drawn that attack while at the same time, they may render Parth invisible to his eyes. What does he see when he gazes this way?” Filaree asked.
“Invisible or unimportant at least,” Davmiran said. Talk of Colton made his senses tingle.
“A Lalas can mask its location. Parth has benefitted from that ability. A mind such as Colton’s cannot gaze upon this place clearly,” Robyn explained.
“But what of Avalain?” Filaree asked. “He knows of its existence. How safe is Tomas there?” My father’s Lalas is dead. What protects Avalain? Sidra alone?
“If the shield around Avalain is similar to this one, he’s safe for the time being. And though Colton does know the location of the city, I believe Sidra’s shield affords it anonymity that makes it seem unimportant. They’re secure behind it. I hope they don’t do anything to reveal themselves prematurely.” A long rumble of thunder shook the ground and Robyn looked to the east. “Tamarand will be his next target.”
“To flush you out,” Filaree agreed.
“Colton must think I won’t be able to sit idly by if he attacks my homeland. If I reveal myself, he may hope I’ll lead him to Dav.”
“Will you be able to, Robyn?” Cairn asked.
“Do nothing, you mean, if Concordia is in peril? No,” he said without emotion.
“So you will play right into his hands? I don’t believe you Robyn,” Filaree scoffed. “You wouldn’t risk the boy that way.”
“All I said is that I will do something, Filaree. I didn’t say I need reveal myself while doing it. Promanthea resides near Concordia. If Colton attacks the city, for the first time he will have to confront one of the trees head-on.”
“You think he’s now ready to face Promanthea directly?” Cairn asked, appalled.
“It could be,” Robyn replied gravely.
The network of trees had weakened, but the idea of the Dark One invading an area where a Lalas still lived was unthinkable.
“Robyn? Can Promanthea withstand this if it happens? Is he strong enough? And what will become of you if he cannot?” Davmiran asked. A Chosen always died with his tree. They knew this only too well.
“He will prevail.” Robyn’s words were muted. “He is powerful and he won’t relinquish his moment before he decides to. No one else will make that choice for him.”
“Things have changed. They’re changing everyday. How can you be sure of this anymore?” Filaree asked. Count the number of Lalas who already died. And we’re standing here talking. Talking! “There are others to consider. We have much still to do. You have much still…” She paced back and forth, her impatience cloying at her.
“I will know. And I will tell you all if the time should come,” Robyn replied, cutting her off. “It’s the way of a Lalas and a Chosen,” he continued, looking only at Davmiran. “It has always been so. And I’m not ready to die.”
“Will you go to him?” Cairn asked.
“My responsibilities lie here with Dav and with you. There is much we don’t know, that we don’t understand. No one has ever killed a Lalas. The only trees who have died are those who chose to. If Promanthea decides it’s his time to depart, I will accept that. But if Colton attempts to kill him, there will be a battle like the earth has never seen before!”
“I think it’s all gamesmanship on his part. He wouldn’t dare,” Filaree began. “He’s suffered defeats, one after another. Though the trees weaken and the Gem’s light fades, can we really say Colton is responsible for that? He has had more success in generating fear than in actual victories on the battlefield.” She knew what fear could do to an army’s morale, but a good commander could overcome that. A Lalas would never be afraid. Still, they’re choosing to die. Choosing it. Why? Why?
“She’s right. His major campaigns have been failures. What we do know is that things are happening at a time when the Dark Lord is being more aggressive. We do not know if
“Invisible or unimportant at least,” Davmiran said. Talk of Colton made his senses tingle.
“A Lalas can mask its location. Parth has benefitted from that ability. A mind such as Colton’s cannot gaze upon this place clearly,” Robyn explained.
“But what of Avalain?” Filaree asked. “He knows of its existence. How safe is Tomas there?” My father’s Lalas is dead. What protects Avalain? Sidra alone?
“If the shield around Avalain is similar to this one, he’s safe for the time being. And though Colton does know the location of the city, I believe Sidra’s shield affords it anonymity that makes it seem unimportant. They’re secure behind it. I hope they don’t do anything to reveal themselves prematurely.” A long rumble of thunder shook the ground and Robyn looked to the east. “Tamarand will be his next target.”
“To flush you out,” Filaree agreed.
“Colton must think I won’t be able to sit idly by if he attacks my homeland. If I reveal myself, he may hope I’ll lead him to Dav.”
“Will you be able to, Robyn?” Cairn asked.
“Do nothing, you mean, if Concordia is in peril? No,” he said without emotion.
“So you will play right into his hands? I don’t believe you Robyn,” Filaree scoffed. “You wouldn’t risk the boy that way.”
“All I said is that I will do something, Filaree. I didn’t say I need reveal myself while doing it. Promanthea resides near Concordia. If Colton attacks the city, for the first time he will have to confront one of the trees head-on.”
“You think he’s now ready to face Promanthea directly?” Cairn asked, appalled.
“It could be,” Robyn replied gravely.
The network of trees had weakened, but the idea of the Dark One invading an area where a Lalas still lived was unthinkable.
“Robyn? Can Promanthea withstand this if it happens? Is he strong enough? And what will become of you if he cannot?” Davmiran asked. A Chosen always died with his tree. They knew this only too well.
“He will prevail.” Robyn’s words were muted. “He is powerful and he won’t relinquish his moment before he decides to. No one else will make that choice for him.”
“Things have changed. They’re changing everyday. How can you be sure of this anymore?” Filaree asked. Count the number of Lalas who already died. And we’re standing here talking. Talking! “There are others to consider. We have much still to do. You have much still…” She paced back and forth, her impatience cloying at her.
“I will know. And I will tell you all if the time should come,” Robyn replied, cutting her off. “It’s the way of a Lalas and a Chosen,” he continued, looking only at Davmiran. “It has always been so. And I’m not ready to die.”
“Will you go to him?” Cairn asked.
“My responsibilities lie here with Dav and with you. There is much we don’t know, that we don’t understand. No one has ever killed a Lalas. The only trees who have died are those who chose to. If Promanthea decides it’s his time to depart, I will accept that. But if Colton attempts to kill him, there will be a battle like the earth has never seen before!”
“I think it’s all gamesmanship on his part. He wouldn’t dare,” Filaree began. “He’s suffered defeats, one after another. Though the trees weaken and the Gem’s light fades, can we really say Colton is responsible for that? He has had more success in generating fear than in actual victories on the battlefield.” She knew what fear could do to an army’s morale, but a good commander could overcome that. A Lalas would never be afraid. Still, they’re choosing to die. Choosing it. Why? Why?
“She’s right. His major campaigns have been failures. What we do know is that things are happening at a time when the Dark Lord is being more aggressive. We do not know if
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