Chapter 27
Talear
Ten Years Ago
A younger Reyne stood before Mordrick, beaming with boastful pride and juvenile arrogance.
He eagerly awaited the words that would proclaim him a Ramachii hunter—a position he trained for most of his life, and since he just turned eighteen, he hoped today would mark the day his labor and dedication would finally be rewarded.
Mordrick paced back and forth, hands folded behind his back, while studying Reyne with an assessing gaze. ''As you know, all men must pass a test of worthiness before joining the Order of the Ramachii. I am confident that you are ready to take that test."
Reyne lifted his chin a notch and thrust his chest forward. "Tell me of your test, uncle, and I shall begin immediately.” The prospect of completing a challenge was exciting. He was ready. More than ready.
Mordrick’s lips twisted into a devious smile. ''Good. You're eager and that pleases me greatly, but before you begin, I must have your word of honor, your solemn vow, that you will complete the mission I am about to send you on, no matter what lies ahead.”
''Of course, my lord,” Reyne vowed. "You have my word of honor."
“Good. Failure will not be tolerated.” Mordrick spun on his heel, crossed the floor to the side of his throne and turned on the view screen. "Come. I want you to look at these two men.”
Reyne strode to the control panel and peered at the three-dimensional image. One man was in his late thirties, the other much younger. Other than similar looks, both appeared rather ordinary.
"On the right is Odin Masters.'' Mordrick’s disgust was evident as he pointed to the older man with a sneer.
"His younger brother Reece, is on the left. These two villains are the ring leaders of a pesky rebellion that has been plaguing me for years. They steal water and create havoc whenever they can.”
"Would you like these men brought to you?'' Reyne offered. Rebels were the cause of his parents’ deaths—parents he could barely remember, but he still wanted revenge against those responsible.
“That wouldn't do any good. You see, if anything happened to either of those two, another would just step up and take their place.
No, what we need to do is to destroy the rebellion in its entirety.
That is where your test comes in. What I require is simple: Infiltrate the rebellion and get as close to Oden and Reece as you can. ''
“I’m ready,” he assured his uncle with brash confidence.
"I doubt it will be easy. Odin is no fool,” Mordrick informed him as he turned off the screen and returned to his throne.
He lifted an ornate chalice to his lips and took a long sip.
"But with time and patience, I think you'll manage. Once you have established yourself as one of them, send word and I’ll instruct you from there.”
"Consider it done.” Reyne bowed in a show of respect and departed the throne room, eager to not only make his uncle proud, but to avenge his parents as well.
The next day, his life was irrevocably changed as he was escorted from the fortress with only the clothes on his back and a few meager tokeneks. It had been explained that living like a commoner would help pave his way to the rebellion.
After weeks of shucking dung from the stables for tokeneks and thirsting for water like everyone else, Reyne was beginning to understand why Mordrick was so despised. Life was harsh enough on Talear without water being controlled and taxed by their overlord.
It took time, but Reyne managed to encounter several low-ranking rebels. But it wasn't until he stole a barrel from a water merchant in Isabella, that he was recruited and brought into the fold.
Rolling the stolen barrel into the hidden catacombs, the rebel's secret lair, he had been greeted by a man who he quickly recognized as Reece Masters—one of the two men he had been ordered to contact.
Reyne tried his best to strike up a conversation. The tactic worked and they ended up talking, and drinking whiskey, for several hours. Reyne sent word to Mordrick of his success the following day.
The next couple of months went better than what Mordrick could have hoped for, for Reece had taken an instant liking to Reyne. So much so, he had taken Reyne under his wing, helping him feel at home among the rebel soldiers.
Despite knowing his parents were killed by rebels, possibly some of these rebels, Reyne found that he liked Reece.
A lot. And it wasn’t just because Reece introduced him to whiskey, gambling, and women—not necessarily the best vices for an eighteen-year-old—but Reece was always true to his word and genuinely cared about the Taleari in such an unselfish way, it shamed Reyne.
Six months went by without a word from Mordrick, and just when Reyne was thinking he had been forgotten—hoping even, he was contacted by another spy, Remmy, and given a set of precise instructions. He was to convince Reece to attack a water convoy carrying fifty barrels of water.
Reyne was told where and when to strike.
