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11
Crimson
Alundi led them all away from the Rubicon Falls the following day. Alundi ordered scouting runs at dawn, high sun and dusk. Never did Assard and he go together. The relationships with the Elves were improving but Alundi could and would never trust them with the Annabels. Rarely did he include Isacal in the scouting parties. Mainly due to the fact that she was still Queen of the Elves and if she died they would have two enemies, of that Alundi was certain. The other reason and the most pertinent was Isacal’s complaining. In no way was the ruler of the Elves pampered, she had been a warrior, but the only being she had ever taken orders from was her father. That is what angered her the most. He had asked Calqui on one of their scouting runs why Isacal had come along knowing that she would have to swear to his Quest and follow his lead. She had said that Little Annabel was far too important to leave in the hands of Man. Isacal had hoped that Alundi would see it her way and allow the Elves to train her. She never intended to swear to his Quest but then she realised that it was the only way to protect Little Annabel. In addition she never knew just how skilled Alundi was. Alundi had laughed at the thought. He knew the danger he was putting Calqui in but it did not matter. Alundi believed that Isacal was no longer a threat, although he also knew that would change if they had to traverse Elf country.
Four days light travelling and Alundi was pleased with their progress. In another five days give or take they would be crossing the Han Bridge.
This estimate was changed when both Assard and Calqui ran back into the camp.
‘Father there is another group heading towards the Han Bridge. They are from Kolpan, some fought with Knorrest at Stone Bay. ’
‘They will not sell out the other villages. But they may fear retribution from the remaining Strem pirates.’ Alundi said calmly.
‘You’re certain?’ Assard asked a moment later, Alundi chuckled.
‘I’m never certain, just a feeling.’
Assard nodded accepting his father’s words.
‘Nevertheless we shall give these travellers a wide berth. We will head south for a day then continue west until we are directly south of the Han Bridge. If memory serves right there is a small wood near there that will give us cover.’
Alundi and Assard shared a glance with another silent message shared between them, Little Annabel thought. She wondered whether they were keeping information from the Elves or herself. She suspected the latter but she trusted Alundi and Assard. Maybe there were horrors ahead which they did not want to discuss. It mattered little to Little Annabel's mind. Though she missed her home, Meredith, her friends Tayla and Juliana, she was here with her mother and now symbolically at the very least, a father as well.
We’re not far now, another day.’ Assard said to the Annabels.
They seemed afraid, understandably. Even Assard feared the other side of the R’hop River. There would be so many threats. Not just servants of Nala-Kahn but normal people, people they were trying to save from their lives of fear. Assard had seen first-hand what fear could drive Man to do. For a brief moment the memory of Alundi lifting a very young Assard from the floor of his home, which at that moment was burning to the ground, the pain of that memory was only defined by the sheer happiness he felt when Alundi grasped him around the waist and saved him from that nightmare.
Little Annabel had asked Assard about his ancestral home. He had left out what fear had driven his parents to do. They were the ones who had set the fire that almost consumed him. Fear drove his father to murder his own son. Assard wondered how most of this world had lived under a blanket of fear for so long and had not risen against it. If truth be told he knew the answer to that question. Courage was a trait that had left these lands a long time ago. Long before Assard was born. It had started with Nala-Kahn’s conquest of the Dwarves. Now the short, gifted people were enslaved, living under a fear that they had no chance to escape. Only once had Assard met a Dwarf, in fact he met a Dwarf and his family. Uran was his name. He had told Assard stories that had sent a shiver down his spine. He had no reason to doubt the Dwarf who was one of very few who had escaped Nala-Kahn’s grasp and lived to tell of it.
Assard knew what had to be done and that thought alone scared the hell out of him. When he had sat with his father in their room at the Cross Road Inn, which seemed a lifetime ago now, and barely a day after they had jointly destroyed the most brutal, savage and powerful pirate clan that had ever sailed the waters, Alundi had slowly told what the two of them had to do not just to keep Little Annabel safe, but to overthrow Nala-Kahn. Assard despaired, but Alundi placed his hand on Assard's shoulder and whispered into his mind.
‘Know son where the path will take you. Just remember, tread it, one step at a time.’ Words to live by Assard had thought when his father had said it. He wanted to believe in it, he tried to believe in it, but it was difficult. Though he never showed his fears to anyone, his father knew always when he was troubled. Assard had never seen Alundi despair although somehow he had always been able to tell when his father was troubled.
