Chapter Five Xander #3
A woman with short black hair presses forward, the gathered parting for her.
“Hello, everyone, I’m Taryn. I came with Remi.
” She tosses a thumb over her shoulder to where a man with deep brown eyes and tanned skin leans against the wall.
He raises a hand in greeting before nodding at her to continue.
“My family owns a few acres of farm land just outside of Vitour as you’re heading towards the southern beaches.
” A few voices murmur in recognition. The land there is rich, fruit trees and rows of vegetable plants line the landscape as you’re traveling the road to the beach.
“The king raised his taxes over the past six months, and though we should grow enough to cover the cost, he demanded that the castle be given more of our crop at a steeper discount than before.” Her eyes fall to the table, her fingers twisting the dirt-stained tunic she wears.
“My father… He’s been working this land for decades, and he has never been in a position where he couldn’t give what the ruling king wanted.
He’s never been in debt before. But with the increase and a spring with less rain, we fell behind.
” I hold a breath in my chest, already suspecting what she’s going to say next—it’s nearly the same story every time.
“King’s Guardsmen showed up at our door, demanding payment right then.
We gave them what we could, all the coin we had to survive on ourselves, but it wasn’t enough.
” A tear slips down her cheek, dropping onto the worn wood.
“They broke my father’s legs. He can’t work.
Can’t help bring crops to market. At this rate, we are going to lose everything. ”
Whispers of discontent surround me, the energy intensifying as I look from face to face.
Taryn makes her way back to Remi, who leans down and kisses the top of her head.
A flash of bitterness sears its way through me before I can tear my gaze away.
Remi has been a member of the resistance for only a few months, but he has proven to harbor just as much anger towards the king as everyone else here.
I wonder how long he has been with Taryn.
If he told her about the resistance and she waited until now to join, or if he waited until he knew for sure he could trust her.
I don’t babysit my members once they’ve been initiated in.
They go through a vetting process and are more than aware of what will happen if word of the resistance comes to light.
But as I watch Taryn snuggle closely to Remi, his hand moving up and down her arm in soothing lines, I wonder, with no shortage of regret, if love could make him blind as it once did to me.
I refocus, my attention following an older gentleman as he makes his way to the table.
His deep brown skin is wrinkled, and white salt rims the edges of his clothing.
“I’m Jaron. Been a worker at the docks my entire life.
Along with my brothers.” He folds his arms over his chest, a hand reaching up to scratch at his thick black beard.
“My brother, Eelan, wasn’t careful about how he let his mouth run, and he told the wrong man that he was frustrated with the extra taxes imposed on our goods.
We may not be nobles, but we aren’t illiterate fools.
We see what the king is getting these goods for and what he is then charging his own people.
Eelan was frustrated. His daughter has only seen two summers, and he was working all day to make enough money for his family to survive.
He’s missing her growing up.” Jaron clears his throat as he shakes his head.
“He was turned into the guards for treason. They gave him no trial. No due process to plead his case. He sat in the dungeon for three days before the king ordered his death.” His eyes hold mine, the men and women surrounding the table shifting their weight uncomfortably.
“Family means everything to me. I want to believe that what you preach is true. That you want an end to the king’s reign as much as those of us here.
But you work closely with him, do you not? ”
“Yes,” I answer quickly, my spine straightening.
Leading from the shadows is daunting work.
It comes with very little immediate reward.
I want people whose hatred for the king is a constant simmer in their blood, like it is mine.
I want men and women who know that, for the greater good, we must make choices that delay gratification so that, when the moment is right, we can strike as one and bring King Dolian down swiftly.
“I hold no loyalty to him, nothing beyond what he’s made me vow in blood.
Just like some of you.” I jut my chin out to where Brisk stands, still in his guard’s armor.
“I cannot physically kill the king, but there is nothing stopping me from planning an uprising. My intention is unwavering; my conviction is strong. My loyalty is to the people of the Mortal Kingdom. To the workers who make up the heart that beats strong within it. But I also harbor a need for vengeance that demands payment.” I drag in a deep breath, fighting the urge to flex my fingers at my side.
It’s a risk telling people this, one that I know will be traced back to me if word spreads.
But, I need them to trust me. To understand that I’m risking everything because I believe that we can make things better in this kingdom.
“King Dolian murdered my mother. Took even more from me. All because he wanted to make sure a bastard of his own blood would be submissive.” Jaron’s eyes widen, his head jerking back in shock.
“If you’re afraid that I might betray you, that I secretly hold love for him, I beg you to ask yourself one question. ”
Though my stomach twists in anxiousness, I tug on the hem of my shirt and pull it off, turning and exposing the jagged scars that criss-cross my back. Heat floods up my shoulders and neck, settling in my cheeks as I ignore the quick gasps and murmured curses that echo out.
“Do you think it is possible to devote loyalty to the man who carved my flesh like this?”