The Warrior Race Trilogy BoxSet

by T. C. Edge

  "And, no one will want to see bodies or anything? It won't seem, I don't know, suspicious?"

  "Well, not if I say they got away, and with help from a certain inside man. Honestly, the only person likely to question me will be my mother, and she's got far more important things to concern herself with. Kira, don't worry yourself with the details. I promised I'd free them, and so I will. I just wish you'd go too..."

  "I can't, Dom."

  Dom smiled, nodded quickly, and said, "I know."

  81

  As the afternoon began working towards evening, Merk sat on his bed in his room, trying to halt the heavy beating of his heart. He'd heard, down the grapevine, that the day had held great drama. There had been an assassination attempt on the Empress. And Rufus had been the perpetrator.

  He could hardly believe it when he heard what had happened, yet couldn't rightly deny it made sense too. He was quite sure that Rufus and Master Domitian will have spoken of such things, and it was only a matter of time before an attempt was made.

  But still, to do so in such a public arena, with Ares there by Vesper's side?

  It seemed quite a long shot from Merk's admittedly basic knowledge of such things, and not a particularly smart way of staging an assassination. Merk, of course, didn't know Rufus particularly well, having only met him recently when he came to stay here, but his initial impression of the man was not one who'd do something so brazen and reckless. And now, worst of all, the Empress would surely be smarting and seeking revenge on Dom.

  Merk didn't like it at all, and had barely left his room that day given all that was happening outside. He would, soon enough, see how Master Domitian was doing, but as yet had chosen to give him space given his recent loss. Dom was very close with Rufus, Merk had come to see, and would no doubt be mourning at a time like this.

  Of course, there was another reason why Merk was avoiding Dom. Though he wasn't entirely sure of it, he suspected that his and Kira's escape attempt had been rumbled the previous night. As soon as her execution was officially set, Merk had assumed that she'd be rushing to his room and saying that they had to go that very night. That they'd need to forget about Gwyn and Finn and go alone, just as Merk had rather hoped for and expected.

  Yet, she never came, and when Merk attempted to seek her out, he found her door locked and no voice within. Then he heard from Silia that Dom had visited with her, telling her of the following day's execution, and Rufus' part in it. The old man put two and two together, and assumed that either Kira had given in and accepted her fate or, more likely, either Dom or Rufus had found out what she was planning and had subsequently locked her away.

  No one had, however, come for Merk, and thus he'd spent that day hidden away and wondering just how to behave when next seeing Master Domitian. Then he'd heard of all the drama, and had continued to stay locked away. It was, after all, the natural default setting of a worm like Merk to bury his head in the dirt, and go blind to everything around him. His rare flashes of something imitating courage were nothing but lies. This was the true man, hiding in his room, too frightened to face up to the truth.

  He was pathetic, and he knew it. And sitting there, he felt ashamed.

  In the end, it wasn't required of Merk to draw up the courage to approach his master of his own accord. The door knocked, and Merk's weak voice called for it to open. And right there ahead of him Dom came, with Kira by his side.

  Merk quickly stiffened on his bed, a swell of awkwardness taking possession of his body and causing all sorts of unnatural twitching to go on. Clearly, Merk was about to get the shellacking he deserved. And with Rufus having only just passed in such horrible circumstances, Dom's frame of mind might well have him looking for someone to punish.

  So, Merk dipped his head in submission as Dom walked in, his lips attempting to mumble out some sort of condolence, a few words of sympathy, for his master's terrible loss. And somewhere in there was an apology too, mingled in with all the mumbled words.

  It appeared, however, that Dom wasn't quite catching what he was saying. The frown on his face, when Merk finally looked up at him, was enough to inform the old man of that. Kira, too, was having some trouble understanding him. Given how her sense of hearing was so heavily enhanced, that was quite indicting.

  Eventually, Dom held up his hand, and Merk's mumbled monologue ended, finishing with a rather pathetic whimper as it trailed off.

