The Forsaken Crown (The Desolate Empire Book 0)

by Christina Ochs

  “He’s likely gone to Ebenstein.” Kendryk repeated what he and Becker had just discussed.

  “Unfortunately, that makes sense,” Julia said. “He’s likely to be successful too.”

  “What can I do?” Kendryk asked. “Even if I gain allies, I don’t want Terraganders fighting each other.”

  “None of us want that.” Julia sighed, looking more drawn and tired than Kendryk had ever seen her. “But it might be the price of your kingdom.”

  “There must be another way.”

  “Perhaps,” Julia said. “Let me walk in the garden and think on it.”

  “It’s freezing out there.” Kendryk looked out the window. The fog had lifted, but left every hedge and branch covered in heavy white frost.

  “It’ll keep my head clear. Kasler, get my cloak,” she snapped at Georg, and he hurried from the room.

  To distract himself while Julia pondered, Kendryk met with Count Wirtenberg, his finance minister, who confirmed that Kendryk’s treasury remained mostly intact.

  “The duke made himself a few large loans,” the count said, shaking his gray head disapprovingly. “I told him it wasn’t proper, but he didn’t care. But you still have most of your money. I assume we’ll be needing a great deal of it to fund a military campaign,” he said, looking glum.

  “I’m trying to avoid that,” Kendryk said, “though I’m not sure how.”

  By the time that meeting was over, Julia had returned and was warming herself by the fire in the library.

  “I have an idea,” she told Kendryk, once he’d closed the door behind him. “It might be the only way to avoid a civil war. But I doubt you’ll like it.”

  The Temple Prison, Heidenhof

  Sonya’s new prison was far more comfortable, but she missed having Irena to talk to. At least the friendly guard brought her breakfast, and stayed for a short chat, telling her that Kendryk had raised the garrison and defeated the duke outside the walls.

  That meant Kendryk was back in charge of the kingdom, and Sonya hoped that might do her good. She’d sensed he was friendly and didn’t want to see her harmed, but worried he might not be forceful enough to override Julia.

  With the crisis over, if Julia got her way, Sonya and Irena might find themselves on trial soon. But surely the fact that Sonya had spoken in public would count for something? And wouldn’t the fact she’d been portrayed as a hero in front of all those people mean she couldn’t be condemned for the same actions they’d just applauded?

  Trying to figure out what might happen next made her head hurt, so she welcomed the jangle of keys at the door.

  Much to her surprise, Kendryk walked in.

  “Your Grace.” She jumped up, glad she was at least no longer in the ridiculous dress. Her regular clothes had come with supper. “I’d heard you were at Birkenhof.”

  “I was.” Kendryk took the lone chair. The door remained open behind him, a puzzled-looking guard standing in the corridor.

  Sonya sat down on the cot. “Is everything all right, Your Grace?”

  Kendryk looked pale, and he was breathing hard. “I’ve come in a hurry, because I wanted to speak with you before Julia Maxima does.”

  “I don’t understand.” Then Sonya thought she did. “Oh. Now you’ve prevailed she’ll want to put me on trial.”

  “Oh no. Much worse than that.”

  “She can have me executed without one?” Sonya’s heart fell into the pit of her stomach. Why was she forever running afoul of women who liked to abuse their considerable power?

  “No, of course not.” Kendryk looked shocked. “I doubt Julia would want to do such a thing, but I would never allow it, even if she did.”

  “That’s a relief.” Sonya swallowed her breakfast back down. “But what can be worse than that?”

  “She wants to send you on a difficult and dangerous mission.” Kendryk’s eyes were wide.

  Sonya smiled. “I’m used to those.”

  “This one might be very difficult.”

  “More difficult than trying to help you?”

  That brought a smile. “Even worse than that. Though you would help me a great deal if you succeed, I don’t want you to give in to pressure from Julia if you don’t want to do it. I don’t see how you can survive, and I would be so upset if you died while trying to carry it out.”

  “I appreciate your concern.” Dread had been replaced by a burning impatience. “But it would help me to know what the mission is before I refuse it.”

