Tales of the Thasali Harem Box Set

by Danielle Summers

  “He may have gone to meet with whichever officer is leading soldiers against our people,” Rouden said.

  He assumed they were getting closer to the end of the tunnel because he caught a whiff of something musty, wet, and decaying. Wherever the tunnel ended had to be near the Kimini marshland that wasn’t too far away. They hit an incline and seemed to be close to an exit. The passage narrowed, and then they could go no farther. They had reached the end, a heavy black metal door that had no visible knob or lever to open it with. Ingus placed his hand on the door and then pressed his ear against it.

  “Stand back,” Ingus said.

  Rouden retreated a few paces back down the passage and waited. A few moments later, Ingus joined him.

  “Plug your ears,” he said.

  Rouden did so and heard a muffled popping sound. “Crystal kick?”

  Ingus nodded. “They’re good in small spaces.”

  Knowing how to make and use the explosive crystal kick was something Rouden, Ingus, and all their siblings knew how to make. Their grandfather had taught them how when they were kids. One of their sisters was really good at making them. She’d managed to figure out how to make them so they made very little sound when they went off. Ingus’s crystal kick was probably a quick and dirty one. It had been loud, but it got the job done.

  The lock on the hatch was in pieces. They pushed it open. Rouden went up and out first. He pulled Ingus out and into the purplish, inky darkness of an Oranto night. They were outside the compound, at the edge of the forest. The smell of the marsh told Rouden that they were on the opposite side of the compound from where they had approached it earlier. The brothers stood still for a few moments. Rouden listened intently while he allowed his eyes to become accustomed to the darkness. It only lasted an instant, but he thought he heard voices.

  “Come on,” he said, striding deeper into the forest.

  He and Ingus walked in silence. Rouden had been right. Someone else was near. Rouden signaled to Ingus to follow him and take cover in a thicket of trees. Rouden peered between the branches. In the dark, Rouden could just make out the outline of a man in uniform not too far away. It had to be Eppon. He was talking to another man, although they weren’t close enough for Rouden to hear the conversation. Then General Eppon stepped aside, and Rouden’s blood ran cold. He almost gasped out loud. Instead, he swallowed his shock and poked Ingus in his side.

  “What?” Ingus whispered. He hadn’t yet seen what Rouden had.

  Rouden pointed toward Eppon. Ingus looked.

  “Is that…?”

  “Yes, it is.” Rouden carefully shifted his weight from one foot to another.

  “What are we going to do?” Ingus sounded the way Rouden felt—worried, angry, and betrayed.

  General Eppon was talking to Sege Wyke, leader of the rebels.

  In the distance, Rouden could hear metal clashing with metal and cutting into flesh. He assumed it was fighting between Thasali military and Tanshar’s rebels. He glanced around quickly. “We can get closer. Follow me.” He moved carefully through the undergrowth, using the sound of the fighting to mask the movements of himself and his brother. There was a heart-stopping moment when Rouden broke a branch under foot. He and Ingus froze. Wyke and Eppon looked around but continued their conversation, and now Rouden and his brother were close enough to hear it.

  “We haven’t got time to stand around like this.” Eppon looked over his shoulder.

  Wyke was shaking his head. “The Matriarch knows everything? Krask! How could you have let this happen?”

  Rouden thought Wyke might strike Eppon. The rebel leader looked so angry.

  Eppon hissed, “If you’d have kept better track of your own people and the prince, we’d be in a better position now.”

  And suddenly it dawned on Rouden. He’d felt guilty telling Wyke that Prince Amyar had been in the room during the negotiations. He’d felt responsible for the fact that Amyar had been kidnapped and threatened with death, but now he knew. It wasn’t his fault. Wyke always knew the prince would be in the room. He had always planned to kidnap him, and this was part of a plot with Eppon. Wyke may have once fought for independence, but now he was a traitor. He had betrayed them all. Rouden had not. He had unknowingly disrupted his plan.

  “I think Wyke can take the general. What do you think?” Ingus said.

  Rouden didn’t respond. It was all so much to take in. He’d respected Wyke so much. The man had taken Rouden under his wing when no one had trusted him.

