Oh, Zollin, she thought, why are you always so far away.
She turned back toward the feasting hall; smoke rose from the massive stone chimney. At the door she was met by one of Wilam’s officers. Commander Hausey and his staff were now King Wilam’s closest advisors.
“Lady Brianna,” the man said, his face a mask to hide his true feelings. “Lord Wilam requests your presence.”
Brianna nodded and followed the soldier. Her chaperone wore dress armor. He was obviously from a noble family and Brianna guessed that he didn’t like the idea of his King marrying a common girl. The fact that Brianna was anything but common probably didn’t factor into his mind at all. Brianna could have roasted him in his fancy armor, she could have called down dragons to rip him to shreds, but none of those thoughts made her happy. He saw things from only one point of view, she realized. Her own viewpoint had broadened over the last year. She should be grateful to Zollin for that, but even the merest thought of Zollin was painful so she pushed the thought away. She owed as much to Quinn who had loved her unconditionally, and to Wilam for that matter, for helping her to see things from a larger point of view.
She followed the soldier up the stairs and into a room. Brianna was impressed with the work Quinn and Mansel had done on such short notice. The feasting hall had once had small guest rooms lining either side of the long building. Each side had its own stairs and a long balcony that looked over the center of the hall. Quinn and Mansel had knocked out the wall between two rooms to make one large anteroom and then added a door into a small room with a bed. Wilam was seated on a crudely fashioned chair that had obviously been repaired by Quinn or Mansel. Most of the feasting hall’s furnishing had been smashed and chairs were in high demand outside of the long bench seats lining the tables downstairs. The other soldiers, including Commander Hausey, stood around their king.
“Brianna,” Wilam said with a smile. “Where did you go?”
“I was just out for a walk,” Brianna said, pulling off the heavy cloak which was soaked with melting snow.
“Bring Lady Brianna a towel and a blanket,” Wilam ordered.
The soldiers looked at one another. They were all officers and none seemed pleased to be doing the work normally left to servants.
“I’m fine,” she said.
There was a glow from Brianna’s skin as she let the barest hint of fire spring up on her face and head. The officers nearly stumbled over one another trying to get away from Brianna. Steam rose from her wet hair and the men closest to her could feel the heat radiating off her.
“I’m always taken aback when you do that,” Wilam said.
“Sorry,” Brianna said, letting the flame die.
“We have much to talk about,” he continued. “General Hausey, you and your men are dismissed. I’ll meet you in the hall soon for dinner.”
“Yes, my Lord,” Hausey said. Then he offered his new king a slight bow and Brianna the barest hint of a smile, before leading his men from the room.
“How do you like our quarters?” Wilam asked her.
“Our quarters?” she asked in surprise. “You want me to stay here with you?”
“Why not?” he said, standing up and moving close to her for the first time. He put his arms around her and pulled her close.
“We are pledged to be married, after all. There’s no sense in waiting. There’s little enough comfort to be found here. We shouldn’t waste the pleasure of being together.”
“It isn’t right,” Brianna said. “We are pledged, but not married.”
“I am King. I say what is right and wrong.”
“Don’t let that crown ruin you. Just because no one has the courage to tell you something is wrong doesn’t make it right.”
“A wedding is nothing more than words. If you want someone to speak words over us, I’ll see to that immediately.”
“No, Willam. Not like this. Not now.” Tears spilled from her eyes. “My heart is broken.”
“You don’t love me,” he said, turning from her.
“I do love you,” she said, rationalizing that her affection for Wilam was real even if it wasn’t like her love for Zollin. “But I have lost my best friend.”
“I will be your best friend,” he said, turning back to her. “I will be devoted to you my entire life.”
“I know you will,” she said, compassionately. “But I’ve been through so much recently. Seeing your father killed. Fighting the witch’s army. I just can’t imagine getting married now. Besides, my family would be crushed if all their plans for our wedding were ruined by a simple ceremony now.”
“Fine, we shall have a triumphant wedding when we return to Orrock. But for now, this is where you belong.”
He bent his head and kissed her. She returned the kiss but couldn’t keep the tears from spilling down her checks.
