War (The True Reign Series) (19 page)

Savenek slid flat on the floor, ready to be of assistance. Darmik turned and tackled a soldier to the ground, next to Savenek
, who lifted his bound legs and repeatedly kicked the guy until he no longer moved. Jumping to his feet, Darmik wrapped his arms around the remaining soldier and then rammed the guy’s head into a wall, his body going limp.

“
Quietly!” Trell insisted. “There are guards posted outside the window.”

Glancing around, all
the soldiers lay unconscious on the ground. Darmik started undressing the men, tossing their uniforms to his friends. Once everyone was freed from their bindings and dressed in the elite military uniforms, they tied the soldiers up, propping them against the wall.

“
When we leave,” Trell said, “I need two of you in front, two at my side, and two behind. You must walk in formation, in step, and not falter. Understood?”

Everyone agreed. Darmik noticed Vesha
’s hands shaking and Ellie remaining close to Neco, but both were moving quickly and appeared to be holding it together.

“
Where to?” Darmik asked. He wanted to go straight to the Execution Tower to rescue Rema.

“
There’s only one way for this to work,” the old man said. “I’m expected at the palace. You will escort me to the entrance, where I will order you to the city for an additional patrol run. Then you can all head to the Execution Tower.” Trell pointed to the limp bodies. “With any luck, these men will remain unconscious a while longer. If they wake and make enough noise, they’ll alert the guards and we’ll all be discovered.”

Darmik examined the
unconscious soldiers. One appeared ready to wake up at any moment, but he didn’t want to hit him again and accidentally kill him. With their mouths gagged and bound, he hoped they wouldn’t be loud.

“
Let’s not waste any more time,” Neco said.

“
Agreed.” Since Darmik knew the way, he opened the door and led everyone from the room. He kept his shoulders back, head high, and walked with confidence, knowing he’d attract less attention that way. He made sure his hood was on, concealing his identity.

Walking under the ho
t afternoon sun, Darmik felt lightheaded. He realized they hadn’t eaten or drank in over twenty-four hours.

As a group, they
made their way to the outer wall of the palace without incident. For once, Audek managed to keep his mouth shut. When the soldiers opened the gate to admit Trell into the palace grounds, he turned to face Darmik. “I’ll be traveling with the emperor to the city shortly for a public execution. Head that way and insure the route is safe. Dismissed.”

Darmik spun around and
took the lead. He wanted to tear the hood off his head because he was hot and sweaty, but he didn’t. The risk of sunburn was great, and he didn’t want to take the chance of someone recognizing him.

Traveling
at a brisk pace, Audek finally broke the silence. “Do we have a plan?”

“
I’m trying to figure one out right now,” Darmik admitted.

“
Do you know the layout?” Neco asked.

“
Yes. It’s a large courtyard surrounded on all four sides by tall buildings. There is only one entrance and exit for the public, who will number in the hundreds and be crammed in there to see the spectacle. Rema will be brought out onto a platform situated at the front.”

“
How many will be with her?” Neco asked.

“
Usually just the person reading the charge and the executioner. Since Emperor Hamen is coming, I’m sure he’ll want to be close to see the action. And where there’s the emperor, there’s also a large royal guard.”

“
I have one small dagger and a longsword,” Savenek said.

Glancing at everyone, they each had a sword strapped to their waist. Would it be possible to enter the courtyard as soldiers on patrol, and kill the executioner before he murdered Rema? Possibly. However, the emperor
’s guard would probably take them all out, and then who would save Rema? Darmik balled his hands into fists, frustrated by his lack of options.

When they neared
the city’s edge, a man dressed in plain clothes ran out to greet them. “I have the items you requested,” he said, waving them along.

“
Thank you,” Darmik replied, pretending to know what the man referred to. “Lead the way.” He noticed Audek scrunch his face, looking confused. Neco wrapped his arm around Audek’s shoulders, whispering something in his ear.

The man took them to a building two blocks away.
“I’ve been watching all day for you,” he said, opening the door and ushering them inside a dimly lit fabric store. Spools of wool, silk, and cotton hung on the walls.

“
Here you go,” the man said, handing a pile of clothing to Darmik. “You and your companions can change in the back room.” He pointed to an archway.

“
Thank you,” Darmik responded. He went down a short, dark hallway and entered a small room with one window serving as the only light. His friends crowded in behind him. “Keep your voices low,” Darmik whispered. “Quickly change and pretend like you know what’s going on.” He handed everyone a set of clothing typically worn by civilians. Darmik put on rough, brown trousers and a tunic. He felt something hard against his hip. Feeling inside the pants, Darmik found a dagger.

“
Check for weapons,” he told the others.

Ellie
removed a small knife from her trousers.

“
I have one, too,” Vesha said. Neco, Savenek, and Audek all found similar weapons.

Darmik
’s heart raced. At this point, they had no other option but to trust Trell planned this. “Hide them,” he ordered.

They exited the room and returned to the store.

“Hold on,” the man said. He went behind a wooden counter and bent down, retrieving something. When he stood, he held fabric in his arms. “You must not forget the wraps for your face in case of a sandstorm.” He smiled at them.

