Dark One Rising (10 page)

“Dain is their leadership now.”

“Yes, I know, but people get used to things the way they are. Most people don’t do well with change.”

“They love him, and most of the people seem to respect him.”

“Yes, that at least I can relax about. He has a good heart, like his father before him, but sometimes he seems so lost.”

“He is young yet.”

“He is ten years older now than his father was when he became king.”

“Times change, Alek. Young men are not as mature as their ancestors were before them. It’s unfortunate, but it seems that they don’t hold the same ideals or see the world as their elders did. But he will learn. He has the capacity to be a great king. Be patient.”

“I am. That’s why I glue back all the things that fall apart. I love him and want him to succeed. Sometimes I’m just tired of his lack of motivation. I’m tired of trying to keep his soul intact.”

Sol laughed. “I’m sure all the past Royal Advisors have felt the same way. In fact, I happen to know his father had his whims too.”

“Yes, but his father was disciplined. Dain needs structure and purpose. There’s something dark coming, and I’m afraid he won’t be ready to handle whatever havoc it wreaks when it does.”

“So you’ve felt it too?”

“Yes. What is it, Sol?”

“I don’t want to say more than what I know for sure, but I too fear that something is upon us that may rip Aelethia apart. Someone is dabbling in things they should not trifle with. I sense evil coming, but I don’t yet know what we’re dealing with. I will be meeting with the Elvin Elders in one week from now. I hope together we can see into the Mirror of Souls so that we can be ready for whatever dark cloud is coming.”

“There are suspicions that the Duke of Xenos is behind this. I’ve heard stories, seen things I can’t explain. I’ve talked to a reliable source on the other side of the land, and he too senses something very wrong. All fingers point in Fallon’s direction, but I don’t yet have proof.”

Sol puffed on his pipe in thought, his eyes steadily gazing into the flickering flames. “Yes, I suspect that too. What is it you need from me?”

“Kevaan Breslin, High Prince of Aaralyn, has asked me to take his sister into hiding. Her father has promised her hand to Fallon in marriage, and he fears for her life.”

Sol looked in Alek’s direction once again, their now lukewarm drinks all but forgotten. “Why would her father make a pact such as that?”

“Kevaan fears his father is not himself, that perhaps Fallon has coerced him somehow into taking his proposal. I need to get her to Drydon Keep in haste. She will flee from her fate, and the only way she will be safe is if I take her to the castle myself and have Dain watch over her. The roads will be too dangerous. Fallon will stop at nothing to hunt her down. The only way I can escape with her is through the Sorcerers Wood. I need your map, Sol. I need it to make sure prying eyes cannot see, and his men cannot follow. I may not need it, but I’d feel better if I had it near, just in case.”

“I know how you feel about going into those woods, Alek. You must fear for her life as well if you are asking me for a favor such as this.”

“Yes. I know he’ll not stop until he finds her. He’ll be relentless in his pursuit, and, if he finds her, she’ll be in extreme danger.”

“Okay, Alek. I’ll give you the map.”

He stood from his chair once again, setting his cup on the table as he passed by. He went to the bookcase and rifled through piles of papers. He lifted books and set them aside, searching between the pages for what he was looking for. He opened an old wooden chest sitting in front of the bookcase. “Aha. Here we are.”

He stood up smiling, closing the lid of the chest gently. He was carrying a folded up piece of old parchment, yellowed from age, and handed it to Alek when he reached his side. Alek took the map and slipped it into a pocket in the inside of his cloak He looked at Sol, who sighed as he sat down in his chair, and smiled.

“Thank you, Sol. I promise to keep it safe. It won’t fall into the wrong hands.”

“I know you’ll be careful, Alek. I would never trust something so delicate to just anyone.” He paused, then continued. “I wonder why Fallon is so dead set on the princess. He could have any woman he wants, and does, from what I understand. I’ve seen the princess, and she is quite beautiful, but she is no ordinary girl. Most men shy away from her. Why would Fallon want a woman who most men feel would embarrass them?”

“He wants whatever power he can gain from King Randor?”

“He can forcefully take that. His armies are growing like a plague. He could easily start a war with the North and more than likely win. There is something he can gain by marrying the princess.”

“What?”

“That’s what I hope the Elders can tell me.”

“When will you return?”

“I don’t know. As you know, the road to Vallis is long, and time there is not the same as here. I cannot give you an exact time frame, but I can guess that I will be gone at least a month. I have prepared myself for a long time away.”

They stood from their chairs, and although Alekzand’r dreaded leaving the peaceful warmth of the fire, he knew he must be on his way. If Melenthia got too far ahead of him, he might miss her. He could not let that happen. He had to have her in custody and be on the road through the Sorcerers Wood before nightfall tomorrow. He made a promise to Kevaan that he would keep her safe, or die trying, and he vowed not to fail. He would make sure she reached Drydon Keep safely. It would be up to Dain to keep her safe from then on.

Sol and Alek shook hands. Alek put his gloves back on, the sound of the now warm leather creaking as he flexed his fingers.

“Thank you, Sol, for this,” he said patting his chest where the map was under his cloak. “Wish me luck. The princess’ life depends on it.”

“Take care, Alek, and make haste. I fear whatever dark magic Fallon might be dabbling in may be upon us before we know it. We have to be ready. I will contact you when I return from Vallis.”

“Good luck to you as well, Sol. Be safe.”

“I will.”

