Dark One Rising

by Leandra Martin

  CHAPTER 11

  Dain rode his horse into town. The sun had set, and the merchants had already closed up their carts for the night; the store keepers had locked their doors. The only noise was coming from the taverns and inns on the south side. The ruffians and cutthroats were known to frequent the businesses on this side, and if he wanted seedy information, he had to go into the seedy part of town.

  He dismounted and tied his horse to the post. He pulled his cloak’s hood up and adjusted his sword on his hip. He opened the door to the tavern, and the sights and sounds hit him head on. The noise of boisterous patrons was deafening, and the light from the lamps and the raging fire in the hearth hurt his eyes after riding with nothing but the fading sun for light. He sidled up to the bar and waved to the barkeep. The barman walked over and leaned on the bar, to hear better over the din of the room.

  “What can I get you?”

  Dain pulled two gold coins from the purse under his cloak and set them on the counter.

  “I’m looking for Brogan.”

  The barkeep glared at him for a few minutes, not touching the coins. He eyed Dain, then scowled at him.

  “What makes you think anyone here knows where he is?”

  “I’ve been around the block a few times friend, and I listen to talk, and pay attention to details. I would bet there is someone in this room that knows where I can find him.”

  “Maybe you should tell me who’s asking and maybe I could find someone to help you.”

  Dain sighed. “I was hoping I didn’t have to use my face as a bargaining tool, but if that will move this along, then I will play it your way.”

  He pulled his hood off his head, and the barman stood up straight, surprised.

  “Your Majesty,” he bowed. “I didn’t realize it was you who was asking. What would Your Majesty want with someone like Brogan?”

  “I need some information. He gets around more than I do, and I would bet he has traveled into Xenos lately.”

  He frowned. “He will not willingly give you any information that has to do with the duke willingly, without adequate compensation.”

  “I will pay what is necessary, but time is not on my side, so if we could hurry this up, I’d appreciate it.”

  The barman tossed the towel he had been holding over his shoulder, pocketed the coins and yelled over the noise.

  “Anyone seen Brogan tonight?”

  There was an eerie pause of noise, all eyes looking toward him. No one came forward at first, then a man approached. He was average height and very thin, with yellowed teeth and greasy hair. His left retina was covered in a milky film and a scar ran from his eyebrow down to his cheek. He was dressed in what looked like clothes made from animal skins, and he had a small knife on his hip. He slithered up to the bar and squinted at Dain. Then he spoke, his voice low and gravelly.“Maybe, maybe not. What do you want with Brogan?”

  “Information. And my payment is money, not answers to questions that are not your concern.”

  He rubbed a dirty hand across his chin. He looked over at the barman, then back at Dain.

  “You take a risk coming into this part of town, Sire. Seeking information about certain things could be detrimental to your well being.”

  Dain put a hand on his sword and glowered at the greasy haired man. The barkeep snapped his head around and glared at the slimy man.

  “Watch your tongue, Cyrus. Have respect for your king, or you could find a noose around your neck.”

  Dain held up his hand. “It’s alright. I’m not new to the goings on in this neighborhood, friend. I take my chances by being here, I understand. If the information wasn’t so important I would be at home in front of a warm fire, a soothing ale in my hand. I would appreciate your assistance.”

  Dain took a coin from out of his pocket and handed it to him. The man took it and stared at it, then looked at Dain again. Dain sighed and handed him another.

  “More than a fair price for your help.”

  “I think Brogan is in port tonight. Follow me.”

  Cyrus smiled a yellow-toothed grin and motioned for Dain to follow. Dain threw another coin at the barkeep and nodded. He followed Cyrus out of the tavern and out into the street. They walked silently toward the water front, the greasy man shuffling along, dragging one leg slightly. It was completely dark now. Dain pulled his cloak tighter, for the clouds had rolled in from off the sea and covered the stars, the moon a hazy lamp under the gray cover. The breeze from the water and the scent of salt and fish became stronger the closer they came. They headed down a side street, toward the wharf, the silent boats bobbing gently in the evening tide. They hit the wooden planks of the pier and his boots clomped in the silence. The greasy man led him halfway down the pier and stopped at a small boat. He stepped on to the deck, Dain just behind him, and yelled down into the galley.

  “Brogan, show yourself. You’ve got a visitor.”

  The door to the galley opened just a slit. Brogan peeked out from below deck, only seeing the greasy man there. His deep voice yelled out, “What do you want, Cyrus? Can’t a man get some peace?”

  “I bring a guest.”

  “I don’t want to be bothered. Go away!”

  He shut the door again. Dain decided to step in. “Brogan, don’t make me break down the door. I need to talk to you.”.

  He opened the door again and peered at Dain. His eyes grew large then, and the door whipped open, him coming up the below deck stairs. “Your Majesty, why didn’t you say it was you?” He looked over at Cyrus. “Be gone!”

  They watched as the greasy man scuffled away down the pier, his footsteps clip-clopping on the wooden planks. Brogan held out his hand. Dain took it and they shook. He motioned down the stairs. “More private down here.”

