Rise of the Sparrows (Relics of Ar'Zac #1) (25 page)

He nodded, looking more deadly  than anyone she had ever seen. “Aye, lass. I heard rumours that Aeron was sighted in a tavern not far from Blackrock. Yesterday I heard some women gossiping that King Aeric and Aeron were sticking their heads together, out of sight from everyone else.”

“How would those women know about it if they talked out of sight?”

“Gossip travels quickly, lass. It only takes one ear to overhear their chat, and there's always someone who snoops around. Of course it could just be a wash-woman’s tale. You'd better pray it is.”

Rachael nodded, hoping he was right and it was just a made-up story, but she had a feeling there was more to it. Her gut instincts told her he was on to something. At least these rumours didn't mention Aeron and a girl. Wherever Cephy was, it was not with her.

“Arlo. They have Cale.”

His expression darkened. “Aye, I feared as much when I saw you dashing out of his house like a demon was chasing you. Do you know where they are taking him?”

“To King Aeric. It was just one guard, you killed the other one.”

“Just the one? What's the foolish lad doing, letting him take him?”

Rachael's stomach churned. This mess was her fault, but Arlo needed to know. “When the guards arrived we were tying up Ailis. He told me to hide and went out to greet him.”

“He's got a soft spot for you, that boy. Clever lad.” Arlo looked every bit like what Rachael thought a proud father might look like. “But say, what were you doing tying up Ailis?”

“She...” Rachael took a deep breath in, preparing herself to say the words out loud, as if that would make this disease irreversible. “She tried to kill herself. Like all these other people. We had to tie her up to stop her from hurting herself. Just until we found a solution.”

“Maker's Breeches, lass, it's been an eventful day for you, hasn't it.” Rachael nodded. That was one way to describe the madness which was unravelling around her.

Arlo looked calm on the outside, but behind his eyes, a starving fire raged. “You'll find the solution with King Aeric, if rumour is to be believed. Stay close. We need to hurry.”

“Where are we going?”

“We're going to gut that demon of a Mist Woman.”

From their spot high up in the bell tower, Aeron watched the people of the White City busy themselves. Like panicking ants they scuttled about their daily lives, buying meats and vegetables and dragging their bawling brats behind them. And there, amidst all of them, she watched as a White Guard escorted Cale to his death.

Her lips twitched at the sight. How she had waited for this day! Finally, the Sparrow's wings had been clipped and their esteemed leader would soon join them. All she had to do now was find Rachael, and kill her. Cephy anticipated that moment as much as she did. The girl was so receptive to her lies it had almost been too easy. She barely had to change the vision she had shown Cephy. Cale and Rachael had done just fine without much interference on her part. Her Fox was brave for her age, determined even, but when it came down to it she was just a naïve child who would believe anything Aeron fed her. Such power her little Fox wielded. And now it was hers, to use as she pleased.

Oh, what a beautiful day this promised to be!

She would give those ants a reason to panic very soon. The king didn't know, but he did not need to know. He only needed to do as he was told, and open his legs to her once this silly war was over. Then it would be her child sitting on the throne, leading the world into the promised age of darkness and suffering alongside the Dark One. The image of it was almost too beautiful to behold, but Aeron could appreciate art when she saw it in her mind's eye. The world she had planned for those ants was fit for the word, fit for her and her child.

She had waited her entire life for this day. Finally, today, prophecy would be stopped.

It was the perfect moment to strike. With the Sparrows slaughtered and Cale taken hostage, Rachael would no doubt come to his rescue. Even that sister of his had been caught by her spell. Maybe, once she was done with this city and Rachael lay dead on the ground, she would pay her a visit.

“Is it time?” Cephy stood close to her, watching the people of the White City with a fire in her eyes to match her talent.

Aeron smiled. Maybe she should not interfere. Maybe she should let her Fox kill the Sparrow. It was the nature of things, for foxes to kill defenseless prey. Yes, it would be more amusing to simply watch.

“It is, my Fox. Do you remember what I told you?”

Her pet nodded. “Set fire to the market stalls, and explode a building or two.”

Proud of her Fox, Aeron nodded. “And do it exactly like that. I have a reward for you, for being such an obedient pet.”

Cephy's face lit up, always so eager to please and do well. “A reward?”

“I shall let you kill Rachael. You will be the one to soak the streets with her blood. Let it run to the harbour, my Fox. Today is the day the old ways fall.”

A bright grin twisted with excitement spread on her pet's face. “I will, Aeron! I swear it, I will!”

“Then let us get to work. Keep an eye out for her while you're down there. She must not reach the King.” Aeron doubted Rachael would be capable of killing him, but she did not want to tempt fate. Best to keep Rachael far away from him.

Together they descended the stairs down the tower, and split at the base. Cephy had work to do, and so did Aeron.

The market was as hectic as ever. The recent suicides had put a new fear for magic into the people, but it wasn't about to stop them from going about their daily business. Their families still had to be fed and their children still needed to grow and their husbands still had to be satisfied – local tragedy or no, their lives continued.

