One voice remained absent from the rest. The only one she wanted to hear. Sivar. Where was her brother? Who had brought these people here? She couldn’t bring herself to believe they had come of their own accord. Someone must have directed them there. But who? Pehrona and Therek had been with her in the carriage. No one followed them from the city. All she knew was that, regardless of who brought them, it wasn’t Therek’s responsibility to entertain them. She needed to get to the foyer and face her unexpected guests. They were emotional. Desperate for answers. And although she couldn’t offer much consolation, it might at least calm them to see her there.
Hand pressed against her side to conceal the injury from view she made her way forward. Suddenly self-conscious of her appearance she let her free hand weave through the tangles of her hair to try and smooth it, wiping at her face to make sure the stray dirt had been cleaned away. Dried blood could be seen on her fingers and palms, doing nothing to help her bedraggled image. It was pointless to try. No matter what she did, the people would see her, disheveled, battered. They couldn’t hold it against her. Everyone present at the execution knew what the General had done. They would just have to forgive her for being less than presentable.
At the entrance to the foyer she paused, her bare feet allowing her to approach, soundless in her steps, unnoticed by the guests gathered in the spacious room. From her vantage she could finally put faces to the voices which spoke, amazed to discover how many people were inside her home. The foyer was crowded. Packed tightly from one end of the room to the other, a small space left near the door where Therek and Pehrona stood, rigid, proud, staring out over the crowd to hear what they had to say. Near the front Kaori recognized the outline of Liurn’s figure, quiet, saying nothing to provide assistance. He didn’t dare speak out. These people knew nothing of his involvement with the rebellion. And there was no way to know whether they could be trusted.
“The Emperor doesn’t care about us,” another man grumbled, obviously disgruntled. “He won’t hear anything we say simply because of what we are. That man would rather see the head severed from every Vor’shai in Carpaen. And if we don’t stop the General now, he very well may succeed.”
The man spoke the truth. From what Kaori had witnessed, the Emperor seemed to take pleasure in killing Vor’shai. One public execution of those deemed traitors was more than enough to make whatever point he hoped to get across. The other displays were nothing more than a gross demonstration of power. But she wasn’t going to stand for that. None of them could. They had to stop hiding in fear of what would happen if they stood up to the General and let it be known that they weren’t going to take it anymore.
Head held high, Kaori took another step into the room, shoulders back, posture erect. If she was going to expose her intentions to a room full of strangers, she had to make sure she looked sincere. Confident. Every person in the foyer was a potential sword willing to fight for the cause she led. If she had any hope of recruiting them, she needed to first make sure they had enough respect for her to listen to what she said. “We are not going to let the Emperor succeed.”
Every head in the room turned to look at her, gasps and whispers erupting amongst those who had been otherwise silent. They looked shocked to see her. Hopeful. She swallowed hard, her eyes slowly scanning the room to take in the faces of those around her. Many of them were familiar in appearance. People she’d seen during visits to the city while others remained complete strangers. Still, nowhere amongst them did she see her brother. In a single sweep of the room she was immediately aware of those who weren’t present. Sivar. Arcell. Koyl. The expression on Liurn’s face was enough to set her nerves on edge. He looked worn. Exhausted. Blood streaked across his clothing, the left sleeve of his shirt tattered. A bandage could be seen wrapped around his forearm, stained through with blood from the injury it covered from view.
“Countess…” The title was spoken in awe throughout the crowd. Kaori could only imagine how she must look. A tragic noble. Her crimson gown drenched with blood across the bodice, pieces of fabric cut and hanging under her fingers where she tried to conceal the laceration. Despite the dirt on her face, she maintained a look of elegance with the rubies and diamonds still threaded haphazardly through her hair, tangled amidst the long ebon strands. With each step she took the crowd parted to let her pass, their eyes following her every move, anxious to hear what she would say.
