Silent Kingdom

by Rachel L. Schade

  I shuffled my feet and debated how to phrase my request. If only there had been time to consult Marke before I left Evren, to learn more about the rebellion and how to gain trust so I could join their cause. I approached the table slowly and glanced around, but there was no one else in the shop to overhear.

  “Can I—could I speak with someone? I have news of Marke.” The words sounded clumsy rolling off my tongue. My words are definitely a gift, I thought wryly.

  The woman squinted in suspicion. “Who are you?”

  “A friend of Marke’s.” I stood up straighter, trying to make myself appear tall and important, rather than like the scared girl I probably appeared to be. I took a risk and dared to push back my hood, letting the light fall on my face.

  She shifted and ran a hand through her hair, but no light of recognition flashed in her eyes, no furrow of her brow to indicate she had any idea who I was. “Marke has many friends,” she said vaguely.

  I met her stare without wavering and forced my voice to remain even, calm. “I’m from Evren. Marke traveled to my village not long ago.”

  The woman’s eyes went wide. “Is he safe? Why hasn’t he returned? Why are you here…?”

  “He was attacked by one of the sedwa in Evren Forest. He is recovering, but it’s too soon for him to make the journey home.”

  The woman—I assumed Marke’s wife—looked pale. “He will be all right?”

  I nodded.

  After I had satisfied her further inquiries after Marke, she finally offered me a timid smile and reached out to clasp my hand. “My name is Jennah, Marke’s wife. And you are…?”

  I hesitated. “A friend. I go by Elena. I wanted to share my news of Marke and…” I scanned the shop, ensuring there were no other patrons inside. Lowering my voice, I added, “And offer my help to the rebels. Marke told me about your meetings.”

  Jennah’s face scrunched in surprise. Then she set a finger to her lips and shook her head. “Not here. Come with me.”

  She motioned for me to step around the table and led me to the back room. I waded through piles of crates full of wares, some open and in the process of being unpacked and others untouched.

  She turned to me. “Marke asked you to join the rebellion?”

  I shuffled my feet. “No…but he told me about it. I thought—I wanted…” Uncomfortable, I bit my lip. “I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to prove myself to you.” I lifted my chin and met her gaze unflinchingly.

  A light sparked in her eyes and a gentle smile quirked her lips. “If Marke trusts you, I trust you,” she murmured.

  I tried to mask my surprise. Could it really be that easy? Jennah already believed me?

  I shoved my thoughts away as Jennah opened another door, paused to remove and light a candle from a nearby shelf, and swept down a narrow flight of stairs. Cautiously, I followed her, the steps creaking beneath my feet. The steps led to a cramped cellar, its space mostly filled with a square, roughly hewn table and several chairs clustered about it.

  She gestured to it. “Once the shop closes, this is where we meet. We don’t have much and our numbers are few, but we do what we can and believe that any defiance against the king must count for something.” Jennah glanced back at the staircase. “I’ll need to return to the shop. We will be closing soon. Once I’m able to lock up, we’ll have dinner and you can tell me more. The others will arrive tonight for a meeting.”

  Following her back upstairs, I watched Jennah straighten shelves, sweep the floor, and glance at the clock resting at her table in the back. No other shoppers arrived in those last few minutes, a fact that seemed to leave Jennah more at ease.

  “I always prefer quiet evenings before our meetings,” she said as she locked the door.

  I followed her upstairs to the family living quarters, where we entered a small, warm kitchen with a pot bubbling over the hearth. An older woman was stooping over it, her dark hair streaked with silver and hanging in humid ringlets about her face. She glanced up at us as she entered, beaming at Jennah and then pausing in surprise when she saw me.

  “This is Elena; she will be our guest tonight, Mother,” Jennah explained. “Elena, this is my mother, Kam.”

  “She looks exhausted!” Kam exclaimed. “Supper is ready, so we will eat soon. Elena, you must be starving.”

  My stomach reacted to the smell of food instantly and I remembered how little I’d eaten all day.

  Kam looked pointedly at her daughter. “The girls are ready, so hurry and wash up.”

