Return of the Shirán: Elven Worlds 3 by R.K. Lander

Author:R.K. Lander [Lander, R.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-26T00:00:00+00:00

“Well, are we ready?” Onara was excited and nervous at the same time, but she hid it well. Today was about Talanor and Llyniel, not her own pathetic pining for Benzir.

Talanor looked out over the land, green eyes crystal clear now. Dressed like a hunter, he wore his quiver on his back. But instead of a bow and arrows, he carried Chockybob, just out of sight so that no one would think him a child. It warmed her heart and broke it at the same time. She placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder, then glanced at Llyniel beside them. There was no excitement in her eyes, only incipient panic, gaze darting from one place to the other, as if she expected a horde of revenants to jump out at them.

“There’s no danger here, Llyniel. There are no deviants, no marauding attackers. These lands are guarded by the Shirán. We are safe.”

The healer’s stunning eyes were upon her, begging her to tell the truth. Onara nodded and she turned to the fore with a visible breath.

“Come on then.” Onara led the way as she hoisted her bag higher. Their only enemy was the cold, but there would be plenty of firewood along the way, and no rush to get to Sanctuary. Besides, there was so much she had to teach the mother and her son before they got anywhere near that place. It was Talanor who provided her with her first cue to speak.

“That tree must be even bigger than Pangoli.”

“What’s Pangoli?” asked Onara.

“The tree we used to live in.” Llyniel said no more and Onara didn’t push her. There was grief in the woman’s eyes and Talanor was quiet.

“That tree is called Origenta.”

“Is it an Original?” asked Llyniel.

“I believe so. They say the Listeners can hear them.” She glanced sideways at the healer. She’d always been fascinated with the lore of Ea Uaré, and she reminded herself that if she accepted the Choice in death and became Shirán, she would see that place for herself one day.

“They can, not that there were many Listeners in Ea Uaré. Fel’annár could hear them – the Three Sisters.”

“Anora, Galora and…”

“Bulara.”

“It’s been a while since I read about them. I always loved the tales of the first world. I read everything our library had on its ways and customs.”

“Glad to help then,” said Llyniel, somewhat distantly. Onara wanted to kick herself. She should have been answering the questions, not asking them like an overexcited child, stirring up the woman’s memories of the life that had simply fizzled away when her son and husband had died.

“So Origenta, in answer to your question, Talanor, it is far bigger than Pangoli. It’s your father’s home now, as a Shirán Warrior.”

“When will he come?”

“When he’s finished with his mission in the south. We’re going to my home – my new home – Sanctuary. It’s close to Origenta, so we’ll know when he’s home.”

Talanor looked up at Onara and she smiled down at him. But Llyniel simply stared into the space before her as she walked, no expression at all on her face.

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