Helsng acted on Einar’s words immediately. It began that very night, laborers who left Jer’s home taking to the shadows, searching out patrolling guards. Others left for the Docks, likely planning to open the storehouses and steal back their grain.
Rehs wanted to join them, but Taelord convinced him – how he knew not – to return home instead. Rehs still viewed the Volcarrens with something bordering on reverence, and Taelord used that to his advantage. Even then, he still had to practically pull Rehs with him through the streets.
The logical side of Taelord didn’t know why he bothered. Rehs was going to join the rebellion one way or another, short of G’shar binding him hand, wing, and foot, and stowing him in Yesen’s boat. And honestly, Taelord couldn’t blame him. He had been willing to give the Empire a chance, but after seeing how they treated the people of Helsng, he was nearly as ready to fight them as the rebels were. He shoved that thought away every time it came to him.
He just didn’t want to see Rehs join the rebels. That was all it really came to, though Taelord couldn’t say why. It was more than a simple debt of gratitude to G’shar and Syafa. He cared, cared about what happened, though the reason was hidden from him. He only knew that Rehs must not join the rebellion.
They returned home, and Taelord spent a restless night, convinced he could hear shouts and yells drifting to him from across Helsng. He wondered what the people of Helsng were doing, and what he might find in the morning.
He was finally woken from shallow sleep by sunlight shining in from under the storeroom door. He glanced at his mother, who still slept, and then stood, stretched, and staggered stiffly through the door.
Rehs and Aiiva were already up – they seemed to rise almost before the sun – sitting at the table and finishing their breakfast, and Syafa was tending the fire. G’shar was absent.
“Where’s G’shar?” Taelord asked, sliding onto the bench at the table as Syafa put a plate before him, containing two slices of bread and a lump of a strange, not-quite-solid, white substance. Taelord eyed it, but took a bite anyway, and found it to have a strong flavor.
“He’s at the Docks,” Syafa said, her mouth thin. “Several storehouses were broken into last night, and Jandar has said that the other storehouses must be emptied and redivided to make up the difference.”
Taelord glanced up. “Not yours though?” he said. He glanced from Rehs to Syafa, both of whom were frowning. “But… you’re freemen. You own that grain.”
“They own the storehouse,” Syafa said. “We only rent it. G’shar is there now, trying to save something.”
Taelord glanced at Aiiva, and saw that she was watching Rehs with an almost fearful expression on her face. Rehs was scowling at his empty plate.
“That isn’t all,” Syafa said, putting a plate before Fera as she appeared and sat down next to Taelord. “There were several attacks against patrolling soldiers last night – several rumored injuries.”
“No deaths, though?” Taelord asked, remembering Einar’s words. “No one was killed?”
“Not that we’ve heard,” Syafa said with a frown. “But the soldiers retaliated. G’shar thinks they were waiting for something like this to happen. Quite a few people were injured, some seriously.” She turned away, shaking her head, and returned to the fire.
“The keep was broken into,” Aiiva whispered, glancing away from Rehs. “They’re saying rebels did it. Opened the prisons.”
“How do you know?” Taelord asked.
“Marenn was here,” Syafa said, turning. “Before the sun had risen. He told us what had happened, and that he wasn’t waiting for a boat. He said he’d take his chances on foot, making for Anund. I only hope he escaped the city…”
Taelord glanced back at Aiiva, and saw that she was now staring at her plate just like Rehs, contemplating its surface as though hoping to find a solution there to what was happening. Judging by her face, her efforts had so far been in vain.
Veth appeared, slumping down onto the bench. Syafa put a plate before him, and he began wolfing down food like a starving man. Taelord glanced at him, and saw that his face was bruised, a large, dark welt forming across one cheek.
“What happened?” Taelord asked, nodding to the bruise.
“Accident,” Veth said without even looking up. “I was sparring with Dered and forgot to block.”
Taelord watched him for a moment, but didn’t press him. It was a lie. He had seen Veth at Jer’s house last night, and his face had been unmarked then. He must have been one of those who attacked the Imperial soldiers last night.
