by Pedro Urvi
He was silent for a moment.
“No, I cannot. Even if I wanted to, it would be impossible for me. You must understand that the Boundary of the Senoca does not belong to my House but to the House of the Fifth Ring, the Lord of Water. He will never grant you freedom. He will never allow any other House to interfere in his domains.”
“His domains? Is that what we are?”
“You know what I meant… The High King of the Fifth Ring will never agree to my request to free you. And I cannot impose it on him, not without declaring a war between the Houses which my father would not allow. No, I cannot grant you freedom, no matter how much I wish I could.”
“In that case, I’ll fight. Fight until we’re free. For my mother, for Yosane, for Urda, for all those who’ve fallen, for the hundreds who die every day, for the thousands who suffer from sunup to sundown simply because they were born Senoca.”
Adamis sighed. “Nothing I say will make you change your mind, will it?”
“No, and you know that. It’s the right thing. That’s why you’ve taught me how to use the Power, so I can defend myself. I’m not very clever, but I can see your concern for me in your eyes, and I know the reason that made you do it.”
“I do not want to lose you.”
“Then fight beside me.”
“It is suicide, Kyra. You face the Guard and the Enforcers. You have no army. You are farmers, you do not know how to fight. You cannot win.”
“But there are many of us, and we’re guided by our hearts and the rightness of our cause.”
“The heart and the rightness of a cause are helpless against a well-armed, organized army. And so are numbers. The Executors in formation, or the Guard itself, will destroy the farmers. What you intend is madness.”
“You can fight beside me. You are very powerful, a God. That would give us a chance.”
“You ask me to go against everything I am, everything I know, everything I have been all my life.”
“I ask you to let yourself be guided by your heart, not your position.”
“If I do that, Kyra, I doom myself. My people would sentence me to death. My own father would search me out with his army of Gods and hand me over to the High Kings, to be executed for the dishonor I would have caused my House.”
“Forgive me, I said it without thinking… I didn’t know…”
Adamis took both her hands in his own.
“You have to understand that by stepping in, by rescuing you, and even more by simply being here with you now, I am condemning myself. My father implicitly forbade me to. If he finds out what I have done, he will fly into a rage and my punishment will be exemplary. He will bury me alive for five hundred years. He will allow nobody to question his authority, least of all me, his son and heir.”
“I… I’m sorry… I didn’t realize I was dragging you into this situation.”
“Shhh… you have not dragged me into anything. I am the master of my own decisions and actions.”
“But you’re risking so much for me…”
“I would risk my life for you without a thought. The longer I spend with you the more powerful grow the feelings of my heart and the more I want to be with you and protect you from all evil.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want you to stay. I don’t want you to be condemned by your father and your people. Go back to them, so they don’t discover what you’ve done. What has to happen here will happen, and it’s inevitable now. You don’t need to interfere.”
“That decision is mine, and mine alone.”
Kyra feared for him, for both of them, but there was no way they could stop now. What would be, would be. If they both perished it would be by the will of their own hearts.
They kissed with the intensity of a thousand suns, and their souls were joined forever.
Chapter 30
Liriana was weeping at the foot of the majestic oak. Night was falling, with the moon beginning to peek out amid dark and threatening clouds. She was trying to hold back the tears, but was unable to. Ikai watched her, feeling her pain. He had lost his mother, she had lost Gedrel, who in her heart was a father. His eyes watered and a painful knot in his throat stopped him from swallowing. He had spent days of pain and tears, days brooding over what had happened, over inevitability, his future, and the fate of the Senoca. Meanwhile he tried to bear the unbearable pain of losing his mother, of having been unable to protect her.
“This place… this ancient oak tree… was his favorite,” Liriana said without taking her eyes off the tree.
“I didn’t know that. I would’ve liked to spend more time with him. He was a good man, and a wise leader.”
“He told me this place, this powerful oak, represents our spirit, the soul of our people. He assured me that as long as it stands there’ll be hope for the Senoca.”
“Is that why you brought us here?”
