The Protector of Esparia (The Annals of Esparia Book 1)

by Lisa M. Wilson

  “Well, I’m in your debt. So, you’re from Palium.”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t understand. Your province is allied to Daenon, but you’re a slave?”

  Merula nodded. “Greed and stupidity defeated many of my people, but not everyone fell for Daenon’s drug. My father was one. He spoke out against the drug use, but was ignored. We were conquered in just months. I remember the day Daenon’s armies marched into our dine. Many citizens of my province fled east, some deserted over to Daenon on their own, but the majority was already dependent on what only Daenon could give them. It took me years to understand they were hopelessly addicted to a powerful drug that had been cunningly introduced.”

  She looked at Jessica with tears in her eyes. “He’s a master at potions, you know. It was so subtle. No one took the threat seriously, or even realized there was a threat until it was too late. The drug was too powerful. Those who used it only once or twice were dependent beyond reason.” Merula grunted, “So many stupid people.” She shook her head. “Those who fled were the smart ones, the ones who refused to try, even once, something touted as the newest wonderment. I assume they warned the other provinces. That’s why Daenon must now fight to conquer the rest of the country. Most of the Palium Regulators refused to be sucked into the drug, so they were killed. I believe they were poisoned. My father was imprisoned at Snow Peak and I was taken into slavery.”

  “Snow Peak?” Jessica gasped at the name. “But, your father’s free. The captives at Snow Peak were rescued a week ago.”

  Merula looked at Jessica in disbelief. “Are you sure?”

  Jessica nodded. “I’m positive. Daenon’s furious.”

  “Daenon’s always furious about something. Life here is unspeakable. At least when Lepsis was around, I could bear it. Now that he’s gone,” she shook her head, “I don’t know if I can go on.” The pitiful woman began weeping again.

  “Lepsis came to us. He commands the Maronian army.”

  “He’s alive!” Merula twisted her hands in the bed covers. “I helped him escape. I didn’t know if the Shields had taken him or not. Since there were no wild celebrations, I hoped they hadn’t.”

  “Now that your father’s free, you can escape.” Jessica’s voice became earnest. “Daenon has no leverage over you anymore.”

  Merula stared wide-eyed at Jessica, her tears ceasing to flow. “The deserts are unforgiving. It would take a great deal of planning and preparation to attempt leaving here alone, but now, at least, I can think about it. I know who you are. Many times this past month Daenon’s howled in frustration. You’ve proved an elusive target. I learned from many years of watching Lepsis, as long as I can help someone, I should try. He did much good with Daenon’s never knowing. As long as you’re here, I should stay.”

  Jessica was touched. “Thanks, I could use a friend right now.”

  “Are you afraid?”

  “Yes and no. For the moment, Daenon wants me alive, but that could change at any time.”

  Light from the morning sun began to filter into the room. Merula blew out the nearly spent candle. “You must finish getting ready. Daenon will be sending someone for you.”

  She helped Jessica brush out her hair. They just finished when a forceful knock at the sitting room door disturbed their peace. Merula left the bedroom to answer the summons. Following behind, Jessica looked in amusement at the four, black uniformed guards standing in the hall.

  “Am I such a threat it takes four armed men to accompany me?” she asked, not expecting an answer. They escorted her through the hallways, down a secondary set of stairs to a large set of double doors, where two more guards stood watch. The doors opened, her escort parted, and Jessica entered the grand dining hall alone.

  Daenon was already seated at a large, polished wooden table. He motioned to a place set with silver tableware directly across from him. “I hope you slept well,” he said in a silky voice when she sat down.

  “Just fine, thank you.”

  “I also hope you’re hungry.” He waved his hand over many platters of breads, fruits and meats on the table. He helped himself to much of the food, so she guessed it was probably safe to eat. She was in fact, very hungry and chose several pieces of fruit as well as some fresh, hot pastries.

  They ate in silence, then after the meal, he looked at her appraisingly. “You know, you have given me a great deal of trouble.”

