Bernar and the others bowed respectfully, thanking both the guardsmen and Voices as they left. After a few hours of moving through the labyrinth of dark passages, they finally reached the exit that Jashad and Gwili had planned out. The guardsman who led them silently dismissed himself after showing them to the ladder they needed to climb.
"Is everyone ready?" Bernar turned to face the others. "All good, here," Neko and Marte waved. "I suppose," Thorsen growled, glancing over at Unni, who was given a traditional Harutian sword that hung at her hip. Nodding to the others in acknowledgement, he turned to Leona. "If anything happens…" he trailed off, not needing to finish his sentence.
She put a soft, pale hand on his cheek, which he leaned into. "I know, but don't worry. It's going to work," she whispered comfortingly. I love you, he sent, making her giggle in surprise. I love you, too, but I still need to get used to this, she smiled warmly.
Bernar nodded to the others, and began making his way up the ladder, making sure there were no Palace guards nearby as he lifted the thick metal plate that sealed the entrance. Recognizing the location from the plan, he lifted it off entirely and helped the others out of the hole.
"Thank you," Unni grabbed his hand tightly as he helped her out. "No need to thank me. I did what I could for your leg, but how is it holding up?" he whispered. "Better than it was two days ago, thank you. I'll do what I can to help, but I'm still not fully healed," she nodded.
Nodding his acknowledgement, he extended his hand out for Thorsen, who gave him a dismissive shake. "No need, brother. I'm neither wounded nor weak," he grinned wryly. Bernar rolled his eyes before letting out a quiet chuckle. "Alright, alright. Just figured I'd offer," he raised his hands placatingly.
The alleyway they were in was quiet and devoid of people, though it did look like it had been abandoned long ago. "We could have picked a closer spot," Unni grunted, noticing the top of the palace peeking over the tops of the mud-brick houses.
"If we'd gotten any closer, our plan wouldn't have nearly as much of an effect as it could," Leona stepped forward, causing Unni's face to pale momentarily. "My apologies, Your Majesty," she bowed after getting a glare from Thorsen. "It's fine, but trust in Gwili and Jashad's plan," Leona replied quietly.
They followed Jashad out of the alley, ensuring their disguises were tightly secured to cover their faces. Once they made their way to the market just outside the Palace, he nodded to Leona, letting her know that the plan's second phase was now in effect.
The market bustled with merchants and traders shouting left and right, offering goods acquired on their travels. However, the moment Leona stepped forward and removed the wrap around her face, those immediately around her fell silent. Her dark hair flowed gently in the breeze as she held her head high.
Without a word from her, she stepped forward into the crowd, closely followed by Bernar, Jashad, and Gwili while the others trailed behind.
It seems the Voices have done their part better than expected. She didn't even have to announce who she was at all, but they all knew immediately, Bernar glanced around, noticing a few of the merchants dropping to a knee.
She continued to walk without proclaiming her presence, as those in the market followed the lead of the other merchants. Stall after stall, those who ran them quickly stepped out and began to follow behind her in hopes of seeing the Voices' Words come true.
"Their influence is unimaginably large," Unni muttered quietly to Thorsen, who only grunted in response. Jashad looked around for anyone he recognized, but the mob of people quickly grew denser as she walked.
"Your Majesty," some of the merchants said as they dropped to their knees. "Please, free us from this nightmare," one of the female merchants pleaded with teary eyes. Leona knelt down in front of her, letting her eyes be at the same level. "Then follow me. I can't do that without your support," she smiled warmly, putting a hand on her shoulder.
The merchant sobbed, wiping the tears from her dirtied cheeks. "We will, Your Majesty," the woman bowed as Leona stood at full height again. "You all know what the Mouth has said," Leona raised her voice to address those around her. Scattered, cautious glances were shared amongst the crowd that began to grow, but a creeping sense of determination hid just beneath the surface.
The Mouth has laid the groundwork, time to execute, Bernar sent her with a nod, which she returned one of her own over her shoulder.
"His Voices have carried out the information across the land of Queen Zari's treachery. If you want to get out of this nightmare, then you know what you need to do," she shouted before helping the merchant to her feet.
"Follow me to the Palace. Let us show her that it is not only royalty that makes a country great, but instead its people. Help me bring forth a new age of prosperity for Harut, and I will do my part to make sure your lives are never taken for granted again," she shouted, spreading her arms as if to welcome them into the fold.
