Fall of the Titan (The Desolate Empire Book 5)

by Christina Ochs

  “Thank the gods and those two.” Maryna turned and nodded at Anton and Karil standing at the foot of the stairs. “I don’t even want to think about where I’d be if they hadn’t rescued Natalya and me.”

  “I’ll be the first to reward them, if that’s all right.” King Lennart stood before her now.

  Maryna wanted to curtsy, but that seemed odd in armor, so she bowed instead, and took his hand when he offered it. “Certainly, Your Highness, and thank you.” Then she offered a bow to Queen Raysa standing beside him.

  “Wave to your people now, and let’s get you inside so your mother can fuss over you.” Lennart’s deep voice rumbled in her ear.

  Maryna smiled up at him, liking him right away. Almost as big as Braeden, he towered over her, but he looked like he laughed a lot and his hazel eyes twinkled at her. She turned toward the square, smiling and waving.

  When the heavy doors shut behind her she could still hear the roar of the crowd. “I’m surprised they even know who I am.” She smiled at her mother.

  Gwynneth’s eyes glowed. “Of course they know. They thought you were dead for so long. Your coming is very exciting for everyone.” She blinked and cleared her throat, then said, “You must be tired and starving. Let’s get you out of that armor and into something comfortable. We can talk while you eat.”

  “I must see to my escort. They’ll be even more tired and hungry.” Maryna felt a sudden thrill of panic, worrying she’d lose track of Anton now she was here.

  Gwynneth smiled. “It’s already taken care of. Anton and Karil are being fed in their rooms, and the rest of your troops are getting situated in the temple guard barracks.”

  “Thank you, Mother.” It was a relief to leave all the big decisions in someone else’s hands, at least for tonight. Tomorrow would be another story.

  Devyn, claiming great knowledge of armor, helped Maryna out of hers in Gwynneth’s dressing room, and a maid brought one of Gwynneth’s dresses, which fit perfectly. Then she joined the others in her mother’s private study nearby. There was no sign of Lennart.

  “The king will speak to you tomorrow,” Gwynneth said, leading her to a small, heavily laden table. As Maryna tore into the roast lamb and potatoes, Gwynneth went on, “he thought you’d want to spend time with your family tonight. And Edric.” She beckoned Edric over, who’d been nearly hidden in the shadows in the room’s corner.

  While Maryna ate, everyone sat around the table and grinned at her, Devyn peppering her with questions she couldn’t answer with her mouth full. But when she’d finished, polishing off a large strawberry pastry and started working on her second glass of wine, the emotion crashed over her like a wave.

  Swallowing back the tears, she said, “It’s wonderful to see all of you. I’ve missed you so much. But it’s not the same without Papa here, is it?”

  “No, it’s not,” Gwynneth said. “We’ve become used to his absence here, but it will take longer for you, since you’ve been so far away.”

  “It will be hard.” Maryna looked down at the table. “But I’m over the worst. It was terrible, learning about it in Tirovor. But that was a long time ago, and now I’m here and there’s a great deal to do.” Now she was glad she’d done her grieving in the mountains. There was no time for it here.

  Gwynneth

  Gwynneth could hardly sleep for happiness. She’d hoped her daughter would return to her soon, but it had seemed impossible and unreal until it happened. She was up early, though she expected Maryna might wish to sleep longer. But when Gwynneth went down to breakfast, she found Maryna already at the table, chatting with Edric.

  Edric himself looked ten years younger, his face animated and his eyes sparkling in a way Gwynneth hadn’t seen in years. Next to Kendryk, Maryna had always been closest to him and had probably spent more time with Edric than either of her parents.

  “Good morning, Mother.” Maryna smiled at her.

  Gwynneth noticed she no longer called her ‘Mama,’ as she had before she left, and as the other children still did. No doubt she thought it sounded less little-girlish.

  “Good morning, darling.” Gwynneth kissed Maryna’s forehead before taking a seat across from her. “I thought you might want to rest today. You must have had a long, difficult journey.”

  “It wasn’t so bad. Duke Orland showed us a safe way through the mountains.”

