Limits of Power Read Online Free

and clothed in white. Arian sat on a low stool, one hand on his forehead. As Kieri walked toward her, she looked up but did not speak. One of his Squires fetched a stool for him, and he sat beside her.
    Arian crooned some tune he did not know, but he could feel power being used. She reached her other hand out to him, and he took it. He glanced around. The other dead elf, the one he did not know, had also been dressed in a white robe. Elves were still working over the Lady’s body, wrapping her in silvery lace with fresh flowers woven through it.
    Arian’s song stopped. He glanced at her. “I knew him so little,” she said. “When he quit coming … the years passed, and I was busy, and then my mother died. I did not even know all of his name or all of mine. Or why I was not told before. He said he would tell me later.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Kieri said. He could think of nothing else to say.
    â€œAt least I had him when I did. More than you had of your parents.” She drew a deep breath and faced him squarely. “I sent one of my Squires to Lady Tolmaric, when I found she was not in the palace.”
    â€œThat was well done,” Kieri said. Tolmaric’s contorted form, now sewn into a shroud, lay against one wall of the salle. “She wanted to see him. I convinced her to go back and sent servants with her as well.”
    â€œWhat will you do for her?”
    â€œFind out if they have a good steward, and if not, find her one. Make sure she has land to plant.”
    Arian was looking at her father’s face again. “I cannot believe he is utterly gone, that there is no place for their spirit to dwell. They are so alive when they are alive—”
    â€œWe are not like you, lady,” Amrothlin said. Kieri had not heard him come in. Amrothlin looked at Kieri. “It is time to return them.”
    â€œAt night? Will you not wait until dawn?”
    â€œNo. In our custom, as soon as it may be, it must be. For the sorrow of their violent deaths, we clothe in white, but still it must be swift, the return to the taig. And—lord king—I know I said yes when you suggested they be laid on the mound in the King’s Grove, but—but that is not right.”
    Kieri’s memory of Midwinter night came to him again. “You fear what is below,” he said.
    â€œShe deserves better,” Amrothlin said, not answering directly. “If not the high mountain she loved, then a glade she loved almost as well. Two days’ journey, carrying her without the aid of the elvenhome, and a day and night of singing, and two days’ return. I swear to you, lord king, I will return here in five days, six at the most, if you permit.”
    Kieri nodded. He had many questions for Amrothlin, but this was not the time to press them. “What of the others?” he asked.
    â€œWe would take them there as well, but if the queen wishes—if the king wishes—the queen’s father could be laid straight nearer.”
    Arian shook her head. “My father died trying to save the Lady’s life; he should lie where she lies.”
    Amrothlin bowed deeply. “Arian daughter of Dameroth, you are a daughter of the taig as well. I thank you. Forgive me for my earlier discourtesy.”
    Arian nodded without answering, stroked her father’s face one more time, and folded her hands in her lap.
    â€œVery well,” Kieri said. “Know that you take my sorrow as companion—for the Lady’s death and for the deaths of these others. Will you at least tell me the name of this one?” He gestured to the other elf. “I want to honor them properly when I tell of this day.”
    â€œSilwarthin,” Amrothlin said. “I have known him since my own childhood.”
    â€œI am sorry,” Kieri said. He could not think of more to say that would not diminish the moment.
    He and Arian rose and moved back as more elves came into the