Alundi had grown warier as they neared the Han Bridge, sending them out scouting more frequently and even including Isacal in their number. He had told Assard along with the Elves that traffic on the north side of the bridge was unusually busy for the time of year. In one way it could help them. If they were able to blend in they could slip by without notice. Or, and Alundi had only shared this with Assard, it could mean that their enemy knew of their plan and had conjured a trap for them. Either way they would find out soon enough.
Boahim walked over to the Annabels handing them two generously full bowls of the Elves’ provisions, Mistel’s food being long gone. Assard placed his hand on his stomach, shocked at just how hungry he really was. He filled a bowl for himself, rested on the ground just in front of the Annabels and started eating. Alundi walked out of the tent with Isacal and Calqui. Calqui was wearing only her battle armour.
‘Assard you and Ca…’ Alundi stopped as his eyes fell on Assard who was sitting comfortably eating his food.
‘No matter. I’ll go.’ Alundi said holding out his hand and pulling his coat off with the other. Assard went to stand but Alundi shot him a warning glance and he stayed seated.
‘You’ve lost weight son. Eat three servings, young Annabel, make sure he does, you help.’ Alundi added pointing towards Little Annabel. Both Calqui and Alundi sprang into a sprint within moments and soon enough they were long gone.
Assard ate in silence, standing twice to collect his two other servings under the watchful eyes of the Annabels. Afterwards Assard drew Nasel, something Nasel was grateful for, as Assard had not drawn the sword in many days. Slowly and methodically Assard ran a small strip of what appeared to be leather down every contour of the shining silver blade. Little Annabel placed her hand on Assard's shoulder a brilliant smile on her face.
'It is the sword not I. Nasel has always enjoyed this. Think of it as stroking a loyal hound. Such an act reinforces the trust between us, though it is never in question.’ A rush of magic cascaded through Assard to Little Annabel from Nasel.
‘By either of us.’ Nasel muttered. Little Annabel laughed out loud as did Assard who continued wiping the blade to an almost mirror shine.
‘What is the history of your sword Assard?’ Boahim asked from where he stood next to Isacal.
‘Alundi carried Nasel when he went by the name Galahad. I am not entirely sure whether he purchased it or made it himself. It is not uncommon, from what Alundi says anyway. Excalibur cannot tell Alundi who was its creator. Nasel is the same.’ Isacal nodded unconsciously which went unnoticed by everyone except Assard.
‘May I?’ Boahim asked holding out his hand. Assard threw Nasel handle first to Boahim. He caught it skilfully. He swiped it through the air a number of times then passed it back to Assard.
‘Thank you.’
Assard bowed in acknowledgement and continued t
o stroke Nasel. The animosity that surrounded and separated them from the Elves was dissolving. Assard knew that Boahim and Calqui were loyal to their queen and would follow her orders without question and in turn he also knew that the Queen would honour the oath she made to Alundi and the Quest. All three would give their lives for Little Annabel. Assard however still did not believe they would do so for anyone else, not just him, but Annabel or Alundi. Assard only really trusted anyone after he had seen them fight. The skills he learned from Alundi and Sara when fighting an opponent became useful to him to gauge an ally. Boahim, Calqui and Isacal being Elves did matter. Only time would tell, he thought harshly. Even Assard thought that Alundi's hope of getting Little Annabel to the Emerald Skull without bloodshed was foolish. His training had taught him that at the very least two of their party would die before this Quest came to its end. Assard forced himself to think of something else knowing who were the most likely to die. He stole a glance at Annabel who was stroking her daughter’s hair and did not see him look. Assard concentrated on Nasel, angry at his logical and heartless thoughts.
‘This will do.’ Alundi's voice rattled within Calqui's head.
She stopped, breathing heavily; glancing at Alundi she was astounded to notice only a few beads of sweat gracing his brow. His breathing was slightly quicker than normal but in no way as hard as Calqui’s. They had run at Calqui’s fastest speed and yet she knew that it did not even compare to Alundi’s, which would mean in time also that of young Little Annabel’s.
‘You are not fatigued?’
Alundi smiled as Calqui struggled to talk between breaths.
‘No young Calqui, I am not.’ Alundi answered standing a few feet away staring north. Even with his sight he could not see the R'hop River.
