The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Four: In the Beginning

by Melissa Collins

  The smile on Koyl’s face faltered. “Those bastards tried to take my sister,” he scowled, fingers clenched into a tight fist in his lap. “I accompanied her to the lake to perform the rites of adulthood…”

  “Well, there was your first mistake,” Nichele chuckled. At the interruption Koyl cast her an irritated glance, stopping any further sarcasm she may have thought to add.

  “Much like the rest of our people, I doubted the Emperor would enforce the ridiculous decree made by the General the day of the Levadis execution. I assumed that as long as we kept quiet, no one would be aware that we violated it.”

  Unable to hold back the question, Kaori leaned forward, intrigued by Koyl’s mention of her parents. “The Levadis execution?” she asked.

  Koyl looked unsurprised by the question, nodding to her in confirmation. “Yes. My sister and I were in Rothdara that day. A courageous display from the young Countess. She is an audacious woman. I don’t know anyone else who would dare stand up to General Deliao.” He paused, waiting to see if Kaori would inquire further. At her silence he continued his story, directing his attention to Nichele. “Like you said, my first mistake was ignoring the decree. When we arrived at the Lake of the Gods there were soldiers there. An entire unit set up specifically to catch anyone who dared go against the Emperor’s orders. They tried to arrest my sister but I drew my sword and fought them off so she could get away. Unfortunately, my skill with a blade can only do so much against that many trained men.”

  “I suppose I cannot fault you for not taking the Emperor’s decrees to heart,” Nichele shrugged, the tremor in her voice finally starting to fade. She was gradually warming to everyone. Easing into the realization that no one there was going to hurt her. “I heard that we were no longer permitted to worship the gods of our people, but I thought it a joke. The soldiers burst through the doors of the church before we even had a chance to offer our opening prayer.”

  “You were arrested at church?” Koyl squinted at Nichele as if trying to decipher something in her eyes. “You do not look old enough to have been in society. What in Sarid’s name were you doing at church?”

  Offended by the question, Nichele scoffed, turning her nose up at Koyl in disdain. “I am from a poor family. We could not afford for me and my siblings to remain reliant on our parents when we were perfectly capable of working to help put food on the table.”

  “My apologies,” Koyl mumbled, rolling his eyes toward the ceiling. Kaori watched him, curious to see if he would press the matter with Nichele. Their personalities didn’t complement each other, tension mounting between the two of them. It came as a relief when Koyl chose not to say anything more, allowing the conversation to end, though the uncomfortable silence was almost worse.

  Nearly two hours had passed when they finally reached Sumner, the carriage coming to stop at a small stable just outside town. Kaori rose first to open the door, stepping out into the cool evening air. The breeze was a welcome change from the cramped confines of the carriage. She hated the thought of having to get back in it after they sent the prisoners on their way, but for now she wanted to enjoy the brief opportunity to stretch her legs. Holding the door open, she offered her hand to the young mother, smiling to see how quickly she accepted Kaori’s help. More willing than she’d been in Voiene.

  “Thank you,” the woman whispered, wrapping her arms tightly around Kaori’s shoulders. Kaori jumped at the unexpected display of gratitude, her hands lifting to make sure the hood of her cloak had not fallen before gently returning the pressure of the embrace.

  “Be careful on the road,” Kaori cautioned, lightly resting her hands on the woman’s biceps to take a step back. “The soldiers may know your names, but they cannot all know your faces. If anyone stops you along the way, tell them you are someone else.”

  “But where can we go? I have no money. No food for my children…”

  Kaori’s heart wrenched at the desperation in the woman’s voice. She wanted so much to tell her that everything was going to be okay, but she couldn’t. There was no guarantee that any Vor’shai would ever be okay so long as the Emperor was in power. “Here,” Kaori lowered her hands to retrieve a small pouch attached to her belt, reaching inside to draw out several gold coins. It wasn’t much, but it would be enough for food between there and the ferry to Mialan. “This will pay for your passage to Mialan and at least some bread and water for your children. Once the stagecoach has refreshed the horses, it can transport you to the coast. The fees will be paid for you and the others who choose to head westward.”

