Mother and Kalendria nodded, and Arden plucked out a series of hard, grim notes that resonated with sorrow and anger.
“And it’s going to be even harder to stand against Rampus now that he’s building his power this way,” Korram went on. “Depending on how long he’s planning to stay in Alasia, I might have to march my troops all the way there if I want to do battle with him. And I don’t have nearly enough soldiers to stand a chance if he’s got the whole Malornian army with him.”
Arden’s fingers began to move more deliberately over the strings, giving the impression that he and the malute were forming an idea. Isolated chords sprang from the instrument, individually at first, and then in pairs. One chord followed another, and then there was a moment of silence, and then two more, then silence again. Then Arden began changing their order, pairing different chords with each other as though trying out which two sounded best together. It made Korram think of musical characters meeting each other, pairing off, deciding who would be friends with whom. Forming alliances.
Alliances.
“Is there anyone else who could help us?” Thel wondered, staring at Arden’s fingers as though wondering how they had put the thought into her head. “Another group of people who could join our army, maybe?”
“Alasia,” Arden suggested softly, his voice nearly swallowed by his own music. Two of the wandering chords found each other and repeated one after the other as though speaking out side by side. Stra-rum. Stra-rum. Stra-rum.
“But Alasia has been defeated,” Kalendria protested, playing with the tip of her cat’s tail. “How could they possibly help us now?”
“They must hate Rampus as much as we do,” Arden pointed out. “If the civilians rise up, they could be a powerful force, even with their army gone.”
“And their army isn’t gone,” the queen reminded them all. “Not completely. What happened to the surviving soldiers? My guess is that they’ve gone into hiding somewhere, waiting for the right opportunity.” She turned to Korram. “If you could find out where they are and send a message to their leader, they might join you against Rampus.”
“The High Council might know where they are,” Korram realized. “I’m sure Rampus has got spies scattered throughout Alasia, trying to find out about the remnants of the army and anything else that will help him tighten his grip. The High Council must have heard reports. Are the High Councilors still here, or have they gone to Alasia with the regent?”
“They’re still here,” Mother assured him. “They won’t talk to us, but they’d have to talk to you. You could join their meeting tomorrow and try to find out more.”
“And then we can decide what we should do,” Korram agreed. He would have liked to get more answers tonight, but those would come soon enough. At least by the time he returned to his army, he might finally have a plan.
Chapter 20
The twenty members of Malorn’s High Council rose to their feet as Korram strode into the room. Word of his return had spread, as he had known it would, so there was no surprise on anyone’s face today. Instead there were smiles, though few looked sincere, and respectful bows.
“Welcome back, your Highness,” High Councilor Heggen, one of Rampus’s strongest supporters, spoke up for them all. “It is gratifying to see you alive.”
I doubt that. “Thank you, High Councilor,” Korram replied aloud. “It’s good to be back. Apparently I’ve missed a lot in the last few weeks.” He smiled round at them all, hoping his expression didn’t look as insincere as theirs, even though it was. “I hear that Rampus managed to conquer Alasia with very few Malornian casualties. I’m eager to hear all about what’s been happening there.”
He strode to the head of the table – the spot normally reserved for the regent – and seated himself in Rampus’s chair. His usual spot was at the regent’s right hand, but there was no empty seat there at the moment. The law wasn’t very specific about what was to happen if there was no king or regent present in a High Council meeting, and Korram intended to take advantage of that loophole.
He caught some uncertain looks from the others as he sat down, but no one commented. With a scraping of chairs, the High Councilors resumed their own seats around the table.
“So, fill me in,” Korram urged, trying to find a balance between the eagerness he hoped would convince them to tell him everything and the disapproval they would probably expect from him at such a time. “Is it true we destroyed Alasia’s whole army and killed their royal family all in one day?”
