Dark One Rising

by Leandra Martin

  Dain laughed and looked at the men joining him. Brogan introduced them. “This is Bort Waldron, my very knowledgeable guide and his man, Baird. If not for them, I would be wandering around that God forsaken mountain still, or dead.”

  “Well, then I guess I owe them both a debt of gratitude for bringing an old friend back alive.” He shook hands with them both.

  “It’s an honor to meet you, Your Majesty,” Bort said, slightly uncomfortable, shifting from one foot to the other. “It’s an honor to serve you in whatever way I can.”

  “Please, I am too weary for the pomp and circumstance that my station requires. I’m sure you are tired and cold and hungry.”

  “We seem to have just ridden in ahead of the storm. It’s moving North through the peaks, and it looks like it could hit here by tomorrow.” He paused. There was silence for awhile, then he broke it. “We are tired and hungry.”

  “Of course. Where are my manners?” He clapped and a servant appeared. “Please have some dinner brought in here for my newly arrived friends. And some ale.”

  The servant bowed and hurried from the room. Dain motioned for them to join him at the table, then introduced the two parties, starting with Brogan’s.

  “This is Brogan, Bort and Baird. They have just returned from Yarden with news that the dwarves have promised aide. This is Zayn and Aldis, from Danyl. They have ridden all this way to bring very bad tidings. Fallon has begun his campaign to take over all three provinces earlier than I hoped. He has bribed, or coerced, Baron Malor from Ashlan and Lord Krondor from Bardolf into his enlistment. Lord Ulric is the only baron in that far east region of my realm that he was unable to coerce. The other two were neutral territory once, but no longer. Lord Ulric has enough troops at his garrison to hold off the army for a while, but not as long as I wished. I’ll have to bring in some extra help to keep Danyl fortified against Fallon’s army. We also have confirmation that the Triple Cities have fallen under his onslaught. The wall is now in control of Fallon and his generals, which means…”

  Brogan finished the sentence for him. “Which means that he controls the border into Aaralyn now.”

  “I’m afraid so.” He paused, then said, “Fallon has also taken Lachlan Castle. The king is dead.”

  “What! How?”

  “Fallon’s right hand, the wraith, about a month ago.”

  Brogan shook his head in sadness. “God be with him. So Aaralyn has a new king.”

  “Yes, but perhaps no throne if he cannot reach his destination without being captured or killed. Because the castle has been taken, Alek is escorting Kevaan to Charbonneau where he will prepare his army. I pray they make it without incident. We have to assume that his army at Lachlan have been detained or worse, dead. Getting more men is more imperative now than before. After Kevaan is safe, Alek will head to Vallis to get representatives to escort him to Salador to speak with the chancellor. We must get an alliance from the chancellor now, or Aelethia will perish.”

  “What about the coast?” Brogan asked now.

  “The giants were seen headed in that direction, and we do think that they’ll try to barter passage from Kieran through the Corlane Strait and up to Boones Ferry, where they can bring in more troops to Kingswell, taking over the city now that he has control of the castle. I can only hope that Alek and the elves reach Salador first, before Fallon does.”

  “What does Fallon hope to accomplish by getting to the Chancellor, more coercion to allow him passage?”

  “We think,” Zayn added now, “that he will try to enlist the Chancellors allegiance to him, then he would have free reign on the Free Cities as well. If he can surround Aaralyn from all sides, getting to Azlyn will be easier.”

  “This is quite overwhelming,” Bort said now, from the far side of the table.

  The door opened and two servants carried in trays of steaming food and goblets of ale. They placed the tray on the far side of the table, then left again.

  “Go ahead and eat and drink. We can continue this after your sated.”

  Bort, Brogan and Baird went to the far end of the table and seated themselves, then began to eat and drink. Dain sat down across from them and sighed heavily.

  “You look tired, my lord.”

  “I am, Brogan. I feel like I haven’t slept for days. I can’t stay even one step ahead of him. He’s a menace that I look forward to snuffing out.”

  “Aye. He has plagued this kingdom long enough. What will be your first move?”

  A servant came forward and refilled Brogan’s cup when he placed it empty on the table. He then offered one to Dain, but he waved it away. He answered Brogan’s question. “I will send a dispatch into Danyl with Zayn and Aldis, letting the baron know I’m sending troops his way and I have representatives headed into Salador as we speak to try and reach the Chancellor before Fallon does.”

  “Any word of Ruan?”

  “The men say he was alive when they left Danyl. He’s holding down the keep there with the baron. To what may have happened since then I cannot say.”

  “Like you, your cousin is strong and tenacious. I’m sure he’s giving the enemy a good run.”

  Dain nodded, then Brogan said, “Do you think Kevaan will be able to win back his throne?”

  Dain rubbed his tired eyes. “I hope so, Brogan. If not, then we may have already lost.”

  “What more do you have to share about this woman, the Chosen One, that is supposed to bring Fallon’s reign to an end, along with all his dark minions?”

  “Melenthia, the princess of Aaralyn.”

  Brogan eyed his king with amusement. “So the rumors are true. The princess is supposed to bring order to the world.” He smiled slightly in jest at his liege.

