by ylugin
“There was nothing I could have done. She was already gone. As was Tor’s Aorra. He was the only one left who I was able to attempt to help.”
Lana turned away, placing a hand on the wall for balance. Inhaling deeply through her nose she held her breath, closing her eyes. This was too much, and it had nothing to do with what now needed to be done. She forced the thoughts roaring through her mind away.
“What’s going on?” Kaiden asked, worried.
“Nothing that needs to be discussed at this time. We need to keep on with our purpose here.” Lana replied, however the words were just as much for herself as anyone else.
Ardin. She called out to her Aorra.
In a second Ardin was at her side, pulling her emotions, sharing her burden. Lana exhaled slowly and opened her eyes. She gained control over her self, pushing everything but the mission at hand out of her mind. Nothing mattered in that moment but regaining control of her town and protecting her people. That came first and in that moment its all the truly mattered.
“I am going after that man.” When no one voiced another objection she walked down the ally where she saw the old man moments ago, the others following. A light coming from one of the cracked doors seeped into the ally. The crack was enough for sound to drift through, there were voices coming from inside. With a gentle push with the toe of her boot the door swung open. Several men stood around a table in a small poorly lit room, armed with bows, swords, and knives. Everyone hushed and turned to her.
“Well I’ll be… please come in Mrs. Casteel of the Council.” One of the men said. They recognized her.
Lana entered the room with Ardin by her side, followed by the others. Before she could speak to the men, swords were drawn and arrows knocked, all of them pointed to either Clyte or Kaiden.
Those who came with Lana reacted as they too drew their weapons and the room froze, thick with tension. They didn’t have time for this. Lana Casteel boldly stepped in front of one of the knocked arrows.
“Put your weapons down.” She said in a steady and stern voice, surprising herself with how calm and confidant she sounded. Ardin released a low growl. She did not know if it was for her action or as a warning to the Gorthynian people.
“They are Rami.” One of the men said.
“You think I don’t know?” Lana said looking directly into the man’s brown eyes. “I am Lana Casteel of your Council and I am giving you an order.” She peered over her shoulder at the Alogrinians behind her, adding “Everyone.”
Reluctantly the men lowered their weapons, but the thickness in the room remained.
“I trust these two Rami with my life. One saved me from the man who has lead the current Rami threat here.” Lana said, hoping that the Gorthynians could find comfort in her words.
She had gotten used to seeing and being around Rami people over the past few months. She had forgotten that it was very different for everyone outside her little haven in Alogrin. In the rest of the lands the Madonians and Rami saw each other as enemies, through and through. They simply never existed side by side, never trusted eachother.
“Why should we care about that? You have never done anything for us. Those of us who even recognize you do so because we have been to your capitol city, Olbi. To the others you are a stranger.” One of them voiced his distaste.
Ardin released a warning growl at the Gorthynians. But they were right. She had all but almost abandoned the Gorthynians, not once returning after her mother’s death. She should have, she should have come back, this was her mothers home, she should never have stayed away for so long. Of course they wouldn’t trust her. Her own people.
“It is true I have not been to Gorthyn in a long time. But I am here now. Do you really not want our help?” Lana spoke in an even tone.
“Where do you all come from?” One of the Gorthynian men asked.
Lana was slow to reply, wondering if giving up where she had been was wise.
“Alogrin.” Zorin spoke up before Lana could come to a decision.
Jaws dropped.
“It exists?” The men asked, with wide eyes, looking to their councilwoman for affirmation. Amid the eyes Lana thought she could see small flecks of hope.
“Yes.” Lana confirmed.
The men looked at the lot standing behind Lana and the mood suddenly began to change.
“I am Robby, this is Locky, Ector, Brasher, Damen, and my brother Alec. Oh and in the back, that’s Lucas, he is Ector’s grandfather and owner of this fine home.”
