Chapter Twenty-Six
Cruel Kindness
“Where is Valanandir?” Lodariel’s voice was sharp.
Iadrawyn silently berated herself for not seeing this coming. She had known Valanandir still carried guilt for Numril’s death, just as she did. Now hindsight revealed signs of a growing need for vengeance as well.
He had been strange ever since they had entered the dark lands, and oddly disappointed to learn the Quenya was not being held by the drakhalu. Iadrawyn had little doubt as to where he had gone. She swallowed her frustration. As much as she wanted him by her side when they regained the Quenya, she could not afford to waste any time hunting him down. He would know this. The rest of them would have to do what they came here to do and worry about finding him later.
“He is doing something he need
