War (The True Reign Series) (8 page)

“
Seven brothers and one sister. You must’ve had an interesting childhood.”

“
All my brothers are older than I am, and they enlisted in the military at age twelve. I grew up playing with my sister.”

Rem
a recalled him saying that he went into the army at eight. “Why did you enlist younger than most?”

Nathenek sighed
, putting down his bowl. “It’s obvious you know nothing of Emperion and our ways.” He leaned back against the wall, stretching his legs out before him. “I don’t want to go into details, but know that Emperor Hamen rules over the largest empire. The entire place is centered on conquering other kingdoms and maintaining its current holdings. In other words, it is solely focused on war. If the emperor wants more soldiers, he gets them, no matter their age.”

Eight children from one family—all forced into the army. Rema feared asking if they were all still alive.
“Your sister managed to avoid enlisting?”

“
Technically.”

“
I don’t understand.” Rema finished the soup and set the bowl down beside her.

“
I went in her place,” he revealed. “And while she may not be serving in the military, her life is defined by it.”

“
Did she marry a man in the army?”

Nathenek chuckled.
“No, most certainly not. She married a baker. But her oldest child is ten. In two years, he’ll be required to enlist.” He stood and removed his tunic.

“
I’m sorry.”

Nathenek
turned off the oil lamp, sending the room into darkness. “Good night.” He climbed into bed.

“
King Barjon is an oppressive ruler. Not in the same way as Emperor Hamen, but ruthless nonetheless. I’m tired of one person controlling the lives of everyone—especially when the good of ordinary citizens is overlooked. A ruler should listen to and lead his subjects.”

Nathenek didn
’t respond.

Not wanting to bother him,
Rema pulled off her tunic, using it as a pillow. She lay down on the hard ground, wrapping the blanket around her body. She was so exhausted that she quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Darmik

The only one without any training was Ellie. Neco offered
to teach her some basics, but Darmik was concerned. He needed Neco focused on their task of rescuing Rema, not protecting Ellie.

Sitting
around the table, Darmik outlined his plan. Their ship was headed to Emperion’s military port, located north of the main merchant port, where he believed Captain was headed. Since the military ship was smaller and faster, Darmik estimated they would dock a few hours before he did. Once in port, Darmik would announce that he was there on a diplomatic mission. He intended to be escorted to the palace where he would speak with the emperor before Rema arrived.

“
What do you plan to tell your uncle?” Ellie asked.

“
This is where it gets tricky,” Darmik said. “Emperor Hamen will perceive Rema as a threat. The only way he’ll let her live is if she’s not the true heir.”

“What are you saying?” Ellie asked.

“I want to convince him he has the wrong person, and Rema is simply a commoner whom I’m betrothed to.”

“
How do you plan to do that?” Neco asked, raising his eyebrows with a skeptical look.

Darmik
was surprised no one questioned him using the term
betrothed
. He stood and began pacing around the small room. “As you know, Rema bears the royal mark on her shoulder.”

“
You want to remove it?” Savenek asked.

“Or I could cover it with makeup,” Ellie suggested.

Darmik nodded. “What do you think?”

“
I can cut the mark off and stitch her up,” Vesha said. “Rema will have a scar, though.”

“Makeup will be easier,” Ellie said.

“Don’t you think the emperor will check?” Neco asked. “He’ll see the scar or the makeup.”

“
And that’s assuming you have the opportunity to remove the tattoo or cover it with makeup before the emperor checks,” Savenek added.

Darmik
stopped pacing and sat on the empty chair, facing everyone. “I’m open to ideas.”

“
Why don’t we try to intercept Rema before she makes it to Emperion?” Savenek offered.

Darmik
had already considered the possibility, but they were headed slightly north of the merchant ship. “If we’re lucky enough to catch her boat, we will certainly grab her.”

“
Can’t we arrive at the merchant port first and wait for her there?” Vesha asked.

Darmik shook his head.
“A military ship can’t arrive at the merchant port—especially undetected. The army will swarm aboard, and we’ll be unable to rescue her. We have no choice but to dock at the military port, north of there.”

“
Once we dock, can’t we get off the ship and travel to the merchant port? We can try to rescue her there,” Savenek said.

Darmik leaned back on his chair. He looked at each of the five faces, staring hopefully at him.
“All of you need to understand something,” he said. “We’re entering another kingdom. They have different rules and customs. While I appreciate your suggestions, they’re unrealistic. When our ship arrives, we will need to state our names and purpose for being on the mainland. We won’t be able to slip away unnoticed.”

“
Very well,” Savenek said. “We’ll stick with your plan.”

“I
’ll work on mixing some things together to make a skin-colored makeup to cover her tattoo,” Ellie said.

“I
’ll check medical supplies for a needle and thread,” Vesha added.

“
I want everyone to get a good night’s rest,” Darmik said. “Tomorrow, we’ll train, and I’ll teach you proper etiquette.”

Audek scrunched
his nose. “Etiquette?”

“
Yes,” Darmik mused. “You need to know how to greet the emperor. I can’t have you do something to offend him. Otherwise, he’ll have you beheaded.”