Lana looked over the men. They were all Madonian northerners with blond hair and pail skin, except for Robby and Alec. The two brothers were stocky men with dark hair, slightly slanted eyes, and tanned skin. They stood out against the common pale Madonian complexion. They looked like people from the western Madonian Islands.
She replied with the names of those in her group “Bredin, Kaiden, Zorin, Clyte, Kirill, and Tor.”
“I thought I recognized you Dukran.”
The distaste in Robby’s voice was clear. He took a step closer to Kirill pulling out a blade in a threatening manner. The Gorthynians were not fond of the Dukran family, Arkhip used to come by and persuade some of their young to join his ranks. They would almost never return. Being a council member they were each aloud free travel through the Madonian lands but the people of Gorthyn no longer helped him if he came by. They were careful to keep their young away. After some time he stopped coming all together.
Lana nearly went to Kirill’s defense, which momentarily caused her to question her sanity for thinking Dukran, needed any defense. Stiffly she looked from Robby to Kirill.
“I pledged my allegiance to Lana Casteel, besides whatever your feelings are towards me, tonight you need me.” Kirill replied without a hint of emotion.
“I asked him to come, he is skilled in combat with Rami solders.” Lana replied with her eyes intently on Robby, who got the messaged and stepped away.
“Where are your armies?” Alec asked.
“They are with General Flynn. I predict fighting with Arkhip Dukran’s armies against King Zakran. After Valdor’s death I fled to Alogrin for several reasons one of which was to find help.”
“And this is it?” Robby gestured to those around Lana. “We don’t need a woman to help us survive. You have never helped us before.”
“Mind your tongue!” A voice came from behind the Gorthynian men. The men parted so Lana could see the old man from the ally standing behind them. He was withered with a crooked back and cataract glazed eyes. It was a wonder how he could see anything at all.
“The fact that she was able to get any of them to leave Alogrin to come here is amazing. Those of Alogrin are said to be extremely skilled, you are lucky to have even one of them let alone your Councilwoman coming to fight beside you. Land’s know if I was in Alogrin I wouldn’t have come.” The old man pointed a finger at Clyte. “And this one, she is a warrior, many on our side may not know her name for she is that powerful. A warrior can not be cast aside just for being a woman.”
“Thank you.” Clyte inclined her head in thanks.
“You whipped up your reputation on your own, nothing to thank me for.” His creamy eyes turned towards Lana. “My apologies. These boys are all in a tizzy, they mean no disrespect. We are grateful for your help, but know this, the only reason you are standing here now is because your mother was Gorthynian and we knew your father. You, however, are a stranger to us.” When he finished he turned and sat down in an open seat.
“I know I have not been to Gorthyn since I was a mere child. Last time I came here I saw my mother lying in a pool of blood. She gave her life fighting for you.” Lana paused, gathering the courage to continue. “I feared this place, it haunted my dreams, but no longer. I am here now. You are my people, I will fight for you, and you will no longer be forgotten, not by me. This is the home where my mother grew up, my home. Let me earn your trust. Let me fight beside you.” Lana spoke to the Gorthynian men.
The men exchange
d glances with one another.
“We are pleased to have the help of our Council woman on this night.” The old man replied with a nod. Just like that the two groups became one.
“We were planning to attack and fight the Rami off, but they are just sitting in the safe house. To come in through the door they would see us and expect us.” Alec spoke.
“Maybe there is another way. There is a tunnel that leads to the safe house. No one but my father and I knew of it, besides the builder and its keeper.”
“Keeper?” Kaiden asked.
“The person whose property has the entrance to the tunnel.”
The men nodded, their eyes glistening with a mixture of hope, rage, and fear.
“I apologize if anything I may have said offended you.” Robby spoke, his voice was more gentle. “We all thank you for coming and being brave enough to fight beside your men.”
“Thank You. I will do my best to not disappoint you.” It was all she could think of to say.
The group quickly planned what they were to do. They would split up into two groups. In one group was Lana Casteel, along with Ardin, Zorin and his Aorra, Clyte, Kirill, Bredin, Alec and two of his men. All the others were in the second group.