Taelord glanced at his mother, but she seemed unconcerned with what was happening. She was eating slowly, savoring every bite, focused solely on the meal. Taelord shook his head and returned to his own food. He didn’t know if she didn’t care, or if she had simply learned to ignore things she couldn’t change. Either way, Ahnvad had done that to her. He stabbed at his bread angrily.
G’shar didn’t return all day. Taelord had no desire to leave the house, and stayed near it with his mother.
When he had first come to Helsng, the city had seemed inviting, full of possibility. Had that only been three days ago? Now, it seemed dangerous. The streets were full of hurrying kyrie, no one stopped to speak to each other, and when soldiers and laborers passed, they did so on opposite sides of the street. Volcarrens and Vel could be seen moving from street to street in packs of three or four, slinking away when a larger group of soldiers appeared. The Imperial guards also seemed more common, patrol after patrol passing G’shar’s home.
Rehs left soon after breakfast, supposedly to see if he could help G’shar, though Taelord wondered if he had other plans. Taelord considered going with him, but decided against it. The city felt dangerous, and he was loathe to leave his mother.
Several times, he saw groups of workers and Volcarrens watching the house from a few streets over, once accompanied by one he was sure was one of Einar’s men. They moved away every time they saw him watching them, and Taelord began to wonder.
Einar had said that everyone in Helsng was either helping the rebels or the Empire. That didn’t leave much room for someone like G’shar, who simply wanted to keep his family safe. Taelord didn’t know exactly what he was afraid of happening. All he knew was that Helsng was changing, and G’shar wasn’t. He had been involved in enough uprisings in the Volcarren to know that usually didn’t end well.
Fera joined him just outside the door at one point, watching the city and the hurrying kyrie silently. Taelord glanced at her, and though she said nothing, he could tell there was something on her mind. She was frowning, something she rarely did.
“Taelord,” she said after several minutes of silence, “we need to leave these people.”
“What?” Taelord said blankly. He had been expecting her to say something about what was happening in the city. “G’shar? Why?”
“It isn’t safe,” she said, watching the street. “I spoke to several merchants in the Rows yesterday, and they said they would be more than happy to shelter us for a few days, until Utgar receives word about Haukeland.”
“Why?” Taelord asked uncertainly. “Mother, these people took us in.”
“And I appreciate what they’ve done,” she said carefully. “But…” She glanced at him, a worried look. “Taelord, we aren’t safe here. If there is conflict, the Empire will win. They have soldiers, training, food. I would rather be on their side now, than try to join them after.”
“Join them?” Taelord echoed, staring at his mother. “Why would we join them? These are the people who kept us trapped in the Volcarren. I’m not going to join them.”
She looked away, and didn’t reply.
Taelord continued to stare at her, still not quite convinced that she had just suggested joining the Empire. Had her time with Ahnvad changed her that much?
“What of Utgar, then?” she said, turning back to him. “He is a Valkyrie; perhaps he could shelter us. We would be safe under his protection.”
“We already have his protection,” Taelord said, frowning.
“That might not stop them, though,” Fera said. “Syafa said there were attacks in the night, and I don’t think either one of us believes Veth’s story about what happened to his face.”
Taelord frowned at her. “You just suggested we join the Empire, and now you want Utgar’s protection?”
“I want safety,” she said shortly. “Utgar, the Empire – they can both offer that. I would prefer the Empire, but I can understand how you feel about them. Utgar is a Valkyrie; he could demand anything he wants. If we only lived closer to his tent, it might be enough… You know his daughter. Perhaps if she were seen visiting us from time to time, even with Utgar himself, people would guess that we were more than simple Volcarrens, and know—”
“No.” Taelord had finally heard enough. “You’re not dragging Runa into this. She’s my friend, not some path to safety.” He folded his arms and looked at her, frowning. “These people took us in,” he said, nodding to the door they stood next to. “These people. They’ve shared their food and their home, and I won’t abandon them for some pretended protection of Utgar. I won’t use Runa that way, and I certainly won’t join the Imperials.”
She watched him for a moment, and then left, turning and entering the house without a word. Taelord frowned, but didn’t go after her. His mind was still trying to grapple with what she had suggested.
