The Free Kingdoms (Book 2) by Michael Wallace

Author:Michael Wallace [Wallace, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Balsalom Publishing
Published: 2013-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The rain slowed to a drizzle as Darik, Whelan and Sofiana rode northwest on the Tothian Way. The road grew even more crowded as they approached the Citadel. From bits of conversation, Darik gathered that nobody had actually expected Cragyn to invade, but that he and King Daniel would come to an agreement about trade through the mountains, which was Cragyn’s pretended reason for marching to Eriscoba. Closer to the Citadel, the Tothian Way crawled with friendly soldiers, the armies still trying furiously to organize themselves to confront the approaching forces.

Darik felt the full weight of last night’s events sinking in through his ever-mounting exhaustion. He’d seen the dark wizard and the Harvester in the same night and survived. How had he become so tangled in these events? These events should be left in the province of kings and wizards.

Bowing his head under the rain, Darik remembered the comfort of just a few months ago, before Whelan and Markal bought him on the slave blocks. A lifetime ago. What had become of Father; was he merely a slave in Veyre, or did he still spy for the Free Kingdoms? And what of Kaya? Had she survived the battles? For a moment he wanted nothing more than to go back to quiet days at his father’s house.

But no, he had changed. The events that had swept him into their path hadn’t left him the same person. He had grown, yes, into something more than just a boy. But while no longer wishing to return to live in Balsalom, he wasn’t sure what to do when the battle came to an end. Join the Brotherhood? Follow Markal? Go see Daria and become a griffin rider if they would have him?

Whelan rode quietly, listening to Sofiana talk about her march over the mountains from Montcrag. Occasionally, he nodded or asked a small question, but Darik guessed he was lost in his own thoughts. At last Sofiana fell quiet and they rode in silence. Whelan looked glum, Darik thought. Not only had they failed, but Whelan had discovered that both King Daniel and the khalifa’s souls were under Cragyn’s power.

Darik had guessed Whelan’s thoughts, if not his exact mood, for a few minutes later the man said, “Why does it matter what kind of souls he binds?”

Darik said, “Kind? You mean, kings and queens instead of any free soul?”

Whelan nodded. “He doesn’t even wait until they’re dead. He speeds the process, and even binds souls into his box while they’re alive.”

Darik shrugged. “No idea how he does that. But maybe he takes kings and queens for their strength of will. They have the will to resist the Harvester.”

Whelan said, “Much like King Toth after the wars. They say he still wanders the Desolation, always one step ahead of the Harvester.” He nodded. “Yes, I considered that. But there are others who would be well-suited. Generals, viziers, pashas, powerful merchants and warlords. If the dark wizard keeps a separate box for his most powerful wights, you’d expect to see them there as well.

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