Read Online Starflower by Anne Elisabeth Stengl - Free Book Online

her voice was gentle, it carried more force than his bluster ever could. “Gleamdren knows the secret of Rudiobus. She knows the whereabouts of the Flowing Gold.”
    A silence like a trance held the room captive as the truth of this statement soaked in. At last Iubdan said quietly, “Aye, that must be it. Even Hri Sora would not dare attempt to wrest the secret from you or me, my girl. But your cousin is not so strong. How could she hope to withstand the firstborn’s fire?”
    For the first time since the commencement of the meeting, Captain Glomar turned a baleful glare up to the gallery shadows where Eanrin stood. He shook a fist, crying, “And you carried the monster right through our gates!”
    â€œAnd just what do you imply?” Eanrin appeared at the railing, leaning so far out one would have thought he’d lose his balance. Then, with a catlike yowl, he leapt right over the rail and landed in a crouch just in front of Glomar. He paused a moment, his knees up and elbows out, catching his breath, for the fall was greater than he’d anticipated, before he rose and grabbed Glomar by the front of his jerkin, pulling him nose to nose. “Dare you imply that it is my fault my lady has been placed in such dire peril? Dare you insinuate that my actions have led to this terrible state?”
    â€œThat I do!” Glomar snarled.
    Eanrin narrowed his eyes and set his jaw. Then he smiled and released his hold, leaving Glomar to stagger backward a few steps. The poet gave a dismissive toss of his head and addressed himself to his sovereigns. “He may be right, my good king, my fair queen. But I put it to you and all this wise council that the fault came only from a heart too easily moved to compassion at the sight of one apparently helpless! Can you lay guilt upon intentions so pure if so misled?”
    Glomar snorted but Queen Bebo said only, “We were all deceived. We all welcomed her to our bosoms.”
    â€œAs does us credit!” Eanrin cried, still smiling. “We are a darling lot, aren’t we? But darlingness aside, we’ve got ourselves in an awful fix. Not only does the sweetest maid that ever walked the meadows of Faerie lie even now in the clutches of Evil’s own daughter, but also, how long shall the protections we have enjoyed in our own dear realm last? For should the Flame at Night, by her fell arts, wrench from Gleamdren’s lips the secret—though she will find the courage of my queen’s cousin nigh unto impenetrable, I grant you!—what should stop her from stormingRudiobus once again? Or even—and I shudder at the thought—holding fair Gleamdren for ransom?”
    â€œEnough babble!” cried Glomar, turning to Queen Bebo. “Talking will get us nowhere, my queen, and Lady Gleamdren is even now in danger! I shall set out at once for Etalpalli to see if what this idiot says is true.”
    â€œAnd I,” declared Eanrin, “shall go with you.”
    â€œNever! I’d not have you for a companion though my life depended upon it.”
    â€œYou have no choice in the matter, my blundering badger. I shall go whether you wish it or no, and you may do as you like with your life.”
    â€œI know your games, cat. You’ll do nothing but put yourself in my way!”
    â€œIf that is so, I’d suggest you get out of mine.”
    â€œWhy, I’ll—”
    â€œStop.”
    Queen Bebo’s face was quiet when poet and guard turned to her. They dared not speak, though both thought her silence lasted too long. She appeared to be listening, but there was nothing to hear in that chamber of rock deep within the mountain. A muscle in her jaw twitched and her eyes first closed, then opened slowly.
    â€œYou shall indeed go,” she said. “Badger and cat. Soldier and poet. One who loves too much; one who loves not at all.” She stopped again, once more listening to voices no one else could