“No, sire,” Mickelson responded. “I have no members of House Finorel or of House Hischurn, though we did not expect any from the latter.”
“Not after Dimwater dealt with them some time ago, no,” King Mathias put in with a short nod. He rose to his feet and Senator Mickelson banged a smooth, round stone on the arm of his chair to call for silence. The room fell quiet immediately.
“Noble families of the Middle Kingdom, I bid you welcome.” He paused to take in a breath. He was not as readily able to make speeches as he once was. Still, his eyes scoured the crowd before him, searching for those who were yet loyal to the crown. “Thank you for answering my summons. As you are all aware, all things are not well in the Middle Kingdom. Dark times have come to us, and now I call upon you to uphold your oaths. Each noble family sends their young sons and daughters to Kuldiga Academy upon reaching their fourteenth birthday. Some study the magical arts of wizardry, others become great historians and philosophers, some are taught to become knights, while others earn the skillful title of healer. Each apprentice takes a vow upon entering Kuldiga Academy to serve the Middle Kingdom. Now I evoke that promise.” Mathias paused again. None stirred. No one whispered. All eyes were upon him. “One thing I should make abundantly clear, I know of your petty squabbles and fighting to make a claim for the throne, but as I live and breathe this day, none of you shall have it.”
Now the murmurs started. King Mathias looked to Senator Mickelson and gestured to the stone in the man’s hand. Senator Mickelson banged the stone upon the solid arm of his chair and called for silence.
“None of you should lament this decision, for the throne never belonged to any of you in the first place,” Mathias said. “The throne is destined for my son. Are there any here to claim to be of my loins?” He paused again and waited. He could feel some of the angry, hot stares boring into him, but he did not care. Today was not a day for pacifying the nobles. It was time to draw a line, and see who would abide on the correct side. “I have chosen an heir, one who is like my own son. This man is also the lawful heir, and the throne will pass to him. Those of you who know the law, understand that I speak of Master Lepkin. The Keeper of Secrets has ever served our kingdom faithfully, and he is free of the same pettiness and jealousy that plagues all of you.”
King Mathias stepped away from his throne and down three steps to the main level of the audience hall. “Now that this matter has been settled publicly, and beyond disputation, let us move on to the subject for which I summoned all of you. I have called up our armies and sent them throughout the Middle Kingdom. Mostly, I have stationed them in the northern parts between this city and Fort Drake. We are threatened by Tarthuns from the east. Even now they are attacking. Grand Master Penthal of the Lievonian Order has bolstered our defenses in the northeast. However, a new pass has been discovered also. Tarthuns are expected to attack there as well. King Sit’marihu has taken it upon himself to see to securing that pass.” Mathias stopped and sighed.
“Worse still,” he continued. “Old enemies have risen again. Blacktongues scourge our lands. A dragon has destroyed Valtuu Temple. Wizards and warlocks plague our people. Lokton manor was destroyed by an army of fiendish brutes led by a warlock who had been masquerading as Senator Bracken. He was defeated and slain, but not before Kuldiga Academy was overrun.” King Mathias shook his head. “Many of you know all of this already. Your sons and daughters escaped from the Academy, were taken down to Fort Drake and then helped on their way back home to you. I need not waste more time explaining the gravity of the situation.” He turned to Mickelson and extended his bony, weathered hand.
Senator Mickelson reached behind his chair and produced a simple staff made of cherry wood. He quickly moved to Mathias and placed the staff in the king’s hand.
King Mathias turned and tapped the staff on the ground. “The Blacktongues are being rooted out of the Middle Kingdom. Others who would see chaos, or use the dark arts within our borders are also being hunted. What I ask of you is whether your house has any warriors to spare. If yes, then line up on my left. Senator Mickelson will make a list of how many you can send. On the morrow, I will announce where the soldiers are to be sent.” He held a finger up in the air. “Let me be clear. I am asking for any who have completed their training, and all who serve and are of fighting age. If, however, your house has none to spare, then assemble on my right. I will hear your justifications and decide whether I can send further aid to you. I know many of you watch over hamlets and villages, and may not have the strength to send me additional soldiers as well as maintain the safety of your own subjects.”
