by Mark Tufo
CHAPTER 15 - Denarth
“Father, I saw what they did with my own eyes,” Lana said to her father.
“I am not saying I disbelieve you, Lana. I’m saying that women have a flair for the dramatic.” He regretted it even as the words came out. It wasn’t that he was attempting to be mean or belittle his daughter; it was truly his sincere hope that she had indeed embellished the grisly reports.
“Is that what you believe, father?” she asked. “That I merely thought up young boys and girls torn into pieces? Perhaps in affairs of the heart I have often thought of my knight in shining armor, but this? Do you honestly even believe that I would have the capacity to think of such atrocities? Not one person remained, not one. Have you even sent anyone to look? Talboton received riders requesting help when the attack began, you must have as well.”
He had received them, and as quickly as he could, he had burned the message and sent the riders away. He had convinced himself it was for the best.
“What would you have us do, Lana? Assemble an army? We don’t have one. You yourself know that most of our citizens are farmers. We have some wall guards and that’s about it. We will have to hope that towns more equipped like Talboton can protect us.”
“What makes you think they’re going to go out of their way to do that? You certainly aren’t going out of yours. I do not think there is a single town that will be able to stand against them, father. We may not be next, but we will be eventually. And when they come, no one will be spared…including myself. Or perhaps it’s yourself you’re more concerned with,” she added intuitively.
“Do not let this Michael Talbot cloud your judgment! He is far from the white knight you have sought.”
“Is that what you think this is about? Your poor lovelorn daughter can’t see straight. Perhaps you’re right, father, perhaps after seeing a true man, my mind has been clouded,” she said before she stormed out.
The chancellor waited a few moments before calling in the captain of his guards.
“Sir?” the captain said.
“My daughter Lana, I want her under surveillance at all times. She is not allowed to leave the city. I would imagine she will give it a go this evening.”
“And what should I tell her?”
“I don’t care if you throw her in her room and lock the door. You don’t need to tell her anything as far as I’m concerned. The world is far too unsafe for someone to be walking about it alone…especially my daughter.”
The captain bowed before leaving.
Lana was already packing a bag when she heard boot steps coming down the hallway. She opened her door and quickly glanced out. Two guards were heading her way.
“Dammit.” She closed her door.
