A Story Of River Read Free Page A

his
expression grave.
    Silence filled the room with a heavy
foreboding. The Vale had enjoyed many centuries of peace, and the thought of
evil at its doorstep was difficult to digest. After a few moments, the Elders
looked at one another. Finally, Rundil spoke. “My Lord River, will your magic
be enough to protect our people from this menace?”
    “For a while, I believe,” River answered.
“But some unknown source is giving power to these creatures. I might be able to
determine what they are if I could see them up close. I’m not completely sure
whether they aren't able to penetrate our magic or are choosing not to at this
time. All I know is that the matter is most pressing. We must determine what
this threat truly is.”
    The Elders began chattering amongst themselves
just as the doors to the chamber flew open. “My Lords!” cried Rogin. “There is
evil at work in our lands. A dryad was found badly beaten. She’s been taken to
my mother for healing.”
    Brandor spoke first. “This is indeed distressing
news. A peaceful magical creature attacked near our very borders!” The room
sounded with agreement and the anxious voices of the Elders.
    “I must go to her,” River said as he
stood. “If these were the same creatures I saw in my vision, perhaps I can
glean some evidence from her.”
    “I’ll go with you, Father,” Rogin said.
River placed a hand on his shoulder and together they walked to the House of
Medicine.
    Inside, Lenora was ordering her maids to
bring herbs to halt the bleeding. She was a highly skilled healer, but the
dryad was severely wounded and near death. She looked up as River and her son
entered. “I don’t know if I can be of much help to her,” she began. “This is
savagery I have never seen. I fear her injuries will prove fatal. All I can do
is try to make her passing as gentle as possible.” Tears filled her eyes as she
looked down at the beautiful creature lying before her. This was a peaceful fae
of the forest. Harming a soul such as this was truly a most vile act.
    River took her in his arms to comfort her,
and she sobbed onto his shoulder. Dryads were indeed peaceful creatures who
often assisted those who had lost their way in the forest. They were playful
and good-natured and had no natural enemies.
    Lenora wiped her eyes and stood back over
the dryad. She laid her hands upon the dryad’s heart and whispered words of
comfort. White magic flowed through her fingertips and into the suffering form
of the fae. Her face, formerly twisted in pain, changed to an expression of
peace. She let out one final breath. Lenora whispered a prayer to the Goddess
of the forest.
    River knelt beside the lifeless dryad and
laid his hand upon her forehead. He closed his eyes as blue magic spread over
the dryad. Within seconds, her body disappeared. “She is at rest now,” he said.
“Her spirit is free. I have seen the creature who did this to her. I know now
what it is we are facing.” He looked into his life mate’s eyes. “It is far
worse than we could have imagined.”

Chapter 4

 
    Master Ulda stood at the coast, his black-red
robe dancing behind him in the wind. He watched the black ships arriving from
Ral'nassa and was pleased. His invasion could not have gone more smoothly.
Sure, he had lost two assassins in his attempt to murder Al’marr’s royal
family, but the third attempt had succeeded. Men are so easily swayed by their
love of gold that gaining inside help had been simple. Now Al’marr was his and
so were its rich gem mines. Those gems would be the key to unlocking his
unlimited power.
    He held up a hand with his palm facing the
ships. His impatience fueled the spell to move the ships along faster. They
carried inside them the rest of his army. With them, he would have an easier
time controlling his new subjects and quelling any rebellions that might be
planned. The people of Al’marr would work for him, or they would die. He needed
miners, polishers, and shapers for his