Dark One Rising(95)

“How do I know you didn’t kill a king’s knight and steal this from him?”

“You don’t, but if you need help, you’ll have to take the chance to trust me and hope you’re not mistaken.”

The boy conceded. He once again lowered the sword. This time, the tip touched the ground. He was surrendering.

Alek took the sword from the youth’s limp hand and re-sheathed it. The boy handed the medallion back to Alek.

“Keep it as a reward for your bravery.”

The boy looped the chain over his head. He looked at it again for a moment or two, then rubbed a hand across a tired face. “I’m sorry I doubted you, but I’ve lost everyone I know to Fallon and his army.”

“So, the duke is behind all this talk?”

“Yes. I saw him myself. He has a large force already and is enlisting more. The giants have already been bribed into his ranks. They carry his colors. They came through here a few weeks ago and tried to recruit men for his army. Those that refused, and women and children that could not join, were killed, the town set ablaze. My grandfather and father were two that refused. They are both dead.”

“Have you no family left?”

“My father told me to take my mother and sister underground for safety. The city’s aqueduct has been long abandoned for newer more industrious methods. The water was long ago drained: only underground caverns remain. They move across the entire city. Over a thousand men, cowards all of them, followed the giants out of here. Another five hundred, including women and children, are still hiding. The rest of the men stayed behind to fight. They killed over fifty giants, but it wasn’t enough. The rest of the giants eventually killed everyone left and set the town ablaze. After I saw my mother and sister to safety, I came back up and fought alongside my father and grandfather, but in the confusion of the fires and fighting, we were separated. When I fought my way back, they were both dead. I killed three of the monsters myself, but not in time to save them or a few of my neighbors. I’m the only Ellbert male left.”

Alek placed a consoling hand on the boy as his shoulders drooped in defeat. Alek could tell that he was tired, as well as pretty beaten up, and he felt a sense of pride. He fought bravely and proudly, and courage such as that should not go unnoticed.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in the underground tunnels as well?”

“We send out a two man patrol every morning and every evening, keeping watch for more trouble. There’s nothing left for them, but we cannot risk them coming through again and finding what’s left of our families. You’re the first person not in league with Fallon to come through here for weeks.”

“You’re a brave lad, Maddon. Your father and grandfather would be proud. You fought hard, and you’re protecting your family still. That is commendable, and the king will know it, I swear.”

“It matters little now. There’s nothing left for us here. I know we must move on, but where we’ll go I don’t know.”

“Do you have any idea which way the giants went when they left here?”

“I can’t say for sure if they have strayed off course from their original path, but they headed southeast, toward the coast.”

“Which could mean they have bartered passage from Soros, but where they would go from there I have no idea.”

“One of the men that stayed to protect the women and children said he thought they would go to Sailors Bluff, then into Boones Ferry. From there, they could take over the Triple Cities to give them passage across the border. It’s rumored that he has enough in his purse to enlist more than fifty thousand men into his army. His plan is to take over Aaralyn first, then change where the border lies. If he can take over the Triple Cities and transfer control of that border to his men, Azlyn will have a hard time controlling his movements.”

Alek stared at the boy, in awe of his knowledge of warfare and his wealth of valuable information. “You’re an extraordinary youth. How old are you?”

“Eighteen, sir. I’ve been taught many things by my grandfather.”

“And it shows. Your grandfather was a master strategist. He’ll be missed. I think it’s time we get word to the king and prepare him for what’s coming. Can you ride hard, Maddon?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Let’s go down to the aqueduct and discuss some things with the others, then I’ll send you to Pembroke with message. Do you think you can make it without incident?”

“I’ll travel the mining roads and stick to the shores of the Elanorrah. With the snow, they’re rarely traveled at this time of year. I’ll deliver that message if it’s the last thing I do.”