Defender of the Crown

by Paul J Bennett

  Beverly stared at her queen. "I..." words failed her.

  "You are Dame Beverly Fitzwilliam," said Anna, "the Rose of Bodden, or have you forgotten?"

  "No, Your Majesty."

  "You may have all the time you need to sulk back in Wincaster, but here, in Norland, I need you at your finest. Is that clear?"

  "Yes, Your Majesty."

  "Good, then I'll have no more of this maudlin state. Tell me, how was it that he defeated you?"

  "I'm not sure," said the knight.

  "Yes, you are," said Anna. "I know how your mind works. You've gone over that fight many times, am I right?"

  "I have," said Beverly with a slight nod.

  "And what is your opinion?"

  "He caught me by surprise," said Beverly. "I hadn't expected him to use his axe in that manner."

  "Do you not use your hammer in a similar tactic?" asked Anna.

  "I do, but I underestimated my opponent. It's not a mistake I will make again."

  "Good," said Anna. "Now that we have that out of the way, I want you with us when we meet King Halfan. This is likely to be the best chance we get to negotiate a lasting peace, and I promise you there will be no distractions this time."

  "Very well," said Beverly.

  "And you," said Anna, turning to Aubrey, "have you finished examining my kerchief?"

  "Yes," replied the mage, "the embroidery is exquisite."

  "That's Sophie's handiwork," said Anna, holding out her hand. Aubrey deposited the finely crafted cloth into the queen's palm.

  "Now, where are they?" pondered the queen. She tucked the kerchief into her sleeve, then rested her hand on the hilt of her Dwarven blade.

  Aubrey looked at Anna. "You should name that blade," she said, "and perhaps you could get it empowered?"

  "Empowered?" said Anna. "Whatever for? I'm a queen, not a warrior."

  "Still," added Beverly, "it's proved useful on more than one occasion."

  Anna smiled. "I'll consider it," she said, "but we've more important things to deal with at the moment."

  A light tap at the door announced the return of Sophie and Gerald. They both entered, and the young maid held out the hammer for Beverly.

  "Thank you," said the knight, grasping Nature's Fury with a firm grip.

  "Now you are complete," noted Anna, "the Queen's Champion."

  "Time to go," urged Gerald. "The king won't be happy if we keep him waiting."

  They filed out into the hallway, Beverly and Gerald taking the lead while Anna and Aubrey followed.

  "This is very short notice," said Anna. "I hope the king isn't ill."

  "I hadn't thought of that," replied the mage, "but then again, we did save him from being poisoned. Do you think he wishes to thank us?"

  "I'd be happy just to sign this peace treaty and get home," the queen replied. "I know we haven't been here long, but it seems like ages."

  "It's all this enforced idleness," noted Aubrey. "Back in Wincaster, there's always something to do. Here, it feels like all we do is wait."

  They made their way through the castle, the King's Hall finally coming into view.

  "All set?" asked Anna.

  Beverly halted quite suddenly, bringing the group to a sudden stop. "Something's wrong," she said, "the guards are missing."

  Gerald drew his sword as Beverly readied her hammer.

  "I don't like this," said the old warrior. "We should get you to safety, Anna."

  "Nonsense," said the queen. "We have to find out what happened. Open the door, Beverly, but be ready for trouble."

  The knight stepped forward, pushing the door open with her left hand, her right gripping Nature's Fury tightly. The sight that greeted them was like a scene from the Underworld.

  King Halfan sat, slumped in his chair, ripped open from neck to belly, his tunic bathed in blood, with the contents of his stomach laying pooled on his lap.

  Beverly, mesmerized by the grisly tableau, stepped through the doorway, her foot slipping sideways as she entered the room. Looking down, she saw blood everywhere, and then the enormity of the scene shook her to her core. Scattered about the room were the mutilated bodies of half a dozen servants, their blood fresh upon the cold, stone floor.

  "Saxnor protect us," she prayed.

  Gerald moved past her, taking care to avoid the pooling blood. "Footprints," he noted, pointing, "and fresh ones at that."

