The Plight of the Isle by A. H. Anderson

Author:A. H. Anderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: A. H. Anderson
Published: 2023-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Thalanil

IF ONLY THE MAJUS had known specifics.

Tracking Haven based on word alone was far more difficult than Thalanil anticipated. There were millions of places she could be. She was so small—she could surely fit into every groove they passed by. Time was waning. With each passing day, his chances of returning with her diminished. He did not want to look his father in the eye and admit his failure. But it would not be the case. If Haven still lived, they would find her.

Now, Thalanil and his men were making for Oland. Dane Wembleye kept a close eye on travellers passing through his realm, a closer eye than most Mainland lords.

Thalanil grit his teeth as the grating sound of a blade sliding over a whetstone met his ears for what must have been the thousandth time. Tanyth Enlamin, the younger brother of his mother, seemed to take hidden pleasure in vexing him. Each time he winced at the noise, the lord smirked, his slanted fox eyes darting up to meet Thalanil’s. That lord could never seem to accept that his nephew would be King of Tairia. He had been present for much of the childhood Thalanil shared with Vaeril. He had, in truth, been one of their favourites in court, a wily-eyed mischief maker with a knack for sending the young princes into trouble. He was the keenest hunter Thalanil knew, and it was the reason he brought him, despite his lack of decorum.

Thalanil typically had little to no patience for cunning Enlamins. His mother did not inherit their scheming guile, nor did she inherit the pin straight, ruby tresses that announced their arrival in Tairia before the flags ever did.

An Enlamin sat on the queen’s throne, and another was the king’s legal advisor. To think Thalanil’s father arranged yet another marriage into that line—it was daft. They would be wise to branch out to the Aephines, but Aephines didn’t favour Torriens. As a last resort, they would end up allied to the Heirens. Thalanil wrinkled his nose at the thought of it. Even Enlamins were better than that.

Finally, the grating noise ended. Tanyth blew powder from the steel and tilted the blade side to side, admiring it. Thalanil couldn’t help but feel the others were not taking this mission as seriously as they should have been, save for Elluin Kelrie, perhaps. He had been Thalanil’s shield since he was a child, and he still obeyed without question. Arun Ermaris was perhaps the next most dedicated. Tanyth was certainly the least.

“What will we do with the little one once we find her?” Tanyth asked, his tone suggesting he did not care.

“She will become Tairia’s seer...as I’ve said,” Thalanil replied, lifting his brows. “We gave away her father before we knew of his gift...then we lost her.”

Tanyth gave a sharp laugh. “Well, Torriens have always been adept at losing important things.”

Thalanil pressed his lips together. That flaw was one of the Enlamins’ favourite things to bother the Torriens with. Perhaps the Enlamins needed it.

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