Helsng acted on Einar\u2019s words immediately. It began that very night, laborers who left Jer\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs wanted to join them, but Taelord convinced him \u2013 how he knew not \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The logical side of Taelord didn\u2019t know why he bothered. Rehs was going to join the rebellion one way or another, short of G\u2019shar binding him hand, wing, and foot, and stowing him in Yesen\u2019s boat. And honestly, Taelord couldn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He just didn\u2019t want to see Rehs join the rebels. That was all it really came to, though Taelord couldn\u2019t say why. It was more than a simple debt of gratitude to G\u2019shar 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs and Aiiva were already up \u2013 they seemed to rise almost before the sun \u2013 sitting at the table and finishing their breakfast, and Syafa was tending the fire. G\u2019shar was absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s G\u2019shar?\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s at the Docks,\u201d Syafa said, her mouth thin. \u201cSeveral storehouses were broken into last night, and Jandar has said that the other storehouses must be emptied and redivided to make up the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord glanced up. \u201cNot yours though?\u201d he said. He glanced from Rehs to Syafa, both of whom were frowning. \u201cBut\u2026 you\u2019re freemen. You own that grain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey own the storehouse,\u201d Syafa said. \u201cWe only rent it. G\u2019shar is there now, trying to save something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat isn\u2019t all,\u201d Syafa said, putting a plate before Fera as she appeared and sat down next to Taelord. \u201cThere were several attacks against patrolling soldiers last night \u2013 several rumored injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo deaths, though?\u201d Taelord asked, remembering Einar\u2019s words. \u201cNo one was killed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot that we\u2019ve heard,\u201d Syafa said with a frown. \u201cBut the soldiers retaliated. G\u2019shar thinks they were waiting for something like this to happen. Quite a few people were injured, some seriously.\u201d She turned away, shaking her head, and returned to the fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe keep was broken into,\u201d Aiiva whispered, glancing away from Rehs. \u201cThey\u2019re saying rebels did it. Opened the prisons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow do you know?\u201d Taelord asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMarenn was here,\u201d Syafa said, turning. \u201cBefore the sun had risen. He told us what had happened, and that he wasn\u2019t waiting for a boat. He said he\u2019d take his chances on foot, making for Anund. I only hope he escaped the city\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Taelord asked, nodding to the bruise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAccident,\u201d Veth said without even looking up. \u201cI was sparring with Dered and forgot to block.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord watched him for a moment, but didn\u2019t press him. It was a lie. He had seen Veth at Jer\u2019s house last night, and his face had been unmarked then. He must have been one of those who attacked the Imperial soldiers last night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019t know if she didn\u2019t care, or if she had simply learned to ignore things she couldn\u2019t change. Either way, Ahnvad had done that to her. He stabbed at his bread angrily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
G\u2019shar didn\u2019t return all day. Taelord had no desire to leave the house, and stayed near it with his mother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019shar\u2019s home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs left soon after breakfast, supposedly to see if he could help G\u2019shar, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s men. They moved away every time they saw him watching them, and Taelord began to wonder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Einar had said that everyone in Helsng was either helping the rebels or the Empire. That didn\u2019t leave much room for someone like G\u2019shar, who simply wanted to keep his family safe. Taelord didn\u2019t know exactly what he was afraid of happening. All he knew was that Helsng was changing, and G\u2019shar wasn\u2019t. He had been involved in enough uprisings in the Volcarren to know that usually didn\u2019t end well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTaelord,\u201d she said after several minutes of silence, \u201cwe need to leave these people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Taelord said blankly. He had been expecting her to say something about what was happening in the city. \u201cG\u2019shar? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt isn\u2019t safe,\u201d she said, watching the street. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d Taelord asked uncertainly. \u201cMother, these people took us in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd I appreciate what they\u2019ve done,\u201d she said carefully. \u201cBut\u2026\u201d She glanced at him, a worried look. \u201cTaelord, we aren\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJoin them?\u201d Taelord echoed, staring at his mother. \u201cWhy would we join them? These are the people who kept us trapped in the Volcarren. I\u2019m not going to join them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looked away, and didn\u2019t reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat of Utgar, then?\u201d she said, turning back to him. \u201cHe is a Valkyrie; perhaps he could shelter us. We would be safe under his protection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe already have his protection,\u201d Taelord said, frowning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat might not stop them, though,\u201d Fera said. \u201cSyafa said there were attacks in the night, and I don\u2019t think either one of us believes Veth\u2019s story about what happened to his face.