“Any word of Ruan?”
“The men say he was alive when they left Danyl. He’s holding down the keep there with the baron. To what may have happened since then I cannot say.”
“Like you, your cousin is strong and tenacious. I’m sure he’s giving the enemy a good run.”
Dain nodded, then Brogan said, “Do you think Kevaan will be able to win back his throne?”
Dain rubbed his tired eyes. “I hope so, Brogan. If not, then we may have already lost.”
“What more do you have to share about this woman, the Chosen One, that is supposed to bring Fallon’s reign to an end, along with all his dark minions?”
“Melenthia, the princess of Aaralyn.”
Brogan eyed his king with amusement. “So the rumors are true. The princess is supposed to bring order to the world.” He smiled slightly in jest at his liege.
“Don’t say I told you so, please. I feel like an idiot not to have taken your word more seriously, and I feel like an imbecile every time I utter the words “Melenthia is the Chosen One”. I have confirmation from the Elvin elders and from Sol himself. It’s the truth. She’s the one. All the rumors of the Tanith Prophecy have become a surrealistic nightmare.” He frowned now, staring into the fire’s flames dancing in the hearth.
“There’s more to it than her being the Chosen One, isn’t there?”
He looked back at Brogan. “Why would you ask that?”
“Because I know you well enough, after all these years, to see the worry on your face and hear the tone in your voice. You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Am I that transparent?”
“Only to those who see deeper into your heart, Sire. Rumors are only skin deep. I have seen the kind heart you’ve had since you were just a lad. You have compassion for people, and you see them deeper than most. You know when they are telling the truth, and you know that there is more to them than what is seen on the outside. You’ve saved a lot of men because of that.”
“And yet, I cannot save her.”
“She is not for you to save this time, but rather someone who will save you.”
Dain smiled slightly now at his old friend. “She already has. I’m no longer the man that everyone thinks I am. I’ve changed in ways that I can’t even explain, and it’s because of Melenthia. She has brought forth a side of me that I haven’t shown in many a year, a side that I had all but forgotten existed. The real me. And in that process, I did fall in love with her. I’m scared for her.”
“If she is truly the one the elves claim her to be, then she will prevail.”
“She’s still vulnerable to evil, just like the rest of us. This fight she has belongs to us all. We must all face the challenge together, that is why I need all the provinces with me. It’s the only way she can win. I made a vow to her that I would stand with her to the end, and if I have to die, then I will.”
“Well I for one will try not to let that happen. I’m with you. Wherever you feel I’m needed, I will gladly accept.”
He leaned across the table and grabbed Brogans arm. “Thank you, my friend.”
They finished their dinner and went back to perusing the map and making movements where they thought best. They stayed that way well into the night, then Dain decided no more could be done when all were exhausted. He excused everyone to their beds.
***
Emerick and Dain were sitting in his office going over the daily reports from cities throughout the realm. He signed dispatch letters and warrants and gave his guards duties for the coming week. Drydon Keep was secure for the moment, but it was only a matter of time before Fallon felt bold enough to try to attack it as well. Troops were on their way to Danyl to stand with Baron Ulric and secure his fortress. More troops would be needed to hold down the city border and control the mob that would most likely form from the survivors fleeing from the Triple Cities. He had troops preparing for that as well.
The maps they had been going over several nights before were full of markers, pinpointing the places Fallon’s army had struck or were on their way to striking. Almost all of Aaralyn was red. The outlook was bleak. If they didn’t gain Chancellor Jaxon’s support, he felt that Fallon would easily win this war, and it was a thought that frankly made his stomach churn.
He knew that Melenthia would be given the training and knowledge she would need for her part, but he wasn’t so naïve to think that she would be able to save them from everything.
He let his mind wander to her for a moment. She was in Vallis now; she would stay tucked away with the elves for as long as was necessary. She had been gone a little over a month, and he realized more everyday just how much he missed her. He wished she were here by his side, giving him the strength and fortitude he needed to wage his part in this war with Fallon.