“That is the second base I mentioned to be of concern,” Ramis nodded in solemn affirmation. “It is located on the outskirts of Estsia and is comparable in size to that found in Irpola. Their patrol route is wider and covers greater distance than the one to the east, providing greater protection from Ethrysta. Our numbers make it difficult to bypass them, even if we attempt to stay near the border and make our way around.”
Nibbling her lip in contemplation, Kaori stared down at the map, unable to take her eyes from the tiny markings which presented such considerable trouble for their plan. It seemed impossible to avoid confrontation with a unit of Imperial soldiers on the road to Eykanua. They would just have to choose which base posed the least threat to their amateur Vor’shai fighters. “What of the path east from which we arrived? It is out of the way, but it would provide a means of escaping notice until we are out of range of their patrol.”
Captain Ugaro’s low voice provided a response though spoken in the rough, indecipherable noises that made up the Namiren language. He spoke so quickly, it was obvious he desired to make his point in a swift and effective manner without need of fumbling over the unfamiliar words of the Carpaen tongue. Ramis leaned his head closer to the Captain, listening carefully to provide a translation. “While plausible, the Captain advises such a tactic would add days to our journey which places us at greater risk of detection. It also creates an issue with the base in Anktia. A small group may be able to avoid notice, but an army of our size will never slip past their guard.”
“If it is so difficult to avoid notice, how were we able to get where we are now?” Koyl inquired, the expression on his face reflecting the same concern visible in the eyes of everyone seated at the table. Therek seemed prepared for the question, his answer practiced and quick.
“The military bases are positioned several miles inland, for lack of a better word. They do not patrol the border itself, instead watching to make sure threats do not cross a certain threshold. Those of you who traveled with us from Namorea kept close to the coastline and boundaries of Ethrysta, outside the line of their watch. Everyone else arrived in groups small enough to not draw attention to their passing. As a whole, we now have become what the soldiers classify as a valid threat to the safety of Carpaen.”
“What do you suggest?” Kaori twisted in her chair to give Therek her undivided attention. He was the General of her army. Battle tactics were his responsibility to determine. She’d made it perfectly clear from the start that she wasn’t qualified to make decisions in that regard.
Therek’s gaze was sympathetic from where he stood over her, leaning back to fold his arms across his chest. He carried himself with more confidence than Kaori could muster at that moment. She was beginning to feel as if their plan was slowly slipping further out of their reach. “I will build an offensive unit to scout ahead on the road. We have several strong archers and swordsmen within our ranks who can accompany me to Ineev and eliminate the base. It raises the body count of unwitting victims, but we have little choice if we are going to make it to Eykanua without being ambushed by the border guard.”
Dread washed over Kaori at the thought of sending Therek on such a dangerous mission. It was too great a risk. Not only for the sake of her emotional attachment, but for his value to the military. They needed him alive. She needed him alive. There was too much left unsaid between them to chance his death. Lips parted to speak she prepared her argument, lost as to what she could say. She was the Queen. Her decision to deny Therek’s idea couldn’t be made because of emotional duress. To her chagrin, she could think of no other argument. From a military viewpoint his plan was sound. An elite unit of soldiers leading the way to Eykanua with the purpose of dispatching threats to their safe passage. It granted an opportunity to prepare an ambush of the military base and provide a clear path to Eykanua.
Torn between rational and emotional, she stared at Therek, unable to speak. You have to say something. Hesitation made her look weak. Therek required her approval but she couldn’t in good conscience send him off to his possible demise. Not now. Not when she had yet to apologize for her behavior in Namorea. It ate at her inside to know that she had no choice than to let him go. Freedom for her people was more important than her heart. She would have to find an opportunity to ask his forgiveness before he left on the mission.
“The plan has potential,” she spoke the words with little emotion. Her decision was based solely on strategy. She didn’t feel the need to dress it up and pretend it was what she wanted. “If you feel this is the best course of action, then you have my support.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Kaori cringed to hear him utilize her title. She longed for the days when she first broke through his mental walls, the way her name rolled off his tongue, bringing with it a surge of satisfaction and excitement in her heart. Now it was as if they had taken several steps backward in their relationship, relying on titles to address one another. She had to keep reminding herself that they had an image to uphold in front of everyone. Titles were a necessity to aid in the establishment of their new ranks. It would be foolish to assume she was the only one having a hard time adjusting.
She wasn’t sure how much time passed before she realized Therek was still talking. Explaining the details of his plan in more depth. Something you probably should pay attention to…
“We should hold the final charge until all units are in position. Regardless of whether they are aware of our approach, Deliao is an overconfident ass who will not expect our army to be so large.” Therek’s voice trailed off, a sudden look of embarrassment crossing his handsome features as he cast an uneasy glance at each of the women at the table. “Pardon my language, ladies. These days I tend to forget myself.”
“We are not at court, General.” Kaori fought back laughter to see Therek look so uncomfortable over something as minor as a word. She’d heard far worse over the past months. His fumble, however, provided a perfect chance for her to speak so as to appear that she’d been attentive to the conversation from the beginning.