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord frowned at her. \u201cYou just suggested we join the Empire, and now you want Utgar\u2019s protection?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want safety,\u201d she said shortly. \u201cUtgar, the Empire \u2013 they can both offer that. I would prefer the Empire, but I can understand how you feel about them. Utgar is<\/em> a Valkyrie; he could demand anything he wants. If we only lived closer to his tent, it might be enough\u2026 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\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo.\u201d Taelord had finally heard enough. \u201cYou\u2019re not dragging Runa into this. She\u2019s my friend, not some path to safety.\u201d He folded his arms and looked at her, frowning. \u201cThese people took us in,\u201d he said, nodding to the door they stood next to. \u201cThese people. They\u2019ve shared their food and their home, and I won\u2019t abandon them for some pretended protection of Utgar. I won\u2019t use Runa that way, and I certainly won\u2019t join the Imperials.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She watched him for a moment, and then left, turning and entering the house without a word. Taelord frowned, but didn\u2019t go after her. His mind was still trying to grapple with what she had suggested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019t seem to care how she got it. As if Ahnvad had sucked any sense of honor or loyalty out of her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord scowled, and shoved the thought away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehs returned as the afternoon was turning to dusk, saying that G\u2019shar 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<\/em>, Yesen\u2019s boat, as well. G\u2019shar 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019shar\u2019s return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRehs!\u201d she called. \u201cWhen you\u2019re finished could you get some wood from the side of the house?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll get it,\u201d Taelord said quickly, getting to his feet. He had been sitting at the table, doing nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh no,\u201d Syafa said, \u201cyou\u2019re a guest. I couldn\u2019t ask\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI want to,\u201d Taelord said, crossing to the door. \u201cIt\u2019s the least I can do to repay you and G\u2019shar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u2013 the very least \u2013 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\u2019t know if that was actually true, but it didn\u2019t matter. He owed G\u2019shar and Syafa. He\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTaelord!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He turned at the shout, and saw Veth and Scar-shoulder approaching, supporting G\u2019shar 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n G\u2019shar 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scar-shoulder pulled open the door, and Veth and Taelord deposited G\u2019shar 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d he demanded, as Syafa rushed for the storeroom. She returned a moment later with a basket of herbs and clean bandages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cImperials,\u201d Veth spat. \u201cApparently they didn\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere were six of them,\u201d Scar-shoulder said, wincing as he sat down and accepted a bandage from Syafa. \u201cThe cowards. They jumped us. Sliced G\u2019shar with a sword before we even knew what was happening.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord glanced at G\u2019shar\u2019s injury, which was now laid bare as Syafa washed it as best she could, and started applying bandages. It wasn\u2019t a particularly deep cut, but it was jagged, and was bleeding copiously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aiiva approached, her face white.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll live,\u201d G\u2019shar assured her, grimacing as Syafa wound bandages around his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ll get them back for this,\u201d Rehs said shakily, staring at the bandages now covering G\u2019shar\u2019s side. \u201cTonight. Right now. They\u2019ll learn they can\u2019t do this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo,\u201d G\u2019shar said, his voice suddenly stern despite his injury. \u201cYou aren\u2019t going to make this worse, Rehs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m not making it worse!\u201d Rehs said. \u201cI\u2019m doing what must be done. The soldiers need to learn we won\u2019t just sit here and take this anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRehs,\u201d Syafa said, glancing up from her bandaging, \u201cwe need you here. Your father has been injured; I don\u2019t want you hurt as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour mother\u2019s right,\u201d G\u2019shar said. \u201cI don\u2019t want you involved in this, Rehs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Rehs said angrily. \u201cBecause you don\u2019t want me to fight for what I believe in? Because you\u2019re scared?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRehs!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n G\u2019shar waved Syafa down. \u201cYes,\u201d he said, sitting up straight in his chair. \u201cI am scared. I\u2019m scared for you. I wouldn\u2019t have you hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehs glared at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWar is coming,\u201d G\u2019shar said. \u201cWe can all see it now. Once the Windchaser<\/em> is seaworthy and Yesen has the new hands he needs, we will leave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe should stay and fight,\u201d Rehs said. \u201cWe should defend our home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re not warriors, Rehs!