“At least the fresh air smells better.”
****
Anxious to exit the tunnel, Neco and Darmik removed a few more rocks in order to make enough room to crawl out.
Darmik’s eyes were still sensitive to the light, but he didn’t care. It felt refreshing to be free from the dark tunnel. He scanned the area, getting his bearings. The air was difficult to breathe, and it was bone-chilling cold.
Neco stood next to him. “I could’ve sworn we would be surrounded by gray rocks. This looks just like a regular forest. Although, there’s some snow on the ground. Strange.”
Darmik agreed. “Let’s cover the tunnel back up so no one knows we’re here.”
“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but have you considered how we’re getting back?”
“Same way we got here,” Darmik said, looking Neco in the eyes. He had no desire to go back into the tunnel, but his gut instinct told him that was the only way.
“Where do you think we are?” Neco asked, while picking up a rock and closing up the hole they had just exited from.
“Based on the snow and thin air, I’m guessing we’re high up in the Middle Mountains.” Darmik placed another rock over the hole. “And look,” he nodded to his right, “we’re level with the clouds.” Other, larger mountains loomed to the south some distance away. But from where Darmik stood, it appeared they were on the highest range in the immediate vicinity.
With the tunnel concealed, the two stood side by side scanning the area.
“We’re going to need to find shelter and a water source,” Neco said. “Especially before sunset.”
The sun was above them in the sky. Most likely, they had four hours until they needed to be shielded from the harsh weather and dropping temperatures of the night.
The map from the previous cave offered no further instructions beyond the tunnel. The rebel camp had to be near.
“They probably have some sort of watch,” Darmik said. “Let’s keep our voices low and remain hidden among the trees. Eyes alert for traces of the rebel camp or shelter.”
Neco nodded, and the pair began walking over the damp dirt dotted with patches of snow. The air blew hard around them. Darmik wrapped a scarf about his face, only leaving his eyes exposed. They headed north, Darmik careful not to lose his bearings for the return trip. A large boulder the size of three carriages loomed ahead.
“Give me a hand up,” Darmik said, throwing his sack on the ground.
Neco clutched his gloved hands together and squatted, allowing Darmik to step onto his hold. He hoisted him up. Darmik grabbed onto a notch on the rock and pulled himself further up. It felt like someone was sucking the air away from him because the wind was so strong. After waiting a minute to regain his breath, Darmik scaled the boulder until he was on top. Crawling on his belly to the middle, he looked around. About thirty yards ahead, the ground dropped, revealing several mountaintops eye level with Darmik. Large pine trees covered the landscape, snow on some of them. Clouds quickly rolled by, caressing the peaks. Darmik was about to lower himself when something caught his eye.
As the cloud passed, a large, gray structure emerged on the mountaintop level with Darmik. Another cloud drifted by, once again concealing the building. When the cloud was gone, the stone castle was visible again. It was far enough away that Darmik couldn’t make out small details, but he was able to see armed soldiers patrolling the perimeter on top of the structure. Was this the rebel camp? It couldn’t possibly be. This castle was easily as large as King Barjon’s.
Darmik slid down the boulder.
“Well?” Neco asked, jumping up and down, trying to maintain some sense of warmth. “Did you see the rebel camp?”
“I did,” Darmik replied, looking his friend straight in the eyes. “And it’s not a camp, it’s a fortress. There’s more going on here than either of us imagined.”
Rema
After making the bed, Rema sat down to wait for Vesha to arrive. The wind howled against the shutters. Hopefully, her new room would be fitted with a glass window like Mako’s office was. At least then, she’d be able to see outside. Rema couldn’t handle feeling like she was locked in a dungeon, soft bed or not.
It was strange not having any personal belongings to take with her. Even the clothes she had on weren’t hers. When Rema had first arrived there, Nulea removed Rema’s torn and bloodied dress and replaced it with this one. The wool fabric was thicker than anything Rema had ever worn, even in the winter. Glancing down at her feet, Rema wondered if Maya or Kar brought any of her possessions with them. She really would like a pair of shoes right about now. The socks were thick, and for the most part warm, but they weren’t the same as her leather boots.