For effect, she turned sharply to face the people from where she came to stand in front of Therek, jaw clenched to keep from letting her discomfort be known. “The only way the Emperor can beat us down is if we continue to let him. I, for one, have no intention of letting that happen. The needless deaths of our people end today.”
“But they have taken more prisoners,” a young woman protested. The look in her eyes revealed the fear these people felt. The uncertainty experienced by every Vor’shai across Carpaen. Nods of agreement could be seen throughout the room, a low murmur building, incited by the woman’s statement. Kaori stared out across the foyer, lost for what to say in response. More prisoners? Her heart sank to consider the possibilities. She hated to think that the rescue failed. But if the rebels had been unsuccessful, why were Liurn and Davian here now?
Lips pursed, she glanced over to Liurn, her eyes questioning him without having to say anything out loud. He would know the questions running rampant in her mind. Her concern was that he wouldn’t respond. If he said anything, it would announce his association with the rebels. Just because she was willing to make her stance clear to these people didn’t mean he shared her enthusiasm at the idea.
At Liurn’s silence, Davian stepped forward, his expression solemn, brow furrowed. “The General managed to keep the rebels at bay while the soldiers secured the wagon for its return to Eykanua. In the process, he ordered the arrest of several citizens who acted against him. I daresay Deliao left with more than twice the number of prisoners with which he arrived.”
The knot in Kaori’s stomach tightened. This was worse than she thought. The prisoners remained captive and on top of it they placed more lives in danger. Their rescue attempt was beyond a failure. It was a nightmare. “What of the rebels?” she asked, unable to hold back the inquiry any longer. She had to know what happened to Sivar. There had to be a reason he wasn’t there with Liurn.
Hanging his head, Davian cast a hesitant glance over his shoulder to where Liurn remained silent, the lines on his face more noticeable from the obvious tension he exhibited. A subtle nod of Liurn’s head was the only gesture he received, imperceptible to the unobservant citizens though obvious to Kaori’s watchful eyes. Why didn’t Liurn just speak? He knew what she was asking and still he lacked the nerve to expose his involvement when he was one of the only people present who possessed the knowledge which could put her mind at ease. She wanted to scream. To shout at him to stop being a coward.
At Liurn’s approval, Davian turned back to Kaori, his frown deepening with the news he was about to give. She stared at him, anxious, frightened, unsure of what she would do if he told her that Sivar had been taken. To breakdown in front of these people would destroy the image she worked so hard to build. “Not everyone was able to get away,” he started, a long, drawn out exhale creating a break in his words before he continued. “I regret to inform you that I am unaware of what became of the one you most likely inquire about. Last I saw of him, he took chase after the wagon as it was leaving town. We hoped that by now he would have given up and returned so we could regroup and think of a proper plan to get the prisoners back.”
“We should not count on a swift return, if that is the case. He is rather relentless.” Kaori lowered her gaze to the floor, deep in thought. She had to think of something. Without Sivar, and with Liurn hiding behind Davian, it was up to her to formulate a stratagem. They couldn’t just stand there and do nothing while the soldiers were already on the move. With the rebels scattered, their numbers were limited. To plan an attack against an entire unit of the Imperial Army would req
uire more than just Davian and Liurn at her side. Steeling her resolve, Kaori lifted her eyes to look out over the crowd once again. She’d already come this far. There was no point in trying to tiptoe around her intentions any longer. “Who here knows how to fight?”
Prepared for more of a protest, she was surprised to see the number of hands raised in support, several men and women stepping forward to make their presence known. They were quickly joined by others, the room erupting into a cacophony of cheers and applause. Immediately she felt a hand tug at her arm, pulling her backward to whisper loudly into her ear. “Lady Kaori, what are you doing?”
Kaori’s eyes rolled heavenward at Therek’s question. “I am doing what I must, Your Grace,” she replied quietly, unsure if he would even hear her over the roar of the crowd. “These people came here for a reason,” she added. “I suspect this is what many of them hoped for.”