  He stepped out from the tall bushes. Ingus followed him and stood next to his brother. He almost laughed at the startled look on Wyke’s face. Eppon’s self-satisfied smirk stirred Rouden’s anger.

  “Rouden, what are you doing here?” Wyke glanced at Eppon. “This isn’t what it looks like.”

  “What is it exactly?” Ingus asked.

  “I am making a deal for our independence. We’re going to get it,” said Wyke. His hand approached the dagger on his belt.

  The fight on the battlefield continued as they stood there in the dark woods. Rouden wondered if Ankran and his other friends were at that battle. His heart sank when he realized that they probably had no idea of Wyke’s treachery, that they were fighting on behalf of a man who had sold them to Thasali, and for what?

  “Why are you with him?” Rouden asked and nodded towards Eppon. “What did he promise you?”

  “Remember, I always thought that people were wrong about you. I defended you when they said that you were a Thasali mole. Trust me now. I’m doing what’s best for Tanshar.”

  “I’m no Thasali mole, Wyke.” Rouden stepped closer to him and started reaching for his own blade.

  Eppon attempted to back away, but Ingus was quick. He covered the distance between them rapidly, blocking Eppon and pushing him against a tree. He brought a dagger to Eppon’s throat.

  “Do you hear that sound?” said the general. “That’s the sound of rebel forces and my men working together for your independence. They are defeating the Matriarch’s soldiers.” A scream echoed from the distance.

  “See!” yelled Wyke. His fingertips grazed the handle of his dagger. “I made this alliance for the greater good.”

  Wyke tried to push Rouden away from him, but Rouden held fast to his left arm.

  “I believed in you. You’re working to overthrow the Matriarch with him. You’re trading one ruler for another. He’ll steal our water. He’ll never let us go.”

  “Oh? Is that what your prince told you, harem boy?” Wyke spit out the words harem boy.

  It was all too much. Rouden punched Wyke in the mouth. Wyke stumbled but remained standing. Rouden punched him again. His fist glanced off the side of Wyke’s mouth and connected with part of his nose. A few days ago, he would never have dreamed of doing such a thing. His admiration crumbled. A small line of blood rolled out of the corner of Wyke’s mouth.

  Wyke wiped the blood off of his chin and spat. He pulled his dagger out of its holder. Rouden took a step back.

  “I’ve got a name for you, Wyke,” Rouden said. “Lerion.”

  At first, Wyke appeared to be confused and then amused. “So? He’s one of ours. Is that supposed to mean something to me?”

  Ingus said, “Ask your traitor friend here about Lerion. Tell him, general. Tell him how you know Lerion.”

  Ingus pressed his blade against Eppon’s skin without breaking it.

  “His name is Stymer Totven. He’s a member of Thasali intelligence service.”

  “Lerion is one of yours?” Wyke yelled. He tried to push past Rouden, who stood in his way. Rouden had never seen Wyke this angry.

  “I trusted Lerion’s information. Everything he gave us checked out!”

  “He gave you bird feed,” yelled Ingus. “He promised more but never delivered. He gave you just enough to keep you fed and stupid but not enough of anything worthwhile.”

  A faint whiff of blood and smoke started to waft from the battlefield.

  “I kept my part of
the bargain. I…” stuttered Wyke. His anger was turning to madness and fear.

  Rouden cut Wyke off. “What bargain? What bargain did you think you were striking for our freedom?”

  Suddenly, Eppon pushed at Ingus, who stumbled backward. Eppon pulled a small knife from a pocket inside his uniform jacket. He threw it at Ingus, who managed to twist out of the way of the fast moving blade.

  Wyke kicked at Rouden’s leg and tried to wrangle his arm from his grasp.

  “Krask!” yelled Rouden as the pain from Wyke’s kick to his shin registered.

  Rouden’s grip on Wyke’s arm loosened just enough for him to get free. He grabbed a rock from the ground and threw it at Rouden hitting his shoulder with a loud thud. He winced at the pain. It burned like a lit torch had been passed over the spot.

