War (The True Reign Series) (30 page)

“
You really had me there,” Audek replied, relief washing over his face. The four friends laughed. It was wonderful to be joking with one another instead of worrying about the upcoming battle.

A group of Emperion soldiers exited the room near them.

“Are you heading down to the celebration?” Darmik asked. They nodded, but didn’t speak. All five stood with stiff, awkward postures, appearing uncomfortable. “Walk with us,” Darmik said. “We’re heading the same way.” The Emperions exchanged looks with one another, and then joined Darmik’s group.

As they descended the stairs, one Emperion said, “It is rather cold here. It
’s a welcome change.”

After some more idle talk, they reached the gathering
hall. Darmik couldn’t believe the transformation that had taken place in a few short hours. Tables had been brought in and were lined with food and drinks. A group of rebels stood in the corner of the room, singing a fast-beat tune while dozens of couples danced.

Ellie ran over and grabbed Neco
’s hand. “If you don’t mind,” she said to Darmik, “I need some time with my man.” The two of them melted into the crowd of dancers.

He searched
for Rema, but she was nowhere to be seen. Vesha headed in their direction. She asked Savenek if he wanted to dance, but he gracefully declined.

“
Do you know where Rema is?” Darmik asked her.

“
She’s with Mako. Two Emperion soldiers are guarding her tonight.” She turned to face Audek. “Would you like to dance with me?”

He rubbed his hands together.
“I would love to.” The two of them joined the others dancing.

“
Care for a drink?” Savenek asked. Darmik nodded. He could use a cup of ale to calm his nerves. Savenek returned a few minutes later, carrying two pewter mugs. He handed one to Darmik. They clanked them together. “To Rema,” Savenek said.

“To Rema!” Darmik took a drink.

“
The way I see it,” Savenek said, “if we could make it to Emperion, rescue Rema, and safely return…overthrowing Barjon and Lennek should be easy.” He took a sip.

Darmik couldn
’t believe he stood there conversing with Savenek over drinks. He glanced sideways at him, “Nothing with my father is ever easy.”

“
I’m surprised you don’t have any qualms about killing your own flesh and blood.”

It was Savenek
’s lack of tact that bothered him. Like right now, he wanted to smack him. Instead, Darmik finished his drink. “King Barjon has never treated me well. Phellek was more of a father figure than Barjon. As for Lennek, well, we’ve never been close.” He recalled all the times Lennek had gotten him in trouble, lied, or even whipped him. No, their relationship was not a normal one, and he had no idea why. Until Rema, he didn’t feel loved by anyone. The music stopped, and all heads turned toward the entrance. Mako stood there, holding Rema’s arm. She wore a simple dress, but atop her head was the Greenwood Island crown. She looked absolutely stunning.

“
Her Majesty, Amer Rema of Greenwood Island and Emperion,” Mako said. Everyone bowed their heads, and Rema entered the room with a graceful smile, walking straight to Darmik.

“
That’s quite the title,” he said.

She laughed.
“I know. I can’t make someone say all that every time I enter a room.”

The group of singers started a fast-beat tune that Darmik didn
’t recognize. People all around them began dancing. Savenek said he needed to speak with Mako, and he left the two of them alone.

“
Will you do me the honor?” Darmik asked, offering Rema his arm.

She took
it, and they moved closer to the singers. “I can’t believe we’re all here.”

“
I know,” he responded, squeezing her hand. Darmik swung her around so she faced him. He glanced to the couple next to them, who appeared to be doing a basic four-step dance. He smiled. The last time they danced together, she was engaged to Lennek; now, here they were, and she was all his. “Ready?”

She nodded.

He lifted his hands, palms out, facing Rema. She placed her hands against his. Together, they raised their arms up and out. They stepped to the side and slowly turned around.  Facing one another again, Darmik stomped his feet to the beat of the music, Rema mirroring him step for step. The music sped up, and Darmik moved his feet faster and faster, keeping to the rhythm.

Rema lifted her skirt up a bit, allowing her feet to dance uninhibited. She tossed her head back
, laughing. The song ended, and everyone clapped and cheered. The group started singing another fast-beat tune.

Darmik slipped his arm around Rema
’s waist, picking her up and spinning her around. When her feet touched the ground, everyone clapped four times, and then stomped their feet four times. Sweat covered his brow, but he dare not slow down.

Finally
, the musicians decided to take a break and a woman replaced them, singing a slow tune. Darmik pulled Rema tight against his chest. He held her firmly, tucking her head under his chin. Her crown poked his skin, but he didn’t care. It felt too good to have her so close. Her arms wrapped around his waist, hugging him. He wished they could stay like this forever.

Glancing over, he saw Neco and Ellie in each other
’s arms, slowly moving to the music. Vesha and Audek also danced together, although they held one another at arm’s length. It appeared Audek was doing most of the talking. Maya and Kar stood off to the side, intently, but proudly, watching Rema.

Darmik had been so wrapped up
in enjoying his time with Rema that he’d failed to see the obvious until now. While most people were dancing and having a good time, they were separated into three groups: the rebels, the Emperion soldiers, and the members from the King’s Army. Observing each group, it was easy to tell them apart. The Emperion people all had blond hair and fair skin, while everyone else had dark hair, eyes, and skin. Darmik’s soldiers seemed hesitant of the rebels, and the rebels distrustful of them. These three groups would never be able to fight in battle together if they couldn’t even mingle with one another.

“
What are you thinking?” Rema asked.

