When they arrived back at the cottage, Naem and Yewin were waiting for them. Naem was standing, Jak was glad to see, though he still had a slight limp as he walked out to greet them.
“Is it true?” he asked. “How many?”
Jak nodded, “I’d say about four-thousand.”
Naem grimaced. “That’s about twenty to one, more than enough to take over the small garrison here at Foothold. They only attack small bands of demons to protect merchants traveling from here to Tradehall. Until now, there hasn’t been a reason for any stronger army.”
“Well, there is now. But what can we do? I suppose you and I could try to talk to them. When they see that the Bright Fae have left us alive, perhaps they’ll realize that they are harmless and will accept our help.”
Naem shook his head. “I don’t think that will be possible.”
“Why not?”
“Because,” Naem rubbed the back of his head with one hand. “While you were gone, Kuldain arrived with the band. They’re in the stronghold now.”
20
Jak, Naem, and the others spent the next day planning what they were going to do next. Yewin made it clear that he was not about to try the truth connection with Jak again. Doing so had nearly cost him his life, and Yewin’s own intuition for truth told him that if he tried again, it would kill him. Perhaps that’s just the way it worked. So they were left on their own to figure out their next steps.
For Jak, there was only one objective, get into the stronghold and rescue her mother. Nothing else mattered. She had quickly shot down Naem’s suggestion that they just leave and try to find help. They had no idea if help was available anywhere nearby, and she certainly wasn’t going to abandon the Shadow Fae, or the Bright Fae for that matter, to Kuldain’s devices or to the demon army.
So the plan quickly turned to, how could they get inside Foothold, sneak past the Watchers, and rescue the Shadow Fae without being seen.
“Well, I’ve only been to Foothold once, but if I recall, there’s one area where we could get in and out of the moat on our own,” Naem said. “But I still have no idea how to get into the stronghold once we get into the moat. We can’t scale the wall, we can’t jump over it, and we can’t go through it.”
“So basically, you can get us to the wall, but no further?” Jak clarified.
“Yes, so it really does us no good at all.”
“I don’t know, we just need to take this one step at a time.” Jak ran a hand over her mouth. Turning to the Fae, she asked, “I don’t suppose your people have any abilities that could help?”
Yewin, who was sitting in his corner like he had for the past few days answered, “I’m afraid not. Our powers are limited, we have no aggressive abilities. Nothing that would help you break into Foothold.”
“What about a distraction? They seem to fear you, maybe you could keep them occupied while we sneak in?”
Yewin glanced at the others with uncertainty. “I’m afraid, we can’t do that either.”
“Why not?”
“Our encounter with your Colonel Kuldain still haunts us. He and the other Watchers beyond the wall will surely kill us if we get too close. More likely they will hunt us down one by one. I’m sorry, but while Kuldain is here, we need to stay hidden.”
“But the other Watchers have almost certainly told Kuldain about you. He knows you’re near.”
“All the more reason not to present him with any added knowledge of our whereabouts. They don’t know where we are, so we won’t give him any reason to find out.”
Jak pulled on her strand of red hair. The Fae could have been an effective distraction, and now they had to figure out a better way of sneaking around the Watchers once they got inside, not to mention entering in the first place.
Naem was thinking the same thing, “One problem at a time. We still have to get into the stronghold before we can worry about a distraction.”
Jak tapped her mouth with one finger. “What if we could go through the wall?” she said eventually.
Naem glanced at her, “I don’t follow.”
“Well, with my Gifter brand I’ve managed to make rocks explode by using the Flamedancer brand on them.”
Naem nodded. “The same way you burned the ropes that bound your hands. Of course!” But his face fell as soon as the words were out of his mouth. “But that would wake up everyone from here to Tradehall. Anyone inside would come running.”
“But if we were down at the base of the fortress, in the moat itself, wouldn’t that be far enough away from most people? What’s on the other side of the wall in that area anyway?”
“A wine cellar I think,” Naem said. “It could work, but punching a hole in the wall, no matter where we do it, is going to be loud. We can’t count on nobody hearing it.”
“It sounds like our best bet at this point.”
Naem nodded in spite of himself. “I agree, I can think of no other way to get in. Are you sure you can still do it? You branded me correctly.” He lifted his arm. “Who’s to say you might actually get the Flamedancer brand right?”
Jak hadn’t thought of that. But surely if she could do it right, she could still do it wrong, right?
“Why don’t we give it a test?” She rose to go outside. Naem followed her. Once in the open air, Jak bent to pick up a pebble. Frowning in concentration, she willed the Flamedancer brand to appear on the pebble and thought of a truth to activate her gift, I’m still not too good at this. The brand in her left hand turned white as the Flamedancer brand settled into the pebble. She quickly threw it as far as she could. It exploded in mid-air. Jak grimaced. No matter how useful this defective brand was, she always felt disappointed that she couldn’t get it right. A part of her had been hoping that she could do it after what she did to Naem. But without the aid of the Bright Fae, it looked like she still couldn’t successfully place a brand. Just what was she getting wrong about the brand anyway?
