Darkness Falling: Soldiers and Slaves (20 page)

“Look,” Brosen nodded toward the shore.

Impyra could see two small lights shining out toward the sea. “Are those headlights?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

The eastern sky was beginning to brighten as they washed up onto the beach. A tall man in a heavy parka ran across the snow covered sand to meet them.

“Hey there,” he said, cheerfully. “Brosen and Impyra?”

“Are you Virikoor?” Brosen asked, but Impyra could already see the resemblance in the man's face to Gilly.

“Aye, that's right. Grab th'survival box.”

He held the raft steady as they clambered over the bow, attempting to avoid stepping in the icy seawater. It felt strange to stand on solid ground once more. Impyra's legs wobbled, attempting to adjust for the swaying of the ship which was no longer necessary.

“Stand back,” Virikoor said, pulling a long knife from beneath his coat.

There was a loud pop as he drove the blade into the wall of the raft.

“What are you doing?” Brosen asked, shocked at the destruction.

“Sendin' it back out to the Darna Waters,” the man grinned. If th'Enforcer's find it they might think ye drowned.” He pushed the deflating raft into the surf. “Let's go,” he said, motioning for them to follow.

He led them up the beach to an old car which looked as if it had seen better days. It was a tiny two door vehicle but there was a back seat. Impyra squeezed herself between the front seat and the door frame. Brosen sat in the front, positioning the seat so that it slid all the way forward. The change didn't matter. Impyra's knees were nearly to her chest.

“Wait while I brush off the snow,” Virikoor instructed.

The people of Renenook were far more prepared for the weather than those of Sa'Toret-Ekar. Blizzard conditions were a common occurrence in the north. After clearing the windows, Virikoor fell into the driver's seat and started the engine.

“My house isn't too far,” he said enthusiastically. “Soorina'll have breakfast for ya.”

“Who's Soorina?” Impyra asked, adding another name to her list.

“She's my wife, o'course.” He laughed.

Expecting the little car to struggle, Impyra was impressed when it jolted forward, plowing over the drifts with ease. Brosen gripped the door frame as Virikoor navigated the treacherous roads without difficulty.

“Do you know what the Captain's plan is to avoid the Enforcers?” Impyra couldn't help but ask.

“Aye,” Virikoor nodded with a smile. “He's gonna sink the whole thing.”

“What?” Brosen and Impyra said in unison.

“Ya know, the ship. He's gonna sink it an' they're all gonna jump ship. Go their separate ways.”

Impyra leaned back, closing her eyes in exasperation. “Why would they do that for us?”

“Oh, not for you only,” Virikoor assured her. “Cap'n Dei'Brenen's been ready to retire. The rusted ol'tub can be salvaged later.”

Impyra didn't believe him, but she also realized it was a good way to avoid being arrested.

“Don'cha worry,” Virikoor smiled. “Changes are comin’.”

Brosen looked at him solemnly. “What do you mean?”

“War,” the Renenoors man's smile faded. “Don'cha know anything?”

CHAPTER TWENTY

“You've all seen White Energy guns,” Talon said, her voice carrying easily across the deck of the ship.

Sheyra was impressed by the boss's vocal strength. At least one hundred men and women were gathered, standing at attention. She was at the back with three other new recruits and she could hear clearly.

“Unless you're from Ardnilia, you've never seen this model before.” Talon held up a small gun, similar in appearance to a riffle but easily held in one hand. “This is called a pistol. It will be the weapon of choice for our units. Light, easily concealed, and just as powerful as the larger counterpart. Observe.”

Turning toward the sea she fired a single blast. In a flash of light, the bolt flew out from the ship, an explosion of water erupted skyward where it landed.

“All of you will be trained with dummy guns until such time it is determined you are capable of carrying a live weapon. Some of you have already reached this point, others have a long way to go.” Holstering the weapon, Talon crossed her arms over her chest. “That is all, proceed to your daily training.”

The soldiers began to disperse. Sheyra stood with her fellow recruits; a small young woman with big eyes and all tall, lanky man whose face was covered in scars. She tried not to stare.

“I'm Keysa,” the young woman said.

“Sheyra.”

“Pheyren.”

“When did you arrive?” Keysa asked.

“Yesterday,” Sheyra answered. “You?”

“This morning. We were on the ferry with the guns and the trucks.”

“Trucks?” Sheyra glanced around.

Keysa pointed to the far side of the deck. “Over there, those Enforcer trucks.”

“Oh,” Sheyra nodded, curious to know how they'd acquired the EOVs.

“Good morning,” Nakiya said as she approached the group. “I'll be your first trainer. To start, we need to build your strength. You're going to run two laps around the deck.”

“But it's freezin' out here,” Pheyren complained, teeth chattering.

