Dark One Rising(144)
They waited for a few minutes for the Petit-Porte to creak open, then ducked under when there was room, riding into an outer courtyard. The gate guard turned to another man and snapped. “Squire Jac, please rouse the general and tell him he has important visitors.”
The young man ran off into the keep. Maddon dismounted and grabbed the reins, looing up at Jedd. “Are you staying?”
“No. I will head back into town just as soon as you get to see Alban. I’m not a knight or a royal guard. I have no business insinuating myself in the kings business.”
“It concerns everyone.”
“I wanted to make sure you were escorted safely and gained access to Alban. I have done what you paid me to do, nothing more.”
“Don’t you care about what happens to the kingdom? You said it yourself, Fallon is bad for local business.”
“Using my words against me now are we? Very well, if invited I will listen to what news you bring, then decide from there what I must do. Fair enough?”
“Fair enough.” Jedd dismounted and waited in the cold bailey with Maddon.
About twenty minutes later, a short but stout man emerged from the keep, dressed in woolen hosen with a thick wool cloak wrapped tightly around his muscular frame. His leg muscles were large and strong, and his torso was broad. He had straw colored hair and was clean shaven with only a bit of stubble on his prominent chin. His eyes were alert, and he walked with a gait that commanded respect. He approached the two men waiting in the yard for him and stood in front of Maddon, eyeing him up and down.
“There better be a good reason I was pulled from my evening tea and forced to dress for the cold night to come down here for a couple of uninvited strangers.”
Maddon glanced at Jedd and he nodded. “There is, General Thorne. My name is Maddon. I have ridden all the way from Amaris to bring you a message.”
“Amaris is quite a jaunt from here, so you must be a hearty lad, but what matter is that to me?”
“I bring message from Alekzand’r Morgan regarding the movement of Fallon and his army.”
“Is this recent news, or something I have already heard?”
“I hope I’m not too late. We don’t have confirmation of everything yet, but Amaris has fallen, and Fallon has been taking over city by city.”
Alban looked at Maddon and frowned, then switched his gaze to Jedd. “Why are you here?”
“I agreed to bring the boy here from town. I’m here for escort only.”
“Then git. I have things to say to this youth that don’t concern you.”
Jedd looked down at Maddon. The boy nodded his thanks. Jedd stuck out his hand and they shook. He mounted his horse and rode it back through the bailey and out the gate.
Alban looked down at Maddon again and scowled. “I don’t mean to impugn your honor, boy, as I’m sure you’ve ridden long and hard to get here, but I don’t rally my garrison for speculation.”
“I have brought you the message from Alexzand’r as I was instructed.”
“How old are you?”
“Eighteen.”
Alban looked over to the two guards who had roused him from in front of the fire and smiled. “Hardly a man yet.”
“I have seen and done things in the last month that other boys my age could never dream. I have blood on my hands now. I think that makes me older than my years imply.”
Alban was taken aback but decided to play with him for a minute of two, just to see how feisty he really was. “Well, I suppose it could. But you could just be a boy on the run from Bounty Hunters after committing some crime of state. How do I know that the news you bring has come from reliable sources and therefore demand my attention?”
“You don’t, but if the Lady of the Valley had anything to say about it, she’d tell you to listen to me.”
“What has Salma anything to do with this?”
Maddon grinned from ear to ear. At least he knew that this man was indeed general Thorne and not some underling that he sent out in his stead so as not to be bothered.
Alban shot Maddon a look of annoyance, then smiled from ear to ear. “Ah, I got it. You were testing me. Yes, boy, I’m General Thorne and not some crony.”
“Then if you are really who you claim to be, you must take my news and see that I’m not a boy on the run, but a messenger that deserves to be heard.”
“Yes, I should say you do. Very well, come inside and let’s hear the whole of your news, not just the message. If I’m to decide what best actions to take, I need to know just how bad the situation has become.” He looked over to the two gate guards that had allowed Maddon entrance. “See that his horse is tended and get a page to bring in his things. We’ll be in the war room if needed, but for now leave us to talk in peace. I’ll call if you’re needed.”