The Desolate Empire Series: Books 1-3

by Christina Ochs

  “I’m the one who’s honored,” he finally said. “And it would be a pleasure to work for a ruler I admire. But I’m afraid another mission calls me, with your permission of course.”

  “You don’t need my permission.” Kendryk laughed.

  They were walking in a shady part of the Maxima’s garden on a warm summer day. The fragrance of thousands of flowers rose into the air.

  Braeden should have enjoyed that, but couldn’t enjoy anything anymore. The days were dull, no matter what he did. “I’d like to take Karil Andarosz home,” he said.

  “What a splendid idea. Though I’d be happy to keep him here too, if he wanted it.”

  “We’ve talked it over.” Karil was no longer a small, scared child. At sixteen, he was still short, but with a sturdy, powerful build to go along with a stubborn, intelligent character. “He’s enjoyed staying with you, but understands you have your hands full with your own children.”

  “Karil is always welcome in my household,” Kendryk said warmly. “He’s like a son to me. I don’t mind having another child around.”

  “I think he knows that, but he worries about his own family. Things have been hard in Marjatya and the only way for him to find out if they’re all right is to see for himself. “

  “I understand that. It’s possible his father is no longer alive and he will need to take over the estate. He learned a lot in the Arnfels and I’m confident he’ll make an excellent ruler.”

  “You did well with him,” Braeden said, though he was thinking of sword-fighting rather than book learning. Karil could talk theology with the Maxima if he wanted to, though he got tongue-tied around Natalya, who Braeden had to admit was handsome in a way that didn’t seem proper for a religious leader.

  She wasn’t beautiful like Gwynneth, but she exuded a sensuality no man anywhere near her could miss. Braeden reckoned it might be even worse for a sixteen-year-old. He’d thought Karil might have a bit of fun with the pretty Maladene messenger girl on the ship, but Anton had that all sewn up.

  Braeden had watched Anton carefully, looking for any signs of Janna. He realized he wasn’t hers, although she had raised him. But he didn’t notice any similarities. It was as though Anton had an almost opposite personality. He was tough, outgoing and rather arrogant. Braeden had to admit he liked him, but mostly because Anton was good at getting people to like him. He didn’t need to be Janna’s son for that to happen.

  Braeden was relieved. At first he worried he’d form an attachment which he didn’t want or need right now. As it was, he could say goodbye to Anton and wish him well without it being too hard. And it was clear enough that Anton considered the count as some sort of father. He had family if he needed it.

  Karil seemed sad to leave his friends, but told Braeden he was happy to go on another adventure after years of boredom in the Arnfels. Kronland was peaceful for now, but a lack of fighting didn’t make it safe. Braeden sold all of his hussar armor and replaced it with plain but heavy plate. He cut his hair and shaved his beard. He refused to change his name, but no one looking at him would recognize Braeden Terris of the Sanova Hussars.

  “You won’t go back to the hussars?” Karil asked as they left the walls of Allaux behind them.

  “I can’t, even if I wanted to.” To his surprise, Braeden felt the same dullness around that as he did around everything else. It was better that way. That he’d never see Novitny, Franca and the Torresias again might have been too much to bear.

  “What will you do then?”

  “First, I’ll get you home. Then I’ll see. I won’t be far from Atlona and Teodora isn’t dead yet.”

  “True,” Karil said. “I’ll help you kill her if I’m not needed at home.”

  “I might take you up on that,” Braeden said. It gave him something to think about, something to look forward to. He doubted anything would ever give him pleasure again, but sliding a blade into Teodora Inferrara’s body just might do it.

  Epilogue

  Elektra hadn’t felt so happy in, well, maybe her whole life. It was a relief to be out from under General Mattila’s thumb. She’d learned a great deal from her, but in recent months, the general had been so angry with the empress, she liked to take it out on Elektra. When Livilla had come to Arenberg in the dead of night and spirited her off to the Norovaean countryside, Elektra was more than eager to go.

  The momentary prospect of marrying King Arryk had filled her with dread, but to her relief, he seemed even less interested than she was.

  “That wasn’t very gallant of him, was it?” Mother Luca asked, amused.

