Light of Epertase 01: Legends Reborn (35 page)

The first cot inside the door held a soldier, no, a boy no older than 16. He was motionless with death’s stare. His skin was waxy. One of his arms was missing and the empty shoulder socket was swarming with maggots. His other arm stood stiff in the air like he reached for something, maybe an angel … or his mom. The bloody floors were slick like ice.

Alina appeared dazed as though she’d been whacked in the head with a rock. Rasi followed quietly. As painful as those sights were, he knew they were crucial for a queen to see if she were about to lead men to such a fate.

The nurses and doctors worked at a frenzied pace with a controlled chaos as they fought a losing battle against the death in the room. The nurses wore handkerchiefs covered with bloody fingerprints across their mouths and noses, their gowns equally stained red.

One of the nurses bowed, “Your highness, it is good to have you back.” Alina waved off her pleasantries as her focus was elsewhere. The nurse continued, “The wounded are just starting to arrive from Lithia. We are overwhelmed.”

Alina answered that she understood and ordered James to put a call out to the medical people throughout Thasula at once. She ordered the festival tents constructed in the royal gardens as another infirmary.

“Right away, your highness.” He turned to leave but she stopped him. “Oh, yes. Gather all of my father’s military documents and deliver them to the guest room at once. Take Rasi there when he is ready.”

“Of course, your Highness.”

After all she had been through, Rasi saw her innocence leave her. Something inside her had snapped and it made him sad and proud at the same time. That was the moment he knew she would make a fine queen and that his decision to lead her army was the right one.

She asked the nurse, “Do you know Aidric? Have you seen him?”

“Yes, your Highness. He arrived this morning. I’ll take you to him.”

Aidric’s face was a balloon of purple and black and his head was wrapped in red and white bandages. Alina sat next to him and touched his swollen hand. She whispered, “It’s me, Aidric. Alina.”

He looked toward her voice like a blind man would, his eyes mere slits on his face. She whispered for him to relax and he winced as he tried to smile. A cloth set at his bedside table and she dipped it into a pitcher of water before dabbing it across his crusty, cracked lips.

“I have much to tell you, Princess.”

She politely corrected him. “I am now Queen. We will stay all night if we must.”

And that is what they did. Aidric’s bouts with unconsciousness were frequent, but by night’s end, Rasi was pleased with the knowledge gained and he made his departure. Alina stayed with her wounded friend.

James escorted Rasi to his room. For most of the day, Rasi studied the files and scribbled-upon maps that were sprawled across a massive oak desk. One folder partially exposed amid the pile of paperwork read “Confidential, King Elijah only” on its cover. Also at the center of the desk was a thick stack of papers lying overtop the portion of the map revealing Shadows Peak. Along the top of the open page was the handwritten heading, “Paisel’s Report.” Rasi sat and began reading Paisel’s revealing report. He would leaf through it five times before the day ended.

Though he was hesitant when he began studying the report, by evening he was invigorated and impassioned as though he had never left the military. He was an artist who had been kept from his craft for many years and then suddenly given the canvas of the world. This was where he excelled. This was why he was born and damn those who took it from him.

He studied until his eyes blurred and weights hung from his lashes. Several times, he nodded off only to wake up to the appealing sight of the bed across the room beckoning him to its comfort. He tried to remember when last he slept, even as his straps lie draped across the rug.

Elijah’s war plan was flawed. One only needed to read the reports of Lithia’s fall or listen to Aidric’s words to see. This invading army, this Tek army, was strong and unwavering – relentless and cold. How could Rasi tell Alina that the Teks may well be unbeatable? He sat at the desk and rubbed his temples raw until he finally succumbed to a fitful sleep.

T
ap, tap, tap, tap.

He was startled awake.

“Rasi?” Queen Alina’s soft voice put his tension and his aroused straps at ease.

Come in, Alina.

“Simcane is here to speak with you.”

Rasi rose to his feet.
By all means, bring him in.

The hulk of a man limped into the room. “Rasi, my friend.”

They shook hands.
Alina, ask him what I can do for him.

She did.

“I am here for the war effort, of course,” he replied.

She continued to speak Rasi’s thoughts. “Surely, mercenary work pays better than soldiering.”

“Indeed,” he answered. “But it’s not as steady as I’d like. Besides, I do like the idea of fighting under our new Queen’s command. Something … honorable about it, I suppose.”

“How are you healing?” she asked.

“My body mends as we speak. I will be right soon enough.”

“Well I may have something for your special set of skills. How do you feel about work behind enemy lines?”

Simcane grinned. “Like old times.”

Rasi led him and Alina to the outstretched map on the table. For the next several hours, he detailed his new plan as Simcane sat quietly and listened. When Rasi finished, Simcane looked up with an encouraging smirk. “When do I leave?”

“Immediately. How many men do you need?”

“If they are the right men, six should do.”

Rasi turned to Alina.
Who do we have?

“I’ll have Jarrah head up a search for Epertase’s best.” She looked to Simcane, “Where do you want to meet your team?”

“Well, good lady. Since time seems to be an issue, I am going to have to trust your judgment in choosing my team. I will meet them in three moons at the southern Lithian town of Pataska. There is a large church at the northern edge of the Boke Forest. They can’t miss it. I’ve spent time there in the past. It is out of the way and perfect for our meet.”

“Very well. Rasi, do you need anything else?”

