“You misunderstand, Your Grace. It would not be right for the general to serve under me. Dame Kieran is nobility,” Kashun said. “She will only serve under you. Also, she’s promised to bring her band of Borderling and Vilkerling raiders to serve as well. She’s offered to personally deliver to you, approximately eight hundred warriors, and she boasts, potentially thousands over the coming weeks.”
“Fine,” I agreed, shaking my head. “I don’t trust her, but I need the numbers, and the combat experience.”
“She wants to oversee the training of new recruits,” Kashun added.
“No,” I said calmly, my head reeling with the danger of that situation. I had no intention of starting a rebellion. Kieran likely saw this as an opportunity to be provided with a Vilken army she might use against Lore. “I’ll train new recruits personally from here on, with your help, of course. Kieran can have the more seasoned guards, the ones whose loyalty we don’t doubt,” I explained.
“A wise decision,” Kashun agreed. “I’ll see to it.” I nodded.
“I’ll be up early tomorrow to join you in taking the new recruits through their training exercises,” I added, turning away from him to return to Ania.
“Dame Kieran requests a meeting with you,” Kashun called after me.
“Of course,” I said, halting and turning back to him. “Is she near?”
“I already sent word to the palace. She’ll be here with her company in a few hours,” he replied.
“Send for me when she arrives, but keep her at the gate. She’s not to come on the grounds of Lauderdam,” I said firmly. “I’ll ride out to meet with her.”
“As you like, Your Grace,” Kashun agreed, nodding.
“Thank you, Kashun,” I said. “I should get back to my guest.”
I left Kashun and returned to Ania. She eyed me warily. “What was that about? Why didn’t you want me to overhear?” she asked.
“Ania, everyone here knows who you are,” I explained. “Your mothers are not loved by the Vilken people. You will be treated with suspicion by my neighbors until they grow accustomed to your presence. Until that time, my staff may err on the side of caution.”
“But the Vilkerlings adore Lia, and we share the same mothers,” Ania pointed out, clearly offended by my frank reply. She took my arm to walk with me again, toward the garden.
“Lia has a sort of open, guileless manner that appeals to them. And they’re protective of her, for my sake possibly. She defied your mothers in joining with me, and in converting to the Vilken Way,” I explained. “And recently, Lia was observed striving to save the only true Vilken noble woman still living, the Countess of Marinella. Lia is seen as Vilken now.”
“Mamma was right. You’ve gone native,” Ania said, with a contemptuous tone to her voice, her grip tightening on my arm. “I once thought you seemed more Noge than Fae. You’re so reserved, and pragmatic, but now you seem absolutely Vilken to me.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I replied, aware that was not how she had intended her statement.
“I prefer the ways of the Fae,” she said, cutting her eyes away from me. “The Noge are too practical, and intellectual, and these Vilkerlings are severe and sullen, almost brooding in their intensity.”
“Then it shouldn’t trouble you to be seen as an outsider among them,” I replied.
“You’ve never completely approved of me, have you, cousin Pet?” Ania asked sharply, clearly offended by my offhand comment. “Lia stole your heart with her rebellious antics when we were children. No matter how hard I tried, you never saw me.”
“That’s not true, Ania,” I said gently. “You’ve always been extremely important to me, only in a different way.”
“But why Lia?” Ania asked. “Is she more beautiful than I am?”
“Ania, you’re beginning to make me uncomfortable,” I said.
“Really? I doubt that. You don’t ruffle so easily,” Ania replied, smiling. “Mamma said Lia took advantage of you,” she added. “And that she manipulated you.”
“I’m not certain how to respond,” I said calmly. “We should head back. Lia is probably wondering where we are,” I said, wanting to end my conversation with Ania.
“No. I can assure you, she’s not,” Ania replied, her eyes flashing her enjoyment at unsettling me. “My sister’s not through punishing you yet.”
“What?” I snapped. “Why would you say that to me?”
“Because, I know Lia,” Ania replied with a sneer.
“Apparently you don’t,” I argued.
I took Ania’s hand from my arm and stepped back from her; aware she was trying to upset me, though uncertain of why. A slow smile spread across her lips as her gaze shifted over me. I turned and walked away from her toward the stables. Lia was angry with me. That much was obvious, but she was neither conniving nor exacting. I would have difficulty in forgiving Ania for suggesting she was.