“You'll warm up. Talon believes this snow isn't going to stop any time soon. We don't have time to wait until spring. Now, get running or you'll be cleaning toilets for the week.”

Sheyra did not complain. This was what she wanted. She began to jog at an even pace. Keysa quickly fell into step beside her. Pheyren hurried ahead, wanting to get out of the cold as quickly as possible.

“Do you know him?” Sheyra asked.

“No,” Keysa shook her head. “Met him on the ferry.”

They ran quietly side by side. The cold air burned her lungs, but Sheyra forced herself to continue. If they were going to fight for their freedom she would have to endure more pain than frigid temperatures.

“Where are you from?” Sheyra asked to distract herself from the pain.

“Ro'Orna-Ky,” Keysa answered. “Plague's making a resurgence in the eastern provinces. I already lost my family the first time, decided not to stick around to see how it turned out this time.”

“I lost my dad, too.” Sheyra acknowledged.

“What about your mom?” Keysa asked.

“She died when I was a baby. My dad didn't talk about it much, too hard for him.”

Keysa nodded in understanding. “Where are you from?”

“Ro'Tesche-En.”

The name of the village brought the girl to a halt. “The one the traitors attacked?”

Sheyra stopped. “They didn't attack,” she said defensively. “Except for me, the village was abandoned. After the plague everyone ran for Rau'Tesche-Awn.”

“Wait, wait,” Keysa said excitedly. “How do you know they didn't attack? Were you there when it happened?”

“Yeah, but that's not what happened. Brosen and Impyra stopped to have some food and change vehicles. Then Kei Xander comes charging in with his helicopters and starts firing on the buildings. They blew up my dad's tavern.”

“What?” Keysa's eyes grew wide. “You actually 
met 
them?”

“We had to run, then I traveled with them down the coast.”

Sheyra felt uneasy from Keysa's increasing excitement.

“I can't believe this!”

Sheyra began to jog away, not sure how to respond. Keysa hurried to catch up to her.

“I knew the reports on the screens were lies! I mean, why would two escaped slaves attack a village? It didn't make any sense. What are they like?”

Sheyra thought for a moment. “They were both quiet, kind of brooding. You could tell they weren't like regular people. They'd just both seen a lot.”

“We've all seen a lot,” Keysa snorted.

“No, I mean, you could tell they weren't able to express their emotions to deal with the things they've seen.” Sheyra tried again, not sure if her explanation could be understood.

They turned to begin jogging back the way they had come. Sheyra thought about Brosen and Impyra, wondering if they still lived. The news of their death would spread quickly. She tried to convince herself that she would already know if they were dead.

Lost in thought, her eyes traced to the horizon. In the distance she saw a beam of light piercing the sky. She squinted. It must be her imagination. Watching the light, it did not waiver.

“Do you see that?” She asked, pointing toward the sky.

Keysa was silent, her eyes attempting to find what Sheyra was seeing.

“What is that?” She gasped when she finally caught sight of it.

“I don't know.”

They came around to where Nakiya was waiting. “Hurry up, ladies, we don't to be out here all day!”

Sheyra pointed to the light. “Look out there, what's that?”

Their trainer turned, annoyed, until she saw what Sheyra was pointing at.

“Oh my,” she breathed. “Keep running, I have to report to Talon.” Nakiya fumbled with her radio. “Boss, you want to come out here and look at this.”

They ran passed, unable to hear the response.

“What do you think?” Keysa whispered.

“It must be important. Maybe something dangerous.”

Quiet for the remainder of their run, they were both panting as they came to a stop. Talon was peering into the sky with a pair of binoculars as Nakiya stood quietly beside her, waiting for instruction. Pheyren had already disappeared, probably escaped to the indoors where it was warm.

“They're here,” Nakiya said to Talon.

The boss lowered the binoculars. “You,” she pointed at Sheyra, motioning her forward. “Have you ever seen this light before?”

“Never,” Sheyra shook he head. “I'm from the north, though.”

“I've never seen it, either.” Keysa pipped up hopefully.

Talon glanced at her from the corner of her eye but otherwise ignored her comment.

“There is an old legend among my people which speaks of the ancients who were capable of creating such a light. They used it to plead for aid from the gods.”

“Gods?” Sheyra wondered if it was an Ardnilian word, she'd never heard it before.

“Ah, of course, you do not know these things.” Talon said. “The gods are beings of great power which created this world. It is possible that light is similar to the one from the old story.”

Sheyra didn't understand. She had never heard of ancient peoples and certainly not gods. How could it be that such things were suddenly appearing when they clearly no longer existed.

“Are you sure it's not a weapon?” Keysa asked, squinting toward the horizon.

