Dark Healer (An Empire Falls Book 1)

by Harry Leighton

  “That’s not possible, the people don’t just rise in rebellion, they need a leader.” Everyone’s eyes turned to Gaken, who seemed unhappy he was being glared at. “That’s your own philosophy, Chairman.”

  “I was wrong. So, can we all agree that we are looking at a rebellion happening outside these walls. That the people have risen.”

  “Yes?” everyone replied.

  “And can we all agree that this is the moment we have been looking for.”

  A pause, nervous looks. Finally Larly spoke. “I always imagined we’d put out a call to arms, we’d inspire the people, we would be united against the empire. It feels to me more like these farmers just want to steal and kill.”

  Makern didn’t raise an eyebrow, but he certainly thought about it. What, exactly, had you been expecting a rebellion to go like? An exchange of letters?

  “I think the experience has taken us all by surprise,” the chairman continued, “but is this our moment?”

  “We get one shot at this, we have to be sure.”

  “There is a legion here now.”

  The chairman nodded. “Let me approach this from a different angle.”

  “Of course,” Gaken agreed.

  “There is violence happening in our area. A great violence, a spontaneous, bloody river which is pulling ever more people along. There seems to be no direction, just a torrent.”

  He paused, took a sip of wine. “What I ask each of you is, if someone came along who could direct this torrent, if we were to take charge of this rebellion, if we were to be a rebel council with a rebellion beneath us, could we direct this torrent so it took the legion, the empire and every damn other thing away?”

  “Take charge…”

  “Yes. We always imagined we would start the revolution but it has started. Now I propose that we could take control, direct, use our plans.”

  “Can we take charge?” Makern asked to lead them.

  “I believe we can,” the chairman continued, his speech getting faster and slightly higher. “We can issue a call to arms, we can recruit the commander we have always aimed for, we can bring everyone together in an army. Then we can strike back.”

  Everyone around the table had begun to glance at each other, eyes quickly moving back and forth, person to person, small looks growing.

  “But a legion…”

  “I believe that is the trigger we need.”

  “Chairman! These are imperial soldiers, not guardsman!”

  “Larly, think about it. The people rose to fight guards, and now they are threatened with subjugation by soldiers. They know people will be slaughtered. The arrival of the legion gives us the chance to slide in above them and organise.”

  “I think,” Lavine interjected, “that he has a point. If they had been busy, ‘they’ being these farmers, robbing and fighting and we tried to impose ourselves…”

  “Impose? Provide natural leadership.”

  “Whichever, if we had tried that we would have been ignored. But now … now we have them looking for answers and we can provide. I say we have been given a chance by the legion.”

  “You and I are agreed than Lavine?”

  “Yes. We take command.”

  “Then what about everyone else?”

  “I support this action,” Gaken said, sticking his chest out.

  You would, the chairman thought. He supposed now he’d find out whether Gaken was any use in a real rebellion. “What about everyone else?”

  Julen put a hand to his face, massaged his cheeks, before finally saying, “I agree. Let’s become a real rebel council.”

  “And you, Makern?”

  “I wholeheartedly approve.”

  “Larly?”

  “Let’s go ahead.”

  “A show of hands then, to make it official.”

  Unanimously a collection of hands were raised.

  “Does anyone object to me writing a proclamation, to be issued once we are outside?”

  “Not at all, Chairman.”

  “Thank you Gaken, but everyone else?”

  Nods and murmurs of assent followed.

  “Well then. After several years, it is time. It is time. I never truly believed I’d say those words, but it is time. We, the rebel council, have a rebellion. We will overthrow the tyranny of the empire, we will expel the murder of their legions, and we will bring back the old ways.”

  “Er, Chairman, are you crying?”

  “Sorry Lavine. Just a … little overcome.”

  “Victory or death,” Gaken cheered. The rest of the room suddenly realised that really was the situation.

  *****

  Larly came out of the meeting and looked up and down the street. Still quiet, which was excellent. The chairman had picked a great place to live. Then again, he had the money to do so. Oh, money…

  Lavine came up beside Larly. “How are you planning on getting out?”

  “Sorry?”

  “We are supposed to be heading for rebel territory, yet we live and work in a better off part of the city where the imperials hold sway. How are we supposed to be getting out?”

  “I, er, thought we could just head out an imperial exit and walk round?”

  Lavine shook her head. “No Larly, you can’t just walk round and out, there are armed guards everywhere.” She leaned over and whispered instructions to him.

  “Oh, right.”

  Lavine turned and walked off into the night.

  This might be problematic, Larly considered as he walked through the streets, until he came to his first destination: his bank.

  He’d planned it all out, how he was going to take the money from the bank and ship it out of the city to use as a fund for rebellion. But now … all his staff were absent, safe in their homes, and there was little chance of moving such weight.

  He could, however, make a start.

  Unlocking and rushing in, he retrieved a large bag from his office, went to the strongboxes, and started to fill it with portable goods: jewellery taken as payments, gold coins the best size-to-value ratio.

