Arian and Kieri came into his office to find the elf standing quietly, a Squire nearby. The elf made a courtesy as graceful as a leaf in the wind. “My lord king,” she said. “My lady queen. All the taig sings of your joy, and I bring a gift—” She held out a crystal bottle stoppered with a pale green stone. “This potion combines rare and precious herbs; its action is to cleanse and cool the blood. Should the queen take a fever, a few drops in a cup of wine will ease it and save harm to the babes within.” She smiled at them. “I would rejoice to see the grandchildren of my friend,” she said.

“So … you are not one of those who wish to leave?” Kieri asked.

“Oh, no,” the elf said. “I will not leave this land, though others may.” She handed the bottle to the Squire, bowed, and withdrew.

“You are not drinking that,” Kieri said.

“No,” Arian said. “But we may as well see if it smells of the poison we know.”

The liquid had only a sharp herbal smell. “It may be harmless,” Kieri said, sniffing again.

“But I take no chances,” Arian said. “We will pour it out.” She frowned. “I have no reason,” she said, “and perhaps it is only a form of jealousy for her beauty, but I have no warm feelings for her.”

Kieri chuckled. “Perhaps you are remembering my feelings when she suggested we might marry. Yes—this was the same one. A friend of my mother’s, she said, and my mother was no elf-child when I was born.”

Amrothlin was surprised to hear of the elf woman’s visit when he arrived. “But then,” he said, “she was your mother’s friend, and she would want to congratulate you.”

“I have another task for you,” Kieri said. “Orlith’s murder—his wounds were not made by crossbow bolts or longbow arrows. It is possible he was killed by another elf, and if so—we may yet have enemies among the elves in Lyonya.”

“Iynisin use the same bows and arrows as elves,” Amrothlin said. “That is more likely than that anyone I know would kill someone so respected—”

“I hope that will prove true,” Kieri said. “But I would know for certain. Consider the possibility, at least. If you hear anything, tell me.”

Amrothlin nodded. He left after a few minutes, and the rest of the day was a constant stream of visitors come to congratulate the king and queen. Arian was glad she had already readied her clothes and equipment for the trip, because she had no chance to supervise the last-minute packing. She made sure, however, to see the bottle the elf had brought emptied out down one of the kitchen sinks.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Vérella