  "Merk, would you please just quieten down for a moment. I honestly cannot hear a word you're saying."

  "Ye...yes...Mas...Master...."

  "Merk, hush now, OK. What on earth has gotten into you?"

  Merk held his gaze up a little longer, and allowed the tone of his master's voice to flush through his mind. It didn't sound annoyed or angry or upset. Nor did he look it, come to think of it.

  "I'm...sorry," he managed, his voice clearing a little. "I just, um, I thought..."

  "You thought I'd come here to chastise you for planning an escape?" asked Dom. "That I'd possibly punish you for the betrayal? Is that what you thought, Merk?"

  Merk nodded. Although really, it was more a shivering of his neck. His eyes dipped low once more.

  "Well, I don't blame you for thinking that, Merk. However, my next statement will probably come as some surprise. I am, in fact, going to be letting you loose."

  Merk's shivering stopped.

  "Setting me loose?" he whispered, arching his greying eyes back up.

  "Yes indeed, Merk. I've always told you I wanted you to be safe and free from my mother's torturing. You've done your bit now, and aren't needed here. This, um, plot to help Kira and the others free...I don't blame you for that in the slightest, old friend. As Kira tells me, you were honour-bound to aid her after she saved your life. It must have been a very tricky decision for you. I commend your courage in choosing the right path."

  Merk was having trouble holding back the tears. He felt ashamed, despite his master's kind words. Or, perhaps, because of them.

  Dom stepped towards him and sat down upon the bed. His kindly disposition was warming the room and drawing Merk back out of his shell.

  "Now, Merk, here's what's going to happen. You're going to get yourself up and out of this room, and head down to the dungeons to fetch Gwyn and Finn. Tell the guards I wish to see them, as you'd originally planned to." Dom's lips split into a smile. Merk nodded awkwardly. "Oh yes, Merk, that plan would have worked, I'm sure. Now, bring them to the main sitting room, and we'll sort all of this mess out. This will be your last night in Neorome, for the time being at least."

  "You're...releasing Gwyn and Finn from the cells?" Merk queried.

  "I am. It was a promise I must keep."

  "And Kira?" said Merk, looking to her across the room.

  Kira shook her head.

  "Not her, no," said Dom. "She's to stay here for now. She has a part to play yet in all of this."

  "I'll play a part too, sir, if you wish. I feel terrible for betraying your trust, my Prince. I will do anything to make it up to you."

  "I'm sure of it, Merk. And I can see that you're contrite, but needlessly so. You will make it up to me by escorting Gwyn and Finn through the passage beneath this villa to safety. You will remain in the safe house for the time being. It is secret, and well concealed over towards the western side of the city, with easy access into the hills beyond."

  "If that's what you wish," whispered Merk.

  "I do. With any luck, you'll be able to return here once everything is over."

  Merk remained shrouded in a covering of doubt and guilt, quite unable to see, at this time, the fortune of his predicament. He looked at Kira and saw the conviction of a girl who had accepted her fate. And here he was, an old man with so few years left on the clock, clawing desperately to preserve the rather aimless life he still had.

  With a word from Dom to complete his task, he moved from the bed and left the room, the others following behind and disappearing off towards the sitting room. He crafted a path out of the vill
a, passing guards at the threshold and out in the yard, and moving into the cells where he found the gladiators hidden down their alcoves.

  "I'm here to fetch Gwyn and Finn for Master Domitian," he told the soldiers on duty with utter assurance.

  They didn't query him for a second. So much for Merk's concerns that they'd see straight through him.

  He entered into the dungeon and spoke loudly for the two gladiators to come forth. Two figures emerged from the shadows, lightly draped in cream tunics and simple brown belts. They came from different passages, joining Merk in the middle.

  "I'm to escort you to see Master Domitian," he told them.

  They looked at each other, but didn't speak. Merk could see the first embers of a smile lifting upon Gwyn's lips, though she managed to suppress the urge to fully unleash the expression.

