Even as he gazed upon her fear-glazed features, a frown of recognition touched her mien, and it seemed to him then that he could hear her thoughts.
`Akaru? My love? Is it you? Have you left this world already? Do you now stand upon that far shore of dreams from which there is no awakening? Do you watch over my spirit, now that the end draws near?
`It is you . . . I know your presence! How your strength comforts me, my gallant warrior; your love is the armour that protects my soul, even unto death. And so it is, that we have come to the end of all things.
`Wait for me, beloved . . . look for me at that secret place where your heart lies buried. There, too, will I be . . . beyond all that has passed into memory.'
Even as the dark dream ended for the last time, Akaru knew then that it was over. And as the roaring of dragons faded, it took on a different timbre, becoming the thunder of war drums that shook the Valley of Baruk until cascades of loose stone and shale rattled and cascaded in rivulets down its sides.
The great ending was begun.
His long, craggy features as stern and forbidding as the hills that frowned down upon the enemy hordes, the elven captain, Stanick, scanned the situation, one eyebrow raised in unremitting ire. At his side, Akaru's lips moved silently to his counting of the army below.