Audra put the wooden lantern aside, concealing the light from the tower window, and peered through the curtains. Outside, the moon illuminated the armors of five men with sheathed swords hanging from their belts and burning torches in hand.
"Varunas! Come out!" shouted a man with a black beard and bronze armor, his captain's insignia dangling from his cloak. The other three men laughed, while another, in a blue cape with white armor and a tree on his breastplate, kept his eyes fixed on the gate.
Audra swallowed hard and turned to her brother, Kaunas, waiting for a solution. He met her gaze with a pale face. Sweat dripped down his forehead, into his red beard. He hesitated to speak, but she knew he had nothing to say.
"Kaunas Rodolphus, we can't stay in here!" Audra turned her back and headed toward the spiral staircase. "Someone has to go talk to them."
"Talk to them?" Kaunas grabbed her arm and pulled her close. "Talk? Do you think they want to talk? They want blood!"
"What if we both go?" Audra said, freeing herself from his grip. "Kaunas, take some responsibility! Don't be such a coward!"
"Coward? I'm just being logical! What are you suggesting, Audra! We're trapped! There's no escape!"
"And what do you propose? Should we stay here? Wait for them to enter and do as they please? Do you want them to harm Father?"
"Anything, as long as we don't talk to them! For heaven's sake! Either hide or find a way to escape."
Suddenly, they heard a low voice coming from the room behind them as the rusty door handle rattled. It was their father, the Duke of Varunas. "Escape like cowards? Never!" he cried. "The sons of the Varunas clan are not cowards and shall never be! Oh, Ea! No! No! No! Be silent, dark abyss of blood, I am a child of the ways of the gods who ride at dawn..."
Audra and Kaunas exchanged glances. Kaunas swallowed. "I think they'll hear him."
The cries grew louder, and to Audra, more heart-wrenching. Her heart sank. She missed her father's smile, his wise advice, his love. Now his wisdom had deteriorated into madness. She sighed and made the decision to ignore him and focus on finding a solution.
"Kaunas, we can't let them see him. I can't bear to imagine what they'll do to him." She locked eyes with her brother. "Come on, Kau, let's talk to them. It can't be so terrible if we promise to cooperate!"
"Audra." Kaunas's blue eyes flickered with fear, and his voice pleaded. "No... Please. Hide with me."
"We've been hiding for six months!" Audra whispered. "They didn't like it one bit."
"Well, we already tried to address the issue, but they want nothing to do with it! Father is out of his mind. He might end up getting himself killed. He's determined to do it. And we don't have a penny or a kilo of wheat to pay the tributes. Let's hide in the barn, or better yet, the cellar!"
"Kaunas! Do you have no shame? Father would kick you out into the cold if he heard you!" She stepped forward. "That's it. I'm going to talk to them myself."
"You? No, Audra, don't even think about leaving." Kaunas took a step forward as the captain's voice echoed from outside the castle.
"Varunas! Come out of your hole, you rat! You've kept us waiting long enough! Hurry up, the count is expecting his share!"
Suddenly, a knob turned on the door behind them.
"No," Audra moaned. "Kaunas, he's opening the door!"
"How did he even...?"
The door flew open, and their father collapsed to the side. His face was dark and weather-beaten, with bits of hay dangling from his beard. An iron helmet swayed from side to side on his head, and his hand gripped a rusted spear. "I will take them, or I will die!" he shouted, raising the spear high and heading towards the window. "Today, I will not die. My soul will ascend to the gray sky, to the lands of the North...! Prepare my carriage, Saulé, the one with shining hair. Today, I ride like the sun with my legions!"
Audra and Kaunas rushed to the door and grabbed their father's arms. He struggled and twisted his head like a madman.
"Dad!" Audra cried.
"Let me go! I'll impale them with my spear! I condemn you, vermin!"
"Audra." Kaunas's face turned pale. "I don't know what he'll do now."
"Come on, I'll help you."