  Jennah blinked and then turned to me. “Right. We will clean up. Come with me. You can have the girls’ room, and they will stay with me tonight.”

  After Jennah showed me to the bedroom, she left me to settle in and rest my belongings beside the bed, and returned with a basin of fresh water, soap, and a cloth. “I’m sorry it isn’t a full bath; I will draw you one after dinner.”

  I stepped to the table where the basin waited and studied my face in the mirror on the wall. My hair fell past my shoulders in disheveled waves and a layer of grime had collected on my face. It was a relief to scrub my hands and face clean and run my comb through the tangles in my hair.

  When I was finished, I paused, caught off guard once again by my reflection. As I had many times in my youth, I could see my mother’s face gazing back at me. I’d seen both of my parents’ features in mine before, but tonight they seemed all the more obvious. My mother’s eyes flashed beneath my brows; her dark hair, the same shade as chocolate shipped from Teramyl, swept past my shoulders.

  A familiar ache reverberated in my heart until it felt numb. Setting my jaw, I pulled my hair back and tied it tightly with a ribbon. I will not be like her. I won’t be like either of them. There was firmness in the line of my jaw, even if it resembled my father’s, and a steely ferocity in my eyes to match his intensity. Where my mother had been weak, I vowed to be strong. Though my father had betrayed and deceived many, I would try to undo his evils.

  Stepping out of the bedroom, I joined Kam, Jennah, and two small girls for dinner.

  As I sat down, Jennah gestured to the girls. “Elena, these are my daughters, Laydin and Avalee. Girls, Elena is our guest tonight.”

  The oldest girl was about five years old with curly hair like her mother’s and bright, curious eyes. She stared at me, and at first I supposed it was because my quick face wash hadn’t removed all the grime from traveling. Then she spoke. “Mama said you saw my Papa. Do you have news about him?” she asked.

  “Laydin,” Jennah said softly. “She must be hungry. Let her eat first.”

  She passed a plate of salmon to me while Kam sliced bread and cheese. It felt good to eat a hot meal after two days of chewing crusty bread, dried venison, and fruit.

  After we all had a few minutes to eat, Jennah turned to me. “Why did you come to the capital? Certainly you didn’t travel all this way only to deliver news about Marke.”

  I hesitated, poking my fish with my fork before I lifted my eyes to hers. “I came to join your cause.”

  “But when will Papa be home?” Avalee, whom I guessed to be three, turned pleading eyes toward me.

  “I cannot say. But I know our healer in Evren will ensure your father is fully recovered before he travels again.”

  Jennah studied me curiously. “Surely you didn’t come all the way from Evren and its safety to concern yourself with our troubles here.”

  I chewed my bread slowly, thoughtfully. At last, I swallowed. “The capital’s troubles are everyone’s troubles. Besides, a sedwa attacked Marke. I believe the tales are true: the king has found men to disturb the sedwa and threaten Evren’s safety. My people are in danger.”

  Jennah nodded slowly. “You speak with conviction, which comforts me. What about your family? Don’t you have anyone who misses you back home, who would balk at the risks you are taking?”

  Drawing a deep breath, I said, “I…I have no blood relatives in Evren. Some may miss me, but it’s worth it to keep the people of Evren safe.
”

  “I’m sorry,” Jennah whispered. “You have to understand that I am particular about whom I permit to attend our meetings.”

  I offered her a small smile. “I understand.”

  After the meal, Kam took the girls to bed, and I helped Jennah clear the table and wash the dishes.

  “You’ll want to get some sleep,” Jennah said as she handed me a final plate to dry. “We hold our meetings in the middle of the night. I’ll draw water for a bath so you can wash before bed.”

  “Thank you,” I murmured, already imagining the hot water massaging my tired legs and feet.

  After bathing and changing into the clean nightgown Jennah had left for me, I tried my best to curl up under the blankets in her daughters’ narrow bed, but found myself staring at the ceiling. After two restless nights in a tent, I was sure a comfortable mattress would afford me rest, but my thoughts and worries would not.