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone glanced at G\u2019shar, startled. Taelord had never heard him raise his voice before. A new spot of red stained the fresh bandage at his side. \u201cWe are farmers,\u201d G\u2019shar said. \u201cI believe in the rebellion. I do. But wars care little for the common man they trample underfoot. This\u201d \u2014 he pointed at his bandage \u2014 \u201cit is only the beginning. We must leave, before worse happens to you, or your sister or mother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehs watched his father for a moment in silence. By the fire, Syafa\u2019s cauldron was bubbling, but she ignored it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLeave if you want,\u201d Rehs finally said, his voice calmer. \u201cI\u2019m 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.\u201d He glanced at Veth and Scar-shoulder. \u201cWill you help me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI got a good look at them,\u201d Veth said. \u201cWe\u2019ll find them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCome on then,\u201d Rehs said. He strode to the door, flung it open, and went outside, Veth and Scar-shoulder quickly following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n G\u2019shar sighed, covering his face with one hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFather?\u201d Aiiva said, taking a hesitant step forwards, her voice quivering, her face still pale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStay here,\u201d G\u2019shar said. \u201cI\u2019ll talk to him.\u201d He made to rise, but fell back into the chair, grimacing in pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll go,\u201d Taelord said. \u201cStay still for now; let your side heal. I\u2019ll ask Utgar to fully heal you tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n G\u2019shar nodded, his teeth gritted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord glanced at his mother. She was looking at him pointedly, but he turned away, and left through the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRehs!\u201d he called, closing the door behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The three of them hadn\u2019t gone far, and they paused, Rehs turning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWill you join us?\u201d he said as Taelord approached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo,\u201d Taelord said, stopping in front of him. \u201cI\u2019m asking you not to do this. If not for yourself, then for your family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor my family?\u201d Rehs echoed. \u201cTaelord, I am<\/em> doing this for my family. Do you think I want to beat up soldiers because it\u2019s fun? I\u2019m doing it so they\u2019ll know they can\u2019t do the same to us without consequences. I\u2019m defending<\/em> my family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRehs\u2026\u201d Taelord stepped closer, lowering his voice. \u201cYou want revenge. You aren\u2019t defending anyone. I know, I\u2019ve felt the same thing plenty of times. Your family isn\u2019t a building or a piece of land \u2013 they\u2019re right there.\u201d He gestured to the house. \u201cGo to them. Leave this place as soon as you can. Go somewhere safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s my father talking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour father is right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy father is a coward, Taelord.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n They were silent for a moment. Rehs glared at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t like saying it,\u201d he said, \u201cbut it\u2019s true. He\u2019d rather flee than stand and fight for something.\u201d He took a breath, perhaps trying to calm himself down. \u201cWe have to fight,\u201d he said. \u201cIf we don\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe fought for a chance at life,\u201d Taelord said. \u201cYou already have that.\u201d Again, he gestured to the house. \u201cDon\u2019t throw it away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehs didn\u2019t reply. For a moment they stood there, silent, watching each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre you coming?\u201d Rehs finally said. \u201cOr are you staying here with my father?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI won\u2019t help you do this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFine,\u201d Rehs said, scowling. Stay out of our way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRehs\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m doing this for them,\u201d Rehs said, nodding to the house. He started walking backwards, returning to Veth and Scar-shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m doing this so they won\u2019t have to be involved.\u201d He turned and left, Veth giving Taelord an angry look before turning away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you do this,\u201d Taelord said softly to himself, \u201cthen you involve them all.\u201d He watched Rehs go. There were no bystanders in war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He hesitated for a moment, and then returned to the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m going to Utgar,\u201d he said as he entered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n G\u2019shar turned painfully in his chair. \u201cUtgar?\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019ll\u2026 He\u2019ll listen to you? He\u2019ll stop this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe won\u2019t,\u201d Taelord said, collecting his sword from the storeroom. \u201cBut his guards will. He doesn\u2019t want fighting in the streets, and his guards won\u2019t want to anger him. They\u2019ll help. Don\u2019t worry,\u201d he added to Syafa, who was standing by G\u2019shar, her face white. \u201cI\u2019ll be back soon. With Rehs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And then he left, exiting the house and leaping to the sky, winging his way towards Utgar\u2019s pavilion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Helsng acted on Einar\u2019s words immediately. It began that very night, laborers who left Jer\u2019s 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 \u2013 how he knew not \u2013 … Continue reading Chapter Sixteen<\/span>
\n\n\n\n