The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Four: In the Beginning

by Melissa Collins

  It took every ounce of strength she possessed to lift her upper body, shoulders back, posture straight, hoping to give the illusion of health. “A few of them incurred minor injuries. Koyl indicated that one may have been struck rather severely by a stray arrow, but we will not know the extent of the wound until Pehrona has had a chance to look everyone over.”

  “And your friends. Were they safe as well?”

  “I am not sure,” she sighed, allowing the muscles in her stomach to relax somewhat. It felt good to relieve some of the tension. She wasn’t sure how much longer she would be able to keep up the act. “Koyl was in the wagon with the rest, but Arcell is unaccounted for. No one has seen him since their initial departure from Rothdara. He is believed to be in the company of General Deliao.”

  She didn’t have to see Therek’s face to sense the unease he felt at hearing the news. “Deliao?” he murmured. “I do not like the sound of that.”

  “Nor do I,” Kaori gritted her teeth, slumping forward a little further. “It is suspicious, really. If interrogations were performed on everyone the soldiers arrested during the attack, why would they single out one man to separate from the others?”

  “I can think of several reasons, none of which are pleasant…” Therek’s voice trailed off at the sight of Kaori’s body leaning forward more, her hand pressed tightly against her side, no longer able to hold back a soft groan. His arm reached for her, gently grasping her by the shoulder to help lift her back up. “Kaori, what is it? Are you alright?”

  Her mouth opened to speak in attempts to assure him that she would be fine but the words never came. Instead she felt her knees start to weaken, no longer able to support the weight of her body. A wave of nausea swept over her, bile rising in her throat as she struggled to choke it back. The pain was too much. If it didn’t subside soon, she wasn’t sure she would be able to maintain consciousness. Embarrassed, she watched Therek follow her down to the ground, his knees resting in the soil next to where he helped lay her shoulders flat. Nichele was quick to join Therek’s efforts, grabbing onto Kaori’s legs to pull them out from under her upper body to straighten them.

  Instantly she felt Therek’s hand go to her stomach, his head shaking in disapproval of what he saw there. “The wound has opened,” he frowned, concern visible in his eyes where he stared down at her. His fingers gingerly lifted the fabric of her shirt, a sharp intake of breath the only thing Kaori heard from him in response.

  “She needs a proper doctor.” A slight tremble could be heard in Nichele’s voice as she made the suggestion. Whatever the wound looked like, Kaori could only imagine it was bad given the hesitation so noticeable in her tone. “Should I fetch a physician from town?”

  “Pehrona is inside the house. We can have her examine it…”

  “With all due respect, Pehrona must focus her attention on the prisoners so we can get them back on the road before the soldiers come looking for them. We cannot leave Kaori unattended that long.”

  Therek’s head bowed forward, deep in thought. He didn’t respond right away. Kaori knew he was weighing their options carefully before making a decision, knowing that either way would not get her immediate attention. It would take time to summon a physician from town while on the same token there was no guarantee how long it would take Pehrona to finish examining the health of the prisoners. Especially if any of them had been wounded as severely by the wild arrows as Koyl believed. “Go quickly,” he said suddenly, his confidence returning as he swept Kaori effortlessly into his arms while rising back to his feet in a single fluid motion. “I will get her inside and see what I can do until you return.”

  The next several days passed in a blur. People were in and out of her room to check on her condition, visiting, talking about the rescue and what they were going to do next. Despite her injury, no one wanted to proceed without her input on every detail. Pehrona remained at the Levadis home to monitor Kaori’s recovery. Every afternoon the physician came by to check on Kaori while Pehrona watched over his shoulder to observe everything he did, keeping notes and asking questions to learn the proper techniques of the trade. When no one was around, Pehrona perused the journals written by her father that Liurn gathered at her request, seated at Kaori’s bedside, lost in her studies. After several days of constant reading, her confidence increased enough for her to attempt the tending herself when the physician arrived, taking advantage of his presence to observe her in case of error. She was surprisingly good at the craft, earning the physician’s approval until eventually he ceased his visits, trusting Kaori to Pehrona’s lone care.