  Giver of Gifts, how can my words be a gift…? What am I supposed to do? You saved my life; you gave me these words and visions…but what am I supposed to do with them?

  I wondered if Jennah fully trusted me, what she thought of a teenager traveling through Evren Forest to Misroth City on her own. Several times I considered abandoning my plan of anonymity and revealing who I was to the rebellion during the meeting. But why would they believe me, unless they recognized me, and why would they trust me more as their princess, the daughter of their enemy, than as an ordinary girl? Besides, despite my faith in Marke and my hopes for the rebellion, I couldn’t fully trust any of the rebels any more than they could trust me. No, I would keep my original plan and conceal my identity, at least a while longer.

  At last I drifted off, but it seemed only a few minutes later there were soft knocks on my door. Jennah peered in, and seeing me sitting up in bed, whispered, “It’s time. Come join us.”

  Once I’d dressed, I grasped my bow and slung my quiver on my back out of habit before following her downstairs, through the shadowy shop, and through the back room. Standing at the head of the stairway, she turned to me, the light of the candle dancing on her face and illuminating dark circles under her eyes, ones I hadn’t noticed in the daylight. She glanced down at my bow, but made no comment about it. “I don’t know what someone as young as you has to do with the movement against the king, but for now, I’d advise you to stay quiet.”

  Biting my lip, I nodded. That is what I am good at.

  Jennah turned and led me down the steps, a faint scent of mildew mixed with the rich aroma of dirt enveloping us as we descended. In the crammed cellar, with dim light from a single candle illuminating their faces, four men huddled around the table. “Here she is,” Jennah announced. “Her name is Elena.”

  Standing beside Jennah before the table, I held my breath, but none of the men showed any signs of knowing who I was. Sighing, I almost allowed myself to relax.

  For my benefit, Jennah gestured to each man as she introduced him.

  “This is Gare.” She pointed to a man with dark skin, a short brown beard, and shaggy hair brushing his broad shoulders. He grunted a greeting to me, barely interested in my presence. “He is a former soldier who trained during our years of peace, but do not underestimate his abilities. Even a peacetime soldier is skilled, and Gare is as strong and fierce as they come.” She flashed him a smile.

  “Here is Benor, a merchant from Argelon. He resides here in the city for most of each winter and helps spread word of the king’s actions and our plans to those loyal to our cause outside of the capital.” Jennah nodded to a thin middle-aged man, his face as white as porcelain and his head nearly bald.

  “And why is she here?” a voice interrupted. A young man of eighteen, with sharp features and piercing blue eyes, studied me with a frown furrowing his brow.

  “That is Layk,” Jennah muttered to me. “Don’t let him trouble you. He serves as a patrol guard for the city, and since he has also served as our eyes and ears amongst the king’s loyal men, he tends to be the most suspicious of us all.” She glared at Layk, who leaned back with a sigh but held his tongue.

  Jennah turned to the last member of the group, an elderly, clean-shaven man with snow white hair and a friendly smile. “This is Ellok. He is another grocer, with a shop near the main square, and being at the heart of the city, he sees and hears much.”

  Layk scowled at me. “I think my question warrants an answer. This meeting is no tea party. Why would you share all of this information with a strange girl?”

  I met his gaze without wavering. “I live in Evren, the town Marke is staying in as he recovers. On his way to trade with us, he was attacked by one of the sedwa in Evren Forest. I came bringing this news and seeking to join your cause.”

  Layk’s face was grave. “How did you hear about us?”

  I relaxed my hands when I realized they were balled into fists at my sides. “Marke told me about your meetings. He wanted the people of Evren to know why the sedwa are attacking them.”

  The men turned to each other, sharing doubtful looks. Gare and Layk leaned in close, muttering under their breath to one another and shooting me dark glances.

  “Why would he trust you?” Gare said.

  “Perhaps she is lying about meeting Marke,” Ellok suggested. “Maybe she was sent by the enemy.”

  Layk set his jaw. “If the king’s men already know about us, they wouldn’t have sent a girl to gather information. They’d be torturing us in dungeons or beheading us by now.”

  “I’m sure she’s no threat,” Benor intervened, waving off the other men’s concerns.