‘Correct me if I’m wrong but doesn’t R’hop mean river in Elf tongue?’ He asked as she walked over to him now breathing slightly easier.
‘In the old tongue yes.’ She answered.
Alundi could not help but to notice that her steps were unequal. That was why she was breathing heavily. She was injured. Alundi looked her in the eye then asked.
‘Where are you hurt?’ she seemed shocked.
‘I am n…’ she started but Alundi interrupted.
‘Calqui you are not useful to me if you are injured. I need everyone at their peak. Where are you injured?’ he repeated. Calqui rolled her eyes and pulled up one of her trouser legs to show her foot. Even one not of magic could see the bruising that surrounded the bones of the ankle. Alundi took a knee and placed his hand on her bruised, smooth and beautiful skin. Calqui did not flinch at the touch knowing that Alundi was a man of honour and principle. She trusted him. Calqui had always struggled to heal using magic. She felt Alundi's fingers brush over the bruising and then he withdrew, not looking at Calqui, and returned his attention to the north. Calqui flexed her ankle and felt no discomfort. Replacing her trouser she stood next to Alundi unsure of what to say.
‘So the R’hop River is named the River River.’ Alundi continued as though what had just happened had not.
Calqui smirked at thought of Alundi being embarrassed. He was so strong, so confident and so sure when it came to this Quest and being a warrior, but he was still a Man and in Calqui’s experience all males, Elf as well as Man found it hard to express their feelings. She humoured Alundi.
‘It is not the only one. The word ‘Palad’ means Rolling Fields. The Rolling Fields of Fields.’
Alundi smirked.
‘Well I am learning more about you and your people every day, so “in” means “of”, yes?’
‘Sometimes, it has many meanings. Elvish is a very complex language. In recent years most, if not all, of my lifetime we have spoken in the tongue of Man. It is a much simpler language.’ Alundi sucked in a breath of air, which created a whistling sound.
‘I assume your Elders are not happy with that.’
Calqui failed to cover her bewilderment.
‘No they are not. If any wish to speak with the Council of Elders it has to be done in Elf tongue. This really means that they have lost their influence over our people.’
Alundi nodded his head slowly. She knew this information would be beneficial to him if the time came for them to travel through her country.
‘The Elders know that we have to change and adapt to survive but progress is slow. It has been barely fifty years since Elves and Man have been allowed to marry, which I find surprising considering that Man wielders have been trained and have lived in our country for well over a century.’
‘They’re puppets Calqui, nothing more. As an Elf you have the right to leave the Wolf Guard if you so choose, to abandon your Elf teachings. They had to swear loyalty before they were taught just how much of a sacrifice that was. Your people have enslaved them all and you have done it with no bloodshed or pain. They are servants and the worst of it is that they don’t know they are. They believe they are free, that is the true horror.’ Alundi said darkly.
‘Those wielders should have been trained within the Skull. Not only would they be free but they would be ten times greater than what they are now.’
‘Can they not now?’ Calqui asked.
‘No. Only the young can enter as a student and the teacher must be more powerful or in young Little Annabel’s case more skilled.’ Alundi took a few steps forward and took a knee placing a palm onto the ground.
‘Who is to go with her?’ Calqui said mirroring Alundi’s actions.
‘I will. Assard is more than capable, however young Little Annabel is far too important.’
‘We are not to be considered?’ she asked delicately.
‘No. I am sorry, but I have witnessed what entering the Emerald Skull can do to someone who is mature and has never entered it before. The pure magnificence of it could destroy you. But…’ Alundi stood and continued.
‘…you are still young for an Elf. Which means your mind is not as concluded yet. It is open to everything, to new and maybe all possibilities. Do not devalue what you are Calqui. Has there been anyone before you who is a member of the Wolf Guard and as young?’ Alundi asked turning back to her.
‘Only one.’
‘That makes you the second most powerful Elf, Calqui.’ She was about to contradict him but Alundi continued.
‘There is no other Elf as strong with magic, as skilled with a sword and as young as you. It is pivotal that you understand this Calqui. Forget modesty, forget tradition and for a moment forget your teachings. Because no one can enter the Skull as a teacher without knowing that they are deserving of it.’
She took a slow breath and nodded.
‘Now what I am about to ask you is a request. In no way are you bound by the oath Isacal took, understood?’
