by Jackson Lear
“I don’t think so.”
“How long after he was exposed was he murdered?”
“Not long,” said Alysia.
“You’re being kind. How long was it?”
“About three hours.”
Agnarr’s eyes faded. “Have you ever spent three hours at the mercy of someone else?”
Alysia offered a sympathetic smile. “When I was four I spent three days with ‘someone else’. They wanted to send a finger to my father as proof.”
I’m guessing Agnarr wasn’t expecting that answer.
Alysia rolled all ten digits through the air. “I still have them.”
“Did your family pay?”
“Yes.”
“And your captors …?”
“Are now quite famous for what not to do.”
They fell quiet. I piped up. “You might have an ally with the mercenary queen. Elizandria. She said she sent a messenger to you.”
For once, Agnarr raised an eyebrow in surprise. “You know Elizandria?”
“I’ve met her in the past, yes. She sent a messenger to us in Anglaterra a few days before we reached Galinnia.”
Agnarr’s eyes started considering me a little closer.
Alysia leaned forward. “I need to know if the alliance between Vasslehün and the vampires was actually an alliance between Draegor and the vampires.”
“As far as I know.” Agnarr flicked his wrist north, towards a distant snow-capped mountain. “Beyond the Heinla Ranges comes a couple of horror stories about Razoz and his kind. They forced the tribes up there to offer human sacrifices. Sometimes they were old men and women doing their bit to save their people. Sometimes they were eight year old kids terrified of the monsters chasing them down. They fled sixty-odd years ago. The vampires didn’t like that and started to bother the larger cities instead. By then, Razoz was fairly well known, even to us. He went after Draegor’s family. Bear in mind, Draegor was never supposed to be king. He had five older brothers and three younger sisters. The first brother was taken on his wedding night. His bride, too. They were found gutted and stretched between trees. No idea why. The second brother was found alive, for a time, his limbs gnawed off. He transformed into one of them, a sick joke of theirs to birth a cripple into immortality. Draegor’s uncle had to kill him. The third, fourth, and fifth brothers were all tortured and massacred. The uncle sent Draegor’s sisters away. I suppose they’re still alive on some island in the sun but it’s been fifty years since anyone’s heard of them. Draegor himself disappeared for five years. He emerged, covered in blood, not saying much. His uncle was on the throne, of course. Draegor killed him upon arrival. Very matter-of-factly. Took the crown. Became king. No one argued. On his thirtieth birthday one of the hunters of the veil returned with a gift: Razoz. Chained and caged. I daresay Dreagor got his revenge time and time again. Thirty years after he should’ve killed Razoz, he released him instead. Draegor had been draining him for years to use his blood. I suppose Draegor eventually became poisoned into believing that he and the vampires were allies. If it is actually true or not I don’t know.”
“If Razoz is on his way we should hurry.”
Agnarr nodded to himself, working through all the problems rattling through his mind. “I can’t have you build a Kasera presence in my own home, but could your people intercept Razoz before he gets here?”
Alysia froze.
“No,” said Zara, before Alysia could succumb.
Agnarr kept his eyes on Alysia. “Can they?”
Hesitantly, Alysia said: “I can’t authorize that.”
“Then don’t make it official. I can supply archers and scouts. They know the land here. They’ll know where’s best to set up.”
Alysia shook her head while her trembling voice gave her away. “I can’t. Our presence here is questionable already but ambushing a royal cavalry on their own land when we have other options …”
“You would be helping to save everyone in Faersrock.”
“That may be, but if by some miracle the new king or queen offers an immediate treaty with Ispar then we will have attacked our own allies at the request of our enemy.”
“Not if I’m the new king.”
“But whoever it is could offer their terms to Ispar today. Their offer could be received within days and be accepted. If you can’t claim the throne before that happens then our lives will be forfeited.”
“That’s if they offer a treaty. Few of them would even considered it, let alone act on it. But I would.”
“They have a witch,” said Zara. “Someone who can see over great distances and listen in on conversations. She might see the attack and realize that a treaty is the best way to secure the kingdom.”
Agnarr crossed his arms, souring immediately. “You southerners. You came offering help, now you’re taking it away from us. You came to help me defeat Draegor’s people, now you’re saying you can’t take the risk of fighting them with my help. So what is it? Did you come here just to tell me that my son was killed because you were caught, or are you here to try to make amends for all the butchery your people inflicted on us for the last hundred years?”
Alysia’s eyes fell as her nerves shook. “Setting an ambush while I have General Kasera’s authority would be a declaration of war.”
Agnarr dismissed it outright.
“She’s right,” said Loken.
“You’re not General Kasera,” said Agnarr.
“I’m here with his knowledge and acting on his behalf,” said Alysia. “The precedent was set decades ago. As long as I have the general’s consent to speak for him then he is effectively here, commanding his own troops in what would be a premeditated attack during peace time against one of Vasslehün’s highest representatives.”
“That doesn’t mean you automatically go to war.”
“No, that would be for the senate to decide. But we have a new emperor and emperors love to prove their strength as soon as they can. If anyone learns that we are technically at war then they don’t need any justification to launch a full invasion.”
