by T. Norman
“Good bye, Amalia,” Tyrell said as he pushed her back and over the edge.
As Amalia’s legs hit the stone wall, she was released from Tyrell's power. She quickly reached out and grabbed the edge of the wall. Tyrell stood and watched her struggle to climb up, smiling as he turned around and marched back through the wooden door.
Amalia heard the lock turn as she was left clinging to life. Her grip began to give way. She gave one last tug, trying to pull herself over the ledge. Amalia’s arms went limp, and tears started streaming down her face. She tried to swallow her fears. She started to laugh as she realized that this was a blessing; she was being freed from her abusive husband and would be able to join the man she loved.
I’m coming, Zaren. I will be with you soon.
Amalia closed her eyes and relaxed. She was ready. As she released her grip to let herself fall, her body shook from a jolt. Amalia opened her eyes and looked up.
She was shocked to see the young Prince Stowen reaching over the ledge to grab her forearm. “You looked like you could use a hand,” Dirk said, giving her a warm smile as he hauled her back over the ledge.
50
The scene unfolding before Rysh was utter chaos. The crowd was fleeing, guards were attacking armed spectators, and amongst all of it, Gant and Mic were attacking Vas. The chariots in the ring quickly rushed out of the fighting pits, going to Vas’s aid. Rysh surveyed the scene, trying to figure out what to do next.
“We need to move!” Grenn yelled into Rysh’s ear. Rysh rose from the ground, scrambling to find his sword. Grenn was on his feet as well, hammer in his hand, ready to fight.
Carn was still kneeling on top of Dallan, and Rysh was surprised he hadn’t killed him yet.
Rysh and Grenn ran over to their friend to lend a hand. “We need to get out of here. Now’s our chance, while everyone is distracted,” Rysh pleaded. The man stared at the boy beneath him.
“What are you waiting for?” Grenn asked impatiently. He, like Rysh, was in a hurry to get as far away from the fighting pits as possible.
Carn kept staring at the youthful face beneath him. Dallan’s eyes slowly opened as he woke from being knocked unconscious. “I’m giving you this one offer,” Carn said as soon as it looked the boy recognized his surroundings. “I’ll let you live, but in return, I want you to pledge me your service.”
Dallan smiled and started to laugh, “You expect me to fight for an old man like you?”
Carn’s fist flew through the air, connecting with Dallan’s cheek in a blur of movement. “Remember, I beat you and I can easily kill you, but I’m choosing not to. You’re a skilled fighter, and I would hate to see those skills go to waste.”
Dallan turned his head to spit the blood out of his mouth from his split lip. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
Carn rose, offering his hand to help the boy to his feet. Rysh kept his sword raised, noticing Grenn followed suit.
“So, what do you suggest?” Dallan picked up his staff, leaning his weight on it.
Rysh searched the fighting pit. The door back to the prison was closed and locked tight.
“There.” Carn pointed to the guard’s gate, which Dallan and the chariots came from. “Think you can show us how to get out from there?”
Dallan smiled wickedly. “That’s bold, but yes, I can. Come on, let’s go!” The four men raced through the gate.
The scene in the hall was madness. Soldiers were fighting armed spectators down here, too. Rysh and the others tried to stay out of sight.
“This way will lead us out. Let’s go.” Dallan led them to a small tunnel leading away from the pits. Rysh could see light shining from the end of the tunnel.
Rysh hesitated as the others began to make their way down the passage. “We can’t go yet. Gant and Mic are up there with Vas’s men. We need to rescue them.”
Carn gave Rysh a stern look. After a few moments, he nodded. “You’re right. Our friends set this in motion, and there are bound to be others that need our help in here, as well. We need to find them.” He turned to Dallan, who was shaking his head in disbelief.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” He pointed down the passageway. “The exit is right there and you want to go into the thick of this?” Dallan turned to Rysh, giving him a smile. “You, my friend, have a death wish.”
Carn turned to Grenn, resting his hand on the man’s shoulder. “I don’t expect you to follow us,” he said. “You can go if you want.”
