeared in hands as if they had been there all along.

"Hoy," again called Tipperton, slipping the arrow back into his quiver and urging his pony out from the trees and forward. "It's me, a Warrow-a Waerling, that is-Tipperton Thistledown." He turned and looked for Kell, but the tiny Pysk was nowhere to be seen, nor was Rudd, his fox.

"Tipperton?" called one. "Tipperton Thistledown?"

"Aye!" replied Tip, his pony now trotting onto the trace.

"Hal, and well met! I have heard of thee. I hight Falen."

Tip halted his steed at the water's edge and dismounted. "Heard of me?"

"Aye, from Dara Phais and Alor Loric. We fought side by side in Valon."

"Phais and Loric, you've seen them? Oh my. How are they? -It's been so very long."

"They fight at the right hand of Blaine."

"Then they found him, the High King, that is?" Tip smacked himself in the forehead. "Of course, you ninny, if they fight at his side then they had to have found him."

Falen broke out in laughter, as did the other four Elves.

Horses watered, the Lian led them out from the river, and Falen introduced the other riders as they shifted saddles to fresher mounts: Dara Lynna and Alori Landor, Kes-tian, and Ellidar.

At Tip's query, Falen said, "We ride to rallye allies to the High King's side."

"At last! Oh my, what an auspicious Autumnday this is. I will gather those who fight alongside me, and we will answer his call. Where is he?"

"In Pellar, fighting the Southerlings-Chabbains and Hyrinians and Kistanians-driving them eastward."

"In Pellar? How did he get there? I mean, last we heard, he was in the west, fighting Modru's Hordes."

Falen transferred his saddlebags to his new mount. "With a large army in a great fleet, he sailed 'round Vancha and broke the Kistanian blockade of the straits.

"Then he landed his force of Gelenders and Tholians and Jutlanders and Fjordlanders and Gothonians in Jugo and marched to Gunarring Gap. In a coordinated attack, he from Valon, the Welleners and Trellians and Harthians and Rianians from Gunar, together they broke the siege. A handful of Lian and Baeron were there as well, along with an army of Red Hills Drimma, and they swept the enemy away, the Foul Folk to hie into the Gnarring, the Southerlings to flee east."

"And this took place at Gunarring Gap?"

Falen nodded. "Aye."

"But a Gargon was there when last we knew."

"So we heard, but it was gone elsewhere when we came at the foe."

Tip frowned. "I wonder…"

Falen looked at him and cocked an eyebrow. "Thou dost wonder what, wee one?"

"The Gargon: I wonder if it was the same one that came here."

"A Draedan here?" Falen looked 'round, as if to see the monster standing nigh.

"A year and a half ago, it was," said Tip. "A Gargon warding this ford. It did terrible damage. In the end we killed it. -Or rather it was slain by one of the Eio Wa Suk."

"Hai!" crowed Lynna. "Dara Phais said thou wert a slayer of Mandraki, the one at Dendor thy first."

"Oh, it wasn't me," said Tip. "Imongar slew that one."

"Aye, but Imongar said that she would not have done it without thine aid."

"Imongar is with the King, too?"

"Aye," said Lynna. "Now she is, along with five other Magekind."

Kestian grinned at Tip. " 'Twould seem that Draedani are not safe 'round thee, Sir Tipperton."

Landor barked a laugh. "Mayhap 'tis the fate of each Mandrak to die at the hands of a Waerling. I will keep that in mind should Draedani come calling."

As the Lian laughed, Tip just shook his head and grinned but said nought in return.

Falen sobered and frowned and then looked at the buc-can. "Didst thou say that Eio Wa Suk are nigh?"

Tipperton nodded. "No more than five leagues hence."

Falen nodded. "I have heard there is an aggregate nigh Bircehyll, where dwell the Dylvana."

"Yes," confirmed Tip, "there is."

"Ah, but would that we could send a message there, for-"

"But you can," interjected Tip. "The Pysks-"

"Thou dost know some Pysks?"

"Indeed. They are our allies." Tip looked about, but still he did not see Kell nor Rudd.

Falen glanced at the other Lian. " 'Twould save time," said Ellidar.

