Rebels of Vulvar (Vulvarian Saga Book 2), стр. 47
“No, brother,” I said. “I have business elsewhere. Be it so that the men wish to overthrow Nisa again, let them choose another to lead them, and to become Dabar.”
“Where will you go?” Greyson asked.
“I have business with the Goddess Queens at Mount Volz,” I said.
Greyson’s eyes widened. His jaw dropped. “Surely you jest, brother,” he said. “Such would be a journey to certain death.”
I laughed. “As a wise warrior friend once told me, all death is certain,” I said.
“Then I will accompany you,” Greyson said resolutely. “If need be, I will die by your side.”
“No, brother,” I said. “This a journey I must make alone. Now, we must gather the men and plan their escape. We should presume that Udo dispatched a courier to the city to report the uprising here. In less than an hour, the warriors of Nisa may take to the march. And, in perhaps one hour more, they might arrive here. The men must soon scatter to avoid capture.”
“Yes, well said,” Greyson said.
Together we gathered the men. Greyson and I stood before them atop the windlass. I congratulated them on their courage and tenacity. Then I explained what they must do. Then Greyson addressed them. Every man who wished to give his opinion spoke. In a short time, they reached a consensus. Greyson had been with Cooke in his lair in the foothills of the Eimgas Mountains, east of Nisa, before the slave rebellion came into full bloom. The men agreed to follow Greyson there and to make him their leader should they relaunch the rebellion. As escapees from the justice of Nisa, none of them could return to their home cities. As they were now outlaws under the laws of Vulvar, they believed it best to stick together, to seek safety in numbers. I agreed with the plan, even though it was not my concern.
Less than one hour after we had overthrown Udo and his underlings, Greyson embraced me and then led the men east toward the mountains. We had wished each other well. I then left the mines on the first leg of my solo journey. I intended first to return to Haela’s farm to retrieve my bow and sword. Then I would strike north toward Mount Volz.
My heart felt heavy as a stone because I could do nothing for Emer. I would never know what became of her. But it would have been impossible for me to enter Nisa undetected, much less rescue Emer from the dungeon below the Hall of Government alone. I was powerless to help her. The pain I felt over the loss of my beloved Idril was still sharp. Yet I admitted to myself that I had felt a powerful attraction for Emer too.
I had taken a spear from the mine, along with Udo’s short sword. In the hovel at the mine where Udo had lived, I found other useful things. I had found a scabbard and sword belt for the rakir and a rusty warrior’s helmet. Though I lacked a shield, I was still formidably armed until I recovered my weapons from the barn at the farm.
Cautiously but swiftly, I moved toward Haela’s home. The warriors of Thiva and their allies were still in the countryside around Nisa, seeking the remaining pockets of rebel slaves. I had to avoid them at all costs. I had no desire to suffer capture and have the Anax of Nisa return me to the vile copper mines I’d escaped.
26
Friendships Renewed
Dusk had fallen by the time I reached the farm. Twice patrols of Thivan warriors searching for rebel bands delayed me. They forced me each time to hide in overgrown grain fields. On one occasion, I continued my journey after the patrol had passed by me. The other time, they had accosted four males I presumed were former insurgents. While the warriors were busily shackling the men, I took to my heels and put distance between us.
As I approached the barn, I saw lights flickering inside the farmhouse and saw smoke billowing from the chimney. Stealthily, I crept into the barn. I breathed easier when I saw a familiar gardo parked inside. Swiftly I checked the corrals beside the barn and discovered a team of veovarks there. It seemed Haela had returned home from Thiva. Back inside the barn, I found my bow and katana where I had concealed them beneath some bags of grain. I took them with me and crept to the front door of the house.
After leaning the spear against the outside wall, with the katana ready in case someone other than Haela occupied the house, I pounded on the door. Soon I heard footsteps approaching the door.
“What do you want?” a woman called out from within the house. I recognized Haela’s voice.
“Haela, it’s your good friend, Tobias Hart,” I replied. “I have come to share your supper.”
Haela threw open the door. “Tobias Hart!” she squealed, grabbing me in a bear hug that nearly crushed my ribs. “We heard they sent you to mines of Nisa!”
“And so they did,” I laughed after she released me. “But I found I disliked the work and the food and lodgings were unsatisfactory. I chose to depart.”
Haela laughed and hugged me again. “Come in,” she said. “I have a savory stew I just took off the fire and brown bread fresh from the oven.”
I grabbed the spear and followed her inside. When we walked into the kitchen, a woman sat at the table. She stood, turned to me, and smiled.
“Hail, commander,” said Emer.
Stunned, I dropped the spear. Then I strode across the floor and took her in my arms.
“By