  “I’m flattered,” she said dryly. “I didn’t know I was worth so much effort.”

  “Tell me about your father. I hear he is a healer.”

  “Yes. He tries,” was her only response. What kind of game is he playing, being so polite? She thought. I’m not telling him anything, not anything truthful anyway.

  Daenon’s eyes narrowed at her evasive reply. He rose from his chair, rounded the table and walked up behind her. She did not turn around, but knew he was close…very close.

  “I can do terrible things to you,” he warned in her ear. “You had better cooperate, little girl.”

  She slammed both palms down on the table and quickly stood up, ramming her chair back into Daenon, catching him off balance. Yelling, she swung around on him, “Don’t threaten me! I’ve been through more than you could possibly ever know! Ripped from my home, torn from my family and everything familiar, hurled through terrifying blackness and dumped in a place so foreign to me it will never be mine! I’ve been bruised, beaten, and battered by your lousy thugs for reasons completely irrational. Tied, gagged and dragged across filons of god-forsaken, poverty stricken, rat infested country to a place of such selfish opulence, it makes me want to vomit. I have felt and heard evil of such magnitude it nearly sucked me dry and my senses are on so much overload I can hardly control them. Don’t you dare threaten me! And don’t you ever, ever call me little girl!”

  Daenon looked totally astounded then his face darkened. He seized her by the arm and dragged her out of the dining hall into an adjacent chamber. Slamming the door shut with his foot, he hurled her onto the floor in front of him. His eyes flashed in fury and little beads of perspiration studded his forehead.

  Leaning over her, he hissed, “Talk to me like that again, especially in front of servants, and I will personally cut out your tongue.”

  She knew he meant it. He dropped the congenial façade and all his evil washed over her. She pushed her hair from her face and looking him square in the eye asked, “What is it you want, Daenon?”

  He straightened. His lips curled in a wicked smile. “I will not quit until every man, woman and child swears their allegiance to me.”

  Slowly she stood upon her feet, not taking her eyes from his face. “Many men have tried and failed to obtain world domination. You are fighting against odds you know nothing about and can never understand—love, liberty, freedom. Even if you succeed for a while, you will never know who your friends are. You will constantly be looking for a dagger in your back. No true Esparian will ever bow to you willingly. You have no authority they will respect so you will be at war for the rest of your life. The people of Demar seem to think you’re all right. Why can’t you content yourself with this place? Make it into the garden it once was and could be again. That’s how you find true satisfaction and peace.”

  “You truly do amuse me,” he laughed. “Satisfaction? Peace? I am well beyond both of those. I’m a God to the desert people. They will do anything I want them to. Why should I quit here when I can control everything, can be everything? No, little girl, I do know what I am doing. There is no greater power than to be worshiped.”

  He started to pace back and forth while rubbing his beard with his hand. “But you have given me something to think about.” He stopped and faced her, “You’re right when you say the Esparians would never respect my authority.” He paused again, his face lighting up. “But, they would respect you.”

  “What are you talking about?” she asked suspiciously, a familiar nausea creeping into her stomach.

  “If you were my wife, I w
ould have the authority necessary to control the country.”

  “Are you crazy!” she whispered horrified. This was a turn of events she had not anticipated.

  “Yes,” he mused, half-smiling to himself, “that would work. I planned on killing you when I didn’t need you anymore, but this is a much better idea.” He walked toward her and brought his face down, very close to hers. Once again she stood her ground. “Don’t misunderstand me,” he continued, “I will still destroy your father and anyone else who tries to oppose me, but when I return, there will be a wedding and there will be a wedding night. I need an heir.”

  At this suggestion Jessica backed away. She felt the color drain from her face. “It will never happen.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

  With a self-satisfied smile on his face, he walked toward the door. “Wait, I’ve changed my mind,” he sneered, turning to look back to her. “I’ll capture your father and bring him back here to witness our joyous union. Afterwards, I’ll send him to Snow Peak Prison with strict orders he be killed if anything ever happens to me. That should give you incentive to…how did you put it? Oh, yes…watch my back.”

