She broke the kiss and looked into his pale eyes. She got lost every time she looked into them, and she hoped that memories of him would keep her going through to the end.
“I love you, Dain. I never thought I could love anyone like I do you. I never thought it was possible that I could find someone who cared for me. I don’t know what I would do if I lost you.”
“You won’t. I’ll be here when you return. Thoughts of you will keep me strong.”
“I feel the same.”
“Are you ready to get up now?” he asked her, not wanting to hear the answer yes. He wanted a few more minutes with her, before he had to let her ride away.
“No. Can’t I have a few more minutes with you? Can’t I feel your strong arms around me, your warm hands on my skin, just one more time? I don’t think I can leave your comforting embrace just yet.”
“I thought you’d never ask, My Lady.” He wrapped his arms tighter, the both of them floating away into a world only they knew.
***
After lunch, Kevaan, Alek, and a cortege of ten knights, including Tarak and young Squire Henri, were ready to go, their horses outfitted and their saddle bags packed. He had taken a huge chance in coming, now he would see if that had been his realms undoing.
The sky had turned dark, the low flying grey clouds threatened rain, and it fit her mood perfectly. She was standing in Dain’s audience room, looking out into the bailey where the nervous horses stamped and whinnied under their loads.
The dark sky and chilly air held a menacing she couldn’t explain, but obviously the horses felt it too. It gripped her all the way down to her toes, and she hoped she wasn’t sensing danger coming their way.
Dain had tried to talk Sol and Tomaz into taking a couple of armed guards with them, but the elf refused, stating that too many in the party would make them stand out more. He felt safer with just the three of them. Sol tried to calm Dain’s anxiety, claiming there would be an Evading charm on them hiding them from anyone who might want to cause them trouble. Dain reluctantly agreed. She knew he was still uncomfortable with the arrangement but would not say so out loud. Instead he fumed in silence.
Kevaan entered the audience room and approached his sister. He didn’t want to leave her and hated even more knowing she was leaving the safety of these walls and the protection of the man she loved. He was not comfortable with the whole scenario, but he trusted her. He knew that if she felt this was right, he would not question it.
He placed his hand on her shoulder, following her gaze which was now on the king saying his good-byes to his friend once again. Dain stood beside Alek, their bodies locked in a friendly embrace. There was a lot of weight riding on Dain’s shoulders, and Alek was reluctant to leave. He promised he would return as soon as his task was finished. This would be the most important trip he had made since rescuing her.
Melenthia turned and looked up into her brother’s face. She smiled at him, trying to hide the pain she felt about their separation. She didn’t know if this would be the last time she ever saw him alive. Fallon had already taken her father. She didn’t want to think about what she’d do if he took Kevaan from her as well.
He touched her cheek and brushed her hair back from her forehead. He smiled down at her, a look of pride on his face. He was proud of her for surviving on her own and for choosing to take the path for her life. He was proud of her for her fortitude to face this destiny she had been given with grace and strength. He’d worry for her every day, but he knew that if she was taken from him, it would be for what she believed in and for the people she loved, him included.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“There are so many thoughts, I don’t know if I could pick one and put it into words. I’m afraid. For myself, but also for all of you, the people I care about, away from me. I will be thinking of all of you, and hoping we are joined again soon.”
“And we you, little sister. We will do what we must to keep Fallon and his army from destroying everything. He has already taken too much.”
“Please be careful, Kevaan. I couldn’t bare it if I lost you.”
“You too, Melenthia, and know that I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you for believing in me.”
“It’s easy to believe in someone when they believe in themselves. You will face this destiny you have been given, and you will endure. You’re stubborn, that I know.”
She laughed. “Yes, I am. Take care, brother.” She reached up and grabbed him around the neck, squeezing hard. He leaned over, kissing her on the cheek. He took her hand, squeezed, then let it slip from his grasp. She watched him walk away and out of the room.
She looked out the window a few more minutes, watching him and Alek mount their steeds, and they and the men assigned to them trotted out of the bailey under the gates. She tore her eyes from the window and turned in time to see Dain standing behind her, his shoulder on the door frame. He was staring at her, no expression on his tired but handsome face. She approached him and put her arms around him, resting her cheek on his broad chest. He placed his arms around her in response and laid his cheek on the top of her head. He rubbed his hand up and down her back and buried his lips in her hair.
“Is it time to leave?” she asked, her voice muffled in his shirt.
“Yes. Sol and Tomaz want to get on the road before the storm rolls in. They don’t want to get caught in it. I got the feeling Sol gets extremely grumpy when he’s cold and wet.”
She lifted her face and looked up at him. “I’m not ready to leave.”
He brushed her hair back with his hand and cradled her neck. “I know, but the sooner you go, the sooner you can return to my arms.”
“You won’t find another to wile away the time until my return?” She believed that he was true, but wanted to hear it again, nevertheless.
He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her eyes to his. The pale blue regarded her with amusement. “Games we play, instead of good-byes? Very well, I will play, if for no other reason than to reassure you again. There is and never will be another. I love you, Melenthia, with every fiber of my being. My mind will never have even the remotest stray thought of another. I feel you deep within my soul. You are part of me now, and losing you would be like severing a limb. I can’t be with anyone else ever again. I’m yours and only yours for as long as you’ll have me.” He smiled down at her. “Was that sufficient?”
