Page 93 of Captive of the Stolen Empire

“I feel the same way.”

“I thought you might. It’s why I’m glad I ran into you. I don’t think I’m the only one either.”

I removed my helm with a sigh. “You’re not.”

“So what do we do?”

I stifled a humorless laugh. They always looked to me, their leader, the one who’d taken charge in adolescence even before I’d earned my title. I’d always enjoyed the honor, relished it. It gave me purpose and direction. Now it weighed on me.

“I’m not sure yet. It’s why I came here.” I glanced toward the low altar littered with sticks of burning incense and stems of herbs. A painting of one tall, dark tower on a landscape of night and stars was enclosed within a crimson circle along the far wall. The symbols of Erabus.

Though not always the pious sort, I needed divine guidance. Now more than ever.

“Let’s meet tomorrow. Midafternoon.” Perhaps then I’d have my thoughts in better order. “That big oak by the far training yard.”

Brishon nodded and replaced his helmet, preparing to rise.

I halted him with a hand on his arm. “This stays between us. If the emperor knows how much we doubt him…what we plan…”

“I understand.”

“Tomorrow then.”

Once Brishon left, I replaced my helm and knelt at the foot of the altar. “Erabus, look upon your blessed and guide my path.”

For long minutes I prayed in silence upon my knees. Time passed in the flicker of flame and drip of wax. No windows showed the passage of the moons. No sound reached my ears other than the soft, steady thump of my heart.

Silent prayers gave way to memories of youth. I replayed my interactions with the emperor. Memories from cycles ago, and recent ones too. Emptiness ached within my chest. He’d been a father figure, someone I spent every waking moment aiming to impress. But those old memories were no longer quite what I remembered. The gentle smile and encouraging words no longer sounded so genuine. Instead, I saw a blacksmith honing his blades, hammering the edge into lethal perfection. He selected us. Crafted us for his use.

I couldn’t let him do the same thing to more children.

When at last I rose, my legs were stiff. My feet tingled from the lack of movement. My spirit, however, thrummed with determination. And a plan.

Zurina and Warren said I could trust them, that they had my back. I’d need them. Brishon too. Four against the empire wouldn’t be enough, but we might have a chance if these rebels were truly the force the emperor feared. We knew the emperor’s battle strategies. I’d crafted many of them myself. I also knew his weakness, the game piece that the emperor used to keep the city-states in check: his honored guests.

Chapter42

Lucien

Bells tolled from the high tower. The mix of high and deep notes cut through the afternoon, spooking horse and man alike.

Fuck.

I set my jaw, grimacing at the sound. Earlier I’d met with Warren, Zurina, and Brishon near the large oak outside the training yard. If one of them had second thoughts and relayed our discussions to the emperor, it would be my word against theirs.

With the emperor’s growing paranoia, I knew who would win that discussion.

Guards and grooms rushed to calm the animals in the bailey, though nothing could ease the racing of my heart. Not after all I’d learned this afternoon.

Several of the city-states banded together, amassing the most skilled and loyal soldiers they had left—in secret. They’d sneak off one by one or in twos to avoid the notice of our guards and spies. No one too well-known or so important that they’d be missed. They wouldn’t wear their own colors but common garb, such as the rebels we’d captured. They were careful with the craft of their weapons, using crude farm items.

Zurina had known about it for some time.

She’d helped them.

With the aid of her ability to magically control animals, she sent messages to the rebels, alerting them of our patrols and where our guards were stationed, helping them avoid capture. As the movement grew, it became harder for her to warn them all, hence the recent capture.

One of my best friends worked against me—against all of us.

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