It wasn\u2019t hard to find people ready to repay the Empire for what they had done to G\u2019shar. Veth left, and returned a short while later with Kran, a Vel, and two of Einar\u2019s rebels. They met where the dirt track which ran along the side of the Rows began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without a word, they set off towards the Docks, where G\u2019shar had been attacked, Veth and Scar-shoulder leading the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs could hardly believe this was actually happening. He had been ready for so long to strike against the Empire, to pay them back for the things they had done. Tonight he would get his chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill they still be there?\u201d one of Einar\u2019s rebels whispered as they passed the Rows. \u201cAt the Docks?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey won\u2019t have left,\u201d Veth whispered back from the front. \u201cThey want revenge, same as us. They won\u2019t settle with just one defenseless farmer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd you\u2019re sure this is right?\u201d Kran whispered. \u201cAttacking the soldiers? Utgar\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe won\u2019t kill them,\u201d Scar-shoulder whispered. \u201cBut Rehs was right. We can\u2019t take this lying down. If we let them attack the people here, what will their next target be? Crops? Homes? Daughters? No, we stop it here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They lapsed into silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs was sweating. Veth had passed him a crude knife, carved from Volcarren bone, and he gripped it tightly, the hide wrapped around the handle preventing it from becoming slippery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He had none of Kran\u2019s doubts. He had meant every word he said back home. This was something they needed to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Veth found the place quick enough \u2013 a shadowy gap between two large store sheds. It made the perfect place to lurk unseen, and sure enough, Rehs could make out several shadows in the alley, crouched down and waiting. He would never have seen them if he hadn\u2019t known to look for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Veth knelt, beckoning for the others to gather around him. They were just at the head of the dirt path, obscured by the shadows cast by the massive buildings of the Rows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRemember,\u201d Veth said, \u201cno killing. I don\u2019t like it,\u201d he added, as one of the rebels frowned, \u201cbut Einar has a point. Utgar will have to accept war eventually, but I won\u2019t be the one to force him into it. Rehs,\u201d he said, turning to him, \u201cyour job will be to distract them. Go around and come back through that alley they\u2019re in, act like you\u2019re coming home from the docks. They\u2019ll focus on you, and when they do, we\u2019ll attack from behind. And don\u2019t worry,\u201d he added. \u201cWe\u2019ll get them before they do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs wasn\u2019t worried. He was ecstatic. His greatest fear had been that he wouldn\u2019t be able to fight. \u201cI\u2019ll keep them distracted,\u201d he promised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGo,\u201d Scar-shoulder said. \u201cWe\u2019ll be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs nodded and rose, then made his way onto the docks, skirting the place where the Imperials lay in wait. He had no sleeves to hide his knife \u2013 only Northerners wore that kind of clothing \u2013 so he decided to simply hold it flat against the inside of his arm, and trust that the soldiers would miss it in the darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He rounded one of the buildings which made up the alley, and then paused, just out of sight. His heart was hammering with excitement, and his palms were sweatier than ever. The Docks were mostly deserted \u2013 there would be no rescue for the soldiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After waiting for about a minute, he judged Veth and the others had had enough time to prepare. He bowed his head and slouched his shoulders, as if he were tired from a days\u2019 work on the Docks, and then began a slow walk towards the alley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was hard, keeping his pace slow when his heart was practically flying inside his chest. But he kept his wings drooped, his arms loose by his side. He could feel the knife, the blade pressed against his arm, the carved bone cool on his skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He entered the shadow of the alley. One foot before the other. Slow, measured, don\u2019t look up, don\u2019t\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou there!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs snapped his head up despite himself. Three soldiers in the partial plate of guards stood before him, three more lurking in the shadows behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you support the Empire?\u201d one of the soldiers asked, stepping forward menacingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m just the son of a farmer,\u201d Rehs said slowly, playing for time. He thought he could see Veth and the others approaching from the other end of the alley, but he kept his eyes drooped, his posture exhausted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not what he asked,\u201d another guard said, approaching on Rehs\u2019 right. \u201cHe asked if you supported the Empire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs shrugged. \u201cI guess,\u201d he said, slowly focusing on the soldier. \u201cI mean\u2026 we make all the food. We do all the work. So\u2026 yeah, I guess you could say we support the Empire. I mean, it would fall apart without us, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The soldiers glanced at each other, unsure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMakes you wonder,\u201d Rehs said slowly, barely concealing his grin as Veth positioned himself behind one of the soldiers in the shadows, \u201cwhy the Empire tries so hard to turn us against it. Taking all our food? Unfair taxes? Soldiers everywhere? You\u2019d think they\u2019d be smarter, what with us supporting them and all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard enough,\u201d the first soldier said. He drew his sword, a straight, thin blade, and advanced on Rehs. \u201cYou are the kind of ground-lover who caused this problem,\u201d he snarled, stopping before Rehs. \u201cThinking you can run the Empire, that it belongs to you somehow, that you alone keep it afloat. Maybe we need you, but you need us more. Without the Empire, there\u2019s chaos. Without us, you\u2019d be some obscure clan, fighting for survival. And this is the thanks we get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell I\u2019m going to teach you a little lesson tonight, farmer: you need the Empire. You all do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d Rehs said. Out of the corner of his eye, Veth, positioned perfectly behind one of the soldiers, nodded to him. \u201cBecause we need your protection? We don\u2019t. In fact\u201d \u2014 he gripped his knife tightly \u2014 \u201cwe can defend ourselves just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And he stabbed the soldier in the gut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was surprised at how easy it was. He had expected the soldier to be ready, to block with his sword perhaps, or at least step back. He did none of those things. He just stood there, not realizing fast enough that Rehs had a blade, and let the dagger slip easily beneath his breastplate and into his stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He staggered back, pulling himself off of the knife, howling and clutching his gut. \u201cThe little groundling!\u201d he bellowed. \u201cKill him!\u201d The two soldiers who had been nearby advanced on Rehs, but then paused and looked back, as sudden shouts and cries of pain issued from behind them. Veth and the others had attacked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs took the opportunity to easily stab the closest soldier in the back of the leg, as he turned to face the ambush. Warm blood gushed over his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The soldier fell as if Rehs had decapitated him, gripping his leg and rolling away from Rehs, straight towards the Vel, who happily kicked him in the stomach as he neared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scar-shoulder barreled towards the other guard, who barely had time to get his sword out before he was tackled to the ground. Rehs leapt out of the way as the two rolled towards him, a mass of arms, legs, and wings, all trying to grab or punch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kran and the two rebels seemed evenly matched \u2013 perhaps the soldiers they had attacked had been more ready. Veth and Kran were fighting one together \u2013 as Rehs watched, the soldier staggered back, one of his wings bent and dripping blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Vel had tackled the soldier Rehs had stabbed, and was rapidly adding to his list of injuries. The soldier\u2019s attempts to keep the Vel from him were becoming feebler and feebler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
True to their word, no one except Rehs had used a weapon. They were punching and kicking without remorse, using their wings like cudgels, not giving the soldiers a chance to draw their weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs leapt forward, seeking an opening on one of the three fighting soldiers. Maybe he could slip his knife between their wings, or stab them in the leg\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fight seemed clear to him, every detail plain. He glanced down at the knife he held, and saw that blood had coated the blade, and was dripping down onto his hand. He wiped it off with his other hand, and approached one of the soldiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo arms!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cry echoed from the other end of the alley, where Rehs had come from. He turned as feet thundered behind him. Someone else had joined the fray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They were Imperials. Real soldiers, wearing full plate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One crashed into the Vel, kicking him off of the guard he had been attacking, slicing with his sword. The Vel fell back, gripping his arm. Another reached into the mass of limbs which was Scar-shoulder and his opponent, and separated them, throwing Scar-shoulder against the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two more soldiers rushed to help the other combatants, one running straight at Rehs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He didn\u2019t know what to do. His knife couldn\u2019t penetrate armor, and there were no gaps. The soldier didn\u2019t have a helm, and Rehs raised his blade, ready to strike, but he never got the chance: the soldier slammed his wings forward, armored like the rest of him, and they both rammed into Rehs, striking him square in the chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He toppled over backwards like a dead reed. He couldn\u2019t breathe. He struck out with his arms, trying to stop his fall, but he hit the ground hard anyway, and for a moment, everything around him seemed to shift and grow quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After what seemed like a long time \u2013 during which Rehs was only vaguely aware of dark shapes struggling around him, punctuated by cries and blows \u2013 he was picked up roughly and pinned against a wall. He was finally able to take a breath, and sucked in air, gulping like a fish on a boat. His vision cleared, and sound seemed to sharpen. He became aware of a terrible pain in his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow is he?