They were making good time. The bottom third of the mountain had been relatively easy climbing, but they were now getting to the difficult section of the mountain. Kai paused when they reached the first rope. He tugged hard on the rope, but Sisera had secured it well. The rope did not move. The face of the mountain was completely smooth here. It was like someone had taken a giant axe and sliced into the mountain. Without the ropes, it wouldn’t have been possible to climb higher without using picks to smash handholds into the mountain face, time consuming and dangerous work. Kai grabbed the rope and leaned back and was able to walk up the sheer slope. Using the rope gave his fingers a nice break. Holding the rope was significantly easier than pulling his body weight up.
When they reached the end of the rope, Kai was surprised to see how Sisera had secured the rope. It looked like the dragon had melted a section of rock to create a hook to secure the rope. Kai shuddered to think how hot Sisera’s flame was to melt rock. From the rock hook, the travel was much easier, the slope lessened and finding cracks and outcrops to place hands and feet became easier. Before long, they were at the second rope. This band of smooth rock was smaller than the first and Sisera had placed the second melted rock hook higher, letting them take full advantage of the rope to climb faster. I should’ve had Sisera place more ropes, thought Kai. The melted rock hooks made a series of ropes an easy task.
Finally, they reached the summit. Kai looked down. It seemed so far to the tower.
“Wow, what a view,” said Jaime as he joined Kai.
Kai opened his pack and handed Jaime an apple and a chunk of jerky. He took a chunk of jerky for himself. “Yes, it’s quite beautiful.”
“I hadn’t realized how close to the sea we actually are,” said Jaime.
Kai looked to the east. Beyond the ridge where they sat was another set of mountains and beyond that was the sea. As the crow flies perhaps only five or six miles. But for a man it was a much longer journey. However, to the south, he could see a potential path. A narrow valley split the mountain they were on and the next, and in one place the valley curved towards the ocean. Something to explore at a later date. As for the idea of someone climbing up the back side of the mountain to attack the tower, it would be a difficult climb. Two difficult climbs if the small valley didn’t make it all the way to the sea. Looking north and south, Kai couldn’t see any easy paths up the mountain. It wasn’t as sheer as the western slope they’d just climbed, but still a very difficult climb.
To the south, about a mile from where they sat, the mountain dropped and had a much softer slope as it went south. Kai pointed to a small flat area on the lower part of the southern ridge. “A lookout post there would see the entire eastern side of this ridge. The only way to attack would be to climb the mountain at night.”
“Only a fool would try such a thing,” declared Jaime. “It would be suicide trying to descend the western slope at night. I’ll have a sentry post made when we return.”
“Have them look for an easy way down into the valley on the eastern side. It might be handy to have a short path to the sea.”
Jaime nodded and then took a big bite out of his apple. “How are things with you and Raven?” he asked between bites.
Kai sighed. “It’s going well, I think. We’ve been so busy lately that I’ve hardly had time to talk to her. But the moments that I get with her, I can feel the tension, there is a spark between us. Something I haven’t felt since Rosalie. Something I thought I’d never feel for another woman. Rosalie crushed my heart.”
“I’m glad you’ve finally been able to move on.”
“It wasn’t just losing Rosalie that messed with my mind so. Losing my place among the Dragon’s Tail was almost as devastating. Finding Rosalie with Prince Erik altered my world in a way I never imagined possible. I wish I’d never met her.”
“It was a terrible shame what happened, but you should place more blame on Prince Erik than you do Rosalie.”
“Why? Did he force her into my tent? Did he force her to spread her legs? She was not resisting him, Jaime. She willingly let him have her.”
“Did you ever stop and think of how that happened? Did you never wonder how a girl who loved you with all her heart ended up in the arms of another man? Or are you so consumed with your own suffering that you don’t consider hers? Rosalie suffered too. Her heart was as broken as yours.”
“What are you talking about, Jaime? She betrayed me.”
