The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Four: In the Beginning

by Melissa Collins

  “There is nothing for us to do,” he argued, setting a stern gaze upon Kaori. “The Emperor is too powerful. If you rebel against his orders, you will be arrested, and there is nothing stopping you from being executed alongside the others.”

  “This isn’t just a simple execution,” Liurn came to Kaori’s aid, pushing forward against Sivar’s outstretched hand, clearly angered by his friend’s defense of the Emperor’s actions. “Hundreds of Vor’shai are sitting in the Eykanua prison, all of which are set to meet their demise. Hundreds! Do you understand the severity of this?”

  “Of course I understand!” Sivar threw his arms up in the air, turning away from Liurn and Kaori in a huff. He was frustrated. Kaori could see it in the way his eyes flashed, growing bright before dulling to a dim grey glow. “Do not for a second think that I am not troubled by what is happening to our people. It eats away at me inside, but there is nothing we can do without placing ourselves in danger. While heroism is something I wish we were capable of, the Emperor’s hold over us makes it ludicrous to even consider. Now, this conversation is finished. I will hear nothing more on the topic.”

  Kaori’s mouth hung open, unable to put her thoughts into words. She didn’t dare push her brother. It was a difficult time for them all. So much was changing. So much was being taken from them. While Sivar always appeared calm and collected on the outside, Kaori couldn’t be sure what torture lingered inside him after their parents’ death. His fear most likely rested in the possibility of losing anyone else so close to him.

  Forcing her jaw closed, Kaori lowered her gaze to the floor, suddenly uncomfortable. After such a heated debate, she wasn’t sure how the conversation could be saved. “Very well,” she replied quietly. Obedient. It was best her brother be led to believe that her desire for rebellion had been properly quelled by his insistence. “Perhaps we could have a cup of tea prepared. The weather is pleasant. We could enjoy some air in the garden.”

  “That sounds nice,” Sivar agreed, the smile he displayed revealing his own lingering discomfort. “I will see that the servants prepare some drinks. Kaori, if you will see Lord Torust is made comfortable. He is our guest, after all.”

  With a soft nod Kaori took a step toward Liurn, watching intently as Sivar moved through the door, disappearing into the hall toward the kitchen. Her heart was racing. Without Sivar there, he couldn’t stop her from furthering the discussion with Liurn. At least for the brief moment of privacy his absence provided. “I will not let this matter go,” she stepped closer, careful not to speak loud enough for her voice to carry beyond the foyer.

  Liurn inhaled deeply, glancing toward the hall in fear of Sivar returning unexpectedly. “I just don’t know how to proceed. And with your brother’s adamant disapproval, we don’t have the luxury of time to discuss our options.”

  There had to be something they could do. A means of speaking privately without her brother’s interference. The question was what. Sivar would never allow them to be alone, and he certainly wouldn’t allow her to leave the house without his accompaniment. No. Whatever she did, Sivar couldn’t be allowed to know. She would have to be smart. Stealthy. But how? “We will find time,” she nodded definitively, lifting her eyes to stare hard into Liurn’s confused gaze. “It cannot be here. We need to leave.”

  “Where do you intend to go? Your brother will never let you leave with me.”

  “My brother is not going to know I am leaving.” Nibbling her lip nervously, Kaori cast a cautious look toward the hall, satisfied to find them still alone. “Think of a reason to excuse yourself from tea. We can say our farewells, and Sivar will think you safely on your way back to Tialore.”

  “But what about you…”

  “Have your carriage wait down the road. It may take a few minutes to shake my brother’s company, but as soon as I am able, I will meet you. From there, we can go anywhere. I leave that decision to you.”

  “Your brother will come looking for you. If he discovers you with me, he will not be pleased.”

  “Then you better decide on a place he would not think to look,” Kaori stated matter-of-factly, straightening her posture at the sound of footsteps coming down the hall. Sivar was returning. There was no time for Liurn to argue. He would just have to trust her.

  Turning to face her brother, Kaori put on the most genuine smile she could muster, exhaling deeply to try and avoid letting her anxiety show. Sivar couldn’t know there was anything going on. He was smart enough to notice if she appeared too excited.