“That, and because this is where we’re going to meet.”
“Meet? Who d’you mean? What for?”
“You’ll find out tonight. It’ll be a truly important meeting, for all of us, for all the Senoca people.”
“I thought you trusted me, that you weren’t hiding any secrets from me.”
Liriana turned, and her turquoise eyes bored into his own. “I trust you. I always have, and you know that. But tonight you’ll have to make a decision you’ve been avoiding for a long time.”
As he gazed at her face, Ikai felt himself shiver. No matter how hard he might deny it, she stirred unexpected feelings in him. Feelings he should not be having. He wondered whether it was the same with her. Probably not.
“If I have to make a decision, then I will. I just want you to know you can always trust me.”
She smiled faintly. “I know, Ikai. I’ve always known, ever since our paths crossed. I know you well, very well.” She looked away.
Maruk, who had been preparing the camp fire where they were to gather, brought across a water-skin and offered it to Liriana. “Are you all right, Captain?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Don’t you worry.”
“I always worry about you, even though I know you’re strong and you’ll get over it. I miss him too. Gedrel was a great man. A visionary.”
“We’ll all miss him.”
Maruk offered the water to Ikai, with a sideways glance. There was something in that look, a silent warning. He understood.
“No thanks, I’m fine.”
Liriana stroked Maruk’s cheek. “How’s the camp coming along?”
“It’s ready, as you ordered. It’s in the deepest part of the oak grove, on the other side of the Boundary that divides it. I’ve manipulated the Rings of everyone who escaped with us. It’s taken me several days, but now they can all cross over.”
“That’s wonderful. Thanks. You’re in charge of making sure the camp is up and secure. It’ll be our base for operations from now on.”
“Right. I love it when you get all military on me.”
“Will you please take this seriously? Our lives are at stake!”
“I know. Isn’t it exciting?” Maruk seized her by the waist to kiss her.
She moved her head aside. “You’re impossible. Go to the camp and get on with things. Don’t make me whip you.” The moment the words were out of her mouth, she realized how it had sounded. Maruk grinned from ear to ear and eyed her roguishly. “Don’t you dare say anything! Off you go to the camp!”
Maruk left, laughing.
“And don’t you say anything either.” She jabbed her finger at Ikai, her face as red as a ripe tomato.
“Not a word.” He smiled and waved his hand reassuringly.
The sound of running footsteps made them turn to the south. It was Karm and Honus, who had been on watch duty. Something was up.
“Someone’s coming, from the south,” they called out.
“Take up your positions,” Liriana said. They took shelter behind two sturdy oaks at once and readied their bows.
“Romen!” Liriana called out,
and he came out of the oak grove behind her. “Cover us from the big oak.”
Ikai took a step forward, but she stopped him. “I’ll take care of them. You hide and cover me.”
“Right, but be careful.”
“I will,” she said, and went to stand behind the fire.
It was not long before the three men appeared in the clearing in front of the great oak and stopped a few steps from the fire. The man leading them was a giant, bigger even than Honus, who carried a huge axe. The other two also carried axes. Ikai tensed the string of his bow.
Liriana’s stern face relaxed. She raised her hand to greet the new arrivals with a broad smile. “Welcome! Rutus, I’m so glad to see you. You’ve been quick. The Third County’s a long way from here.”
“You called me, you said it was urgent and important, and here I am,” said the giant with the black beard. He hugged her, lifting her off her feet.
She laughed.
Rutus let her fall, and she hastened to greet his two cousins Usom and Turos.
“How’s your leg, Usom?” she asked, recalling the wound he had received during the attack on the convoy.
“Fine. It’s healed, but now I walk with a limp.”
“Better that than lose it,” Turos said, and gave him a wink.
“I’m so glad to see the three of you. I had no idea whether you’d been caught after our attack.”
“It’s been a hard time, but we survived,” the giant said, and added firmly: “We’re keen to get back into action again.”
“Very soon, Rutus, very soon.”
“We’re with you.”