“The Empire has never made mention of such a thing.” Talon raised the binoculars. “It is worth investigating.”

“Sheyra!”

She turned to see Jairon jogging toward them, his face grim.

“Sorry, boss,” he said to Talon. “I need to talk to Sheyra, it's important.”

Talon nodded her consent.

“It's Lineya; she's been diagnosed with the plague. They've locked her in quarantine. Lorsen's been re-vaccinated but you'll need to head to medical to have a shot, too.”

“Shit,” Sheyra dragged her fingers through her hair. “How is she?”

“I don't know, she's behind glass and the doctor won’t let anyone in. Come on.”

“Go,” Talon nodded.

“I'll see you later,” Sheyra said to Keysa.

The young woman waved at her sadly. Sheyra followed Jairon, her mind racing. Her worst fears were realized. She didn't know if Lineya would be strong enough to fight off the illness. Tears welled in her eyes as she remembered the girl cheerfully holding up the purple sweater at that store.

Too late.

Sheyra had been too late.

*
 * *

The Outrider
 was the Empire’s fastest ship. Traveling on the most direct route across the Northern Straight from Sa'Toret-Ekar to the northern naval base on Renenoors where the cotenants were at their closest point. The estimated travel time was just over twenty-four hours.

Impatient and driven by compulsion, Xander perched restlessly in the wheelhouse behind the helmsman. Shifting from leg to leg he felt the Seeker sway comfortably against his thigh.

“I know this isn't the fastest this tub is capable of going,” he snapped.

“Your highness,” the helmsman said, attempting to remain patient, “We are going as fast as we can. These are not optimal conditions. If we hit any ice, we'll be swimming instead.”

Xander gripped the hilt of his sword. “Watch your mouth, Enforcer, or I'll have your head.”

His thoughts were overrun by a momentary image of the bodies of the crew slipping into the water, screaming and gasping for air. The sensation of panic as muscles froze and heartbeats slow bubbled through his veins. He licked his lips, intrigued by the possibilities.

The Enforcer clenched his jaw but forced a smile. “I do apologize, your highness.”

Dropped back into the moment, Xander blinked in confusion. The light was too bright. Outside the window the waves and seawater were in much sharper focus than they had been before. He felt dizzy.

“Your highness?” The ship’s captain was staring at him, concerned.

“What?” Xander glared, crossing his arms over his chest.

Unnerved, the captain looked away.

No one understands you. They all think you’re a fool.

A small yellow light began flashing on the ships radio.

“
Outrider
, go ahead,” the captain said flatly into the receiver.

“This is the Kooriellel coast guard reporting,”
said the voice on the other end. “
The Water Skipper
 
has sunk outside the harbor, no survivors found. Repeat, no survivors found.”

Xander's eyes widened.

Lies.

He could feel Impyra’s life-force pulsating in the southwest, strong and steady.

Xander yanked the receiver from the captain's hand. “This is Kei Xander Kei'Oren. Sweep every inch of the coastline, do you hear me? She's alive! They're all alive! Search every house and business in Port Kooriellel until her conspirators are found!”

He threw the receiver down against the switchboard. The captain caught it as it bounced back into the air.

“Your highness,” he said, keeping his voice level, “perhaps it is best you head down to the galley and have a cup of hot tea. It may help calm your agitation.”

Xander envisioned the heads of the crew lodged on spikes attached to the bow of the ship; an old fashioned punishment for disobedience yet effective.

Redden the sea with their blood
.

Xander fought the impulse to draw his sword. He knew the captain was right. There would be no benefit to slaughtering the crew before reaching Renenook. Fighting against the urge to kill, Xander stalked out of the wheelhouse; his heart pounding and his head aching from the effort.

Anger, even rage, was a common emotion he dealt with on a daily basis. There was something inexplicably different about his current emotional state. The visions of violence were more than vivid; and the desire to see them carried out was almost too intense to bare.

Embrace your true self
.

Perhaps it was merely stress. Resolving the issue with Impyra would sooth him, freeing his mind of torment.

* * *

Virikoor's house was backed by a low hill at the edge of a sparse forest located a few miles from town. The tiny building was made of weather-worn logs. A comforting wisp of smoke rose from the stone chimney. Looking at it gave Brosen a strange sense of comfort and longing.

The little car slid to a halt on a flattened patch of snow in front of the door.

“'Here we are,” Virikoor said triumphantly.

Brosen was glad they were stopped.

The door to the house swung open to reveal a swarm of children. A plump woman with a broad, smiling face appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on her apron. The children rushed out into the cold laughing and shouting wildly. Virikoor crouched low, spreading his arms to catch them in an embrace.

Over his shoulder Brosen heard Impyra exhale loudly; more innocents added onto her already overfull conscience.