  Kendryk took a deep breath. “I need you to assassinate Duke Desmond.”

  “Is that all?” Sonya couldn’t decide if she was worried, relieved, or both.

  “You must do it alone, and if you’re caught I’d have to deny any knowledge of it.”

  “I might be able to do it alone.” Sonya wondered if she dared ask for Irena’s help. “But the duke deserves it. Why should it be a secret?”

  “Because outside this city, he still has many supporters, people who are sure I’m treasonous and incompetent. If I have him assassinated openly, my aristocracy might rebel against me.”

  “I never realized princes had so many problems.”

  “A treacherous regent is causing most of mine.” Kendryk wore a pained expression. “I’d be very obliged if you got rid of him for me. But I don’t want you letting Julia pressure you. It’s too much to ask.”

  “With all respect, Your Grace, you’ll have to toughen up if you want to succeed at this job.” Sonya leaned forward and gazed at him intently until he looked back. Even with the awful bruise around his eye, Kendryk was still the prettiest boy she’d ever seen. But his softness was doing him no favors right now.

  She caught his eye and held it. “It’s your responsibility to lead and to rule. I’m a soldier, sent to help you. It’s my responsibility to protect you and to follow orders. If you order me to do this, I’ll try.”

  “I’m not sure if I can,” Kendryk whispered.

  “You’d better learn how.” Sonya hardened her gaze and her voice. “If you want to rule a large, wealthy kingdom like Terragand, at least. Even if you defeat the duke, you’ll likely find others who want to take it away from you. And you must send soldiers into battle, knowing many won’t come back.”

  “I can send soldiers,” Kendryk said, “people I don’t know. But I know you. I even like you a little, though I’m not sure why.”

  Sonya chuckled at that. “It’s my natural charm.”

  Kendryk smiled shakily. “At first I was frightened of you and hated you for hitting me and upsetting my mother. But your story makes sense even if Julia doesn’t believe it. You needn’t fear for your life. I’ll work something out with her.”

  “I thank you for that.” Relief flooded Sonya’s body and she sagged into the cot. “But I’d prefer to earn my freedom. How about this? If I kill the duke, you let me and my friend go.”

  “That’s the least I could do. I’m not sure Julia will agree.”

  “You have to learn to stand up to her too.”

  “I was just thinking that.” Kendryk managed a grin. “I’m sure she’ll be here soon, and displeased with me for getting to you first.”

  “Then let her be displeased,” Sonya said. “That woman is far too accustomed to having things her way.”

  Julia soon arrived. “Goodness,” she said. “It’s getting crowded in here.”

  A guard rushed in with another chair, and Julia sat down next to Kendryk. “Your Grace, please don’t tell me you were trying to talk Miss Vidmar out of my proposed mission.”

  “Not talk her out of it, exactly.” Kendryk sounded guilty. “But I wanted to be sure she understood the risks.”

  “I’ve spent enough time with the duke to know what I’m dealing with.” Sonya repressed a shudder, recalling his snake-like eyes. “I understand how difficult this will be.”

  “I can’t even imagine how it can be done,” Kendryk said. “At Ebenstein, he’ll be well-guarded. And now he knows what you look like, you won’t be a
ble to sneak up on him.”

  “I might come up with something,” Sonya said. “But it would help me a great deal to have Ensign Tchernak along.”

  “Absolutely not,” Julia said. “We’re taking a risk, sending you off on your own like this. If you were working for the duke, you’ll just go right back to him. No, we need to keep your friend hostage here.” She added this last bit more forcefully as Kendryk looked like he was about to protest.

  At first, Sonya’s heart sank at Julia’s words, but a moment later, she realized they’d given her an idea. “I’ll use that then. I’ll claim I was arrested by the Maxima while trying to carry out the duke’s mission, all of which is technically true.”

  “But you gave a speech betraying him in front of many people.” Kendryk’s eyes were wide. “Surely he will have heard of that.”

  “Will he? I suppose word about it will get out in time, but if I act fast, I might get to him before he hears anything. And even if he hears a rumor I can dismiss it as just that.”

