Dark One Rising

by Leandra Martin

  “Now you’re sounding like a king.”

  He looked toward the entrance of the castle, then upward toward Melenthia’s room. He sighed. “She has spent her whole life being told what to do by everyone. She rebelled against it because no one ever took the time to ask her what she wanted. It’s a wonder she didn’t leave her home sooner. Then her father betrays her in the most painful way possible. I just broke whatever trust she had in me. I didn’t want it to come to that.”

  Alek put his hand on his shoulder. “She’ll come to realize in time that you did it to keep her alive.”

  “What difference does it make if she’s not alive on the inside. To her, that is worse than death.”

  “She’ll understand, I promise.” Alek looked to Sol and went over, embracing him. “It’s good to see you, Sol. Was your trip informative?”

  “Quite.” He looked at Dain and said, “Your Majesty, may I introduce you to Tomaz Faolin, High Warrior of Vallis. He’s been assigned to accompany me here. There are things we must discuss.”

  He reached out and shook Tomaz’s hand, then shook his. “I owe the deepest gratitude to you both. How did you know she was there?”

  “We were passing through on our way here. We stopped for a few supplies. Running into Melenthia was purely accidental.”

  “A most fortunate accident. Please, come inside and settle yourselves. I’m sure your trip was long and you require some sustenance.”

  “A bit of warm food would hit the spot. I grow tired of cold rations,” Sol complained.

  “Well, we have no cold rations here. We’ll eat, then we can talk.”

  Tomaz and Sol followed Dain inside. He instructed Alek to get them whatever they required and to get the staff to assign them each to a room. “I’ll be down in a minute. There’s something I need to do first.”

  He walked up the stairs to his mother’s rooms, which Melenthia now occupied. He felt guilt. When she returned safe, he was relieved, but the anger had soon taken over. He yelled because he wanted to make sure she understood that he’d been worried, but he never wanted to upset her. He wanted her to know that he’d been angry at her disobedience, not because he wanted to control her, but because he cared deeply for her. His feelings for her had been growing for some time, and the thought of losing her to Fallon scared him beyond belief. The bruise on her face and her torn clothing made him lose his mind. These emotions were new to him, and he was trying to get a handle on them.

  He knew some time ago that she would not remain hidden forever; eventually Fallon or his spies would find her. Now he knew, or would in short order, and they had decisions to make, and some of them would be painful. He had vowed to protect her as a favor to Alek and Kevaan, but as time went on, his want to protect her grew stronger. He vowed to keep her safe, but he also had a kingdom to protect as well. He didn’t know how he would choose between them if it came to that. He hoped he wouldn’t have to.

  Alek was right, if the elf was here, then things were more dire than expected. He didn’t know how she fit into all this exactly, but a simple marriage proposal did seem rather trivial. There was something else, something bigger than that, bigger than them all. Ever since Brogan voiced his opinion on her importance in the world, Dain had been thinking about it a lot.

  He reached her door and knocked lightly. He waited for an answer, and when he almost thought he wouldn’t get one, and turned to leave, she opened it just enough for him to see her face. Besides the purple bruise on her cheek, it was now red, and it looked as though she’d been crying.

  “Please, Melenthia, a moment.”

  She looked at him for a few minutes, debating, he guessed, if she wanted to see him, then opened the door enough to let him pass. He went over and looked out the window at the fading colors of the recently set sun streaking across the darkening sky. The air was cool and smelled like rain.

  He turned back to her. She was sitting on the bed. Her golden red hair was touching her shoulders, the unruly curls that she had a hard time taming fell around her face. Her supple lips were pouting, and her eyes didn’t seem their usual brilliant green.

  She had changed clothes, wearing now a light yellow silk dress, the corset pulled tight as always. The sleeves were over the shoulder, and the skirts were pooled around her like golden petals of a daffodil. She was so lovely, even with her red face and her eyes glistening with tears. He wanted so much to take her in his arms and hold her, to tell her it would all be alright. But promises broken would hurt more. He had no idea what they were dealing with, and so he couldn’t assure her things would be fine even if he wanted to. He wanted to kiss her lips, feel her body against him, but he held back. Now was not the time. Her trust in him had been shaken. Only time would make it solid again. He should’ve told her that day in the meadow when she kissed him that he loved her, but he was afraid she’d see it as a ploy to get more from her.

  He wanted to do these things, but instead he went to her, squatting down on the floor in front of her, looking up into her face and brushing back a stray curl that fell in her eyes. He took her hand and kissed it.

  “I’m sorry I got angry. I was rash, and I ask for your forgiveness. I was frantic when no one knew where you had gone. When I saw you safe, I was relieved, but then my anger took over, especially over your bruised face. I couldn’t control the panic I felt in my heart when I thought you could’ve been taken.”

  She put her hand up in defense. “My distress is not from you. I should apologize to you for making you worry so. I understand that you gave your word to my brother, but both of you need to understand how I feel. I have given up everything, my home, my family, and my freedom, and I don’t even know why.”

  “I do understand, and I’m sorry. I wish I could give you assurances that things will get easier, but I can’t. Now that Fallon knows you’re here, things are going to get complicated.”

