Dark One Rising(18)
He guessed that whatever was amiss very likely had something to do with the Duke of Xenos, but he had no solid proof, just his gut. People talked, and it was easy to get information out of the villagers with the right motivation, usually the clinking kind. He had been told stories of dark arts being performed inside the walls of Sexton Manor, and people seemed more afraid of Fallon than usual. It was no secret that he was a crass and quick tempered ogre. Peasants always created made-up stories, for they were a superstitious lot, but Alekzand’r didn’t think they were all just stories this time. He felt something stirring, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. He heard of strange things and seen some as well, but he couldn’t explain any of them. He would not start worrying about it just yet, but he refused to just brush it off as nothing either. Soon, he would have to find out what was happening, and he hoped it wouldn’t be too late when he did.
Alekzand’r saw a horseman approach who looked over his shoulder as if making sure no one was following, then slipped in behind the trees and pulled his horse in next to him. The stranger reined in his mount and pulled his hood from off his head, his breath making mist in the bitter air.
Alekzand’r, now knowing the coast was clear, pulled his hood off as well. He put out his hand for his companion to shake, and they nodded to each other.
“Kevaan, it’s been a long time.”
“Yes, it has. Too long I’m embarrassed to say.”
“How goes things on your side of the fence?”
Kevaan shook his head. “Not so good. My father has been acting strange lately, but I cannot put into words why I feel he’s not himself. Just random things. Random acts and deeds.”
“Is he not well?”
“Physically he seems fine, but mentally..” He left it hanging in the air. “That’s why I have come. I need a big favor. I trust no one else as much as you for this. It’s extremely important.”
“We’ve been friends for many years, Kevaan. Anything I do for you would be no favor, only an act out of friendship.”
Kevaan nodded his head. “You’re one of my closest friends too; that’s why I feel I can’t trust anyone else with this task. It’s too delicate.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about my sister.”
“Ah, fiery Melenthia. How is she these days? I haven’t seen her since she was practically a child.”
“Well she’s no longer a child and hasn’t yet picked a man to whom she wants to marry. My father is at his wits end with her, and in saying so, has decided that he will no longer accept an old maid for a daughter. He has given her hand in marriage.”
“I find it hard to believe that she hasn’t had many such offers. She was a lovely child, although precocious, but I assume has grown into a beautiful woman.”
“She has. But, she is also not quite a normal girl. She does not hold the same ideals as the rest of the girls in court her age. She wants someone to love, not someone in name only, which has made the decision harder. Men find her extremely attractive, until she opens her mouth, then they are insecure about themselves. It’s my fault, really. I should never have allowed her to learn things that only men should know. I have ruined her chances of finding a man who will actually love her. They want a wife, not competition.”
Alek smiled at that. “You’re a doting brother, and you only did what you thought was necessary at the time. Learning those things is not a total detriment. It may serve useful in the future. One cannot know.”
“Yes, you may be right, normally. However, my father does not see things as you and I do. He has given her hand to someone, and I cannot sway his decision.”
“Who is the lucky man?”
Kevaan frowned. “The Duke of Xenos.”
“Fallon Rommel? What in the name of all that’s holy was your father thinking?”
“That’s the problem, he wasn’t. As I said, he’s been acting strange, and this only adds to my suspicion that something is terribly wrong. I fear for my sister’s life. Fallon is cruel and frightening. If I hadn’t stepped in between them at her party, he would’ve taken her by force that very night. I shudder to think what may happen to her in his house if she does anything to make him angry, and chances are very likely that she will.”
“I have heard strange stories around the land about the Duke. I fear he has made a pact with something dark. There is something threatening in the winds. I feel it everywhere.”
“I too have heard stories and felt eerie things. Melenthia also mentioned things, but I acted as though they were nothing. I didn’t want to frighten her. Now I’m afraid Melenthia may be a pawn in some sinister game Fallon is playing, but what it is, I don’t know.”