by L. Fergus
“No, my lord. They’ve been a welcome addition and have adapted well to the Legion. I’m here on a separate recruiting mission. Because of the person’s stature and position, I felt I should do the recruiting myself.”
Why hasn’t he mentioned Jeffrey by name yet? Maybe he’s seeing if he can get Father to explode from the suspense. As amusing as the image was, she made a mistake coming here. She seemed to have reinforced her father’s notions for her future. I will not bend to his will. I’m not his pawn. It’s my life…but that’s easier said than done. Where can I go that they won’t follow? There’s always Leedings…
Her father rubbed his hands together. “Of course, of course. You know you’re putting me in a tight spot, Angus.”
Angus’ left eyebrow rose a fraction. “Why, my lord?”
The duke laughed. “You’ll be leaving me without a commander. I’m too old for that kind of thing. How’s your second coming, Jeffrey?”
“George could use some time, but he’s learning fast. The senior sergeants like him and can cover the gaps. We’re to be in the same brigade as Duke Cunningham’s forces—his commander is excellent. I’m sure he’d guide George.”
“Wonderful, then it’s settled,” the duke nearly shouted.
They’re strutting like roosters—chests out, feathers fluffed, crowing loudly, and ready to pounce on the nearest hen. Angus didn’t look excited or happy—he looked annoyed. Oh, this is where it gets entertaining.
“My lord,” said Angus, “I’m not here for your son.”
The hall fell silent. The three noblemen traded looks as if Angus spoke in a foreign language. Kita felt her face redden from trying to hold her laughter.
“Lord Jeffrey is an excellent soldier and in other circumstances might make an excellent addition to the Legion. However, our policy is not to enlist active commanders and soldiers unless they’re veterans whose service to their lord is coming to an end. You and the king have spent a great deal of time and energy training Lord Jeffrey. It would be unfair for us to enlist every excellent commander that comes along and leave the region’s armies in a weakened state.”
The duke’s face reddened. “Then who are you here for, Commander? Or are you here to waste my time? Jeffrey raced back last night to be here for you. Are you to make us look like fools in front of my family and guest?”
Angus didn’t waver. He spoke without hostility, but with great authority, “I’m here for your daughter, Lady Kita.”
Kita stared at Angus open-mouthed. Her father and brother looked dumbfounded.
“Kita? You want Kita?” the duchess said, a wolfish smile spreading on her lips.
“Yes, my lady,” said Angus with a firm nod.
“I think that’s an excellent idea. It will work perfectly.” The duchess beamed with pride. “Kita’s worked so hard. I can’t think of a better reward. Thank you.”
Wait…Work perfectly for what?
Jeffrey recovered from his shock first. “That’s not fair! She’s not even a soldier, just a little girl with a stick playing pretend. She’s only allowed to because of Mother. She has no leadership training or tactical schooling.”
Oh, brother. Now you know the sting I’ve felt my entire life watching you.
“Why I want her is a fair question,” said Angus. “As you’ve said, she doesn’t have any formal training as a soldier or commander. She’s not a veteran, but I didn’t say we only took veterans. We occasionally take younger members who have skills the Legion needs. We recruit shapers as soon as they’re identified. The earlier we can help them harness their magic, the better. We also take in criminals and fugitives who have demonstrated they would make good legionnaires but would otherwise be wasted rotting in prisons or executed. To be one of us, you need the necessary combat skills and the desire to serve.”
Angus looked at Kita. “The Legion has been interested in Lady Kita for some time. We’ve witnessed her various activities. She has shown determination, resourcefulness, resilience, steadfastness, and dedication—qualities the Legion holds in the highest regard. The Legion is highly structured, except for one position: Legion commander. It is neither an appointed position, nor is it attainable through promotion. Commanders hand-select their replacements. And I’ve chosen Lady Kita to be mine. When my time as commander is done, she’ll become the next Commander of the Legion of Yorq.”