  “Don’t say I told you so, please. I feel like an idiot not to have taken your word more seriously, and I feel like an imbecile every time I utter the words “Melenthia is the Chosen One”. I have confirmation from the Elvin elders and from Sol himself. It’s the truth. She’s the one. All the rumors of the Tanith Prophecy have become a surrealistic nightmare.” He frowned now, staring into the fire’s flames dancing in the hearth.

  “There’s more to it than her being the Chosen One, isn’t there?”

  He looked back at Brogan. “Why would you ask that?”

  “Because I know you well enough, after all these years, to see the worry on your face and hear the tone in your voice. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Am I that transparent?”

  “Only to those who see deeper into your heart, Sire. Rumors are only skin deep. I have seen the kind heart you’ve had since you were just a lad. You have compassion for people, and you see them deeper than most. You know when they are telling the truth, and you know that there is more to them than what is seen on the outside. You’ve saved a lot of men because of that.”

  “And yet, I cannot save her.”

  “She is not for you to save this time, but rather someone who will save you.”

  Dain smiled slightly now at his old friend. “She already has. I’m no longer the man that everyone thinks I am. I’ve changed in ways that I can’t even explain, and it’s because of Melenthia. She has brought forth a side of me that I haven’t shown in many a year, a side that I had all but forgotten existed. The real me. And in that process, I did fall in love with her. I’m scared for her.”

  “If she is truly the one the elves claim her to be, then she will prevail.”

  “She’s still vulnerable to evil, just like the rest of us. This fight she has belongs to us all. We must all face the challenge together, that is why I need all the provinces with me. It’s the only way she can win. I made a vow to her that I would stand with her to the end, and if I have to die, then I will.”

  “Well I for one will try not to let that happen. I’m with you. Wherever you feel I’m needed, I will gladly accept.”

  He leaned across the table and grabbed Brogans arm. “Thank you, my friend.”

  T
hey finished their dinner and went back to perusing the map and making movements where they thought best. They stayed that way well into the night, then Dain decided no more could be done when all were exhausted. He excused everyone to their beds.

  ***

  Emerick and Dain were sitting in his office going over the daily reports from cities throughout the realm. He signed dispatch letters and warrants and gave his guards duties for the coming week. Drydon Keep was secure for the moment, but it was only a matter of time before Fallon felt bold enough to try to attack it as well. Troops were on their way to Danyl to stand with Baron Ulric and secure his fortress. More troops would be needed to hold down the city border and control the mob that would most likely form from the survivors fleeing from the Triple Cities. He had troops preparing for that as well.

  The maps they had been going over several nights before were full of markers, pinpointing the places Fallon’s army had struck or were on their way to striking. Almost all of Aaralyn was red. The outlook was bleak. If they didn’t gain Chancellor Jaxon’s support, he felt that Fallon would easily win this war, and it was a thought that frankly made his stomach churn.

  He knew that Melenthia would be given the training and knowledge she would need for her part, but he wasn’t so naïve to think that she would be able to save them from everything.

  He let his mind wander to her for a moment. She was in Vallis now; she would stay tucked away with the elves for as long as was necessary. She had been gone a little over a month, and he realized more everyday just how much he missed her. He wished she were here by his side, giving him the strength and fortitude he needed to wage his part in this war with Fallon.

  His mind wandered further than he wanted as he pictured her naked curvy form, warm in the bed beside him, her face flush with the passion they had just shared. He shook the thought away. “Keep your mind on the present” he silently said, reprimanding himself for veering off track. He had apparently been deeper in thought than he realized because he suddenly heard his name from across the desk.

  “Sire, did you hear me?”

  “I’m sorry, what?”

  The pleasant thoughts that had been occupying his thoughts a moment before were gone, and he reluctantly pulled himself back to the room of men sitting across from him. He frowned, not realizing that he was doing so, and Emerick caught it. Emerick thought he’d better give his king a break before he was so entrenched in battle that he would not have any time to rest at all.

  “Gentlemen, could you give His Majesty and I a few minutes in private?”

  They all nodded and stood to leave one by one, filing out of the room, the last man shutting the door behind him. Emerick looked at Dain and frowned now. “You were awfully far away a moment ago. What were you thinking?”

  Once again his mind wandered to her soft skin, responding sensually to his every touch. Her full red lips pouting at him when trying to get him to do what she wanted him to do. Her golden red curls wrapped around his fingers as he gently kissed her neck. Her laugh, her passion for the mundane of life. He missed her more than he ever thought he could miss any woman, and he hoped she was alright.

  He looked back at his Prime Minister and friend and smiled awkwardly. “I don’t think you want to know, Emerick. I’d hate to see you blush.”

  Emerick sighed. “We’re in the process of trying to stave off an onslaught by the enemy, and you’re thinking about sex?”

  He had known Emerick a long time, and there had been many times in his life that he had confided in his father’s oldest friend, sometimes even about women, but hearing him say that out loud made him slightly uncomfortable.

  He laughed awkwardly. “I see Alek has rubbed off on you, my old friend. That’s exactly what he would have thought too. I miss her, and I was just thinking about her in general. Not just that.”