She laughed. “It’ll have to do.”
He leaned down and kissed her hard and passionately, hoping to make it linger for as long as they were apart. She responded to him, her body tender and warm under his passionate embrace. After a few minutes, he pulled away, reluctant to let go, but knowing the time had come for them to part ways. He knew that he would miss her greatly, and keeping his mind on task would be difficult. He knew that she would have trouble as well, but hopefully the memory of him, and their reunion to come, would keep her strong and help her face the evil that she would eventually face.
“Come on, Princess, I will take you to your awaiting steed.”
They went hand and hand out of the room, down the stairs, and out into the bailey. Tomaz and Sol were waiting, Melenthia’s horse saddled and ready. She would be leaving Lila behind, giving her continued rest, taking instead the bay mare that had been assigned to her while she was in residence. The mare was young and strong and would fare better on the long journey to Vallis.
Melenthia kissed Dain on the lips one more time, then he gave her a hand into the saddle. When settled, she looked over her shoulder at Sol.
“We aren’t using the Sorcerers Wood again, are we?”
“It will get us to Vallis faster,” he answered.
“And safer from those that may be watching,” Tomaz finished.
She wrinkled her nose and glanced down at Dain.
“It’ll be fine,” he said to her, petting the neck of her horse distractedly. “I have faith that your escorts will get you there safe. Their help in keeping
Fallon’s men from overtaking you has strengthened my confidence. I believe they’ll protect you, and train you well.”
“Okay. Please don’t worry, my love. I’ll be back in your arms sooner than you think.”
He smiled up at her, taking her hand in his. “I know you will be. But, I’m afraid the worrying comes with loving someone. That I can’t promise you.”
Sol lead the way out of the courtyard, and Melenthia’s horse automatically started to go. Her hand slipped from his, and she continued to look over her shoulder at him as he faded from her sight behind the iron gates of the Keep. Tomaz brought up the rear and would stay there most of the trip.
Dain sighed as she disappeared down the cobbled street that led from the Keep to the road into town. He stood in the bailey for a few more minutes before he gave up and went inside. The war was only just beginning, and his only hope was that they would all survive it to see another day.
***
The army marched into town, the horses hooves clip-clopping on the cobbled streets, the lead horse cantering in rhythm, showing off itself and its rider in black armor. The man in the saddle sat up straight, his black eyes matching his hair and goatee, a red lined cape flung over his shoulders. The flag bearer in the middle of the entourage carried the battle standard of the Rommel House, black background with a green gryphon embroidered on the front, silver piping along the edges. The pennant waved in the light afternoon wind. The cold forced the men to wear thick leather gloves lined with fur. The men wore black and green tabards over their mail, and helms of gold and silver on their heads.
Fallon pranced into the city, staring down at the people he passed with blatant disinterest. He walked through the city without speaking to anyone, or making any demands. He had a mission, and no one would distract him from it.
Lachlan Castle had been a challenge that he was not anticipating. Even with Kevaan absent from it, the guards had been ready, the walls fortified beyond his expectation. He should have known Kevaan would be trouble. Randor’s death was gradual, but Kevaan seemed to have anticipated Fallon’s plan. Now he left him with only one choice. He would need to take down the wall on the outer border in order to allow his army coming in from the sea to gain entrance. If the wall at Ulam were destroyed, he could easily get his army into Kingswell, then march to the castle again and take it down. Next time it would be easier, and he would strike while its liege was away. Kevaan had made the mistake by leaving, now he would lose his throne because of it. The border would now belong to him with the Triple Cities fallen, and he would redraw the lines of the provinces. Once he had Aaralyn under his control, he could slip into Azlyn easier and take over King Dainard’s cities one by one. He already had Baron Malor from Ashlan in his pocket, and Lord Krondor in Bardolf was easy to convince once he had Ashlan on his side. The two cities were holding down the west side of Azlyn, unbeknownst to its king. Only Lord Ulric from Danyl was giving him trouble, but his garrison was small, and it wouldn’t be long before the giants had solidified that hold as well.
His plans were working. The giants were proving propitious in his plans. They weren’t very smart, but they were greedy, and money was an easy motivator for loyalty. He’d barely had to use his creatures from the pit, saving most of them for the later battle when he would wipe out everyone left who still opposed him.
Dainard was smart, had many spies, and had been able to keep one step ahead of him up to now. But the time was coming when even he wouldn’t be able resist the power Fallon was gaining. Dainard had only so many men to enlist into his ranks, and Fallon didn’t think when the time came, he’d have enough to win the battle. The Isamarians had been stubborn and wouldn’t join him. Next time he would threaten them, use his death army to instill fear into them, then he was sure they’d join. He was counting on the king being unable to sway them. If fear didn’t work, a silver tongue wouldn’t either.
