The Desolate Empire Series: Books 1-3

by Christina Ochs

  “I am very sorry, Gwynneth,” he wrote. “But you must come back at once. Natalya has discovered our mission. If you don’t return with Count LaFontant, I will never see my daughter again.”

  “Oh gods,” Gwynneth leaned back, the letter fluttering to the floor. “Of course I’ll go back. Poor Gauvain.” She’d worried about her own children, but never expected Natalya to use Joslyn in this way. She looked at the count. “Can you tell me if my children are all right? Surely the Maxima hasn’t …” she trailed off, unable to say any more.

  “The king brought your children to the palace as soon as the Maxima uncovered his plan. Unfortunately, she had already removed the Lady Joslyn from your home.”

  Gwynneth was relieved that her children were all right, but full of fear for little Joslyn. Natalya had become so strange and ruthless of late, and had shown such little affection for her daughter. “I’ll return.” She was disappointed that she’d been stopped so near her destination, but hoped she might salvage the situation in Allaux. She’d speak to Natalya as soon as she returned.

  “Very well.” The count’s eyes narrowed, and Gwynneth wondered if he blamed her for Gauvain’s troubles. “I’ll leave you with a small escort and return to Allaux straight away. The king will want to see you as soon as you return, but it’s best if I can put his mind at rest sooner. And perhaps if the Maxima is assured of your return, she can be persuaded to see reason.”

  Gwynneth nodded, and before she said another word, the count was gone.

  “Oh gods,” Catrin said, once the door had shut behind him. “Whatever will you do?”

  “Go back,” Gwynneth said. “I have no choice. I won’t be responsible for any harm coming to Joslyn.”

  “Do you suppose the Maxima will be terribly angry with you?” Catrin asked, her eyes wide.

  “I’m sure she will,” Gwynneth said. “Perhaps we should think about where we can go, since I fear we will no longer be welcome in Allaux.”

  “The king will want you to stay, won’t he?”

  “He will; he’s so kind and would never throw us out. But I don’t want to increase the problems between him and Natalya. Oh, I wish I had my own money.” Gwynneth pounded the coach’s shabby seat cushions in frustration. “It’s hard to go anywhere without it.”

  She tried hard to think, as the coach turned around. If it weren’t for her children, she wouldn’t even return to Allaux, but she needed to be certain they were safe. Besides, not facing Natalya could be considered cowardly, and likely wouldn’t help Gauvain’s cause at all. Gwynneth would go, and take the consequences. Then she would have to find somewhere to stay until she could return to Terragand. Norovaea might be safe, but Gwynneth feared once there, Arryk would never let her leave again. Since she knew matters there were in such disarray, she’d be tempted to stay and sort things out for him.

  Kendryk had written that he’d gone to Brandana to negotiate with Brynhild Mattila, but Gwynneth couldn’t picture spending any time near that woman, let alone throwing herself on her hospitality. He was headed for Ummarvik next, but that seemed unstable as well. None of the other Kronland rulers were good prospects either, except perhaps Kendryk’s aunt in Helvundala. Gwynneth would write to her and make sure the letter had gone before she reached Allaux. She needed a backup plan.

  Braeden

  By midmorning, Braeden had checked all the dead and wounded, and inspected the few prisoners. Elektra wasn’t among them.

  “If we give chase, we can still catch her,” Trisa said.

  Braeden didn’t know what to do next. His mission had succeeded, and he’d scattered the enemy. He doubted they’d threaten Lantura again anytime soon. But one prisoner said that Elektra had escaped with a few hundred cavalry. Her being so close, and relatively undefended was a mighty temptation. Braeden wondered how much Prince Benda would mind if he took a small force in pursuit. “Do we know which way they’ve gone?”

  “Likely toward Arcius,” a young officer spoke up. “Kersenstadt isn’t far, and they can get there fast on the main road.”

  That decided it for Braeden. He wouldn’t go anywhere near that place. “No point in pursuing then.” He hoped he didn’t sound a coward. “They will have reached the city by now, and from there it’s no great distance to the Arcius border. They’ll be safe, but they won’t be able to threaten us from there.”

