Tyrian didn't sleep that night. He couldn't. With nothing better to do, he stayed in bed and stared at the ceiling while his mind refused to settle or focus. Everything was jumbled up. A part of him wanted to walk away. Another part wanted to stay. The only thing he could be sure of through all of his midnight mental ramblings was that he absolutely couldn't let things continue as status quo.
How the hell had he missed this? Why was his father going along with things? He had to know what was happening. And why was the Emperor suddenly treating his people so cruelly? It seemed out of place. Tyrian had always thought Albanion was a little off in many ways, but he wouldn't have thought he was stupidly and bone deeply bad.
It was dawn before he gave up pretending to sleep. He got dressed in his slacks and borrowed tunic and then left his room. R.K. was at his desk but dead asleep on top of it as if he had simply gone to sleep while working. Tyrian stopped long enough to find a blanket and gently tuck it over his shoulders. The innkeeper clearly needed a keeper.
The entire base remained quiet as he walked down the halls. The base was decent sized, enough so that it even had barracks. A glance inside told him that they had a significant number of soldiers on hand.
A soft voice asked from the shadows, "Looking for an exit?"
He let out the breath he had taken. "Cassie." He rubbed his forehead and kept his voice down as well. "Wear a bell, will you?"
Cassie smiled a little as she stepped out of the shadows. "That would defeat the purpose of my being a monk."
He studied her in bemusement. He had gotten so used to seeing her in black that her loose white tunic and brown leggings seemed completely out of place. He was also impressed; blending in was hard enough without wearing bright colors. "I suppose it would," he concurred. "If I wanted to go outside, how would I do it?"
"I can take you to an exit. You don't want to take Liang and Marian?"
"No. I'm just going to see my mother." He glanced at her. "You can come with me. I'm sure there will be some unease if I'm running around knowing where the base is."
She shook her head. "We trust you, Tyrian. Ophelia trusts you, so we trust you." She hesitated and then went with her heart. "And I trust you," she added softly. "I would trust you even if the others didn't."
He swung around and she walked into his chest. Before she could blink, his arms had gone around her waist. He buried his face in her hair and hugged her tightly. Trembling from the inside out, she slowly lifted her arms to wind them around his neck. He was so strong and solid. Unbreakable and indomitable. But she knew, knew, he needed her to keep him that way. Someone had to protect him.
"Thank you," he said softly. "You're the last person I'd ever want to doubt me." He eased back and skimmed his thumb over her cheek. "And I just want you to know that I trust you with my life." He smiled slowly. "Anytime you want to protect me very closely, feel free."
She cleared her throat. "Tyrian."
He released her, still smiling. "I never promised to make it easy on you." He caught her hand and swung her fingers up to his lips. "Come meet my mother. As far as she has to know, you're just a girl I met. Has anyone in town seen you around?"
"Well, no. But won't she think you're courting me? You're not, are you?" she asked warily.
"Of course not, Cas."
A frown darkened her face. "Well, why not?" He quirked a brow at her and she felt her cheeks heat. "Never mind! You're not allowed to court me, understand?" He was still smiling at her but she didn't push the issue. "We're just friends," she stressed. "Tell your mom we're just friends."
"I'll tell her we're friends, but not just friends. I've never lied to my parents." They had reached a wall, and he studied the nearly invisible ladder. Likewise, the trapdoor in the ceiling could barely be seen as well. "Will anyone see us?"
"I'll check."
He waited patiently while she seemed to disappear into the shadows. When she reappeared, he automatically tucked her hair behind her ear. "Well?"
"It's clear." His fingers were lingering warmly on her cheek. She almost helplessly turned her face into his touch. His hand slid slowly around to the back of her neck and tugged her gently closer. Wanting him, needing him more than air, her lashes lowered as he bent his head and gently brushed her lips with his.
It was the lightest, most tender kiss she could have ever envisioned, and it left some sort of imprint on her soul. She felt it. With that soft little kiss, he had marked her indelibly. She was in love with him. "Oh god," she whispered when his head lifted. "How is this possible?"
"I don't know." He kissed her again just as sweetly. "You don't have to be afraid, Cassie. It's one day at a time. When you're ready, then we'll move forward." He smiled. "Should I refrain from kissing you?"