  “But the contract.” Julia shook her head. “The contract will be everywhere by now.”

  “That blasted thing.” Sonya wished for the hundredth time she’d never signed it.

  “That you had it helped me a great deal,” Kendryk said.

  “But it’s a problem. How will I explain the thousands of copies drifting across the kingdom?”

  “I took it from you,” Julia said. “I had the copies made and disseminated. It all happened against your will of course. Don’t mention your speech. If someone claims they saw you, you can always say they were mistaken.”

  Sonya frowned. “It might work, though it seems unlikely. But perhaps I’ll come up with a better plan on the way.”

  “You’ll have time to think,” Kendryk said. “Desmond’s estate is a good fifty leagues off, so you won’t see it for a day or two.”

  Sonya couldn’t decide if she was feeling better or worse. On the one hand, she was thrilled that Kendryk trusted her at least this far, and that Julia Maxima considered her capable. On the other, she couldn’t picture walking into the duke’s home, expecting him to welcome her.

  “I’ll need supplies,” she said, “along with my horse and weapons.”

  “How would you get those from us if you escaped, as you must tell him?” Julia asked.

  “I’ll say I stole them. I’ll have time to come up with a good story on the way. He might not even want to hear it. He seems extremely uninterested in other people’s lives.”

  “That’s one way of putting it.” Kendryk grimaced. “Now, let’s go get you equipped and on your way.”

  So before Sonya could talk herself out of what must surely be an ill-judged mission, she was outfitted, reunited with Zeki, and on her way out of town. She even had a companion, though a somewhat unwanted one.

  The friendly guard—his name was Fritz Hayder—had volunteered to come along.

  At first Julia had protested, but Kendryk overrode her.

  “It makes sense she had help,” he said. “It’s unlikely she’d break out of here on her own, steal a horse, money and weapons with no one going after her. But if she persuaded a guard ...”

  “Why would one of my guards do such a thing?” Julia asked with a scowl.

  “Love,” Kendryk said, even as Fritz’s face turned crimson.

  Sonya feared she wasn’t far behind, though her complexion handled embarrassment a little better.

  “You can just pretend for the duke,” Kendryk went on with a smile. “But that’s the most plausible reason Captain Vidmar would escape, by seducing her jailer.”

  Sonya cleared her throat. “I’d never do it, of course.” Her cheeks burned.

  “And I would never be led astray like that,” Fritz added, looking stern.

  “Of course not,” Julia said. “But I like the idea.”

  “I don’t,” Sonya said, with an apologetic glance at Fritz. “This is so dangerous, I don’t want to drag anyone else into it.”

  “I don’t mind,” Fritz said. “Though you seem a fearsome fighter, Captain, even the best can use help.”

  “All right,” Sonya said helplessly. Both Kendryk and the Maxima seemed fixed on giving her an escort. She turned to Fritz. “But you must go along with my plan, whatever that turns out to be. You must follow orders.”

  “Of course. You’re a captain after all, and I’m a lowly sergeant.”

  “I promise not to be unreasonable,” Sonya said with a smile, even as Julia made some kind of dismissive noise.

  “Let’s get you on your way then,” Kendryk said. “Ebenstein is a long way from here and the sooner you can stop the duke the better. If we wait too much longer, he’ll raise the whole kingdom against me.”

  The Maxima's Temple, Heidenhof

  Kendryk gave Sonya and her companion detailed directions to Ebenstein, then took them to Birkenhof where he outfitted them from his personal armory. Now he’d authorized the mission, he needed to take full responsibility for its success.

  He asked Becker to set a guard at the palace because he wanted the captain to accompany him on his journey. There was no telling what his reception might be, and he had to prepare for anything.

  Becker spent the better part of a day picking soldiers from both the garrison and temple guard to come along. “I want only those with the coolest heads and the strongest loyalty to you,” he told Kendryk.

  “Both exist in one person?” Kendryk joked. The idea of anyone who didn’t know him being loyal still seemed strange.

  “More than one,” Becker said with a smile.