“She betrayed you because she had no choice. Her father was caught withholding tax income. Prince Erik told her the only way her father would avoid the executioner’s axe was if he spoke on her father’s behalf. Her parents begged her to do it. They swore you’d never find out, and she would be able to save her father. Prince Erik manipulated her, and in the end he didn’t keep his word. Rosalie’s father was executed. Rosalie lost the man she loved and her father. She suffered greatly because you flew off the handle. She tried to stop you, to explain what she was doing, but you pushed her aside and beat on the prince. Trust me, Kia, Rosalie has suffered as much as you.”
Kai was stunned by Jaime’s revelation. He’d spent so much time and energy hating Rosalie for her betrayal and he’d never bothered to find out the truth behind it. Shame filled his heart. He’d failed Rosalie. Perhaps his anger and actions in the tent might’ve been justified, but to make no effort to find out the truth was to brand her guilty without seeing her side of the equation. “I … I was a fool.” Kai looked at his apple, then threw it down the mountain. The bitter taste in his mouth had soured his appetite.
“I’m sorry to have brought it up, Kai, but I thought you should know the truth, and before you considered starting a new relationship.”
“Thank you, Jaime. I’m glad you told me. You’re a good friend.”
“You should also know Rosalie still carries a spot for you in her heart. She never took a new man in her life after you.”
Tears started to form in Kia’s eyes. He’d been such a damnable fool. So caught up in his own angst, he'd never considered that Rosalie might’ve been as much a victim of Prince Ramsey as he’d been. What a position to be put in. Betray your betrothed for a night to save your father … it was the proverbial rock and a hard place, damned if you do, damned if you don’t. If Rosalie’s plan had gone according to script, they’d still be together and her father alive. A twist of fate, the injury of another warrior in the tournament, had smashed the plan into a thousand failed pieces and now they were lost to each other and her father dead. Damn Eric Ramsey! Damn him to the seventh level of hell.
“I’m sorry, Kai. I know this is difficult for you to hear. I just didn’t want you going on holding that hate in your heart for Rosalie. Raven is a beautiful woman, and it’s obvious she has eyes for you. You should forget the past and look forward, build something special.”
“I can’t. Don’t you see? I can’t start something with Raven now. I need to see Rosalie. I need to put this behind me. Every night I drank, I begged the gods to fill her life with misery. What if they were actually listening? Was her father’s death an act of the gods? Or another evil done by the Ramsey’s. I owe it to her, and now I could never completely give my heart to Raven until I’ve dealt with the past.”
“Damn Eric Ramsey to the pits of hell!” cursed Jaime. “I wish I had found you after it happened. Perhaps things would’ve been different.”
“No! Don’t feel bad. Your honesty is much needed. Whatever happens, I needed to know. You are a good friend! … Although, perhaps next time don’t wait until we’re at the top of a treacherous mountain to tell me. It’s a long way down and having a clear head would’ve been helpful.”
Jaime smiled. “Don’t worry. I will go down after you. I’ll throw rocks at you once in a while to make sure your focus is on imminent death instead of your past.”
“Thanks,” said Kai dryly. Jaime was right though. He needed to clear his mind of all distractions before making the difficult climb back down the mountain. Perhaps that was
why Jaime chose now to tell him what had actually happened. Taking a few deep breaths, Kai focused on his path down the mountain. Soon all thoughts of the past were gone.
The descent down the mountain was uneventful, aside from slip of foot from Jaime that sent a small stone hurling down the mountain only feet away from Kai’s head.
36
QUEEN AMELIA WATCHED THE ARMIES OF THE RAMSEY’S from the highest tower of the castle. Guards on the wall had reported that no sooner than their enemy finished assembling their deadly war machines did they start to disassemble them and break down their camp. The guards report that the armies of Kosal were scurrying to break down their camp and flee caught Queen Amelia by surprise. She’d expected that the heavy catapults would be used to crush the outer walls and main gates, leaving Prozia open for the knights of Kosal to ride in.