Grenn held his head high. “Both of you saved my life, more than once,” he said, looking from Carn to Rysh and back. “The least I can do is help you find your friends.”
Dallan turned his head as he heard a noise coming from the main hallway, “We’re wasting time.” He started down a second path and said, “This will lead us to the stands.”
The four men followed a winding hallway, eventually leading into the stands. Rysh’s jaw dropped at the sight. Bodies were scattered throughout the stands while soldiers continued to slaughter spectators left and right. Rysh scanned the stadium looking for Vas’s tent.
His eyes found it on his right, a quarter of the way across the stadium. Mic, Don, and a couple other men Rysh didn’t recognize were fighting Vas’s soldiers. Vas and Gant were nowhere to be seen. “There they are, let’s go!” Rysh ran quickly toward his friends.
It took them no time at all to join the fight and also for it to end. Rysh lunged forward, knocking down two guards in one blow. Grenn swung wildly, taking out three more soldiers from behind. Dallan’s staff took down three more, and Carn took out one with his sword as he struggled to stay on his feet.
Mic turned, axe raised above his head. Rysh saw him let out a sigh of relief as he saw his friend. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you,” he said as the two men embraced forearms.
“Introductions can wait. Who else is here?” Carn was scanning the stands.
“When we attacked, Vas ran, and he took Julia with him. Gant chased after them with Henrik, Eliana, and Lady Dekhart.” Rysh didn’t recognize some of the names, but all that mattered was that Gant and Julia were still in there.
“Dallan, do you know where they could’ve gone?” Carn turned to the boy, who nodded quickly.
“I know exactly where he went. Follow me.” He ran down the passageway at the backside of the tent, Carn and Grenn quick on his heels.
Rysh turned to Mic, Don, and the others. “Are you coming?”
A large man with dark skin, who Rysh didn’t recognize, spoke up. “You two go ahead, we’ll help the others.”
Dallan led them down the tunnel, taking turn after turn without hesitation. Eventually, the tunnel opened up to a large dining area. Henrik and Gant, along with two women, were engaged in combat with nearly two-dozen soldiers.
Rysh and the others flew into action. Rysh immediately went to Gant’s aid, taking down the soldier he was grappling with. Grenn and Carn helped Henrik fend off half a dozen men. Mic and Don went to help the older woman fight off two more men.
Dallan rushed across the room to the woman Rysh didn’t know. In a wild fury, he took down over a half-dozen men to get to her aid. A soldier had her pinned to the ground, trying to press a dagger into her stomach. Dallan’s staff crushed the man’s skull, sending him flying off the woman’s body.
“Dad!” The fighting done, Gant ran to his father, giving him a warm embrace. Rysh dropped his sword and picked up his son in the embrace, tears streaming from his face.
“Are you okay? What are you doing here? Where’s Julia?”
Gant stepped back and smiled. “I thought I asked a lot of questions. We’ll give you details once we have Julia and are out of here.” Gant pointed toward the large door at the end of the room. “He’s in there with Julia and some other servants, along with more soldiers.”
“Mom.” Rysh turned to see Dallan standing in front of the woman he had saved. She began to weep as she hugged the boy. He stood there, arms at his side, a look of confusion on his face. “What are
you doing here?”
The women stepped back, releasing her embrace. “These men needed my help rescuing their friends, and in return they promised to help me get you and Meeko out of here. I’m just glad you’re alive.”
Henrik stepped toward the woman, resting his hand on her back. “El, we need to get going. Julia and Meeko are both in there with that man.”
Mic walked toward the door, axe in hand. He took a few overhead swings, splintering the door into pieces.
They rushed through to find a small room full of guards. Rysh noticed a door in the back was closed, as well. That had to be where Vas was hiding. They all moved with certain rhythm, defeating soldier after soldier.
Rysh rushed to the last door, throwing it open. He saw a body on the ground and began to panic.
“Rysh,” Julia stepped out from behind the door, bloody dagger in hand. She ran up to Rysh, giving him a warm hug. She began weeping uncontrollably as the dagger fell from her hands. Rysh recognized Vas’s limp body on the ground.
