Cold Iron

by Stina Leicht

  Civilization is such a fragile thing. She hadn’t understood how fragile until then.

  She spent the next few days working to pull the ragged ends of the kingdom together, talking to advisors about the status of food supplies, medicine, and war refugees. Her only army commander, a brigadier general named Näränen, gave her what information he had on the surviving remnants of the Eledorean army—primarily that they would use the winter to gather strength in Herraskariano. Admirals discussed the impending Acrasian blockade on Jalokivi and the necessary preparations. She heard Mehrinna had fallen into Acrasian hands shortly after Otter had passed through the second river lock. Indomitable had sacrificed herself to delay the city’s capture long enough for a few to flee. Dylan’s windstorm had exacted a high toll on the Acrasian navy. It’d been enough that Indomitable’s last moments had been effective, but that had been all. Arabella had wisely chosen to leave while she could.

  Slowly, Suvi got a picture of what she had to work with. She came to realize the seriousness of the situation and that there would be a famine in the spring—provided she couldn’t make arrangements with Ytlain or another nation before then. She began to doubt whether Eledore would ever be the same. And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to give up. She negotiated assistance from Ytlain, their closest neighbor across the lakes, limiting the tone of her letters to reflect the situation as only a temporary setback. While the Ytlainen weren’t willing to commit to a war with the Acrasians themselves, they would be willing to send supplies and other assistance.

  Suvi grew confident that she could find a way to make everything work.

  Her uncle, for his part, had ceased to pressure her and had apparently given up entirely on the concept of a royal partnership. She shut him out at every opportunity, blaming him for not taking care of the kingdom and her father. She knew she’d won too easily—it wasn’t like her uncle to give ground so rapidly, even if she had surprised him. Down deep, she understood that she’d only won the first battle. There was more to come, but she had more than enough to do in the meantime. Based upon the reports from the charity hospital, the new strain of variola was beyond the healers’ ability to fight. Either patients died or they didn’t contract it at all. Suvi attempted to consult Ilta, sending multiple messenger birds. However, the Silmaillia was nowhere to be found.

  “Is she gone?” Suvi asked.

  “I’ve heard rumors that she left Merta for Jalokivi some time ago,” Jami said. “But that’s all I have. There is nothing new from the front, either.”

  “Nothing I’m privy to, anyway,” Suvi said, dropping a message from the royal harbormaster on top of the stack of letters that required more attention. “Were you able to see General Näränen?”

  A sly expression oozed across Jami’s scarred face. “I don’t think he was happy about it.”

  Suvi paused. Näränen didn’t trust her, not that she could blame him. “What did you do? Exactly?”

  “I may have demonstrated that his security detail is lacking.”

  “You didn’t.”

  “I did.”

  “I need him to cooperate,” Suvi said. “Giving him a fright isn’t going to make that easier.”

  “However, a healthy sense of mortality may mean he’ll survive long enough for you to accomplish something together,” Jami whispered. “You asked for my trust. I ask for yours. Your uncle isn’t idle, you know.”

  “All right,” Suvi said. “What did he say?”

  “He accepted your invitation.”

  “Good,” Suvi said. Hold on. She looks far too self-satisfied. “You didn’t convince him that rejecting the invitation would be an unhealthy idea, did you?”

  “I was polite and friendly. I wore a dress,” Jami said. “I even smiled.”

  TWO

  Brigadier General Näränen arrived at half past eight. Suvi had him directed to the palace gardens where her father was waiting. Näränen would expect to be seen outside the palace. He was a soldier, after all. The gardens would put him at ease. Suvi’s intent was to get her father more involved. It gave him something constructive to focus upon. It also helped integrate them both into the power structure without her uncle. She decided to be late in order to ­reinforce her father’s position as the seat of power—at least, that was the impression Näränen would get. Having never met him, she had to rely on Jami’s judgment of Näränen and not her own. It wasn’t her preferred method of operation, but she had to start somewhere. With this firmly in mind, she set off for the garden at a quarter to nine. When she and Piritta approached, the king’s laughter carried into the hall on a cold breeze through the open doors. Suvi pulled her shawl tighter about her.

