by C. B. Stone
Grayburn scowls at me, prompting me to smile wryly. I do enjoy when that man is annoyed.
“You talk as if you know firsthand,” he says.
I do know first-hand. When I was younger, before I met my wife, before Jaelynn was even a twinkle in my eye, I’d taken a journey of my own. I’d wandered the Darklands, spreading the message that had been suppressed, but had begun rising again. The message that is starting the war today. But I know I can’t let Grayburn know that. I can’t let Grayburn know about anything related to my past, or he’s sure to put two and two together, even as thick in the head as he is sometimes.
“I’ve done my time in the Air Patrol. I’ve flown over a fraction of the Darklands more times than I can count, and trust me, it’s massive.”
That part is true. When I started out in the Ministry guard, I was trying to be a member of the Air Patrol. I got great at reading signals and recognizing coordinates, and it wasn’t long before Leora discovered this talent and put me to work in the control room – where I’ve remained to this very day.
Grayburn however was born into a higher class, to one of the families closely tied to the Blackwoods, so he didn’t have to start out at the bottom like I did. Grayburn was given the position he holds today merely because of his familial connections. One more reason I have to despise the man.
But at least it helps to also explain his incompetence. And truly, at the moment, I’m grateful for exactly that. Having someone who can look over my shoulder and read the signals as clearly as I can would mean serious trouble. Instead, Grayburn fakes it. He reminds me a lot of a kid playing Air Traffic Controller. They turn dials, read out some things from the fake screen as if they’re reading a script, but they have no idea what any of it means. They just make it up as they go.
Leora comes up behind me and peers at the screen. Pursing her lips together, she straightens, frowning down at me.
“I’m losing my patience, Rose,” she barks. “And you know it’s never a good thing when I lose my patience.” She glares and I turn my face back to the monitor. I can feel her dark eyes that look like bottomless pits of evil burning into the back of my head.
I gulp. Sometimes it’s easy to forget she is almost always watching us. She moves so quietly, as quietly as Death itself. Only Death seems far kinder and more merciful.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Blackwood,” I offer. “I’m doing the best I can. We have troops following the path we believe them to be on.”
“Good,” she snips. “This is taking way too long for my liking. If we don’t find them within the next two days, you know what to do.”
I stiffen at her words. You know what to do.
“That’s the best news I’ve heard all year,” Grayburn crows with a smile. “To be perfectly honest part of me is hoping we don’t find them. I’m looking forward to some fireworks.” He claps his hands together loudly, I’m certain just to take a dig at me, and I grit my teeth in an effort to physically stop myself from shooting a hateful glare at Grayburn and uttering anything unwise. Instead, I say the only thing I can say, being stuck in such an untenable position.
“Yes, ma’am.” I keep my tone as even and as mild as I can possibly make it, putting forth my best acting skills.
There are innocents out there, tons and tons of people who are protected under a now defunct treaty signed between the Ministry and Bethel. But since the Ministry has already moved in on their territory, that treaty obviously matters very little. Not that Leora gives a hoot anyway. The woman is just plain crazy, and it’s never more evident than now. I’m honestly surprised the treaty lasted as long as it has. I sigh inwardly, my heart heavy. I just don’t know what to do anymore.
Thousands will die. Hundreds of thousands, perhaps. If not millions. Bombing the Darklands will be a bloodletting like the world hasn’t seen in a very long time. No one can truly know how many people inhabit the territory called the Darklands because no real census has ever been conducted. No one cares about them. They are outsiders, rabble, people whose lives don’t matter to the Ministry. And this is just another way for Leora to prove that.
But aside from the innocent families living out there, more importantly to me, my daughter is also out there. If the bombs start to drop, there will be little hope of escaping them. And Leora knows that too.
I can hear Leora pacing around the room behind me, before she walks in front of my desk and smiles, watching me closely, as a viper watches wounded prey. She is obviously trying to gauge my reactions, to see where my sympathies and loyalties truly lie. Keep trying evil witch.