She shook her head fiercely. "No. Oddly, it seems to help clear my mind. Actually, no it doesn't. It completely turns off my mind. But I think that might be why it helps me. I'm thinking too much and not feeling enough."
"Then in that case, I won't have to test my willpower. I don't think it would have held up to restraint for you." He released her and climbed up the ladder. He carefully pushed the door open and peeked out. It was still clear. He climbed out entirely and then waited for Cassie. As soon as she had joined him and the door was once more hidden, he took her hand and escorted her to the end of the alley.
It was barely dawn, but, being a farm town, people were already up and around. Tyrian's sharp eyes spotted several soldiers, but if they recognized him, they didn't say anything. Reading the tension in his shoulders, Cassie murmured, "You don't look like a nobleman right now. The tunic is too casual, and I look distinctly like a farm girl."
"Then this ought to help." He laced their fingers together. "I think I like blending in," he decided slowly. "There's something to be said for not having people look at you with expectations."
She studied his face to memorize every line and feature. "Are there a lot of expectations of you, Tyrian?"
"Where do you want me to start?" he asked, his voice sadly wry. "Ever since I was born, I was expected to train as a warrior. That wasn't so bad; I love the thrill of battle. I was born for it. But I've been such a natural leader—bossy is another word—that everyone expected me to follow in my father's footsteps. And they keep expecting me to be the best. So I am. Then they expect more."
"To the point where you wonder if people like you because you're you or because you represent something to them." She brought his hand to her cheek. "I expect you to be you. Stubborn, frustrating, giving, protective, loving, and brilliant. That's all."
A note of strain colored his voice as he said, "Keep saying things like that and you'll find yourself kissed senseless. I'll make up your mind for you." His eyes burned as he glanced down at her. "I have enough trouble keeping my hands to myself."
Knowing full well that his willpower was so strong as to keep him from giving in to even debilitating grief and that it couldn't be shaken by even the crumbling of everything he thought he had known, she realized that knowing she could obliterate his willpower simply by being there was very, very heady.
The house where his mother lived looked no different from his memories, even though he hadn't been back in two years. When he knocked and she opened the door, she looked no different either. "Can we come in?" he asked.
Annareal lifted a brow slightly. "You're asking? At your own home, you're asking?" She stepped back regardless to let them inside. "I'm not sure if it is polite or insulting, frankly." She studied Cassie with a mother's immense curiosity. "I don't believe we've met."
"This is Cassie. She's become my best friend in short time, and I thought you'd like to meet her."
Annareal's eyes dropped to where their fingers were still clasped. A little smile played around her lips. "You thought right. It's nice to meet you, Cassie. I'm Annareal Southerwind." She studied Tyrian's eyes and then her own gaze darkened. "So. It's true, about Ben."
Cassie held tighter to Tyrian's hand when his fingers tensed. "Yes," he said quietly. "It is. That's why I came back here. And, coming here . . . I see so many things wrong. What's going on, Mother? Why are the soldiers here like this?"
Annareal sighed and led the way into the parlor. She waited for them to sit down before taking her own seat. "I don't know," she finally said. "I want to say it just happened out of the blue, but it truly was so gradual that no one noticed until it was as bad as it is now. I didn't really notice because I don't pay taxes; your father pays them directly from his pay."
"Why is he letting this happen?" He rubbed his forehead. "It's just not right! How can beggaring cities and hurting people possibly help the Emperor?"
"You can't pretend to understand what goes on in a ruler's mind," she chided gently. "But you must follow your own heart, Tyrian. If you feel what is happening is wrong, then tell someone. You are respected. They would listen."
He took a long breath. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." She smiled at Cassie. "Feel free to come for dinner any time. Tyrian's . . . friend is always welcome in my home."
Cassie cleared her throat. "Thank you, ma'am." Sensing the sun rising swiftly, she squeezed Tyrian's hand. "We should be going, Tyrian."
"Of course." He got to his feet and leaned down to kiss his mother's cheek. "It was nice to see you. I'll come back for another visit soon." Holding tight to Cassie, he led the way out of the house. As soon as they were outside, he smiled. "She didn't believe that you were just my friend."
