Rise and Fall (Book 1)

by Joshua P. Simon

  Gauge erupted, face reddening, “You forget yourself.”

  “You forget as well. As I said earlier, Elyse and I have a history.” He turned to Elyse. “I apologize, Your Majesty. But please, think on what I’ve said.”

  Elyse wanted to respond with some intimidating bark, authoritative and strong, as any ruler would. But she kept quiet, not even speaking as Bronn left without her approval, moving back to his seat, flashing his smile to the ladies he passed. It made her sick to hear him talk as he had, but she knew he was right, and it scared her.

  Each of the dukes gave little reason for Elyse to feel confident as queen, and they were the ones who showed. Duke Conroy had sent word that he could not attend due to his obligations at the High Pass, the passage separating Cadonia’s southern border from Thurum.

  I had thought his reason admirable but now, I wonder if he is the most dangerous of them all. And if the people truly feel that way about me, what support could I hope to secure from their lords?

  Elyse found herself clutching the necklace around her neck, caressing the green stone between her fingers. “Your Majesty.” She jumped, startled. “Your Majesty, are you ok?” said Gauge.

  “Yes,” she said, lowering her hand. “I was only thinking about what Olasi first said regarding the threat of war.”

  “Such rumors are disheartening.” He shook his head. “If only you had access to the power Nareash wielded against the other High Mages. No one would dare threaten your rule.”

  Elyse paled, her eyes glazing over as she thought about that power, and the devastation such power caused.

  Gauge touched her arm and she turned to see a look of concern on his face. “Your Majesty? Oh, I’m so sorry. I should not have mentioned Nareash.”

  She took a breath and whispered. “That power. No one should ever have access to it again.” She shuddered.

  “Yes, of course. Well, it’s a good thing Amcaro destroyed the scepter with his last breath as you said.”

  “Yes, it was,” said Elyse, visibly shaking.

  Gauge coughed and handed her a glass. “Here Your Majesty, please have some wine. I apologize again for bringing the subject up.

  Elyse shook her head, finding herself clutching her necklace once again.

  Gauge glanced to the necklace and then placed a hand on her arm with a gentle touch. “Your Majesty, I know you treasure the gift for what you told me it means, but you cannot hope to rule on a promise.”

  Elyse nodded, annoyed. “Are we done here this evening?”

  “Yes, but it would be good for appearances if you remained a while…”

  “I’ve been helpful enough today. I’ll be in my room.”

  She stood up and left.

  * * *

  Elyse’s bedroom was spacious with high ceilings and wide windows. Positioned on the wall to the right of the doorway, stood a great canopy bed, covered in fine linen. Two tall dressers stood opposite the bed, each decorated with delicate woodwork. Across from the door sat a simple desk and chair, plain in comparison to the rest of the room, yet this is where Elyse sat.

  She gazed out the window overlooking the city and countryside below. My old instructor, Fredrick, must be laughing from above now. If only I would have paid better attention to my histories. I shouldn’t have needed Olasi to tell me of the High Mages’ importance, and Tomalt is right that I know nothing of military strategy. How will I know which decision is right if I understand little of what my advisors speak of? If I was more knowledgeable of the past, maybe I could have seated Jeldor closer to me in the Great Hall and soften the insults from others.

  But Bronn’s words scared her most of all.

  She fiddled with her necklace and thought back to how Bronn talked down to her. Like I’m still some silly little girl. But he has the right of it doesn’t he. She dropped her hands from her neck.

  “Your Majesty, are you ok?” said a voice from behind.

  Elyse turned. “Oh, Lobella, I’m sorry. I hadn’t realized you were still here. Yes, I’m fine. It’s just been a long day.”

  The woman bowed. She was close in age to Elyse and quite beautiful for a servant, though she never carried herself that way. She spoke in a soft voice. Elyse remembered it took her almost a year to get Lobella to open up. Since then, they had grown close. Elyse liked to think of her as a friend though she didn’t know if Lobella felt the same.

  “I can imagine, Your Majesty. I’ve prepared your bed for tonight. Will you need anything else?”

  Elyse’s thoughts drifted back to the Great Hall and the looks on everyone’s faces, the uncertainty in their eyes.

  “Your Majesty? Are you sure you are ok?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. That will be all for tonight. Please get some rest and tell your mother I said hello.”

  She smiled. “She will be pleased that you remembered her.”

  Elyse smiled back and realized her hand had returned to the stone around her neck. “Actually, before you go could you fetch me the jewelry box in the dresser. It is near the top and you are taller than I.”

  “Of course, Your Majesty.” Lobella located a simple white wooden box and opened the top as she neared the queen. Then she stopped in shock, almost dropping the box. “Elyse, your necklace. I’m sorry, I mean Your Majesty. I’ve never seen you without it.”

  Elyse smiled and placed the necklace in the box. “You have no need to apologize; I’ve asked you to call me Elyse in private.” She looked at the silver thread and light green stone sitting on padded red silk. “Yes, this gift has been the most precious thing in my life since it was given to me.” She paused. “But that was long ago, when I was a girl. If I want my people to see a woman, a queen, I need to put those things away.”

  Lobella nodded and closed the box, returning it to the dresser. “Is there anything else?”

  “Yes. On your way out, please stop by Gillian’s quarters. I have need of several books.”

  “Poetry, Your Majesty?”

  Elyse had always been a lover of poetry and in times of distress she would turn either to the One Above in prayer or to the pages of her favorite poets. As of late, she had exhausted both avenues.

