Taelord and Rehs were both distracted at breakfast. Rehs was eager \u2013 Taelord guessed he was waiting for word that Kiran had broken Leran out of the Imperial dungeons. Taelord feared hearing the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everything seemed to be falling apart. War seemed closer every time Taelord woke. He still had the broadsword he had taken from Srung, and he slept with it nearby, half expecting to be woken from sleep by the sounds of battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was of course a logical way to look at it. War was probably going to happen with or without the Volcarrens. There was no reason that they couldn\u2019t just leave, whether or not it started. And maybe that was exactly what Taelord would have to do \u2013 flee Helsng with his mother and find somewhere else to stay. But it would mean leaving G\u2019shar and his family to their own devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then what could he do? He hadn\u2019t caused this, and he certainly couldn\u2019t stop it. Taelord frowned, and forced himself to eat more of the breakfast Syafa had put before him. He wanted peace. He hated the Empire. But he needed peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There had been no word yet. Had the Empire decided to release Leran? Had they even heard Jer? Or had Kiran already penetrated the keep, and freed Leran?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The only word had been from Kran \u2013 he had knocked on G\u2019shar\u2019s door late last night to deliver a message from Utgar to all the Volcarrens: not to take any action against the Empire which could lead to war. Veth and Scar-shoulder had frowned at the words, and Rehs had looked disappointed. Taelord only hoped the Volcarrens would listen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His thoughts were interrupted by a knocking at the door. G\u2019shar frowned. Rehs, Veth, and Scar-shoulder looked up eagerly. Taelord looked at the door fearfully, as did Aiiva. Syafa glanced at her husband. Taelord\u2019s mother continued eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
G\u2019shar stood, and pulled the door open. \u201cMarenn!\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A man who looked to be about G\u2019shar\u2019s age stood at the door. He was no common laborer, Taelord could see that instantly. He had the orange-brown skin of a Southern kyrie, but he had an air about him of being well-kept. He wore the wool trousers and shirt most farmers wore, but he also had on a leather vest over them, which was clean and looked new. His hands and face were clean, as where G\u2019shar\u2019s were almost always somewhat dirty from working in the fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cG\u2019shar!\u201d he said, embracing him like an old friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome in,\u201d G\u2019shar said, gesturing at his own seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marenn stepped inside, and G\u2019shar closed the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRehs, Aiiva,\u201d G\u2019shar said, \u201cthis is Marenn. We were both in Kelen\u2019s army. We fought together in the Midland campaigns. I owe my life to him several times over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd I owe mine to you,\u201d Marenn said, sitting down. \u201cSo we\u2019re even.\u201d He smiled at Syafa. \u201cI feel like I know you,\u201d he said. \u201cG\u2019shar talked about you so often that sometimes I felt like I\u2019d known you my whole life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Syafa smiled and busied herself ladling some breakfast into a bowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve done alright for yourself, G\u2019shar,\u201d Marenn said, leaning back and glancing around the house. \u201cNot exactly pulling in the harvest, but you\u2019ve stayed afloat. Better than I have, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re still a freeman, though?\u201d G\u2019shar said quickly, standing by the door since the table was full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTechnically,\u201d Marenn said. \u201cHonestly I don\u2019t know what I am at the moment. I had to flee Taeleron.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d Rehs asked, eager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRebels,\u201d Marenn said grimly. \u201cThe Empire must have known they were coming. Pulled out during the night, and I woke up to an army swarming through the town.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAn army?\u201d G\u2019shar said. \u201cAn actual army?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marenn nodded. \u201cIll-equipped. Low on food and other supplies. But yes, a real army. Decent size, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut if they\u2019re at Taeleron\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll be here soon enough,\u201d Marenn said solemnly. \u201cHelsng is the next logical target. The Imperial garrison here won\u2019t pull out this time though. Helsng is defensible, and there\u2019s a Wellspring here. There will be fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Syafa put a bowl down in front of him, and then sat back down, casting a worried glance at G\u2019shar. Everyone was silent. It was real. The rebels were coming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou left,\u201d G\u2019shar said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marenn nodded, attacking the food before him. \u201cThe rebels were plain about it. They needed everything I had, and they took it. A years\u2019 crop, gone. But once they realized I didn\u2019t want to join them, they let me go, easy as that. That was\u2026 at least three days ago now. I\u2019ve been flying north ever since. Figured I would make it here, then get on a boat and be well away by the time the rebels got here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere will you go?\u201d Syafa asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnywhere,\u201d Marenn said, glancing at her. \u201cSomewhere north. I have no love for the Empire, but the South is in turmoil right now. The rebels practically own everything south of here, and I don\u2019t doubt their aim is to at least control all of Kinsland. They have spies everywhere, stirring up the workers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou think there are spies here?\u201d Rehs said, barely able to keep the excitement from his voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure of it,\u201d Marenn said, chewing. He swallowed. \u201cAnd the Empire is too, for that matter. They stopped me on my way in, asked me who I was and where I was from. Wanted to know what I was doing here. Told them, plain as day. Don\u2019t know if they believed me though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t they believe you?