The Desolate Empire Series: Books 1-3

by Christina Ochs

  Karil grinned. “That’s wonderful news.” He turned to Braeden. “If he’s alive, I needn’t be in such a hurry to return to my family. I can help you with this first.”

  Braeden didn’t want Karil involved, but, he had an unusual opportunity right now with the archduchess still in his clutches. “We’ll see,” he said. “Let’s talk to Mattila and find out how soon she can act.”

  Teodora

  “I trust you can subdue Terragand before winter,” Teodora said.

  It was a statement, not a question, and Niklas van Ensden agreed. “I don’t see why not,” he said. “The opposition is weak. That they have Birkenfels is insignificant if we hold the rest of it.”

  They walked together through the dusky gardens of the Palais Arden. The air was cool and fragrant, and the Arnfels stood silhouetted against a sky streaked with pink and purple. Teodora was less keen on enjoying the view and more interested in not being overheard. She didn’t want her plans for Terragand common knowledge just yet.

  “What about Kaltental?” she asked. Duke Aidan Orland holding that crucial port was another fly in her ointment.

  “We can take it. Orland can’t have more than a few thousand troops, and Kaltental’s fortifications are weak.”

  “Do that first then.” Kaltental possessed important strategic value as a defense against invasion from Estenor, should Lennart be fool enough to try it. “If needed, you can besiege Birkenfels through the winter. I doubt they can survive it this time.”

  Ensden grimaced. That castle had been his undoing once before.

  “Oh come,” Teodora took his arm. “Won’t it be satisfying to finally overcome that place?”

  “I’ll be satisfied once it’s done, Your Highness.”

  “So will I.” They strolled the pathways in silence for a moment. As dull as Teodora felt these days, any talk of Terragand or Birkenfels reminded her of Kendryk, and the rage welled up, stronger than ever. Unlike the joyous anger which energized her while plotting the downfall of her enemies, this was an unpleasant combination of fury, terror and helplessness. It was a humiliating reminder of what she’d felt upon first hearing of Kendryk’s escape and Daciana’s death. It was said he hadn’t done the deed himself, but Teodora didn’t care. He still bore ultimate responsibility.

  That he was out of her reach right now was intolerable. If she hadn’t feared Galladium’s vast armies, she would have invaded straight away and laid waste to the land until she killed Kendryk, or captured him again. But this time, he wouldn’t escape. She would put him to death at once, unless she caught his family too, and then he could watch them die first. That thought made her smile.

  “I don’t suppose Mattila will aid me,” Ensden ventured cautiously, disturbing her reverie. Teodora had not yet told him about the general’s latest outrage.

  Teodora shook her head, deferring dreams of vengeance for later. “I doubt she will.” She gnawed on her lip, wondering how much to tell Ensden, then decided he needed all the facts if he was to succeed. She took a deep breath. “To be honest, the general is nearly engaged in treason. She lagged in withdrawing from Norovaea, refuses to move on Terragand and worst of all, seems inclined to install herself in Brandana permanently.”

  “She wouldn’t dare!” Ensden was shocked, which likely meant he knew nothing about it.

  “I have it from unofficial sources, you understand,” Teodora said, pleased that the information wasn’t yet common knowledge. “She has declared nothing formally, but if she does, I need you to be in a strong position to oppose her. That’s why we can’t waste any time in getting to Terragand.”

  “I would have liked to go sooner,” Ensden said.

  “I wish I could have sent you.” Teodora left it at that. He knew well enough of the problems with Maladena, and how difficult it was, getting the remnants of Barela’s staff to conform to her direction. Queen Beatryz had demanded the return of her troops, while Teodora ignored her messages. Naturally, some officers had received direct correspondence from the queen and caused trouble, but it took only two public executions to bring the others into line. All of them now served under Ensden.

  Ensden turned to her with a rare, frosty smile. “I’m grateful for your trust, Your Highness. If the gods will it, I will make Terragand yours by winter, and Brandana will follow in the spring.”