“One night, actually, Sire,” Heggen corrected with a thin smile. “And I’m afraid the rumors are somewhat exaggerated. We did manage to wipe out most of their military; but according to our sources, about 800 soldiers survived. This part isn’t common knowledge, but while we eliminated the Alasian king and queen, unfortunately their son managed to escape.”
Korram didn’t have to pretend to be shocked. “The prince wasn’t killed?” That changes things.
He had met the Alasian prince once, he recalled, at Father’s funeral. The Alasian royal family, who usually kept to themselves, had crossed the border to pay their respects. Korram didn’t remember much about that day beyond his own shock and grief, but he did recall a little brown-haired boy seven or eight years old. What was his name, again? Oh, yes: Jaymin, after his father.
And now young Jaymin’s father had been murdered, just like Korram’s. And his mother too. But the little orphan prince who was the hope of his kingdom had somehow managed to escape, and Korram was glad. Now Alasia will still have a legitimate ruler after I get rid of Rampus and pull our soldiers out.
“How could our people have let the prince escape?” he demanded, trying to sound indignant. “If the heir to their throne survives, he’s going to show up again at some point and try to claim it. Where is he?”
“We don’t know, Sire,” Heggen admitted. “For now we’re letting most people in both kingdoms think he was killed. It’s good for morale in Malorn, and it’s better for the Alasians to believe their royal family has no heir. But rest assured, our troops are actively searching for him, and it’s only a matter of time before he meets the same fate as his parents.”
I hope not. “Good. Now what about those soldiers? Surely we aren’t letting eight hundred enemy troops sit around in Almar.”
“They aren’t in the capital, Sire,” Heggen informed him, his tone of patient superiority suggesting this fact would have been obvious to someone a little more experienced. “They’ve gone into hiding too, but one of the regent’s spies recently discovered their location. They’re in the forest the Alasians call the Southern Woods, just on the other side of the border, actually.”
How convenient. If Korram did decide to try to make an alliance with their leaders, it would be easy to get to them.
“Why are they still there?” he wondered aloud. “If we know where they are, why haven’t we sent more of our troops to wipe them out?”
“The regent is planning to do that, your Highness,” High Councilor Aybien assured him. “He’s just waiting for an opportune time. The remnants of the Alasian army are injured, cold, and hungry; they have few supplies and pose little danger at the moment. Most of our troops are busy keeping the peace in Almar and other major towns, but when enough of them can be spared, Regent Rampus intends to launch a surprise attack and wipe them out. We do have about two hundred fifty troops he left in reserve here in Sazellia, but they won’t be enough on their own. In the meantime, however, the Alasian soldiers are no threat to us.”
“I should have known Rampus had a plan. Of course the regent knows what he’s doing.” It sickened Korram to say the words, but it was true. Rampus did always seem to have a plan, and he did always know what he was doing. The question was, could Korram outsmart him?
“Maybe I can help,” he suggested with what he hoped sounded like boyish enthusiasm. “You all know about my mission to recruit more soldiers from among the Mountain Folk. Well, I’ve done just that, and at first I was disappoint
ed that we weren’t in time to join in the action in Alasia, but maybe now we can. I could take my Mountain Folk army and what’s left of our regular army, and march into Alasia to destroy their last few soldiers in the woods.”
But really, I’d be going to make an alliance with them. If we join forces, maybe together we can bring Rampus down. The possibilities were intriguing, and Korram let the hopeful excitement he felt show in his face.
Heggen nodded, but his expression was noncommittal. “Perhaps, my lord. Perhaps. I’ll send a message to the regent and ask him what he’d like us to have you do.”
The condescending words made Korram want to jump up with an angry retort, but he fought back his instinctive reaction with an effort. “Thank you; I’d appreciate that. I wish I could have been part of his plans from the beginning, but better late than never, right?”
“I hate that man,” Korram growled to Ernth back in his quarters after the meeting. “High Councilor Heggen is absolutely infuriating. He’s probably in on Rampus’s plot to have me killed.”
