Battle for Elt: The Taking of the Wizard Bearer

by A. C. Hutchinson

  Christian reached the gateway and took in his surroundings. The air was thick with smoke. But through the dark clouds masking the battle, he saw who he had been looking for. Stetland. Christian ran through the courtyard, dodging Savages and soldiers, axes and swords, keeping low in order to keep his head. He coughed as smoke choked his lungs. But he kept moving, forcing himself onwards. His sword was feeling heavy in his hand; he let the blade end trail in the snow behind him. When he reached Stetland, he stopped. It was horror that stilled his legs. Stetland was clashing swords with a Savage, he saw, but it wasn't just any Savage. Christian recognised the stumpy, bearded Man of the North. The man had haunted his dreams for the past year. The red jewel about the Savage's neck caught firelight from a nearby flaming building and gleamed. The empty left-eye socket saw nothing, just like it hadn't on the day its owner rode off with his mother slung over the back of a horse. He can tell me where my mother is. This Savage can help me find her.

  Christian stepped forward. He wanted to make Stetland aware of how important the Savage was, but realised there was no time. Stetland had raised his blade. He's going to kill the Savage, Christian thought. He's going to slay the only person who can help me find my mother. If he dies, she's lost forever. Christian lifted his sword and drove it into Stetland's stomach. It was as his vision had foretold: the stone wall backdrop, the fire glinting off the sword, the blade in Stetland's stomach.

  Christian pulled his sword free. Stetland fell to his knees, holding his stomach. Blood seeped through his fingers in rivulets. Then he collapsed face first onto the snow.

  “Stetland!” Christian shouted. He knelt by Stetland's side. “Help! Someone help, please!”

  Christian felt a hand on his shoulder. A kindly face looked down on him. “Move back, boy.”

  Christian sat in the snow, feeling the cold seep into the seat of his trousers. They'll hang me for this, he thought. The world became distant, out of reach, like he was falling. It wasn't long before darkness took him. The darkness soon gave way to dreams. Lucid dreams of monks, the living dead, wizards, witches and Savages. A cacophony of voices filled his head, all saying different things. Then one voice cut through the rest.

  “Christian?” the voice said. “Christian, come to me.”

  Is it you, Mother? Christian saw Natalia Santiago's warm face beaming back at him. He ran to her, burying his face in her bosom. She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed.

  “Mother,” Christian said, “I've missed you so much.”

  “But I'm not your mother, Christian. Come to me, though.”

  He felt like he was rising fast through water, reaching for the surface.

  “Christian?” came the voice that wasn't his mother’s.

  Christian opened his mouth and sucked in air. He felt like he'd been holding his breath for such a long time. He opened his eyes, blinking against the light. A female face bent over him. It's not my mother, he thought with disappointment. This face is younger, and not as beautiful.

  “Christian, you had us worried there.” He was lying in a bed, he realised. The room was warm. Somewhere a fire crackled. “I'm Princess Everlyn. You fainted.”

  He tried to sit up, but found he lacked the strength and flopped back onto the soft mattress. This is a royal bed, he thought. He was used to straw-filled mattresses, if he ever had a bed at all. This mattress is filled with the softest feathers. “Stetland,” Christian blurted out. “Stetland!”

  “Lie still,” Everlyn said. “You need to conserve your energy. Stetland is fine.”

  “But I . . .” Stabbed him. I stabbed him!

  “You did what you needed to do. How did you know, though? You were mumbling that the Savage was important. And you were right. To the Savages he's a king. We have him locked in the cells below the tower. We're hoping he'll be very useful to us. So how did you know who he was, Christian?”

  “He took my mother. You must ask him where she is.” He tried to sit up again, this time he felt a bit stronger and managed to raise himself to his elbows, but the princess placed her hand on his chest and pushed him back down. He rested his head on the pillow and had to admit it felt better to lie flat. “You must ask him about her,” he mumbled.

  “We will, Christian, in time.”

  “Can I see Stetland? To apologise.”

