Footsteps pounded on the forest floor behind them.
“How much farther?” Ackley thought the men were falling a little behind now that they were running amongst the trees.
“Almost there.” Harley ran with purpose, as if she’d done this a hundred times.
The trees abruptly ended and a river stretched out before them, the water rushing by. Harley slung a broken branch to the side, revealing a tiny boat barely big enough for the two of them. She dragged it to the water’s edge, hopping in. Ackley gave it a shove to get it going, then he jumped in, the boat wobbling from his weight. Harley thrust two tiny oars at him. After sitting, he took them, steering the boat with the current and toward the other side, wanting to put as much space between them and their pursuers as possible.
Men came crashing through the forest, stopping on the river bank where the boat had been only moments before. Shouts rang out, then the men started running alongside the shore after them.
“Don’t worry,” Harley said. “I have an idea.”
While they’d managed to grow their lead, Ackley could still see and hear the men chasing them.
“There’s a bend up ahead. We’ll jump out there, leaving the boat in the river. About a half mile after that, there’s a waterfall. Hopefully, they’ll think we went over it. It should buy us enough time.”
Considering the plan, Ackley looked for holes. Given their circumstances, it seemed a solid idea. “Okay.”
“Keep us on course. When I say, steer us to the left.”
He nodded and rowed as fast as he could. His shoulders burned, but he welcomed the pain.
“Now.”
He steered to the left just as the river curved the other direction. As soon as the men were out of sight, Harley launched out of the boat, the water up to her knees as she clambered onto the shore. She ran into the cover of the trees. Leaving the oars in the boat, Ackley got out then grabbed the tip of the boat, shoving it back into the middle of the river. Satisfied, he sprinted after Harley. They headed deeper into the forest, neither one speaking. After about ten minutes, he grabbed her arm, pulling her to a stop. They stood there, listening.
An owl hooted. Leaves rustled in the wind. No sounds of footsteps or voices could be heard.
“What’s our next move?” Harley asked, her voice barely audible.
While Ackley didn’t like the idea of traveling in the dark, they didn’t have an option tonight. It would only be a matter of time before the men discovered he and Harley hadn’t perished in the waterfall. They had an hour at most before people came looking for them.
“I’ll explain everything later, but right now, I want to get us to Landania.” He believed they needed to head southeast. He gave her a second to consider his words.
She tilted her head up, her brows pulling together as she looked him in the eyes. “You don’t intend to meet up with Owen?”
Eyeing her sidelong, he asked, “How would you feel about going on an adventure…with me?”
Harley
An adventure…with an assassin-prince. Harley didn’t know what to think about that. When they were at her parents’ home, he’d exhibited the side of him that screamed he was an arrogant prince. Then at Lyle’s house, Ackley had revealed the ruthless assassin side of him. The part of him that could kill without hesitation. When he’d fought those men, he’d reminded her of a panther. Lean, sleek, and lethal.
“I don’t know.” Because she didn’t. Even though he scared her at times, she felt safe around him. Somehow, she knew he had her best interests at heart. But going on a mission with him took things to another level. One she was not sure she was prepared to go to. “What do you have in mind?”
When he didn’t immediately respond, she thought perhaps he hadn’t heard her. She was about to ask again when he said, “I’m going to Russek.”
Not I’d like to go to Russek but I’m going. Somehow she knew this wasn’t a spur of the moment thing. And she was inclined to think Owen had no idea about it.
“I need someone who understands the culture and people so I can blend in,” he explained. “I need your knowledge and expertise.”
“What makes you think I know anything about Russek?” She’d never been there before. The only people she’d met from the kingdom were the barbaric soldiers who’d invaded Melenia.
“As neighboring kingdoms, you must know something about them. Plus, you were at the castle during the takeover. You’ve seen them, the way they speak, the way they dress. All of that is valuable knowledge. Knowledge I need to survive a mission like this.”
Mission.
With shaking hands, she started walking again, having a vague notion of which way to go. If she was headed the wrong direction, Ackley would let her know. Not hearing any sounds behind her, she glanced over her shoulder to be sure he was following. He was. Silent as a panther.
“Why do you want to go to Russek?” Perhaps he intended on assassinating someone. She wouldn’t mind getting her hands on the man who’d murdered her brother.
“The less you know, the better. That way you can’t accidentally give information away if you’re questioned.”
“How long will we be there?”
“I don’t know; however, I don’t want to be there any longer than necessary.” His voice sounded even closer to her, giving her chills at the nearness of him.
Excitement and terror coursed through her. So far, everything that happened had happened to her. She was constantly acclimating to the changing world around her and had no control over her life. Now, Ackley was giving her the chance to be a part of something—whatever that may be. To be an active participant. To change things. After what she’d been through, she believed herself capable of helping him. “What makes you think I can survive a mission like the one you’re planning? I have no fighting skills.” The last thing she wanted was to be a liability.
“Just because you don’t know how to fight doesn’t mean you are useless.”