  Maybe the garden wasn’t the best idea, she thought. However, they ran less risk of being spied upon unobserved while meeting in the open.

  “I’m relieved to hear you agree, Your Highness,” Näränen said in his gravelly voice. The amusement in his tone was apparent.

  Her father laughed all the louder.

  Good, Suvi thought. Jami said Näränen was an excellent leader and personable, too. She entered the garden. Her father and Näränen were seated at a table set with a late evening meal for three. She’d asked Ide to prepare two bottles of her father’s favorite wine. It was for a good cause. “I’m glad to see you’ve started without me.”

  Piritta drifted to a place next to Valterri a few paces away.

  Näränen got up from his seat. “Good evening, Your Grace.” He was tall with thick graying hair tied into a neat queue, sideburns, moustache, and a strong chin. His eyes were dark and shone with friendly intelligence.

  “Good evening,” Suvi said, settling into the empty chair. “Is there enough wine?”

  “We’ve finished the first bottle, I’m afraid,” her father said.

  Suvi turned to Valterri and signaled for him to bring another. “Then we shouldn’t stop there.”

  Her father nodded. “We’ll need it to talk about the war, I’m afraid.”

  Näränen’s friendly face grew serious. “Are you certain you wish to discuss it?”

  “Of course,” her father said. “I’ve been a fool. The time for foolish­ness is long past. Tell me. Everything.”

  Suvi looked away in an attempt to hide her approval. Näränen hadn’t spoken for long when Uncle Sakari barged in with his korva tagging him.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Sakari asked.

  Biting her lip, Suvi waited for her father to speak first. She watched him turn to Sakari. A series of emotions passed over her father’s face. Most were unreadable except the last.

  “What did you say, Kar?” her father asked.

  Sakari paused. “I—I wasn’t aware that General Näränen was here. He shouldn’t have disturbed you. You’ve been unwell.”

  “Dear Uncle,” Suvi said, adding an edge of power to her words. It wasn’t enough to force action on anyone’s part, but it was enough to ensure she wouldn’t be ignored. “I don’t think that Father is as helpless as you’d like him to believe.”

  “Is that what you think?” her father asked, frowning. “That I’m weak?”

  “Not at all,” Sakari said, blinking. “Only that someone in your condition—”

  Her father sat up taller in the chair. “And what is my condition? Do you care to explain?”

  Suvi kept her face as blank as she could manage. Is he really going to do it? Is he really going to stand up to Uncle Sakari? She’d been waiting for this moment for what seemed her whole life.

  “I don’t know what young Suvi has been telling you—”

  Mistake, Suvi thought.

  “Are you implying that I can be manipulated by a nineteen-year-old girl?” her father asked.

  Go on, Uncle, Suvi thought. Embarrass him in front of a soldier.

  “I didn’t say that.” Sakari held up his hands and bent at the waist. “I apologize. I misjudged—”

  “You most certainly did,” her father said. “What makes you think you can interrupt a priv
ate consultation like this?”

  Sakari held his head down, but Suvi could see his jaw tighten. “I presumed—”

  “You presumed too much,” her father said. “Leave us at once.”

  “But you need me—”

  “Kar, I said leave!”

  Suvi started as her father smashed a fist down on the table hard enough to rattle the porcelain.

  Näränen kept his gaze firmly on the ground. However, she spotted the slow smile creeping across his face. Sakari bowed even lower, his hands forming tight fists. Suvi didn’t need Piritta to tell her what he was feeling.

  “Yes, Highness,” Sakari said. His voice sounded as if he were choking on something he didn’t like. He stepped backward ten paces and then fled.

  Suvi wanted to cheer.

  Her father turned to Näränen. “Now, then. What were you saying?”

  The rest of the audience went smoothly. Her father seemed to be in good spirits throughout. She escorted Näränen to his horse afterward and tried not to show how happy she was. She mentally planned a little victory party with Piritta and Jami as she went. Suvi had reached the front step on her way back to her rooms when she heard her uncle’s voice in the courtyard.

