Revolution (Cartharia Book 2)

by Spencer Reaves McCoy

  "Do you?" Penny asked, lofting a brow, "Are you sure you don't just see exhaustion and hurt?"

  Joanna nodded, "I see someone who won't give up until she gets what she wants or until she's dead. Penny, you made me realize my life was still worth living no matter what I lost."

  "And you showed me that I could stand up for what I wanted," Robert said, taking Erin's hand.

  Ryan nodded, "You showed me that I could make a difference. That I could put aside my grief over my son to do something that mattered."

  "That's true," George interjected, "You wouldn't leave me alone till I agreed to help you. That took guts."

  "That was different," Penny said.

  "It doesn't matter," George said, "You have to do this: for yourself, as well as the others."

  "If you don't," Erin chimed in, "then I'll go on without you... but we need you to part of this."

  Ryan smirked, "Without you, we won't know what's morally right, after all."

  Kevin nodded, "You're our moral compass."

  Penny let out an exasperated sigh, "Alright, fine, we'll figure something out. We won't give up. I won't give up. Are you happy now?"

  They all nodded.

  Eldrin shook his head, "As touching as this is, it's time."

  Everyone turned to him.

  "You must missed the sliver of extra light," he informed them, "In your sappy moment. The guard just checked on us. We have to get moving. They're going to be dead soon, if you're right."

  Everyone gathered around Eldrin while he slipped the metal into the lock. He jingled it, frowned, pulled it out, twisted it a little, and slid it back in to try again.

  "Is it going to work?" Penny asked anxiously.

  Erin poked her head over Eldrin's shoulder, "You're not going to break it, right?"

  "Maybe it's too big," Ryan said skeptically.

  George said nothing but he he stood back and frowned as he watched.

  Eldrin rolled his eyes, twisted it a little, then pressed hard. There was a clicking noise from inside the lock, and then it broke. He pushed the door open, "Let's go."

  "I'll go first," George said, pushing his way to the front of the group. Everyone nodded and fell in line behind him.

  George carefully slid along and peeked around the corner. He brought his head back, closed his eyes, and sighed.

  "What?"

  "There's just one guard. I thought they'd all be gone."

  Penny frowned, "There must have been some kind of problem. It's only one though."

  "Were going to have to to kill him," Eldrin said, gritting his teeth.

  "We don't have any weapons and we don't want to risk fire manipulation right now," Penny pointed out with a frown.

  Eldrin shrugged, "I was a priest," he reminded her, "Flesh manipulation isn't a problem for me. One man sure isn't."

  Before anyone could argue, Eldrin went around the corner and called out to the guard.

  The guard yanked his sword out as everyone hurried to join Eldrin, "What the hell?" the guard demanded, "How'd you get out?"

  "Die," Eldrin snarled, focusing on him. The man's eyes widened and he gagged. Blood sprayed out of his neck where Eldrin had manipulated the flesh to rip open. He fell to the ground, dead.

  "Let's go," Penny urged, breaking into a run. The others hurried to keep up.

  "Where are you going?" a voice suddenly shouted behind them. Penny glanced over her shoulder to see another soldier coming after them. He was holding a bow.

  "Keep going," Eldrin said, stopping. He started to focus on the soldier but the man had already released an arrow at Penny. Eldrin forced him to the ground with an artery pinch. Now Eldrin was sweating from the exertion that came from the concentration and energy it took to manipulate.

  The arrow came at Penny, the whistle loud in the air. It seemed to be moving in slow motion but Penny couldn't convince her feet to move her out of the path fast enough.

  Suddenly George shoved her aside. She fell into the dirt.

  Looking up to curse at George, Penny's eyes widened. The arrow had struck him in the neck. He toppled down.

  "No," Penny whispered, "No. No, no no. Simons! Simons, stay with me! Come on George!" She crouched over him while the other two hovered around. Eldrin was still taking care of the other soldier. "Don't do this, George."

  George looked up at her, his fingers twitching, "Bel--"

  "Don't try to talk," Penny said quickly. She placed a hand on George's neck over the wound and tried to center herself. She couldn't do it.

