Kedan was tired of being on a horse. He had ridden for three days towards the Forest of the Lowlands. He was bound for the village of Nemar which stood on the edge of the forest closes to the great river. The viceroy’s manor stood there in the first ring of the village. Kedan would be staying there with Viceroy Daracha.

As Kedan approached his destination, his apprehension grew. He didn’t know Daracha well. She always seemed such a mystery to him. He was always unsettled by her in the council meetings. Golnar told him that Daracha was happy to receive Kedan as her visitor. Kedan knew he would be safe. He was the King of Regventus. He needed to see more of the kingdom and its folk. This would be a good opportunity for Kedan to learn more of what it meant to really be the leader of Regventus.

Kedan was soon in the third ring of Nemar. The village was decent size with three active rings. The outer ring had many cottages scattered about it. As Kedan passed he saw folk out feeding their livestock and gathering firewood. They all stopped to look at the King and his three soldiers who rode with him.

Kedan pressed on to the second ring. The second ring was an active marketplace with stone pathways and streets. People walked in and out of buildings, their hands full of food, fabric, or medicines. As Kedan rode through the second ring to find the entrance for the first, he noticed a few people outside begging for money. He noticed a small child and his mother. He stopped and looked at them.

“My king, we need to keep going. It’s not safe for you to be here,” said one of Kedan’s soldiers.

Kedan paid him no mind. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a handful of coins. He nodded to the child and the woman next to him. The woman got up with her bowl extended towards Kedan. Kedan threw in the coins and the woman bowed her thanks.

“No, one should go hungry in our kingdom,” Kedan said. He then urged his horse forward towards the first ring.

As they entered the first ring, the village changed. There were trees everywhere. In between groves of trees there were fine homes with small yards. Kedan saw that the windows of each manor were all lit up with smoke coming out of their chimneys. He and his guards pressed on until the came to the center of the first ring where a large house sat.

The house was made of light color stone. The roof was bright red. There were many windows all along the front. The house had a large snow-covered lawn with many tress scattered throughout it. Leading to covered portico which held the front door was a stone pathway. Kedan and his guards turned onto the stone pathway and rode to the front door.

Two man met them at the front entrance. One held Kedan’s horse as he dismounted. Kedan nodded to his solders who rode to the back with the two men and Kedan’s horse. Kedan went to the front door and knocked. A small woman answered the door. She had gray hair piled atop her head. She wore a black dress with a gray shawl.

“Yes,” said the woman in a deep voice.

“I’m am Kedan, the king of Regventus. I am here to see Daracha, the Viceroy of the Forest of the Lowlands.”

“The Viceroy is expecting you. Come in,” said the woman. She stepped back so Kedan could enter.

Kedan walked into the dimly lit entrance hall. The chandelier above him was not lit. There were candles lining the walls and a few on a nearby table, but only half of them were lit. Kedan could just make out a few portraits hung on the walls. There was a small figurine on the side table that looked to be two people facing away from each other. It was hard to tell what it really was in the dim light.

“The Viceroy is in the parlor. She would like to see you,” said the woman. “Follow me.”

She led Kedan through a door to her left. They entered a large room with a high ceiling. This room too was dim, lit only by the dying sun coming through the windows, a large fire in the fireplace, and a few candles scattered throughout the room. Kedan peered through the darkness and saw Daracha sitting in a large chair close to the fireplace.

“Hello, Kedan,” said Daracha. “Please come and sit down.”

Kedan walked over and sat in a chair near Daracha. He looked at her. The fire was casting shadows around her, keeping half her face hidden by the darkness.

“Thank you for hosting me, Daracha. I hope I can help out in some way.”

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“I think our time together will be very productive. Do you require any refreshments at the moment? Penelope could bring you some wine or some tea,” said Daracha.

“Some tea would be welcome. It has been a long, cold journey,” replied Kedan. He sat on the edge of his chair, not comfortable being in Daracha’s presence.

“Penelope, my dear,” said Daracha to the gray-haired woman who stood behind Kedan. “Would you please bring some tea for our guest and myself. Maybe a few sandwiches as well. I am hungry and I am sure our guest could eat.”

“Yes, Daracha,” said Penelope. She walked out of the room.

“Now, tell me why you think Golnar sent you here.”

“I was told you are meeting with magical folk in the forest. Old magical folk, or ones who had magic before Golnar’s elixir. I am to help you persuade them to our side.”