While the people of the White City were as willing to spend their money as before, traders from other places hadn't returned after the suicides had continued. The unexplainable affliction had spread beyond the city walls, but the White City would always be where it had started. It had turned into a bad omen to travellers, a curse as sure to kill them as the pretty but worthless charms they bought were meant to protect them from harm. As a result, local stalls were busier than ever and made better coin than they had done before. Merchants ran out of wares sooner, and their customers left dissatisfied.

“Do you know where we're going?” Rachael asked as she tried to keep up with Arlo.

“Sure I do, lass! It's not the first time I've been to the palace. Besides, it's easy to spot from here. See that up there, lass?” Rachael followed where Arlo was pointing, and saw the large building tower over most of the city. Only one other structure stood higher, not far behind the palace. Looming over the White City, the prison cast an intimidating shadow over everything in its path. “That's where they'll be taking Cale, and that's where we're going.”

Rachael nodded, glad she
had Arlo to guide her through this maze. Even from a distance she could tell that the palace was extravagant. It gave credit not only to the deposits of gold and chalk they had found, but also to their architect's skill. Centuries old, it still signified the wealth of Rifarne and was the first thing besides the prison approaching ships saw. It was beautiful as well as imposing, a promise and a warning to all who visited.

After leaving the market and turning into a smaller side road, it was easier to follow the large man ahead of her. Arlo was easy to spot in a crowd, but following him when there were so many people between them was no simple matter. In the emptier side roads, however, it was no issue at all.

The first explosion seemed to stop time. Everyone froze as a deafening blow tore through the city, and liquid flame as well as bricks and pieces of the building rained down amongst the busy buyers, setting fire to everything they hit and striking people down.

The ringing in her ears only lasted a second before everyone fell into a panic, pushing each other out of the way amidst screams for help and the crying of terrified children.

“Quickly, lass. In here.” Arlo pulled her into a small, dark alleyway before she had time to respond. The buildings to their sides stood so close to each other that nothing was likely to crash through. For the moment, they were as safe as anyone could be when their lives blew up around them.

A second explosion shook the city, farther away than the first one but no less deafening.

“What's happening?” Gripping the hilt of her sword, Rachael felt like nothing more than cornered prey.

Arlo cursed under his breath. “It's that blasted Mist Woman! The King has many faults, but he would never destroy his own city.”

“You mean Aeron?” If Aeron were really here they had lost. The way Cale and Arlo had spoken about her made it sound like she was the Dark One Himself given shape. How could they hope to fight an enemy like that?

Arlo nodded. “Listen to me, lass. I need to get Cale out of there but I need to keep you safe, too. You need to get to the King somehow, but it's too dangerous with Aeron running rampant. Stay here, and I will bring Cale. We can think of something.”

“I can't just-”

“I mean it, lass! Do not leave this spot! It's dark here, and the buildings are sturdy. A bit of stray flame won't get through these brick homes. Hide, and no one will see you. Aeron is going to die of old age before she finds you in here!”

Reluctant, Rachael nodded. She barely knew Arlo, but she knew him well enough to know that there was no arguing with him in a situation like this. He was a hunter by trade. Maybe even a warrior. If he told her to stay put she had no choice.

Not while he was still watching.

“There's a good lass.” Arlo gripped his heavy axe which had seen better days but which looked as sharp as the day he had first purchased the weapon. She didn't doubt for a second that its steel could cut through anything, be it flesh or metal or solid rocks. “I'll hurry, lass. Don't move unless the buildings come down around you.”

Again, Rachael nodded. Arlo sped off back into the chaos, and Rachael waited until her heart had beaten ten times.

Then, she drew her own sword and went into the opposite direction.

The distant rumble of something big tugged at the back of Ailis' mind. Something wasn't right. The taint was still in her. She was alive.

She frowned when she remembered. Cale had hit her over the head with a rock. It was his fault she hadn't succeeded. Rachael had done her best to stop her, too, but they didn't understand. She was evil, she was tainted, and there was no other way to get the touch of darkness out of her.

Desperate to get out of the ropes around her wrists she tugged at them, but they wouldn't budge. If only she could get to the kitchen, she could use a knife and open her wrists—but it was no use, the rope was too tight.

“Cale!” She thought she remembered Rachael leaning over her, telling her it would be all right, and leaving. Had they both gone? This was the best chance she would get, she had to act while she was alone, but she couldn't do anything while she was tied up like this.

Quickly, she rubbed her wrists against the rough ropes. If only she could burn through her skin and cut her veins that way, she'd be able to drain the evil stench out of her.

But she couldn't. The ropes were on too tight and there wasn't enough room for her to move. She wouldn't be able to die this way, but she had to do something. Cale had done a great job of securing her in place. Unless he came back and cut her free... But he wouldn't do that. He wouldn't understand.

Ailis looked around frantically, trying to find something she could use, something sharp, but she found nothing. Her entire room looked like it had been cleared out.