"Oh hush," the monk groused. She contemplated her words and then said slowly, "She was wrong about something. You, more than anyone, knows what goes on inside a leader's mind. You have the potential to be the greatest leader ever because you care about people, Tyrian. Your compassion is as critical as your intelligence."
"If you keep flattering me, I'm going to get an over-inflated ego." He swung her fingers up to his lips. "That or I might kiss you wherever we happen to be."
"That shouldn't be as tempting as it is," she complained as she led the way toward another alley and another secret passage.
"I warned you." He felt himself relax as soon they entered the catacombs, and he realized something he had not noticed before. Subconsciously, he had been tense the entire time through the village and his meeting with his mother. Here, in the base, he felt comfortable. In that moment, he made his decision.
"Lord Tyrian!" Liang said in exasperation as he came down the hall.
"What's with the 'lord' stuff?" Cassie whispered.
"He likes to pretend he's formal around other people," Tyrian whispered back.
Liang ignored Cassie's muffled snickers as he caught up. Hands on hips, he glared at Tyrian. "You should have woken me. It wasn't safe for you to go wandering around outside."
Before Tyrian could open his mouth, Cassie said with a touch of chill, "Yes, heaven forbid a Tenth Class Monk be capable of protecting him. Why should he even be trusted near her, let alone to be protected by her?"
She disappeared abruptly into the shadows. Liang grimaced. "I didn't mean to offend her."
"I think you unintentionally hit a sore nerve." Tyrian made a mental note to find out what it was. "But she did have a valid point. I'm safer with her than with anyone else. Of that I am absolutely positive." He began to head down the hall with purpose. "If you want to know, we went to visit Mother. I spoke of seeing the village in this state and she told me to follow my heart."
"And?" Liang asked it though he already knew the answer.
Tyrian walked into the meeting room where Ophelia and Kyle stood looking over a huge pile of papers. They glanced up inquiringly and Tyrian said without preamble, "I'm in. I have no reason to believe that anyone at the castle would listen to me. Despite appearances, I'm still just Donald Southerwind's son. But I can't let this go on."
Kyle gave a satisfied smile as Ophelia nodded. "I knew you'd feel that way," she said. "Come join us, Tyrian." When he had stepped up beside her, she gestured to the map. "This is the layout of the Empire. We share a Y shaped border with Melodina and part of Foresalia. But we can't expect help from either. Melodina is having its own internal discord and Foresalia hates us."
"We don't want to be depending on anyone for a rebellion," Tyrian said thoughtfully. "We'll be struggling enough to establish a new leadership without having debts to repay."
"You talk as if we've already won," Liang noted.
"Am I supposed to talk as if we've already lost? If so, then we might as well end here. I'm not going into this thinking I'm going to lose." He picked up one of the papers and discovered a roster. "We have soldiers from assorted places. How well trained?"
"Well enough," Ophelia admitted, "but not nearly on par with the Imperial Army."
"We can train them. I know how the Army operates." He dropped the papers. "I have a tendency to get bossy," he informed her. "Feel free to tell me to shut up if you think I'm getting too bossy."
She smiled at him. "You're a better leader than I. Already you're getting us more organized than we were before."
"Ah, so you joined us." Ewan sauntered into the room with Cassie and Kell following him. All three looked unusually tense and there was something dangerously pissed off in Cassie's eyes. "Glad to know you made the choice before you had none."
Ophelia's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
He tossed a poster onto the table. In bold words across the top was 'WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE.' Tyrian's picture blatantly sat underneath it. A reward of up to ten thousand gold or a lifetime free of taxes had been offered as reward. There was no explanation or any legitimate reason as to why Tyrian suddenly had a bounty on his head.
"What the hell?" Kyle snatched up the poster. "Where'd you get this?"
"They're being plastered all over town," Kell offered. "When I asked a soldier why a nobleman's son was being hunted, he said that the Emperor had determined Tyrian was a threat to the Empire itself. Apparently his new consort said Tyrian was destined to overthrow the Empire."
"Consort." Tyrian frowned. "That would be Lady Blaine. I've never met her before. I know of her, naturally. She made quite the . . . impression on the court when she arrived. She has the Emperor wrapped around her finger." Something flickered in his eyes. "She arrived little over a year ago."