She nodded slowly.
‘Speak.’ Alundi spat losing a small amount of patience.
‘I understand.’ She said plainly.
‘Calqui-Pao I ask you to accompany young Little Annabel into the Emerald Skull if I and Assard die on this Quest.’
Her jaw dropped in shock.
‘What I ask is not to be taken lightly. It would be difficult, dangerous and very painful. But you are young and strong-willed, you will conquer it. But you must be willing. It must be your choice. So choose’.
A while passed with the two of them just stood looking at each other. Alundi walked away and continued to study the north. A short while later Calqui heard.
‘I need an answer, you are the only hope after Assard and I.’
‘Yes.’ She whispered.
Alundi immediately walked over to her and embraced her. She was thankful for the touch. It was in this moment that she finally noticed just how toned and harnessed Alundi’s body was. More often than she had liked, she had found herself remembering when she had caught Alundi with his chest bare. That night when the storm had driven them all into the tent she had pretended to sleep until she noticed Alundi remove his tunic revealin
g his back. The muscles were far more developed then most of the Elves she had met. Alundi was not overly large but his form was still greater than most, if not all, Elves.
‘Thank you. Though I do not intend to die and I’m sure neither does Assard.’ Calqui laughed as did Alundi, which rattled her body. He loosened his arms and went to step away from Calqui however she did not move.
‘Calqui what…’ he started warningly but she shushed him and slowly pulled herself closer. Alundi delicately re-wrapped his arms around her and pushed his lips on to hers. The joy and passion of the kiss was majestic. Alundi in all his long years had never felt or tasted anything so exquisite before. Their lips parted but Calqui pulled Alundi into a tighter grip and slammed her open mouth into his. The grip caused Alundi pain on Calqui’s armour but he did not care as no pain could conquer the joy he felt. The softness and harshness of Calqui was perfectly balanced. Calqui was perfect and Alundi silently cursed himself for not pursuing her earlier.
As the moon grew brighter in the now almost black sky Alundi and Calqui both returned. They must have run at Calqui's fastest pace as she was struggling to breathe. Alundi placed a hand on her back and received a loving smile, one he returned. It did not escape notice, Assard and Boahim reacting to it. Boahim’s expression darkened but Assard had to stop himself from smiling. He did when his and Calqui’s eyes met. She blushed but continued to gather food from the cauldron hanging above the fire. She entered the tent where the Annabels were.
‘Wow Dad!’
Alundi was gathering food from the same cauldron and he shot Assard a glare but Assard was not convinced and a few moments later Alundi smiled back at his son. Boahim moved from Isacal’s side as Alundi sat next to Assard and entered the tent. Calqui sat on the floor leaning on one of the walls of the tent. Little Annabel had pulled away from her mother and sat directly to Calqui’s right. She could feel that the Elf warrior was troubled.
‘Can I ask you something Calqui?’ Little Annabel asked.
Calqui tensed up for barely a moment but Little Annabel did not miss it. She bowed her head.
‘Are there Elf children my age?’
Calqui smiled.
‘Yes many. I have a sister your age.’
Little Annabel looked at Calqui in wonder.
‘Alundi spoke of Man wielders living with the Elves.’
Calqui tensed again. She had hoped that Alundi had not told Little Annabel everything, remembering the contempt on his face when he spoke of Elves enslaving them. At that moment Boahim walked with cause into the tent. He did not look down at her just slowly paced on the other side of the tent. She would deal with him in private.
‘There are almost seventy. Many of them have families that live with us as well. But seventy of them are wielders, almost half and half male and female.’ Calqui said making sure not to take her eyes from Little Annabel.
‘Are there any children that are of Elf and Man?’
Calqui studied Little Annabel’s eyes before answering. Did Alundi put her up to this? Spoken in to her mind? Calqui shook away these thoughts Alundi was a man of honour. He would not have done that though she knew that he could hear them speaking.
‘No young one. There are none. There are Elf and Man couplings but none of them have been blessed with children.’
Little Annabel’s face fell in sadness. Calqui realised that Little Annabel felt for them. It was as if it really pained her.
‘Mother and you all are all I’ve got now.’ She stood as she saw tears start falling from her mother’s eyes. She sat in her lap and her mother started rocking her forward and backwards cradling her daughter. Calqui stood, followed and took a knee in front of Little Annabel.
