MAN OF WAR

18

Her feet touched the ground, and they changed back to their rightful forms. They had landed just outside a huge tent in the middle of a large camp. Jade had not realized how large the rebel forces truly were. She looked around, impressed with how organized they seemed to be. Miya headed for the tent, and Jade decided to stay close to her brother. He held back the tent flap and went inside, holding it back for her as she followed.

            Inside was a group of men arguing over maps and rations. They stopped when they noticed Miya. One man with light hair stepped forward hopefully, addressing Miya. “What did you learn?” He asked.

            “The army outnumbers us eight to one,” the men gave each other worried looks. “That is not the worst part. The Emperor has called in his fleets. He has drafted every sailor into military service. They will march on us along with the army doubling his manpower. He intends to overwhelm us with numbers.”

            “And it will work,” one man with a scar across his face spoke up. “Most of these people are farmers and peasants. They can only fight so many before they can fight no more. We are leading these people to slaughter.”

            “We should disband and hide,” another man said. “We will live to fight another day.”

            “No,” Miya said, coming farther into the tent. “You do not understand. It ends now. The Emperor does not intend to win a battle and drive us off. He intends to annihilate us all. Even if we run, he will come after us. He will find us, and he will kill everyone. Scorched earth,” Miya said, looking at the faces of every man. “Kill everyone breathing and burn everything. This is the order he has given his men. Leave nothing but bodies and ash. We have nowhere to run that he will not hunt us.”

            “What would you have us do?” The older of the men barked.

            “We fight,” the first man said calmly. “We make our last stand.”

            “We will die,” another man said with fear in his voice.

            The first man turned and looked at him. “Then we will die free men,” he said. “We all knew when we started out, the risk we took by doing this. We all knew we put our lives on the line. Every person in this camp knew the risks when they joined. We would all rather die than be ruled by a tyrant. If this is to be our last stand, then so be it,” he said, rallying the other. “But before we die, we will show them what we are made of, and we will not go quietly… we will not lay down and die!” The men cheered and raised their swords. Jade smiled; this must be Sakwa. The man turned and faced her. “Miya, who have you brought us?” He asked.

            Jade stepped forward, holding her chin high as she introduced herself to the rebel leaders. “My name is Jade.”

            “She is my sister,” Miya explained. “I could not leave her behind again.”

            The man took her hand and bowed, placing a kiss to the back of her hand respectfully. “My Lady. It is a pleasure. I am…”

            “The rebel leader Sakwa,” she finished for him.

            He grinned. “I see my reputation proceeds me.”

            “You are a thorn in many men's sides,” she grinned.

            “Only bad men, I assure you,” he promised. “I am really a very nice fellow. Allow me to introduce you to the other thorns,” he pointed to the man with the scar. “Hector,” then to the older man. “Tax,” then to the shorter of the men. “This is Xander,” he then pointed to a dark-haired man beside him, who was young and handsome, with his broad shoulders and narrow waist. It was hard to hide his strong body beneath his chainmail and tunic. “This is Nate; he arrived this morning.”

            There were other men in the tent, their seconds in command, she would assume, but it would have taken too long to get to know everybody. Jade nodded hello to everyone. “Welcome to the rebellion,” Nate said. “It is only a shame that it is right before we are all destined to die.”

            “You are so negative, Sir,” Jade said. “Nothing is final until it is over. You should never give up hope. Sometimes hope is all one has.”

            “And just what sort of hope do you think we have?” Nate asked mockingly.

            Jade’s gaze fell to her brother. “Sometimes, alliances are forged when you least expect them,” she could tell the men did not understand, but they did not need to until she was sure herself. “If you will excuse me, I would like the opportunity to wash and perhaps eat.”

            “We do not have much, but you are welcome to what we have,” Sakwa said.

            “I will show you around,” Miya offered, pulling back the tent flap and following Jade out. Miya led her through the camp. “I can get you some jerked meat and some bread. There is a spring in the woods if you wish to bathe there,” he said, taking her to a tent that stored what little food they had. Once they were alone, he looked at her. “Do you really believe what you are implying?” He asked. Miya had always been very good at knowing what she was thinking.

            “Yes,” she said. Jade had been Gaia’s maid for weeks. She had gotten to know the Empress fairly well. She was, at heart, a good woman. She was a woman that the people loved. A woman that many of the soldiers loved, from what she had learnt from her time in the soldiers’ quarters. No one liked the Emperor. If they could somehow convince the Empress to side with them, she was sure a good number of soldiers would follow Gaia. It could be just what the rebellion needed to survive.

            “She is not going to betray her own crown,” he argued.

