The smell of smoke assaulted Utgar as he stepped into the small open area where the execution was to take place in a few minutes\u2019 time. He breathed out, trying to rid himself of the scent. He had thought he had smelled smoke for the last time when he left the Volcarren. Choking, acrid\u2026 he hated it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The smoke came from the wreckage of the device the Empire had been planning on using to execute Leran. No one seemed to know who had burned the contraption; Utgar guessed it had been a farmer taking matters into his own hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most of the wreckage had been swept to the side, leaving only a charred section of earth where it had been. Here, a simple wooden block had been placed. A crowd had begun to gather, silent and apprehensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Near the wooden block stood a large kyrie. He had muscles to rival Kran, though his skin was blue \u2013 not even fair, just a deep, solid blue. Utgar had heard that many kyrie in the far north of Valhalla had such skin, but the wrongness of it still unsettled him. At least the brown skin of the kyrie here in the south was similar to the red Utgar was used to. But the northern kyrie, with their bluish skin and white or silver wings\u2026 it just seemed wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The blue-skinned kyrie was standing still, a mask and cowl hiding his face. It was a strange mask, wooden, painted with a wide-open mouth and large eyes which seemed to be fixed in an upward gaze. Utgar assumed it had some significance in the Empire, but to him, it merely looked disturbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The kyrie stood with his hands resting on the haft of an axe, its massive head resting on the ground, its edge glinting with fresh marks from a sharpening stone. The new commander had been true to his word: Leran would be executed, with an axe if necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The commander himself was present, his armor gleaming in the noon sun, his head bare, his face set. Jandar, Utgar had heard him called. From Dered, he had gathered that Jandar was a high-ranking commander in the Imperial army, and had put down some minor riots in Anund. It made sense why the Emperor had sent him here \u2013 he had experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Behind Jandar, two guards held Leran between them. He was standing, though shakily, and his head was bent, as if from exhaustion. Utgar frowned. What had they done to him? Starved him before his execution?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar began moving through the assembled crowd of laborers and Volcarrens. They practically melted away before him, heads turning in his direction, and then bowing as he passed. A silence fell over the crowd as he moved through it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He had left Runa behind in the pavilion, under the guard of Kirav. This was not something she needed to see. Utgar though \u2013 he felt he needed to be present. This execution \u2013 one way or another \u2013 would have a deep effect on the unrest in Helsng. Utgar should be there to witness it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stopped at the front of the crowd, Dered just behind him. The commander, Jandar, had watched him approach, his face unreadable. He said nothing as Utgar stopped, and turned away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cValkyrie,\u201d a young Volcarren woman whispered, approaching Utgar from within the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar turned to face her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease,\u201d she said, \u201cyou can stop this. You are Valkyrie. Please\u2026 don\u2019t let the Empire do this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is not my place to interfere,\u201d Utgar said gently. \u201cI cannot stop this.\u201d The words sounded hollow to him. He wanted to interfere. After all these people had done, he wanted to help them. But he needed peace. He needed the Empire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The woman retreated, tears staining her face, and she was swallowed by the crowd. Many of them were watching Utgar, hopeful looks turning to frowns. But many more were watching Jandar and the executioner, nothing short of hatred on their faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the middle of them, Utgar saw Kran \u2013 easily standing a head taller than most \u2013 Nya at his side, crying silently. Kran had one arm around her in comfort, but the other, Utgar saw, rested on the head of his axe. He was watching Jandar with a look of cold calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar knew that look. He had seen it plenty of times in men who were about to kill. He glanced out over the crowd behind him, and saw it reflected in many faces. Most were farmers, but a good number were Volcarrens. In fact, as Utgar looked, he realized that nearly every Volcarren he saw had a weapon. Nearly all of them were near the front, where they could reach Leran quickly. And they were all watching Jandar and the guards with cold readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar looked back to where Jandar and the guards stood. Behind them, there was a double line of Imperial soldiers. They wore full plate, including helmets and armored wings, and stood shoulder to shoulder, spears at their sides. Behind them, there was a staggered row of kyrie in partial plate, holding crossbows. Utgar glanced at the Volcarrens, then back at the soldiers. Each group was watching the other, deadly still, waiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This wasn\u2019t an execution. It was about to be a bloodbath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJandar,\u201d Utgar said, making up his mind and stepping forwards. \u201cI would speak with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All eyes focused on Utgar, and then Jandar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jandar frowned, but stepped forwards quickly, and approached Utgar. \u201cSpeak,\u201d he said quietly, so that only Utgar could hear. \u201cBut know that this man must die. No matter how much I might wish otherwise \u2013 and I do wish otherwise \u2013 I have my orders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour orders are to keep the peace,\u201d Utgar said, lowering his voice to match Jandar\u2019s. \u201cBut if you execute this man, you will end peace, not keep it. Look,\u201d he said, gesturing to the crowd behind him, and then the soldiers behind Leran. \u201cLook. You can see what is about to happen. I know you can. You can stop this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jandar frowned, watching the Volcarrens. \u201cSo can you,\u201d he said, turning back to Utgar. \u201cThose are your men out there, Valkyrie. Command them to stand down, and I will command the same of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI doubt they\u2019ll listen,\u201d Utgar said. \u201cThey want to help the people here, and they want to see you and your men dead. The only way you can hope to prevent that is by letting Leran go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jandar shook his head. \u201cI share your concerns, Utgar,\u201d he said, but I cannot act on them. \u201cIf I let Leran go, these people will see only that the Empire can be defeated. They will be emboldened. I will be practically handing Helsng to the rebels. That is something I cannot do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar looked him in the eyes. \u201cThese people will attack if you kill this man.