Dauntless: Reign of Prophecy by Kathryn Summers

Author:Kathryn Summers [Summers, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-05-12T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

My father enjoyed recounting heroic and riveting tales when Nikolas and I were younger. We would curl up on a soft fur rug in front of a roaring fire at night, our little hands carefully wrapped around mugs filled to the brim with sweet milk chocolate. He would voice the different characters and use grand hand gestures to make the stories more realistic. And with wide eyes and eager ears we would soak up every word.

One day had been particularly rough for my mother when her children were irritable from the summer heat. That night in bed, my father told me about two enemies who joined together to defeat the evil King Bashaal when he stole the great ruby. Each overcame a personal vice that could have destroyed their journey, but in the end good vanquished evil. The lesson was obvious even to my seven-year-old self, but its message has stayed with me.

Branson toes the ground, shifting dirt in a mesmerizing way that soothes my eyes while my brain processes Alek’s news.

“Are you sure it can be trusted?” Rye admonishes with a cautious warning, clearly on edge by intelligence gathered through subterfuge. Spies can be bought for the right price.

I feel as though I should be shocked that Alek has his own network. But a strange numbness settles over me at the thought of him maneuvering spies. I suppose it makes sense in wanting to constantly be aware of ones enemies, especially within the palace. But it makes me wonder just how much he knows.

“The intel is reliable,” he declares, the rigid authority in his voice brokering no room for follow-up questions. Pinning me with a hard stare, his face betrays no emotion as he breathes deeply through his nose. “Lockley, Zemni, and I will pay a visit to the translator.”

Dumbfounded into momentary silence, I can almost hear the collective gasp from those hearing about this arrangement for the first time. Being thrilled with the possibility of a specialist who is able to translate the Book of Erisand juxtaposes sharply against common sense.

“Split up? That may not be the best idea,” Phillip hedges, massaging the back of his neck to cope with his criticism of the Crown Prince’s plan.

“It’s the best option,” Jareth reasons, pushing off from the tree he’s leaning against. “Inviting the scholar to the palace will draw unwanted attention. Better to meet him at his residence. He can start translations on the book and get us the information.”

“But to split our group up,” Phillip states slowly, probably thinking about the North torturing or killing any unlucky team member who gets caught.

“Are we going back to Borgise?” The boy hovers at the edge of the group, just peeking out from behind Rye with suspicion coloring his eyes. He’s quiet, I’ll give him that. One of us should have heard him sneaking up on our not so top-secret meeting.

“No,” Jareth says curtly. I so desperately want to roll my eyes at Jareth’s brusque manner but I settle for an exasperated stare.

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