by John Marco
“Where’s your brother?” he asked Breena in a whisper. They were at the head of the table, sitting beside Redburn’s vacant chair. The din of the hall made Biagio’s voice barely audible.
“I don’t know,” replied Breena. “Just stop worrying. He’ll be here.”
The answer did nothing to relax Biagio. Lately, a wall had risen up between him and the woman, and it agitated him. So did the stares of the Highlanders. The clan leaders and their kith looked at Biagio over their goblets, wondering why a Naren was seated at the head of the table. Biagio avoided their curious glares, dropping his gaze to his own wine glass. His ruby reflection revealed a worried visage. He took a sip of the liquor to calm himself, then noticed Olly Glynn grinning at him from across the room.
Besides Glynn, Cray Kellen had come as well, as had Vandra Grayfin, the only woman of the four Highland rulers. Biagio had witnessed Kellen’s arrival from his window. In the Eastern Highlands, Cray Kellen was called the Lion of Granshirl, and his sizable territory was far removed from Redburn’s own. Sensing the importance of the meeting, he and his gold-braided bodyguards had come a long way for the council. Biagio was pleased to see him. But he was more intrigued by Vandra Grayfin. Tall and fine-boned, Grayfin was impressive, more like a queen than a clan head, with snow-white hair and impeccable manners. Her clothes were expertly tailored and when she spoke her voice was musical. According to Breena, the matron of Clan Grayfin had ruled her tiny coastal territory since the death of her husband. No one dared to challenge her, for she was fierce despite her demeanor and respected throughout the Highlands. Biagio liked Vandra Grayfin immediately. When she had arrived at Elkhorn Castle, she sat proudly on a horse, not a latapi, and waited patiently under her standard for Redburn’s servants to greet her.
Olly Glynn, on the other hand, was her opposite. Glynn didn’t let the hall’s solemn mood spoil his thirst. He quickly downed beer after beer, leering at the serving girls and winking drunkenly at Biagio.
He knows who I am, Biagio surmised.
But no, that was impossible. To Olly Glynn and the other Highlanders, he was simply Corigido, a Naren noble from the Black City. Biagio recalled his brief conversation with Glynn at Breena’s birthday, then laughed and shook his head, realizing that Glynn must be pleased. The slaughter of the elk had given him the excuse he needed.
Good enough. He’ll be willing to fight.
As for the others, convincing them would be more difficult. Cray Kellen had a large territory to protect, but he was a very private man and prone to isolationism. And Grayfin was known as a woman of peace. Biagio and Redburn had discussed it already. Now they needed to make a credible argument. And they didn’t have much time—the first day of summer was three days away.
“Vandra Grayfin looks like a reasonable woman,” Biagio remarked. “I think we’ll be able to convince her.”
Breena merely nodded.
“I’m not sure about Kellen, though,” Biagio went on. “I’ve been watching him. He carries himself stubbornly. And he has suspicious eyes.”
“My, you’re like a wizard, aren’t you?” quipped Breena. “You can tell all that after just a few minutes?”
“No, after years of practice. I’ve made a life out of reading people. I am an excellent judge of character.”
“Indeed. What am I thinking, then?”
“That’s too easy. You’re thinking that this meeting is folly. And your face is letting everyone in the hall know it. I suggest you sit up straight and stop pouting—unless you want your brother to fail, of course.”
“You’re very cross today,” said Breena, picking up her wine goblet and sampling it absently.
“You don’t have to believe in me, woman. But you should at least support your brother. Frankly, I expected more of you.”
“Redburn!” cried Olly Glynn suddenly. The leader of the bear clan stood with a huge smile. One by one the others seated around the table arose, smiling deferentially as the young prince entered the hall. Biagio and Breena both got to their feet. Redburn said nothing. His face was taut, his expression brittle. But when he passed the chair of Vandra Grayfin he paused, giving the woman a welcoming kiss before proceeding to his chair. Cray Kellen nodded in approval, then began to clap. His entire retinue joined in, surprising Biagio with their solidarity. Redburn was beloved by the other Highland rulers.
