In the Eye of the Crow by A. H. Anderson

Author:A. H. Anderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, YA fantasy, magic and fantasy, royalty, high fantasy, elves
Publisher: A. H. Anderson
Published: 2023-06-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Haven

HAVEN WATCHED TRADING SHIPS sail to the Mainland from her window.

She wept all morning for the home she left, and the sun shining off the sea made her eyes water again. It had been two weeks since her arrival in Tairia, and she still missed her home dearly. This was different from exile in Blire Keep. This land was altogether foreign and strange, different in every sense. At the Keep, at least the surroundings were familiar. At least she could look out from the high tower and admire the sea of green that was Oriel Forest, and glimpse the port town of Banks along the coast.

Haven kept herself facing the water as the door to her chambers opened and closed. Soft footsteps approached and Esta stood next to her. Haven didn’t bother to look at her as the Elf maid took in her appearance.

“You have a visitor, my lady,” Esta said.

“I don’t want to see anyone,” Haven spat.

Esta smiled hopelessly and tilted her head. “I cannot turn this particular visitor away.”

Haven held her gaze and nodded. “Fine, then.”

Esta rose to get the door. Haven sniffed as someone approached, tried to gather herself.

"Hæmar ennu lith,” he said.

Haven was embarrassed that she couldn’t understand Thalanil. It must’ve been a greeting of some kind, but she didn’t recognise it.

“What does that mean?” she asked sheepishly, turning to face him and straightening her shoulders to appear welcoming.

“It is a greeting for loved ones...an expression of mutual warmth and trust.” She studied him, and he gestured to the place beside her at the window seat. “May I?” he asked. Haven nodded quickly and he placed himself there.

She turned her gaze back to the open window. He was silent as they listened to the birds singing. Haven wiped her nose with her wrist.

“Not a cloud in the sky,” Thalanil said. “Have you been outside today?”

Haven shook her head. “I haven’t wanted to.” Her words were murmured as the ships in the distance disappeared over the horizon. She squinted again against the glinting light, and glanced at him. He too watched the sea, a quiet smile lightly lifting his lips.

Another short spell of silence passed before he spoke again. “What troubles you?”

Haven regretted that her unhappy mien failed to escape his notice. “Nothing I wish to burden you with, my lo—Ruah,” she said.

Thalanil watched her face meditatively. “When I was small, my father would leave often. He would visit other kingdoms for diplomacy. Perhaps your mother once did the same. He would be gone for weeks, sometimes months at a time. I was always attached to him when I was a child. I followed him everywhere. When he would go places I couldn’t, it crushed me.” He lowered his gaze, flashed a quick smile. “I must’ve driven the servants mad with my whining and whimpering.”

Haven studied him carefully as he spoke, and his eyes softened.

“I understand your strain. You must be completely lost.” He reached out and set a hand on her cheek, moving her hair behind her ear with his fingers.

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