Falen nodded. "Sir Tipperton, wouldst thou send word unto the Dylvana court that the High King calls for all who can aid to come unto Pellar, unto Caer Pendwyr, and help beat back the foe?"

"Gladly," replied Tip. "Not only to the Dylvana, but I am told there is another aggregate well beyond Bircehyll, in the far north of Darda Erynian; we can call the north Greenhall Baeron as well. And since Crestan Pass is now freed, many will answer the call."

"Hai!" said Landor. "An auspicious Autumnday, indeed."

Falen turned to the others. "With the help of Sir Tipper-ton and the Pysks, and with the Eio Wa Suk sending word throughout Darda Erynian, it means we can now ride straight unto Mineholt North."

Tip grinned. "To summon Lord Bekki, aye?"

"Aye."

"What about Darda Galion and Arden Vale and Jord and-"

Falen pressed a palm out. "Other heralds ride to those realms, Sir Tipperton. We are to raise Darda Stor and Darda Erynian and Riamon and Mineholt North."

"Has the Greatwood yet been roused? If not, we can send messengers south."

Checking his cinch strap once again, Falen said, "No need, Sir Tipperton, for we came through The Clearing. Even now the Baeron who remained in Darda Stor are sending word unto their outposts to prepare for the long march."

"Well then, the Pysks and I will see that the message gets sent to Bircehyll and to the Baeron in the Great Greenhall beyond."

"Done and done, Sir Tipperton," said Falen as he swung into his saddle. "Tell them as well what I have told thee: the High King is hale; the siege at Gunarring Gap is broken; the foe is on the run; and to Caer Pendwyr all who can aid are summoned."

"Wait," called Tip, as the others mounted as well.

Falen looked down at him.

"The Rucks and such," said Tip, gesturing northerly, "the ones warding this wold, they disappeared a month or so back, yet they may be out there still: on the flats or in the Rimmens above. If you ride into trouble, hie for Darda Erynian, for Modru's lackeys are feared to come within."

Falen and the others grinned, and Dara Lynna said, "Ye have made it so, thou and the Fey?"

"And the Warrows and Dylvana and Baeron," added Tip.

"Hai!" called Lynna, and she flashed her sword on high.

Hai! called the others, likewise flourishing steel.

And then with cries of farewell and good fortune, the Elves galloped away, remounts trailing, morning mist swirling in their wake.

"Fair fortune to you as well," called Tipperton after, and then more quietly said, "fair fortune to us all."

"To Caer Pendwyr?" Rynna frowned at the map.

"Yes, love, to Caer Pendwyr," said Tip, sweeping his hand down across the chart, "some thousand miles away."

"A long journey," said Beau. "It will take much in the way of supplies."

"I've asked Kell to send a request for us to travel with the Dylvana," said Tip. "If so, we can lade our goods on their wagons."

"Regardless as to how we bear our goods, are we to leave Darda Erynian undefended?" asked Linnet.

"With the Hidden Ones staying fast, it will not be undefended," said Nix.

Linnet grudgingly nodded, but said, "Aye, 'tis true. But Nix, it's just that, well, what with the Springwater holding and all…"

"I don't like leaving them behind any more so than you," said Rynna, "but Nix is right. They'll be safe."

"Oh my. Are you going to leave Lark?" asked Farly.

"Not before I say good-bye," replied Rynna, and then she burst into tears

Instead of celebrating Autumnday, they rode back in but a single day to the Springwater holding to report the news. When they told of the summons, buccan and dammen alike clamored to go, each trying to outshout the other in order to be heard.

Notwithstanding the heated debate among the whole of the Springwater Warrows, of the seventy or so surviving Wee Folk only eight altogether would answer the High King's call: Tip, Rynna, Beau, Linnet, Nix, and Farly, along with two who had just come into their young-buccen years-Alver Bruk, brother of Winkton, who had been slain on the banks of the Argon, and Dinly Rill, whose entire family had been killed as they had fled from the Horde down the Rissanin. The remaining buccen and dam-men were simply unsuited to take up the mantle of war: some were too young, others too old, some were ailing, others had injuries which got in the way, and some were needed to grow and harvest crops and gather firewood and bear water and forage for edibles and watch over the youngsters and oldsters and look after the few animals and other such responsibilities.