I wasn’t wearing proper riding boots, but I didn’t care. I groomed Reika slowly, enjoying the absolute sameness of the ritual of brushing her gleaming black coat, and picking her hooves. I spent an inordinate amount of time combing through the few tangles in her main and tail. I then bridled her. I rode bareback out from the stable toward the little glacier lake near the gamekeeper’s cottage. Reika was feisty, dancing around beneath me, and playfully shying at leaves carried on the wind, snorting as she produced a couple of frisky bucks. She settled down as we made our way through the dense woods, and my mind moved from Lia and her obvious anger with me, to Kieran, and whether or not it was wise to accept her help.
My mind shifted over Lia’s recent behavior as I considered the possibility that Lia was punishing me for following my conscience, rather than capitulating to her demands. I left the trail and rode deeper into the woods, seeking that almost oppressive stillness existing amongst the ancient redwoods. As I rode farther from the trail, that perfect calm I’d experienced all those years earlier with Lia finally seeped into my bones. I halted Reika to allow the weight to evanesce from my body. As the tension eased from my back, I realized I was exhausted. I dropped down from Reika’s back and led the mare deeper into the darkness of the forest, finally locating a fallen tree, covered in moss. I sat down, mindless of my trousers, and allowed Reika a long rein so she might sniff the ground around us.
I feared the coming months, and the unavoidable horror I was certain to witness, almost as much as I dreaded being apart from Astrid and Lia. Despite Lia’s insistence, I had no intention of allowing her to place herself in harm’s way. Lia didn’t belong on a battlefield. Truthfully, I didn’t either, but there was no alternative available. I had hoped Ania might be an ally in convincing Lia to stay at Lauderdam, but after our conversation, I was uncertain of trusting her. Emma was my best bet. Possibly, Emma could request Lia’s presence until her child was born, at the very least. By then, Lia would have become accustomed to my absence.
Reika nudged my arm and stamped her front hoof impatiently. There was no grass for her to eat, and little to investigate, so the mare was rightly growing bored. Reika was ready to move on. I inhaled the dense, mossy, air through my nose, and exhaled the rest of my tension before standing up from the fallen tree. Kieran would be arriving soon, and I needed to be ready to negotiate with her.
I pulled myself back up on Reika, and we slowly picked our way through the forest, returning to the trail. When I reached the stable, I left Reika with one of the grooms for saddling, while I returned to my bedchamber to change into more appropriate attire. I found Lia napping, and so was careful not to wake her as I donned a fresh tunic and riding breeches. I sat on the edge of our bed to pull my boots on. My gate guard arrived to inform me of Kieran’s arrival just as I was heading back to the stable to retrieve Reika.
Kieran was waiting at the gate with an accompaniment of about four hundred ruffians. I rode out and joined them. Kieran left her party behind to ride alone with me through the countryside beyond the village.
“You’re
brave, Pet’Wyn of Tannuk,” she observed in Vilken, as soon as we had gained some distance from her horde.
“Why do you say that?” I asked, also in Vilken, observing the fierceness in her gaze, and the tightness of her mouth.
“Even Lore keeps guards with her when she’s treating with an enemy,” Kieran replied.
“Are we enemies?” I asked, offering a bemused smile. “I hadn’t realized. You told Kashun we aren’t.”
“You’re the Grand Duchess of Tannuk, a member of the most powerful family in Faeland, as well as the Prime of Nogeland,” she replied. “I’m Vilken. We’re natural enemies, even if there’s no personal grievance between us.”
“The Vilken people are my people now,” I replied. “I’ve lived among you for many years. I joined with Lia in a Vilken Temple. The Vilken people sheltered me, after Lore and M’Tek turned me out. It’s been quite some time since I considered myself anything but Vilken.”
“But you’re Lore’s Prime,” she added. “Out of loyalty to your cousin, and Lore, we should be enemies.”
“The title of Prime is ceremonial at this point,” I replied. “And I don’t choose to take you as my enemy whatever you may want.”
“You joined with one of the princesses,” Kieran argued. “You’re not only the Fae Queen’s cousin, but the mother of the Queens’ only granddaughter.”
