Dark One Rising(134)

He smiled up at her, taking her hand in his. “I know you will be. But, I’m afraid the worrying comes with loving someone. That I can’t promise you.”

Sol lead the way out of the courtyard, and Melenthia’s horse automatically started to go. Her hand slipped from his, and she continued to look over her shoulder at him as he faded from her sight behind the iron gates of the Keep. Tomaz brought up the rear and would stay there most of the trip.

Dain sighed as she disappeared down the cobbled street that led from the Keep to the road into town. He stood in the bailey for a few more minutes before he gave up and went inside. The war was only just beginning, and his only hope was that they would all survive it to see another day.



***



The army marched into town, the horses hooves clip-clopping on the cobbled streets, the lead horse cantering in rhythm, showing off itself and its rider in black armor. The man in the saddle sat up straight, his black eyes matching his hair and goatee, a red lined cape flung over his shoulders. The flag bearer in the middle of the entourage carried the battle standard of the Rommel House, black background with a green gryphon embroidered on the front, silver piping along the edges. The pennant waved in the light afternoon wind. The cold forced the men to wear thick leather gloves lined with fur. The men wore black and green tabards over their mail, and helms of gold and silver on their heads.

Fallon pranced into the city, staring down at the people he passed with blatant disinterest. He walked through the city without speaking to anyone, or making any demands. He had a mission, and no one would distract him from it.

Lachlan Castle had been a challenge that he was not anticipating. Even with Kevaan absent from it, the guards had been ready, the walls fortified beyond his expectation. He should have known Kevaan would be trouble. Randor’s death was gradual, but Kevaan seemed to have anticipated Fallon’s plan. Now he left him with only one choice. He would need to take down the wall on the outer border in order to allow his army coming in from the sea to gain entrance. If the wall at Ulam were destroyed, he could easily get his army into Kingswell, then march to the castle again and take it down. Next time it would be easier, and he would strike while its liege was away. Kevaan had made the mistake by leaving, now he would lose his throne because of it. The border would now belong to him with the Triple Cities fallen, and he would redraw the lines of the provinces. Once he had Aaralyn under his control, he could slip into Azlyn easier and take over King Dainard’s cities one by one. He already had Baron Malor from Ashlan in his pocket, and Lord Krondor in Bardolf was easy to convince once he had Ashlan on his side. The two cities were holding down the west side of Azlyn, unbeknownst to its king. Only Lord Ulric from Danyl was giving him trouble, but his garrison was small, and it wouldn’t be long before the giants had solidified that hold as well.

His plans were working. The giants were proving propitious in his plans. They weren’t very smart, but they were greedy, and money was an easy motivator for loyalty. He’d barely had to use his creatures from the pit, saving most of them for the later battle when he would wipe out everyone left who still opposed him.

Dainard was smart, had many spies, and had been able to keep one step ahead of him up to now. But the time was coming when even he wouldn’t be able resist the power Fallon was gaining. Dainard had only so many men to enlist into his ranks, and Fallon didn’t think when the time came, he’d have enough to win the battle. The Isamarians had been stubborn and wouldn’t join him. Next time he would threaten them, use his death army to instill fear into them, then he was sure they’d join. He was counting on the king being unable to sway them. If fear didn’t work, a silver tongue wouldn’t either.

Melenthia had hidden from him for what felt like eternity, and it angered him, but then he found her. Soon he would have her. He had gained access to her mind, taking her in her sleep, her leading him to her location without knowing she was doing so. She had awoken herself before he could lure her out into the open, proving that she was stronger than even the Dark One knew. She slipped from his mind, but she would not be able to do it again. When the time was right, he wouldn’t have to fight the guards at Drydon Keep; she would come to him. He had been watching her every night since then, not entering her mind, but keeping himself just beyond her reach. All this time, she had been holed up with that pathetic excuse for a king, weak minded and ignorant. Shortly after that he lost track of her. He tried again to get into her mind but was shielded from her. Someone had taught her how to shield herself from him, and she had succeeded. He was livid at the interference from others, and now he didn’t know where she was. He was sure her location would be revealed in time, if he were patient. There was so much to do in the meantime, so many cities to crush, and a throne to take. When her location was revealed, he would not let her escape again; he would be ready. He would own her.