The Fallen (Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

Timbul,’ he continued calmly, ‘you will address my son as Prince or Highness when you are within our conference room.’
    ‘ Yes Majesty. I apologize, Highness.’
    Dannicus gestured to the long lounging chairs. ‘Now, we will be seated and Jaralina will take her ease as she presents her report.’

Chapter 2
    Information
     
    All remained standing as the King and Prince were seated and then they took their places. Kelian sat on the edge of his seat, with his hands rolled into fists on his knees.
    He addressed Jaralina. ‘I also apologize, lady Jaralina. I can see the fear in you.’
    ‘ Highness, it wasn’t you who put the fear into me. I tracked two of the fallen for three days before they met with Nandul. They were clever in the forest but didn’t have the skill of emotional discernment, or someone was hiding my thoughts.’ She glanced uncertainly at Timbul who nodded slightly. They had no idea I was following them. They moved as quickly as you would expect of the fallen and I was exhausted when they finally came to their meeting place. Nandul was waiting there. This information I am able to confirm. Our garrison has certainly been infiltrated, though the fallen gave no clue as to the identity of the traitor. Moran was definitely a traitor. The two men you sent to watch Moran must have been loyal soldiers because the fallen said they told them nothing under torture that they weren’t sure Nandul already knew.’
    King Dannicus sighed. ‘I suppose he killed them?’
    Jaralina nodded. ‘He said he got what he wanted from Moran, and then he killed him too. From what I heard, they’re searching for someone or something he referred to as ‘the one’.’
    ‘ The one?’ King Dannicus considered this information. ‘Continue.’
    ‘ They have an encampment along the River Ringo not far from Three Ways and I think they’re using this as a base for their search. The only other thing that happened was that Nandul passed a pouch to one of the fallen. It was small like a coin pouch, but it didn’t have coins in it. The one who received it opened it and took a little bit of whatever it was and rubbed it between his fingers. It sprinkled like sand. The only comment they made about it was that one of the warriors asked if it was strong enough to do the job, and Nandul said it was, if it was burnt. Then…well, the water is cold so high in the mountains…’ Jaralina’s voice faded as she turned to look at Araas.
    ‘ Nandul could sense Jaralina’s growing fear, and so could I,’ Araas addressed the King. ‘Majesty, she was hidden up to her neck in icy cold water. We concealed her emotions from Nandul and when she feinted from the cold I circled around and led them away. Timbul dragged her from the water before she drowned. We were gone before Nandul could arrive back with trackers which he most certainly will have done. Even if he saw us, he wouldn’t have come after us with only two other warriors, but if he returned with numbers we might have been in big trouble.’
    The King closed his eyes, perturbed by Jaralina’s report. ‘And now Elena, Louisa and Immosey travel through the very area in which Nandul has made his camp.’ He paused. ‘And he’s looking for something, or someone, he refers to as ‘the one’. This makes no sense. The fallen rarely stay within their borders, but to travel this far to the east is disturbing. Anyone who strays into Nyinaku is taken for a slave, or murdered outright. No one ever returns. Jaralina, you are one of the few exceptions - your skills are remarkable. So, they’ve made their way across the land and have established a camp from which they undertake this search for who knows what. I need more. I need to know more of the fallen.’
    Kelian sat forward. ‘Father, I have to warn them. I have to stop them before they reach Three Ways. They mustn’t-’
    ‘Kelian, the girls are protected by Cassic’s company. So unless you think you can do a better job than the