Taelord had always known Utgar distrusted him. He couldn\u2019t blame him, not after what he had done. But now\u2026 well, he was probably lucky to simply be in one piece. In fact, he was surprised that Utgar had merely summoned him, rather than sending Dered to dispatch him on the spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He still couldn\u2019t believe what Dered had told him. His mother, threaten Runa? Try to force Utgar to surrender? He had never dreamed she would do such a thing. She had seemed so disinterested in what was going on, even to the point of not caring which side won or lost, as long as she had a roof over her head. Why would she now suddenly do something like this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dered led him to an abandoned home. Loyalists had lived there until recently. They had left some days previously, leaving Utgar to claim it as a temporary prison. Guards were stationed at the door and windows, but they let Taelord pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He found his mother inside, sitting at a table much like G\u2019shar\u2019s. It was dark; the windows were shuttered from the outside. She seemed uninjured, for which Taelord was grateful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTaelord?\u201d she said as he entered, closing the door behind him. She rose, and pulled him into an embrace. \u201cHeroes be praised you\u2019re all right,\u201d she said. \u201cI feared Utgar might think you had something to do with this. Especially after what I told him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She sat, and Taelord sat next to her. \u201cMother\u2026 what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She sighed. \u201cI\u2019m sorry for not telling you,\u201d she said. \u201cI didn\u2019t think you would understand. I did it for your sake. To keep you safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid what?\u201d Taelord said. He guessed she wasn\u2019t talking only about threatening Runa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI went to the Empire,\u201d Fera said. \u201cI asked for mercy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taelord rested his elbows on the table and covered his face with his hand. \u201cWhy?\u201d he said. \u201cWhy, Mother? Why would you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause I don\u2019t want to die with the rebels,\u201d she said. Her voice was soft. She wanted him to understand. \u201cI don\u2019t care who wins this conflict. I only want you to be safe. The Empire\u2026 it is powerful. They can protect us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut they are wrong<\/em>,\u201d Taelord said, lowering his hand to look at her. \u201cYou\u2019ve seen the way they treat people, Mother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey wouldn\u2019t treat us that way,\u201d she said. \u201cYou would show them where the Wellspring is, and they would reward us. We would have good food, a comfortable home\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey can\u2019t be trusted<\/em>,\u201d Taelord said. \u201cUtgar might be paranoid, but he\u2019s right about the Empire. Once I showed them where the Wellspring was, they would have no reason to keep us safe. Or even to keep us alive, for that matter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2019d have even less reason if we stayed with the rebels,\u201d Fera said. \u201cIf we helped them, they might have no reason to keep us safe, but they\u2019d also have no reason to harm us. I took that chance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord shook his head. \u201cAnd they promised you this?\u201d he said. \u201cSafety? In return for what? Utgar\u2019s life?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot his life, no,\u201d Fera said. \u201cHis surrender. I asked them what I needed to do to gain their protection. They said they needed Utgar to surrender, and to go through his daughter. Convince her if I could. Threaten her if I couldn\u2019t. I did just that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd you failed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor now,\u201d she said, reaching out and covering his hand with hers. \u201cBut the Empire knows I tried. They\u2019ll remember that I was loyal. And you, Taelord\u2026 you can still tell them where to find the Wellspring. If you do that\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo.\u201d Taelord shook his head, standing. \u201cI won\u2019t, Mother. I don\u2019t want war. But I want the oppression of the Empire even less. This isn\u2019t the way to peace. Maybe there is no way, I don\u2019t know, but it\u2019s not by making a deal with the Empire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He turned away and knocked on the door. Dered opened it, and he left. His mother watched him leave, silent, a sadness in her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat does Utgar plan for her?\u201d he asked Dered once the door was shut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNothing, yet,\u201d Dered said, shrugging. \u201cHe won\u2019t kill her. Mostly because Runa begged him not to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord felt a wave of gratitude for Runa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s watching you though,\u201d Dered said, frowning. \u201cUtgar. I don\u2019t think he believes you knew about this, but still\u2026 be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd you?\u201d Taelord said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dered shrugged again. \u201cYou were with Runa yesterday, when she wandered off\u2026 I don\u2019t believe you\u2019d wish her harmed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord thanked him, and left, making for G\u2019shar\u2019s home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What did he think? What was he supposed to think? His mother had joined the Empire. She had very nearly made them all prisoners. Taelord didn\u2019t know how to react to that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahnvad. It all came back to him. He had done this to her. Before, when she still tried to escape, she would never have made a deal with the Empire. She would have stayed loyal. She would have cared what happened to the other Volcarrens. To the people of Helsng. She wouldn\u2019t have acted only for herself and Taelord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Ahnvad had changed her. He had broken her. Now, all she seemed to care about was staying safe. Getting her next meal. Having a comfortable bed. As if there was nothing left worth fighting for, and only the small things mattered. Ahnvad had won.