War (The True Reign Series) (35 page)

“
So what’s this?” she asked, pointing to the map between them.

Mako cleared his throat.
“It’s your parents’ home,” he said. “This is the castle Barjon stormed and slaughtered everyone in.”

“
This is different from King’s Castle?” she asked, kneeling on the ground and studying the map in greater detail.

“
Yes,” Mako said. “After the massacre, the place was abandoned. Since Barjon easily overtook the fortress, he didn’t want to live there. He chose a location further inland, surrounded by flat land. That’s where he built the new castle.”

Rema still didn
’t know why they were all staring at the floor plan of her parents’ home. What did this have to do with anything?

“
Mako found it on Trell’s desk,” Darmik said. Rema remembered finding it there, and Mako asking permission to study it. Darmik cleared his throat. “Mako has a theory.” His intense eyes met hers. “That the king is hiding the children there, and I agree with him.”

Rema focused on the map of her parents
’ home. She observed the stables, courtyards, great hall, towers, kitchen, throne room, bedchambers, and the royal nursery—
her
nursery.

Savenek pointed to the map.
“It would be an excellent place to hide the children since no one knows of its existence.”

“
I’m not so sure,” Neco mumbled. “I’d like to sneak into the enemy’s camp and see if I can discover the location from a captain or Lennek himself.”

“I doubt even a captain knows,” Mako said. “The only way Barjon taking the children hostage works is if no one knows where they are.”

“I agree,” Rema said. “And it’s too risky to have you sneak into enemy territory. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“
He’s more than qualified,” Darmik said. She glared at him. “Well, he is.”

Mako pulled out the dagger
he received from Darmik. He sat there staring at it, lost in thought.

“
This is what I propose,” Rema said. “We go to this castle and see if the children are there. If they are, we rescue them. Hopefully by doing so, we will get the men from the King’s Army to join our side, so we can overthrow Barjon and Lennek. If the children aren’t there, then we’ve lost nothing by simply checking.” She looked at Neco. “Then we return to Emperion and bring a larger army here. That way, we’ll attack Barjon and Lennek with significantly less loss on our side.”

She
grabbed her key necklace, waiting for their responses. Everyone started nodding in approval.

“
I think it’s a wise move,” Darmik said, crossing his arms. “I’d rather get the King’s Army on our side than fight against them.”

“
Very well.” Rema released her necklace. “Tell everyone we’re moving out. I want to be on our way as soon as possible.” In the battle yesterday, more than half of her army had been killed. She didn’t want to sit there and make it any easier for Lennek to finish them off.

“
What about those who are injured?” Neco asked.

“
There is a rebel cave a few miles from here,” Mako offered.

“
Excellent,” Rema said. “Assign one person to assist each injured individual to the cave. Tell them to stay there until they hear from us. Vesha should accompany them as well since she is skilled in healing.”

“
Yes, Your Majesty,” they all said in unison.

****

They traveled to the northern section of Shano toward the Great Ocean, Rema’s guard surrounding her at all times. She feared Lennek would be out searching for them, so she ordered Darmik to keep them far from any roads or trails.

When night came, everyone slept on the hard ground. Rema tossed and turned, imagining an army riding in and slaughtering them all while they slept. She knew Darmik had men guarding the perimeter;
yet, it wasn’t enough to keep the nightmares away.

Mako stood and watched the queen. She kissed the princess, and then tenderly laid her down on Mako
’s bed. Queen Kayln removed the baby’s blanket and slipped a red velvet pouch out of the bodice of her gown, tucking it under the collar of the princess’s dress.

“I love you, my darling child. Keep this close to your heart. I
’ll always be watching over you.”

With trembling hands, Mako picked up his dead baby and removed the knife, tossing it to the ground as if it were on fire. The queen handed Mako the princess
’s royal blanket. He wrapped Tabitha in it, and kissed her forehead like she were still alive.

“Princess Amer is all that is left,” the queen said, wiping her tears. “Even if she never fulfills her duty as ruler of our land, I want her to live.”

She bent down and pressed her lips to her daughter’s cheek one last time.

Rema
’s eyes flew open. Everything around her was calm. She felt her key necklace against her chest and rolled over, closing her eyes and trying to fall back asleep.

Soft w
hispers drifted toward her and she strained her ears, listening.

“
Please, I beg you, don’t fight. You can stay back where it’s safe.” It sounded like Neco, but she wasn’t sure.

“
I understand your concern,” Ellie answered. “But I promised Maya I would watch out for Rema.”

“
Neither one of you should be there when we go in.”

She sighed.
“I know you’re worried, but I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. You know that.”

“
I do,” he responded. “It’s just that, I’ve never been in battle knowing the woman I loved was in it, too.” There was a shuffling sound. “And I’ve never had anything to live for, until now. If I died, it was always for a good cause. Now I don’t want to die. I want to live—with you by my side.”

This was a conversation Rema should not be hearing. She rolled over, making as much noise as possible.

****

After traveling hard and fast for a week,
early one morning Rema and her soldiers arrived at a twenty-foot high stone wall. They walked alongside it until they came to a section that was crumbled, allowing them to easily climb over the rubble. Once inside the wall, Rema froze, stunned at the sight before her. In the middle of the lush, green valley, among tall greenwood trees, stood an enormous castle, one side collapsed in, another section black as if it had been burned, while another side stood untouched by time. A stream wound its way around the place. Even though she didn’t remember being here before, she felt a connection to the castle, as if it called to her.

Mako came
over. “There’s a secret entrance. That’s how I escaped with you. I suggest we use it, so no one knows we’re here.”