  He led them swiftly up the stairs and through the yard once more. It was positively busy with soldiers, the gate at the front more heavily watched than ever, the galleries above equally so. It might, perhaps, appear suspicious that Dom had arranged this bolstered defence, as if he expected some attack to be forthcoming. It spoke of some complicity in the assassination attempt, though times being what they were, it was likely that all the wealthy residents of the city were doing just the same.

  There seemed to be a fine line between being prepared and showing culpability.

  As they entered into the villa, and began moving up towards the first floor, Gwyn's lips finally broke open, whispering out a few rushed words.

  "Is this it?" she asked. "Is this the way out?"

  Merk shook his head.

  "Not yet. Just wait and see," he said.

  They continued on and up, Merk now ignoring the query of where Kira was. He was sure that the two gladiators would have heard about her fortuitous escape from the arena that afternoon, as well as all the horror that came with it.

  His answer wasn't required, however, as they ventured down the passage and entered into the main sitting room. Immediately, Merk saw Kira lift to her feet from Dom's side and hurry towards Gwyn, hugging her tight before moving onto the towheaded boy.

  The old man moved over and sat nearby to his master as the three reunited, a few whispered words exchanged. Then, after the brief flurry, they turned towards Dom, who addressed them with the candour the situation required.

  "Sit down, all of you," he said.

  They did so, Kira retaking her position beside him, the others sitting opposite. Despite the wondrous banquet set out before them, they were unable to remove their eyes from Dom.

  "Now, all of you here were intending on escaping," Dom went on. Gwyn drew back and threw her eyes to the floor. Finn sat still, and barely reacted. "Fear not, Gwyn. I'm here to help you in that very task."

  Gwyn's eyes lifted like those of a beaten hound.

  "You...are?" she whispered.

  "I am. I have made a vow to Kira here to let you loose from this place. You two will accompany Merk through the escape route beneath the villa. It will lead to a safe house, where you will stay on a temporary basis. When the time comes, you will be escorted towards the coast and returned home. I will see to those arrangements personally."

  "And Kira?" It was Finn, looking upon the flame-haired girl. "She's not coming, is she?"

  Dom shook his head.

  "I wish it were so. But no, she isn't."

  "Why not?!" Gwyn's voice hurried out. "Why us and not her?!"

  "Because..." started Dom.

  Kira's hand found itself reaching to his arm. The touch put an end to his words.

  "Because," she said, taking up the floor, "I made a promise to Rufus today that I would. It's a promise I intend to keep, whatever happens. And beyond that, it's me the Empress wants. If I left, it would cause too many problems here. I'm bound to this place, good or bad. But you can be free of it."

  "But I don't understand. I thought you wanted to go home. More than anything."

  "I do, Gwyn," nodded Kira. "But I'm a soldier, and soldiers don't get to choose their fate. Perhaps Neorome is where mine was always set to unravel."

  "No, that's dumb," said Gwyn. "Just come too. We can all go home."

  Kira shook her head.

  "Fine, then I'm staying too."

  "Gwyn, don't be stupid. If you stay, you die. There's no doubt in that."

  "Yeah, I could say the same to you. I'd be dead without you for sure. I owe you my life."

  "Yes, you do," said Kira firmly. "You owe it to me to complete any task I assign you. You are honour-bound to do so, do you agree?"

  Gwyn reluctantly dropped her head. Kira smiled and spoke again.

  "Good. Then you know what I want of you. You will go with Merk and Finn down the passage, as Dom said. You'll do it because I'm telling you to do it. It's what we planned, Gwyn. Be happy that you'll get to see your mother again."

  Gwyn stayed silent. As did all the others. Merk watched from his perch, eager for the exchange to end. There was a full cup of wine ahead of him. It looked so very appealing.

  Taking advantage of the short silence, Dom's voice then drew back into the room.

  "This isn't up for debate," he said. "The three of you will go this evening, and will do so in secret. I will give you a map to ensure you know the way, though in truth it is a simple path. Now please, take up the cups of wine before you, and drink to this toast."