There was a knock on the door.
“Ready?” Vesha asked, sticking her head in the room.
Rema stood and took one last look around. “I am. I still can’t believe your mother is allowing me to leave the infirmary.”
“It feels like you’ve been here a long time, but it’s only been a little over a week.”
Vesha led the way down the hall. It surprised Rema that neither her aunt, nor her uncle, was there to help her to her room. Actually, now that she thought on the matter, Rema hadn’t seen Maya or Kar in two days. They had diligently been coming every day to visit. Perhaps they were simply busy getting her room ready.
Rema hoped that staying in the fortress was the right thing to do. Even though the necklace told her to trust Mako, Rema still felt uneasy. Perhaps it was the fact that she was embedded with a rebel army. It would probably be safer for Rema to be on her own. If the need arose, she would leave the fortress. But for now, she would stay.
“Why are you dressed like a man?” Rema asked as she eyed Vesha’s tunic and trousers.
The girl smiled. “Why should men be the only ones comfortable? I have a right to wear what I want. Don’t you agree? Besides, it’s practical. The trousers are warm and easy to move in.”
Rema liked Vesha. She was glad they became friends.
Turning down another corridor, Vesha pointed to the wing they were just in. “That section is devoted to the infirmary. I live down the corridor over there with my mother. The rest of level six consists entirely of residences.”
They went down a flight of stairs. On the fifth floor, dozens of people were around, including several children. Unused to seeing kids, Rema smiled at the sight of two boys chasing one another in some sort of game.
“This level is devoted to residences. Same with level four,” Vesha said.
“How many people live here?” Rema asked. There had to have been at least four hundred soldiers in the courtyard yesterday.
“A lot.”
“Yes, I know, but how many?” They passed dozens of people all dressed in black tunics and trousers. A few women wore dresses, but most of the girls and women Rema saw were dressed similarly to Vesha.
Vesha stopped and turned to Rema. “There are almost fifteen hundred people living here, including the children. We have bases throughout the kingdom, but they only house numbers in the dozens. This is the heart of everything.”
How could so many people live in one place? “And there’s enough food and water for so many?”
“This is a self-sustaining town. But families have to live together. There are no extra rooms.” Vesha continued walking, turning down another hallway. Rema lost all sense of where they were inside the castle.
“And people are happy here?” Rema asked. She hated never being allowed to venture far from home, never having the opportunity to go into town, and never being allowed to travel. It was stifling to be so limited. Wouldn’t living here be the same?
“They are,” Vesha said.
This fortress had an entirely different feel from the king’s castle, which consisted of light-colored stones and windows almost everywhere one looked. Here, however, windows were few and far between, and the only light came from torches hanging on the walls. Vesha stepped around a group of people dressed i
dentically. They laughed with one another, although they appeared tired and were sweaty and dirty. At court, all Rema ever witnessed were impeccably dressed courtiers and stuffy servants. People rarely smiled or showed emotion.
They came to the end of a hallway that was dimly lit and cold. Vesha cleared her throat, shifting from one foot to the other while staring at the ground.
“Like I mentioned before,” Vesha said, “there aren’t any empty rooms. I offered to have you stay with me and my mother, but Mako insisted you stay here.” Vesha glanced at Rema, and then knocked on the door.
Rema assumed she was staying with her aunt and uncle, but why hadn’t they come to the infirmary to escort her here to their room? She felt uneasy, as if something wasn’t right.
The door opened. “Come in,” Mako said with a warm smile.
Rema entered a small sitting room, expecting to see Kar and Maya inside; however, the sofa and two chairs were empty.
“Where are my aunt and uncle?”
“They are busy,” Mako answered. “These are my rooms.” He moved behind the sofa, giving Rema space to sit down if she chose to do so.
“Why am I here?” Rema asked.