They both stood up, pulling their father back into the room. She locked her gaze on her brother, making sure he couldn't avoid eye contact. "Kaunas. I can't fathom what I'll do if they find him. Even worse. Come on, Kaunas, let me confront them downstairs."
Kaunas took a deep breath and glanced out the window. He blinked, and Audra saw his eyes moisten. He clenched his teeth and stood up.
"I'll go," he said.
"Easy, Father," Adephine whispered into the old man's ear, as she walked backward with her arms on his shoulders. Then she looked at her brother. "Don't do anything foolish, Kaunas. Don't provoke them."
"I won't," he sighed, fear seeping from his lips. She reconsidered. Kaunas wouldn't do anything to anger them. Unlike her, who easily lost her temper, Kaunas was always ready to apologize as if he owed something to everyone. Audra left her father in the room and hurried to close the door. She had the key tied to her waist, placed the lock in position, and locked it, perhaps in vain, because the lock could be opened with a trick.
"He's going to open it again!" Kaunas cried, struggling to move a tall redwood cupboard next to the door. "Help me move this thing."Audra trailed behind him, struggling to prop up the piece of furniture, but she felt that her efforts were hardly helping Kaunas, who was much larger than her. They clumsily dropped the furniture in front of the door, and Kaunas hurried down the spiral stairs. Their father's screams reverberated from behind the door.
Audra rushed to the window and peeked outside, hearing the wooden gate rumbling open due to her brother's efforts.
Kaunas timidly crossed the stone bridge. Audra tried to focus, but could barely make out what was being said.
"Gentlemen, I have come to negotiate."
The captain, with long dark hair and a beard, approached him. His horse neighed, breath escaping like smoke in the cold autumn air. Suddenly, the other three soldiers in dark armor surrounded him on their horses, while Kaunas glanced around nervously. Their laughter made Audra feel uneasy. One of them was as big as Kaunas, with thick hairy arms and a double-headed axe on his back. The rest carried longswords.
"Where is your father?" the captain asked.
"Leave my father alone. The poor man is sleepless, worrying about all of this. As for payment, well, I am truly sorry, but I'm sure we can come to an arrangement..."
"Well, you should have considered that before deceiving Count Siwelzac. Do you think the count can invest in his plans and lose thousands of denarii and a whole load of energy roots? Someone has to pay, boy! And you all will pay!"
"My father did not deceive anyone!" Kaunas shouted, losing his composure. "Sir, please understand that we lost the cargo. We didn't profit from it either. We were sorry, yes, but it wasn't our fault."
"Do you think the count will accept that explanation? After six months without paying a dime or delivering a single barrel? After six months of negligence!"
"Sir, we were just preparing for the harvest... This year was bad for the vines... With all the rain and wind, and without our serfs... Please be patient! We have nothing left. Our castle is empty. You already have our servants, everything; you control the village... Just give us some time, we'll find a way to repay you. Please, have patience."
"Patience? We have been patient enough!"
The soldier glanced at his companions, then sneered. The others burst into laughter, except for the man in white armor. Audra was almost certain he was the count's heir. He had a pale face, short shiny brown hair like straw, and the tree emblem emblazoned on his chest.
Kaunas hung his head. "Give us a few more months. We promise we will come up with something!"
"You don't have a single servant, and nothing to plant! What do you intend to pay with? Your own flesh? Fine, three months. But your repayment starts today."The captain glanced at his companions and whispered something inaudible to Audra. Then, with a haughty gesture, he mounted his horse. His black hair fluttered in the wind, and his eyes sparkled.
What were they doing? Were they leaving them alone? Were they just threatening them? Audra sighed with relief.
But the soldier drew his sword, and the horse reared on its hind legs.
Audra's heart pounded like a drum as the rider dug his heels and chased Kaunas.
"No!" Kaunas shouted and stumbled towards the castle. Audra cried out as horse and rider caught up to him. Kaunas fell, his face slamming to the ground as the horse galloped over his back.
