by Thomas Adams
The standing King’s Army numbered twenty thousand soldiers. Currently, twelve thousand were assigned to hold Reave, Cinder and the Pass of Fire. Two thousand were stationed at Castle Kӧptra. Radnja was any ally and the force at Kӧptra was largely precautionary. The remaining six thousand soldiers garrisoned the capitol and the main coastal forts in the Westlands.
Rumborg had already issued the order to call up five thousand reservists for a year of training exercises. They would soon begin marshaling on Fortress Reave. When they were ready they would march on to Cinder, where they were needed the most. A further call up of reservists and the Halls’ Gatherings would potentially yield another twenty thousand fighters. After fifteen thousand were sent to Reave and Cinder that would leave Vesfal with a small contingency force of approximately five thousand. But, it would it would take many moons to marshal, equip and position them all.
There just were not enough soldiers in Vesfalruk anymore. The Erling and jarls all fought the expense of maintaining a larger standing King’s Army. The merchant class resisted the Guild Tax, which ensured there were trained krigers to use in emergencies. These factors made keeping a large ready force difficult. If pressed, he would be forced to use the same strategy the kingdom used during the War of Twenty. Every man and women of the War Age would be pressed into service to fight the Erhand. Thousands upon thousands of his people would die.
He’d seen and heard enough. The kingdom’s defense would hinge on the Guild Halls’ krigers at Cinder. That is what it would come down to. The defenses were solid and ready. All that was needed were men and women willing to hold them and trained krigers from the Halls were the best fighters in the world. If a significant number answered their Halls’ Gatherings then he would feel much more comfortable. Rumborg knew he faced tough choices in the near future. He needed to issue the orders for a general call-up but there was no support from the Council of Jarls for this action.
He needed to build more support or he needed a dramatic change in the political dynamic. The term of chancellor ran for six years. Then, the Council of Jarls would elect a new one. Rumborg had almost two years left in his current term. He knew he would not win another election. The opposition to his rule had been building among the jarls of the Westlands for years now. Rumborg suspected the Emoire was influencing the Westlands’ jarls with gold and other incentives to oppose his office and guardianship of the regency. He had no real proof so he could not confront them. And, without a new power base in Vesfal politics Rumborg was effectively blocked from gaining the support of the Council of Jarls for the necessary military preparations.
However, a king, especially the Boy King from the Prophecy, that would be just the dynamic Rumborg needed to throw the Council of Jarls into confusion and to build a new power base in Vesfal. The ascension of the line of Brandt would shift current alliances and build new ones. It could dramatically alter the balance of power away from the corrupt jarls of the West Lands. Rumborg needed Brandt in order to engineer a schism and break the alliance the jarls of the West Lands currently held. And, he needed it soon.
But, that also presented issues. The last king, Brandt III, was assassinated by several jarls. Others had tried to seize the throne. They had all failed but the confusion, disruption and blood those efforts had cost were staggering. The jarls had formed the Council of Jarls to prevent such attempts, to rule the land and create a legal peaceful path to the throne. A claimant had to win the Council’s support and enough votes to succeed. It had been tried and worked to some degree. Although none of the elected king’s had lived more than a few days after sitting on the cursed Blackwood throne. Rumborg did not think Brandt, the Boy King, would win the throne through the Westland’s dominated Council of Jarls. They needed something else to shake up the Council before they even tried that approach.
Chapter 19
Titan’s Folly
The man that chases the impossible while forgoing the possible is the greatest of fools.
Ortus, First General of Vesfalruk during the Troll Wars
***
Six days after she murdered Primus Legatus Kho, Gullvayg was ready. The uproar in Crestia was just beginning to die down. Titan publicly blamed Vesfalruk and exhorted his people to provide greater support for the war effort. The outcry was harsh but fleeting. For a while, recruitment rose above normal levels. It did not last long though. War with Vesfalruk, while ingrained in Emorie culture, had proven to be very expensive and deadly.
After almost a thousand years, numerous bloody invasions and other attempts at westward expansion, the common citizens of the Emorie were disinclined to seek more of the same. They had borne the brunt of these war costs in taxes and manpower for the failed policies of their emperors. While most citizens were verbally supportive few would give up their livelihoods, slaves, wealth or comforts for such an adventure.
For Gullvayg though, it was time to strike. The palace guards would be getting sloppy again. Her archania was all prepared. She went over her plan one more time and discovered no serious flaws. It was time to put it into motion. Tomorrow, the people of the Emorie would have something much different to talk about. So, under the cover of darkness, she set out for the emperor’s palace.
