A Darkness Unleashed (Book 2) Read online

  “He’s right, Maddi.” Tallen’s downcast gaze could not meet hers.

  She knew he did not agree. The nobles and that wizard have his head turned around. He’s too young to stand up to them, too uncertain of himself. At last he met her gaze, and a streak of pain crossed his face. He did not look away. The Ravenhawke and the paladin sat next to Tallen, their faces unreadable. Someday he will be strong enough…with my help. The others are more practiced at lying than he is. They know I should be going, too. Not as much as Tallen does, but they must need the duke more than they need me. She looked at Aginor, already filling another glass. And he only wants to put his name on this hospital.

  Maddi wanted to clench her fists, to let the rage building up in her chest burst forth in a tirade about tyrants and their whims. She wanted to grab Tallen, drag him from the city, and run a thousand miles away, just the two of them alone, away from the causes and trials of the greater world. She looked at Tallen again, the pain and love etched clearly on his face. He would never do it, no matter how much he wanted to. He’s a damned hero.

  She sighed. “As you wish, Your Grace. But I know nothing of architecture, only healing.”

  The duke scratched his balding head. “I have a company of Royal Engineers stationed here who would love nothing better than the challenge.” He waved one hand as if shooing away the issue. “They have not had a good project to tackle in far too long. Captain Ranier is their commander and quite the stonemason. He will greet you on the grounds tomorrow following the departure of our force.”

  As Maddi left the study, her heart bounced between joy at remaining with Tanya and despair at being separated from Tallen again. His warm hand clasped hers, and she gripped it back, though she watched the stairs pass under her feet. A dozen angry things passed through her mind, but at the thought of his hurt expression made her throw each one away.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his fingers twined with hers. “I want you with…us…more than anything, but I want you to be safe, too.”

  “I can take care of myself,” she snapped, a flare of anger brushing her temples. “I seem to remember taking care of you a few times as well.”

  Tallen stammered, his eyes swiveling toward Dorias.

  The torchlight showing wrinkles on his face, the wizard pulled on his goatee as they descended the stairwell of the citadel tower. “Maddi, believe me when I say this has much more to do with the duke wanting you to build his hospital than whether or not you would be safe…” He folded his hands behind his back. “…or dare I say necessary on our westward journey.”

  “We all three insisted you come with us,” Tomas added, “but the duke stood firm.” The paladin shrugged. “And this is his Realm.”

  Their words made sense to Maddi, but it made no difference to the anger in her heart. She looked again at Tallen, whose pale face held a sorrowful droop. I have to remember where to focus my anger, and right now, the duke will get it. I can’t be mad at Tallen.

  Maddi squeezed his hand. “I understand. I will build the flaming thing, and then I’m coming after you.” She bumped his shoulder with hers. “I have no doubt you’ll need saving before long.”

  A faint smile crept into his wan expression. “No doubt.”

  The long line of horses stamped against the cold, hard ground. A light snow had fallen overnight, and twenty thousand hooves shuffled clear a wide path in front of the Bearsgate. Maddi pulled her hood closer against the wind, as did Tanya and Ami behind her. From deep in her cowl, she looked up at Tallen, who sat in Stew’s saddle, his shoulders hunched and his head low. He looks so much more proud when he rides straight. At least he’s making it clear how much he will miss me. As if he didn’t last night…

  A smile pulled at one corner of her mouth, despite her somber mood.

  “Keep the muster going, my son.” Duke Aginor spoke from his thick destrier. Doran Varlan listened to his father, not far from where Maddi stood. “The king is on his way. You are to greet him as I would, then remain to hold Gavanor. I will send dispatches as often as possible.”

  His son nodded, a nervous fidget in his stance. The duke signaled to an officer, and a call went down the column of green-cloaked men, spotted with companies in red, black, and midnight blue. The formation lurched forward, the clatter of armor and horse echoing off the wide city wall. Their banners took wind, those of the duke and the barons at the front. Over all of them hung the silver dragon on Gannonite blue.

