The Lord of Darkness Returns (Chronicles of Alethia Book 2) by Gullett R. S

Author:Gullett, R. S.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-12-03T00:00:00+00:00

23

Val

It was mid-morning when Val and Annet stepped off the gangplank onto one of the long piers extending out from the port of Abenhall. The cold wind whipped at their gray traveling cloaks, forcing the women to pull them tighter around themselves. While Annet continued walking towards the city, Val could not help but stop and gaze at her surroundings. The city rose up before her and her eyes darted here and there, looking at the numerous buildings, which were surrounded by high stone walls and towers. Everything seemed to have been constructed out of stone with a reddish hue. The walls ran around the city on all sides except the port, which was teeming with ships of all sizes. The city reminded her of Nenholm, but Abenhall was larger and its port much busier. She was so overwhelmed by the grandeur of the city that she didn’t notice Annet’s approach until the other woman seized her by the arm.

“Wake up,” Annet said grumpily, pulling her down the pier. “There will be plenty of time for sight-seeing later.”

They continued down the pier, but Val couldn’t help but gaze all about the city. As they drew nearer, Val saw a large castle standing on a hill overlooking the city. Many towers rose from within the castle as it stood sentinel over the city below. Dark green flags and banners, each bearing a white griffin, waved smartly in the morning breeze. As she looked up at the keep, she felt a sudden sense of foreboding and she immediately lowered her gaze. There at the end of the pier Val saw a large contingent of soldiers barring the way into the city. The area was full of people being forced into single-file lines, and the soldiers were searching each one in turn.

Val felt Annet grab her by the arm, and pull her aside.

“Here’s your chance to prove you’re ready,” she said with a meaningful look toward the soldiers. “We need to split up to get past the checkpoint. Once through, meet me at a local tavern known as The Griff Inn.”

Val nodded, suddenly filled with anxiety.

“You’ll be fine,” Annet said, seeming to read her emotional state. “Just remember your training.”

Annet darted away, and was soon lost in the crowd of people. Val took a deep breath, then made for the opposite side of the crowd. It was a slow process. She pulled her hood down over her hazel eyes and drew her gray traveling cloak tighter around her. After what seemed like hours, she made it to the front of the line. In a small area, surrounded by a hastily constructed wooden palisade, stood a row of four small wooden tables some ten feet apart. Behind each table sat a soldier with a sheet of parchment and quill. Two or three soldiers were standing on either side of each table. Another two dozen soldiers were standing on either side of the rows to corral the people coming in for inspection.

“Next,” came a harsh voice from her right.

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