The duke’s face ebbed from apoplectic to merely angry, and he let out a deep breath. “Kita has obligations and duties here. It’d be unfair to others if I let her gallivant about the region.”
“My lord, I only ask out of courtesy and respect. If I must, I’ll invoke the Power of Conscription. With or without your blessing, she’ll be leaving with me.”
“You can’t do that! I won’t let you.”
“You may turn me away today, but I’ll be back with a full detachment of legionnaires and the king’s troops, if necessary.”
Kita’s father threw his hands in the air. “Get out! I won’t be threatened in my own home.”
“Enough! All of you. What is wrong with you, Priatt? Jeffrey?” The duchess demanded. “Kita has been chosen to lead one of the most prestigious groups on The Mass. You should be happy for her. Instead, you belittle and embarrass her. Jeffrey, I didn’t raise you to be a spoiled brat. I’m ashamed of your lack of respect for your sister. You should be the most honored. She wanted to learn the sword because of you.”
Jeffrey shrank, his eyes darting side to side like he wished he could disappear.
The duchess glared at her husband. “Priatt, you ignored her until two years ago when you decided she should marry or join the temple. Now she has a place—”
The temple? First I’ve heard of that. Father’s that desperate already? Being a priest was a fate worse than being a wife. She wouldn’t qualify anyway. The conversation explaining why would be revealing to say the least. Yes, Daddy, I’d love to go, but I can’t. Why? I’m not a virgin. What do I mean? I thought it was obvious. When? I started when I was eighteen. His name? Her name was Sarah. What’s that mean? I find men repugnant. You don’t like it? At least I haven’t come home pregnant.
“—you’re saying no to the biggest opportunity she’s ever had,” the duchess scolded. “Are you so petty and pigheaded you’re willing to deny Kita because Jeffrey wasn’t chosen?”
Kita sensed her father’s anger being eclipsed by her mother’s quiet rage. He went on the defensive. “I just want the best for her. Being the commander of a group like the Legion is dangerous. How will she be received by the nobility of Yorq? Women shouldn’t be—”
“Shouldn’t be what?” The venom in the duchess’ question spoke of a deadly trap. “Think carefully about how you finish that statement.”
The duke’s eyes shifted, and he gulped. “Uhm, I know in other places women in military roles are commonplace, but not here. We’ve raised the ire of many of the conservative estates by letting her learn the sword. So far, I’ve deflected them by saying it’s self-defense. But as she’s aged, that line is getting thin. I don’t know what they would say if she became the commander of the Legion of Yorq. How will this reflect on me?”
“That didn’t bother you twenty-seven years ago.”
“Times were different. I was different,” pleaded Kita’s father. “At the time, there weren’t enough nobles, let alone fighting men, left to fight. We needed women to fight if we were going to win. But it’s been over a generation, and we have the men we need. We no longer need or want our women to fight our battles for us.”
“When did you lose your spine, hmmm? Unlike other women, I don’t keep your jewels in my purse. I don’t know if it’s Angus’ plan to change social customs by choosing Kita, but her holding such a position would make others take notice. I think Arbol can weather that kind of change. Now, everyone’s had a say about Kita’s future, and I know it’s decided, but has anyone asked her what she wants?”
They all looked at Kita.
“Kita?” the duchess prodded in
a gentle tone.
Kita’s mind raced. She had plans or, at least, maybe an opportunity in Leedings, but this was greater than that. She didn’t know anything about the Legion, but Father respected and feared Angus. Her father couldn’t touch her in the Legion. And one day she would return with an army greater than her father’s, and he would have to bow to her. This is an opportunity not to miss. “Uhm, I…don’t know. It’s sudden, and I don’t have a choice. What does it matter if object or not?”
The duke spoke with bitter acid in his voice, “Fine, get out, both of you. Now! Never set foot here again. Ever.”
The duchess spun on her heel and stormed toward the door she’d entered through.
“And where are you going?” the duke yelled after her.