  He placed his lips on her hand and held them there, feeling her soft skin against them. He kissed her knuckle once and closed his eyes, breathing deep to keep his heart from beating out of his chest. “Just know that I’m here for you, and will be, to the end.”

  He stood up and leaned over to kiss her cheek, the skin sticky from the tears. He pulled away and licked his lips, tasting salt. He let go of her hand and headed toward the door. He opened it, but before he closed it again he said, “If it matters, I was angry that you left without protection because I don’t want anything to happen to you. I would be lost without you. I’d die for you.”

  He went into the hallway and shut the door behind him, leaving her alone, surprised by his declaration.

  ***

  Melenthia said she wasn’t hungry and wanted to lay down for awhile, so after dinner the four men were gathered around the table in Dain’s conference room, discussing the news that had just reached his realm hours before. The elf told the story.

  “Five-hundred years ago, at the time of the Great War, the kingdom was divided into four provinces after the kings of the land could not find peace between them. The sorcerers were destroyed under an edict stating that the magic they wielded was the reason for the evil that had gripped the land. The kings decided they could not be trusted and exiled them to the far reaches of the kingdom, never allowing them to mingle with the common people. The sorcerers eventually died off or were hunted down and killed by Bounty Hunters. There were only a handful of them left, like Sol, but they too were told they must keep themselves hidden from common society. After the division, the elves retreated into the Dark Forest and have remained in Vallis, keeping to themselves, never offering allegiance to man. The dwarves retreated into the Danstroms, building farms and tunneling through the mountains, mining the natural resources found there. They too have never given their alliance to man. One hundred years ago, the Mirror of Souls revealed to the Elvin Elders that an evil was brewing again. Another sorcerer had risen up, and there would come another war. The Elvin Elders beseeched their ancestors in the mirror for hope. A child would be born into th
e world that would bring peace and order to the chaos of evil that would plague the kingdom again. When the Chosen One was born, it would be the elves duty to present a gift at the time of birth. A gift that was a mark of power and strength for the future. The Elvin smiths forged a mighty sword, made from Elvin steel and magic, and they named this sword Tanith. For one hundred years they waited for word that the Chosen One had come, that the Tanith Prophecy had been born. Twenty-one years ago, word came. The gift was delivered, and from that day forward, they have watched over her and have given her brother the insight, without his knowledge, to teach and guide her. She has become powerful, and, with further training, she will be the one to destroy the darkness that Fallon has brought forth. She cannot do this alone, however, she needs everyone. All of the kingdom must come together as one, if we are to defeat Fallon and the Dark One. The elves have given their allegiance, but so must the dwarves and the Isamarians.”

  “A dispatch already arrived from the dwarves. They will stand with us. The Isamarians are a different matter. It will take some convincing. They will not follow so easily.”

  “We must convince them. We need every tribe, every clan and every warrior for the war that is building, and we must not waste time. It is running out.”

  Tomaz and Sol were sitting on one side of the table, Dain and Alekzand’r were on the other. Dain looked haggard, and Alek didn’t look much better. Sol, as old as he was didn’t look a day over fifty; it was maddening to Dain that he was getting old before his time and this ancient man looked younger. Maybe sorcerers have a secret potion that kept old age from creeping in, or perhaps it was just Dain’s lack of good judgment in his youth that brought him to this aging body and soul.

  He looked over at the elf, his pointed ears evident with his hair pulled back and tied with a leather strap. His dark hair and tanned skin made him look older, but the crinkles around the eyes and mouth showed youthfulness still. Dain rubbed his tired eyes and leaned on the table.

  “This is extremely hard to take in. I know my history, Sol, but why haven’t I ever heard the story of the elves and Tanith, or of this prophecy that has just lately become more than legend?”

  “The elves were the only ones that knew about the prophecy. Unfortunately, you cannot hide the truth forever. Eventually it will come about. No one knew the entire story however, the rumors and hearsay just built of its own accord. Not even her father or brother knew who she really was. To her father, the sword was just an odd gift for anything but an ordinary girl. I think it frightened him to believe anything else.”

  Dain shook his head. “That red haired beauty really is the Chosen One, the heir to the kingdom, the one who will save us all from evil? I don’t mean to sound disrespectful, and although I have heard hints of it before now, I still find it extremely hard to believe. She’s tough, I’ll give you that, and I suppose with more training she could fair well in battle, but saving the world? That I find unbelievable.”

  Tomaz spoke. “I would not be here if it were not true, Your Majesty. We have been watching her for some time now and know that she has the spirit and the heart to do what is needed. But, it will take all of us to protect her. Just because she is the Chosen One does not mean she is not vulnerable to evil.”

  “I care about her, and I don’t want anything to happen to her. I’d die for her if I had to.”

  Sol looked at Dain, then at Tomaz. Tomaz nodded subtly to his companion. Sol knew from that statement that Dain had fallen in love with her and would vow his life to her. A man willing to die for her was the last piece of the prophecy. He now had no doubt the time had come.

  Dain looked from the elf to Alekzand’r, then to Sol. “And you concur with your companion?”

  “Yes. I have seen the message in the Mirror of Souls, and it was very clear. She’s the one that will lead us to victory.”