With the debate settled as to just who would stay and who would go, the next week in the holding was one of furious activity, and it was all aimed at supplying the eight who would be marching off to Pellar:

Hundreds of arrows were crafted-shafts were inspected for trueness and cut to length and fletched and nocked and fitted with kiln-fired glaze-hardened clay points, for there was no iron to spare. Too, the tiny kilns were used to fire and glaze clay bullets for slings. Blades were sharpened- daggers and long-knives, one of each for each of the eight- to act as a desperate last line of defense should any need them, for untrained Warrows were at great disadvantage blade on blade with a larger foe. Supplies were gathered: grain for ponies; food for Warrows; clothing, ropes, precious mirrors and carved wooden whistles for signalling, foraged medicks to add to Beau's supply, and other such necessary goods.

In this same week, the ground groaned with a message from the Eio Wa Suk, and a day later Picyn came riding to Rynna. [The Dylvana are pleased to include the Waer-linga within their ranks. They ask that you rendezvous with their force and the northern Baeron at Eryn Ford a fortnight hence.]

[That's just after the first-quarter moon,] said Linnet.

But Rynna said, [Fourteen days, only fourteen.] And she glanced at Tip, then down at Lark, and tears brimmed in her eyes.

Tip took Rynna's hand and said in Twyll, [Love, you can always-]

[No, Tip. We've already settled this argument.] With her free hand Rynna brushed her cheeks. [No less than you, I too must answer the call of the High King. Lark will be safe with Melli and Prym.]

Tipperton nodded and turned to Picyn. [I would ask the Fey to keep special guard over this holding, for we answer the beck of the High King.]

Picyn nodded. [So shall it be, Sir Tipperton, for in serving the High King you and yours will act to protect Mithgar and all its kind, including the Fey.]

Tip grinned. [Well and good.]

They sat in silence for a moment, and then Farly asked, [What of the Foul Folk: are they back?]

[Neither in the Rimmens nor on the wold, the Spaunen, they've not returned,] said Picyn.

Tip shook his head in puzzlement. [Well, I don't know whether to be worried that they've disappeared… or glad that they've gone.]

[I choose glad,] said Dinly, laughing, the amber-eyed buc-can sitting in council with the others.

[Still, it's a mystery,] said Alver, attending the council as well. [I mean, where could they have gone?]

[Perhaps we will find out when Aylissa and Jinnarin and Farrix return,] said Picyn.

[Only if the Spawn followed the others through the Rimmens,] said Farly.

[Oh my,] said Beau, [speaking of Aylissa and her sire and dam, they've been gone, what?]-he counted on his fingers-[five weeks now. I do hope that nothing untoward has happened to them.]

[Oh, Beau, don't say such things,] said Linnet. [We wouldn't want to call misfortune down on them.]

As Beau took Linnet's hand, Tipperton stood. [I'm going to go see to the ponies. It's time to water and feed.]

Nix and Alver and Dinly got up to follow.

One day before the first-quarter moon, they set out for the camp near Eryn Ford, Melli and Lark to accompany them as far as the campsite dell. The holding entire turned out to see them off-the eight who would ride to war- and many were the tears shed, not only among those staying behind but those riding away as well, and two weeping maidens moved alongside Alver and Dinly until the dam-men were called back by their foster kin.

Into the sun-dappled autumn forest the Warrows rode, drawing pack ponies behind, while from the holding there came a rousing cheer, mingled with cries of good-bye.

Only Lark seemed unaffected, as she trilled to the few remaining birds flitting in the branches overhead among the turning leaves.

And off to one side within the trees, a vine-woven creature of leaves and twigs and tendrils kept pace.

"Lor' but it's hard leaving folks you've come to love,"' said Beau, as Tip caught up wee Lark running by, the tiny damman squealing in delight as her da turned her upside down and then righted her again.

"No harder than it is on them," said Linnet.

At Beau's puzzled look, Linnet added, "Back before I reached my young-damman years and was allowed to join in the fight, every time you rode away, Beau, I would weep for days."

Beau glanced at Melli, and she nodded and said, "At odd moments, that is."

Tip looked up from his giggling daughter and across the low fire pressing back the chill of the night. "Parting brings sorrow in its wake: tenderly sweet when lovers but separate until the morn, yet grievous in times of war."