  Therek remained in Rothdara long enough to make sure Kaori would survive before he decided it best he return to Eykanua and help dispel rumors and suspicions of Kaori and Sivar’s involvement in the ambush on the Emperor’s soldiers. Vague memories floated in Kaori’s head of Therek questioning Koyl about Arcell and where he might be. Who he was last seen with. It all came down to the same answer. He was last seen in the company of General Deliao. No one had seen him since the soldiers departed Rothdara. Their best guess was that Deliao had chosen to continue onward to Eykanua with Arcell and a smaller band of soldiers, though why he would do that remained the ultimate mystery. Deliao was smart enough to suspect an attack. Even if he didn’t think the rebels would be able to catch up to them, he would have remained on his guard for anything. If he was willing to risk losing the other prisoners by leaving them in the care of a lower ranking soldier, there had to be a good reason. And Kaori didn’t like any of the reasons which came to mind.

  Information. It was what made the world go round in a society as corrupt as Carpaen’s. What Kaori hated to consider was that it was true. Would Arcell really have offered details about the rebels in order to save his own skin? It would depend on what Deliao offered in exchange. In the end, Kaori hoped honor would prevent him from giving out any information which would hurt their cause. His own family was in danger because of the Emperor’s silly new rules. Why would he risk the lives and safety of the people who helped rescue his loved ones? He wouldn’t be that ungrateful. Not after everything they had been through. If he struck a deal with Deliao, it was likely over something trivial. Minor details that he could divulge without actually giving away anything of importance. Just enough to buy his freedom so he could return to the battlefield.

  What amazed Kaori most was the number of people who came to visit her throughout the week. Citizens of Rothdara and neighboring cities came to offer their sympathy for what happened to Kaori while also offering their assistance in any way they could to help fight the Emperor. Word traveled swiftly and she could only hope that it moved quietly as well. By the time she was back on her feet, the rebellion would have a strong base of support. Their numbers were already larger than she dreamed possible when this all began and continued to grow steadily with every day. They brought gifts and flowers to decorate the room in addition to their well wishes for a speedy recovery. The execution in Amalo was coming up soon. Everyone hoped to see her back on her feet in time to lead them in a final rescue attempt. Kaori just wasn’t sure if it would work anymore. The General knew their tactics. He knew they would be there. With proper preparation, he could easily bring enough soldiers with him to push the rebels back and prevent them from accomplishing their goal. It would be a worse failure than that which they suffered in Rothdara. And while they had managed to turn that defeat into a victory, the chances of it happening again were slim to none.

  The sound of her bedroom door opening caused her to lift her eyelids, distracted by the curiosity of who her new visitor was. Pehrona looked up from her book at the intrusion, muscles tensed, as if prepared to throw the journal at the person if they posed a threat to Kaori. Both women relaxed to see it was only Sivar, his expression softened at the sight of Kaori lying there, awake, her own lips curled into a smile to see her brother. “Sivar,” she greeted, holding her arms out toward him to indicate her desire for a hug. He complied willingly, wrapping his arms around her in a
gentle embrace, careful not to squeeze too hard in case he might somehow injure her.

  “Kaori, I am glad to see you are looking better. Color has finally returned to your cheeks.”

  “I have had the best medical care a girl could ask for,” Kaori gave a polite nod in Pehrona’s direction to present credit where it was due. If not for Pehrona’s help, Kaori couldn’t be sure how her recovery would have progressed. Far slower, that was for certain. “If my condition remains stable, I may even be able to grace you all with my presence at the meeting this evening. We have a lot of work to do if we are still planning to attempt a rescue in Amalo.”

  “Ah, that is exactly what I wanted to speak with you about.” Sivar’s pleasant expression faltered, replaced by a stern, disapproving frown. “Whatever we decide in regards to Amalo, it is in your best interest not to participate. Your wound may be healing, but it is too soon to risk aggravating it again.”

  “You worry too much. Another few days and the sutures will be removed and I will be good as new.”