“What is wrong my love?” he asked.
“Aren’t you bothered that your father was killed?”
“Of course I am,” he said, annoyance pinching his forehead as he spoke. “But I didn’t kill my father. If anything it was his own fault. He refused to listen to us. Instead he schemed with that usurper Corlis and nearly lost the entire Yelsian army. If not for you, my love, all would be lost.”
“But he was your father.”
“He was, but he wasn’t a good father. I have always loved him, always tried to please him, but you saw how he treated me. It was as if I was his rival just waiting for my chance to take the crown from him.”
“It’s just so difficult for me,” she said.
“You loved Zollin,” Wilam said, coldly.
“Of course I did,” she said. “I was promised to marry him. I broke his heart when I told him I changed my mind.”
“But surely he wouldn’t begrudge you for choosing to be queen of Yelsia.”
“No,” Brianna said. “He didn’t begrudge me, or you, but he did leave me. I can’t help but feel he went to fight Gwendolyn because I broke his heart.”
“If he truly loved you he would want what is best for you,” Willam said, turning and looking out the window. “Going to fight the witch was his duty. I’m sure he was happy to do it. He’ll be remembered as a hero.”
“I’d rather have my friend than a memory of a hero,” Brianna said.
“Oh, my darling. Surely you see that he couldn’t stay with you. What would people think? It wouldn’t be right.”
“But at least I would know he was okay. I could move on without regret.”
“You have nothing to regret,” Wilam said. “I am king of Yelsia and you shall be my Queen. Let us not speak of it anymore tonight. We shall go down and have our dinner, then we can retire and begin our lives together.”
Brianna wanted to argue but she knew it was useless. She wanted to tell Wilam that he had changed. He seemed jubilant that his father was dead, when he should be grieving. Instead, he seemed like a child who has just gotten everything he ever wanted. Brianna knew there would be no resisting him. If she was going to convince Wilam her feelings were sincere she would have to give herself to him. As they walked down the wooden stairs she felt as if she would faint. She desperately needed some way to change the king’s mind and quickly.
Chapter 7
The feasting hall was filled with hushed voices, like mice scurrying through the walls. The soldiers sat in tight groups keeping their voices low. King Zorlan was surrounded by men, none of them talking as their king ate. Quinn, Mansel, and Nycoll ate separately as well, and Brianna wanted to go to them but she was forced to stay with Wilam. She knew she had to act the part of the loving wife, even if all she wanted was to be alone with her grief.
Wilam’s men greeted him. Commander Hausey, recently promoted to General, stood and made room at the table for them. Two women had been brought into Walheta’s Gate to prepare food for the men staying in the feasting hall. They served the food as well, bringing out plates of steaming food and placing them before Wilam and Brianna.
“So, what do we do now
?” asked one of the officers with General Hausey.
“That is for our king to decide,” Hausey said.
“We need to form a strategy,” Wilam said. “Defending this much land against an army that out numbers us so drastically will be difficult.”
“We need more information,” Hausey said. “And we need a better idea of the lay of the land.”
“The dragons can scout,” Brianna said, not looking up from the food she wasn’t eating. She stirred the food around on her plate, but couldn’t find her appetite.
“That’s right,” Willam said. “They can give us a lay of the land, find out when the main force of our army will arrive and how much time we have to prepare for the enemy.”
“We should get started immediately,” Hausey said. “I suppose we must include King Zorlan in our plan making.”
“As much as I hate to admit it,” Wilam said. “We do. We must also wait for the dwarves. They will be here sometime tonight.”
“You would do well to include Quinn and Mansel in your deliberations,” Brianna said. “They are good men.”
“Yes, I owe them both my life,” Wilam said. “Once we finish eating I shall speak to them.”
Brianna managed to eat a little. She sipped at the ale and remained quiet through the rest of the meal. Wilam listened more than he spoke. The officers around General Hausey were jovial as only experienced warriors can be before a battle. The General however was more reserved, taking his cue from his king. Brianna was a little surprised that Hausey was so completely loyal to Wilam. Not that she thought he was a traitor, but he had always seemed a man with strong opinions who strictly adhered to the rules of order. She had assumed the General would need a proper coronation and proof that King Felix was really dead before pledging his fealty to Wilam. But of course Hausey had known General Corlis, so perhaps that had been enough to make Brianna’s story plausible.
