Test The Awakened: Book Two, page 9
Maeryn sat silent, pondering his words.
“I will tell you this. They will enjoy a great deal more freedom than you did as the wife of Lemus. And under those circumstances, would you have called yourself a slave?”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that. What’s to become of me and Aelia?”
“I don’t know; I was only told of the others. I suspect that you will be given a few choices, but you need to be prepared to keep serving the Resistance as you have through the years. I’m sorry if you expected something more grandiose.”
“I’m not sure what I expected. How will you notify the headquarters?”
Thaddius shook his head. “I think I will leave that answer until another time.”
Maeryn started to protest but Thaddius was firm. “Such things are only discussed at the highest levels of authority and responsibility. You’re just going to have to trust me.” Rising to his feet, he brushed the sand from his clothes. “I will leave in the morning with the second group and will return as soon as possible.”
Maeryn watched him walk away and tossed the remainder of her soup into the sand. The weight of Thaddius’ words made her heart ache. She hadn’t really thought about it, but as his words sunk in, she realized that her expectations were inappropriate. She had wanted to go back to a life of true freedom, a life like she had with Adair. But it seemed that she had just traded one type of captivity for another.
* * * *
Leoran, the capital of Orud’s southern region, was spectacular to behold. It was a city built on a lake that was miles across at its widest span. Ivory colored stone walls rose from the lake’s glassy surface, separated every hundred yards by towers flying Orud’s red flag. Kael’s horse raced across acres of open field, heading for one of two roads spanning the water that separated the mainland from the city walls. As with any city, people tended to gather on the outskirts. Leoran was no different, with various sizes of buildings and tents strewn about the landscape with no apparent logic to their locations. Through this maze of civilization, Kael directed his horse until he reached the stone paved road leading across Lake Leoran.
After miles of travel and weeks of hunting for small game to satisfy his appetite, Kael arrived at the gates to the city. Well-guarded by a contingent of Leoran soldiers, the gate kept non-citizens and other rabble from even stepping foot on the road across the lake.
“Halt!” cried the soldiers, thrusting the points of their lances forward at an angle.
Kael pulled on the reigns and stopped his horse.
“Identify yourself,” demanded the soldiers.
“I am a scout for Dacien Gallus, Captain of the Guard of Bastul.”
After a few minutes of careful inspection of his belongings, the guards allowed Kael to pass. The road was over a mile in length and perfectly straight. Kael kicked his steed and sped to a gallop. The air was surprisingly still, and for the first time in weeks, Kael looked around and marveled at the beauty of the landscape. The smooth water reflected the bright sunlight and the golden grasses of the surrounding fields. There was a time when Kael thought more about such things, but the urgency of the situation flooded his mind and he found himself racing for the city walls.
As he closed within a hundred yards of the city walls, a small group of men exited the shadow of the entrance. One man waved his hand and Kael instantly recognized Dacien. Seconds later, Kael dismounted and grasped the hand of his new friend. But the fact that Caius and the other soldier were not present made the situation awkward.
“Where are they?” Dacien asked, turning to lead Kael into the city.
“I found the confirmation that I needed, but we were attacked. Caius was badly injured and the other man didn’t make it. Caius and I made it half of the way here before he was overcome with sickness. I saw him through the worst of it, but I had to leave him in order to reach you in time.”
Dacien looked skeptical but momentarily set it aside for the more obvious issue. “We’ll send someone back for him. In the meantime, come inside and rest and tell me the reason for your urgency; I’ll assume you had a good reason to leave one of my men alone and injured.”
Dacien’s idea of rest wasn’t nearly as luxurious as it sounded. Kael was hoping for a pub, but was instead taken to Dacien’s temporary quarters and given a plate of cheese and some wine. After a few swallows, Kael could feel his muscles relax.
“Alright,” he breathed, exhaustion showing. “We followed the river inland for three days…” Kael said, and continued to recount the happenings of the last few weeks, from the ambush to Caius’ sickness.
“Where did you leave him?”
“Three weeks back, along the route you followed here. You will find him in a shaded valley next to a stream.” Kael reached into his travel bag and pulled out Caius’ cloak. “He also gave me this and said you wouldn’t believe me otherwise.”
The disappointment of Dacien and the others in the room was tangible. It was as if the air was stolen from their lungs at the same moment. Dacien hung his head and when he raised it again, his eyes were holding back tears.
In that moment, Kael understood the significance of the cloak. “He didn’t intend to make it here alive…did he?”
Dacien confirmed Kael’s questions with a shake of his head. After a minute of silence, he straightened his shoulders as if to set aside his grief for another time. When he spoke again, his voice was quiet and deep.
“You said there were hundreds of Syvaku moving on foot?”
“Yes. They were headed north, and based on what happened at Bastul, I believe they intend to attack Leoran.”
“They’ll need more than a few hundred to take this city,” argued another soldier. Kael didn’t recognize him and assumed he was a Leoran citizen.
Dacien looked back to Kael. “We have a few weeks at most. I will call a council with the General tonight and explain these things.”
