They went inside the keep. Maddon followed him down a long corridor, then around a corner and down another hall. The walls were block and unadorned with finery, and the dim light coming from the few wall sconces cast eerie shadows on the floor in front of him.
They finally came to a door, and Alban went in. The room was not large but looked comfortable. There was a roaring fire in the big stone hearth, and there were two large chairs sitting in front of it. A mahogany desk near the back wall was covered in maps and parchment. A wooden, uncomfortable looking chair was pushed back from it. There was a hook near the fire that held a cloak, and a pair of boots were drying by the hearth. He motioned for Maddon to hand him his cloak, then told him to sit and warm himself. He hung the cloak on the hook then removed his and did the same. He now wore only a linen tunic with his hosen, but the room was warm enough to permit it. He then went to a cabinet just left of the desk and poured a drink, then another. He came back over to the chair and handed Maddon a mug. Maddon sniffed it. It smelled spicy, and a thin waft of steam was coming from it. Alban plopped down beside him and took a sip of his own mug. He eyed Maddon smelling the liquid.
“It’s warm spiced cider, perfectly appropriate for your age.”
“I’ve had ale many times.”
“Yes, but you need a clear head tonight if you are going to recite your message. I only wanted to warm your bones after your bitter ride.”
“Thank you.” He took a sip and smiled at the pleasant taste. He took another.
“See, tasty eh?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now then, what news do you bring to ole Alban?”
“Alekzand’r evacuated Amaris. The city fell under the wrath of Fallon’s dreadful army. They took those willing to fight and killed the rest. They burnt the city to cinders. I, along with twenty other men, took the women, children and the old and infirmed into the aqueducts for safety. We hid for two weeks before Alekzand’r showed up. He sent word to Mercer to bring in wagons in order to get the survivors out of the city. He caparisoned the convoy in regalia in order to disguise them from whatever troops might return. He sent me here to warn you that trouble is coming. I’ve already heard news of the Triple Cities. He will come in from the sea and from there they will move to meet Fallon and his generals in the Triple Cities. Now that it’s secure, he can redraw the lines of the border and move into Aaralyn and Azlyn easier. If we can keep him from moving more troops out of Boones Ferry and into the Triple Cities, maybe we can stall him from marching into Kingswell.”
“This is all speculation, I assume.”
“Yes, but several master strategists feel it’s an accurate assumption.”
“Fallon has not followed any particular pattern up to this point. He seems to be flitting from one place to another. How can we be sure that will be his next move?”
“We can’t, but isn’t it better to be prepared? Better overly cautious and be wrong, than ignore the warnings and be too late.”
Alban eyed the boy, seeming much older than his eighteen years would imply, and shook his head. “You’re a smart lad and much instructed on strategy and warfare.”
“My grandfather taught me well.”
“So it seems. Well, then I suggest we start making plans on how best to set up a garrison and where. Can’t just send a bunch of men out there to lollygag around the city. The garrison must be heavily fortified if we plan on stopping Fallon’s giants. It’s getting a bit late to start discussing all this now. I suggest you get some food in ya and get some rest. We have a long road ahead of us. In the morn we’ll start our campaign.”
“Okay. I am kinda hungry. I was so focused on getting here that I forgot to eat my rations.”
“I would think you would be hungry then. Let’s get you some food and a comfortable place to lay your head. Tomorrow will come quickly enough.”
“Thank you, General Thorne.”
“It’s Alban, for now.”
“Thank you, Alban.”
He ruffled the boys hair and led him out of the room toward the kitchen.
CHAPTER 33
When she finally arrived into the city of Vallis, there was much fanfare. The sky was darkening when they reached the city gates, and the houses and main thoroughfare were glittering with brightly colored lanterns. Ribbons adorned the pathways, and there was music playing somewhere off to her left, down a path to somewhere she could not see from her vantage point.
They dismounted on the other side of the gate, handing their reins over to three elves who were waiting just inside. Two more elves were also waiting to escort them to Theron, the Elvin King of Vallis.