  Leaving Becker to his task, Kendryk returned to Julia’s palace. He’d decided to leave his mother behind in Heidenhof. If he would be away from home, it was better for her to remain safe with Julia for the time being.

  Georg came back to Heidenhof with Kendryk, but only to say goodbye to Julia.

  “It’s best I come with you,” he told Kendryk in that confident way he had. “You’ll need someone to manage your paperwork.”

  “I can’t think what sort of paperwork I’ll have,” Kendryk protested. He enjoyed Georg’s company, but didn’t want to lead him into danger.

  “You’ll have letters to write. And what if you enter some kind of formal agreement? You’ll need someone along who knows how to draw up the correct documents.”

  “You know how to do that?” Kendryk had never learned the first thing about anything like that, always assuming people would do it for him.

  Georg smiled. “I trained to become a lawyer. If you hadn’t sent for me I would have apprenticed myself to one in Kronfels.”

  Kendryk should have known Georg didn’t need his help. “Perhaps you should do that, anyway. So far I haven’t been a very good employer.”

  “I will not.” Georg looked indignant. “Going on an adventure with you is a lot more fun than toiling away in a dusty office.”

  Kendryk couldn’t disagree with that, then went to say goodbye to his mother.

  He sat down beside her and took her hand. “I’m going north,” he said, “since I’m sure Desmond will gain control over the south quickly.” He’d decided not to tell his mother about Sonya’s mission. It would only worry her.

  “Will there be war?” His mother’s blue eyes were full of concern.

  “Maybe. I hope not, but I need to be prepared anyway. I’ll start with the Velta valley and work my way north. I ought to be able to raise a significant army in Kaltental while Julia recruits here. With any luck, I’ll put together a force large enough that Desmond will see he can’t win. Perhaps he’ll voluntarily go into exile.”

  “He’ll never do that.” Renata shook her head. “He’s too proud. He’d rather die.”

  “Then he probably will.”

  Kendryk bade his mother goodbye, then went to see Julia.

  She had a long list of instructions for him, and the names of every person in the northern half of the kingdom who might be of use to him.

  “I’ve sent word to all the temples, or
dering them to support you as the rightful ruler of the land. Priests and priestesses won’t supply troops, but they can give sermons in your favor and encourage young people to join your cause.”

  “That’s worth a great deal,” Kendryk said. “Thank you for everything.”

  I’m only doing my duty.” Julia waved him off. “Now you’d better go. You have many people to convince.”

  At first, getting help was easy. Kendryk started with a few small estates near Heidenhof, and they were eager to lend their support.

  In one case, it was because the estate’s owner had been in town on the day of Kendryk’s speech, and had been convinced by it.

  “I always knew Desmond was no good,” old Baron Zitrigen said, scowling. “Even as a young man, he acted as if he was as important as your father. They were always together, but one was heir to the kingdom and the other was not. Can’t say I’m surprised he’s caused Your Grace so much trouble.”

  “I should have known better than to ever trust him,” Kendryk said, “but I appreciate your help all the same.”

  He took his leave after staying only a few hours, just enough time for Georg to draft a document, which the baron happily signed, pledging to raise two hundred troops for Kendryk.

  He got the same amount of help from a nearby estate, where the old baron had already paid a visit on the owner, a Countess Karbish, telling her all about Kendryk’s appearance in Heidenhof.

  A middle-aged invalid, the countess was less enthusiastic, but didn’t want to be outdone by her neighbor, so she committed five more soldiers than the baron.

  “That’s still not enough.” Kendryk shook his head as they rode away. “Desmond will convince the big southern estates to support him and they can raise a lot more troops.”

  “It’s true the holdings in the river valley are smaller,” Georg said, “but they’re richer. Every noble family along here gets a cut of the taxes on shipping, and many of them own excellent vineyards. Perhaps they can’t supply as many people, but they can give you money.”

  “That’s nice, but it’ll take too long for me to hire mercenaries with that money. Even if I can get them from Sanova or Zeelund, it’ll take weeks for them to get here. By then it might all be over.”