Keeper of the Jewel by Richard H. Stephens

Author:Richard H. Stephens
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Richard H. Stephens

In Her Master’s Absence

Balewynd shrugged free of Pecklyn’s comforting arm and strode into the morning light, making her way to the edge of the expansive, stone shelf fronting Highcliff. Heavy with moisture, grey clouds scudded across Crystal Lake lower than the level of the promontory. She gazed forlornly at the advancing front. Blowing in from the southeast, the imminent storm matched her brooding emotions.

Her stomach ached as if she hadn’t eaten in weeks, but food was the last thing she wanted at the moment. The heartbreak of her father’s murder bunched up her insides and squeezed, stealing her breath away.

She swallowed, uncaring of the tears that wouldn’t stop. She had never felt this way before. Not even when her mother had left her as an elfling; her sudden death never fully explained. Though she had an inkling her father suspected something unnatural had been at the root of her mother’s passing, at the time, she hadn’t known any better.

Blame, denial, and bitterness intertwined, twisting her dark thoughts and leading them down paths she had previously been afraid to entertain. If not for the ever-watchful presence of Pecklyn, she believed she would have climbed aboard Mirage and stormed the castle in search of the one responsible for her pain.

She was certain whoever had murdered her father wasn’t from South March. The sensations she had experienced during the horrific few moments in which she had laid eyes on it made it obvious it wasn’t elven.

She took a deep breath. As a Highcliff Guardian, she had a duty to perform. Speaking past the lump in her throat she said to the wind, “I must oversee the training of the princess.”

Pecklyn frowned.

“Aelfwynne bade us to train Ouderling in the old ways. Who else is capable of doing that properly? Xantha’s too old to teach her many of the physical things she must learn. No one else besides you and myself know how Master Aelfwynne would prefer someone like the princess to be handled. Given the knowledge handed down by my father, that leaves me.” She turned to regard her companion, trying hard to keep her voice from breaking. “You’re good with swords and dragons, probably the best with both, so I’ll need your help.”

“Of course, I’ll help, but—”

Balewynd shook her head. “There’s no time for but. Despite what my father wrote, Xantha fears Aelfwynne may already be dead. There’s little time left to us before whatever that thing that killed my father comes for us.”

“She assumes he’s dead, but we don’t know that for certain.”

Balewynd’s no nonsense stare intensified. “If she honestly thought Master Aelfwynne was still alive, we’d already be down at the castle.”

“Ya, you’re probably right.” Pecklyn sighed and looked away to watch the roiling clouds. “You know I’ll help. But…” He faced her again, holding up a warning finger. “But we must hang on to the faint hope that Aelfy has survived.” His features hardened. “I won’t believe he’s gone until I see his body.

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