  “I know you’re tired, Your Majesty. Perhaps you should retire for a couple of hours. We can reconvene once you’ve rested.”

  “Thoughts of her will only keep me awake.”

  “Alek is not here to admonish you, so I suppose I have that task now. You need to get a grip. You’ve never been like this with any other woman.”

  “You’re right, I haven’t. She’s not just another woman though, Emerick. She’s special.”

  “Indeed she is, and the Keep is much too dark without her vibrancy, but you must find a way to concentrate. She’s under the protection of the elves. She’s doing what she must. You must do the same. Her training will do us no good if we let Drydon fall. For her, you have to keep your mind on task.”

  Dain was annoyed at Emerick’s logic but knew he was correct all the same. He must stay focused and not let himself be distracted with anything, including her. As much as he hated to fight off the images of her, he had to try. He missed her, but she would be back when her training was complete. He would just have to hold things together until then.

  “I’m sorry, Emerick. You’re right. Just give me an hour to get something to eat and to get my thoughts in order, and then we can go back to affairs of state. With some nourishment and some fresh air and quiet time, I’ll be better.”

  Emerick stood and placed a supportive hand on his friends shoulder. “I’m glad you miss her. That means you’re serious about her, and I don’t have to worry about your reckless endeavors anymore. If you weren’t missing her or thinking about her in some capacity, I would doubt your intentions.”

  Dain smiled now. “My intentions are only honorable.”

  “I can only hope that when all this is done, this dark castle might just have a permanent light in it. It’s been a long time since this castle has been honored with the presence of a queen.”

  Dain laughed now. “You really know how to get to the point, don’t you?”

  “Why mince words, Your Majesty. You love her.”

  “Yes, Emerick, I do. When all this is done, and she’ll still have me, I just may yet make you and Alek happy and make her my queen.”

  “Of course you will. You must concentrate on the now first, if there is to be a later. If you fail, so will she.”

  Dain nodded and stood, leaving the room to take a small break. He would eat, think of her some more, and take a few minutes to close his tired eyes and rest. And maybe he would take a few minutes outdoors in the fresh air. It was getting colder now, but the crisp air would do him some good. He’d been locked away too long. He would then put her to the back of his mind so that he had space to deal with the problems at hand. She would be back in his arms soon enough, and he hoped that together they could be strong for each other. Together they would win this war, and when it was all over, he would have her in his arms forever. Never again would they be parted. He used that for a closing thought and proceeded to lock her in his heart to keep his mind free. It was not what he wanted, but it was necessary. He knew that she probably had to do the same thing, and that brought him some comfort, if only a little.

  CHAPTER 36

  In the time she had been with the elves, she had noticed a change in herself over that time, one she couldn’t really explain in words, but she knew that when the time came to leave the safety of these borders, she wouldn’t be the same women who entered them.

  She stood beside the mirror pond at the edge of Vallis, looking down into its reflexive pool. Her hair was short again. She decided to cut it off when it started to become a hindrance in the way of her training. It was easier to fight and move around without it falling in her face. She had tried many times to just pin it up, but because of the heaviness and thickness of it, it kept falling out. She decided shorter was better. But that was only one change in her.

  Her body had changed as well. It was still curvy and womanly, but added to that was a suppleness that she didn’t have before. Her arms and legs were still lean, but now they were also muscular and strong, and her face was tan.

  She saw herself differently, both physically and mentally. She was getting quite adept in her lessons. She could levitate anything without
thinking about it and could light a fire even with the wettest of woods.

  She had learned all about the past and wars that had been fought on this land, how all the wizards and magicians had been cast out by the reigning kings of the time. The land had been torn apart by greed and evil, and now, after a millennia of peace, the evil was rising again. This time, however, there were no magicians to stave off the slaughter. Now there was only her and the armies that could be gathered by the reigning kings to fight off the evil that was rising. Sol was the last of his kind. He was old, so very old, and his last task would be to train her, then move on. She had grown quite fond of the quiet man with the friendly steel gray eyes and crinkly smile. She understood why Alek was so taken with him. He was kind and patient, and never once had he admonished her for losing concentration because she was thinking of Dain.

  She thought of him often. Thought about their last night together before she left for Vallis. He had wrapped her up into his arms and told her that he would forever be hers. She didn’t need to worry about him finding another. She knew she was the only one, and thoughts of him kept her going, but sometimes she thought too much, and her lesson went awry. She had finally learned how to control those thoughts better and could separate them now, even when she didn’t want to.

  She reached under her simple homespun tunic and lifted the necklace out. She looked at it for a few minutes, clutching it in her hand gently, thoughts of him blazing her mind. She swore to herself that when this was done, there would be nothing else to distract her from him and a life together.

  Footsteps behind her pulled her out of her musings. She tucked the necklace back in the safety of her tunic and turned to see who was approaching.

  An elf was headed her way, one she had only seen a few times watching over the outer gates of the city. He and six others protected the borders of Vallis from stray wanderers who found themselves somehow lost in the forest. It didn’t happen often, but occasionally someone would stumble into Vallis unknowingly, and usually they were escorted out, never knowing they had ever even been there.