When Redburn reached his vacant chair, Breena’s smile lit up the room. She kissed and hugged her brother, whispered something in his ear that Biagio couldn’t hear, then joined in the chorus of applause and cheers. Redburn’s expression remained grim, as it had been since he’d discovered the murdered elk. He stood tall at the head of the table and raised his hands to quiet the crowd.
“Be seated, please,” he told his followers. He seemed embarrassed by their praise, even surprised. “Please …”
Cray Kellen ordered his people to sit, then sat down and adjusted his golden cape around his shoulders. A hush swept over the hall. Olly Glynn was the last to be seated. He leaned forward in his chair, anticipating Redburn’s words. Redburn himself remained standing.
“You honor me by coming,” he told them. “You are all friends of Clan Redburn, and I thank you.”
“You call, we come,” said Olly Glynn. “Clan Glynn is here to serve you, my Prince.”
Redburn nodded. “Your grace is a fine gift, Olly Glynn. And your allegiance to my family has always been unquestionable. But I warn you—I’m going to put your faith to the test today. This is no birthday celebration.”
“We know why we’re here,” Glynn assured him. He looked around at the other clan heads. “Talistan.”
Vandra Grayfin’s expression grew dark. Cray Kellen sat as stiff as stone. Biagio watched them both with interest.
“Then you understand,” Redburn continued. “You all know about the atrocity in the latapi valley. And you all know who’s to blame.”
“Bloody Gayle,” spat Olly Glynn. “Who else?”
“That’s right,” said Redburn. “Talistan has been a wolf at our door for decades. While Arkus was alive, they respected our borders. We even traded with them. But those days have been gone for a long time.”
“A long time,” Glynn echoed, nodding.
Cray Kellen rolled his eyes. “Glynn, stop being a lap dog and let the prince speak, will you?”
Everyone laughed, even Olly Glynn.
“Just so you hear him, Kellen,” said Glynn.
“I am listening to every word. Go on, Prince Redburn, please.”
Redburn smiled at his ally. “Olly Glynn is a good friend. I welcome his council. And today, at last, I see how correct he’s been. Talistan has been harassing the Highlands, trying to push us into war. And now they’ve slaughtered our sacred elk. They want war. So I am going to give it to them.”
Olly Glynn slammed a fist down on the table. “About time!”
“And I want you all to join me,” added Redburn. “Now, I’ve always known Clan Glynn would join my family in battle against Talistan. And I know you others are loyal. But now I need to know how deep that loyalty goes.” He looked at Vandra Grayfin and Cray Kellen in turn. “My friends, I need you both today, body and soul.”
Kellen and Grayfin glanced at each other. There was uncertainty in both their expressions. Kellen bit his lip. “My Prince,” he said, “I confess that I’m against this. So many times I have had this argument with Glynn, but what has changed? The latapi are dead, yes, but war with Talistan will not raise their bones. And we are still the Eastern Highlands, and Talistan is still Talistan. They are stronger than us by far.”
“No,” said Redburn. “They were stronger, but no longer.” His eyes flicked toward Biagio. “Things have changed, Kellen.”
“Oh?” Cray Kellen sat back, intrigued. “How so?” His gaze fell on Biagio. “Lord Corigido, isn’t it? Are we to get help from the Black City at last?”
“Yes, Corigido, tell us,” Glynn piped in. “Have you thought on what we spoke about?”
&n
bsp; “Corigido?” Vandra Grayfin frowned. “Redburn, who is this Naren?”
“And why is he here?” added Kellen.
“He’s a lord from the Black City,” said Glynn quickly. “Maybe he’s going to help us, eh, Corigido?”
Biagio was unsure what to say. Redburn hurried to the rescue.
“Friends,” said the prince, “I have a tale to tell you, and I’m not sure where to start, or even if you’ll believe me. But all is not what you think. We’re not alone in our fight against Talistan.”
“Aha!” cried Glynn. “You did it, eh, Corigido?”
“This is not Lord Corigido,” said Redburn. “Friends, take a hard look at this man. He’s a Naren, all right. But he’s no minor noble.”
Vandra Grayfin squinted at Biagio. “I do not know him, Redburn,” she concluded. “Corigido, or whatever your name is—tell us who you are.”
Before Biagio could answer, Redburn declared, “He is our Lord Emperor. He is Biagio.”