  “The tea will be ready shortly,” Sivar announced, motioning Liurn and Kaori to follow him down the hall. “We can find a comfortable place in the shade while we wait.”

  “I regret that I am unable to stay,” Liurn cleared his throat, his eyes shifting slightly to look at Kaori through his peripheral vision before securing his gaze on Sivar. “It was not my intention to remain long. There is some business I must attend to before the day gets much later.”

  Kaori allowed her smile to fade, staring at Liurn as if deeply hurt by his dismissal of their company. “Must you leave so soon?” she gave a slight pout, making sure not to appear overly dramatic. Too much of a show would surely strike Sivar as unusual. Kaori wasn’t the type to create a scene over a simple farewell.

  Lifting his chin proudly, Liurn shook his head, smiling apologetically at Kaori’s hurt expression. He played along nicely. If they could keep up the ruse, Sivar would never suspect their ulterior motive in Liurn’s sudden departure. “I am sorry, Lady Kaori. Perhaps another time?”

  “I will hold you to it,” she smiled, bobbing in a polite curtsy. Gently Liurn took her hand in his, bowing low to kiss the skin just above her knuckles. As his head came up, Kaori caught his eyes, her lips moving in a voiceless reminder of their plan. Wait for me.

  His gaze lingered for a moment, almost appearing mesmerized by the sight of her. Shaking his head, he looked to clear his mind of whatever thoughts had paralyzed him, turning sharply to face Sivar. “Good day,” he nodded, the motion sharp, decisive. There was a hint of disdain in his eyes before he turned away, unable to conceal his frustration at Sivar’s earlier behavior. Although Kaori doubted it was intentional, it worked to their benefit. Sivar would believe Liurn’s decision to leave was linked to their argument. With any luck, he wouldn’t have reason to suspect anything more.

  Liurn gave no pause as he moved through the door, his stride long and determined, covering the ground quickly between the house and his carriage. Kaori watched, barely able to contain a smile. It was working. Now it was up to her to make sure their plan continued its success. The hardest part was going to be finding a way out of the house without Sivar noticing.

  Turning away from the door, Kaori inhaled, surprised to find Sivar watching her, a curious expression on his face. Concerned that she was making her intentions too obvious, she tried to act nonchalant, her motions controlled and deliberate as she closed the door, pulling the latch securely into place.

  “You seem to have taken a liking to Lord Torust.”

  “I beg your pardon?” Kaori exhaled, flustered by her brother’s observation. Uneasy at the topic, she looked away, laughing quietly as if Sivar had said something which she found humorous.

  Sivar lifted his chin, staring down his nose at Kaori. “You act strangely in his presence. And I must say, the odd mannerisms are reciprocated in his actions toward you.”

  “You are mistaken, Sivar. Lord Torust is a friend…”

  “There is no need to be ashamed, Kaori. I think it a fine match. You know Mother and Father would have approved as well. Lord Torust is a good man. Respectable. Wealthy. He may not be a Duke, but he is of satisfactory status to be worthy of your affection.”

  Her irritation with Sivar was growing. His intentions were good, but the way he tended to speak was sometimes… superficial. Caught up in the mindset of proper society. “Satisfactory status?” Kaori raised her brow in her brother’s direction, making her contempt of the phrase obvious. “Is that a
ll this is about to you? Power? Status? Wealth? Does my affection have a price upon it of which I am unaware?”

  “You know what I mean,” Sivar shook his head, releasing a long breath to reveal his own irritation at Kaori’s argument. “I only point out the convenience in the fact that you have grown so fond of Lord Torust. If your affections had fallen on a more common man, my only concern would have been your happiness.”

  “And the lowered status of our family were I to wed a common man,” Kaori continued, knowing without doubt that her brother had his reservations about Kaori’s choice in men. He feared for the Levadis name now that their parents weren’t there to maintain the family position. While they were alive, Kaori’s husband would have been decided upon by them. If they disapproved, the union would never be allowed to take place. Without them, Kaori had the power to make the decision on her own and that frightened her brother. She could tell by the way he looked at her that he doubted her ability to make the choice on her own.