  “No one is willing to risk it, Kaori. I have already spoken with the others and it was unanimous that we do not like the idea of you taking part in another fight while the injury remains tender.”

  Letting her arms fall back to her sides Kaori exhaled, staring up at her brother, discontent written all over her face. She didn’t appreciate being left out of this. The rebellion never would have begun if not for her. She wasn’t willing to lay there and let it go on without her continued participation. “You cannot stop me, Sivar. This means more to me than anything and you know that. It is an insult that any of you would try to keep me away.”

  Morosely, Sivar’s shoulders bowed forward, gazing at Kaori, sympathetic. “Do not think we are trying to cut you out entirely. We need you to help us decide what we are going to do. We just… cannot risk losing you. Somehow your very presence boosts the morale of our people. If you were to fall during this mission, the rebellion may never recover from the loss.”

  Her predicament was irritating. She hated not being able to stand up and show her brother that she was fine. Pehrona’s concerned expression was enough to let Kaori know that even she was hesitant at the thought of letting Kaori out of bed to do anything, let alone fight. If she wanted to keep things peaceful in the house, she would have to at least pretend to yield for the time being. “Very well,” she sighed, relaxing back into the soft warmth of her pillow. “I will agree not to accompany you on the initial rescue, but this mission will be unlike any of the others we have attempted so far.”

  “There will be more soldiers,” Sivar agreed, seeming satisfied with Kaori’s concession. Pleased with his success, he came to sit on the edge of the bed, his hand resting gently over Kaori’s abdomen. “I will make sure we are ready for them. You don’t have to worry about that.”

  “I am not worried about that,” Kaori stated simply. She wasn’t sure what her brother had in mind for the rescue, but whatever it was, she assumed it wasn’t the same as her own idea. Their success in retrieving the prisoners while on the road was enough to make her reconsider their entire strategy. If she’d been thinking more clearly, she might have seen the flaws in their original plan from the start. Allowing the prisoners to get so close to the executioner. There were other methods they had yet to try which would change up the pattern. Stray from the usual routine just enough that it may be possible to regain the upper hand. “We should arrange this mission in two parts,” she continued, aware of the curiosity which sparked in the depths of her brother’s eyes at her words.

  “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “It is simple, really,” she shrugged. “All this time we have been letting our people come too close to death. But why? We know where the soldiers are going to be and when. There are only so many roads which lead to Amalo from Eykanua. An entire unit of soldiers would be difficult to miss. I think we should attempt to snatch the prisoners from the soldiers before they reach the city. A contingency plan can be set up for a second group to be in Amalo in case the initial rescue fails.”

  “How is that any better? We will be faced with the same number of soldiers regardless of which point in their travel we attack. If we wait until the day of the execution, we can at least count on the other people in the crowd adding their strength to our numbers.”

  “The soldiers will not be expecting it,” Kaori pressed on, unwilling to let her idea go. It had merit. If only her brother would hear her out. “Every rescue so far, we have followed the same pattern. Wait until the prisoners are in place for the execution and then ambush when the soldiers go to retrieve the first one. That is getting old. Deliao will expect it and plan specifically to thwart such an approach. But this is different. They won’t be as prepared. We can hide along the road at night, wait for the soldiers to pass through, and take them by surprise before they even reach the city.”

  Sivar pondered the idea. Kaori could see the thoughtful look in his eye as he weighed the options, considering every detail before giving a response. “If I agree, you have to promise that you will let me lead the ambush. With any luck I will be successful and we would have no need for a second try. That way you can stay in bed and heal properly.”

  At his insistence Kaori rolled her eyes, unable to hold back a soft laugh. “For a man who was so hesitant a moment ago, you sure seem confident now.”

  “I have to be,” he replied simply, leaning forward to pull the blankets up further around Kaori’s chest. “You should not be fighting. If the only way to keep you off your feet is to achieve victory first, then I have no other choice.”

  “Come now, Sivar. You speak as though I am on my deathbed.”

  “Your current health is no guarantee of survival if you go into battle.”

