The Elven Apostate (The Moonstone Chronicles Book 3) - Sara C.Roethle Page 0,1

city. A crisp spring breeze blew through her loose hair, promising warm days and green growing things soon to come. As her boots echoed across the cracked cobblestones, she wondered how different this spring would be without the elves magical moonstones. She knew their magic could amplify the sun’s effects, and could nurture weak saplings into full fruition within a single season. Just how dire would things become now without that power?

She glanced at the elves working hard to rebuild this part of the city as she continued walking. Others were busy in the new smithies, making tempered silver steel weapons like the one at her hip. The silver steel was imbued with with moonstone dust, giving the blade just a hint of the magical properties for which the greater Faerune artifacts were known.

She reached the shattered crystal walls, and the warped iron gate that had been repaired back into usefulness, if not as grand as before. Before that gate stood Alluin, Saida, and Rissine.

Elmerah stepped up to the group, looking her sister up and down. “Finally setting sail then?” She knew it wasn’t the case. Rissine carried but a single satchel, and none of the other Arthali were to be seen.

Rissine pursed her plump lips. “I hear you’re traveling to Skaristead. The ship needs more flour and grain stores for our long journey, so I thought this a prime opportunity to obtain some.”

“Why not send your underlings?”

“I like to do things myself.” Rissine turned with a flourish of her hips, jingling the little coins and jewels sewn onto the red sash which hugged them.

Alluin shrugged apologetically, while Saida just stared at her feet. What a joyous journey this would be.

The trio followed Rissine toward four horses tethered off to the right by the ruined inn. Odd, that Rissine could find a horse so quickly in a city sorely lacking in mounts . . .

Elmerah grabbed Alluin’s arm before they could reach the horses. “You told her we were going before you even asked me,” she hissed.

He shrugged. “She asked me to let her know if you were to depart. She worries.”

She lowered her voice, glancing at Rissine, who was stroking the largest horse. “She has no right to worry.”

“That doesn’t stop her from doing so,” he sighed, then pulled away.

Hands on hips, she watched him go. Saida had remained silently by her side. She wore crisp priestess white, with little silver moons embroidered along the edge of her tunic. Not exactly travel clothes—except for the light gray cloak slung over her shoulder—but what remained of the High Council was doing its best to keep order, and Saida would need to take her mother’s place soon. It was important to them that Saida show her status.

A few elves glanced their way, but seemed to pay them little mind. Elmerah turned her sights back to her sister, deciding she couldn’t blame Alluin for the betrayal. He didn’t know her full history with Rissine. The only person she’d told in recent times was Solana, and she was dead.

She had to shield her eyes from the reflected sunlight as she looked up at the massive cracked and shattered crystals. “Let’s go, princess,” she said to Saida. “A little fresh air will do us both good.”

“Yes,” was all Saida said as she walked past her toward the horses, her long, white-blonde hair flying free in the breeze.

Her mood souring by the moment, Elmerah followed. She knew she’d need to have an important conversation with the elven priestess soon. This malaise could not continue. It was selfish to avoid it, but she’d struggled to find the time . . . No, that wasn’t right. She’d struggled to find the motivation, for speaking of Saida’s murdered mother would surely lead to talk of her own.

They reached the horses. Rissine had already chosen the horse she’d been stroking, a sleek silver beast with wild eyes. The other three were varying shades of brown, tamer, the depths of their eyes more serene. Alluin had untethered them, and handed one set of reins to Saida.

“Where’d you find the horse?” Elmerah asked Rissine. She took the remaining set of reins from Alluin and mounted the darkest mare.

“The stables. The elves have been too afraid to saddle her.”

Elmerah smirked, then tapped her heels, guiding her horse toward the gates. As far as she could remember, Rissine didn’t get along with animals. She looked back. “And you’re a beast charmer now?”

Her sister’s silver mare fell into step beside hers. Rissine lifted her