He tapped the staff on the stone floor. “Make your choice now.” King Mathias turned back toward his throne so he could sit and watch while those present formed into groups on either side of the hall. Senator Mickelson worked quickly to record names and numbers from each house volunteering to help. The guards in the room ensured that the lines were as orderly as possible. Once Mickelson had finished with a particular noble, the guards would allow that person to exit the hall.
The whole process took well over an hour before Mickelson finished with the houses volunteering support. After they had all departed, there were ten nobles remaining in the audience hall.
Lord Millard was the first to approach the throne. “My King,” he began with a deep bow. “Please do not think me a coward, or unfaithful. As you know, I have a small village to protect within the borders of my land. I have, including men of fighting age, two hundred spears to command. As my lands are in the north eastern region of the Middle Kingdom, I have already sent all but thirty of my men to aid Grand Master Penthal.” He reached into his pocket and produced a small parchment. “I have a letter of thanks from Grand Master Penthal to verify my account.” He offered the letter up.
Mickelson took the letter and transferred it to Mathias’ hands. The king opened it and read its contents quickly. Then he nodded.
“All is well, Lord Millard. Thank you for your service, and your forethought.”
The next person to come forward was Lady Lokton.
King Mathias arched a brow at her. “Why do you stand before me?” he asked. “You have already offered every able-bodied man in your service, except for Braun, whom I insisted should stay with you. You have no need to explain yourself to me.”
She nodded and smiled. “I come for her,” she said as she gestured with a hand toward Lady Cedreau.
Lady Cedreau came forward, her dark hair falling over her face as she bowed low.
“You come to intercede on her behalf?” King Mathias asked.
Lady Lokton nodded. “I do.”
“Lady Cedreau, many of your house were among those who fought with the warlock masquerading as Senator Bracken, do you deny it?”
Lady Cedreau kept her head bent to the floor as she shook her head and said, “I do not deny it.”
King Mathias sighed and looked to Lady Lokton with his tired, yet fierce eyes. “These men killed those who served you. They destroyed your home. Yet you stand here and ask for a pardon?”
Lady Lokton bent down to a knee beside Lady Cedreau. “My king, it was not under her order that these things happened. Allow her to explain, and I believe you will see her in the same way I do. She is no enemy to the kingdom, nor to me.”
King Mathias cleared his throat. “Such an exoneration from one so terrorized warrants a hearing indeed,” he said. “Speak, Lady Cedreau, and I will decide your fate.”
“My house fell into disarray after my husband and child died. Many would no longer listen to me. They yearned for vengeance.”
“Why did you not inform me of their actions?” Mathias pressed.
“Because my eldest son, Eldrik, was stolen from me by a coven of witches. It is they who charmed him, and helped him persuade those of my house to follow him and join the warlock of whom you spoke.”
“And why have you not sent word to me before now?” Mathias asked.
“Because after the battle at Lokton mano
r, my son went missing. I hunted the witches, and killed two of them, but I have been unable to find the third, or my son. I fear for him more than anything else in this world. I came only when I received your summons. I knew then that I had run out of time to find my son.”
“How did you receive my summons if you were out in the countryside hunting for your son as you claim?”
“My bodyguard remained at my home. I gave him a spell through which he could contact me if needed. He took the summons from your messenger, and then called upon me with the spell.”
“But you are not of noble birth,” Senator Mickelson said. “You only attained that after marriage with Lord Cedreau. How is it that you know of spells?”
Lady Cedreau paused, and then stood slowly. She held out her hands, palms facing up to show she wasn’t hiding anything. “In my youth, I had been taken in by the witches. I had been one of them. When I met Lord Cedreau, I forsook the dark arts, and did not use them again until the witches betrayed me and stole my son.” Tears ran down her face, and her lower lip quivered. “He is all I have left in my life. All I ask is that you allow me to continue looking for him.”
