by R A Lewis
Leif’s grey eyes clouded over. He frowned down at her and she reached up to tuck a strand of silver hair behind his ear, cupping his face.
“You will do this for me, Leif.”
He closed his eyes briefly, leaning into her touch.
“I will,” he finally responded.
Kalina’s heart felt better, more settled and she disentangled herself from him before heading out to find some food and Osian. She wanted to say goodbye.
Osian’s tiny hands and feet, and soft skin made her sad, her heart breaking slightly at the thought of leaving him. But she knew there was no other way to end the war, to keep him and her people safe. So, she smelled his hair and rocked him gently before handing him back to Eira so that she could prepare for the next day. The rest of the day was spent preparing to leave and anxiety plagued Kalina the whole time.
They flew as high as they dared, to where the air was thin and it was a struggle to breathe. From that height, they would look like birds high in the sky to the casual observer on the ground. Kalina had instructed Eira to ready their remaining forces, and fly to the capitol in three days, regardless of whether or not they had heard of her success. She hoped that they wouldn’t need rescuing but she would rather be safe than sorry.
They landed in a grove just outside the road to Ravenhelm, hiding themselves amongst the trees. When Kalina dismounted she paused and rested her head on Maska’s side.
“You’ll be careful in there?” he asked.
He was worried about leaving her alone in the castle with the man who had been trying so hard to see her dead. Kalina smiled.
“I know my way around, Maska. Remember, I did spend a few months as a scribe in this castle. Besides, I’m more worried about you remaining undiscovered out here.”
Maska huffed in response, still not satisfied with her answer. He snaked his tail around her and enclosed them within the green shelter of his wings. It was the closest thing to a hug he could give her. The space was warm and green tinged and it made her feel safe. She sighed heavily before stepping away from him.
“Stay out of sight for three days. Then fly to the gardens, we will meet you there.”
She hugged him once more before breaking away and joining the others who stood preparing. They all had tied head scarves around their distinctive silver hair and Kalina pulled out her green scarf, the one Calla had given her all those months ago, and covered her hair. It was a strange feeling to have it covered once again, to be invisible and a nobody once more. They had put on normal, dark clothing and capes, keeping their traditional red leathers in their carry sacks. Kalina was wearing men’s pants and a loose shirt and vest, which were easier to fight in. Kari wore the same. Dark capes kept the rain and snow off as they traveled.
Kalina had debated wearing the dress Calla had made for her, with the flowers embroidered on the hem and the sleeves, but when she’d tried to put it on, she realized that it no longer fit. All the training she had done had changed her body. She was full of muscles now, and if she had forced the dress on, she would have burst the seams. So instead she had packed it away and put on the men’s clothing. Calla would understand.
They decided to travel separately rather than one large group. A group of people, all with head scarves, would raise attention but individually they might be able to make it to the gates of the city unnoticed. Kalina and Kari together went first. The road was crowded as it had been on Kalina’s first trip into Ravenhelm, full of merchants, travelers, and farmers. Kalina and Kari didn’t look horribly out of place, as many people were bundled against the cold, their hair hidden by hoods or shawls.
The shanty town outside the gates of Ravenhelm had grown, the poor unable to sustain life within the walls, or the unsavory unable to conduct business within them either. The makeshift buildings and tents had expanded around the city, and the smell as they approached was worse than ever.
Kalina paused beside a cart overflowing with partially rotten vegetables that an old woman dressed in rags was trying to sell to passersby. Kalina vowed that if this worked, if she was able to take the Ethean throne, she would find a way to end these people’s poverty. The old woman was talking with her friend, an equally bedraggled and run down woman whose profession was unknown.
“Look at all them hopefuls. Going up to the castle like it’ll be their salvation.” The old woman spat. “Don’t they know they’ll just end up back out here with no food, nowhere to stay, and no promises?”
The younger woman beside her scoffed.
“They thought it was bad in the country, with the army takin’ everythin’ they ‘ad. The King won’t give them no handouts.”