Following orders, Reyne talked Reese into the attack. Together, with a small band of soldiers, they dressed in camouflage and set out. They crouched behind weathered boulders and rolling sand dunes, their faces wrapped in scarves to block the stinging sand and blistering rays.
In the distance, the telltale creak of a heavily laden wagon signaled the approach of the roving water merchant. With hands resting on battered weapons, they waited until the convoy came around the bend, rambling at a slow, meandering pace.
Reece stood and shouted “attack”. The rebels leapt from their hiding places and opened fire. The attack was swift and merciless, a complete success.
News of their victory spread through the catacombs like wildfire. When they brought in the first barrel of water, the group were greeted with a roar of cheers and round after round of applause.
They were hailed as heroes. Only Reyne didn’t feel like a hero—not even close.
The rebels continued to cheer as each barrel was hoisted above strong shoulders, tilted and emptied into the deep well located in the center of the torch-lit alcove.
When the contents of the last barrel dripped into the well, Reyne was led to a raised platform and pushed forward until he came face to face with Reece’s older brother, the renowned rebel leader himself—Odin Masters.
''Fine job,'' the older man told Reyne with a wide smile of approval. “Reyne, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Reyne, this is the first victory we have had in a long time, and the people needed it.
Thank you.'' He threw an accepting arm over Reyne's shoulder and addressed the clamoring crowd that had formed around the platform.
''This victory," Odin announced with cheerful pride.
“Marks a new beginning for us, and with people like Reyne here, taking charge, we will hopefully see more victories like this to come. "
Someone poured a jug of cold water on top of Reyne's head.
The clamoring crowd roared with approval and celebration broke out.
Trays of roasted meats and steamed vegetables, water jugs and bottles of ale were passed around.
The scent of kerrel, a warm spice unique to Talear, drifted through the tunnels.
Musicians gathered and tuned their instruments.
Shortly thereafter, a lively tune swept through the room prompting the men to stomp their feet to the infectious rhythm.
Women—both old and young—joined in the merriment, dancing with joyful abandon.
While the revelry continued, Reyne slipped away, searching for an empty tunnel, far away from the boisterous revelry.
Bile rose in his throat.
Reyne dropped to his knees, retching repeatedly, until his stomach was empty. Still feeling ill, Reyne slicked his wet hair back with his shaky palms, leaned against the cold stone and slid to the ground. Head hung low in self-loathing, he continued to listen to the echoing sounds of laughter.
Over the next six months, he received three similar orders, each instructing him to arrange small attacks that all ended in another easy victory for the rebellion. Guilt gnawed his conscience. He was torn between his sworn oath to his uncle, and knowing betraying the rebellion was wrong.
His dislike for Mordrick grew with every new order he received.
Each time, when the victory celebration was in full swing, he would slip away to a private place deep in the catacombs and puke his guts up.
One day, he heard that a Ramachii hunter had been captured by the rebels. The man was tortured and died a horrific death when they tried to remove the implant. Reyne knew of the man, Luther, but by reputation only. Luther was one of Mordrick’s favorites.
A week later, Remmy cornered Reyne in an empty tunnel. A sealed envelope was thrust into his hands. He was ordered to deliver it directly to Mordrick himself.
Reyne groaned. He hated the thought of returning to the fortress, but what choice did he have?
After telling Reece some fabricated nonsense about why he needed to leave, he departed the catacombs and headed back to the ebony fortress.
Once he arrived, Reyne was escorted directly to Mordrick—whom he hadn't seen for over a year. Nothing about Mordrick had changed, Reyne realized as he approached the throne, but he had. Now, he couldn't miss the unmistakable sadistic gleam in Mordrick's eyes.
"Do you have it?” Mordrick asked.
"Yes.'' Reyne handed over the sealed envelope. “What is it?”
Mordrick ripped open the letter, scanned the scribbled notes, and trust it to Magnius, who took the paper and departed the throne room. “The formula the rebels have been working on. They are trying to duplicate the Ramachii implant to gain access to my fortress.”
He winced. Had Reyne known that envelope’s contents, he never would have delivered it. Indeed, he would have burned it and stomped the embers into the ground with the heel of his boot.
"You are doing a very fine job. I am extremely pleased.”