  Tallen followed Tomas, Dorias, and Gwelan toward the head of the column. But at the last moment, he spurred over toward Maddi, and held out his hand one last time. She grabbed it, able to feel his warmth even through her soft doeskin and his hard riding gloves.

  “I…I will miss you,” he whispered, his voice and face tight.

  “Of course you will,” she said with a sniff. He grinned, but more words hung at the back of her throat. She forced them out. “I will join you as soon as I can.”

  He shook his head. “Only if we are still in the Free Cities. Please don’t come out into the Wastes alone. I will contact you before we leave.” His face filled with fear. “Please, Maddi. Tomas and Dorias would not do it alone.”

  She scoffed. “I’m not stupid.”

  A flash of relief eased his expression, and he squeezed her hand one last time before reining Stew back toward the line of cavalry. “I will write you as soon as I can slip a letter in with the messengers.”

  She let his hand go. Her heart shattered and fell into her stomach. She swept the pieces behind the mask of calm on her face. “Goodbye, Tallen.”

  He waved at her, and then spurred his horse to join the others. Merl swung out of the sky, fluttered past her, then landed on Tallen’s shoulder to warble in his ear.

  Maddi stood there watching until she could no longer pick the tall apprentice wizard from the mass of cavalry. She sighed, burying her sadness deep down. The sorrow fought back, threatening tears, but she forced them away when Tanya reached up to take her hand.

  “I’ll miss him too, Maddi,” the little girl whispered. “But I’m glad you’re staying here with me.”

  Sniffing, Maddi gave her a smile. “Me too, Tanya.”

  Ami took the girl’s other hand, her white hair shining in the morning sun. “Come along, Tanya. It’s time for your lessons. Maddi has a lot of work to do today.”

  Ami thinks I’m doing the right thing. Why am I the only one who doesn’t?

  She said a quiet goodbye and watched the other two disappear into the press of people reentering the city. Long faces abounded. Most of them are women, just like me, I guess…saying goodbye to a man they don’t know for certain they will see again. Maddi watched the children, many with tears streaming down their faces in dirty streaks. At least I don’t have to worry about that.

  A deep voice with a Southern Realm accent called from behind her. “Miss Conaleon?”

  Maddi turned to see a Bluecloak officer, a brown fringe along his cloak’s edge.

  The man bowed his head. “I am Captain Ranier of the Royal Engineers. I know I was to meet you at the building site, and forgive me if I am too forward, but I recognize you from the duke’s description.” He gave her a scroll bound with the ducal seal. “You’ll find a few last requests from His Grace, as well as a letter of credit from the Emerald Bank. They will finance the project from the duke’s treasury.” Ranier gestured toward the gate where Maddi no longer saw Tanya or Ami. “If I may escort you to Statuary Park, we can get some initial surveying complete.”

  “Thank you, Captain.” She took his politely offered arm and followed, her mind still wandering through a maze of thoughts concerning Tallen and Tanya. “And please, call me Maddi.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” the officer replied.

  Maddi stared at the parchment plans spread on the block table. Her finger tapped at the cold wood while she thought. Captain Ranier stood at her shoulder. His f
ace looked carved of the same stone he seemed so adept at plying.

  “We should go ahead and add the extra four yards.” She felt the certainty congeal in her mind as she said it. “That will mean at least twelve more beds. The Aspects know we could use them.”

  Ranier pursed his lips. “Then should I extend the kitchen and mess the same distance? The storage could be useful.”

  Maddi sighed and squeezed her throbbing temples. The last week had been busy enough to keep her mind off thoughts of Tallen – mostly. “Go ahead. I think we can afford it. We have plenty of stone.”

  The captain passed his hand over the papers on the table. “There are a few other things to be decided.”

  Noticing the sun dip behind the western wall, Maddi shook her throbbing head. “No, Captain. The day is through. Send the men home. We will start fresh in the morning.”

  “Very well.” He looked at three men stalking up the hill at the edge of Statuary Park. “Though it looks as if our day is not yet finished.”

