by CJ Embers
“Yes,” one man answered. “After you had been captured, Marnori sent more Tehji to replace the ones you killed.”
“Follow.”
They complied and fell in beside the women. As we went deeper, villagers started seeing us. Those who saw me as their leader bowed while others either ran off or glared at me.
At the foot of the stairs leading up to the palace, the guards standing nearby knelt, and I ordered them to join as well. On the way up, excitement was skittering along my skin, knowing revenge was within grasp.
At the top, a guard confronted me, and I deflected his sword before swinging my own at his throat. More men came from the palace, drawn by the sounds of fighting.
We fought our way inside, which wasn’t too hard considering my group was sizeable now. In the throne room, a Tehjin was making a run for it deeper into the building, and I ordered some guards after him. “Retrieve the others, too,” I said, before diving back into the fray.
Sida’s sword was knocked from her hand, clattering against the mosaic tiles. I was about to go help her when Kain went after the man’s throat, splattering blood across the floor.
Another guard came for me, and as we battled, I made sure to keep an eye on Sida. When she had retrieved her weapon and continued the fight, I gave all my attention back to my enemy.
The sound in the palace was immense. The metal scraping against metal ricocheted off the building’s walls, piercing my ears. Instead of wanting to shy away from the noise, however, it fueled the beast within me as I carved my way through my adversaries.
They were no match for me and my small army, and a short while later, they all lay dead. My wolf trotted up to me, his red-coated tongue lolling from his mouth as he panted.
Electricity crackled through my veins as I tangled my fingers in his fur, looking around at all the bodies littering the floor and the reflection of the light in the pools of blood.
We had won.
There was still one more thing to do. I asked one of the guards to sound the horn, then made my way down the stairs with my army following in my wake. At the stage, we waited while villagers uncertainly trickled down the streets.
When they had all gathered, I glanced over the people before speaking. I locked eyes with Enari and my mother. They both had unreadable expressions on their faces.
Breaking eye contact, I said, “Shekri is under my control again! Certain people in this village thought they could stop change by betraying me, but clearly they were wrong. The time of the Tehji in Shekri is gone!”
I looked at the guards holding the Tehji, and they forced the men to their knees.
“Do you want to know to what lengths the Tehji are willing to go?” I demanded, my gaze sweeping over the crowd.
“When I escaped the jailhouse, I was leading at least three dozen women.” I paused, letting my words sink in. The crowd looked at the four women behind me, seeing how few there were.
“Because they dared to want a choice, the Tehji of Marnori ordered them dead. About eighty percent of those women were slaughtered in cold blood. Three of the survivors almost died from their injuries, and one is still in critical condition. That is the type of people you follow.”
Many of the villagers looked horrified.
“You think they’re good leaders? They’re only good up until the moment you dare to question them. But that ends today in this village.”
The guards raised their swords to the throats of the Tehji and drew the sharp weapons across the soft flesh. Agony crossed the former leaders’ faces, followed by a flash of panic before the light in their eyes died. Blood cascaded down onto the stage like waterfalls, sloshing around the guards’ feet.
When the men let the bodies drop, I turned back to the crowd. “From now going forward, misogynists will no longer be welcome in Shekri. So, if you support the Tehji, move there,” I said, pointing to the left side of the stage. “You will be unharmed, but you will need to live elsewhere. If you don’t support them, move to the other side.”
The villagers segregated. Three quarters ended up on the right side. To my surprise, both my mother and former friend ended up there.
I had expected a few to side with the Tehji’s laws, but seeing an entire quarter of the village was against me, anger flickered inside of me.
I gave an order to the guards, and fear washed over the opposing group as they saw the men raise their spears. I had been planning on casting out the ones who disagreed, but I knew now that it was too risky.
When the spears started flying, they tried running, but one by one they dropped. When the last one had tumbled to the ground with a spear protruding from her back, a smile tugged at my lips.
“Let their blood wash away the patriarchy. Today is the beginning of a new age.”
Chapter 19
A s the guards and remaining villagers watched, I walked down from the stage with the other women and Kain following on my heels. Our job was not done quite yet. I walked past the bodies of the fallen and to the outskirts of the village.
Delving into the forest, I worked my way back to the two who had stayed behind. When they came into view through the trees, I noticed Maia leaning over Zaila with her hands grasping the sides of her face. Her sobs could be heard over the breeze. My blood ran cold and I started running. Were we too late?
When Maia heard us, she looked up and I saw her eyes were flooded with tears. I skidded to a halt near them and dropped to my knees.
“She— She just stopped breathing,” Maia sputtered as tears dripped down her face. “Her lips turned blue and I— I tried to help but I—”
“It’s okay, it’s not your fault,” I soothed as I focused my attention on Zaila. The girl was right, and the woman’s skin was tinged blue. Picking up the stretcher, I said, “We need to get her to the doctor quickly. Nala, run ahead and ask a guard where the doctor is. Go there and tell him to prepare for Zaila.”
The woman took off, and I told Ary to take the horse to the stables. “Ask a guard for directions there, too,” I said to her, before the rest of us followed in Nala’s wake. Avani picked up the other side of the stretcher so we could move faster.
