Discovering Freedom

Chapter 11

Following the steady flow of bodies to the food hall, I wonder what the big news is. Talk and rumours have been flying everywhere and now we are finally finding out what’s going on.

Now that I have been here a couple of months I know most people by face if not by name, the rumours have been spreading since a couple of strangers showed up a couple of days ago. When I first saw them the first thing I noticed was the air of authority they held. The one that looked like he was the leader of the two was tall and well-muscled with dark brown hair and a hard glint in his eye. The second was only a little shorter and well-muscled too but his dark brown hair was speckled with blonde.

Ethan and the two strangers with a few others had been in meetings since, the only time you would see any of them would be at meal times and even then, they usually had it brought to them.

Entering the hall I glimpse Kayleb making his way over to me, closely trailed by Talib and Cassidy. I flash Kayleb a smile because for the first time in a week I feel like I can finally breathe now that he’s out of bed. I send a nod in Cassidy and Talib’s direction and in return I receive a small wave from Cassidy and a beaming grin from Talib.

A thick silence settles around the room. Ethan stands at one end with the two strangers next to him, Connor and Jason were further back.

“As you are well aware we have been waiting for this for many years and the time has come, to strike directly to the very heart of the evil the holds this land!” Ethan’s voice rings though the hall.

Murmurs ripple through the crowd. I glance at Kayleb and out of the corner of my eye I see Cassidy pale slightly and Kayleb slides his hand into hers while murmuring something indecipherable in her ear.

A different voice brings my attention back to the front.

“Now is our time! Now is the time to free ourselves and our loved ones from Tamarack! Now we will get our FREEDOM!” the taller stranger roared.

Cheers erupt and vibrate within the walls of the room. Slowly the thundering dies down and he begins to speak again.

“I have decided on what we are going to do,” at this I shoot a puzzled look at Talib who leans over and tells me he’ll explain later, “We are going to make our way in pairs to the capital over a period of a month, Tamarack shouldn’t suspect a thing as I have planned it all to coincide with the New Year’s festivals so there will be more travellers on the road than usual. There you will receive further instructions. You are dismissed.” promptly he leaves before anyone can react.

I grab Talib and drag him to an empty room.

“Who is that guy? Shouldn’t Ethan be making the plans as he’s leader.” I question furiously.

“I guess since they trusted you enough to notify you of the meeting I’ll assume it’s alright for me to tell you,” he grins, “He’s Darryl, the real leader of the Resistance, Ethan is just the public face so that if any assassinations ever did succeed then the Resistance would still  be able to go on. The reason you were told Ethan was the leader was because you hadn’t proven yourself trustworthy yet and it didn’t help your case as Jason was claiming you were a spy. You’re just lucky they we found you passed out with a concussion or his argument might have had some weight.” Talib finishes and his grin, if it was possible, gets even wider.

I send a mock glare in his direction. Then the mischievous glint he had in his eye shines through.

“Oh and one more thing you should know your paired up with me!” he smirks, barely holding back a chuckle at the annoyance that fills my face.

Sending Talib a scowl I push past him.

I stomp down the corridor, determined to get away from his smirk. Fingers wrap around my wrist. I yank my arm away from the touch but his hand only tightens. Grabbing my other wrist he pins me to the wall by my wrists, knowing I would get away the instant he relaxed. He pushed his body against mine so I don’t have the room to kick him.

“Get off me!” I growl.

“Listen to me for just a minute.” Talib replies urgently.

“You have two seconds.” I say in defeat, knowing I wasn’t going anywhere pinned like this.

“Look I’m sorry for laughing at you, forgive me?” a slight pleading tone creeps into his voice, telling me he’s genuinely sorry.

I stay silent and continue to glare at him.

“I won’t let you go until you do.” giving me a teasing good natured smile.

Slowly I became aware of the how close we were. I could feel his breath tickle my cheek. I could feel a burning warmth creep into the skin on my wrists, beneath his hands. My heartbeat picked up, it was so loud I was sure Talib could hear it. The burning warmth is pleasant but I don’t like it. The feeling is alien and unfamiliar, making me want to run away. Futilely I struggle, trapped between the wall and his body weight pressing me to it, there was no hope of breaking free.

Falling still, I finally admit defeat “Fine.” ‘I’ll get him back later in training’ I promise myself mentally.