Legends of Marithia: Book 2 - Darkness Rising Read Online Free

and what gives you comfort disappears? How do you
find solace when you have nowhere left to turn?
    How do we deal with the losses of so
many of our loved ones?
    These are questions I dare not ask
myself as I strive to keep my people free from the deadly pull of
depression.
    We will band together, and with hope
for the future, Veldrenn will be rebuilt by human and elven hands.
Together we will create a glorious city that we can all be proud
of.
    This is a time to reflect, to remember
who we are, where we come from and where we are headed.”
    (Queen Andrielle of
Veldrenn)
     
    Leon smacked the family
table with his palm in annoyance. “No, absolutely not. There is no
way I am losing the only son I have left to a path of revenge. Can’t you
see what losing Finn has done to your mother? Surely you don’t want
to put her through that again, do you?”
    His father’s eyes watered before he
turned away from his son in an effort to control his emotions.
Vartan’s mother, Victoria, was equally determined to stop her son
leaving. She breathed deeply before turning to leave the room,
unwilling to talk about it any further.
    Vartan watched sadly as his
mother left, then put his hand softly on his father’s shoulder and
spoke with determination, “Father, I love you and mother dearly…
but this is something I must do. It is because of Finn’s death that I choose
to walk this path. I will find the Knights of Greenhaven, and persuade them
to let me join their honourable fight. It is my duty, and it is all
that I want now.”
    Leon wiped the sweat from his brow,
sighed and shook his head in disappointment. He felt the passion
and determination shine in Vartan’s voice and knew that there was
no point in fighting it any further.
    “ Son, I will support your
decision if this is truly what you want, but I believe you’re
running a fool’s errand. I want you to promise us that if you fail
or at any time decide to change your mind… you come back to us. By
the gods Vartan, you may have a way with a bow and sword but you
have had no formal training to speak of. Do you really think you will be granted
Knighthood? They are men of nobility, with years of training and we
are not of noble blood,” he pleaded, in a final attempt at swaying
Vartan’s resolve.
    “ There is an annual
tournament held in Greenhaven. I will find my way to it and we will
see if I have the skills necessary. That is the only plan I have
for now,” said Vartan.
    “ Then so be it, but you’re
not leaving without this.”
    Leon walked to the corner of the room
and took his sheathed sword out from a locked cabinet, blowing off
the dust and taking a moment to admire the magnificent weapon. The
shine from its blade cast reflections of the sun into the room from
the nearby window.
    On its hilt were two parallel naked
figures of striking beauty which appeared to be seated on the
wielder’s hands. Their eyes were embedded diamonds that glittered
hypnotically in the light. In all of Vartan’s years, his father had
never opened that cabinet in his presence. It was always strictly
forbidden to touch. Vartan’s jaw gaped wide at the sight of the
sword.
    “ This sword was forged by
elven hands and has been made from a material unseen in Marithia. I
traded for it in She’Ma’Ryn many years ago and it has brought me
luck ever since. If you are going to be in any danger, I want you
to have it.”
    He held out the sword with both hands
gripping the hilt, “Here, take it before I change my
mind.”
    Vartan hesitated, shaking his head. “I
cannot take this sword from you father, I know it means far too
much to you.”
    “ Vartan, do you really
think this sword means more to me than your life? Take it, before
you tempt me to beat you over the head with it,” he said with a
grin, handing it to Vartan who was momentarily lost in its beauty
and perfection.
    “ Now go and carve out your
destiny. Send word to us on your journey and come home often if you
are able. We love