Nodding politely, Therek gave a forced smile, picking up quickly where he left off. “Most of our troops shall remain in the streets to fight the Imperial soldiers. Deliao will likely order them into formation around the palace to prevent us from breaking through the gate. Our men – and women – can create a diversion while an assigned unit initializes efforts to ram the palace gate and grant entry. It is made of wood. Such a task should be simple enough to accomplish.”
“What do you propose we do once inside?” Liurn asked. It was a reasonable question. One Kaori was curious about as well. “Deliao may be an ass, but he is an expert in offensive and defensive tactics. He would not leave the palace itself unguarded. We may find the courtyard reinforced with greater numbers than the streets.”
“Captain Ugaro’s archers are some of the finest I have seen. They can find a way to ascend the barrier and fire upon the enemy while our fighters charge the palace.”
From the opposite end of the table Pehrona brought her hand up in a quiet request for attention. Taking note of her raised arm, Therek gestured toward her, granting her a moment to speak. “Forgive my ignorance, but I am unsure of the desired outcome in this. Is it our intent to kill Sulel or simply take him captive?”
“That is not ignorant at all,” Therek replied, calm and confident. Kaori couldn’t understand how he could maintain such an image of strength while under the pressure placed upon him. “What happens to Sulel will depend on many factors which cannot be predicted. In a perfect world, Sulel should be taken alive and forced to stand trial for his actions. A more likely scenario, however, is that we will find him armed and in the company of his general. Sulel is a proud man. He would die fighting before considering surrender – and Deliao will defend his Emperor to the end. Death may not be avoidable.”
“I say we carve out his heart and impale his head on a pike in the city center,” Calynne drawled, a flash of her earlier insolence shining t
hrough her darkened eyes.
Therek’s gaze settled upon her, unamused by the gruesome suggestion. “I want to see the man drawn and quartered as much as the rest of you, but we are not savages.”
“So it is settled,” Kaori cut in. Her patience for idle bickering was wearing thin. They needed to remain focused on their plan and not on the many ways they could make an example of Sulel. Defeating him in battle would suffice as a means of proving the Vor’shai were not to be trifled with. Turning her attention to Therek she straightened her shoulders in attempts to look as courageous as she hoped to sound. “We should not wait much longer to make our move. When do you think your unit can be ready for departure?”
“I could have them on the road before nightfall tomorrow.”
Tomorrow? Kaori’s heart felt as if it skipped inside her chest. She assumed it would take a few days to determine the most skilled soldiers and prepare them for the mission. This was progressing too quickly for comfort. “If you require time, we can spare a night or two. It is unwise to rush.”
“I require only enough time to advise those who will accompany me and give them an opportunity to rest and pack for the journey. It is best we are on our way sooner than later.”
Biting her tongue to keep from speaking out in pure emotional disapproval, Kaori drew her shoulders back with a decisive nod. “We should not waste any more time, then,” she stated with strained calm, rising to her feet to indicate the meeting had come to an end. The sooner Therek was able to gather his men, the faster she would be able to find a way to pull him aside and beg his forgiveness before they set off toward Eykanua. The future was unknown. Frightening. It was possible they would all meet Sytlea on the battlefield and Kaori’s worry about what Therek felt for her would mean nothing. She just couldn’t bring herself to accept that possibility. “Aid the General in whatever way he requires so we can have his unit gathered and ready before tomorrow evening. None of us shall rest until the preparations are complete.”
Standing outside her tent, Kaori watched the men and women bustling throughout the camp, heads bowed together, talking in hushed tones about the plans which had quickly begun to spread since the command meeting. Tension was noticeable in the air. Some were excited about the decision to begin the journey to Eykanua while others remained hesitant. Afraid of what the outcome of the battle would be. Kaori shared both feelings on the matter. Pleased to finally be making progress toward their goal while frightened of the fact that victory wasn’t a guarantee. War seemed such a great idea in the beginning but now she wondered if there may have been another way. Had she made a misstep along her path these past months which left no choice but to fight?
The truth was that there had been no other option from the start. Sulel’s intentions from the moment of her parents’ arrest were to force the Vor’shai to submit to his rule. Mercy wasn’t a word with which he and Deliao showed familiarity. They were filled with a lust for power beyond that which they already possessed. If the Vor’shai succumbed to his threats, he would find another unsuspecting race to destroy. The Esai. The Ven’shal. Once every culture within the Empire was forced into compliance, there was no way to know if he would stop at the borders of Carpaen. No country was safe from his greed. Fear aside, this was the best – and only – choice for everyone.
Through it all, there remained one thought Kaori couldn’t force from her mind. Constantly finding her focus distracted until she felt she would scream if she didn’t do something about it soon. Therek. It was impossible not to think about him. His name was on everyone’s lips, speaking of his leadership and the orders he continued to give throughout the camp. She couldn’t escape him no matter how hard she tried. Every glimpse she caught of his face only added to her suffering, her heart aching to pull him behind one of the tents and press her lips against his the way they had in Namorea. Life was fleeting and it drove her mad to think how much she had yet to experience. There was a very real chance she wouldn’t survive the battle. That she would die not knowing what it felt like to hold Therek in her arms without fear of him pulling away. Images ran rampant in her head, leaving her breathless and confused about the way that man made her feel. It didn’t seem normal. Or healthy. She’d become obsessed with him and the only way she could rid herself of the insanity was to face the source of her fixation.