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord stopped in the shadow of a house. I won\u2019t let you win, Ahnvad,<\/em> he thought. You won\u2019t take her. You broke her, but she\u2019s still there, somewhere. I\u2019ll show her that you\u2019re wrong. I\u2019ll do it, Ahnvad. I\u2019ll save her.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And there was only one way he was going to do that. Ahnvad had said the life of a Volcarren would always consist of war. That it was inescapable, as unchangeable as the sun setting. Well, so far he had been proven right. The Volcarrens had arrived in Helsng, and now it was about to tear itself apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord just had to find a way to escape it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Except\u2026 he couldn\u2019t. Not anymore. He had planned on going to Runa today, and asking her to convince Utgar to escape the city with them. But this had changed everything. His mother was a prisoner of Utgar. He couldn\u2019t leave without her, and Utgar wasn\u2019t likely to free her. He resumed his pace towards G\u2019shar\u2019s home, his mind trying to find a way out of Helsng before it destroyed itself, and coming up empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He spent the rest of the day at the house, helping Syafa whenever he could, doing his best not to dwell on his mother. G\u2019shar and Rehs were gone, helping repair the Windchaser<\/em>, but Aiiva was there, G\u2019shar having forbade her from going to the Rows to practice weaving, saying it was too dangerous. So the three of them took down the dried herbs which hung from the roof, and packed what little food Syafa had stored into crates and sacks. G\u2019shar had said that he intended to leave the following morning, and Taelord believed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehs and G\u2019shar returned after the sun had set, tired and hungry. Syafa cooked some fish they had brought, and for a time, there was silence as they all ate. Their number was done to five. Veth and Scar-shoulder had never returned since last night, and now Taelord\u2019s mother was gone as well. No one mentioned what she had tried to do, even though word of it had spread throughout Helsng rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, finished, G\u2019shar leaned back. \u201cYesen says the Windchaser<\/em> is good enough to at least get us through the Kinsland River,\u201d he said. \u201cAfter that, lumber will be plentiful, if we need to make repairs. The sails and lines are new, and the crew is ready. I want everyone to pack whatever they need tonight. We leave before dawn the following day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He turned to Taelord. \u201cAre you able to come with us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord shook his head. \u201cI want to,\u201d he said, \u201cbut I can\u2019t. Not now. My mother is here, and\u2026\u201d And if there was a chance of us all leaving together, it\u2019s gone now,<\/em> he thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n G\u2019shar nodded, his mouth set. \u201cI understand,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019ll always be welcome at our home, wherever that might be.\u201d He turned to Rehs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSon,\u201d he said, \u201cI understand you want to stay and fight. Were things different, I would as well. But the most important thing is for us all to get to safety. There may well come a time when we both have to take up arms, but it is not now. I want you to pack, and be ready to leave in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehs didn\u2019t look up from his plate, even though he had finished eating. \u201cI\u2019m staying,\u201d he said, his voice quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n G\u2019shar frowned. \u201cRehs\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m staying,\u201d Rehs repeated. He looked up. \u201cI\u2019m joining the rebellion. It\u2019s all right, Father,\u201d he added, standing. \u201cI understand now. You need to keep Mother and Aiiva safe. Take them in the morning, go somewhere far away. When this is all over, I\u2019ll find you. But right now\u2026 right now my place is here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour place is with your mother and sister,\u201d G\u2019shar said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been over this before, Rehs. You are too young. You are not a man.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAge has nothing to do with it,\u201d Rehs said. His voice was calm; there was no hint of the anger he usually spoke with when disagreeing with G\u2019shar. \u201cI\u2019ve already packed my things. I\u2019m leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLeaving?\u201d Syafa repeated blankly, her face pale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehs nodded. \u201cI\u2019m a rebel now,\u201d he said, turning to her. \u201cI should sleep where they do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRehs\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s done, Father,\u201d Rehs said. He met his gaze. \u201cI\u2019ve made up my mind. I\u2019m going.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For once, G\u2019shar said nothing. He frowned at Rehs, but remained silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t let him go,<\/em> Taelord found himself thinking. Do something. Don\u2019t let him leave this behind.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehs hugged Syafa, and then Aiiva. \u201cDon\u2019t worry,\u201d he said, patting Aiiva on the back when she seemed reluctant to let him go. \u201cI\u2019ll be fine. Father will take you somewhere safe, and when this is all over, I\u2019ll come find you there. If\u201d \u2013 he glanced at G\u2019shar, hesitant \u2013 \u201cif I\u2019m welcome?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n They watched each other for a moment. G\u2019shar stood. \u201cI can\u2019t condone this,\u201d he finally said. \u201cYou go without my blessing. But never\u2026 never think you won\u2019t be welcome in my home. You are my son, Rehs. I will always love you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n They embraced, a tear streaking Rehs\u2019 face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStay safe, my son,\u201d G\u2019shar whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They let go, and Rehs pulled a small sack, which Taelord hadn\u2019t noticed him carrying, onto his shoulder. \u201cThis war will be over before you know it,\u201d he said, opening the door and pausing to look back at them all. \u201cI\u2019ll be back in no time.