Vesha stood against the closed door, her eyes on the floor.
Mako cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, but you won’t be able to have your own room. Space is rather limited here.”
She was staying with Mako and his family?
There were three additional doors besides the one Vesha leaned against. Candles lit the room. Books were scattered on the low table by the sofa, while others stood piled in corners. A large rug covered the stone floor. Tapestries and several swords hung on the walls. Overall, the place felt cozy, but it lacked a feminine touch.
“You can stay in my room,” Mako continued. He went to the door on the left side of the small sitting room.
“Have my aunt and uncle been staying with you?”
“No,” Mako replied. “They are staying with another family.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier if I just stayed with that family?” It didn’t make any sense to stay here.
“There isn’t any room. You are going to stay here for the duration of your visit. This will be your bedchamber.” Mako pushed the door open and moved aside.
“I can sleep out here,” Rema said. “I don’t want to take your room from you. It’s not necessary, nor is it fair to you and your wife.”
Mako pinched his eyes shut. “My wife . . . and daughter . . . were killed during the takeover,” he whispered, his voice laced with pain.
Rema knew his sadness. She, too, had lost her parents. Although she was too young to remember them, she still was forced to grow up without their love. Rema also knew pain from Bren’s death. She couldn’t fathom the hurt from losing a spouse and child. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
He stared at her, the corners of his mouth rising. “You remind me of your mother.”
No one had ever said such a thing to her before. Tears filled her eyes.
“Your room.” Mako extended his arm. Rema hesitated. She didn’t see the necessity of him giving up his room for her. “Please,” Mako said, “I would be honored, and there is another bedchamber that I can use.” He pointed to the door across the way.
“It’s not necessary.”
“It is. You’re a young female, new to the castle. You’ll be safest in my room.”
Rema glanced to Vesha, whose forehead wrinkled in confusion.
“Please,” Mako said, reclaiming Rema’s attention. She turned and entered the bedchamber. “I’ve already removed my personal possessions.”
A large bed covered with a tan fur stood in the center of the room. There was also a plain, brown armoire and a small fireplace.
“You said you knew my parents,” Rema whispered.
“Yes.”
“Is that why you’re being so kind to me?”
“Partly,” Mako chuckled. “I promised your parents I would watch out for you.”
“Thank you.”
“I must be going. I have duties to attend to. Vesha will make sure you get some clothes and personal items, and then she’ll show you around the compound.”
They reentered the sitting room. Vesha sat in one of the chairs, biting her lip and fidgeting with her hands, her eyes darting to one of the doors.
“Take her to the training hall last,” Mako instructed Vesha. “I will meet the two of you there.” Vesha nodded. “There is one more thing,” Mako said, turning to face Rema. “Although my family is dead, I did rescue a child after the takeover. I found him half dead on the street. I’ve raised him as my own, and he lives here with me. If this is a problem, I can have him sleep elsewhere. But space is limited.”
Rescuing a child required a good heart. Rema felt better about Mako knowing this kindness. “I have no problem with your son living here.”
“He uses that room.” Mako pointed to the door Vesha kept glancing at. “I will stay in his room with him. The last door is the washroom and privy. Let me know if I can be of service. I am glad you are here with us.”
Rema was warmed by his sincerity. Mako left, closing the door behind him.
“Well,” Vesha said as she stood, “Mother ordered a few dresses for you. They’re in your armoire already.”
“What about clothes for training, like the ones you’re wearing?” Rema asked.
“We have to order those. The seamstress insists on measuring you so the pants and tunic fit properly.”
Rema had a dozen questions for Vesha about training. Rema wanted to know how often she trained, how long she had been training, and if she intended to actually fight with the rebels or if it was simply a form of exercise or activity to pass the time. And did Vesha support the rebel’s cause? Rema didn’t have her feelings sorted out on the matter yet, but she knew she didn’t agree with King Barjon and his treatment of his subjects. The thought of removing the king never occurred to her. She assumed that if they rebelled, King Barjon would change his ways. That thinking was naïve. The only way to rid the kingdom of its oppression was to remove the king. A plan needed to be in place regarding who would rule the kingdom and what would happen afterwards in order to ensure one tyrannical monarch wasn’t replaced by another. Another question nagging Rema was the leader of the rebels. Was it Mako? If so, what were his plans? However, Rema kept all of her questions locked inside for now.