Yes. Order the commanders to the war room at dawn.
Alina and Simcane left the room. Rasi stretched out onto his bed. Sleep would be a precious commodity in the coming days.

It was morning.

Early.

Queen Alina paced in front of the giant war room map, awaiting the arrival of the remaining commanders who hadn’t yet departed for the front lines. Rasi waited as well, hidden in a dark corner at the back of the room, his straps concealed beneath a large robe. For years, when she looked into Rasi’s eyes, she saw the man she wanted to spend her life with, raise a family with. But knowing all she had learned since her rescue, something now felt different. As he stood emotionless at the edge of the room, she saw an anger building within him that she hadn’t seen before. She knew he had killed in his past, of that there was no doubt, but she’d never seen a penchant for violence so clearly on his face. His eyes looked like a man ready for killing, almost eager for it. She told herself that was how men prepared for battle though those silent words didn’t remove her fear.

She thought back to when he told her about her father and what he had planned to do on the night her grandparents were murdered. He seemed as willing to kill her father, and anyone who got in his way, as he was to hide from the rain. Was this the man to raise a family with? Her life was changing in many ways and she had to see the world differently now. He had been everything to her and her heart broke that she saw someone different standing before her. She knew he’d never hurt her but she also knew, or thought she knew, he’d never kill as easily as what he seemed prepared to do.

Her eyes met his and she gave him a timid smile. He looked away.

The double doors swung open. Dru, Jarrah, and Masera entered, engaged in idle chatter.

Terik was next through the door and took his seat.

Queen Alina began, “Gentlemen, I am pleased to have such respected commanders preparing our powerful military at this time of need. I am sorry to take you from your duties but I feel I must. We are on the verge of setting my father’s war plan into motion and I have become concerned.”

Terik smiled, anticipating that the plans had just changed.

Alina continued, “If you haven’t heard, Aidric has returned and is mending as we speak.”

Smiles filled the room.

“He has brought us much intelligence on our enemy and his experiences concern me. I believe our plan is flawed and we need to make immediate adjustments.”

Jarrah spoke up, “Your Highness, it is too late for changes. The Teks approach the Lowland-Lith border as we speak. The Lowlanders will be dead soon and we will be next. We have three, four days, tops.”

“That does complicate our plans. Moving entire armies in such little time is impossible, at best. However, we have taken our limitations into account.”

“We, your highness?” Dru asked.

She waved her hand. Rasi stepped into the light. Dru casually turned his head toward the footsteps. His eyes met with Rasi’s and he sprang to his feet, sword instantly drawn. His chair crashed to the ground. “Queen, get behind me.”

He stepped toward Rasi, weapon raised. Rasi moved forward, ignoring his aggressor like Dru was little more than a bee without its stinger. His straps, however, weren’t so relaxed and slipped out from beneath his robe.

Easy,
Rasi ordered them, though they remained tense.

Alina hurried between the straps and Dru. “Dru, all is right.” She placed her comforting hand on his shoulder. “Do not fear him. Not all you have heard is true. Rasi has been a friend to me for a long time and today he is a friend to Epertase.” She gently guided him back to his overturned chair. “Please be seated, my friend.”

Dru trained his angry stare at Rasi as he slowly righted his chair and sat. Alina continued, “As your Queen, I want you …” She paused. “No … I need you to trust me with what I have to say next.”

Rasi stood beside her.

Before she spoke again, she purposefully looked into the eyes of each member of her council. “I am placing Rasi in command of the military from this moment onward.” Terik nodded, obviously pleased. The others broke into arguing rumbles.

She interrupted. “Rasi was a great soldier for my grandfather’s army and served with my father in the Heathen Wars. Over the last several years, he has more than earned my trust and respect.”

Dru shook his head in disbelief. Terik watched the unsure commanders before speaking his piece. “A wise choice, your Highness.” He turned and faced his silenced comrades. Their attention made it obvious he had earned their respect over the years. “I, too, have known Rasi for many years and I will vouch for him.”

“Terik,” Tate said. “If you vouch for this man, then I trust your judgment. I say welcome, Rasi.”

Jarrah leaped to his feet. “Where is Tevin?” he shouted.

Alina answered, “He has yet to return.”

He pointed at Rasi and yelled, “You killed him. You killed my brother-in-law.”

Rasi stood emotionless, teeth clenched. He had no interest in engaging in accusations nor cared much if Tevin were indeed dead.

Jarrah kicked his chair away and stormed around the table, appearing ready to throw punches. Terik grabbed him by the shoulders.

“Easy, friend. Tevin will return. He probably hasn’t heard the change in events. Trust me.”

“I don’t know about this. I’ll be watching this criminal. As I look around, it doesn’t seem I have much choice.” He righted his chair and sat with huffed breaths and fixated eyes on Rasi.

Alina continued, “Rasi has developed a new war plan that I believe in wholeheartedly. It is our greatest chance for victory as far as I am concerned. I have already set the plan into motion.”

Rasi looked to Terik. Alina spoke for him. “Terik, I need you to head for the Lowlands with Masera and the Elite Guard. You are to escort and protect Queen Alina while she attends to some business in the Lowlands. Once finished, you will continue to our northern front lines while Masera brings Alina back home. As each of you leaves, James will give you a copy of our new strategy and your orders. Learn them. Then destroy them. Since Commander Andon is already at the northern front, he will operate in conjunction with you. Commander Dru, you are to head for Havens Ravine and await my arrival. Is all understood?”