That’s when both women spotted Kalina eavesdropping.
“What are you looking at, missy?” The old woman made a shooing motion. “Off with ya, unless you’re plannin’ to buy me wares!”
Kalina shuffled off, pulling Kari with her into the slowly moving crowd.
The huge gates loomed before them, and Kalina looked everywhere for Anders, the guard who had taken her in the first time she’d stood before these gates. He had helped her get in to the capitol last time, and the last words he’d said to her was that she was his adopted daughter. She desperately needed to see his friendly face. But every guard was unknown to her so she pushed on, ignoring the fear rising up in her gut.
They were briefly questioned by an uninterested guard and then sent through the gates. As soon as they passed under the stone archway, Kalina sighed in relief. Their first hurdle was crossed. Now they needed to wait for the others. They made their way to a tavern Kalina remembered from her first time in the city. It stood on the corner of two streets in the area of the city where Anders and Calla lived.
A sign with a wyvern hung over the entrance and Kalina smiled as they entered. The name, The Wandering Wyvern, was strangely fitting for their mission. This had all started with a wyvern, and now it would end with one.
The tavern was dimly lit, with a few tables unoccupied and a few workers sitting at the bar. Kalina led Kari to a table by a window, one where they could easily watch both the street and the door for trouble. A small regiment of soldiers marched by the window and Kalina’s heart jumped into her throat. Kari stiffened beside her until they had marched out of sight. They both ordered mugs of ale and sat sipping the bitter brew while they waited for Jormungand, Leif, and Rangvald to appear.
Kalina jumped slightly as the front door opened and a figured stepped through. The light from outside temporarily obscured his face but as he closed the door and her eyes readjusted, she leapt up from her chair.
“Talon!”
She ran forward and threw her arms around the man before her. Talon was confused and he pushed her back briefly to get a good look at her face. Then he began laughing as he embraced her fully. Gone was the awkward, gangly youth she remembered from months ago when he’d left the Valdir. He had filled out, a light brown beard coming in to cover his cheeks and jaw, all traces of baby fat gone. He also looked like he had grown a few inches.
“Kalina!” he laughed as he set her down and took a step back to inspect her. “What on earth are you doing here?”
She grabbed his hand and led him over to their table where Kari stood to give Talon a brief hug in greeting. Kari’s face held a mischievous grin. She had always teased Talon when he had been with them in the Valdir’s mountain and it seemed she meant to restart.
“Well, it’s a long story,” Kalina began, pausing as the bar keeper brought over another ale for Talon.
Talon shrugged out of his heavy winter coat and looked Kalina up and down.
“I’ve got time. I just got off work and came here for a pint. Anders usually joins me about this time.” He turned to survey the room, as if the older man would be there, waiting.
“Perfect. I can talk to him too.”
That was when she noticed Talon’s livery that had been hiding under his coat. She reached out and touched the symbol on the chest. Two crossed swords on a field of green and gold. She looked
up into his face.
“You’re a palace guard? Like Anders?”
Talon had been a squire for Sir Dyelan, slated to be a knight. Being a castle guard was a huge step down. Talon smiled at her and patted his chest.
“What a better place to gather information for the Queen than within the guard?” He winked at her. Kalina’s face fell and his followed.
“Did she get you the job?” Her voice was quiet as memories of her mother flashed before her eyes. Had it really only been a few days ago that she had died? It seemed like a lifetime ago.
“Yes, as soon as I came back Anders smuggled me into the castle gardens where she met with me. Turns out, she’d been in close contact with Anders since you’d left. She made me a guard, and stationed me to her advantage- outside the Prince’s rooms.”
Kalina’s eyes went wide at this bit of information. He continued on, grinning.
“I was her spy. The king’s doors don’t block out the sound, so I kept an ear out and reported his movements and plans to her when I could. Anders did the same from the city, since he’s particular friends with most of the guard.” He reached out and took her hand. “But she disappeared a month ago, and no one’s seen her. She mentioned she was going to try to get you a message, to warn you, but…” he trailed off at the sadness in Kalina’s eyes.