Ewan's brows shot up. "Conveniently around the time the situation began to change."
"Seems so." Tyrian picked up the poster and calmly tore it in half. "It changes nothing. They'd have been after me as soon as I joined the Rebellion anyway. Maybe that was what she saw. If so, then I feel much more confident about our efforts, don't you?"
"He can make the absurd sound reasonable," Liang apologized to the others. "You'll get used to it."
"Where's Marian?" Tyrian asked.
"Flirting with R.K."
He sighed. "Would someone tell her to go turn her wiles on the merchants and get as many magic scrolls and medicines as she thinks she can get away with explaining? She can use my money."
Kell grinned and scuttled off much faster than a man of his age should have been able to.
"How many troops do we have?" Tyrian asked Ophelia.
"One unit's worth—one thousand soldiers."
Tyrian began to drum the fingers of his right hand on his left arm. Several pairs of sharp eyes noted the action. "We need more troops. But we won't get more people to leave the Empire to join us unless we look serious. We can't go anywhere near the Imperial Army as we stand. They have dozens of units. We need to start small and make big waves at the same time."
"So how do we do that?" Ewan propped his feet on the table.
"We take this city." Tyrian turned to Ophelia. "If we make a bigger show of rebelling and actually let everyone know definitively that's what we're doing, the people will believe us more readily. One unit is enough to hold this town. We rout the soldiers currently here and send those who surrender back to the Empire. If any want to defect and join us, all the better."
"You're that sure they would?" asked Kyle curiously.
"You don't have corruption only at the surface. It seeps into every crack. If the people suffer, then the lowest class soldiers will suffer too. Many probably came from towns just like Teasarn."
There was a long silence. Then, slowly, Ewan said, "It's so odd. When you say things like that, I believe you. If you told me I could storm the castle with a stick and a torch, I'd do it. I'd believe you until you were proven wrong."
Cassie leaned on the table. "This would also have another benefit. If there is an active showing of resistance and success from the Rebellion, then I will be justified in going to the Clans and asking for more help. If we can get even one or two units from the Clans, then we will be very well set."
"And other towns will be more inclined to aid," Liang noted. "What about the civilians in this town? The children in particular."
"R.K. and Kell have befriended all the children." Ophelia pulled out another paper. "We know all of them by name and age. For months now, the kids have known that if they see real fighting break out, they're to come to the catacombs for safety. More than any, the children can be trusted."
"Then I, Cassie, and Kyle will take Marian and work from the inside while our unit comes in from the outside. The Army unit will no doubt be arriving anytime." Tyrian sat down with a sigh. "After all, this was my last known location and they want me dead or alive."
Unable to bear the buried note of pain, Cassie stepped forward and put her hands gently on his shoulders. "Maybe your father doesn't even know yet," she said softly.
Kell and Marian came skidding into the room. "An Army unit approaches," Kell said bluntly. "They're carrying a flag bearing the symbol of the High General. The Empire isn't playing games."
"Tyrian," Ophelia said softly in pain.
He said nothing for long moments and then straightened his back. "Fine," he said calmly. "If anything, this is best. I know how the High General works and how he trains his troops." He got to his feet, his face carefully controlled. Only his eyes, and the darkness inside, belied the turmoil inside his heart. "They rely heavily on direct combat. If we attack with subterfuge, we'll have the advantage."
As Kell hurried to the barracks, Marian hissed out a breath. "This isn't right!" she said heatedly. "Why do we have to do this?"
"Because no one else will." Tyrian gave her an even look. "You can leave."
She glared at him for long moments and then walked over and hugged him fiercely. "Not a chance!" she said against her cousin's shoulder. "You're stuck with me. I'm not about to let you get into trouble alone."
A little tension left his shoulders. "Thanks, Marian." He looked at Ophelia. "What about you?"
"I'll stay here with R.K. and Kell and we'll keep the children safe. Ewan, will you and Dylan ride with the unit to command them?"
"Done." Ewan got to his feet and headed out, shouting for Dylan to join him.
Tyrian looked at Liang. "Go find my mother and protect her. If she wants to help us, great. If not, then she can be sent to the castle. If she's really such a potential distraction to my father, then that's all the better for us."