  Jennah lifted her chin defiantly and ignored Benor’s comment. “Marke has a gift for discernment. If he trusted Elena with information about us, then I trust her as well.”

  “You truly believe those old tales about an Alrenian god granting us gifts?” Layk cocked an eyebrow at her.

  My heart pounded. If Marke had a gift from the Life-Giver, perhaps Jennah would know more about my own gift. I bit back my questions, knowing now was not the time to satiate my curiosity.

  Jennah crossed her arms, her eyes flashing at Layk. “Does my heritage trouble you?” She drew in a sharp breath. “Yes, I believe the stories. Some of you have even witnessed how his gift works.”

  “Discerning as he may be, I still think he could make a mistake,” Gare said, and glanced around the table. “Who here trusts all of his comrades, beyond a shadow of a doubt?”

  Layk shifted in his seat. “If I did not trust everyone here, I would be more reserved in sharing the information I acquire while on duty.”

  “It has taken time for us to build trust, and we still are cautious amongst one another, and especially other members of the rebellion, meeting in other locations,” Jennah said. “The only way we can truly know she is trustworthy is to see her in action, to watch her carefully. She already knew of our meetings and where to search for us. Would you have had me send her away? Whether you trust her or not, you have to agree it’s safer to keep her near, where we can watch her.”

  The men sank back into their seats, glancing at one another with milder expressions before looking back at Jennah and nodding slowly, thoughtfully.

  “Well put,” Benor said, rubbing his beard. “But why would Marke share news with a child in the first place? What can she do for our movement?”

  “Don’t be so quick to scoff at help when it is offered,” Jennah said.

  “Help?” Layk’s eyes took in my slender frame almost with disgust. “How can she offer us help?” His gaze paused on my bow. I could almost see him trying to decide whether I knew how to wield it or not.

  Ellok raised his eyebrows. “She made the journey through Evren Forest alone…and lived to tell the tale. Marke himself was gravely injured in his attempt, if her news is true. She seems to be more than she appears.”

  I stood taller, trying to keep my face stern and confident.

  Gare gestured to my bow. “Well…if you want to help, prove to us that you can. Let me see you use that bow
.”

  “Really, Gare…” Jennah began, but Layk raised his hand and she stopped.

  “Yes, let’s see,” Layk agreed. He pointed. “Aim for that dent in the beam above us…do you see it?”

  In the darkness, I could just make out the flaw in the wood he was talking about. Nodding, I strung an arrow to my bow and aimed for the beam. My hands trembled slightly, so I gulped in some air and released it slowly to steady them, and fired. The arrow struck the dent, embedding itself deep into the wood.

  “That was a good shot,” Ellok said. “A strong one.” He glanced around at his companions.

  “Not bad,” Layk conceded. “Your aim is accurate, though the distance here wasn’t that great. But what else can you do for us? There are hundreds of others who can fire an arrow.”

  I wanted to protest. Isn’t it enough that you have another person on your side? Isn’t that what you want, more numbers? But I realized that they couldn’t accept just anyone. I had yet to earn their trust, let alone their confidence and respect. They had to ensure I was worth the risk of bringing into their activities against the king, that I wouldn’t weaken their efforts and put their lives in danger.

  My heart pounded. Do I share who I am to convince them? No…I couldn’t risk it. But what could I say instead? I couldn’t lie, and they wouldn’t believe the truth.

  Perhaps part of the truth would do.

  “I grew up in the palace, and I’m familiar with its layout,” I said. “I believe I could offer you valuable input in your plans for rebellion.”

  A heavy silence fell. The candles on the table spluttered in their own wax and cast eerie shadows across the men’s faces. I tried to read their faces, but their expressions were inscrutable.

  If they say no, I’m on my own.

  I squeezed my hands into fists again as I awaited their decision.

  “You seem to have proven your mettle in your travels from Evren to Misroth already.” To my surprise, it was Gare who interrupted my thoughts. He scanned his comrades’ faces, then turned back to me. “If you are committed to this cause, you must realize you’re responsible for your own fate.”