  Exasperated, Sivar threw his hands in the air, eyes open wide, staring at Kaori in disbelief. “What do you want me to say?” he asked, the vehemence of his voice unexpected. It was unlike him to speak with such heatedness. Especially when talking with her. “You’re young, Kaori. You didn’t have the time with our parents which was necessary to prepare you for the position you now hold amongst Carpaen society. Everything you do is done under great scrutiny, not just by me, but by everyone around you. The slightest misstep could tarnish our family name and leave us living on the street.”

  Rolling her eyes, Kaori folded her arms across her chest in irritation. “I suppose I should be relieved that you have given up the silly notion of throwing myself at the Duke’s feet.”

  Sivar stared at her, his shoulders rising in a slight shrug. He looked thoughtful. Carefully considering Kaori’s words. “I am not going to deny that the Duke would be a better match…”

  “I am not speaking to you anymore,” Kaori interjected, unwilling to hear anything else her brother might say. His inability to look past what other people thought of them wasted precious time. Liurn was waiting for her. She couldn’t stand there and continue such a frivolous argument when there were more important things at stake.

  Playing up her anger to avoid questions about her sudden departure, Kaori clenched her fists, keeping them tight to her sides as she pushed past her brother, eyes straight ahead. Never straying from her course. She needed to get to her room. There was no way to know how long Liurn would continue to wait. If she allowed Sivar to hold her back any longer, Liurn might believe she had changed her mind and continue to Tialore without her.

  When she reached the door to her chambers, she paused, listening intently, praying that Sivar hadn’t followed. To her relief the hall was empty, devoid of anything which might indicate Sivar’s presence. Good. Maybe he decided to give her some space in hopes that she would calm down.

  Once in the safety of her room, Kaori’s eyes shifted from wall to wall in search of anything she might need to take with her. She didn’t know how long she would be gone. A day. A week. If your plan to rescue the prisoners goes wrong, you may never return at all. But no. That wasn’t an option. She refused to entertain the possibility. The odds were in her favor. The Emperor believed his scare tactics were working. General Deliao’s guard would be down.

  Pressed for time, she hurried to the closet, grabbing a bag to collect her belongings. There wasn’t enough space or time to worry about formal attire. Garments had to be simple. Accessories limited. Stuffing the light fabric of her favorite summer dresses into the bag, Kaori gave a quick glance around the room. The shoes she currently wore would have to suffice for however long she remained away. The bag was too small to bring along anything more than what she had already packed.

  Content with her collection, Kaori closed the bag, adjusting the clasp, making sure it was secure. If Sivar took chase, she couldn’t risk anything falling out. She refused to let him stop her, even if it meant running the distance to Liurn’s carriage.

  Bag clutched tightly in hand, she moved toward the door, cautious, slow, not wanting to risk making too much noise. Sivar would still be downstairs. Walking out the front door was out of the question. She would have to employ more stealth than that if she was going to avoid drawing attention. If she attempted to walk down the main stairwell, Sivar would hear her. After their argument, he would try to confront her and apologize. Sivar disliked it when she was angry with him. It was only a matter of time before he thought to approach her again.

  Leaving the door open, Kaori stepped into the hall, the sound of her heavy breathing making it difficult to hear if anyone was coming. Sivar wasn’t the only person in the house she needed to avoid. The servants would question her intentions if they saw her. They merely posed less of a threat. A servant could be ordered to stand down. Sivar would never let her out the door.

  Her mind was filled with frantic thoughts. Incoherent. Nothing made sense. Images flashed before her eyes of all the ways she could get out of the house. She was on the second floor. Windows would be more dangerous, but they were some of her best options. The quickest route outside would be the most desired means of escape. Even if it meant a bit of a drop to the ground below. The idea frightened her to consider. Just go, she commanded herself, urging her legs to move. How was she supposed to conduct a rescue mission when the fear of a little fall was enough to paralyze her?