  Trisa and the other young officers seemed disappointed, but the general agreed with Braeden. “Our job is to defend Lantura,” he said, “not chase Inferrara spawn all over the land. She’s learned her lesson, and won’t try our borders again with the small numbers she has. Likely she’ll return to her mother, her tail between her legs.”

  Considering how Elektra felt about Teodora, Braeden figured that was unlikely. But whatever she did, he’d have to be satisfied that he’d thwarted her for the time being, and hope he’d get another chance at her.

  Prince Benda was delighted at Braeden’s success, and offered him his little army straight away. “You can take them with you,” he said. “Might impress Princess Kasbirk into helping you sooner. Less talking for you.”

  Braeden liked that idea. He wasn’t much suited to sitting around in palaces negotiating. And now it was so near winter, he worried Lennart might undertake a big action without him.

  With the year wearing on, there was little time to lose. Braeden led his little army north into Isenwald, stopping in Oltena to pick up the force Princess Galena had promised to put at his disposal. To his relief, she had commissioned no further songs.

  By the time Braeden reached Kronfels, Isenwald’s capital city, he led an army of nearly eight thousand. Princess Kasbirk was eager to have him move on, so he took little time to persuade her to offer a few thousand additional troops. Braeden remembered Kronfels well, as Teodora’s bodyguard during Edric’s heresy trial. He had to believe his circumstances were better now, though he’d give it all up to have his family, and his place in the Sanova Hussars back. He left the city after only a fortnight spent gathering up the new troops, and waiting for Princess Kasbirk to sign an agreement with Lennart.

  In the meantime, he’d received a message from Trystan that Podoska’s army was ready to go, so rather then head straight north, Braeden went east first, hoping to intercept Trystan, and march into Terragand together. He met up with the Podoskan force just shy of the Terragand border. From a distance, Braeden saw that Karolyna Martinek was in command, though Trystan rode at her side, his face like a thundercloud.

  “I hope you’re right about Lennart giving me a command,” he told Braeden as soon as they were out of his sister’s earshot. “It’s bad enough I couldn’t convince Mother to let me be in charge, but Karolyna refuses to give me a command of my own. As her little brother, I should serve under her while I learn how to be an officer.” Trystan said that last in such an excellent imitation of his sister that Braeden had to laugh.

  “She’s in for a surprise then,” Braeden said. “I wish we could’ve convinced your family you have far more experience fighting than the rest of them put together, but I’ve got something for you.”

  “Did you bring me a pretty souvenir from Lantura?” Trystan asked, leering at Trisa, riding at Braeden’s side. She stared back at him, narrowing her eyes. Braeden wondered that Trystan didn’t recognize her, though she’d grown up a great deal recently.

  “Something better,” Braeden said, with a wink for Trisa. He led Trystan to where the officers of the Isenwald and Oltena forces had gathered. “I’m putting you in charge of this lot, General Martinek. I’d give you Lantura’s too, except I promised their prince I’d command personally.”

  “Are you certain?” Trystan looked both surprised and pleased. His combined command would outnumber his sister’s by several thousand. “I doubt Lennart will agree.”

  “He already has,” Braeden said, enjoying the quick change in Trystan’s demeanor. The sullen, angry boy riding at his sister’s side had turned into a brisk, confident young man. “I wrote to him and asked,
once I saw how things were going with your family. It didn’t seem right.”

  Trystan swallowed hard, then turned to Braeden, his eyes shining. “I thank you,” he said. “I swear you won’t be sorry.”

  “I know I won’t be,” Braeden said.

  Teodora

  “I know how you can help me,” Teodora told Daciana. She saw her friend was restless, and much as she liked having her near, knew she’d have to find something for her to do. Teodora had wanted to be certain Daciana was well in both mind and body, and after the ritual she had recovered in no time at all. The same hadn’t been true for Teodora, who was still weak and exhausted. She wondered if this was how it would be for the rest of her life.

  “Are you finally going to let me kill Princess Gwynneth?” Daciana asked, grinning so her fangs showed. She and Teodora were having tea in the library on a chilly afternoon, the windows shut tight against an icy wind. Teodora had confided her plans for Gwynneth awhile ago, but hadn’t come up with a good way of carrying them out.