\u201d Aiiva asked, her voice sounding small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re looking for spies,\u201d Marenn said darkly. \u201cThey\u2019re desperate to catch them. It started in Taeleron with spies: soldiers getting jumped at night, barracks catching fire, prisoners being freed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs stood, glancing at his father and then back at Marenn, a gleam in his eye. \u201cBut if there are spies here, then\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another knock came at the door. Everyone turned \u2013 Marenn faster than any \u2013 and fell silent as G\u2019shar opened it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs Taelord here?\u201d a familiar voice said. \u201cSomeone said he was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRuna?\u201d Taelord said, swinging off of the bench he was sitting on and standing up. G\u2019shar stood aside to reveal Runa standing just outside the door. She smiled when she saw Taelord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs, who had stood at Marenn\u2019s words, now gaped at Runa stupidly, as if her arrival had temporarily robbed him of ordered thought. Behind him, Fera glanced up from her meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you a friend of Taelord\u2019s?\u201d G\u2019shar said. \u201cCome in, come in. We\u2019ll be somewhat cramped, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d Taelord said, crossing to the door. \u201cI don\u2019t want to interrupt Marenn.\u201d He stepped outside with Runa, and closed the door behind himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d he said, turning to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She shrugged. \u201cI asked around, and finally someone said they thought you were here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve been wandering around Helsng?\u201d Taelord said, torn between happiness at seeing her and exasperation that she hadn\u2019t thought of the danger. Only Runa\u2026 \u201cIt isn\u2019t safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She rolled her eyes. \u201cThat\u2019s what my father said. \u2018You must stay here. It isn\u2019t safe in the city.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe was right,\u201d Taelord said. \u201cDon\u2019t you realize how close things are to falling apart? If something happened to you, that could be all the Volcarrens need to attack the Empire outright.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Runa frowned at him. \u201cI should have known you\u2019d be worried about the worst possible way things could turn out,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord\u2019s happiness at seeing her was quickly fading. \u201cWhat else should I be worried about?\u201d he said, folding his arms. \u201cOr are you saying that a war isn\u2019t inevitable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course it isn\u2019t inevitable,\u201d Runa said. \u201cIt\u2019s possible, I don\u2019t deny that, but there\u2019s no point in acting like it\u2019s already here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord glanced around. \u201cIt is<\/em> already here, Runa. There is a rebel army in the south. They\u2019ll be at Helsng soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She seemed unfazed by his words. Perhaps she had already known, from hearing the reports Taelord was sure Utgar was receiving. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean there will be war,\u201d she said, shrugging. \u201cI know it\u2019s likely,\u201d she said, hurrying on before he could interrupt, \u201cbut there\u2019s a chance the Empire will listen to whatever demands they make. They don\u2019t want a fight any more than my father does.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt won\u2019t matter if the Empire listens,\u201d Taelord said. \u201cThese people want blood, Runa. They hate the Empire, and for good reason. The Empire could outright surrender, and the rebels would probably still attack.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe,\u201d Runa said. \u201cOr they might realize they can work things out without violence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord watched her with exasperation. \u201cHow can you say that?\u201d he finally said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She shrugged again. \u201cMy father has a Wellspring. Many Volcarrens don\u2019t want war. The Empire wants to avoid it. The reasons aren\u2019t really important. What matters is that peace is possible. It can happen. We just have to make the right choices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe,\u201d Taelord admitted. \u201cMaybe there can be peace. But how likely do you think it is? How can you fly through Helsng, and still think war won\u2019t happen?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She frowned at him. \u201cI choose to have hope, Taelord,\u201d she said. \u201cPeace is possible. I choose to believe in it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord didn\u2019t know what to say. Runa wasn\u2019t blind \u2013 she saw the same city he did. But her optimism \u2013 her unquenchable optimism \u2013 it baffled him. \u201cWhy did you come here?\u201d he finally asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wanted to talk to someone,\u201d Runa said. \u201cFather\u2019s kept me in that tent ever since we got here, and every time I try to speak with him, he\u2019s been preoccupied. About the Empire, or the Wellspring, or what could happen next. So I thought I would find you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy me?\u201d Taelord asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou talk to me,\u201d Runa said. \u201cAt Vraen\u2019s camp, no one wanted to be near me because I was a Valkyrie. But you didn\u2019t care. You talked to me. We\u2019re friends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord stared at her blankly. \u201cFriends?\u201d he repeated. \u201cRuna\u2026 I betrayed you to Ahnvad. I nearly got you killed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She smiled. \u201cYou weren\u2019t trying to, though,\u201d she said. \u201cYou were trying to fix things. Besides, I like talking to you. Usually,\u201d she added, her smile slipping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord found himself fighting back his own smile. Runa always seemed to have that effect on him. \u201cWell,\u201d he said and then stopped as two soldiers dropped to the ground nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They approached quickly, wearing the partial plate common amongst the guards in Helsng.