“They came here because you are… you were their countess. Have you forgotten that your people watched the General plunge his knife into you? I suspect they came in fear for your health, not for – whatever it is you have in mind.”
“That is where I think you are wrong. These people want to stand up to the Emperor. They want to fight.” Drawing her shoulders back, Kaori jutted her chin out in defiance, her attention shifting from Therek to focus on the cheering crowd before her. “Do you trust me to lead you to victory? Are you willing to stand up to the soldiers and get our people back?”
At her words the applause grew louder, the voices of every man and woman in the room shouting their support, chanting Kaori’s name. It was positively surreal. She felt her breath catch in her throat at the realization that these people were so willing to follow her. To trust her. It baffled her how she could have garnered the respect of so many. Had she really made such an impression?
The cheers were cut short by Therek’s commanding voice as it boomed through the room, startling Kaori with the authority he exuded. “Lady Kaori will not fight! It is too dangerous given the injury she has already sustained. I cannot allow this.”
“Allow?” Kaori blinked at Therek, appalled by his assumption that he had any control over what she did. “Your Grace, I am not yours to command.”
“Think of it not as a command, but as a request.”
“Then consider your request denied,” she stated, bold in her mannerisms. It was out of line for her to speak in such a way to a man of Therek’s standing. Somehow she couldn’t bring herself to care. Rank and title meant nothing anymore. If she was willing to strike against the Emperor, it seemed trivial to direct a few harsh words at a Duke. “At this moment, you are either with me, or against me. If you do not intend to fight at my side, then I suggest you leave.”
Lowering his voice, Therek leaned closer to Kaori, the struggle to maintain his composure made obvious by the slight tremble of his body, his fingers wrapping tightly around Kaori’s wrist to pull her into him. “You know I cannot fight with you.”
“Then you are no use to me here,” she hissed, her features contorting in pain as the sutures strained to hold her wound closed under the sharp movement. Her eyes closed to fight the tears threatening to fall. She refused to let these people see her cry. They couldn’t know the extent of her injury or they would side with Therek and back down from their resolution to fight.
They stood in silence, eyes locked on one another, recalcitrant. Kaori found herself reminded of the reasons why she both hated and admired Therek. He was strong. Confident. Not afraid to stand up to her or anyone else. But it was those same qualities which made him so infuriating. Nothing she said would convince him to change his mind. He knew she was in pain. His concern for her well-being was too great to allow him to concede. Her fear was in how far he would go to keep her there. He didn’t seem the type to resort to violence, though she couldn’t deny that she knew very little about how he would behave if angered enough. To this point she’d never really seen him upset.
With a huff Therek turned away, his long legs carrying him swiftly to the door, saying nothing as he twisted the handle to disappear outside. The sound of it slamming shut behind him caused Kaori to flinch, frightened by the strength behind it, echoing through the room, walls vibrating under the force. She chided herself quietly for letting him go. Therek was a valuable asset. Every time she spoke out against him or told him she didn’t need his help was just slowly pushing him further and further away until one day she would find him less than willing to come back. The truth was that she did need him. He was the only one who could find out what the General’s next move would be. From this point on, she couldn’t count on the executions to function the same as they did in Whitelyn and Voiene. Without Therek’s help, she was sure to lead these people into worse failures than they had seen in Rothdara.
Shaking her head she tried to clear the thoughts from her mind. She couldn’t think about Therek right now. The prisoners were priority. The longer they waited to take action, the further from Rothdara the soldiers would get. “We need to act quickly,” she stated, her voice faltering somewhat from her previous confidence. This task was going to be far more difficult than the planning of a simple rescue. There was no guarantee where the soldiers would be at any given moment. It was in the hands of the gods now. “We need horses and weapons. Gather everything you can and meet me in town within the hour. If we are not on the road before dark, we will never catch the soldiers.”
