James Barclay - Elfsorrow
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- Book:Elfsorrow
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- Publisher:Prometheus Books
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- Year:2010
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Elfsorrow: summary, description and annotation
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Another action-packed adventure from the new master of fantasy. The Raven travel to a new continent in search of mages to help the ruined college of Julatsa rebuild and find themselves in the midst of an ancient curse--a curse that has unleashed a plague that threatens to wipe out the elven race. Barclay excels with another tale that pitches The Raven against the clock and unseen foes. Full of desperate fights and secret betrayals, the story also fills in more of Balaias history and delves deeper into the ancient emnities between the colleges. Barclay has created a wonderfully appealing group of heroes, and with every book their history grows and the land they live in becomes wider and richer. This is landmark fantasy in the making.
James Barclay: author's other books
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Epilogue
Erienne knelt before the statue of Yniss and its shattered hand that the Al-Arynaar had reattached but did not have the magic to bind.
Are you there? she asked.
Yes, Erienne, said Cleress. Before we start, tell us how you felt in the stockade at Understone. You used the One.
Were you with me?
Of course, but only to help you should you falter. We cannot afford to lose you. But you learned the essence of it all. Casting reflects desire. You wanted The Raven to have time to talk, and you gave it to them. You will be able to achieve almost anything but this strength is also the curse. Go further than the power of your mind and the One will swamp you, kill you. This is the limitation you must understand before we can withdraw from you.
I didnt feel in control.
You were not, said Myriell. Not entirely. It will become more natural as you begin to understand how it feels.
Erienne shook her head. No more now. Elves die as we speak. What must I do?
We will guide you, said Cleress. You must open yourself to the One, let us feel what you feel.
Im just a conduit, right?
You are far more than that, said Myriell, her voice weak and distant. But for this binding, yes, you can put it that way.
What should I do?
Just place both hands on the statue. One on the thumb and one on the fracture at the wrist. Then delve down into the entity and feel us there with you.
Erienne placed her hands where she was asked and closed her eyes, tuning her mind to the mana spectrum. She dived deep within herself, down to the hated pulsating mass in her mind that was the One. She hovered above it for a moment, then plunged in.
The energy that stormed through her body was as overwhelming as it was beautiful. It took her breath away, stopped her heart and stole the strength from her limbs. But still she lived, still the blood raced through her veins and her grip on the statue was secure.
She felt uplifted and everything around her was so clear and pure. The water in the pool next to her, Auum and Rebraal standing near her, their bodies taut with tension, their minds so complex, so dark and yet so fundamentally good. She pushed outwards and everything was in focus. She could feel the beating heart of a bird in a nearby tree, she could feel the roots of the tree itself, growing down as they sought nourishment. She could feel a panther and its partner outside the temple, their bond closer than mother and unborn child, and she could feel The Raven, strong but bowed by grief, waiting for her. Waiting and hoping she could do what she was asked.
This may be painful for you, said Myriell. I am sorry if it is so.
Do what you must. I am ready.
Very well.
The sound of their voices grew in her mind and at once the tendrils of the One started to move together. The language was ancient and elvish but power reverberated in every syllable. They were forging a shape like a cast. It was huge and rotated, dragging the essence of the One from the entity inside her, melding it to what they had already built.
And then came the pain. From the tips of her toes to the top of her scalp, every nerve came alive and shrieked. The raw spirit of the One was surging through her, only kept in check by the strength of the Al-Drechars minds. The tendrils fattened to great twining ropes feeding into the structure that blossomed as it grew.
She knew she was juddering with the force of it all; her eyes and mouth flew open, spittle rolled over her chin and she heard a low wail that she didnt realise at first was coming from her. The voices grew so loud in her head she feared she would pass out but the One kept her upright; it wouldnt let her go.
The marble of the wrist, hand and thumb was moving, moulding and shaping. Like ants crawling on the forest floor, it shifted over itself, knitting together, the movement seething upwards, the stone feeling alive beneath her fingers. It pulsed and writhed, every shard moved to its place, every nick was covered and every crack smoothed away.
Her eyesight began to fade as the sound of the Al-Drechars voices dropped to a low bass. The floor under her began to vibrate, water in the pool splashed, dust filtered down from above, settling on her arms and head. She saw the sheath of mana pass over the hand, up the arm and then across Ynisss body. And as it did, her body quivered, every muscle in minute spasm, her nerves still alive and open, her pain quite without peer.
Yet beneath the agony she felt the purity of the force, the completeness of the One. She caught a glimpse of the world with the One as its keeper. It was the harmony. It was Yniss on earth. It was wonderful.
Outside, The Raven waited nervously. The Al-Arynaar had closed the temple door, and even when Erienne began to wail they would not move. All Denser could do was pace.
Hirad stood with The Unknown as time dragged on, still feeling the bitter taste of fresh grief in his mind.
All this death and we achieved none of the things we left Herendeneth to do.
Wouldnt have been anywhere else though, would you? said The Unknown.
No, I suppose not. Hirad scuffed at the ground with his feet. You know, Im starting to believe in destiny. For The Raven, that is.
How do you figure that?
Hirad shrugged. Just look at the facts. Everything major thats happened has involved us right at its core. Its like we were supposed to be there when Denser found Dawnthief. Supposed to be there when the rip was torn in the sky. And the rebirth of the One magic? Could have happened to any two mages, potentially, but it didnt. It happened to Erienne and Denser. And now this. If wed come here ten days earlier, wed have known nothing about Elfsorrow until Ilkar caught it. But we were here. And we could help.
Up to a point, said The Unknown grimly. So whats next? Not a quiet retirement.
No, said Hirad. Aside from finishing what Ilkar started by coming here, theres the little matter of a college war going on. Reckon youre up for that? See, if it goes the wrong way before were ready, there are things wont get done.
Ah. Well, I reckon I could stir myself, said The Unknown. For a good cause or two.
The door of the temple opened and Erienne emerged. Auum and Rebraal supporting her on either side, they led her over to Denser, kissing her cheeks before draping her in his arms. Across the stone apron, elves were offering prayers of thanks, their faces uplifted, light in their eyes, the haunting fear of imminent death removed.
I take it this was a success.
Rebraal nodded. Yniss is rebound. He will bless us once again. Can you not feel it? The harmony is growing again. It embraces us all.
And how do you feel, Erienne? asked Denser, crushing his wife to him and stroking her back with his hands. How does it feel to have saved the elven race?
Tiring, said Erienne. I think I need to lie down.
Auum moved in front of Hirad and bowed his head, speaking a few words.
He is thanking you for all you have done. He salutes you and grieves for your loss. Among the TaiGethen and Al-Arynaar, you will always be welcome.
Its what we do, said Hirad.
Im sorry we mistrusted you, said Rebraal. I hope you will let us travel back to Balaia with you, to carry on the fight.
I was counting on it.
Rebraal smiled.
Id give it all up to have him standing here, said Hirad.
Would it help if I told you that in death he saved all of this majesty for every elf ever born from now on?
It was a different take to his own but a good one. Ilkar, father of the elves.
Hirad smiled. He rather liked the sound of that.
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