“You don’t think they’re all in on it?” Ernth wondered, thrusting his arms into his snowcat jacket with an air of satisfaction. A servant had just come by to deliver their mountain clothes, clean and dry and neatly folded, and Korram’s friend had wasted no time in shedding his Lowlander garb.
“I don’t know. They might all be part of his plot. But I’d like to think there are a few high councilors who don’t know he’s scheming against me, who would follow me when I’m in charge just as they’re following him now. Heggen is definitely not one of them, though.”
“Well, are we going to go talk to Thel and the music player and your mother and sister again?” Ernth prompted. “Then you can tell us all what you’ve found out and we can decide what to do about it.”
But they were interrupted by a knock on the door. “Yes?” Korram called.
An attendant stuck his head in. “High Councilor Aybien wishes to speak with you, your Highness.”
What could he want? “Send him in,” Korram replied, frowning.
The door opened wider and High Councilor Aybien stepped inside. “Your Highness.” He bowed, and then gasped and took an instinctive step backward, his eyes fixing on something behind Korram. Korram turned and saw that Ernth had picked up his spear and was standing there looking grim and dangerous. Though his deerskin clothes were cleaner than Korram had ever seen them, not all the stains had washed out. His boots were still muddy, his snowcat-tooth necklace bristled fiercely, and his bushy hair and the fierce scowl on his face completed the image of a wild beast in human form. For the first time, it struck Korram just how out of place the Mountain Folk looked in the palace.
“Don’t worry, High Councilor,” he assured the man. “This is my friend, Ernth.”
“Is he – that is – he must be one of the Mountain Folk,” Aybien stammered, his back pressed against the closed door. “Is he – quite safe?”
Korram resisted the smile that was curling at his lips. “He’s completely loyal to me. He won’t hurt you unless he thinks you intend me harm.”
“Oh, I don’t, Sire,” the man hastened to assure them both. “Actually, I was hoping I might speak with you.”
“Of course.” Korram gestured to one of the armchairs beside the hearth. Aybien hesitated, glancing at Ernth.
“You can speak freely in front of him,” Korram encouraged the man. But Ernth gripped the carved shaft of his spear as though about to strike out in Offense Two and made a growling noise in his throat. Aybien, halfway to the chair, froze again.
“I AM LOYAL TO PRINCE KORRAM TOO,” he said, speaking loudly and distinctly. “I AM NOT GOING TO HURT HIM.” He held up his hands to show that they were empty, and then turned anxiously to Korram. “Do you think he understands what I’m saying?”
Korram kept a straight face with difficulty. “He gets the general idea. Come on, have a seat.”
They sat down in matching armchairs on either side of the fireplace. Ernth marched closer and took up a position behind Korram, still gripping his spear and glaring intimidatingly at the visitor.
He’s having a little too much fun with this. “Well, what can I do for you, Councilor?” Korram inquired, trying his best to sound polite. He wasn’t in the mood to make small talk and hoped the man would come quickly to the point.
The high councilor glanced at Ernth once more and cleared his throat. “Allow me first to congratulate you on your safe return, your Highness, and on the success of your mission. I must confess that we all had our doubts as to whether we could expect either.”
“I’m glad to hear you had so much faith in me. But you didn’t come here just to welcome me home.”
“No, Sire. I wished – well – to see if I could be of service.”
“In what way?”
Aybien licked his lips, but it didn’t seem to be Ernth he was nervous about now. “Well, in any way I can, my lord.”
Korram stared at him, and Aybien met his gaze steadily. Does he mean it? Is he saying he’s on my side?
“What sort of service do you think I might need that I couldn’t get through a regular High Council meeting?” he queried, testing the man.
“You would know that better than I, Sire.” Aybien hesitated. “But I feel I should warn you.” He glanced at Ernth again and then over his shoulder at the door as though to make sure no one else was listening. He lowered his voice and leaned forward. “I’m afraid that – well – Regent Rampus may not have your best interests in mind.”
