Dark One Rising(153)

The two men mounted their horses again and nodded down to Alek and Kevaan. “Good luck to you.”

“To you as well.”

The four men disappeared into the trees again, heading back toward Eston.

“What are the odds that they’ll make it in time?” Alek asked.

“If they can avoid most of the main roads, and if the troops in the Triple Cities stay put, they have a good chance. If Dain gets that message, he’ll make sure he dispatches his army into the west and spreads them out along both borders.” He grimaced. “Fallon is getting bolder”

“He knows that with the help of the giants, and whatever other creatures he has enlisted, he can instill fear, and when people are afraid, they will bend.”

Kevaan frowned. “What do you think happened to my men and my staff?”

“He probably has them locked up and out of the way.”

“If they are dead….” He let it hang.

“He wouldn’t do that. They are more valuable to him alive than dead. I wish I was Melenthia. She gets the fun of killing that bastard.”

“I wouldn’t put too much stock in my sisters ability to kill someone. She may be the Chosen One, but I think she’ll have a hard time going through with it when the time comes.”

“I think you underestimate her. She’s grown more mature since you left her on our doorstep and stronger. I think she’s ready to do what is needed for the kingdom. Sol and Tomaz feel she’s ready, so I for one will take their word for it. And with her training there, I’m sure she’s even more ready.”

“I hope you’re right, or we could all be doomed.”

“Let’s get on the road. I want to be through the Dark Woods and into the valley before morning, and we need not tarry getting to Charbonneau. The faster I get you home, the faster I can get back to Vallis. Having an elf or two with me will strengthen our chances of getting the chancellor to join us.”

They mounted their horses and headed out into the woods. It was dark now. They stayed within the trees, even though the darkness made seeing difficult. The moonlight shone its light occasionally through the break in the canopy, but mostly they had to use instinct to find their way. All was quiet until Kevaan said, “Can I ask you something?”

Alek looked over to his friend, their stirrups practically touching in order to stay together and not get separated in the pitch black.

“Of course, Kevaan, you’re my friend. There’s nothing you can’t ask.”

“I know he’s your friend too, but I really need you to be honest with me.”

He knew what Kevaan was going to ask, so he asked the question for him. “You want to know if Dain really loves Melenthia.”

Kevaan tossed him a look even though Alek could only see an outline of him. “Yes. I don’t mean to doubt him, especially in front of you, but I need to be sure that his intentions are honorable and true. He said as much, but I’m still unsure. My sister has never been one to fall for a handsome face, or a flattering tongue, but after all this time and everything that has happened to her, she could’ve let her guard down. She’s had too much heartbreak to have to endure more.”

“At first I was unsure myself. I, more than anyone, know how Dain works. I’ve seen him get a woman to succumb to his charm with nothing but a smile, but this time it’s real. Your sister has done something to him, changed him in ways I can’t explain. I watched him change since your sister was placed under our roof, and I can honestly tell you, with every truth in my soul, that Dain is deeply in love with her. I worry that he won’t be himself while she’s away from him. I don’t fear that he will seek other company to wile the time away. His love is true, and she is the only one now.”

“I never thought my sister had it in her to charm someone such as he. She can be endearing when she wants to be but has never been able to charm anyone like that.”

“I think that being herself, and in doing so, getting Dain to once again be himself, was the way she charmed him. He had forgotten who he was for a long time. I think he saw a lot of his mother in her, and he loved her like no boy has loved his mother. I assure you, Kevaan, that Melenthia will never have to worry about Dain finding another while she is away, or otherwise. He is true.”

“Thank you for telling me. Even though I could see a different woman before me, I needed reassurance that once all this was over, she’d have something to come home to.”

“This will be the most difficult challenge she’ll ever face. Her road is going to be long and hard. She can do it, but she can’t do it alone.”