“
I’m wondering what I can do to unify everyone.”

She stared into his eyes.
“I think that’s a job for the both of us.”

“
Do you have an idea?”

“
Yes,” she said, “I do. I look Emperion, but am from Greenwood Island. I think I should start to bridge the gap between the two. But you, my dear Darmik, can help merge your soldiers with everyone else. They need to know they can trust the rebels and foreigners.”

He kissed her nose.
“I have one suggestion for you.”

She glanced
up at him. “Yes?”

“
Emperions enjoy strong ale. We always celebrated with a drink.”

“
So you’re saying to offer them wine?”

Darmik smiled.
“No, I’m not. You’re the empress. You
suggest
they have a drink. Then make a toast. It’s simply customary.”

“
Oh, right. Got it.” She squared her shoulders and headed toward the Emperions, her guards close behind.

Darmik
went over to his soldiers from the King’s Army. Since he forbade women from entering, and there were only men, none of them were dancing. Instead, they sat around talking and laughing with one another near the food tables.

When Darmik approached, they all lifted their cups in salute. He sat down among them.

One nudged his shoulder. “So, you and the new empress, eh?” Several laughed.

He waved them off, not wanting to talk about her with other
people. “Why aren’t more of you here?” He took a sip of the cider and waited for someone to respond.

“We
’re wondering if word didn’t reach the other companies,” a soldier replied.

Darmik had wondered the same thing.
When he spoke to Traco earlier, his man told him he sent messages to all ten companies. He decided not to push the matter right now. His objective was to unify everyone, not question the loyalty of his army. “Why are you all over here? The Emperions won’t bite.”

“
They look and talk funny,” someone answered.

“
Did you forget that I was born in Emperion and was trained there?”

“
But you don’t look or talk like them.”

“
No, only the lower class has blond hair. The royalty have dark hair and eyes, like mine.”

“
Then why is the empress blonde?”

Darmik sighed.
“Prince Nero fell in love with a commoner. When the emperor forbade the marriage, Nero came here with the girl—who had blonde hair and blue eyes. Rema is their descendent. And let’s not forget, Nero brought other Emperions here. A lot were upper-class citizens with brown hair. So, a lot of you are likely descended from them. We are tied to the empire.”

Neco came over and joined them.
“I’ve been to Emperion,” he said. “Let me tell you, we’re a lot alike. They, too, suffer from a cruel leader who rules with an iron fist. Her Majesty is going to change all that. But in order for her to do so, we need to help her by removing Barjon and Lennek.” He finished off his drink.

Darmik stood.
“We have to be able to work together and trust one another.” He glanced over at Rema, who spoke with the Emperion people. “Let’s go toast our new empress.” He walked toward her across the room, not looking back to see if his men followed him.

“
Thank you so much for your suggestions,” Rema said. “I appreciate it.” The Emperions she talked to smiled kindly at her. “When we return to the mainland, I will be forming a committee of soldiers to help restructure the army. You are all welcome to join.”

“
Hello,” Darmik said, interrupting her. He didn’t want her making too many promises, especially ones regarding the army. Soldiers were used to following orders and needed the hierarchy of command. “I’d like to make a toast.” He went over to the singers and asked them to wait before starting another song. Grabbing a chair, he stood on it and whistled, getting everyone’s attention.

“
Thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate with our beloved Empress Amer Rema!” Cheering rang throughout the room. Darmik raised his cup. “I’d like to make a toast. May our conquest be swift, the punishment just, and victory sweet!”

“
Here, here!” people yelled.

Darmik took a sip of his drink, everyone else doing the same
.

The door to the gathering
hall burst open, and a servant rushed in. “Commander Mako!” she shouted. “Someone is here to see you. It’s urgent.” Mako hurried forward and left with her.

Darmik jumped off the chair and took Rema
’s hand. “Something’s wrong,” he said. “Let’s go.”

They dashed from the room, Neco and Savenek right behind them.

“Wait,” Rema said, coming to a halt. “Someone needs to stay behind and make sure people remain calm. I don’t want anyone to panic unnecessarily.”

Of course
, she was correct, but Darmik really wanted to stay with her and discover what was going on.

“
I’ll stay,” Neco offered.

“
As will I,” Savenek said.

“
Excellent,” Rema replied. “Please make sure people continue to sing and dance. Darmik will inform you of the situation as soon as possible.” She spun around and hurried down the corridor.

When they reached the main floor,
Darmik heard voices coming from near the entrance. He rushed forward and saw a man standing by the door, dripping wet. Mako gave the servant orders for blankets and food.

“
He has hundreds of them,” the man said. “Hundreds.”

“
What’s going on?” Rema demanded.

“
Everyone to the sitting room,” Mako said, ushering them down the corridor. “Quickly now.”

Once inside the room, Mako shut the door.
“This is Parek, one of my scouts.”

Parek removed his wet cape and went before the
hearth. “I’ve been traveling for almost two days straight to reach you,” he said, rubbing his hands together and holding them near the fire.

“
What news do you have?” Mako asked.

There was a knock on the door, and a
servant entered carrying a tray of food. She set it down, and then excused herself.

“
I infiltrated the King’s Army and discovered what’s going on,” Parek said, his face grim. “Lennek has control of the army.”

“
Impossible,” Darmik said. “There’s no way my men would willingly follow him.” Even though he renounced his position as prince and commander, he expected his men to follow him. He didn’t think they supported a corrupt crown.