“Well there you go,” she said. “It still works. Or doesn’t, I mean.”
“Well, that looks like the best plan we have. I say we do it.” Naem actually looked excited. His leg had almost fully healed, fast even for someone with a Healing brand. Perhaps it was the combination of Healing plus Toughness that made him stronger, faster. No one had ever had more than one brand, so there was no data on whether the two could somehow compound healing.
Jak shook herself out of her thoughts and nodded. “Alright, we’ll do it. Let’s get everything we need.”
They spent the next few hours gathering all the supplies they thought they would need. They each dressed in their leather armor and gathered some farm tools to be used as weapons. That was all they had at the moment, since Jak and Naem had left the rest of their armor and weapons with Kuldain’s band. The Bright Fae made them food, and they filled up before leaving. They were going to need the energy.
Then, once dusk began to spread, they set out. Even if their entrance woke everyone from here to Tradehall, at least they could do it in darkness.
As they walked back to Foothold, Naem spoke, “I haven’t really had a chance to thank you for everything. Not just the brands, but everything. Getting me down the mountain, and actually building a boat to get us to Foothold. That was amazing.”
“It was nothing,” Jak answered. She was keeping her gaze fixed ahead of her. Something about high praise seemed to bother her, though she couldn’t understand why.
“It was definitely something.” Naem went on. “I’ve thought it through, and no matter how I look at it, I’m pretty sure I would have died without you. Kuldain wasn’t going to help. And if I had escaped on my own, there’s no way I could have made it past the snow. You got me through all that.”
Jak felt his hand grab hers as they walked. A gesture of gratitude, or maybe something more. “You’re welcome,” she finally said. She wanted to say ‘you...helped me out too, when I needed it most. You gave me something to focus on while I was dealing with the loss of my father. You supported me as my mother
was taken away from me too. All of that, and I couldn’t just let you die. I would have done anything to keep that from happening.’ But she said none of it, and instead just let the moment stretch.
She felt him squeeze her hand, but he finally let go, his fingers lingering on hers. Jak could feel the slight disappointment as his hand left, but they were nearly at the stronghold. She had other things to think about.
When they finally arrived, Naem took her away from the front entrance to Foothold, along the right side until they arrived at an area where the land sloped into the moat. Strapping their things along their back, they proceeded to wade into the water until they couldn’t feel the ground beneath their feet.
It was colder than Jak expected, probably because it came from the mountain river. Her legs prickled with the cold. Soon enough, they were at the wall, close enough to touch the stones that made up its rocky edifice.
Treading water, they paused to listen, trying to hear anything that would indicate someone nearby, either on the roof or through the wall itself. They could hear nothing.
“Okay, here goes nothing,” Jak said, taking a deep breath. Naem retreated a safe distance away as Jak laid her fingers against one of the larger stones above the water line. She hoped the whole wall didn’t come crumbling down once she did this.
Then, she activated her brand.
Black lines resembling a Flamedancer brand settled into the stone. As soon as her magic faded, the stone itself began to glow, and Jak could hear the faint whining noise she had heard earlier when trying to shape the oak canoe.
Jak dashed out of the way, throwing herself into the water and swimming for all she was worth. The water slowed her progress. Could she get out of the way in time?
She heard a muffled boom as the stone exploded behind her, and almost screamed as small pebbles and debris fell on and around her. But a few seconds later it was over. A large gaping hole stood in the side of the wall. Not large, but big enough for the two of them to squeeze through.
Naem was already at the opening, doing his best to climb in. “We have to move fast,” he whispered. “Someone probably heard that.”
Jak quickly followed. Being the smaller of the two, she had an easier time squeezing through the hole, but it was still a tight fit, especially given the width of the wall, which made the hole narrower the further they went in. But with some helpful pushes and pulls, she and Naem managed to find themselves on the other side of the wall.
There was virtually no light to see by, but as she felt around she realized that Naem had been right about a wine cellar. There were large barrels lining the walls.
“Okay, I think I know where we are,” said Naem out of the darkness. “Just follow me.”
Easier said than done when the only light they had was the faint moonlight coming through the crack they had opened. But Jak put her arms forward to feel ahead of her and followed Naem’s voice.
Both of them froze as they heard the thud of footsteps above them.
The sound grew closer and Jak’s heart nearly stopped as she heard the creak of hinges and saw the flickering light of a lit torch.
The light was just bright enough that she could see where they were. Long walls of wine barrels divided the room, and she quickly dodged behind one of them. She could see Naem, a little ahead of her, do the same.
“How did you not hear that?” a voice came from the direction of the light. “I swear it practically shook the building.”
“You’re paranoid, Hal,” came a lower, gruffer voice. “All them demons outside have you spooked.”
Two figures entered the cellar. One, Hal, held the torch and stared around suspiciously once he arrived on the cellar floor. The other followed, wearing a bored expression.
“Broken brands!” exclaimed Hal. “I told you there was something wrong!” He had found the opening.
“I...I don’t. Who do you reckon did that?”
“I don’t know, but we need to tell the Watchers about this.”