I wonder if it is our soldiers sent to find Isabella, or did our messages to the clans of the east bring us a savior? wondered Queen Amelia. They’d received no word from whatever force was scaring off the armies of Kosal, but obviously something was causing the rapid departure of an enemy that had only hours earlier looked ready to crush the defenses of Prozia. The heavy catapults were not things seen often in Seron, the hilly terrain and thick forests made the cumbersome units difficult to move, but the ones the armies of Kosal had were transported by oversized wagons. No doubt a technique King Ramsey had stolen from his years of sending warriors to foreign battles.
The answer to Queen Amelia’s question of who was behind the fleeing of the armies of Kosal came quick. The armies of Kosal had barely fled the battlefield before the first row of blue banners could be seen to the east. As the horsemen drew closer, Queen Amelia could see the gold lion emblem on the blue banners. Byrne men, from the north. Her deceased husband’s family come to avenge his death? Queen Amelia cared not what reason brought the clansmen from the northern coast to her castle’s defense. They were here and the armies of Kosal were leaving. Queen Amelia left the tower to go greet the men.
As Queen Amelia left the castle for the courtyard, she couldn’t help but remember the last time she’d made this walk to greet a guest. The grounds were still scarred by the blood of the fallen from Prince Erik’s attack. At the head of the column of incoming horsemen, Queen Amelia saw Isaac Byrne. Isaac was the younger cousin of her deceased husband Robert. Physically, Isaac looked much like Robert, the same narrow eyes and protruded chin gave Isaac the same arrogant appearance that she’d come to loath in the late Robert. Enough, thought Amelia. The man has answered our call in a time of need. I shouldn’t let petty thoughts about his appearance sway me.
Queen Amelia smiled as Isaac leapt from the saddle and walked up to her. “Greetings, Isaac Byrne. Your timely arrival has saved many lives.”
“Hello, Amelia. Yes, it does seem we arrived just in time,” said Isaac with a smirk.
Amelia is it? Has he already forgotten who his queen is?
“Has there been a funeral for my cousin yet?” asked Isaac Byrne.
“No, we’ve not been able to have a royal funeral as of yet. His body has been prepared, but with imminent attack on our doorstep, the funeral had to be postponed.”
“Ah, I understand. This works out well then. A coronation on the day of the funeral would be appropriate. I trust you’ll make the arrangements for the day after tomorrow,” said Isaac Byrne.
“Coronation? Why would there be a coronation. My crown has not fallen. I still rule Prozia.”
“Actually, with the death of my cousin and the absence of any child, you are not it’s ruler any more. The closest living male relative is to be made king. Your late husband didn’t have any living male relatives, allowing you to keep your throne. However, King Robert does have living male relatives. So I’ll be claiming the throne, as it my lawful right,” said Isaac Byrne, the smirk still smothered all across his face.
Unbelievable, my so-called savior is another invader. Instead of an army he brings ancient laws, laws that I dare not dispute, thought Isabella. It made her furious that Isaac Byrne was using Robert’s death as a wedge to gain the throne. Many of the nobles of Prozia had a hard time with the idea of a woman ruler, they would side with Isaac, especially after his timely rescue of the castle. She racked her brain desperately seeking some recollection of a law that would dispute Isaac’s claim, yet nothing came. Queen Amelia recognized the fact that Isaac had her trapped, nothing she could say or do would matter in the long run. If she contested his claim to the throne, it would go to a council of the kingdom’s nobles. Queen Amelia had married Robert because of pressure from those same nobles. They would support Isaac. Taking a deep breath, Queen Amelia gave Isaac her best royal smile, it was as insincere as his. “A coronation after the funeral is very appropriate. I’ll leave it you to inform the nobles. I’m too distraught from my husband’s death to deal with such details.”
“An understandable position. Such a great loss will require much mourning,” said Isaac. His voice dripping with sarcasm.