She placed her hand on his forearm.
“How are you doing?” she asked, worried about the memories this place stirred for him.

“
I’m not going to lie. This will be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.” He stared into the distance, lost in thought.

Darmik approached. “We need to get
to the bottom of the hill and hide among the trees before someone spots us.”

Savenek took her arm, leading her down the rise to the forest below. Once
they were out of sight, Rema asked, “Any suggestions on how to proceed?”

“It appears lifeless,” Savenek said. “I d
on’t see anything that indicates someone is inside.” He kicked the toe of his boot into the moist soil.

Rema
thought so too. Although, if Barjon had the children hidden there, he would make sure they were well concealed.

“
A small group should be sent in to investigate,” Mako said. “While that’s happening, the rest of our army can surround the castle.”

Darmik agreed. “I
’ll send Neco in with five men to locate the children.”

“
I’ll show them the entrance,” Mako said, “and explain the layout, but I don’t want to accompany them.”

R
ema turned to Darmik. “Are you going, too?”

“
I want to, but I’m not leaving. I need to be here directing everyone.”

Relief washed through Rema. She
feared what lay behind the castle walls.

Mako left to show Neco and his men
to the secret tunnel, while Darmik started organizing his soldiers into position. Rema leaned against a tree trunk, waiting, Ellie by her side. The sun rose high in the sky.

“
What could possibly be taking so long?” Ellie asked, fidgeting with her hands.

“
There’s a lot to investigate,” Rema answered. The castle was huge. She had no idea where Neco would even start.

“
What’s that noise?”

It sounded like horse hooves. Savenek ran over
to Rema, grabbing her. “Someone’s coming!” he took her and Ellie deeper into the cover of the trees, where they stood in silence.

After several minutes, Mako joined them.
“A dozen soldiers were spotted riding their horses to the castle. Among them are Barjon and Lennek.”

“
Are you sure?” Rema asked, stunned.

“
Yes,” Mako said. “Which can only mean one thing—the children are here.”

Rema never imagined finding the king and prince here too. Everyone looked at her for guidance.
“We need to do something about Lennek and Barjon. Now may be our only chance.”

Mako stood staring at her.
“What do you suggest?”

“
We’re going in,” she said. “Take us to the entrance.”

“I
won’t escort a large group of people inside,” Mako said. “Otherwise Barjon will know we’re here.”

“Very well,” Rema conceded. “
Then take Savenek, Ellie, and me.”

Mako led them through the trees
to an area dotted with large boulders. Climbing over the mossy rocks, she recognized a boulder shaped like a bird—it was almost identical to the one near her home back in Jarko. She froze.

“
Do you know this symbol?” Mako asked. She nodded and headed left, stopping before a cluster of rocks. Mako looked at her with his eyebrows raised.

“
There,” she said, pointing to an area where the stones were piled high.

Mako smiled.
“Kar taught you well.” He went to the side of the mound and moved some vines aside, revealing a narrow entrance to a cave.

She was just about to take a step forward when
Darmik ran up behind her.

“
Everyone is in position,” he said, “spread around the castle. Neco has located the children in the dungeon. He’s going to start bringing them out.”

“
Barjon and Lennek are here,” Rema told him.

Darmik
’s eyes widened, clearly not expecting to run into his father and brother today. “Are you sure? We haven’t encountered many soldiers. There’s just a few inside with the kids.”

“
The army is probably nearby,” Savenek said. “I bet Barjon and Lennek came here with only a couple of guards in order to keep this place a secret.”

“
That’s plausible,” Darmik mumbled. “Very well. Rema, wait out here with Savenek and Ellie. Mako and I will deal with them.”

“
No,” she said, standing tall. “I’m going in.” She pointed to the cave. “And the four of you will accompany me. We end this today.” She pushed past Darmik and entered the tunnel. Blackness engulfed her. A dripping sound came from somewhere inside. Her heart pounded. Grabbing her key necklace, she whispered, “Mother, Father, Davan, and Jetan, please watch over me and give me strength. With your help and guidance, I will destroy the men responsible for ruining the kingdom and countless lives.”

A hand slid around her arm.
“This way,” Mako whispered, pulling her forward. “Everyone keep a hand out to the side so you don’t run into a wall. Keep walking.”

They
continued in darkness for a good thirty minutes before Mako stopped.

“
There are three ways in and out of the castle,” he said. “I’m trying to figure out the best approach.”

Rema still couldn
’t see a single thing and was surprised when Darmik spoke right behind her. “Neco is bringing the children out through the west entrance, near the dungeon. I suggest we avoid that route.”

“
Very well,” Mako said. “Then we should enter on the east side of the castle.”

They traveled
in silence for a few more minutes. Mako came to a stop, the hand holding her arm shook. “I always hoped to bring you back here one day,” he said. “I didn’t think it would be under these circumstances, though.” He released her. She heard what sounded like wood sliding, and then pale light illuminated the tunnel.

Rema stepped past Mako and entered a small room. A bed was positioned against one wall
, while a bassinet stood in a corner. A worn rug covered the stone floor. Looking closer, she noticed fabric on the ground. It appeared to be a dress—along with bones. She glanced to the bassinet, now noticing the rusty brown on the frayed, ivory bedding. Rema covered her mouth with her hands, tears pooling in her eyes. She stood in Mako’s bedchamber where his wife and baby daughter, Tabitha, had been murdered. Darmik, Savenek, and Ellie all exited the room and entered the castle’s corridor. Mako came next to her.