The Awakened Book Two (12 page)

“How are you holding up?” Thaddius asked Maeryn as they sat eating their meal.

Aelia seemed more interested in the conversation and only picked at her food.

“Fine. Were you waiting long at the meeting place?”

“No. In fact, I didn’t wait at all. Being out on the water makes me nervous. The Orud patrols aren’t nearly as heavy as they used to be. But it would be easy to spot us, especially with the repeated crossings to the island. When I saw that you hadn’t arrived, I immediately turned south. I would like to get this over as quickly as possible.”

“That reminds me,” Maeryn replied. “How will you notify headquarters that we are in place?”

Thaddius shifted his weight and remained silent. It was obvious that speaking of these matters in front of Aelia made him uncomfortable. Ultimately, it didn’t matter. There were no secrets now; they were all in this together. But that didn’t seem to make it any easier to get Thaddius to talk.

“Aelia dear, I would like just a bit more soup.”

“Yes, Mother,” she answered, taking Maeryn’s cup and walking off in the direction of the nearest fire.

“You were saying…” Maeryn said to Thaddius.

“Actually, I wasn’t.”

“Thaddius, why do you insist on keeping secrets, even now when we are all risking our lives together?”

“I suppose it’s a habit.”

“So tell me about the plan as a means of overcoming your habit,” Maeryn replied, pushing farther.

“Alright,” he said after a few moments of silence. “The need for Orud patrols along the southern islands waned as our enemies became fewer and fewer. Without this purpose, the navy was put to other uses, specifically slave trading. The eastern point of
Tur’cen
was used as a staging point for slaves. The great ocean faring vessels from the southeastern seas would bring large groups of captured men and women and offload them at the island. From there, they would be loaded onto smaller, more maneuverable ships that could navigate the shallower water among the islands. Once the slave trade declined, the larger ships became obsolete and the smaller vessels would perform both tasks and would eventually make the trip from the southeastern seas to
Orud
without stopping.”

“And what does this have to do with us?” Maeryn interrupted.

“I was getting to that. Once we are in place, the headquarters will be notified and arrangements will be made to route an empty ship to the island. The ship will dock at the abandoned post and we will all board for our trip to
Orud
. We will ride into the capital city in broad daylight just as any other arriving slave shipment. After arrival, it will appear as if the slaves are given to their new masters, when in fact, each master will take his new subjects to their respective assignments to support the Resistance throughout the Empire.”

Maeryn was shocked. “Assignments? I thought they were to be freed!”

Thaddius held a finger to his lips, cautioning Maeryn. “They will be free…they are free,” he corrected.

“Yes, free to be subject to someone else’s rule!”

“Maeryn, are you so naïve as to think that these people will be released to wander the countryside? Until we can make a permanent change, they will never be free under this Empire. This is a new chapter in all our lives. We are giving them the chance to fight for their own freedom. They will not be subject to new masters, but will have the freedom to act as any of my soldiers do, though their responsibilities will not be as great. What more can we hope for in this day?”

Maeryn sat silent, pondering his words.

“I will tell you this. They will enjoy a great deal more freedom than you did as the wife of Lemus. And under those circumstances, would you have called yourself a slave?”

“I hadn’t thought of it like that. What’s to become of me and Aelia?”

“I don’t know; I was only told of the others. I suspect that you will be given a few choices, but you need to be prepared to keep serving the Resistance as you have through the years. I’m sorry if you expected something more grandiose.”

“I’m not sure what I expected. How will you notify the headquarters?”

Thaddius shook his head. “I think I will leave that answer until another time.”

Maeryn started to protest but Thaddius was firm. “Such things are only discussed at the highest levels of authority and responsibility. You’re just going to have to trust me.” Rising to his feet, he brushed the sand from his clothes. “I will leave in the morning with the second group and will return as soon as possible.”

Maeryn watched him walk away and tossed the remainder of her soup into the sand. The weight of Thaddius’ words made her heart ache. She hadn’t really thought about it, but as his words sunk in, she realized that her expectations were inappropriate. She had wanted to go back to a life of true freedom, a life like she had with Adair. But it seemed that she had just traded one type of captivity for another.

* * * *

Leoran
, the capital of Orud’s southern region, was spectacular to behold. It was a city built on a lake that was miles across at its widest span. Ivory colored stone walls rose from the lake’s glassy surface, separated every hundred yards by towers flying Orud’s red flag. Kael’s horse raced across acres of open field, heading for one of two roads spanning the water that separated the mainland from the city walls. As with any city, people tended to gather on the outskirts.
Leoran
was no different, with various sizes of buildings and tents strewn about the landscape with no apparent logic to their locations. Through this maze of civilization, Kael directed his horse until he reached the stone paved road leading across Lake
Leoran
.

After miles of travel and weeks of hunting for small game to satisfy his appetite, Kael arrived at the gates to the city. Well-guarded by a contingent of Leoran soldiers, the gate kept non-citizens and other rabble from even stepping foot on the road across the lake.

“Halt!” cried the soldiers, thrusting the points of their lances forward at an angle.

Kael pulled on the reigns and stopped his horse.

“Identify yourself,” demanded the soldiers.

“I am a scout for Dacien Gallus, Captain of the Guard of
Bastul
.”

After a few minutes of careful inspection of his belongings, the guards allowed Kael to pass. The road was over a mile in length and perfectly straight. Kael kicked his steed and sped to a gallop. The air was surprisingly still, and for the first time in weeks, Kael looked around and marveled at the beauty of the landscape. The smooth water reflected the bright sunlight and the golden grasses of the surrounding fields. There was a time when Kael thought more about such things, but the urgency of the situation flooded his mind and he found himself racing for the city walls.

