Rise of the Champion (The Champion Book 1)

by Clara C. Johnson

  She didn’t want to imagine how many more little girls could be in her position. Finn was a blessing she never felt she deserved. “Maybe, but I still went too far. I don’t want to lose control like that again. It brought out a part of me that I never want to see again. If it wasn’t for Finn… I don’t know what would’ve happened.”

  Theren grabbed her hand, entangling his fingers with hers. “You’re not a monster, Serra. You’re the strongest person I know. If it weren’t for you, I doubt I would be alive. I never would’ve recovered from these wounds. A monster doesn’t care about others, and a monster doesn’t care who they kill, innocents or otherwise.”

  A monster. That was how she’d felt for two years. A monster who had taken the lives of the people who killed her family. Justice was brought to them, but it was by her hands. Theren’s words fell upon a solid wall she had built up over time. She wasn’t sure if that wall would ever be taken down.

  The plans for the attack on Slaterock took longer than they had expected. Organized groups and scouting had to take place before they would make their move. Ethrond headed to Slaterock two days prior. Today, he sent word that preparations had been completed for their arrival. The mission involved a group of ten of them including Serra, Finn, and Theren.

  It was time to finally begin the rebellion.

  As Serra prepared herself, she pictured the faces of everyone she saw at the mine. This was exactly what she had been waiting for. A chance to make a difference and free those who were trapped under the master’s whip. She could finally start making up for what she had done.

  Her conversation with Theren was over two weeks ago. It left a knot in the pit of her stomach. While he didn’t hate her as she had expected, he had kept a small distance between them. She was sure what she had said to him made him run the other way. The chances of telling him how she felt dropped like rocks in the ocean.

  She forced herself to stop wishing for a different outcome because it felt useless to do so. Focusing on the mission was all that prevented her from breaking down into tears.

  It was still daybreak by the time they reached the shores of Slaterock. The camp where Ethrond and two others had was set up on the furthest side of the mine near massive rocks. Their scouting reported that there were ten more guards than Finn had counted before. “There was a strange man here earlier,” one of the scouts said. “He was dressed in black from top to bottom but too well-dressed and had a heavy coin bag. Might be someone to look out for. He might be a lord involved in all of this.”

  Ethrond shook his head and deemed it unimportant for the time being. The focus must be on the attack. The plan was for them to hit the mine during the night where most of the guards were resting. Fewer guards meant their job would be that much easier. It was only a matter of a few hours before nightfall. They would wait until midnight.

  Serra took the time to stay busy. She helped the others sharpen their blades and was taught how to make arrowheads. Theren went with the scouts to watch the guards as they made their rounds. Finn stayed behind to discuss their strategy with Ethrond. The group was a dozen compared to the forty-five men they were up against. Their moves would have to be swift if they were to succeed.

  Several of the men were assigned to the high ground as range support. Others were to head straight for the guard towers to take out the archers. Serra and her friends were part of the main assault. Their goal was to eliminate everything in their path, straight to Slaterock’s office where Tully’s partner resided. Finn made a comment that the odds were not in their favor.

  “It will work. I’m sure of it,” she said, despite the sweatiness of her palms stating otherwise. Finn rubbed the back of his neck then sat down next to her. He seemed more stressed than he usually was. “What’s wrong?”

  “We are really doing it, aren’t we? This whole rebellion. Saving the lives of elves and humans alike.” He chuckled to himself as if he told a joke that only he understood.

  Serra placed her hand on his shoulder. “We’ll get through this. Where would I be without you by my side?”

  He smirked. “I know where I’d be without you.”

  “Getting drunk?” She pushed on his arm playfully. He had a habit of drinking at a time like this. She wasn’t surprised when he took a sip from his flask.

  “Probably, and bored most likely. At least this time I get to use my axes.” Unsheathing one of his blades, he planted a small kiss on the side of the blade. “These babies have been good to me. It has been too long since I used them.”