  Anna stood in the doorway, too overcome to speak. Aubrey moved about the room, checking the bodies, but it was soon apparent that none had survived.

  "Whoever did this is nearby," warned Gerald. "The blood leads there," he said, pointing to a side door.

  "We must find whoever is responsible," said Anna.

  Gerald moved to the door, grasping the handle with his left hand, then he looked at Beverly, who nodded. The old warrior heaved on the door, his eyes down, expecting to follow a trail of blood, but as it swung open, he instead saw armoured legs. He raised his head to stare into the grim face of Marik, Champion of Lord Hollis. Behind him were four men, each wearing a bloodied countenance.

  Gerald stepped back in surprise. "The king," he announced, "he's been murdered."

  "So he has," sneered Marik, "and now we have caught the murderers, red-handed."

  "This was not our doing," argued Anna, stepping into the room.

  "So say you," said Marik, "and yet the evidence would seem to contradict that. Surrender yourselves!"

  "You're the ones covered in blood," accused Gerald.

  Footsteps echoed behind them, and Gerald turned to see Lord Thurlowe, who had just entered through the front door with two men in tow.

  "What is this?" the earl demanded.

  "These assassins killed King Halfan," announced Marik.

  Thurlowe looked at the blood-soaked champion, then back to the Mercerians.

  "So it would seem," the earl said. "Surrender yourselves, and justice will be done."

  Anna drew her Dwarf sword. "Never!" she shouted. "I would rather die!"

  Thurlowe smiled. "Then so be it," he declared. "Kill them!"

  The Norlanders rushed forward, Marik making a direct line for the queen. Gerald tried to intervene but was soon overwhelmed by three opponents, slashing and stabbing at him.

  "Your puny blade will not protect you," called out the champion, his axe rising high for a killing blow.

  He stepped forward to complete his strike, but Beverly interceded, swinging Nature's Fury up to meet the heavier weapon as it was raised high. The clash of metal rang out as the hammer hit the head of the axe, causing sparks to fly.

  Thurlowe ordered his men forward, but as they drew their swords, one of them let out a yawn, falling to the floor amongst the blood. His companion rushed forward, his sword thrusting out towards the queen.

  Anna stepped to the side, slicing down with the Dwarf blade and cutting into the man's forearm. He fell, clutching his wound and screaming in pain.

  Gerald, backing up, attempted to break out of the press of attackers. Then he swung low, feeling his sword dig into a thigh, while a second Norlander struck out with his mace, catching the old warrior in the upper arm. Gerald saw it coming and managed to roll, taking some of the force out of the blow, coming to his feet just in time to parry an attack from his first foe. Luckily, the third man held back, waiting for an opportunity.

  Beverly struck out, thrusting the hammer into Marik's stomach. It was a weak attack, but it at least forced him back slightly, while beyond him, another guard stepped forward, taking his place.

  She pulled back the hammer and swung it wide, stepping to the right and smashing it down onto the guard's foot. Nature's Fury sank deep, and she felt the head strike stone. A scream of agony erupted, and the man fell to the floor, his foot now a bloody mess.

  Lord Thurlowe, both his guards down, turned and fled, leaving Marik and his men to finish the job.

  Another thrust of a sword drove Gerald back yet again, but he was beginning to anticipate the attacks now, watching t
he footwork of his opponents out of the corner of his eyes. The maceman stamped forward, raising his weapon high, and then Gerald struck, thrusting into the man's stomach. As the sword penetrated the Norland mail, he felt the iron links scraping across his blade as it sank deep into flesh.

  His second opponent, now sensing an opportunity, lashed out, a wild, uncontrolled blow that glanced off Gerald's cloak, tearing the cloth. He reacted with another thrust, temporarily forcing his opponent back. Not content with merely buying time, Gerald stomped forward, driving his booted foot down onto his assailant's toes. The Norlander screamed out in pain and Gerald followed up with a finishing swing that struck his opponent in the neck. Blood gushed forth as the man fell, and Gerald turned to face his last opponent.

