Sons of Evil: Book 1 Book of Dread

by Adams, David

  By the time the sun was setting Luke had been grumbling under his breath, and Darius was ready to swallow his pride and ask for a rest. Any notion that Adrianna’s slight form meant that she was in any way frail had been forgotten, and the brothers quietly marveled at her stamina. They had thought their gait on the road had been aggressive, but this journey in the forest was far more so.

  When it became so dark that the assorted hazards of walking in the woods became hard to see, Adrianna finally called the day’s march to a halt. “How are you fixed for food and water?” she asked.

  “Enough water for a couple days, and food, too,” Darius said. “We had been replenishing as we went.”

  “It’ll do,” she said. “I know of no good source of water in these woods. There is some game if needed, but I’d rather not slow to hunt it.”

  “Doesn’t matter,” Luke said. “We have no bows.”

  “I wouldn’t need one,” she said with a grim smile that convinced Luke of the sincerity of her words.

  “How much longer until we’re free of this wood?” Darius asked. “I’m assuming our destination is not within Wyndham Forest itself.”

  “It’s not,” Adrianna replied. “Two more days, if we can keep to our pace. If we have to travel at night, we can, but it’d be better for now if we rest and be ready for tomorrow.”

  “Can you see in the dark?” Luke asked, half expecting her to reply that she could.

  “No better than you.” She stretched her forefinger into the empty air in front of her, and a small orb of light grew there like a bubble. After it was six inches in diameter, she withdrew her hand, and the orb ascended a few feet above their heads, casting a pale blue light upon them.

  The brothers were too astonished to speak. Adrianna pulled her hood over her head, leaned back against a tree, and folded her hands on her lap. “Take some food if you wish and get some rest,” she told them. “We’ll be off before the sun rises.”

  *

  They cleared the forest an hour before nightfall two days later. The days had been warm but the shade of the trees had aided them, and they still had a few sips of water between them. Still unsure where they were going, Darius was nevertheless happy to be free of the wood, and the open plain before him promised easier travel if more was required.

  Adrianna kept on, obviously still well aware of where she was headed. They had traveled almost directly north through the forest, but now she led them in an easterly direction. Knowing they would be curious, she said, “We still have most of a day before us. I know of a spot we can spend the night. It’ll be several hours yet, but we’ll have the moon to light our way.”

  “Not that we need it,” Luke said, remembering the orb of light Adrianna could call into existence.

  “But if magic need not be cast, it shouldn’t be,” she said, understanding his meaning. “Using such power, even in small amounts, must always be done with caution. It has a way of attracting attention, almost always attention that is not wanted.”

  “You keep your powers hidden,” Darius stated.

  “Yes. From the curious, and now even more so from those who fear it, or would wish to bend such power to their will.”

  “From what I’ve seen,” Luke said, “you can take care of yourself. I don’t see anyone being able to make you do anything you don’t want to.”

  “I hope you’re right,” she said with a forced smile. “But much trouble has come to Corterra, and there are other powers in the world, powers that must be respected, if not feared.” She glanced at Darius as she said this, and for an instant their eyes met. She gave an almost imperceptible nod, acknowledging that at least to some extent he understood.

  “I think you’re trying to scare me,” Luke said, in a lighthearted way.

  She stopped and faced him squarely. “Not really. Not yet. But being scared isn’t the worst thing in the world. Sometimes it can even keep you alive.” With that she marched on.

  Luke stood there, numb, unsure how to react or what to say. Darius took him by the arm and pulled him along. “I told you this wasn’t a game.”

  “I never said it was,” Luke protested. He pulled free of Darius and trudged along in silence, trying to convince himself that he had understood the possible danger they might face all along, the wrath of a king. Was there something more, he wondered, something worse? He pushed the thought away but shivered anyway. “Getting chilly out,” he mumbled aloud. Getting no response, he realized the others hadn’t heard, and was glad for it. He knew they would say otherwise.

  *

  Hours later Adrianna was at the door of a small farmhouse while the brothers waited along the cart path that served as a road to the place. The rail-thin man who answered regarded her with mingled pleasure and apprehension, and even as he invited her in for the night he couldn’t help looking right and left to be sure no one was watching. She declined the invitation while pointing out her traveling companions, and asked only that they be allowed to spend the night in the barn, and promised they’d be off in the morning.

  The man’s eyes grew large at this request. “The barn!” he exclaimed. “The wife’d never forgive me if I let you sleep there. Here, we’ll give these young gentlemen our bed.”

  “Nonsense,” Adrianna said. “That won’t do at all. The barn is more than we’ve had on this journey so far, and better than what we’ll have going on, I’d wager. We’ll stay there, by your leave, with thanks.”

  “You’re welcome here, always, as you know. But the barn…”

  She laid a hand gently on his arm. “The barn. If you’d bring a light…”

  He studied her face a moment, and then his shoulders sagged as he gave up the argument for lost. He went inside and was swiftly back with a lantern, and guided the travelers to a decent-sized barn where they could make beds of hay for the night. His eyes darted to and fro, at first on and off the brothers more than anything else, and then, apparently convinced they had no ill intent, to the surrounding countryside.