  “The mutiny was only a bit over two weeks ago, you know.” It didn’t seem that long ago, but it took Sharlea a while to establish this mission. Everything had to be planned perfectly.

  “Well, yes, but that’s not my point. Those sailors did all the work! How am I supposed to honor my people when humans get in my way?” Now that she recalled, she didn’t see Finn fight during the mutiny. Captain Will’s men were more efficient than she’d first thought.

  “For your information, I’m human as well.”

  He smiled and kissed her forehead. “Not to me, you’re not. You’re as thick-blooded and hot-tempered as I am with a true heart of a dwarf. You fight with passion and strength. You are my blood. Just not literally.”

  His words warmed her heart. Finn wasn’t always physically affectionate with her, deeming it “not dwarf like,” but it was in these moments where she was grateful he forgot about that. She pulled him in for a hug, wrapping her arms tightly around his thick frame. “You may not be my father by blood, but you are a father to me none the less.”

  He stiffened but returned the hug, then pulled away after patting her on the head. “Okay, that’s enough of that. We got a battle to win.” When he turned to leave, he looked back to Serra once, giving her a warm smile.

  After a few hours had passed, they were ready to begin. The first group had been dispatched and were now climbing the guard towers, waiting. Ethrond brought his hands forward around his mouth and made a sound like a bird call. The signal.

  The elves moved up each of the towers, taking out each guard quietly as they covered their mouths and slit their throats. Archers shot their arrows to the guards standing near the entrance to the mines. Ethrond glanced over his shoulder then inclined his head, making sure they were ready. Serra nodded and unsheathed her sword. He repeated the call and they moved.

  Serra attacked one of the unsuspected guards, knocking him to the ground before finishing him off. Finn joined with Theren in attacking the guards on her right. She followed Ethrond toward the office as two of the guards rushed toward them. One of the archers managed to hit one of the guard’s shoulders, causing him to scream and drop his sword. She took advantage of this and incapacitated him as Ethrond finished the other guard.

  Serra surveyed the area for Finn and Theren. Finn was roaring his version of a battle cry as he knocked down a guard. He laughed at the others who came straight for him. Two of the three were shot down by the archers, leaving him only the one to deal with. He raised his arms toward the archers then attacked the final guard. She could imagine what he was thinking.

  Ethrond called out, “Move forward!” and Serra obeyed. The door to the office burst open as four guards flowed out, yelling. Serra blocked a blade aimed for her head then her side. She parried his attacks as she waited for an opening. The guard pulled back, ready to strike again when Serra cut him at his center, dropping him where he stood. In the corner of her eye, another strike was coming from her right but stopped short as Theren drew his blade into his stomach, ending him.

  She nodded, thanking him. She continued into the office where Ethrond had a blade against a man’s neck. He was a large bald man with a rough brown beard. This must’ve been Tully’s contact.

  “Tell me, human: where are all your workers?” Ethrond snapped. His voice was pure venom.

  The man raised his hands, clearly terrified. “They—they are in the building up—up on the hill. It’s connected to the barracks! Take whatever yo
u want! Just don’t kill me!”

  Ethrond pressed the blade harder against his throat. He looked up at Serra. “Take care of it.”

  She left Ethrond and signaled Theren and two other elves to follow her. They ran up the hill to the building the man spoke of, arrows flying above her head, making her pray that they wouldn’t accidently hit her. The guard barracks were overrun with Ethrond’s people, leaving only the slave quarters, which was padlocked. Theren brought down his sword twice before the lock finally shattered. He swung open the door to reveal two dozen faces staring at them in shock.

  “Don’t worry. We are here to help you. If you can fight, grab whatever weapon you can and make these bastards pay,” she called out. A mix of confused and happy expressions filled their faces. Some of them didn’t seem to believe she was real and stared blankly. Serra grabbed one of the pickaxes and handed it to the healthiest man she could find. “Use this.”

  The man looked at the pickaxe then back to her. He nodded, understanding her finally. When she returned to the outside, she saw Ethrond’s people finishing off the rest of the guards. Serra and the others ran back down the hill to the office where Ethrond had just given orders to some of his men. He turned to her and for the first time, he seemed pleased as a large smile appeared on his lips.

  “The mine is ours.”

  Victory. The first of many, Serra hoped. The elves were grateful and offered to join the rebellion. Ethrond welcomed each of them with open arms.

  Some of the humans left to return to their families. Others asked Serra why she was helping the elves. “The way I see it, they are people just like we are. Their ears don’t mean they are below us. You, like them, were forced to work until you died. We will not do that to you, but you’re welcomed to go back to your homes and families.”

  The men and women glanced at one another. One woman spoke. “Most of us here don’t have homes to return to. We don’t have anywhere to go.” A terrible truth. One that didn’t surprise her much. People with no family to speak of were easy to be taken then tossed into work. No one would ask questions. No one would search for them.

  She sighed. “Well, if you are willing, we can use all the help we can get. There may be more just like you somewhere.” To her surprise, the entire group stepped forward, offering their services to the rebellion. Serra was speechless, having no words to express her gratitude. Each one shook her hand and went to stand beside Ethrond’s men.

  “Ain’t that a development.” Finn said. He reached up and patted her on the back. “Good job. We will have an army here yet.”

  She wasn’t sure if starved humans and elves could prove much of an army. Sharlea had resources, but there was no telling how soon they would deplete. Feeding just her people was one thing, but now she had an entire line of malnourished workers. Still, it was good to see that other humans were willing to join up. It brought Serra a sense of assurance that she wasn’t alone in her fight. Her friends did their best, but numbers matter in the end. If they are to overthrow the city, those numbers would make the difference.

  Many of them would die.

  They needed weapons. More resources. Training. “Finn, do you think you can work out a way where we can get these people fed and armed? We will need them at their best in the upcoming battles if they want to help.”

  “Consider it done. Ethrond isn’t as bad as I thought. A bit stuck up Sharlea’s arse, but he knows not to waste opportunities.” Serra’s eyes fell on Ethrond, who was welcoming each human and elf and giving them assignments. His expression showed a gratitude she didn’t expect. At first, he was so quick to dismiss her help and had threatened her friends as well. Perhaps she finally got through that hardened wall he placed between himself and humans. She had proven herself to him, and in return, she’d earned his trust.

  In a way, the rebellion was becoming a family. Each one of them were from a different background. Different stories, but they each wanted the same thing: to be free. Never in her life would she have imagined elves and humans working together such as this. It was a flicker of what could be in Sostar. It brought hope for the future.

  But how would she convince the leaders that this was best for all? They were conservative in their ways. The laws made that clear, but was it only her that wanted change? Was there anyone in power who saw what she did? She shook her head. Her answers would be clear in due time. Whether good or bad.

  Everyone moved in perfect harmony as they loaded a ship. Most of the mine workers chose to stay to fight off anymore “deliveries.” Some of the elves decided to stay as well to help them. Ethrond, Serra, and her friends would be returning to the base to inform Sharlea of their success. From there, it was up to Sharlea of what their next move would be. This victory hit hard against whoever was behind this.

  As they went through the man in charge’s records, there were no names given to his clients. Only numbers. It was the same in Tully’s cabin. Clearly, whoever was behind this wanted to make sure his partners remained nameless. It was as if he knew of the possibility of an attack or that someone would snoop around. It was his way of removing troublesome clients or it was his way of hiding the evidence.

  They may have won this day, but they were no closer to finding out who their enemy was. Who was that man from earlier?

  Sharlea was beyond pleased with the results. As a matter of reward, she ordered a large feast for the evening and everyone was invited to celebrate. Despite his unwelcomed appearance, Leo didn’t snarl in Serra’s direction. Instead, he simply nodded and left to prepare the feast. Milena approached Serra when he left.

  “I must say, I didn’t expect this of you,” she said.

  “I’d hate to know what you did expect.”

  Milena chuckled then placed her hands on Serra’s arms. “You have done well. It’s nice to see that someone else has their heart in this revolution.”

  Serra wasn’t sure what she meant by that but lowered her chin in response. Milena walked past Theren without so much as a glance. It appears that her interest in him had faded or she was simply not interested in him now. Milena went to the kitchen to ensure the food preparations would be complete and Leo would rearrange the large dining hall.

  When the feast finally came later that evening, cheers and songs were sung as tankards were clanked in a toast. A small band played a cheerful song using the flute, drums, and stringed instruments.

  Only a handful of humans returned with them to the base, but they were welcomed all the same. Serra could overhear some stories they shared about the mine and what they had experienced there. Many of them lost friends and family to that mine. One of the men lost his wife when she was crushed by a cave-in. The elves pitied him, offering their condolences.

  Finn and Caden were having a drinking contest that she was sure would go horribly wrong by the end of the night. Two empty pitchers sat next to them on the table as they practically breathed in the ale. The watchers called out each of their names for support, and her friends finished their drinks then wiped their mouths. “That’s all you got, pretty boy?” Finn teased.

  Caden gripped the large mug. “Oh, this is only the beginning, dwarf. Remember, I used to be with smugglers. I was forced into worse contests than this.”

  Serra shook her head as she leaned against the wall, watching the festivities from afar, sipping on her drink. There was no sign of Theren and a handful of other familiar faces she had seen throughout the compound. Some of guards only came to eat before returning to their posts. She hadn’t seen Theren the entire night. She waited for a good hour before she decided to go look for him.

  The cavern hallways were empty except for two guards. She asked if they had seen Theren. One had no answer for her, but the second one told her she saw Theren go back to their rooms. Out of worry that he may have taken ill, Serra rushed to their rooms but stopped before the door.

  She couldn’t hear anything through the door and wondered if he was sleeping. Gingerly rubbing her hands together, she quietly knocked on the d
oor. “Come in,” she heard him say. Upon entering, she saw he was sitting by himself on the floor with his back against the bed with the bottle of wine Captain Will had given her.

  “I was wondering where you went. Join me.” He patted the ground beside him. Obliging, she sat next to him and he handed her the bottle. She looked inside the glass to see it was already two thirds empty. He was a bit drunk. “I realized something as I was sitting here.”

  This ought to be good, she thought. “Oh, and what’s that?”

  “We never spoke of that night when you removed me from my master’s service.” She wasn’t sure to what he was referring to as he was in a lot of pain that night. Caden was forced to give him strong medicine to make sure he slept so his wounds would heal.

  “What is there to say? You were asleep. Drugged up on whatever Caden had to give you.” Handing him the wine, he took a long drag.

  “I’m talking about when I kissed you,” he said. Her breath caught in her chest. She was sure that he had no memory of that. “I thought at first it was a dream. That you were somewhere else, and I had imagined you, but then I realized it wasn’t. But you never spoke about it, so I thought you didn’t want to. Might be the wine giving me the courage to ask. Was it that bad?”

  She had no idea what to say. It wasn’t that it was bad—it was lovely in fact—but it didn’t feel right to speak about it after he had just left his master. He didn’t even know at the time that she wasn’t planning on keeping him as her slave. He didn’t understand that he was free. “Well, no. Of course not. I just thought you were a bit drugged and weren’t thinking straight.”

  He shrugged. “You have a point. I was, but since you told me about your past, I wasn’t sure if I was worthy.”

  Worthy? “What do you mean?”

  “You believe that you are a monster, Serra, but what you fail to realize is that you killed people who murdered others. I killed people simply because they irritated my master.” When he finished the bottle, he threw it at the floor and it rolled into the shadows, out of her view. “My master ordered me to kill some of his partners. Most of them really didn’t do anything wrong. They were just annoying to him. If either of us is a monster, it’s me. I killed simply because my master demanded I end them. When I refused, I was punished. Starved and whipped.”