Agnarr drew in a heavy breath. “If they reach Faersrock it’s going to be a massacre.”
“No. It will be a massacre if a legion arrives next year.”
Agnarr gave it one last shot. “My fighters are out looking for you on the lake. They won’t get back here in time. We only have fishermen and children with us. Less than ten fighters but enough of them can man a bow. Without your help, Razoz might kill every man, woman, and child in Faersrock by this time tomorrow. You came to help. If I’m on the throne, I give you my word that you will be my ally and there will be no need for a war. I will make it punishable by death for anyone here to raid Ispar’s lands. You will have your victory and a new alliance. We can both win. But I can’t do that if Draegor’s cavalry massacres everyone around me.”
Alysia’s voice cracked. “How many people live here?”
Agnarr’s eyes started to water over. “Thousands.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Agnarr rose from his seat. Waved to the four walls of the tavern. “You and your people can stay here. It will be warm. We weren’t expecting so many of you but I am relieved that you have capable soldiers with you.”
“Thank you for your hospitality,” said Alysia.
“I will tell my people not to disturb you. Some might. They have a routine and do not like it broken.” He bid us all a quick nod. Left.
Alysia stared into her clasped hands. Loken moved himself around the table to sit where Agnarr had been, allowing the four of us to huddle together. “We can’t defend this town with our numbers.”
“I know,” said Alysia.
“We have a way out on that ship. We can rest up for an hour or two and set sail.”
I asked, “What about Berik?”
Alysia looked as though something on the creaky floorboards would help to solve her unending dilemma. “We might be able to barter for him.”
“When?”
“I don’t know. Whoever sits on the throne might offer him back.”
“Doubtful,” said Loken.
Zara said, “Everyone has a price.”
Alysia carried on. “Or if by some luck Agnarr is able to reach Brilskeep and finds Berik then we can offer Agnarr a reward for Berik’s release.” She sighed once again. “Thousands live here.”
“Then let’s find out who they are and see how trustworthy Agnarr is,” I said.
“You don’t trust him?”
“Not in the slightest. He knows of Elizandria and dropped that line of inquiry immediately.”
Loken asked: “Why would that matter?”
“Because she supposedly sent a message to him.”
“She said she did. She also supposedly sent a message to us. Maybe she was just playing it safe.”
“And yet Agnarr avoided any mention of the messengers completely. Hell, you’ve asked more questions about her and her messengers than Agnarr did.”
“He has a lot going on,” said Alysia. “His son, his crews out looking for us, our delayed arrival, Razoz and the cavalry on their way.” She looked to Loken. “How soon could they reach us?”
“I’ve never seen horses move on vampire blood. If they were imperial cavalry then they could reach us by sundown tomorrow. Sooner if they have roads. Sooner still if they have spare horses with them. So with all of that – and because of the short days up here – let’s say dawn tomorrow.”
I said: “So let’s find out if it’s worth staying.”
Loken squinted with a cautious look towards me. “The last time you went snooping around the whole castle exploded into a blood bath.”
I turned to Zara. “You want to come look around? See if anything’s amiss?”
“I’m on protection detail.”
“Then bring the vanguard inside and stick Alysia in the middle of them. That’s what they’re here for.”
“You mean I’m going to be trapped inside all day again?” asked Alysia. “No. I didn’t come here to hide.”
Loken gritted his teeth. “As long as we’re in sight of our mages we can leave the tavern.”
“Good. We have the whole of the north to win over. We might as well start with the locals of Faersrock.”
Loken looked to Zara. “You should go with Raike.” Then to me. “What did you have in mind?”
“We’re going to double check Agnarr’s story. Find out if he’s still married to Beatrix and how the news of Johnan’s death is received. See how many nobles are on his side or could be swayed to his side. See what people think of Elizandria. That sort of thing.”
“They’re not going to be happy to see us wandering around their home, asking the sort of questions that make it sound as though we are suspicious of their future king.”
“In my experience very few people are ever happy to see me. We have a few hours of light left. Let’s make the most of it.”
Zara nodded along. “We’ll need a local who can show us around and translate.”
“Not Torunn.”
“You don’t trust him either?”
“He’s all right but I want someone who lives here and not on a ship. A kid would be good. A girl would be preferable.”
“Why a girl?”
“Because it’s funny watching them having to translate ‘go fuck yourself.’”
Alysia slumped forward. “Oh, gods.”
I rose. Left. Zara emerged a minute or so after me. Waved the vanguard into the tavern. They slumped inside, exhausted and now paranoid of being in a confined area in the middle of enemy territory, but at least it would be easier to break out of a wooden building than a brick dungeon.
I pointed to the gaggle of kids being watched carefully by every adult in the vicinity. “Let’s start over there.” We wandered over. “Does anyone speak Isparian?”
The kids were called back towards safety. A couple of dogs came to investigate us. Were curious that we didn’t smell like fish. I scratched the back of a mutt’s ear. Made a friend. He followed us around while trying to sniff Zara’s butt.