  “I don’t mind one bit,” Elektra said. “You should have seen him. I would have been terrified to marry him.”

  “But isn’t King Arryk rather handsome?”

  “I heard he was, once. But he looked like a wicked barbarian to me and had the most awful, frightening eyes.”

  “The poor man.” Luca sighed. “He suffered a great tragedy. Your mother murdered the woman he loved, didn’t she?” Luca was inclined to be sentimental.

  “That’s what I heard too, which is another good reason not to marry him.”

  “You’re probably right. And Prince Aksel is ever so much nicer, don’t you agree?”

  “Oh he is.” Elektra wouldn’t say any more, but her cheeks warmed. Aksel was nice and best of all, he seemed interested in Elektra herself, always asking her questions about all sorts of things. She was glad he was coming back to Atlona with her, even as a kind of prisoner.

  They had traveled a long way already and finally reached Arcius. Now they would be in Atlona within days. The convoy came to a halt. “What’s happening?” Luca asked, trying to see over the heads in front of her.

  Elektra had no idea. Perhaps something blocked the road. Most of the roads throughout Kronland were in terrible repair because of the war. It was getting dark, so she hoped they’d make camp. It was tiring, sitting in the saddle all day, though bouncing in a carriage was no better.

  Suddenly there was the crack of gunfire and the guard next to Elektra pitched forward, then fell off her horse. Elektra looked around and watched her other guards peel off toward the noise. She wondered if they were under attack. Kronland ought to be subdued right now except for a few pockets of Terragand, so perhaps bandits were attacking the convoy. She wondered if it was better to get off the road so she urged her horse toward the trees on one side. At least she wouldn’t be as clear a target. “Come on, Luca, “ she said, trying not to worry. Her guards could handle any threat.

  She had just entered the shade of the trees when someone pulled her from the saddle. An enormous hand covered her mouth before she could so much as squeak. She struggled, but it was pointless. Before she realized what was happening, a man threw her on the ground. It was then she noticed another. One of them stuffed a foul-smelling rag into her mouth, while the other bound her wrists and ankles.

  She tried to see through her terror, but it was dark in the trees and then something even worse-smelling was pulled over her head, leaving her in darkness. The bigger man threw her over a horse, knocking the wind out of her. She cried and gasped for air, and feared she might suffocate between the rag in her mouth and the sack over her head.

  But she didn’t suffocate, and after awhile became accustomed to the jolting of the horse. She breathed through her nose and tried to calm herself down and think. Judging by the jarring motion, she was moving at some speed. Surely her guards would find her soon.

  Time passed; so much she knew the guards hadn’t found her trail right away. They must not know which way she had gone. She tried not to cry, but tears soaked the sack over her head and her whole body ached as the horse trotted for what felt like hours. When they stopped at last and dumped her on the ground, then pulled the sack off, it was well after dark.

  Elektra saw a boy her age building a fire. She wanted to ask his name, but the rag was still in her mouth. She started crying again.

  “Stop that,” a gruff voice said. “Crying won’t h
elp.” Someone sat on the ground next to her and turned her head by the chin to face him. He looked familiar, but she couldn’t place him. He pulled the rag out of her mouth. “No hard feelings, sweetheart,” he said.

  She looked at him some more and then relief washed over her. She wondered why he’d shaved his beard and where the rest of the hussars were.

  “Of course,” she said eagerly. “You’re one of the Sanova Hussars. Are you taking me to General Mattila?” It would be typical of the general to snatch her away from Livilla like this.

  “I’m taking you to your mother, in a manner of speaking,” he said.

  Elektra tried to catch his eye; he’d always seemed friendly. But now he frightened her. His voice was calm, but his eyes as hollow as a dead man’s, worse even than King Arryk’s.

  “Oh, good,” she said uncertainly, though she couldn’t work out why he’d take her to Atlona when she was going there anyway.

  “This really isn’t personal,” he said. “But it’s time your mother learned what it’s like to lose a child. Karil, bring me that sword.”

  Thank you for reading Valley of the Shadow!

  Cast of Characters

  Kendryk II Bernotas, Prince of Terragand

  Sibyla, Teodora’s personal doctor

  Gwynneth Roussay, Princess of Norovaea and Terragand, Kendryk’s wife.

