Kingdom's Dawn by Chuck Black Page B

brother?”
    â€œHe was banished from the region. The King ordered that he be given a wound across his forehead as punishment for his crime. He made his home in the distant land of Nod. Because of his skill with the sword, he was able to rise to a position of power and now commands a formidable army … an army of destruction.”
    As if a veil had been removed from his eyes, Leinad instantly made the connection of his brother’s identity.
    â€œHis name is Zane!” he stated enthusiastically.
    Gabrik raised one eyebrow. “Yes, how did you know?”
    Leinad told Gabrik of his encounter with Lucius earlier that morning and also of his fight with the man named Zane. The realization that he had fought and nearly killed his brother gripped Leinad.
    â€œThough Zane is a blood brother of yours,” Gabrik said, “make no mistake about it—he is an enemy of the King andof the people of Arrethtrae. He will not hesitate to kill you or anyone else if that is what Lucius commands. Lucius will stop at nothing to disrupt the King’s plan, and a man like Zane is a perfect tool.” Gabrik continued to adjust the saddle and pack on his horse.
    â€œGabrik, why would a powerful warrior like Lucius need Zane to accomplish his work?”
    Gabrik quickly set to removing his pack from his horse. “The King’s Silent Warriors are Lucius’s primary concern. The people of Arrethtrae are largely unaware of the ferocious battle that is occurring in their land between us and Lucius and his Shadow Warriors. The victor of the hidden war will rule Arrethtrae. Just as the King has chosen you as a key part in His plan to bring victory, Lucius has chosen your brother and his men to accomplish his evil purposes overtly. Now that Lucius has eliminated your father, he will use every resource available to him, including Zane, to widen his influence in the entire kingdom. He plans to rule Arrethtrae one day … and he is a patient man. If he knows of your existence, he will seek to destroy you as well. But do not fear, Leinad, the King will be with you in ways that you will not even realize.”
    Gabrik was nearly finished preparing his horse. “Leinad, the people of Kerr are in serious danger. By order of the King, you must ride to Mankin and warn the city of an approaching disaster. You must hurry.”
    â€œWhat disaster are you speaking of, Gabrik?”
    Gabrik stopped his preparations and became very serious. “The Vactor Deluge.”
    Leinad looked at Tess, and her puzzled look mirrored his own confusion.
    â€œThe Vactor Deluge is a terror that is coming upon the land like no one has ever seen before,” Gabrik said. “It is an innumerable swarm of miniature creatures called Vactors. They are so small that a grouping of thousands will darken only the tip of an arrow. Individually they are little more than a nuisance, but as a massive swarm that covers an entire countryside, they are devastating. Originating from the shores of the sea, they will devour the entire land. Any living substance, from the grass to the trees to the cattle to the people—all will be consumed. The swarm moves on the ground at a speed faster than a swift horse, without warning. There is no escape.”
    Had Leinad heard this from anyone other than Gabrik, he would have found it difficult to believe. But Gabrik’s words were the King’s words, so Leinad chose to believe.
    â€œHow can anyone survive such a terror?” he asked.
    â€œYou must get the people to high country. The Tara Hills Mountain Range will provide enough elevation to save them. The Vactors cannot survive in the heights of the mountains. Get yourselves and the people there, and you will live. Once the supply of food for the Vactors is exhausted, they will die, and the land will be reborn after some time has passed.”
    Leinad silently questioned himself and his capabilities.
This day is becoming a