The next morning, Seth felt good. The sun poured through his bedroom window. He truly bonded with Brock for the first time last night. He was so engrossed with his newfound friendship with his adoptive Father, Seth forgot to meet Ellis and Jena at the market square. Today was going to be a good day. He tossed on a tunic and pants, getting ready for the long day ahead.
Brock as sitting at the table eating a bowl of gruel. “Morning.”
Seth couldn’t hold back his smile. “Morning. I hate that stuff.” He sat down as Brock slid him a bowl.
“It’s good for you,” Brock said.
“I’ve taken up the quest. I will be king,” Seth said. “I was thinking—”
The door flew open. “Anyone home?” Alya said as she raced inside. Her face relaxed. “You’re here. I heard that Seth disappeared.” She moved behind Brock and rubbed his shoulders. “I came as soon as I heard the kids ran off. I’m here for you, Brock.”
He looked up at Alya. “We’ve decided to stay.”
Alya’s face dropped. “Why?”
“Where are we supposed to go?” Brock asked. “The Darkstriders rule everywhere that we could go. What’s the point? They can only kill you once.” He rolled his eyes. “Why are you here?”
Seth studied Alya. He couldn’t focus on her face, it was as if the outlines of her face were—blurry. He shook his head. “Alya, will you help us set up the shop?”
“Alya, why did you come?” Brock asked.
“I came to make sure you were all right. I heard that Seth was gone so—I thought you could use the company,” Alya said. She tore her eyes away. “I care about you.”
Brock’s face reddened. “My wife is barely dead and you tell me that?”
“I didn’t mean it the way it sounded,” Alya said. She moved in closer. “I—you’re just—I’m here for you. I know how close this family was.”
Seth jumped up. “Is. How close this family is.”
Alya backed away from Seth. “Sorry.” She rubbed a small signet ring and it glowed.
Brock blinked. “Of course she knows that, son.” His soul took in her deep blue eyes. “Of course she does.”
Seth blinked. Was she trying to take Sally’s place at Brock’s side, already? Grown-ups are weird! “Father, don’t we have to set the shop back up?”
Brock simply stared into Alya’s eyes.
Seth punched Brock in the arm. “Father, we’ve got stuff to do.”
As if snapped from a dream, Brock jumped back from Alya. “Yeah—I—let’s go, son.”
Seth glared at Alya as he pushed his way past her.
“I’m coming,” Alya said as she followed Brock out the door.
The cool morning breeze tickled Seth’s nose as they headed toward the market square. It was as if he was alone. Brock and Alya were talking like they were courting. Seth shook his head. Well, at least Brock wouldn’t be alone. Alya was more heroic than most men Seth knew; she’d keep him safe. Why did he care so much anyway? Brock would leave him alone now, right?
Clop. Clop. Clop.
Seth turned around. Seven dark-clad knights wearing the Crest of the Darkstriders on their shoulders trotted toward them. The knights were human, not Dark Elves. Why were they here? Did they find out? Dez. Dez must have told them about his powers. They must—no, they are coming for him. Seth focused on the lead knight. He was confident, with short brown hair and a scar on his right cheek. He looked young—only a few years older than Seth, perhaps.
Brock yanked Seth off the street, just before Seth was knocked over by the lead knight. Brock looked at him. “No, it can’t be.”
Alya came up by his side. “What?”
Brock blinked. “It’s Sir Robert. We were friends, but—he hasn’t aged.”
“He’s on their side now,” Seth said.
“Maybe—or—maybe he’s…” Brock started off after the knights. “Go home, Seth. I have to find out the truth.”
“I’m coming with you,” Seth said.
Alya grabbed him by his arm. “No, do as he says. Your Father told me who you are.”
Seth’s shoulder’s tightened.
“It’s okay, I’m on your side,” Alya said. She looked right into Seth’s eyes. “I’ll take good care of him.”
Seth looked at Brock running towards the market square. “Are you sure?”
Alya smiled. “I promise.” She turned and ran after Brock.
“I hope I did the right thing,” Seth said as he turned towards home.
Seth paced around the couch. The past hour seemed like days. What was Brock thinking? Was he captured? Alya, too? His palms began to sweat. He looked out the door. Alya said to go home, but—how long should he wait? It’d been an hour already. Surely, that was long enough. Seth circled the couch again.
He walked to the back door. Seth smiled. He practiced in the backyard with the new sword Brock made for him. Seth could almost see Sally smiling in the window when he beat Brock in a sparring match. He sighed. Where are they?
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Seth bolted for the door. Brock would never knock, something must be wrong. He yanked the door open to see Jena and Ellis jump back.
