Lord Oaken regarded him steadily. There was no offense in his gaze, no surprise. Only assessment.
“That is as it should be,” he said. “Love makes priorities clear.”
Dar glared at him. “Then speak plainly.”
Oaken nodded. “Driochmor is not what your king believes it to be. Nor is it what our enemies claim. It is not a land of evil magic alone—just as Scotara is not a land of only good men.”
“My patience grows thin and your granddaughter’s life fades,” Dar said frustrated.
“This healer you reference. You must have heard the tale about how a sorcerer from Driochmor seduced an exceptional healer from Leighfeld and how he purposely got her with child, intending to create a powerful healer, one beyond anything known. When the woman learned of his deceit, and fearing for her child’s safety from both sides, she fled and hid.” He sighed. “Did her mum do right by hiding her away, teaching her to use her extraordinary powers for good or does evil rule her now?
“Healers want to believe she is good that evil doesn’t touch her and she will use her tremendous power for good, while evil believes her powers will help them rule. Which path she travels, no one knows.”
“So, what you are saying is that you know as little about her as anyone else does.” Dar ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated. “How is it that a healer can hide herself and daughter all these years from such powerful magic?”
“Only one way… she never used it.”
Dar’s brow creased.
“She lived among Scotara as one of you,” Lord Oaken said.
“But when her daughter’s magic awakened, surely you felt it?”
“Not even the smallest pulse,” Lord Oaken confirmed. “And I do not want to think of what that means.”
“It sounds as if it frightens you,” Dar said.
“Aye, for it means that a young one had the power to hide her magic and if she can do that at such a young age, she can easily walk among those in Scotara and those in Driochmor undetected.”
“At the moment, I only care that she shows herself here and heals my wife.”
“Would you want evil healing Elara?”
“I don’t want her to die.”
“Would you want her to live owing evil something in return?” Lord Oaken asked.
“I will owe this healer born of evil, not Elara, and I will owe her anything to keep death away from Elara.”
Anger sparked in Lord Oaken’s eyes. “Never say that. The price evil demands is far greater than you would ever wish to pay. And on that, my granddaughter would agree with me.”
Dar’s anger burst. “Are you telling me to let her die?”
“Helma is the most skillful healer in Driochmor. If her hands and words cannot heal someone, then it is because fate has taken hold. Fate holds my granddaughter in her hands now and neither you nor I can do anything about it, except ask her for mercy so that she may live.”
“What good is the power of magic,” Dar lashed out, for the first time in his life sensing failure. An unacceptable outcome. Hunters never failed. “When you cannot find a way to save the ones you love.”
“Like most, you misunderstand the power of magic. It is derived from nature and nature has its own rules.” His brow puckered. “I am curious, Dar. How does a Hunter know about the extraordinary healer when the tale, what some believe a mere myth, has lain dormant these many years? What interest does it hold for you?”
Dar shook his head. “Don’t play me for a fool, old man. Your power of sight must be far greater than your granddaughter’s. You know the king has the Hunters searching for this healer and that war looms large with Drogath. You also must know of the foreigner who looks to enter Driochmor. Is he here to seek Driochmor’s help in exchange for ending your banishment? Do you plan to side with Drogath in this war?”
“Will the king force us to?” Lord Oaken asked.
Realization struck Dar and the matter of the king was no longer important to him. “You were already aware that I knew about the healer, and you must have known we were coming here—” He scowled. “You sent Amelia to me.”
“To help you find your way.”
Dar snapped angrily at him. “Then you already know her fate.”