“How do you propose we catch them?” Pehrona stepped forward, looking Kaori over with concern. “We are hours behind and we have no way of knowing how many soldiers are with the unit.”
“We have an idea of their numbers. The wagon will slow them down. Most importantly, they likely will not anticipate an attack. They will stop to rest for the night, but we will not. If we work together, we can ambush them with the cover of darkness and have our people home before sunrise.” It sounded convincing. If only she could make herself believe it! Her heart was racing. A combination of fear and excitement at the thought of what they were about to do. This would be different from the other rescues. And if General Deliao remained with the unit, victory wouldn’t come easy.
At her words the crowd burst into cheers once again, their voices reverberating off the walls. Kaori took in the sound. Proud of herself. Frightened of what she was about to do, but satisfied with the thought that she was giving her people hope. They wanted a leader. Someone who wasn’t afraid to stand up to the General. And while she couldn’t claim she felt no fear, she was confident that it wasn’t enough to keep her from doing what she knew was right.
All around her the people sprung into motion, talking amongst themselves as they made their way toward the door to begin preparations. Kaori stepped off to the side to watch them leave, her lips frozen in a forced smile at each of them as they stepped outside, teeth clenched tightly, knees shaking. She had one hour. After that, there would be no turning back. It was all or nothing – and her people deserved everything she had to offer.
Kaori remained motionless in the foyer as the last of the crowd dispersed. She was vaguely aware of the fact that her friends lingered behind, Pehrona’s hand gently laid upon Kaori’s shoulder, the words she spoke coming as nothing but noise to Kaori’s ears. The mix of emotions that ran through her was overwhelming. Fear. Doubt. Anger. Of all the things she felt, that was the emotion she was most certain of. She was angry. Not with herself, or at Therek for walking out on her. It was with Liurn. That cowardly bastard… “How dare you,” she said through gritted teeth, turning away from Pehrona to glare at Liurn where he stood, partially concealed behind Davian’s broad shoulders. He stared back at her, clearly put off by the acid in her tone.
“Kaori…”
“I do not want to hear it!” she shouted, clenching her fists at her sides. She couldn’t remember the last time she wanted to hit someone so badly. He deserved it. After all his talk of courage and standing up for their people and he was the only one who was too timorous to step up and admit his involvement in the
rebellion. “How am I supposed to trust that you will be loyal in battle when you are too afraid to let anyone know you even support me?”
“It was my understanding that we were not going to make our involvement known to just anyone.”
“That is no longer an option. We cannot continue to play these silly games to try and protect ourselves. What we are trying to accomplish requires sacrifice. My sacrifice is that I am willing to put myself out there.”
“I mean no disrespect, but some of us still have our titles, Kaori. It is easier for you when you do not have as much to lose.”
Kaori’s mouth hung open, appalled at what she was hearing. “I do not have as much to lose?” she gasped. “I have everything to lose! We all do. Does your stupid title mean that much to you? Is it more important than the freedom of your people?”
“I didn’t see you berating the Duke for not supporting you –”
“The Duke has better reasons than you. He has a use to us which requires him to be less involved. You do not.”
“He is no use to us, Kaori. I think your judgment is clouded.”
“My judgment is clearer than it has ever been. More than ever, we need Therek on the inside. Your position as Count does nothing to aid our people. And from what I hear, you will not be in possession of it much longer.”
Confused, Liurn stared back at her, eyes narrowed, though his anger was less noticeable than the unease so evident in the depths of his amber eyes. “What is that supposed to mean?”
An odd sense of pleasure filled Kaori to see Liurn look so lost. Afraid of what she would say. When first faced with the thought of having to tell her friends of the Emperor’s intentions she’d been torn. Disheartened to think of how they would take the news. Now she pushed onward gladly, relishing the moment and the look on Liurn’s face. “The Duke informed me that the Emperor has given the order to strip all Vor’shai nobles of their rank. No one is immune. That goes for you as well.”
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Four: In the Beginning Page 39