The Warriors of Valishna (Cartharia Book 1)

by Spencer Reaves McCoy

  "Of course they would," Penny said, "And how long will it be after I move back home that they start encouraging me to give up on healing? No. Father has already cut me off financially for practicing it against the soldiers' wishes. I won't go crawling back, Robert."

  "No," Robert said, "You'll just keep living off of me. It's fine. I have more gold than I need. I just have a baby coming, that's all."

  Penny rolled her eyes. "Speaking of which," she said around a bite of the rice, "How is Erin? Is she still feeling sick? I should get her in for a check up soon. I'm worried about all the stress."

  "She'll be fine," Robert said, "I have her relaxing a lot more these days. I"ll have her come in anyway though, so you can look her over. She's close now, isn't she?"

  Penny nodded, "She could have the baby any day."

  Robert smiled. The expression lit up his entire face, "Good," he said, "I can't wait. Penny, I'm going to be a father. Can you believe it?"

  "No," Penny said, "Because you're not. The baby isn't yours."

  "And you're the only one who knows that besides me and Erin," Robert said, "I don't care if the baby isn't mine biologically. I'm still going to love and support it. That makes me a father, doesn't it?"

  Penny shrugged but after seeing the smile wither on Robert's face, she quickly added, "Of course it does. I'm sorry, Robert. I shouldn't be such a killjoy about it. Yes, you're going to be a father. I'm excited for you. That makes me an auntie. I'm going to love having a baby around to spoil."

  Robert's smile returned, "You'll be the best auntie, Pen. I know it. Erin knows it too."

  "Right," Penny said, taking another bite of rice. "How many people were outside waiting?"

  "Three," Robert said, "But I sent them away. You've got time to finish eating."

  "You can't just send injured people away," Penny said with a sigh, "That's the whole point of me doing this. I don't want people out there, injured."

  Robert nodded, "I know," he said, "But you also can't do everything, Pen."

  "No?" Penny said, "Well, watch me try."

  "I told you," Penny said, her frustration rising, "I'm already married."

  "Where's your ring? Where's your wife?" Valenth Belmonte shook his head, "I'm not trying to be cruel, Penelope. Believe me, I'm not. It was difficult to accept your decision to become promised to Matilyn, but I did. But she is not here."

  "Plenty of men and women have husbands and wives that are out fighting," Penny said.

  Valenth shook his head, "Plenty of men and women had marriages that lasted longer than a morning in bed," he told her, "Where were the witnesses? Who can attest to this wedding? Did you have someone else present that can validate your claims?"

  Penny lowered her gaze, "No," she murmured.

  "I thought not," Valenth said, "Penelope, again, you must believe me. I am not intentionally being cruel. You have drawn attention to yourself twice now. You left, when you were invited to stay during the attacks, and now, you return and set up shop in the Chapel. The soldiers don't like it. They don't like you. You're a target."

  "I'm not going to stop healing," Penny said, lifting her chin proudly. "I won't. They need me here."

  Valenth sighed, "I know," he said, "and I know that I cannot convince you of the foolhardiness of your decisions, but perhaps I can convince you to make yourself less of an eyesore. Marry one of the soldiers, Penny. Erase all doubt in their minds that you're an Arinford sympathizer."

  "I won't," Penny said.

  "I want what's best for you," Valenth said.

  "No," Penny said, "You want what's best for the family. You're worried that I'm making the rest of us look bad, healing the poor and living in Father Ashbury's old quarters."

  Valenth made a vague gesture with his hand, "Well," he pointed out, "You could come live at home. There's nothing to stop you from being part of this family, Penelope. Only your pride."

  "Only my pride," Penny repeated. She let out a frustrated sigh, "I'm not going to marry a soldier, father. That's final."

  "You are a member of Arinford nobility," Valenth said, "In the end, you will do as your commanded by your lord and father. If I command you to marry a soldier, you will do it with a smile on your face."

  "Arinford nobility has not practiced the art of arranged marriages in decades," Penny pointed out. "Not even the royalty believes in arranged marriages. You can't force one upon me."