Melenthia had hidden from him for what felt like eternity, and it angered him, but then he found her. Soon he would have her. He had gained access to her mind, taking her in her sleep, her leading him to her location without knowing she was doing so. She had awoken herself before he could lure her out into the open, proving that she was stronger than even the Dark One knew. She slipped from his mind, but she would not be able to do it again. When the time was right, he wouldn’t have to fight the guards at Drydon Keep; she would come to him. He had been watching her every night since then, not entering her mind, but keeping himself just beyond her reach. All this time, she had been holed up with that pathetic excuse for a king, weak minded and ignorant. Shortly after that he lost track of her. He tried again to get into her mind but was shielded from her. Someone had taught her how to shield herself from him, and she had succeeded. He was livid at the interference from others, and now he didn’t know where she was. He was sure her location would be revealed in time, if he were patient. There was so much to do in the meantime, so many cities to crush, and a throne to take. When her location was revealed, he would not let her escape again; he would be ready. He would own her.
His mind wandered for a minute to her curvy form and luscious lips. He anticipated the time when he would have her, and he knew she would bring him ultimate pleasure. He would enjoy filling her up with his essence and planting the seed for his offspring.
His mind flicked to the king for a minute. What if he had already taken his pleasure of her? What if he had been able to charm her with his good looks and graceful tongue? He had heard stories of the southern king, about his ability to woo woman. Ladies of the court or commoners, he had been rumored to have had many, and it didn’t matter their station. The more exotic beauties he took greater care in getting, but he never kept them long.
The confrontation he’d had with Melenthia all those months ago had made him think that she was beyond the abilities of a romantic tongue, that she had no intention of ever letting a man of nobility tame her. But maybe that was all an act. Maybe she was just waiting for the right one, or maybe, she had been playing him, and he was just the object of her scorn. His blood started to boil. No one said no to him. No one dared shun him. If that sweet talking rogue had spun his mesmerizing web on her and snared her into his bed, he would suffer greatly for it, and so would she. Taking her when she was already spoiled angered him. He wanted her pure and untouched. If she had allowed that simpleton into her bed, she would wish she had never been born. When he was done with her, she would suffer greater than anyone had ever suffered.
He calmed himself. Getting angry now and doing something stupid would only make things worse. He was better than that. He would soon show the ignorant what it meant to defy him, how much they’d suffer for trying to stand against him. His army was full; his powers were great. Soon the kingdom of Aelethia would have a new master.
The troops rode through the outskirts of town, driving the citizens into their homes to hide from them. He closed his eyes, allowing his mind to focus on what he wanted. A small spark started inside a stable on the other side of town, and soon the fire would blaze and spread. It would be too hot and too large for the citizens to put out in time. The fire would burn through the stables, lapping up the hay and the wood, then spreading through the street, taking down one house after another. People would lose everything. They would be homeless and penniless, and eventually, when he was king, they would come to him for help. But he would give none. If they were not with him, they were against him.
A small smile spread across his haughty face, as he could see the spark in his mind, could see it spread. The damage would already be too immense before he even took down the border wall.
Once he had secured his position there, he would redraw the border line and would own Aaralyn. Kevaan still sat on the throne, but once he had fortified the border, usurping him from his seat would be easy. There was no way Kevaan could hold on to his kingdom once the cities surrounding Kingswell had fallen. And that would be soon.
The troops approached the walls of Ulam, where the brunt of the
forces held it secure. They split ranks as soon as they were close, spreading themselves out along the perimeters. The trebuchets were wheeled and loaded, the arrowmen had their bows nocked and ready. The horsemen and footmen waited for the signal, the horses stamped and snorted, restless to go. His hell army was grunting and snorting behind him, their humped backs with razor spines and red eyes ready to unleash their fury when he commanded.
This was the day he had waited for. The famines and droughts were nothing, just playtime for him, and the slaughtering of people and burning of cities was just foreplay. The time had almost come for the gates of hell to be opened completely and the mortals to pay for their ignorance and infidelity to the rightful king.
He stopped at the front of the ranks and pulled his horned helm down to cover his face, the eye slits allowing only so much of a field of vision. He didn’t need much; he had his mind sight. He could see where the enemy was by just closing his eyes for a moment, then striking where his minds vision told him to strike. He rode back and forth across the front of the men, the giants beating their chests, the beasts roaring in anticipation. He lifted his sword and kicked his mount into a dead run, giving his troops the word.
All at once the army rushed forward, heading toward the walls. The trebuchets sprung into action, tossing the huge boulders over the heads of the footmen and horsemen, hitting the walls with a force so strong, the towers before them shook.
Inside the walls, the garrison commanders were yelling orders, the army rushing to their places to help fortify the walls, the arrowmen raining a barrage of fire down onto the oncoming troops.
Men fell on the ground and from the parapets, leaving bodies strewn at the bottom of the wall, but the army below didn’t let that slow them. They kept coming forward, climbing over if they had to to reach the men above.
Ladders came and men tried to climb them, but the army on the parapets pushed them over and struck the climbers down. The trebuchets on the ground were filled and packed with flaming boulders doused in pitch, slamming into the walls and sending shards of clay and mortar everywhere. A crack appeared in the east wall, and the men scrambled to hold it up with bracers.
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