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMove,\u201d one of them said shortly to Taelord, jerking his head to the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord stepped away from the door. He had no desire to stand in the Empire\u2019s way. Runa remained where she was, frowning at the guard, so Taelord put out an arm, and pulled her back as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The soldiers stopped before the door, and the one who had spoken hammered on it three times with his gloved fist. The door was opened by G\u2019shar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre you harboring the individual known as Marenn?\u201d the guard asked roughly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHarboring?\u201d G\u2019shar repeated. \u201cWe aren\u2019t \u2018harboring\u2019 anyone. Marenn is a friend, and welcome in this house any\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The guard shoved him aside and strode past him. Inside, Taelord saw Marenn stand up from his chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMarenn,\u201d the guard said, \u201cwe are to bring you with us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor what reason?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou are wanted for questioning, about your activities in Taeleron.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marenn glanced from one guard to the other. \u201cYou think I\u2019m a spy don\u2019t you?\u201d he said, licking his lips. \u201cI\u2019m a freeman. I\u2019m loyal to the Empire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome with us,\u201d the second guard said, grabbing Marenn by the upper arm and practically pulling him out the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRelease him,\u201d G\u2019shar said angrily. \u201cHe\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStay out of this,\u201d the guard said warningly, turning to G\u2019shar. \u201cUnless you want to join him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marenn tried to pull back against the guard\u2019s grip. \u201cI\u2019m not a spy!\u201d he protested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first guard grabbed his other arm, and began hauling him out of the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m not a spy!\u201d Marenn repeated. \u201cI\u2019m a subject of the Empire! You can\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n His words were cut off as the guards leaped skyward, snapped their wings down, and shot up and away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord watched them for a moment, Marenn growing smaller in the sky, still struggling fruitlessly against the two guards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI should go,\u201d Runa said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord looked down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFather thinks I\u2019m still in the tent,\u201d she said. \u201cIf he finds out\u2026\u201d She shook her head, and leapt to the air, winging her way towards Utgar\u2019s pavilion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n G\u2019shar remained standing just inside the doorway, still looking at the sky, where Marenn and Runa had disappeared. \u201cWe need to leave,\u201d he said, looking down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Syafa glanced at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s not safe here,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve misjudged things \u2013 put us all in danger. We need to get out now, before things get worse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Syafa nodded, though she looked frightened. Inside, Taelord could see Aiiva, glancing between her mother and father, fearful. Rehs was still sitting at the table, silent, staring at his empty bowl. For once, Fera seemed to be listening, watching G\u2019shar attentively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere\u2019s a boat,\u201d Taelord said, making up his mind. \u201cThe Windchaser<\/em>, Yesen\u2019s fishing boat. He said he could take your family away from here in a few days\u2019 time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be on it,\u201d G\u2019shar said without hesitation. \u201cAs will you,\u201d he added over his shoulder, to Rehs. Rehs said nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He turned back to Taelord, frowning. \u201cI don\u2019t know how this will play out for your people,\u201d he said. \u201cBut, if possible\u2026 you are welcome to come with us. It will be just as dangerous here for you as it would be for us \u2013 more so in fact. The fishers will not turn away another able body.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2026\u201d Taelord paused. Could he leave? Should he? It was certainly dangerous in Helsng, and it would only get worse. Leaving was probably the best thing he could do. The best chance of staying safe. It would mean leaving Runa, but\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n The small flicker of hope within Taelord winked out. Utgar would never let him leave. He knew the location of the Wellspring. He should have remembered that. As long as he knew, Utgar would want him nearby, where he could keep an eye on him. He would have to stay. He would have to\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRehs!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A shout interrupted Taelord\u2019s thoughts. He turned, and saw Jer approaching at a fast walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehs appeared in the doorway. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d he called, grimacing as G\u2019shar looked between him and Jer with confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s failed,\u201d Jer said, drawing up a short distance away. \u201cI spoke to Yiven, but he refused. So Kiran went in, and we waited, and\u2026 Rehs, they got him. They\u2026 They killed him, trying to get Leran out. Ran him through in the halls. He\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKiran,\u201d G\u2019shar said slowly. \u201cIsn\u2019t he the one\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt gets worse,\u201d Jer interrupted. \u201cThe Empire\u2026 They\u2019ve reached a decision. Leran will be executed. Today. At noon.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Taelord and Rehs were both distracted at breakfast. Rehs was eager \u2013 Taelord guessed he was waiting for word that Kiran had broken Leran out of the Imperial dungeons. Taelord feared hearing the same. Everything seemed to be falling apart. War seemed closer every time Taelord woke. He still had the broadsword he had taken … Continue reading Chapter Twelve<\/span>