Winter of the Wolf (The Desolate Empire Book 4)

by Christina Ochs

  “Maybe.” Braeden still looked grumpy, but she hoped she was bringing him around. “Who do you plan to install as figurehead?”

  Gwynneth paused. This was the hard part. “Before I tell you who I have in mind, I need you to agree to do this for me. The rewards will be substantial, I promise.”

  Elektra

  Elektra passed the first few quieter days writing letters. She started with Raysa, who was easiest to talk to, then wrote to Edric, saving Lennart for last.

  She worried that her account was much too confusing, and she hadn’t done well in explaining why she’d come here. So she more or less repeated what she’d told Major Silberg to convince him to bring her here, though now she knew the truth, she was amazed she’d ever expected to pull off a deception.

  It was nearly as hard to believe how badly she’d wanted it, and Elektra swore she’d never tell a soul. She still felt uneasy about her conversation with Countess Biaram, but hoped no one would believe the woman if she claimed Elektra had been trying to get Braeden convicted.

  Once she’d written her letters, she went to the Kronfels temple to pray. First, she thanked the gods for guiding her path, even though they’d sent her in an unexpected direction. But she had to admit that her actions had cemented her commitment to her new allies. She realized now that Major Silberg and Princess Gwynneth would vouch for her; maybe even Braeden.

  She wasn’t certain what to do about him, so prayed that the gods might guide her. She didn’t want to be friends exactly, but it made sense to be on his good side, since he had so many admirers.

  The young officer who’d wanted to beat her up still appeared to hate her, but Elektra didn’t have to see her often, so she didn’t much care. She would have liked to make a friend her own age, but was used to doing without. At least Prince Devyn was friendly enough, though Elektra had learned he might not be a prince at all, as long as his older sister still lived, which he believed she did.

  Elektra had hoped to see the Maxima at the temple, but she was busy with her important prisoners and making arrangements for a possible trial. Elektra hoped there wouldn’t be one, since she’d be called as a witness to recount what Countess Biaram had told her. The countess had confessed to everything, technically releasing Elektra from her promise to keep the secret, but she’d still feel uncomfortable telling all, especially in public.

  She couldn’t think what might come next, but she didn’t have to worry long. Princess Gwynneth sent for her a week after the battle and arrests. When Elektra arrived, the princess asked, “Would you like to walk in the garden? We might as well enjoy the sun while it lasts.”

  “Of course,” Elektra said. It was a golden late autumn day, and in the sun she didn’t even need her cloak. She followed Gwynneth out the door into the garden.

  Gwynneth waited until they’d walked some distance from the building, then said, “I have to ask you something and I didn’t want to risk any of the servants hearing. They’ve been pleasant enough, but I can’t be sure of their loyalty.”

  “What is it?” Elektra’s mouth was dry, though she couldn’t say why.

  Gwynneth stopped and turned to face her. She now wore a much simpler dress, so plain that Elektra was surprised. It just didn’t fit her picture of the glamorous princess. Her hair was pulled back from her face in a severe style, though it only sharpened and accentuated her beauty. “I expect Princess Viviane to confess to Prince Kendryk’s murder,” she said, nearly swallowing the last words.

  Elektra expected it was still difficult for her to talk about it. “Goodness,” Elektra murmured. “What will you do with her?”

  “I’m not yet sure. I want her dead, but must do it in a way that won’t cause all the Kronland rulers to rise up against me.”

  “What about the countess?”

  “Unfortunately, I must let her live since I promised to do so if she cooperated. And she’s done so.”

  “She has no honor.” Elektra burst out. “I’m afraid of her,” she added, though she didn’t mean to.

  “I don’t blame you,” Gwynneth said. “She’s a creature of rare treachery. But no one says she has to live anywhere within the empire, or anywhere pleasant. Braeden suggested transportation to a Maladene colony, and I may well do that.”

  “That’s a start,” Elektra said, and couldn’t help smiling. She’d heard terrible things about convict transports, and wouldn’t wish such a thing on the worst criminal, but for the countess, she’d make an exception.