The main door to the residence flew open, banging against the wall. Rema jumped and looked up, expecting Mako. Savenek stomped inside the sitting room, glaring at Rema. What in the kingdom was he doing here? He went inside the bedchamber that Mako said his son used. Several loud sounds came from the room, like books were being thrown against the stone floor. Savenek exited a few moments later, holding a black leather satchel.
Rema turned to Vesha to ask what was going on when she noticed Vesha transfixed on Savenek.
Savenek glared at Rema, and then turned to Vesha. “This is who you were tending to in the infirmary? Her?” He pointed at Rema.
Vesha said, “Yes, this is—”
“Rema, I know,” Savenek said, his face distorted with rage.
“Oh, right,” Vesha mumbled. “Mako would’ve told you about her.”
“No,” Rema said sarcastically, “we’ve already had the immense pleasure of meeting.”
Vesha’s eyebrows bent inward, confused.
“I’ll see you later today, Vesha,” Savenek said, ignoring Rema. Vesha smiled as he retreated from the sitting room, slamming the door behind him.
“I can see why your mother wouldn’t approve,” Rema said, crossing her arms.
“What do you mean?”
“Savenek,” Rema said. “That’s the boy you fancy. I can tell.”
Vesha’s face reddened. “Well, I um . . . .”
“How can you like him?” Rema exclaimed. “He’s rude and has absolutely no manners.”
“You have to understand, he’s a captain. Mako not only raised him, but he has been training S
avenek his entire life. That’s just who he is.”
What did being a captain and training to fight have to do with being disrespectful? Seeing that she upset her friend, Rema said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you in any way. Savenek and I just got off on the wrong foot. I’m sure he’s nice once you get to know him.” Rema didn’t think so, and she had no intention of finding out.
“Please don’t say anything to anyone about my feelings for him,” Vesha pleaded.
“Of course,” Rema said. “Your secret is safe with me. But, is Savenek aware of your feelings toward him?”
“No. No one is. And I don’t plan to reveal anything. It’s just a fling, and it will pass.”
“He seemed rather friendly toward you.” Vesha’s face turned bright red, and Rema wondered if Vesha’s feeling for Savenek were like what Bren’s had been for her.
“We should get going in order to make it to training on time.” They exited Mako’s suite and descended the stairs. Vesha explained that the third level consisted solely of offices. They stopped at the second level where Vesha showed Rema the school, which simply amazed her. She had never seen so many children in one place and found the energy exhilarating. The kids all eagerly listened to the teacher, raising their hands to answer questions and prove their knowledge on the matter. Rema also thought the miniature desks the students sat at to be quite inventive. As a child, she would have loved to attend school with other children her own age.
Afterwards, Vesha took Rema to the library, which wasn’t nearly as large as the one at the king’s castle. The wooden shelves bowed and were cracked in several places. Hundreds of books were packed in the small room, not enough shelving for all of them. In some places, the books were simply stacked from floor to ceiling, leaning precariously to one side or another. A musty smell permeated the air. Vesha explained that the library was open to everyone, at any time.
Then they passed by an enormous room where games were played. There were several long tables on one side of the room, while the other contained sofas. A massive fireplace was situated in the center of the far wall. Finally, they visited the seamstress, who fitted Rema for clothes. There were some extra uniforms lying around, and the seamstress found one that was her size. Rema changed into the black trousers and tunic, and pulled the soft boots lined with fur over her feet. The seamstress said that she would make more uniforms and have them delivered to Rema’s room once they were ready. Rema liked the feel of the rough fabric; it was the first time all day that she was warm.
Red (The True Reign Series) Page 7