‘Many times I have been bonded or ordered to protect someone else. To risk and maybe lay down my life for someone else, I have wondered when I am ordered to do this whether this someone is worth it. Is worth my life. If it was my choice young Little Annabel I would still be here. I would choose to die for you if needed. You are definitely worth it.’ Calqui smiled brilliantly. Calqui brushed her hand through Little Annabel’s smooth jet hair and kissed her on the forehead. She shot a smile to Annabel who mouthed the words “Thank you” then spun on her heels, heading out of the tent with Boahim in quick pursuit.
Alundi was well aware that when Calqui left the camp followed by Boahim the previous evening many words were exchanged and a number of blows going by the state of Boahim the following morning. Now Calqui was skilfully putting either Assard, Alundi and even Isacal in between them both at all times. She had silently asked Alundi not to send her scouting with Boahim, a request he was happy to oblige. The black eye was made even more striking by contrast with Boahim's pale skin. Alundi had noticed Boahim rub his groin a couple of times as he dismantled the tent with Assard. A quick glance at Calqui was all he needed for her to confirm his suspicions. He had suppressed a grin. Alundi did wonder where Isacal stood on this but what he found was nothing. She did not care in any way.
As twilight took hold they had stopped in the open. Alundi noticed a number of large boulders cropping out of the ground like giant mushrooms from a distance and chose the spot. Boahim had started to retrieve the tent but Alundi stopped him.
‘You’re scouting with me. Everyone be on your guard. We will cross the bridge tomorrow. Rest but keep your senses sharp there may be travellers on the roads. Just be on your toes.’ He glanced at the Annabels, gave them a reassuring wink and a smile.
Boahim followed in Alundi’s wake as the two of them neared the Han Bridge. Boahim knew the road was further but as they had stopped he assumed that Alundi's sight was good enough to see the cross-roads. A great deal of foliage was here giving them sufficient cover if needed. Alundi squatted and pressed his palm to the floor. He repeated this and each time he did so he changed direction. Boahim saw his expression grow more concerned then darkness took over from twilight. The two of them had skilfully and silently circled the cross-roads that led to the Han Bridge and returned to their foliage cover. From the cross-roads the land steadily inclined making the Han Bridge invisible even to Alundi. It looked like Alundi was about to leave when one of the bushes around them caught his eye. He fell to his knees and started studying the bush and its berries. This was Boahim's chance.
‘Alundi may I speak with you of a private matter?’ Boahim did not see a reaction from Alundi.
‘What’s on your mind, Boahim?’
‘Calqui-Pao has been promised to another.’ He started forcefully though he did not get any reaction from Alundi who was studying what Boahim now recognised as a Sampa bush.
‘You are a mystery and Calqui cannot stop herself unravelling it - you. I’ve known her a long time Alundi, you on the other hand I have not and so you cannot be blamed for being ignorant of our customs. You are ignoring Elf traditions, opposing them more accurately, you are corrupting her mind and worse you are breaking Elvish law.’ Alundi started laughing. He stood and faced the now furious Boahim.
‘Calqui’s promised to you isn’t she? Opposing Elf tradition, breaking Elf law. I don’t care about any of it, and I am not corrupting her mind. Ha I’m opening it. You are too deluded to see that.’ Alundi took a few steps closer and was now right in front of Boahim. Alundi was slightly impressed that he did not flinch.
‘You’re a fool Boahim, no that’s wrong, you’re an idiot. Any promise is broken if the Elf chooses another.’
Boahim's expression of fury changed to hate.
‘Ah, you see now, about time. Only the foolish do not see the obvious. Only…’ Alundi stopped as if someone had stuck something into his mouth to stop him talking. He stared past Boahim. The Elf glanced round and saw nothing. When he turned his head back Alundi was again on his knees studying the Sampa bush.
‘Only the w…’ Boahim started but he was shushed by Alundi. The silence went on for a few moments Boahim had had enough of this.
‘I think…’ he started again.<
br />
‘Will you shut up!’ Alundi shouted furiously.
Boahim did so grudgingly as Alundi pressed both of his palms to the ground. Magic flowed through the ground from Alundi. Boahim instinctively grasped the handle of his sword. Alundi rose slowly.
'The Sampa bush.’ He said as if confused.
‘What of it?’ Boahim asked calmly scanning the northern horizon.