Alek opened the door, grabbed his horses reins and swung up into the saddle. He turned him around and walked off into the woods slowly, for the path was narrow and the sun was setting. The darkness of the woods chilled his soul for some reason tonight, but he shook it off as he rode through the gloom of the trees. He headed back to the entrance of the secret path and thought about the task that was ahead of him. He hoped that he could find the princess before she got out of reach and that Fallon would not be on her trail. He needed time to get to the Sorcerers Wood road, and if Fallon’s men followed too close, they would all be lost inside the hidden forest. He had to get in ahead of them so that the door would close behind him. That was the only way he would escape with her. He could not fail. He would not fail. He kicked his mount into a gallop and flew like the wind down the road.

CHAPTER 6

W
hen dawn was approaching and Kevaan had not yet returned, Melenthia made the decision to take matters into her own hands. She crept down the dark hall and down the back stairs to the kitchen. She peeked out the doorway to see if anyone was up. The hearth was still cold and the oil lamps were not lit. She figured she still had about an hour before the kitchen staff would be moving around, just enough time to sneak out the back doors and talk to Lucan in the stables. She crept across the inner courtyard, past the guardhouse that was, at the moment, quiet. The night watchmen were on the battlements, watching for approaching visitors, and if she stuck to the inner wall, she knew they would not see her in the pre-dawn gloom. She went to the back door of the stable, and went inside. The horses were quiet, and all the stable hands were still asleep. She went into the small bunkhouse and tip-toed over to the cot where her best friend slept.

Being a princess it was expected that she have friends in the court, but no one understood her. Her only friends growing up were usually the workers in the castle or local villagers that she spent time with against her father’s wishes. Lucan was only two years older than her, but as children they had become close. They would swim in the orchard pond, and he taught her how to ride. His father had been the head of the royal stables, but now he was old enough and skilled enough to be in charge of training any new hires that came in. He was her confidant; she told him everything. He was the only one, besides Kevaan, that understood her or loved her for who she was.

She quietly approached his cot and gently shook him. “Lucan, wake up.”

He rolled over and opened his eyes, yawning. When he saw her, he sat up quickly, whispering, “What are you doing in here, Melenthia? You know you could get me in trouble if you’re caught in here before hours.”

“I need to talk to you. It’s important.”

He looked around to make sure no one else was stirring, and whispered back, “Okay. I’ll meet you out the back door, under the overhang of the grain bins. Stay there, I’ll be right out.”

She nodded and tip-toed out the door of the bunkhouse and through the stables out the back door. She went around the corner and waited next to the large grain bins that lined the outer wall. He came out five minutes later, dressed for his day. He wore thick homespun wool pants and a wool shirt. His pants were tucked in knee high boots, and he wore a leather apron. His brown hair was a bit messy from sleep, and his blue eyes were not yet alert. When he was close enough for her to hear him, he whispered, “What are you doing creeping around this time of the morning? If your father finds you out here, he’ll kill you.”

“My father is no longer my worry any more. He’s not himself these days, even I have noticed that, but his act yesterday has me convinced.”

“Your marriage proposal to the duke, I assume?”

“Yes. If he was in his right mind, he would never punish me so.”

“There is talk around that Fallon has made a pact with the Dark One. His power is growing stronger every day, and people fear he will start a war. Your father’s realm is in danger.”

“He frightens me. I won’t subject myself to his will. I’m going to run.”

His eyes became large and frightened. “No, Melenthia, think about what you’re saying. If you leave, you will be banished from this house.”

“I don’t care. My father is going to sell me and his soul to that monster. I won’t stay here and do what everyone thinks is my duty. If I run, he can’t force me into something I don’t want to do.”

“If you run, Fallon will hunt you down and have you anyway.”

“He’ll have to catch me first.”

“This is no joke. That man does not take no so easily. He won’t just walk away humiliated; he’ll find you.”

“Would you have me marry him and risk my life under his roof, after he practically took me by force under mine?” She had told him about the night of her birthday.

“No.”

“Then help me, Lucan. You’re the only one who can help me. Kevaan was supposed to, but he has not yet returned from whatever errand he had.”

“What do you need?”

“I need you to cut my hair.”

“What?”

“I need to disguise myself as much as I can. If my hair is long, I will surely stand out. If I dress in my riding clothes and my hair is short, anyone not looking close enough will think I’m a man. Please, Lucan, don’t make me do it myself.”

“What else?”

“I need you to sneak into the armory. I’m taking my sword with me.”

“That would surely get you noticed.”

“I will keep it hidden unless I need it. It was a gift to me when I was born. It’s rightfully mine, and I will take it. Please, Lucan.”

He shook his head and frowned. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

She gazed intently at him. “He’ll be here in three days. I don’t have much time.”

“Three days? No, he is already on his way. Our watchman on the Aaralyn border sent word yesterday afternoon that he was in route. He’s expected to arrive by this evening.”

Her eyes were large now. “That really leaves me no time. Please, Lucan, help me.”

He sighed and felt his heart sink. She was right. She would never survive under his roof, even as tough as she was, but her leaving broke his heart. He didn’t have many friends besides her, and he loved her deeply. They had become friends even though it was frowned upon. She always made sure he was well fed and employed, and he kept her apprised of all the castle gossip. He loved her dearly and would worry about her everyday, but he agreed to help her. He knew that allowing Fallon to have her would put her in worse danger, danger even Kevaan couldn’t keep her from.

“Okay, Mel, I’ll do as you ask, but it will take me a little while to get into the armory. I can’t just waltz right in there under their nose and take whatever I want; that’s why it’s guarded.”

“Okay, I understand, but in the meantime I need you to cut my hair.”

He looked out into the sky. “We don’t have much time. The kitchen staff will be up soon, and, if you’re seen, things will not go well.”

“Okay. Get your shears and hurry.”

He left her standing by the bins, then returned almost immediately with the shears. She turned her back to him so the little light that was starting to peek over the horizon would help him see. He looked at her gorgeous hair and hesitated.