The rest of the day was spent preparing for the trip on the morrow. Gertie joined Xander to cook up food for the road; neither was letting Rihou step out of the Fortress without decent meals packed. He already didn't eat enough.
Rihou didn't need to do much thinking about who he wanted to take with him. For one thing, his options were limited right then. For another, he wanted to take a full six-member party with him. Combatant parties could have less than six members, but never more. Too many more than that without being a military unit could cause real havoc with the magic in the land since parties naturally linked together for convenience.
The final party consisted of him, Elissa, Naomi, Ewan, Kyle, and Nick. For this first foray into what was still a foreign land to him, he wanted Ewan and Kyle to be there. Elissa went without saying, and Naomi and Nick wanted to see more of the land too. Rihou promised Skyla and Ulrich that they would get to go with him for other journeys soon enough.
Bright and early, they started on their way toward Carvinia. They didn't have that many horses on hand—Thalia was looking into it—so they were left with walking, which no one minded. Elissa normally wore slippers or heels, but she had switched over to much sturdier boots since they were looking at a lot of foot travel. They just looked a bit odd with her slightly fancier clothing.
Noting it, Naomi told her, "Your skirts are long enough that no one will see them unless they go looking."
"And one certainly hopes Rihou's the only one who attempts to do so," Nick agreed dryly. "Else Kyle or Ewan have to defend her honor."
"She can defend her honor better than we can," was Ewan's dry retort. "But we've done our fair share of virtue defending, too."
"So have I." Elissa shook her head in bemusement. "I could tell some interesting tales from the brothel I grew up in."
Dead silence followed that statement. Rihou hid a grin. "A brothel," Ewan finally said. "As in a brothel?"
"As in where people will pay to have sex with other people?" the bard said politely, her tone grave but her eyes laughing. "Yes. I and Raine were raised by Lady Devenrue, the owner of a relatively popular brothel. Raine helped in the kitchen, and I was the bodyguard for the place."
Naomi opened her mouth and then closed it, for once at a loss for words. Nick found himself suddenly amused by the whole thing; wasn't it just like Rihou to find a woman as unusual as he was? Kyle and Ewan had certainly known some interesting people with very interesting histories, so they found themselves rolling with the punches. Still, both felt amused. It certainly explained why Elissa was adept as a seductress. She had learned from some of the best.
By the time they got to Carvinia, Naomi and Kyle were tired of being the only mages in the group. They needed an actual Magician, or at the least, other people needed relics. "Why don't you wear one?" Naomi complained to Ewan.
"I'm magically stupid," he told her with a sigh. "Which basically means that equipping a relic does shit for me because I just don't have the power to cast anything. What about you?" he asked Nick.
"I've never been comfortable wearing one," the blond explained. "Neither I nor Rihou ever have. We both have really big capacities, but the Relic Masters we've met have said that that might be what holds us up. Elissa?"
"I can wear some types," she admitted, "but only on my left hand. My right hand rejects all attempts." She suddenly smiled. "I'm left-handed too, so that might have something to do with it. Best I can figure, the only types of relics I'm comfortable with are negatively charged ones. I can try to get a Wind Relic while we're in town."
None of the information provided was a surprise to Ewan or Kyle. They had already noticed that Rihou had many of the mannerisms of someone who wore a relic though he didn't actually have one. Both had seen Tyrian act the exact same way before he had gotten his Pure Relic. It was a hundred percent certain that Rihou had been earmarked for a Pure Relic and was already influenced by its power somehow.
As for Elissa, her story paralleled Cassie. She could use only one type of relic, and only minor ones, on a specific hand. If she was to share eternity with Rihou, she would eventually come into possession of a Pure Relic herself. Knowing more now than they had before didn't help Ewan or Kyle any when they also knew terribly well how heavy the burdens were going to become. They could only pray that the burden of Rihou's relic was not in any way similar to Tyrian's.
Carvinia was located near the northern ocean, just far enough inland to be safe from high tide, but close enough to be considered a port. The forest portion stopped well before reaching the city, allowing an unfettered view from quite a distance down the road. Rihou was charmed instantly by its lively air.