Rynna looked at Tip and smiled and said, "How true, my love… as you and I know."

A rustle of leaves sounded from the darkness, though there was no breeze to stir them so.

"Sshhhh, shhh…" whispered Lark in return, and she struggled to get down. Tip set her afoot and she darted out toward the shadows.

"Oi, now," said Alver, reaching to grab her.

"Let her go," said Beau. "It's just Prym out there calling her babe."

Melli looked at Beau and smiled.

"What?" said Beau, looking back at her.

"You have changed, my lad,'" said Melli. "Yes, indeed, you have changed."

Tip laughed and took up his silver-stringed lute and struck an argent chord. "Shall I sing about the terrible Blackwood, with its ghosts and bogles and horrible things that seek the blood of those who would trespass this domain?"

Beau smiled grudgingly and said, "If you would sing of bogles and seekers of blood, my snickering Tipperton, then Drearwood should be your theme."

Tip drew in a deep breath and let it out, then said, "I'd rather not, Beau, old friend; I prefer to forget that place altogether. What say we have a merry tune instead?"

He glanced at Rynna and she took up her pennywhistle and together they began "The Dish and the Spoon and the Big Yellow Moon."

And from the shadows at the edge of the firelight there came Lark's laughter of glee.

They rode into the campsite in the noontide of the day of the first-quarter moon, that half-orb just then rising in the east. After unloading the supplies and caring for the ponies, they met with Tynvyr. And still the wold and Rim-mens were free of Foul Folk for as far as the Pysk patrols ran and as far as watchers could see. Even the Troll hole in Rimmen Spur was deserted, or so Nia and Kell reported, having gone there three times now and foupd it completely empty of all but Ogru stench.

And so with little to do, the Warrows settled down to wait. The Dylvana and the Baeron would be here within but days, the long trek to Pellar to follow.

And Rynna and Tipperton took Lark everywhere they went, and sang to her and talked to her and told her many stories. They embraced the wee tot often, showering her with their love.

On the second day after arriving in camp, three Pysks came riding through the morning shadows and across the bowl of the glade.

Rynna looked up from Lark to see them coming. "Quickly, Tipperton," she called into the bower, "fetch Tynvyr and the others; Farrix and Jinnarin and Aylissa are here."

[We followed them all the way to the Skarpals,] said Farrix. He and Jinnarin and Aylissa stood about the map on the table Tip and Beau had carried out from the bower so that all could gather 'round. Tynvyr and Picyn stood on the table as well, and crowding close were seven Warrows; the eighth, Farly, was not among them, for he stood watch at the ford.

Melli was inside making tea, and Lark played under the table.

Rynna frowned. [To the Skarpals?]

Aylissa nodded. [Aye.]

[No wonder you were gone so long,] said Tip, studying the map. [That's all the way to Garia and back.]

Rynna looked at the map and frowned. [And the Foul Folk, they went into the mountains there?]

[Aye,] said Farrix, nodding.

[All of them?]

Again Farrix nodded. [All of them,] he affirmed.

[Wull, I hope DelfLord Borl's ghost finds a way of vengeance,] said Beau.

[Borl?] asked Dinly.

[Of Mineholt North,] said Beau. [He was killed by Ruck arrow in the Skarpal Mountains as he and others battled the retreating Spawn; the Foul Folk were fleeing the broken siege of Mineholt North, then Borl's delf, now Bekki's.]

[Say, just how did the Foul Folk cross the Ironwater River?] asked Tip, yet staring at the map.

[Oh no,] groaned Beau, [they didn't destroy Bridgeton, did they?]

Jinnarin shook her head. [Nay. Bridgeton is safe. When it became clear that Bridgeton was in the path, we raced ahead to alert the Baeron in the south woods, so that they could warn the city; even so, we were too late: the Spawn were already at Bridgeton. Nevertheless, they did not stop to attack the town. Instead, they crossed a deep ford to the north.]

[To the north?] said Tipperton, looking at his chart. [I see no ford there.]

[Nevertheless there is one,] said Farrix, striding across the map and placing his finger on the sketch of the Iron-water just north of Bridgeton. [Though quite deep-I would think not passable at all when the river is in spring flood-this is where they crossed.]

