War (The True Reign Series) (5 page)

After making the gruesome discovery, Darmik
went to get some fresh air. What if he was too late and couldn’t save Rema? Or his uncle refused to release her? He could be torturing her right now.

He rubbed his hands over his face. He knew, better than
anyone, that he couldn’t allow himself to think about it. Emperion used psychological intimidation as an effective way to torture not only prisoners, but also their enemy. Darmik couldn’t let them succeed. He had to focus on the task at hand—saving Rema. He would be no good to her if he started thinking about the
what-ifs
. He swore to devise a plan to save her, no matter the cost.

“
Don’t tell me you’re getting sick now,” Savenek said, coming to join Darmik at the bow of the ship. “Serves you right.”

Darmik shook his head. It was hard to convey the ruthlessness of Emperion to someone who had never been there
—someone as egotistical and arrogant as Savenek.

Savenek leaned on the rail next to him.
“I assume you have a plan.”

“
No, I don’t,” Darmik admitted. “There are too many variables. I have a couple of ideas, but nothing set in stone.”

He smiled.
“Then I’ll just have to come up with something myself.”

Savenek certainly seemed like he was
in a good mood. He’d obviously found his balance aboard the ship.

“
If you’re ready to start strategizing,” Darmik said, “then go inside and get everyone. We’ll meet in the room at the end of the hallway. There’s a table with several chairs in there.”

Savenek didn
’t move. “I know this is a near impossible mission; that it’s unlikely we’ll survive. But I feel like there’s something I’m missing. Something you’re not telling me.” He bent forward over the railing, focused on the rough ocean below.

Darmik
propped his elbows next to him. “What you’re missing,” he said, “is an understanding of your enemy.”

Trell
’s words came back to him. When he showed Darmik the archives room, he’d said, Most battles are won by those who understand their enemy. I’ve always found one only has to look to the arts. Sculptures, books, paintings. They reveal the true identity of a culture. If you understand that, then you know your enemy. You can find their weakness and attack.

“
Emperor Hamen is nothing like my father. I fear we are a step behind Captain—that he is playing some sort of game we don’t even understand yet.” If Darmik failed to save Rema, he would be dooming his companions to death. He wished they had stayed behind.

“
Tell me about the emperor, so I have an idea of what we’ll face.”

“
There are no words to describe him.” Darmik closed his eyes, trying to banish the memories. “I will say this—he always knows his enemy. He figures out what they want most, love most, and uses it against them.”

“
But he’s your uncle, right? That has to help.”

Unfortunately, that
strained relationship was their only hope of saving Rema right now.

“
Go below deck. See what’s on the bottom level. That will give you a small glimpse of what we’re about to walk into.”

Savenek
’s eyebrows bent inward. “Below deck?” Darmik nodded. Savenek shrugged his shoulders and left.

Darmik stared out at the great ocean before him. He never thought he
’d return to Emperion—the war-driven, land-hungry, empire.

Unwanted images
flashed through his mind—standing before his entire military class, naked, being whipped—being submerged underwater, held down, unable to breathe—having to take the new cadets, only ten years old, and beat them with a stick for crying out in the middle of the night because they missed their parents—and a completely lethal, obedient army that carried out any and all orders the emperor gave, without question.

What was this savage
empire going to do to Rema? Simply execute her? Or would the emperor destroy her? Darmik’s uncle held little regard for family. He never showed any kindness toward him when he was there for his training.

“
I figured you were up here making yourself go mad,” Neco said, patting Darmik on his back.

Darmik rubbed his face. This
was probably what Captain wanted—to torture him.

“
You need to get inside,” Neco said. “Let’s focus on a plan.” Darmik nodded, unable to speak. “Savenek’s in there making a fuss,” he continued. “Let’s go put that pup in his place, yeah?”

Darmik looked
at his friend.

“
Don’t even say it,” Neco said. “We all
chose
to be here. You’re not responsible for us. All we ask is that you lead us.”

Darmik would never make an effective leader if he didn
’t pull himself together. Rema needed him. He had to be strong for her. “All right. Let’s go devise a plan to get Rema back.”

The two friends ducked and stepped through the archway.
As Darmik descended the ladder, he heard Savenek yelling. Maybe it hadn’t been the best idea to send him down to see the area where prisoners were kept, but Darmik wanted him to have a clear picture of what they were going to face.

He
followed Neco into the room at the end of the hallway. Audek, Vesha, and Ellie all sat at the table while Savenek walked around, waving his arms, ranting on about something regarding Rema.

The room fell silent
, and all eyes went to Darmik.

“
Your uncle is one sick and twisted person,” Savenek sneered. “I hope you don’t take after him.”

Darmik stood there, staring at him.

“Well?” Savenek said. “Tell us your plan.”

Darmik
was fed up with him. He wanted Savenek on his side, and he needed his trust and loyalty. Right now, he had neither. He clenched his hands into fists.

Neco
shook his head. “Not in here, Darmik,” he said. “Please go to the top deck were there’s more room.”