  Marik struck again, putting all his strength into the blow, but Beverly dodged, and the axe struck stone, the sound echoing throughout the room. The great Norland champion had fought many battles, however, and reacted quickly, leaping out of the way as Nature's Fury swung over his head. Once more, he stepped forward, thrusting with the head of his axe, but Beverly countered, using the haft of her hammer to knock his weapon aside.

  Hollis's champion backed up, and the two of them stood there, watching each other warily, each looking for an opening. The sound of distant footsteps approaching informed Beverly that Marik had reinforcements on the way.

  "We have to get out of here!" she shouted.

  "Back the way we came," called out Anna, moving towards the main entrance.

  Gerald's last opponent rushed forward, but the floor, slick with blood, proved his undoing. The guard lost his footing and crashed to the floor, a sickening crunch heard throughout the room as his knee hit the stone floor. Gerald turned, taking the opportunity to run for the entrance.

  They rushed through the doorway with Anna in the lead. Aubrey had followed, but halted in the hallway, turning to watch her cousin, still fighting the Norland champion.

  "Beverly," she called out.

  Marik swung, a side blow meant to sink into Beverly's side, but the knight dodged back, the tip of the axe merely scraping along her breastplate. As soon as it was past, she pushed forward, thrusting at her opponent's face with the head of the hammer. When the great champion stepped back, Beverly turned and ran.

  "You'll not escape me!" he called out.

  Gerald was in the hallway now, watching as Beverly rushed towards them. "Look out!" he shouted as Marik struck out at her.

  It was aimed high, a shot to decapitate the knight, but Beverly, in a moment of sheer desperation, went to her knees, skidding across the blood-soaked floor as she swung the hammer with both hands.

  Nature's Fury struck the door frame, unleashing its full power as bits of stone exploded from the impact. A great rumbling echoed through the room, causing Marik to halt his advance. Moments later, a loud cracking could be heard as the entire doorway collapsed, sending dust billowing into the air.

  Gerald held out his hand, lifting Beverly to her feet. Aubrey stared at the doorway, overcome with the sheer force of the magic.

  "Come," said Anna, "we must save our people!"

  * * *

  Sophie tied off the knot, then used her slim knife to cut the thread. She held up the hem of the dress, examining it with a critical eye. Behind her, as if sensing her interest, Tempus wagged his tail.

  "There," she said, holding it out for him to see. "What do you think?"

  The great mastiff wagged his tail some more, then lowered his head back to a sleeping position.

  "I suppose that's as good an agreement as I'm likely to get," she mused, rising from her chair and crossing the room to lay the dress out on the bed.

  A loud thump outside her door drew her attention. Moments later, the door rattled as someone tried to open it. She halted, listening carefully for the knock that would identify the visitor.

  Tempus growled, and she hushed him with her fingers, moving closer to the door to double-check that the bolt was thrown. Someone was talking outside, and she placed an ear to the door to listen.

  "They're bound to come this way," said a deep baritone. "Block this door, and we'll wait in the next room to spring out when they arrive."

  There was a shuffling of feet and then another voice, this one slightly higher, "You two stay here, the rest of you bring those bodies."

  She heard feet scraping along the floor, and her heart jumped a beat. What has happened, she thought, and where was the queen?

  A number of footsteps receded, but someone was still there, their feet shuffling occasionally. Sophie, now alert, cast her eyes about the room, searching for anything that might be of use. She spotted Beverly's sword lying nearby but knew she had little skill with such a weapon, then her eyes were drawn to the table and her slim knife. She picked it up, feeling the reassuring weight of the handle in her hands. It had been a gift from the princess, to protect herself from unwanted attention, but now she wondered if she might have to use it, not in defence, but to rescue the queen.

  She moved back to the door, once more placing her ear to the wood. It felt like forever before she heard anything new. She was just about to give up when she caught the sound of a distant footfall.

  "Someone's coming," called out one of the guards, "make ready."

  "Halt!" called the other guard.

  "Stand clear!" came the distinctive voice of Dame Beverly.

  Tempus let out a growl and Sophie threw back the latch, opening the door a crack to reveal a pair of Norland guards. They were looking down the hall towards the approach of the queen's party, unaware of the maid's observation.