  “Duke Orland is with you?” Gwynneth felt a tremor of anxiety, hoping she concealed it by buttering a slice of bread.

  “He’s coming, with a small army. I expect he’ll be here today or tomorrow. Even better, he’s accompanied by Emilya Hohenwart, leading eight thousand troops.”

  “Eight thousand?” Gwynneth imagined Lennart would be thrilled at the addition, but she worried about something else. “How in the world do you expect to pay them?”

  “I’ve paid them already, at least for the next two months.” Maryna sounded calm and businesslike, heaping strawberry preserves onto a piping-hot roll.

  Gwynneth put her bread down, her mouth dry. “Where did you get the money?”

  “I mortgaged Birkenfels to our Lerania banker.”

  “You did what?” It was all Gwynneth could do to keep from coming out of her chair.

  Maryna’s eyes met hers, cool and unafraid. “Well, you’d withdrawn all the money and I had to get it from somewhere. I’ll pay it back as soon as we defeat Mattila.”

  “That’s the spirit.” Lennart’s voice boomed behind Gwynneth as he and Raysa joined them.

  Gwynneth turned to them with a weak smile. She’d have to take this up with Maryna later.

  “I brought ten thousand troops, Your Highness.” Maryna smiled at Lennart. “They’re marching down the river road and should be here soon.”

  Lennart’s laugh echoed through the room. “That’s great news, Your Grace. You can give me all the details later.”

  “Certainly.” Maryna looked far too self-satisfied. It seemed she’d gained a great deal of independence on her adventure.

  Gwynneth would have to make clear that while Maryna bore the title of princess, she was still bound to her regency for the next few years.

  When breakfast was over, Gwynneth said, “Come to the library with me, darling, and we’ll get caught up. We’ll talk to the king this afternoon.”

  Maryna came to the library with her and they sat down in chairs near the window overlooking the garden.

  Gwynneth started carefully. “I received your letter and Captain Kronek's recently, so I know all about your adventures as far as Lerania. Anton mentioned an army, but I couldn’t picture how you did it.”

  “I hope it’s all right.” Maryna looked a bit anxious, though not enough, considering. “I had to get those troops on my side, or they would have gone to Princess Viviane. Besides, General Hohenwart is an old friend, so she offered a generous discount.”

  “I see.” Gwynneth sighed and leaned back in her chair. “I hope you understand how serious a matter it is, mortgaging the only piece of property your family holds with any certainty.”

  “I do.” Maryna’s eyes were grave. “But I was desperate and had to come up with something. I was lucky Anton was there. He knew about it since Count Orland did something similar once.”

  Gwynneth’s breath caught at the mention of Arian, though she soon recovered. There appeared to be another more immediate problem. “Anton? I’m sure you mean Captain Kronek.”

  “Yes, of course.” A flush spread across Maryna’s tanned cheeks. “I’m afraid we all became rather informal on such a long journey.”

  “I see.” Gwynneth did her best to look stern, yet kind. “Things will have to be more formal here. Though I doubt you’ll see much of him from now on. Lennart will keep both him and Karil occupied, I’m sure.”

  “Yes, I’m sure.” Maryna’s voice trembled just a little, then she drew in a deep breath and fixed her eyes on Gwynneth. “We must reward them, though.”

  “Certainly.” Gwynneth had already been thinking about it and had reso
lved to borrow money from Edric. “But you needn’t concern yourself with that.”

  “It is my concern.” Maryna’s voice rose. “Along with many other things.”

  “It doesn’t have to be, darling.” Gwynneth softened her voice, hoping she masked her annoyance. “You needn’t be in charge of anything if you don’t want to be. Why don’t you spend the next few years studying with Edric? You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

  Maryna tossed her head. “I would, but I can’t do as I like, now I’m princess. A battle is coming and I must discuss with Lennart how best to use my troops.”

  “Your troops? And what do you know about fighting?” Gwynneth wondered what had happened to her sweet little girl. It was true she’d never been entirely docile, but now she clearly was accustomed to being in charge.

  “Not much, though I’ve learned a great deal from Ant—I mean, Captain Kronek, and from General Hohenwart. It’s time I got real experience.”