  “He is resting too. The physician has sewn up the hole in his stomach. He lost a lot of blood, but he's getting better by the hour. He's strong. And the chain mail vest he was wearing prevented the blade from going in too deep.”

  “How long have I been out?”

  “Three hours, maybe four.”

  “Is Kingstown safe? Did we win?”

  “Yes. My grandfather and ten thousand of his men arrived as dawn broke. The battle was almost won, to be fair. Lord Merek and his army saved us. And you too, Christian. Gladden said you were very brave.”

  “Is Gladden all right? And Marcus?”

  “They're all fine and waiting to see you. Now lie still, young Christian, and rest.”

  He did just that, but there was so much to think about. But Stetland is alive. And so too is the Savage who took my mother. I'm coming for you, Natalia Santiago.

  CHAPTER 39

  Amy Hasbrook was sitting at the table in the castle's solar. The council was to meet. She felt out of place sitting there. I should be bringing plates of food and goblets of wine, she thought. The chair under her was comfortable and grander than she was used to, but instead of enjoying its luxury she only perched her bottom on its edge.

  “How's your family?” Everlyn said. They were alone in the room; the rest of the council were yet to arrive.

  “Fine, thank you. The fighting reached the streets, but our house escaped. I'm so sorry for you loss, Ma'am.”

  The princess looked away. She had been crying, Amy realised, for her eyes were as red as the dawn sky.

  “There are many who have lost family and friends on this morn. It's a sad day for Kingstown and all of Elt.”

  “That is true, Ma'am.” There was a brief uncomfortable silence. “Why . . . why did you send for me?”

  “I wish to thank you. You saved me, Amy. Without you I would most likely have hesitated outside my father's chambers and succumbed to the same horrible death as most of the women in the castle last night.” Like Alice, Amy thought. And many of my colleagues. All dead. “Gaillart didn't make it. He killed several Savages before he was slain, giving us enough time to escape. He is a hero, just like you.”

  “I am no hero, Ma'am.”

  “You are so. And you have a good head. Herman Lewis, the castle's chamberlain, was slain too. One of many caught up in the bloodbath in the Great Hall. It will take me a long time to have want to return to that room.”

  “Me too, Ma'am. I should be returning to work now, though.”

  “That's another reason I asked you here. I'd like to offer you something, Amy. A position usually occupied by a male, but when I am crowned later today I will be able to bend the rules somewhat. I'd like you to take Herman Lewis's place and become the castle's chamberlain.”

  Amy opened her mouth to reply, but no words came forth. The princess must have this wrong. She must think me more qualified than I am.

  “Ma'am, that position is normally held by a high-born—”

  “When I am queen I'll do as I wish, Amy. There is not a single person I can think of who I would trust more than you to take this position in the royal household. You know the castle inside out. You'd be perfect.” Everlyn reached out and took Amy's hand. “Please say yes.”

  “Well . . .” At first, Amy could not think of a single reason to say no. Then guilt washed over her. I was about to sleep with your father, Everlyn, for money. I'm no more than a commonly whore. If it were not for my actions then your mother may still be alive and your father too, eyeing my cleavage every time I bend to pick up dirty plates. She knew she wasn't ready to admit these things. But eventually I will have to. This secret will burn inside of me until it forces
me to confess. A voice in her head, maybe her mother's, argued that the only two people who knew her secret were King Bahlinger and Queen Rose, both of whom were dead. And King Bahlinger was an animal. Look at what he did to Lady Elysande. Amy pictured her brothers and sisters: James, Millicent, Rowan, Thomas and Sheena. I wanted a better life for them. Everlyn is offering that to me.

  “Yes,” Amy said. “It would be an honour to serve you, Ma'am.”

  Everlyn smiled. “Thank you, Amy. You will bring order to this house, I know you will.”

  Amy made to stand to return to the kitchen to assist with the cleaning. The floor was still awash with blood, she'd heard.

  “Please, stay,” Everlyn said. “As the chamberlain you have a place on this council.”