Hand rested flat against her chest to try and ease the rapid beat of her heart she took a step forward, listening intently to the voices of the men and women around her. The commotion of the initial commands for departure had begun to die down, the number of people wandering throughout the area slowly dwindling. Good. It wouldn’t be long before everyone found their way to their tents for the night. Now was the perfect time to think of an excuse to get him away from the soldiers and somewhere she could bare her soul in hopes of gaining his forgiveness. She wanted to hear him say the words that he’d spoken that night in Namorea before she so selfishly walked away and left him in the darkness, alone. I love you, Kaori…
“General!” she called out, her heart beating hard against her chest, fast and strong at the sight of Therek coming into view on the main pathway between the tents. His head snapped upward at the sound of her voice, a curious expression visible on his face as he excused himself from the company of the men walking at his side.
“Is something wrong, Your Majesty?”
“There are some details about the plan which I must discuss with you before your departure tomorrow,” she lied, hoping those within range to hear the interaction would find nothing of interest at the thought of them slipping away together. He was her general, after all. There was nothing abnormal about them speaking of business in each other’s private company.
The look on Therek’s face revealed his confusion at the request, glancing over his shoulder toward the soldiers who continued to watch out of curiosity as to what might be wrong. He closed the gap between them in a few long swift strides, staring at Kaori with concern. “Has something happened? I thought we were agreed on the details.”
“Perhaps we should speak of it in private,” Kaori scanned the area, uncomfortable with the number of people who could see them. This location would never do. She needed to get him alone.
“Let us go to the command tent,” Therek started to turn away, his motion stopped short by Kaori’s hand on his wrist.
“We can use my tent. It will not take long.”
Uncertainty remained noticeable in his eyes as he gave a hesitant nod, staring down at her hand where it wrapped around his arm. Nervous as to what it might look like to the others, Kaori quickly released her grip, taking a step back to place a more appropriate distance between them. The extra space seemed to ease Therek’s discomfort somewhat, his stance becoming more relaxed. Twisting around to face the men he’d left behind he gave a casual wave of dismissal, his voice concealing the hesitation he exhibited only moments before. “Everything is alright, gentlemen. Continue about your business. We shall speak again shortly.”
Content with his assurances, the men nodded respectfully before resuming their path through the camp. Kaori waited until they were out of sight, not wanting to let anyone see her usher Therek into the privacy of the tent where she made her bed. Queen or not, leading a man into her sleeping quarters would be viewed as improper and scandalous. And the last thing they needed right now were rumors of impropriety.
He gave little resistance as she reached for his hand again, a gentle tug causing him to stumble forward slightly. Holding open the flap, she motioned with her head for Therek to enter, keeping watch over the camp to make sure no one was watching until he was safely inside. Satisfied that their disappearance together had gone unnoticed, she slipped through the entrance, hands trembling as she worked with the ties to secure the door closed, cautious of the fact that someone else may come to visit her throughout the night. It was no secret which tent was hers. As Queen, she would be sought after in the event of trouble. She could only hope the night would pass without need of her attention.
Alone in each other’s company, they remained silent for several moments, neither one sure what to say. It made sense for Kaori to speak first. She was the one who requested the meeting. The inquiring look in Therek’s eyes told her that he was waiting for her to provide answers to the obvious questions he had about their impromptu meeting.
“I am ashamed to say that I was not entirely honest about my reasons for asking you here,” she started. All the words which had been so perfectly planned in her mind no longer sounded right, leaving her fumbling over what to say to explain everything she wanted so badly to tell him. This was a delicate situation. Honesty was best, but she would have to be careful how she explained things. Blunt and to the point lacked the ability to reveal the sincerity she hoped Therek would hear in her tone.
“You do not have questions about our plans?”
Shaking her head, Kaori took a step closer to Therek, praying he wouldn’t move away. To her relief, he remained still, watching her every movement with growing concern. “I… I must speak with you on another matter which I did not want anyone else to know about.”
“Is everything okay?”
“No.”
Therek’s eyes opened wide at her response, the creases on his forehead deepening with worry. “My goodness, Kaori. What has happened?”
With a despondent shrug, Kaori lowered her gaze to the floor. She couldn’t bring herself to say what she needed to express when he looked upon her the way he did now. There was no animosity in his eyes. For some reason she expected him to harbor hatred toward her for the harsh words she spoke when last they found themselves in each other’s private company. If he was angry, he did an impeccable job of hiding it, his feet shuffling forward to stand directly in front of her.
His closeness was suffocating. If she didn’t get the words out quickly, she feared she might lose her nerve and never get the chance to admit everything to him again. “I have wronged you, Therek,” she frowned, hating how foolish she must sound. But she had to keep going. She had to tell him what was on her mind. “It was out of line to make the request I did in Namorea. I was selfish to not take your feelings into consideration when I know what you have been through. Please, I must know if you forgive me or I shall never forgive myself.”
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Four: In the Beginning Page 80