“And I was accused of treason for my involvement with Lia, and banished from my birthplace. If Lore would accuse me of treason for loving her daughter, imagine how she’ll react when she learns I’ve raised a Vilken army in her domain, without her consent,” I replied.
“You’re not raising this army at the Changeling Queen’s bidding?” Kieran asked, halting her horse.
“Of course not,” I replied. “Lore would never arm Vilkerlings, or allow you in particular to serve, whereas I want as many able bodied and skilled warriors as I can find. I know you have a tremendous level of experience to offer. I need a general,” I replied, halting Reika after circling around next to Kieran’s leggy chestnut. “Lore refused us protection. She’s in the western range of Nogeland with her entire army, fighting these Head Takers. I asked M’Tek for assistance as well, but she’s fighting in southwestern Faeland. We’re on our own, Kieran, and against such brutal savagery. None of us have ever encountered the like. So you see, I’d rather not take on the enemies of my mate’s mother if you don’t mind.”
“You’re raising an army without the consent of the Queens?” Kieran asked again, staring at me with disbelief in her eyes. “Truly?”
“I am,” I replied. “Truly.”
“You’re either extremely brave, or very stupid. I’m not certain which,” she said, smiling a toothsome grin that softened her hardened features. For a moment, Kieran looked almost pretty.
“I’ll give you command of my most seasoned soldiers,” I said, rather than replying to her observation. “These Head Takers have attacked in the far south, and all along the western shore. There will be more landing soon, I fear. We need to act quickly, to stave off a full blown invasion.”
“Where would you send me?” Kieran asked.
“Your former estate is in the southeastern range, is it not?” I asked. Kieran nodded. “Your people still reside in that area, correct?” I asked. Kieran nodded hesitantly. “Then you have an interest in protecting them. I’ll send you there. I’ll go west to protect the shore.”
“How do you know you can trust me?” Kieran asked.
“I’m trusting you to protect your own people,” I replied. “And I trust the soldiers who will serve under you to remain loyal to me.”
Kieran’s dark eyes were fixed too intensely on me, for only a moment, before she turned her gaze to the fields around us. She urged her mount forward and Reika fell in step beside her.
“I find you confusing, grand duchess. I’ve known you since I was hardly more than a girl, but I never liked you. I’ve always found you arrogant, and insubstantial,” Kieran observed. “I believed you looked down on Vilken nobility, as if we were beneath the Fae and Noge. But then, after the war, you chose to invest in the land here. You rebuilt the old Vilken palace. I respect the way you’ve helped Vilkerland rise from her ashes. It’s said you saved the life of Countess Emmuska after these savages attacked her. Did you know she’s my cousin?” I nodded.
“Of course I know that,” I replied. “I know the lineage of every major Vilken house,” I replied.
“We’re still here, you know. We still exist,” she whispered, as if speaking dangerous words. “The Changeling Queen tried to strip us of our titles, and our heritage, the way she stripped us of our land, but it didn’t work. We still know who we are. Eventually we’ll return and reclaim our country,” Kieran said.
“You shouldn’t say this aloud,” I replied. “Your words could be taken as treason and used against you.”
“By whom?” she asked with a wry smile. “Not you, certainly. You’re raising a Vilken army to protect Vilkerland, without the Changeling Queen’s sanction. That’s treason, grand duchess. And it was treason to seduce the princess under the noses of the Queens,” Kieran pointed out, grinning. “And then you stole Princess Aurelia away from them, joining without their consent,” she observed. “I said before that you’re either brave or stupid, but I was wrong. You’re cunning,” Kieran observed, her dark eyes lighting up with amusement. “You’re cleverer than the Queens. I want to serve under you, to learn what I can from the woman who stole a princess, defied two Queens, and kept not only her head, but her status.”
“I’m pleased,” I replied, uncertain how else to respond to Kieran.
“Since we’re allies now, may I ask you something?”
“Of course, Kieran,” I replied casually, though I was worried about what she might ask.
“My brother was accused of treason and imprisoned. Do you know what became of him?” she asked quietly.
“I can’t promise Kolten is still alive, but I believe he is,” I replied. “I have no way of discovering more at this time, but I give you my word that I’ll try to learn more when I’m able.”