In the village, the crowd by the stage had dispersed. We rushed past the bodies of the traitors, our shoes tracking their blood. Nala was waiting by the door of the doctor’s, and she opened it and ushered us inside when we got there.
The doctor immediately took over, and once Zaila was settled on the bed, he ordered us out of the room. I wanted to protest, but arguing would take precious seconds away from his effort to save Zaila, so I kept silent.
I hesitated by the door and glanced back as memories raked at my mind. “Please… I don’t want another to die…”
The doctor looked back at me for a moment, the expression in his eyes telling me he knew I was talking of Syida. “I’ll do my best, Kena,” he answered softly.
I left, and once outside, I took a deep breath and lay a hand on Kain, trying to stem my worry… and also my doubts. Although Zaila was in the hands of the capable doctor now, I didn’t have much hope that she would live.
Ary had returned by now, and I looked at the five women and forced a small smile on my face. “The doctor is skilled and cares about his patients; he’ll try his best to save her.”
They nodded, the worry in their eyes making my stomach clench. Gesturing for them to follow, I went back down the street and led them up the steps of the palace.
At the top, the other women and I looked down upon the village. Even though I had not wanted to return to a position of power while fleeing from Marnori, standing here again, I felt different. I didn’t want to hand over power to someone else and hope they would do a good job.
I glanced at the women who had helped me take over Shekri. “You five may stay in the palace, or you can find an empty house to claim as your own.”
Sida spoke up first. “Honestly, I think after being jailed for so long, I want to just live a normal life in a normal house.”
�
�Same,” Ary said. “Besides, staying in the palace would feel very leadership-esque, and I don’t want any part of that even if it’s just in feeling.”
Avani agreed, but Maia had no hesitation in wanting to stay in the palace, while Nala said, “I’m not sure which one I’d prefer, so I’ll start with the palace.”
I nodded and said, “Okay, then the three of you who want to live down there, you can go talk to the guards who are cleaning up the corpses. They’ll know who died, and they can point you in the right direction for finding out which houses are now available.”
Ary threw her arms around me, catching me by surprise. “Thank you for saving our lives, Kena. You not only freed us from the jailhouse, but you also gave us a chance at a new life, free from the shackles of the Tehji. I don’t know how we could ever repay you.”
I put my arms around her and said, “You can repay me with loyalty.”
“Of course,” she said, pulling back with a smile. “After what you did for us, it’s the least we can do.”
The other two hugged me as well, then gave my wolf goodbye pats and jogged down the stairs, looking excited at the prospect of their new lives. I ushered the two remaining women inside and as they went off to explore the palace and choose rooms, I sat down on the throne.
It felt like it had been years since I had last been here, but in reality, it had been only a few months. My mind drifted to Oren, and thinking about him made my stomach clench with betrayal and anger.
The fact that I had wasted my first kiss on a such a traitorous roach left a bitter taste in my mouth. The possibility of it being him who let the Marnori Tehji know of my ascension to power flitted through my head. It was far-fetched, but it wasn’t completely impossible. The fact that I didn’t have the strength to end his life grated at me like teeth scraping along my spine.
The palace doors opening broke through my thoughts. A guard peered through the opening and told me there were two villagers who wanted to speak with me.
“Let them in.”
The man backed out of view, then the two villagers came inside. My eyebrow raised when I saw it was Enari and my mother. They came forward and stopped in front of me.
“The great Tehji-worshippers dare to stand before me?” I asked, tapping a finger on the golden armrest of the throne.
My mother spoke. “We wanted to come and apologize.”
Kain’s hackles raised at the sound of her voice, and I clicked my tongue to let him know to stay calm.
“What for?” I asked nonchalantly, running a hand through my wolf’s fur as he came closer. I knew what they were trying to say, but I wanted to drag it from their throats.
“For siding with the Tehji,” she said. “After you had been taken by the Marnori army, we realized how stupid we had been. You’re right that everyone deserves the ability to make their own choices, and it took you being captured for us to realize that.”
I snorted. “And you think I will believe you, why?”
My mother glanced at my former friend, who had been quiet the entire time so far. “Enari took it really hard and… and tried to kill herself.”
An eyebrow raised again. “I doubt that.”
Frustration and hurt flashed through her eyes and she grabbed Enari’s arm and pushed up her sleeve. On her wrist was a fresh scar; it was pink and shiny, clearly indicating it had only recently healed.
“Stop being stubborn, Kena,” my mother said. She pushed up Enari’s other sleeve to show another scar. “Do you really think we would lie about such a thing?”
I leaned forward a bit and stared at my former friend. “I went through hell and back since the Ascension Trial, almost dying numerous times, and you decide to try to off yourself because of guilt? Weak. Pathetic.”
Enari still didn’t speak, instead only lowering her gaze.
My mother lay a hand on her arm before turning back to face me. “Kena, I know you’re angry at us. But we’re here to apologize… and I wanted to come clean.”
“About?”
She sighed. “I was the one who sent word to Marnori.”
Shock shot through me, and my eyes narrowed.
