Korlon twisted the ring he wore on his left middle finger, a reminder of his obligation to his people. He was Valdemarian, and he kept the secrets of Valdemar even from his underwater allies. They were too precious to disclose yet. Absently, he began to twist an unseen ring on the opposite finger. A ring that would magically appear when he was needed, a ring that Kara could use to call him from anywhere on the planet, anywhere except one place. Inside Sentinel.

His searches in the local villages had proven futile. All leads were insubstantial, no one had seen a searcher girl outside of the mountain. With good reason-- they couldn't survive outside the mountain. 

Bile rose in Korlon's throat as he thought of Kara and Jerrika both in Quildor's grasp. If that were truly the case, war was imminent. And war meant death and destruction. As the wind picked up and blew more stink from the village, he felt another strange emotion come over him: anticipation. The day when Taan's people would have to face their true predicament was upon them. They could no longer live below the sea, they would have to come out and fight for their right to survive.

A rushing of giant wings startled the horse, and Korlon used his knees to keep the beast under control as three Harpyiae appeared before him. As they settled on the grassy hilltop nearby, he felt his heart soar with admiration. How could a Valdemarian man not revere these winged Adaptees of nature? There was nothing more beautiful to him except perhaps the ungraceful energy of his ward as she transformed in exuberance and eager zeal to show off her abilities for him, not knowing that he saw the same almost every day of his life. 

 He recognized Kahlest, Premiere Harpyiae of Valdemar, and two of her Arial Duumvir, both recognizable by their golden wings. The power of the Harpyiae was in its infancy and was finding its niche in society, another reason why Kahlest was desperate to rescue the Harpyiae they'd discovered inside Quildor's castle. Kahlest was young and inexperienced, admittedly so. The Aquarian Council of Ladies was the closest thing she could get to understanding the purpose of her Aerie, and the one who resided in the castle had been one of those Ladies.

Kahlest bowed her fair head in his direction. "Korlon." Her face was lined with the etchings of responsibility.

"It is good to see you, Kahlest." He dismounted, to show her respect.

Her eyes were weary. "These are my magistrates, Aerial Duumvir Casidhe and Aerial Duumvir Sibeal." She was extremely formal, and he was amused. His eyes ranged over the two Duumvir, which meant magistrate in his language and recognized their youth. Kahlest was in her twenties, but Casidhe and Sibeal were much younger. 

Korlon let his eyes fall on Kahlest's darkly shadowed visage. She did seem weary. "I didn't expect to see you this day, Madam."

Kahlest took a step toward him. "Korlon." 

Korlon reached for her hands as they rose softly to touch him. That look in her eye was excruciating to him. "Is something wrong Kahlest?" He addressed her less formally, more as the friends they had been in childhood. The Harpyiae of Valdemar often came as messengers. Korlon immediately thought the worst.

"I have made contact with two of the Foemen of Quildor's Quarso to try and free the Harpyiae he is holding."

Korlon was startled. "You did this with the Council's approval, Kahlest?" he asked, bewildered as to why she would willingly communicate with known enemies at all, and relieved that her news wasn't something dearer to his heart such as a death in his family. Contact with a Foeman was unfathomable. 

"The Aerie has declared independence of the Council, Korlon. We are separate now. Our home is still Valdemar, but the council has recognized us as a new adapted species."

Korlon had no desire to offend either her or the Valdemarian Council. "And you seek to liberate the captive because she has the experience you need?"

Kahlest bowed her head. "I do. There is so much we do not yet understand about our Order. I admit to needing help."

"Why her? Why the captive?"

"Who better to know all of the politics, than one who has been part of it all?"

"How did you find and come to trust a member of the Quarso?" He was astounded at her temerity.

"I found the Aerie used by the original Harpyiae, when it was recognized and organized within Valdemar. I waited there one day, pondering my responsibility, and I was contacted by this prisoner, in my mind, and she told me what to do and who to contact."

"Does this prisoner have a name?"

"She does. Her name is Ondrea."

Korlon felt his breath catch in his throat and choked back his astonishment. That was a name he had not heard in many years, and not in connection with anyone alive and well, or living in captivity. "She told you to free her, using two of Quildor's elite Quarso?"

Kahlest's eyes were earnest. "You doubt me?"