  When the door slammed closed, Jessica sunk onto the nearest chair. She felt sick to her stomach and needed to catch her breath. I won’t panic, she thought. She closed her eyes and concentrated on calming her racing pulse.

  She sat there for a long time, staring at the wooden floor, absently tracing the lines of its intricate geometric pattern. A sharp rap at the door brought her out of her stupor and up on her feet.

  “Yes?”

  The door opened and the same chubby butler who met her and Addex the previous night stood in the hallway. “Lord Daenon orders your presence,” he said crisply. “Follow me.”

  What now? She thought in dismay. The portly man led her to the front entrance of the mansion where Daenon was preparing to leave. Five hundred Elitet, with Addex at their head were standing ready to accompany him.

  When Jessica appeared at the massive door, Daenon handed the reins of his magnificent mount to a waiting servant and went to her. He swung an arm around her waist and crushing her to him, kissed her hard on the mouth. There was no passion in the embrace, only a brazen show of domination. Jessica stayed limp in his arms. She knew fighting would be useless, as the man was exceptionally strong and she did not want to be any more of a spectacle than she already was.

  Her heart pounded when he finally let her go and her face felt as red as her hair. Their eyes locked for an instant and it was then she knew she truly loathed this man.

  “When I return…” He swung around and effortlessly mounted his horse.

  From the corner of her eye, Jessica noticed movement within the drapery of the tall window beside her. Merula was standing in the silk curtains. Every feature on her face, from the hard line of her mouth to the cold squint of her eyes, screamed hatred. Merula’s glare was not aimed at Daenon, she stared directly at Addex.

  CHAPTER 21

  Unexpected Allies

  Centered on the western border of Ramana, just an hour’s ride from Palium lay John’s command hub. Tens of thousands of troops stretched for filons along this corridor, busying themselves with training and fortifying the surrounding countryside. John did his best to teach his seventh bars the seven ancient Roman attack formations before sending them off to their respective assignments. Ider Hoffle tacticians had come up with four of the battle plans on their own, so John merely supplemented their learning.

  Rome was the most powerful and skilled fighting force in the ancient world. Their legions would win, even when dramatically outnumbered. The secret lay in strategy and training. The discipline of the Roman soldier was legendary, as each man understood the formations and never broke from them. John’s men also drilled the Testudo, a tactic where shields were held overhead, edge to edge, thereby deflecting even large missile weapons quite effectively.

  Since Daenon had not yet attacked, John used his time to familiarize himself with his men and reinforce the lines. He could not understand why the attack was delayed, but the brief reprieve came as a blessing. Had Daenon sent his forces in a week ago, the Esparians would not have been ready.

  Thousands of small, four man tents could be seen up and down the border. Nearly half a million Esparian soldiers slept in them, as well as on the ground in the open. Divided into five armies, the men were positioned at strategic roads, bridges and possible border crossings. At night the light of their campfires lit up the sky so brightly, it was impossible to see the stars overhead. Large supply tents, hospital and dining tents, as well as portable, bright Red News Centers, were interspersed throughout the line where they were most needed and accessible to the men. The Message centers were always active, with correspondence birds constantly coming and going.

  It was the same in the southwestern cattle province of Kine, where Reese was in command. He proved himself a valiant and savvy soldier in the battle at Saylon Dorsett, so John placed him in charge of nearly three hundred thousand men, divided up into three armies.

  John came to appreciate Larone’s uncanny ability to foresee need and his swift response as he served as supply commander. Ramadine was made the central coordination point for all men and armaments.

  The first John knew about the attack on Snow Peak prison was when Lyrista told him. She rode into his camp with a group of fifty Guardians. Dressed in her blue and silver uniform, her wind tossed blond hair stood out against her deeply tanned skin. Armed with bow, sword, and two knives, she reminded him of an Edian version of Athena, the Greek Goddess of war.