It was roughly the size of Vella, perhaps a bit more, and something less structured and formal about the City-State lands made it more welcoming. It was such a curious thing to him, especially since he would have expected more structure from cities acting as their own countries.
People in militia uniforms milled around the exterior, and as he saw them, he had two thoughts. One, it was obvious that Carvinia was cognizant of the potential attack from Foresalia. And two . . . "We need a uniform for our soldiers," he told Ewan and Kyle. "Seriously. We can't show up to a battle wearing whatever is at hand. We need to be recognizable. Unit leaders not so much, but definitely the regular soldiers."
Naomi instantly put her hand up. "Raine and I can come up with something!"
"Better you than us," Kyle admitted. "Why do you think we didn't have a uniform yet at all?"
"Laziness?" Nick asked politely.
Kyle cuffed him in the back of the head with a grin. "Be nice or the next time you need saving, I'll leave you to rot."
People inside the city looked at the party with curiosity but no real concern or recognition. That, Ewan knew, would change very quickly. Rihou was simply too unique to blend in anywhere. His eyes alone would make him distinct, let alone the weapon he carried and his preferred red and gold colors. No matter what happened here, by the time they reached the next city, word would have started spreading.
"Where do we need to go?" Elissa asked. "I assume we need to talk to the mayor."
A young woman came out of nowhere and planted herself in their path. The delicate pink hair pinned on top of her head was matched by shimmering pink wings that earmarked her as being of the Faerie race. Her height did as well; she stood only an inch over five feet tall. She wore clothes designed solely for gardening, and gloves dangled from her back pocket. "Hi," she said, and the shimmering sweetness of her voice also gave away her heritage. "I'm Charity. I grow flowers and herbs. You're from the Rebel Fortress, right?"
"Right." Rihou smiled instantly. That little tug was inside again. While it underscored again his suspicions, he still found himself enjoying it. He wasn't alone anymore. "I'm Rihou Royaltine. I'm trying to get some sort of unity going among the cities."
She nodded firmly. "That's what I was hearing." She linked her hands behind her back and smiled. "I want to help! Yeah, I know you probably need combatants more than you need civilians, but my flowers and herbs are really useful! They're not only good for cooks, but my sister sells them to potion makers and the like. You could use both of us! You'll need money too, right?"
"Absolutely," he said instantly. "I know I can count on you."
"Great!" She turned and waved enthusiastically. "Temerity! Come here!"
Another Faerie, perfectly identical to Charity, fluttered over and landed beside her. "Hi!" she said cheerfully. "I'm Temerity! Leave it to us to cover the Fortress in flowers!"
Kyle smirked at Ewan. "Well, Ewan is a blooming idiot."
"Yeah, but I'm not the one that has a fan club that sends flowers to me every month," was the retort.
"You do?" Naomi asked Kyle.
His color rose. "Shut up," he muttered.
The two Faeries exchanged a quick grin. Ewan had a fan club, too, but the members were too smart to let him know about it. Even in the City-States, people knew about the great things these two knights had done in Taron and were now doing for Arinsberg. "Okay," Charity said, "then we'll head for the Fortress. We'll see you there!"
"Oh!" Temerity rummaged in the bag on her hip and emerged with a bottle that she handed Elissa. She leaned up and whispered softly in her ear, "Perfume. It drives your lover nuts because it enhances your natural scent. Have fun!"
Elissa grinned wickedly. "I assuredly will." She tucked the bottle away safely and smiled innocently at Rihou when he eyed her. "It's just perfume." She saw Naomi lifting a brow and leaned over to whisper in her ear.
Naomi instantly snickered. Her brother was doomed. Not that he hadn't been before, but now he was really doomed. And she was just really glad that she loved Elissa like a sister. She couldn't have picked anyone better for her baby brother.
The Faeries hurried off to pack up their things, and the party continued into the city. With some helpful directions, they were shortly shown in to the mayor's office. He was an older man, though likely not yet fifty. Strong and fit, he seemed more like a soldier than someone who ran a bureaucracy.
"I'm Mayor Wylan Mardel," he said as he offered a hand to Rihou. He studied the younger man intently as he sensed something under the surface of his easy-going nature. "I understand you're from the Rebel Fortress."