Kael opened his mouth to speak, but Dacien held up his hand in protest. “I know, but your word won’t be trusted. I’ll tell him myself. Besides, with your hair and less-than-groomed manner of dress, you might be mistaken for a Syvak yourself!”
Kael scratched his beard. “I was meaning to ask you, where can I wash up?”
Kael was given an escort—or a guard as he saw it—to show him to a bath house. The baths were separated into two sections, one for the regular citizens and one for the military. The soldiers enjoyed many more comforts than the rest of the population, with servants waiting at full attention to tend to every need. After a quick swim, Kael moved to a small, fire-heated pool to relax his tired muscles. Almost instantly, his thoughts turned to Caius.
What courage. To face your death alone, without hesitation. And what was that look on Dacien’s face? Horror? Suspicion? I wonder what he thinks of me now! Just stay alive, Caius. You just need to make it until we send someone for you.
“Excuse me, Sir?”
Kael turned to the servant.
“Shave?” asked the man, showing Kael the razor.
Kael was about to send him away, but paused. “Please,” he accepted instead.
The night air was cool on Kael’s newly shaven face. Perhaps it was the bath, or his new look, which was sure to please Dacien. But for some reason, he felt good about where he was. Even though he had traveled for nearly a year to return to the city of his birth, only to find it demolished and his mother missing, he didn’t feel out of place. In fact, he felt like he belonged here.
He stopped walking and leaned over the stone wall. His guard stopped as well, always keeping a few paces of distance between them. Gazing out over the water, Kael smiled at the beauty of Leoran. Night had fallen and all along the banks of the lake, the firelight of numerous homes and businesses reflected off the water. He always felt the need to explore his surroundings and had spent the last few hours wandering the city with his silent companion. He was at once uplifted by the signs of life and saddened that these people were in danger.
There is always someone who seeks destruction!
Feeling a sudden sense of urgency, Kael headed back in the direction of Dacien’s living quarters in hopes that the General’s council had already met. He returned to an empty room, but didn’t have to wait long until Dacien returned.
“Well?”
Dacien slumped into a chair. “You look different.”
“So you approve?” Kael asked with a smile.
“Do you care?”
“Not really,” Kael admitted. “So what happened?”
“It was…strange.”
Kael raised his eyebrows. “Would you care to elaborate?”
“He wasn’t the least bit skeptical of your information.”
“Well that’s good news,” Kael replied, wondering what was the matter with his friend.
“He’s mustering an attack party to intercept the Syvaku, and he’s leading it. It was as if he was bored and wanted something to hunt. I cautioned him that this enemy is unpredictable, but his mind was already made up.”
“So when do we leave?” asked Kael.
“We don’t. The General wants to handle this matter with his own soldiers. He’s leaving at dawn.”
Kael felt a little relieved, but mostly offended at being excluded from this fight. “What did he say of Bastul?” he asked to change the topic.
Dacien straightened his posture. “We spoke of that before you arrived. He was sympathetic to the condition of the city. But he was also quick to point out that Bastul is one of the most remote cities in the Empire and not likely to receive much in the way of aid from Orud. It seems that we will have to rebuild slowly, using the resources available.”
A few minutes of thoughtful silence passed before Dacien rose from his chair. “I will see you in the morning. I’m sure the General could use some help getting started.”
Kael took the hint and headed for the door, only to find that his escort was waiting outside to see him to his own quarters. “Good evening,” he said to Dacien and walked out.
Morning came far too quickly for Kael, who awakened to a bright shaft of sunlight streaming in through an open window. He lay still for a few minutes, aware that he hadn’t slept this well in months. Suddenly, the realization struck him that he had overslept. Dacien had asked for his help, although not in a very eloquent manner.
Within seconds, Kael had donned his clothing and was headed out the door. Nearly tripping over his escort, Kael let out a laugh. His amusement wasn’t matched by the man who quickly straightened his clothing and proceeded to stand at attention. Kael brushed off the man’s sour demeanor and headed toward the stables.
The city was alive with activity; people were rushing here and there. For most, it would have been easy to get lost in a new place, especially with the change in appearance from night to day. But Kael possessed an ability to memorize his surroundings and rarely lost his way. Navigating the streets as if he was a citizen, he reached the stables without any hesitation, only to find them empty. “Where are they?” he asked aloud, mostly to himself.
“They’ve already left.”
Kael turned to his escort. “That would have been useful a few minutes ago.”
But once again, his companion had grown silent, as if he would only speak to point out Kael’s mistakes.
With all the morning’s bustle, it took nearly half an hour to reach the city gates. He found Dacien standing outside the walls on the road which spanned the lake. “Sorry. I must have overslept.”
Dacien dismissed the apology with a quick shake of his head. “It doesn’t matter. The General left before I could be of any help. There,” he said, pointing to the southwest. “You can see the rear of the party just before the forest edge.”
Kael scanned the horizon and caught sight of the standard bearer, just in front of the supply train. Kael shook his head in disapproval. “Is he expecting a long confrontation?”
“What do you mean?” Dacien replied.
“Why do they have a supply train?”
