The Queen Maker

by Kristen Gupton

  “What do you propose I do?” Sorna asked.

  Realizing he had her, Farin grew more animated. There was an excitement sparked within as he saw the payoff looming. Perhaps he was lying and being underhanded in getting the girl away from Keiran, but he felt it was righteous. He would only be obtaining the reward he deserved out of doing so.

  “The king and a large portion of the Royal Guard are heading out to confront the Sadoris in just a few days. I’ve been informed that I’m not going, which is fine. The castle will be much quieter, and with most of the Royal Guard and King gone, abducting Thana from the castle should be quite easy for me.”

  Sorna gave a small nod, her eyes narrowing. “What will stop her from running right back to the castle after you do so?”

  Farin did his best to pretend he was dismayed by the thought. He huffed and shook his head before meeting her gaze. “I will have to reveal to her that I am a Church Knight and aware of her dealings with the king. It is a risk, but I think letting her know her very life is on the line if she goes back, will keep her from seeking a return. At that point, I would be willing to marry her myself. It is illegal for the king to have relations with the wives of other men, and it will serve as a barrier to her. This, of course, puts me all at great risk for retribution, but I’m willing to do it in order to save Thana’s life.”

  Sorna closed her eyes and thought for a moment. “Doesn’t the king’s recent decree give her the freedom to refuse to marry you? She won’t do it willingly at this point. She’s too entranced by the vampire.”

  Farin wanted to express some measure of joy as Sorna was leaning toward his idea, but he had to continue to play it calm. “Aye, the law would seem to give her that freedom, however, I’m certain she could be made to see the benefit in it. If she doesn’t wed me, she will have the stigma of having been the vampire’s concubine upon her. No one else will want her once the rumors get out. She would be shunned. You know how suspicions and gossip inevitably erupt, especially when they involve royalty.”

  She had long worried the vampire would taint her daughter. He was right about the people in the town, and getting her married to an ordinary man as quickly as possible would help to allay those rumors.

  Farin saw her nod slightly in agreement and continued, “I know I’m older than she is, but I’ve saved all of my wages over the years. I can provide a very comfortable life for her. I would value her highly, Sorna. You would be free to come to our home as often as needed to assure she was being taken care of in a manner worthy of your approval.”

  Farin might have a better chance at keeping the young woman obedient than she could. Besides, once Thana had a child to take care of from the marriage, Sorna was certain the girl’s attitude would change. The age difference between Thana and Farin was much easier to deal with than the thought of her whoring herself out to the vampire.

  Sorna got up and started to pace before the table. “If we act quickly, perhaps we can find a priest not yet informed of the king’s decree. We may still have a chance at forcing the marriage, regardless of Thana’s wishes. Very well, Farin, get her out of the castle, and I will do everything I can to help you hold onto her.”

  ***

  Father Beezle had received word of Keiran’s intent to travel with the war party. The small man wanted to visit the new king before he left, to see if he could offer any spiritual comfort. He’d felt useless to the previous king as Turis Lee never seemed to have need for guidance, but his relationship with Keiran was on much better footing.

  He rode his aged mule up to the castle bareback, only using a halter fashioned out of rope to steer his beloved pet. Despite his own age, Father Beezle made the ride up the hill easily enough. The sentries at the castle gate let him pass by without question.

  He pulled off his straw riding hat as he stepped into the throne room. There were advisors and the like surrounding Keiran, so he lingered near the back of the room, quietly awaiting his turn.

  Keiran’s mind was cluttered from everything being presented to him, so he didn’t notice the small priest in the corner immediately. When he spotted Randall, however, he took the opportunity for a break and excused everyone else.

  He strode across the room, meeting the old man in the center of it. “Father Beezle, I’m very glad to see you. I’ve needed to speak with you for a while.”

  Randall smiled sincerely, flattered the king would want his audience. “I had a feeling I should come up here before you left. While I’ve never experienced anything like battle in my years, I know a man fights best when his conscience is clean, and his heart not burdened with doubt.”

  Keiran looked around the room, knowing they could be interrupted. He decided to lead Randall off to the dining hall where he could lock the door and be more comfortable.

  Corina saw their guest and hurried to bring them some wine and a small tray of pastries. With that on the table, Keiran closed the door and sat across from the priest. He poured them each a generous amount of wine, the old man lighting up from being presented something he saw as a luxury.

  “Again, I’m very grateful you’ve come to pay me this visit. I didn’t see a way for me to get down to the cathedral before leaving,” Keiran said.

  Randall sipped his wine, taking a moment to savor it. He nodded to Keiran’s words. “I’m appreciative for the time. Now, what did you wish us to discuss had you made it down?”

  Keiran mustered up the nerve to ask what he’d been agonizing over. “I know the church maintains the King’s Laws regarding marriage. Is there a process for changing them or any loopholes you know of within them?”

  “Ah, that.” Father Beezle gave a slow nod. It was almost ritual for new kings to approach the church about those laws. Unfortunately, they had been carefully worded to avoid loopholes and had stood the test of time. “I can’t say there are any ways around them, sadly. As for changing them, it can be petitioned for, however, no changes can go into effect for three generations.”