“If you’ll excuse me, Isaac, I must go lay down. It’s been a long day and I’m feeling tired and light-headed.” Queen was neither tired or light-headed. She was already adapting to her new reality. By end of day tomorrow, she would no longer be queen. It was a harsh reality, but at the same time it opened new opportunities. If Prozia no longer wanted her, and assuredly as king, Isaac would not want her around, she no longer needed to be in Prozia. She could leave Seron and follow Isabella to Droll. She could reunite with her daughter and make a new life. However, she would not flee in the night like her daughter was forced to do. Isaac Byrne could use ancient laws to his advantage to gain the throne, but among those laws were provisions for the queens of fallen kings. Amelia would use those provisions to make sure her future and that of her daughter was secured.
First on her list of things to do was find General Hamza. Hamza was one of her most loyal and trustworthy advisors. Hamza hated that Amelia had been forced to remarry. He was not among the traditionalists when it came to believing a woman was too weak to be leader. Amelia found a servant and sent him looking for the general. He was to meet her in the antechamber to her private quarters.
Next she made her way to the castle library and found Craigg John, the official historian of Prozia. “Craigg, old friend. I need a favor.”
Craigg looked up from the document he was looking at. He smiled, “Yes, I suppose you do. I’d wager a guess that Isaac Byrne’s timely arrival was no coincidence. I’m afraid if you are looking for an obscure precedence to block his claim for the crown, I fear I will be of little help.”
Queen Isabella smiled. Nothing got past Craigg, he understood exactly what Isaac Byrnes was doing in Prozia without being told. “I’m not going to contest his claim. I’m more interested in the provisions regarding queens of fallen kings in situations such as this. What rights do I have? What portion of my wealth can I keep? How many men can I take with me?”
Craigg nodded. “A wise choice, Queen Amelia. I assume you plan to go to Droll with Isabella.”
“I’ll not answer that, in case someone asks you of my plans you won’t have to lie about me not telling you where I intend to go.”
“Another wise choice, my queen.” Craigg pointed to the scroll he was reading. “I anticipated that this was the proper course of action and took the liberty of preparing a royal proclamation regarding the process of succession of the crown in the event of a king’s death. It points out that Isaac is not the only member the Byrne family that may stake a claim to the throne. It also explains that as queen you do have the ability to choose your husband’s successors from among the male relatives of Robert Byrne over the age of sixteen. The decree also fully explains your right as queen to take twenty percent of the crown’s coffers for your own. You also have the right to choose up to thirty men from among the castle guard for your personal protection. Those men would then become your knights and no longer subject to the laws requiring them to stay in the king’s army.”
A
melia quickly read the document Craigg was preparing. She immediately understood what Craigg was suggesting. By releasing the proclamation to the nobles, she’d be defining her rights, and insuring that Isaac Byrne would honor them. As long as Amelia chose Isaac as Robert’s successor, he would have no choice but to honor the rest of the proclamation regarding her rights. “Craigg, you are a brilliant old codger. I could kiss you. In fact …” Queen Amelia leaned down and kissed Craigg on the top of his bald head.
“A kiss from a queen! It’s been forever since I had one of those,” said Craigg with a wink.
“I dare not ask when the last time a queen kissed you, for fear of your answer,” replied Amelia with a smile.
Craigg chortled in amusement. “Far before your day, my queen. Once upon a time, ol’ Craigg was a lady’s man. While the valiant men of yonder years would toil at battle, a younger me tended to the broken hearts of royal ladies longing for the touch of a loved one.”
“You scandalous old goat! I’m shocked.” Queen Amelia laughed, Craigg John was not the first or the last scholar to bed royal woman while the husband played at war. Queen Isabella knew many nobles who spent years away fighting foreign wars for coin, forgetting that those left behind had needs as well. “I don’t suppose you’d like to join my guards? I could always use such a source of wisdom as you can offer.”
Sisera's Gift (Dragonblood Sagas Book 2) Page 21