  The men dressed in robes of black and white, while the oldest wore a pendant of the Balance sigil hung on a long silver chain. He stomped right up to Maddi and offered a curt bow. His attendants made no such inclination of their heads. Instead, they glared at her as if she carried dead rats.

  “Miss…Conaleon is it?” The priest’s voice creaked with age. “I am Prior Edwyn. I am in charge of the Priory of the Temple in the Western Realm.” He gestured toward the twin curved steeples rising from the city. “I had heard rumor of your Mission before your arrival in Gavanor. The duke’s decision to have you build this…hospital…was made without my council.” He offered a thin, obsequious smile. “I can only hope that you might consider hearing the Temple’s advice.”

  Captain Ranier stepped up to Maddi’s shoulder. “Welcome, Prior. It is an honor to have you visit our building site. Many of our workers would happily receive your blessing of protection.” He pointed toward the buildings rising about them. “Please take care, as this is not the safest of places to wander unawares.”

  The prior lifted one gray, wiry eyebrow. “The Balance guides me, Captain. What guides you?”

  Removing his brown stocking cap, Ranier rubbed his head. “I’m from Threeforts, and my family still honors the Waters.”

  Prior Edywn scoffed. “Paganism is still deemed as the error of innocents.” He squinted at Maddi, his eyes yellowed with age. “And you Miss…you were the one called Lifegiver in Daynon, yes? Another pagan title. You are from the Free Cities, Dern if I’m not mistaken. I assume you do not follow the Balance either?”

  Maddi paused. She looked behind the prior at the two men with him. Both had a callused right hand and the carriage of fighters, not priests. The prior himself looked to be what he claimed. But he’s not here just to talk religion.

  She cleared her throat. “I follow many paths, Prior, none too strictly.”

  The priest pursed his lips. A white speck of spittle hung at one corner. “No doubt. Then perhaps you would consider my desire to have a new Temple of Balance built here on the hospital grounds – a place for the sick and suffering to seek spiritual healing and guidance, as well as physical.”

  Pulling a sheet of paper from the bottom of the stack, she held it up for the prior to see. “We have plans for a chapel. I designed it to be similar to the one on the grounds of the Doctor’s College where I learned healing. It will be dedicated to all five Aspects and to the Balance as well.”

  Prior Edwyn gave the plans a cursory glance. “That is not exactly what I had in mind, my child.” He shifted the black and white twist of rope around his thin belly. “We are aware that the duke granted significant monies toward the building of this structure. The duke is an adherent of the Balance. I am certain he would want a more…respectful portion of the funds to go toward a temple dedicated solely to the Balance.”

  Maddi feigned an ignorant frown. “His Grace gave me no such instructions.” She looked to Ranier. “Did he tell you?”

  His eyes never leaving the prior, the captain of engineers shook his head. “No. His Grace did not. And the instructions he did give were very explicit. The Lady Doctor is to direct this project.”

  A glare of righteous anger flashed from the prior at Ranier. “I have no doubt that I am more in tune than you with His Grace’s spiritual opinions, not to mention those of his people.” He calmed his face, but the two men behind him maintained icy glares. “Miss Conaleon. I appeal to you as one who obviously cares for the people. Will you not consider my request?”

  She scanned the site and the few people who had stopped to listen to their conversation. Maddi gave another look at the chapel plans. “We are almost to the limit of our budget, Prior Edwyn. If I were to invest any more in the building of a temple, especially a grand one, I would have to reduce the number of beds in the sick rooms. I don’t want that.” She lifted a finger in sudden thought. “However, if the Temple could provide additional funding itself…”

  The prior gasped in indignation and placed hands on his hips. “The Temple does not have such large sums at its disposal.”

  “You’d never think it from the collections I’ve seen on feastdays,” Ranier whispered in her ear.

  Maddi forced the smile away from her lips. “Then I guess we have to go with the more affordable choice.” She let the grin touch her mouth. “Thank you, though, Prior Edwyn, for your very worthy advice. Now, if you don’t mind, we have a great deal of work to do for the people of Gavanor, and precious little time in which to do it.”