"I'm in charge of it, actually. Former management couldn't manage it." Rihou tucked his hands in his pockets. A memory of hell flickered across the glitter in his dark eyes. "I won't let what happened to Erube happen to other cities. This isn't about war, Wylan. The Foresalia Army is seeking death and destruction."
"Erube's militia unit wasn't as well trained as ours," Wylan noted. "I think my soldiers can handle things if the Army comes this way." Still, he hesitated. There was something about Rihou that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Wylan had known some amazing people in his life, but he had never seen anyone with eyes like these. Eyes that held an indomitable spirit and iron will. The eyes of a leader, and a hero. It was the last that unnerved him. If a hero had shown himself, then there was a need for a hero, and heroes could only be chosen by Destiny. Was something happening like what had happened in Taron?
"I know the Army," Rihou immediately disagreed. "They're some of the best. They also have around a hundred units to their name. You have how many units?"
"One."
Nick frowned. "If the Army shows up with three or more units, you'd be screwed. And they have no reason to play nice. They didn't even follow the rules of engagement at Erube, mayor. It was a massacre."
The color left Wylan's face at that knowledge. The laws of engagement had been in existence for millennia. They dictated the rules of war and battle, kept things as civilized as could be amid the insanity of people trying to fight and conquer. Breaking the laws meant you forfeited the right to them. It also meant that many, many innocent lives could be lost.
In the end, the decision was taken from his hands. As he turned over the outcomes, a soldier came bursting into the office, her eyes wide with alarm. "Mayor!" she said urgently. "We're under attack! The Foresalia Army just appeared outside the city with two units! They're not even in formation; they just started coming after us! I don't know how long we can hold up like this!"
Wylan turned instantly to Rihou. "Can you lead us to victory? If you can, I swear my alliance is yours for all time. I will not lose any innocent lives to those rule-breaking murderers."
Rihou had never been in large-scale combat. He knew the rules intimately because of his intent to join the Army, yet that was wholly different. He would have been lying to say he wasn't nervous, but this had to be done. He nodded. "I'm going to try my hardest."
Ewan pulled out a relic flare. "Should I call for our unit? We have transport capabilities."
Most units transported via magic to battle sites, which was how the Army had gotten there that swiftly. Rihou quickly ran over every possible plan of action. "Yes," he said. "Have them transport in behind the Army, and I want you and Kyle to take Ulrich to serve as a distraction. Just split the attention of the Army; buy us some time!"
"You got it!" Kyle and Ewan ran out quickly.
Rihou turned to the soldier in the room. "Split the militia unit. Half of you need to evacuate the civilians as fast as you can. Most City-States have underground catacombs. Do you?"
"Yes," she answered swiftly. "They were built for just this sort of thing." She saluted crisply. "I will lead the evacuation myself, Lord Rihou!"
"I'll go with her," Naomi offered. "Just in case any stragglers make it into town. I can take care of them." She looked at Elissa who nodded in understanding. Elissa's sole duty would be to protect Rihou. He was more valuable than everyone else put together.
The soldier led Naomi out of the office, and Rihou urged Wylan to follow them. "You too," he said. "Your people need you there. I'm going to take the other half unit and lure the unit leader from the Army into a trap. We'll try not to knock down any buildings."
"They can be rebuilt," Wylan said. "Just don't lose your life!" He was beginning to believe they would win. This young man, this hero, could do anything. He could save all of them. "Be safe!"
As soon as he was gone, Nick asked, "How the hell are we going to convince that madman to get in here, and even if you kill him, why would the units surrender?"
"Soldiers follow the orders of their unit leader," Rihou countered. "So if they're told to break the laws, they will. But it might be, just might be, possible that swiftly ending this fight will not only make them once more follow the rules, but maybe even join our side if I can convince them of the wrong they're doing."
Somehow, when Rihou said it, Elissa believed it could be done. Even Nick was beginning to think they had a chance of pulling this off. "Okay," he said. "What do we do?"
The lieutenant in charge of the Foresalia Army was not happy with the events unfolding around him. He could name every soldier he trusted to spare innocent lives and those he could not trust. He felt sick to his stomach with the chaos happening. He had been grateful to see the Rebel unit appear on the field. Yet he didn't have a choice. Returning home without victory would be the end of his life, and possibly the end of the lives of his soldiers, all of whom deserved better. Prince Sarcon did not abide by failure.
