The next morning, Taelord convinced G\u2019shar to go to Utgar. Healing was one of the abilities granted by Wellspring water, and though G\u2019shar\u2019s injury wasn\u2019t deep, he had lost a lot of blood. G\u2019shar was hesitant; he didn\u2019t want to put Utgar in the position of healing someone the Empire had attacked \u2013 sanctioned or not. However, Syafa fixed him with a flat stare, and he relented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rehs, Veth, and Scar-shoulder came as well. None were seriously injured, but Taelord was fairly certain Rehs had broken a rib, and Scar-shoulder\u2019s skin resembled a black and red patchwork quilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It had not been a pleasant night when they returned, beaten and bloodied, Utgar\u2019s guards having escorted them back before leaving. Syafa and Aiiva had begun tending to their injuries, and Taelord had replaced his sword in the storeroom where he slept. He had returned to the main room to find G\u2019shar frowning at Veth and Scar-shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you want to join Einar in his rebellion,\u201d he had said, \u201cthen fine. It is not my place to interfere. However, while you remain beneath this roof, I will ask that you keep my son out of your war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Veth had nodded silently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fera had been there, sitting at the table, saying nothing. She was there in the morning as well, and she neither looked at Taelord nor spoke to him. Taelord frowned. He hadn\u2019t forgotten the things she had said, about joining the Empire, or seeking safety from Utgar. He would need to talk to her. But not now. Perhaps later, once G\u2019shar and the others were healed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord volunteered to accompany them to Utgar\u2019s pavilion. He didn\u2019t need to \u2013 they all knew where the tent was, and he was completely uninjured. But what he had seen last night \u2013 Volcarren against soldier \u2013 it had made the war real to him. It was happening. The rebels were here. The unrest wasn\u2019t just angry glares and harsh words anymore. It was real, present, dangerous. Taelord had known that of course, but somehow being suddenly confronted with it in the darkness like that\u2026 it had changed things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It scared him. He didn\u2019t like to admit it, but it was true. Why should a thing like that scare him? He had seen plenty of fights. He had been in<\/em> plenty of fights. But somehow\u2026 this was different, and he was worried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that was why he decided to go to Utgar\u2019s pavilion. Not to see the Valkyrie, but to see Runa. She might be na\u00efve and even blind, but\u2026 after last night, Taelord could use some of her endless optimism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Maze seemed tense to Taelord \u2013 many doors were open to the morning air, allowing him to see dark looks and whispered conversations over hurried morning meals. The streets were mostly empty, the few people they passed hurrying by without speaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It didn\u2019t take them long to reach Utgar\u2019s pavilion, and they weren\u2019t the only ones seeking his services. A small knot of people had formed outside the tent entrance, Volcarren guards blocking their way. As Taelord watched, one of the assembled kyrie \u2013 a burly fisher with his arm in a makeshift sling \u2013 was allowed to enter the tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe only started yesterday,\u201d Veth said, nodding to the knot of people. \u201cHealing. I think he kept from doing it because he didn\u2019t want to look like he was taking sides, but\u2026 well, he seems to have changed his mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord wondered at that. Utgar had been so careful not to provoke the Empire, and now\u2026 Looking around, he saw a handful of guards, spread out at the edges of the intersection, all watching the pavilion and the people waiting to be healed, many with frowns. They didn\u2019t interfere, but they gripped their weapons tightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of Utgar\u2019s guards approached them. \u201cVeth,\u201d he said, nodding to him. He glanced at Taelord. \u201cNo further injuries, I trust? Everyone still in one piece?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Veth scowled at the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you for your help last night,\u201d Taelord said. Dered had been one of the guards who had flown with him to retrieve Rehs and the others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dered shrugged, frowning. \u201cGiven my way, I would have chased the soldiers down and taught them a lesson. But\u2026 I know Utgar wants us to maintain peace.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cSome day he\u2019ll have to realize that\u2019s impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIs Runa here?\u201d Taelord asked. \u201cI would speak with her, if I can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2019s here,\u201d Dered said, appraising him hesitantly. \u201cBut I wouldn\u2019t be seen talking to her, Taelord. If she so much as leaves the pavilion, Utgar starts thinking the worst. He\u2019ll probably suspect you of being an Imperial assassin here to kill her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord shrugged. \u201cHis opinion of me can\u2019t get much worse. Just tell her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dered frowned, but turned and made his way to the pavilion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord watched him go. There had been a time, not that long ago, when no Volcarren would have spoke that way about Utgar, least of all Dered. The Volcarrens wanted war, and Utgar wanted peace. Had that rift finally grown too wide? Was the Valkyrie losing his army? Was that even possible?