  Their children: Maryna, Devyn, Andres, Stella

  Linette, lady-in-waiting to Gwynneth

  Edric Maximus, religious leader in Terragand, formerly known as Father Edric Landrus

  Merton, Captain of the guard at Birkenfels

  Catrin, Gwynneth’s maid

  Evard Bernotas, Duke of Terragand-Emberg, Kendryk’s uncle

  His son, Balduin, a prisoner inside Birkenfels

  Rheda Bernotas-Falk, Princess of Helvundala, Kendryk’s aunt.

  Ruso Faris, a general leading the remnants of Kendryk’s army.

  Aidan Orland, Duke of Kaltental-Terragand

  Arian Orland, Count of Hornfels, son of Aidan, mercenary general supporting Kendryk and Gwynneth

  Ossian Schurtz, mercenary officer in the employ of Arian Orland

  Anton Kronek, a horse-boy in Arian Orland’s army

  Cid, Arian Orland’s battle charger

  Skandar, Anton’s horse

  Emilya Hohenwart, mercenary general allied with Arryk

  Seward Kurant, a mercenary general allied with Arryk

  Trystan Martinek, Duke of Podoska, youngest son of Princess Edyta

  Flavia Maxima, religious leader in Isenwald

  * * *

  The Kronland Rulers

  Eldrid Benda, Prince of Lantura

  Floreta Bensen, Princess of Brandana

  Ossian Dahlby, Prince of Ummarvik

  Dristan Fabrey, Prince of Aquianus

  Bronson Falk, Prince of Helvundala

  Viviane Kasbirk, Princess of Isenwald

  Keylinda Marthaler, Princess of Fromenberg

  Edyta Martinek, Princess of Podoska

  Herryk Peloso, Prince of Tirilis

  Galena Sebesta, Princess of Oltena and Kendryk’s aunt

  Alarys Zelenka, Princess of Arcius

  * * *

  Norovaea

  Andres V Roussay, King of Norovaea, Gwynneth’s father

  Arryk Roussay, heir to the throne

  Aksel Roussay, Arryk’s and Gwynneth’s youngest brother

  Norvel Classen, chief adviser to King Andres

  Larisa Karsten, an army officer and Arryk’s mistress

  Magnus Torsen, an officer in Arryk’s army

  * * *

  Olvisya

  Braeden Terris, mercenary commander with the Sanova Hussars

  Janna Kronek, a Moraltan refugee

  Iryna, Braeden and Janna’s daughter

  * * *

  Anyezka Kronek, Janna’s step-daughter (deceased)

  Prince Novitny, general of the Sanova Hussars

  Reno Torresia, a captain in the Sanova Hussars, his wife Senta and their daughters Adela, Cara and Trisa

  Miro Blavic, a lieutenant of the Sanova Hussars

  Franca Dura, a lieutenant of the Sanova Hussars

  Gergo, servant to Braeden

  Kazmir, Braeden Terris’s horse

  Zoltan, a retired warhorse, Janna’s mount

  Nisa Retter, a friend of Janna’s, wife to a Sanova Hussar

  Ashia Toure, a doctor in the Sanova Hussars

  * * *

  Kersenstadt

  Alen Marsel, a doctor

  Birgid, a servant

  Hilda, a cook

  Klaus, a servant

  Mother Ilsa, a priestess in a Kersenstadt temple

  Holgar Ellert, Norovaean officer

  Teodora Inferrara, Empress of Olvisya, Queen of Moralta and Marjatya

  Raynard Ahrend, consort to Teodora

  Their children: Elektra, Zofya and Rudofo

  Mother Luca, Elektra’s personal priestess

  Livilla Maxima, religious leader in Olvisya

  Daciana Tomescu, guerilla commander and friend of Teodora

  Ahbert Solteszy , Head of the Imperial Council and Teodora’s closest political adviser