She came to the edge of the forest and stopped, afraid to traverse over open land. Behind her, she could almost feel Ackley’s body heat radiating from him.
“You are not useless to me,” his soft, caressing voice murmured mere inches from her ear. He took a step forward so he stood beside her. “I won’t lie. It might be easier without you. I could move quicker and wouldn’t have to worry about defending you. But I’ve learned over the course of our short time together that you’re smart, and I value intelligence. I’ve also learned through the years that you don’t have to fight to be strong. You can be strong in other ways.” He nodded ahead and took the lead, maintaining a southeasterly course.
Harley felt oddly exposed now that they were out in the open. Thankfully, Ackley maintained a quick pace. Exhaustion began to take root from everything they’d been through the last two days. Her feet became slow, her eyelids heavy. The sky lightened as dawn approached.
“Let’s stop here,” Ackley said, his breath coming out in a white puff from the chilly morning air. “We need to rest for a few hours.”
“A few hours?” Her body could easily sleep for an entire day.
“We can’t afford to waste the daylight. We’ll each sleep for two hours and then continue on. When night comes, we’ll sleep longer.” He dropped his bag on the ground.
As much as she wanted to complain about only getting two hours of sleep, she understood his concern and agreed with him. When that man had held her at knifepoint, he’d whispered in her ear that someone was waiting for her. She shivered. She was definitely safer with Ackley. “I’ll go with you.”
“Excuse me?” He stretched out on the ground.
“To Russek.” She yawned.
He turned to look at her. “Are you sure?”
No. She nodded.
A wicked smile slid across his face, making her toes curl. “Excellent.”
“There is something I’d like to know beforehand, though.”
“Ask away.” He propped his head on his bag.
“How do you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Kill people.” Her hands still shook whenever she thought about all the death and destruction she’d seen at the castle. Unable to imagine taking another person’s life, she wondered how soldiers did it repeatedly. Thinking back to her altercation with the man who’d held her at knifepoint, she’d had no qualms about stabbing him. In fact, she’d wanted him dead—not simply injured so she could escape. That thought terrified her. How Ackley did it time and time again and lived with himself was beyond her understanding. That he still managed to see the good in those around him said something about him being able to cope remarkably well.
“I don’t do it for pleasure.” His words were sharp and clipped. “If I didn’t kill my enemies, the people I love would be dead. You’d be dead.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you enjoy killing.” Placing her bag on the ground, she rested her head on it.
He rolled away, his back to her. “Perhaps one day I will tell you how I came to be an assassin. But where I’m from, I’m known as a knight. We’re the protectors of our kingdom. A secret organization that maintains peace. However, if you only want to look at it as a killer squad, go ahead. Just don’t forget you benefitted from my skillset.”
Stunned, she realized she’d upset Ackley. Someone as tough and strong as him had been hurt by her words. She’d basically implied he was a cold-blooded killer. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
He didn’t respond.
Each step felt like knives stabbing into the bottoms of Harley’s feet and ankles. When she’d hurried and dressed two nights ago, she hadn’t had socks. She’d slid her feet into her boots, assuming she’d packed socks and could put them on later. Well, she forgot socks. So after two days of walking without them, her feet were covered in blisters, most of which had popped. Ackley probably had a spare set in his bag; however, she didn’t want to ask him for anything. He’d been cold and distant the past two days, barely talking to her.
As the sun set, tears threatened. She thought they would have reached Landania by now. Maybe Ackley, who never hesitated in which direction he went, had made a mistake—if that were even possible.
The wind blew gently. “It reeks of death.” The heady scent made her want to gag.
“Russeks truly are barbarians,” Ackley muttered. He’d stopped a few feet in front of her, at the top of a small rise.
“Is it another town?” She couldn’t bring herself to see another burned village with the remains of the inhabitants charred. There was only so much heartache she could handle.
He hesitated a moment before facing her. Adjusting the bag on his back, he said, “Not quite.” There were shadows in his eyes as if haunted by what he saw.
Scared, Harley moved slowly to the top of the hill, stopping beside him. About half a mile ahead, a row of spikes stuck out of the ground for as far as she could see in both directions. On top of each spike was a severed head. Some of them small enough to indicate it belonged to a child. She fell to her knees, clutching the grass, trying to keep the screams inside.
Ackley crouched next to her. “I didn’t think anyone capable of so much evil. And I’ve seen evil firsthand.” Carefully reaching out, he took hold of her fingers, squeezing them. “We must reach Landania before it’s fully dark. I’m guessing this is the border between Melenia and Landania.”
She nodded, unable to speak.
He stood, pulling her up alongside him before releasing her hand. “Stay right behind me. Focus on my back and nothing else.”
They were going to have to pass the line of severed heads, walking directly between them. The smell would only intensify the closer they got.
Ackley began the trek down the hill, keeping a swift pace.
Harley did as he said and kept her focus on his back, never wavering from it. She would not look at the decaying heads on the spikes. “We need to take them down.” They couldn’t leave her fellow citizens in such a state.
“I agree, but now is not the time.”
“They deserve to be buried.”
