After an hour of wandering the streets of Crey Village, Seth returned home. Brock and Sally were embracing each other and both had wet cheeks. “I’m back.” He looked right into Brock’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”
Brock put his hand on Seth’s shoulder. “I know you don’t want to go. Sometimes, to protect those we love we have to make sacrifices. I’d do anything for her and you.”
“I still don’t want to go. I want to stay with Jena,” Seth said. “But, if you’re right, and they kill her because of me, I don’t know what I’d do.”
“We can come back to see her in a month or two,” Brock said. “I know how important she is to you.”
Seth blinked. “How?”
Sally smiled. “We have eyes, you know.”
“You look at her the way I looked at Sally when we were dating,” Brock said. He tossed Seth two sacks. “Pack up your stuff and help pack up the shop afterward. Okay?”
Seth nodded. “I’ll do it.”
Three hours later, Brock and Seth arrived at the blacksmith shop. Seth was collapsing the displays and tossing them into the cart. “Father, where are we going to go? I mean, where will we be safe?”
Brock came out of the little building carrying a full sack. “The letter said that there are more Darkstriders at Iron Fist Keep.”
“Where’s that?”
Brock put the sack into the cart. “North and just west of Drusas.”
Seth took another sack out of the cart and started loading up Brock’s tools. “So, where do we go?”
Brock sighed. “The best place would be in the middle of nowhere, but we couldn’t make a living there. We have to be close enough to civilization to live, but far enough away not to be noticed. I thought we should go west, cross the Wailing Mountains, and try Nia Village. It is surrounded by farmland and traders visit there from time to time.”
“How do you know that?” Seth asked.
Brock ran his fingers through his hair. “Well, it used to be that way, about ten years ago. I’m sure it hasn’t changed that much.”
Seth put the sack in the cart. “What about the prince? Who’s going to take care of him when you’re gone?”
Brock rubbed the back of his neck. “I—well—he’s coming with us.”
Seth grinned. “I get to meet him? When? When do we pick him up?”
“Um—we don’t.” Brock shook his head. “I can’t do this anymore.”
“Do what?” Seth asked.
“Let’s go inside,” Brock said as he headed towards the door of the small building.
“Sure,” Seth followed him inside.
Brock and Seth sat down at the small table, which was the only piece of furniture left inside. Brock swallowed. “Where do I start?”
Seth blinked. “What?”
“Okay, you know how I told you that your father was a knight of the Kingdom of Axain?” Brock asked.
“Yes.”
“He was more than that. Your father was Kade’s brother.” Brock paused as if he was having an argument inside his head. “The king is your uncle.”
Seth’s mouth opened, but no words came out. What did this mean? Was he the brother of the prince? A cousin maybe? Could he be the prince? Seth shook his head. No, he couldn’t be. He can’t overthrow the Darkstriders and Kade the Usurper. No, it wasn’t possible. If he were, he would just let down his adoptive parents. “What do you mean? Am I related to the prince?”
Brock stared directly into Seth’s eyes. “Your last name is Ravenward. You’re Galin the V of Ravenward, the rightful heir to the throne. Your duty is to overthrow Kade and take back your kingdom. It’ll be a long quest, but you have to do it.”
“Prince?” Seth walked over to the window. “All of this is because of me? The meetings and all that talk about going against the king.”
Brock nodded. “Yes.”
“What about the man last summer who was hanged in the market square?”
“He was a former knight of Axain and he was helping us. Instead of giving us up, he sacrificed his life for you,” Brock said.
Sacrificed? That man sacrificed his life for—me? Seth thought. “Was he the first to die because of me?”
“Why do you ask such a thing?” Brock demanded.
“I need to know.”
“I—”
“Please, tell me,” Seth said.
“No, he wasn’t, and he won’t be the last.” Brock grabbed Seth’s shoulder. “No one can know who you really are or they will kill everyone you care about.”
He nodded. “I’m still your Seth.” Seth stared out the window into the midday sun. Was this an honor or a curse?
Sally was in her kitchen putting the last pot into the sack. Hard to believe they were moving again. Was it going to be like when they first escaped Staerdale Castle? Since the Darkstriders found them, why wouldn’t it be? Never staying in one place for more than a few weeks . . . Beads of sweat formed on her back as her stomach twisted. At least Seth was safe. That made it all worth it, right?
“Where are you going?”
Sally whirled around. Her face became white as she saw three Dark Elves enter her home. “What—what do you want? I’ve done nothing wrong.”
The woman Dark Elf had long dark hair which accented her deep blue skin. “Yes, you did,” Shania said.
The bald one frowned. “Shania, we’ve got to make this quick,” Elmar said.
“We’ve got plenty of time to have some fun,” Malon said. His fingers raked through his short dark hair. “Do we have to kill her right away? We should have some fun with her first. Look at her; she likes me.”
Sally stepped back as they moved towards her. “What do you want?”
The corners of Shania’s mouth curled up and her eyes narrowed. “You were at Staerdale Castle.”
Sally shook her head. “No, not me.”
“You were the handmaiden for the queen.”