  Wyke turned and ran. Rouden gave chase. His shoulder started to throb. He did his best to ignore it. Wyke stumbled as Rouden got closer. Wyke got up quickly and headed toward the marsh.

  Rouden knew then that Wyke was going to attempt to do what he could not. Wyke was a lowlander who knew full well that Rouden was a highlander. His feet climbed mountains as if he was walking on flat, smooth ground. He could not walk the marsh. Wyke was a lowlander. Tanshar’s marshlands were his home.

  Rouden stayed at the edge of the marsh as he watched Wyke take a careful step into it.

  “Wyke! Come back here!”

  Wyke laughed and moved deeper into the marsh. The pale pink gases swirled around him. The air smelled of dank water and mold. Despite the evidence of Wyke’s betrayal, Rouden still had a soft spot for the man. He couldn’t help it. Wyke had listened to him when no one else would.

  “If you come with me now, I can make sure you’re dealt with fairly. General Eppon swindled you. He’s a viper,” Rouden yelled.

  “If Eppon’s a viper, what does that make me? I went along with his plan willingly. Willingly, do you understand?”

  Rouden watched Wyke take a couple more deliberate steps. He was going to attempt to cross the marsh.

  “Why, sir? Why did you do it?”

  Wyke stopped. “For the blue waters of Tanshar. For my little slice of paradise. Eppon assured me that when he and Timendum had overthrown the Matriarch, I’d be given Tanshar to rule. We would be free. I could name my own council.”

  “But Eppon, Timendum, and the others would get our water! They would leave us with nothing.”

  “We’d be partners in a water consortium. Tanshar would get a fair price for its water,” Wyke said. “I was going to name you to my council.”

  Rouden felt sick. The marsh water lapped at his toes. The air smelled rank. The man he had respected had made a deal with evil.

  “It’s over, Wyke. The Matriarch will take care of Eppon and whoever else is in on the coup attempt and crush the resistance. It’s over.”

  “If you want me, you’ll have to come and get me, Rouden.” Wyke turned away. He took a careful step and then another.

  Rouden bet he was heading to the battlefield. There, Wyke could tell the rebels what he wanted. They would never know of his treachery. Rouden crouched and felt around at the edge of the marsh. There were tufts of marsh grass that indicated solid ground here and there. He was not a marsh walker and not as familiar with the marsh as Wyke was, but he knew those tufts weren’t always as solid as they appeared.

  He had to take a chance. He had to stop Wyke. Swallowing his fear, he took his first step into the marsh. His second step nearly took him under, but he pulled his foot out of the muck quickly. He took a big step to a tuft of grass. It was solid. He breathed a sigh of relief. Then he heard a scream that froze his blood. It was Wyke yelling from the middle of the marsh.

  “Wyke? What happened?” Rouden wanted to move faster. He tried to move faster, but when he did, he misjudged a tuft again and nearly got sucked down. He stopped. Wyke was still screaming for help. He heard what sounded like someone flailing around in the muck. Then he heard a final strangled cry for help before a wet gurgling sound. He thought he heard Wyke trying to say his name. Soon, he heard nothing except the marsh’s night sounds.

  “Wyke? Wyke?” He stood still for several moments. There was no answer. There was no sound except the crack and pop of marsh gases. His heart sank. He turned and headed back to Ingus, so they could get Eppon to the Matriarch. He turned carefully, hoping he wouldn’t meet Wyke’s fate.

  He wondered if Alban, Wyke’s co-leader in the resistance, had any idea of Wyke’s betrayal. Or maybe Alban, too, had been seduced into helping Eppon and Timendum? It dismayed him that the resistance could end like this. With relief, he made it out of the marsh. Once on much more solid ground, he ran in the direction of where he had left Ingus with the general.

  Ingus intercepted him. He had a gash on his forehead and held a bloodied piece of cloth ripped from his shirt to the cut.

  “Brother, what happened? Where’s Eppon?” said Rouden.

  “I got distracted. I heard a noise behind us. I thought it might be a soldier. I looked away, not long but long enough for Eppon to push away from me. I went after him, but he picked up a stone and hit me with it.”