  “It is. But once those two are out of the way, Isenwald has no ruler. Princess Viviane’s nearest heirs live in Floradias, and I’m not sure they can be relied upon. Until I’ve looked them over, I’ve established a regency here, and I want you in charge.”

  Elektra stopped in the middle of the path. “Me? But ...”

  She didn’t know what to say. She was shocked and flattered that Gwynneth trusted her to that extent, but doubted she was up to such a task. “I wouldn’t know where to start.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about that. You’ll have a great deal of help.” Gwynneth chewed her lip. “I’ve already asked him and he’s agreed to do it. Braeden Terris will handle everyday affairs on your behalf.”

  “B-b-braeden,” was all Elektra could get out before she grabbed Gwynneth’s arm and sat down on the nearest bench. “I’m not at all sure I can work with him.” Her voice shook. “He hates me.”

  “He doesn’t.” Gwynneth’s eyes had softened and were full of sympathy. She patted Elektra’s hand, still holding her sleeve. “Not anymore, if he ever did. It’s true he was very exasperated with you for a time, but you’ve just done him a great service and he appreciates it.”

  “I’m not sure I like him, for all that,” Elektra admitted.

  Gwyneth nearly smiled. “You needn’t like him; you just need to work together. And it ought to be easy. He’ll make all the big decisions, and will just ask for your formal approval. You can be as much or as little involved as you like. And I’ll stay for a little while, at least until you get your bearings. By the time I leave, I imagine you’ll be quite confident.”

  Elektra couldn’t picture how this wouldn’t be awful and awkward, imagining life as a constant squabble. But once she calmed down a little, she realized this was a real position of authority.

  She’d be ruling a Kronland kingdom, even though temporarily. It would be a way to prove herself and learn how to rule. She swallowed down her misgivings, and looked Gwynneth in the eye. “Thank you,” she said. ‘I’ll do it.”

  Maryna

  At Vega’s words, Maryna couldn’t hold back a squeak of dismay, and it was all she could do to keep from crying.

  Natalya shouldered past them and headed toward the hatch in a huff.

  “Oh come, my sweet.” Count Vega offered Maryna his arm. “This is all to the good. If your plan had worked, you and the Maxima would have been on your own in a dangerous area, since there is fighting all along the Galladian coast. I promised to keep you safe, and this is the best way.”

  Maryna took his arm, and he led her down the low corridor, helped her up the ladder, then took her arm again to escort her off the ship.

  Vega watched Natalya hurry down the gangplank ahead of them, and said, “That woman is extremely dangerous, and most men are too weak to withstand her. I’ll take precautions this time.”

  “You seem to withstand her quite well.” Maryna looked at him sideways.

  “Ah.” Vega patted her hand. “I have a distraction.” He smiled over at her, though his eyes weren’t as warm as they’d been before.

  Maryna wasn’t terribly flattered, since she secretly hoped she’d made Vega fall in love with her. Perhaps it was better this way, since she didn’t really know how to carry on a not-quite-romance. She was likely to do something wrong and foolish if it went on much longer.

  “So where are you taking us?” she asked.

  “I suppose I can tell you now, though I’m sure you’ve already guessed.” Vega brought her to a coach drawn up
by the dock. Before handing her in, he said, “You’re going to Olvisya, though now we must travel overland, through the mountains, which is most inconvenient in the winter.”

  Maryna nodded, hearing only the word “inconvenient,” and thinking it might offer another escape opportunity. She climbed into the coach and sat down across from Natalya, who looked somewhat defeated.

  “Do you know what happened?” Maryna asked as the coach bumped down a street.

  “I underestimated Vega.” Natalya’s tone was bitter. “He had spies all around the captain, and they heard every word we said. If you were sleepy after dinner, it was because our wine was drugged, and not the guards’.”

  “I can’t trust him at all, can I?”