I continue staring at the screen, watching the blinking lights and praying for an answer to this problem. I have one of two choices – turn over my daughter to the Ministry within two days, or watch the Darklands go up in smoke – literally. And given that Jaelynn is somewhere out there, either scenario is a lose-lose situation I didn’t count on.
I should’ve known the depth of Leora’s cold, calculating nature, but I’ve misjudged her. That she would kill tens of thousands just because she wants one slip of a girl dead is mind bogglingly sick. I know that Leora can be cruel and callous, but her plan for the Darklands takes that cruelty to a whole new level.
The plan is to wait for the Bethel troops to attack the Ministry, but in two day’s time? Is that enough? I try to remind myself that I need to be patient, to have faith in God’s plan. But I can’t help but wonder, is this really His plan? What if somehow, somewhere, things have gotten tragically thrown off course?
Have faith, Marcus.
I repeat the mantra sternly in my head, over and over again. I keep my gaze focused straight ahead, zeroed in on the coordinates, my face carefully arranged to show nothing of my thoughts.
My blank expression must placate Leora for the moment because she leaves without another word. As soon as she steps from the room, I relax my posture the barest of inches. Sweat is dripping down my back, and it’s not even hot in the control room, so I know it’s the pressure getting to me. If I can’t keep this act up, things are going to go to Hell in a hand basket very quickly.
Literally.
******
Noah
“Tonight is our last night together, as a group.” Fay stands before us, her voice raised as loudly as she can get it for all to hear.
The news has circulated fast amongst the armies traveling with us. I grip Jaelynn’s hand, my heart beating hard and fast within my chest as I listen to Fay speak.
“I’ll be leading the army toward Wellington where we shall meet up with those I sent on ahead. They have gathered more troops there to join our cause,” she states, her voice ringing out strongly. “From there, we will head to Silvah City and start freeing the people from the evils of the Blackwood dynasty.”
“It’s starting, isn’t it?” Jaelynn asks, turning her gaze my way. The answer is obvious, but something in her eyes tells me she needs to hear from me. “I almost can’t believe it.”
“Yes, this is the beginning,” I answer.
“What does this mean for the people of the City?” she asks, her look becoming one of concern. “Will they be killed? There are a lot of innocents there, just trying to live out their lives day to day. People who share no love for the Ministry.”
I have no answer for her. The way of war often means innocents die for a cause, whether they choose to participate or not. But this war is going to be different, right? I desperately want to believe that.
“I honestly don’t know,” I respond again. Jaelynn doesn’t look pleased with that response, but she turns her attention back to Fay as she finishes her announcements to the troops.
We have set up camp for the night, one last time before we will split off from the others. Tomorrow night, we will be on a journey of our own, with a smaller group of the army flanking us. A platoon that’s been charged with one mission and one mission alone – to protect us at all costs. Where we are being dispatched to, I have no idea. But I put my faith in Fay and I can only pray she knows wh
at she’s doing.
“May I speak with you both for a moment?” Fay asks, coming our way and removing the helmet from her head.
It always amazes me how she can look both so fierce yet feminine at the same time. Once the helmet is removed, she appears more human, less warrior. Though there really is no distinguishing between the two of them when it comes to Fay, honestly. Without her helmet and armor, she looks more or less like a normal woman you might meet on the street. You’d never know she’s a trained fighter.
“Of course,” I nod.
I clasp Jaelynn’s hand and as a duo, we walk alongside Fay. The commander doesn’t say anything until we are a few feet away from where the majority of the army has set up camp. There’s a small group gathered, sitting around a fire, looking at a map together.
“I want you to meet Calden Atar,” she says, motioning toward the tallest man in the group.
Calden stands when his name is called, bowing down to me and Jaelynn. I squirm slightly, shifting from foot to foot. I have never stopped feeling uncomfortable when people show that sort of deference to us. I’m not God. I’m just a man, no different from Calden Atar.
“He’s going to be the one accompanying the two of you to Dove’s Peak as of tomorrow afternoon,” Fay says. “He’s charged with your safety and protection.”