  “Yes.” Teodora leaned back in her chair. She tired so easily. Everyone at court tiptoed around her as if she were an old lady, which she had to admit was what she looked like now. She’d explained the sudden change as the aftermath of a terrible illness, which also helped account for her absence. Teodora doubted anyone believed her, though she didn’t much care. “I’ve found a way to get you to Galladium without arousing suspicion, since you are far too recognizable.” While relations with Galladium were tense, it was not an enemy country, so she couldn’t send Daciana at the head of a marauding band like she normally would.

  “I can work in the shadows well enough,” Daciana said.

  “I hope so, since you’re not known for your understatement or discretion,” Teodora said with a fond smile.

  It had taken time to figure out how to get to Princess Gwynneth. She lived near the Maxima’s palace, her house heavily guarded, while neither she nor her children went anywhere unaccompanied.

  “This mission will require you to behave somewhat differently from what you’re used to,” Teodora said. “But I’ve found out that Princess Gwynneth and King Gauvain are close. He visits her daily.”

  “Weren’t he and the Maxima …?” Daciana began.

  “He and the Maxima had been involved, but she ended it some time ago, and he’s been consoling himself with the princess ever since.” Teodora had to admit the knowledge that Kendryk’s wife seemed unable to stay faithful to him gave her some joy.

  “Are you sure the king is as unattractive as you think? From what I’ve heard, both the Maxima and Princess Gwynneth are beautiful women.”

  “Oh, they are.” Teodora waved her hand. “And I’m sure they’d never pay him the least bit of attention if it weren’t for his position. But the fact is, the king being close to Gwynneth will make it easier to reach her.”

  “How so? Are you suggesting I try to seduce the king? Get in line as it were?” Daciana smirked.

  “Not quite,” Teodora said. Though it was true Daciana’s looks were unconventional, she was rather striking, and Teodora had no doubts she could win over anyone she chose. “But I’ve hit upon a way to spend time with him, and by extension, Princess Gwynneth. It’s time for Zofya to go to Galladium and get married. You will go along as one of her companions.”

  Daciana laughed loud and long. “You want me to pass myself off as a court lady?”

  “Why not? You can play the role well enough if you wish, and no one will ever expect to find you in a courtier’s dress.”

  “I never expected to find myself in one.” Daciana frowned. “I’m not sure I can pull it off.”

  “You can. It will take a little practice, but you might enjoy it.”

  “Will Zofya know about any of this?”

  Teodora shook her head. “No, as far as she’s concerned you’re a distant cousin assigned to her as lady-in-waiting.”

  “She’ll hate that.” Daciana still didn’t seem to see the merits of the idea. “She’ll prefer to have her friends along.”

  “She’ll have a friend or two, but she’ll also understand that she must bring companions with political or diplomatic value.”

  Daciana grimaced. “So am I understanding you correctly? You wish me to travel to Allaux with your daughter, befriend the king, then get close to Princess Gwynneth so I can kill her?”

  “Kill her and her children,” Teodora said. “I realize it might take time, especially as the Galladian court might view Zofya and her attendants with suspicion at first. But I will instruct her as to her behavior, and with any luck, she’ll win the king over before too much time passes.”

  “I won’t deny that it sounds interesting, though very different from what I’m used to. I rarely operate with stealth. How do you want me to kill them?”

  “I don’t much care, except to be certain that no Bernotas child remains alive. I’d also prefer it if you didn’t get caught.”

  “It’ll be a challenge, I’m sure of it,” Daciana said, though she already looked more cheerful. No doubt she was looking forward to being free of the palace and its confines.

  “It won’t be easy, though I have every faith you will manage it. I’ll have Zofya get ready, and send you my dressmaker in the meantime, since you’ll need a suitable wardrobe.”

  “How awful.” Daciana was the only woman Teodora knew who viewed the prospect of a new dress with dismay. “Though I suppose I must blend in.”

  “As much as it’s possible for you to do so, though I believe you will create a stir at the Galladian court. No one will ever have seen anyone quite like you.”

