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

Patrols had been set up
by Dryden to ensure the perimeter was kept safe from any intruders,
shadow or otherwise.

    At the end of another exhausting day
of rebuilding, Andrielle sat with her daughter in their newly
restored home, drinking tea.
    The elven queen sipped tea from a cup
she and her daughter had shared before the battle of the Elven
Woods. She gently ran her fingers along its fine, unchipped edge
and wondered how something so fragile managed to survive—when so
little of her city had. All inhabitants of Veldrenn were exhausted
from the back breaking work, but they all knew that they were
making progress and morale was lifting as a result.
    Soon they would move on from
rebuilding the city to what it once was, and focus on improving and
fortifying Veldrenn.
    Nicolai flew onto Helenia’s shoulder
and sat down, letting out a tiny sigh that would have sounded cute
to anyone who didn’t know the faerie queen. Her fine wings draped
down onto the fabric of Helenia’s dress. Helenia reached up and
gently rubbed Nicolai’s back with her fingertips to comfort her.
The faerie queen had her left arm in a bandage, as she had broken
it while helping her people escape the battle of the Elven
Woods.
    “ I know that these are difficult times, but
even in difficult times we must remain strong,” said Andrielle, as
if trying to buoy herself as much as the others in the
room.
    Nicolai, although small in
form, had a presence about her that commanded the attention of
whomever she was addressing. Sensing the elven queen’s efforts at
conveying strength, she remarked, “Andrielle, remember that you
saved our people when we were most vulnerable and we are forever
indebted to you. Although you have suffered greatly in battle, all
is not lost. Look around you. Veldrenn has a new beginning, and I am making
preparations to arm and train my people before we face another
attack.”
    Helenia brought her cup up to Nicolai,
who dipped in her hands and sipped a hot mouthful.
    She smiled kindly and her voice warmed
when she spoke, “Thank you princess.” She wiped the excess tea off
her face with her tiny, un-bandaged arm.
    Helenia nodded and continued to drink
her tea, wincing at the pain in her shoulder that was taking a
longer time to heal than expected.
    “ I for one am so relieved
that wench Kassina is finally gone. But it worries me to think of
what horrors may be sent in her place. I worry also for Vartan. We
haven’t heard anything from Trahoterra for some time and the last
messenger dragon only said that he lives but there were no signs of
improvement,” said Helenia, a tear streaked down her face and
twinkled on her chin before falling to the ground.
    Andrielle sighed, wiped the tear trail
from Helenia’s cheek and held her daughter in a warm embrace.
Nicolai’s wings sprang into action and she flew to the nearby
table, dangling her legs over the edge.
    Andrielle released her daughter,
looking deep into her eyes with affection, “I’m sure Vartan will be
alright, he is far too strong to leave us now. Besides, I haven’t
had a chance to chastise him for his involvement with you yet, and
that is my privilege alone.”
    Helenia chuckled as her cheeks
reddened.
    They were startled by a knock at the
door and regained their composure.
    Andrielle sat up straight with a hint
of annoyance at her moment being interrupted and spoke sternly,
“Who is it?”
    There was a pause before Dryden
stuttered an answer, “I… it is only I, your majesty. I come to
report our progress. Is this a bad time?”
    She replied warmly, “Oh Dryden, please
come in.”
    He entered the room and kneeled in
front of his queen.
    “ Please, begin your
report,” she ordered.
    Dryden nodded, smiled and spoke
proudly, “My queen, the good news is that we have scavenged all the
weapons we could find on the battlefield and training can resume at
your request, we have quite the stockpile of armour and can be
battle ready quickly.”
    The queen managed a smile,