Read Online A Time of Darkness (The Circle of Talia) by Dionne Lister - Free Book Online Page A

would have to die on their way to defeating the gormons, and Blayke and Bronwyn’s actions would decide the outcome. If they knew the truth, it might stop them doing what they should. Not to mention they’d want to race to them right now, when there wasn’t time.
    “So, Uncle, who are our parents, and who are you to me, really?”
    The last question hurt Arcon in a way he hadn’t thought was still possible. He had loved the boy like a son, and he was his great (a few times over) uncle by blood. He knew that revealing this secret would have repercussions, but he didn’t think they would pain him so much. Well, the boy’s trust in him would have to be sacrificed for the time being—better that than Bronwyn and Blayke finding out this news at an inconvenient moment, like while fighting a gormon.
    Arcon dismounted and walked over to Blayke. He looked up at his nephew. “Blayke, I am your real uncle, if a few generations removed. I know this is a lot to take in, and I don’t think this was really the right time and place to tell you, but it needed to be said. I love you like a son and always will.” He turned to Bronwyn. “Bronwyn, your aunt is your aunt; she is also my sister. We are both responsible for taking you from your parents, but please understand, we had no choice. I know she loves you more than anything in this world, so please don’t be too hard on her when you see her.”
    Arcon mounted his horse. “We have to get moving. We’ll talk more about this tonight when we’re not sitting on horses. As for your parents, you will see them soon, but not just yet.” Arcon raised his hand to still Blayke’s question. “Not now, lad. I’ll tell you all you need to know soon enough. Right now, Avruellen’s waiting for us, and there’s no time to waste. Who’s having the first turn at warding our symbols?”
    “I will,” volunteered Bronwyn.
    “Okay then. Hop up behind Blayke and hold on around his waist. We’ll do shifts of eight hours each. Blayke can go after you, and Sinjenasta can do the night watch. I’ll take first turn tomorrow.”
    “Is it safe for you to do it again so soon?” Blayke’s concern was echoed by Phantom’s hoot.
    “I think so. I feel strong enough, and it will only be for a short time. I’ll be fine.” Blayke narrowed his eyes and frowned, but Arcon just turned his back on his nephew, kicked his horse and moved off at a walk. Once Bronwyn was settled behind Blayke, they followed Arcon in silence. It was going to be a long day.

Chapter 11
     
    After saying goodbye to their fellow realmists, Arie spent the day exploring the valley, while Agmunsten met with Zim, Arcese, Bertholimous, Warrimonious, King Valdorryn, and Queen Jazmonilly. No other dragons would be trusted with more than they needed to know. Zim didn’t know who Symbothial had betrayed them to, but so much about his cousin’s behavior didn’t fit. They couldn’t afford to open themselves up to more betrayal.
    “So it’s agreed then. My sister, Arcese, and I will fly Agmunsten and Arie to Bayerlon to help King Edmund retrieve his daughter and get Prince Leon under control. We may need your help Bertholimous, if we go to war with Inkra.” Zim shifted on his bench seat, wishing he were not talking of war, although Prince Leon and a few thousand humans were not going to be much of a match for the strength and tactics of an army fortified with dragons—unless….
    “I know what you’re thinking, Zim,” said Agmunsten, “but I don’t think Leon will have any gormons, or anything else, at his disposal. I think he may have one realmist, but I can’t be sure.
    “Better to be safe than sorry, as they say.” Bertholimous looked at Warrimonious, his second-in-charge. “We’ll keep in touch, every night. I’ll have Arcese ward our conversations. If one of us doesn’t check in, we should assume something has happened.”
    “Then what?” asked Warrimonious.
    “I don’t know. I suppose it depends on the