  They no sooner had started to settle in than he and his wife appeared with a large tray of food and a pitcher of ale. His wife was as thin as he, and in the yellow glow of the lantern their sallow countenances were highlighted with shadows that emphasized their gaunt appearances. It was obvious the food they presented was not simply from their excess.

  “You are too generous,” Adrianna said.

  “No, no,” said the wife. “You’ve blessed us with your help many times. It is the least we can offer, especially if you won’t take a bed in the house.” Here she cast a hard look at her husband, who threw his hands up in a gesture of surrender.

  “Don’t blame Carlyn,” Adrianna said with a smile. “He insisted on the same thing, but I won’t hear of it.”

  The farmer’s wife put her hands on her hips, looking from Adrianna to her husband with a scowl that indicated she was considering accusing both of them of lying to her. Finally she relented. “If you need anything, please let us know.”

  “Certainly.”

  The couple went back to the house, arguing in whispers all the way.

  *

  They slept well and longer than they should, the hay and the barn roof all the more comfortable after days of hard marching and sleeping in the open. Although they hadn’t taken a third of the food they had been given the night before, they found a new tray waiting for them along with cool, fresh water. After they had eaten, Adrianna said, “I believe we’ll be able to reach my friend by nightfall, and there we’ll either tell all or part company. We should be off, but I want to have a few words with our hosts before we leave. I won’t be long.”

  Darius’ knowing smile followed her out the door.

  “What?” Luke asked after she had gone.

  “She’s giving us time alone so we can talk about what we want to do without worrying she might hear.”

  “Oh,” said Luke. He took a small apple, polished it on his shirt, then tucked it into his pocket. “So, what do you think?”

  �
�I think she’s had us in her power once and could again anytime she wanted to. She could have taken the book back at the tavern if she chose to do so.”

  “And she did deliver us from those thieves.”

  “True enough.” He pondered for a moment. “I suppose I trust her as much as can be expected in these times. But did you see the way the farmer acted?”

  “Yeah. Adrianna’s clearly helped them out before, based on what his wife said, but he seemed frightened. Uneasy. Not sure if she scares him, what with her abilities, or the thought of being seen with her does.”

  Darius nodded. “That’s how I saw it, too. The only thing we have to offer right now is information on the book, which we’ll need to give her, and this mysterious friend of hers. After that…”

  “We might be unnecessary,” Luke finished. “You don’t really think it’ll come to that.”

  “No,” Darius replied. “But if the book can be opened, depending on what’s in it…” He shook his head. “I don’t see we really have any choice but to go on.”

  “We don’t, if we want the book opened. And we need to do that if we hope to help Sasha.”

  Hearing his sister’s name brought a rueful smile to Darius’ lips. “I hope she’s okay.”

  “Do you think we’ll ever see her again?”

  Darius shrugged. “I’d like to hope so. But even if everything we do goes as well as we dare dream, she may be beyond our reach. I’ll just assume she’s found a new life somewhere, and that she’s happy. All we’re trying to do is give her that chance.”

  Luke stood and helped his brother to his feet. “Well then, what are we waiting for,” he said in a deep, booming voice, announcing he was ready to slay the dragon, win the princess, and maybe even save the world. “Let’s get to it!”

  Darius shook his head and laughed, still amazed at his brother’s ability to change from serious to playful in an instant. “Lead on, oh great one,” he said.

  With his head held high and his chest puffed out, Luke did so.

  *

  Landri could feel the rage welling up within him, a building pressure that had only one possible release. He let a small, high-pitched noise out of his throat, a strangled scream. His breath came in ragged, hard gasps.

  He looked again, too dumbfounded to stop himself from the fruitless effort. Empty. The book was gone. He knocked the table over and let out a shout of fury.

  They would be aware by now, he knew. The guards would be eying one another, wondering what to do, whether their king was in mortal danger or simply raving about some petty problem. Vaguely he thought he needed to be careful, but he pushed the notion aside. He was king, and they feared him. They would not come unless he called for them.

  Panic seized him. Without the book… It was too frightening to consider. He started to turn the room upside down, expecting with each flung-open drawer or tossed item of clothing that the book would turn up. Maybe he had just hidden it in a different spot some night as he sat drinking in his room and the alcohol started to lull him to sleep. Maybe—

  He emptied the last drawer, looked under the bed, then stripped it to the mattress. Nothing. The book was gone.

  He fingered the key, assuring himself he still had it. He was sure there had never been a copy made. Going to the fallen table, he studied it, trying to calm himself so he could think. There appeared to be no damage, no sign that someone had gotten to the book by breaking through some other way. He had misplaced it, or someone had managed to use his key.

  Landri’s fevered mind would not allow him to systematically work his way back in time to consider the possibilities, and since he had struck his head, his memory had been poor. He did not take out the book often, and when he did he almost never used it. He simply reassured himself that it was there, and took comfort against some failure or other mishap with the knowledge that the book was his alone. He couldn’t recall the last time he held the book while sober, but drunk was another story. And he was quite free in his use of spirits. Frustrated, he felt the black rage building again and a choked snarl escaped him.

  “Are you well, my king?”