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen they will die,\u201d Jandar said evenly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In that moment, as Jandar returned his gaze, Utgar understood. Jandar expected a massacre. From his position, the only alternative was to capitulate, and he wouldn\u2019t do that. He thought that if he slew those who attacked now, he could quell the rebellion before it began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he was wrong. Utgar had seen it many times in the Volcarren: the Empire would wipe out a clan which had grown too strong, and all it did was unite the other clans against them for a short time. A massacre might delay a rebellion, but in the end, it would only stoke the hatred in the city higher. Someone had to stop this now, while they still could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar could see that Jandar was determined. He wouldn\u2019t change his mind. That left only one option, only one chance for peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jandar raised his eyebrows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Utgar repeated, raising his voice so that everyone could hear him. Silence fell as all eyes turned to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Valkyrie,\u201d Utgar said, not breaking his gaze from Jandar. His voice echoed over the silent crowd. \u201cI demand that this man \u2013 Leran \u2013 be set free, and the crimes he is accused of forgotten. You will not refuse me,\u201d he said, speaking directly to Jandar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was complete silence. The executioner stood by limply, his masked-faced turning between Jandar and Utgar. Jandar himself said nothing, but simply watched Utgar, as if he was trying to read his mind, to see if the threat was real.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo,\u201d he finally said. \u201cI will not refuse you. Release the prisoner,\u201d he added, turning to the guards. \u201cAnd tell the scribes that his crimes are to be stricken from the records.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was silence at first. The guards stared at Jandar blankly, Leran\u2019s head went up, his expression wondering, and the crowd seemed to be struck dumb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then, rising like the roar of a distant waterfall slowly growing closer, the crowd began to speak. At first it was whispers, then murmurs. Then, as the guards removed the leather straps binding Leran\u2019s wings and left him standing there alone, it rose to cheers, cries, and shouts. The executioner turned and followed the guards, and at a motion from Jandar, the soldiers fell into ranks and marched back into the keep, Jandar himself bringing up the rear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People rushed forwards to grasp Leran\u2019s hand, laughing and cheering, and the Volcarrens and Vel present punched the air and whooped as if they had felled the Emperor himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utgar turned as people \u2013 Volcarrens and laborers alike \u2013 swarmed about him, thanking him, praising him, some on bent knee. He merely nodded at them as they continued to cheer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At least Runa would be happy. She had wanted to help these people from the start. But Utgar worried. Jandar didn\u2019t strike him as one to simply give up. And he had been right: this would only show that the Empire could be defeated. The rebels would grow bolder, and the people here in Helsng would seek to join them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But there was time. Utgar had delayed the rebellion. Hopefully long enough for a true solution to be reached. There must be a way they could have peace\u2026 Utgar only needed to find it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord was not one of the people who rushed forward. Instead, he stood where he was, buffeted by cheering kyrie, and watched Utgar. He couldn\u2019t pretend he wasn\u2019t relieved. He had seen how close they had come to a pitched battle. Utgar had done the only thing he could do \u2013 prevent the bloodshed. But he knew \u2013 and he guessed Utgar did too \u2013 that this wouldn\u2019t fix things. The rebels were still coming, approaching from the south, and now the Empire looked weak, ready to be overthrown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Taelord?\u201d Rehs yelled from nearby, glancing in his direction. He had joined the crowd just as Utgar arrived. \u201cWe won! It\u2019s over!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord gave him a half-hearted smile, and turned, directing his steps back towards G\u2019shar\u2019s home. Rehs could enjoy the victory. Taelord\u2026 well maybe Runa was right. Maybe he did worry about the worst possible outcome. But it was also the most likely. Taelord couldn\u2019t see any way this ended well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He came across Jer, and paused. The farmer was standing still, not joining the crowd, and instead looking at the charred remains of the Nasyka. He glanced up, and saw Taelord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t feel like celebrating either?\u201d he asked, attempting a smile and failing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Jer said, looking back at the burned rubble. \u201cNo, I suppose not. We won today, but what is to come after\u2026 that I fear. And this\u201d \u2014he gestured to the charred remains\u2014 \u201cthis only proves we are closer than I had thought. Those willing to strike against the Empire are already here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He sighed, and turned away. \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he said to Taelord. \u201cThis is not your concern. You should leave. You should flee this city, before\u2026\u201d his voice broke, and he looked down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re involved now,\u201d Taelord said, realizing it as he spoke. \u201cUtgar has seen to that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jer nodded. \u201cInvolved,\u201d he whispered. \u201cI thought maybe I could stay uninvolved. That I could remain somehow neutral in all this, just like you.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cThat\u2019s impossible. I see that now. The Empire has forced our hand. We must choose a side. And I\u2026\u201d he took a shaky breath. \u201cI choose the rebels.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd I accept,\u201d a voice said from behind Taelord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They both jumped, and Taelord spun around to find a kyrie in the shadows of a nearby building, watching them. He was Southern, with brown wings and orangish skin. But he also wore a mask, a simple piece of leather with holes for eyes, which only went down as far as his nose, leaving his mouth and jaw free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou,\u201d Taelord said. \u201cYou\u2026 burned the Nasyka.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne of my associates,\u201d the kyrie said, stepped forwards, though he remained partially in shadow. \u201cBut yes, I issued the order.\u201d He held out a hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEinar,\u201d he said. \u201cI believe you\u2019ve been expecting me?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The smell of smoke assaulted Utgar as he stepped into the small open area where the execution was to take place in a few minutes\u2019 time. He breathed out, trying to rid himself of the scent. He had thought he had smelled smoke for the last time when he left the Volcarren. Choking, acrid\u2026 he … Continue reading Chapter Fourteen<\/span>