There was something dark and disturbing hanging over this side of the kingdom, but he’d be damned if he knew what it was. He spent too much time riding the countryside not to notice the change. The people were more nervous these days, rather jumpy when it came to strangers in their villages. They went to market to do their trading, but rarely stayed out to enjoy the festivities that always followed a day of bartering. The artisans and entertainers complained of light purses due to the anxiousness and tight fisted patrons. He couldn’t figure out what people were so afraid of, but he feared something wicked was blowing in the wind.
He guessed that whatever was amiss very likely had something to do with the Duke of Xenos, but he had no solid proof, just his gut. People talked, and it was easy to get information out of the villagers with the right motivation, usually the clinking kind. He had been told stories of dark arts being performed inside the walls of Sexton Manor, and people seemed more afraid of Fallon than usual. It was no secret that he was a crass and quick tempered ogre. Peasants always created made-up stories, for they were a superstitious lot, but Alekzand’r didn’t think they were all just stories this time. He felt something stirring, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. He heard of strange things and seen some as well, but he couldn’t explain any of them. He would not start worrying about it just yet, but he refused to just brush it off as nothing either. Soon, he would have to find out what was happening, and he hoped it wouldn’t be too late when he did.
Alekzand’r saw a horseman approach who looked over his shoulder as if making sure no one was following, then slipped in behind the trees and pulled his horse in next to him. The stranger reined in his mount and pulled his hood from off his head, his breath making mist in the bitter air.
Alekzand’r, now knowing the coast was clear, pulled his hood off as well. He put out his hand for his companion to shake, and they nodded to each other.
“Kevaan, it’s been a long time.”
“Yes, it has. Too long I’m embarrassed to say.”
“How goes things on your side of the fence?”
Kevaan shook his head. “Not so good. My father has been acting strange lately, but I cannot put into words why I feel he’s not himself. Just random things. Random acts and deeds.”
“Is he not well?”
“Physically he seems fine, but mentally..” He left it hanging in the air. “That’s why I have come. I need a big favor. I trust no one else as much as you for this. It’s extremely important.”
“We’ve been friends for many years, Kevaan. Anything I do for you would be no favor, only an act out of friendship.”
Kevaan nodded his head. “You’re one of my closest friends too; that’s why I feel I can’t trust anyone else with this task. It’s too delicate.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about my sister.”
“Ah, fiery Melenthia. How is she these days? I haven’t seen her since she was practically a child.”
“Well she’s no longer a child and hasn’t yet picked a man to whom she wants to marry. My father is at his wits end with her, and in saying so, has decided that he will no longer accept an old maid for a daughter. He has given her hand in marriage.”
“I find it hard to believe that she hasn’t had many such offers. She was a lovely child, although precocious, but I assume has grown into a beautiful woman.”
“She has. But, she is also not quite a normal girl. She does not hold the same ideals as the rest of the girls in court her age. She wants someone to love, not someone in name only, which has made the decision harder. Men find her extremely attractive, until she opens her mouth, then they are insecure about themselves. It’s my fault, really. I should never have allowed her to learn things that only men should know. I have ruined her chances of finding a man who will actually love her. They want a wife, not competition.”
Alek smiled at that. “You’re a doting brother, and you only did what you thought was necessary at the time. Learning those things is not a total detriment. It may serve useful in the future. One cannot know.”
“Yes, you may be right, normally. However, my father does not see things as you and I do. He has given her hand to someone, and I cannot sway his decision.”
“Who is the lucky man?”
Kevaan frowned. “The Duke of Xenos.”
“Fallon Rommel? What in the name of all that’s holy was your father thinking?”
“That’s the problem, he wasn’t. As I said, he’s been acting strange, and this only adds to my suspicion that something is terribly wrong. I fear for my sister’s life. Fallon is cruel and frightening. If I hadn’t stepped in between them at her party, he would’ve taken her by force that very night. I shudder to think what may happen to her in his house if she does anything to make him angry, and chances are very likely that she will.”
“I have heard strange stories around the land about the Duke. I fear he has made a pact with something dark. There is something threatening in the winds. I feel it everywhere.”
“I too have heard stories and felt eerie things. Melenthia also mentioned things, but I acted as though they were nothing. I didn’t want to frighten her. Now I’m afraid Melenthia may be a pawn in some sinister game Fallon is playing, but what it is, I don’t know.”
“What favor do you need of me, Kevaan? I will do whatever I can to help in this unfortunate state of events.”
Kevaan placed his hand on Alek’s shoulder. “Thank you, my friend. She has decided to run away, to escape this sentence she has been given. I asked her to stay put until I could come up with a plan. Leaving is her only option now. If she runs, and my father doesn’t know about it, the deal with Fallon would be off, but my father would not be accused of treachery.”
“Fallon will not walk away so easily though. He will hunt your sister down. He will not allow the deal to be stopped. If your father has promised Melenthia to him, he will do everything to make sure the deal is carried out, no matter what the cost. That man has evil permeating from his skin, I swear.”
“I know, and there lies the dilemma. I fear he has done something to my father to force him to make the decision in the first place. My sister is in danger whether she accepts his hand or not. I cannot protect her this time. I have to concentrate on finding out what’s happening. I need someone to watch over her. I cannot live with myself if I allowed her to walk out the door and face the outside alone. She can protect herself, of that I have no doubt, but if he hunts her, he will find her. I need someone to keep her safe and put her somewhere Fallon will not find her so easily.”
“I will help you, Kevaan. I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her either. I have been trying to put my finger on weird happenings all over the kingdom. I too need to find out what’s amiss, but I will make sure she is taken care of first.”
“Do you have somewhere you can take her that she’ll be relatively safe, at least for the time being?”
He paused, then answered, “Yes, I know of just the place. I will take her to Drydon Keep in Azlyn.”
“With the King?”
“Yes. I trust King Dainard with my life, and I know he will help. And frankly, he needs a task to keep him occupied. He has been lax in his good behavior more than normal lately, and I cannot seem to talk him out of his decisions. This would give him something to keep him away from the destructive path he seems to be walking down. The harlots, the drinking and fighting. I swear that boy does it just to make me sweat. He has a big heart though, just as his father had, and the people love him. I fear for him. But this may just keep him in line. He’s loyal to his friends, and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her if I ask. That I can guarantee.”
“Thank you, Alek; I didn’t know where else to turn.