Quite suddenly, he spotted movement from the corner of his eye. He turned sharply and spotted a door in the wall around the city standing open. He could see a flash of red and gold just inside it. He was instantly sure he had found Rihou Royaltine. Everyone in Foresalia knew the son of the former Lower General had defected to the City-States, though no one knew why. His hometown claimed he still loved their land, that he had been betrayed by the Army first.
This was a chance to end things before it got worse. Without hesitation, the lieutenant made his way toward the open door. Several of his loyal soldiers went with him. If they could capture Rihou, they might be able to figure out just what was really happening. Someone was lying, but there was no knowing who.
They entered the city and had only gotten a few feet past the door before it suddenly slammed shut. When the lieutenant turned around, he discovered a sultry, fair haired bard standing in front of the door. She had a dagger balanced delicately on the tip of a finger, blade side down, and it didn't wobble. The utter precision and balance of the weapon was a stark statement as to her skill.
"You want to stand or surrender?" a calm male voice asked behind them. "I might suggest the surrender option. You're surrounded."
The lieutenant turned again to discover Rihou right behind him. He stood with his tonfa in hand, but his body was relaxed and casual. A cursory sweep of the area revealed soldiers crouched on rooftops, the sunlight glinting off weapons of assorted shape and type. Far more soldiers were on the roofs than the lieutenant had with him. He immediately drew his sword and threw it on the ground. "Yield," he said with relief. "On the condition of parley."
"Done," Rihou immediately agreed. The offer to parley meant the lieutenant wished to discuss the current state before deciding to surrender or retreat, as were the normal stipulations of defeat in battle. "Call off your soldiers."
The lieutenant touched the small relic he wore as an earring. Nearly everyone wore them, especially in battle; they allowed communication across great distances between ally or enemy, depending on the frequency you used. His voice carried to everyone on the field. "Cease fire!" he ordered. "I am engaged in parley with Lord Rihou! I give my soldiers the option now to stay or retreat. When I have determined the facts, I will make my choice."
One unit left the field instantly. The other stayed, loyal to their lieutenant and trusting him more than they trusted the prince. The Rebel unit immediately rounded them up to be held until the parley was completed. Casualties dotted both sides, though not too severely. Rihou's quick thinking had kept the battle from getting worse.
"Holy hell," Ulrich murmured. "He did it."
"Get used to it," Kyle murmured back. "You're going to be seeing him do a lot of really amazing things."
In the city, the militia soldiers came down off the rooftops and rounded up the few soldiers with the lieutenant. Nick scooped up his sword and held onto it until they determined the outcome. He was still boggling himself. He had seen Rihou pull off some crazy things, but this was far beyond anything he had expected.
"Tell me your side of the events at the training camp," the lieutenant said quietly to Rihou. "I knew General Royaltine. I can't believe that his son would turn traitor in this way. More, I trust a man who abides by the laws more than I trust a monarch who willfully breaks them. This battle was not my choice."
"That I believe." Rihou locked his tonfa and equipped them once more. "To put it simply, Vandel orchestrated the attack on the camp to give Foresalia an excuse to go to war. My informant is currently looking for more information as to why, but that doesn't change the fact that Sarcon Malady has overreacted. He personally orchestrated the massacre of an entire city." Something cold and hard flickered across his eyes. "I watched him behead an innocent civilian after offering her escape. Your prince is a madman."
Elissa slipped her hand into his and held on tightly. She would have taken the memories away from him if she could, but she knew they were permanently branded inside him and now a part of what made him who he was. His fingers laced with hers as if she was his lifeline though his face didn't change expression. Even someone who rolled with the punches could eventually stop rolling and end up battered and broken. It terrified her to think this was still just the beginning.
The lieutenant looked pale and visibly shaken. He swallowed before he lost his lunch. He knew the Foresalia Army had done some truly terrible things in their attempts to gain more land for the monarchy, but the extent came down to who was in charge of the units. Those commanded by King Utheron abided by the laws. Those commanded by Prince Sarcon did not.