  "Tell Alicia," he said in a strangled, gurgling voice, "That it was fun. Destroy Lamonte."

  Penny shook her head, ignoring him, "No, I can heal you. I can do this."

  "Penny," Erin said, "It's too late."

  "No, it's not," Penny said, trying again to find that inner peace for healing. She focused on the wound, trying to extend her Chakran to the injury.

  "He's dead," Ryan said, "and we're going to have time to mourn him but not right here and not right now. We have to leave this area."

  "You don't leave your friends," Penny said, "I'll fix him somehow. I know I can do it."

  "No, you can't," Robert said, "We have to go now or we're going back in that cell."

  Penny looked up at him and Erin. She shook her head, "We can't just leave him here."

  Eldrin strode up to her, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her to her feet.

  "Stop it!" Penny exclaimed, trying to pull her wrist free. He didn't let go, but strode forward, pulling her along, "Let me go!"

  "No!" Eldrin roared. Erin and Ryan both winced. "Get it together! You don't have the luxury of sinking into panic! He's dead!"

  Penny met his gaze and then lowered her eyes. She gently pulled her wrist free and this time, he let go. "I'm sorry."

  "There's no time for that either," Eldrin snapped, "Now run!"

  By the time they made it to Mike's shop, they were sweating and panting. It had been a long run.

  Mike was standing behind his counter when they pushed into his store. His eyes widened in shock and then his face split into a grin, "You made it!"

  "Of course we did," Penny said, "You doubted us?"

  "No," he said with a small chuckle, "I suppose not. I'm sorry that I doubted your decision to bring Stone into this. Girl's got guts. Get down to the cellar."

  "Where is it?" Ryan asked. Mike gestured behind him.

  Penny led them behind the counter into the weaponry room. There was a staircase behind a crate. The three followed her down them.

  The door at the bottom was unlocked. Penny opened it and then peeks inside. When nobody's face greeted her, she quickly went in.

  The cellar was fairly small with crates piled up and a curtain hung against a wall. There were a few spare weapons against the walls and some of the fake figurines that Mike kept out front.

  "Now what?" Robert asked, running a hand through his sticky hair.

  "Now," Mike said, coming down the stairs and shutting the door behind him, "I show you what we've built over the last week."

  "The last week?" Penny said, surprised.

  "We needed a place to hide everyone who was involved," Mike said, "a few of them were spotted and they were afraid for their families. Becomes of Simons' teachings of manipulation, we were able to create this..." he walked over and moved the curtain aside. It showed another door.

  This one had to be opened with a lock; one that Mike pulled off his belt. He opened the door and led them inside, "Where is that bastard, anyway?"

  "He was shot," Eldrin said shortly.

  Mike winced, "I like that man." He led them down a short hallway that opened up into another door. This one had to be unlocked as well. Mike turned the knob once he'd unlocked it and then stepped back, "Go ahead."

  Penny lifted a brow and then shrugged, stepping forward to push the door open. Her breath caught in her throat.

  Everyone who had been part of the resistance was there, sitting around in chairs. It was a cavern that had been c
reated with earth manipulation. It would have taken a lot of work to prepare properly.

  "You made it!"

  There were cheers all around.

  Chrissa Stone stepped forward, launching herself into Penny's arms.

  Penny was surprised by the sudden affection. The others were pulled into the room too, but Chrissa was keeping Penny tightly embraced.

  "I am so sorry," she said, "for what I said. I didn't mean any of it, I really didn't. I had to make them think I hated you though, or they wouldn't have let me in."

  Laughing, Penny hugged Chrissa back, "I know you didn't mean it."

  "Good," Chrissa said. She stepped back and gestured around, "What do you think?"

  "It's amazing," Penny said, "I can't believe you guys did this in a week."

  "We've been working on nothing else," Chrissa said proudly, "We wanted to make sure you had somewhere safe to go when we helped you escape. I'm so glad it worked."

  "It was mostly Craig," Penny admitted, glancing over at Eldrin. He was standing, arms folded, in front of Krine, answering questions. "He can unlock anything with anything, apparently."