  Teodora was expecting Livilla herself, not a messenger. She forced her hands not to shake, since this couldn’t be good news. Elyse brought it to Teodora in her dressing room, but now disappeared quietly into the shadows.

  There were only a few lines, unencrypted. Teodora sank back into her chair. “Unbelievable,” she said. “Who would do such a thing?”

  Elyse stepped forward. “What’s happened, Your Highness?”

  “The Archduchess Elektra has been abducted.” Teodora found her mouth unexpectedly dry.

  Elyse made a noise. “Has there been a demand for ransom?”

  “Not yet.” It was a relief to realize that perhaps it was nothing more than that; brigands taking advantage of the situation to grab a wealthy hostage. For all of her dismissive thoughts about her oldest daughter, Teodora found herself far more upset than she expected to be. She wondered if some of this was injured pride; her first impulse was to rail against those who failed to respect her authority. And yet, something unfamiliar niggled at her. Worry for her daughter, since she must surely be frightened and uncomfortable, perhaps even hurt. What if the brigands didn’t know who she was, and treated her roughly?

  Teodora slumped back in her chair. “You can leave,” she said to Elyse.

  When the door fell shut behind the lady-in-waiting, Teodora let her face fall into her hands. She had been so certain she’d provided enough guards, and she knew Livilla would be careful. What had gone wrong?

  Livilla arrived ahead of the rest of her convoy, riding a post horse. For an older woman, she had surprising stamina. Still in her riding clothes, she burst into Teodora’s bedchamber, late at night.

  “I came as quickly as I could,” she said. “You received my message?”

  “Yes,” Teodora said. “Come, let’s sit.” She had just crawled into bed, but wanted to hear exactly what had happened. “Are you hungry?”

  “Never mind that,” Livilla said. “You have received no further word about Elektra? No demands for ransom or anything else?”

  “Nothing.” Teodora pulled on a dressing gown. The day had been warm, but a cool breeze came in through an open window. She told her maid to shut it, then sent her out of the room.

  Livilla sighed. “I am so sorry, my dear. It was entirely my fault. I ought to have doubled her guard while we passed through such a lawless area.”

  “I should have thought her usual guards were enough.” Elektra had left her original contingent behind in Arenberg, but Livilla brought just as many to escort her from there. “Were the brigands many?”

  “I’m not sure,” Livilla said. She sagged into the chair, looking tired, small, and older than even Teodora felt these days. “They killed only one guard and wounded another. There was a great deal of shooting and chaos. Mother Luca was riding by her side and said she left the road when the shooting started. Luca tried to follow, but by the time she could, Elektra had disappeared.”

  Teodora sat up suddenly. “Do you suppose Elektra or Luca planned it? Perhaps she wanted to get back to Mattila.”

  Livilla frowned. “I doubt that very much. Elektra complained that Mattila treated her abominably and she hated her. And Luca is reliable. I am certain she is not in Mattila’s pay. But now I wonder if Mattila planned it. She was surely angry that I snatched Elektra out from under her nose.”

  “Oh, she was,” Teodora said. “Very angry, and about the Norovaean treaty as well. I suppose it’s entirely possible she did this. But if she did, why haven’t I heard from her? I’d expect her to crow about it, or demand something for Elektra’s freedom.”

  “So would I,” Livilla said. “She’d dearly love for you to declare her ruler
of Brandana, and Elektra would be the perfect leverage. And surely, she’s had time to deliver a message to you by now. Still, let’s wait another day or two. Perhaps you’ll hear from her.”

  “I must do something in the meantime,” Teodora said. “I’ll send out as many search parties as I can. We’ll start from where she was caught and cover all of Kronland until she’s found.”

  Kendryk

  The days spent with the bankers were long and tedious, but it wasn’t like Gwynneth to be bothered about those things. So Kendryk worried when he saw how pale and tired she looked at the end of each day. “You’re sure you’re not ill?” He asked her one evening at bedtime.

  She sat in bed already, her book on her lap. She had put it down after only a few minutes of reading, which was unlike her. “No, I’m not ill.” She paused for moment. “Come here. I must tell you something.”