  “I absolutely forbid you to lead troops into battle.” Gwynneth was on the verge of losing her temper. “We cannot risk your safety.”

  “Oh Mother, don’t worry.” Maryna shook her head, blonde curls bobbing. “I’ll just stand alongside General Hohenwart. She always commands from the rear, and it’s quite safe. Mostly.”

  “We’ll discuss it when she arrives,” Gwyneth said, not wanting to start a fight so soon after Maryna’s arrival. She’d have to talk to Lennart about reining her in. She might be smart, brave, and a princess, but she needed to learn that from now on, the adults would be in charge.

  Lennart

  “Your Highness, I’m sorry to barge in on you.” A servant had announced Princess Maryna in Lennart’s study, nearly an hour before he was due to meet with her and Gwynneth in the library.

  “Not at all.” Lennart got up and showed her to a chair, then shooed the servant out. Judging by the anxious look on the girl’s pretty face, something was weighing on her. “Now, what is it, Your Grace?”

  Maryna twisted her hands in her lap. “I’m afraid my mother is angry with me.”

  “Nonsense. She’s thrilled to have you back. I know she’s been thinking about nothing else these past weeks.”

  “She’s angry with me about mortgaging our—my—castle,” Maryna said, her clear blue eyes meeting Lennart’s. She reminded him a great deal of Kendryk, both in appearance and manner.

  Lennart shrugged. “Seems you did what you needed to. I can’t think of a single building I own in Estenor that doesn’t have a banker attached to it.” He’d never confessed this to anyone—his chief adviser, Ludvik Meldahl had arranged it all, though he wouldn’t say a word—but the girl clearly needed reassurance.

  “Oh dear,” she said. “That must have been very hard. I certainly hated doing it. But armies are so expensive. I had no idea.”

  “The realities of ruling are a lot less pleasant than they look from afar, I’ve found.” Lennart smiled, hoping to reassure her. “I was only sixteen when I came to power; not much older than you. It was quite a shock when I learned how things really stood with the kingdom, and yours is even worse off.”

  “Did your regent help you much?”

  So that was it. No doubt Gwynneth had been throwing her weight around and the girl didn’t like it. Lennart didn’t blame her. “Not really. The poor old fellow had been close to my father and never recovered from his death. He died only six months later and I didn’t replace him.”

  “How terrible for all of you.” Maryna frowned. “My father also ruled without his regents, but he had to fight to make that happen.”

  “Your father’s situation was rather different from yours. His regent didn’t have his best interests at heart, and I know for a fact that your mother does.” Lennart leaned back in his chair. “You’ll do well to listen to her. She’s smart and experienced. You’ve already accomplished a great deal, but you’re still learning.”

  “All that is true.” Maryna chewed on her lower lip. “I don’t wish to criticize my mother, but I fear she’s made some bad decisions. She encouraged my father into a course that proved disastrous for the country. And she insisted on following that horrible Fernanda, sent by Teodora to kill us—even though it was obvious she was a bad person. I’m afraid my mother is inclined to be rather reckless, and I’m not.”

  “I see.” Lennart wasn’t sure quite how to handle this. Maryna was making a great deal of sense, but he had no business undermining Gwynneth. He’d be doing exactly what she feared by meddling in Terragand’s internal politics. “I’m sure your mother has learned her lesson and will be more careful from now on.” Her escapade in Isenwald had been no better, but since then, Gwynneth had seemed subdued. Perhaps she had learned to think longer before acting. “Sometimes quick action is needed, but it should still be carefully considered. Have you considered bringing on board another adviser? Maybe two?”

  “I have.” Maryna nodded. “I would like Count Faris. He served my father well and I hate seeing him stuck in that cold dreary castle with his wounded leg. I don’t know who else, though.”

  “Might I make a suggestion?”

  Maryna nodded eagerly.

  “How about Braeden Terris? He’s away on a mission but I expect him back at any time. He’s got great common sense, even better instincts and gets on well with your mother.”

  A smile spread across Maryna’s face. “That’s a marvelous idea. I’d wondered where he was. I will ask him as soon as he returns.”