  Dain rubbed his eyes again and sighed. He looked back to Alekzand’r. “And you have no doubts?”

  “I have known Sol almost longer than I have known you, and he’s never wrong.”

  “Okay, so what do we do now? Do we have time before the creatures of the darkness take over everything? They are already starting to appear. How long do we have before it will be too late?”

  “Some, but we have work to do before that,” Tomaz said, his melodic voice calm and sure.

  “What do we need to do?”

  “Just what you are doing, gathering all the troops you can. Enlist any others, from wherever you can. Melenthia needs to be trained more, in the arts as well as in the arena. She needs to be ready to take on Fallon when the time comes.”

  “You expect to teach her sorcery?”

  “Some. She will need to learn if we expect her to take Fallon on. He is powerful and cannot be thwarted without it.”

  He shook his head, still having a hard time believing what he was hearing. “Melenthia is the one who will save us all. Who would’ve thought?”

  A light voice came from behind them and caused them all to stop and turn toward the door. “Who indeed?”

  Melenthia was standing in the doorway, dressed in the same simple yellow gown, her free flowing red curly hair cascaded down to her shoulders, her green eyes held a glint of defiance. She looked weary, and not at all happy that there were discussions going on behind her back, especially when they were about her.

  “How can it be that I’m the one from the prophecy? I’m only one person, ordinary and odd. I’m no savior of the world.”

  Dain rose from his place at the table and went to her, taking her hand in his.

  She continued. “You’re standing around discussing my future and haven’t even discussed it with me. Were you going to tell me about this or was I to find out by accident?”

  He looked into her eyes. They flashed greener with warning. He tried to calm her with apologetic words. “Melenthia, I’m sorry that you had to overhear that. I swear we would’ve brought you in, when the time was right.”

  “Well I’m here now.”

  He led her over to the table and she sat down. She looked from one face to another and scowled. You could almost see Sol smiling behind his beard, his alert eyes gazing at her with affection. “I’m sorry you overheard all that, Your Highness,” he said, “but I suppose when men keep secrets, things are bound to go awry.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “What makes you so sure that I’m the one you claim I am?”

  Sol glanced at Tomaz and he bowed to her.

  “When you were born you were given a great gift, a gift no one for thousands of years has been given. A sword. An Elvin made sword, none its equal. Its name is Tanith. That was more than a mere birth gift; it was the gift of power and of wisdom. It was a gift you were meant to have.”

  “I know that part, but I don’t know you. Do I?”

  “Not personally, but I was the one who presented it to your parents twenty-one years ago. I was the messenger from Vallis that was chosen for the honored task of presenting it to them. I was the chosen one to keep an eye on you as you grew, until the right moment when you would be needed. That moment has arrived.”

  “Why was I not told this before?”

  “Because the time was not right. You were not ready.”

  “And you think I am now?”

  “Even though your brother knew nothing about us and our task, it was us who gave him the insight to train you, the insight to make sure you were safe. We have been watching you, from a distance, to make sure you remained safe. We have been with you since your birth, leading you down the path to this moment.”

  “And Fallon, and his marriage to me. Was that in your plan?”

  The elf answered, “No. we will admit that you never marrying was not what we intended, but there is always chinks in the armor, even if you are not aware that they are there. Fallon finding out that marrying you and bearing his son was the only way to seal his deal to become all powerful was not expected. Since he knows, we have decisions to make.

&nbs
p; “What if I don’t want this burden? What if I refuse to take on this task?”

  “You cannot escape your destiny. You cannot deny the world your power, now that you know you possess it. I feel you have always known you were meant for greater things, that you were special.”

  “You mean odd. So what, I have no choice? I’m just supposed to give in to what you want, without a second thought about it?”

  “You have the soul in which to make the right decision. I have faith you will choose the right path.”

  “I’m supposed to choose to be the savior of the kingdom even if it means my death?”

  He stared at her, his kind eyes never wavering from her face. “If it is right, the sacrifice will be worth it.”

  She stared back at him, her arms now resting in her lap. She was not scowling, but rather pensive, as if she was going through scenarios in her mind. She looked to Dain now. “Do you expect me to make a decision, here? Now?”

  “No. I’m sure while we’re planning our part in this, you’ll have time to soul search and choose.”

  “So my decision is to die for the world or take the chance at a life with evil.”

  No one answered, there was no need. She stood up from her place at the table, all the men standing too. “I will be in the garden if you require anything else from me.”

  With a swirl of her skirt, she left the room, leaving the four men wanting of words.

  ***

  She was sitting on the garden bench dipping her now bare feet into the fish pond, swirling the water around with her big toe. Her shoes were put aside, forgotten by the garden gate, her skirts pulled up to her knees. Dain approached her, pulling a dry leaf from an autumn colored tree as he passed. He stood next to her quietly, crunching the leaf absentmindedly. He leaned up against the arched marble garden entry, looking down at her with rapt attention. She felt his gaze and looked toward him, then turned away, focusing her attention once again to the ripples on the pond.

  “Please tell me what you’re thinking,” he finally said, breaking the silence that had engulfed them both.