Deke Brolin Rhol Read Online Free PDF Page B

black and slowly wilt away from their body. Eventually, after weeks of torment they would meet a welcome death. The only one who could protect them against the plague was the very person who had created it. This alone persuaded many to join Solharn’s ranks. Many were enslaved and compelled to serve him. Many others, less loyal to Queen Elissa, agreed to join his armies rather than become slaves in his quest to take over Rhol.
    The Lealian s had waited almost a decade for their chance to avenge Queen Elissa, but in that time they had become far too comfortable with their surroundings. Neither friend nor foe could penetrate the field that protected Leal and over time guard posts dwindled. Only a few still remained and they were housed only when the villagers entered the temple once a week to worship Rhol and Queen Elissa.
    It was on this day of worship that Solharn had instructed the K altaures to attack. The Lealians were not yet aware that the force protecting their village was no longer. When the Kaltaures armies struck, the Lealians were unprepared. The few guards that had been posted in and around the temple were killed instantly by Kaltaures archers. The remainder of the village was trapped within the temple. 
    The Kaltaures army was relentless; they surrounded the temple and ran through the village burning down everything in sight.
    Only Roland, an elder Lealian, had noticed the advance, which had allowed him the time to bar the temple door.
    “Open the door Lealian or your who le town will burn to the ground,” screamed Abednego the feared leader of the Kaltaures army.
    “We can see it is too late for that, Abednego,” replied Roland. He would not get a response and so he continued, attempting to delay the inevitable. 
    “What, surprised I know your name filth? I have fought many wars against you and your beloved Solharn. I would not soon forget the voice of the command er of the army that so cowardly follows the Dark Angel.”
    “Ah Roland, I thought you died bravely defending your Queen. It appears you survived after all and took refuge in Leal, leaving her to fight a losing battle. How does it feel to know the suffering others have endured, while for years you and your people have hidden safely away as if nothing is going on? And you call me a coward.” 
    Roland did not reply. He ha d prepared himself for this day, the day Queen Elissa had foretold. He was quickly ushering his people to a gateway in the floor which led to an underground tunnel. Roland and a select few had dug the passageway over the many years of waiting. It would lead them to the Valley of Aura.
    “Come to your senses Roland. You will all die unless you and your people surrender. Solharn may show mercy and spare your pathetic lives. He still needs some slaves to complete his mission,” Abednego gloated.
    “The people of Leal would rather die than conform to the savage rule of Solharn.” 
    “Then die you will.” Abednego roared.
    The Kaltaures began to ram the door and climb the walls of the temple. There would only be a few precious minutes to save as many of his people as he could. 
    “Q uickly, quickly down the tunnel,” Roland pleaded.  
    Roland knew that there was not enough time to get everyone to safety. The Kaltaures army had been quick in their attack and the door to the temple would soon be breached.
    “Jayden, come quickly. You must go and lead our people to the Pegapires. The time which Queen Elissa foretold, has come.” 
    “But father , what of you?”
    “Jayden, I have taught you everything I know about Rhol. It is your time son. You must lead the Lealians. It is your destiny, not mine.” 
    With that last bit of advice Roland heard the temple door give way and quickly p ushed his son down the tunnel.
    “Father! ” would be the last word he heard his son speak.
    Roland quickly shut the gateway so the Kaltaures would not discover it.
    The vicious assault on the remain ing Lealians was relentless. The