[Hmm.] Tipperton marked his map tentatively as he mused, [Perhaps this is what they did when marching the other direction to set siege on Mineholt North. They bypassed Bridgeton then as well.]

[They could have crossed on ice at that time,] said Beau, [for I think it was winter then. Regardless, this time they went 'round Bridgeton again, and it is safe.] He turned to Linnet. [They have some of the best mulled wine there.]

On the map, Tip wrote, Deep Ford Here with an arrow to where Farrix pointed.

Farrix cocked his head 'round to read the words in Common and laughed. [Deep indeed. Even using the spanning ropes, the Rucha and Loka were just able to keep their noses above the water. The Trolls were the last to cross, and only under threat by the Ghulka, though what a corpse-foe might do to a Troll, I have not even a hint.]

Dinly frowned. [Why would Ogrus be afraid of a river?]

[They sink like a rock in water,] said Jinnarin, grinning at Farrix, [completely unable to float or swim. Or so we discovered some long years bacjt in a hidden cavern.]

[Bones like stones,] said Farrix.

[Ah,] said Dinly, enlightened.

Tipperton frowned. [It bothers me that they bypassed Bridgeton. -Oh, I'm certainly glad they did. It's just that it seems such a tempting target. What is the goal of a maggot-folk army if not to plunder cities?]

Beau held up a finger. [Hoy now, Tip, you said it yourself: the Riicken army went 'round it on the way to Mine-holt North.]

[Yes, but the Dwarvenholt was their goal, and so they had good reason to skirt it then, just as they disregarded Dael.]

Beau nodded, but added: [When the Mineholt siege was broken, they bypassed Bridgeton again as they fled.]

[They were running from an army of angry Dwarves, to say nothing of the Elves and Men.]

Beau laughed. [Angry Dwarves: nothing better to flee, eh?] As the others smiled, Beau sobered. [All I'm saying, Tip, is that every time the maggot-folk go past Bridgeton, they leave it alone.]

[Regardless as to their motives,] said Aylissa, [they marched to the Skarpals and within.]

[Retreating like the others, eh?] said Alver, looking at Beau.

Beau glanced at Tip and turned up his hands.

[Did you see any more maggot-folk?] asked Rynna. [The Spawn on the wold and those in the Rimmen Spur seem to have vanished.]

[Ah, so that's who they were,] said Farrix. [A belated group heading east as well.]

[They hie for the Skarpals, too,] said Aylissa, [or so we believe.]

[Fleeing to hide in the mountains,] said Dinly. [All of them run away.]

[Say, I wonder if this has to do with the High King breaking the siege at Gunarring Gap?] said Beau. [Perhaps the reason they head for the Skarpals is that they think the war lost and they run for cover, just as Alver and Dinly say.]

Tip looked up from the map and shook his head. [Perhaps you are right, Beau, and the Skarpals is their final goal. But then again perhaps you are wrong and Modru has something else altogether in mi-]

"Hiyo! Hiyo!" came a shout.

They all glanced up from the table to see Farly come racing into camp.

"The Dylvana are here!" he cried as he galloped across the sward.

As Tip rolled his maps, Farly haled his pony up short and swung his leg across his saddle and leapt down. "The Dylvana are here and are setting up camp at Eryn Ford."

Rynna scooped up Lark and held onto her tightly, and Tipperton put his arms about both.

Dressed in their leathers and bearing their weaponry, eight Warrows came riding into the Elven camp, Rynna and Tipperton in the lead, Dinly and Alver coming last. And as Tipperton rode past, Dylvana hailed him… and hailed Beau following after.

Her blue eyes sparkling, Dara Vail came and walked alongside Tip as he rode toward the central tent, where Coron Ruar was said to be. "I was glad to hear thee yet lived, Tipperton, thou and Beau."

"Beau and I have come through some scrapes since I rode scout with you on the way to Mineholt North, Lady Vail," said Tip. "Scrapes: ah but what a gentle name for those dire dealings; nevertheless, they seemed to seek us out, as I imagine they did you."

"Aye. The Spaunen in Crestan Pass were stubborn, yet we prevailed in the end." Vail looked across at Rynna. "Is this-?"

"Oh, my pardon," blurted Tip. "Lady Vail, may I present Rynna Fenrush-er, that is, Rynna Fenrush Thistledown. Rynna, Lady Vail."

