“Show me the peg,” Stammel said. Cadlin led him around, told him where to reach up for the peg. Stammel hung the bow there, then went out and found the bolt he had shot dangling from the bark of an oilberry tree, it had had so little force left. When he came back in with it, Rort was gone. He sat down at his own workspace and checked the point on the bolt before going back to sharpening Cadlin’s tools.

CHAPTER NINE

Chaya

We ask formal audience, sir king,” Amrothlin said. Behind him, a group of elves nodded. He looked tired but determined. “It is a matter of importance.”

“Of course,” Kieri said. He was in a better mood this bright morning; even the prospect of dealing with elves didn’t daunt him. A good night’s sleep. An early morning session in the salle. Both had left him feeling in tune with spring. “I have matters of importance to discuss with you, as well.”

“Sir king, we wish to leave.”

“Leave?” He certainly had not expected that.

“Yes. As there is no elvenhome for us here, we find only sorrow where once we found joy. The memories of what we have lost gall us every moment and make the days that should be brief long. If you and the queen had less ability with the taig, we would stay out of duty to tend it, but it is our belief you can do what must be done.”

“Is this really all about your sorrow or is it that yesterday you told Arian things you wish you had not?” Kieri asked. She had told him that only direct challenges and questions kept Amrothlin talking. “Perhaps you wish to keep other secrets you know I would ask about.”

A faint flush darkened Amrothlin’s cheeks. “It is true I spoke too freely to the queen. I did admit there were things I could not say. Not yet, anyway.”

Kieri scowled. “Your time is not as our time, Uncle, I know that well. So what seems hasty to you may be a lifetime to us, who must deal with things as they come. I am not a hasty man, save in war and at great need, but even I can see death on the horizon. I am still your king, bound by the oath the Lady and I shared, and you are bound by your oath as well. You owe me the knowledge you have withheld.” He paused; Amrothlin glared. “Was it not through lack of knowledge that my mother died and I was taken? That you could not rescue me from those years of torment?” He pushed away the lingering suspicion that the elves—or some of them—might have left him there on purpose. “Withholding knowledge can cause as much harm as knowledge untimely given.”

“Are you telling us to stay, sir king?” Amrothlin’s expression was challenging, but Kieri felt a subtle lessening of the elf’s resistance.