by Glen Cook
“All right.” Liakopulos grabbed his swordbelt and cloak. “Let’s go. And calm down. There must be some mistake.”
There wasn’t. Liakopulos had the message repeated. It didn’t tell him much more, or anything different the second time round, though it did so at some length. It added that survivors of the battle were just beginning to trickle in.
“That’s a hopeful sign. Message to the commander of the Maisak garrison,” Liakopulos told the signals sergeant. “Hold all survivors there till the whole story is clear. And don’t relay anything to Vorgreberg without my personal okay. And Sergeant, I want you and your men to go into seclusion. I don’t want any wild stories getting out before we know exactly what’s happened. Understood?”
The sergeant was a veteran of both the civil and Great Eastern Wars. He understood. “I’ll see to it, sir.”
“Who has the next watch?”
“Romin, sir.”
“That the Marena Dimura fellow?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very good. Carry on, then.” Liakopulos returned to his quarters, tormented. Suppose the King was dead? His legal responsibility was clear. He had to inform Vorgreberg, facilitate an orderly transition. But what was his moral responsibility? As the law stood, power would pass to people bitterly opposed to everything Ragnarson, Fiana, and the old Krief had tried to build.
Where did he stand in the equation? Assuming Ragnarson had gone down, and Sir Gjerdrum and Baron Hardle with him, he now controlled the army. He and Credence Abaca. And the army, even weakened by defeat, could be a kingmaker.
He did not want that responsibility. He had come to Kavelin to repay a debt to Ragnarson, not to juggle its crown. “Ye Gods above and below, attend me. If that message be true, make it false. Take this off my shoulders.”
Inger couldn’t tear her gaze away from the body. Cold sweat covered her. She began shaking. Ladies-in-waiting guided her to a chair well away from the window. Very, very softly, huskily, she said, “That could have been me. If Karl hadn’t stepped in front of the window when he did, that could have been me.”
Hunsicker ducked away from the window, came to her. He was pale. “The man who loosed that shaft was one hell of an archer, My Lady. It had to come all the way from Fiana’s Tower.”
“I don’t care where it came from, Hunsicker. I don’t care if the bowman was skilled or lucky. What I care about is that a man is dead, and it would have been me but for fate’s intercession.” She strained for control. Her shakes subsided. “I’ve had enough. They win. Send for Trebilcock.”
“But My Lady….”
“No more arguments. No more stalling. Karl is the last sacrifice to my cousin’s ambitions. I want Trebilcock here within the hour, and you not being able to find him won’t be an acceptable excuse.”
“She gave in,” Michael told Derel. “She’s in a panic. And just in time. Gales is back. He’s in Damhorst, along with another four hundred Itaskians.”
“And still no sign of Haas?”
“None. I’m worried for him. But maybe we don’t need him to learn what we wanted to know. The Duke of Greyfells is Gales’s travelling companion.”
“Greyfells? The Greyfells? The King’s old enemy?”
“Not the same man, but probably of the same philosophy.”
“Then she hasn’t just been acting for herself.”
“I’ve doubted that for some time. But actually, I think if she’d had her way she would’ve been satisfied having Fulk declared crown prince.”
“These little tête-à-têtes you and she are having haven’t softened you, have they?”
Michael chuckled. “Hardly. But I know a little more about her. She isn’t the villain we’ve tried to tell ourselves.”
“Who is? We all like things black or white. Makes it easier on our consciences. How are you going to work this so she don’t get wind of Gales?”
“Thought I’d move her to the old Dalthin manor tonight, then north through Anstokin and Volstokin later. We’ll need to let Volstokin and Anstokin know she’s coming. State trip home to see her family, and such.”
“All right. I’ll contact their ambassadors. You get her out of the castle. Damn, but I wish the King would get back.”
“Better figure it’ll take at least another three weeks. Probably longer. It’ll depend on how much he fools around over there.”
“Three weeks. A month. Can we hang on that long?”
“Credence has everything sewed up. Anybody tries anything, he’ll be all over them. And they know it. Cham says the Thing has gotten as still as death. We get Inger to sign away her rights, the worst will be over.”