            “She would not be betraying her crown. That is just it. She would be protecting it,” Jade said, taking the food he offered. “Like a war of independence. Her against her husband. If she and her army won, then she could rule in peace and harmony. Free of her tyrant husband,” Jade said, trying to make Miya see the beauty in her suggestion.

            “And should he win, he will execute her as a traitor and kill everyone,” Miya pointed out.

            Jade sighed. “Should that happen, then we will all be dead, and none of us will care anymore anyway,” she had made a point that he could not deny. She took her brother’s hands and pleaded with him. “You are her lover,” she said, finding the statement odd to say. “She will listen to you.” 

            He pulled away from her. “No,” he said firmly. “I cannot. I have done everything you have asked of me, but I cannot do this,” Miya said, giving her his back. She could hear the conflict in his voice. “Do not ask me to do this. I cannot ask her to jeopardize her life. Do not ask me to choose between my duty and the woman I-” He stopped refusing to say the rest. He did not need to. Jade did not know what had happened between Gaia and Miya, but it was clear that he felt strongly for her and did not wish to put her at further risk.

            “I will not order you to do this,” Jade said, coming up and placing her hand on his back. “But I would ask you to consider the lives she might save if you do.”

            Miya was quiet for a long moment. “I will show you to the spring,” he said, leading her out of the tent.

            She quietly followed her brother toward the trees when the leader Nate approached them. He offered her a charming smile. “Lady Jade,” he said as he reached them. He took her hand, and politely kissed her knuckles.

            “Please, just call me Jade,” she insisted.

            “I am sorry. We assumed you were nobility by the way you carry yourself with such grace and pride. I only wished to do you the honour of the title I assumed you deserved,” he said, offering her a charming smile.

            “I thank you for the consideration, but given the situation, I believe we can forgo the formalities,” she smiled.

            “As you wish,” he agreed. “I had hoped to catch you alone,” Nate said, looking at Miya in the hopes that he might leave.

            “Do not count on it,” Miya scowled.

            “My brother is protective. He believes he has left me alone for far too long as it is. I do not think you will find him accommodating,” Jade smirked.

            “Very well,” Nate said. “I suppose I can work around a chaperone,” he offered Jade his arm, and she accepted. She laced her arm with his and placed her hand on his forearm. “May I escort you to…?”

            “I was headed to the spring to wash.”

            “Oh well, I do not believe your brother will allow me to escort you there,” he laughed. “So perhaps just a quick stroll around camp,” he suggested.

            Jade chuckled. “Is there something you wanted, Sir?” She came right out and asked.

            “I want much,” Nate said suggestively, ignoring her brother’s grumble as he walked behind them. “I want peace. I want to get through this without everyone I have come to care for dying. I do not think I will have either. I also want to apologize for my rudeness back in the tent when we first met, and to beg your forgiveness. I am usually far more charming than that, but certain death tends to bring out the worst in a man.”

            Jade smirked. “You are forgiven.”

            “One thing I have learnt in my time with the rebellion is to live every moment like it might be your last. Not to let things you may want pass you by, you may never have another chance at them. I would very much like the opportunity to get to know you better.”

            She stopped and turned to face him. “And why would that be?”

            “I have never known a shifter woman before today. In truth, I find you fascinating,” Nate said sweetly.

            Jade chuckled. “Is that what it is?” She looked him dead in the eyes. “I have known many men in my lifetime, and fascinating was never the term used,” she walked back to Miya. “I am flattered good, Sir, but I am afraid you must find another woman to be fascinated with.”                            

            “But sweet, you do me wrong,” Nate protested, following her.

            Miya stepped in at this point, placing his towering body between Jad and the rebel leader. “The lady has said good day,” he growled protectively, his eyes glowing.

            Nate smiled up at Miya, and friendly patted him on the chest. “Of course, she has. I will just run along then and see you two later,” he said, giving Jade one last lingering look before he wandered off.

            Miya turned and ushered Jade toward the trees once more. “Come, let us go before any more suitors come calling,” he teased.

***

            Gaia watched from her balcony as the men prepared to march out of the city. She did not know what would happen once they left or how long their duty might take. The only thing she knew for sure was it would end in bloodshed. Countless would die needlessly on both sides. This blasted war had already gone on for far too long. Far too many had suffered. Too many had died too young. Too many wives widowed. Too many children orphaned. Too many mothers had buried their sons. There was too much war.

            She could stand by no more and do nothing. She could not allow this travesty to take place. She had to do something to stop it. Gaia picked up the hem of her dress and rushed out of her chambers to find her husband. She would be silent no more. She must talk some sense into him. She must make him see what he was about to do was wrong. Gaia walked through the corridors with determination and purpose. She spotted the palace guard. “Where is my husband?” She demanded.