  Keiran nodded, aware of the last part. The laws had been designed that way to keep the country’s leaders from changing them on a whim. “I feared as much.”

  Randall set his wine down after another good sip, meeting Keiran’s eyes. “There is someone you have in mind, isn’t there?”

  “Aye.”

  “I know the thought of a political marriage must be miserable, but many of your forefathers found eventual happiness in it,” he said, folding his hands on the table.

  “Father Beezle, I cannot fathom marrying someone I don’t even know,” Keiran replied, shaking his head.

  “I won’t fault you for having sentiments for someone already. There was a time in my life that I, too, fell in love. I, however, had the luxury of a choice. I opted to stay with the church, and it was difficult, but it was ultimately my decision.” Randall drew a long breath before timidly reaching out for one of the pastries. “While the knowledge is safe with me, I do worry what might happen if the Church Knights notice and take objection.”

  After his conversation with Kanan, that very idea had been weighing on Keiran. “Aye, and if something were to happen to her because of it, I’m not certain I could live with it.”

  “The fact remains the law requires your future spouse to be of noble title. There are numerous eligible women out there. Perhaps starting up correspondence with some of them might help?” he said before taking a bite from his treat.

  “I doubt the women of nobility out in the world are going to be breaking down the door of a vampire for marriage anytime soon,” Keiran said. “That aside, I can’t just change my feelings.”

  “I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do. It goes even above me,” Randall said, regret in his voice. Keiran’s disappointment in their conversation was easy for the empathetic priest to feel. “I’m terribly sorry, and I will study the laws as best I can. If I find anything, I will let you know, but I don’t wish to give you a false sense of hope. May I ask, is it someone in the castle?”

  Keiran gave a sad no
d, staring down into the silver wine goblet he held. “Aye, but you will understand when I say I can’t tell you who.”

  He nodded. “I respect that, I do. Are there other issues you would like to discuss? I feel somewhat worthless.”

  The vampire forced a smile, sensing Randall’s honest sympathy. The priest had probably anticipated a conversation about coping with military conflict, and Keiran decided it was worthwhile. “Aye, let’s change the subject.”

  ***

  Keiran remained focused on dealing with the Sadori invasion after his meeting with Father Beezle. He was also driven by the memory of his fight with Kanan and how close he’d come to hurting the older man. All of it helped his resolve to keep his mind on the Sadoris.

  Even though he’d fallen into the routine of drinking blood Corina provided him every evening, it didn’t instantly repair the laceration across his palm. While it improved noticeably during his evening drinks, it still wasn’t completely healed.

  The vampire wondered if it had to do with not drinking directly from the source, or if there were other factors at play. Either way, he kept his hand lightly bandaged and did his best to avoid showing anyone. The last thing he wanted was Kanan demanding he not go due to such a minor injury.

  Not that Kanan could have really stopped him but some fights were just easier to avoid than suffer through.

  It was already troublesome enough his assorted advisors were riding him over going to war without a grand councilor to run things in his absence, or worse, after his death. Keiran would be damned if he was going to let them push him into making an unwise decision. Seeing the damage Peirte had caused gave him all the justification for holding off he needed. Besides, he had no intention of dying on the frontline. Knowing Thana would be awaiting his return, he had all the motivation to survive he needed.

  The supply wagons were staged outside of the castle, ready to head south. The area around the castle was littered with countless tents housing soldiers awaiting the order to move.

  Some of the scouts had returned, and they finally knew the Sadoris had concentrated their effort on the towns of Edinau and Lodain. They seemed determined to not get spread too thin this time.

  It was good news that the Sadoris were confined to a relatively small area. The towns they’d taken over were of a respectable size, but there were several miles between them. Both towns had limited routes into them. It would take days for Sadori reinforcements to arrive in Edinau from Lodain and even longer if they had to come across the river.

  There was a significant Sadori presence at the river docks in Lodain where coal was shipped from. The Sadoris had crossed the river there in their own ships, and the coal stockpiles had already been pillaged and sent upstream into the Sador Empire. A chain of supply wagons traveled from Lodain to Edinau and returned loaded with coal, showing the Sadoris already had the mines working.

  Keiran wondered if some of the miners had been captured alive and used as slaves to keep the mines operating. Generally, the Sadoris took weeks to get the mines producing once they captured them. Perhaps they had learned from their previous invasions that time was of the essence, and their tactics were different. Almost twenty years had passed for them to rethink their methods, after all.

  Never before had they invaded in winter, either. The Sadoris had classically been pushed back during the colder months in their earlier attempts as they simply weren’t adapted to the cold. Keiran found it odd and started to think the invasion was an impulse reaction to his coronation. If their invasion had been carried out without sufficient planning, it would play to his advantage.

  Kanan brought word earlier in the day that the generals thought it was time to head south and set up their forward command.

  After packing his things, Keiran went to see Thana. Though he’d been diligent about focusing on the military issue, there was no way he was leaving without saying goodbye to her.