  "There are precedents," Valenth said, "And I'm not going to argue with you any longer, Penelope. You might think that I'm not looking out for your best interests, but I am. I'm doing what needs to be done to keep you safe. Because despite your insubordination and attitude, I love you. You are my daughter.

  "I will not let something happens to you," he said. "Not if I can help it."

  "I'm not marrying a soldier," Penny repeated.

  "We'll see," Valenth told her. He folded his hands atop his lap and sighed. "We'll see."

  Sullivan offered a deep bow when he entered the throne room. "Your Majesty," he greeted in a somber tone.

  "There is little need for such formality," Lee Sanders said, coming to his feet. He returned the bow nonetheless. "It is good to see you again, Richard. I'm pleased you could make the journey. Terifille is happy to have you."

  Sullivan nodded, "And I'm happy to be here," he said, "It's been too long since I've visited your kingdom, Lee. How have you been?"

  Lee shrugged, "We have fared well enough considering the circumstance," he said, "The drought took a toll on our people but we have survived."

  Sullivan nodded, "I'm glad to hear it."

  "And what of Lamonte?" Lee asked, "How have you fared as of late? I heard that you merged with Caroga." He stepped down from his throne, and gestured for Sullivan to follow him.

  "Yes," Sullivan said, keeping pace beside the other monarch, "Caroga has joined Lamonte. As have Elijah and Serjya. We have allowed them to keep their traditions and customs, of course, but they are no longer their own sovereign states."

  Lee frowned, "I had not heard of Serjya," he admitted, "It seems I am behind on news."

  "Then you have not heard of the war," Sullivan said.

  "War?" Lee asked, "No. No news of war has reached Terifille. Tell me of it while we eat."

  Together, they entered the dining area. The banquet tables were long, but only one was set up with food currently. "You'll have to excuse me," Lee said, "I should have had a more proper greeting for you, with the full court, but it is the seventh day of the seventh month and we celebrate by sending the nobility to the streets to provide for the poor. We can celebrate your visit on the morrow."

  "Do not apologize," Sullivan said, joining Lee at a table. "It is a noble thing, providing for the poor. It is a practice that Lamonte strives for every seventh day. I understand."

  Lee nodded, "Tell me of this war," he said.

  "We have gone to war with Arinford," Sullivan said.

  "And why is that?" Lee asked.

  Sullivan was silent for a moment, considering where to begin, "It is a complicated issue," he said. "I have a vision--a vision I once shared with you--for Cartharia. Arinford is a necessary step in that direction."

  Lee frowned, "That was the talk of young boys," he said, "I didn't realize you were serious in your ambitions."

  "I was," Sullivan said, "I am. There was a time when you were serious too, young or not."

  "The idea of uniting Cartharia was always wishful thinking," Lee countered, "Whether we were serious or not as boys, it was a fanciful idea. It is an impossible task."

  Sullivan shook his head, "Not impossible," he told the other man, "I am already well on my way. We have taken Serjya and Elijah, and Caroga has joined willingly. Next we will take Arinford, and then make alliance deals with Fairenthe and Rafix. They will accept, of course, because we will be too large to resist then."

  "And what of Terifille?" Lee said, his voice growing sharp.

  "I want you to join us," Sullivan said, "Rule at my side, Lee. Just as we spo
ke of when we were boys."

  "I have no thirst for power," Lee said, "I am happy with my kingdom."

  "People starve in your kingdom," Sullivan said, "You live in a desert. What if another drought occurs or you are faced with other obstacles? United with Lamonte, and the rest of the world, you will never have to worry about how to feed your people again."

  Lee reached for his wine, "You need our help," he said.

  Sullivan bowed his head, "Our goals would be much easier with your aide," he agreed.

  "My people cannot afford war," Lee said.

  "Not alone," Sullivan said, "But they will not be alone. Join our confederation. Join Lamonte, and fight alongside us. Together, we will be stronger than apart."

  Lee frowned, "I don't know," he finally said.

  Sullivan sighed, "I know it is a lot to consider," he said, "And I do not expect you to come to a decision over night. But consider it, my friend. Through your kingdom, we can reach all of eastern Cartharia. Once we have Arinford, there will be nothing stopping us from our goals."

