Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103333 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Elara lifted her chin and spoke with strength. “I was born in Driochmor. Born of magic. Its life-blood runs through me. I am one of the bairns abducted from my home by order of your grandfather and raised in Scotara. I am of both worlds.”
“But which one do you owe allegiance to?” the king challenged, showing no hint of surprise at her remark.
Dar stepped closer to his wife and went to speak.
The king silenced him again. “Do not try to answer for your wife again.”
“I do not need him to answer for me. I can speak for myself and for my grandfather, an elder of the High Council of Driochmor,” Elara said with pride.
“Go on,” the king ordered, his brow tight with anger.
“There is good and bad here in Scotara just as there is in Driochmor. Dark forces begin to stir there just as they do here. A man sent by Warlord Tharne has already made contact with those dark forces. He has made them an offer if they join with Tharne against Scotara.”
Dravic’s jaw tightened. “An alliance with evil.”
“Aye,” Elara said, “and my grandfather wants you to know that the good people of Driochmor will fight with you, for Scotara, against the dark forces.”
Dravic scowled. “And you expect me to trust his word, the word of magic, sorcery, when it could be a ruse and all of Driochmor will stand against me? Will want revenge for my grandfather banishing them, abducting their bairns. I would be a fool to fall for such a ruse.”
“A fool or foolish not to—”
“Watch your tongue with me, woman, or you will lose it easily,” the king threatened.
Elara felt her husband ready to shield her and she spoke quickly, “I meant no disrespect, my king, but the good people of Driochmor will fight for Scotara whether you trust them or not, for it is their homes they are fighting for.”
“You mean the creatures of Driochmor,” the king corrected.
“Creatures, as you call them, who know the land and its power far better than anyone else. And if Tharne has such creatures on his side, would it not be wise for you to have the same?”
The king looked to Dar. “You stand with your wife on this?”
“I stand with her always,” Dar said, leaving no doubt ever as to whose side he stood by.
The king looked about to slam his fist down again, then stopped, a calculating look suddenly forming in his eyes.
Tavish stepped forward. “My king, if I may speak?”
“I know what you are about to suggest, Tavish, for I thought the same myself.” The king looked between Dar and Elara. “It would be an unwise move for me to ignore the offer Driochmor extends. Dar, you and Elara will be my emissaries to Driochmor. You will report to me all that goes on within Driochmor and while there you will find out about these dark forces that will help Tharne. You will also find out in what direction this man is supposed to change the tides of war. And you will continue to pursue the healer and convince her to speak with me. If you refuse such an order or betray me… you both die, slowly.”
“Aye, my king,” Dar said, relieved, and Elara followed suit, saying the same.
“Food and drink, Tavish, for there is much to be discussed before Dar and his wife return to Driochmor.”
Dar reached for his wife’s hand just as she reached for his, their fingers threading together, firm and unyielding. Whatever lay ahead—Driochmor’s shadows, the king’s demands, the dark forces stirring beyond the borders—they would face it side by side.
Elara felt it then, not as a vision, but as certainty. The land had claimed them both. The hunt before them was no longer one of pursuit or capture, but of balance—between power and mercy, loyalty and truth, fate and choice.
As the firelight flickered across the maps of war and whispered of what was yet to come, Dar and Elara stood together, bound not by command or crown, but by love and the will of the land itself.
Whatever came next—kings, magic, or darkness stirring beyond sight—they had each other and always would.
* * *
THE END