A blacksmith stoked a fire. Paused to sneer at us. An old man repaired a net while sitting on the stump of a log, leaning back against his house. Paused to sneer at us. A couple of young men followed us with axes in their hands. I stopped. Turned. Felt my pulse rise. “Can I help you fellas?”
They said nothing. Stood fairly still while maintaining eye contact. We moved on. They followed. I caught sight of our ship’s first mate being led into a small but well-built stone house with Agnarr. Possibly Agnarr’s home.
Our pursuers got a little closer. Started working themselves up towards a confrontation. Some of our sailors came to our rescue. Shouted at the axmen. Our pursuers shouted back. One of them pointed at Zara, muttering something with a disgusted look that seemed disparaging. Zara snapped her belt into a spear. The disparager’s face dropped, not expecting her reaction.
His friend chuffed to himself. Stepped forward in a ‘you better watch yourself’ kind of move. Swiveled his ax around.
Zara lunged, swinging the heel of her spear through the air, catching the ax then knocking it to the ground before her attacker realized what was happening.
Some of the locals chuckled. Others hissed for an imminent fight to the death. The sailors cautiously clapped our pursuers on the back, urging them to leave before everything turned to shit. Zara’s guy seemed to agree. He reclaimed his ax, spat on the ground in a mark of ‘this isn’t over’ and sauntered away.
One of the sailors remained. “Okay?”
“We’re okay,” I said.
Agnarr took note from the front of his house. Said nothing. Went back inside.
Zara said, “So far we haven’t endeared us to find a kid who can translate.”
“Perhaps not.”
We took another look around town, getting a feel for the general infrastructure while trying to plan how to escape from Draegor’s cavalry or fight them in such a cramped fishing town. The surrounding trees were useful to hide behind or block the road. The mud would help break a few ankles but that also posed a problem for us. The quicksand could be useful but that would take out only a handful of riders. We checked the end of the pier. Counted the row boats. Tested the water. Shivered.
“Worst case, there are six small fishing boats with two oars each and thirty three of us who would have to cross a hundred miles of water.”
“We’d fit,” said Zara.
“Yeah, but we’d never reach the other side alive. Rowing a hundred miles through the fog with no landmarks to guide us?” I brought us back towards the center of town. “Just how likely are we to ever see Berik again?”
“Honestly? I think he’s dead by now. He was left behind in the middle of a coup with several warlords on a killing spree to eliminate their enemies. They would know that Berik wasn’t high up enough to be worth the effort of a ransom and killing him might’ve given someone enough of a high to let them think that they had dealt a massive blow to the general.”
“Does the general know Berik’s name?”
“No idea.”
We walked on, watched by more locals, including the guy who had lost his ax in front of Zara. He was muttering to his friends, talking about how he could’ve easily taken us on and that we better watch out for him if we knew what was best.
I asked: “Assuming that Berik is still alive, what would you do about him?”
“I’d try to find a way of getting him back without any bloodshed.”
“So, a ransom?”
“A bribe might work, since Berik is a low-rung soldier, but a ransom would be smoother and not risk his jailor’s life. More expensive, though. You?”
“I like the bribe option. I also like breaking him out.”
“Don’t tell me you’re thinking about going back for him.”
“Depends. Just how low level was he?”
“He’s a regular grunt.”
“Who happened to be good enough to serve in a general’s van
guard and be assigned to protecting the general’s daughter.”
Zara stopped. Looked me dead in the eye. “Why do you keep asking about him?”
“The chain of command is Alysia, Loken, you, then me. So I’ve asked Alysia, Loken, and you what you each think we should do about the guy we left behind.”
“Any surprises?”
“No. Right now there’s too much going on and Berik is a situation that needs to be put on hold until we have further information.”
“So what would you do?”
“Send them a simple threat: ‘We win wars. You don’t. Your kingdom is divided. Ours is not. You know what we want.’”
Zara arched an eyebrow at me. “‘You know what we want’?”
“There’s no need to be too wordy with threats.”
“What would you do about everyone here versus the cavalry?”
“I’d evacuate the town. Get the civilians moving west while Agnarr, his fighters, the sailors, and us cram ourselves back onto the ship and sail east, back towards Brilskeep. Ice Bridge should be largely deserted by now as their fighters are all coming here. So we land nearby, storm Ice Bridge, and send word to Elizandria. She’ll know if there is a new king or queen and who it is. Depending on that we could work on an alliance or total war against the new monarch.”
“We’d be pinned in as soon as the cavalry return.”
“Yes, but Agnarr’s raiders will return as well. We’ll have their stronghold, the cavalry will be stuck on the outside, and the raiders will come up from behind them. Then we’d let whoever has the throne know that Draegor’s kidnapping of us was a declaration of war. If they don’t surrender everyone who was involved in our kidnapping then the north will become Ispar’s newest province.” I paused as someone caught my attention.
Zara tightened her grip around her belt. “What now?”
“Her.”
An eleven year old girl had followed us around the side of her house, trailing her fingers along the wooden beams as though she might still be able to use the building for cover.
I walked over, much to her surprise. She hurried back to an old man gutting a two-foot fish and dumping the innards in one crate and the flesh in another.
