Chapter 25
In the week that followed the attack on Edras Mora, Jai had ordered a grouping of other messengers to gather the troops from all around Patrivah. Callan and Saoirse, along with the twins, parted ways to reach out to the other provinces, spreading the word of what was to come. Jai could only hope that some of the smaller military groupings across Entheas had survived.
Within the first few days, every available soldier in Patrivah, and anyone else willing to fight, was loaded into the wide array of ships in the south harbor to make the crossing to Stelonbriar. They had decided it would be faster to travel by water than to attempt traversing the mountains of Braexmirth. Jai had to trust that Erick would have followed his instructions and started setting up in the farmers’ fields.
He looked around at the inhabitants of his larger ship and guilt settled in his stomach like a bowl of rancid meat. They had numbers, sure, but he did not relish the idea of sending young women and boys to their deaths with little to no combat training.
The ships were filled to capacity with packs, bedrolls, canvas sheets, weapons, targets, armor, and as much food and water as they could scavenge. Luckily for them, the larger food stores were not located in the city’s capital but evenly dispersed around the province.
He laughed when he noticed Enara rubbing Baz’s back as he leaned over the railing. They hadn’t even started moving yet, and the poor guy was already fifty shades of green. Jai hoped for his sake that he had eaten a light breakfast.
“We are ready to depart when you are, Your Highness,” the captain barked from the helm.
He was still not used to people referring to him in such a formal way, but he did not correct him. “Onward to war, then,” he said, and the captain gave the order to unmoor from the dock.
* * *
“I still can’t believehe’s back,” Adaryn said to Soren, her gaze locked on Jai from across the deck.
“I’m surprised you let him off that easily,” Soren poked. “You know, besides his whole handsome, saving-the-world bit, two years is a long time to disappear without a word.”
“I thought you two were friends,” Adaryn said, eyes flashing defensively. “Besides, two years is nothing in comparison to knowing him my whole life. I wanted so badly to be mad at him, but when I saw you two in the kitchen, all I could think of was how much I missed him.” She paused to give Soren a side smirk. “And how much I wanted my knuckles to meet your face.”
Soren chuckled again. “I mean, that’s fair. You should know that nothing happened. I thought I wanted to kiss him, but he let me down easy. He has only ever had eyes for you.”
Adaryn blew out a breath. “Well, I can’t really blame you, now can I?” she jested, her gaze drifting to her lover. “I mean, look at him.”
The girls giggled as though they were school-aged again, chatting about their most recent flames.
“I hope you know I have all the respect in the world for the two of you,” Soren started, needing to clear the air. “I was lonely, and he was there. There was never anything real between us.”
Adaryn held up her hand. “Do not worry; Jai already told me everything. You two have been there for each other. I understand, and I harbor no ill-will toward you.”
The knot around Soren’s heart loosened a little. “Friends?” she asked.
“Friends,” Adaryn replied with a smile. “Now, I am going to go see if Mrs. Ferndale needs a hand below. We have many mouths to feed, and I don’t see how this boat will stay on course with two hundred hungry soldiers.” She turned on her heel and disappeared below deck with Soren smiling after her.
She gazed out over the dark water, wondering if this would be the last time she would look upon its large expanse. She could make out the dock in the distance, and her heart clenched when she was reminded of all those they had sailed away from. She had watched as fathers said goodbye to their babies, children said goodbye to their mothers as their injured fathers cried silent tears. Her sadness crested as teenagers left home for the first time with no guarantee of coming back. The whole scene had been absolutely heartbreaking.
Oddly enough, she found comfort in the fact that all of her closest friends were with her, even if they were sailing toward death.
She clutched the ring at her neck and thought of her father. I love you tons, Daddy. Please watch over us all. I miss you. Say hi to Mom for me.
She couldn’t be sure, but she swore she felt a warm breeze wrap around her, protecting her from the cold spray of the ocean as the ship bobbed along the waves. In her heart, she knew that he could hear her.
* * *
It tookthree days for the whole fleet to land in Irefeld. As grueling as the trip had been, Soren was thankful for it. Turned out that Rook was also not fond of the water, so him and Baz formed a sort of unspoken kinship while they continuously hurled over the side of the boat. Mutual seasickness seemed to spark a comradery between them, and even Enara had shown a sliver of sympathy for Rook by the end of the second day.
Erick welcomed them all with open arms as they sauntered down the wooden plank and onto dry land. Everett blushed as Erick winked at him before turning to lead them away from the bustle of the trading docks.
Stelonbriar’s shipping arrangements with the rest of the provinces kept them busy year-round. In-season produce, and freshly butchered and preserved meat products, were their main exports, thus resulting in a wealthy province.
“I am glad you have made the journey safely, my friends,” the duke said. He nodded to a few of his townsfolk as they crossed the square and headed for his manor.
“I had hoped you received my correspondence in time,” Jai said. “I was concerned it may not reach you before we arrived.”
Duke Erick nodded grimly. “I did, in fact. And I also happened to run into a few friends of yours,” he said cryptically, looking to Rook.
Before Jai could ask what he meant, a fury of honey-blonde hair came barreling into the group, catching Soren and Rook in a tight embrace.
“Nice to see you, Meena,” Rook said through a choked breath.
“I can’t believe you’re here!” she said, her voice cracking like weathered paint. “I have a bone to pick with you,” she said, turning a frustrated gaze on Soren. “If you ever leave us alone with him again”—she pointed a thumb in Rook’s face—“I will personally hunt you down and chain you to the table myself!”