“Easy, killer,” Ellis said as he pushed his way inside.
Jena kissed Seth. “Feeling better? I missed you last night.”
Her lips warmed his heart. “Sorry about that, but—for the first time—we actually talked, like men.”
Ellis grinned. “Where’s your new playmate now?”
Seth frowned. “He chased after some Darkstrider knights. He seemed to know one of them.” He cocked an eye at Ellis. “Why are you here? You never came here before. I always had to meet you somewhere.”
Ellis wandered over to the table and plucked the last apple from the small basket in the center of the table. “I saw Dane.” He crunched into the apple.
Seth blinked. “You did? Where?”
Ellis smiled. “At the Red Scale Tavern. He had an ale with a few locals. No, actually, I’ve never seen them before. They were merchants or travelers or something.”
“What if Brock comes back?” Seth asked.
The smile dropped off Ellis’ face. “What if he doesn’t? He may be captured, or worse—”
Jena punched Ellis in the arm. “Knock it off and leave him alone.”
Seth put his hand on Jena’s shoulder and looked into her eyes. “It’s okay. He’s right. I’ll go crazy if I stay here too much longer.” He pointed to the door. “After you.”
“Try to keep up,” Ellis said as he hurried out the door.
The trio slowed down as they approached the market square. The air was filled with the scent of fresh blueberry muffins and banana bread from the bakery. As usual, the merchants had their stands lined along the market square, and the fishmonger held her spot right next to the docks. The Red Scale Tavern was on the left, just behind a row of merchants. Small tables surrounded by simple chairs were outside the front door. Seth looked through the bustling crowd, looking for Dane. “Do we go inside?”
Ellis grinned. “How else are we going to find him?”
“Come on,” Jena said as she weaved her way through the crowded market square.
As Seth got closer to the tavern, a group of Darkstrider knights sat down at the outside tables. They casually forced the locals that were there to find another seat. “Stop, come back!” Seth said as she disappeared into the crowd.
“What?” Ellis asked.
Jena grabbed Ellis’ tunic. “Come on.” She dragged him back into the crowd.
Seth stared at the knights. Their faces seemed—fuzzy. Just a little, but fuzzy, all the same.
Ellis sighed. “Dane will get away. I’m beginning to think you’re afraid of him.”
Seth shook his head. “No, I’m not.” He pointed at the knights sitting at the outside tables. “See them?”
“Yeah,” Jena said.
“That’s who my father and Alya went after,” Seth said. “Where are they? They’re more important than Dane.”
Ellis looked around. “I—good point. I’ll look around.”
“We should all go,” Jena said.
“No.” Ellis frowned. “I can sneak around better when I’m alone. Give me a few minutes and I’ll let you know if they are in the tavern.”
“Don’t get caught,” Seth said.
Ellis smiled. “Trust me.” He disappeared into the crowd.
Jena strained her eyes looking for Ellis. “How does he do that? He’s not magical too, is he?”
“No,” Seth replied. “He’s just a good thief.”
Jena held Seth’s hand. “You know, if they leave, we’ll need a horse to follow them.”
Seth gulped. “We don’t have horses.”
“I’ve got an idea.” Jena ran towards the stables.
“Jena, wait—come back!” Seth sighed. “Damn it.” He couldn’t stand in the middle of the street, right? He moved over near the fishmonger, where he was hidden by the crowd but could still see the knights. What if they left before Ellis and Jena came back? Brock should have been home long ago, and the only link he had was those knights. He had to find the last living member of his family and save him. What exactly did Brock see that spooked him so badly? It was almost like he saw a ghost. Was that all of them? Seth started counting the knights at the table. There were only six knights sitting at the table. Where was the one Brock recognized?
Seth moved in a little closer for a better look. No, the one Brock recognized was not there. Maybe the knights left that one with Brock and Alya? A hand grabbed his shoulder. Seth whirled around.
Jena was glowing. “I did it.”
Seth closed his eyes, only for a moment. “You scared me.” He breathed. “What did you do?”
“The stable master’s wife and daughter came with the black sickness last winter. My mother cured them, but it nearly killed her,” Jena said. “He didn’t have any crowns to donate.”
Seth frowned. “Jena, you didn’t.”
“I told him we needed some horses—only to borrow. But, he insisted that I just take them, saddles and all,” Jena said.
“You got us horses?” Ellis asked as he reemerged from the crowded market square. “You’re the best. I couldn’t pull that off.”
Seth glared at Ellis. “Did you find them?”
“They’re not inside,” Ellis replied. He pointed at the knights. “They may go to them. I’m not sure what else to do.”
Seth nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. We need to follow them.”