  Amy felt a panic rising inside herself. The council will hate me. Somehow they'll know what I did and they'll all hate me. “If you're sure, Ma'am.”

  “I am. I want to introduce you.”

  Soon after Everlyn finished talking, Lambert Germain walked into the room.

  “Your Royal Highness,” he said, bowing his head. “I am so very sorry for your loss.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry about, Lambert. Please, take a seat.”

  Amy was introduced as the new chamberlain, and to her surprise the old steward seemed very pleased with the appointment. Everlyn suggested that the vacant Grand Master position be offered to Stetland Rouger. The king's half-brother, Amy thought. Another secret only I know. They all agreed he would make a fine replacement for the sadly deceased Gaillart Gregory, who would be honoured in the new-queen's speech following her coronation. Lambert announced that the estimated death toll from the battle stood at nine thousand. Most townsfolk were calling the siege the Battle for Elt. The hole in the city wall was discussed and its rebuild was to be a priority. It was agreed that men would be drafted in from menial jobs such as lighting and street cleaning to help with the rebuild. Everlyn announced that she had asked her grandfather Lord Holster to stay in Kingstown to assist her in the days ahead. “I have little experience of ruling a kingdom,” she said. “My grandfather's wisdom will be most welcome.” Holster had also agreed to leave his army in the city. “His men will protect Kingstown until our army has recovered its numbers.” Bolstering Kingstown's guard would be achieved by bringing men back from tax collecting duties in the south and lowering the age of conscription to fifteen.

  Later, King Merek joined the council to offer a new partnership between High Hunsley and Kingstown. Everlyn graciously accepted and agreed to put their differences aside.

  The young wizard Gladden and a soldier called Marcus Delorous were then invited to the council to give their account of Cassandra Delamare's rescue. Amy heard how Sir John Bretel, the head of the king's guard, had assisted in the taking of the wizard bearer, and how the knight had also killed Cassandra's lover, a soldier called Tristan Adley. Everlyn said she knew nothing of Cassandra's lover and questioned why Sir John would want to kill him. Gladden and Marcus said that Sir John did not explain himself, but Amy thought they knew more than they were letting on.

  The wizard and the soldier also explained how the wizard Eaglen had switched his allegiance to Volk and how the great wizard Fabian had defeated him on the Great Road.

  It was agreed that Marcus Delorous and Stetland Rouger would be knighted for their part in the rescue. Gladden, being a wizard, could not receive such an honour, but his part in her rescue would be written in history as an act of bravery. It was also agreed that a statue of the great wizard Fabian would be built at Kingstown's main gate to greet those entering the city and as a reminder of the great act he performed to save its townsfolk.

  Later, Amy was excused so she could spend the rest of the day with her family. She was excited about telling her mother and father about her new job as the castle's chamberlain. In the street, bodies were being piled into wains. Amy walked hurriedly past, feeling dead eyes staring at her. But when she heard a moan, she stopped sharp. A man with a familiar face reached out to her from the bottom of a mass of bodies. He's been mistaken for the dead, she realised, and piled on the wain with the rest of the deceased.

  “Please,” the man said in a whisper of a voice.

  He was an ugly man, even more so with blood and dirt on his face, but she recognised him. “Farrel Faulkner,” Amy said flatly.

  “Help me,” Farrel mumbled.

  For a moment, Amy thought about helping him. But then she remembered the stress he'd put her under. The constant harassment. The threats he'd made to her sisters. As the wain moved, pulled by a shabby-looking horse, she stepped away. There was a fire burning deep in the city. Smoke rising over the rooftops marked its place. That's where they’ll take the wain, she realised. Its ghastly cargo, which included Farrel, would be emptied into the fire. It was a long journey across the city, though. There was time enough for the despicable man to be crushed below the mountain of dead bodies. But she hoped he would survive the journey, for she wanted him to suffer the torment and pain of being burned alive. A horrible death like that is nothing less than he deserves, she thought.