<\/p>\n\n\n\n G\u2019shar, Rehs, and the others joined the knot of people outside the pavilion, and a moment later, Runa appeared in the tent entrance. She saw Taelord, and walked over to him. Taelord was so used to her flying everywhere \u2013 as if she couldn\u2019t get places fast enough \u2013 that sight of her walking surprised him. She stopped in front of him, looking him up and down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI thought it was dangerous to be wandering around Helsng,\u201d she remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord raised an eyebrow. \u201cI had company.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She smiled. \u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re here,\u201d she said. \u201cIt gets so dreary<\/em> in that tent, people worrying about everything, speaking in whispers. At least Father\u2019s healing people now. That adds some variety.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord glanced at the knot of waiting kyrie. \u201cI\u2019m surprised he is,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runa glanced at them too, frowning. \u201cYes\u2026 I had to convince him to do it,\u201d she said. \u201cHe didn\u2019t want to, but\u2026 this was the least we could do. We needed to repay these people somehow for everything they gave us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord found himself agreeing. These people needed healing, and Utgar could provide it. Still, a shred of worry nagged at him. \u201cWhat about the Empire, though?\u201d he said. \u201cWhat will they think?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHopefully that we\u2019re here to help people, and not start a war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Veth exited the tent, his various bruises vanished, a grin splitting his face. Taelord saw his eyes flick to the nearest guard \u2013 who looked like he could use Utgar\u2019s services himself \u2013 and his grin widened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t know that the Empire will see the difference,\u201d he said, looking around at the Imperial guards. Every one of them wore looks appropriate to being punched in the face and told they couldn\u2019t retaliate. For many, this wasn\u2019t far from the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Things weren\u2019t helped by Scar-shoulder, who emerged from the tent with Kran, both healed completely. Veth joined them, and they left the tent together, laughing and pointing at the nearby guards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They passed close to Taelord, and he could hear some of what they said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe was in the alley,\u201d Scar-shoulder was saying, watching a nearby guard. \u201cI saw him.\u201d He flexed his healed arm experimentally. \u201cNext time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kran frowned, and Veth glanced at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t pretend you didn\u2019t enjoy it, Kran,\u201d Veth said. \u201cI saw you. You were better than any of us. Had that guard on the ground before he knew what had hit him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kran shook his head, but Taelord saw that he was smiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They left, disappearing in the maze of houses, heading in the direction of G\u2019shar\u2019s home. Runa watched them go, and even after they were hidden from sight, she continued to look at where they had vanished, silent, all hint of a smile gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2026 You alright?\u201d Taelord finally asked after she had gone nearly a full minute without speaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes,\u201d she said, turning to him. \u201cI just\u2026\u201d She shook her head. \u201cI didn\u2019t expect that of Kran. I know some Volcarrens want war, but Kran\u2026 he came to Father, before. He seemed to understand. To want peace. He said<\/em> he wanted peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She looked away. Taelord watched her for a moment. Maybe Kran did want peace, but he was also ready to stand up for the farmers. He didn\u2019t fear war as Utgar seemed to. If it came, he would join it. Welcome it, even.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Runa,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She glanced at him. \u201cFor what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor\u2026 I know how much you wanted this to work. For us to live our lives away from the Volcarren, without war and conflict\u2026 I know, I did too. And now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another Volcarren emerged from the tent, casting aside the sling his arm had been in, glaring triumphantly at the soldiers as he passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runa watched him go. \u201cNo,\u201d she whispered. \u201cNo\u2026 you\u2019re right. They are ready for war.\u201d She was silent for a moment, watching the knot of people. \u201cThey want<\/em> war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She shook her head, and then began walking away slowly, her eyes on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord watched her uncertainly for a moment, and then followed. \u201cWhere are you going?\u201d he said, putting a hand on her shoulder to stop her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She shrugged. \u201cNot far. I just\u2026 want to get away. From the soldiers, the other Volcarrens even\u2026 just for a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But\u2026 Utgar wouldn\u2019t want her out of sight of the tent. Taelord glanced back, but no one was paying attention. Utgar\u2019s guards were either dealing with the knot of kyrie asking for healing, or watching the Imperials with tense postures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runa glanced at him, perhaps guessing what he was thinking. \u201cYou can stay with me, if you want,\u201d she said. \u201cThen I won\u2019t be \u2018wandering Helsng alone.