Age of Valor: Awakening by D. E. Morris

Author:D. E. Morris [Morris, D. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-04-17T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

The sky was dark with heavy, thick clouds. What had begun as a late summer misting slowly turned into steady rain as the ship drew closer to land. Wessely was greeted at the dock by two guards from Altaine, both putting forth a valiant effort to not look miserable in their soaking wet armor. His few trunks were fetched from below deck by three of his own men, and they followed Wessely and the guards through the town and beyond where a richly decorated carriage awaited. More men sat atop horses, two in front and two behind, all clearly eager to be anywhere but in the rain.

While the trunks were fastened to the back of the carriage, the door was opened for Wessely and he climbed in with haste. “I appreciate your coming to greet me, Ashlynn, but it was rather unnecessary in this...” He stopped, his heavy mantle removed and rain soaked hair brushed from his face. His attention finally went to the other person in the cabin with him. “Well, hello.”

Mairead sat on the other side of the carriage, her hair pinned with curls and jewels, a fine crown of silver upon her head. The dress she wore of burgundy and white was made with expensive cloth and the light cape draped around her shoulders was very much like one Ashlynn had worn many a time before.

“Hello, Your Highness.”

Wessely's head tilted. “You are not my daughter.” She smiled, making Wessely smile in return. “Though I daresay anyone could mistake the two of you.”

“Anyone but you.”

His smile turned into a knowing grin. “Ah, but a father could never mistake another for his own child. You must be Mairead, then. Ashlynn told me one of her ladies was hand selected because of her resemblance.”

“I am.” She bowed her head. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine.” Wessely's eyes narrowed as he looked Mairead over with scrutiny. “Most uncanny.” The smile faded and he sighed. “Something has happened. She would not have sent you otherwise. Is my grandson all right?”

“The young prince is fine, I assure you, though something has happened. There is little I can tell you simply because there is little I know. Only that one of Altaine's messengers was killed and that Ashlynn believes the way it was done was a warning or a threat to her, as well as the other Elementals.”

Wessely frowned. “How was he killed?”

“I am afraid that is the extent of my knowledge.”

“Has this anything to do with the Water Elemental's death?”

Mairead shook her head. “I know nothing more.”

Wessely leaned back into his seat, eyes going to the open window to watch the landscape pass as their carriage progressed inland. When he looked at Mairead again, his expression was unreadable. “It is not a light burden you carry in the position you hold.”

“But one I would not trade.”

“You risk your life pretending to be her. When she dresses you up in her gowns and puts her crown on your head, she does it because there is danger to fear and she wishes to preserve her own life.

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