\u201d Then he was gone, the door shut behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord remained sitting at the table for a moment. Then, when no one moved or spoke, he got up and followed Rehs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He called his name once he was outside the house, and Rehs paused, turning, already partially in shadow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve made up my mind, Taelord,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u2019t try to stop me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOf course I\u2019ll try to stop you,\u201d Taelord said, stopping in front of him. \u201cEven if I\u2019m the only one. I know the mistake you\u2019re making,\u201d he said. \u201cI grew up in war. I was surrounded by it. Conflict after conflict, Volcarrens and Imperials slaughtering each other over nothing\u2026 I know it. You don\u2019t want that, Rehs. Trust me. Think of your family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am thinking of my family,\u201d Rehs said quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo you\u2019re not,\u201d Taelord objected. \u201cIf you were, you wouldn\u2019t be leaving them. You would go with them, protect them, keep them safe. You can do that a lot better by staying with them, rather than fighting here. There\u2019s no reason to go with the rebels.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere is every reason,\u201d Rehs said calmly. He put his sack down and faced Taelord. \u201cRebellions are made up out of people willing to risk themselves to make a better life for others. If I left, why couldn\u2019t another? And another, and another, until the whole rebellion fell apart? This is something I need to do. This is something important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord stepped closer. \u201cRehs,\u201d he said, lowering her voice, \u201cyou have a family who loves you. You have a life with them. If you leave, if you join the rebellion\u2026 you\u2019ll be throwing that away. Trust me, I saw it too many times in the Volcarren. What you have\u2026 many Volcarrens would have killed<\/em> to have it for a single day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehs glanced at him. \u201cWould you?\u201d he said. \u201cWould you have killed for it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord watched him for a moment. \u201cYes,\u201d he finally said. \u201cA father who loved me? A sister to grow up with? A life where I didn\u2019t have to worry about survival? Rehs, I would have killed a hundred men if I thought that was possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd I\u2019ll kill a hundred to defend it,\u201d Rehs said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou can\u2019t win, Taelord,\u201d Rehs said. \u201cThis rebellion is important, and I will<\/em> be a part of it.\u201d He hoisted his sack back over his shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m sorry you don\u2019t feel the same.\u201d Then he turned, and was swallowed up by shadow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord watched him go, wanting to do something \u2013 pull Rehs back somehow \u2013 but finding himself unable to. Instead, he simply stood there, watching the night long after Rehs had disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you,\u201d G\u2019shar said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord turned. Apparently, G\u2019shar had been listening from the door, and had now approached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor talking to him,\u201d G\u2019shar added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt didn\u2019t change anything,\u201d Taelord said bitterly. He turned back to face the place Rehs had vanished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou tried though,\u201d G\u2019shar said. \u201cIf Rehs was going to listen to anyone, it would have been you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord sighed and shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m sorry I couldn\u2019t convince him. I\u2019m sorry\u2026 I\u2019m sorry things turned out this way.\u201d He turned back to face G\u2019shar. \u201cWhen we left the Volcarren, I thought we were entering a new life. Now it seems like all we did was bring the conflict and misery of the Volcarren with us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n G\u2019shar shook his head. \u201cWar would have happened with or without you,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was inevitable. I only wish\u2026 it had happened elsewhere.\u201d He looked at the darkness where Rehs had vanished, but then turned away, beckoning Taelord back inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI won\u2019t be on the Windchaser<\/em>,\u201d he said as they neared the door. \u201cI\u2019ll send Syafa and Aiiva, but I\u2019ll stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord looked at him, surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt may be that Rehs will realize what he\u2019s gotten himself into,\u201d G\u2019shar said. \u201cHe could change his mind. When that happens, I\u2019ll be ready. We\u2019ll escape this city together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWill they be all right?\u201d Taelord asked. \u201cSyafa and Aiiva?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n G\u2019shar nodded. \u201cI trust Yesen. He\u2019s an old friend. He\u2019ll keep them safe. We\u2019ve arranged for him to dock at Crevcor \u2013 it\u2019s an isolated island village. The rebellion won\u2019t reach there. They\u2019ll be safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taelord nodded, suddenly weary. Syafa and Aiiva might be safe, but what about Rehs? What about his mother? Would they be safe?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Would he?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Taelord had always known Utgar distrusted him. He couldn\u2019t blame him, not after what he had done. But now\u2026 well, he was probably lucky to simply be in one piece. In fact, he was surprised that Utgar had merely summoned him, rather than sending Dered to dispatch him on the spot. He still couldn\u2019t believe … Continue reading Chapter Twenty-Five<\/span>