“Well, do it, man.”
“Easy, Derel. I’m on your side.”
“Nerves. Lack of rest and nerves, Michael.”
“Back to let you know as soon as I can.”
Inger greeted Trebilcock at the door. He said, “I understand you’ve finally decided.”
“I have. I’m packing now. You convinced me this time.”
“How was that? You were still stalling yesterday.”
“The arrow, Michael. Don’t kid me. Nothing happens without you knowing, without your approval. Not in Vorgreberg.”
“Ah, Inger, if you only knew. Hell, you do know. One whole hell of a lot goes on without me knowing. Wouldn’t you say? What about an arrow?”
“Come here. Look at this and lie to me.” She led him into another room.
A dead man lay on the floor. Michael knelt beside him. “Karl. How the hell…?”
“Through the window. The arrow was meant for me. Karl stepped in the way at the wrong time.”
Michael went to the window. He looked out, toward Fiana’s Tower. The arrow hadn’t been meant for anyone. “I don’t know anything about it, Inger. I will say this. The man who killed Karl was a hell of a bowman.”
Inger hissed, exasperated. “So Hunsicker told me. I don’t care. I do care about my life and the lives of my people. I didn’t bring them here to be murdered.”
“I’ll find out who did it. He’ll hang. Rest assured.”
Uncertainly, she asked, “What if it was Abaca? You’re always warning me about him.”
“Assassination isn’t his style. If he wanted you dead, he’d trump up some way to declare martial law, then bust in here and hang you before anybody could get in his way. It’s something like that that he’s been setting up. That’s why I wanted you out. No, I don’t think Credence did this.”
Confused, Inger said, “That little bitch Kristen, then. She hates me because of Fulk.”
“Maybe. Whoever, we’ve got to get you out of here. As soon as it’s completely dark I’ll take you to an abandoned manor north of the city. My own people will come in and pretend you’re still here. As soon as I make the arrangements, we’ll send you north, through Anstokin and Volstokin.”
“Why north?”
“Because the people trying to kill you won’t expect you to go that way. Because Credence won’t expect it. I’ve tried to make it clear I wish you no harm. Don’t force me to state my feelings any more openly. That wouldn’t be fitting in a servant of your husband.”
Inger gave him a confused look. She sat down. “How soon?”
Michael glanced out the window. “Have to let the night settle in. Say two hours?”
“Won’t all these people attract attention anyway?”
“They would if they all went. They’re not going to. Pick four or five. The rest stay and keep up the pretense.”
She gave him a hard look. “You sure you’re not trying to get me out where you can…?”
“Don’t be silly. If I wanted you destroyed I could do it right here. Credence would be glad to help.”
“Then why leave my people behind?”
“The attention. And, bluntly, as hostages. You mean much to me, Lady, but so does my duty to Kavelin.”
Inger’s face soured. “Duty. To Kavelin. I wish you knew how sick I am of hearing that.”
Micha
el shrugged. “The King believes in what he’s trying to do. Till he changes course, is succeeded, or I quit, my duty is to carry out his wishes.”
“I take it you don’t always agree with him.”
Michael looked out the window, at a bloody sunset. “Not always. But he makes policy. The rest of us execute it.”
“Prataxis makes policy. His pipe dreams are where Bragi gets his crazy ideas.”
“Sometimes. Sometimes.” You’re walking a thin line here, Michael, Trebilcock told himself. Be very, very careful.
Dahl Haas knocked on the door of the house in Sedlmayr. No one responded. He kept pounding. After a long time the door opened. Haas slipped inside.
“This must be the place,” said the sergeant commanding the squad tracking Haas. He assembled his men. “You three go round back and see if there’s another way out. Two of you cover it if there is. The other one come back and tell me.” He faced the house, studied, waited.
One of his men asked, “Do we really have to do them all?”
“Duke’s orders.”
“But kids. Sarge, I never killed a kid.”
“Knock it off. Just do your damned job.” The sergeant was bitter and curt. He didn’t like his orders either. But orders were orders.
