Haelan's Desire (Walk Through Shadows Book Four)

Prologue

A clear sky greeted the camp of warriors that morning. Not so much as a wisp of cloud graced the brilliant blue expanse. Earlier, streaks of orange and yellow had danced across the barrier, heralding the dawn.

It was time.

Roldan brushed his hair from his face as he sat up on his bedroll. Beside him Deamol was already on his feet and heading for the tent flap. Outside the roomy canvas structure sounds of movement grew louder as more people crawled out of their cozy tents. The prince stood and stretched before stepping out into the cool morning air. His gaze swept the clearing, landing quickly on the wings he sought, pitch black and shining with iridescent depths in the morning light. He headed off in that direction.

"Good morning father," the prince said as he reached the figure's side.

The male turned to him, his lips turned up from a frown at the sight of his eldest son. "Good morning Roldan." King Aziel raised his hand and clapped it onto Roldan's shoulder. "There's been no word from your brother." Roldan looked down quickly but the king had already noted the look of disappointment on his son's face. Of all the people gathered there, the one they needed, the one who could turn the tide when the battle entered their realm was no where to be found. Above them a streak of gray arched across the barrier. They couldn't wait for Alasdair. The fight wouldn't wait for him. Roldan let out a frustrated sigh. "Malin's fighters, along with the dwarves, arrived at the border last night."

"Stars willing they won't be needed," Roldan said softly. "Mother?"

"Leading the elves to a safe area beyond the dwarven province," the king said with a note of pride in his voice. "Haelan is with her."

"Your Majesty!" A young fighter scrambled through the people milling about the clearing. Roldan and Aziel turned as he got closer. Several fighters close to the king stepped forward to block his path. The king lifted a hand and waved them off. He had nothing to fear from the scrawny youngster running toward him. The youth went to a knee as soon as he reached the king, his momentum almost sent him crashing into the regent's knees. "Your Majesty—" the fighter swallowed quickly.

"Out with it," the king said.

"There's an elf—" The fighter lifted a shaking hand and pointed toward the edge of the clearing. "Begging to speak with you." The king's gaze turned in the direction the fighter indicated, his eyes narrowed at the odd group standing just inside the trees. Three elves stood in a tight knot. At the forefront of the trio was a male. "He said he can help," he continued in a trembling voice as he looked up at the king.

Roldan snorted. "Help? How can they help?"

"Magic—" the youth turned to Roldan. "They said he has magic—"

"Bring them here," the king said. The fighter leapt from his knee and ran across the clearing to the elves. The male elf stepped forward to follow the faerie after the he waved them forward. The two female elves reached out to stop the first. He pulled himself free and went after the faerie. The females followed after a moment. One wiped her eyes as they approached the king and prince. Roldan watched the little group move with an amused look on his face.

"Your Majesty," the male said with a bow. "Your highness," he directed at Roldan.

"I'm told you wish to help us stop the shadowlands from overtaking our realm," the king said The elf nodded quickly. Behind him one of the females choked back a sob. Roldan looked at her for a moment, then turned his gaze to the male. "I don't know of any power the sun elves have that can stop this. If there was why wouldn't you have used it on your own realm?"