  “None of us are guaranteed survival in anything we do. I have the same chance of falling to the soldiers now as I have had since the day Liurn and I first started this rebellion. Truthfully, it is a miracle we are still alive at all.”

  “Then we need to stop pressing our luck.” Kaori didn’t think it possible for Sivar’s expression to look more solemn than it already did, but the deepening of his frown managed to make him look stern. Austere. No hint of the lighthearted boy she had known in their youth. He was becoming hardened to it all. More like a soldier than a nobleman. “You should get some sleep,” he replied calmly, the tips of his fingers reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face to tuck it behind her ear. A show of brotherly affection. Amongst all of her uncertainties, the one thing she never doubted was her brother’s love for her and their family. He might be impossible at times, but his heart was always in the right place. Just knowing he was there helped ease her nerves, albeit only a little, but enough to settle her mind and slow the anxious beat of her heart.

  Sleep. Yes, that sounded wonderful. For the past week she had found it difficult to enjoy a peaceful slumber, woken constantly by the physician or the numerous guests that she was expected to entertain. If her mind was going to be clear enough to formulate a more detailed plan, she was going to need sleep. She wouldn’t be any good to her people if fatigue clouded her senses. “Unless it is an emergency, I prefer not to accept any more guests for the afternoon,” she stated, quiet yet firm, making sure Sivar understood that she meant what she said without coming across too demanding. “Tell them I am indisposed… or any other excuse you can think of to politely turn them away until I am properly rested. We only have a few more days before the execution in Amalo. I will be no good to anyone like this.”

  “Do not trouble yourself about the meeting, then. I will tell the others of our plan.” Gently placing a light kiss upon Kaori’s forehead, Sivar rose to his feet, casting one last look of concern down upon Kaori. Satisfied that she wasn’t going to try and argue, he gave a decisive nod, shifting his gaze to Pehrona, his expression softening once again to see her still seated at Kaori’s bedside. “Make sure she behaves,” he chuckled, bending his upper body forward in a polite bow. “We are in your debt for
everything you have done to help my sister.”

  “Nonsense,” Pehrona smiled with a dismissive wave, playfully motioning Sivar toward the door. “Now be on your way. She will never get better if you do not allow her to sleep.”

  Kaori watched Sivar’s reaction, amused by the change in his demeanor when faced with Pehrona. After all this time, he still held the same torch for her that he had the night Kaori first saw them together at Therek’s home in Siundel. There had been little opportunity for him to speak with her since that night, but now there was no denying the sparkle in his eye. The way he adjusted his stance to look more composed. Strong. He was trying to impress her. And for the first time, Kaori was beginning to think it might be working. Pehrona’s eyes lowered to the floor, demure in her mannerisms. Unlike the behavior she presented while in front of any of the men other than Therek. Sivar nearly stumbled over his own feet while trying to walk backward, not wanting to take his eyes off her. It took one last insistent wave of Pehrona’s hand to get him to turn around and make his way toward the door with a bit more grace, casting a final smile over his shoulder before disappearing into the hall to leave the two girls alone once again. Had Kaori not been so tired, she might have been inclined to ask Pehrona about the strange display. Instead, she felt her eyelids growing heavy, drooping down to darken her vision. Curiosity about her brother’s affairs wasn’t enough to keep her awake any longer. She would just have to remember to ask him about it when another opportunity arose.

  Sick with anticipation Kaori sat nervously in her chair, staring off into the distance without really seeing anything around her. There wasn’t much to see in the tiny room she purchased for the evening in the small town of Carodin several miles outside Amalo. She wanted to be close in case anything went wrong. Sivar was a strong leader but this was their first time attempting a rescue in this way. There were so many things that could go wrong. So many reasons why she should have been there with her brother. But he was adamant about her staying out of it. He tried to argue that it was because she needed to be ready to lead a second charge if the first failed, but she knew the real reason behind his request. It was the same reason all of her friends argued that she stay behind. They didn’t want her to get hurt again. What they didn’t understand was that it was all part of the game. Injury was practically a guarantee when embarking on a mission such as theirs.