Kaiden and Lana were the targets for Garin, so the thought was that keeping the two apart would buy time for whatever Garin wanted to do. If he were able to capture one of the groups, then he would not have the two of them. The idea was that Garin would want them both together, to suffer in front of each other. Also splitting into two groups would allow for a fight on two fronts, dividing the Rami focus.
Bredin was to go with Lana’s group through the tunnel. Once they entered the safe house he would signal his Aorra to screech. The screech would signal an attack from the outside by Kaiden’s group. This would provide a distraction inside the building while Lana’s group slay as many Rami intruders as they could and open the gates for the others to enter.
The plan was set.
Kaiden hated being separated from Lana during a threat and thus did not try to hide his hate for the plan but was forced to go along with it anyway. Before they separated, he gave Ardin a large sphere of energy, which Ardin accepted with ease and then funneled the strength to Lana. The Gorthynians watched the exchange in awe.
Everyone was separating into their groups, destined to go two different ways. Lana had just wished them luck, her eyes meeting with Kaiden’s last. It was difficult for her to look at him in that moment. So much was going on inside of her. Offering him a tight smile, she gave him a brief hug before turning away, prepared to leave.
Lana had been strong, keeping her raw emotions at bay, keeping herself from feeling anything fully. To think about the risk she had put her own people in with her actions at Abder, the risk that now caused this threat in Gorthyn. To think of the last time she had been to Gorthyn and seen her mother in a pool of blood. To think of how the lives of those she had grown to love and care for were currently in danger because of her choices. To think of how a man from her past, who had once protected her mother, now stood beside her. The emotions and fear would drown her if she let it, so she pushed them away. This distance, this wall that she had built within kept her whole. It was an internal dam, shielding her. She thought it strong, capable of withstanding the night’s trouble.
But the wall within Lana did not hold. It fell apart into a million tiny pieces with such ease, each piece full of invested feelings and thoughts. Everything rushed at her at once, nearly drowning her.
Kaiden’s touch when she moved to turn away, melted away the foundation of the dam that kept her from deteriorating. His deep blue eyes froze her in place, at the mercy of his will.
Before he left with his group, Kaiden raised his hand, seizing Lana by the arm. He stopped her, turning her to face him. His hand cupped Lana’s cheek, while his other pulled her gently towards him. Her breath caught with his sudden touch. Without warning, his lips brushed lightly against hers, lingering a moment before pressing again into hers, deeper this time, more passionate. It obliterated the damn in her head.
It was as if everything rushed at her all at once. A roaring fire burned inside of her, needing him to never let her go. Lana could feel her heart as if it were in her throat. She could feel herself shake in his arms, hoping that he could not tell.
This kiss was not as soft as the last time on the balcony when they had first arrived in Alogrin. This time he pulled her to him, hard. Pressing her against him, his lips were firmer, needing her. The kiss was so incredibly powerful, but a fleeting moment.
He pulled back and looked at her with his deep blue eyes. Brushing her lips with his thumb. “Please be safe. Once we get inside I will find you. Do not try to be a hero, let the people with you help.” Un able to respond with words Lana simply gave him a nod.
With that, Kaiden turned and walked away, leaving her to pull herself together from the million emotions that were uncontrollably coursing through her. She watched him go as her eyes watered. Her heart hurt, she hated him for doing this to her. Hated him for not leaving her to do her duty without messing with her mind in this way, and she hated him for not holding her just a moment longer.
Lana, we must go. Ardin’s gentle voice helped center her, bringing some of her resolve back. He was her strength. Without him she would float away.
I know. She replied.
Lana turned to her group, they were all staring at her, or trying not to but it was obvious. Heat rushed to her cheeks, she was glad to have the cover of darkness so they could not see her blush. Clearing her throat, she straightened herself, pulling pieces of herself back together. They were going to do this. They were going to win. Everyone would be alright in the end, she told herself.