She sighed, and sagged back into herself against the bed frame. She had no choice but to wait until Cale and Rachael returned. Maybe then, if she could convince them that she was fine, they'd release her and she could finally do the only thing that mattered.

She paused when she heard something—shouting, someone giving orders. It wasn't Cale or Rachael, but the voice was familiar.

Relieved tears ran down her cheeks when she realised who it was. Now all she needed to do was play her part well, and she'd finally be able to join the Maker at his side.

Kiana ran as fast as she could. Trust the city guard to just walk in and blow up their hideout. She had only just managed to escape, but running when you really wanted to teach someone manners wasn't easy. The whole building had gone up in flames, last she had seen it. Maybe she'd be lucky and the guards had been caught in them, too. Served them right, for barging in and killing her family.

Someone had tipped off King Aeric, and he had sent an impressive amount of White Guards to clear out their shelter. She had never had this many soldiers come after her at once! If this had happened on any other day she'd have been flattered. Most Sparrows lay slaughtered inside the old house, but some had managed to escape, if barely. Good looks wouldn't make up for what they had done.

Besides her, only Riane, Lon and Oren had made it out alive. Lon had a nasty gash around his leg and was losing blood fast, but he had insisted on coming along. Silly man. He had always been persistent. She had been against him tagging along, but this was no time to argue. Besides, with the White Guard searching for them and the city itself burning, on the run was as safe as they were going to get. It would be safer to keep moving than to sit and wait to be found.

Cale's cabin wouldn't be safe for much longer, either. Inside the city walls, explosions shook the ground, and she had overheard several guards talking about Cale's imminent capture. Wherever he was, Rachael wouldn't be far behind. They couldn't afford to lose either, not now that the fight had begun in earnest.

“Riane! Stay here with Lon, we can go in alone.”

“But—”

“Not now, Riane! We'll get Cale, Ailis and Rachael and then we can get to the next shelter, but we need you both well enough to run. Bandage his wounds as much as you can. I won't be long, I promise.” Several months ago Cale had named her his second in command. The other Sparrows had agreed that she was the best option, but it took them a while to take orders from her rather than him. Something about her being less imposing. They weren't seasoned soldiers like the White Guard. They were farmers, tailors and blacksmiths, some of them had been homeless like Rachael had been. None of them should have to take orders from anyone, least of all to fight for their lives because of how they had been born.

Without another complaint, Riane and Lon stayed behind and began to look after the wound right away. Oren was right behind her, ready to take down any guards who might jump into their way. He was more likely to fall over his own two feet, but she'd look after the big idiot. Most of his bruises were self-inflicted from running into corners, but he did know his way around a man's vital organs.

The forest around them was too quiet. She had only been to the cabin a small number of times and had been raised inside the city itself, but she knew what a forest was supposed to sound like. Critters and birds should have been everywhere, but instead there was no sound coming from their surroundings.

“Cale! Ailis!” The front door stood wide open, and even from this distance she could tell that a vase had been smashed on the ground by the door.

They were too late. Maker be screwed. 

She came to a stop inside the front door. Oren nearly crashed into her but caught himself just in time.

“Search the upstairs. Maybe Rachael managed to hide.”

The ground floor looked like a small battle field in itself. Drawers had been emptied on to the floor, the table cloth Ailis had hand-made with such care had been torn into two, and the water from the smashed vase had left a sad puddle on the floor.

“Maker, let them be alive. Please be alive, or I swear I'll make you regret the day you let them die.” She had no idea how they could win this war without Cale or Rachael. Ailis was no fighter herself but she had saved their lives more often than she cared to remember. Her healing magic would be vital once this was all over – but it would all be nothing but day dreams if the White Guard had gotten to them.

Low groaning came from the room next to her.

Relieved that someone was alive, Kiana ripped the door open and froze in shock.

Ailis was alive, but a huge bruise was forming on her forehead and she was tied to the bed. Her wrists looked sore, like she had been dragged through the forest by the rope. Small slivers of blood trickled down her hands but she was alive. Kiana knew when to be grateful. Maybe she'd been too hard on the Maker before.

“Goodness, Ailis, what happened here?” Not wanting to waste more time she cut Ailis free.

“A White Guard tied me up. He took Cale into the forest. I think he's going to kill him.” Her voice was weak from her struggle, but Maker be praised, she was alive.

“Wait here. I'll look for him. Where is Rachael?”

“Another guard took her. He's taking her to the king.”

“Maker—I'm glad we managed to save you, at least. Rest here, we'll find them.” A weak smile graced Ailis' lips.

“Please hurry.”

“We will. Oren!” His footsteps thundered down the staircase in response.

“Ailis! Maker, what happened?”

“I'll explain later. A White Guard has taken Cale into the forest for execution. Another has Rachael, they are headed to the palace. I'm going after Cale before it's too late, and I need you to go after Rachael. We can't lose her. You understand?”

He nodded. “I do. Don't worry, Kiana, he won't get far.”

“I promise we'll save them, Ailis. Stay here, I'll be back as soon as I can, with Cale.” Their leader's sister only smiled in response, urging her to leave and find her brother.