Audra gasped. She dropped the lantern, causing it to shatter on the ground.
"Thank you for your payment!" the captain sneered.
Below, soldiers sprinted and stomped their heavy boots on her brother's body, kicking him. Meanwhile, Siwelzac's successor lay still, gazing at the ground.
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Damn, she thought. How could they do that to poor Kaunas? What had he done to deserve such treatment? She balled her fists and scanned the area, longing to see fire engulfing those wicked men. If only she knew how to wield a sword...
Suddenly, Siwelzac's heir looked up and fixed his gaze on the tower. Audra was startled, took a step back, and released the curtain.
They knew where she was.
The cries of her father echoed behind her until abruptly, they ceased.
The men mounted their horses and dug their heels, rushing into the castle. Audra swallowed hard. She needed to act swiftly.
She believed that the first step was to protect her father, so she approached the door with determination, knocking without a clear plan but with her emotions contained.
"Father?" She hurried next to the door. "I need you to do me a favor."
Nothing but faint groans reached her ears.
"Father? Can you hear me?"
She glanced from side to side, already hearing the hooves beneath the tower. They would ascend the stairs any moment now. She climbed onto the cabinet and pushed the door inward, losing her balance and falling while clutching the lantern, which illuminated piles of dust and hay. Then she caught sight of her father's quivering face, his mouth slightly ajar, with blood streaming down like a waterfall. Audra screamed in horror as the light revealed the scene. A spear protruded from his stomach, his hands fixed, pushing inward.
"Father..."
Blood soaked the ground, and the old man bowed his head, his helmet still on, as he gasped for air.
"Father, no..."
His piercing blue eyes met Audra's in the dimness, as if he had something to say. She clenched her fists as her father slumped.
Audra's eyes filled with tears. She couldn't lose him now, she couldn't bear to lose him, but nothing would be worse than letting Siwelzac's men find him.
She hurriedly covered his body with hay. Tears streamed down her face, but deep within her heart, an inferno of rage blazed. But she was weak. How could she face five armed men? How could she confront a cruel man, favored by the king, with armies and heartless warriors? She slipped out of the door and peered through the window that overlooked the small castle square. From there, she saw Siwelzac's men either breaking into rooms on horseback or rummaging through pantries, carrying tin, tools, and ornamental pieces.
She pondered the best hiding spot, then cautiously descended the steps with a lantern concealed beneath her cloak. Her hand brushed against the walls in the darkness. She crept to the corner of the tower and opened the cellar door. Careful not to make a sound, she descended the steps and uncovered the lantern. Its light illuminated barrels of wine and countless bottles in cupboards, reflecting like a mirror. A sigh of relief escaped her lips, but the rumble from above grew louder.
The sound of hooves reverberated on the cellar roof, and she looked up anxiously. She hoped they wouldn't notice the wooden entrance in the middle of the castle. Suddenly, she heard the soldiers calling to each other, and the cellar door swung open. Startled, she dropped the lantern.
With no time to retrieve it, she quickly hid behind a barrel, panting as her heart pounded like a drum. From her hiding spot, she stole a sideways glance at a man descending the stairs, his flaming torch trailing smoke and his dual-headed axe gleaming in the light.
The lantern cast its glow on the ground, putting her at risk of being found. She swallowed nervously. If she made a run for it in that direction, they would spot her. The man's footsteps grew closer, and her heart raced.
The soldier approached the shelves and illuminated the labels with his torch.
"Good wine!" he exclaimed harshly, seemingly surprised.
"Since when can you read?" snapped the black-bearded captain behind him.
"I'm learning," the axe-wielder replied. "But look at these beautiful bottles. I don't need to read to know that those bastards from Ladania enjoyed the finest wine."
Audra crouched low and maneuvered through the barrels, eventually finding an empty one. She squeezed inside, barely fitting, her neck pressed against the wood.
