War (The True Reign Series) (11 page)

He let go, putting his knife away. “Now listen closely,” he spoke. “When we arrive, we’ll be disguised as merchants as we travel through the city to the palace. Then I will take you in through the servants’ entrance and inform the emperor you’re there.”

Rema wondered why he told her his plan.
“And then I’ll be executed?” Rema whispered.

“
Yes.”

“
By you?” she asked.

Nathenek
’s eyes darkened. “I’m an assassin, not an executioner. He’ll either have me kill you immediately and, if that’s the case, I promise to do it swiftly and as painlessly as possible. Or, he’ll have you publicly executed before the city. That occurs the first day of every new week.”

There was a knock on the door.
“Captain told me to tell you we’re coming into port.”

“
Thanks,” Nathenek yelled, loud enough for the sailor to hear through the closed door. “We don’t have much time,” he said to Rema.

She was well aware how
little time she had to escape. Could she jump off the boat and swim to shore? Or should she wait until they were on the dock to get away?

Nathenek pulled out a brown cape.
“Put this on,” he instructed.

The air was hot and
sticky—unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. The last thing she felt like doing was putting on a heavy, warm cloak. Besides, this would make it impossible for her to swim.

“
Trust me,” Nathenek said. “Not only is the sun hot, burning exposed skin, especially white skin like yours, but the sand is severe. You’ll need it for your protection.”

Rema
reluctantly took the cape, draping it over her shoulders. There was fabric around her neck and she pulled it out, thinking it was a hood, but the material was too long.

“
That’s for your face,” Nathenek said as he put on his own cloak. “If a sandstorm picks up, wrap the fabric around your head to protect your ears, nose, and eyes.”

A sandstorm?
As frightened as she was with the need to escape, she was equally intrigued by the fact that she was about to step foot on foreign soil.

“
Fix your cap so your hair is completely concealed.”

While Rema adjusted her
hat, Nathenek closed and locked his footlocker. He picked it up, lifting it above his head. “Let’s go.”

Rema followed him to the top deck
, where a flurry of activity was going on. The sails were being lowered and men ran around, yelling commands she didn’t understand.

“Wait here,” Nathenek instructed, leaving her next to the door, out of everyone
’s way. He hurried over to a man dressed in a long, brown cape, his head concealed by a large hood. She wondered if it was Trell, and if so, what the assassin planned on doing with him.

Nathenek set his
footlocker down and handed the man a small bag and some papers. The man nodded, briefly glancing her way. Nathenek returned to her, leading her toward the front of the ship, and away from the mysterious man.

“What
’s going to happen to him?” she asked, assuming it was Trell.

“
That is none of your concern,” he said in a harsh tone, making her flinch.

They stopped next to the railing on the starboard side of the ship. There were several docks jetting out from a larger pier, all filled with ships of various sizes. Beyond the port was a massive
, tan wall lining the beach in each direction for as far as she could see. A large opening stood in the wall, and all traffic seemed to accumulate in that gateway.

Past the wall, flat land covered with rows and rows of structures so numerous, Rema didn
’t see any spacing between the buildings. In the far distance stood bare, rolling hills.

The sun beat down, sizzling hot,
and the air felt heavy. Rema swayed, lightheaded. Nathenek grabbed her arm. “Are you well?” he asked.

“I
’m fine,” Rema snapped, pulling away from his grip. “Just nervous about my death.”

The
boat came into an empty slip. Sailors pushed the massive anchor over the side and into the water. Nathenek drew her away from the railing.

“
I know you want to see,” he said, “but I can’t have anyone recognize me.” He wrapped the fabric around his face, leaving only his blue eyes exposed, concealing his identity. “When we descend the ramp, keep your face down and don’t speak to anyone. Understood?”

Rem
a nodded. “Where’s the emperor’s palace located?” She wanted to make sure that once she escaped, she didn’t head in that direction.

“
We must travel through the city a couple of miles. It’s on the backside.”

That would give Rema
plenty of time to escape. The thought of being alone in a foreign country, especially one as hostile as Emperion, was terrifying. Still, she knew she could get away and survive on her own.

“
Let’s go.” Nathenek took Rema’s elbow, guiding her toward the exit.

Several of the crew members carried
crates down the ramp, stacking them on the dock.

“
Grab one,” Nathenek ordered. “Put it on top of your head. Be careful to keep your balance when you descend.”

Now was not the time to make a run for it. She needed to wait until she was among all those people working on the wharf and could easily blend in and disappear among them.

Rema wondered what was inside the crates. Food? Supplies? Whatever it was, King Barjon had no right exporting products while so many in the kingdom suffered from a lack of food. Grabbing a crate, she did as instructed. Luckily, it wasn’t too heavy, and she made it off the ship and down the ramp with ease.

After setting the crate
on top of another, an atrocious odor almost made her gag. It smelled like a dead, rotting animal. Rema pulled the wrap around her face, trying to block the foul stench. The dozens of people about, unloading the merchant ship, seemed unfazed by the stink. Before she had a chance to get lost among the chaos, Nathenek snatched her arm, pulling her away from the dock and toward the entrance in the wall.

“
Keep your head down,” he instructed, holding onto her arm with an iron grip. They stepped off the wooden pier and onto solid ground. Rema swayed, but Nathenek held her tight. “Walk fast and with purpose, and whatever you do, don’t leave my side.” Rema couldn’t help but laugh. “You think this is funny?” Nathenek leaned down, close to her face.

