Rise (26 page)

When we started ascending, a
soldat
blocked our path. “Your group is working awfully late,” he said.

“Yeah,” one of the men responded. “But we’re done for the day. Finally met our quota.”

“You’re the last group,” the man replied. “Go ahead.”

I kept my head down as we passed him
and went up the steep incline toward the exit. The slope leveled out and fresh, cool air greeted us. When we walked out of the mines, it was almost dark out and close to curfew. We didn’t have much time to seek shelter in order to avoid being arrested. The group quickly split up into smaller groups of two or three, everyone heading home for the night.
Soldats
stood on the street corners closely observing the citizens hurrying about. They were probably keeping an eye out for me, but they didn’t expect I would be dressed in a mining uniform. Anders’s plan was brilliant.

The three of us swiftly made our way along the streets, not talking. Anders stopped before a nondescript apartment building and opened the door. We went inside, down a dark hallway, and entered the last doorway on the right. It was an unfurnished, dimly lit room filled with a dozen men I didn’t recognize.

Everyone’s eyes immediately went to Vidar. He pulled my bo staff out from under his clothing and handed it to me. It felt good to have the wood between my hands again. He smiled and addressed everyone in the room. “Thank you for coming. It’s going to be a long night of planning. First, allow me to introduce Kaia, the twelfth Kriger.”

I nodded my head once, wondering who these men were.

“Please give me a moment, and then we’ll begin.” Vidar gingerly took my hand and led me to an adjacent room with a single cot and nothing else. He closed the door.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“The men out there are the leaders of our organization. We’re here to plan the Krigers’ rescue. Then they’ll pass the information down the line. This is the most effective way since gathering in large numbers is dangerous.”

Vidar pulled off his uniform, tossing it in the corner. I did the same.

“You can come out and listen to us, or you can use this time to rest for a few hours.” He pointed to the bed. “It’s up to you.”

Exhaustion consumed me, but I wanted to hear what these men had to say. “I’ll go with you.”

We rejoined everyone, and Vidar took control of the meeting as if he’d done this a hundred times before. One man laid designs for the interior of the castle on the floor. Everyone gathered around the papers and started brainstorming ideas on how to sneak in and free the Krigers. Sitting on the outskirts, I watched as the men spoke passionately with one another.

Anders sat on the ground next to me, handing me a loaf of bread. “Sorry it’s a little hard. It’s all I have.”

“Thank you.” Leaning against the wall watching everyone, I yawned, trying to stay awake.

Anders’s leg nudged mine. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m fine.”

He studied me a moment before scooting closer and speaking in my ear. “Each of these men is in charge of a different section of the capital. Those two over there,” he pointed to two guys who had beards and were warmly dressed, “are from nearby cities. They snuck in for this. When we’re done, they’ll send runners back to their hometowns to report and gather forces if necessary.”

“You communicate with other cities in Nelebek?”

He nodded. “It’s one of the main reasons Vidar and I live where we do. We are only a few days’ journey to all the major cities in the kingdom.”

“Are the two of you the leaders?”

Anders grinned. “Vidar is. Like I’ve said before, I’m bound to him.”

“What does that mean?”

“That is a conversation for another time.” He reached out and squeezed my hand, sending a smidgeon of warmth through me. I turned my head toward him, and my breath caught—our faces were mere inches apart. I’d never wished to kiss a man before. However, sitting here next to Anders, I wanted to kiss him. My face warmed, and I leaned forward. One little kiss wouldn’t hurt … just the feel of his skin, his lips.

“What do you think, Kaia?” Vidar asked, making me jump. Several men turned and looked at me.

I hadn’t heard a word that had been spoken in the past five minutes. “I don’t know. Please explain it one more time.”

Vidar’s eyes narrowed. I gave him my full attention, ignoring Anders and the expression of shock written across his face.

Vidar said, “We’ll send in men here, here, and here.” He pointed to the map. “Then you and Anders will enter through here.” He pointed to another spot on the map. “The two of you will make your way to the dungeon while everyone else keeps the
soldats
distracted. Once the guards are neutralized, you’ll use your power to break the magical ward keeping the Krigers there.”