  Kendryk slid into bed next to her, picked up the book and put it on a shelf in the headboard. “What is it?” He could guess, since he wasn’t stupid, but knew she’d want to tell him herself. He tried not to let his face betray his excitement until she’d told him.

  “I’m pregnant again.” She looked unsure, though he didn’t understand why.

  “That’s wonderful news,” he said, with an encouraging smile. He was a little concerned about enlarging the family while they were so strapped for cash and everything else remained uncertain, but it was bound to happen sooner or later.

  “You’re sure? I was so worried because we have no home and …”

  “Stop it,” Kendryk said. “I’m happy, all right? And yes, I’m a little worried about the future, but it won’t be long before Lennart comes and sets everything right. Perhaps by the time this baby is born, Terragand will be ours again.” That was excessively optimistic, but he loved the idea.

  That brought a smile. “I doubt he’ll manage it that quickly. This one will be here by spring.”

  “So soon? That means—” He counted months in his head. “That means you’ve been pregnant for a while. You might have told me earlier. When have I ever been unhappy about that news?”

  “You’re right. I’ve known since before we left. But I didn’t want you to leave me behind, or send me home. I’m having an easy time of it.”

  Kendryk sighed. “I wouldn’t have left you behind. I wish you’d told me, though. We might have traveled more slowly, so I could keep you comfortable.”

  “It wasn’t necessary. And like I said, I’m fine. A bit tired the past few days, but that’s probably because these bankers are so dull.”

  “They are, aren’t they?” Kendryk settled into bed, and pulled Gwynneth into his arms. “I wish we had one of our own to advise us. I try to be certain I understand everything before agreeing to it, but I’m never completely sure.”

  Gwynneth snuggled closer. “I’m not sure either. It doesn’t help we’re trying to do it in two languages. I understand the Galladian side well enough, but the Zeelund tongue can be hard to follow when they talk fast.”

  Kendryk laughed. “I’m glad you’re admitting to that. I thought I was the only idiot in the room. It doesn’t help when we keep hearing about the horrible things Mattila is doing in Brandana. I want to hurry, so Lennart can get here before winter.”

  “He can’t; I’m almost certain of it. But bad weather won’t stop him. He’ll come as soon as he has the money.”

  “I hope so.” Kendryk wanted Lennart to invade soon, but he also didn’t want to bind him or Gauvain to terms they would regret later. “But in the meantime, are you sure about continuing to meet with the bankers? Now you’ve admitted you understand no more than I do, I feel better about going by myself.”

  She poked him in the ribs. “Very funny. No, I’ll come and just leave early if I get too tired. This will be our fifth child, Kendryk. I expect it to be as easy as the others.”

  Lennart

  “Thank Ercos,” Lennart said, throwing the letter onto his desk. It had come from Prince Kendryk in Zeelund by fast courier.

  “Good new?” Meldahl asked, sitting in a chair nearby.

  “Yes. The Zeelund bankers have approved a loan on behalf of Prince Kendryk. Naturally there’s no mention of Galladium providing the collateral, but that’s as it should be. No need to get Gauvain into hot water with the empress before it’s time.”

  “He’s having trouble enough over the Dallmaring Provinces,” Meldahl said.

  “Indeed. I don’t wish him more problems, but I don’t mind them providing a distraction from me.”

  “I doubt it’s much of a distraction. Teodora must expect you to do something.”

  “I’m sure she does. But it looks like she’s not having any luck getting Mattila to behave herself. The last reports say she’s still in southern Brandana, moving slowly, picking the place clean. I wish I knew what she was up to.”

  “Just as long as she doesn’t move into Terragand. Give us time to round up allies before we face her. I’m worried about Count Ensden. I’ve heard he marched out from Atlona with ten thousand troops, and there’s almost no question he was heading for Terragand.”

  Lennart frowned. “I’ve been making overtures to Prince Stepan Falk in Helvundala, and can’t say I’m impressed. By all accounts the old prince was difficult to deal with, but the youngster seems a slippery fellow. Won’t commit to anything, though he buries it well enough in flowery words.”