Jak felt ice in her stomach. If Kuldain found out about this, they were finished. He’d scour the place until they were found.
“Hey,” said the second man. “You don’t suppose whoever did that is still around?”
That brought Jak back to reality. The two men stood in silence for a time, looking around nervously.
“I’m getting out of here,” said Hal. He made a move for the open door. The second man followed. But before the two of them could cross the distance, Naem was there. He brandished the butt of a pitchfork they had brought with them, which connected with Hal’s head before he could utter a word.
“What the…” said the second man, before he too received a blow to the head. Jak silently thanked the Holy Relics for giving Naem the brand of Grace, which had allowed him to incapacitate the two men with speed and fluidity.
The torch now lay on the floor next to the two men. Naem bent to pick it up.
“Let’s make sure these two stay put,” he said.
Jak nodded, searching in her pack for some rope they had brought with them. They hadn’t known if they would need it, but she was glad they did.
After tying the two together, they tiptoed outside the door. No one was around, so they continued until they found the exit to the building. Naem peeked outside, then waved Jak forward, indicating the coast was clear.
Outside, they could make out the general layout of the stronghold. The large tower loomed to their left, still a fair distance away. They stood among one of several oblong buildings, most of which were probably barracks for the Watchers or anyone else staying the night. Jak could see people going to and fro between the buildings. With all the local farmers from outside the wall, now inside, Foothold was probably crowded.
“Come,” said Naem. “Chances are the Shadow Fae are holed up in the tower.”
“What about all the people?” Jak asked, indicating the nearest street where several persons were walking one way or the other.
“I think we should be fine in the dark. They’ll just take us for other Watchers. We only have to worry about it if one of our own band recognizes us, and they’d have to get a good look to do so.”
That made sense, so Jak followed Naem into the street, trying to look like they belonged.
They saw the occasional Watcher, but no one spared them a second glance. Within a few minutes, they had closed most of the distance between them and the tower. Jak felt her hope lag as they approached. The tower was surrounded by Watchers, and the walls held multiple torches, as did several of the guards. At the base of the tower, there was a well-lit room. Jak could make out two or three people inside, talking. Was Kuldain in there? Or Skellig? She thought she could make out the Colonel’s tall form, but it was impossible to tell.
“We’re going to need a distraction,” Naem said, one hand on his chin. “There’s no way we’ll get in there without someone seeing us.”
Jak agreed, “I suppose I could make some rocks explode.”
Naem thought about it, but shook his head. “No, you wouldn’t be able to get away in time. Someone would see you throwing them, and Kuldain would probably be on you in a second.”
“Do we have much choice?” she asked.
“Just let me think,” Naem responded.
“Jak?”
The two of them whirled to see who had spoken behind them, Jak’s heart catching in her throat. A dark figure stood there, but it only took a moment for Jak to recognize the form.
“Marek?” she asked, inching forward.
“It is you?” the voice said, and Marek moved closer. It was him! “What are you two doing here? Kuldain was furious when you left, he’ll skin you alive if he finds out you’re here. He even ordered a complete search of the fortress when we first arrived. Just in case you had gotten in somehow.”
“We tried, but they wouldn’t let us in. It’s a long story.” Jak said. “We’re here to rescue the Fae.”
Marek frowned. “Why? Aren’t they dangerous?”
“Not unless provoked.”
“Well then I think they might be dangerous.” Marek said.
“Look, we just want to get them out,” Naem added. “We promise we won’t let them harm anyone.”
Marek looked from Naem to Jak. “Is that true?” he asked her. “Can you promise they won’t hurt anyone?”
Jak nodded. “I’m sure they’re as eager to get away without a fight as we are.” She wasn’t so sure that her mother wouldn’t attack Kuldain if given a chance, but she was sure her mother wasn’t a murderer. She wouldn’t kill the other Watchers out of spite.
Marek nodded, “Well the Fae are being held in the basement of the tower. That’s where the holding cells are. But you’ll have a hard time getting in there. Kuldain has the place well guarded.”
“Is there anything you could do to distract them or lead them away?”
“They have orders not to leave their posts, even under the most serious of circumstances.”
“Isn’t there anything you can do?”
Marek sighed, and muttered, “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” under his breath. Looking Jak in the eye, he added. “You know I’m only helping you because you’re my closest friend, right? You understand the danger this puts me in.”
Jak did understand, and she hated herself for it. “I’m sorry, Marek. We can find another way.”
“No, it’s alright. I just wanted to make sure you understand how serious this is. It so happens, I’m on my way to relieve the guard at the door. There are other guards inside, but perhaps, between the three of us, we might be able to take them down silently. How’s your stealth?”
Naem looked at him like he was slow, “I have Grace,” he said, as though that explained everything. And indeed it did. Grace always aided stealth.
Marek nodded. “Okay, once I’m in position, I’ll let you inside. Try not to be seen by anyone else. Kuldain’s in that tower.”
Naem nodded. “How many are guarding the holding cells?”
“Usually about four or five. And they all have powerful brands.”
Out of Shadow: An Epic YA Fantasy Adventure (Roots of Creation Book 1) Page 17