“Melenthia Breslin. I’m looking for Melenthia.”
“Haven’t seen her today.”
Alek reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag of gold, dropping three coins on the counter.
“Are you sure?” he asked again.
Garreth left the coins on the counter, his eyes never leaving Alek’s. He laughed. “Now what would the princess be doing in town, at night, and frequenting my place? This side of town is no place for a lady.”
“Well now, that’s true, usually, however, she is on the run and coming to somebody she knows would be her first move. A safe place to hole up for the night and warm food would be what I’d want. If I were her.”
Garreth wasn’t convinced this guy was telling the truth. He seemed genuine, but he needed more. He grabbed his meat cleaver from under the bar.
“Why don’t you tell me who’s asking and why, and maybe I’ll let you walk out of here with all your limbs.” He lifted the knife up for Alek to see, who eyed it nervously for a minute, then smiled.
“Fair enough. Name’s Alekzand’r Morgan. I’m…”
“Bounty Hunter for King Dainard Grayson of Azlyn.” Garreth finished the sentence and became really nervous now, and moving the large knife closer to Alek across the counter.
“Now hang on there. I’m only a Bounty Hunter when there are criminals to track. The rest of the time I’m the king’s Royal Advisor. Believe me, when it comes to His Majesty, that in itself is a full-time job.”
“Still doesn’t explain why you’re looking for the princess.”
“I’ve been asked by her brother, Prince Kevaan, to keep her safe and take her to Azlyn.”
“Why is she running?”
“She’s been given over to the Duke of Xenos for marriage. Her brother is opposed to this, and so is she. Her brother, my dear friend, enlisted me to take care of her and they were supposed to meet me at an undisclosed location. However, the duke is a day and a half ahead of schedule and Melenthia ran, without Kevaan being able to get her out himself. She’s running, and I need to find her. There’s some really awful people that are going to be looking for her pretty soon, if they aren’t already, and if I don’t find her first, something bad might happen to her.”
Garreth lowered the knife slightly, but still had a tight grip on it. Melenthia had said that Kevaan didn’t get back in time to help her, so she fled on her own, without anyone knowing. This stranger, the same one who questioned Bale earlier, seemed sincere. Even Bale said he suspected no malice in him. But this was Melenthia, and he swore he wouldn’t betray her. Just as he was going to answer, the door to the kitchen opened and Conor came through. He was clearly upset. His fists were clenched and his jaw was tight. He went to his father, and before he realized Alek was even there, he blurted,
“Father, we passed through the gate just fine until a stranger and two men-at-arms, who passed us going the opposite direction, questioned the gate guards. He pointed us out, father. They started to come after us. We were far enough passed the gate for a bit of a head start, but I had to put Melenthia on her horse and make her go. They would’ve been able to catch us in the wagon. When they reached me, I thought they were going to kill me, but the leader just looked at me. I felt like he was looking right through me. I was so afraid I couldn’t even move. I couldn’t see his face under his hood, but his eyes were red and they glowed, father. He looked at me for a long time, then left me and went after Melenthia. They’ll catch her, father, we have to do something.”
“My God, a wraith,” Alek gasped.
Garreth grabbed his son and hugged him, rubbing his head to soothe him. Alek reached across the counter and grabbed Garreth’s arm. “Please. If you are her friend and you know where she’s gone, please tell me. I have to find her. She’s in more danger than even I suspected.”
“What?”
“The thing your son saw, that was a wraith.”
“What’s a wraith?”
“It’s a creature that no living being hopes to ever meet. He’s dead, but not so. The only way he could cross over from the beyond was if it was called. If Fallon was the one who called it, then he controls it. If that’s true, then he’s more dangerous than anyone would have suspected. Please, Garreth, if you love her, tell me where she’s gone.”
He let go of the knife and looked at Alek, fear in his eyes, still hugging his son. “She was going to head west, go through the woods and cross over the Xanthe into Isamar. She was hoping to get there where no one would know her. If she’s being followed, do you think she would still keep to the plan?”