Barb Hendi - A Wind in the Night

Wynn Hygeorht was hiding out in the library of the Guild of Sagecraft in Calm Seatt. The night shed endured so far had been grueling.

Only a few days before, she had found herself thrown into the midst of a group of ninetwo dogs and seven people, counting herselfthat had included her companions of old Magiere, Leesil, and Chap. Theyd worked in a common cause to begin locating the last two orbs, ancient devices they believed to have once been wielded by the Ancient Enemy in waging war on the world. Undead minions of that enemy were now surfacing to seek the orbs themselves.

The orbs could not fall into the wrong hands.

With little choice, the nine of them had split up. And tonight ... the majority had left Calm Seatt to sail off for the Isle of Wrdelyd, where they might catch a ship heading south to the Suman Empire. And there they would search for the hiding place of the orb of Air. Wynn had chosen to remain behind in order to search the guilds vast archives for any clue to the location of the last and fifth orb, the one for the element of Spirit.

She kept telling herself the same truth over and over.... I made the choice to remain behind.

Upon returning to the guild grounds tonight, she had needed a few moments of solitude with only Shade, her dog, for company, so shed headed for the library in the castles main keep. She herself might soon be forced to embark upon a journey of her own, so she tried to research possible overland routes to the south, and Shade sat quietly nearby with little to do. But it wasnt long before Wynn was forced to face the obvious.

Her thoughts were meandering too much in other directions as she stared blankly at the pile of scattered maps. She could not maintain her focus.

Oh, dead deities! she whispered. This isnt going to work tonight. Come on, Shade.

They left the library through its north doorway and passed the opposing archways into the kitchens and the common hall. In the latter, the great hearth at the rear still burned with low flames though the hall was empty. Even that inviting sight didnt appeal to Wynn with so many things on her mind, most of which she didnt want to face. As if guessing, or not giving Wynn a choice, Shade trotted ahead along the passage. Wynn followed the dog around the far corner as they headed down the corridor along the keeps front to its main doors.

Shade arrived first and sat waiting until Wynn caught up and pushed the left door open. The dog slipped out, but when Wynn did so, she found Shade halted just outside. Shades tall ears were up and rigid, and Wynn stopped instantly as she followed the dogs stare.

The courtyard wasnt empty.

Two tall figures stood a good distance apart as they glared at each other. The closer of the pair, with his back to Wynn, was Chane Andraso, a companion who had chosen to remain in Calm Seatt with her ... regardless that the others had wanted him gone and far from her company.

Chane was an undeada vampire, specificallyand of a more-than-questionable background, though to Wynn he had proven himself capable of change. Over time she had accepted both his friendship and his protection in her search for the orbs.

She couldnt see his face, only his jaggedly cut red-brown hair, which reached just past the collar of his shirt and cloak. And then his hand closed tightly on the hilt of the longer of his two swords. Chanes attention was fully fixed on the other tall occupant in the courtyard.

In the shadows of the gatehouse tunnels inner opening stood a cloaked and hooded figure with a strangely curved bow slung over one shoulder and a quiver of black-feathered arrows protruding above the other. Next to that quiver, the end of a long and narrow canvas-wrapped bundle stuck up as well, and it was strapped to his back with twine.

Wynn would have known him anywhere, though her mind went numb at the sight of him.

Osha brushed back his hood. The flames of the gatehouses great iron braziers made his white-blond hair shimmer with fiery orange. Large and slightly slanted amber eyes in his long, dark-toned face returned the same intense glare that Chane fixed upon him.

What was Osha doing here?

Osha, Brotan, and Leanlhm had been the final three members of the strange group that had been thrown together in this search for the orbs. All three were anCran, meaning [Those] of the Bloodelves from the eastern continent. All three were supposed to have sailed tonight with Magiere, Leesil, and Chap.

And yet ... here was Osha in a standoff with Chane.

Osha suddenly sloped his left shoulder. His bow slid off and dropped, and he snatched its wrapped handle without even looking and raised it slightly as he eyed Chane. He didnt reach for an arrow, not until ...

Chane drew his longer sword of mottled dwarven steel.

Oshas free hand instantly reached over his shoulder for his quiver.

Wynn inhaled sharply as her mind woke up.

No! she cried.

Both men froze in surprise, as neither seemed to have spotted her in the entrances shadows. Wynn rushed out past Shade.

Osha could easily put an arrow in Chanes chest or throat, perhaps both, but that might not even slow Chane down. And although Chane was a skilled swordsman, it would be difficult even for him to land a blow on Osha, but if he did ...

Wynn grabbed the wrist of Chanes sword arm and tried to pull him back. No! she repeated, though her gaze remained on Osha. At the sight of her clutching Chanes arm, Oshas long, somewhat horselike face twisted with an emotion she couldnt quite read.

What are you doing here? she called, and her fear came out with anger in her voice.

Oshas eyes narrowed as they shifted to Chane, though two fingers of his raised hand still touched the black feathers of an arrow. When those large amber eyes turned back on Wynn, his hand lowered a little, though he still held his bow at the ready. His brow smoothed, and his eyes widened in wonder ... or relief, as if hed found something dear that hed lost.

Wynn swallowed hard. This was a mess she didnt need. Chanes feelings for her were ... complicated. Her past with Osha was ... more complicated.

She glanced up, and Chane now looked down at her hand gripping his sword wrist, but he didnt try to pull away. His handsome face was always deathly pale, and since hed risen from death, there was little brown that remained in his eyes.

Those eyes now had no color at all. They were like glittering crystals, especially when heor Wynnwas threatened.

No, she repeated quietly.

Chanes jaw muscles bulged in a clench, though with his mouth shut tightly, she couldnt be certain of any change in his teeth. Suddenly it occurred to her that Osha might have a reason for not having joined the others on the ship. Her anxiety over a possible clash between the two men gave way to more fear.

Wheres Magiere? she called, looking to Osha. Whats wrong? What happened?

That lost, relieved look vanished from Oshas face. He finally lowered his empty hand, and the bow as well, as he stepped toward her. Beneath Wynns grip, the tendons in Chanes wrist tightened even before Osha stopped a few paces off.

All is well, I believe, he answered in the anCrans older dialect of Elvish. Magiere and the others reached their ship and are gone.

Wynn shook her head. When she spoke, she kept to Belaskian for Chanes sake.

Then why arent you with them?

I stayed to help in your task, he answered ardently, and then he, too, switched to Belaskian. He didnt look at Chane as he added, I not leave. I stay ... with you.

Wynn took one quick upward glance. Chanes upper lip curled back, and his irises still had no color.

Oshas declaration sank in. Magiere and the others had sailed away, and Osha was stuck here by his own choice. She couldnt send him away, even if she wished to, and she couldnt abandon himnot himin a world he knew too little about. And worse ...