  “He’ll come around once we’re camped on his territory.” Meldahl was as relaxed as always.

  “He’d better,” Lennart said and stood, handing the letter to Meldahl. “We can safely plan a winter or early spring invasion. Let’s be ready to go by the end of the year, while keeping an eye on Mattila’s movements. We must mop up Ensden in any case. I’ll go tell the queen.”

  “Still no sign of—?” Meldahl was too discreet a fellow to ask outright, but Lennart knew exactly what he was talking about. Everyone’s concern was that Lennart have an heir on the horizon before he put himself in harm’s way again.

  “No.” Lennart sighed. “It hasn’t been that long, though I can’t help but worry. It would be a weight off my mind.” Lennart hoped a few more months would do it. He hated putting that kind of pressure on Raysa, but any consort to a ruler understood that the first order of business was getting an heir.

  He took his time wandering the palace’s corridors. Outside, the trees were turning, and winter would soon be here. Even if he started preparing today, he couldn’t launch an invasion before the weather turned.

  This time of the afternoon, the queen was always in her suite, practicing music or working on embroidery. Lennart had often invited her to hunt and ride with him, and while she had gone a few times, he saw she hadn’t enjoyed herself, so he let her be.

  The palace’s ornate decor transformed once he entered the queen’s apartments. One of the first things he did when Raysa arrived in Tharvik was instruct her to decorate her rooms exactly as she chose. They hadn’t changed since Lennart’s mother had been a bride. Within weeks, the musty, dark rooms turned into airy chambers with light walls and delicate furniture, everything upholstered in pale pink and purple silk.

  It was the most feminine space Lennart had ever seen, and he couldn’t deny it made him uncomfortable. He was too big for the spindly chairs, and altogether too loud and rough. It might be he frightened his wife, but she had her own way of putting him off balance. At least that helped even the score a bit. He grinned to himself before entering her sitting room.

  “Good afternoon, Your Highness.” Raysa sat at the harpsichord, picking out yet another mournful melody, but she rose immediately. “Is everything all right?” It was unusual for him to pay her a visit in the middle of the day.

  “It is. I have news from Zeelund. Would you excuse us, ladies?” He nodded at Silvya Meldahl and the other attendant, a Countess Something-or-Other recently arrived from the provinces. Older than either Raysa or Silvya, she seemed even more sober and serious. Lennart wondered if the three of them ever had any
fun.

  Once they were gone, the door shut behind them, Lennart found a seat on the sturdiest-looking bench in the room and patted the spot next to him. “Come here, sweetheart.”

  Raysa sat down, and he noticed with some pleasure that she leaned against him a little. Perhaps they really were becoming friends.

  He put an arm around her, but lightly, and said, “The money from Zeelund will arrive soon. I’d like to be ready to leave for Kronland by the end of the year.”

  “I see.” She looked up at him, her brow furrowed. “I’m afraid I still don’t understand why you are doing this. Now you’re at peace with Sanova, why put yourself at risk in Kronland?”

  Lennart smiled down at her. It was true, he’d done little to explain the situation to anyone but his ruling council, since Galladium’s money would be more convincing than any argument. “It’s a complicated situation, but it comes down to someone stopping Teodora before she overruns all of Kronland. If I don’t stop her, she’ll turn all twelve kingdoms into her personal domain.”

  Raysa frowned. “I suppose that’s bad, but I still don’t see why it matters to Estenor. If Teodora gets her way, she’ll be your new southern neighbor instead of the princes there now.”

  “And that’s the problem exactly. Teodora won’t leave our trade routes alone if she has a chance to control them. Right now, we have treaties with all of the coastal countries guaranteeing the right of our ships to pass. We’ve already watched her nullify treaties as a matter of course. She can cut off our access to the west and the ocean. It’s a risk I can’t take.” There was also the religious aspect, but he didn’t want to bring that up yet.

  “I suppose I understand, though I wish you and Teodora would negotiate first.”

  Lennart chuckled. “No one who’s talked to Teodora has come away with an acceptable deal. No, we’ll negotiate when I stand at the gates of Atlona, and not before.”