  "I need time," Lee said.

  "And you shall have time," Sullivan said.

  Lee nodded.

  They both went silent for a moment, eating some of the food in front of them. After Sullivan had washed a few bites down with a swallow of wine, he asked, "How is your family?"

  "We've suffered," Lee admitted, "My wife and daughter fell ill with yellow fever. Both of them died."

  "I'm sorry to hear that," Sullivan said, "I cannot imagine how hard it must be, losing a child."

  Lee nodded, "I thank the gods every day that my son was spared the fever."

  "How old is he now?" Sullivan asked.

  "Seventeen," Lee said, "Almost old enough to marry. You have a daughter of marrying age, do you not?"

  Sullivan nodded, "Catherine is fifteen," he said, "A bit young, but not too young for a betrothal. If our kingdoms were to merge, it would be a good match."

  "So it would," Lee said, "But still, I need time. You are one of my oldest friends, Richard. I have not forgotten what it was like, growing up together."

  "I was your servant," Sullivan said.

  "You were my friend," Lee said, "And now you are a king. I admit, I was surprised to hear when you took Lamonte from the last leadership. Surprised, but pleased. You have done much for Lamonte since you took rule."

  "I provided education," Sullivan said, "Something any king should for his people. Lamonte was left neglected far too long. As were Serjya, Elijah, and Caroga."

  Lee nodded.

  "I truly hope you will consider my offer," Sullivan said, "A kingdom led by a man who cares for his people would prove so beneficial to our cause."

  "And what if we choose not to align ourselves with your cause?" Lee asked.

  "Well, then," Sullivan said, "I can only hope that you'll stay out of my way."

  FIFTEEN

  Life! Death! I am Ashamed

  IT TOOK NEARLY TWO MORE WEEKS OF traveling before Matilyn and her charge neared the shore. It had passed mostly without incident; other than the first group of Lamonte soldiers they'd come upon, there had been another--a larger force that had nearly caught them by surprise.

  Janice's squadron had led the attack against them, and they'd lost a few men, but in the end, they'd prevailed without too many casualties. Everyone was tired of walking though and the part of the shore they were headed to was a winter state - so they were tired and cold. Matilyn had never heard so many complaints, not even when they were stationed back behind Teirford.

  They camped out on the cliffs over looking the shore when they arrived. The trail down was icy, and narrow. Nobody wanted to risk at night.

  Matilyn sat away from the others, staring down at the waves below. She couldn't keep Penny out of her mind. The day before they'd left Teirford, a letter had arrived. She hadn't been able to open it at first. There were so many things she wanted to say to Penny.

  She took the letter out of her vest, glancing down at the writing. Her name was written in an elegant, and beautiful hand. It was so achingly familiar that Matilyn had almost cried when she saw it. She'd read the letter one of the long nights after they'd made camp. She'd read about Penny's return to Valishna and felt the bile rise up in her throat.

  She stared down at the letter now, still feeling sick at the thought.

  "Are you alright?" Janice sat down beside him, "You look a little lost, Lieutenant."

  Matilyn glanced at the letter in her hands and then to Janice, "I'm alright," she said, "Just reminiscing."

  "I do that sometimes too," Janice said, "I sit and think about the people I left behind. My mother, my little brother. Or I think of my father, off fighting."

  "Were they proud?" Matilyn asked, "That you decided to join the Guard?"

  Janice nodded. "My brother thought it sounded like a grand adventure," she admitted, "He's too young to know what it really means, going off to war. My mother said she was proud of me, but she's always been. Proud, that is. My father used to say we're a very prideful family. What about your father?"

  "He's proud enough," Matilyn said, "He was more proud when I became a priest, of course, but he said in his last letter that he understood why I needed to join the Guard and he wishes me luck."

  Janice glanced down at the letter in her hands, "Is that from him?"

  "No," Matilyn said, "This is from Penny."

  "Oh," Janice said, "I didn't realize you two were writing each other."

  Matilyn shook her head, "We're not," she said, "I haven't been able to... I just don't know what to say. Penny wasn't writing me because of how we left things."