Jena pointed at the knights. “Look, they’re getting up.”
“Let’s get to the horses,” Seth said.
“Come on.” Jena led them through the crowd towards the stables. The plain pole barn was surrounded by hitching posts. “There they are.” Jena moved towards the last hitching post where three mares were tied off.
“Where’s my stallion?” Ellis demanded. “Really, Jena?”
Seth slapped Ellis on the back. “Be thankful you’re not walking.”
“The stable master said that the knights’ horses are at the other end. All we have to do is wait here,” Jena said.
Seth stared at the painted brown and white horse. The horse’s black mane highlighted her beauty. It’s brown eyes were soft and gazed upon him. She lowered her head as if she knew something. “I’ll take this one.” He reached out and patted the horse’s head. “I’ll call her Thea, after the knight my father always talks about.”
Jena jumped on the brown horse with one patch of white around her left eye. “This one’s mine. I’ll call her Tyra.”
Ellis looked at the last horse. She was the smallest and a good three hands smaller than Tyra. Her tan body was riddled with black spots as if she had some kind of disease. Her mane was black. “Seriously? I get the runt?” He climbed on her back. He patted the horse. “Yeah, your name is ‘Runt.’ Be thankful you even get one.”
Jena glared at him. “Ellis! How could you?”
“What did I do?” Ellis demanded.
“Hey, stop it. Look.” Seth pointed at the knights climbing on their horses. “They’re going.”
Jena grasped Seth’s hand. “After we get back and everyone is safe—”
Seth blinked. “What are you talking about?”
Her blue eyes invited him into her soul. “Yes. Let’s do it. If we wait, it may never happen. We could be captured, or worse.”
Seth smiled.
“What are you talking about? They’re getting away!” Ellis said.
Seth leaned over and kissed Jena. “I’m supposed to ask you.”
Ellis’ face turned red. “What is going on?”
“We’re getting married,” Jena said.
“Good, great even,” Ellis said. “Can we go after the knights now?”
Seth kissed Jena’s hand. “You’ll be my queen.”
“What?” Jena asked.
Seth grinned. “Come on.” They followed the knights out of the market square.
Sir Robert stared out the inn room window above the Red Scale Tavern. “This had better work, Shania.”
Shania was sitting on the bed, staring at him. “You’re the one who insisted on proof that the boy is or isn’t the one in the prophecy. I say we just kill him and get it over with.”
Robert spun around. His medium-length blond hair turned into short black hair. Robert's blue eyes flashed; as the flash faded, they became a resolute brown. Worst of all, his tanned skin turned a deep blue. “Watch your tongue.”
Shania frowned. “Why are you here, Tanyl? In person.”
Tanyl leaned over Shania. His eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened. “Because you don’t understand the predicament you’re in.”
Fear came over Shania’s face. “I—I—”
Tanyl slapped her, knocking her off the bed. “I should give you to the seers for questioning.” His narrow lips curled. “They can make your blood boil while still in your veins. The screams are so satisfying to listen to.”
“I’m loyal and you know that,” Shania said. She stood up. “I’d be done with this mission long ago if you didn’t insist on waiting for sign about that stupid—”
Tanyl slapped her again. “I was there when they escaped! Our mages spotted every human in Staerdale Castle save one, the baby. The only way to avoid detection was if the baby had magical powers. Natural magical power.”
Shania sniffed. “No infant can wield magic.”
“It was either that or Ramir, the god of Justice, played a hand in their escape. If he uses magic in front of you, bring his head to me,” Tanyl said. “You have three weeks, no more.”
“If he doesn’t use magic in front of us?”
Tanyl glared at her. “Then bring him alive.”
“No, I demand justice. That brat is responsible for my brother and father. The war never would have happened if it wasn’t for that damned prophecy. I’ll bring him to you in pieces,” Shania said.
“Only if he uses magic in front of you,” Tanyl reminded her. “I have reports that a goblin raiding party saw him use magic. Not fire or ice, but lightning.”
Shania’s mouth dropped. “How did you know that? I just got—”
Tanyl leaned in close. “Because I am loyal to the Darkstriders, not to my own vengeance! If I don’t have the boy in three weeks, I’ll take you in his place.” Tanyl transformed back into Sir Robert. “Use that fool blacksmith to entice the boy to use his magic. You’ve had over ten years, Shania, that’s long enough.” Tanyl walked towards the door. “You know the price of failure.”
Shania nodded. “I do.”
“You’d be better off to die trying to get them than come to me in failure.” Tanyl grinned. “Have a nice day.”
Shania sat down on the bed as Tanyl slammed the door shut. Her blue face reddened. “That bastard.”