  He started at speed, moving confidently, but soon found the bag growing heavy even though it was barely filled. He was being beaten by weight, by the nature of the wealth, and soon he had to sigh unhappily, almost drag the bag with him, lock the bank up and walk away from the dream of paying for rebellion.

  Maybe when they’d taken the city. Maybe then they could access it all.

  Walking down the street, Larly took a turn and was soon at his own home, where he went inside and called his servants together.

  “Hello everyone,” and he paused for attention. “I say this with a heavy heart,” and he was acting a little, “but I believe it is time to flee the city.” He paused, having no intention of telling them why he was. “I thank you all for your years of service here, and I hope that in the future we will be reunited in better circumstances. To help you on your way, I will now give you all a gold piece each.” He reached into the bag and drew some out. “Please take this, take your belongings and leave.”

  With tears in their eyes, his loyal staff departed into the home to collect their belongings and work out what they were going to do.

  Larly took his bag upstairs and packed a small amount of clothes and personal effects on the top. He didn’t need to select these as he’d gone over it in his head a thousand times. Then he changed into what he hoped was a nondescript enough outfit, said a goodbye to his home that verged on tears, and swore that he would soon be back, at the head of an army of rebels.

  No imperial taxes.

  No imperial governor.

  Then he was back on the streets. He’d heard there was a way to get across the halves of the city, but that it was run by criminals who could be very demanding. Seeing as he had a bag filled with treasure, this probably wasn’t the best idea, but the guards on the gates were rumoured to be no better.

  He walked briskly, passing a few people and staring steadfastly at the ground as he passed guard patrols, bef
ore he turned down a side street and found himself looking at an ordinary wooden door. No marks, no signs, just a door.

  He hoped he had the right place or this could be silly.

  He knocked, waited, knocked again and then the door cracked open. Two eyes almost popped out at him.

  “Yes?”

  He held up a pearl ring. “I’d like to cross please?”

  The door flew open, two huge hands grabbed him and dragged him in, and the door slammed. “Subtle aren’t ya, you bloody idiot.”

  As his mind caught up, Larly realised he wasn’t holding the ring. It was being examined in its new owner’s large hand.

  “Looks genuine. Got any more?”

  “It’s worth a lot.”

  “Aye. Alright, come with me.”

  The house stank of pipe smoke and vision was obscured, but they walked through several rooms until they came to a kitchen. The two large men with cudgels would normally have caught the eye first, but on this occasion it was the large hole which had been bashed through the back wall of the kitchen, right through into a house on the other side.

  “He’s paid, let him through.”

  “What’s in the bag?” a heavy croaked.

  Larly looked him in the eye, clearly said nothing, and turned for the hole.

  “I said…”

  “He paid us in this…”

  All eyes turned to the ring.

  “Don’t get many pearls down here.”

  Wasting no time, Larly crouched and went through the hole and then he was in a different building. A woman stood there, nodding.

  “My fee?”

  Larly pulled a ring from his pocket, not wishing to open the bag.

  “Ah, yes, this will do nicely.”

  The air was smoke free here, and soon Larly was being moved with alacrity through another doorway and onto a street.

  Here he was, in rebel territory. The uprising was about to be led.

  *****

  “It’s official then,” Daeholf said, handing the scroll to Trimas.

  Trimas opened it up and read it. “Yeah.”

  “Rebellion?” Zedek said.

  “Read it for yourself,” Trimas said, handing him the scroll.

  “How did this happen?” Jonas said.

  “Looks like someone has got the rioters organised,” Trimas said.

  “I think we can safely call them more than that now,” Alia said.

  “Rebellion,” Daeholf said. “I didn’t expect that.”

  “No,” Trimas said.

  “Whose side are you on?” Jonas said.

  They all turned to look at him sharply.

  “I want to know where we stand,” Jonas said.

  Trimas frowned and looked at Daeholf.

  “Let me be blunt, are you siding with the rebels?” Jonas said.

  “Hadn’t planned to,” Daeholf said. “Why?”

  “We’ve got an idea of where your sympathies lie,” Alia said. Jonas turned to look at her then nodded.

  “We’re no great lovers of the empire but we didn’t want this,” Trimas said.

  “No?” Jonas said, looking back.

  “Absolutely not,” Daeholf said.

  “All this chaos and death?” Zedek said. “You think this is our fault?”

  “No, I didn’t mean that,” Jonas said. “Though I think maybe we do have to shoulder at least some of the blame.”

  “Why?” Zedek said.

  “That self-styled general almost certainly set it off by sending the watch out to harass the countryside,” Jonas said.

  “From what we’ve seen, that’s a given,” Trimas said.

  “And we pushed him into that,” Alia said.

  “That might be putting it a bit strongly,” Zedek said, “but we did start him off.”

  “I think there may be more to it though,” Daeholf said.

  “Oh?” Trimas said.

  “Area feels like it has been up for this for a while,” Daeholf said.

  “We are a long way from the capital and the legion was pulled out to fight in the south,” Trimas said, thinking.

  “Would that be the same one camped on our doorstep?” Alia said.

  “Actually I doubt that,” Trimas said.

  “So who are they?” Alia said.

  “An unfortunate complication that just happened to be nearby?” Zedek said.

