Lady Ahmo returned into the house, leaving me with news I really didn't want to hear. Things were going from bad to disastrous if she was correct. It took me a moment to find what I needed. It was in the bottom of my pack and I'd not expected to make use of it. Now was the time if there ever was one. The carving of the owl was sleek and smooth in my hand as I cupped it in my palms and lifted it to whisper the Elven words Annabette had drilled into my memory.
I watched with wonder as the eyes opened and the tiny head turned to fix it's apparently blind eyes on my face. Now was not the time to marvel, so I spoke the words I needed to speak, warning the Council of plague and betrayal. As was my right as a member of the Council, I called for the cloistering of the Six, the three Senior Mothers and Uncles moved to safety with the children, to guide us in the troubled times coming. I also recommended the recall of all the Family not on critical missions. We would need our full strength, or as close to it as we could manage.
Lifting the carved owl high over my head, I spread my fingers and flung it in the air with the command for it to seek it's home. Without pause, it's delicately carved wings spread, there was a small clapping sound as it drew air beneath it's wings and then it shot off into the darkness, weaving between trees as it gained altitude and speed, bound for the Council hearthfires.
There were enough guards now to keep Addie and Neth safe. Both were recovering well and I needed to be going. I penned a note, placing it in a small leather pouch and gave it to one of the other sentries to pass on. In it, I told the lasses to get stronger and stay healthy and to watch for a messenger from the Family, giving them the sign by which they would be known. I did not know who I would send, maybe Lore, perhaps another.
I reminded myself to pen yet another missive to Captain Dynnys and the Rangers of Esteldin. They would need to know as well of the nature of the dangers brewing out of Kheledul, Fornost and Carn Dum.
Putting the thoughts in the back of my mind, I set off on the trails known to me, most of them hidden even from the Rangers. There were advantages to being part of a family which had walked these hills and forests before the ancestors of the city builders in the north and south had even landed on our shores.