"Quit wasting time!" the captain urged. "Get on with it, take what you want, and let's go."
"What about the girl? Isn't there supposed to be a girl?" the soldier with the grating voice asked.
"Well, find her. She must be somewhere."
"Look over here!" exclaimed another soldier.
“Ha, a lantern!”
"I’m absolutely sure the little slut is hiding here. Find her, and we'll have some fun!"
"Hold on, the wine is good. Let me choose the best ones, we can't take it all," the man with the axe interjected, opening a bottle and taking a swig. "Those Varunas bastards had great taste."
"You can't read, you idiot! Come on, hurry up, grab it. I'll take care of the door."
"Let's see, where could this girl be? What's your name, sweetheart?"
The captain's voice came from the entrance. "Her name is Adora.I think Édoard knows her."
"No, sir. Her name is Aurora," said the one with the screechy voice. "Aurora! Where are you, little doll?"
Audra closed her eyes. Please, do not come any closer. She tried to remember the spell she had read in the book she stole from her aunt. It was supposed to make her invisible to her enemies, but it never worked against her tutors. Or did it? It sounded like "anandarad adar."
Suddenly, she heard the swing of an axe, wood breaking, and liquid flowing nearby.
"What a waste of good wine!" one of the men exclaimed.
She closed her eyes, then heard the axe strike through oak once more. She took a deep breath, but realized the air was scarce. The feeling of suffocation grew stronger. Instead, she clenched her fists and shook her head.
Another axe-swing echoed closer, cutting through a barrel, along with the sound of flowing liquid.
How many barrels were there, anyway? She felt the urge to cry, but the tears wouldn't come. She closed her eyes and tried to stay quiet. Was this the end? She attempted to take one final breath, as the axe penetrated her barrel and pierced her arms.
She swallowed her scream, felt the tears streaming down her face, and gritted her teeth. The desire to jump up, scream in pain, and take deep breaths overwhelmed her, but she restrained herself by tensing all her muscles.
The axe released from her skin. The soldier sighed, as if startled.
The captain's voice echoed through the cellar. "What is it, Svarnas?"
The axe-wielder sighed. "This one was empty."
"Is she here or not?" the captain asked.
"Give me a moment," the screechy voice replied.
"I don't see her anywhere."
Disappear, you bastards, Audra thought to herself.
The footsteps drew closer, then further away, until she heard the door close. She jumped up. The lid of the barrel flew through the air as she stood, clutching the wound in her arm. She yelled and collapsed to the ground, amidst rivers of wine still dripping from other barrels, mingling with the blood that stained her pale tunic.
"Siwelzac! I will make you pay for what you've done to my family! And your lackeys!" she shouted, clenching her fist and emanating anger from her very soul, burning like the sun.
Audra crawled out of the cellar, pressing her arm to stop the bleeding. The castle gate appeared as a window to hell, where the vines of her family burned in flames and the surrounding bushes turned to ash. Part of her didn't want to witness her heritage being lost, but she had to ensure her brother was still alive.
He lay on the bridge, eyes closed, blood staining his beard, arms, and legs.
"Audra," Kaunas moaned in pain.
"Kaunas!" She rushed over and knelt beside him. "Are you okay?"
"Do I look okay?" he replied through screams.
"Gods… My gods, you're alive! What have they done to you, brother? Your leg! Your leg is broken!" A bone jutted through his leg, resembling a bloody and fatty lamb chop. She felt momentarily lightheaded. Kaunas took a deep breath and gritted his teeth. "Audra!" he let out a heart-wrenching cry. "How is Father? Is he fine? Did they find him?"
"No, they didn't. But...there's something I have to tell you, Kaunas..." Audra looked at the floor and swallowed hard.
"How is he?"
"Kaunas, I couldn't stop him..."
"What? You couldn't stop him from what? What are you talking about?"
"Kaunas, I'm sorry. I don't know what to do now...I..."
