Page 28 of Realms of Swords and Storms
Marcus turned to Tarshi, anger flashing in his eyes. "And you thought it wise to involve Livia in this? To risk everything we've worked for?"
"I involved myself," I said firmly. "There's so much the Emperor hides from his citizens, Marcus. Things you need to see, need to hear."
"We're not citizens," he reminded me, his voice bitter. "We're slaves in hiding. Fugitives. One misstep away from the cross or worse."
"All the more reason to fight back," Tarshi countered. "To change a system that makes slaves of free people, that demonizes those with Talfen blood, that burns villages in the name of 'security.'"
At the mention of burning villages, Marcus's anger seemed to falter, replaced by something more complex—pain, remembrance, the weight of our shared past.
Antonius, who had been listening intently, leaned in. "Is it true what they say? That these meetings discuss how the Empire lies about the war? About the Talfen?"
"Yes," I confirmed. "And more. They share real accounts from the border, stories the Imperial censors would never allow to circulate."
Antonius's weathered face hardened. "I'd like to hear that. Been wondering all these years why our village was really targeted."
"You should come with us," I suggested, seeing an opportunity. "Both of you. Tonight's meeting is important—they're discussing plans for the Storm Festival."
Marcus hesitated, conflict evident in his expression. His instinct to protect me warred visibly with his own curiosity, his own need for answers.
"It's dangerous," he finally said, though I could tell his resistance was weakening.
"So is doing nothing while the Emperor tightens his grip," I countered. "While he creates new ways to persecute those with Talfen blood, while he sends soldiers to burn more villages like ours."
Those last words struck home. I saw the shift in Marcus's eyes—the moment personal caution gave way to something larger.
"Fine," he conceded. "But we stay alert, we stay together, and at the first sign of trouble, we leave. Agreed?"
I nodded, relief washing through me. Having Marcus with us felt right somehow—completing our small circle, adding his perspective to what was becoming a broader cause.
"First round's on me," Antonius declared, pushing back from the table. "Can't attend a treasonous meeting without proper fortification."
Despite the tension of the moment, I found myself smiling at his familiar bluster. Some things, it seemed, never changed.
As Antonius returned to the bar, Tarshi leaned closer to Marcus. "Thank you," he said quietly, surprising me with the sincerity in his voice. "She values your opinion, your support."
Marcus seemed equally taken aback by Tarshi's tone. He nodded stiffly, the usual animosity between them momentarily suspended. "I go where she goes," he said simply. "Always have."
By the time we'd finished our drinks and made our way to the back room, several more resistance members had arrived. We followed the familiar path to the hidden staircase, Marcus and Antonius trailing behind us with varying degrees of wariness and curiosity.
The cellar room was more crowded than I'd ever seen it, every bench filled, people standing along the walls. Mira and Kalen were already at the front, heads bent in serious discussion.They'd become trusted allies over the past weeks, though I still kept some details of my own plans private.
Mira spotted us and nodded in recognition before her gaze settled questioningly on Marcus and Antonius. Tarshi moved forward to explain their presence while I found us spaces on a bench near the middle of the room.
"Quite the gathering," Marcus murmured, his eyes scanning the diverse crowd. "More organized than I expected."
"It's grown," I confirmed. "More join every week, especially since the new registration requirements."
Antonius was staring openly at the half-Talfen attendees, many displaying their heritage proudly—pointed ears uncovered, black eyes unhidden by the coloured drops some used to pass as human.
"Never seen so many in one place," he commented. "In our village, there was only old Merina with her Talfen grandfather, and she kept her ears covered."
"The Empire has lied about many things," I said quietly. "Including the nature of the Talfen."
Before he could respond, Kalen called the meeting to order, his strong voice cutting through the murmurs of conversation.
"Friends, allies, welcome," he began, his grey hair gleaming in the lamplight. "For those joining us for the first time, I am Kalen. We gather in search of truth and justice in an Empire built on lies and oppression."
I watched Marcus's reaction carefully—the slight tensing of his shoulders at such open treasonous talk, followed by the deliberate relaxation that told me he was keeping an open mind.
