island. From there, they would be loaded onto smaller, more maneuverable ships that could navigate the shallower water among the islands. Once the slave trade declined, the larger ships became obsolete and the smaller vessels would perform both tasks and would eventually make the trip from the southeastern seas to Orud without stopping.”
“And what does this have to do with us?” Maeryn interrupted.
“I was getting to that. Once we are in place, the headquarters will be notified and arrangements will be made to route an empty ship to the island. The ship will dock at the abandoned post and we will all board for our trip to Orud . We will ride into the capital city in broad daylight just as any other arriving slave shipment. After arrival, it will appear as if the slaves are given to their new masters, when in fact, each master will take his new subjects to their respective assignments to support the Resistance throughout the Empire.”
Maeryn was shocked. “Assignments? I thought they were to be freed!”
Thaddius held a finger to his lips, cautioning Maeryn. “They will be free…they are free,” he corrected.
“Yes, free to be subject to someone else’s rule!”
“Maeryn, are you so naïve as to think that these people will be released to wander the countryside? Until we can make a permanent change, they will never be free under this Empire. This is a new chapter in all our lives. We are giving them the chance to fight for their own freedom. They will not be subject to new masters, but will have the freedom to act as any of my soldiers do, though their responsibilities will not be as great. What more can we hope for in this day?”
Maeryn sat silent, pondering his words.
“I will tell you this. They will enjoy a great deal more freedom than you did as the wife of Lemus. And under those circumstances, would you have called yourself a slave?”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that. What’s to become of me and Aelia?”
“I don’t know; I was only told of the others. I suspect that you will be given a few choices, but you need to be prepared to keep serving the Resistance as you have through the years. I’m sorry if you expected something more grandiose.”
“I’m not sure what I expected. How will you notify the headquarters?”
Thaddius shook his head. “I think I will leave that answer until another time.”
Maeryn started to protest but Thaddius was firm. “Such things are only discussed at the highest levels of authority and responsibility. You’re just going to have to trust me.” Rising to his feet, he brushed the sand from his clothes. “I will leave in the morning with the second group and will return as soon as possible.”
Maeryn watched him walk away and tossed the remainder of her soup into the sand. The weight of Thaddius’ words made her heart ache. She hadn’t really thought about it, but as his words sunk in, she realized that her expectations were inappropriate. She had wanted to go back to a life of true freedom, a life like she had with Adair. But it seemed that she had just traded one type of captivity for another.
* * * *
Leoran , the capital of Orud’s southern region, was spectacular to behold. It was a city built on a lake that was miles across at its widest span. Ivory colored stone walls rose from the lake’s glassy surface, separated every hundred yards by towers flying Orud’s red flag. Kael’s horse raced across acres of open field, heading for one of two roads spanning the water that separated the mainland from the city walls. As with any city, people tended to gather on the outskirts. Leoran was no different, with various sizes of buildings and tents strewn about the landscape with no apparent logic to their locations. Through this maze of civilization, Kael directed his horse until he reached the stone paved road leading across Lake Leoran .
After miles of travel and weeks of hunting for small game to satisfy his appetite, Kael arrived at the gates
“And what does this have to do with us?” Maeryn interrupted.
“I was getting to that. Once we are in place, the headquarters will be notified and arrangements will be made to route an empty ship to the island. The ship will dock at the abandoned post and we will all board for our trip to Orud . We will ride into the capital city in broad daylight just as any other arriving slave shipment. After arrival, it will appear as if the slaves are given to their new masters, when in fact, each master will take his new subjects to their respective assignments to support the Resistance throughout the Empire.”
Maeryn was shocked. “Assignments? I thought they were to be freed!”
Thaddius held a finger to his lips, cautioning Maeryn. “They will be free…they are free,” he corrected.
“Yes, free to be subject to someone else’s rule!”
“Maeryn, are you so naïve as to think that these people will be released to wander the countryside? Until we can make a permanent change, they will never be free under this Empire. This is a new chapter in all our lives. We are giving them the chance to fight for their own freedom. They will not be subject to new masters, but will have the freedom to act as any of my soldiers do, though their responsibilities will not be as great. What more can we hope for in this day?”
Maeryn sat silent, pondering his words.
“I will tell you this. They will enjoy a great deal more freedom than you did as the wife of Lemus. And under those circumstances, would you have called yourself a slave?”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that. What’s to become of me and Aelia?”
“I don’t know; I was only told of the others. I suspect that you will be given a few choices, but you need to be prepared to keep serving the Resistance as you have through the years. I’m sorry if you expected something more grandiose.”
“I’m not sure what I expected. How will you notify the headquarters?”
Thaddius shook his head. “I think I will leave that answer until another time.”
Maeryn started to protest but Thaddius was firm. “Such things are only discussed at the highest levels of authority and responsibility. You’re just going to have to trust me.” Rising to his feet, he brushed the sand from his clothes. “I will leave in the morning with the second group and will return as soon as possible.”
Maeryn watched him walk away and tossed the remainder of her soup into the sand. The weight of Thaddius’ words made her heart ache. She hadn’t really thought about it, but as his words sunk in, she realized that her expectations were inappropriate. She had wanted to go back to a life of true freedom, a life like she had with Adair. But it seemed that she had just traded one type of captivity for another.
* * * *
Leoran , the capital of Orud’s southern region, was spectacular to behold. It was a city built on a lake that was miles across at its widest span. Ivory colored stone walls rose from the lake’s glassy surface, separated every hundred yards by towers flying Orud’s red flag. Kael’s horse raced across acres of open field, heading for one of two roads spanning the water that separated the mainland from the city walls. As with any city, people tended to gather on the outskirts. Leoran was no different, with various sizes of buildings and tents strewn about the landscape with no apparent logic to their locations. Through this maze of civilization, Kael directed his horse until he reached the stone paved road leading across Lake Leoran .
After miles of travel and weeks of hunting for small game to satisfy his appetite, Kael arrived at the gates
Similar Books