  Meryl Biaram, an adviser to Teodora

  Brytta Prosnytz, secretary and lady in waiting to Teodora

  Elyse Rastell, lady-in-waiting to Teodora

  Demario Barela, Maladene general working for Teodora

  Niklas Ensden, Teodora’s primary military commander

  Brynhild Mattila, a general working for Teodora

  Andor Korma, Marjatyan rebel leader

  Beatryz Inferrara, Queen of Maladena, cousin to Teodora, her daughter, the Enfanta Johanna

  Karil Andarosz, a Marjatyan hostage

  Ulla and Dolf, servants in the Arnfels

  * * *

  Galladium

  Gauvain Brevard, King of Galladium and childhood friend of Kendryk

  Natalya Maxima, religious leader in Galladium

  * * *

  Zeelund

  Vrouw Belsen, a tavern owner

  Kamyla Melchor, a wealthy Bonnenruck business owner

  Peter and Gretel, two Bonnenruck children

  * * *

  Estenor

  Lennart Ostberg, King of Estenor

  Ludvik Meldahl, his chief adviser

  Kelsi Brun, captain of the Rusa

  * * *

  Sanova

  Ottilya Sikora, Queen of Sanova, married to Atinos Inferrara, Teodora’s brother

  Raysa Sikora, her daughter

  Bendik Tarka, a royal guard

  Zytka Hylek, a courtier

  * * *

  The Faith

  Teodora the Holy, ancient founder of The Faith

  Quadrenes, followers of the reforms of Edric Maximus

  League of Aeternos, a group of clerics specially trained to counter the Quadrenes

  Vica, the sister goddess

  Ercos, the son god

  Hammer of the Gods

  The Desolate Empire

  Book Three

  A Novel by

  * * *

  Christina Ochs

  Elektra

  “Karil, bring me that sword.”

  Elektra realized Karil must be the boy by the fire, and understood an instant later what the sword was for. She worried she’d cry again, but was too frightened for tears. She breathed in great, ragged gasps, and tried to scramble to her feet, forgetting they were still tied together. She fell to the ground again, jagged rocks digging into her side.

  “Better if you don’t make such a fuss,” the man said. “I promise to do it fast. The blade’s nice and sharp so I doubt you’ll feel a thing.”

  “Vica will strike you down before you can harm me,” Elektra said, her voice quavering, not because she really believed it, but because she needed to hope for a miracle. She clenched her teeth, vowed not to cry, and reminded herself she was an archduchess, an acolyte of the League of Aeternos. She wouldn’t go to her death like a snivelin
g peasant.

  The man laughed. “Surely you don’t hold to that nonsense. Ah well, if it gives you comfort I suppose there’s little harm in it.” He turned away. “Karil, bring it here.”

  The boy still stood at the fire. “I don’t want to.”

  Elektra realized she’d been holding her breath. She exhaled, and scrutinized the boy more carefully. As she had noticed before, he appeared to be around her age, short, but powerfully built. He didn’t look like a soldier, but held the sword as if he knew his business. She wondered if he might save her, but looked at the big man again. Impossible. Even with the armed boy on her side she could do nothing against such a brute, one of the Sanova Hussars, trained and experienced killers the lot of them.

  The man sighed. “Don’t be ridiculous Karil. We agreed to do this.”

  “But she’s just a girl. A child, still.”

  Elektra bristled at that, but remembered the boy was trying to help, so she gave him her best pleading, helpless look. Then she offered a quick prayer to Vica to guide her thoughts and words to wisdom.

  “I see that,” the big man said. “So were my children. Do you know how old my little girl was, Karil? Not even three. And the boy lived no more than a few months before Teodora murdered them both.” His voice grew rougher. “Janna too, and you loved her even before I did.”

  Elektra began to understand. “Did they live in Kersenstadt?” She asked, surprised at how clear and strong her voice sounded. That must be the work of the Goddess, and the realization gave her more strength.

  The man turned back to her. “Yes, and they died there too, thanks to your mother setting the whole city aflame.”

  Everyone knew it was Quadrene fanatics who’d burned Kersenstadt to the ground, but Elektra could tell such facts meant little to this man. “I am very sorry,” she said. “It was a terrible tragedy and entirely my mother’s fault, I’m sure. But what do you hope to accomplish by sending her my head?” She was heartened to see the boy quietly slide the sword back into a scabbard.