"My father lived and died for the freedom of the people, even if they were not of his country," Rihou said fiercely. "It was because he knew how precious the rights of people are. I will not let the City-States give up the freedom they once fought for. If they wanted a monarchy, they'd damn well have it. It's not Utheron or Sarcon's right to take that choice from them!"
A little shiver went down the backs of those observing. Never had Rihou looked or sounded more like a leader. No longer did anyone doubt why he was in charge of the Rebel Fortress when he had no practical experience on a battlefield. This was a man who could lead thousands, millions, to victory.
It did not take long for the lieutenant to make his choice. "My name is Lore," he said. "I surrender to you and seek to fight by your side. I can't stomach what my country is doing to this one. I will lend my sword to the City-States until this insanity ends." He looked at his soldiers. "You are free to return if you so wish. I will stay with Lord Rihou."
"We stand with you, lieutenant," one soldier said as he removed the Foresalia emblem on his jacket. "Therefore we stand with Lord Rihou."
All the remaining soldiers also formally surrendered and removed the emblem of Foresalia that they wore. In less than an hour, not only had Rihou saved a city, but he had also doubled the size of his army. He looked at Elissa in consternation and said, "We need a bigger Fortress, and we really need uniforms."
She found herself laughing. Leave it to Rihou to gloss over the amazing things he had just done. She went on her toes, framed his face, and kissed him tenderly. Those observing cheered loudly and she smiled. "I'm proud of you."
"Just hold onto me," he said softly. "When this sinks in, I have no idea how I'm going to feel."
As if she could ever let him go! She remained very close as the civilians were fetched and allowed to return to their homes. There was a great euphoria in the air, and dozens of people wanted to meet and thank Rihou for saving them. By the time Ewan and Kyle caught back up with them, the crowd had reached immense proportions.
Ewan took one look at Rihou's eyes and knew he was being overwhelmed even though he still smiled and talked to everyone. Rihou's higher sensitivity wasn't just for that sixth sense that warned a Kaiten of danger. It was also for that inner desire for peace that, while effective at making him want to end war, meant large crowds would be too much for him to handle.
Ewan let out a piercing whistle that cut through the cacophony and had heads turning. "Would you let the guy breathe?" he demanded. He muscled his way through the crowd, caught Rihou's arm, and ushered him back out with Elissa and Nick hurrying to keep up. "For god's sake," Ewan muttered. "Like hounds after a bone!"
"Hey, I'm not that skinny, thank you." Rihou was exceedingly grateful for the rescue nonetheless. "I don't mind crowds, I really don't, but sometimes it's just too much for me to take in and I need some quiet. Really, I do like people." He sighed. "It's like having an allergy to something you like. Much as you like it, it doesn't like you back!"
"Rihou!" Naomi popped up beside her brother and enthusiastically hugged him so hard that she knocked him over. "You did it! Not that I doubted you," she said loyally. "You can do anything!"
"Except keep my sister from running me over," he grumbled. He took Kyle's offered hand and got to his feet before helping Naomi up. "Where's the mayor?"
"Right here." Wylan was flanked by two of his lieutenants, and a look of mingled awe and respect filled his eyes. "Lord Rihou, you have my thanks, as well as my alliance. For as long as Carvinia stands, it will stand with you. If you have any need for my unit, you have only to ask."
"Is one unit enough to protect Carvinia?" Nick asked Rihou.
He nodded instantly. "Sarcon won't want to waste time attacking someplace that he failed to capture to begin with. If we routed him once, we can do it again. Especially since Carvinia is now onboard with uniting the City-States. He needs to get to a place I haven't gotten to first. If he really is trying to conquer us in the most brutal way possible, uniting the rest will ensure they don't just surrender to spare themselves. And if we can amass a big enough army, we can just kick him out entirely."
"It's not that easy," Elissa murmured to Kyle.
His blue eyes darkened sadly. "No," he said just as softly. "It never could be. When he realizes it, he's going to need you to hold him together." A part of him was beginning to be frustrated. While he wanted to tell Rihou what he was, he didn't feel he had the right. Where the hell was Lady Tanelia? Why hadn't she revealed herself to Rihou? The Great Sage was the only one who knew the true legend of the Kaiten Star, and she was the only one who could guide Rihou's destiny. What was she waiting for?
