Passages: Darien's Rise

When Darien returns to camp, Baron Orkzy of Adria is waiting with an offer. He wants Darien's army to protect him and his business interests during the war. In exchange, Darien's followers can live comfortably in the Adrian town of Liza instead of hiding in tents. Darien distrusts the wealthy and slippery baron, so he sends Colonel Oliver to learn what lies behind the proposal.

Oliver brings in an informer known as the Rat. The Rat explains that Orkzy's business produces parts for a powerful long-range cannon. Those parts travel to Monrovia for assembly, and the completed weapons are destined for the Palatians. If they arrive, the new cannons could help Palatia conquer Maris.

Darien accepts Orkzy's offer but secretly turns it against him. For nearly three months, Darien's men safely escort the parts to Monrovia while his guerrilla fighters repeatedly stop the finished cannons on their journey to Palatia. Darien and the Rat also break into the Monrovian factory, photograph the cannon designs, and anonymously send them to Maris so its own experts can build an answer.

Kyle and Anna live in Liza while Darien's campaign continues. Darien makes them study with a tutor, much to Kyle's disgust. More troubling to Kyle is the loss of the special warning feeling that once made him Darien's protector. He thinks the Unseen One no longer cares about them. Anna has not received visions either, but her study of the sacred scrolls has taught her that being chosen sometimes means waiting patiently rather than doing something exciting.

The Rat finds Kyle alone and claims another woman can send him home. Eager to feel that something is happening, Kyle follows him without telling Anna or Darien. He leaves only a note saying he has gone to find help.

Meanwhile, the war reaches a crisis. Monrovia is about to join Palatia, and several Adrian leaders plan to do the same. Orkzy tells Darien that his hosts now demand a choice: remain quietly in Liza, or fight beside Maris and become their enemy. They even promise to make Darien king over part of conquered Maris if he betrays his country.

That night, Anna's visions return. She sees Lawrence panicking as three enemy nations close in. Instead of giving his generals a sensible command, he decides to disguise himself and visit a woman near Walton Stone who claims to speak with the dead. He believes she can summon the Old Judge and tell him what to do.

Darien has prayed through the night and decides he cannot abandon Maris. He orders the civilians back to the Territory of Peace while his soldiers march south to aid Lawrence, even though the king may arrest him. Darien trusts that if the Unseen One has truly chosen him, fear cannot excuse him from his duty.

Oliver then discovers that Kyle and the Rat have taken a train toward Dor. Anna realizes that their destination must be Anastasia's cottage at Walton Stone - the very place Lawrence is approaching. Kyle and the king are unknowingly headed into the same trap.