  “Maybe,” Daeholf said.

  “So we’re clear?” Jonas said.

  “Clear?” Daeholf said.

  “You’re not siding with the rebels?”

  “No, we’re not,” Trimas said firmly.

  “So what are we going to do now?”

  “Pray,” Daeholf said.

  The others looked at him curiously.

  “If this turns into full blown war it’s going to get messy.”

  “I think we’ve already gone beyond messy,” Alia said.

  “If the legion starts a fight it’ll get a lot worse,” Daeholf said.

  “Rape, looting, selling the defeated off as slaves?” Zedek said.

  “We don’t do slaves, and it’s an imperial city so I doubt any of the rest either,” Trimas said.

  “You really do that elsewhere?” Alia said, looking disgusted.

  “No. Not all of us anyway. There are elements within the army though,” Daeholf said.

  “Let’s hope that can be avoided then,” Jonas said.

  “Is there anything we can do?” Alia said.

  “Pray,” Daeholf said.

  “I doubt that will help much,” Zedek said. “Let’s just hope we can track down Marlen and get out of here before it all goes to hell.”

  “Let’s go back to the mill.”

  *****

  “I don’t think we have any choice. The only way we’re going to be able to get much on what the legion is doing here is to go and talk to them,” Trimas argued. They were looking out from their vantage point on the mill.

  “It’s a big risk,” Daeholf said. “We’re both wanted men. Even if we’re not identified there’s a good chance we’ll end up being conscripted.”

  “I’ve no desire to fight in the Emperor’s armies again.”

  “It needs to be us, we’ll get the most information,” Trimas said.

  “Maybe they’ll believe you’re just villagers?” Zedek said.

  “You heard what Jonas said when he first saw us. We look like soldiers. It’s going to take a long time to grind that out of us properly,” Daeholf said. “We’ll be spotted a mile off.”

  “We’re not doing any good hiding here though,” Trimas said.

  “I know, but I don’t know what to do about it,” Daeholf said.

  “Don’t fret boys, maybe I can help,” Alia said, climbing the stairs behind them.

  “Have you been listening to us?” Zedek asked.

  “Not really, only just back from getting supplies, which, incidentally, you need to chip in for. Heard the end of your argument though.”

  “You said you can help?” Daeholf said.

  “Well when Jonas and I were out picking up a few bits we ran into a few foragers,” Alia said.

  “They coming this way?” Trimas said.

  “Were. Told them the mill was played out, the miller having fled and taken the flour with him.”

  “They believed you?” Zedek said.

  “Jonas showed them his credentials.”

  “That works on soldiers too?” Daeholf said.

  “He’s an imposing man in case you hadn’t noticed and he sort of implied that he might check if there were any outstanding grievances against any of them. He’s kind of got a way with these things.”

  “Speaking of, where is he?” Trimas said.

  “Oh, downstairs calming the miller again.”

  “I don’t suppose you managed to ask them any questions before the big man chased them off?” Daeholf said.

  “Of course, I’m not daft,” Alia said.

  “What did you learn?”

  “They
’re the 11th under Garrow.”

  “We don’t need to go talk to them then,” Trimas said. “In fact I think it would be better if we don’t.”

  “11th. Hmm. Been in the south recently I think but I don’t know that much about them,” Daeholf said.

  “Well whilst you were off holidaying in the west, I kept up on current events,” Trimas said.

  Daeholf glowered at him.

  “I’m missing something here, aren’t I?” Alia said, eyes flicking between the two of them.

  “Soldier stuff I think,” Zedek said. “They lose me sometimes too.”

  “So you know the 11th then?” Daeholf said.

  “Of course. My legion fought alongside them briefly against the pirates on the Melar Isles.”

  “Your legion?” Alia said.

  “My legion,” Trimas said.

  “Oh. Of course. I keep forgetting you were a general. You don’t seem all that ‘general-y’,” Alia said.

  Trimas gave her a hurt look. Daeholf winked at her. She smiled winningly.

  “You know Garrow then?” Zedek said.

  “Not well,” Trimas said. “But we’ve met and I know him by reputation.”

  “So it would be best if we don’t go talk to the legion then,” Daeholf said. “It’s quite likely you would be recognised.”

  “By some of the officers, quite likely, yes,” Trimas said.

  “So how much do you know about the 11th? All I can remember is they are a bit ‘by the numbers’ which doesn’t really tally with why they are here,” Daeholf said.

  “Garrow is a want-to-be politician,” Trimas said.

  “Like you,” Daeholf said.

  “Ouch,” Trimas said. “I didn’t want to be. It was thrust upon me.”

  “And look how that turned out…”

  “Sometimes you can really go off people.”

  “We’re getting sidetracked again,” Zedek said.

  “Anyway,” Trimas said. “I think he has ambitions. His family is middle ranking so he has some opportunities open to him but it would be very difficult to get a decent governorship or anything like that.”

  “You think that’s why he’s here?” Daeholf said. “Ambitions on the territory?”

  “Unlikely. This is a bit of a dump as regions go, gaining much credit from here would be very hard. There’s a reason why the present governor is in charge.”