  “No, not at all. I still think he likes you a great deal, but now it’s too dangerous for you to ever be alone with him again. He has the upper hand, and men like him enjoy pressing the advantage when they have it. I know it’s a pain, but you must stay close to me no matter what.”

  “I will.” A shiver of fear went through Maryna, and she told Natalya what Vega had said about their destination.

  “I guessed correctly.” Natalya sighed. “And he’s right, crossing the mountains in winter will be dangerous and difficult. I can’t think right now how we might take advantage of that, but we must keep our eyes open for opportunities.

  “We’re in Vitto, which is near the Galladian border, so the sooner we can try something, the better. It’s one thing to pay a call on Teodora on our own terms, and very different to be hauled into her presence as prisoners.”

  Her fingers drummed on the box she always kept close, now sitting on the bench beside her. “I wonder if I ought to get rid of this. It might not be a good idea to anger Teodora, under the circumstances.”

  “Vega said there’s fighting in Galladium and it’s unsafe.”

  “He would say that, wouldn’t he?” Natalya paused, shaking her head. “I’m sorry; this is a hard lesson for you at your age, but you must learn it if we’re to survive this. You must question every word he says, and consider why he would say it.”

  Maryna nodded. “So he says he’ll always keep me safe because he wants me to trust him. That doesn’t mean I can, which I suppose makes sense. And he’ll tell us Galladium is dangerous so we won’t try to get away and go there.” She felt a little sad, but rather wise too.

  “Exactly. And he’ll say he loves you and that you’re the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen, but that’s only so you let your guard down. Which from now on, you must not do, not even for a moment, not even if you like him just a little.”

  “I understand. I did like him a little, but now I’m rather angry with him. Perhaps that will help.”

  “Perhaps.” Natalya managed a small smile. “As soon as we stop somewhere, I’ll see what news I can get from the locals. If there’s fighting in Galladium, we might have to consider making for Tirovor. Our path will likely take us close to the border, and though it’s mountainous, the country is hostile toward Olvisya at the moment.”

  Now that Natalya was making plans again, Maryna was less worried.

  They stopped for the night in a small inn, where guards accompanied them everywhere, even to the privy, though at least they stood outside for that. Then they waited a whole day before anything happened.

  “I wonder what Vega is up to?” Natalya asked. By late morning the next day, they learned what it was.

  A whole pack of new guards streamed into the inn’s courtyard, and once they had assembled, all their old guards left.

  Natalya laughed and laughed as she watched from the window of their room.

  “What’s so funny?” Maryna asked.

  “What do you notice about our new guards?” Natalya chuckled under her breath and made room for Maryna to stand in front of the small window.

  Maryna looked intently, counting them—there were thirty she could see—and noting their fine furs and armor.

  “Oh,” she said. “They’re all women.”

  “Yes, and they look expensive. I imagine Vega hired them from a nearby duke or duchess. Of course the main thing is, most will be difficult to seduce.”

  “Oh.” Maryna sat down on the bed, feeling foolish. “So that’s what you did to the captain?” She still wasn’t sure what was involved in a full seduction, but was certain it meant more than just kissing.

  “Yes.” Natalya sat down beside her. “I didn’t particularly want to, but he insisted on getting something for his trouble.”

  “Oh dear.”

  “Yes. But please, love, don’t follow my example. It’s a terrible way to get things done. Not only does it make you feel bad, it doesn’t always work, as we just learned.”

  Anton

  Now they knew Braeden had likely already been rescued, Anton and his companions headed for Kronfels even faster than before. It was all very well that Princess Galena had sent help, but no one had yet heard if they’d succeeded.

  After managing two fifty-league days, they and their horses were exhausted, but the city lay only another long day’s ride away. They found an inn, and prepared to settle in for the night, when there was a commotion in the courtyard. Another large armed party was coming in.

  When its leaders entered the dining room, Trystan approached them at once. “Are you coming from Kronfels?” he asked their captain in that bold way he had, while Anton lurked at his shoulder.

  “We are,” the man said, “and it’s been a strange time we’ve had there.” He slid onto a bench and waved over a serving girl.