  Chrissa smiled, "I'm glad. It's good to see you guys. You need a bath though. We have that ready too. Your cooks and servants came down to volunteer here. They brought a lot of your things... and money."

  "That's great," Penny said. She was relieved but part of her was a little surprised too.

  "That's Alicia right there," Chrissa said, standing on her toes and waving over Penny's servant. "She's the one who rallied them down here, as soon as you were arrested."

  Alicia hurried over, "Lady Belmonte! Oh, it is so nice to see you! I thought for sure... oh, it's so nice to see that you're not harmed!"

  Penny looked at Alicia for a long moment and then hugged her. The woman looked completely taken aback but returned the hug gently.

  After they separated, Penny bit her lower lip, "So I hear that you orchestrated this entire thing. Thank you, Alicia."

  Alicia beamed but her face also turned red at the compliment, "Well you're welcome but really everyone was in charge of it. I'm just glad that I could help, Lady Belmonte."

  "I have something to tell you, Alicia," Penny said.

  "What's that?" Alicia asked with a furrowed brow.

  Penny hesitated and then put a hand on Alicia's back, leading her away from those closest, "When we left, there was still a soldier there. Craig killed him almost immediately but while we were running, another one came out and shot an arrow at me, trying to stop us. George stepped in front of me and took the hit. He saved my life. It cost him his. He wanted me to tell you that he's sorry... and that it was fun."

  Alicia stood there for a long moment, returning her gaze with a simple solemnness. "I understand. At least he was able to protect you."

  "Yes, he was," Penny said, "I know that the two of you were very close. I'm sorry this happened."

  "I think I will go check on your bath, Lady Belmonte," Alicia said as though she'd not heard Penny's latest statement. Her voice cracked just a bit at the end though, betraying her emotions, "If you will excuse me?"

  "Take your time," Penny said sympathetically, "and thank you, Alicia. You know that you're more than just an employee to me, right? I couldn't survive without you."

  "That's very kind of you," Alicia said. She shifted uncomfortably on her feet, her eyes downcast.

  "Go," Penny urged, "And remember, Alicia, we all cared for him. If you need someone to talk to, we're all here."

  After Alicia left, Penny slumped her shoulders, feeling suddenly exhausted. Chrissa tilted her head in sympathy as she made her way back to her, "That couldn't have been easy."

  "It never is," Penny said with a sigh, "but at least it's something I have practice in. When I was training to be a Priest, it something we practiced. We learned all the different ways to deliver bad news to remaining families. I just never thought I'd have to do it so often or to people that I cared about."

  Chrissa nodded and then hesitated. She looked as though she had something that she wanted to tell Penny.

  Penny waited patiently. Finally Chrissa admitted, "You know, before all of this, I wanted to train as a Priest."

  Penny blinked. She would never have guessed it from the bitter young woman who had been with them for so long. She cleared her throat, "You know Chrissa, it's never too late to begin. When Lamonte took out the regulations for training, many of the soldiers who came in as priests degraded the name of the Chapel. If it interests you to pursue such a path, it would do much good to show the people that there are still some who care."

  Chrissa frowned, "How could I? Father Ashbury is dead. Father Marin left. There is nobody to hold classes or trials. I don't have anyway to learn. I don't even know where I'd get started."

  Penny thought about it for a moment, "I know that it's not exactly traditional for someone so young, but according to Chapel policy, any trained Priest can offer their services in an education to at trainee."

  "You would do that?" Chrissa asked with wide eyes.

  "Not now," Penny said, "but I promise that when there is time, if you still desire, I will help you become a Priest."

  Chrissa smiled. Penny could not get over how happy the girl seemed. "Thank you, Penny. You have no idea how much that means to me. When my parents and sister were killed, I thought there was nothing left. I thought I would be alone until I died too and that there was nothing out there, no higher power.

  "But I realized," Chrissa said in a stronger voice, "That I can't just continue like that. I have to move on. I have to live my life, the way I've always wanted. Otherwise, Lamonte just wins, don't they?"

  Penny nodded. "They want us to live by their rules, Chrissa. Don't let them bend you to that way of thinking."

  "I won't," Chrissa said.