  “Oh, thank you! Thank you, child.” Tears streamed from the woman’s eyes like two tiny rivers, flowing freely along the gentle curve of her cheeks. Overcome with emotion, she fell to her knees before Kaori, bowing low out of respect for all that had been done for her and her children. “May Sarid always keep you in her light,” she gushed. “You are an angel, child. Kalana in the flesh.”

  Flustered by the fuss the woman made, Kaori tried to pull her to her feet, grasping at her arms to lift her from the ground. “Please, you do not have to bow,” she exhaled, bewildered by the woman’s praises. “Come, you must stand. You are drawing attention to yourself.”

  Wiping the tears from her eyes, the woman conceded, allowing Kaori to help her stand. With a loud sob she reached for her children, pulling them close. “We are in your debt,” she sniffled, struggling to regain her composure. “I will not forget what you have done for my family.”

  “There is no debt,” Kaori smiled, her hand coming to rest comfortingly on the woman’s shoulder. She wasn’t sure what else to do. “Go,” she said softly, releasing her hold on the woman to let her hands playfully muss the hair of her two children, her heart filled with joy to see their faces light up. They looked so happy! Grateful to her, though in their young age, she couldn’t be sure if they even understood the severity of their predicament. “You two be good for your mother, you hear?”

  She watched their tiny heads bob up and down in agreement, leaning in closer to their mother as she started to turn away. Kaori watched them, her smile growing wider to know that she had done something to help change their lives forever. Every one of the prisoners would remember this day, though they would never know who their heroes were.

  “So where do we sign up?”

  Pulled from her reverie, Kaori turned to face the voice that spoke, finding herself staring into the vermilion glow of Koyl’s determined gaze. “I beg your pardon?”

  “I am not going to run,” he stated with absolute certainty, glancing over to the stagecoach before setting his sights on Kaori once again. “I may not be an expert, but I can use a sword – and I can brawl with the best of the men at the local tavern. If you and your friends plan to keep fighting, I want to offer my sword. It’s the least I can do.”

  “My sentiments exactly,” Nichele appeared at Koyl’s side, her small frame more noticeable next to his broad stature. “I have less experience in the ways of combat, but I grew up with four brothers. I can fight when I have to.”

  Kaori stared at them both, determination visible in their eyes. They had fighting spirits. She’d seen enough to know that about them just in the time they had spent in the carriage. Her concern was in whether they realized what they were getting themselves into. “Do you understand what will be expected of you if you choose to help us?”

  “If what you did today is any indication, I have a pretty good idea,” Koyl chuckled. “I may not look like much now, but after a good long bath and a hearty meal, I can be ready for anything you need me to do.”

  “Good,” Kaori nodded, mulling over the many things Koyl could be useful for. He would be a good addition to the team. If he could fight, he could be another sword at their side in Rothdara. She would be a fool not to accept his help. They needed every willing fighter they could find. “The next execution is in Rothdara in less than two weeks. After the embarrassing defeat the Emperor’s men suffered today in Voiene, we can be certain there will be more sol
diers at the next one. I dislike the thought of losing any of my people, so I suggest you both make sure you are fit for battle by then. I will have my man Mathious come by to speak with you. He will tell you what must be done before we meet again in Rothdara.”

  It felt strange to be back in Rothdara. The city center held ghastly memories from the past, drawn forth from the back of Kaori’s mind simply by the sight of the scaffold once again positioned in the street. She hadn’t been there since her parents were murdered. Anger threatened to boil up to the surface as she fought to keep it down. It was a blessing in disguise that she’d chosen to heed Therek’s advice and leave the rescue here in Sivar’s hands. This one was too personal. No matter how strong she liked to believe she was, her emotions remained stronger when she thought about what happened to her family. There was no way to know how she would have handled the pressure today. She might have placed them all at risk.