“I’m leaving for the New London house. I’m not going to be part of throwing our daughter out like a leper. Leana!” A tall blonde woman was already taking position next to Duchess Logine. “Tell the staff to pack their things. We’re leaving for the capital as soon as I’m ready.”
The handmaiden changed course for a door leading to the kitchens.
“You can’t do that! The staff shall remain here,” yelled the duke.
The duchess whirled to face him.
“According to you, I’m charged with running the household. It goes wherever I go, and they are coming with me. If you don’t like it, feel free to hire another staff, or you can starve and freeze. I don’t care what you do, but I will not have any part of this or you!”
The duchess strode to the door. Kita could almost see the quiet contempt coming from her.
“Stop her!” the duke ordered the door guard.
The guard moved to obstruct the duchess. She grabbed his outstretched arm and spun, landing the guard on his back, gasping for air. She drew his sword and threw it end-over-end above the men and Kita’s heads. It stuck in the middle of the giant coat of arms above the fireplace as she swept from the room.
“She’s getting rusty,” said Cunningham as everyone looked at the sword. “She used to never miss the center.”
The duke blew out a long breath. “Excuse me. I must attend to my wife.”
Mother, what secrets do you hold? Throwing a man and a sword is not something you learn running a house. And where does Angus fit in? He and Mother seem to have chemistry, and father was possessive. Well, this little adventure looks to have been worth it, after all. What should I do next?
Kita glanced at the nearest exit. She didn’t think she should leave without Angus’ permission. She sighed and decided it wasn’t worth the trouble. But she didn’t want to listen to Jeffrey plead his case to Angus, and being in Cunningham’s presence made her skin crawl. She walked around the main hall looking at the artifacts of dead men and gave herself a history lesson. If I’m going to cry tonight, it’ll be from boredom, and my own doing.
The first stop was a large tapestry that was a map of The Mass. It looked like a C, Yorq occupied the far southeastern corner. The family coat of arms marked their estate in Yorq, between the Champignon border and Mount Razor. Her eyes followed the road from Arbol to their only neighbor, Champignon, a four-day stage ride across awful roads.
She liked to imagine what it was like to live in one of the other regions. Champignon had many wondrous things, like steam engines. Yorq’s leaders didn’t see the need for them. They had too many laborers as it was. So stupid. Silly old men hanging on to power through any means necessary. Someday…I’ll be free.
She went to one of her favorite objects. No one knew what the metal box was for or where it came from. Her father considered it one of his prized possessions. It had two slits on top and a lever on the front. When the lever was pushed down, the inside heated up and the lever popped back up. No one knew how it worked. When she was eleven, she’d been determined to learn where the heat came from. Her parents scolded her numerous times for sticking things in it or for trying to take it apart.
Her parents arrived through the same door they’d exited and stopped in the middle of the hall. The waiting parties moved to join the couple.
The duke’s eyebrows went up in surprise as the duchess spoke, “I apologize for our sudden departure. Angus, we’ve decided not to interfere with Kita joining the Legion.” The duchess looked at Kita. “Do you have any questions, now that you’ve had some time to think about it?”
Everyone looked at Kita.
“No.” And the sooner we leave, the better.
The duchess smiled. “Excellent. In keeping with our traditions, we’re going to hold a farewell banquet for Kita—”
“We are?” decried the duke.
“We are. Jeffrey gets one every time he leaves, why should Kita be any different? I promise you and Serge can go play with your toys, and I will take care of everything.” She looked at Angus. “If it’s alright with you, Angus.”
That doesn’t sound much like a question.
“Of course, my lady. We can leave for Razor’s Pass in the morning.”
Jeffrey cleared his throat. “I should catch up with my men. Good luck, Kita. Maybe I’ll see you at Razor’s Pass.”
“Jeffrey, you’ll stay,” Kita’s eyebrows went up at the duke’s proclamation. “This is an incredible honor for our family. This is a great chance to expand our influence and place in society.”