The room erupted in clamor. Glynn and Cray Kellen got to their feet, their eyes darting around the room. Their bodyguards swarmed in around them and everyone seemed panicked, unsure what to say or do. Redburn raised his hands to quiet them. But it was Breena who got their attention. She jumped up, banging her goblet on the table.
“Quiet now,” she barked. “My brother isn’t lying to you. This is Emperor Biagio.”
“My God, it can’t be,” gasped Glynn. “I spoke to him myself!”
Biagio rose. “It is I,” he pronounced. “I am Biagio, Lord Emperor of Nar.”
The authority of his tone stilled the crowd. They gaped at him, dumbfounded. Cray Kellen was the only one who moved, shaking his head in shock.
“Redburn speaks the truth,” Biagio continued. “So don’t stand around like a bunch of mutes. We have important business.”
“Yes, please,” Redburn implored. “Everyone, sit down. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“But the emperor!” sputtered Kellen. “What …?”
“Sit down, Cray Kellen,” Biagio commanded. “Now.”
Cray Kellen’s backside hit the chair instantly. The others dropped to their seats in quick succession.
“All of you, listen to me,” said Biagio impatiently. “What I have to tell you is vital. And I don’t have time for long explanations. You’ll just have to trust Prince Redburn for that. The survival of the Highlands is at stake.”
“It’s true,” said Redburn. “Emperor Biagio has given me remarkable news. And he’s right about our survival. I’ve been turning a blind eye to it, hoping it would go away. Well, it won’t. Tassis Gayle has proven that now.”
The clan leaders and their people all nodded in agreement. Even Kellen. The Lion of Granshirl rested his elbows on the table and put his hands together. “So?” asked Kellen pointedly. “If there is to be war between us, what will the Black City do? Are you here to broker a peace, Lord Emperor?”
“No,” said Olly Glynn. “He’s here to offer Naren troops. Will you pledge your legions to us, my lord?”
“Neither,” replied Biagio. “I’m not here to offer the Highlands help. I’m here because I need help from you. Talistan is not just a threat to your country, but to the entire Empire. I’m the one who asked Redburn to battle Talistan.”
“What?” blurted Kellen. “You haven’t come with any troops?”
“The emperor has no troops,” said Breena quickly. “He’s alone. That’s why he needs our help.”
The news silenced the crowd. Olly Glynn went blank, staring at Redburn for answers, while Cray Kellen fell back in his chair.
“I don’t understand,” said Vandra Grayfin. “How could you need our help? You are …” She shrugged. “Well, the emperor.”
“My lady, you do not know Nar as well as you should,” said Biagio. “And I think perhaps that’s my fault. We have shunned each other for too long, and now I need to explain myself. Things in the Black City are not as you imagine, and I am not as powerful as I should be. I am no Arkus, sadly.”
“Biagio is under siege,” Redburn explained. “He has enemies in the capital. The legions won’t follow him, and there are kings in the Empire who want him dead.”
“Kings like Tassis Gayle?” guessed Grayfin.
“Precisely,” said Redburn. “Gayle’s whole reason for harassing us into a war is so that he can reach the Black City from our territory. He wants to conquer the Eastern Highlands, and then make war on Biagio.”
“He doesn’t know I’m here,” said Biagio. “If he did, he would already have ordered his horsemen into the Highlands. So he’s been taunting you, trying to get you to make the first move. It’s his wisest choice, politically.”
“The devil,” spat Olly Glynn. “So we’ll look like the villains.”
“Just so,” agreed Biagio. “After that, he wouldn’t need an excuse for taking over the Highlands, and no other countries would stop him, or even complain.”
“And once he had the Highlands,” said Redburn, “he could strike against the Black City.”
Biagio nodded gravely. “So you see? That’s what I’m here to prevent. That’s why I need your help so desperately.”
“I do not believe you,” said Cray Kellen. “We all know you, Biagio. You’re a trickster. You’re more of a devil than Tassis Gayle. Why should we believe a word you say?”
Prince Redburn started to speak, but Biagio said quickly, “What choice do you have, Cray Kellen? Would you rather have Talistan rape your daughters as they gallop through on their way to Nar City? Because that’s what they’re going to do. Now that Gayle has slaughtered your precious elk, he’s not going to wait forever. If you won’t come to him, then he’ll simply forgo politics and order the invasion.”