Liriana turned. “You can come out. They’re friends. We were expecting them.” Ikai lowered his bow and came out, with the others behind him. Liriana introduced Ikai, Karm and Honus to the woodsmen, who nodded in return.
“Thank you for coming, Rutus,” said Liriana. “Take a seat by the fire.” She gestured to one of the seven stumps which had been placed around it. “I’ll bring you something to eat and drink while we wait for the others. You must be tired after the journey.”
“Thank you,” said Rutus. “I’m so hungry I could eat a whole boar all by myself.”
Looking at him, Ikai had no doubt that he was perfectly capable of doing exactly that. While Liriana was informed about the situation in the Third County, Idana appeared between the trees with food.
A few at a time, the remaining guests at the crucial meeting arrived. Mitas the miner, broad-shouldered and black-faced, came leading the group from the Fourth County. After them came Ganat, tall and thin, leading the cattlemen of the First County, with the smell that typified them. Then it was the turn of Camptos, who arrived with three farmers from the Sixth County. Ikai recognized him, and they greeted each other. Then followed Costan with his group from the Fifth County, also farmers. Last to arrive was Pasmal of the Second County, with several shepherds and goatherds.
In lieu of Gedrel, Liriana greeted them all fondly. These men were brave souls who were giving everything to the cause. Greetings became widespread, as though this were a large family reunion. Idana brought food and drink for everyone. Each leader sat on one of the six stumps, with his companions behind him. The seventh, the one which represented the capital and which the old leader had occupied, remained empty.
“You all know what happened in Osaen, what happened to Gedrel.”
They raised their voices in response: “A brave and exceptional, man.” “An incomparable leader.” “A wise man, a visionary, the soul of the people.”
Camptos straightened and said: “He was a Master, who gave everything, even his life, for us, for his people.”
The reply was unanimous: “The soul of the rebellion!”
Liriana nodded. “Let’s raise our glasses to the moon and toast Master Gedrel, who united us in order to lead the people to freedom!”
Everybody raised their glasses and a single shout was heard: “For Gedrel!”
Liriana sat down on the seventh stump. “I sit here to represent the capital, not as Gedrel’s successor.”
They all stared at her, and Rutus said: “You must lead us now that the master’s gone.”
“That’s something which must be decided here tonight.”
Rutus crossed his hands over his huge chest. “I know you. I’ve fought beside you and we’ve shed enemy blood. I trust you. I won’t follow anybody else.”
“Thank you, Rutus, but Gedrel’s plans were different, and I intend to honor his wishes.”
“Very well then. Explain.”
Liriana turned to them all. “What happened in the capital has caused the flame to take hold in the people’s hearts. What Gedrel predicted would happen has happened. We passed on the message, we gave hope to the people, and now that hope fills the hearts of the Senoca. It’s time to finish what we started so long ago, what we all wish for. It’s time to take the final step toward gaining our freedom. This is the moment for the Rebellion. It’s a unique opportunity, and we must take it. Gedrel sacrificed himself to give us this chance, and we can’t let it pass. This is the moment.”
“Do you want us to rise up in arms? Rutus asked, his axe clasped in his hands.
“I want us to overthrow Regent Sesmok. To expel the Enforcers.”
A worried silence followed her words.
“That’s why I’ve called you here tonight. This meeting will decide the future of the Senoca. The seven of us will decide our people’s future. But it must be a unanimous decision. I won’t risk everyone’s lives if I don’t have your total, unconditional support.”
Again there followed a heavy silence.
Rutus was the first to speak. “Because of our attack, the Third County suffered the consequences. The Guard and the Enforcers punished the people. Many perished. Innocent woodsmen, poor farmers who had nothing to do with it. Once blood’s spilt, you can’t stop what happens next. I’ve spilt enemy blood… and the blood of my own people too. There’s no way back. I’ll keep going. You can count on my support and my axe. The Third County’s with you.”