They had finished supper and were well into their cups when the door opened and the dwarves entered the feasting hall. Bloc, King of Dwarves, was accompanied by Hammert and Jute. The three dwarves stood before the door, their long beards looking more like icicles, and their normally pale skin was rosy from the cold.
Wilam stood and hurried toward the dwarves.
“My friends,” he said loudly. “It is good to see you again. Come in and warm yourselves by the fire.”
Hammert followed Wilam toward the large hearth where a bright fire danced over the thick logs, while Bloc and Jute made their way over to where Quinn sat with Mansel and Nycoll. Brianna saw the look of thinly concealed surprise on Quinn’s face. She thought he must not be a good liar, but it only made her respect him more.
“You must be Quinn, the father of Zollin the Wizard,” Bloc said, bowing low before Quinn.
“I... I am,” Quinn said, getting rapidly to his feet.
“Your son is a friend of the dwarves,” Bloc said. “We would honor you as his elder. Your son is a good man and we are fortunate to count him among our allies.”
“Thank you,” Quinn said, his voice cracking as he spoke. “That means more to me than you could know.”
Bloc bowed low again, but Jute stepped up to Mansel.
“I suppose you’ve been trying to drink all the ale before I arrived, southlander.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Mansel said. “I want a rematch.”
“Good,” bellowed Jute. “Maybe you’ll give me some competition this time.”
Mansel and Jute both laughed and everyone moved closer to the fireplace. Food was brought out for the dwarves who ate ravenously, except for Bloc. King Zorlan was introduced and the benches rearranged so planning for the invasion could begin.
“King Zorlan,” Wilam said, “this is King Bloc of the dwarves, and his counsellors Jute of the Yel clan, and Hammert of the Jaq clan.
“It is an honor to meet you,” Bloc said.
“Likewise,” Zorlan said, failing to conceal the contempt from his voice.
“And it seems the rumors are true,” Bloc said, turning back to Wilam. “Your father was murdered and you have taken up his crown.”
“Yes,” Wilam said. “Brianna was there and she saw what happened.”
“The Fire Spirit is held in great esteem by our people,” Bloc said, bowing to Brianna.
“And the dwarves are held close to my heart as well,” she replied. “I am glad you are here.”
“As are we, but we had hoped to see Zollin at this council. We have come at his request.”
“My son,” Quinn said, “has taken the fight to the witch that enchanted the army marching north. It is his hope and ours, that if he can defeat her they may not pose a threat to us any longer.”
Bloc nodded, considering this news.
“I propose that we let Brianna tell us as much about our enemy as she can remember,” Wilam said.
No one was opposed so Brianna did her best to describe the mutated army the evil sorceress had sent against them.
“They are a great number,” Brianna began, “more than could be counted. They are larger than Mansel and very strong, but not bright. They come forward like a wave, walking over their dead without care for their own safety.”
“So they are mindless?” King Zorlan asked.
“Not completely,” Brianna said. “They are like people sleep walking. They can avoid danger and navigate obstacles, but they attack and never defend. They do not plot strategy or make coordinated attacks. They must rely on their great numbers to eventually overwhelm us.”
“When will they arrive?” Bloc asked.
“In about a week,” Brianna said. “I’ll send out dragons to scout the enemy at first light.”
“And are we expected to hold the enemy back from the entire mountain range?” Bloc wondered aloud.
“No,” King Zorlan answered. “It should be enough to guard the passes and perhaps the coast. We’ll need lines of communication though, enough to cover the distance between the two passes.”
“I can provide that,” General Hausey said. “We’ll assign our fastest riders to cover the distances.”
“Good,” said Wilam. “It is my understanding that my army will make land fall in a couple of days. Then we shall have the numbers to hold both positions, but I think it would be more prudent to prepare a series of planned attacks well in front of the mountain positions.”
“You mean hit them and fall back?” Hausey asked.