As he closed within a hundred yards of the city walls, a small group of men exited the shadow of the entrance. One man waved his hand and Kael instantly recognized Dacien. Seconds later, Kael dismounted and grasped the hand of his new friend. But the fact that Caius and the other soldier were not present made the situation awkward.

“Where are they?” Dacien asked, turning to lead Kael into the city.

“I found the confirmation that I needed, but we were attacked. Caius was badly injured and the other man didn’t make it. Caius and I made it half of the way here before he was overcome with sickness. I saw him through the worst of it, but I had to leave him in order to reach you in time.”

Dacien looked skeptical but momentarily set it aside for the more obvious issue. “We’ll send someone back for him. In the meantime, come inside and rest and tell me the reason for your urgency; I’ll assume you had a good reason to leave one of my men alone and injured.”

Dacien’s idea of rest wasn’t nearly as luxurious as it sounded. Kael was hoping for a pub, but was instead taken to Dacien’s temporary quarters and given a plate of cheese and some wine. After a few swallows, Kael could feel his muscles relax.

“Alright,” he breathed, exhaustion showing. “We followed the river inland for three days…” Kael said, and continued to recount the happenings of the last few weeks, from the ambush to Caius’ sickness.

“Where did you leave him?”

“Three weeks back, along the route you followed here. You will find him in a shaded valley next to a stream.” Kael reached into his travel bag and pulled out Caius’ cloak. “He also gave me this and said you wouldn’t believe me otherwise.”

The disappointment of Dacien and the others in the room was tangible. It was as if the air was stolen from their lungs at the same moment. Dacien hung his head and when he raised it again, his eyes were holding back tears.

In that moment, Kael understood the significance of the cloak. “He didn’t intend to make it here alive…did he?”

Dacien confirmed Kael’s questions with a shake of his head. After a minute of silence, he straightened his shoulders as if to set aside his grief for another time. When he spoke again, his voice was quiet and deep.

“You said there were hundreds of Syvaku moving on foot?”

“Yes. They were headed north, and based on what happened at
Bastul
, I believe they intend to attack
Leoran
.”

“They’ll need more than a few hundred to take this city,” argued another soldier. Kael didn’t recognize him and assumed he was a
Leoran
citizen.

Dacien looked back to Kael. “We have a few weeks at most. I will call a council with the General tonight and explain these things.”

Kael opened his mouth to speak, but Dacien held up his hand in protest. “I know, but your word won’t be trusted. I’ll tell him myself. Besides, with your hair and less-than-groomed manner of dress, you might be mistaken for a Syvak yourself!”

Kael scratched his beard. “I was meaning to ask you, where can I wash up?”

Kael was given an escort—or a guard as he saw it—to show him to a bath house. The baths were separated into two sections, one for the regular citizens and one for the military. The soldiers enjoyed many more comforts than the rest of the population, with servants waiting at full attention to tend to every need. After a quick swim, Kael moved to a small, fire-heated pool to relax his tired muscles. Almost instantly, his thoughts turned to Caius.

What courage. To face your death alone, without hesitation. And what was that look on Dacien’s face? Horror? Suspicion? I wonder what he thinks of me now! Just stay alive, Caius. You just need to make it until we send someone for you.

“Excuse me, Sir?”

Kael turned to the servant.

“Shave?” asked the man, showing Kael the razor.

Kael was about to send him away, but paused. “Please,” he accepted instead.

The night air was cool on Kael’s newly shaven face. Perhaps it was the bath, or his new look, which was sure to please Dacien. But for some reason, he felt good about where he was. Even though he had traveled for nearly a year to return to the city of his birth, only to find it demolished and his mother missing, he didn’t feel out of place. In fact, he felt like he belonged here.

He stopped walking and leaned over the stone wall. His guard stopped as well, always keeping a few paces of distance between them. Gazing out over the water, Kael smiled at the beauty of
Leoran
. Night had fallen and all along the banks of the lake, the firelight of numerous homes and businesses reflected off the water. He always felt the need to explore his surroundings and had spent the last few hours wandering the city with his silent companion. He was at once uplifted by the signs of life and saddened that these people were in danger.

There is always someone who seeks destruction!

Feeling a sudden sense of urgency, Kael headed back in the direction of Dacien’s living quarters in hopes that the General’s council had already met. He returned to an empty room, but didn’t have to wait long until Dacien returned.

“Well?”

Dacien slumped into a chair. “You look different.”

“So you approve?” Kael asked with a smile.

“Do you care?”

“Not really,” Kael admitted. “So what happened?”

“It was…strange.”

Kael raised his eyebrows. “Would you care to elaborate?”

“He wasn’t the least bit skeptical of your information.”

“Well that’s good news,” Kael replied, wondering what was the matter with his friend.

“He’s mustering an attack party to intercept the Syvaku, and he’s leading it. It was as if he was bored and wanted something to hunt. I cautioned him that this enemy is unpredictable, but his mind was already made up.”

“So when do we leave?” asked Kael.

“We don’t. The General wants to handle this matter with his own soldiers. He’s leaving at dawn.”

Kael felt a little relieved, but mostly offended at being excluded from this fight. “What did he say of
Bastul
?” he asked to change the topic.

Dacien straightened his posture. “We spoke of that before you arrived. He was sympathetic to the condition of the city. But he was also quick to point out that
Bastul
is one of the most remote cities in the Empire and not likely to receive much in the way of aid from
Orud
. It seems that we will have to rebuild slowly, using the resources available.”