  They went down to the galley, then Dain asked, “Where have you been, Brogan? Finding you lately is like trying to squeeze water from a stone.”

  “My face is too familiar these days. I’m afraid I’ll stand out too much in the wrong circles.” He motioned Dain to sit down. The boat was shabby and in disrepair. There was a small leak; the walls were damp and hinted a smell of rotting wood. There was a hammock bed, a table with two chairs, where they now sat, and a small coal brazier for warmth. Brogan sat down and leaned over, poking the fire with a stick, sparks crackling.

  “You shouldn’t be asking too many questions, Dain, it’s unwise.”

  “This is my province, Brogan, I’m not afraid. Why are you?”

  His eyes clouded over, and he shuddered. He was not a small man by any means. He stood so tall he had to bend over somewhat so that he didn’t hit his head on the ceiling of the boat. He had large arms and a wide chest. He was a sailor now but had been a solider in the army before that.

  He had no station and no money, so he went into fishing to feed himself. Dain looked around again and felt pity. After all Brogan had done, all the battles he had risked his life in, the only person to believe in him had been himself. This is what he’d been reduced to. Dain felt guilty. Brogan caught him looking around and smiled.

  “It’s not as bad as it looks. It’s small, not much cleaning is required.”

  Dain smiled back but was not taken in by Brogan’s humility. He had tried many times to offer Brogan a spot in his guard, but each time he refused. He said that his life had gone another way for a reason, and this was it now, for better or worse.

  “I’m sorry, Brogan, for what you’ve had to endure. I feel responsible.”

  “You gave me my life.”

  “This isn’t a life, Brogan. Alone, no family, no possessions.”

  “This way is easier. You believed in me when no one else did. For that I’ll be eternally grateful.”

  “You’d make me feel better if you’d take the commission I offered.”

  Brogan shook his head. “I feel freer on the open sea. It refreshes my soul in a way that being a solider never could.” He leaned over and placed his large hand on Dain’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about me.You
have bigger problems.”

  “Fallon?”

  He removed his hand and sat up straighter. “He’s a plague that is eating away at the land. He’s already acquired two more cities in his land, two in the neighboring one. His people starve and can barely eke out a living, but he doesn’t care. There are unexplainable things happening in his land, and his new “advisor” had evil pouring out of every pore. When he looks at you, it feels as if he’s looking right through you. One moment he’s a man, the next…” He shrugged.

  “What?”

  “I can’t explain it. He looks at you with red eyes that can reach all the way down into your soul. He’s not of this world, of that I’m sure.”

  “Fallon is playing with dark magic?”

  “Is? Has. He’s been growing more powerful every year, and I believe this man, or whatever he is, is part of that power. I don’t believe he’s human.”

  “What would Fallon want with Princess Melenthia?”

  He shrugged again. “Don’t know exactly, but rumor has it she’s linked to him somehow.”

  “In what way?”

  “A marriage to her is supposedly part of a pact he’s made with the Dark One, who’s rising from the depths. She has some divine purpose.”

  “You’ve been out on the sea too long, Brogan. You’re beginning to believe too many fish tales.”

  “Everyone knows that she was given the Elvin sword, a sword rumored to be called Tanith, a gift from the elders of Vallis when she was born. It’s no ordinary sword, Your Majesty. It’s a sword of legend, of deep magic. The sword was destined for a chosen one. I for one believe the Tanith Prophecy is true. No one receives a gift like that from the Elvin Elders for no purpose. They rarely even come into this part of the world. There was a reason she was given it. I would swear to it.”

  “Have you heard any of this from reliable sources, or is this just sailor superstition?”

  “Maybe or maybe not, but I believe everyone suspects the same. Things were relatively quiet until she ran away, now it seems things are crawling out from dark places. All the realms in the kingdom must be warned. We must stand together against him. Something sinister is happening.”

  “Do you know how to reach Yarden?”

  Brogan stood up from his chair, crossing his big arms over his bigger chest. “Maybe. Why?”

  “You’re right. I don’t have any solid confirmation on anything either, but something is starting, that I can agree with. If we wait until all hell breaks loose, it’ll be too late. We must enlist the allegiance of all the provinces, then when the time comes, we can stand as one.”

  “Are you asking me to go to Yarden? The city of the dwarves at the top of the mountain?”

  Dain shrugged.

  “I owe you my life but you’re asking a lot of me. Not only is it hard to find, but it’s a treacherous climb. There’ll be snow up there still, and if an unexpected temperamental storm blows through while still on the mountain pass, it could mean death.” He audibly swallowed.

  “You know I would never ask if it wasn’t important.”

  “Why are you so quick to enlist the help of the dwarves who have not had allegiance with man in over five hundred years? What’s happened?”

  “Alek is searching for the princess as we speak. When she heard her hand had been given over to Fallon in marriage, she fled Lachlan Castle and is somewhere out in the open. If Alek does not find her, Fallon will. I need to know exactly what he wants with her. I’m not willing to wait until it’s too late. I can only protect her if I know who might be coming after her, or what and why. Getting the entire kingdom banded together is the smartest move.”