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She gave the ghost of a smile, but Taelord frowned. He could guess Utgar\u2019s reaction if he found out Runa had left the tent without a guard. And if he learned Taelord had been there\u2026 well, his anger was likely to be worse, not better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runa turned and continued walking away, slowly approaching a side street between two homes. Taelord watched her for a moment, doubts swirling in his mind. Then he silenced them and went after her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They were silent for a time, walking side by side, the houses they passed equally quiet. No one saw them. No one passed them. The streets were empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord glanced covertly at Runa. He had rarely seen her so\u2026 deflated. The only time close had been once in Vraen\u2019s camp, after an attack by Ahnvad. She had said she wanted to get away then too, from the fighting, from the Wellspring. She had been Valkyrie then, and Taelord had been surprised. How could anyone not<\/em> want to be a Valkyrie?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was wrong,\u201d she said, so quietly that she might have been speaking to herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWrong?\u201d Taelord echoed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She glanced at him, before turning her eyes back to the dirt road. \u201cWrong about the people here,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd about the other Volcarrens. I knew some of them wanted to fight the Empire, but I thought most of them\u2026 I convinced myself they wanted peace. I really thought they did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSome do,\u201d Taelord said quietly. \u201c\u2026 I do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She stopped and looked at him, and Taelord was surprised to see that there were tears on her face. Only two, rolling slowly down her cheeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She gave him a faint smile. \u201cYou tried to tell me,\u201d she said. \u201cYou said war was inevitable. You said it would happen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt hasn\u2019t happened yet,\u201d Taelord said. \u201cMaybe\u2026 Maybe it won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A small laugh escaped her. \u201cYou <\/em>are telling me<\/em> that war might not happen?\u201d She smiled, but shook her head. \u201cNo,\u201d she whispered. \u201cIt\u2019s coming. I\u2019ve known it for a while I think, but I just\u2026 didn\u2019t want to admit it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe can still have peace,\u201d Taelord said, putting a tentative hand on her shoulder. \u201cMaybe the rebellion happens, but we don\u2019t have to be involved.\u201d He paused for a fraction of a second. \u201cYou, me, Utgar, my mother\u2026 we can escape. Leave. Go to Haukeland\u2026 anywhere. What\u2019s going to happen here will happen, but we don\u2019t have to be a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runa looked at him, silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord was uncomfortably aware of her eyes looking into his. They were light brown. They seemed too light for the Volcarren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMaybe,\u201d she said, finally looking away. \u201cYes\u2026 maybe Father will leave. He only came here because of the Wellspring, but if the rebels arrive\u2026 he won\u2019t stay in the middle of a war.\u201d She glanced back at him. \u201cMaybe we can<\/em> leave. Go to Haukeland, wherever we want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She gave him a quick hug. \u201cThank you,\u201d she whispered, before letting him go, and resuming her slow pace down the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord watched her for a moment, and then caught up, watching her. She was smiling now, her step light, her head up. The old Runa was back. Just like that. Taelord shook his head, smiling to himself. What he wouldn\u2019t give to cast aside his worries that easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still, he had meant what he said. The war was going to happen. He believed that now. But those who wanted peace \u2013 him and Runa, their parents \u2013 they could escape it. True, the scouts hadn\u2019t returned from Haukeland yet, but they could go elsewhere. Valhalla had to be full of unexplored or deserted lands they could settle in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They rounded a corner, and Taelord\u2019s thoughts were driven from his mind. They pulled up short, Taelord instinctively putting a hand before Runa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two of Einar\u2019s rebels, easily distinguished by their leather half-masks and worn clothing, were standing in the street, half a stones-throw away. Between them, slumped against the wall of a house, was a southern kyrie Taelord didn\u2019t immediately recognize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn your feet, Geren,\u201d one of the rebels said, pulling the kyrie up against the house. \u201cVermin like you deserve no rest. At least the Imperials are doing their duty. But you\u2026 you\u2019re a traitor to your own people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Geren. The bounty hunter who had captured Leran. He had been in the alley with Rehs as well. Now Taelord remembered \u2013 when he and Utgar\u2019s guards had arrived in the alley, Geren had been beating one of Einar\u2019s rebels. He had been using his sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is a little repayment,\u201d one of the rebels said, \u201cfor the gifts you gave our friends last night.\u201d He slammed his fist into Geren\u2019s stomach, and the kyrie doubled over, falling back to the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was clear the rebels had been at it for a while. Geren\u2019s face was bruised, and Taelord saw him coughing blood onto the dirt of the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGet up,\u201d the other rebel said, kicking Geren lazily. \u201cOr would you prefer us to finish it?\u201d He unhooked his axe from his belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot yet,\u201d the other rebel said. He raised his foot, and stamped on Geren\u2019s back, causing him to fall flat. Then he knelt, and raised a fist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStop!\u201d Runa shouted. Taelord glanced at her \u2013 except she wasn\u2019t there. She had moved so fast that he had never seen her, leaping through the air like an arrow, wings flared just enough to keep her aloft. She landed right behind the rebel, and \u2013 Taelord rushed to stop her but was nowhere near close enough \u2013 grabbed his arm to prevent him from striking Geren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rebel didn\u2019t even turn around. He backhanded Runa across the face without even looking at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runa staggered backwards and actually fell \u2013 though she seemed more surprised than hurt \u2013 landing on her back in the dirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rebel spun \u2013 Taelord could tell some sort of training had taken over \u2013 and whipped his fist towards Runa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord tackled him before it got there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He scrambled free quickly, the rebel leaping to his feet, reaching for his axe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou don\u2019t want to do that,\u201d Taelord said as the rebel advanced. He kept his knees bent, ready to spring, just in case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rebel paused, glaring at Taelord. Then, for the first time, he recognized Runa lying in the dirt behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was a long silence, in which both rebels slowly adopted looks of horror, and Geren whimpered against the wall. Runa got cautiously to her feet. Taelord looked from one rebel to the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019ll leave him\u201d \u2014 he nodded to Geren \u2014 \u201calone. You\u2019ve done plenty. In turn, I won\u2019t tell Utgar that you struck his daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rebels watched him for a moment, and then, without a word, sheathed their axes and fled, practically flying from the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord focused on Geren. \u201cGo,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Geren scrambled to his feet \u2013 despite his injuries \u2013 and limped away quickly, leaving the two of them alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord turned calmly to Runa. \u201cHold still,\u201d he said, and for once Runa did exactly that, remaining motionless as Taelord took her face in his hands and tilted it, examining where the rebel had struck her. It would leave a mark for a few days, but she might be able to hide it with her hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord let her go, and without a word, put a hand on her shoulder and gently turned her back in the direction of Utgar\u2019s tent. She began walking without complaint, and Taelord fell in beside her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou fell,\u201d he said after a moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runa glanced at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou fell, and hit your face. That\u2019s what happened, if Utgar asks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe won\u2019t believe that,\u201d Runa said. She sounded surprisingly calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019ll have to,\u201d Taelord said, not looking at her. \u201cOtherwise he\u2019ll track down the rebels and probably kill them. And if he does that\u2026 I don\u2019t know what will happen. But it won\u2019t be good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runa nodded silently. \u201cMaybe they deserve it,\u201d she said quietly after a moment. \u201cThe rebels. Not to die,\u201d she added hurriedly when Taelord looked at her in surprise. \u201cJust\u2026 It\u2019s people like them who will start the war, not the Empire. They want war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Honestly Taelord couldn\u2019t disagree with her. He looked away. Without the rebels, the unrest was just farmers plotting in the night. Ever since Einar had arrived, things had changed. The rebels had experience, and they were ready to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUtgar has the Wellspring,\u201d he said. He looked at Runa. \u201cThe rebels might want a war \u2013 this whole city might want a war \u2013 but it won\u2019t happen. Not with Utgar in their way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Runa nodded slowly. \u201cMaybe,\u201d she said. \u201cIf we can find some sort of solution with the Empire\u2026 maybe we can avoid war. I only hope we can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So do I,<\/em> Taelord thought as Utgar\u2019s pavilion came into view. But what kind of deal could Utgar make? The Empire wanted the Wellspring sealed, and Utgar would never do that. Maybe war would never happen with Utgar opposing it\u2026 but peace? Taelord wasn\u2019t sure if he could believe that. No, Einar was probably right. War would start at some point, and Utgar would have to pick a side. Taelord and his mother would have to escape from Helsng before that happened, and if Utgar and Runa went with them\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRuna!\u201d Dered rounded the corner and came to a halt before them, his breath coming in gasps. \u201cSkies above, where were you? I look away for one moment, and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was walking,\u201d Runa said, turning her head so that her hair fell over the bruise forming on the side of her face. \u201cWhy? What\u2019s happened?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dered shook his head. \u201cYour father,\u201d he gasped. \u201cUtgar\u2026 The Wellspring water\u2026 it\u2019s\u2026 it\u2019s gone.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The next morning, Taelord convinced G\u2019shar to go to Utgar. Healing was one of the abilities granted by Wellspring water, and though G\u2019shar\u2019s injury wasn\u2019t deep, he had lost a lot of blood. G\u2019shar was hesitant; he didn\u2019t want to put Utgar in the position of healing someone the Empire had attacked \u2013 sanctioned or … Continue reading Chapter Eighteen<\/span>