“She made it to the Wastes.”
Tears spilled over and fell from Kalina’s eyes. She hadn’t really taken the time to grieve. Not for her father, nor her mother. She wiped them away with the sleeve of her shirt.
“She was very sick, and she was too late to warn us of the attack.”
Talon let out a long sigh.
“She died, Talon. Giving birth to my half-brother.”
His eyes rose to meet hers at the declaration.
Anders chose that moment to walk in through the front doors. Talon stood and ushered him over to the table. Kalina hastily wiped her eyes before standing to embrace the man. Anders laughed and hugged her so tightly she felt her back pop with the force.
“I can’t believe it’s you!” he said, as he joined them at the table a few moments later, ale in hand.
“Anders, this is my cousin, Kari.” Kalina introduced the two, worry churning her gut.
She realized she really didn’t want to retell her entire story just then. So, she gestured to Talon who nodded. He told Anders about the queen in hushed tones. Anders’ handsome face fell, a serious expression replacing the joy he’d shown at seeing Kalina.
“Are you here to take back the throne then?”
Anders’ face was deadly serious. Kalina nodded slowly and watched with mild horror as Talon’s eyes lit with an intensity she’d never seen before. She was finally doing what he’d pushed her to do months ago. All of this scared her, but she knew that she must push forward, for her own people.
It dawned on her suddenly, that Leif, Jormungand, and Rangvald were taking their time arriving at the inn. She stood, finishing off the last of her ale, thinking she’d have to go search the city as night began to fall outside, when the door finally opened, revealing the three Valdir. They hurried over, grabbing a second table and chairs to join the group already assembled.
Kalina gave quick introductions all around, although Rangvald and Leif already knew Talon.
“What we need, is a plan-” Kalina began.
She was still unsure how they would sneak into the castle and capture the king. Anders held up a hand.
“Say no more. Talon and I will get you in.”
Chapter 32
“Where are you staying for the night?” Talon asked.
Kalina stood and walked to the bar.
“Two rooms for the night please, for myself and my four companions.”
The barkeeper was a stout man with a balding head of dark hair. He eyed her curiously, and then his eyes flicked to her companions. Her gut tightened as she worried, he would ask them questions she really didn’t want to answer. Finally he spoke.
“Any friends o’ Anders is a friend o’ mine.” He gave her a wink and passed her two iron keys. “Will ye be wanting supper as well?”
“Yes, please. Thank you.”
She pushed over a whole gold coin, more than enough to pay for their rooms and their meal. He tapped the side of his nose and then disappeared through the back door into what Kalina assumed was a kitchen. She rejoined her friends.
“All taken care of.”
Anders stood, finishing his ale.
“I’m going to grab Calla. We can all eat dinner here together.”
He left in a hurry and Kalina watched him go. Talk buzzed around her, but she barely participated as her friends discussed the best ways to enter the castle. She was too caught up in memories to pay attention. Finally the door opened and Calla stepped through, her long black hair curling down her back, her cloak gathered around her, keeping baby Issa safe and warm in her arms. Anders entered the tavern behind her and closed the door. The sound of the shutting door made Kalina jump and she stood, making her way to Calla.
“Oh! Kalina!” The woman’s arms embraced her tightly from the side, Issa against her other hip. Issa had grown and Kalina looked down at the baby in wonder. A mop of curly black hair covered her head but her eyes were those of Anders. Kalina was reminded painfully of Osian back in the mountains and she realized with a pang that she missed him terribly. Calla unceremoniously put Issa into Kalina’s arms before removing her own cloak and taking the seat beside Talon, squeezing the young man’s shoulder as she sat. Kalina didn’t sit right away, instead she smelled Issa’s head and clutched the little girl to her.
“The country has gotten worse since you left.”
Anders was speaking as Kalina sat down, bouncing Issa on her knee. The baby gurgled and babbled, making her smile. But she looked up at Anders, listening to his recounting.