  Brogan sighed. “For you, Dain, and the princess, I’ll do whatever I can. The thought of talking to Dagon makes my skin break out in goose pimples, but I’ll get to him.”

  “I have something to insure that you gain entry into Yarden to talk to Dagon.”

  Brogan raised his eyebrows in questioning.

  “I will not reveal the details in full. Let’s just say he owes me.”

  “Seems you have tabs all over the kingdom.” He sighed. “Very well. I’ll hire a guide and go there.”

  Dain placed his hand on Brogan’s shoulder now. “Take several men with you, reliable and trustworthy men. I’ll send word to Faran to give you whatever funds you need to pay them. Just get Dagon the message, that should be enough. Dagon may be a miser when it comes to money, but he’s not callous enough to refuse to help if he knows what’s on the way .”

  “It’ll be done. For you I would give my life.”

  “I don’t want it to come to that. If for some reason he refuses aid at my request, don’t put yourself, or your men, in harms way. I won’t force those that don’t trust me enough to stand with me. I hope they’ll see the importance of allegiance and decide on their own to help. The decisions we make from this point on will effect everyone.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “Take care, Brogan.”

  “You too, Sire.”

  Dain left the boat and plodded back down the wharf towards town. He found his horse still tied to the post. He rode hard all the way back to Drydon, hoping there would be word from Alek when he got there.

  ***

  Jaron, to the dismay of Fallon, returned to the castle without Melenthia in his possession. Fallon paced back and forth across the great hall of Lachlan Castle, his almost black eyes were squinting, and he tried to keep his hands busy so as not to strangle anyone.

  Jaron looked on, watching him pace the great length of the room, not speaking, but wondering if he should interrupt his mutterings with mundane details. It was true that Melenthia had slipped passed them, but he knew that it would only be a matter of time before he lured her out of whatever hiding place she had found.

  Fallon had been furious when he returned to the castle empty handed, but even he was not brave enough to challenge Jaron. Fallon might have conjured him up from the depths, but Jaron was really the player, and Fallon merely the pawn.

  The King was being very tight lipped about her whereabouts, and Jaron had the feeling he really didn’t know. He did know, however, that Kevaan did. Getting it out of him might be harder than anticipated though; he seemed to be stronger in will than his father was. Jaron finally decided that this pacing was getting them nowhere and cleared his throat.

  “My Lord, perhaps we should be planning our next move rather than dwelling on what we have not accomplished. Everything will eventually fall into place as, and when, it should. The girl has no inkling that she’s the one who was born to destroy you. She only knows what we want her to know, that you want her for your wife.”

  Fallon finally stopped his back and forth walk and looked to his advisor.

  “People believe she’s special. The Elvin sword Tanith, the gift from the elves on the day of her birth has made people suspicious.”

  “What are the words of peasants worth?”

  “Nothing as far as I’m concerned, but rumors are rumors, and they spread quickly. If she has heard any whisperings of the Tanith Prophecy, she will believe it, that I’m sure of. Her biggest flaw is her love and respect for the people of this realm. She’ll do anything for them, and they for her.”

  “Anyone who chooses to stand against you does so at their own risk.”

  He waved his hand as if in dismissal. “Yes, yes, but it will be difficult to convince them all.”

  “We don’t need everyone, only enough to hold back whatever army Kevaan thinks can stand against us. The rest of the work will be done by your chosen followers. Have you finished learning your incantation yet?”

  “No, I’m too busy trying to find the girl that managed to slip past you.”

  “I could’ve followed her into the river, but that would give me away. Everyone knows a wraith cannot stand water.”

  “I’m not concerned about what commoners think they know about anything.” He rubbed his eyes. “Go out and track her again. I want her back, Jaron, at all costs.
”

  “I doubt she would’ve survived her fall into the river, My Lord,” Jaron said but did not believe it.

  “I don’t doubt anything, Jaron, that is precisely why I’m going to be the leader of the new world. If she’s truly the Chosen One, a jump into the river is nothing. She’s resilient and smart, and her brother taught her well. Go out there and bring her back. If you fail again, I may be tempted to send you back to whence you came. I brought you here to help me in my cause, not give me excuses. Find her.”

  Jaron’s eyes blazed red for a moment. He hated being told what to do by this simpleton. I need him, he reminded himself. Jaron would wait until the right moment, then Fallon too would suffer with the rest of them. It was He who gave Fallon the insight to bring Jaron back from the dark. He who is giving him the insight to conjure up the rest of the armies from hell to walk among the living. Their master needed a human form to do that, and Fallon was just stupid enough to manipulate, and greedy enough to bend to his will.

  Jaron took a deep calming breath, his eyes resuming their normal color. He would have to wait; it was not time yet. He would have to endure taking orders from this man until his real master told him it was time. For now, he would do what was asked. Fallon was right on one thing; they did need the woman to complete the link. She would indeed need to bare a son, and then Fallon, like the woman, would no longer be needed. Jaron would wait, just as his master expected.