An older woman and a young boy stepped out from hiding, as well. Eliana ran into the room, sweeping the boy up into her arms. “Meeko, thank the Creator you’re all right!”
Rysh helped Julia from the room. She left his arms when she saw Gant, running to greet and embrace him. After their embrace, she went and thanked all the others in the room. Dallan joined Eliana and the boy named Meeko.
The older woman, who Rysh didn’t recognize, stepped forward; a sword in her hand and wearing bloodstained clothes. “I must admit, I love the reunions, but we still need to get out of here.”
Carn and Grenn led the way out of the chambers, meeting little to no resistance as they made their way out of the stands. They systematically marched down the halls and back to the stands, watching each other’s backs and using their number to their advantage.
51
Julia stood at the end of the dock with Henrik and Rysh. Lady Dekhart had come to bid them farewell.
“Thank you, Lady Dekhart, for your assistance. I hope our paths cross again someday.” Julia offered her hand in farewell.
Lady Dekhart smiled at the young girl. “You will make a good queen, my dear. Don’t ever lose what you have in here,” she said, pointing at Julia’s heart.
“What are you going to do with the fighting pits?” Henrik called after the woman as she walked down the dock.
Lady Dekhart turned, giving him a smile. “I hate to see a business opportunity go to waste.” She gave him a wink as she turned and continued on her way.
Henrik shook his head. “I have a feeling we made a huge mistake leaving her in charge.” He turned around, hopping onto the ship.
Julia turned to Rysh, seeing the weariness in his eyes. “Thank you, Rysh.” She gave him a warm hug.
Rysh look down at her, confusion on his face. “For what?”
Julia stepped back and smiled. “For fighting and for surviving.”
Serenity pulled into the Bardale docks to load up the last of their supplies and let off some of their crew.
Julia walked with Gloria down to the end of the docks. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” she asked. “Someone with,” Julia searched for the right word, “your skill could be of great use in Dusseldorf.”
Gloria smiled, showing her stained and crooked teeth. “Thank you, my dear, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to pass.” Gloria reached into her pocket, pulling out a sealed letter. “If you ever need my help, open this.”
Julia was burning with questions, but knew it was best not to ask. “Thank you, Gloria. I appreciate everything you did for me and my friends.”
The old woman smiled, turning quickly and walking away with a hop in her step. Julia was surprised; the old woman actually looked happy.
Henrik stood with his arm around Eliana while talking with Dallan and Meeko.
“Why are you doing this? I just get you back and now you tell me you’re leaving?” Eliana was upset with Dallan, and Julia knew it was because of the promise he made to Carn.
“I’m sorry, Mom, but I made a promise and I plan on keeping it.” Dallan’s younger brother was at his side, tears streaming down his face.
“Please don’t go, Dal.” Meeko looked up at his brother, tears in his eyes. “If you go, I won’t stop missing you.”
Dallan knelt down next to his brother. “I’m going to miss you too, Meeko.” He rubbed his brother’s head with his knuckles. “But I’m going to need you to be strong and look after Mom for me. Can you do that?”
Meeko wiped the tears from his eyes. “Yeah, I can.” The two boys hugged, and Dallan led his younger brother back down the dock.
Eliana and Henrik watched the two boys walk away. “Please, don’t go and get yourself killed.” Eliana turned to look Henrik in the eye.
Henrik bent and, putting his arms around Eliana’s waist, he gave her a deep kiss. He held their embrace for a few moments before slowly pulling away. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Dallan is safe.”
Eliana nodded. “I know you will, but you can’t go and do anything stupid, either.”
Henrik let out a loud laugh. “What makes you think I would do something stupid?”
Eliana shook her head. “Because you love being the hero.” Henrik pulled her in for another embrace as the two laughed in each other’s arms.
Julia kept walking down the dock toward the ship. Carn, Grenn, and Valcor were talking on the deck.
“Valcor, this is Grenn, he’s looking for work,” Carn introduced the man to the ship’s captain.
Julia thought Valcor was a large man, but even he had to look up to look Grenn in the eyes.