“No.”
“You were friends with Thea the Loyal who killed my brother!” Shania lunged at Sally, knocking her to the floor.
Tears flowed from Sally’s eyes. “Please, no!”
Shania took a dagger from her belt. “You want to live? Tell me about Seth.”
She couldn’t take her eyes off Shania’s blade. “What about him? He’s thirteen and my son,” Sally said.
Shania shook her head. “No, he’s not your son. He makes it no secret that you are his adoptive parents.” She jabbed the dagger close to Sally’s breast. “My father was killed in the battle of Port Eldham. Maybe I should cut off a limb for every family member I’ve lost because of you!”
She felt the tip of the dagger poke her breast. “How is that my fault,” Sally asked. “Please, leave me alone!”
Shania licked her lips. “Tell me about the boy or I’ll give you to them,” she said, pointing at Elmar and Malon. “They’re not known to be nice to their human lovers.”
Sally took a deep breath. What should she do? If she told them everything, would they leave her alone? No, they’d kill her anyway. What if she lied? “We’re going to Port Grurg on Methos Lake. We were going to catch a boat and go into exile.”
Shania frowned. “Really?”
The fire erupted in Sally’s eyes. “I told you what you wanted.”
Shania leaned in close. “I don’t believe you.”
Elmar grabbed Sally’s shoulder. “We’ve got to hurry.”
“Are you sure there’s nothing else you want to tell me?” Shania asked.
I’m going to die, Sally thought. “No.”
“Well?” Malon asked.
Shania grinned at Sally. “Take her in the bedroom and . . . make it hurt.”
Sally’s face went white as her will dissolved. “No!”
Elmar dragged the screaming woman into the bedroom, with Malon in tow. “Come on, wench.”
Sally clawed at the huge Dark Elf. “Stop, please, don’t!”
Malon backhanded Sally. “Shut your mouth.”
Elmar grabbed her hair and flung Sally on the bed.
“Have fun,” Shania said as she closed the door.
The ride back in the horse-drawn cart was a quiet one. Even as they rode through the market square, Seth was silent. As Brock turned the cart, Seth gazed upon the fishmonger near the dock. How many people died because of him? Did he put the fishmonger in danger simply by being here? Seth sighed. Was Jena in danger because of him too? Yes, of course, she was.
As they approached the bakery, the sweet smell of baking bread overpowered Seth’s senses. “Father, I think I understand,” Seth said.
“Understand what?” Brock asked.
“Why we have to leave.” Seth looked at the Ellis’ father’s bakery. “All my friends are in danger because of me, especially Jena.”
Brock’s eyes dropped. “I—I know how you feel. When we get on the road, things will get better.”
“When can I see Jena again?” Seth asked.
Brock shook his head. “I don’t know. Soon, maybe.”
Their house finally came into view. The door was flung open. Packed sacks were tossed about and one was dumped onto the ground. “Something’s wrong,” Seth said.
“No!” Brock said as he cracked the reins.
As soon as the cart stopped, Seth leaped down. His heart pounded in his chest. Seth’s jaw tightened as he entered the small house. The couch was overturned. His head swung left and right, searching for his adoptive mother. Nothing.
“Sally?” Brock yelled as he ran into the house. His face went white. He swallowed. “Check your bedroom.”
Seth nodded and sprinted into his tiny bedroom. Nothing. It was just as he’d left it that morning.
“No!” Brock yelled from the other room.
Seth’s heart skipped a beat. “Mother!” He bolted out into the living room. Not there. Their bedroom.
As he entered the bedroom, his breath left him. The only mother he ever knew was naked on the bloody bed. Her once beautiful hair was torn from her skull and tossed on the floor. Those fingers that caressed him when he was feeling down were severed and tossed about on the bed. Sally’s chest was torn open and—he couldn’t look anymore. “Mother! Was this because of me?” Unable to stop himself, tears flowed down his cheeks.
Brock was holding what was left of his wife, crying. “No, it’s all my fault. I’m so, so sorry. Please, Sally, forgive me.”
Seth knelt down next to Brock. He put his arm around his father. “I’m sorry.”
Brock shook his head. “No, I—”
“Sally? Brock? You all right?” a female voice said in the living room.
Seth looked back towards the living room.
“Oh—Sally!” Alya gasped as she entered the room.
Tears rolled down Seth’s cheeks. “Alya, they killed her! They killed my mother!” He looked back at Brock, who wouldn’t even look at him. Seth latched his arms around Alya. “Help us.”
Alya gave him a big hug. “I will.” She put her hand on Brock’s shoulder. “How can I help?”
Brock’s teary eyes looked up. “Help me bury her.”
Alya smiled. “Sure.”
Seth looked down at the only mother he had ever known. “The Dark Elves did this, didn’t they?”
“Probably,” Alya said as she escorted Brock into the living room.
Something caught Seth’s eye on the bed. He reached down and picked up several black hairs. Sally was blond, so—these must have come from whoever killed her. Dark Elves have black hair, but so did Dane, right? He must work for them, right? A collaborator. They’re all going to pay, Seth thought.