  The backyard. It came to her, easing the stiffness of her muscles as she managed to force her body into motion, swift strides carrying her deeper into the house. Much of the Levadis property was heavily wooded. Trees stretched close enough to the rear of the building that a strong branch might allow her access outside without having to risk a straight drop. The question would be whether there were any branches within reach of a window. Without conscious thought she moved onward. All she could think about was getting out. Where could she go? Which room would provide the safest escape? She had never taken the time to consider the trees before. In the back of her mind she tried to picture the yard, imagining the layout, straining to recall where each tree was rooted.

  She was down the hall and into her parents’ room before the thought completed in her head. It was a larger chamber, located on the opposite end of the house from the garden. Her mother had always spoken of her love for the view from the window. The trees were heavier there, though Kaori couldn’t be sure if that would be enough. She needed them close. Denseness of foliage did little to help her if she couldn’t grab onto it.

  Closing the door behind her, she turned toward the far wall, her heart nearly bursting from her chest in excitement to see the dancing shadows cast across the room as the sun shone through the branches outside. With newfound determination she moved forward, setting her bag on the floor at her feet to allow her hands the freedom to work on the window. The latch was old. Rusted. It was obvious her parents rarely touched it, having no need to open the windows when they could get more enjoyment out of spending their warmer days in the garden. Her fingers ached by the time she managed to twist the mechanism, cringing at the loud creak of the hinges as the pane swung outward. Hesitant, she glanced back toward the door, teeth gritted in fear of hearing her brother’s footsteps coming down the hall. But what did it matter if he was coming? She still had time before he could reach her. It was imperative she not lose focus now.

  Returning her attention to the window, she bent forward, snatching up the bag to rest the strap over her shoulder. There were two trees positioned outside, both of which looked sturdy enough to support her weight. Reaching them would be the hardest challenge. The closest branch was still a distance away. She would have to jump if she was going to make it. Her heart raced. If she fell, it would hurt. Unearthed roots and fallen branches made the ground more treacherous than if she had chosen to simply jump from her own window. But she had made her choice. There was no going back on it now.

  Resolved to her decision, Kaori climbed onto the windowsill, fingers clench
ed tightly to the wooden frame, staring down at the ground for a moment before tearing her eyes away, desperate for this to be over. Just a small jump. That was all it would take and then she would be in the tree and able to find her way down to the ground. She had never been much of a climber as a child, but the concept was simple enough. Whispering a silent prayer she pressed the balls of her feet against the windowsill, throwing herself at the branch with a strained leap. The bark scraped her hands, making her landing more painful than she anticipated. Arms wrapped tightly around the tree she inhaled a deep breath in attempts to slow her heart. She wouldn’t be able to concentrate with the incessant pounding which rang through her head, temples throbbing. It was pointless to try and relax now. Her escape was far from complete and until she was safely in Liurn’s carriage, she remained in danger of being discovered.

  Her dress made it more difficult to adjust herself on the branch. The thin lavender fabric caught on the uneven surface, tearing and fraying with every inch she slid forward. Closer to the tree there was another branch, hanging lower to the ground. If she could get to it, she would be able to jump the rest of the way. It sounded so easy! Every heavy beat of her heart reminded her that it wasn’t. Little by little she made her way closer to the other branch, keeping it in her sight.

  Sliding both her legs over one side, she let her feet dangle in the air, arms wrapped tightly to keep hold of the branch she clung to. Her feet stretched, reaching with her toes to try and find the surface she sought below. Her feminine shoes weren’t intended for such feats. She could feel them slipping from the odd angle of her feet, one finally coming loose and plummeting to the leaves below. Maybe it was for the best. She would be able to balance better with the natural curve of her foot than she could with the hard sole of her slippers. The tip of her bare toe brushed the rough bark, indicating that her goal was close at hand. Leaving her fate to the gods she let her arms slowly release their hold, her weight transferring to her feet upon the lower branch. Upright, her arms waved in a desperate attempt to keep her balance, fearfully ducking down to stay closer to the protection of the tree.