"You're sorry about what? Did they hurt him?" Kaunas did his best to lift his neck and speak, but his eyes were half-closed, and his body was covered in bruises.
"Kaunas, he's dead!" Audra said, as tears flowed down her face.
Kaunas lowered his head. He sighed; it seemed like he wanted to cry, but the tears did not come out.
She continued, "he..."
"Shut up!" Kaunas cried, his scream causing him pain. "You let Father die! You promised you would take care of him!"
"Kaunas, what was I going to do? He just..."
"Do not talk to me! I don't want to hear from you. Look at what you did to us! Look at what you did to me!"
"Kaunas, what are you talking about? Do you think I wanted him to die? He was locked up! I was waiting for you! What did you want me to do? Do you think it's my fault? You're hurt, do you want me to leave you here? Do you want me to let you rot here? Outside of the castle. No way!"
Kaunas struggled to breathe and moaned like a puppy. He looked to the side and squeezed his eyes shut.
Audra tapped his shoulders. He grunted. "Kaunas, answer me!"
"Audra...I won't talk...to you..."
Audra stood up and sighed. "Can you even walk?" she asked.
Kaunas pointed at his right leg. Audra blinked and inspected the protruding bone. Someone would have to reset it or amputate it to prevent further damage.
"Gods! What did they do to you?"
Audra tore part of her dress to make a compress on Kaunas's leg. He cried out in pain.
"Blast, Kaunas. Let's see, get up on your arms, I'll help you inside."
Kaunas obeyed, propping himself up with his arms, and Audra assisted him as they moved towards the castle, where he leaned against the stairs.
"Kaunas," Audra's voice quivered. "I already know what we have to do?"
Kaunas stared at the horizon, his face contorted in despair, as if he desired his life to end in that very moment.
Audra continued, "All we have to do is seek justice, brother. For all they have done to our family."
***
The next day, Audra attempted to ignore the pain in her arms and back. Every time she buried the shovel in the ground, she imagined it piercing Siwelzac's skull or that of one of his men, especially that repulsive captain. By midday, the hole was large enough to serve as their father's eternal resting place, or at least until Audra had enough money for a burial befitting a nobleman. Kaunas lay beside her, dressed in bloody rags but bandaged with what remained of Audra's cloak. On a velvet carpet, beneath the banner of their family adorned with a deer crest on a green shield, lay the body of Vytaulas, Duke of Varunas. Audra had attired him in his old armor, now covered in rusty sections that served as a testament to his long-lost days of glory.
Audra left the shovel planted in the ground and rose to her feet, her unruly, reddish hair billowing in the wind. She sighed. This was all wrong. It was not a proper funeral for a man of his stature. And despite having numerous friends, comrades, and family, there was no one else present to bid him a final farewell but his own children. All that remained were the ruins of a once magnificent castle and the cries of two estranged siblings. Now, as a result of Siwelzac's injustice, there was nothing left but loneliness and despair.
Audra gazed at her brother. "Do you have any words for our father, brother?"
"I've always loved you, Father..." he uttered in a pitiful, strained voice. "Because of your bravery. And I know you're still with us. I hope you guide us forever. I hope you… I hope you watch over us from the Land Over All Seas. From the Abode of Heroes, and...that you will rise to fight at the end."
Audra laboriously carried the body, panting as she attempted to ignore the pain. She slowly lowered it down a ladder on the slope, then pulled the rope tied to the side. Her back ached, but nothing hurt more than what she had endured in those days.
Audra gazed at the horizon, at the distant plains, and placed her hand over her heart. She listened to her own heartbeat as if making an oath in its name. Tears once again welled up, but this time, Audra's heart pulsed with fury.
"I swear to you, Father," she said, wiping her nose with her sleeve. "That justice will be served."
image [https://i.ibb.co/SPD8ZsD/e7a51f6f-976a-4cd7-a71c-b7ee2233ebdd.jpg]