“I need to know if he still lives,” Kieran said, diverting her gaze. “It kills me, this uncertainty. So many years have passed. Kolten was part of me, the better part. He never would have harmed Lore. He loved her. He was only trying to save her from the Fae Queen.”
“Lore didn’t execute him,” I said. “That’s all I really know.”
“You were there when she told me. You must remember. Lore said the Fae Queen had tortured him, and likely killed him,” Kieran replied.
“I remember. But I know Lore well. I can tell when she’s lying. She was ignorant of your brother’s fate at that time. She only said what she said because she was upset, and wanted to hurt you. You were in the witch’s service,” I pointed out. “You arrived on Lore’s stolen horse. You must have known that would rile her,” I replied.
“I wanted to rile her,” Kieran admitted. “She used us, all of us Vilkerlings, to get what she truly wanted, her precious Nogeland, and the Fae Queen in her bed. We thought she was our Vilken Queen, but she was only a Noge changeling.”
I couldn’t deny that what Kieran said was true. Lore had only ever really wanted M’Tek. Her love for the Vilken people was superficial at best. Even the Noge were not truly dear to her. Lore loved the Fae. I didn’t doubt that. M’Tek she adored.
“Lore never meant harm to the Vilken people,” I said. “She never meant to harm you either, or your brother, or me even. Sometimes circumstances bring out the worst in us,” I acknowledged. “Regardless, she destroyed a great and noble nation.”
“Do you truly believe that, Your Grace?” Kieran whispered, her dark eyes seeming to pierce my skin.
“Of course I do,” I said evenly.
“Saying such words would ensure the wrath of the Changeling Queen,” Kieran said. “You truly don’t fear her?”
“No. I don’t fear Lore,” I replied shaking my head. “She’d have to get throug
h her daughter, and my cousin, as well as my growing Vilken army, to harm me,” I added with a smile and a wink. I knew Lore would never harm me. I was one of the few people she actually loved. In response to my words, Kieran halted her horse. In a dramatic move she dropped to her feet beside me.
“The Changeling Queen will also have to fight her way through me,” Kieran replied. “I will serve you faithfully, Grand Duchess of Tannuk,” Kieran added, bowing from the waist in that stiff, sullen manner particular to Vilken nobility. “I would see you Queen Pet’Wyn of Vilkerland, if you’ll consent. We Vilkerlings all know it was you, as Prime of Nogeland, who took pity on us and strove to return prosperity to this land cursed by the Changeling Queen. You’ve made the region rich again, and made it possible for us to feed our children. Go a step further, Your Grace, and reestablish what’s left of the Vilken nobility. My brethren adore your daughter, and your mate. The Princess Astrid is a living act of rebellion against the reviled Changeling Queen. The Princess Aurelia is of the highest royal blood, as are you, Your Grace. Your daughter could join with any Vilken noble. In two generations Vilkerland would be as strong as ever she was, and under Vilken rule again.”
“Kieran, I’m only raising an army to chase these savages from our land,” I replied. “I’ve no ambition of taking Vilkerland from Lore.”
Too late I realized I’d referred to the Baneland Territory as Vilkerland. A lapse of such magnitude, with a former Vilken noble, carried me into dangerous terrain. Kieran dropped to one knee beside Reika, drew her sword, and held it aloft. She offered her sword with a look of near religious fervor.
“I pledge my fealty to you, Grand Duchess, Pet’Wyn of Tannuk. Take my sword. Allow me to serve you, and our beloved Vilkerland. Under your guidance, she will again be the great and noble nation she was.”
I couldn’t refuse without making a mortal enemy of Kieran. To reject an offer of fealty was the highest insult it was possible to inflict on a Vilken noble. As far as Kieran had fallen in her life, she was still innately noble. I dropped down from Reika’s back and placed my left hand on Kieran’s head, before carefully accepting her sword. I then watched in silent astonishment, as Kieran’s shoulders began shaking. The woman was actually crying. Waiting for her to regain her composure, I gripped her sword with my sword hand, noting the intricate detail work along the fuller, and the elegant balance of the blade. It was an ancient weapon, of the highest quality, likely passed through her family over the past thousand years. Still admiring the weapon, I ran my left hand along Kieran’s jaw, indicating she should rise. She gazed up at me, tears streaming down her face.
A Fortunate Woman Page 32