  "Can I ask?" Janice asked. "How did you leave things? One day you seemed fine, and then the next, she'd moved out of our shared room."

  Matilyn glanced briefly at Janice, considering. It felt nice to have someone to talk to, though. "We broke up," she explained, "Sean, he had a dream, that if she went to fight, she'd die. She was going to, too. Her and I... we had a moment, and she was going to join the Guard so she could deploy with us. I broke up with her so she wouldn't."

  "I'm sorry," Janice said, "That really sucks. That's a horrible reason to have to break up with someone. But if you're not writing each other, what's that?" she nodded at the letter.

  "She went back to Valishna," Matilyn said, "She was writing to let me know. She went home."

  Janice blinked, "Why would she do that?"

  Matilyn shrugged, "Maybe she was lonely, or maybe she thought the city needed her, or maybe it was a little bit of both. She didn't really say."

  "It must be hard, being in Valishna right now," Janice mused, "With all the soldiers."

  "I know," Matilyn sighed, "I know. It's got to be difficult for her. I wish I was there for her."

  Janice put a sympathetic hand on Matilyn's shoulder, "At least you have Eldrin," she pointed out. "Not many people get to ride to war with their best friend."

  "No, I guess not," Matilyn agreed, "Speaking of which--where is Eldrin?"

  They both glanced around.

  "Probably with his men," Janice decided, "I think he has a thing for one of the girls in his squadron."

  "Really?" Mattie asked, surprised, "Who? Tania? He hasn't mentioned it to me."

  Janice shrugged, "I mean, maybe," she said, "though he wouldn't mention it. Not when he has a thing for you."

  Matilyn laughed, "Eldrin doesn't have a thing for me," she said, "We've been best friends since we were knee high. Trust me, I know him far too well for that."

  "You're probably right," Janice said. The way she said it though made Matilyn feel uneasy. She looked around for Eldrin again, frowning. Instead, she saw Sasha coming towards them.

  "Lieutenant, Captain," she said, snapping off a salute, "I don't mean to interrupt, but..."

  "But what?" Matilyn said.

  "There's a problem," Sasha said, "I went ahead with the other scouts, we were checking the area before sleep and we saw... oh gods, it's horrible."

  "Wh
at is it?" Matilyn demanded, her nerves tightening. "Sasha, speak."

  For a moment, she didn't think other woman could. Then she burst into tears, "The ships," she sobbed, "They're destroyed. The men are all dead. We saw the bodies, it's terrible. Lamonte has taken the shore."

  Matilyn sat still for several minutes, contemplating the situation. The rest of the scouts had reported the same thing as Sasha--the men were supposed to be meeting on the shore were dead, their bodies icy cold. There had been a battle, but it was impossible for the scouts to tell if it had been a fair fight; they only knew that Lamonte had dragged away the corpses of their fallen, leaving only Arinford men to freeze.

  Not only that, but there were Lamonte men nearby. Down on the shore, camped out near their own ships. Thanks to the direction of the wind, and the angling of the cliffs, they'd yet to see Matilyn's men.

  She knew everyone was waiting on her for a decision. She was the leader; she needed to figure out what was to be done. The very idea sickened her though. She could hardly wrap her head around what they were supposed to do now.

  "Mattie?" Eldrin stepped up to where she was sitting, "The men are waiting for orders."

  "I know," Matilyn said, "I'm trying to figure out what is we're supposed to do."

  Eldrin nodded.

  "Where were you?" Matilyn asked, "I was looking for you a while ago, and I didn't see you out there with the rest of the camp."

  "I was with my men," Eldrin said, confirming Matilyn and Janice's thoughts from earlier, "Why? Did you need me for something?"

  Matilyn shook her head, "No," she said, "I was just curious. I heard you might have a thing for one of the soldiers."

  Eldrin blinked, clearly caught off guard. "No," he said, "Not really."

  "I think it's good," Matilyn said, "I mean, it's not an ideal situation for romance but I think it's good that you care for someone. It's important that--"

  "Mattie," Eldrin interrupted, "Is it really the time?"

  Matilyn shook her head, "No," she agreed, "I suppose not. Get me Sasha, would you?"