  The prior scowled, but when Ranier turned back to shouting directions at his men, a look of determined resignation crossed his face. “Very well, Miss Conaleon.” He shook a veiny fist. “You will regret not making a friend here today.”

  As he spun to leave, his acolytes gave her matching sneers before following the prior back the way he had come.

  Maddi pinched the bridge of her nose. “My headache has only gotten worse, Captain. I think I’ll be going home for the day.”

  “I don’t blame you.” Ranier gestured at the main sick house where the foundation had seemed to spring up out of the ground over the last few days. “We’ve only got a few more stones to lay, and we’ll be done anyway. You should get some rest.”

  “If only,” she whispered as the stalked from the site. Her long journey home remained filled with angry retorts she had not used with the Prior, including more than one where she punched his crooked, pencil-thin nose. She took deep breaths to calm herself before she opened the door to her little house in Gavanor, now far more full than she had ever imagined it would be when she bought it.

  Once inside, angry thoughts started to filter away.

  “Maddi! You’re home!” Tanya trotted into the room with a sandwich on a plate. “I made you something to eat. You always come home so hungry. You need to eat right or you’ll not be healthy.”

  Offering the girl a smile, Maddi took the plate. The slices of bread were cut a little rough, but the chicken and cheese was still warm. A few slices of pickled green tomato stuck out from the edge of the bread.

  “It looks delicious, Tanya.” She sat down at the table and offered Ami a weak smile where she knelt by the fire. “Thank you…both of you.”

  Maddi looked at the sandwich, and though it was one of her favorites, it held no more appeal to her appetite than a stack of parchment. Even the simple pleasures of home, the love of a child and the comfort of a good friend, could not push away the dragonflies still flitting about in her stomach from the confrontation with the prior. Eventually, the expectant look on Tanya’s face forced her to take a dry bite. Maddi smiled, though her heart wanted to cry or commit murder, she was not certain which.

  Most maps show the Andon River’s source branch as the border of Gannon. The various steadings of the Free Cities begin on its western bank. However, this is mostly considered a formal border, as trade, migration, and c
ommerce are open between Gannon and the several Cities. Various treaties of mutual protection have been signed between them and the Kingdom of Gannon in the years 88, 122, 229, 330 and 358 A.R. Open war has never occurred between them in over four centuries of contact between the Free Cities and the heirs of the Navigator. – “History of Gannon, Appendix C” by Elyn Bravano

  Tallen shifted his feet. His hips ached from another day in the saddle, and his stomach threatened to growl. A mix of pipe and wood smoke clouded the tent with an acrid haze, but the warmth inside the duke’s pavilion melted away some of the numbness from the day’s ride. He paid minimal attention to the council, as his voice would undoubtedly remain silent. Plus, thoughts of Maddi left behind in Gavanor forced themselves to the front of his mind. I miss her already, and this is only my second day away.

  “We should head directly for Kirath,” Baron Whitehall offered, his hand spreading over the map lain out on a table. “We have over five thousand well-provisioned heavy cavalry. If the orcs come at us…” He made a fist and struck the map south of Kirath. “…we will smash them on the prairie!”

  Another baron who wore a pendant of onyx and ruby, shook his head of close-cropped black hair. “We should secure Novon and wait for reinforcement. There could be a hundred thousand orc berserkers out there waiting for us. If they took Highspur, they must be organized.” He shook his head again. “No, no. We should move with care.”

  An old man with rheumy eyes rubbed a silk kerchief across his bulbous red nose. The sapphire crescent and silver stars about his neck hung limp against his thin chest. “My brother would not have abandoned his post. He was Lord Marshal of the kingdom. He would not have abandoned his post.”

  Standing behind him, a younger copy of the man placed his hand on the old baron’s shoulder. “What my father means to say is that if Highspur has fallen, there are likely to be few, if any, survivors.” He cleared his throat and eyed the other nobles in the room. “But House Magdon will support Your Grace, no matter the decision.”