I’ve known that for years. But no one on the High Council had ever hinted at such a thing. Korram was intrigued. “Why do you say that?”
Aybien shifted uncomfortably. “Please understand, Sire, that I mean no disrespect to the regent. I’ve always been loyal to him as ruler of Malorn. As you know, he has ruled our kingdom well, and I have no doubt that his actions against Alasia were a well-intentioned attempt to strengthen Malorn and improve the lives of Malornian citizens. He presented to the High Council a list of ways in which a quick, decisive strike against Alasia would benefit us all, and when it came down to a vote, most agreed with his plan.”
“But,” Korram prompted.
“But, I fear he may be growing too fond of his position, my lord. His actions are not those of a man preparing to step down in two months. While you were away, it was even more obvious that he was enjoying the power he holds, and that he hoped that the main obstacle between him and the throne was finally gone. I fear he won’t be glad to hear of your safe return, and – and I very much fear that he may soon look for a way to remove that obstacle.”
Aybien’s eyes were troubled, but once again he met Korram’s gaze steadily.
So he really is on my side. Korram could hardly believe his good fortune. A High Council member I can actually trust! Unless, of course, this was all an act. But the man certainly seemed sincere.
“I’ve suspected for a while now that Rampus is after my throne,” he admitted. It was the first time he had spoken of his suspicion to any Lowlander besides Mother, Kalendria, and Arden. “I know I need to be careful. Tell me, do you think our military would side with me against him if it came down to it?”
The man looked even more uncomfortable at this question. “It’s difficult to say, Sire. I think most would admit that as heir to the throne, they will eventually owe you their allegiance; but Rampus is the legal ruler at the moment. To oppose him when he hasn’t actually broken any laws would be treason.”
“Even if we could persuade people that he wants me dead?” challenged Korram.
“That would be difficult to prove, Sire. Many Malornians believe the regent is your strongest supporter.”
“It would be helpful if I could keep up with what’s going on in Alasia,” Korram mused. “Do you know of any sources that could bring me that kind of information?”
Aybien considered this. “The captain assigned to the Alasian palace, Almanian, used to send us regular reports, though I don’t imagine those wil
l be coming anymore now that Rampus is actually there. But the regent has a number of different spies and messengers who have brought reports to our High Council meetings. The best one is a man named Dannel; it was he who discovered the army’s new location in the woods. The regent did indicate that he would continue to send him back and forth to bring updates and any instructions.”
“And if I can convince this Dannel that I trust Rampus and am on his side, surely he’ll tell me what the regent is up to and what’s going on in Alasia,” Korram agreed. He rose to his feet and crossed to the writing desk by the window to pull out parchment and ink. “You mentioned that Rampus has a number of spies. Would you be able to give me a list of their names? Eventually I may need to seek them out for information.” And later it might be useful to have a little spy network of my own. There are bound to be Rampus supporters who won’t be happy to see me take the throne and might cause trouble if I don’t keep an eye on them.
“Certainly, Sire.” Aybien followed him to the desk, giving Ernth a wide berth. “If I may?” He reached for the pen.
Korram watched as the man dipped the pen in the bottle of ink and jotted down several names. He paused, read through his list silently, then added several more. Korram, peering over his shoulder, didn’t recognize any but Dannel’s.
“Some of these may not be helpful to you, Sire, and there are probably more, but I’m giving you all I know.” Aybien indicated the first one on the list. “Talifus was the Alasian captain of the palace guard in Almar. Rampus has been communicating with him through Dannel for months now; he’s the one who arranged to let our soldiers in on the night of the Invasion. Three of the men under him – these ones – were in on the plan too. These next four, including Dannel, are members of the Alasian army. Come to think of it, I’m not sure whether Dannel is an Alasian who decided to switch loyalties or a Malornian spy who infiltrated their military. But either way, he’s in their army now.”
Prince of Malorn (Annals of Alasia Book 3) Page 39
