Timing was never precise in a battle. Especially one with this many moving pieces.
We would have to hide explosives around the mine and discreetly free the prisoners. Once we started escaping, the armywould charge in after us. We’d need to set off the explosives without killing ourselves or the weak, confused prisoners. Skelly would have to fight the warship and any remaining soldiers to keep our escape route clear.
We could be crushed by the supervisors, the mine, Dracles and his army, or the warship.
It sounded impossible.
I rubbed my temples, exhaustion fragmenting my thoughts.
Caddik’s chair screeched across the floor as he stood up. “Enough useless planning. That mine has stood for decades and won’t be destroyed over breakfast. I have beds and cots for you all, unless Korvin changes his mind and burns down my house before lunch.”
Kiera’s eyes widened as if she didn’t know whether that was a joke.
Unfortunately, I was sure it wasn’t. We needed to rest while we could, but we had to keep moving before long.
In what direction, for what purpose, only the Four knew. But I wouldn’t give up my plans. There was always a way.
Helene stood from the table first, reminding me of something.
“A moment in the cellar, Helene,” I said, standing as well.
She eyed me with distrust and a little fear, but she nodded.
I opened the door in the kitchen that led down a set of stairs to the first cellar. Unlike the secret one, the room was full of fruits and vegetables, drying from the rafters or peeking out of barrels. Casks of wine layered the shelves next to sacks of flour and rice.
I pushed one of the shelves aside and pulled up the burlap cloth that hung over the metal door. It was well-hidden, yet Korvin hadn’t even bothered searching the whole house. Instead, he’d sipped tea and eaten breakfast.
Shaking off my sense of foreboding, I opened the door and followed Helene into the secret cellar.
“Well, what did you need to say to me in this ghastly hole?” Helene demanded. She folded her arms tightly around her chest, the sickly lamplight aging her by a dozen years.
I grabbed Garyth’s letters out of my bag. I’d found them after we left Yargoth. Ruru, or someone else, must’ve stashed them there. “I believe these were your husband’s.”
Helene gasped and gently took them out of my hands. “But... Melaena?”
“She’s fine, the last I heard. She didn’t want to get caught with them, so she sent them with Ruru.”
Helene shuffled through the papers, an oddly fond smile lifting her lips. “This was one of his greatest achievements. He worked so hard to gather this group of people—men and women who would answer the call when the People’s Council could rise again.”
“His work was not in vain,” I said softly. “Those names will be invaluable to the next king or queen of Rellmira. I will make sure of it.”
She looked at me with sad eyes. “I was wrong to think you do nothing for your kingdom. But couldn’t you accomplish more if you told our people the truth?” She waved the letters. “If you made allies of those who would support you, rather than scheming in the shadows?”
“There aren’t many who would want to risk allying with me. The risk of death is too high.”
“We are dying anyway,” Helene whispered. “I want my daughter to grow up in the Rellmira that Garyth remembered, that he envisioned for the future. I would ally with anyone who provided that for my family.”
Her words struck a chord deep inside my soul. It sang of hope. Of a world where, one day, I wouldn’t have to fight anymore. I wouldn’t have to hide who I was.
But king?
“I am not worthy to sit on the throne,” I said. “But I will fight for the Rellmira we both want until my last breath.”
Helene sighed, clutching her husband’s coded letters to her chest. “Then I pray the Four will keep your last breath for many years to come.”
Hours later, after a quick bath and some much-needed sleep, I couldn’t shake Helene’s words from my mind.
The People’s Council. The prisoners. Rellmira.