\u201d someone asked overhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStabbed in the gut,\u201d a voice answered. \u201cNot doing well. He\u2019ll need the healers for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd Hev?\u201d the first voice asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStabbed in the leg, a broken wing, smashed nose\u2026 stabbed in the side, too, I\u2019d say.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGround-loving farmers!\u201d another voice shouted. There was a sound of knuckles hitting flesh from nearby, accompanied by a grunt of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLeave them!\u201d the first voice shouted. \u201cDon\u2019t touch the Volcarrens. Do you want to bring a Valkyrie down on us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs squinted, and was finally able to make out the shapes in the darkness. He and the others seemed to have been thrown against a wall. The alley was littered with bodies, all of them stirring: the guards. There were at least five on the ground. Rehs grinned despite the pain in his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThree Volcarrens,\u201d a new voice said, \u201ca Vel, a kid\u2026 who are these two? They don\u2019t look like farmers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That voice\u2026 Rehs recognized it. He looked up painfully. \u201cYou!\u201d he spat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Geren, the freeman bounty hunter, glanced at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou traitor!\u201d Rehs said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not a traitor,\u201d Geren said, kicking Rehs in the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs\u2019 chest flared, and he gasped in pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m a patriot,\u201d Geren said, glaring at him. \u201cI serve the Empire. This vermin though\u2026\u201d He turned, and Rehs saw that he was looking at the two rebels, both of whom looked barely conscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou,\u201d Geren said, hauling one of the rebels to his feet and holding him against the wall by his throat. \u201cYou see that?\u201d He pointed to one of the guards on the ground nearby, who was holding a wing and moaning. \u201cYou did that,\u201d Geren said. \u201cYou broke Nrat\u2019s wing. His wing! He won\u2019t be able to fly for months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019d do it again,\u201d the rebel growled. \u201cAnd I\u2019d break his other wing too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was a sudden sharp snap, followed immediately by a shout of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow about that?\u201d Geren spat, as the rebel collapsed on the ground, howling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou Imperial\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other rebel was silenced with a blow to the stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to do to you,\u201d Geren said, \u201ceverything you did to Nrat. And maybe a little more. He was a friend of mine. No one hurts one of my friends without answering to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His blade flashed in the night, and the rebel let out a screech of pain. A splatter of blood struck Rehs across the face \u2013 only a few drops, but still enough to make him recoil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His eagerness of before was gone, but it wasn\u2019t replaced with fear or pain. Rehs was angry. A raging hatred was within him, but he was held firm by one of the guards, who still pinned him against the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sword flashed again, but this time it didn\u2019t descend. A figure dropped from the sky and met the blade with his own: a broadsword. The thick blade batted aside the smaller one of the soldier, and the flat of the broadsword crashed into the soldier\u2019s unarmored face. Not a lethal blow, but a painful one. The soldier staggered back, clutching his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTaelord!\u201d Rehs shouted, new strength surging into him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was Taelord, and he wasn\u2019t alone. Six Volcarrens dropped into the alley after him, all armed with axes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The soldiers backed away, and when the Volcarrens didn\u2019t pursue, took to the air, leaving their wounded behind. The guard holding Rehs released him and went with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord extended a hand and pulled Rehs to his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou changed your mind!\u201d Rehs said, putting a hand on the wall as his head swam. \u201cYou came back\u2026 to help us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t,\u201d Taelord said, as the other Volcarrens with him began helping up the other wounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not interested in your rebellion,\u201d Taelord said. \u201cI came to stop you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut\u2026 you hate the Empire!\u201d Rehs said. Taelord turned away, and Rehs staggered after him. \u201cYou fought them! You won!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI fought for survival,\u201d Taelord said, turning suddenly. \u201cGet that through your head, Rehs. I know you think I\u2019m some kind of hero or something, but I\u2019m not. I want peace. Nothing else. You\u2026 You have that. Don\u2019t throw it away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He left then to help the other Volcarrens, leaving Rehs standing there, the pain in his chest clamoring for his attention.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It wasn\u2019t hard to find people ready to repay the Empire for what they had done to G\u2019shar. Veth left, and returned a short while later with Kran, a Vel, and two of Einar\u2019s rebels. They met where the dirt track which ran along the side of the Rows began. Without a word, they set … Continue reading Chapter Seventeen<\/span>