Passages: Darien's Rise

During the celebration in Kellen, Prince George secretly warns Darien that Lawrence knows where he is. The king intends to claim credit for liberating the city, accuse Darien of conspiring with the Palatians, and arrive with an army to arrest him. George renews his loyalty to Darien but insists on returning to his father, whom he still regards as both king and family.

Anna suddenly sees the ruin that will follow if Darien remains. Lawrence will surround Kellen, and its frightened citizens will surrender Darien to save themselves. Darien immediately prepares to leave. As Anna looks back at the mayor, she sees that he has been reporting everything to the king's spies.

Darien divides his followers into four groups to hide among the caves of the Valley of the Rocks. His own group has barely settled when Kyle senses danger. Lawrence's army has already occupied the ridge above them, and General Liddell demands Darien's surrender. Rather than let his companions be killed, Darien offers himself in exchange for their safety.

When Darien steps out, however, the enemy is gone. A messenger has brought Lawrence urgent news, and his entire army has raced south. Darien soon learns why: the Palatians have attacked Fernchance in retaliation for their defeat at Kellen. The enemy invasion has saved Darien from Lawrence, but it also marks the beginning of a war.

Another message brings sorrow. The Old Judge has died peacefully in his sleep. Anna and Kyle struggle to understand how one of the Unseen One's chosen people can be gone. Darien explains that the Unseen One does not replace people like pieces in a machine; he raises others with different gifts and missions. Anna wants to return to Odyssey, while Kyle admits that he enjoys being important in Maris. Anna reminds him that if the Unseen One is God, he is present in both worlds.

As the war spreads, people who have suffered under Lawrence send Darien supplies and join his growing company. A week later, Darien takes Anna and Kyle by train to the Old Judge's memorial service in Hailsham. Their disguise becomes especially important when Lawrence unexpectedly boards the same train. Darien cannot resist the chance to reach him. He climbs along the outside of the moving train, slips into the sleeping king's compartment, and takes the coronation medallion lying nearby.

After the memorial, Darien and the children visit the Old Judge's cottage one last time. They find Lawrence there alone, grieving and unsure who is friend or enemy. The king asks whether Darien has come to kill him. Darien produces the medallion as proof that he could have harmed Lawrence but chose not to. He returns it and declares that he will not rebel against the one the Unseen One has chosen.

Lawrence's suspicion briefly gives way to affection and regret. He calls Darien his son, admits that the Old Judge was right about Darien becoming king, and asks for more mercy than he has shown Darien's family. Then he leaves for Sarum.

Darien returns to hiding with five hundred restless followers. He longs to defend Maris from the Palatians, but fears that Liddell's men would murder him during battle and blame the enemy. With no safe path forward, he prays for a change. Anna quietly tells him that an answer will be waiting at camp.