One of the men he’d sent out returned. “There’s a back door.”
“Can two men cover it?”
“No problem.”
“All right, gents. It’s that time. And remember. Nobody out alive. Nobody. Or the Duke might shorten our necks. Let’s go.”
There was one survivor. Dahl Haas fought his way out the back door, leaving the men there with spilled guts. He lost his pursuers in the shadows of Sedlmayr’s alleys.
General Liakopulos and four companions, clad as hunters, entered Vorgreberg unnoticed. The General hurried to his quarters, shifted into military dress, and sent a flurry of messages.
Prataxis arrived first. He had a grey look. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.
“Wait. I’ll go through it for everyone at once. I’ve sent for Trebilcock and Abaca too.”
Abaca arrived only minutes later. Trebilcock showed right behind him. Liakopulos’s mere presence had alarmed them.
“Sit,” Liakopulos said. “I need help making a decision.”
“What’s going on?” Prataxis asked. He was aquiver with nervous energy.
Abaca remained standing. Trebilcock betrayed no emotion at all.
“The King is dead,” Liakopulos said. “Be quiet!” he snapped as all three men babbled questions. “There was a battle. The King was surrounded. Only a fifth of our men escaped, apparently because they ran when they were supposed to attack from the rear. I don’t have the details. We’ll look into it and apply discipline where needed. That’s neither here nor there at the moment. The fact is, most of the army were slain. Including the King, Sir Gjerdrum, and Baron Hardle. The news began filtering in several days ago. I waited till I was sure it wasn’t hysteria. I ordered the garrison commander at Maisak to hold the returnees there. I interrupted the telegraph so word wouldn’t get through. Once I was sure I rode down to consult you all.”
Abaca growled, “Kill her before the word gets out.”
“You want to kill Fulk too?” Michael asked.
“Goes without saying.”
“I don’t kill babies.”
“I’ll do it.”
Liakopulos said, “No you won’t, Credence. That’s no defense of the crown. That’s murder. That’s regicide. Fulk became King the moment Ragnarson died.”
“A sound legal point,” Prataxis said. He still shook. “You’re suggesting treason, Credence. And yet….”
“You see my quandary,” said Liakopulos. “If we don’t violate the law, the new masters of the law will rape what we’ve worked so hard to nurture.”
“Two dead,” Abaca snarled. “End of problems.”
“If we ourselves scoff at the law, can we reasonably expect anyone else to respect it?” Prataxis demanded.
Liakopulos interjected, “I’ve been over these arguments with myself. It’s a no-win situation. I’ve decided what I’ll do. Your courses are up to you and your consciences.”
Abaca inquired, “What are you going to do, sir?”
“I came here because the Guild owed Ragnarson. No Ragnarson, no debt. I’m going back to High Crag. If you three decide to obey the law, I’ll stay to help insure an orderly transition. If you choose rebellion, I’ll get out now. I can’t join you, but I won’t oppose you either.”
Prataxis and Abaca nodded. That would give Credence sole command of the army. Abaca said, “The King’s daughter-in-law is more sympathetic than Inger. Would she be regent for young Bragi?”
Prataxis replied, “The King’s first choices were Mundwiller, Sir Gjerdrum, and Baron Hardle.”
“Mundwiller, eh? I could work with him.”
Liakopulos said, “We can talk forever, but talk isn’t what’s needed. We have to act. The people at Maisak can’t keep the news quiet forever. Some of the survivors are sure to return over the smugglers’ trails.”
Prataxis said, “Michael, Kristen, and the children will be in danger once the news breaks.”
“I moved them out of the country already. With the money.”
Abaca and Liakopulos looked askance. Neither Prataxis nor Trebilcock explained. Abaca asked, “Where do you stand, Trebilcock?”
“Right in the middle. Like all of us. I’ll probably follow the General’s example.”
Prataxis said, “Same here.”
“You three have somewhere else to go. I don’t. This is my homeland.” Abaca rose. “So be it, I guess. If I’m outvoted, I’m outvoted.” He strode toward the door.