“And what is our side?” asked Daracha. She leaned forward a bit. Kedan could see her large green eyes. Even in Daracha’s old age they were clear.

“The side of Aurumist. The side of the Ancients. We will bring order back to the kingdom. We will save all of our folk from starvation and suffering,” replied Kedan.

“Hmm,” said Daracha. “How will we do that? How do you think this plan of Golnar’s will work?”

Kedan was confused. He was sure Daracha knew what Golnar had planned. He thought she probably knew more than Kedan himself.

“I am told the newly released magic-users will be put in places they can help others. Those without the gift will learn trades to serve the kingdom. They will have homes, work, and plenty to eat.”

Daracha stared at Kedan. She cocked her head and took a deep breath. “Do you really believe that or are you just repeating what Golnar has told you?”

Kedan looked at Daracha, not sure what to say. This conversation had thrown him off. He had been sent to the Forest of the Lowlands to represent Aurumist and its plans. He was told Daracha stood for these plans. Was she testing Kedan? Did Golnar put her up to this?

“I have to believe and trust my advisor, don’t I? He has served the palace for many years. He has served two Lords before me. Why wouldn’t I believe his plans?”

“Why indeed,” said Daracha with venom in her voice. “Kedan I believe you have been sent here under false pretenses. I need no help meeting with my own folk in my forest. I did not ask for help from anyone, least of all Golnar. So why do you think you were really sent here?”

Kedan felt very unsettled. He looked around and wondered where his soldiers were. He expected they would join him as soon as they had seen to the horses. Kedan had a very strange feeling about this place and what was going on. He put his hand on the handle of the sharp knife that was in his belt. He wished he had taken his sword off of his horse.

“I don’t know what you mean,” said Kedan. “If you are planning something, you should know I am armed, and my soldiers are outside.”

“I am planning many things, but you are in no danger from me at the time. Even if you were, there is nothing you or your soldiers could do to stop me.”

Kedan stood up. “What is going on here. I demand you tell me as your king.”

“You are not my king. You will never be my king,” said Daracha vehemently. “That doesn’t mean I have no use for you. Now sit down!” Daracha moved her hand down and Kedan felt himself sit down hard in his chair.

“I know you took the elixir. Your magic doesn’t scare me,” said Kedan. He knew his voice sounded shaky.

“I have taken no elixir. I have long been in control of my magic. My whole life in fact. If I wanted to use it to harm you, I could. You should be frightened.”

Kedan’s heart was beating wildly. “What do you want from me? What are you doing to do with me?”

“I’m going to tell you the truth, Kedan. I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about Regventus. I’m going to tell you it’s true history. I’m going to tell you how those you trusted the most have used you and enthralled you. You are going to sit there and listen. When we are done you can decide whose side you are really on. I believe you do want what’s best for our kingdom. I just don’t think you know what that is yet.”

Kedan felt himself shake. He wanted to flee, but he couldn’t get up. “What if after you tell me all these things, I don’t believe you? What if I still think the palace plans are the best way to help Regventus?”

“Then I will charm you to erase your memory and send you back to Aurumist. I will not harm you physically. You have my word.”

Kedan looked at Daracha and for some reason he trusted her. He believed that she would not harm him. Kedan nodded.

“If all you care about is Aurumist and power after our conversation, if you believe Till and Golnar’s pretty lies, I will let you leave, Kedan. I will make sure you can tell no one what I have told you, but I will let you leave.”

Kedan perked up. He had read those words many times. He had received a message last summer when he was staying at the river house.

“You are the one who sent me the message at the river,” said Kedan wide-eyed.

“I am. I want to help you. I think you can make a difference in the war to come. I have sensed decency in you. Discernment is one of my many magical gifts. Someone I trust has told me we will need you in the battles to come.,” said Daracha.

Penelope came in with a tray holding a teapot, two cups, and some sandwiches.

“Here we are, thank you Penelope. You may leave us. See that the soldiers are secure and safe in the east wing. They are to be kept under enchantment, but not harmed.”

“Yes, Daracha,” said Penelope. She gave a shallow curtsy and left.

“Now, Kedan, fix both of us some tea and get ready for a long evening. I have much to tell you. You will have tonight to think on it. Tomorrow, you can decide if you will stay and fight for the right side or go back to your lies in Aurumist.”

Kedan stared at Daracha for a moment, considering what he should do. He finally leaned forward and said, “How do you take your tea, Daracha?”