He knew he was being tested and that the Old Ones did not judge as humans judge.

“I smell blood on your hands and I see men on your trail.”

How did he know that, Kormak wondered? The Sight was not known to be among Telurion’s gifts. Perhaps he would have something to add to the Records if he lived through this night.

“I killed a Son of the Shadow back in Sturmgarde.”

“And they hunt you for that? I would have thought they would be grateful.”

“Unfortunately, his fellow citizens were not aware of the nature of his crimes. The city guard found me as I passed sentence on him. I was not gentle with them as I made my departure.”

“You skulk in the dark and murder your own kind where once you would have rode openly forth to battle. Your order seems greatly diminished these days. Are you sure you are worthy to uphold the ancient Law.”

Kormak was no longer sure but he said: “To end the long wars between our peoples the Children of the Moon swore to keep to their lands and leave my people unmolested. Do you foreswear that oath?” Kormak steeled himself. Swift death could be the only outcome if the answer was the wrong one.

“Your people no longer respect the ancient borders.”

“And your people can and have punished them for their transgressions. As I will punish you for yours, for that is the task of my order. These are not your lands.”

“Who are you to speak to me of punishment, mortal? I was old when this land was young. I have lived ten thousand years and will live ten thousand more after you are gone.”

“Not unless you respect the Law.”

“Bearing that blade does not make you Areon. You must know how to use it as he did.”

“I can use it well enough. I ask again, do you foreswear the oath?”

The bushes bulged outwards as if displaced by a great weight. He waited for the monster to loom into view but it did not although it was closer now than before, still partially hidden by the leaves.

“I do not fear that blade.”

“You fled from it once. You abandoned your brother’s body on the field of Brightmere as you ran from its wielder. Will you leave these lands or must we fight?”

“I have always regretted leaving my brother behind that night. You mortals cannot understand how much I do. We attended the court of the Lady together before she turned her face from us. We roamed the Wildwood before the coming of the Elves and strode across the great ocean before ever the ships of your ancestors sailed it. We composed poems to the beauty of the Stormfangs before the Dwarves tunneled there, or the first citadel reared its dark towers over the deserts of ash. We fought in battles the like of which you will never see in this diminished age- when the Powers uprooted mountains and boiled lakes in their fury. All of that ended on Brightmere field.”

“I am sorry for your loss. Had your brother not chosen to steal the Sun King’s daughter perhaps you need not have suffered it.”

“I have long thought about that blade you bear, mortal. I have long considered what it means to my kind.”

“It means death.”

“I have lived long, mortal, and I have seen your kind drive my people into the wastes of this world. I am tired of running. I am tired of being driven forth by your sorcerers and your spells and your cold silver blades.”

“You have made your choice then and we must fight…”

For a long time there was no answer. Kormak raised his hand to the hilt of his sword. The silence deepened then it seemed like the night sighed. He sensed another presence, heard words hissed in the Old Tongue so quickly that he could not make them out. What was being said there, he wondered. What news had been brought to Telurion?

“We will not fight tonight, mortal. I will leave these petty farmers you guard in peace.”

“You swear it in the name of the Lady and your hope of forgiveness?”

“I swear in the name of Our Lady of the Moon and my hope of her forgiveness that I will not trouble them for as long as they live.”

That was not an oath any of the Old Ones would foreswear but Kormak did not like the wording of it at all.

“Then go in peace, Child of the Moon.”

“We will meet again, you and I. That night I may not be so friendly.”

“Nor may I.”

“Go in peace, Guardian of the Dawn.”

Mocking laughter followed Kormak as he strode from the woods. He was certain he knew why.