Audek shivered.
“Etiquette it is.”

****

Darmik’s back hurt from standing so straight and stiff in the courtyard among hundreds of other soldiers. The hot sun beat down on his exposed neck, causing him to sweat in his full military uniform. The two prisoners stood on the raised platform. The first one, a boy of about twelve years old, was crying. The executioner shoved the boy onto his knees and pulled his wrists forward, locking his forearms into metal cuffs.

The warden read the charge.
“This boy has been caught stealing food from the Kalmier Market. Two apples. The penalty is loss of both hands, so he will never be able to steal again.”

The executioner raised his
axe. Darmik’s stomach twisted in pain. Surely, stealing food didn’t deserve such a severe punishment. The axe came down, and the boy screamed a bloodcurdling sound. The axe went up. Darmik wanted to close his eyes; however, if he did, he’d be the one up there receiving a punishment for disobedience. The crude weapon flew down, and the boy’s second hand fell off. Blood squirted everywhere. The boy lay on the ground, his arms still locked in place. He must’ve passed out. A soldier came out, removed the metal cuffs, and pulled him roughly from the platform.

Darmik
’s legs shook and his hands tingled. He couldn’t pass out. He’d never hear the end of it. His vision swam.

The warden
went to the next prisoner, who was covered with a bag, concealing his identity. “This one is found guilty of treason. Punishment is death.”

The executioner came over
and shoved the prisoner onto his knees, locking his head and arms into the equipment. The executioner grabbed his axe with one hand, removing the bag covering the prisoner’s head with the other.

It was Rema.

Darmik screamed.

He
sat up in bed, breathing hard, covered in sweat. It was only a dream. Memories of his time in Emperion, infused with his greatest fear of losing Rema. Ever since he boarded the ship, he’d been having nightmares.

Even though it was
still dark outside, he slipped out of bed and got dressed. He decided to go up to the top deck and practice sword drills until everyone else woke up. Hopefully, the physical activity would focus his mind. He unsheathed his sword, and started running through various forms.

Barjon
’s angry face appeared before him. “You’re doing it wrong!” he snarled. “Can’t you do anything right? You’re eight years old and can barely lift the sword.”

“I can do it,” Darmik insisted. “I just need a little more practice.”

Barjon swung and hit his arm. The sword dropped to the ground with a loud clank. “I don’t know why I waste my time with you. Lennek’s the only one worthy.” He stormed away.

Darmik bent down and retrieved the sword. Standing, he tried the maneuver again, perfecting it. He smiled, but no one was around to see his accomplishment. Determined not to fail his father, he ran through the drill again and again, until the sword became an extension of his arm, and he didn
’t have to even think about the movements.

****

The following days fell into a routine. After breakfast, everyone went to the top deck, where they spent the morning doing physical training in order to maintain their strength. Darmik led several drills, and Savenek offered to show him some of the rebels’ exercises. They were rather impressive, so Darmik incorporated them into their routine. Thankfully, Ellie caught on quickly. She and Vesha often practiced together and sparred with one another. Darmik enjoyed working with Savenek and Audek—they knew moves he was unfamiliar with and posed a greater challenge than he was used to. Neco even said he was impressed with everyone.

The afternoons were f
ocused on Emperion protocol. Darmik explained how everything was centered on the army and war—from the structure of the city to the way their society behaved. All military members were honored, and those who didn’t serve were the lowest of the low. The higher-ranking officers were Emperion’s elite and noble class.

Darmik showed them how to greet one another
by respectfully bowing one’s head. He also told them to remain quiet at all times. Emperions discouraged individual thought and questions weren’t tolerated. Everyone was to keep all emotions hidden at all times. Emperions were known for using a person’s feelings against them. Darmik wanted them to present themselves as a respectful envoy from Greenwood Island, and he planned to speak on their behalf.

****

The brothers stood side by side, bows raised.

“Closest shot wins,” Lennek said. “You go first.”

Darmik focused on the target thirty feet away. He’d been practicing every day since Trell gave him the bow for his tenth birthday. He pulled back the bowstring and released. The arrow sailed through the air and landed with a thunk, dead center on the target. Darmik smiled.

Lennek grunted,
and then released his arrow. It arched through the air, missing the target completely, and landing in a tree.

“I win,” Darmik announced.

Lennek threw his bow on the ground. “What did you do?” he demanded. “You sabotaged my weapon, didn’t you?”

“Of course not, brother.” He never cheated
, and it hurt his feelings that his brother would accuse him of such a thing.

“I take lessons every day. You don
’t. How did you beat me?”

Darmik looked to the ground, no idea what to say to appease his brother.

“Guards!” Lennek shouted, turning to face the soldiers responsible for the princes’ safety. “Take Darmik to the king. Now.”

“I
’ll go,” Darmik mumbled. “You don’t need to drag me there.” He was escorted to Barjon’s office.

“
Father,” Prince Lennek said. “Darmik cheated. He needs to be taught a lesson.” Lennek proceeded to tell him his version of the story.