Catching Pathways by Danielle Berggren

Author:Danielle Berggren [Berggren, Danielle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781696309158
Published: 2019-10-15T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Rodan

RODAN WATCHED AS MAEVE faced off against the group of elders. Hostility radiated in his direction from some of them, and he did not want to cause more harm by interjecting with his own thoughts or opinions. In this, he trusted Maeve implicitly. She would find a way through to them.

She always did.

He glanced aside at Pike. He had met the man on a few occasions, but knew of him before he ever joined up with Sebastian. He was a fighter, the meanest one they hosted on the streets of the capital city. He’d always managed to evade the royal guard. Even though, eventually, Rodan sent them to recruit Pike, not capture him.

A man like that would be an invaluable asset.

“What do you mean, the shadows are taking your children?” Maeve asked, drawing his attention back to the conversation.

“We do not know where they come from,” the old woman replied. “For the last year, creatures made of darkness steal into our city and snatch our babies and children. Over a hundred, by last count. The only thing that keeps them away is the light from our torches, or that of Rizor and Tegal, blessed be they. Anyone who tries to attack the shadows perishes.”

“Shadows?” Maeve reiterated, a frown creasing her brow. “What do they want with the children? Have you been able to find them?”

“Isadora,” the silver-haired centaur said, speaking to the old woman, “they cannot help us.”

Isadora shook her head, the polished wooden earrings she wore catching the light. “If they wish to be crowned, if they wish to help, I will not stop them. If they die, on their own heads be it. We’ve given them warning.”

The centaur scowled but leaned back, crossing his arms and saying nothing more.

The old woman looked at Maeve again, her gray eyes penetrating. Rodan almost wanted to step between them, to shield Maeve from that look. “Child,” she said, her voice quavering but carrying, “we have seen none of the children again. Only...remnants. A sandal. A broken doll. Their swaddling clothes. We don’t know what the shadows want, only that they continue to take. Despite our precautions—despite lighting up the city as we have—they still find ways to move in what shadows remain to them. They find their way to our young.”

“That is awful,” Maeve murmured, taking a small step forward. “I’m so sorry.”

Isadora’s facial features softened a little, and she whispered, “Thank you, child.”

“Did you—were there children you knew who were taken?”

The woman nodded. “Two of my grandchildren and one of my great-nephews. We are blessed with a large family, but even so the loss is... profound.” She shifted in her seat, smoothing out the billowing robes she wore, and her eyes found Rodan. “If you wish to be crowned, here is your task: find our missing children. Discover what happened to them. Kill or make peace with the shadow creatures but stop them from returning. If you can do this thing, I will place our crown on your head.”

Maeve nodded and gave a slight bow.

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