“When the old king died and you escaped, the new King brought in Sir Gregan as his commander. He’s been recruiting all over the city, pulling men from their homes, even recruiting boys as young as twelve or thirteen.”
That made Kalina’s heart lurch. They were just children. Valdir children grew up knowing how to fight but they weren’t allowed on the battlefield until they were sixteen.
“Where are the armies stationed? We heard there was a contingent in Wolfhold, but I haven’t seen many soldiers here, only the castle guard,” Rangvald said.
“The King and Sir Gregan sent all their forces south. They have a large camp set up just outside Wildhelm, and they maintain themselves by taking from the local population. Farmers have been forced to give up their crop yields, their women have been raped, their cattle slaughtered, their sons taken, all to maintain the King’s army,” Anders responded, his face a mask of anger.
Kalina swallowed. This was all her fault. How many people were going to die because of her? That was why she was here; she had to stop the madness.
Dinner was served while they talked of the atrocities the king was exacting on her people. For the second time in a few months, Kalina realized that these were all her people. Not just the Valdir, but every citizen of Ethea. And she needed to protect them. Her resolve to take the throne solidified in her stomach as she watched her friends talk.
“So how do we get into the castle?” Kari asked.
Kalina was suddenly, overwhelmingly grateful for her friends. She knew she couldn’t have done any of this on her own.
“We could sneak you in through the kitchens,” Talon suggested. “Mistress Aynne wouldn’t mind. She hates the King. As do most of the castle servants.”
“What about the library? Kalina, didn’t you mention you were a scribe in the library?” Leif asked, turning to look at her.
The intensity in his eyes softened as he beheld her holding Issa. Kalina smiled at his sudden attention and handed Issa back to Calla. She needed to focus.
“What about the secret entrance to the dungeons. The one I escaped from?” She looked to Talon who scratched his chin, thinking.
&
nbsp; “Could work. If we can get you over the wall into the garden, then we can try it. If it doesn’t work, the kitchens are right there and can be our backup option.”
“There. That’s the plan. Is Sir Gregan in residence?”
If the big man was there, it would make things much more difficult. Talon shrugged.
“I’m not sure. Last I heard he was running drills in the field with the new recruits taken from their homes in the surrounding towns.”
He pointed to Leif, Rangvald, and Jormungand, who had stayed quiet throughout their discussion. Kalina had noticed that the man preferred to listen and observe, before making any decisions.
“You three better have a backstory, or feign an injury. All our young men are either working in jobs too valuable to leave, or forced to join up.”
“We’ll be breaking into the castle tomorrow night.” Jormungand finally spoke up, waving his hand dismissively. “We only need to avoid their draft for one day.”
Talon eyed the man before nodding.
“Your presence has probably already been noted.” Anders piped in. “The guards at the main gate are instructed to tell Sir Gregan or one of his minions about all newcomers who are able to serve. I’d stay inside tomorrow if I were you.”
They continued planning into the evening as the tavern filled up with late night drinkers. It was a quiet tavern though, no bard was visiting, so the crowd stayed relatively quiet. As the fire in the huge fireplace began to get low, Kalina finally stood, stretching. She leaned down and kissed Issa on the cheek, the poor thing having fallen asleep hours ago. She then kissed Calla as well and bid them good night. She squeezed Talon’s and Anders’ shoulders as she passed, making her way up the stairs to the bedrooms they had rented for the night. Kari stood behind her and followed.
Kalina didn’t sleep well. Every sound, every creak of a footstep on the stairs, made her think it was Sir Gregan coming to get her, or the King sending guards to arrest her. Her heart raced every time she woke and it took long minutes to calm herself down enough to return to sleep.
So when morning sunlight peeked through the old lace curtains on the window, she was groggy and exhausted. The tavern’s main room was almost deserted, only a grumpy looking Kari and Jormungand sat in the corner by the fire, moodily eating some sort of grain gruel. The tavern wasn’t known for its food, but Kalina gratefully took the bowl the bar keeper proffered her and went to join them. At least the food was hot.