  Landri’s insides tightened at the sound of that voice. Only one person in all Longvale would dare enter his bedchamber unbidden. He turned to eye his top advisor with a weak attempt at composure. “Well enough, although with some of the servants I have here, it’s a wonder I’m sane at all.”

  Kaelesh stepped gracefully toward Landri, moving with ease around the assorted items strewn about the room. “Have you misplaced something? It appears you’re having trouble locating a particular item.” Kaelesh was a handsome man, tall and polished. He rarely smiled, but when he did, as he was now, there was something to the look that always made Landri uneasy.

  “Yes. A trifle really. A shirt that was a favorite of mine.”

  Kaelesh’s eyebrows went up a fraction of an inch. “Oh. I was unaware you had such an attachment to any of your garments. Should I have it searched for? Perhaps it is being laundered.”

  Landri waved dismissively. “Unnecessary. It’ll turn up.”

  Kaelesh gave a small bow, his eyes subtly scanning the room. “As you wish, my liege.”

  Landri could feel Kaelesh’s piercing gaze when it gripped him and as it probed the room. He fought a terrible urge to look at the overturned table, to see whether the secret compartment was open and visible. Almost as hard to resist was the impulse to order Kaelesh out immediately. That would only reinforce the belief that Landri was hiding something.

  “Do you need anything at all?”

  “No, thank you,” Landri said with a forced smile. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Then with your leave, I’ll entertain Generals Blaston and Calest until you are ready to hear their reports.”

  “Ah,” Landri said, trying to brighten. “I was unaware they had arrived.”

  “Just in. I had come to announce them to you.”

  “Very good. Tell them I will arrive shortly.”

  Kaelesh gave one last bow and left.

  Once the bedroom door was safely closed, Landri righted the bedside table, then closed and locked the secret compartment. He looked from where the table had lain to where Kaelesh had stood, and convinced himself his secret was still safe.

  He went to meet with his generals, ordering the guards to have his room cleaned up before he returned.

  Chapter 5: Krangstand

  The half-eaten apple in Adrianna’s hand had been that way for so long it had started to turn brown. She looked from Darius to Luke, then back again, wondering if their sincere expressions would crack, and they’d soon be laughing at their little joke. It quickly grew apparent that they had meant every word of the tale they had just told her. “So the book is King Landri’s…” She let the words trail off, wanting to say more but still unsure what the book was or how much she should share with these young men.

  “It was,” Darius said, no doubt in his voice. “My sister’s word is good enough for me. She’s not prone to tall tales.”

  “It’s obvious to me that you’re being truthful,” said Adrianna. “The question is, can we unravel the mystery?”

  “We’ve told you what we know, as promised,” said Luke. “Now, do you think this friend of yours can help?”

  Adrianna shrugged. “Hard to say. But it’s the right next step.” She looked at the apple, frowned, and tossed it aside. “We’ve got a few hours before us yet, but we should make it in time for dinner.” She winked, then said to Luke, “Not that it’ll be much. He tends to live a bit frugally, but he’ll share what he has.”

  Luke picked up his pack. “Lead on.”

  *

  They reached the hamlet of Taswold several hours later, and Adrianna inquired after her friend at a few local establishments. Her first few attempts were met with what she was sure was feigned ignorance of who the man was. Finally a patron in the Foaming Flagon, who had caught her eye as the bartender turned her away with a shrug and a shake of his head, met her in the alley
beside the tavern.

  He hunched low as if that would keep him from being spotted talking to her. “Your friend gets himself in trouble, foolishly most would say,” the man told her.

  “What kind of trouble?”

  “Not hiding his beliefs, if you know what I mean. I got no problem with what he believes, mind you, it’s just everyone knows you’re better off keeping that to yourself these days.”

  “I understand,” said Adrianna. “Do you know where they’ve taken him?”

  “Krangstand, I’ve heard.”

  She sighed. “Again.”

  The man’s eyebrows went up. “I’ve not heard of many going to Krangstand more than once. Usually those that go in don’t come out again.”

  “My friend’s quite resilient,” Adrianna said with a smile. “This would be at least his third go round.”

  “Then he’s a bigger magnet for trouble than I thought, and just as lucky. Perhaps the locals are wise to keep their tongues where he’s concerned.”

  “No doubt,” said Adrianna. “And all the more do I thank you for talking to me.” She pressed a coin into his palm and waited a few moments while he wandered off.

  Darius and Luke had loitered outside the tavern’s entrance, trying to look innocuous and ignoring the challenging looks the townsfolk occasionally cast their way. The expression on Adrianna’s face when she returned gave them no more pleasure.

  “What’s wrong?” Darius asked.

  “Not here,” she said. “We’ll talk once we’re away.”

  They covered a few miles before Adrianna told them what she had learned. The news made Darius stop in his tracks.

  “Krangstand?” he said with a scowl. “Is that where you’re taking us now?”

  “I don’t see that we have any other choice,” she stated.

  “I do. One would be not going.”

  “Fine. Enjoy your locked book.”

  “Look, I want to know what’s in the book more than you’ll ever understand. But showing it to someone in Krangstand is crazy.”