“Witchcraft is a serious crime,” Mickelson said as he glared down his nose at her. “You have fully admitted to it, and must be—”
“Senator Mickelson, be quiet,” King Mathias said. The king rose and moved in close to Lady Cedreau. “Answer me truthfully three questions.”
Lady Cedreau nodded. “Ask anything.”
“Have you killed using witchcraft?”
Lady Cedreau nodded. “I have killed two witches, but no other human have I harmed intentionally. The only other time I sought to use magic upon a person was to heal my own womb, as it was dry.”
King Mathias pressed on. “If the witches charmed your son to join with the warlock, then the coven must have known the warlock. Had you any knowledge of him?”
Lady Cedreau shook her head. “I knew of others, but in name only. The only warlock I saw in person was an old hermit who dealt with spiders and frogs within a dark cave. He helped our coven decipher old writings, but there was no connection to the warlock who masqueraded as Senator Bracken. I had no knowledge of him, or his plots, until after my family was entangled in his web the same as House Lokton.”
“Is your son a threat to the Middle Kingdom?” Mathias asked.
Lady Cedreau hesitated. She closed her eyes, holding them shut for several seconds before finally nodding her head as tears fell. “As long as he is under a witch’s charm, he is a danger indeed. That is why I was hunting the last witch. I fear for him. He is a good man, but his will is not his own.”
King Mathias nodded slowly and reached a hand out to Lady Cedreau’s shoulder. “I have no son of my own,” he said. “I don’t know the pain you feel inside, but I think I understand it. Go, find your son, but when you find him, take him away from here.”
“My liege,” Lady Lokton interjected. King Mathias silenced her with a glare and then looked back to Lady Cedreau.
“It is not out of spite that I say this,” he explained. “Feuds run long and deep. Lady Lokton may have forgiven you, but others will blame you. Many perished in that battle at Lokton manor. If you find your son, take him far away. Go east, across the mountains or go west across the sea. Begin anew some place where no one else knows either of you, so as not to overshadow your family.”
Lady Cedreau nodded. “That is most generous,” she said.
King Mathias turned to Mickelson. “Ascertain the value of House Cedreau’s holdings. Set the sum of gold aside from the treasury and take possession of the deed and title.” Senator Mickelson nodded. King Mathias turned back to Lady Cedreau. “When you are ready, return here, or send your servant. I will give you the value of your holdings so you may have means wherewith you can rebuild your lives.”
Lady Cedreau rushed in and fell upon the frail king’s shoulders. “Thank you,” she whispered. “It is more than I deserve.”
King Mathias pushed her away gently and looked into her eyes. “May the Ancients, and the Old Gods, guide your search. Go.”
Lady Cedreau turned to leave.
“Lady Lokton, stay a moment,” King Mathias said. He walked close to her and took her hand. She rose to her feet and then Mathias brought her by the hand to Senator Mickelson. “Transfer the deed and title to House Lokton. Lady Lokton will now assume all of House Cedreau’s holdings.”
“My king, I cannot accept this,” Lady Lokton said.
“You have no house,” King Mathias replied. “It is a fitting recompense for the destruction brought to you. My only regret is that I cannot restore your husband to you.”
Lady Lokton fell silent and looked to the floor.
“See her out,” Mathias told Mickelson. The senator set his list on the throne and walked Lady Lokton out of the audience hall.
King Mathias retrieved the list and then turned to ease himself down into the throne. He glanced at the list and then he looked up to the nobles remaining in the hall. His features turned hard and cold. He knew these men. He knew none of them had any excuse for withholding support. He beckoned the first man forward.
“Come Lord Roeper,” King Mathias said. “Why have you not volunteered your help?”
Lord Roeper, a portly man with a red beard and bald head bowed from the waist up and then straightened himself. He spoke in a nasal voice. “Our holdings have not produced a great crop this year, sire. I am afraid we need all of our men in the fields to tend what we have.”
King Mathias scoffed and pointed a bony finger at Roeper’s bulbous belly. “You could stand to forego a meal or two to ensure the women folk in your holding have enough food to fill their own plates with.”
