All That Is Evil Is Not Dark/Chapter 6

Xander moved to respond to Amgar but jumped back, startled by a loud popping noise and a sudden rush of air. His startlement was not lessened by the equally sudden appearance of a Drakel. His mind swam; were the Drakel siding with the Brilhado and the undead?

"Tralin!" Draynor exclaimed. "What are you doing here, son?"

"Son?" Amgar said, confused.

"Not really," Darin replied, "but he is the adopted Crown Prince of Deren. He is likely old enough to be Draynor's father."

"Grandfather," Tralin responded. "Unfortunately, I have no time for pleasantries. My lord, I need to speak to you at once, but first we must locate the communicant in this city, a man named Myr."

"You're a bit late," Darin said brusquely.

"What?" Tralin asked.

"Our communicant was just abducted by the Brilhado."

"The Brilhado have been here?" Tralin asked, startled. "So the rumors are true. Abducted, you say...?"

"King Draynor, Prince Tralin, Commander Darin, I do not wish to be rude, but I must part your company. We must re-gather and try to make preparations for their next assault on Stone Deep."

"Yes, of course..." Draynor began, but Tralin interrupted.

"You need not bother. They will not return. At least not for a while."

"What?" Xander asked.

"How do you know that?" Darin echoed.

"I know it because they already have what they came for," Tralin responded simply.

"What they came for?" Xander asked.

"Beyond a doubt. They came for Myr..."