Dark One Rising. Leandra Martin

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СКАЧАТЬ rail just outside, and knocked. He waited for a few moments, then the door creaked open just slightly, and Alekzand’r pushed it open the rest of the way, stepping into the plain, but warm house.

      There wasn’t much to adorn the roughly built cottage: a table with two chairs near the kitchen area on the right, a door leading to a tiny bedroom off to the left. A large bookcase stood against one wall with heavy leather bound books, maps and parchment strewn haphazardly on the shelves. There was a fireplace with two chairs in front of it toward the back of the room. Sol was sitting in one of the chairs, feet propped up on an overturned bucket, smoking a pipe.

      Alekzand’r approached Sol, who looked his way for a moment, nodding, then turned back to the fire, the light of it dancing in his eyes.

      Sol was older than Alek, but Alek never had the guts to ask how old he really was. He suspected he wouldn’t believe it even if he told him the truth. His face was wrinkled and pale, with crinkly lines at the edges of his eyes. His hair was straight and gray, and it touched his shoulders. He was wise but quiet, and he knew every inch of Aelethia better than all the map makers combined. He had strange ways and powers that Alek didn’t understand, or wanted to understand. But he was loyal and a good friend.

      He continued to remain silent, puffing on his pipe and making halos over his head. Alek sat down in the other chair, removed his gloves and leaned forward, holding his now bare palms out toward the flames, rubbing them together to fight away the numbness from the cold.

      Sol puffed on his pipe a few more times, then stood up and went to the pot that was hanging from a hook over the fire. He stirred the contents, grabbed a cup from off another shelf in the kitchen, and ladled a bit of the concoction into it. He handed it to Alek, who took it gratefully, sipping the liquid and feeling the warmth soothe his raw throat. Sol ladled more into another cup and sat down with it in the chair he had recently occupied. He sipped the liquid too, then sighed. “What brings you back to my doorstep, Alek, after so much time away?”

      “I’m sorry, Sol, for not coming more often, but the king has me working more these days. I’m trying to put back together the broken parts of his kingdom that fell apart after his father’s untimely death. You know how people are, they tend to become lost when the leadership disappears.”

      “Dain is their leadership now.”

      “Yes, I know, but people get used to things the way they are. Most people don’t do well with change.”

      “They love him, and most of the people seem to respect him.”

      “Yes, that at least I can relax about. He has a good heart, like his father before him, but sometimes he seems so lost.”

      “He is young yet.”

      “He is ten years older now than his father was when he became king.”

      “Times change, Alek. Young men are not as mature as their ancestors were before them. It’s unfortunate, but it seems that they don’t hold the same ideals or see the world as their elders did. But he will learn. He has the capacity to be a great king. Be patient.”

      “I am. That’s why I glue back all the things that fall apart. I love him and want him to succeed. Sometimes I’m just tired of his lack of motivation. I’m tired of trying to keep his soul intact.”

      Sol laughed. “I’m sure all the past Royal Advisors have felt the same way. In fact, I happen to know his father had his whims too.”

      “Yes, but his father was disciplined. Dain needs structure and purpose. There’s something dark coming, and I’m afraid he won’t be ready to handle whatever havoc it wreaks when it does.”

      “So you’ve felt it too?”

      “Yes. What is it, Sol?”

      “I don’t want to say more than what I know for sure, but I too fear that something is upon us that may rip Aelethia apart. Someone is dabbling in things they should not trifle with. I sense evil coming, but I don’t yet know what we’re dealing with. I will be meeting with the Elvin Elders in one week from now. I hope together we can see into the Mirror of Souls so that we can be ready for whatever dark cloud is coming.”

      “There are suspicions that the Duke of Xenos is behind this. I’ve heard stories, seen things I can’t explain. I’ve talked to a reliable source on the other side of the land, and he too senses something very wrong. All fingers point in Fallon’s direction, but I don’t yet have proof.”

      Sol puffed on his pipe in thought, his eyes steadily gazing into the flickering flames. “Yes, I suspect that too. What is it you need from me?”

      “Kevaan Breslin, High Prince of Aaralyn, has asked me to take his sister into hiding. Her father has promised her hand to Fallon in marriage, and he fears for her life.”

      Sol looked in Alek’s direction once again, their now lukewarm drinks all but forgotten. “Why would her father make a pact such as that?”

      “Kevaan fears his father is not himself, that perhaps Fallon has coerced him somehow into taking his proposal. I need to get her to Drydon Keep in haste. She will flee from her fate, and the only way she will be safe is if I take her to the castle myself and have Dain watch over her. The roads will be too dangerous. Fallon will stop at nothing to hunt her down. The only way I can escape with her is through the Sorcerers Wood. I need your map, Sol. I need it to make sure prying eyes cannot see, and his men cannot follow. I may not need it, but I’d feel better if I had it near, just in case.”

      “I know how you feel about going into those woods, Alek. You must fear for her life as well if you are asking me for a favor such as this.”

      “Yes. I know he’ll not stop until he finds her. He’ll be relentless in his pursuit, and, if he finds her, she’ll be in extreme danger.”

      “Okay, Alek. I’ll give you the map.”

      He stood from his chair once again, setting his cup on the table as he passed by. He went to the bookcase and rifled through piles of papers. He lifted books and set them aside, searching between the pages for what he was looking for. He opened an old wooden chest sitting in front of the bookcase. “Aha. Here we are.”

      He stood up smiling, closing the lid of the chest gently. He was carrying a folded up piece of old parchment, yellowed from age, and handed it to Alek when he reached his side. Alek took the map and slipped it into a pocket in the inside of his cloak He looked at Sol, who sighed as he sat down in his chair, and smiled.

      “Thank you, Sol. I promise to keep it safe. It won’t fall into the wrong hands.”

      “I know you’ll be careful, Alek. I would never trust something so delicate to just anyone.” He paused, then continued. “I wonder why Fallon is so dead set on the princess. He could have any woman he wants, and does, from what I understand. I’ve seen the princess, and she is quite beautiful, but she is no ordinary girl. Most men shy away from her. Why would Fallon want a woman who most men feel would embarrass them?”

      “He wants whatever power he can gain from King Randor?”

      “He can forcefully take that. His armies are growing like a plague. He could easily start a war with the North and more than likely win. There is something he can gain by marrying the princess.”

      “What?”

      “That’s СКАЧАТЬ