What had she meant by that? Wanting to join the Imperials, seeking more protection from Utgar? She wanted safety, Taelord believed that, but she didn’t seem to care how she got it. As if Ahnvad had sucked any sense of honor or loyalty out of her.
Taelord scowled, and shoved the thought away.
Rehs returned as the afternoon was turning to dusk, saying that G’shar would be along soon. He had managed to work some sort of deal with the dockmaster to keep part of their grain. However, one of the large Imperial trading vessels, which was docked nearby, had been burned in the night, and the fire had damaged the Windchaser, Yesen’s boat, as well. G’shar and Rehs had spent much of the day helping Yesen repair the damage, but it had been significant. Rehs said it would be a few days before Yesen could sail.
Rehs went to his room to change, since his shirt was stained with soot, and Syafa set about starting a fire beneath the cauldron, in preparation of G’shar’s return.
“Rehs!” she called. “When you’re finished could you get some wood from the side of the house?”
“I’ll get it,” Taelord said quickly, getting to his feet. He had been sitting at the table, doing nothing.
“Oh no,” Syafa said, “you’re a guest. I couldn’t ask—”
“I want to,” Taelord said, crossing to the door. “It’s the least I can do to repay you and G’shar.”
She smiled, and Taelord opened the door and went out. Split wood was piled high on the side of the house, and Taelord began gathering up several pieces. It was true: helping Syafa was the least – the very least – he could do. They had continued to share their meager supplies of food with him and his mother, and Taelord wanted to do something to repay them. Especially since the arrival of Utgar and the Volcarrens seemed to have accelerated the coming of the rebellion. He didn’t know if that was actually true, but it didn’t matter. He owed G’shar and Syafa. He—
“Taelord!”
He turned at the shout, and saw Veth and Scar-shoulder approaching, supporting G’shar between them. He dropped the wood he had gathered and ran to help, relieving Scar-shoulder, who seemed to have sustained an injury to his arm.
G’shar was worse. He was conscious, but grimacing in pain. He stumbled as Veth and Taelord half-dragged him towards the door, and Taelord saw that his side was wet with blood.
Scar-shoulder pulled open the door, and Veth and Taelord deposited G’shar in the nearest chair, where he collapsed, eliciting screams from both Aiiva and Syafa, who were present. Rehs burst from his room, and then paled when he saw his father leaning back in the chair, his breathing shallow.
“What happened?” he demanded, as Syafa rushed for the storeroom. She returned a moment later with a basket of herbs and clean bandages.
“Imperials,” Veth spat. “Apparently they didn’t like the visits we paid them last night, and decided to wait behind one of the storehouses for the first person who passed them. Unfortunately, that was us.”
“There were six of them,” Scar-shoulder said, wincing as he sat down and accepted a bandage from Syafa. “The cowards. They jumped us. Sliced G’shar with a sword before we even knew what was happening.”
Taelord glanced at G’shar’s injury, which was now laid bare as Syafa washed it as best she could, and started applying bandages. It wasn’t a particularly deep cut, but it was jagged, and was bleeding copiously.
Aiiva approached, her face white.
“I’ll live,” G’shar assured her, grimacing as Syafa wound bandages around his chest.
“We’ll get them back for this,” Rehs said shakily, staring at the bandages now covering G’shar’s side. “Tonight. Right now. They’ll learn they can’t do this.”
“No,” G’shar said, his voice suddenly stern despite his injury. “You aren’t going to make this worse, Rehs.”
“I’m not making it worse!” Rehs said. “I’m doing what must be done. The soldiers need to learn we won’t just sit here and take this anymore.”
“Rehs,” Syafa said, glancing up from her bandaging, “we need you here. Your father has been injured; I don’t want you hurt as well.”
“Your mother’s right,” G’shar said. “I don’t want you involved in this, Rehs.”
“Why?” Rehs said angrily. “Because you don’t want me to fight for what I believe in? Because you’re scared?”
“Rehs!”
G’shar waved Syafa down. “Yes,” he said, sitting up straight in his chair. “I am scared. I’m scared for you. I wouldn’t have you hurt.”
Rehs glared at him.
“War is coming,” G’shar said. “We can all see it now. Once the Windchaser is seaworthy and Yesen has the new hands he needs, we will leave.”