  She’d continued on with her usual daily work since her mother’s departure. Though Keiran hadn’t been able to spend time with her, she wasn’t worried about their relationship. He was the king, and he had things he needed to get done.

  Thana knew he was going with the war party, and it worried her. Though it was obvious he could survive things that would take down anyone else, the fear he might be captured or worse was there.

  When he found her, she was sweeping out the throne room. The heavy traffic there over the preceding days had left it a mess. Now, most of the activity had moved outside in preparation for the war party leaving, giving her a chance to get the room back into shape.

  Thana saw him enter, and she leaned against the broom she held. There weren’t any others present, though the doors were wide open. It wasn’t entirely private, but at least he’d come to see her.

  “I was wondering if I’d get the chance to see you before leaving,” she said, offering him a smile.

  He reflected her expression but fought the urge to embrace her. The last thing they needed was someone walking in and seeing their interaction. Keiran studied her intently, wanting to remember her in that moment.

  “I had to see you before I left. I’m sorry I haven’t had more time to be with you since we learned of the invasion,” he said apologetically.

  She kept her smile up, although the fear of losing him in the coming battle tempered it. Her gaze drifted toward the side, and she gave a small nod. “Aye, I know you have obligations. This is a serious matter, and I don’t blame you. I wish you weren’t going, however.”

  As expected, he’d heard protests about this in number since he’d declared his intentions. His mind was set about it, however, and he knew it was the right thing to do.

  “It is my duty,” he said, feeling the worry emanating from her. “It is part of being a true leader. If it is worth sending men to fight for, it is worth sending myself to fight alongside them. I wanted to know, did Farin bring you your payment for your time here?”

  She was caught a little off guard by the change in subject but nodded and looked up at him again. There was nothing particularly memorable about Farin giving her the small bag containing her payment.

  “Aye, he brought it to me the other day. Keir, I didn’t expect to get so much. What am I going to do with that amount of gold?”

  Most of those who’d been unpaid for all their years of work had been shocked by what they received. Keiran knew no amount of money would really make up for the years of freedom those servants had lost or the pain they’d suffered by being removed from their families.

  “Well, Thana, that is for you to decide. I’m certain there are things you’ve wished to have,” he replied.

  Her cheeks took on a hint of color, and she swayed. “The thing I most desire I cannot buy nor can I convince that very thing not to go off on such a dangerous excursion.”

  Keiran frowned and sighed. He wished there was some way to make her feel better about it, but he wasn’t very well versed in such conversation. “I wish I wasn’t going, either, but…”

  She gave up another smile. “It’s all right. Any journey is potentially dangerous for you. After all, look at what happened just on a hunting trip not so long ago.”

  He looked down as she reached out and placed her hand on the center of his chest. Immediately, the memory of the arrow cropped up, making a sick feeling run through him. His left hand came up and covered hers, and he let his eyes close. There was a passing thought regarding the small piece of embroidered cloth she’d given him the arrow had ruined.

  Keiran’s eyes opened up. “You gave me that small favor before I left on the hunt, and I would very much like to give you something this time before I leave.”

  “Give me something? I don’t expect any gift, Keir.” Thana’s eyes widened, her head tipping to the side.

  She’d thought about giving him another token before he left, but the girl had a superstitious mind like her mother. She had feared it would simply curse him to a repeat of bad luck.

  “No, I want you to have this
even if you only opt to keep it while I’m gone,” he said, reaching up beneath his shirt. He lifted his mother’s pendant over his head. Keiran had worn it since Corina had returned it to him, afraid of losing it again.

  She watched as he held the necklace between them, the gold pendant glinting in the light as it twirled. Her hands came up and lightly touched it, her eyes wide. Her recent payment for her lifetime of work had been the first time she’d touched or owned gold. Never before had she imagined she would be able to hold a jewelry item made of the valuable material.

  “Oh, Keir, I can’t accept such a thing,” she whispered.

  He’d not let go of the chain and gently lifted it up and slipped it over her head, letting it fall around her delicate neck. It looked far more at home on her than it had on him. “You can and you will. It was my mother’s, and I trust it to you.”

  Thana knew she couldn’t go flaunting it, so she reached up and tucked it under the neckline of her work dress. Though it was conceivable for her to afford something like it after receiving her payment, it still seemed out of place for a servant to wear. If no one knew about it, no one would try to steal it or question her on it.

  “I’ll take care of it until you come back, but you must return to get it from me,” she said.

  Keiran smiled, pleased she’d not refused his gift. The excitement of being close to her was already stirring within him, and he glanced over his shoulder to see if anyone was near the doorway. Seeing it was clear, he leaned forward and stole a heated kiss.

  Thana purred into it, closing her eyes until he pulled away. It took everything she had to not step forward and throw her arms around him, but she, too, knew they needed to be discreet. Her heart was racing, nervous anticipation cutting through her ability to think.

  The vampire was a little love-drunk as well, and he stood there wearing a lax grin for several moments. He shook himself out of it and returned to a clearer state of mind.