Soren’s mouth hung open for a moment before she clacked her teeth together in a smile. “I missed you, too, Meena.”
“And what about me?” Evelyn’s calm alto drifted from behind Meena’s bubbling frame.
“Yeah, I guess I missed you, too,” Soren replied, welcoming her in a gentler embrace.
Evie placed a hand on Rook’s shoulder before saying, “I am glad you are all right.” Her eyes misted, but she blinked back the tears as she took in the small army in front of her. “You all look like you could use a drink and a hot meal.”
“You’ve got that right,” Adaryn said, rushing forward to shake Evie’s hand. “I’m Adaryn, the king-to-be’s partner, and I am famished.” Apparently, helping Mrs. Ferndale maintain the crew with half-decent meals on the ship had left little time for Adaryn to enjoy a hot meal to herself. She had spent the three-day journey eating cold leftovers and crunchy bits scraped from all but empty pots and pans below deck. She, of course, had not told Mrs. Ferndale this, for fear of being reprimanded for not eating properly. She had spent years in the castle overindulging and thought the least she could do was offer her portions to those who required a little more sustenance.
“Well, Adaryn,” Evie replied with a kind smile, “I think we can help with that.”
* * *
After stuffingthemselves with some cabbage stew and salted ham, Soren excused herself from the makeshift table of the large mess tent. The massive piece of fabric was stretched over evenly spaced poles that created a tarped-off area that was one hundred feet long and forty feet wide. As they had entered, Erick had explained how this was where the soldiers and fighters would congregate to eat and also to discuss training schedules and have instructions relayed to them from their group leaders.
Soren looked at the barren field before her and couldn’t ignore the sense of foreboding. The attack on Irefeld had occurred while they had traveled. All the great fields around the Stelonbriar’s capital had been burned to the ground. Luckily for them, the city remained greatly untouched, and most of the residents had extensive cellars filled with canned fruits and vegetables that could last them until they rebuilt. If there is anything left to rebuild.
Soren pushed the negative thought from her mind as her gaze drifted over the flat, black landscape. It reminded her of an unfinished painting. It was almost as though the artist had lain out a black tapestry in the hopes to add bits of color but was stopped mid-brushstroke, leaving behind a foreboding black hole.
Her attention shifted as she heard Baz’s laugh carry from across the room. Somehow, he and Rook had ended up in a strong-arm contest, and from the angry look on Rook’s face, Baz had won.
Retreating from the smoke-filled air, she returned to her seat beside Enara.
“You good, lady?” Enara asked, having noticed her temporary absence.
“Yeah, just wanted some fresh air,” Soren replied, picking at a limp piece of cabbage that had affixed itself to the side of her wooden bowl.
Enara scrunched up her nose. “And how did you enjoy the smell of burned vegetables?”
“About as much as I enjoy Baz’s dad jokes,” Soren replied.
Their conversation halted for a moment before they burst out in laughter at Baz’s expense.
“You’re not wrong,” Enara replied, still laughing.
A hand reached for her face, and she flinched, the joy in her eyes swiftly replaced by fear as she folded away from the stray limb.
“Hey, it’s just me,” Baz said from beside her.
Enara looked up to see Baz lift his hands in a calming gesture. She visibly relaxed and reached for his wrist to pull him into her.
Soren sat in silent understanding, letting the exchange play out.
“Oh, hey,” Enara said, her cheeks heating with embarrassment. “Sorry, I didn’t realize it was you.”
Baz cupped her cheek and kissed her forehead. “Never apologize for protecting yourself,” he said, his lips tickling her hairline.
She pushed back far enough to look into his dark eyes. “I thought you were?—”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry. I’m being ridiculous. My father is gone, and I still freak out anytime someone makes a sudden movement.” She wrung her hands in her lap, before playing with the strings of the corseted vest she wore.
“You”—Baz kissed her nose—“are not”—he then kissed her temple—“ridiculous.” He finished by planting a firm kiss on her lips.
“You’re right,” she replied, her fear chased away by his touch. “You are ridiculous.” She chuckled before kissing him again.
“Get a room,” Soren joked, her brown eyes glinting in the lamplight.
“We already have one,” Enara said, winking. “And I wouldn’t comment on our sleeping arrangements unless you want us to inquire about yours.” Her eyes flicked to where Rook still looked unimpressed at the adjacent table. Meena was speaking animatedly with Everett, who sat next to him.
Soren sighed, deciding she had lost this one. “Fine, but seriously, we should all get some sleep.”
“Agreed,” Enara said, pushing up from the bench and looping her arm through Baz’s. “Meet you in the morning?”
“Yeah, I’ll be here,” Soren replied.
“All right, lady, sweet dreams.”
“Sweet dreams.”
* * *
Jai watchedas Enara and Baz slipped through the folds of the large tent, no doubt turning in early to prepare for the day to come.
He had been impressed with the duke’s military prowess and sauntered over to commend him on his efforts.
“You’ve done well, brother,” he said, clapping Erick on the back.
“Anything to help,” he replied solemnly. “Anyway”—he stretched—“I’m going to retire for the evening. I have a few more things to go over, and it has already been a long day.”
“Of course,” Jai replied, moving out of his way as Erick pushed up from the wooden pew. The long table comprised itself of ten smaller square tables, borrowed from the local tavern, and was lined with the pews from a nearby church.
“We will reconvene in the morning to begin training,” Erick said, his eyes drifting over to where Everett was seated. “Until then, make the most of this evening. It may be one of the last peaceful ones we have.”