  CHAPTER 40

  Cassandra was lying on the bed watching the first rays of light touch the sky. It was a beautiful dawn, reds and pinks merging to form a rug of colour. Or a reflection of the blood spilled in last night’s battle. She hadn't slept a wink, not that she had expected to. As the battle was taking place in Kingstown, she'd come to lie down in the room offered to her by Queen Natasha so that she could wrap herself in a blanket and keep warm. Her mind had been with her brother and her mother and father and her poor great-uncle, whose body had been taken somewhere below the castle awaiting its return to Kingstown. Quiggly was down there too. She had heard the creature during the night, crying like a babe.

  Are any of my family still alive?

  Lost in thought, she didn't notice Queen Natasha standing in the doorway.

  “I thought you'd be asleep,” the queen said. “I didn't want to wake you. We received a bird, just now.” Cassandra swung her legs out of bed and stared expectantly at the queen. “It's good news. Kingstown is saved and your family is fine.”

  Cassandra exhaled the breath she'd been holding. “And what about the others? Christian, Marcus, Stetland?”

  “Stetland suffered an injury, but he'll live. Christian and Marcus are alive and well.”

  “And King Merek?”

  “Also fine. We've been very lucky. But there were casualties. King Bahlinger and Queen Rose are both dead.”

  Good, she thought. But their deaths could not bring Tristan back, she knew.

  “Your betrothed, Cuthbert, is missing,” Natasha continued. “Presumed dead.”

  Cassandra looked away, worried the queen would see the delight in her eyes. She cursed herself for being so heartless. I don't have to marry him, she thought. My life is changed.

  Behind Queen Natasha, Hugo and Poppy Peas poked their heads around the doorway.

  “Do we have news?” Hugo said.

  The queen relayed the message to the two small tree folk.

  “Where are Amber and Melissa?” the queen enquired.

  Natasha had given the two whores a room for the night, although her warmth towards the two girls was somewhat questionable, Cassandra had noticed. The queen had also made sure the whores stayed well away from her young daughter.

  “They left early,” Cassandra said. “The blonde one said something about visiting an old woman. I don't know why.”

  “Was the old woman's name Mama Maud, perchance?” the queen said.

  Cassandra shrugged. “She didn't say any more than that. I'm sure she's with child, you know.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “The way she kept touching her stomach.”

  “These whores get pregnant all the time. Maybe she wants rid and that's where she's gone.” Natasha walked to the bed and sat next to Cassandra. “We will arrange for you to be taken to Kingstown later today, under heavy guard. I'd also be glad if my d
aughter can ride with you.”

  “Lictina?”

  “Yes. It is our intention to hide her on the coast. She'll be safer there than here. I'm concerned Volk will punish High Hunsley for what happened last night.”

  “You should come too?”

  “No. My husband will return today and I intend to stay here with him. I will send a maid and my best royal guards with Lictina.”

  “I will look after her on the journey, Ma'am, don't worry.”

  “Thank you.”

  In the doorway, Hugo coughed to get the queen's attention. “We would like to stay here, in High Hunsley,” the small man said. He was fiddling with his hands nervously. “We will find somewhere else to stay, of course. We're hoping there were survivors in Weedley. If there were then it's our guess they will end up here, looking for refuge.”

  “You can stay here in the castle,” Queen Natasha said without a thought, “for as long as you wish. Stetland always speaks very highly of you both.”

  “That's very kind of you,” Poppy said. Her face was flushed with embarrassment.

  “We'll work for our keep,” Hugo said. “Poppy is . . . erm . . . a super cook and I'm very handy. I can mend just about anything.”

  “Well, that's very good of you, Hugo. We'll see what jobs we have. And I'm sure the kitchen would love an extra pair of hands, Poppy.” Natasha stood. “Right, I'll send a maid to bathe you and dress you, Cassandra, so you're ready for the journey. Days are short as this time of year.”

  Cassandra was looking forward to a warm bath and change of clothes. She was also looking forward to seeing Kingstown again. I never thought I'd look forward to returning to the place I often despised. Although it had been only two days since she saw it last, it seemed like a lifetime. So much has happened, she thought.