Korlon knew that it was virtually impossible to lie to a Harpyiae or to have one lie to him. Still, she was so young and inexperienced. "There is a witch who lives in the castle, who has great power..." He let it hang; trying to get her to see that deception may have been possible.

Kahlest's eyes blazed. "How dare you?" She hissed, and her two Duumvir stepped to her side, sensing her distress. She waved them back. "I connected on every level possible with Ondrea. She cannot deceive me. She is who she says she is. She has told me of the two Quarso that are seeking freedom from Quildor. I met with them, Korlon! I felt of their sincerity. Their names are Rion and Crevan."

The Captain and his right-hand man? Two of the most well-known and lethal Foemen in Quildor's army?

"Pardon me if I find this extremely hard to believe. They are known to be completely loyal to Quildor. They live to do his bidding, Kahlest."

"I know nothing about your realm!" She spat, derision seething in her eyes. "I only know what I have been told by one who has the knowledge. I cannot traverse the halls of Castle Quildor, nor the rocky tunnels of Sentinel, but I have a plan to rescue the Harpyiae. I need your help, which is why we have come to you today. Will you help us or not?"

The hurt in her eyes warred with the desperate need he read there. "I know the politics you seek better than anyone in Valdemar. Yet you discount my knowledge in favor of one whose interest you know not." He saw no backing down in her. "I seek my own ward, Kahlest. Kara Taan, the King's daughter has been caught inside the mountain or inside Auditorium."

Kahlest gasped and turned to look at her Duumvir. "Kara Taan." 

Sibeal shook her head. "No, this is not the name of the King's daughter that is being held inside the castle. Her name is Jerrika Taan."

"Jerrika Taan is Kara's.... companion." Korlon confirmed, his eyes rising to meet Kahlest's worried frown. "What is your plan?"

"The two Foemen will free Ondrea and Jerrika. They will take them through the mountain to an upper ledge, where my Aerie will meet them and escort them to Valdemar."

Korlon's hand rose to cover his eyes. "And when Quildor pursues?"

She shrugged eloquently. "He will assume the Aquarians are to blame."

"War will commence."

"War with Aquaria and Quildor."

"A war that is already close to precipitation."

Kahlest shrugged again. "This is not my problem." 

"I believed the Harpyiae to be diplomatic, and virtuous. I am hearing dispassion and heartlessness."

"You are wrong! I care, Korlon! I care! I feel I have no choice! Don't the lives of these Harpyiae deserve to be saved too?" She flattened her wings against her body and then flung them out around her in a thunderous flash of feathers as she lifted off.

"Why have you told me this?" Her callousness unsettled him.

"I need you to capture the Foemen once they have fulfilled their purpose. They cannot be allowed to live and inform Quildor who is behind the rescue."

"Capture two Foemen? And do what with them?" He scoffed with ragged disbelief. "You are more naive than I ever thought. One adapted Valdemarian is no match alone for two trained Quarso. Leave this rescue to those who know what they are doing, Kahlest. Galantyne is in control. Have you contacted the Foemen again? What did you offer them? Have they committed to you?"

Kahlest's eyes showed her fear. 

"No! They have not committed!" He answered for her. "Don't be a fool, Kahlest! Go home! What you are contemplating is far too dangerous!"

"I will not be condescended to! You are an adaptee yourself, Korlon! You stand much to lose if the Council turns you out of favor. You need the Aerie as much as we do! We are the only adaptees!"

"Valdemar will not turn against the adaptees, Kahlest!" Anger and disbelief marred his handsome features when he felt the wind of her wings slapping his body down. 

"The Council has turned the against the Harpyiae!"

He swung around aghast. "No! My understanding is that you have struck out on your own!"

"You will help us, Korlon, or we will destroy you! Beware! Harpyiae can be loving and kind as you know, but we can also be vengeful when needed. Don't try us!"

Korlon drew his sword and thrust it into the air. "Kahlest! I cannot help you. Go back to your Aerie and consult with the leaders of our homeland. You are not ready to effect this rescue. Do what I say!"

In screeching anger, the three Harpyiae flew away. Korlon grabbed the reins of his restless steed which had been tangled around the nearby bushes in the wind. Little girls playing in a big girl's world, he thought wildly, also recalling Kara's impetuous dilemma, and his stomach once more knotted up. Now he had to tell Archer that the freed Order of Harpyiae could possibly be planning their own demise.

*****