Into the Darkwood: A Dark Elf Fantasy Romance Trilogy (The Darkwood Chronicles) by Sharp Anthea

Author:Sharp, Anthea [Sharp, Anthea]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Fiddlehead Press
Published: 2020-07-08T16:00:00+00:00

32

To Mara’s dismay, it took two more days for her wellspring to regenerate to the point where Avantor agreed to attempt opening the gateway. In truth, though, she’d barely had the energy to argue with him. The first palemoon had slipped away in slumber, and it was only on the second that she roused enough to mark the passage of time.

The bustle of the camp around her had increased so much that she poked her head out of her tent in alarm. Ondo sat cross-legged just outside. He looked up in relief when she spoke his name.

“What is happening?” She gestured at the commotion.

“Hestil has arrived,” he said.

“Finally.” Mara scanned the camp. “Could you bring her to me, please?”

“I will send for her,” he said, clearly unwilling to leave his post. “And Avantor, as well.”

She nodded, then ducked back inside to make herself presentable. Urgency simmered just under her skin, but she was now clearheaded enough to know that they must make plans.

No matter how much she wanted to go charging back into her world to find her husband.

There was just time enough for her to settle outside with a cup of hot tea before Hestil arrived.

“My lady.” The hard-faced warrior made her a bow. “Avantor has told me what happened. We owe you another great debt, for vanquishing the Void once more. It is my deepest regret that I was too late to join the battle.”

“But not too late to help open the gateway,” Mara said. “I am going after Bran.”

If he could draw upon her strength, she reasoned, then why could she not do the same with the other Dark Elves? It was worth a try, at any rate.

“I will go with you into the mortal world,” Hestil said, just as Avantor arrived.

“That is not wise.” The healer frowned. “Would Bran agree to rob Hawthorne of both its commander and its second? What if you never return?”

Hestil’s eyes narrowed, but she did not argue. “I could say the same for you, Avantor. If I stay behind, then you must as well.”

“Bran must have a healer—”

“Then we will send Brethil,” Hestil said.

“And Ondo,” Avantor replied. “And perhaps—”

“Stop.” Mara held up her hands. “I’m not taking an entire troop with me. Who knows what we’ll find once we open the gate? With luck, Bran will be waiting to step back into Elfhame.”

The memory of her vision rose, and she clenched her jaw to keep her fear from spilling forth.

Avantor and Hestil exchanged a look, and then the warrior offered her a hand up.

“Our people are gathering at the gateway stones,” she said. “Let us make the attempt and, as you said, see what lies on the other side.”

Mara gulped the last of her tea and then took Hestil’s calloused hand, glad of the assistance.

Nearly two dozen Dark Elves stood in a loose circle around the gateway. They bowed to Mara as she passed, and some offered words of thanks and encouragement. Hestil and Avantor strode beside her, Ondo just behind, and all too soon, she stood before the stones marking the gateway.

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