My mother wrung her hands. “I know how horrible such an action was. I betrayed you and handed you off to people who treated you horribly.” Tears filled her eyes. “I’m your mother and I should have been the one to protect you, but instead I never even attempted to help you. Not when you were branded or outcast, not when you were shipped off to Marnori. I even went against the wishes of Helis to protect the people who were treating you so poorly.”
I stood and went to her. She looked worried until I put my arm around her. “Thank you for being honest,” I said, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair.
She wrapped her arms around me and began sobbing. When her sobs turned to choking, I stepped back. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth, and I smiled.
“May we be together in the afterlife, mother…”
I grabbed the hilt of the jagged sword and tore it from my mother’s gut. She crumpled to the ground a moment later, and I turned to Enari. Terror was in her eyes, but she still didn’t utter a word as she stepped back.
I followed her and pressed the tip of the blade underneath her jaw. “Speak.”
Her eyes shut tight and tears leaked down her face. “I’m s-sorry…”
“‘Sorry’ simply doesn’t cut it,” I replied, pressing the metal harder against her skin.
Her lip trembled as she opened her eyes. “J-Just kill me. Find peace.”
I saw the hopelessness in her eyes and pulled the sword away. “No… I don’t think I will. I’m inclined to think that’s what you want. You weren’t mentally strong enough to cut deep enough, so now you want someone else to have the strength to take care of it for you.”
Letting out a snort of amusement, I said, “I’m going to let you live. And to make it even more fun, I’m ordering you to take care of my half-blood sibling. Now you can be a mother as well, but not to your own, in a sickeningly lovely twist of fate.”
Enari dipped her head and wiped at her cheeks.
I dismissed her and watched as she left. Turning around, I saw Nala and Maia standing by the throne, looking shocked. I stepped around the pool of blood and breezed past them with Kain on my heels, saying goodnight on my way out of the room.
In my room, I took my time getting ready for sleep. I had been gone for so long and had to rough it out in the wilds for so long travelling back to Shekri, that I wanted to let myself enjoy the hot bath and clean clothes.
Eventually ready for bed, I was sitting on the edge of it, thinking about the events of today. When the walls shuddered, my heart jumped and I looked up expectantly. Black, wispy tendrils materialized and swirled around the room before shooting towards the floor in front of me. In an explosion of black mist, Helis stood before me.
“I didn’t even have to call you this time,” I said, looking up at him.
“You are treading a dangerous path, Adeptus.”
My brow furrowed as hurt coursed through me. “I escaped Marnori and saved as many women as I could on the way out. You said yourself I chose well. I don’t understand…”
“You did… until you decided to needlessly shed blood.”
“Are you talking about my mother?” I demanded. “How is what I did ‘needless’? She was the one who ratted me out to Marnori! She played a hand in getting all those women killed!”
“A leader is responsible for fairly deciding on when to absolve someone of their sins, not doling out mindless slaughter.”
For a moment, a flicker of guilt burnt through the wall of anger, and I dropped my gaze. Should I have forgiven my mother, or at the very least given her a second chance? She had certainly seemed to be telling the truth about being sorry.
I looked back up at the dark god and reached for him. “Helis, I—”
In a sharp gust of wind, the Trial deity disappeared. The tapestries on the wall flapped from the gust before settling back dow
n. My heart twisted and I crawled under the covers.
In the darkness of the room, I felt overcome with guilt; but I wasn’t sure if the guilt I felt was simply because Helis found it wrong and I didn’t want to upset him, or if it was from actually feeling bad about killing my mother.
The next morning, Kain and I went to the throne room after getting ready for the day to find the corpse and blood had already been cleaned up.
Nala came up to me just as I was about to step outside. She looked uncertain. “About last night…”
I waited for her to continue.
“Don’t you think it was a bit harsh?” the woman asked.
“What would you have suggested I do?” I questioned. “Continue letting a traitor live amongst us?”
“N-No, of course not. Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done. It’s just… your mother seemed sincere in her apologies.”
“An apology doesn’t make her actions magically disappear, Nala. Betrayal has consequences.”
“I know,” she replied. “You’re right.”
The palace doors opened, distracting us. My hopes rose when I saw it was the doctor. Surely, if he only came to give news now, that meant it was good news?
When I saw the sadness in his eyes, my heart sank. The man shook his head and said, “I’m sorry, she didn’t make it. I managed to revive her shortly after you left, but throughout the night she kept slipping, until I couldn’t revive her again.”
Nala burst into tears, and I quietly thanked the doctor for his effort before he left. As I consoled Nala, guilt made my chest ache. Zaila’s death was another casualty of my failure.
* * *
In the village, the atmosphere seemed like an odd mixture of happy and grim. As I walked down the streets, many of the villagers gave me a smile.
Something in my peripheral vision caught my attention, and I looked over to see someone slipping around the corner of a building in one of the alleys.
Suspicious about traitors, I followed. Turning the corner, I didn’t see people scheming, but a girl and boy kissing. When the teens noticed me, jaw dropped and looking shocked, they broke apart and began apologizing profusely.