“
You act like you’re trying to protect me.”

“
I am.”

“
By taking me to the emperor to be executed? I don’t think so. I’ll take my chances here if afforded the opportunity.”

Nathenek shook his head.
“Death by execution is a mercy compared to what will happen if the army gets ahold of you.”

“
After spending two weeks with me,” Rema said, “I thought you’d know me better than that.” She refused to be led to slaughter like some animal. She would fight, and she would get away.

Nathenek stopped walking.
Dozens of people moved past them as if they weren’t even there. Everyone wore cloaks that covered their entire bodies, including heads, leaving only their faces exposed. No one looked Rema in the eyes. It was as if everyone were afraid of something.

“
The army is ruthless,” Nathenek whispered in her ear. “They beat you down in order to break you—make you obedient. Yes, I know you well enough to know you would survive. But you wouldn’t be
you
anymore. And I can’t let that happen.”

He pulled back slightly, looking at Rema. He raised his eyebrows, waiting for her response. She had none. Why did he care what happened to her now? He was taking her to her death, why show her mercy? It didn
’t make any sense.

Nathenek nodded toward the wall
’s entrance. “Let’s go.” He released her, taking a step back. If she turned and ran, would he catch her? Could she get lost in this crowd? Her foot inched its way back, putting her out of arm’s reach. “If you run,” he said, “they’ll shoot you.” He pointed to the top of the wall, where archers stood with bows at the ready.

Rema
had absolutely no intention of dying or letting the army get their hands on her. Her best bet would be to enter the city and find an elderly person or a mother—someone who would be sympathetic to aid in her escape. Then she could hide in their home, acquire supplies, and board a merchant ship voyaging to Greenwood Island. She would return to
her
kingdom, to
her
people, and to
her
Darmik.

There was no way her destiny could be so cruel as to take everything away from her—her entire family, her love, her life. She refused to allow it. Rema would fight with every ounce of her being.

He grinned and turned away from her, walking directly toward the wall’s opening. She hurried after him, knowing he would see her safely inside. Dozens of soldiers guarded the entrance, checking everyone’s papers who entered.

Nathenek stopped before a younger
-looking soldier, handing him two pieces of paper. “For me and my wife,” he said in a rough voice. The soldier glanced over the documents and waved them through. Nathenek took the papers back, shoving them inside his cape.

Rema kept her mouth shut, following meekly behind him. Why didn
’t he declare that he worked for the emperor and was transporting a prisoner? Did he want to keep his identity concealed from everyone? Once inside, Nathenek slipped his arm around her waist, keeping her close by.

Traveling
through Emperor’s City was beyond anything Rema had ever imagined. She felt as if she were dreaming and kept waiting to wake on board the ship or in her bedchamber at the rebel fortress.

Buildings
lined both sides of the narrow streets, and people walked shoulder to shoulder. The two-story structures, made of rough-looking stone blocks, were all light brown, matching the sandy ground. It was ugly. No greenery, no living plants, and no color.

“
Stop gawking,” Nathenek hissed in Rema’s ear, causing her to jump. “Keep your head down and walk faster.”

Someone bumped against her shoulder.

“Sorry,” she mumbled. The stranger hurried away, too busy to respond.

Nathenek growled
, shaking his head, his lips pulled tight, as if he were furious. He shoved her down a dark alley, pushing her up against a wall.

“
Stop talking,” he demanded, placing his hands on either side of her head. His entire body shielded hers, and he leaned in, as if he were going to kiss her. Anyone passing by would think they were two lovers embracing one another. “You have a ridiculous accent,” he hissed.

“
Sorry,” she whispered.

“
We need to get through the city unnoticed.” His eyes focused on hers, as if pleading with her to cooperate. “Stop looking around, walk right next to me with your head down, and act like you have a purpose.”

“
A purpose?” she questioned him.

“
Yes,” he said, resting his forehead against hers. “Like you know where you’re going and what you’re doing, so you don’t stand out.”

Rem
a leaned her head back against the rough wall behind her, away from him. She did have a purpose—to find someone sympathetic who would help her.

Nathenek sighed.
“If you don’t cooperate and do
exactly
as I say, I’ll drug you again.”

“
And drag my body to the palace?”

His eyes narrowed.
“If I have to.”

Shoving against his chest, Rem
a said, “Fine, let’s go.” She decided to play along, doing as he said, while keeping her eyes open for opportunities to seek help or get away.

“My sister never does what I ask either. She always has to make things difficult, instead of trusting me,
” Nathenek mumbled, while taking ahold of her arm. “So obstinate.”

They e
ntered the busy street again, traveling quickly among the hordes of people. Rema kept pace with him, her head down, like she’d been there a thousand times before, and knew exactly what she was doing and where she was going. About half the people they passed also wore brown capes similar to the one she had on. The rest of the people sported long brown pants and plain tunics, even the girls. Every single person had either a scarf or fabric wrapped around his or her neck. Very little skin was exposed. Everyone appeared to be in their late teens to early thirties. There weren’t any elderly people or children about.

Even though the bright sun was about to set, Rema was covered with sweat. She felt as if she w
ere a candle on fire, wax dripping down her sides. How could people stand this heat?

Nathenek cursed. Rema glanced up and saw dark clouds in the distance
, rapidly moving toward her. The clouds covered the sun, giving momentary relief from its hot rays.