to do with it. Gavilan was saying they needed to keep trying to
master it. Without being told as much, Wren was certain that
the demons were at the heart of the dispute.
“Owl.” The queen addressed Aurin Striate suddenly. “What
do you think of my plan?”
The Owl shrugged. “I think it can be done, my Lady. I have
spent years outside the city walls. I know that it is possible for
a single man to go undetected by the demons, to travel among
them. I think a handful could do the same. As you say, Wren
and Garth came up from the beaches. I think they could go
down again as well.”
“Are you saying that you would give the Loden to this girl
and her friend?” Barsimmon Oridio exclaimed in disbelief.
“A good choice, don’t you think?” Ellenroh replied mildly.
She glanced at Wren, who was thinking that she was the last
person the queen should consider. “But we would have to ask
them first, of course,” Ellenroh continued, as if reading her mind.
“In any case, I think more than two are needed.”
“How many, then?” the Elven commander demanded.
“Yes, how many?” Eton Shart echoed.
The queen smiled, and Wren knew what she was thinking.
She had them considering the proposal now, not simply arguing
against it. They hadn’t agreed to anything, but they were at least
weighing the merits.
“Nine,” the queen said. “The Elven number for luck. Just
enough to make sure the job is done right.”
“Who would go?” Barsimmon Oridio asked quietly.
“Not you, Bar,” the queen replied. “Nor you either, Eton.
This is a journey for young men. I wish you to stay with the
city and our people. This will all be new for them. The Loden
is only a story, after all. Someone must keep order in my ab-
sence, and you will do best.”
“Then you intend to be one of those who makes the jour-
ney?” Eton Shart said. “This journey for young men?”
“Don’t look so disapproving, First Minister,” Ellenroh chided
gently. “Of course I must go. The Ruhk Staff is in my charge
and the power of the Loden mine to invoke. More to the point,
I am Queen. It is up to me to see to it that my people and my
city are brought safely back into the Westland. Besides, the plan
is mine. I cannot very well advocate it and then leave it for
someone else to carry out.”
“My Lady, I don’t think …” Aurin Striate began doubt-
fully.
“Owl, please do not say it.” Ellenroh’s frown left the other
silent. “I am certain I can repeat word for word every objection
you are about to make, so don’t bother making them. If you feel
it necessary, you can relate them to me as we go along since I
expect you to make the journey as well.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” The Owl’s seamed face
was clouded with doubt.
“There is no one better able to survive outside the walls than
you, Aurin Striate. You will be our eyes and ears out there, my
friend.”
The Owl nodded wordlessly in acknowledgment.
Ellenroh glanced about. “Triss, I’ll need you and Cort and
Dal to safeguard the Loden and the rest of us. That’s five. Eowen
will go. We may have need of her visions if we are to survive.
Gavilan.” She looked hopefully at her nephew. “I would like you
to go as well.”
Gavilan Elessedil surprised them all with a brilliant smile. “I
would like that, too, my Lady.”
Ellenroh beamed. “You can go back to calling me ‘Aunt ElI,’
Gavilan, after tonight.”
She turned finally to Wren. “And you, child. Will you go
with us, too? You and your friend Garth? We need your help.
You have made the journey from the beach and survived. You
know something of what is out there, and that knowledge is
valuable. And you are the one the Wing Rider has promised to
come back for. Am I asking too much?”
Wren was silent for a moment. She didn’t bother looking
over at Garth. She knew that he would go along with whatever