Reign of Madness (Revised Edition) by Kel Kade Page A

threats, and providing some form of escort. Even the officers were
relegated to paperwork more often than not. Tam started to wonder if maybe
being a carpenter would be more exciting.
    The group mounted up, and Rezkin took the lead with Jimson
at his side. Lieutenant Drascon and Sergeant Millins followed in the rear with
Tam, Frisha, and Reaylin in the middle. Every so often, Rezkin darted ahead,
presumably to scout, but mostly so that Pride could get in a much-needed run.
It was midmorning and already the day was a little too warm. The sun was
shining brightly, and the sky was a vivid blue and completely devoid of clouds.
    After about an hour, Rezkin spied the game trail that led
off into the forest. The trail looked more like a footpath due to frequent use
by visitors. The young warrior led the group off the road and into the trees.
Inside the forest, the temperature was much more temperate. The shade from the
canopy kept the ground cool, and a soft breeze rustled through the leaves. The
air was pleasant and scented of earthy musk, fresh moisture, and crisp leaves;
and every so often, a subtle hint of moss or flowers drifted among them. As the
travelers encroached on the untamed timberland, the usual sounds of the wild
dimmed to only a few birdcalls high in the trees and the rustling of brush as
small animals scurried away.
    The thinning of the trees ahead marked the group’s arrival
at their destination. The scenic area was just as the deckhand described. The
waterfall was relatively small, only about thirty feet high and barely wide
enough for two people to stand under side-by-side. The waters tumbled over
stark black rocks arranged in an unusual geometry. It looked as though a
stonemason had carved them into small pillars stacked together and tilted
nearly on their sides. The rocks were broken off at the cliff face leaving a
jagged honeycomb design. Bright green moss covered parts of the small cliff
face and the rubble at its base and disappeared beneath the surface of the
clear, black pool.
    The pond water was cold and fresh, kept clean by the
constant flow of the waterfall at one end, which exited via the creek at the
other. Clumps of pollen and leaves drifted in lazy swirls across the surface,
and every so often, a fish snapped at a bug or a turtle popped its head up to
watch the silly humans. The scenic observers tied their horses at the creek end
of the pond and wandered over to a clear spot where the ground was not as damp.
They laid out several blankets on which to sit and spread a small feast among
them. Captain Jimson surprised them all with a few bottles of wine he purchased
in the village.
    Jimson wandered around the group pouring wine and then
casually took a seat near Reaylin. It was not so difficult to find space, since
Reaylin was always a little more withdrawn from the rest of the group. The
captain did not know if Reaylin distanced herself by choice or if it was simply
because the others did not care for her. Jimson understood why the others
judged her harshly. Reaylin had a habit of acting recklessly, and she was often
immature and cared little for how her actions affected others. Quite frankly,
she was selfish and frustrating. Jimson felt, though, that underneath all that
bluster and attitude was a sensitive, caring woman who just needed someone to
love her and make her feel special. Reaylin’s energy and passion made Jimson
feel more alive, and he typically saw her antics as humorous and endearing
quirks of the girl’s unusual personality. Her only fault, for which he
absolutely did not care, was her obsession with Rezkin.
    Jimson knew why the young woman felt the way she did. By all
accounts, Rezkin was a handsome, powerful man with a confidence and bearing to
rival the king. The captain could not hold it against the man, though, since
Rezkin was always genuine and forthright about his feelings and intentions
toward the women. Jimson saw how they all fawned over the young man, but Rezkin
never took