“Blessed to be of service,” Calden murmurs, his gaze to the ground as though he is talking to royalty. I shift on my feet again, and I think Jaelynn must sense my discomfort, because she squeezes my hand, and then drops it.
“Calden,” Jaelynn speaks softly, walking toward the man.
His blonde hair hangs over his face, concealing his eyes.
Jaelynn moves the hair from his face, gently lifting his chin so their eyes meet. She offers him a warm, gentle smile.
“Please, stand. And don’t treat us like royalty because we are not. We are nothing but humble messengers.”
Calden first looks to Fay who nods her head. Then he stands up straight, his height and bulk immediately overshadowing the small and petite Jaelynn. His features are soft, but he has a scar running from his eye to his chin. I can see Jaelynn’s gaze fall upon the scar, and she looks as though she wants to reach out and touch it.
“What happened here, Calden?” she points.
Calden licks his lips and once again, his eyes fall upon Fay. I notice a strange look in Fay’s eyes as she looks at the soldier. I can’t quite figure out what it is. But as quickly as it comes, it’s gone again.
“A battle. Long, long ago,” he responds. “I lost, obviously.” His tone is dry, laced with amusement.
Fay laughs, though I can’t quite understand humor in the moment. An injury that harsh is no laughing matter. Especially if it happened so long ago.
“Why, you can’t be very old at all!” Jaelynn exclaims, ignoring Fay’s laughter. “You must have been nothing but a child during this battle. Did the Bethel army send children into war?”
“No, ma’am,” Calden says, shooting a look of exasperation at Fay. She continues to chuckle and smile, but offers nothing else. I struggle to figure out what is so funny. And come to think of it, I’ve never heard the woman laugh before. It sounds so strange coming from her. What could be so funny?
Fay speaks up then, finally answering the question lingering in the air.
“It was me,” she grins, shrugging a shoulder. “I injured him in play battle as children.”
“So that’s why you are laughing over there,” I say, giving a shake of my head. My lips curve too finally.
“Yes, your dearest commander finds it hilarious she nearly killed me when we were only eight years old,” Calden gripes, though there’s a smile plastered on his face belying his feigned annoyance. “And now I have this dreadful scar to prove that even as babies, I have never been as good a fighter as she’s always been.”
“Oh Cal,” Fay argues, shaking her head. “I didn’t nearly kill you, don’t be so dramatic. It’s nothing but a scratch. We both know I could have done worse.” Her eyes glint with laughter.
“It looks like more than a scratch to me,” Jaelynn observes, her brow furrowing as if she doesn’t see what is so amusing about this conversation. “It looks like you nearly cut his face open.”
“I nearly did,” Fay agrees. “But he survived it. And better yet, I never hit him in the face again.”
“Because you never tried,” Calden retorted.
“No, because I couldn’t, even if I wanted to,” she insists. “And that’s the truth.”
The two of them exchange a look, and I can see there is more to the story than either of them are letting on. I have no trouble seeing that Fay and Calden have a history, and it extends well beyond the battlefield. They’re childhood friends who obviously respect one another dearly, for sure. But I can’t help thinking there’s a little something more to it than that.
“If you think this is bad, you should see what she’s done to people she doesn’t like,” Cal says with a twinkle in his eye.
“Anyway,” Fay interjects, shooting one final look over at Calden, “I just wanted to introduce the three of you before we had to split off. Right now, Calden and his men are working out their plans to make it to Dove’s Peak before the battles are set to begin.”
“Excuse me,” Jaelynn interrupts, “I’m sorry if I missed something, but Dove’s Peak? May I ask what is Dove’s Peak?”
“Of course,” Cal replies. “Dove’s Peak is technically unknown territory. It’s not on any maps and as far as the Ministry knows, it does not exist. It’s virtually invisible to the naked eye, unless you know what you’re looking for. Therefore, it’s the perfect place to keep your heads down and hideout during the fighting.”