Vail's eyes widened, then she laughed merrily. "Oh but what splendid news."

Rynna smiled tentatively. "News?"

"That thou didst not die at the fall of Caer Lindor."

Rynna grinned widely. "Nay, lady, I did not." Then Ryn-na's smile vanished and she added, "Though many others did."

"Beau! Tipperton!" hailed a familiar voice.

Tip turned to see just as Beau exclaimed, "Melor!"

"Come sup with me this eve," called Melor, as he curry-combed his horse, "and tell me what all has befallen."

"I will," replied Beau, then he gestured toward Linnet. "We will, and that's a promise."

Beau turned to Linnet. "A splendid healer. He taught me much."

Tip waved at Melor, turning to Vail as she said, "I wouldst that thou rejoin the scouts, Tipperton, for we need all to aid."

"Rynna is our leader," replied Tip. "But if she has no other plans for me, and if Lord Eilor requests, then so shall it be."

Vail's face fell. "Alor Eilor was slain in Crestan Pass. I am now chief scout."

"Oh my," said Tipperton…

… and they fared the rest of the way to Coron Ruar's tent in silence.

Two days later the Baeron came riding to Eryn Ford-huge men on huge horses, massive wagons drawn in their wake-and alongside their company was a band of Lian from Arden Vale, come down from Crestan Pass at the summons of High King Blaine. In addition among the Baeron also rode Dara Riatha's company, all of whom had been on the northern wold nigh Landover Ford at the time of the calling.

Everywhere Tip and Beau turned, it seemed, they found another friend; many were the reunions of the buccen with sundry of these warriors. Old acquaintances were renewed, and new acquaintances made, as Rynna and Linnet and the others were introduced to these comrades of old… though as Alver said, "Whoo, my head is spinning with names."

Among the Lian were the twins Gildor and Vanidor, along with Talar, Riatha, Ruar, Alaria, Arandar, and lovely, dark-haired Elissan-who smiled at Tip and winked, the buccan blushing furiously in remembrance of a particular exposed bath. And among the Baeron they found Wag-onmaster Bwen and Braec and Durul, who now was chieftain, for Gara had been slain in the Grimwalls nigh Crestan Pass. And Bwen laughed hugely to see the buccen, and she called out, "Thuas seasim me agus sios cnag me, Beau, Tip, hum!"

And so many of the reunions were bittersweet, for Tip and Beau learned of folk who had fallen in the war, folk they had come to cherish, folk they held in their hearts.

Yet there was little time to mourn and no time to celebrate, for on the morrow they would begin the march from Eryn Ford to Caer Pendwyr.

Dawn came to shadows slipping away after saying goodbye to the Warrows. Fires were quenched as Elven and Baeron and Waerlinga warriors broke camp. Horses and ponies were saddled, pack animals laden with goods, dray horses hitched to wagons, as all was made ready for the trek unto Pellar.

With tears running down her face, Rynna kissed Lark one last time and whispered, "I love you, my sweet one, I love you," then handed her over to Melli. Tipperton, his own cheeks wet, sat astride his pony, his good-byes already said.

Nix and Linnet and Beau all kissed Melli on the cheek, and kissed little Lark as well, and then they turned to their ponies and mounted and fell in line after Rynna and Tip and rode forward two by two.

Vail spied the oncoming group of Waerlinga, and she summoned them to the fore, for all would be scouts but Beau, and he a healer in the vanguard.

Finally, at a signal from Coron Ruar, Dara Lyra raised a horn to her lips and blew a ringing call, and it echoed from limb and stone and hill on the cool October morn.

And slowly the column began to move forward, horses and ponies splashing into Eryn Ford and across, wagons rumbling after, all following the trail of the Elven scouts who were now some leagues ahead.

And as he rode into the water, Tipperton turned to take one long last look at his beloved Lark, and he raised his black-oxen horn and blew a ringing cry. And the hearts of all were lifted, wee Lark laughing in weeping Melli's arms. And away rode the Warrows, eight strong, eight warriors riding unto war midst a thousand Dylvana and twelve hundred Baeron and a hundred or so Lian, but Melli's tear-laden eyes saw only the precious eight.