“Grenn, is it?” Valcor examined the man. “The pay isn’t the best, but when you join this crew, that’s a binding contract. You’re my responsibility, and if you disobey my orders, I’ll kill you myself.” Valcor waited to get a reaction out of the man. Grenn stood unwavering, staring him in the eye. “That also means that if anyone comes after you, they come after the whole crew.”
The two stared each other down for a moment longer before Valcor smiled, slapping the man on the shoulder, “Welcome aboard! Henrik will get you situated with a bunk and will show you where you can store your gear.”
“Thank you, sir.” Grenn nodded toward the captain.
Valcor laughed. “Don’t call me ‘sir,’ it’s just Valcor.”
Dentos climbed up from the fo’c’sle, making his way toward Valcor. “That’s the last of your supplies. You should make it to Keyhold with no problem.”
Valcor pulled out his coin purse, offering the man his payment. “Thank you, Dentos, for all that you did for us.”
The old man smiled as he received his coins. “Next time you come through, drinks are on me.”
Henrik caught Dentos before he left the ship. “Can you do me a favor?”
The old man nodded. “Of course, what do you need?”
Henrik leaned in close, whispering into his ear, “Can you keep an eye on Eliana and Meeko for me?” He slipped two silvers into the man’s pocket.
Dentos pulled the coins out of his pocket and placed them back in Henrik’s palm. “Anything for a friend.” He smiled and climbed off the ship, heading down the dock.
“All hands on deck,” Valcor called out from the helm of the ship. “Let’s get under way.”
The mood on the ship was joyous as they made their way toward Dusseldorf. Ghost sat in his perch, keeping an eye on the open waters. Gant and Apo’k sat in the bow of the ship talking. Julia could tell Ros was happy to see Gant again. Mic sat on the fo’c’sle box working a sword with his hammer.
Grenn, Don, and Henrik sat in the mess, ales in hand, telling stories of past battles and time spent in the fighting pits. Carn and Dallan were training with wooden swords and staves on the deck of the ship. Rysh and Alric stood at the helm with Valcor, deep in discussion.
Serenity had dropped her sails, floating slowly into the open waters. The crew had loaded Two Foot and Cal’s gear onto a spare
skiff they picked up in Bardale.
Everyone on board stood and watched as the small boat floated away into the distance.
Valcor addressed the crowd. “A sailor’s life starts and ends at sea. Cal Stowe and Hugo Orson were two of the bravest men I’ve met. I’m privileged to have gotten to serve with them for so long, and I am proud to call them my friends.” He lifted his mug into the air, the rest of the crew following suit. “Here’s to you.” Valcor took a swig from his mug, dumping the rest into the waters.
Julia was confused by this sailor’s funeral, but knew that to them, it meant more than anything to give their friends a proper goodbye.
Julia was sitting on the deck of the ship, watching Gant and Apo’k spar in hand-to-hand combat, when she heard Ghost call from his lookout.
She quickly shot to her feet, looking behind the ship for sails in the distance. Her hand was at her brow, but she was unable to see anything.
Julia noticed Henrik laughing at her from the helm. He pointed forward. Julia turned around and quickly ran to the front of the ship. Alric stood at the bow, looking into the distance with a smile on his face.
“Julia, isn’t it beautiful?” He turned to look at the young woman. Julia had never seen him so happy.
“Is that . . .” she was at a loss for words. She could barely control her excitement.
“Yes, my dear.” Alric put an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close, “That’s Dusseldorf.”
“Dusseldorf,” Julia repeated. She had begun to think she’d never see the day that she would return to her home. She let a smile overcome her. I’m coming, brother. Together, we are going to fight for what is ours. We are going to protect our home. “I’m finally home.”
Epilogue
He kept having the same reoccurring dream. A man in dark robes stood over him, his hands hovering barely above his skin, but he could feel some sort of contact between them. The man chanted quietly in the dark room.
He couldn’t make out the man’s features, as his face was hidden behind the shadow of his hood. A few times, a woman he recognized came into the room as well, but she simply sat and watched. She would ask the hooded man questions upon her arrival, but was otherwise silent.