Cassie softly touched his arm. Heaven help the Emperor if Tyrian ever truly let loose of the bitterness he had been saving up for eighteen years. Her eyes lifted to meet Liang's and an unspoken message passed between them. "I'll protect him with my life," she said simply. "I can do no other."
Liang nodded slowly. "I'm beginning to see that. Very well." He turned and left the room.
Ophelia held out a small clear stone to Tyrian. "This is a Voice Relic," she told him. "If you equip it to your earring, you'll be able to use it to talk to us and vice-versa." As he took the relic, her eyes met his. "You call the shots. You know our enemy."
He nodded and removed the small earring he wore to fasten the relic to it. The earring was more than decoration; it was a highly advanced form of magical technology. It could hold small relic fragments—like the Voice Relic—that would allow him access to a multitude of extra amenities. Most, if not all, people wore them.
A soft beep heralded Ewan's voice from the relic as he said, "Enemy in sight. No sign of Donald Southerwind. A lesser lieutenant is riding at the front."
"What's your location?" Tyrian asked.
"Hiding around the edge of town."
"Wait for them to get within range of either arrows or magic, whichever you've got a better shot at landing. After the initial shot, don't wait for them to recover. Go in immediately. Take prisoner those willing to surrender, let those willing to run do so, and remove any who choose to remain and fight."
"I like how you think. Consider it done."
The soft hum faded and Tyrian headed for the nearest exit. "We're going up top to catch anyone who causes trouble inside town. Ophelia, the kids will be sent to you for safety as soon as possible."
"Done." She gave Kyle a soft and tender kiss. "I love you," she told him softly.
Kyle shot her a frustrated look. He had always felt there was something she hadn't told him, and now he was sure. Vowing to pin her down later, physically if necessary, he followed Tyrian and Cassie as they headed up to the streets with Marian close behind.
Pandemonium had broken loose up top. The units clashed outside the city walls with the sound and fury of a full war. The Army was not prepared for the sort of controlled, yet uncontrollable, fury of the Rebellion. For every Imperial soldier that fell, another threw down arms to surrender.
The soldiers in the city were on a rampage. They tried to attack anyone who got in their way, civilian or not. Most of the townspeople were smart enough to run for cover. Children mysteriously vanished from the streets.
Kyle drew his sword. "Which way?"
"Follow me." Tyrian drew his staff and started down the closest street. At the end, he spotted several soldiers trying to break down a door. "Cassie."
He didn't need to say anything else. Throwing stars appeared in her hand and she hurled them with all her might. Her aim was true. Two of the four soldiers dropped instantly. The other two whirled and attacked.
Kyle and Tyrian proved a formidable combination. It was only moments before both soldiers went down. Marian only had to heal a minor cut to Kyle's arm where he had deflected a blow from his head. Now knowing how they worked together, the party made their way through the city, sparing no mercy for those who wanted to fight but willingly taking captive those who surrendered.
They had just cleared the streets when Dylan's voice came over the relic, "We've routed them. The majority are running back for the capitol as fast as possible. We have about one hundred prisoners."
Liang came running down the street and skidded to a stop next to Tyrian. "Lord Tyrian," he said urgently, "I can't find Lady Annareal! I've looked everywhere! She wasn't at home and she hasn't been seen anywhere!"
"Tyrian!"
The panicked and very loud shout through his Voice Relic made Tyrian wince. "R.K.? What's wrong?"
"Hurry! The base has been breached! Hurry!"
Kyle went white. "Ophelia."
The nearest entrance to the base was a block away, and the panel had already been pried up. Heart in his throat, Tyrian dropped down inside and ran down the hall. He discovered R.K. and Kell at the end, wounded and covered in blood where they sat slumped against a wall.
Marian made a panicked sound and rushed to their sides. "Hang on, boys! I'll get you healed!"
"Hurry," R.K. managed to say. "Lady Ophelia is in danger!"
Kyle was already running down another hallway. Tyrian and Cassie followed him swiftly. The sound of children crying grew louder as did the sound of fighting. Swords clashing together and soft feminine cursing. Somehow Tyrian knew what he would see.