“If we had the necessary help and supplies, we could. However, that is not our mission right now. We must remain focused. If you want Russek to pay, we need to stay our course.”
What he said made sense. Yet, it didn’t stop the fact that she wanted to do something to help these people.
Ackley’s hand slid around hers, gripping it tightly. “I’m here to help you. But right now, I need you to help me. Keep walking.” He pulled her alongside him, quickening their pace.
Once they’d passed the line of spikes, Harley focused on what she saw in the distance. Smoke rose from over a dozen spots in a clustered area. “Do you think that’s a town in Landania?”
“That’s my guess. Probably one with a heavy military presence.”
Even though they’d passed the heads, he didn’t release his hold on her. “You can let go,” she said. “I’m not so fragile I’ll fall over or cry.” Though she wanted to.
“Have you considered the possibility that I’m holding your hand not for your benefit, but for mine? That I’m the one who needs comfort? That I want to be grounded in another human so I don’t do something stupid?”
The confession startled her. She had no idea how to respond, so she simply squeezed his hand, trying to provide as much comfort as she was receiving.
The two of them continued walking as darkness overtook them. The closer they got to the town, the better Harley could make out the buildings. There were far more than she’d originally thought. When they reached the outskirts, Ackley slowed, walking casually as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Harley tried to mimic him. He steered them toward the middle of the town, where the buildings were denser. People were out walking, no one paying them any heed. Much to her relief, no Landania soldiers were visible. Hopefully no one would question where they were from or what they were doing there.
Up ahead, a group of people stood laughing. To the left, a sign hung with the word Tavern painted on it.
“They speak the same language as us,” Ackley whispered. “Though their accent is more along the lines of yours.”
She didn’t have an accent, Ackley did.
“When we go inside, you’ll need to do most of the talking,” he said.
“We’re going into the tavern?” She had no desire for a drink at this hour. A bed was what she wanted.
“Yes. We need to hear the local gossip. I want to make sure it’s safe to remain here for the night. If it is, we’ll find an inn.”
Harley hadn’t thought to bring any money with her. All she’d packed were dresses. Hopefully Ackley had some on him; otherwise, they’d be stuck sleeping in a barn or out under the stars again.
“Besides,” he said. “I’m starved. I could use a real meal.”
As if on cue, her stomach growled.
Chuckling, Ackley led her around the group of men. He pushed open the door, and they entered the tavern. Two dozen people filled the room, taking up most of the bar and about half of the tables. Ackley chose a table close to two occupied ones.
As Harley took her seat, she noticed another woman wearing pants. Relieved she wouldn’t stand out, she leaned back in the chair and moaned, thankful to be off her blistered feet. She was certain her boots were soaked with blood.
A server approached, and Ackley peered at Harley.
“Uh, two bowls of stew,” she muttered. Ackley kicked her under the table. “Oh, and two drinks. Thank you.”
The woman nodded and left.
“Why’d you make me order ale? I don’t want any.” The last thing she needed was alcohol.
He shrugged. “Neither do I. But you can’t come into a tavern and not have a drink. It would look suspicious.”
“I suppose.” The low ceiling made Harley feel caged in.
“How are you holding up?” Ackley asked, leaning in closer to her.
She opened her eyes, not having realized she’d even clos
ed them. “I’m fine.”
He raised a single eyebrow. “My sister told me whenever a woman says she’s fine, she is anything but.”
The server set two bowls and two mugs on the table, then hurried away.
Harley pulled one of the bowls closer to her, taking a tentative bite of the stew. “If you want to know the truth, ever since my cousin’s birthday celebration, my life has been a living nightmare. I keep expecting to wake up and find my brother alive.” Tears filled her eyes.
“You saw it happen?”
Even though his question was rather vague, she knew what he meant. “Yes.” She’d witnessed her brother’s brutal beheading. It was something she would never forget. Could never unsee.
“I can’t imagine witnessing that.” He took a bite of his food. “Considering what you’ve been through…both before and after…you’re a remarkably strong woman.” He took another bite, not looking her way.
She didn’t know what to make of that statement. When he’d said before, he had to be referring to her marriage to Lyle. He’d probably seen something in Lyle’s house that revealed how her husband had treated her. Her face warmed with embarrassment. She couldn’t even look at Ackley, only exemplifying that she was anything but strong. Just because she’d managed to survive, that didn’t make her strong.
“Eat,” Ackley said. “I haven’t heard anything of concern from any of the other patrons. Since things seem calm here, we’ll find an inn for the night, then I’ll sneak out and investigate while you sleep.”
“What do you hope to discover?” And didn’t he ever sleep?
Setting his spoon down, he peered at her. “Just some basic information about Russek. I don’t want to cross their border without knowing as much as possible about what I’m getting us into.”
When the server returned for payment, Ackley pulled out a few coins, handing them over before inquiring about an inn. The server recommended the establishment directly above the tavern.
“How did you know how much to pay her?” Harley asked as she stood.
Sword of Rage: Reigning Kingdoms, Book 1 Page 18