  Therek had suggested she find a way to stand out in the crowd. To make sure she was noticed, Kaori had taken greater care in selecting her wardrobe, adorned with more finery than she was accustomed to wearing. The deep crimson silk of her gown was sure to attract attention, the color typically worn only by the Emperor himself. Kaori felt it the perfect way to symbolize the blood of their people already shed on Carpaen soil. Her parents. The prisoners in Tarnai. All the innocent Vor’shai struck down while coming to her defense in Whitelyn. They had come a long way from that first rescue. Their methods were more practiced. Better prepared.

  Idly, she toyed with the earrings which hung from her earlobes, rubies set in gold, matching the glittering jewels which draped over the elegant lines of her neck. The long ebon strands of her hair were meticulously done, hanging in a loose twist at the back of her head, the ends tumbling in graceful waves down to the middle of her back despite the pins which lifted it. Tiny strands of diamonds and rubies accented the style, their light reflecting brightly in the early morning sun. People glanced at her, unsure what to think of her appearance. She had come there to make a statement and already her clothing spoke louder than words. If the Emperor had been present, she may have been detained simply for the insult of color. But she doubted he had any interest in the execution. He cared little for what happened to the Vor’shai. All he cared about was that they were being put in their place. That job could be easily performed by General Deliao so the Emperor wouldn’t have to lose sleep at night.

  Aware of the eyes on her, Kaori opened a delicate fan with a practiced flick of her wrist, lightly waving it to cast a soft breeze over her face. For the early hours of morning it was already quite warm. She sympathized for her friends, bundled in their cloaks to conceal their identities, standing in wait of their opportunity to strike.

  “The soldiers certainly will not overlook you dressed as you are.” Therek’s voice reached Kaori’s ear, distracting her from the morose scene in front of her. She wasn’t expecting to see him. His presence could create issues similar to the events in Whitelyn. If he was there, the soldiers would expect him to fight against the rebels, and most of her people were not trained to take on someone as skilled as Therek.

  She tried to force a smile, hesitant, though not wanting Therek to see that she was taken so unawares by his approach. Unable to hold the pleasant expression she directed her attention back to the scaffold. “I thought that was what we wanted,” she replied coolly, resuming the casual motion of her fan. “What are you doing here? I thought you had business in Eykanua.”

  “Now I have business here,” Therek stated. He was calm. No different from any time Kaori had seen him before. It was as if the man was afraid of nothing. Nonchalant, he moved in closer, his eyes scanning the area, searching for something. “I came to help; unless you do not want it.”

  Kaori glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, confused. “Help?” she asked, disconcerted by the thought. What did he know which made him suddenly compelled to offer assistance? “You are not dressed in a way which would protect your identity.”

  “I did not come to fight.”

  “Then how exactly do you plan to help?” Her nerves were frayed. She didn’t have the patience to play guessing games.

  He appeared to take note of the shortness of her tone, lifting his chin in a display of pride. “It was my intention to pass along information which may be of some use, though I am wondering if you truly desire my assistance. I can go, if you like. It matters little to me.”

  “You lie.” Kaori turned to face him, snapping the fan shut with a loud click. “If it did not matter, you would not have come all this way just to patronize me.

  Amused, Therek smiled, looking her over carefully before responding. “I am not so sure about that. There is something about the fire in your eyes when I get under your skin.”

  “You do not get under my skin.”

  She wanted to slap the smirk off his face. He was enjoying this. Whatever his purpose was in coming here, he was quickly overstaying his welcome. Not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing her angry, Kaori inhaled a deep breath, releasing it slowly to help calm the rapid beat of her heart. He had gotten under her skin – and she hated it. He was the only person capable of upsetting her so easily.

  “Why did you come?” she asked quietly. Her desire to fight waned. She couldn’t focus on anger when there was so much at stake today. If he had information which would affect the rescue efforts, she had to bite her tongue and allow him to speak.

