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.Not that Erienne had time to take in much more than a general sense of the place.Detail would have to wait until later.Right now, she cradled her sobbing child in her arms and wondered how she would ever get her from the delightful room which had been decorated just how Lyanna would like it, if she stopped crying enough to look.And the truth was that they had scared Erienne too, standing there so tall and gaunt, pale robes flowing, every bone in their bodies standing proud.Ren'erei had reacted quickest, snatching up Lyanna from where she stood rooted and running inside with her.Dragging herself after the elf, Erienne had time to pick up the doll and shrug 'sorry' at the crestfallen Al-Drechar before chasing Ren'erei to the room in which she and Lyanna now sat alone.On the gently toned yellow walls had been drawn waving, smiling bears and groups of rabbits at play.Light came from three shadedlanterns and, in addition to a soft bed and low wooden desk, there was a child-sized armchair and sofa; and all sitting on thick rugs that protected feet from the timber floor.Candles filled the air with a fresh forest scent.But Lyanna wasn't looking at any of it and her sobs were only just beginning to subside though her body still trembled and shook.'Shh, darling, Mummy's here.No one will hurt you,' she whispered, putting her lips to the girl's head.'That's it, calm down, now.Calm down.''Are the ghosts gone, Mummy?' she mumbled into Erienne's chest.'Oh, sweet, they aren't ghosts, they're your friends.''No!' wailed Lyanna, her crying starting again.'They aren't the old women.They're ghosts.'Erienne could see her point.She knew the fluttering light robes they had worn we're for comfort in the humid heat.She was also aware that old elves traditionally kept their white hair long as a demand for respect; and that the muscle and fat faded from their bodies long before they became decrepit, leaving them skeletal in appearance.And these elves were incredibly old.But their appearance was a child's nightmare brought to life and Lyanna had suffered more than her share of those.'I'll be with you,' said Erienne.'You'll be all right.Brave girl.My brave girl.' Erienne stroked Lyanna's hair until she pulled away to look up, her face blotched and red where it had been pressed so hard against her mother.Erienne smiled.'Look at you!' she admonished gently.She wiped away the damp on Lyanna's face with the cloth she had held ready for some time.'Don't be scared.Are you still scared?'Lyanna shook her head but said, 'Just a little.Don't leave me, Mummy.''I'll never leave you, darling.Do you want to sleep with me tonight or in here?'Lyanna examined her new surroundings for the first time, the flicker of a smile on her anxious face.'This is a nice room,' she said.'It's yours if you want it.''Where's your room?''I'll make sure it's next door, so I can hear you.Is that all right?'Lyanna nodded.There was a knock on the door and Ren'erei poked her head round.'How are we doing?' she asked.'Come in,' said Erienne.'Much better, thanks.'Ren'erei had changed into loose cloth trousers and a woollen shirt, reminding Erienne that she still carried around the dirt and sweat of the day, as did Lyanna.'Good,' she said, not approaching too close.'They are anxious to meet you.They didn't understand your reaction.'Erienne stared at Ren'erei, a frown on her face.'Then I take it they haven't spent much time around children recently.You have explained, I presume.''As far as I could,' affirmed Ren'erei.She smiled.'They have changed into more formal clothing.' She turned to go.'When you're ready, just come out.I'll be waiting.''Thank them for not intruding into our minds.That was thoughtful,' said Erienne.'They may not understand children but they aren't without conscience.Don't let the way they look affect your ideas of who they are.' She closed the door quietly behind her.'If there had been any other way, I would have taken it,' said The Unknown.He was at the doorway to his house.It was mid-afternoon.Out in the street, Denser was astride his horse, agitated, his mood communicating to the light brown mare who shifted her hooves, unable to remain still.'You've made your position quite clear,' said Diera, her face red from tears, her hair rough-tied in a tail that trailed over one shoulder.Jonas was inside.She hadn't wanted him to see the parting.'Diera, it's not like that.Think how I'd feel if it were you and Jonas.I'd expect the same of them.''Oh, I understand your damned honour and your damned code.What about the promises you made to me?' She hissed her words, not wanting Denser to hear.There was no answer to that.He was breaking his word and the knowledge of it tormented him.Yet it had seemed at first that sheunderstood and tlieir love-making had been tender and passionate.He had lost himself within her, never wanting the feeling to end and yet, lying next to her, basking in the afterglow, his head above her, his hand caressing her breast, her tears had warned him it would be no gentle goodbye.Their shouts had wakened Jonas and it was only his cries that broke the argument and brought them ultimately to this cold exchange.'I cannot excuse what I do but I cannot apologise for it either,' said The Unknown, reaching out a hand.Diera pulled away.'I couldn't refuse him just as he couldn't refuse me if you had disappeared.''But you never really considered saying no, did you?' The Unknown shook his head [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]