“But how is that possible?” Jaelynn asks. I’m wondering the same thing, but as always, she beats me to the questions. “I mean if it’s a peak, it means it’s a mountain, am I correct?”
“You are,” Calden confirms. “But it’s a mountain amidst hundreds, if not thousands, of other mountain peaks, all of which are farther north than the Ministry has ever ventured.”
I stare at the man, dumbfounded. We are going further north than even the Ministry is ever ventured before? I’m not that up-to-date on the Ministry’s maps and plans, but in order to do that, I’m certain we are going to have to go a very long way. And from the sounds of it, we have but a short amount of time to get there. My brow furrows.
“And if it’s not on any maps, how are we supposed to find this elusive peak?” I ask.
“That, my friend, is for us to figure out,” Calden says. “But don’t worry, Jaelynn’s father spoke of it, gave us specific directions years and years ago that we will follow. I trust we will have no problem at all in finding the place.”
“Wait, back up. My father told you of this location?” Jaelynn all but whispers her question, shock written all over her face.
Calden’s gaze shifts, focusing solely on her. “Yes, he did. And there’s no one I trust more in the world than your father, Marcus Rose. Well, except for Commander Pythe perhaps. But your father is somebody I look up to. He’s a hero in Bethel.”
Jaelynn looks humbled by his remarks, and from their conversation, I assume she is both pleased and surprised to hear her father is held in such high regard. She knows her father has done much to get us here, but she still isn’t sure if he’s changed his ways, or if he’s still beholden to the Ministry or not. Hopefully this answers some of those questions for her.
“So we leave with you tomorrow, then?” Jaelynn asks.
Fay nods, but Calden’s jaw is clenched tight. He seems to be on the verge of saying something to her, but then looks to have second thoughts. Finally, after a hesitation, he nods as well.
Tension between Fay and Calden is high, that much is certain, but there is something else there. Jaelynn accused me of not being great with emotions, and all things considered, she appears to be right. Perhaps she’s picked up on it and has already figured out what’s going on. But I sure
as heck haven’t been able to, and it’s making me crazy. I don’t like not knowing what is going on with those expected to lead us to safety and assigned with the task of protecting us. Especially when Jaelynn’s very life depends on this man’s willingness to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
Looking over at her, I catch Jaelynn staring at me. I grin, bringing a smile to her face as well. Her hair is pulled back high on her head, but a few soft tendrils of blonde hair fall loose and rustle in the wind. Her pale green eyes are as crystal clear and pure looking as what I imagine the oceans of days gone by probably looked like, when the sunlight hit the waves just right.
I know, deep in my heart, that if Calden isn’t up to the task of defending Jaelynn with his life, then I most certainly will. And there is no doubt in my heart that I’m up to the task. I will do whatever is necessary to keep her safe. There are no alternatives.
******
Jaelynn
“What do you think about this next part of the journey?” I ask as we huddle next to the fire.
The cool air makes things quite chilly once the sun sets, but the warmth of the fire and close contact with another more than makes up for it. I appreciate the opportunity the chill gives me to keep Noah close. After everything we’ve been through, I’ve thought I’ve lost him countless times, and it broke my heart every single time. But here, now, we are together. I’m thankful Fay is making sure we stay that way too.
I’m glad Noah isn’t going with the army to join the fight. Even though I feel a little guilty, knowing he could be of use to the troops, I don’t feel guilty enough to let him go. Looking up at his scruffy face, with his brown hair getting longer and shaggier than ever, I can’t imagine not being able to stare into those dark eyes.
Falling in love is something I’ve heard stories about, but I’ve never experienced for myself. I’m not sure what it’s supposed to feel like. Is the warmth and ache in my chest when I look into his eyes what love is? Having had no experience with love, how would I know? Before all this happened to me, the only hope I ever had for love was in marrying a nice man chosen by my father. Now, having tasted freedom, and the life it could lead to, the opportunities seem endless. I can’t help but dream about the future once the Ministry is relieved of power and I’m free to live for myself again.