"What should we do next?" Naomi asked Rihou. "Just go back to the Fortress?"
"If I may," Wylan spoke up, "I'd recommend going to Riverbaynk next. It sits on the river that leads to Grace, and you definitely want to talk to Belle Marshton about this. Grace is the biggest city in the country. You need her clout."
"I agree," Ewan said instantly. "I think we're finally looking as serious as she said we needed to in order for her to help us. Let's hit Riverbaynk, get them onboard, and then scoot down south for Grace."
"Is she your girlfriend?" Elissa asked him curiously.
"Ha!" He snorted. "We'd kill each other. She's more like a sister than anything. I don't have a girlfriend, thanks."
"Only because you're a chicken," Kyle noted politely.
As brows rose, so did Ewan's color. "Shut up," he muttered. "It's been more than three years. She probably hates my guts by now." It was a painful revelation for him, as it had been for nearly all those years. He had tried every method possible to forget about his dark haired ex-lover, and not a single one had worked. He would remember her until the day he died, and he would always lament blowing his chance.
"What would you do with a second chance?" Rihou asked. "Would you take it?"
"I don't know," Ewan admitted. "I'd like to hope I'm older and wiser than I was, but, hell. There's no knowing." He scowled. "Why are we off on this subject? We have more important things to do, damn it."
Rihou grinned. "But not more entertaining." He laughed when Ewan grabbed him in a headlock. "Sorry, sorry."
Wylan hid a grin. He was beginning to see why Ewan and Kyle had put Rihou in charge. Not only was he brilliant, he was also incredibly personable. You had to like this young man with a hero's eyes. It was mandatory. "We can provide some horses for the journey, to make it go quicker. Riverbaynk is a few days from here, and it's a few more beyond there to Grace."
"We'd be much obliged," Rihou said as he got released.
Wylan sent orders for the horses to be prepared, and the party headed for the town stable once they had stocked up on fresh supplies. When they got to the stable, they found a man waiting for them. He looked strong and capable, and he wore the familiar style of clothing that most brawlers did. Lightweight for speed enhancement, but sturdy to withstand anything that tried to hit back.
Just looking at him, Rihou knew he was another friend. A kindred spirit to help ease his burdens. This person was important; he was sure of it. He smiled. "Hi. I'm Rihou."
"I'm Barro." The man smiled. "A brawler. I want to help you kick Foresalia's ass. I saw what you did here, and I know I can help you out!"
"I'm sure of it," Rihou instantly agreed. "I need a lot of skilled combatants. Can you head for the Fortress to train our other hand-to-hand soldiers? I know you've got the higher class training that regular soldiers don't get."
Barro didn't find it surprising that Rihou would know that, just as he didn't find it surprising how badly he felt he needed to help Rihou. He was sure, positive, that Rihou needed him, and there was something only he could do. "Gladly, Lord Rihou," he agreed swiftly. "You can count on me!"
"Of course!" Rihou's smile slowly faded as Barro hurried away. "Ewan?" he asked softly.
Ewan took a breath. He had a feeling he knew what was going to be asked. Rihou was very smart, and he had been friends with Tyrian for several years. "Yeah?"
"Just yes or no is all I need." Rihou's hands clenched together. "Do I remind you of Tyrian?"
"Yeah," Ewan admitted quietly. "A lot. When I told you that first day that you reminded me of a friend, that was who I meant."
Kyle nodded briefly. "Tyrian was our brother in all ways but blood. We never thought we'd love anyone else that much. But then we met you." He found a real smile. "You're just as easy to love, Rihou."
Naomi and Nick both began to get a sinking feeling that told them they knew what was being discussed, and it terrified them both. Elissa had already known. She simply held onto Rihou's hand and reminded him without a word that she was there and would remain there.
Rihou took a little breath and then nodded. "Thanks," he said to Ewan and Kyle alike. "That's all I needed to know. It kind of explains why we felt the way we did when we met. We both felt like we'd met a long lost brother. We blamed our dads." He also found a smile. "I guess maybe it was something a bit simpler than that."
"That's one way of putting it," Kyle murmured.
©Stacy J. Garrett. Do not reprint or redistribute without permission.
Chapter 7->
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