Darmik grabbed the top scarf and wrapped it around his head, mouth, and neck. Everyone else did the same.

“Let’s go. There isn’t much time.” They exited the fabric store. Darmik waved them to the side of the street away from the few people walking down the road. “We’re heading north-west to the tallest building in the center of the city. Does everyone see it?”

Once they all found it, Darmik continued,
“We need to split up. Everyone head to that building. The execution site is at the base.”

“
What do we do once we get there?” Savenek asked.

“
Wait,” Darmik answered. “We’ll see if Trell has anything planned. If nothing happens, then I’ll kill the executioner before he harms Rema.” Darmik balled his hands into fists, determination taking over.

“
And then what?” Neco asked.

“
I don’t know,” Darmik admitted. He had no idea how to get out of the courtyard with Rema alive.

“
Once Darmik takes out the executioner, he’ll be captured or killed,” Neco said, folding his arms. “The only way to rescue Rema will be to create a scene of utter and complete chaos.”

Darmik nodded
. “Excellent idea. Audek and Vesha, you two will travel to the site together. Right when I kill the executioner, make a scene.”

They agreed.
“Where do we meet after?” Vesha asked.

“
I don’t expect us all to survive. If you do, head to the harbor and hide until I find you.”

Vesha
nodded. Audek grabbed her hand and the pair took off toward the tower.

“
Savenek, I want you to take Ellie.” Neco stiffened. “You two are responsible for grabbing Rema and escaping. If you manage to get her, go to the docks and hide.”

“
Where?” Ellie asked.

“
Down by the water, under the pier. There are lots of dark places.”

“
Very well,” Ellie answered, looking to Neco.

He wrapped her in his arms.
“Be safe,” he whispered.

“
You too.”

Darmik
glanced away, giving them a moment alone.

Savenek came before him.
“Thank you for your help and guidance,” he said. “I will do my best to save her, or die trying.”

“
Me too,” he said. They shook hands. “You better get moving. You’ll need to stand close to the front.”

Savenek nodded, turning to face Ellie. Neco released her and she took a step back, still staring at him.

“I love you,” Neco said, his voice gruff.

Ellie smiled. “I know.
And I love you.”

“Let
’s go,” Savenek said, pulling his wrap tighter around his face.

Ellie did the same, and the two of them left, Neco staring after them.
When they turned a corner and were no longer in sight, Neco asked, “What do you want of me?”

“
I don’t know,” Darmik admitted. “But I only have one dagger. If I fail, it’s up to you.”

Neco nodded.
“I promise.”

“
I’m sorry to ask this of you.”

“
You’re not asking,” Neco said. “I offered. We’re in this together.”

Darmik was at a loss for words.
Neco had been like a brother to him.

“
Stop,” Neco said. “This isn’t the end. Have a little faith.” He smiled wryly at his friend.

****

During his time at Emperion, Darmik had witnessed several executions and beatings, not only at the military training facility, but here in the city as well. He knew from experience that there would be more military members in attendance than regular civilians, which led to the question—how would he kill the executioner and survive? He wouldn’t. Darmik knew he was walking to his death. But as long as he saved Rema, it would be worth it.

They were one block from the
Execution Tower. His hands trembled. Now was not the time to be afraid. He would need a steady hand to make the kill. There was honor in death, and saving Rema would be a noble act. She would bring peace and prosperity to Greenwood Island. In a land filled with evil and darkness, Rema was the bright, shining light.

“
Is there usually this much activity going on?” Neco asked.

Darmik glanced at the people around him,
hurrying to one place or another. “Yes,” he answered. “Because of the large port, this city attracts a good number of people. When you add the army, well, there are thousands here.”

They arrived at the entrance to the courtyard.
People were already filtering in, so Darmik and Neco entered with everyone else, trying to blend in. Soldiers ushered people forward, trying to cram as many people in as possible. Darmik and Neco found themselves in the center of the courtyard.

Neco leaned in
. “Do you have a clear shot?”

Darmik
nodded; there was just enough room for him to throw the dagger.

He focused on the platform where prisoners were killed or punished.
On the left side was a tall post with manacles attached to the top, stocks were situated on the right side, and in the center sat a large block of wood with chains hanging from each side.

Neco placed his hand atop Darmik
’s shoulder and squeezed. Their eyes met, and Neco nodded, giving him the support he needed to do this.

Behind the platform
nestled into a building was a small area where the emperor sat while observing the spectacle below him.

Darmik
looked to the tower, wondering where Rema was.

Commotion came from the front left
, near the door of the tower. A young woman was dragged out and placed in the stocks. A soldier announced that she was being punished because one of her children had failed a class in military training. Another woman was brought out and chained to the post, her arms pulled tight above her head. She was being punished for being out past curfew.

No other prisoners came out.
“Where’s the executioner?” Darmik mumbled.

“
No executions are scheduled for today,” the man next to Darmik said. “There was an execution yesterday. Some girl, not from around here.”

Darmik
’s vision swam, and he fell to his knees.