She nodded, kissed Melenthia’s cheek and hurried from the room. Garreth looked at her with sadness in his eyes. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of coins. He opened her hand and placed the coins in her palm, closing her fingers around them. She looked up at him.
“I won’t take your money, Garreth. I may have already put you and your family in danger by coming here. I’ll not make you destitute on top of it.”
“It’s my money to do with as I please. You have come to my aid more times than I can count. The borders are all patrolled now because you convinced your father to do so. This town is safer because of your love for us and your want for our safety. You will need it far more than I. And if Fallon or his men come here asking questions, I’ll tell them nothing.”
“If he threatens you, or Kya, or Conor, you’ll tell him the truth. I won’t have you die for me. Promise me.”
He didn’t answer. She took his large hands in hers.
“Please, Garreth, promise me you will not risk your life or that of your family’s. I couldn’t bear it if I thought anything bad happened to any of you on my account. If you are questioned by anyone who would report to Fallon, please don’t withhold information. Tell them the truth.”
“I will not risk your life. You’ve been like a daughter to us. I will tell them that you are heading south. Perhaps that will buy you some time.”
She smiled at him wearily. “Fair enough. I will sleep here tonight. Wake me before dawn. I will go west, before the merchants are open for business. If most of the town is still asleep, I will be able to sneak out easier.”
“But the gate will still be locked.”
“You’re right. I hadn’t thought of that.”
“I will talk to Kya’s cousin. His son is in charge of the gate guard. I’ll make sure you’re able to get out without any questions.”
“Thank you, Garreth. I can’t express how indebted to you I am for taking this risk.”
“There’s no thanks needed. If I see your brother come through, what should I tell him?”
“Tell him I’m sorry.”
He leaned over and kissed her cheek and held her in his arms for a moment.
“Be safe, Melenthia. This kingdom needs you.”
“If Fallon has indeed made a pact with the Dark One, this kingdom will need more than me; it will need a miracle.”
“Get some rest. I will alert you if there is anything amiss.”
She nodded to him, and he left her alone. She crawled into bed and tried to sleep. As weary as she was, she found it hard to shut her mind off long enough to doze. It was racing so fast she was almost dizzy. The road will be hard, and long, and Aelethia will need to band together if they expected to see this through. She had no idea what was happening or why she was a part of it, but for some reason she felt that there was more to all of this than a marriage. Fallon sought to gain more than a wife, but what it was, she couldn’t fathom. Asking questions would only get her in trouble, so she would have to wait and hope that the meaning to it all presented itself before it was too late. She closed her eyes and breathed deep in and out. Eventually, she drifted off, her body finally taking control over her mind. Dawn would come quickly; she needed to get her rest.
CHAPTER 9
Fallon arrived at the castle with his cortege a couple hours after sunset. Kevaan watched out the second-story window at the men dismounting in the bailey. There were fifteen, including four men-at-arms, and another man who was dressed in simple riding clothes but wore a long black cape. Kevaan didn’t know who he was or what position he held, but he was sure he’d soon find out. He waited with his father in the conference room, trying to hold back the anger that was building up.
About twenty minutes later, a guard escorted the men up to the room and announced them. Fallon walked passed the guard into the room. As usual, he was dressed all in black leather and wore a riding cloak, black in color, but with a red lining on the inside. He wore a broadsword at his hip inside a scabbard made of tooled leather. He always seemed to have a scowl on his face, and today was no different. He strode into the room, stone faced and haughty. The two men-at-arms that had escorted him followed him into the room, with the stranger behind them. When the guards got through the doorway, they parted and went in separate directions to stand guard over their lord from opposite sides of the room. The stranger with the long cape came in and stood beside Fallon, face neutral. He was shorter than Fallon, but not by much, and he had long brown hair, streaked with touches of gray, that ran down his back to about his shoulders. He had a beard, short, also speckled with gray. His eyes were brown and were almond in shape, and his nose was flat and wide. He stood very straight and had his hands clasped in front of him. When Kevaan looked at him, the stranger seemed to sense it and turned his face to look at him. When he did, Kevaan felt a chill run all the way up his spine. He tried not to show his fear, but he felt somehow violated, as if the stranger had seen his thoughts. He shivered, and the stranger looked away again.