“What if Kaia is captured?” Anders asked, his voice low.

“Aren’t you the one who’s always telling me how strong and capable she is?”

“The plan sounds simple enough,” I said, interrupting them. “Let’s do it.”

Anders stiffened beside me. “Are you certain?”

“You’ll be there with me. What could possibly go wrong?”

***

“Kaia,” Vidar said, gently shaking me awake.

“Where’d everyone go?” I sat up and looked around the empty room. My back was stiff from having slept on the hard floor.

“After finalizing plans, everyone left. It’s just you and me.” He pulled me to my feet.

“What about Anders?” I’d fallen asleep with my head on his shoulder and his arm wrapped around my lower back, holding me tightly against him.

“He has a few things to take care of before tonight.”

“Is there time to practice?” I stretched my arms above my head. My bo staff rested against the wall, calling me.

Vidar smiled, and his eyes sparkled with mischief.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Your father wants to see you before tonight.”

I ran for the door. The thought of seeing Papa during this trip hadn’t occurred to me.

“Wait,” Vidar said, laughing. “You can’t walk on the streets carrying a bo staff.”

“I’m not leaving it here.”

“Fine,” he mumbled, taking it from me. “I’ll put it under my shirt and pants like before.” He slid it under his clothing.

“Thank you.”

His finger tilted my chin up so I was forced to look into his eyes. “Do you not want to marry me because you have feelings for another man?”

My breath caught—he couldn’t possibly think I was in love with someone else because that was preposterous.

“Kaia?”

“I’m only sixteen and not ready to marry.”

“Are you refusing me?” he asked in disbelief. “Knowing that Grei Heks said all will be lost if our bloodlines aren’t mixed to produce a child before Morlet is killed?”

“We need to focus on the Krigers right now.”

His hand dropped from my face. When I was around Vidar and he pressured me about getting married, it felt wrong. It couldn’t possibly be because I was developing feelings for another man, could it? Because if Grei Heks said Vidar and I were supposed to be together, then surely it would feel right—like using my bo staff did.

“Let’s go,” he muttered.

We left the apartment building, neither one of us speaking. I kept my head down as we traveled from the south end of the capital to the western sector. Vidar led me to a gray four-story building. We entered and climbed two flights of stairs, went down a hall and into a small, musty room. Several beds were shoved haphazardly against the walls, a table stood in the middle of the room, and shelves filled with food and books took up the remaining wall space.

Situated in the corner of the room, my father was sitting on a chair. When he saw me, he slammed his book shut. I ran over and wrapped my arms around his neck.

He kissed my head and held me at arm’s length. “You look good.” He smiled. Vidar cleared his throat, and my father glanced at him. “It’s good to see you, too. Thanks for taking care of my girl.”

“It’s my honor,” Vidar replied as he removed my weapon from his clothing.

The three of us sat at the table. Papa reached his hand out, and I clasped it. Although faint, the wheezing was still there, and his skin had a sheen of sweat on it.

“How are you?” I asked. “Are you being well cared for here?”

He attempted a smile. “My dear, sweet girl,” he muttered. “I just wanted to see you one last time. And here you are.” His eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry I won’t be there to see the Krigers rise.”

I shook my head, refusing to believe Papa was going to die. “You looked good the last time I saw you. What happened?” His pocket was bulging with a bloodstained handkerchief.

My father patted my hand, wheezing. “Although the medicine has helped, it’s not a cure. My lungs are failing.”

“I hate that working in the mines has done this to you.” Anger and pain warred inside of me.

A ghost of a smile flitted across his face. “Please don’t be sad.”

Tears slid down my cheeks, dropping onto the table. “Don’t leave me. I need you.” My heart constricted as if someone were crushing it.

Papa’s eyes darted to Vidar and then back to me. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about being a Kriger sooner.”

“You were just trying to keep me safe.” I released his hand and wiped my cheeks.

“Your mother would be so proud of you. You’ve turned into such a beautiful, strong woman.”

At a loss for words, I hugged Papa, resting my head on his chest, wishing we could stay like this forever.