She went directly to a deserted section of rear wall that contained the emperor’s private garden. She knew this was the best spot from a previous exploration of the palace. She used a concealment spell that would hide her and then disabled the archania wards on the garden wall. Then, after listening to ensure no one was on the other side of the wall, she hung a levitation spell on her new body and soundlessly floated over the wall and into the dark shadows of the garden. She stayed near the interior of the wall. She remained motionless and looked around, checking carefully. It was all clear. The gardens were extensive and she knew there would be a few roving patrols and a couple of stationary guards at the doors and choke points. These men would be the emperor’s crack troops from the elite Golden Eagle Legion. Supposedly they were the best soldiers in the empire. They would be no match for her.
Quickly, she cast another series of enchantments to dull the senses of the emperor’s retainers and guards along her path into the palace and to the emperor’s sleeping chambers. The archania she used were trivial spells and she easily cast them but with all the other enchantments she’d cast or may need soon she had to be very careful. Even for her there was a limit to what power she could expend before she reached her limit. If she hit the metaphorical wall while dealing with Titan or his guards she would be powerless and vulnerable, she was no warrior and Aelia’s fighting skill would account for little against elite legionnaires.
As she neared the palace she checked for additional wards. There were several on the doors and windows. These were all likely put up by Lutvar. They had his stink about them. Disabling them would be child’s play for her. He’d likely installed these wards years ago. He was a much better magus now and should have updated the palace wards with something more tricky and powerful. She dismantled his magical defenses in under a minute.
She was swiftly past the door guards, unseen and unheard. She eased down the hall still covered in her cloaking spell. Anyone looking directly at her, in the gloomy grand hallways of the palace, would see an area of dark space that would appear to be a shadow. The illusion would suffice for most of the guards unless one happened to have some rare latent archania talent or walked right into her. But, her luck held and in minutes she was outside the doors to the emperor’s suite. There were three Golden Eagle Legionnaires stationed here.
She used a ring which was prepared with a sleeping enchantment and within seconds all three men were slumped against the portico dozing peacefully. With a word of command the doors opened silently. She glided in and closed the doors behind her. She disabled the cloaking enchantment and moved further into the emperor’s rooms.
She felt good, fairly strong still and her remaining magical strength should be more than adequate to handle Titan. She looked around. There was no on
e inside Titan’s chambers but Titan, asleep in his massive bed. Even his female companionship for the evening was gone, sent back to their rooms most likely. She shivered in anticipation of the coming satisfaction she would have at the emperor’s expense. She planned to wring every second of pleasure from him while stealing his secrets. She sealed the doors with a containment spell and walked over to the emperor’s massive bed.
No expense had been spared in these rooms. Lanterns and braziers glowed with light and warmth and fragrant scents eddied throughout the space. The dark marble walls were covered with costly paintings and richly embossed architectural features. The windows were hung with sheer silk curtains. Gold and silver inlay and accents were everywhere. The furnishings were the finest; they spoke of deep comfort and were made of hand carved wood by master craftsmen. The floor coverings were expensive plush Kardaskmar rugs, the finest rugs anywhere and the wait for one was usually several years.
She gazed down on the man that ruled a large portion of Ellorhim. Titan was mildly handsome but not a great physical specimen. He was, well, very ordinary she decided. She spent the next quarter hour casting a series of archania spells and when all was ready she gently slid her hand up the man’s naked thigh. He woke with a languorous sigh and his eyes eased open. The enchantments were already in play and soaking into him. He smiled groggily and said dreamily, “I was just dreaming of you girl. Come into my bed.”
Gullvayg seductively smiled at him. Her body was pulsing with need and anticipation. With one hand she reached up behind her neck and unfastened her silk dress. It slid slowly and provocatively down her body. The emperor’s eyes widened and instantly filled with lust. His face tightened with desire as he gazed at her perfect form. She slid into the bed.
She would enjoy this. She would use him as a plaything for a while. But, she could already tell he was not the man for her. He would have to die. But first he had to be drained of his knowledge and confidences. Slowly, she would take his mind from him and then she would kill him and take his throne from him.
***
One evening, about a moon cycle after the embassy had departed for Fortress Cinder, Brandt walked across the practice yard towards his billet. He was exhausted. He’d finished working in the smithy for the evening and was anticipating some much needed sleep. Master Birger had told him tonight that Brandt would begin his Master of the Forge tests soon. To pass the tests he would have to craft a sword from scratch, by himself. The sword would be evaluated by three Masters of the Forge and he would either pass or fail based on their judgement.
Lost in thought he was surprised when he heard a great clatter and commotion near the gatehouse. He glanced over and saw a large party of horsemen come through the gate. It was dark so it was hard to see what was going on but he heard the words ‘chancellor’ and ‘prince’. Then it hit him. The embassy was back from Fortress Cinder! He would get to see Yfiria! He immediately turned and headed towards the party to greet them. And hopefully, spend some time with Yfiria. As he neared torches and lanterns were lit and he could immediately tell that the embassy was smaller.