They entered the room and came to sharp stops as they saw Ophelia locked in combat with Annareal. The older woman was by no means weak as she skillfully parried and blocked Ophelia's attacks. A dozen children huddled near a wall in terror.
"Stop!" Tyrian ordered sharply. "What are you doing?!" He was already moving forward as he spoke, and his staff appeared in his hand.
"You can't have both of us," Annareal retorted. "Make your decision, Tyrian!"
There was no decision to be made and it reflected in his eyes. His disgust for his mother was plain and clear. In fury, she whirled and went after the children. Kyle and Tyrian both rushed forward and so did Ophelia. The males didn't reach Annareal, but Ophelia did, and she threw herself in front of the children. Annareal's sword went directly into her chest and all the way out through the back. The soft gasping sound she made permanently imprinted itself in the ears of those present. Even as she fell, the others leapt forward.
Annareal found herself grabbed around the neck, slammed into the wall, and held a foot off the floor by Cassie. "Y-you," she managed to gasp. "What are you?"
"I'm from the Monk Clans," Cassie said in an icy tone. Her grip tightened. "Time for a nap." She jerked Annareal down as she shoved up with her knee. The older woman gasped as the breath was driven out of her lungs and dropped unconscious onto the floor. "Tie her up," Cassie ordered Liang as he stepped into the doorway.
"Oh god." Kyle lifted Ophelia into his arms, his face white with pain and terror. Blood. There was blood everywhere. The wound in her chest looked wide and vicious, and it had gone clear through a horrific spot. Every living creature had a place on their body that equated to an instant death sentence if they were even wounded there. In Humans, it sat an inch to the left of the heart. No Healer, no matter how talented, could heal a wound in a critical zone. "Ophelia! Ophelia!"
Her eyes opened halfway. "The kids?"
"Alive," Tyrian said quietly. "Thanks to you." He was completely unaware of the hand Cassie rested on the back of his neck. Pain boiled in his heart, scalded his soul. "We won the battle. The Army retreated. We have prisoners. Your rebellion is just beginning."
She closed her eyes as she smiled. Her breath caught on a painful hitch and then smoothed. "Yours. It's yours, Tyrian. It was always meant to be yours." She carefully lifted a hand and he grasped it tightly but gently. "You have to free everyone. Please."
"You have my vow."
"I'm glad." She drew a ragged breath. The pain was going away. It really didn't hurt anymore. Everything was warm and quiet. It was okay. She had done everything. No . . . not everything. She needed to do something else. "Tyrian? I need you to say something," she whispered.
"What is it?"
"Askandi repulsin Devourer."
He went very still. "Why?"
"Please."
Softly, he said, "Askandi repulsin Devourer." He gave her hand a little shake. "Why? Ben made me say that once too. What does it mean? What's going on, Ophelia? Damn it, you can't die and leave us like this!"
She looked at Cassie who hesitated and then nodded a little. Her gaze then went to Kyle. Her eyes softened. "Kyle." She lifted her free hand to touch his cheek gently. "I never regretted loving you." Before he could say anything, her hand dropped and her entire body went slack. Her eyes slowly closed and her breaths stopped.
Ewan began to curse in a soft and vicious voice from the doorway. He had one arm around R.K.'s waist to keep the other man on his feet. He was healed, but blood loss could only be cured by time. Kell was leaning on Marian whose face looked utterly white with devastation. "No," she whispered.
Tyrian put down Ophelia's hand and got to his feet. "Take Annareal to a holding cell," he ordered, his voice quiet and controlled. "Ensure she carries no weapons and no way to get out. She is to be guarded by any two soldiers who won't be enticed by her pleas. Offer the other Army soldiers the option of joining us or returning to the Empire."
"Who is she?" Dylan asked harshly from behind Ewan with a sharp gesture at Annareal.
A bitter little smile curved Tyrian's lips. "Donald Southerwind's wife." He knelt to help Kyle stand. The swordsman had Ophelia's body clutched in his arms. "I won't let her down, Kyle," Tyrian said quietly. "Or you. You can hate me if you wish."
"I can't feel anything right now." Eyes as heavy as his steps, Kyle slowly walked out of the room.
Tyrian almost envied him. He wished he couldn't feel anything right then too.
©Stacy J. Garrett. Do not reprint or redistribute without permission.
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