Roeper’s eyes went wide. “Sire, without the men in the fields, the women would have to tend the crops. Who would tend to the looms that produce our textiles?”
King Mathias shrugged. “Who cares?” he asked pointedly. “I am faced with war and all you can think of is how you will fill your belly and your purse.”
Lord Roeper’s mouth opened and closed as if he was trying to speak, but nothing came out. He threw his hands up in disgust and turned his back on King Mathias.
“Escort Lord Roeper to the adjoining hall,” King Mathias instructed one of the guards. “List all able-bodied men in his service and then I will decide where to send them along with everyone else.”
The guard moved without a word and grabbed Lord Roeper by the arm, twirling him around and moving him out of the audience hall.
“Lord Brenigan, I see that you are also unwilling to share your strength with the kingdom. What is your excuse?”
A short man with a gray circle of hair ringing his liver-spotted head stepped forward. He held a green felt hat in his hands and dressed modestly in a forest green tunic over a simple pair of black trousers. “My king, it is not that I am unwilling. As you know, I have lands that encompass the region north of Kuldiga Academy. We were attacked, and our lands were pillaged, by the same forces that attacked Kuldiga Academy. I sent messengers, but they were cut down. We have been unable to get any communication to you.”
“I thought you had a wizard in your house?” Mathias pressed.
Lord Brenigan looked to the floor. “My cousin had sided with the warlock. I had no idea of his involvement until after the battle at Kuldiga Academy. It is my suspicion that he is responsible for the army coming through my lands. I have but five men left who are whole. There are seven others who lie upon their beds with injuries too grave for me to attend to. Most of our women have been slain as well.”
King Mathias’ hard demeanor softened and he stroked his beard and sighed. “I misjudged you, Lord Brenigan. Go with this guard here, detail to him what you need and we will see what supplies and manpower we can send your way.”
Lord Brenigan bowed his head. “You have my thanks.”
The King grew weary of the ordeal, and his backside ached from the hard, unrelenting throne. He cast a gaze at the others wa
iting for judgment. “Do any of you have an excuse half as acceptable as Lord Brenigan, or are you all fat wastrels like Roeper?”
Lord Howgen held up his hand. King Mathias nodded to him. “Perhaps we can find some manpower to spare. We can go in the other chamber with Roeper and discuss options with Senator Mickelson.”
King Mathias looked to his left and saw that Mickelson was indeed returned. He nodded and called out to Mickelson. “Take these men into the next chamber and ascertain what forces they can spare to help defend the Middle Kingdom. Don’t let any of them pull the wool over your eyes either. I am going to my chambers.” The guards behind the throne moved to follow the king as he rose from the throne and walked away, but he turned and gestured for them to stay. “Mickelson needs you more than I,” Mathias told the guards. “Ensure that the nobles fulfill their duty without hassling Mickelson.”
“By your command,” one of the guards said.
*****
Gulgarin moved to the table and took the leather bracer in hand. He turned it over, admiring the image of the horse, the symbol of his tribe, and then placed it over his left forearm. He took his time fastening it into place. He wanted everything to look perfect when he stepped outside.
His officers had already gathered the orc tribes outside the main keep. Officers had priority and would be grouped in the courtyard. Lower ranking tribesmen would be lining the walls, stairs, or without the southern gate.
A platform had been erected near the main keep to allow him to address all of the orcs.
He looked down to the parchment Maernok had left. The fool. Willing to trade the glory for a simple wizard. Maernok’s feats on the field of battle would be short-remembered in the minds of any orc who followed Gulgarin north to reclaim their homeland.
“I have united the tribes,” Gulgarin said to himself as he took the parchment in hand. “Every tribe will now merge together, and move north as one.” He breathed in deeply and closed his eyes. Such an accomplishment had not been achieved since the first orcs had sailed across the great waters to this land, in the time before humans came and created what they called the Middle Kingdom.
Return of the Dragon (The Dragon's Champion Book 6) Page 5