  “Ingus.” Rouden was irritated, though he knew the general’s escape was not his fault.

  “I know.” Ingus took the cloth away from his head, examined it and slapped it back on the wound.

  “Did you see which way he went?”

  Ingus pointed southeast toward the battlefield. “He didn’t go near the marsh.”

  “We have to go after him. Can you do this?” Rouden started heading in the direction of the battle. Another scream filled the air. Rouden didn’t care if the scream came from Thasali or rebel or one of Eppon’s allies. He just knew he didn’t want any more people to die. This fight had to end tonight.

  “Where’s Wyke?” Ingus started following Rouden.

  “Gone. The marsh got him.”

  A blow to the head had barely fazed Ingus, but this news made him falter. “In the marsh?”

  “Forget him, brother. He sold us out. We have to find Eppon.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Opening the door

  “General? Answer if you’re in there.” The voice was accompanied by increasingly frantic knocking.

  “Oshone is back,” Amyar said to his mother. The knocking got louder.

  “What’s happened to General Eppon?” My prince? Are you in there?”

  “Wait, Oshone. Give us a moment.” The knocking stopped. It sounded like Oshone was alone.

  “Do you trust him?” asked the Matriarch.

  Amyar nodded. “He’s always been a strong Thasali loyalist. And I think we have to, for now.”

  The Matriarch paused to think for a few moments. Oshone called Amyar’s name again.

  “All right,” she said. “But be aware of how he reacts when you tell him the story. Remember, you don’t have to tell him everything.”

  Amyar stepped closer to the door. “We’re coming, Oshone.” He opened the door to Oshone, who wasn’t alone but flanked by two armed guards.

  Oshone’s eyes widened when he caught sight of the Matriarch. His mouth hung open. The guards saw her, too. One dropped his sword, which clattered to the ground. Oshone and the guards knelt with their heads bowed.

  “Your most divine royal highness,” they said in unison.

  “Rise. Time is running out,” the Matriarch ordered. Her voice was deep and strong. The men stood, swords in hand. They resheathed their weapons.

  She ordered one of the newly arrived guards to take the injured guards to the infirmary. She admonished them not to tell anyone she was in the compound.

  “Do you think they’ll keep their mouths shut, mother?”

  “I have my doubts,” she said, “but they may have other things on their mind. Besides, it may not matter.”

  Oshone looked confused. Amyar directed the remaining soldier to wait outside and told Oshone to take a seat. Amyar told him about the plot to steal Tanshar’s water and depose the Matriarch. He
told him about the rebels who had helped them and how Eppon had escaped.

  “I was kidnapped. I was to be used as a pawn and then killed.”

  Oshone bowed his head. “Oh, my prince.”

  “Eppon will probably try to get to Timendum, if he can,” said Amyar.

  At the mention of the Thasali cousin’s name, Oshone looked up with a puzzled expression.

  “But Captain Timendum is here. In his office,” Oshone said. “I’ve just returned from telling him you’re safe.”

  The Matriarch looked like she’d suddenly rooted out her prey. “You will take me to him. Immediately.”

  “Yes, Matriarch.” Oshone got up, bowed, and began leading them through the corridor at a brisk pace.

  Amyar had walked these halls just a few days ago, but it felt like another world. He saw the same royal crests. He saw the same soldiers, but they looked different, like the light was at a different angle, like he was approaching them from a different direction. At that moment, he knew he was the one who was different and there was no going back. He knew he belonged with Rouden. Where they would belong together would have to be answered later.

  Amyar fell into step next to the Matriarch, noticing the looks on the various guards’ and soldiers’ faces as they caught sight of his mother. A few looked terrified and froze in place. Most simply looked astonished. They all saluted and bowed.

  “Let’s hope he’s still there. We also have Lerion to think about,” Amyar said of the traitorous intelligence service member.

  As they walked through the hall, many of the soldiers fell into step behind them. The Matriarch turned to Amyar.

  “There are many who remain loyal. They will help us. Soon, my son, it will all be done,” she said.