A unified shout resounded from the nearby merchants. Many of them unleashed their generational anger verbally, while others whooped and cheered in support. Some even drew their personal daggers and raised them high above their heads as the roar of the people filled the marketplace.
"Death to Zari and her schemes!" one of the merchants shouted, getting a nod of approval from Jashad. "Bring it down! Bring it all down!" another shouted with a curved sword flailing above his head.
"Do you have any family members nearby?" Leona turned back to the merchant through the cacophony of shouts. "I do, Your Majesty, but my children are not of a fighting age," she admitted. "Get them as far away from the Palace as possible. It's going to get messy," Leona urged, pushing her back into the crowd. "I will, Your Majesty. Thank you. Thank you," she sobbed before disappearing into the crowd.
As the other merchants and bystanders joined the mob, Bernar and Gwili remained as vigilant as they could from beneath their hoods for any signs of the Hashishin.
They're probably already aware of what's coming, Gwili sent, glancing to his left. That means they'll be up by the palace to reinforce Zari's defences. That doesn't mean there won't be one or two along the way, Bernar looked to his right.
Leona continued to walk towards the Palace, the roar of the mob behind and around her accenting her footfall as nearly the entirety of Escea slowly began to rally behind her.
For the first time in over a decade, Jashad felt pride for his country.
As they made their way to the steps of the Palace, the mob had grown so large and rowdy that even those from the far side of the capitol had heard the commotion. Leona moved toward the front of the stairs, halting about fifty meters away from the wall of guards who had lined up to defend the entrance.
The first row was filled with spearmen who did what they could to hide their anxiety. They knew they couldn't hold off the mob forever, but even with the swordsmen and titanic guards from the inner halls of the Palace backing them up, it still sent a chill up their spines.
"Queen Zari Ibn'Escea," Leona called out after raising a hand to silence the crowd. Thorsen and the others didn't draw their swords but stood ready to leap into action at a moment's notice as they spread out around her.
No response came from the top of the stairs.
"The people of your country demand answers. You, as their ruler, are obligated to give them only one: Will you stand down from your position as the Queen of Harut, or will you go against your own people to keep your position?" she cupped her hands around her mouth, belting out her question.
Again, no answer came.
The crowd began to grow restless, as a wave of murmurs rippled throughout those who were gathered. "You know as well as I do that you cannot stay in there forever, so what will it be?" Leona called out again, staring at the top of the hundred-meter-long steps before her.
No answer came for a third time.
Fuck this, Bernar thought, removing his hood and stepping forward. "Come out already, Queen Sandy Snatch. I know you've been itching to kill me, so hurry the fuck up and try," he shouted, spreading his arms in challenge.
A pair of heads began to appear from behind the top of the stairs. One held a thin crown of solid gold atop a head of dark brown curls, while the other was wrapped in a dark gray cloth that only allowed a pair of golden eyes to be seen.
I can't believe that worked. She cares more about killing those who offended her than the unbridled rage of her people? Leona mentally sighed as Bernar raised his eyebrows playfully.
"You would dare challenge us?" Zari's voice rang out from the top of the stairs. "You think this rabble will be enough to put an end to me?" she stepped forward, fully revealing herself wearing traditional Harutian battle gear.
Looks like she knew we were coming after all, Gwili grinned wolfishly. She even got all dressed up for the occasion. Let's not disappoint her, Bernar sent wryly.
"Your time as a ruler has already come to an end. Come peacefully, or you will not only know my wrath, but that of your people, as well," Leona shouted. Zari scoffed and drew her sword, pointing it at Leona in challenge. "Go ahead. I welcome you to try," she shouted with a hungry grin visible in the polish of her sword.
So be it, Leona raised her arms, signaling for the others to attack.
Thorsen was the first to fully remove his disguise, drawing his blade as he cast off the thick cloth from his shoulders. Unni and Neko did the same on his left and right, while Jashad rushed in beside Gwili and Marte to challenge the guards.
Bernar, however, didn't move. Instead, he only gave Zari a wolfish smile before turning to Leona as the others battled behind him. "I'm at your command, Your Majesty. What would you have me do?" his eyes flared hungrily with Ethereal mana.
Leona looked at Zari coldly, then shifted her gaze back to Bernar, putting a hand on his face. "Clear me a path," she nodded wryly. Bernar's features couldn't hide his excitement, but he did his best to maintain his composure. Turning around and drawing his sword, he cast off the remainder of his tunic, letting the gentle breeze carry it.