            The guard looked awkward and pointed to the palace library. “He is not alone, Your Majesty.”

            “I do not care,” she said, heading down the corridor and passing her mother on the way.

            “Gaia, where are you going?” Her mother asked with concern.

            “To have words with Victor,” she said, pushing the door open and entered without announcing herself. Gaia walked in to find her wretched husband’s hand inside the top of her sister’s dress and his lips on her neck in a heated embrace. Gaia was startled by what she had walked in on, and she paused for a moment.

            Samantha screeched from being interrupted in such a compromising position, and she tugged at her dress to set it right. Victor glared at Gaia, enraged by the intrusion. “What is this?” He demanded.

            Gaia swallowed hard, trying to regain her nerve. He was far more frightening then she had thought he would be. “I wish to speak with you,” she said, trying to sound confident.

            “If I ever wish to speak to you, I will send for you,” Victor snarled. “Now leave,” he ordered.

            Offended that he would dare to speak to her in such a tone, Gaia stiffened her spine and narrowed her eyes. She was an Empress, not a servant. She had been raised a Crowned Princess, and she demanded the respect her title allotted her. “Now, you hear me. I will not be treated this way. I am Empress, and I will be heard,” she yelled back, gaining his full attention and instantly regretting it. It was too late to turn back now. She came farther into the room and glared at her sister then returned her gaze to her husband. “You are sending the men to their deaths.”

            “Some will die.”

            “Many will die,” she snapped. “You do not know these rebels. They will fight with every breath they have in their bodies. For thirteen years, they have killed our men. They will make short work of your soldiers.”

            “It will be fine. I have sent many soldiers,” Victor said, returning his attention to Samantha.

            “You do not care how many men die, and when you win, they say you will take no prisoners. That you will have the men kill women and children.”

            “Yes,” he said with no feeling at all.

            “They are children,” Gaia snapped. “Why not show mercy?”

            “I will not leave anyone to oppose me. Children grow up to be men, and their hatred will fester, and a new rebellion will grow. I cannot allow them to survive to become my enemies in the future. Mercy is for the weak. Empires are built on wars. I will crush my enemies and show those who would dare to threaten us that Kumun is strong. The rebels die, and I will send a million men to their deaths to accomplish it.”

            “What of peace?” She suggested. “This stupid war was between Sakwa and my father. Why not offer a chance of peace to the rebellion leaders? They may be willing to forgo this war with you.”

            “I will have my peace when they are all dead,” Victor said. “Now leave and do not think to disturb me again. I have no interest in what you have to say,” he said, moving closer to Samantha. Gaia heard her sister laugh at her expense.

            “What are you laughing at? You are the Emperor’s w***e,” Gaia snarled at her rotten little sister.

            “You are only jealous,” Samantha said, running her fingers through Victor’s hair, “because I hold the Emperor’s ear.”

            Gaia narrowed her eyes at her sister, disgusted with her. A princess and she had debased and lowered herself into a common palace wench for this man. “You may share the marriage bed, dear sister, but it is I who wears the crown,” she reminded Samantha.

            Samantha glared at her, and Gaia left the room, slamming the door behind her. She stood in the corridor, feeling utterly frustrated. She had gotten nowhere with that man. He was a tyrant. He cared for nothing and no one but himself. He would not even give peace a chance. She would not sit back in this palace while men died needlessly for this man’s ego. Not if she could negotiate peace with the rebels.

            She stormed passed her mother, whose concern grew even more. Her mother followed her with haste. “Gaia, I know that look. You got that look every time you were about to do something I would disapprove of,” she said, following her daughter down the staircase. “Where are you going?”

            “To do something you will disapprove of,” Gaia said without stopping. “I cannot allow this to continue.”

            Her mother grabbed her arm and brought her to a stop, her eyes searching Gaia’s face. There was so much worry in her mother’s eyes. “Do not do this. You risk capture if you leave these walls.”

            “Mother, too many have died already for Father’s war. I cannot let more die if I can put an end to it. I must go to this Sakwa. I must speak to him and pray that he is more reasonable then Victor. I cannot do nothing,” she said, continuing down the stairs.

            Her mother followed her. “Then I am coming with you,” she said.

            Gaia stopped once more. “No, Mother, this will be dangerous.”

            “I will not allow you to go alone for exactly that reason. You will not talk me out of this anymore then I can you,” she said, smiling at her. It was the first time she had seen a real smile on her mother’s face in a long time.

            “Alright,” Gaia said, continuing down the stairs.

            “We will need an escort. Someone who can be trusted,” her mother suggested.

            “I know the perfect person.”