The Cleansing (Book One: The Folara Chronicles)

036: Taan

"Archer. What has Korlon found?" Taan tapped his fingers along the leather seat he'd been offered by the craft's pilot when they'd come aboard heading for Galantyne.

Archer folded his arms over his chest and reached inward for the telepathy he shared with his son. "My liege would know your status." His words were close and clipped as the sea interfered with his ability to receive communications. He waited and felt nothing. They were too far.

Taan understood. "I have something I would like for you to do." He steepled his fingers over his chest.

One dark blonde sculpted eyebrow rose in query and Taan grimaced as he decided to explain his request further. "I need you to go to Etrusia."

Archer closed his eyes, leaning back. Etrusia...

He pictured the dark gray metallic structures of the palace,  its bars an indication of the degradation it had suffered. Even before the exile, Etrusia had been a place of fear and suspicion. The rich were too rich, the poor too poor. An elitist regime had taken over, of which Quildor was the ring leader and because of his ruthless nature, was still alive to continue his quest for power. When Archer thought of Etrusia, he thought of darkness and oppression. In his opinion, evacuate the rest of the surviving exiles, and implode the place. It would cause a global disturbance, but ultimately end this quest for dominance. Archer was sure that another war was inevitable.

"And what am I to do there exactly?" 

"Discover the climate. Get a feel for the place. No one of my inner circle has been there for several years. I had a garrison strategically posted to keep peace among the citizens who chose to stay there after the war. We haven't heard from them since their leader died."

"You sent no envoy to ascertain cause of death? Why Taan? It seems to me that would have been a priority."

"Should have been a priority, perhaps. But the realm had been taxed heavily for men during the war. There wasn't a household that didn't contribute. After the war, only a very few  remained soldiers and many of those went with Galantyne."

"You're saying the best went with Galantyne. None to spare for Etrusia."

"My people have become decadent."

Archer had feared that the aftermath of the war would bring such a condition. Taan's people had already become proud and haughty, focused on themselves and their own wants and needs rather than the good of their civilization. A life of ease had softened their defenses.

"You need a Captain, Taan. You need a warrior the people can get behind."

"A man such as yourself!"

Archer bowed his head. "A man such as you!"

Anger spurted from Taan's eyes. "I--- I have been that warrior! It is true! I have led my people. I have fought for my people, and what good has it done me? Ondrea is dead! Galantyne is gone! Kara is captured! Lynette is soft and conniving like her family and Conn is a pampered spoiled brat."

"And whose fault is that, my brother?" Archer tried to soften his criticism. "Whose fault? Who can you blame for the neglect of a son? Yourself! It's not too late, Taan! Stand up! Put on your armor, and teach your boy."

"If only Galantyne had not gone! If only Kara had been a boy! Such fire, such honor!"

Archer spat in disgust. "Instead you offer it to that mealy-mouthed weakling, Evian. He will be the death of you, my friend. Your best chance at saving the kingdom is to follow Galantyne's lead and raise an army of searchers till the Talisman is found, and the kingdom is secured by your royal blood. Raise Conn right! You can do it, Taan!"