Read Online Silent Orchids (The Age of Alandria: Book One) by Morgan Wylie - Free Book Online
Authors: Morgan Wylie
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“Remember when you agreed to come here you were bound by your oath of secrecy to the Ehsmia. Safe journey home.”
They followed her out from behind the waterfall, but when they turned the corner she was suddenly nowhere to be seen and they were no longer in the land hidden within the mountain. Instead, they were suddenly in the middle of a crop of NaNai standing guard, creaking as they swayed in the wind. There was nothing behind them but forest and nothing outside of the NaNai but more forest. Their horses stood there, looking at them with silent anticipation.
Looking at each other in surprise and confusion, Hal and Daegan were left with their silent thoughts of an ancient prophecy that now loomed over their heads with the promise of forever altering their lives, whether they chose to believe in it or not. Quietly, they headed home.
✾✾✾
It didn’t take them long as they had been placed closer than they knew. Just outside their village, Halister took a deep breath and turned to Daegan. “How do you want to proceed? They are going to want to know something,” he said, very diplomatically referring to his mother and father.
“They are your parents, I cannot dictate to you your course of action. I can only speak for myself and even then, I have not yet decided.”
“Daegan, my brother, yes, they are my parents and I love them, but I do not agree with everything they do and I have a bad feeling about what will be done with this information.” He took a long look around them, sighing. “This goes way beyond them and our people.” Then, in an unexpected show of fealty, Hal said, “I trust your instincts with this and am prepared to follow your lead.”
Still conflicted, Daegan responded, “I appreciate that, but it is not I who should be leading this. You are the son of our Paladin and should decide for us what is the best course of action.” Even though Daegan spoke humbly and honestly from his heart, when he looked into Hal’s eyes they both knew the truth in this case was for Daegan to take lead. So again, Daegan bowed his head, humbled by Hal’s trust and easy acceptance.
“I do not understand all that happened back there in the mountain, but I do know that the old man had words for your ears alone.” Daegan stiffened at Hal’s perception. “I respect that and trust you to make the right decision for our futures and that of Alandria.” Hal smirked, knowing that Daegan hated it when someone put him in such a position.
Daegan took a deep breath. “No pressure or anything,” He said, giving Hal a little smile to try to keep the mood light even though what Hal and the Elder were asking of him, what the Hidden People were asking of him, was going to change everything they knew for the good or the bad.
Shifting back and forth on his saddle, Daegan could tell he was agitating Mayfield and tried to stay still. He had never been comfortable with the way that Maleina ran things. Could this be his chance to possibly do something about it for himself and others? Could he really do what needed to be done? Protect the Sol-lumieth—the girl—and help her along her journey to unleash her power for a better Alandria.
That didn’t sound too hard. He had played bodyguard before and if she was so powerful, she probably didn’t even really need him. He could be more of a guide. Turning to Hal, he nodded. “Let’s get home.”
Chapter Six
Hours later, after cleaning up and resting from their journey, they were summoned, as expected, to High Court. As he walked, Daegan remembered a time when, as young boys, they had all seemed more like a family. Hal, Daegan, and Rheina would run through the grounds, talk freely at meals, and be able to casually approach the adults. All that changed when they began training with the guard. Maleina had said that Halister and Daegan were now to become men and she expected them to behave as such. Every day thereafter, she grew more rigid and more
They followed her out from behind the waterfall, but when they turned the corner she was suddenly nowhere to be seen and they were no longer in the land hidden within the mountain. Instead, they were suddenly in the middle of a crop of NaNai standing guard, creaking as they swayed in the wind. There was nothing behind them but forest and nothing outside of the NaNai but more forest. Their horses stood there, looking at them with silent anticipation.
Looking at each other in surprise and confusion, Hal and Daegan were left with their silent thoughts of an ancient prophecy that now loomed over their heads with the promise of forever altering their lives, whether they chose to believe in it or not. Quietly, they headed home.
✾✾✾
It didn’t take them long as they had been placed closer than they knew. Just outside their village, Halister took a deep breath and turned to Daegan. “How do you want to proceed? They are going to want to know something,” he said, very diplomatically referring to his mother and father.
“They are your parents, I cannot dictate to you your course of action. I can only speak for myself and even then, I have not yet decided.”
“Daegan, my brother, yes, they are my parents and I love them, but I do not agree with everything they do and I have a bad feeling about what will be done with this information.” He took a long look around them, sighing. “This goes way beyond them and our people.” Then, in an unexpected show of fealty, Hal said, “I trust your instincts with this and am prepared to follow your lead.”
Still conflicted, Daegan responded, “I appreciate that, but it is not I who should be leading this. You are the son of our Paladin and should decide for us what is the best course of action.” Even though Daegan spoke humbly and honestly from his heart, when he looked into Hal’s eyes they both knew the truth in this case was for Daegan to take lead. So again, Daegan bowed his head, humbled by Hal’s trust and easy acceptance.
“I do not understand all that happened back there in the mountain, but I do know that the old man had words for your ears alone.” Daegan stiffened at Hal’s perception. “I respect that and trust you to make the right decision for our futures and that of Alandria.” Hal smirked, knowing that Daegan hated it when someone put him in such a position.
Daegan took a deep breath. “No pressure or anything,” He said, giving Hal a little smile to try to keep the mood light even though what Hal and the Elder were asking of him, what the Hidden People were asking of him, was going to change everything they knew for the good or the bad.
Shifting back and forth on his saddle, Daegan could tell he was agitating Mayfield and tried to stay still. He had never been comfortable with the way that Maleina ran things. Could this be his chance to possibly do something about it for himself and others? Could he really do what needed to be done? Protect the Sol-lumieth—the girl—and help her along her journey to unleash her power for a better Alandria.
That didn’t sound too hard. He had played bodyguard before and if she was so powerful, she probably didn’t even really need him. He could be more of a guide. Turning to Hal, he nodded. “Let’s get home.”
Chapter Six
Hours later, after cleaning up and resting from their journey, they were summoned, as expected, to High Court. As he walked, Daegan remembered a time when, as young boys, they had all seemed more like a family. Hal, Daegan, and Rheina would run through the grounds, talk freely at meals, and be able to casually approach the adults. All that changed when they began training with the guard. Maleina had said that Halister and Daegan were now to become men and she expected them to behave as such. Every day thereafter, she grew more rigid and more
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