  “A few reasons,” he replied evenly, the smile on his lips gradually fading. It was replaced by a look of mild concern, as if he worried how she might react to what he was about to say. “In light of the incidents in Whitelyn and Voiene, the Emperor has decided the Vor’shai cannot be trusted. Over the next few weeks, it is his intention to send his soldiers throughout Carpaen to strip all Vor’shai nobles of their rank. This is to begin today… starting with you.”

  “Why me?” she stared at him, aghast. It didn’t make sense. What purpose would it serve to make an example of her a second time? Unless… “Does he know something I should be aware of ? Has he mentioned my name in connection to the rebellion?”

  “Not directly.” Therek cast a casual glance over his shoulder to make sure no one was listening. “He believes the rebellion was started by a radical group of sympathizers to your plight. You created quite a scene the day of your parents’ execution. There are many Vor’shai – and humans – who feel rather strongly about what was done to you. The Emperor feels that if he removes your rank and title that it will cause the rebels to back down in fear of what else he may do. He is using you against them.”

  Shocked by what she was hearing, Kaori shook her head, vehement in the motion. “This is absurd!” she gasped. “There is no grounds for him to have come to this conclusion.”

  “Truthfully, it makes perfect sense,” Therek argued. He looked uncertain, struggling to find something to say which might ease Kaori’s distress. “I did not want to upset you, but I felt you should be warned. But that is not the worst news I have come to give.”

  Her heart sank at his words. If he had been attempting to console her, he was doing a horrible job. “I am almost afraid to ask.”

  A sudden pressure at her waist caused Kaori to jump, startled by the sensation of Therek’s hand lightly wrapping around her hips to pull her closer. She allowed herself to follow his guidance, muscles tensed in preparation for what he might do or say. “You may have already noticed an increase in the number of soldiers here today.”

  “That was to be expected. Our numbers have increased as well. I am not concerned about that.”

  “You may be more concerned once you see who has come to personally relay the message to you from the Emperor.”

  Kaori’s blood ran cold, fear gripping tightly to her chest at the thought of what he suggested. There was only one man she feared the thought of seeing. Only one man who had the ability to destroy any hope of rescuing the prisoners. Frantic, Kaori followed Therek’s line of sight to the scaffol
d as a group of soldiers rode in on their horses, a familiar face situated atop the largest of the animals. General Deliao. “I have to warn the others.”

  “It will change nothing. You must keep in the General’s sight. Remember, you are meant to be seen here today.”

  “He will kill them, Therek!” she hissed loudly, barely containing the urge to run away. She knew where Sivar was positioned. If she could just get word to him, he could at least think of a way to create a distraction. Something that would keep the General’s attention long enough for the rebels to reach the wagon. But Deliao was smarter than that. It would take more than a simple commotion to get past his keen eye.

  At the sound of his name being spoken, Therek twitched, gazing at Kaori in mild shock. She recognized her mistake too late, the syllables rolling off her tongue before she could stop them. Stupid! If you offend him now, he will leave you at the mercy of the General. Apprehensive, she tried to maintain composure. The stress was getting to her. If she didn’t find a way to regain her focus, she would buckle, and they would all pay the price.

  She felt Therek’s hand slip away from her waist, the expression on his face unchanging. “Your people have likely already noticed his presence. There is no need for you to risk exposing their hiding places.”

  “I am sorry,” she whispered, stepping in closer to Therek. There were so many things she wanted to say. So many reasons she needed to apologize. Now just wasn’t the time. She would have to beg forgiveness for her mistakes when they weren’t facing an immediate crisis. “I owe you a great deal of gratitude for what you have risked in coming here today. And while I appreciate your counsel, I am afraid I cannot heed it this time.”

  “Lady Kaori…”

  Head held high, she ignored Therek’s attempts to get her attention. She had to do something. Her brother was in danger if she listened to Therek and chose to do nothing. But he was right about one thing. If she went to Sivar, it would direct attention to his location. Too many people were watching her. The only thing she could hope to do was make sure the General’s eyes remained on her as well.