  She took a deep breath, clutching the dagger tightly, and then threw open the door. Tempus rushed past, his teeth sinking into a guard's leg and bearing him to the floor. The great mastiff bit deeply, tearing the flesh as he shook his head, eliciting cries of anguish from his target.

  Sophie struck out with her dagger, driving it into the second guard's back. His mail softened the blow, letting the slim blade inflict only a surface wound, but he bellowed in surprise. He turned on her, just as another door opened, flooding the corridor with more Norland warriors.

  Beverly's voice echoed along the hall, "Mercerians, to me! Save the Queen!"

  Sophie's opponent raised his sword to strike her, but as he did so, words of power echoed from down the hallway, and then the man yawned, slowing his movement.

  Sophie quickly jabbed at the warrior's face, the only part of his body that wasn't covered in armour, cutting into his cheek to expose raw flesh. She felt the blade scrape along teeth and bone, and then he leaned backward, trying to avoid further damage and lost his balance, falling to the floor.

  Tempus, his first victim now motionless, turned his attention to Sophie's assailant. The hound jumped forward, his massive jaws digging into the man's throat. Sophie heard a scream, then the sound of the metal coif giving way to unrelenting teeth. The Norlander gurgled, then his eyes glazed over, and he slumped to the floor.

  She wheeled about as footsteps approached from the other direction, but it was only Arnim, leading a half a dozen of the queen's guards. He paused as his men ran past, "Are you all right?"

  She merely nodded, at a loss for words, and then watched as he joined his compatriots in battle farther down the hallway.

  Sophie started shaking uncontrollably, for she was only a maid, not used to such things. The horror of the scene before her struck her deeply, but the death and destruction all around her captured her attention, and she was unable to look away until a hand on her shoulder startled her. She looked up to see the reassuring face of Lady Aubrey.

  "It's all right, Sophie," the mage said. "It's all over now."

  The maid shook her head, refusing to look back down at the carnage. Instead, she focused her attention on Aubrey, "The queen?"

  "Is safe," said Aubrey, "along with the rest of us."

  Gerald appeared out of nowhere. It was like time was standing still, so addled was Sophie's mind.

  "Have you energy lef
t?" he asked.

  "Yes," said Aubrey, "though not as much as I'd like."

  "Good, then get the queen to safety."

  Aubrey guided Sophie back into the room, Tempus following.

  "How many can you take?" asked Gerald.

  "Only a few," said Aubrey, "and I shall have to recall to Hawksburg."

  "That will prove fortuitous," said Anna, "for it will allow me to get word to Heward on the frontier. Then they can send a relief column to your aid."

  "No," said Gerald, "it's too dangerous. We'll find our own way back to Mercerian soil. The army will have their hands full."

  "Why do you say that?" asked Aubrey.

  "They killed the king and blamed us," said Gerald. "They obviously intended to start a war. Troops could be crossing the border even as we speak."

  "Then we must leave immediately," said Anna.

  Gerald surveyed the room. Arnim was just outside, along with his guards, but Beverly was there, her hammer slick with blood.

  "Take the queen, Sophie and Tempus," he commanded, "and get them to safety. Beverly and I will lead the others home."

  Aubrey moved to the centre of the room, leading Sophie by the hand. Tempus sat at her feet, but Anna moved to embrace Gerald.

  "I can't leave you here," she sobbed.

  "You must," he replied, his voice hoarse with emotion. "You must protect the realm."

  She nodded, her eyes filled with tears, then took her place beside Aubrey. The mage lifted her hands, closing her eyes to concentrate on her magic. Words began to pour forth and then the air crackled with energy. A cylinder of light engulfed the tiny group, illuminating the room with a brilliant glare. Moments later, it vanished, along with Aubrey and her charges.

  Arnim poked his head in the doorway, "Is the queen safe?"

  "She is safely back in Merceria," said Gerald. "Now, we must gather our people and escape to freedom."

  Twenty-One

  Rebellion

  Fall 964 MC

  * * *

  Roland Valmar rapped the top of the carriage with his cane, and it came to a stop behind the crowd that was growing in size and volume. People were massed before the gate, their angry jeers and catcalls echoing down the street.