“We need to get to the village bakery. The one farther from the stone safe house, that is where the tunnel lays.” Lana said calmly.
“Follow me” Alec replied and they began moving through the dark streets.
Chapter
Eighteen
They reached an average sized building made of stone and wood where Alec stopped and knocked on the door. A small squat woman opened it just a crack and peered through. Her eyes glanced at him in recognition before she opened the door and stepped away, allowing for the entire party to enter, closing the door before they began speaking.
The delicious sent of baked bread filled Lana’s lungs when she entered the dwelling. From behind her, Zorin loudly grumbled to himself upon entering the bakery.
“What in the bloody lands are you doing here?” The old woman squeaked as soon as the doors shut. The woman wore a long dress with a dirty apron over it. Her white hair was pulled back into a bun and she had what seemed to be flower smeared on her cheek. She turned her gaze from Zorin to Alec “Why did you bring this man here?!” She shrieked at Alec while poking a finger at Zorin.
“I am here helping Mrs. Casteel.” Zorin replied icily.
“Oh!” The old woman searched the room before landing her gaze upon Lana. Her eyes turned from cold to warm as soon as she saw her.
“Oh please forgive me, my lady. I saw Alec and so I opened the door, but then this old man pulled my attention away. My name is Farla. Oh you look so much like your mother! So beautiful! Tell me are you hungry child? I make the very best baked goods, your father always loved my baking.” The squat little lady squeaked. She quickly reached around herself, loosening her apron before pulling it off and throwing it onto a flowery counter. Flicking dry powder off of her dress, Farla turned back to Lana with a warm smile.
“You are very kind, but we must get to the safe house.”
The baker’s eyes grew large “Oh no, it is dangerous, the Rami are there!”
“You think we don’t know that, you obtuse woman?” Zorin spoke up.
Lana glanced at him, shocked. He was always composed and well mannered, she could not believe that he was behaving this way.
“You two know each other?” Lana asked as her eyes moved from Farla to Zorin and back to Far
la.
“Yes.” The old woman smiled before turning serious. “My poor fool of a sister married into that one’s family.” She said gesturing to Zorin.
“Ugh,” Zorin rolled his eyes in protest. “You old baboon, it was the best thing to have ever happened to your family! You all constantly follow me, obsessed with me and my family tree.” Zorin yelled furiously. “If I never have to see you or your hack of a cousin again it would be all too heavenly.”
“Cousin?” Lana asked, intrigued by what she was witnessing.
“Donn is a lovely person you blind idiot!”
“Donn?” Lana turned to Zorin with wide eyes.
So this is why they don't like each other. Lana thought to Ardin.
At least Donn and Zorin have a mutual understanding in Alogrin, unlike these two here. Ardin replied with a move of his tail, slightly entertained.
“You and Donn are family?” Lana blurted.
“Only by marriage,” Both Zorin and Farla retorted, both clearly finding offense at the notion of being related to each other.
Lana could not help but laugh.
It poured out of her like a sweet release. All the pressure she had been feeling and then these two behaving in this way. It was humorous. It made Zorin seem normal, not a king but like a normal person with in-law problems. The short comical release didn’t last long before the other feelings of the night slammed back into her.
“Farla, I am sorry but we must go, can you take us to the tunnel?” Lana asked when she had a grasp on herself.
“Certainly dear!” She squeaked. Farla eyed the group and grabbed three white candles from the pantry. She lit two, one for herself and gave the other to Alec, keeping a hold on the third as she slipped it into a pocket in her dress.
Walking over to one of her large ovens, Farla opened its thick door and walked in. On any other day this would seem extremely odd and Lana would hesitantly follow someone into an oven. But time did not wait and hesitating only wasted time. They followed the squat woman through the dark oven. Once inside it was clear that it was no longer a cooker, the door that lead inside was the only remnant of an oven. Inside Farla lead them down a few dark steps into a room underneath the building. The room was littered with flour and wooden planks. She lifted a plank from up against the wall where there was a small entrance to a dark hall.