  “That is the truth,” Daciana said with a broad smile.

  Elektra

  “I apologize, Your Grace,” Princess Zelenka said, “But I’m afraid I must ask you to return to Atlona straight away. Your mother has ordered it.”

  “I can’t do that.” Elektra smiled sweetly at the old woman, then took a slow drink of wine as she tried to think. She’d hoped Arcius would offer a refuge while she regrouped, but it seemed it was not to be. Elektra now had to worry that the princess might try to return her by force. “I have orders to join General Ensden in Terragand, and for now, the needs of war outweigh my mother’s wishes.”

  “Your mother’s wishes take precedence over everything.” Alarys Zelenka’s voice was shrill. With beady eyes tucked into folds of fat in a reddened face, she was even less pleasant to look at.

  “Not in this case.” Elektra drained her glass, put it on the table with a bang, then stood. “Thank you for the refreshments, but I must go now.”

  She didn’t make it to the door before the princess spoke. “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that. I hate to use force, my dear, but I will if I have to.”

  Elektra turned to face her, struggling to keep her voice steady. “That would be most unwise, Princess. Rumor has it I will be empress before long, and you can be certain I will remember such an action.” She’d heard no more about her mother since leaving the capital, but if she was weakened, perhaps the princess had received word of it.

  The princess smiled unpleasantly. “Oh that. Your mother was ill for a time, but she’s well now, and stronger than ever.” Something about the way she said that last part made Elektra doubt it, though she was glad of the information.

  Elektra shrugged. “Still, she’s not getting any younger. You’d be wise not to antagonize me.”

  “Perhaps.” The princess had stood, though she made no move toward Elektra. “But the fact remains that your mother still rules the empire, and you do not. I hope you don’t take this personally.”

  “I will, unfortunately for you.” Elektra fixed the princess with a hard glare, even as she had to force herself to keep from shaking. She couldn’t go back now, especially after such a humiliating defeat. She had to redeem herself, and not return to Atlona until she rode at the head of a triumphant army, was empress, or both. “Goodbye, for now.”

  Elektra turned on her heel, and went out into the corridor
, letting the door slam behind her. She had to move quickly now, but not give the princess’s guards any sign that they were anything other than the best of friends. She forced herself to dawdle until she reached the stable yard. Most of her remaining officers were in the area, seeing their horses groomed and checking their equipment.

  “We must go at once,” Elektra said to the first one she saw. “Right now.” She beckoned to a few others standing nearby to come closer. “It’s possible they’ll try to stop us, but we must get away.”

  “But we haven’t had time to resupply,” a cavalry captain said, frowning.

  “No, we haven’t,” Elektra said, while she tried to come up with a plan. They wouldn’t last long without food and munitions, but they wouldn’t get them here. She wished for Major Linser, but would have to manage without him, since it seemed none of her infantry officers had survived the ambush. “We must get them elsewhere. It turns out the princess is not our friend.” She couldn’t say more, since no one was likely to understand why she didn’t want to return to her mother.

  The captain’s frown turned angry. “Are you saying she is an agent of the enemy? If so, we should take the princess captive, and make the kingdom secure for the empire.”

  That was a complication Elektra didn’t need, and she doubted it could be done. “I’m not certain if she’s an enemy agent,” she said. “But I believe she might betray us anyway.” He didn’t need to know to whom. “We don’t have the numbers to act against her, so we should leave before she can stop us and get reinforcements elsewhere.”

  The captain chewed the end of his mustache. “I’m sure you’re right, Your Grace, though it’s a bad time of year to be out there without food for us and fodder for our horses.”

  “I agree,” Elektra said, putting force into her voice. She might be young, and a head shorter than this captain, but he would obey her. “Our orders are to join Count Ensden in Terragand. The princess wishes to stop us from doing so. And since we aren’t strong enough to stand up to her, we must go. We’ll head for Sanova. My uncle is the queen’s consort, so I’m certain I can get help from him.” Elektra had never met her uncle, but she knew no one else in Sanova who might help. And besides, her mother had often ranted about her brother trying to cause problems, so perhaps he and Elektra would find common ground.