The ruler of Granshirl shrank back, astounded by Biagio’s venom. “Then we are trapped,” he growled. “We can’t defeat Talistan; their army is too strong. All of us together have maybe five hundred men. If we bring our youngest sons, maybe another hundred more—hardly enough to defeat Gayle. And even if we attack, he will be expecting us.”
“You’re right,” said Redburn. “He will be expecting us. That’s why we won’t be fighting alone.”
Then, very carefully, he proceeded to explain Biagio’s strategy. When he was done, Cray Kellen shook his head.
“Inconceivable,” said the Lion. “To think that Richius Vantran would agree to help you, Biagio. You have his word on this?”
“No,” admitted Biagio. “I have not.”
“But you have spoken to him, yes?”
“No.”
“No?” Kellen leaned forward. “Then how in heaven do you know he’ll help us? I’m not going to order an attack on Talistan unless I have proof of this plan, Lord Emperor!”
“Be easy, Kellen,” pleaded Redburn. “I also have my doubts. But Biagio is convinced Vantran will join us.”
“And there’s more,” said Biagio quickly. “A dreadnought of the Black Fleet. It will be off the coast of Talistan on the appointed morning. It has orders to open fire, to distract Tassis Gayle and his troops. We won’t be alone, Cray Kellen, I promise you.”
Kellen considered this, rubbing his chin. “The Black Fleet, hmm? How many ships?”
Biagio hesitated. “Just the one.”
“One ship? That’s all? It won’t be enough!”
“It will!” growled Biagio. A flash of old madness flooded him, making him slam down a fist. “With the Dread Sovereign and the Triin army, Talistan will be trapped. They’ll be closed in east and west, if you’re not too cowardly to join the battle!”
Kellen jumped to his feet. “I’m no coward. And I’m not a madman, either. This plan of yours is ludicrous. Redburn, if you listen to this lunatic, you are as insane as he is!”
“You still haven’t answered me, Kellen,” said Biagio. “Do you have a choice? You don’t have to trust me. I don’t really care if you do or not. I’ve given up trying to win the trust of strangers. But if you don’t attack Talistan, if you don�
��t take this one chance to beat back Tassis Gayle, then you’ll lose this country, because you’re all going to be dead!”
His speech finished, Biagio sank down into his chair. Silence filled the hall. Biagio felt Breena watching him. He glanced at her, saw pain in her face, then glanced away, uncaring.
“Well, that’s true,” said Redburn. “The emperor makes his point harshly, but he’s right. I don’t want war, Kellen. But I saw what was done to the latapi, and I know Tassis Gayle isn’t going to stop. And no amount of wishing can make it so.”
But the Lion of Granshirl remained unconvinced. “This is a damnable puzzle. If the emperor is wrong, then we will be alone against Talistan. Without help, we’ll be slaughtered.”
“We’ll be slaughtered anyway,” said Breena suddenly. To Biagio’s surprise, she began defending him. “The emperor is right. We can’t hide. So we can do nothing and be killed, or we can fight.”
“Vandra Grayfin?” said Redburn. “What say you? We’ve heard from Kellen, and we already know Olly Glynn’s mind. But I welcome your wisdom, old friend.”
The head of Clan Grayfin pushed back her chair and stood. She spread her hands to the gathering, saying, “I have always dreaded this day. I had even hoped to be dead before it came. For years, Talistan has looked on us as savages. They call us wildmen, and they call our children tramps.” Her gaze drifted toward Biagio. “Even in Nar City we are called barbarians. Isn’t that so, Lord Emperor?”
Biagio stiffened. “Yes,” he admitted. “I’m ashamed to say it, but it’s true. But I’ve learned about you, Lady Vandra. My time here has taught me much.”
“That pleases me,” said Grayfin. “But it’s too late for us to ignore the truth of things. Tassis Gayle has done the unspeakable. He has slaughtered our latapi, the gentlest, noblest of beasts. I cannot see how any of us can turn away from such a crime. I’m sorry, Cray Kellen, but I’m with Redburn.” She smiled grimly at the young prince. “I vote for battle.”