  Five hands now reached forward and gripped five goblets. They were lifted to five sets of lips, some more speedily than others. Gwyn was hesitant. Finn appeared intrigued, as if he'd never drunk such a beverage before. All five took short sips, and then Dom spoke once more.

  "Now we drink to the memory of Rufus," he said solemnly. He lifted his eyes, and spoke as if addressing his friend alone. "I will mourn you in time, my dear friend, when I have avenged your death. Keep watch for me up there. I may be seeing you soon."

  His eyes lowered again, and leading the rest, he sipped.

  All followed, and the silence resumed.

  82

  That evening, when the hour was late and the ground floor of the villa quiet, Merk, Gwyn, and Finn slipped away into the darkness of the secret passage, leaving the villa behind. Kira watched them go, standing in that small storeroom at the rear of the residence, feeling perhaps more emotional than she'd have wished having just said goodbye to her friends.

  She had affection for all three, and the smile on her face was evidence of that. She was happy they were going to be safe, but sad, too, that she wasn't going with them. Her sense of honour required her to stay.

  It was likely to get her killed.

  She'd accepted that by now, however. Her promise to Rufus was to do all she could to keep Dom safe, and that would be some task. As Dom had said, she was a gladiator after all. She was bound to that arena, and would no doubt step upon the sand once more. And now, without Rufus to guide her, and the Empress more wild than ever, her chances of surviving out there were as short as Vesper's temper.

  But protecting Dom went beyond that, she knew. It was being here too, helping him in whatever way she could. And yes, if he were to set her free in the city, let her do what she was trained for, she'd happily oblige. Her unique power set made her an asset to Dom that would be of great use if properly deployed. And whatever manner in which he wished to utilise her, she would see it done.

  The departing of Kira's allies hadn't come without tears, though all belonged to Gwyn.

  "Say 'hi' to your mother for me," Kira had said. "I told you you'd be able to tell her about everything yourself, didn't I?"

  Kira had smiled, and Gwyn burst into tears. Though unaware of the context, a shine glinted from Merk's eyes too.

  Moving to Finn, Kira found him resolute in maintaining a balanced countenance.

  "Your village is lucky to have you, Finn. Protect them well. And...say hi to Dana for me."

  Finn frowned. His lips quivered.

  "Dana. How do you know that name?"

  "You used to mumble it in your sleep, back
on the boat. I assumed it was someone important to you. I just...never got around to asking."

  She was asking now. Finn's eyes swam, and the cracks appeared in his facade.

  "I hope she's safe," he whispered, looking to his feet.

  "Who is she? Your mother? Sister?"

  Finn shook his head.

  "Daughter," he whispered.

  The news took Kira by surprise.

  "You have a daughter?!"

  He nodded, caught between a smile as he thought of her, and look of grief at the thought of what may have happened during his absence.

  "I do. A baby girl. Her mother...she died in childbirth. I don't have much, but Dana's all I'll ever need."

  Kira was breathless as she listened. She had no idea, no idea at all, that Finn was a caregiver. That his responsibility was far beyond protecting his village, but looking after his infant child.

  "Then go," she'd said, hugging him. "Go back to her, Finn."

  They'd parted with those words, Kira and Merk doing nothing but nodding to each other as the old man led the way into the tunnel. And then Kira had seen Dom, and the show of utter shame in his eyes was palpable, and the beating of his heart, a sullen, heavy thud, so clear to her ears.

  "I stole a boy from a daughter," he whispered, shaking his head. "I never knew. I never saw that in his mind. I guess I wasn't looking for it."

  "You stole him, yes. But now you're giving him back, Dom. You're making it right. Don't fall into self-rebuke, not now. You have too much to think about without losing yourself to guilt and remorse."

  "You're right," he said, though with a lacking conviction. And Kira saw in him a gentle soul, far from the swaggering, arrogant man she'd first taken him to be. A man lost in his own world, a stranger in his own city. Locked tight in a life he knew was so cruel.