“Yes,” Wilam said. “I’m sure that if we staged an open assault on even ground we would be overcome, but it won’t hurt us to slow their progress and thin their numbers a bit before they reach the mountains.”
“We shouldn’t divide our forces,” King Zorlan said. “We should dig in and commit all our efforts to defending the mountains.”
“Both strategies are good,” Quinn said. “I would think that the light cavalry from Felson could carry out the staged attacks and buy enough time that the rest of us could get more accomplished without them than we could if they stayed. Besides, their horses won’t be of much use once the enemy reaches the mountains.”
“And what do you know of warfare?” King Zorlan said. “You are a carpenter if I’m not mistaken. These decisions are for kings and warriors, not cabinet makers.”
Quinn chuckled softly but Brianna could see the anger gathering like storm clouds on Mansel’s face. The dwarves were offended as well.
“The dwarves have come to a council of war where everyone is equal,” Bloc said. “Is that not the case.”
“I am the senior ruler here,” Zorlan spouted. “I shall have command of the army. We are fighting in my kingdom and it is only right that I-”
“Don’t start that again,” Wilam said loudly, cutting him off in mid sentence.
“How dare you interrupt me.”
“I shall send you packing if you don’t keep quiet,” Wilam said.
“Is that a threat?”
“Enough!” Brianna shouted.
Suddenly a ring of fire roared up around the
group of kings and soldiers. Wilam and Zorlan fell silent.
“This council is equal!” Brianna stated loudly. “Each ruler will command his own forces in cooperation with the others and no one, be he king or carpenter, shall dishonor those gathered here. We have all lost people we love and cherish in this fight. We shall lose even more if we don’t work together. Is that clear?”
King Zorlan looked at Brianna defiantly until flames sprang up from her hands.
“Alright,” he said angrily. “Alright, we shall stand as equals.”
The fire disappeared from Brianna’s hands and the ring of flames died down around them. The soldiers looked shocked while Mansel and Quinn did their best to hide their laughter. Brianna had always been bold and outspoken, but now her power over fire made her all the more potent in dealing with stubborn people.
“I can’t force you all to agree with each other,” Brianna said. “You must come to agreement on your own, but no opinion shall be excluded in this hall. We need each other now more than ever. We must work together.”
“There is bad blood between Falxis and Yelsia I see,” Bloc said.
“Nothing that can’t be settled when all this is over,” Wilam said.
“There is nothing to settle,” Zorlan said. “I propose that I take command of the Eastern Pass, while Wilam commands the Western Pass.”
“That could work,” General Hausey said, “as long as we have a coordinated plan of attack.”
“It would do no good to fight valiantly at one pass only to be defeated at the other,” Mansel said.
“Thank you for stating the obvious,” King Zorlan said. “It is still a sound strategy.”
“I have no objection,” Wilam said.
“We can begin our defensive works,” Hausey went on, “and then reconvene once the scouts have returned. Then we can nail down our strategy.”
“I propose we seal this plan with copious amounts of ale!” Jute said loudly.
The soldiers all laughed and the mood lightened. A cask of ale was brought in from the supply train that had arrived with the dwarves. The frothy drinks were poured and the soldiers in the feasting hall sang bawdy songs and told stories. The dwarves were the center of attention and seemed to bring the men from both kingdoms together, forging an amiable peace. Brianna was happy to see the tensions easing. She wished Zollin had been there to help settle the bad blood between Zorlan and Willam. For all his honor and maturity as a leader, Willam obviously hated Zorlan. Brianna remembered how she and Zollin had found the prince on the road to the Grand City, after Zorlan’s torturer had finished with him. It would have been a miracle if Wilam had lived without Zollin’s magical healing, and if he had, he most certainly would have been crippled for the rest of his life. Brianna couldn’t blame Willam for wanting justice for King Zorlan’s crime and she admired that he could set his own grievances aside for the moment and focus on the larger threat. But Zollin could have brought peace, he could have demanded it from both sides and been truly fair. Her heart ached as she thought of him, though the feasting hall was full of laughter and mirth.
Five Kingdoms: Book 07 - Wizard Falling Page 5