  “You embarrassed me in front of the king, Näränen,” Sakari said, stepping from the shadows. He appeared to make a cursory check for witnesses.

  She hid from him in the doorway.

  Sakari said, “I absolutely will not tolerate that. Not from the likes of you.” He grabbed Näränen’s horse by the ear and whispered into it.

  “General!”

  The gelding jerked his head away and reared. Unbalanced, Näränen lost his seat and slammed to the ground in a heap. He didn’t move or roll away. He merely lay there gasping for air. The horse, standing on its hind legs, then dropped both front hooves on Näränen’s chest and head. Suvi turned away and screamed before she saw the blood.

  The sound of his skull being crushed would haunt her for the rest of her life.

  NELS

  ONE

  “What in all the hells happened while we were away?” Overlieutenant Sebastian Moller asked, keeping his horse just ahead of Nels’s own. Moller, older than either Nels or Viktor, had lost his platoon and therefore had assumed the role of Nels’s bodyguard. Nels had hated the idea. So, naturally, Viktor had insisted.

  Fighting to keep from showing his growing concern, Nels didn’t reply. He couldn’t answer the question, anyway. Father must be all right. I’d have heard something if he wasn’t. What about Suvi? Why was she gone so long? News that the crown princess had returned had swept the countryside. Rumor was short on details, but she’d been attacked and the frigate Indomitable sunk.

  Is Ilta safe?

  Jalokivi was not the robust city he’d left via a parade and cheering hordes mere months before. That city had died and a specter had taken its place. Aside from the overwhelmed harbor areas, the streets were empty. It was market day and not a single merchant stall was open for business. Obviously, there’d been a series of fires and riots. He’d spotted the charred timbers from Palace Road. The reek of decay haunted the mundane city-stench of muck, smoke, and soot. With the army gone, the City Guards should’ve made up for the lack and buried the dead. Yet they hadn’t.

  This is the third time we’ve had to wait for someone to let us through, Nels thought. Where in the hells are the City Guards?

  Of course, he’d known it would be necessary to send troops to man the walls. He’d planned for that at the start, under­standing full well that Uncle Sakari in his arrogance wouldn’t have thought to keep much of a force in reserve. At least, Nels hoped so. It would make his life easier. He wasn’t about to trust anyone under his uncle’s influence with the safety of his father and sister. Not now. Not when it would be too simple to blame disease or accident. Once again, he struggled with an urge to hurry. They’d all spied the purple banners flying at Eastgate. Nels told himself that they couldn’t possibly be for anyone new. The troops were exhausted and every bit as anxious as Nels was for loved ones. What made his unease worse was that no one had come from the palace to greet them, not so far. Granted, the king never before made an appearance when Nels returned from a campaign. That wasn’t unusual.

  Where’s Suvi? Images of those purple banners fluttering in the breeze sent another surge of icy panic through his veins. He sat up straighter in the saddle and curled his left hand into a fist, clamping down on his fear lest the troops see.

  Viktor asked, “Permission to find out what is going on, sir?”

  “Let the palace know we’re here while you’re about it,” Nels said.

  “Yes, sir.” Viktor spurred his horse and was gone.

  “Overlieutenant Larsson, get the others to their barracks houses. They’ll need some rest.” Nels hoped the Narrows had escaped damage, at least. If not, it was going to be interesting finding an appropriate place to bunk. Although, he supposed enough of the city was empty that there would be few to complain wherever they decided to sleep. “Report to me once they’re settled. First watch goes to those without families. Got it? I’ll be at the palace for an hour. After that, you can reach me at my barracks house.” I should check on Mrs. Nimonen, too.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Nels urged Loimuta toward the palace, dreading what else he’d discover. Loimuta didn’t like the sick smell of Jalokivi any more than he did. The horse vented his own nervousness in small acts of rebellion. Nels patted the gelding on the neck in reassurance but remained wary of Loimuta’s tricks until he’d relaxed into an uneasy trot. Moller caught up after a couple hundred feet, and together they reached the palace gates, riding side by side. The sound of iron horseshoes on cobblestone echoed in empty streets. To Nels’s relief, both portcullises were raised at the palace gates, and the walls were being patrolled by an appropriate number of Royal Guardsmen. However, the courtyard itself was empty with the exception of the small group waiting at the palace steps. He spied Viktor whispering with Suvi’s korva, Jami. With Suvi and Piritta was old Valterri, the royal butler, and someone who Nels was certain was the royal cook. He only knew her because she used to visit with Mrs. Nimonen once a week. It took him a moment to remember her name.

