“Perhaps he wants to change that.”
“Maybe. Fallon must be holding something over them or has promised something in order to have obtained their allegiance.”
Alekzand’r answered, “He doesn’t seem to want anything other than power over the cities he is taking over. The word from my spies on that end are that he generally leaves the cities devastated. Takes their money and their livelihood, giving them nothing in return. He’s been using fear as a tool to gain their compliance.”
“Yes, the dark arts are quite capable of instilling fear in people, and these two cities in particular have no real army to protect them; they are too small. Having a sorcerer threaten them is push enough I think.”
“No, there’s something else.”
Dain looked across the table at him. “What is it?”
“It seems that Fallon has called a wraith from the pit.”
“A wraith? Are you sure?”
“I would bet my life on it. I meant to tell you sooner, but we got busy with state issues. I didn’t want to talk about it in front of Melenthia either. I didn’t want to frighten her more than she already is. It chased her over the Cliff of Sorrow, then chased us down when we left Zhen That’s the main reason I used the Sorcerers Wood. Escape was imperative.”
“A wraith, and it didn’t catch her?”
“Usually a wraith won’t go out in water, so I thought that was how she escaped in the river. But..”
“But what?”
“This one chased us for miles before we disappeared into the Sorcerers Wood. It was pouring down rain, Dain.”
Dain stared at his friend, his forehead scrunched in dismay. “This one can go out in water?”
“It appears that way.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that Fallon has not only mastered the dark arts, but has mastered over them. He has enough knowledge and power to create his own creatures. I fear a wraith is only the beginning of our concerns.”
Dain got a chill. “I would’ve never pegged him good enough for that.”
“Obviously his master taught him well, or maybe, Fallon is just more evil than the wizard ever was.”
Dain slumped back in his chair, rubbing his eyes again.
“Are you alright, Dain?”
“I’m weary.”
“Maybe we should take a break.”
He looked at Alekzand’r and frowned. “No, we need to push on. I want all information that we can gather. I have sent Brogan to the Danstrom Mountains to the dwarves at Yarden to talk to Dagon.”
“What? Why would you do that?”
“Dagon is a cranky little man, but he owes me a debt. Even if he didn’t, he’s not pig-headed enough to not see that banding together will make us stronger. We must be strong if we are to fight Fallon and his evil. No one will be immune to his wrath, not even the dwarves hidden in the tunnels of the mountain. And because I want everyone to be ready to face whatever is coming; I prefer not to have anyone face it alone.”
“And Brogan agreed to that?”
“He was reluctant, but he has a debt he feels he owes me, and that’s why he agreed.”
“You said you didn’t expect anything from him.”
“I don’t, but this one time I pretended I did. Information is what we require, so I used that to my advantage.”
Alekzand’r shook his head. “You’ll feel differently if that turns out to be a suicide mission.”
“I told him not to put himself in harms way. If he can convince the clans to pledge allegiance, that’s what I want, but if they refuse, I told him to get out and return home.”
“The mountain itself is dangerous enough, then he has to contend with Dagon.”
“I’m not really worried about Dagon. His temper is really only a show for his people. He’s shrewd, but fair. He’ll see the importance of his aid. Besides, he owes me, and I have gone six years without collecting. Now it’s time.”
“I hope you’re right. Sol is also trying to get some answers. He’s in Vallis trying to seek the information we need. I should be hearing from him soon as well.”
“Brogan did tell me something interesting. Now I don’t usually believe tall tales, especially ones that come from superstitious commoners, but I’m beginning to believe maybe there’s something to this tale.”
“What is it.”
“He said that people believe in a prophecy about a Chosen One, a man who will fight against evil to save the world.”
“Yes, I’ve heard that one too. We don’t know if it’s even remotely true, and I’ve not heard of anyone saying that the Chosen One had even been born. It could very well be three hundred years from now for all we know.”