  "You know," Penny said, "You won't have to learn a lot once you start your training. You already have the basics down. You know what the right thing is. That's the most important part of being a Priest."

  "You really think so?" Chrissa asked.

  "I do," Penny said, "Now, let's go find my brother."

  Robert, it turned out, was still with Erin. He refused to let her out of his sight. Penny found the two of them sitting against one of the walls; Robert's arm around her waist.

  "Are you going to be alright?" Penny asked Erin as she approached, "I know that what you've gone through is more than anyone should ever have to."

  Erin gave a weak smile, "I'll be alright," she said, "I have Robert."

  "Thank you," Robert said suddenly, "I meant to thank you a while back, Pen."

  Penny frowned at her brother, confused, "Thank you for what?"

  He smiled at her and then at Erin, "For giving my life meaning, Pen. I've never had that before."

  "I'm glad," Penny said, "I'm glad that you've found something in all of this, Robert, and that the two of you can help each other get through this."

  Erin nodded but the light was gone from her eyes. Penny wondered if she'd ever see it back there again.

  "I'm going to protect you," Robert said, "I want you to know that, Pen. Erin. I know that I failed before, but not again. Not ever."

  FIFTY-ONE

  Revenge His Foul and Most Unnatural Murder

  CARMILE APPROACHED STINI WHERE HE WAS SITTING on a fallen log. "Commander Stini," he said. "I wanted to speak to you for a moment."

  Stini sighed. He put down his cup and looked up at the man. They hadn't become close friends, but the animosity from their first meeting had faded a little. It helped that Stini had put the drink away for a little.

  "What is it?" he asked.

  "Lieutenant Jehryme told me that you have something against Frien," he said. "She didn't elaborate as to what, just that you want the man dead."

  "I do," Stini allowed. "Why?"

  "I was out scouting," he said, "We came across a soldier out taking a leak. We took him, and we questioned him. He was from Frien's unit."

  Stini sat up stra
ighter. "What?"

  Carmile nodded, "He said they're on their way back to Arinford."

  "Did he give an indication to how large their troops are?" Stini asked.

  "About twice the size of ours," Carmile said.

  Stini let out a low curse.

  "Jehryme was talking about avoiding them," Carmile said, "But I thought, what if we can make them think we're larger the we are? We set up a mock camp, leave it unattended except for a man. Have that man approach them."

  "Why?" Stini asked.

  "We tell them that we're watching them," Carmile said, "Tell them that we'll kill them unless they agree to a duel."

  "A duel?" Stini repeated.

  Carmile nodded, "Between you and Frien. I think they'll agree."

  "How do you know that?" Stini asked.

  "It's just the way he works," Carmile said, "I've met the man before. He's very proud. He'll think there's no chance of you winning. He'll agree so his men don't have to fight."

  Stini considered this for a moment, "And we lay a trap for them," he said, "Not a bad plan."

  Carmile smiled. "I thought so."

  "You're going to come in handy," Stini said, "I want you to go find Cox and Jehryme, and make this happen. I'll prepare a missive for Frien."

  "Yes sir," Carmile said. He snapped off a salute and hurried off to follow the orders.

  Stini sat back, thinking. He thought of his wife, and his children. A day hadn't passed when he hadn't thought about them, though.

  He remembered when he'd met his wife. She'd been young then, a girl of perhaps sixteen. He'd been eighteen. They'd fallen in love almost immediately. His father hadn't approved of the relationship; he'd told him that she was still a girl, and he was a man.

  Stini had ignored this advice, and he'd begun dating her. Their first date had been a picnic. He'd been so proud of himself. He'd cooked the meal himself -- spaghetti and meatballs -- and he'd brought a bottle of wine.

  They'd eaten at a small lakeside. She'd brought a blanket with her, periwinkle blue, and they'd sat on it, enjoying the feel of the slight breeze. She'd loved the spaghetti, but it turned out she didn't eat meat.

  Stini had felt so foolish. He thought for sure he'd messed up the date by making the meatballs but she'd only laughed and fed them to him, one at a time. Then they'd shared the wine and sat there for hours, just talking.