“So the animals aren’t over-burdened with the weight of the weapons and armor.”
Kael nodded, anticipating the answer.
“Would you care to elaborate?” asked Dacien with a smile.
Kael smiled in return, enjoying the banter developing between them. “A fully loaded wagon cannot move as fast as if each rider were to carry his own weapons. And given the terrain that they will encounter, they will need to be agile in their travel. Supply trains only make sense when staging long range campaigns against an enemy in flat open territory.”
“And where did you learn this philosophy of war?” Dacien asked, half joking and half serious.
Kael avoided the question. “I only mean that those men are vulnerable against the Syvaku and the way they fight.”
“Really? So if you were the enemy, how would you do it?”
“Attack the Leoran soldiers?”
“Yes.”
“Well,” Kael paused. “Since you ask, I would have scouts several miles out front. These men would see the Orud standard in plenty of time to relay their findings. I would then anticipate the path of the Leoran and stage an ambush in terrain that gives me an advantage. I would attack quickly at the supply train first and separate the soldiers from their weapons. Then, they would be nothing more than men on horses, no match for the fierce ground warfare style of the Syvaku.”
Dacien looked puzzled and skeptical at Kael’s answer.
Kael continued. “Anyway, I just fear for their lives. Who is this General and how much experience does he have?”
“Actually…” Dacien countered, “…he’s quite a formidable opponent. I can assure you that if he lacks anything in strategy, he more than makes up for with brawn. Big as an ox and just as strong. I have been told that he cannot be bested in hand-to-hand combat. No, I think he will do just fine against your Syvaku.
“Oh, my Syvaku?” Kael replied. In reality, they were his mother’s people and so he was related to the enemy, but he thought it best to keep this to himself.
“Come,” said Dacien. “You need breakfast; I can smell your hunger from here.”
“Well, I apologize for hurrying to your aid. Next time perhaps I will move at a more leisurely pace.” Even though his words spoke sarcasm, Kael felt embarrassed.
Chapter 10
The days passed by slowly for Maeryn as she watched the ocean from the security of her vantage point. She had many hours to herself to ponder Thaddius’ words and to prepare herself for the work that lay ahead. But these thoughts were distracted by the fact that Thaddius hadn’t yet returned and it had been seven days. The trip was only supposed to take six days and she was getting nervous. Watching until the sun went down, Maeryn returned to the camp for the evening meal and then retired to her bed. Aelia quickly fell asleep but Maeryn struggled for several hours.
Sometime in the early morning, Maeryn felt a hand on her shoulder. She jumped and then realized that it was the evening watch, a younger male slave that had agreed to keep a lookout for Thaddius’ return.
Maeryn rose to her feet and quietly followed him out to the shoreline. Visibility was poor but she was just able to make out the small sailboats. They waited patiently and eventually the boats came to shore in a disorderly clump. The Resistance soldiers stumbled out of the ships with weak knees. Maeryn scanned the crowd for Thaddius, realizing that something was terribly wrong and wanting an answer. But Thaddius didn’t appear. Before she could say anything, one soldier approached her.
“My lady…” the man paused to catch his breath.
“Where is Thaddius? And what is wrong with your men?”
“My lady, we have taken ill…all of us. Thaddius was not well enough to make the trip.”
“What’s wrong?”
“The food, my lady… The supplies at the outpost are spoiled. We didn’t know until after… We’re dying!”
The soldier’s words trailed off as her mind began to spin with questions. What are we supposed to do? Should we continue to the outpost? Will we catch the sickness? Where are we supposed to go if not to our original destination?
“How many?”
“Only Thaddius and a handful of others are left.”
Maeryn looked to the sky and her emotions welled up, even though she knew that crying wouldn’t help the situation. “Thank you for coming back; I know it must have been difficult,” she managed to say.
“Of course, my lady. We had to return the boats. You still have a chance, but I don’t think we’re well enough for the return trip. It’s probably better to stay separated until…” The man stopped before stating the obvious.
“Thank you,” was all she could think to say.
The rest of the night was sleepless for Maeryn. She hadn’t bothered to wake anyone from her group. They would need their rest. After hours of great consternation, she knew that they had to continue on to Tur’cen. There was no going back; there never was! Once this decision was realized, Maeryn began to ponder the realities of reaching their ultimate goal in light of the current grave situation. Getting to the outpost was the easy part. From there, they would have to quarantine the sick from the rest of the group, discard the food and set out to replenish the food stores with fresh supplies. Winter was fast approaching and starting from scratch would make for a tough season. With any luck, Thaddius and the others would pull through.
That’s when it hit her. What if Thaddius died before she arrived? He was the only one who knew the protocol for contacting the Resistance leader. Without Thaddius, this whole trip was meaningless!
The sun had just risen when Maeryn awoke. The smell of cooking food told her that the rest of the camp was already stirring. Aelia was gone and probably helping with the breakfast. She felt exhausted and didn’t remember coming to her bed, but she had apparently returned at some point during the night. Almost immediately, her fears about Thaddius returned and she realized that for all her worry, she hadn’t reached a conclusion during the night.
