Uleni's Gamble by D.R. Rosier

urgent.
    Fifteen minutes later, with packs, he insisted they would need them not knowing why, they took off for the city. He told Nicole to fly, he had Nora using wind to push him and Sara, Sally pushed Katrina and Trina. Reg could take the long way. They reached the castle within fifteen minutes. The guards led them to the king’s suite immediately, where he and the high priestess were waiting for them.
    He completely tossed out titles and niceties, he felt like he was in a race he was losing and it was driving him crazy.
    “What’s going on?”
    The king frowned at his blunt hard speech, but said, “Our spies in Uleni are reporting strange happenings. I summoned the high priestess to consult, based on the reports, she demanded I fetch you immediately. Briefly, the king of Uleni was murdered, by his chief advisor, mage Riese. The strangest part, is the reported conversation they had before the king was struck down.
    “Something about forbidden knowledge, and broken wards, other gods.”
    He realized immediately by the king’s confused voice, Celia had not told him anything about how the dark god was summoned in the past. That explained his urgency, but not where it came from. He shrugged that off, it didn’t matter, maybe the goddess put it there so he’d be more open and urgent to any summons or happenings tonight, or early this morning, he wasn’t sure which.
    “We need to go, now.” He saw understanding in everyone’s eyes, except the king’s and Trina’s. He considered that briefly and dismissed it.
    The king asked, “Why? If you have to go will you take troops with you? I estimate they still have close to five thousand troops remaining for defense, based on reports. I can’t send that many, but even a thousand with you there to support them would make a huge difference.”
    He shook his head. It would take too long to get there with troops. He felt it would be a mistake not to stop Riese before he could finish. On the other hand, if they didn’t make it at all, that would be worse. He looked at Nora for advice and she gave it to him.
    “You are usually a logical person, if you feel that strongly about us needing to hurry, we shouldn’t take the support.”
    He sighed. He did feel that way, and they had to leave now. “Let’s go.”
    The king said, “Wait, one minute,” turning to Nicole he said, “I’m sorry daughter. I had felt like I made a mistake keeping you separated so much from the world around you. I was so worried about it, I didn’t even realize in my panic to fix it, I was trying to isolate you even more. I hope you will forgive me.”
    Nicole started crying and went to hug her father. He was very happy for her, and the king, but felt frustrated at every moment that slipped from their fingers. They didn’t have time for this, and he felt like a heel, but after a minute or so he cleared his throat.
    “We will stop by on our way back from Uleni to properly celebrate this reunion, but we really must take our leave your majesty.” He figured if he was going to be an asshole, he might as well be polite and use the king’s title.
    The king nodded and released his daughter. Shocked at his lack of patience but unable to deny it, he turned and started making his way for the front doors, the others followed in his wake…
    *
    Katrina was scared. They had fought the dark god before, and won. So why were they in such a hurry? Even if he succeeded, wouldn’t the dark god be weak at first? Something was different this time around and she hated the feeling.
    They had stopped for a quick breakfast and after eating quickly Justin had urged them all to finish so they could continue. The pace was a lot slower as well. They knew the two hour walk to the city very well, so the darkness wasn’t as much an obstacle. But here in Uleni they were moving blind, they didn’t dare move as quickly as they could.
    They did increase speed when the sun came up, they could see much further now and she was