Mitas the miner cleared his throat. “You’re asking a lot of us. It’s one thing to spread the message among our people, or carry out small acts of sabotage, or steal provisions. Overthrowing Sesmok is something very different. We’ll be fighting the whole Guard and the Enforcers…”
“We don’t have an army like them,” said Ganat the cattleman. “Maybe with more time to prepare…”
Camptos looked aside at Ikai, who was watching from under the oak tree with Idana. “And we’ll need the Heroes. Without them the people won’t follow us, no matter how furious they may be now after this bloodbath in the capital.”
Liriana nodded. “You’re all intelligent men. Gedrel chose you well. It’s true we don’t have an army. But we have a plan to get hold of one. As for when, I’m afraid it has to be now. What’s happened gives us the people’s support. Gedrel’s sacrifice gives us momentum. If we wait till we’re ready, years might go by and we won’t have the advantage we do now.”
“Advantage?” asked Costan.
“We have the people on our side, demanding justice. And we have the surprise factor. Sesmok will never guess what we’re going to do. Not in a thousand years would he expect us to do something as unthinkable as this to overthrow him.”
Silence fell on the gathering again, broken only by the crackling of the fire. In the light of the flames, the faces of the leaders of the Six Counties showed deep concern.
“Are the Heroes with you?” Camptos insisted. “Without them it won’t be possible to rouse the people. They’ll only follow us if the Heroes are with us, leading the way.”
Liriana looked at Ikai and Idana, inviting them to speak.
“I’m Ikai, of the Sixth County. Once I was a Hunter, and because of circumstances… I’m now a Hero.”
“We all know you, and your history, Hero of the Senoca, leader of the Shelter,” Camptos said.
“Good. But you don’t know my whole story, and I think it wou
ld be better if you did. It might help you make the right choice. As happened with me.”
“Please, we’re listening,” said Mitas.
“I always believed that family was the most important thing in this life. My mother taught me that. Blood is what unites us, what we must love and protect. When the Gods took my sister away, I renounced everything. I became a Pariah and went to find her. I didn’t care if I had to go to the Eternal City itself and fight the Gods. Unfortunately that’s exactly what I had to do, and I did it. For my sister, for my family, for the blood of my blood. And I wasn’t the only one. Liriana did the same, for similar reasons, for love, for the cause. But one thing sets us apart, Liriana and me… I just wanted to save my sister and go back to our mother, to protect them, as I’d always tried to do. Liriana wanted to come back to fight for the cause, to confront the system. She stayed and fought. I took my people to a safe place, to the Shelter. I always thought Liriana’s choice of staying and fighting ‒ which my sister shared ‒ was wrong. Whoever fights when the chances are as slim as that fails nine times out of ten. And in this game, failure is punished with death. I didn’t want to see either my sister or my mother die. That’s why I set up the Shelter, and for a while I thought I’d reached my goal: I had my family with me in a peaceful haven. They were safe. We’d be happy. All we had to do was leave the Gods alone, not get involved with the cause, and then they’d forget about us.” He gave a deep sigh.
Out of the shadows came Albana, who winked at him and went to stand beside Idana. Maruk too appeared and went to stand behind Liriana.
Ikai shook his head sadly. “But I was very wrong. There’s one thing I’ve learnt, and it’s taken me time and pain to digest it: we can’t hide from trouble. Sooner or later it finds us, and then the consequences are worse. There’s no safe place to hide from the Gods and their servants. Inside or outside the Boundary. As long as they’re in power, we’ll never be safe. Never. None of us. Hiding and waiting till the storm passes will only make the next one kill us, us and our loved ones. The Gods destroyed the Shelter, and they killed my mother in Osaen. For all that I tried to hide and protect her, I couldn’t. And we won’t be able to either. We can’t stay with our arms folded, we can’t hide, we can’t create another Shelter, because in the end they’ll find us and destroy us. There’s only one thing we can do, and that’s unite and fight. Destroy them if we get the chance. That’s why I’m telling you here tonight that there’s only one solution: rebellion. We must unite, take up arms and bring down Sesmok, send the Enforcers away. That’s the lesson of life I’ve learnt, and that’s what I’m passing on to you.”