“
I’m afraid I’ll throw him overboard,” Darmik said, seething with irritation.

“
So?” Neco chuckled.

“
What’s going on?” Vesha asked.

Darmik pointed at Savenek.
“You, top deck. Now.”

Savenek jerked back
. “Why?”

T
his was exactly why Darmik needed to do this. He turned and left the room, knowing Neco would tell Savenek he was being challenged. It was something Darmik did with the men from his army—if they wanted to move up in rank, they had to fight Darmik to prove their skills. The exercise established understanding and respect among his men.

Out in the open air, Darmik swung his arms, stretching. Several
of his wounds were still healing, but they wouldn’t impede him. Hearing voices approach, he went to the middle of the deck and stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, waiting.

His mind drifted back to his first challenge. He
’d only been at Emperion’s military school for three days. The officer leading his squad was showing them how to do a flying sidekick while unsheathing a longsword at the same time. Darmik asked a simple question—why not use a dagger instead? Since he questioned authority and showed insubordination, the officer assigned five cadets to attack Darmik.

G
ranted, at the time, he had been seventeen and was serving in the King’s Army back home, so he wasn’t a novice. When the five cadets came at him, Darmik was shocked by the determination and brutality they exhibited. Since they weren’t allowed to use any weapons, one cadet went to punch him in the stomach. Darmik blocked the blow, but another cadet kicked from behind, sending him to his knees. Before he could recover, another cadet grabbed his hair, yanking his head up. One punched his jaw, while another kicked his side.

As he s
prawled on the ground, the cadets repeatedly kicked him until he passed out. When he woke up, he was still on the ground, covered in blood. Since there wasn’t a medical ward at the campus, and no one would help him, Darmik was forced to crawl to the room he shared with the cadets who had done this to him.

His torso was purple, his face black and blue, one eye swollen shut, and he could barely move his j
aw. From that point on, Darmik never questioned his commanding officers out loud—ever.

Savenek stood before Darmik.
“You want to fight me?” He smiled, confident he’d win.

“
No,” Darmik said, “I want to challenge you. No weapons. Hand to hand only. First one to pin the other down, unharmed, wins. Understand?”

Savenek nodded.
“What’s the point?”

“
To show you that you have a lot to learn. I am in charge of this mission, and you will give me the respect I deserve—no more snide comments.”

Savenek
stood, staring at him.

“
Do you want to rescue Rema?” Darmik asked.

“
Of course I do.”

“
Then I need your loyalty.”

Neco folded his arms, standing next to Ellie, watching
. It looked like he was trying not to laugh.

“
I don’t need to fight you to prove anything,” Savenek said.

Darmik reached out and grabbed Savenek
’s shoulder, digging his fingers in.

“
You’re arrogant, and you don’t understand how to follow authority. I am challenging you. Once I win, you will swear allegiance to me.”

Savene
k whacked Darmik’s arm away. “My loyalty is to Rema, not you.”

“
If you want to save her, you need me. And I want you focused and doing exactly what I say. Otherwise, I’ll throw you overboard.”

Savenek snickered.
“What happens when I win?” His fist flew toward Darmik’s face.

Darmik ducked and grabbed Savenek
’s right leg, throwing him off balance. Springing up, he kicked Savenek down. Savenek rolled to the side, getting back up. Bouncing on the balls of his feet, Savenek hunched over and came at Darmik, trying to tackle him to the ground. Darmik twisted and broke free, shoving him back. It was time to end this. Darmik ran and jumped on him, wrapping his legs around his neck, knocking him to the ground. He sat on top, victorious. Savenek tried to squirm free, but Darmik had him pinned down.

“
Swear loyalty to me, or I’ll throw you overboard right now.”

Savenek growled, still trying to break free. Darmik leaned his elbows down harder on Savenek
’s neck.

Savenek banged
his hand against the ground. “Fine,” he said, seething with rage. “I concede.”

Darmik loosened his hold ever so slightly.
“And?” he prompted.

“
I swear loyalty to you.”

“
No more disrespect. No more inappropriate comments. I want you on your best behavior. Understand?”

“
Yes,” Savenek agreed, his face red.

Darmik released him, jumping to his feet. He reached down to help
him up. Savenek clasped his forearm, springing to his feet.

“
I’ve never been beaten before,” he said, wiggling his jaw and placing his palm to his face.

“
I know,” Darmik said. “Emperion is going to change all that.”

Savenek
smiled grimly. “I’m starting to get that impression.”

“
You two done?” Neco asked.

Darmik
looked at Savenek, who nodded.
Excellent
, Darmik thought,
he is already keeping his mouth shut
.

Vesha ran over to Savenek, b
ut he waved her away. Audek pouted, handing Neco a few coins.

Neco smiled.
“Never bet against Darmik. He wins every time.”

Darmik surveyed all five faces. They had a lot of work to do before they set foot on the mainland.

The hot sun beat overhead.

“
Everyone below deck,” Darmik ordered. “It’s time to formalize the plan and prepare. You’re all are going to play a vital role in recovering Rema.”