Free the Darkness (King's Dark Tidings Book 1) by Kel Kade Page A

luxury he was surprised to find in this
middle-class inn. He surveyed himself to make sure he was fit for his role.
    After a moment, he realized he no longer knew what role he
was playing. When he first left the fortress, he thought he would play the role
of a mercenary, but thus far no one had asked for his occupation. Perhaps he
did not need to play a role. But, if I am not playing a role, then what am
I?
    Considering his reflection in the mirror, he wondered what
he would think of the man in front of him if he were to see him on the street.
The man in the mirror looked like someone who had money but did not care to
show it. His clothes were excellent quality but simple enough that most people
would not notice. His weapons were plain and unadorned, despite being priceless
masterpieces. The man’s silky black hair, pale skin and pale blue eyes might
have been startling if he had not been used to seeing them all his life. His
above average height, broad shoulders, and cut physique made him look older
than his nineteen years, and he could see why he might appear intimidating to
smaller folk.
    Rezkin was suddenly surprised to realize that the man before
him looked dangerous . He had an air of wealth, power and authority but
also a confidence and self-assurance such that he did not need to flaunt it.
This was the kind of man that people respected simply because his presence
demanded it. Is this who I am ? He did not think so. He realized
that he must have settled into a role on instinct, not even realizing what he
was doing.
    Gathering himself and hiding away the absurd amount of
wealth he was carrying around with him, he headed down to the common room for
dinner. In his absence, the room had become quite full with patrons enjoying food
and drink. It smelled like herbs, roasted meat, and fresh bread. Rezkin’s
stomach grumbled, and he realized that he was hungrier than he thought.
    “Ah, Lord Rezkin, I am glad you could join us for dinner,”
Master Nol called out from a few paces away at the bar.
    The young man nodded and replied, “Thank you, Master Nol,
but please, just call me Rezkin.”
    Master Nol’s smile faltered at the odd request, and he hoped
he had not offended the young man. “Of course…ah…Rezkin. Please have a seat,
and I will have a meal brought out to you. Would you like an ale, perhaps?”
    Rezkin had only had ale, wine or spirits for training
purposes because they were appropriate to consume in certain social situations,
but he had never developed a taste for any of them. Glancing around quickly, he
realized this was one of those situations he would be expected to imbibe. “Yes,
thank you. Your best, please,” Rezkin replied with a tight smile. He would have
preferred water.
    Upon entering the room, he had immediately taken stock of
the occupants and available seating. Now, he headed toward the far side where a
small table sat near the hearth. It was not the most ideal seating in the room,
but it would suffice. He could observe most of the common room from his seat
and no one was sitting at his back. None of the people around him seemed
threatening. An older couple sat with a middle-aged couple on the other side of
the hearth, and a young man and woman were seated directly in front of him. A
lean man in a flashy silk robe was strumming a lute to his left.
    The young couple across from him caught his eye again. He
had never seen two people behaving in such a way. The man was holding the
woman’s hand, and Rezkin wondered if he was restraining her. The woman did not
appear to want to get away, though, since she was laughing and smiling. All of
their attention seemed to be focused on what the other was saying and staring
into each other’s eyes.
    How could they possibly be watching for threats or listening
to subtle changes in atmosphere if they were completely oblivious? And, after
one had examined the other’s eyes for a moment, why would he or she possibly
need to continue to examine them? It was