Chapter 68

CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT

Ryker

"That's part of it, yes."

"What's the rest of it?"

"To win."

"I like how it ends, but you don't have much of a plan before then."

"I know, especially since the king and the aristocrats all have well-trained guards, and all we have is an assortment of farmers, miners, workers, and leftovers from the Ghoul War, but we also have hatred. They might not be well trained yet, but they have a lot of vengeance in their hearts and a fire to take down their oppressors."

"That they do," Tucker said, "which can be a much bigger asset to them and us than years of training. They're fighting for their freedom and everything they've lost."

"I've never stolen anything before," Ianto said.

"Neither have I," I told him.

"I have," Tucker said. "You do what's necessary to survive."

I thought of Ellery. Stealing hadn't been necessary for her survival, but how many did she help with the money she took?

A few of those recipients were in this encampment. When Ellery stopped stealing and the money she'd provided dried up, they fled the king's wrath.

I was sure there were plenty of others still in the towns who hadn't fled yet but still had a strong sense of loyalty to her. And even those she hadn't helped admired the Hooded Robber.

"If they catch you, they will kill you too," Ianto said to me. "Unless your father could save you?"

"Ivan would gladly kill me if given a reason and the opportunity. I'm not sure about my father. I exist because he wanted a lightning bearer for a son; he might fight to keep me alive because of that, but he'd also be so disgraced by my actions that he'd probably cut off my head himself. And then, he'd have to start all over and, hopefully, get lucky with another child."

"There aren't many families left with the lightning-bearer genetics," Tucker said.

"He'd find another woman who carries the gene."

If he knew about Ellery, he'd take her. It wouldn't matter that he'd called her a whore and believed she was beneath him; he'd make her have his child.

My hands fisted at the idea of such a thing. I'd never let that monster get his hands on her.

More laughter came from the builders, and Ianto turned to study them. Most of the children helped the builders by running supplies back and forth, but a few were with the animals, learning how to take care of them or petting the rabbits.

Despite the adversity of trying to build a life in this place of death, most wore smiles. They'd all established a new family deep within these woods.

"They're a merry bunch," Ianto murmured.

"We work hard, but we also play hard, and we care for and trust each other," Tucker said.

"Well." Ianto clapped his massive hands together. "There's always a first time for everything. Who are we robbing first?"