‘The berries, the fallen berries they are all bright and hot.’
Boahim shot a glance at the collection of berries that had fallen off the bush and were indeed bright and hot.
‘And yet it is now cold and dark.’ Alundi muttered looking up at the sky.
Boahim looked as well, slowly drawing his sword. Alundi realised that fire had been here recently. But there was no evidence of burning. It could only have meant one thing. Alundi pulled in a sharp and painful breath. A look of pure horror was all the warning Boahim got before Alundi, faster than anything or anyone Boahim had seen before, drew Excalibur and sprinted away shouting at the top of his lungs.
‘LITTLE ANNABEL!’
Alundi came to a complete stop using magic so not to hurt him, right where he had left the others. Alundi despaired but a sting of magic from Excalibur broke it. Calming his breathing Alundi lowered Excalibur so its tip pointed to the ground. Excalibur pulled, spinning Alundi until he was looking in the direction of one of the boulders. Relief flowed into all his body.
‘Reveal yourselves.’ Alundi said softly. The air warmed and the magic barrier fell revealing them all.
‘I am sorry Alundi. I hoped…’ Calqui began but Alundi quickly waved his hand to silence her.
‘We were discovered long before now. Assard, place your hands to the ground.’
He squatted and did so. The horror that exploded onto his face scared Little Annabel. The shock was what burned into Alundi more. They had missed the signs, both of them. Assard ran for the bag and ran it out to them. They worked quickly grabbing their weapons and armour. Assard drew his weapon followed by Calqui and Isacal. Alundi turned to the Annabels and was not surprised to see them terrified.
‘Young Little Annabel, I am going to place you in a ring of magical protection. No magic can pass from outside to in, understand.’ She nodded shaking at the same time.
‘Like what Calqui did?’ She asked.
‘Sort of, you will be seen and you will be able to see. But like I said no magic will penetrate the barrier.’
Before Little Annabel could acknowledge Isacal asked.
‘What good is that Alundi?’
‘WATCH the damn sky, Queen.’ Alundi spat through his teeth.
‘Assard, Calqui I need some magic,’ he added.
‘Use mine!’ Little Annabel shouted. Alundi looked at her then nodded knowing it was the best choice. Bravery, fear and courage were all he could see in her and anger at himself was all he felt. He nodded and took Little Annabel’s hand.
‘It will be fine.’ He said failing to assure either of them. Little Annabel felt the familiar presence of Alundi and she felt him drain her magic from her. The magic started forming around them. Little Annabel quickly used her sight to watch the barrier form. She felt Alundi smile when he noticed. When the magic stopped being sapped Little Annabel saw a flash and shut her eyes instantly. When she opened them again Alundi stood two steps back. To the naked eye there was nothing between them, but Little Annabel could feel the magic.
‘Young One, this is the only way you will hear, do not fear, we will not fail.’ Alundi smiled then turned to the others who had surrounded them. Little Annabel looked up at her mother who was attempting to look at her reassuringly.
‘Do not fear mother. They will not fail.’
‘We need to move away and engage our stalker away from them. Let’s move.’ Alundi ordered.
They slowly and purposely walked away from the Annabels. Alundi was quietly confident. Assard was as skilled as he and with the Elves even Lancelot would be wary of attacking them. The thought made Alundi grin.
‘Where is Boahim?’ Calqui's voice called from slightly behind him.
‘He will be here.’ Alundi answered quickly and quietly.
The hunter was close. The air in and around them began to warm. Alundi threw his hands toward the sky just as everything above them turned to fire. Alundi felt Assard’s and eventually Isacal’s and Calqui’s magic reinforcing the magic barrier over and around them. The fire slammed into the magic barrier with the force of a falling star. However it did not matter much as it only drained a small amount of their magic. The ground around the barrier burned and shook as something large landed next to them. As quickly as the fire appeared it had evaporated, before them stood a huge gold dragon, its scales reflecting the violet tinge to their magic barrier. Alundi was staring at the figure upon the dragons back. The figure was dressed in black armour, his hair a bright red. Alundi took two steps forward allowing the magic barrier to fall. The others tightened their grips on their weapons each of them keeping one hand free.
‘I am Alundi, wielder of Excalibur and I challenge you…’ Alundi paused then growled through his teeth.
‘…Crimson!’