The Free Kingdoms (Book 2) Read online

  “You look terrible, boy,” Hoffan said. “But what would I expect? You’ve traveled in the company of Markal the Meddler. He’s too busy spreading gossip to worry about such niceties as food. Care for a bite to eat before those bastards in the tower starve the last few pounds from your bones?”

  Darik shook his head. “I want to get it over with. Then, I promise you, we’ll eat.”

  Hoffan chuckled. “Yes, I suspect you will. You’ll likely chew my leg off if I don’t feed you fast enough.”

  Daniel put a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you, Darik. You’ll do well.”

  A knot of nervousness worked its way through Darik’s innards. “I hope so. But I’m afraid. Is it cowardice to admit that?”

  “Of course not,” Daniel said. “Only a fool faces the unknown without fear. What will you do when you finish? Join the Knights Temperate?”

  “Perhaps I can answer that better than he can,” Markal said.

  The wizard took something from his robes, a glass sphere that glowed with a cool blue light. He handed it to Darik to inspect and Darik looked into its depth in amazement. It had its own light source, but he didn’t know what that could be. He’d never seen the likes of it before.

  “What is it?”

  “A new tool. Not all powerful, but useful. I hope to harness it to regain the Tome of Prophesy. You’re going to help me.”

  “We’re going to the Cloud Kingdoms?” Darik said, a thrill racing through his veins. He fought it down, remembering his promise to Daria.

  Markal smiled. “Not yet, Darik. Other things first. I’m anxious for you to finish your ordeals. You have much to learn and only a few days to learn it. And then we leave for Veyre. Yes, for the Dark Citadel itself, to find your father. The game, my friend, has just begun.”

  Markal led him through the Citadel, through the close and into the bailey. The stones were cleaned of blood and workers repaired the breach in the wall and shored up the Golden Tower under the direction of Arvada’s best engineers. Markal stood before Sanctuary Tower to present him.

  “Sanctuary!” he cried.

  A face peered from a window high in the tower. Ethan, Darik noted with surprise. The Brotherhood expected him. “Yes, what is it?”

  Markal said, “I present a slave of Balsalom for Sanctuary. Will you admit him?”

  “Slave,” Ethan called. “Are you willing to suffer ordeals for Sanctuary? To purge yourself of your slavish desires, and dedicate yourself to justice and mercy?”

  “I am,” Darik answered, heart beating harder. Was he ready?

  Ethan nodded. “You have not come without possessions. But the mountains are dangerous, so I will forgive the sword. Cast down your weapon and your soiled clothes and enter, penitent.”

  Darik unbuckled Waspcleaver and let it clatter to the ground. Then he stripped off his clothing and stood naked in the bailey. A chill laced the autumn wind and he shivered. The door opened at the bottom of Sanctuary Tower and a hand beckoned him in. He glanced back at Markal who nodded in approval, then stepped toward the door. Sanctuary awaited.

  -end-

  The Dark Citadel Saga continues in book three: The Golden Griffin.

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen