The Edge of Shadow, page 28
part #5 of The Kin of Kings Series
“Only a few years older than you, he thinks.”
“Weapons?” Basen asked.
“None.”
“Steffen, can you and Nebre write down all of these details?”
“I still don’t understand,” Cleve said.
Basen brought him and Vithos toward the audience as father and son stayed with Steffen.
“The Krepps might not find what we’re doing honorable,” Basen noted, “so it’s better we don’t discuss it with them until they’ve given us all the details they can.”
Cleve’s head tilted back. “Oh. I understand now.”
Vithos grinned as he shook his finger. “Sneaky, Basen. I like.”
*****
Effie and Gabby reported gaining the trust of hundreds of spies in Oakshen. It wasn’t so much that they’d gathered rebels. They’d just given them a cause. Part of the sisters’ mission was to watch the wall around the time of the attack. They reported the same thing as Rickik: two men leaving the city on horseback. They had something embroidered on the back shoulder of their uniform, but neither Effie nor Gabby was close enough to see any details. Eventually Steffen came to Basen with a drawing of a hawk. He told Basen that Rickik was certain it looked just like this. Basen hoped Millry could replicate it with her needle and thread.
The following days passed quickly. Dressed in an enemy uniform, Basen walked to the back wall of the castle during the night. He gathered energy until he noticed a guard catching sight of him, then drunkenly pretended to be looking for a place to relieve himself. He went back to his home district, then sent another mage who could fit in a uniform to continue drawing energy behind the castle.
Jack had gathered the supplies he needed to make a potion that would slowly disintegrate stone. Each time a mage in an enemy uniform returned to the castle at night, he or she would pour a little more of the potion onto the same spot.
The officers in charge of each group of spies continued to get logistical information about their enemies. Basen learned where Ulric’s soldiers tended to go on business, where they went for pleasure, and most importantly, the areas of each city they neglected. They’d soon collected so much information that Basen needed more than just Wilfre’s help to use it to their best advantage for a final plan.
“I need your guidance,” Basen told his father one day. Henry had organized all the rebels in Trentyre, when Tauwin had just come to power, to successfully defend the city even though they were outnumbered. Such experience would be invaluable now, Basen was certain.
Henry appeared delighted by Basen’s request, though his prideful expression slowly changed to a look of concentration as Basen reminded Henry of everything he hoped to accomplish. By the end, Henry had the same embarrassing grin as when he’d put the medal around Basen’s neck in Redfield.
“It sounds like you don’t need my help at all. You have this under control.”
“But I don’t know what to do about the northern district in Oakshen that the guards completely ignore. The people there are just as frustrated as they are in our district. I’m sure we can use them somehow.”
“As you said earlier, there is risk in recruiting, even if the people want to join.”
“But if we supplied them with swords, it could add three hundred more to fight with us.”
“Let me tell you a secret. The day Tauwin took over the castle, I didn’t have a plan like yours. All I cared about was recruiting and getting them somewhere to mount a defense. When Trentyre came under attack the first time, we didn’t need to find a way to recruit. Everyone who wanted to fight came to us. When you take the fight to Ulric, they will join you just the same.”
“So you don’t recommend we attempt to get the message to them before we strike.”
“No, it’s too risky. Trust that they want the same thing as you—they will jump at the opportunity you create for them.”
Basen thought for a while. “What if we give them a hundred swords right before the attack and tell them to get ready?”
“Now there’s an idea.”
Basen never would’ve figured it could be that simple. He began to think differently about some of his other problems and came up with similar solutions, all involving trust of the citizenry without needing to prepare them.
However, there was one problem that couldn’t be made simpler. If he didn’t get his mother out of the Academy soon, she would be in danger. Crea Hiller was not in her castle; only her sister had been there. Basen could feel that Crea was at the Academy. He wanted to go there and kill her for setting up this betrayal that led to so many deaths, but he would have to wait until just before the final battle.
Basen spent most of his days bouncing ideas off Wilfre and speaking with the officers. He received reports from Effie and Gabby about Oakshen, reports from everyone else about the capital, and reports from Cleve about the forest. Trentyre went ignored, as there was no hope of getting anyone in and out of the city without being seen. It shouldn’t matter in the end.
All walls and floors of the headquarters had been rebuilt. The workers focused on beds next, offering to build Basen’s first. He told Neeko that he had a place to sleep already. Alabell always waited up for him.
Cleve became more inquisitive about the plan each night he reported in, and eventually he asked to speak privately in Basen’s quarters.
“I want to check on Reela and Annah. No one has heard anything about them.”
Basen frowned, wishing he didn’t have to explain what he’d told Cleve days ago.
“I know I can’t go because my size makes me too conspicuous,” Cleve agreed. “But you’re already sending mages in enemy uniforms to the castle at night. One might be able to find out something.”
Basen opened his mouth to object, but Cleve put up his hand.
“Or if there was some other idea you could come up with. A better one.”
“I’m worried about them as well, but it’s too dangerous for anyone to go inside the castle or ask about them from outside. If Ulric finds out someone from the Academy is wearing an enemy’s uniform within the city, the entire capital will be searched. Sending the mage at night is a risk as well but not as big as trying to find out about Reela and Annah.”
“I know what you’re planning with the castle. I see that it’s necessary, but what is to happen with Reela and Annah if they are within the castle during that time?” Basen was thankful only to hear worry in Cleve’s voice instead of judgment.
“I haven’t decided for certain. I need more time. But I promise that Reela and Annah will be made aware if we can’t get them out first.”
“All right, I trust you.” Cleve seemed as satisfied as one could be with such a worrisome topic. “I have one other request.”
“Anything.”
“There aren’t enough of us in the forest to continue to give the impression that our army is still there, and it’s becoming more difficult to catch our enemies unaware. We need more in these final days, enough to attack the damaged wall sporadically and make it appear that we’re trying to break into the city.”
“How many more do you need?”
“As many mages and psychics as possible and whatever swordsmen are available.”
Cleve probably didn’t realize the difficult spot he’d just put Basen in.
“Cleve, a certain number of mages, psychics, and swordsmen will be required soon. If too many of them fall before we’re ready, we won’t be able to win this war. I don’t want to ask you for the minimum number of men required to keep yourselves alive as you fight, but neither can I give you everyone available. If something goes wrong out there and many of us die, that would be it for everyone. Allow me to speak to Wilfre to look at our numbers again, and I’ll give you as many as can be spared.”
“That’s fair.”
“You’re still able to feed the febeetles?”
“Every day they feast on the flesh of our enemies. I like to believe they’ve acquired a strong taste for bastard men and should ravage our enemies when the time comes.”
Basen grinned. “Did Cleve the Beastslayer just make a joke?”
Cleve confirmed it with a rise of his eyebrows and a twinkle in his eyes.
“Be careful out there,” Basen said. “Ulric and his officers are smart. They might leave one part of the wall unguarded to lure you there as a trap.”
“We will stay safe.”
“Good.”
“I must admit,” Cleve said, “you’ve given me hope.”
He gave Basen a heartfelt look, but Basen could see the anger burning just beneath it. Revenge had motivated Cleve until now, Basen realized. The warrior probably would’ve died to achieve it, even figured he would. Now all that had changed, and he was thanking Basen for it.
Basen didn’t know what he was supposed to say to fill this silence. Perhaps Cleve didn’t expect him to say anything.
Eventually Cleve extended his hand. They reached past each other’s palms to grab arms. Cleve’s was like smooth rock, a warrior down to his soul. Basen would’ve feared for the lives of his enemies if he’d had even a bit of empathy for them.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Alabell was often writing by lamplight by the time Basen came to her room to sleep. Although always curious, Basen figured she’d tell him what it was if she wanted him to know. Besides, he was usually more exhausted than curious, so he never asked. But this night, she was looking out her window and didn’t seem to hear him come in.
She turned when he shut the door. They usually greeted each other with the kind of kiss that led to them intertwined on top of the sheets, but Alabell had a serious look in her eyes.
“Are you going to the Academy for your mother tomorrow?”
“Yes.” He’d told Alabell of his plan days ago. She hadn’t disagreed, but she’d paused before telling him it seemed sound.
They hadn’t discussed it since, and he hoped she wouldn’t have a problem now that he was so close to leaving. He wasn’t sure anything could convince him to change his mind at this point, no matter how much he might agree there were potential problems.
“Neither you nor Sanya can explore the campus to look for your mother,” she said. “Both of you could be recognized.”
“Not so much Sanya. I didn’t recognize her the first time I’d seen her since Tenred.”
“But if Ulric has sent any of his men to the Academy, they just need to glance at her and there would be no way to get Juliana out of there.”
“I realize that is one of many risks. It’s why we’ll go at night. With Sanya’s psyche, she should be able to avoid people as she looks for my mother.”
“But it’s even more likely that someone would recognize Sanya as an outsider if she’s creeping around the campus in the dark.”
“What are you getting at?” Basen asked.
“Someone else should go with you two.”
“Who?”
She looked down for just a blink, losing confidence for the quickest of moments. It was enough to tell Basen the answer.
“Alabell, no.”
“There’s no one better for the task. You need someone who knows the Academy well enough to figure out where Juliana might be kept. It needs to be someone who will recognize your mother upon sight, and who wouldn’t be recognized by the people of Tenred. I’m the only one who fits all three categories. And don’t tell me how dangerous it is. I’ve already spent days building up the courage. I want to go.”
“I won’t tell you how dangerous it is,” Basen agreed. “But there’s something you’re not thinking about. Even though no one from Tenred knows you, the chances they’ll realize you’re an outsider are higher than them recognizing Sanya.”
“But why?”
“Because of how beautiful you are.” She scoffed. He put up his palms. “I’m not just saying that to flatter you. I mean it in an unbiased way; you are strikingly beautiful. Most men—and some women, no doubt—would notice you immediately as someone their eyes hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing before.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m really not.”
She walked over to put herself in front of the mirror on her desk. She turned her face to every angle as if seeing it for the first time.
“You only think that,” she said, “because I put in the effort to look good for you. I can make myself uglier for tomorrow.”
“I sincerely doubt it, but you can try and we’ll decide then.”
He removed his shirt and got into bed. She stood at her side of the bed with arms akimbo as if she wanted to continue the conversation but eventually sighed and slid in next to him. She nuzzled against his side. He moved his arm around her to pull her even closer.
“Is there ever an opportunity to compliment me that you let pass?”
“Every time I look at you, I have to resist the urge to spew out expletives about your appearance.”
She chuckled and gave him a playful swat. “Like what?”
“The usual stuff you might hear walking past a bar while showing skin late at night.”
“No!” she objected with a high to low pitch. “Words that crude go through your mind?”
“On occasion.”
“Have you ever told a girl any of these thoughts?”
“You’re the only one who makes me think them.”
She was silent for a moment, and Basen wondered if he’d said too much.
“I can’t tell if I find that funny and adorable or slightly disturbing. I think I’m going to need an example.”
“I don’t think so.”
“I insist.”
Basen took in a breath as he sat up, then looked her up and down with a lustful gleam. “God’s mercy!” She had already begun to laugh as she tried to shush him. But that only made him get louder. “If I’m dreaming this body, let me never wake up! Oh sweet god, stop all future work because she is perfection!”
Alabell shushed louder as she tried to muffle him with her pillow.
“I would be her…twwaaallii…if she…mmrra fuur.” He lay down and turned away in hopes of escaping her pillow, but she kept it against his face.
“The whole tavern can hear you at this hour!”
He didn’t move or speak. She took off the pillow.
“I should not have asked you for an example. Basen? Basen.” She shook him. “Stop pretending to be dead.”
“But you have killed me. The only thing that can bring me back to life is THAT SWEET NAKED…brrroii.” She muffled his mouth again as she laughed.
*****
Sanya had not felt nerves like this since her declaration of joining Kyrro’s Allies at Redfield. All she had to do was find Juliana and get her back to Basen, who would be waiting at the Group One training grounds. Juliana might be guarded or just watched. In both cases, Sanya would have to kill again. That wasn’t the issue. In fact, she had come to enjoy killing her enemies. It was the thought of encountering Crea that filled her with worry.
She ate her breakfast as slowly as she could. They wouldn’t leave until night, and Sanya had nothing to do until then. Her only form of entertainment, Greg, had been taken from her by Henry. It had been a week since she’d seen him, but the taste of his lips returned every time she noticed the light stain of blood on her pants. She knew she should’ve gone to see him by now to tell him to stop looking for her, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Sanya scoffed at her own thoughts. He was probably chasing some other woman by now anyway.
Basen and Alabell came down the stairs together. They drew a few smirks from other rebels packed in the tavern, not that Sanya knew why. The only available places to sit were near Sanya, and Basen and Alabell took the spots in front of her without hesitance, to Sanya’s surprise.
Alabell looked as if she hadn’t slept well. Her cheeks sagged as if it was too much effort for her skin to stick tightly against bone. Her eyes appeared smaller, less vibrant. She wore a shirt too big for her body. She looked as uninteresting as this undecorated eating room.
Basen took his first spoonful of porridge, then said, “Alabell’s coming with us. It’ll be the two of you who retrieve my mother. Let her lead and talk to anyone who questions you. You’re there for her protection.”
Sanya shrugged. “All right.”
Basen and Alabell looked at each other in surprise. He glanced back at Sanya.
“And we’re leaving right after breakfast. It’s better than going during the night.”
“Good.” Not wanting them to see how nervous she was, she quickly finished her food and left.
It wasn’t long before Basen and Alabell arrived in the basement. As word spread that they were leaving for the Academy now, a group of students with nothing better to do gathered around to wish Basen and Alabell luck. Sanya leaned against the far wall with her arms folded. Not a single person so much as glanced her way. Out of curiosity, she read their psyche to find they were all aware of her behind them, but they didn’t know what to say.
Basen and Alabell were the only two people who felt anything for Sanya. They worried, mostly, and wanted her to be happy. She was thankful to be going to the Academy with the two of them and no one else who saw Sanya only as a weapon. But she feared that an encounter with Crea would turn the last two people who cared about her against her.
“Sanya,” Basen called. The crowd parted to let her through. “We finally have enough spare akorell stones for you to practice.” He handed her one of the bracelets.
An immense fear flooded out from everyone’s psyche as Sanya put on the akorell bracelet. They didn’t want her making portals like Basen, even if she would use them to help. They didn’t trust her with that kind of power.
She handed back the bracelet. “You have portal making under control.”
He looked confused as he accepted the bracelet back.
“They don’t want this,” she whispered.
His face took on a disappointed expression as he understood. “We’ll talk later,” he whispered.