  Trystan sat down across from him, forcing the rest of the man’s party to scatter around him. Anton had been hungry, but now felt a little sick. He wanted to ask about Braeden, but hoped Trystan would get to the point soon.

  The man took a long drink of ale, but had to wait a few minutes for his food, so Trystan asked, “Are you heading the group sent by Princess Galena to rescue Braeden Terris?”

  “You know about that?” The man looked suspicious.

  “We dined with the princess two nights ago, and learned we shared a purpose.”

  At that, the man became friendlier. “You made good time then, and yes, we went to get Terris.”

  Anton couldn’t stand it. “Did you succeed?”” he asked, his throat dry.

  “We did.” The man dug into a place of roast pork and potatoes the serving girl put before him.

  “I take it he didn’t come along,” Trystan said.

  “He didn’t.” The man shook his head. “Seems Princess Gwynneth needed him in town. She’s sure Princess Viviane—”

  “Did you say Princess Gwynneth?” Anton interrupted, then squeezed onto the end of the bench so he could look at the fellow more directly. “Princess Gwynneth of Terragand?”

  “The one and only. Smashing blond, looking tragic these days, but no less beautiful. She’s got the nerves of a warrior too.” The man’s eyes softened.

  “But she’s dead,” Anton said. “Everyone said she was dead. She and her children.”

  “Everyone was mistaken. She’s very much alive, and had two children with her.”

  “Which two?” Anton prayed it was Devyn and Maryna.

  “Prince Devyn and a little girl, maybe six or so.”

  “Oh.” Anton was happy Devyn lived, but wondered why he was being called prince. “So the Duchess Maryna wasn’t there?”

  The man shook his head, still eating, while Trystan sat, his eyes fixed on the wall. Anton recognized that look—he was thinking.

  He turned to Anton and said, “If they’re calling Devyn prince, that means Maryna isn’t there. Dead or missing, I’m afraid.”

  “Oh no,” Anton whispered, and then only half-listened as the man told the rest of the tale. It sounded like Gwynneth, Braeden and Devyn had had an amazing adventure, and Anton was sorry to have missed it. There was something about an archduchess, but he couldn’t pay much attention. He was so worried about Maryna.

  Later, once he and Trystan were alone in the room the
y shared, Anton said, “I want to go to Kronfels anyway, even though we know Braeden is all right.”

  “I’d like to go too.” Trystan sat on the edge of his bed and yawned. “We can be there by day after tomorrow if we take it a little easier. You’re anxious about that little duchess, aren’t you?” he asked as Anton pulled the covers up to his chin. It was cold in here without a fireplace.

  “I am. I was good friends with both her and Prince Devyn. We went to school together in Allaux.”

  “What’s she like, this duchess? Well, princess, if she’s still alive.”

  “Wonderful. Sweet and pretty, but also intelligent and nice to everyone. I liked her so much and I don’t want to think ...” Anton trailed off, feeling emotional. She’d be just another loss on top of the others, but suddenly it seemed like too much.

  “Well, I’d like to see that Princess Gwynneth again,” Trystan said. “I met her a few years ago at Birkenfels, and she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

  “She is.” Anton agreed. “Though I’m very sorry for her now. She and Prince Kendryk were so in love.”

  “That’s why it’s best not to fall in love,” Trystan said wisely. “Someone always dies.”

  “I know,” Anton said, turning his head as a tear for Susanna leaked out of his eye. He rolled over to stare at the wall. It would be good to see Braeden again too, and he was just getting used to Gwynneth and the children being all right. He wondered what had happened.

  They left out early, but didn’t hurry so their horses could recover, reaching Kronfels late the following day. They found an inn and asked the innkeep for the latest the news.

  “Princess Gwynneth is still here, installing the new ruler.”

  “How odd,” Trystan said. “So who is the new ruler?”

  The innkeep grinned. “Well, officially the Archduchess Elektra rules over us all in King Lennart’s name. Unofficially, the fellow pulling the strings is Braeden Terris.”