Liakopulos rose, said, “We’ll have to see the Queen before the news breaks. Get her braced for the shock when it hits.”
Michael said, “I’ll take you to her, General. I’ll meet you here in an hour. I have some things to do first. Derel, you bring Credence and Cham.”
Abaca asked, “Why not just tell us where she is and we’ll all meet there?”
“I don’t think so,” Michael replied. “The fewer who know, the less chance of trouble.”
Abaca gave Trebilcock a hard look. “All right. Whatever you think.” He departed.
“He’s going to cause trouble,” Prataxis said.
“Maybe,” Michael admitted. “General, look for me within the hour.”
Liakopulos extended a hand. “Trebilcock, it’s been nice. We had something here. I’m sorry it has to die this way. Prataxis, you too.”
Derel shook hands and muttered, “Why did he do it? There was no sane reason for him to attack them.”
Liakopulos said, “He had his neurotic streak, same as the Tervola. Let’s hope he didn’t die in vain, that the Tervola are satisfied for now.”
Trebilcock grumbled, “That’s all we need. Shinsan starting a push. Well, later.”
Prataxis said, “I’d better find Mundwiller,” and followed Michael.
Liakopulos sat down again, closed his eyes, and tried to imagine what Kavelin might have become had the King not gone after his wild goose. He ended up shedding tears.
TWENTY-FIVE: YEAR 1016 AFE
In their Dragon’s Teeth fastness Nepanthe and Varthlokkur followed events in Vorgreberg without speaking. They saw the first small riots blossom, fertilized by a wildfire rumor that Inger and Fulk had been murdered by the King’s cabal. They saw Abaca give too harsh orders for suppressing the riots, and witnessed the flight of the Marena Dimura members of the army.
Varthlokkur turned his back on the mirror. Choked, he said, “You were right. I was wrong. I was a fool.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“Now? I can’t do anything. It’s too late. It has to run its course.”
“A lot of people will get hurt.”
“I know. That’s the way of these things. All I could do is make it worse. It’ll be a purging of the national spirit. Every nation goes
through them. They’re horrible for individuals, but the kingdom comes through tempered and unified.”
“Spare me.”
“All right. Just understand, I admit my culpability. And it’s now too late for me to contribute anything positive.”
“If you say so.”
One large tear dribbled down the wizard’s cheek. He thought, don’t tear at me now, woman. I have trouble enough living with myself.
Mist had been so long without sleep she was seeing double. “Lord Ssu-ma?”
“Report on affairs in Kavelin, Princess. If you’re interested.”
“Of course I am. Go ahead.”
“I’ll be brief. I know you’re pressed. Basically, the old order is doomed. Ragnarson’s people have very little support left. Looks like civil war coming.”
“So. The noble experiment dies. And not the brave death, but ignominiously, with ghouls and jackals squabbling over the corpse. A sad ending.”
“Sad indeed, Princess. May I return to my duties?”
“Please do, Lord Ssu-ma. And thank you for having humored my orders out there.”
Shih-ka’i did not respond. Mist turned her attention to Matayanga once more, Kavelin out of her mind. Shinsan would not turn westward again for a long time.
Trebilcock and Liakopulos swung into the track to the Dalthin manor. Michael looked for signs betraying the Queen’s presence. He saw none, and was pleased. He said, “Gods, I hate this. And I can’t see any alternative but Credence’s.”
“I’m resigned.”
“At least she didn’t wrestle it away from us. She got it by default.”
“Maybe. Maybe she was the reason the King did what he did.”
“It’s moot now.”
“You sure they’re here? The place looks dead.”
“It’s supposed to.” Michael had a vile thought. He kicked his mount forward.
“What is it?”
“Maybe Credence found out. He sent his Marena Dimura out of town as soon as he left us.” He and Liakopulos had been delayed while he studied reports on the sporadic rioting. “In any case, Derel should be here now. Though I can’t picture him and Cham controlling Credence if Credence doesn’t want to behave.”
He’d planned to arrive first, then had been too preoccupied to worry about Abaca. He reined in before the manor house, jumped down, ran.
