Page 17 of Daughter of the Darkened City

Dryston gave an awkward laugh. “Enid knew to make a decision that benefits both our realms and protects our interests. While I was not advised to begin with, she had to make a quick decision and I stand by that. She has that authority.”

What a nice, political answer. While he hadn’t berated her decision before, she knew he wasn’t happy about the politics happening without him. But he wanted a unified front here. So Leeth saw no weakness.

She couldn’t blame him.

Even if the facade of it made her stomach turn.

“I understand,” Leeth said. “I have delegates I trust to make decisions in dire situations as well. And I believe Enid and I get along well. I enjoy working with her and hope to continue that in the future.”

Dryston’s shoulders loosened more and Enid’s hardened. The opinion Dryston had of her tightened like a noose around her neck, shedding light on all her greatest fears.

That she was a fuckup, and always would be. Could even this glowing recommendation from King Leeth help change that?

“It’s fortuitous that you came when you did, Lord Dryston,” Leeth continued. “I have something else I want to talk with you about.”

Dryston raised a brow and Leeth beckoned for them to follow him to a back room. It was cool and dark, and in the center was a large stone table with maps strewn about. Standing at the table was an elf in the simple robes of an acolyte. The cream of the clothes contrasted against his ochre brown skin, and his black hair was pulled in a bun atop his head. He smiled serenely when they entered and bowed.

“This is Vasu,” Leeth said, gesturing to the elf. “He’s one of our most studied acolytes of the Holy Mother.”

“Welcome,” Vasu said, his voice light and lilting, his accent faint but clearly from the Southern Isles.

“Vasu has been studying ancient religious texts, as well as the surrounding forest. We’ve found some things of interest and want to take a journey. But we need warriors to protect the researchers.”

Enid cocked her head to the side, coming up to the table and peering at the maps. Some were modern ones of Nemus, others old and in a language she didn’t know. “Is the forest so dangerous that you need warriors and not just rangers?”

She could feel Dryston’s glare at her interruption, but she ignored it.

Leeth and Vasu exchanged a look, then Leeth cleared his throat. “In truth, yes, it is.”

Enid crossed her arms. She was still learning about Nemus, but surely the worst they’d encounter were wild beasts and the elements. “Are there bandits in the woods?” There were places like that in Medeis, but she knew the elves kept a tight watch on their lands.

Vasu drew in a breath before speaking, looking at Leeth again, who gave a nod of his head. “King Leeth has told me you’re our allies andbelieves he can entrust this information to you. Because of that, I will share with you something that we’ve kept hidden from the rest of the world for ages.

“The forest outside Elf Glen is enchanted. Heavily so. We’ve sent explorers in and they’ve returned with no memory of what they found—or only nightmares. Many say they walked in circles for days and then when they came out, they stood where they had started their journey.”

Enid blinked in disbelief. “Why would someone enchant an entire forest?”

He smiled. “Because something of great value is there, and someone wanted it to remain hidden.”

Her skin prickled at the realization. For that level of enchantment to occur, it had to be of incredible value.

“We’ve tried many times to explore the forest, but only recently we’ve made progress. I was able to break the first set of enchantments.”

Dryston’s brows raised in surprise, just as baffled as she was at being given this information. But stealing a glance at Leeth’s cheerful face, she wondered if he, too, had been looking for a trustworthy alliance. With the protection he provided Kaemon and Melina, he’dearned secrecy and leverage over them enough that he certainly could trust them.

“We’re putting together a team to explore the forest,” Leeth said. “Vasu will go as the researcher, and I have a ranger who knows the woods throughout Nemus well enough to figure this one out quickly. But because we don’t know what will be encountered, we need warriors. And since the enchantments have targeted elves, humans, and orcs specifically, we’re hoping that demons, not native to Nemus, will have a better chance of making it through and protecting our people.”

There it was. Not only why he was telling them this,but also why he so eagerly accepted their request for aid. Enid thought that he’d have given them aid, regardless. Still, he’d agreed so quickly with so few demands. Now it made sense.

“Of course,” Dryston said quickly, “Us three will go.”

Kaemon’s head jerked to Dryston, a slight annoyance passing before it quickly disappeared.

“We’ll need a few days to return to Orc Haven and prepare for the journey,” Dryston said.

Leeth nodded. “Take a week and we’ll use that time to gather the team and resources on our end.”

Chapter 6: Avenay

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