Read Online Elves: Once Walked With Gods by James Barclay - Free Book Online

Garan had clicked his fingers at someone Haleth couldn’t see before turning his attention to Sildaan. ‘Why not?’
    ‘Well, first, they have no need to follow you so closely. Their trail skills are quite extraordinary. And second, they want to give you time to recount your tale of terror to all who will hear before they come to finish the job they started.’
    Haleth couldn’t cover every angle at once, so whichever way he turned, he felt eyes from the depths of the forest boring into his back. He realised he was shaking. He eyed the sanctuary offered by the temple. The place made him uneasy but at least he could put his back to a wall in there. Or hide somewhere very dark and quiet.
    ‘Then we must prepare,’ said Garan. ‘Ah, Keller, there you are.’
    Garan’s lead mage was a man of average height, average features and wholly above average talent.
    ‘What do you need?’
    ‘I need you to infest the edges of this apron with wards. Alarms, disablers and destroyers. Plenty for my guards to stand behind anyway. We—’
    ‘What are you doing?’ asked Sildaan.
    Less of a question, thought Haleth. More of a demand. Garan gave her a look that suggested she was simple. Her eyes just bored into him. Emotionless like the ghost in the forest.
    ‘I’m making us safe,’ said Garan. ‘Anyone who puts a foot on your stone will regret their final step. And anyone who survives that will face the swords of my warriors. Good, eh?’
    ‘Ridiculous,’ said Sildaan.
    Haleth tensed. Garan’s face was stone.
    ‘This is fighting,’ he said. ‘This is my domain.’
    Sildaan shook her head. ‘I will deal with these two. Clear the apron. Keep all your men out of sight. Now is probably a good time to give that order.’
    Garan stared at her, Haleth watching him examining her for doubt and treachery. ‘You’d better know what you’re doing.’
    ‘This is my land,’ said Sildaan.
    ‘And what about the other Silent? The one who made such an easy mess of your loyal priests?’
    ‘By the time he chooses to return, we’ll be long gone.’ Sildaan looked at them each in turn. ‘So are we clear what needs doing?’
    She strode away towards the temple. Garan huffed out a breath.
    ‘Patronising bitch.’
    ‘Yeah but you know what, boss?’ said Haleth.
    ‘What?’
    ‘Her dealing with those bastards while I’m somewhere else entirely seems to me the perfect plan.’
    ‘Except you can’t trust the sharp-ears. However far you think you are away, don’t turn your back, all right? I need you.’
    ‘I hear you, boss.’

    The afternoon was on the wane when Auum and Serrin reached Aryndeneth. They had tracked the man’s footsteps easily. Evidence of desecration increased the nearer they approached the temple. They had to assume there had been an attack.
    Auum brought Serrin to the fringe of the forest and together they looked over the empty apron towards the doors, which stood open. Inside, the temple was dark. It was so quiet.
    ‘It seems there will be no Feast of Renewal this year,’ said Auum. ‘Where are my brothers and sisters? And where are yours?’
    Auum knew. Serrin knew. The temple was never left unguarded. It was never empty of worshippers and priests. There was only one reason the TaiGethen would be absent. Auum swallowed. He was staring at the unbelievable, the inconceivable. He felt nauseous. Only his fury at the defiling of his temple calmed his body, quelled the shaking in his limbs.
    ‘We must go in,’ said Serrin.
    Auum nodded. He led Serrin around the edge of the apron and silently up to the doors. There were dark stains on the stone. Flies buzzed and swarmed. The whole place stank of death. He feared what they would find within. Waving Serrin into his wake, he entered.
    The cool inside the temple, its peace and reverence, was instantly calming, yet Auum could not be at one with his favourite place on Calaius. No TaiGethen stood around the walls of the dome. No priests were at prayer in front of the