Rune Marked by Richard Fierce

Author:Richard Fierce
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonfire Press

CHAPTER 12

Conal

Pharyl stared at Bryok, waiting for the punchline. When none came, he deadpanned, “You’re serious.”

“As a heart attack,” Torgreth chimed in with a snort. “I know. Took me a while to get used to it. He such a loveable oaf, but it’s true.”

“Which brings me to another point,” Bryok elaborated. “You may have unwittingly triggered the prophecy.”

“What prophecy?” Pharyl asked, suddenly apprehensive.

“The eagle will bear the vipers in its claws, yet from the west a cobra will rise and strike down the eagle.”

“How was I to know?” Pharyl blurted. “Are you sure he’s the one?”

“Beyond all doubt,” Galadyr said, not totally convinced himself, though there was something different about Conal that made him want to believe.

“How is this possible?” Pharyl argued. “He’s from Urve. I remember him telling me that. Said he spent his whole life there.”

“He and his sister were secreted out of Havengarde when they were quite young,” Bryok explained, “during the turmoil when Torian killed Kamron. Do you remember Torian sending messengers looking for traitors to the crown, supposedly traveling with two children, one a babe and the other perhaps a year older? You had just assumed the demesne here.”

Pharyl blinked at the recollection. An emissary from Torian had arrived at Rexfyrd demanding Caldyr turn over any citizens of Isentol who had recently entered the kingdom, especially those traveling with two children under the age of two. To his credit, Caldyr told the emissary to “Get the hell out of my kingdom.”

“I do vaguely remember that,” he acknowledged.

“What Torian failed to perceive,” Bryok said, “was that the children were split up. Conal went to Urve and his sister somewhere else. As time went on and his searching proved unsuccessful, he shifted his attention to his true desire – subjugating the surrounding kingdoms: elf, dwarf, and human. He has patiently gathered an army of wizards and mages to his cause. When he unleashes his forces, kingdoms will fall, one by one. Tir Manach will not be spared.”

Bryok looked back over his shoulder, making sure the door remained closed. Turning back, he continued. “However, much to his shock, he recently discovered that both children live. To Conal’s good fortune, Torian never suspected that he would end up with a bunch of highwaymen. However, his agents are again looking for his brother’s children. In Conal’s case, Torian discovered his family in Urve. That Conal never told them where he was is the only reason he is still alive.”

“But it didn’t save my family,” Conal said through clenched teeth.

Bryok solemnly nodded. “Torian knows the prophecy. He knows Conal still lives. We believe that his sister is also alive. We have friends looking for her. That said, it is imperative that we gain Caldyr’s support to stop Torian.”

Chagrined, Pharyl stared at Conal. “I… I didn’t know.”

“Of course you didn’t,” Conal said, placing a hand on Pharyl’s arm. “Even I didn’t know.”

Pharyl’s first instinct was to yank his arm away and castigate the offender, but he remembered he was now dealing with a potential king.

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