“We should stay and fight,” Rehs said. “We should defend our home.”
“We’re not warriors, Rehs!”
Everyone glanced at G’shar, startled. Taelord had never heard him raise his voice before. A new spot of red stained the fresh bandage at his side. “We are farmers,” G’shar said. “I believe in the rebellion. I do. But wars care little for the common man they trample underfoot. This” — he pointed at his bandage — “it is only the beginning. We must leave, before worse happens to you, or your sister or mother.”
Rehs watched his father for a moment in silence. By the fire, Syafa’s cauldron was bubbling, but she ignored it.
“Leave if you want,” Rehs finally said, his voice calmer. “I’m staying. It is my duty to fight, to protect what is mine. I will find the soldiers who did this, and I will make them pay.” He glanced at Veth and Scar-shoulder. “Will you help me?”
“I got a good look at them,” Veth said. “We’ll find them.”
“Come on then,” Rehs said. He strode to the door, flung it open, and went outside, Veth and Scar-shoulder quickly following.
G’shar sighed, covering his face with one hand.
“Father?” Aiiva said, taking a hesitant step forwards, her voice quivering, her face still pale.
“Stay here,” G’shar said. “I’ll talk to him.” He made to rise, but fell back into the chair, grimacing in pain.
“I’ll go,” Taelord said. “Stay still for now; let your side heal. I’ll ask Utgar to fully heal you tomorrow.”
G’shar nodded, his teeth gritted.
Taelord glanced at his mother. She was looking at him pointedly, but he turned away, and left through the door.
“Rehs!” he called, closing the door behind him.
The three of them hadn’t gone far, and they paused, Rehs turning.
“Will you join us?” he said as Taelord approached.
“No,” Taelord said, stopping in front of him. “I’m asking you not to do this. If not for yourself, then for your family.”
“For my family?” Rehs echoed. “Taelord, I am doing this for my family. Do you think I want to beat up soldiers because it’s fun? I’m doing it so they’ll know they can’t do the same to us without consequences. I’m defending my family.”
“Rehs…” Taelord stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You want revenge. You aren’t defending anyone. I know, I’ve felt the same thing plenty of times. Your family isn’t a building or a piece of land – they’re right there.” He gestured to the house. “Go to them. Leave this place as soon as you can. Go somewhere safe.”
“That’s my father talking.”
“Your father is right.”
“My father is a coward, Taelord.”
They were silent for a moment. Rehs glared at him.
“I don’t like saying it,” he said, “but it’s true. He’d rather flee than stand and fight for something.” He took a breath, perhaps trying to calm himself down. “We have to fight,” he said. “If we don’t fight, then nothing will change. The Empire will continue their taxes, draining and starving us into dust. I thought you understood that. You fought them.”
“We fought for a chance at life,” Taelord said. “You already have that.” Again, he gestured to the house. “Don’t throw it away.”
Rehs didn’t reply. For a moment they stood there, silent, watching each other.
“Are you coming?” Rehs finally said. “Or are you staying here with my father?”
“I won’t help you do this.”
“Fine,” Rehs said, scowling. Stay out of our way.”
“Rehs…”
“I’m doing this for them,” Rehs said, nodding to the house. He started walking backwards, returning to Veth and Scar-shoulder. “I’m doing this so they won’t have to be involved.” He turned and left, Veth giving Taelord an angry look before turning away.
“If you do this,” Taelord said softly to himself, “then you involve them all.” He watched Rehs go. There were no bystanders in war.
He hesitated for a moment, and then returned to the house.
“I’m going to Utgar,” he said as he entered.
G’shar turned painfully in his chair. “Utgar?” he said. “He’ll… He’ll listen to you? He’ll stop this?”
“He won’t,” Taelord said, collecting his sword from the storeroom. “But his guards will. He doesn’t want fighting in the streets, and his guards won’t want to anger him. They’ll help. Don’t worry,” he added to Syafa, who was standing by G’shar, her face white. “I’ll be back soon. With Rehs.”
And then he left, exiting the house and leaping to the sky, winging his way towards Utgar’s pavilion.