  “John,” she waved at him, a bright smile on her face. John sidestepped three campfires and avoided several soldiers as he made his way to Lyrista’s side. Ready to begin his daily check of supplies and soldiers, he was about to mount Fireguard when she rode up.

  “I’ve come with good news, but I don’t want you to be angry,” she said while gracefully slipping from her armored horse.

  “That sounds strange. Why would you come with good news that would upset me?”

  “I received a message two days ago, and came directly here to tell you in person. The prisoners at Snow Peak are free, all of them. My father is going to come here, to offer his services to you. I expect him within the next few days. Cordon was going to let him rest for a bit before sending him.”

  “That’s wonderful news.” John was excited. “I could use a great seventh bar like your father. How did he get free?”

  “That’s the part that could upset you.” She crinkled up her forehead, but kept her gaze steady. “I sent a detachment of fifty men to Cordon, who enlisted Anton’s help and together, they stormed the prison. None of our men were seriously injured,” she quickly added, “and one of the freed prisoners was Daenon’s mother, Naydeen.”

  “Let me understand this. Cordon and Anton led an attack on Snow Peak. Who was left in charge of the army?” John’s voice was stern.

  “Lepsis.”

  “What would have happened if Daenon had attacked during their absence?” John felt his blood pressure rise.

  Lyrista’s voice became passionate, her obstinacy matching his anger. “Look. I know they took a huge risk. They were gone a total of six days. I don’t know why Daenon hasn’t attacked yet, but I couldn’t just sit around doing nothing and neither could Cordon. The risk paid off.” She took his arm. “There were scientists, as well as the Palium and Snow Peak Regulators. Once these men have been questioned, we can get valuable information on what Daenon’s been working on. Those scientists are among the best in their fields. Consider it an elite operation that was a success. Granted, it was commanded by two of your best seventh bars, but it did work.”

  “Luckily. Don’t ever do anything like that again. Do you understand?” His voice was harsh and he shook his head in disgust. “I’m sending a letter of reprimand to Gordon. I don’t know how you do things here, but where I come from that kind of foolhardy action can get you imprisoned, or drummed out of service, or even execute
d.”

  Dropping her hand to her side, she nodded. “It has serious repercussions here also.”

  “Then why was I not consulted?” John’s anger flared again.

  “It could have been a disaster. I know that…I know that.” Her tone became soft. “But, if Cordon and Anton had felt it an unworthy undertaking, they would never have gone.”

  “I don’t know about that.” John began to calm down. “Cordon wanted nothing more than to free your father and Anton, well, he’s Anton. He likes nothing better than a good, hearty challenge. Fortunately, the operation was a success, so Snow Peak is one less thing to worry about. Maybe now your brother can focus.”

  Lyrista’s eyes flashed at the comment. “Hey, he was focused. He would never have left had anything been lacking in preparations. He…”

  John held up his hand for her to stop. “All right,” he cut in. “I look forward to meeting Gammet.”

  Lyrista opened her mouth to make a reply, but a large, winged shadow passed over them, causing the words to die in her throat. An enormous carrier bird swooped low over the troops before it came to a landing on the Red News Center.

  “That’s the biggest bird I’ve seen yet.” John felt awed by its size.

  Lyrista sounded worried. “That bird is known for its swiftness, so this can mean only one thing, urgent news, and urgent news is almost always bad news.”

  Together they ran to the Message Center, nearly colliding with a young soldier running out of it. “Protector John,” the young man sputtered. “A message…from Healer Larone.” He handed John a rolled up note.

  John tore the sealing ribbon off. Once read, he handed Lyrista the paper and stood motionless, staring up at Ragus.

  Jessica taken three days ago by Elitet in Colossus Forest. Unforgivable mistake. Thought giants wanted meeting, clever trick. Sent for Anton and Varnack, best trackers. Sorry. So sorry.