  Ide. That’s it.

  No stablehand arrived to take the horses away. Nels barely had time enough to dismount before Suvi grabbed him in a fierce hug.

  “You’re alive,” she said, burying her face in his filthy uniform coat.

  He inwardly winced, thinking of what he must smell like. Returning the hug, he was glad he’d at least had time to take care of all the necessary cleansing rituals the night before. “I am. What’s happened? Has Ilta gotten here yet?”

  “She’s here.” Suvi spoke into his shoulder. “Oh, Nels … I’m so sorry. Mother is—is … gone.”

  Hearing the news from his sister hit him like a mule kick. “I know. Father wrote.”

  Hugging him tighter, Suvi said, “Good. I’m glad of that.”

  “Primarily to inform me that my accounts would be closed.”

  She released him. “You’re joking.”

  “I wish I were.”

  “I’ll take care of it.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Nels said. “It’s not as if any of us have been paid in—”

  “Come inside,” Suvi said. “We can’t talk about this here.”

  In public. How could I forget? His cheeks burned. “I must report to General Näränen. Tell Father I was here. Or not. It doesn’t matter.” He turned to Loimuta and prepared to leave. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

  “You can’t see Näränen,” Suvi said.

  “I’ve a duty to—”

  “He’s …” She lowered her gaze and whispered, “He’s … dead.”

  “Then whomever is next in the chain of command.”

  Suvi shook her head. Guilt hung over her features like a veil. “It was Uncle Sakari. I didn’t act fast enough.” She looked away. “At least he’s been banished. Father finally saw reason.�
��

  “That can’t be.” Nels put out a hand to Loimuta’s side for support. “There’s no one left?” He felt lost. I can’t be in charge of the entire Eledorean army. I’m only nineteen! I’m a captain! A captain isn’t supposed to be in charge!

  “I’m afraid it’s true. All of it,” Suvi said. “Please come inside. Please.”

  “And Father?”

  “He’s in his apartments, resting,” Suvi said. “I thought it best.”

  “He’s sick?”

  Suvi sighed. “He’s not himself. Although he’s recovering, I think.”

  Moller spoke to Overlieutenant Hollen. Then Hollen took Moller’s reins, gripped Loimuta’s halter, and led both animals away. Loimuta went peacefully enough.

  Suvi wrinkled her nose. “You stink.”

  “I came straight here. I was worried. There wasn’t time to—”

  “Never mind that,” she said, tugging him through the front door. “You’re here. That’s all that counts.” She spoke to Ide. “Can Jenna have a bath ready for my brother? Do we have someone to take care of airing rooms for his guests?”

  “Jenna will be happy to do so. I think I can get some help with the rest,” Ide said. Then she addressed him. “It’s good to have you home again, Your Grace.” Then she dashed off to take care of the details.

  “You can’t let us stay here,” Nels said.

  “I think I can,” Suvi said. “Your old rooms have already been prepared. I thought it’d be easier that way. You won’t get lost. Come on. All of you.”

  Viktor and the others followed. The clanking of military equipment and thump of boots echoed off the flagstones in the main hall. Aside from the missing servants, the dust, and other minor signs of neglect, the palace was the same it’d always been. Nels was welcomed by the familiar scents of burning beeswax and cut flowers.

  Valterri shut the doors.

  TWO

  “I think I’ve died and gone to the Lands of the Blessed,” Nels said, reveling in the warm bath for a moment longer. Once clean, the water was now filthy. He purposely didn’t look at what floated on the surface.