Anything I can do to help you, Father.
Jeffrey frowned.
The duchess smiled at her husband. “Very good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go inform my staff about the changes. Kita, why don’t you show Angus around the grounds? I’m sure you’ve much to talk about. And Kita, when I’m finished, I want to talk to you. I’ll send for you when I’m ready.” The duchess gave orders as her handmaiden fell in beside her. The pair parted ways at the main door, the duchess called one last order as if it was an afterthought. “And I need to see the pastry chef.”
Why would Mother want to speak with the pastry chef and not the head chef? Maybe the duchess had a special dessert in mind for the evening. I bet no one even remembers what I like. Still, I can pretend to like anything for a few more hours. Kita turned to Angus, patiently awaiting her.
“Well…Sir…Commander…Lord…uhm?” It dawned on Kita she’d no idea how to address her new commander.
“Angus, just Angus.”
“Alright…Angus, I guess I’m playing tour guide. What would you like to see first?”
“I thought we might look at the view.”
The main lookout tower gave a commanding view of the farmland and forest around the castle. Angus walked around, looking out.
A nagging doubt plagued Kita as they climbed the tower. “So, why me? There must be thousands of people better suited to take your place.”
Angus smiled. “There is your first reason. Few women in Yorq would question a man’s decision.”
“You know my mother. Most people just call me rude, pushy, or a bitch.”
“That is what I’m looking for. Someone who can be a bitch, but can be poised and restrained like you pretended to be downstairs. With a little practice, you’ll be a master stateswoman.”
“It was enough to fool my father.”
“Your father is naïve to statesmanship. His emotions easily get the better of him.”
“I wonder what calming potion my mother slipped him.”
Angus chuckled. “Your mother doesn’t need potions to handle your father, just her voice and logic.”
“How long have you known my mother?”
“If she hasn’t told you, she has a reason. I’ll leave it up to her.”
“Back to my original question: Why me?”
“I’ve followed the career of L’Ange de Yorq since she burst onto the dueling scene in Champignon. Four tournament wins—not including the win at the men’s tournament you crashed—with a record of thirty-three wins and no defeats. That is impressive, especially part-time.”
“Mother arranged for me to attend fighting schools. Father thought he was sending me to finishing sc
hools. He doesn’t understand why I don’t have more grace and style. But I haven’t done that in a year.”
“I also know of your nefarious dealings in Leedings.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Fighting in tournaments is a noble pursuit. I would never be involved in nefarious dealings.” Because none of it was nefarious…
“I don’t judge. It shows you know how to work as part of a team and a larger organization. And the skills they teach are valuable. Legion commanders can’t be limited to rigid military thinking, like your brother and father. You’ll be in a number of situations that require creative thinking and dealing with people of all stripes. Few people in Yorq have your range of experience.”
“I know nothing of commanding an army.”
“I can teach you. You’ll have a staff of officers to run the day-to-day and tactical operations. Most of our legionnaires are veterans, the best of their respective units. They know what to do and how to do it. Your job is to see the big picture: economics, politics, military, and social. Your job is to see how all these parts interact and affect one another.”
“Sounds like being a king.”
“It’s similar—we’re not concerned about each region, but The Mass as a whole. The Legion’s primary objective, as given by Commandant La Forge at LCom—Legion Command—is to maintain peace among the ten major regions and put down any region’s aggression if it stretches beyond their borders. To do this, we watch the regions closely and work to maintain a balance between them and work out corrective strategies if regions become out of balance.”
“So, if a region breaks into civil war, we let it rage?”
“We’ll contain it and keep it from spreading to other regions.”
“So why is the Legion at Razor’s Pass?”
Angus folded his arms. “What do you know of ravagers?”
“I know they come from underground and the Unfinished Wastes.”
“Correct, but they can be found anywhere that has a connection underground. The king is rallying his forces to battle a group massing in the Wastes. This seems to happen once a generation or so.”