He asked one of the Radnjan soldiers if the princess was with them. To his great disappointment the man replied she was not. The man added that the princess, her ladies and Aravin had already left. Brandt was stunned. How could she not be with them?
Prince Rudolph Hestvain approached Brandt. Brandt saw he looked worn from a long day in the saddle. He smiled tiredly at Brandt and said, “Walk with me if you please Prince Brandt.”
Brandt nodded and followed after him. They walked towards Reave Hall but the prince steered them away from the throng of people milling about. The prince turned to face Brandt and frowned, “I wanted to speak with you in private. But, now I find myself a bit unready to actually have this conversation. My daughter sends her greetings and love. She warned me to treat you civilly and with kindness.”
Brandt smiled but he was confused, “My lord, what do you mean? Where is the princess? Where is Aravin?”
“That is a part of my news. They returned to Talfur a fortnight ago. Some magic of the Druids I suppose. I was most unhappy with the timing. But, realistically, it was the right thing for Aravin to do.”
Brandt was crestfallen. He would not get to see her again anytime soon. She was gone from this world, back to the Shadow Lands. Somehow she’d known they would not see each other again and tried to tell him when they said goodbye over a moon ago. He’d been so looking forward to even a brief visit on her return. He’d thought surely they would stop at Reave Hall for a short sojourn. But, apparently it was not to be.
“I can see you are very disappointed that my daughter did not accompany us on the return trip. That speaks well of your friendship with her. It also brings us to what I wanted to speak about.”
Rudolph paused, “Initially, my wife and I were ready to propose an alliance of our houses. Our daughter is our only child. Whoever marries her will become the ruler of Radnja. It would be a joint rule but nonetheless her husband will rule, with her. My people expect this eventuality and are ready for it. It is our custom.”
Brandt was surprised by the topic of conversation. He finally said, “You honor me Prince Rudolph. I do not know what to say. I have great regard for your daughter, I may even love her. But, you know the state of my mind. I must be sure and know more before I make such a bold move. I do not want to hurt her. So, I am not sure I am ready to discuss marriage now. In time I would love the opportunity though.”
Rudolph continued, “I understand. That is fair. You are young and your situation is questionable. You are wise to be cautious at this time. And, you are honest. I respect that. But, this alliance, between Hestvain and Rodull, would presumably make both or our houses stronger and unite our defenses against the Imperium. That alone is a worthy goal with such a match. Our oaths to protect our subjects are most difficult. The Imperium will never stop. We are stronger, against them, if we are united.
Brandt went to interject but Hestvain held a hand up, “Please, hear me out. Now, I have reservations about this proposal and I want to make you aware of them. If we betroth our daughter to you we will effectively be announcing our support for you as the next King of Vesfalruk. At this time I am not willing to take such a step. I will not see Radnja embroiled in an internal Vesfalruk civil war for the throne. We cannot fight Vesfal and the Emorie.
“There is also the presumption on the part of Chancellor Rumborg that you will marry his daughter. I do not know if this is an official position or something else. But, we need to figure it out as well.
“Now, once you are king it will be different, I hope. But, afore that occurs no, I cannot sanction a marriage, at least not publicly. If you have not solidified the kingship you will be naught but a ragged king of a divided and tumultuous land. Chased and hunted by the jarls all about and with the Imperium threatening invasion at any time. Your mental state is also a major concern. I have spoken to Aravin extensively about this. Right now, as even you have just said, you are not ready, a shame it is not otherwise.
“Without memory of heart and soul I can’t allow you to marry my daughter. This would be a great burden for Yfiria. For a time I was willing to overlook this but not now. I think my wife will agree. Yfiria is overly optimistic of your recovery. I don’t know though. Mayhap her opinion is correct but I can’t risk her life and heart with both issues unresolved.”
The Prince’s words overwhelmed Brandt. Again he went to speak but Prince Rudolph continued, “I am not unsympathetic to your plight. I now understand the relationship you have with my daughter. It is plain to see. But, you need to resolve the question of your monarchy on top of everything else. I know what I am asking. It will not be an easy thing. These are difficult times but I am willing to speak again about this in the future. My daughter’s heart is with you. I am aware of that and I hope you succeed and make my daughter a queen. She deserves it and she deserves to be happy. So, with that, I wish you the Luck of Lorna. You will need it.”
***
Brandt worked the hot hissing steel with a fervor and singlemindedness that reflected his state of mind. This sword was to be his Master of the Forge trial. If he got it right he would be done training and a real Master of the Forge. As he worked he frequently caught himself projecting his thoughts and emotions at the ingots of glowing metal as he hammered them into a single piece. It felt like it was a natural outlet for him. His thoughts easily flowed from his mind into the metal, his archania facilitated it with little effort. His memories, once lost, returned in dribs and drabs but he relished each one that came back. He discovered that while he worked at the forge his missing memories returned with much greater force and frequency.
