Dark One Rising(19)

“What favor do you need of me, Kevaan? I will do whatever I can to help in this unfortunate state of events.”

Kevaan placed his hand on Alek’s shoulder. “Thank you, my friend. She has decided to run away, to escape this sentence she has been given. I asked her to stay put until I could come up with a plan. Leaving is her only option now. If she runs, and my father doesn’t know about it, the deal with Fallon would be off, but my father would not be accused of treachery.”

“Fallon will not walk away so easily though. He will hunt your sister down. He will not allow the deal to be stopped. If your father has promised Melenthia to him, he will do everything to make sure the deal is carried out, no matter what the cost. That man has evil permeating from his skin, I swear.”

“I know, and there lies the dilemma. I fear he has done something to my father to force him to make the decision in the first place. My sister is in danger whether she accepts his hand or not. I cannot protect her this time. I have to concentrate on finding out what’s happening. I need someone to watch over her. I cannot live with myself if I allowed her to walk out the door and face the outside alone. She can protect herself, of that I have no doubt, but if he hunts her, he will find her. I need someone to keep her safe and put her somewhere Fallon will not find her so easily.”

“I will help you, Kevaan. I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her either. I have been trying to put my finger on weird happenings all over the kingdom. I too need to find out what’s amiss, but I will make sure she is taken care of first.”

“Do you have somewhere you can take her that she’ll be relatively safe, at least for the time being?”

He paused, then answered, “Yes, I know of just the place. I will take her to Drydon Keep in Azlyn.”

“With the King?”

“Yes. I trust King Dainard with my life, and I know he will help. And frankly, he needs a task to keep him occupied. He has been lax in his good behavior more than normal lately, and I cannot seem to talk him out of his decisions. This would give him something to keep him away from the destructive path he seems to be walking down. The harlots, the drinking and fighting. I swear that boy does it just to make me sweat. He has a big heart though, just as his father had, and the people love him. I fear for him. But this may just keep him in line. He’s loyal to his friends, and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her if I ask. That I can guarantee.”

“Thank you, Alek; I didn’t know where else to turn. If this turns out alright, I will owe you my life.”

“Friends do not owe favors, Kevaan. Just promise me you’ll not be out of touch as long next time.”

“I won’t.”

“And if you hear anything more, keep me apprised.”

“I will.”

Alek rubbed a hand across his chin in thought, then asked. “Are you sure she’ll stay put for your return?”

“The Duke and his entourage will arrive at the castle in three days. I will have her out and to whatever rendezvous point you suggest before that. I won’t tell my father. By the time she is discovered missing, you will have her on her way to Drydon Keep by then.”

Alekzand’r looked concerned, his head snapping to attention. “I saw Fallon and his men heading for the castle two days ago. I stuck to the woods. They were on the trading route road. I wondered what their hurry was. They’ll be at the castle by tomorrow evening if they keep up the pace they were in.”

“What? He’s arriving earlier than expected.”

“On purpose I would imagine. Arriving early guarantees surprise, which means not enough time for your father to try something against him.”

“That doesn’t leave me any time at all. If Melenthia gets word that he is nearer than expected, she will flee, and I won’t be there to stop her.”

“Is she clever enough at least to stick to the woods?”

“Yes, I would bet that she would do her best not to be seen by anyone who would betray her. The people of the near-by villages love her, so they might harbor her, but I don’t think she would risk being seen down the main roads.”

“That still gives us some time. Return to the castle. Fly like the wind, Kevaan. You must get there before he does. You need to be there when he arrives. Take the old mining road and then cut your way north along the river. It may get you there just ahead, but barely. I will stick to the woods and back roads myself and keep my eye open for her. I promise I will find her and keep her hidden. I must go to an old friend, but it won’t take long. He will give me a way to hide from them and stay hidden all the way to Drydon Keep. Do what you can; I will do the rest.”