Dark One Rising(57)

“Very well. I promise that I’ll behave and not try to run, if you’ll untie me and let me have some of your food.”

“Done, My Lady.” He bowed again.

He came forward, pulling a knife out of another sheath on his upper thigh. She closed her eyes, frightened a bit that she may have made a mistake, but then felt the ropes fall from her hands. Then she could move her legs. She opened her eyes again, expecting him to be hovering over her, but was surprised to find him sitting back on the log he had vacated a moment before. She rubbed her wrists, trying to dull the raw spots there and getting the feeling back into them. He spooned out some food from the pot and placed it in a bowl. He grabbed a utensil from out of his pack and handed both to her.

She took it gratefully and started to eat, without even thoughts of being poisoned. The stew was delicious, and she was finally starting to feel better. She had another helping almost finished before he spoke again.

“Last time I saw you, you were no taller than my hip,” he said looking at her head. “You had the longest curly hair, all the way down to your knees.”

She rubbed a hand through her short locks and grimaced. “I felt it was necessary, at the time.”

“You were correct, it was.”

She was surprised at his answer.

“It probably kept your identity hidden for the most part. Anyone who didn’t know you would never look close enough to see your eyes. Eventually you would have been discovered, but luckily, I found you first.”

“You found my horse?”

“Yes, right where you left her, your sword too.”

“I had nothing but escaping in mind.”

“I gathered, and you did a good job.”

“I got sloppy in the end though.”

“Yes, but losing your sword and your horse is nothing compared to losing your life.”

“Kevaan must be frantic.”

“Aye. He came to me out of desperation. There are many unexplainable things going on, and he needs to focus on looking into them, but he wanted to be sure you were safe first. He knew you would run.”

“You really are his friend?”

“Besides King Dainard, your brother is the best friend I’ve ever had. I’ve given my life to serve His Majesty, King of Azlyn, because he’s a good king and because he’s my friend. Your brother I have known since we were boys. Your father and mine used to go on the hunt together. That was before you were born.”

“Why haven’t I ever seen you?”

“Because Azlyn is far from Aaralyn to visit often. The hunts were only once a year. As we grew, I became a Bounty Hunter in employ of the previous king of Azlyn, King Colwyn. When he died, I pledged my life to his son. We were already friends, so pledging my life to him was easy. I’m away a lot. I’ve ridden across one end of Aelethia to the other more times than I can count. Sometimes, it’s very tiring. Seeing friends is something one can only do when they have free time. And I have none, especially recently.”

“Why does Fallon want me so badly?”

“That is the question, isn’t it? Although it’s not so surprising that he would find you attractive, because you are, why he is willing to go so far to possess you is what we all want to know. There does seem to be some talk about him around all of Aelethia.”

“Yes, I’ve heard them, and I’ve seen some strange things riding through the countryside. Things I cannot explain.”

“Tell me about some of them.”

“Herds of animals falling over dead without reason, crops dying in the field after the same field was strong and healthy just days before. Poison water in the wells. Some rivers flooding, others bone dry in their beds. Events like these don’t happen naturally with no reason.”

“Hmm, yes. I have experienced similar things in cities closer to my border as well. I think Fallon is playing games he cannot win, with players whose only prize will be his soul, and probably all of ours as well.”

“You think he’s some kind of sorcerer, some kind of wizard of dark arts? He’s too stupid to be that talented.”

“Messing around with the dark arts is stupid, and being ignorant is the first criteria. Those who are intelligent don’t mess around with things they know they can’t control. And those that are wise don’t sell their soul for power. They understand that knowledge is power enough.”

“If it’s true, and he’s gaining power over evil, what will we do?”

“I don’t know. I have a good friend who’s trying to sort out all of these mysteries and get a better look at what we’re dealing with. He and the elves will figure it out, and then we’ll know.”