Chronicles of Den'dra - Spencer Johnson Page 0,111

at the maid slumped over the footman.

“That would be an embarrassing predicament. If she is awake, then Emeck should be able to find her.”

“I haven’t heard him shouting so I am going to guess that he hasn’t sensed anyone.” Cero closed the closet and moved on down the hall.

“That is unfortunate. Where do you think these people got all their coin?” Inadar picked up a small figurine carved from some sort of green rock.

“This is house Loneka. They have been loyal to Reigns and have probably been well rewarded.”

“It looks that way. I feel like setting the place on fire.”

“I would rather they never know that we were here. I don’t want Reign chasing us more than he already is.” Cero paused to look at a vase filled with wilted flowers.

“This door is open. Oh…”

“What is it?” Cero stepped to Inadar’s side and looked into the bedroom where five people lay. One was in a pool of dried blood with the pallor and stench of death. Two were slumped by the form of a white haired young woman. The last one was in between the dead man and the woman with his pants around his knees. The scene painted a gruesome story of murder and foul intent.

“I can’t feel any signs of life from this one.” Inadar had a finger to the half undressed man’s throat feeling for the pulse and in the other hand had one of her black knives. Cero got the feeling that if the man had so much as twitched, he would have lost all that made him manly.

“She almost looks peaceful. Wait… She is waking up!” Cero’s shout brought the rest of the searchers into the room. Urake took in the scene with one look before affirming that it had to be the white haired young woman. He paused and frowned as he examined one of the men in the deathlike sleep. The rich clothes and uncalloused woman like hands. Stooping down, he pulled a medallion from around the man’s neck. The stylized gold engraving of a wolf framed against two moons. He stepped over and found a similar medallion around the dead man’s neck along with the familiar medallion of the oak under the signet ring.

“This is old man Loneka and his son. From the looks of it, the little wolf pup wasn’t willing to wait around to get what he wanted.” Urake’s explanation of what everyone could see was vague, but fitting.

“Oscarion watched them kill Estavo.” The girl shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair.

“You are an interesting woman, whoever you are. Dark elf, if I am not mistaken. The ears and hair give it away. Who exactly are you?” Urake’s question paralyzed the woman for a few moments. When she started speaking, it was to tell her life story up to that point. They remained silent as they heard a tale of woe and heartbreak. When she had finished there was silence for a few awkward moments longer.

“You said that the man who bought you was wearing a black robe?” Urake inquired with a distant expression.

“I remember him like it was yesterday. It was one of those black robes with a hood woven into the main robe and long loose sleeves. I think he was also an erin valker.” Tamara looked up at Urake expectantly.

“And Gifted… Undoubtedly a member of the Shadow Order. That explains his interest in you. It would appear that they have been looking for a new leader for quite some time.”

“A leader? Why would that mean they wanted me?”

“Because, I killed the last dark elf that led that cult. You must be one of his children. You took after your human mother remarkably little. If they knew that there was an almost pure dark elf left on Den’dra, they would stop at nothing to reacquire you. Especially if they knew what you are capable of.”

“I don’t… I mean, if they wanted me so much, then why haven’t they found me yet? I haven’t exactly been hidden.”

“You were a slave owned by a prominent noble house in Reigns’ good graces. Your life here was probably about as well hidden as it gets.”

“So what happens now? As you said, I am almost pure dark elf. Am I to follow my father’s fate?”

“Relax. There are only certain dark elves that I don’t trust and fortunately most of them are dead. The only other one, besides yourself, that I know of is Reigns. We were sent here to find