Redemption Of The Sacred Land (Book 3) by Mark Tyson

could tell by her expression she felt awkward about it, too.
    Dorenn greeted Durn with a manly hug and shook his hand. “Where are my parents? I thought my mother especially would run out to greet me.”
    “Come inside, Master Dorenn, and I will fill you in on the goings on of late.” Durn ushered him through the doorway and into the common room. “Your parents are both in fine health but are not present at the inn anymore.”
    Dorenn sat down at a table in the common room with Durn. Seandara joined them.
    “I am sure you are anxious to know of your parents, so I will get right to it. A few days after Sanmir left to find you, a messenger came to the inn to talk with your father. He bore the crest of Ardenia, so I let him pass. He explained to your father and mother that the king of Ardenia was very ill and expected to pass from this world. His only heir to the throne, Prince Daleil, had been recently killed in an Enforcer battle with those inflicted with the wild magic. With no other heir to the throne, the rule of the Arden family will come to an end with King Noeed Arden, making the Adair family the next in line for the throne. Being a direct descendant of Princess Marella Arden, your father is the only person, by blood, who can claim the throne legally upon the king’s death. The messenger came to retrieve your father and mother and escort them back to Ardenia. Your father knew you might return to Brookhaven someday, so he put me in charge of the inn with the stipulation that I impart this information to you upon your return.”
    “It’s possible my father, Lourn Adair, is king of Ardenia right now?”
    “If King Noeed Arden passed from this life, aye, Lourn Adair is king of Ardenia.” He took a deep breath. “Now for the bad news. Since the highking’s death and the usurping of the throne by Naneden the Mad, there is nothing or no one to prevent the Arasyth family from the neighboring kingdom of Sythia to mount an invasion and try to take Ardenia. According to the messenger, they have been amassing knights and infantry on the Sythian-Ardenian border. It is possible that should your father ascend to the throne, he will be defeated and killed by an invading army.”
    Dorenn pounded his right fist into his left hand out of frustration. “The fools! The Trigothian knights should be rallying to help retake Lux Enor and the Sacred Land, not fighting amongst themselves.”
    “Forgive me, Master Dorenn, but I think the Sythians have little interest in regaining the Sacred Land. The knights of Trigothia do not see Naneden the Mad as a threat.”
    “Naneden the Mad is only a pawn,” Dorenn said. “I went to the Sacred Land not long ago, and it isn’t Naneden the Mad who has a hold on the power there. I couldn’t tell if it was Toborne either, to be honest.” He looked at the somber face of Durn. “I have not divulged that to the others yet. Keep it to yourself. I don’t want anyone else to know that I suspect a greater threat from some, as for now, unknown force.”
    “You suspect Toborne is not the mastermind of the peoples trying to usurp the power of the Sacred Land?” Durn asked.
    “Aye, that is what I am telling you. When I arrived in the Sacred Land, what I felt was not Toborne. But as I said, speak of it no further.”
    Veric entered the inn and placed his pack near Durn. “I should like a room as well.” He flipped a shiny silver coin to Durn, who caught it easily.
    Durn looked at the silver piece. “Sir, this is far beyond the price of a room.”
    “Put it against my bill. I will be bathing and eating in the common room as well. You can deduct what I use and what is left at the end of my stay you may keep.”
    “Thank you, sir.” Durn bowed. “With your leave, sir,” he said to Dorenn.
    “Of course, attend your duties.”
    Durn had a lad come and take Veric’s belongings as he and Dorenn exited the inn. Veric had the Tome of Enlightenment that Dorenn had given him to study under one