“I have one request.”

“Anything.”

“End this,” he said, wheezing. “Kill Morlet, and restore peace to Nelebek. You must save our family from this wretched curse.”

“I promise.”

He kissed the top of my head. “I know you can do it.”

“If I could be so bold,” Vidar said. “I know you’re concerned about your daughter’s future—especially since you won’t be there to protect her.” My father’s jaw quivered at the truth of Vidar’s words. “I have a solution. Give me your blessing to marry your daughter. I promise to take good care of her. She will want for nothing.”

It felt as if I’d been punched in the stomach. My father was going to die—now was not the time for marriage proposals.

“This is a dream come true,” Papa whispered. Another punch to my stomach. I looked at my father and saw the unspoken words in his eyes. He wanted this for me. “To know she’ll be loved and taken care of.” His smile softened the lines around his eyes as his body relaxed with relief.

“Do I have your blessing then?” Vidar asked.

“I would be honored to give my daughter to you, but she has no dowry, no money.”

“Your daughter is more than enough.”

“It is too good to be true,” Papa said. “Then yes, you have my blessing.” My father shook Vidar’s hand.

“Thank you.”

“It is I who should thank you,” Papa said.

Balling my hands into fists, hurt filled me. I was a person, not a piece of property. Yet, seeing how happy this made my father, I couldn’t deny him that. “Thank you, Papa.” I forced a smile.

“We need to go,” Vidar gently said.

“I’ll be in the mines tonight to make sure you have a clear path to the dungeon,” my father said.

“You should stay here and rest,” I urged him.

He shook his head. “I will be there protecting you.” There would be no changing his stubborn mind.

I stood and hugged Papa. “I love you.”

“Be safe,” he said.

I nodded and hurried out of the room, unable to look back.

Before leaving the apartment building, I stopped and glared at Vidar. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

“We’ll talk about it later. Come on, we’re going to be late.”

“Where are we going?”

“A local tavern,” he responded. “We’re meeting some people there.” He peered out at the main street. When it was clear, we exited and started walking. Vidar hunched over and leaned on the bo staff for support as if he were an elderly man.

“Aren’t you going to hide my weapon?”

“It’s my walking stick,” he said. “When we arrive at the tavern, I can’t very well sit with it under my clothes.” He gave me a lopsided grin, and I wanted to hit him. He was far too chipper over the stunt he just pulled with my father.

“We’re here,” Vidar said as he shoved a wooden door open, and we stepped inside a dark tavern. The long, lacquered bar at the front, the round tables, and the scantily clad women were all familiar. Of course, it made sense we’d come to this tavern since there was an entrance to the underground tunnels here.

We went to a table at the back where Vidar nonchalantly slid my weapon on the ground next to my feet. A serving wench brought us two mugs of ale.

“I’ve been here before,” I said, pulling my mug closer to me.

“You don’t strike me as a tavern sort of girl.”

I snorted. “I’m not. Anders brought me here before we escaped from the capital. This is where we bedded.”

Vidar spit out his drink. “Where you
what
?” he shrieked.

I chuckled. “Didn’t he tell you the story? That’s how we managed to get past the
soldats.
We pretended I worked here as a harlot, and he was a patron.”

Vidar cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t picture either one of you pulling that off.”

A young woman entered the tavern. Vidar turned his head, watching her glide across the room. She headed our way, tossing her blond hair over her shoulder and walking tall, exuding confidence. She appeared to be in her early twenties and wore a nice dress indicating she was from a merchant family. Her eyes briefly scanned me before resting on Vidar. He smiled, and she winked as she passed by, sitting at a nearby table.

“Do you know her?”

Vidar tore his eyes away from the beautiful girl. “Her father is one of the leaders,” he softly replied. “She’s meeting us here with two other men.”

“Then why is she sitting over there?”

“So she doesn’t draw attention to us.”

I traced my finger along the top of my mug, not drinking any of the strong-smelling ale. I may not have had any experience courting or flirting, but that didn’t mean I was blind. Vidar obviously had feelings for that girl. “Can we talk about that stunt you pulled with my father?”