The rest of the meal passed without incident, though Luc was notably silent beside her. She knew she’d insulted him, calling him an elf before. All the bards agreed that fair folk didn’t like being called elves. It seemed they were right.
She had reacted out of fear. She acknowledged her weakness, now that she’d had time to reflect. Luc scared her, and Lilly wasn’t a woman used to being afraid of a man simply because she found him more attractive than any other she’d ever met.
The fact that his kisses made her insensible to everything around her was cause for concern, but even greater was the danger he posed to her heart. All too easily, Luc could crush it, if she allowed him to get too close. Better he keep his distance because she wasn’t sure she had enough control over her wayward emotions to deny him if he pursued her in earnest.
The only way, then, was to keep him at arm’s length until they completed their journey. She didn’t know how she was going to do it, but for her own sake, she had to find a way. Like it or not, Luc was a different species. He’d outlive her by hundreds of years. Even if he wanted a lasting relationship with her, it was doomed from the start. On the other hand, if she lost her heart to him and he only wanted a fling, she’d be devastated. Judging by those amazing kisses, she feared once she’d been with him, she’d be ruined for all other men. Better to nip it in the bud before either of them got hurt.
Lilly went with Lady Dela back to the Seer’s Hall after lunch, glad for the vigorous walk down wooded paths that led to the very edges of the Veil. The seers, it seemed, preferred to be away from most of the other bustling halls devoted to other pursuits. In all, Lilly had been in the healer’s hall, the great hall, and had passed by a craftsman’s hall, and the mage’s hall on her travels through the enclave that day.
From what she could see, each discipline had a central gathering place around which the devotees of that craft made their homes. Each hall was bordered by houses, then fields or thickets where they grew what they needed and kept animals. In all, it was a very orderly design that looked natural in the landscape—something few human settlements ever achieved.
When they arrived, the Seer’s Hall was in chaos. Some of the healers Lilly had met earlier that day at the healer’s hall were scurrying about, giving out tisanes and cool compresses to those whose gifts left them with headaches. Lilly was familiar with the afflictions of seers, having spent time with Alric.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Lilly spoke without thinking, seeing the disorder of the hall.
Lady Dela looked at her oddly then sighed. “I suppose you are more familiar than most with our affliction. Thank you for the offer, but your most valuable contribution, at this moment, is in the interpretation of what my people have been seeing since the block was removed. We’ve been sequestered here too long, complacent in our security. Most of us don’t know how to interpret visions of the outside world, because we haven’t been out there in so long.”
Lilly began to comprehend the problem they were facing. She knew the other fair folk were counting on their seers to warn them of coming danger. No wonder Dela had lines etched in the otherwise perfect skin of her forehead. She was worried…with good reason.
“I’ll gladly do whatever I can.”
Dela wasted no time, ushering Lilly into a smaller room off the main hall. It was decorated in soothing pale colors that immediately put people at ease. There was no noise from the outside through the thick walls layered with tapestries and flowing silks.
A pitcher of water, a jug of wine and several carafes of juice were on a sideboard with an array of glasses in an inviting display. Soft cushions lined large chairs with footrests, and a soft scent of earth and flowers misted the air. In all, the feeling was of relaxation and calm. Lilly marveled at her surroundings as Dela invited her to take a seat.
“I’ve asked those having problems with interpretation to join us here. We often work as a group to unravel the mysteries of what we see, but I’ll admit, we’ve run into trouble this morning and need help.”
The door opened, and a string of fair folk walked in, smiling at Lilly, though she could see tension in every line of their bodies. Some were more highly strung than others, and Lilly could assess their level of agitation from her many years of teaching the fighting arts. How one held their shoulders, neck and hands was a strong indication of mental state. If pressed, she’d say these seers were in a tizzy. She only hoped she had enough knowledge to sort them out.
“This is Master Brett,” Dela introduced a young-looking man in a brown robe belted at the waist with a golden circlet of exquisitely wrought leaves. “His apprentice, Catari.” Dela indicated a frightened looking youngster who was tall, thin and angularly pretty. “Tell Mistress Lilly what you saw, dear,” Dela invited the girl once she was seated.
Catari nodded, swallowing hard as tears gathered behind her eyes. Lilly’s fists tightened on her thighs as she prepared for the worst. This girl had horror in her expression as she began to speak with soft, hesitant words.
“There was a city. Stone battlements. A river to the west. Mountains to the east. A setting sun and an army of fire coming out of it. Balls of fire rained down on the city, slashing a flag bearing the white dragon.” The girl’s voice rose in pitch and volume as she recounted the scene only she could see. “The river burned, carrying fire under the walls of the city. Then, the houses burned, and the people…” her voice fell to a whisper, “…burned. All burned.” A sob tore from the girl’s throat. Master Brett put one strong hand on her shoulder, offering comfort.
“When you’re ready, dear,” Dela coached the girl. “We will begin.”
That wasn’t it? Lilly had never seen seers work together before, so she didn’t know what more they could do, besides listen to the girl’s vision. Wasn’t that scary enough?
The girl drew a deep breath and lifted her head. Dela smiled at her in approval, and Lilly wondered what would come next.
“The city,” Dela began. “You said there was a river to the west and mountains to the east. Any other geographical features you recall? Or structures that stand out in your mind?”
“A large tower straddled the river’s portal to the city with a conical top. It dominated the view from that direction but was small compared to the keep within. The stone keep was taller than the river tower and was forged from sparkling gray rock, nestled up against the first, and largest, hill of a long chain that stretched as far as the eye could see.”
Lilly felt a shiver run down her spine. She put one hand on the table, drawing Dela’s attention. When the seer nodded, Lilly asked the question uppermost in her mind.
“Was there a carving?”
Lilly nearly choked when the girl nodded. “A winged creature, but I couldn’t make it out clearly. It could have been a dragon, or a gryphon. The carving stood in relief above the bridge entrance leading into the keep.”
“It’s a dragon,” Lilly confirme. “That is King Alric’s keep in the city of Valdis Maj. Valdis Minor lies to the southwest along the path of the river Pimns. The Pimns originates in the Spaldurs Mountains to the west and flows east to the sea.”
“Catari, you said the river was burning. Was it just burning on the surface? Did you see flames reaching upward?”