Elowyn

Loose strands of hair blew across Elowyn’s face as she stood atop the outer walls of Castle Vrodr, gripping Hallik’s arm tightly as though he might disappear at a moment’s notice.

Together, along with Lind and Bjorn, they watched the army march out onto the path that led to Vanalf.

“We should be with them,” Hallik said through gritted teeth.

She was positive that their presence was the one thing holding Hallik back. “We were told to stay, and that’s what we’ll do,” Elowyn said.

“Must you always be so obedient?” Hallik said.

“We are not Grimnirs yet, Hal,” Elowyn said. “And though I’m sure we’d make valuable assets in battle, the Grimnir Guard should be able to handle a few trolls.” A squad of Valtyra flew out ahead of the army, a few birds, likely Watcher companions, flying with them. They’d be able to scout out the battleground.

“Yes,” Hal said, “I know I’m not a Grimnir yet, but I never will be if Vanalf is overrun.”

“They’ll be fine,” Lind said, patting Hallik’s shoulder. “I only saw five trolls. I doubt they’d bring more than forty or fifty of them. The guard will hold up against that quite efficiently. I know we’ve only just started some of the drills with you students, but combat routines for squads of Watchers, Valtyra, and Vitugr are quite formidable.”

“It would be even better if there were Voyagers among them,” Elowyn muttered so only she could hear, but Lind still made eye contact with her from the other side of Hallik.

Bjorn was as solid as ever, arms folded, watching the departing army with barely restrained boredom. She was genuinely surprised that he hadn’t snuck off to join the battle as well. He clearly had more restraint than Hallik, though she suspected Bjorn wasn’t entirely here by his own will either.

“Even if they win the battle, it is only a temporary victory,” Bjorn said.

“A little bit less of that attitude would be acceptable,” Hallik said with a frown, but Bjorn merely shrugged.

Lind chuckled. “Bjorn comes from a place where success is dwindling. Perhaps we can raise his spirits.”

“My spirits are already in good order,” Bjorn said.

“That’s arguable,” Elowyn said.

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“I still feel like we should be out there with them,” Hallik said.

“No,” Lind said. “Our place is here. Battle is never something to be eager about. Sometimes necessary of course, and the duty will soon be yours, but the more you chase tomorrow, the more you’ll miss today.”

Elowyn had to smile and shake her head. Lind was always saying the most profound things. They all continued to watch in silence until the last of the Grimnir Guard disappeared from sight into the forest.

“Was that your entire force?” Bjorn asked as they continued staring out at the forest.

“Practically,” Lind said. “Though there will be others like me who have undoubtedly been commanded to remain here. Latshal, Arenda, and Khanak, the other instructors here at Vrodr, have gone with the army. We have a lot fewer Grimnirs than we did in previous years, so we are supplemented by a militia, but only a few of them would have been sent with the army I’d guess, though probably not to fight.”

Elowyn’s mind spun with all the logistics of sending out the entire army. Did everyone plan for themselves individually, or did somebody have to coordinate all of their food or equipment as a collective?

“How long will it take?” Elowyn asked, hoping that things would return to normal soon.

Lind shrugged. “Once the army arrives, it won’t take long. They’ll fight to extermination. Then we’ll need to come together and figure out how to seal Vanalf properly. The protection from the portals is only partially effective inside of Vanalf anyway, as it is a direct path to other realms. It doesn’t prevent everything from coming through, which is probably by design. I’m not sure people would emerge as Grimnir when venturing inside otherwise. But I’d say we take the next year of students through the cave as soon as it’s secure. We will need Voyagers, no doubt.”

Bjorn grunted. “Nobody has explained Voyagers to me yet. Why are they necessary?”

“They have the power to open portals,” Elowyn blurted. “They can travel planes, and they have some magic over space and even time in some cases. They can even move things from a distance.”

Bjorn grunted again, clearly missing how significant Voyagers were.

Elowyn rolled her eyes and turned away, looking back towards the city on the other side of the parapets. She squinted, looking up towards Tower of Tarn, its dark spire absorbing the sunlight. She could have sworn there was the faint shade of a cloud hanging around it, like a small stream of smoke.

Hallik looked at her then squinted out at the tower as well.

“I thought I saw something,” Elowyn said, answering Hallik’s unasked question. Whatever she’d seen, it was gone.

Hallik nodded. “Alright, Jaysen Bjorn,” he said. “Since we have to wait here, let's go duel so I can show you how skilled I really am with a sword.”

“There’s a lot more to fighting than simple swordplay,” Bjorn said. “Duels can only teach you so much until you get more experience fighting in the heat of the moment.”

“Sure,” Hallik said. “But at least dueling is better than wishing I was out there.”

Bjorn shrugged. “Very well.”

Elowyn decided to join them, but Lind remained on the wall.

“I will remain up here for a time,” Lind said, then he too squinted at Tower of Tarn, brows furrowing. He caught Elowyn’s eyes. “All will be well, Elowyn.”

Elowyn nodded and smiled before following after the boys, but something in her gut felt uneasy. So much had already gone wrong. And if they didn’t get more Voyagers soon, then what would happen?