  “Might be best to ask your mother first.” Lennart hoped he wasn’t causing trouble. “Tell her you’d like someone who can help her, take some of the burden off. Suggest both Faris and Braeden. I don’t see how she’d object to either one. She’ll take it better if you don’t present the finished result, like you did with the army.”

  Maryna smiled. “I had little choice, and I thought Anton—I mean Captain Kronek—had already written her about it. Now she wants me to have nothing to do with it.”

  “She’s worried about you. She just got you back and doesn’t want you in any further danger.”

  “But surely you understand why I must at least be present at the battle, even if I can’t fight?”

  “I do. I don’t see any harm in putting you under the protection of one of your generals. Your presence will be great for morale, and it’s good for you to learn what a big battle is like.”

  Maryna looked relieved. “I’m so glad you agree. Perhaps you could suggest that to my mother? She reacted rather badly when I brought it up.”

  “Your mother isn’t keen on my suggestions lately.” Lennart grimaced. “Maybe we should let Braeden bring it up. She always listens to him.”

  “What a splendid idea.” Maryna beamed at him. “I’d better go now, since we’re meeting with Mother shortly.” She hesitated. “I’d prefer it if she didn’t know we’ve already spoken.”

  Lennart grinned. For such a young thing, she’d already learned to play the game rather well. No doubt the time spent in the Galladian court had helped her learn from the best, or worst, of the players. “Makes perfect sense.” He nodded. “I’ll meet you in the library in an hour and we’ll pretend we haven’t seen each other since breakfast.”

  Trystan

  The late spring weather was perfect, the winds favorable, sending Trystan’s five-ship fleet around the Galladian coast and into the long western finger of the Northern Sea. They passed the narrow strait between Norovaea and Floradias, and were waved through the customs port near Arenberg. According to Natalya, Galladium’s treaty with Norovaea meant all Galladian naval and merchant vessels passed without having to stop, with payment arranged beforehand.

  Trystan would have liked to stop in Arenberg and Bonnenruck, both of them interesting and influential cities, but he was in too big a hurry. Still, the time spent sailing gave him a chance to think about everything he and Natalya had discussed, and remember a few extremely pleasant evenings.

  He was certain Natalya wasn’t in love with him, though she seemed to like h
im a great deal. That, at least, was a start. And it seemed she’d had as much fun as he had, so would likely be happy to see him again. He hoped that wouldn’t be too long. With any luck, Lennart would annihilate Mattila and by extension Teodora, the resulting peace negotiations giving Trystan a kingdom of his own.

  Once he’d established himself as ruler, Trystan planned to send for Natalya. While he was unable to offer her a position with the same power she had over Galladium, he hoped to arrange something better, though it would take time. With Teodora defeated, whoever ruled in Atlona after her would be a weak puppet of Lennart’s.

  But Lennart would return to Estenor, and Trystan didn’t see why he couldn’t make a grab for the imperial throne, advantageously positioned as he would be in Arcius. Then he'd offer Natalya control over all the temples of the empire.

  Though the journey seemed far too long and boring, Trystan kept himself occupied by pacing Sabre’s deck and laying his plans. Once they passed Bonnenruck, it wasn’t far to Kaltental, where the whole army would transfer to a large number of smaller riverboats. While his colonel made the arrangements, Trystan went in search of news.

  He found it in a waterfront tavern teeming with sailors, merchants and soldiers. Choosing the liveliest table, Trystan took a seat, calling for food and ale. While the serving boy ran off, Trystan turned to the woman sitting beside him. Stout and middle-aged, she wore the long robes typical of Sanovan merchants.

  “Good afternoon,” he said, smiling as charmingly as possible. Anton had shown him how to practice looking your best while appearing completely natural. Trystan didn’t have dimples like Anton’s, but he had a few freckles sprinkled over his nose, which Natalya had pronounced adorable. So he’d practiced wrinkling his nose a little as he smiled, calling attention to that area.

  The woman gave him an answering smirk. “Slow down, sweetheart. You’re a bit young for me.”

  Apparently the smile worked a little too well. Trystan chuckled. “Just being friendly.” He pulled over the mug of ale the boy brought him and raised it.