Free The Drifting by L. Filloon Page B

“Mellis, what have you heard from the Tower?” I ask, hoping to dispel the uneasiness in the room.
    “Word has reached the tower of Lily ’s passing.  I’m sure it won’t take long before it reaches Falsad and Harlu, if they haven’t already heard from this Eathos you spoke of,” he replies solemnly.
    “Alorn,” I call, bringing him back to us from his distant thoughts.  He looks over at me as I ask, “Can you remember sensing anything off about anyone in the Tower?  Especially those close to Thilthen?”
    “No,” he answers.  Sighing, he walks over to stand next to Mellis.  After a moment of thought, he says, “If what Ka told you about a demon in disguise as a Sidhe is true – then you, Thilthen or I would have discovered him long before now.  Eathos might be able to deceive you and me, Tharin, but not the king.  Whoever this Eathos is, he’s powerful.”
    I nod in agreement, “Supposedly Eathos has been here before and almost tore apart the realm.  Which I have to believe was during the time of the Great War, and if he’s returned, it would stand to mean that he was banished to the UnderRealm.”
    “That could explain how he’s able to have access to dark artifacts like the Sheni Bells and the Lorelei Cord,” adds Phoris.
    “The question is,” asks Mellis, “who let him out?”
    I shake my head, thinking about someone else coming into the picture.  Mellis is right, if Eathos was imprisoned in the UnderRealm, who would have the knowledge to free him and be powerful enough to do it?  “I don’t know.  First thing’s first – Lily.  We have to draw attention away from her until the Seating.”
    “And if we can’t?” asks Alorn.
    “Then she’ll be exposed and hunted.  Eathos will use her to get to Eirrell, destroying Velesi,” I reply.  I face Phoris’ questioning look.  “No, cousin, I don’t know his reasons for wanting to destroy the realm.  It could just be because he’s as evil as Ka says he is.”
    “Even if he has her, only the Oak Clan Summoner knows the summoning to locate the opening.  Lily may be the key, but without my father or me, it’s pointless to have either.”
    “You’re right,” I answer, “but who’s to say Eathos doesn’t already know the summoning to locate the doorway.”
    “No, Tharin,” answers Phoris adamantly.  “It has been a well-kept secret handed down from Summoner to Caller in our line since Mikas.”
    “Let’s hope so, Phoris.” I say earnestly.  Making a decision, “I will head back with you, Alorn, Tolan and Julia,” I announce.  Looking at Mellis, “I have a mission for of you.  I want you to find someone.”
    Alorn moves in, now alert.  He remains quiet as Mellis asks, “Who?”
    “Lily.”
    “I’m going with him,” says Alorn.  He isn’t asking.
    I look at my cousin and know why he feels he needs to find Lily.  Alorn is a warrior and  fourth in line to the throne, but doesn’t care about such things.  Instead, he has always been at my side, and his quiet ways speak volumes of his dedication to his duty.  He is a Sidhe warrior by all that it means and stands for – but when he was badly hurt and on the brink of death, it was Lily who saved his life.  Not me, not Tolan or Phoris or Mellis, but a five-foot-one girl who weighs no more than a feather in his powerful arms.  His code of honor dictates he owes her a debt.  And no one, including me, will keep him from paying it.
    It would be the first time ever that Alorn would disobey my orders should I refuse him to go with Mellis.  I look at his determined face, and even though Mellis would be able to handle the task on his own, I give Alorn a nod.  He releases a breath and everyone in the room seems to breathe once again.
    “I don’t know where exactly she is,” I say to Alorn, “but she has to be close by.  Sema has a shield around them, so it may take you a minute to find them.  The area that Ka sent me to is surrounded by kavi trees, so it