Free Bastial Sentinels (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 5) by B.T. Narro Page A

happened. I was in Goldram not too long ago, and it was nothing like this.”
    The innkeeper let out his breath. “So I assume the Takarys were still ruling when you were here?”
    Cleve felt as if he’d swallowed a rock. “What happened to them?”
    The innkeeper looked at him sideways. “You cared that deeply for them although you were just a visitor?”
    “I…” Cleve felt dizzy. Unable to think, he couldn’t answer the man’s question and asked his own instead. “Are they dead?”
    “Danvell Takary is. I don’t know about the others.”
    Cleve grabbed the table as dread coiled in his stomach. Leaning forward, he practically screamed. “What happened?” But then, suddenly, he knew.
    Fatholl .
    Reela brought her hand to his back as the innkeeper answered. “About two weeks ago, Fatholl took over the palace and killed the King in the process. I’ve heard that the rest of the Takarys made it out of the palace alive, but I don’t know what happened to them after that. From what I know, they haven’t been back to Goldram since they fled.”
    Panic was fighting against Reela’s touch, making Cleve’s whole body hot. “Do you have any idea where they might be?”
    “None,” the innkeeper answered grimly. “I doubt many do besides the nobles who are left. They always know more than we common folk do about royalty. Though, much of it could be rumors.”
    Cleve felt lost, consumed by fear and heartache. He began to wonder if there was any chance of getting the evesal seeds to Jek to cure the poor man’s nightmares.
    “Is Fatholl still in the palace?” Reela asked.
    “I believe so. He and his Elves control it like they do this city, though they don’t care about any of us to the east of the palace. Fatholl decreed that everyone north of the center of the city must either move or promise allegiance to his army. About half of them moved, while the other half stayed. It wasn’t long before about half of the whole city left. Crime was rampant with no guards around. Most of those who stayed moved to the north to join Fatholl’s cause. The houses are nicer there. Everyone else, me included, stayed where we are.”
    “What exactly is Fatholl’s cause?” Reela asked. Cleve was thankful for her questions. He was still having difficulty forming thoughts.
    “He claims he’ll rid the continent of desmarls. This is all well and good, but he also has made everyone who doesn’t follow his orders an enemy. The whole continent has become divided because of it. Many have joined him, many have fled, and then there are still the four armies—Goldram, Waywen, Zav, and Presoren.” The innkeeper set his eyes on Cleve. “Were you here when the war started?”
    “It had only just begun when I left.”
    “The four kings are now dead. But their armies still exist. Your guess is as good as mine as to what they’re doing or where they are. Some think they might be allying together to face Fatholl. Others think they’re still killing each other like they were before this thing with the Elves began.”
    Cleve’s mind went blank. He could feel Reela’s eyes on him, so he looked back at her beautiful face, letting her kind features relax him.
    “I’m sorry,” she told him. Turning to the innkeeper, she asked, “Do you know of any nobles we might speak to about finding the Takarys?”
    “I’m afraid I don’t.”
    Cleve found his voice. “Why are the docks abandoned?”
    “Fatholl’s army has been taking towns all over Greenedge. His Elves march in, and sometimes they force everyone out. Other times they don’t ask anyone to leave. It’s still yet to be known what Fatholl has planned.”
    “Archer shoot at me when we near docks,” Vithos said. “Why?”
    “Was it a Human or an Elf who shot at you?”
    “I no see.” He made a whistling sound and used his hand to imitate arrows landing near him. “They shoot lots, so I run.”
    The innkeeper shrugged. “Could be scavengers looking for goods people have