Dark One Rising(47)

“Have you heard any of this from reliable sources, or is this just sailor superstition?”

“Maybe or maybe not, but I believe everyone suspects the same. Things were relatively quiet until she ran away, now it seems things are crawling out from dark places. All the realms in the kingdom must be warned. We must stand together against him. Something sinister is happening.”

“Do you know how to reach Yarden?”

Brogan stood up from his chair, crossing his big arms over his bigger chest. “Maybe. Why?”

“You’re right. I don’t have any solid confirmation on anything either, but something is starting, that I can agree with. If we wait until all hell breaks loose, it’ll be too late. We must enlist the allegiance of all the provinces, then when the time comes, we can stand as one.”

“Are you asking me to go to Yarden? The city of the dwarves at the top of the mountain?”

Dain shrugged.

“I owe you my life but you’re asking a lot of me. Not only is it hard to find, but it’s a treacherous climb. There’ll be snow up there still, and if an unexpected temperamental storm blows through while still on the mountain pass, it could mean death.” He audibly swallowed.

“You know I would never ask if it wasn’t important.”

“Why are you so quick to enlist the help of the dwarves who have not had allegiance with man in over five hundred years? What’s happened?”

“Alek is searching for the princess as we speak. When she heard her hand had been given over to Fallon in marriage, she fled Lachlan Castle and is somewhere out in the open. If Alek does not find her, Fallon will. I need to know exactly what he wants with her. I’m not willing to wait until it’s too late. I can only protect her if I know who might be coming after her, or what and why. Getting the entire kingdom banded together is the smartest move.”

Brogan sighed. “For you, Dain, and the princess, I’ll do whatever I can. The thought of talking to Dagon makes my skin break out in goose pimples, but I’ll get to him.”

“I have something to insure that you gain entry into Yarden to talk to Dagon.”

Brogan raised his eyebrows in questioning.

“I will not reveal the details in full. Let’s just say he owes me.”

“Seems you have tabs all over the kingdom.” He sighed. “Very well. I’ll hire a guide and go there.”

Dain placed his hand on Brogan’s shoulder now. “Take several men with you, reliable and trustworthy men. I’ll send word to Faran to give you whatever funds you need to pay them. Just get Dagon the message, that should be enough. Dagon may be a miser when it comes to money, but he’s not callous enough to refuse to help if he knows what’s on the way .”

“It’ll be done. For you I would give my life.”

“I don’t want it to come to that. If for some reason he refuses aid at my request, don’t put yourself, or your men, in harms way. I won’t force those that don’t trust me enough to stand with me. I hope they’ll see the importance of allegiance and decide on their own to help. The decisions we make from this point on will effect everyone.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Take care, Brogan.”

“You too, Sire.”

Dain left the boat and plodded back down the wharf towards town. He found his horse still tied to the post. He rode hard all the way back to Drydon, hoping there would be word from Alek when he got there.



***



Jaron, to the dismay of Fallon, returned to the castle without Melenthia in his possession. Fallon paced back and forth across the great hall of Lachlan Castle, his almost black eyes were squinting, and he tried to keep his hands busy so as not to strangle anyone.

Jaron looked on, watching him pace the great length of the room, not speaking, but wondering if he should interrupt his mutterings with mundane details. It was true that Melenthia had slipped passed them, but he knew that it would only be a matter of time before he lured her out of whatever hiding place she had found.

Fallon had been furious when he returned to the castle empty handed, but even he was not brave enough to challenge Jaron. Fallon might have conjured him up from the depths, but Jaron was really the player, and Fallon merely the pawn.

The King was being very tight lipped about her whereabouts, and Jaron had the feeling he really didn’t know. He did know, however, that Kevaan did. Getting it out of him might be harder than anticipated though; he seemed to be stronger in will than his father was. Jaron finally decided that this pacing was getting them nowhere and cleared his throat.

“My Lord, perhaps we should be planning our next move rather than dwelling on what we have not accomplished. Everything will eventually fall into place as, and when, it should. The girl has no inkling that she’s the one who was born to destroy you. She only knows what we want her to know, that you want her for your wife.”