  “No. Ask Gillian for those volumes that document the histories of Cadonia, from Aurnon the First through my father. Also, tell him to bring me his favorite books on military strategy.”

  “Your Majesty, that isn’t what I would call light reading.”

  Elyse smiled at the rare joke. “No, but they contain the knowledge to rule a kingdom.”

  Chapter 6

  The sails hung limp from lack of wind. Yet the ship still moved across calm waters with a gentle sway in the deep blue ocean. From the railing, Jonrell watched oars dip in and out of the water, matching the pace set by the beating drum. There had not been so much as a breeze in two days and he grew anxious from the delay. After the first day, he had convinced the ship’s captain to work the oarsmen in longer shifts. Hoping to make up time, the old seadog was happy to oblige.

  The promise of extra gold, didn’t hurt either.

  The Hell Patrol had been at sea nearly a week, and it seemed only his mood hadn’t improved. Many had never been to Cadonia and after suffering through the debacle of their last job, a renewed excitement permeated through the group as they ventured off into the unknown. He would have given anything to share in their optimism but the more he dwelled on what awaited him upon his return home, the more overwhelmed he felt.

  He had been gone twelve years and only one thing was certain in his mind. There will be a rebellion. The personalities, the politics, old feuds, a restless people, all on top of a king no one loved. My only hope is that Amcaro and the High Mages can keep the balance in power from shifting. His hand clutched his breast pocket again, cupping the stone inside as he thought about home. Home. Can I really call it that after being away for so long? Cassus and I barely even spoke of the place.

  He pulled the stone from his pocket, caressing its smooth features between his finger and thumb, th
oughts wandering to his past. Since leaving port, old memories resurfaced. At sea, there seemed little else to do but remember a youth filled with both pain and pleasure.

  His men spent most of their days rolling dice, playing cards, and betting on anything and everything, using the money left over after they procured safe passage. They tried to get Jonrell involved in the games but he declined, doing nothing more than watching, away from the action, alone with his thoughts.

  What would make Cassus think I had no need of him? Who else am I supposed to confide in, who else understands me as well as he did? He looked up and muttered, “One Above, I hope you at least find this funny.”

  “The men are right to be worried about you,” said a voice from behind.

  Jonrell turned.

  This is how you answer my prayer? Now I know you’re laughing at me. “Go away,” he told Krytien.

  The mage ignored the comment and leaned on the railing next to him, running his fingers through the pale wisps of long hair on top his head.

  “You know, all that rubbing isn’t going to make it grow anew,” said Jonrell.

  Krytien shook his head. “So I come over here out of concern and this is the thanks I get? I could have stayed at the dice game and at least made some money for suffering through the jibes.”

  Jonrell shrugged his shoulders. “I told you to go away.” He turned to the mage. “What is with you anyway? Ever since you brought me news of the king, you’ve been acting odd. No remarks in retaliation, no mutterings under your breath. Nothing?”

  Krytien shook his head. “You need to straighten yourself out because I’m getting sick of covering for you.”

  “Covering for me?”

  “It was one thing with Melchizan. He beat all of us down to a point where few even noticed you weren’t acting like yourself. But I did. I’ve known you since you joined this outfit with Cassus, both green as can be. I watched you grow up quicker than I thought possible and command respect from a bunch of cutthroats without even trying. Before Ronav passed, he had already made up his mind that you’d follow after him. As young as you were, I had some doubts.” He paused. “At least until Asantia. It was then that I realized there was no one better to fill Ronav’s place.”

  “Is there a point in all of this?”

  A chubby hand shot out and slapped the commander across his cheek. His jaw dropped in surprise.

  “You lackwit! The death of the king and the thought of returning home is affecting you in a bad way, far more than you realize.” said Krytien. “You’ve been moping around rather than planning for the future. Our future. If you don’t get yourself together, you’re liable to get us all killed.”

  Jonrell rubbed his jaw. I can’t believe he struck me. I’ve never seen him move so fast. “The king’s death is nothing.”

  “Don’t give me that. He was still your father.”

  “And?”

  “You left home without ever settling your differences and now that chance is gone. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought of it. I see you worrying that stone in your hand each day.”

  Jonrell looked down to his hand and sighed, his fingers still working the surface. He’s got me now. “There may be some truth to that but that’s only part of it.”

  “You regret your decision to leave Cadonia all those years ago.”

  Jonrell nodded. “I think I always did. I had just made sure to keep myself busy enough not to think about it. But now…” he waved a hand over the ocean “…now what else is there to do but think. What kind of a man leaves a young girl all alone?”

  “You mean the princess?”

  “My sister.” He paused. “Father loved her deeply, more than me at least, for if nothing else she resembled our mother. Still, as fickle as he was after our brother died, who knows if that changed or not?” He paused again, looking out over the open water. “And I left her. I left her because it was easier to run away than to face my problems head on. Who does something like that to someone they love?”

  “You’re returning now. This is your chance to make things right.”

  Jonrell sighed. “I hope so. But she is a woman now. I’ve been away from her longer than I was with her.” He started to laugh. “One Above, what right did I have to tell Cassus he was afraid to face his past when I’m just as scared?”

  “Still, you are facing it,” said Krytien. “You know Cassus didn’t leave to spite you.”

  “I never said he did.”

  “You didn’t have to. I see the look you make when his name comes up.”

  Jonrell paused, thinking. “I know it’s not fair of me. In a way I respect the fact he went out on his own. I guess I just always imagined that we would return together as heroes, and him not being here makes me realize how childish that idea was.”

  “Can I make a suggestion?”

  Jonrell smirked. “When have you ever needed my permission to speak your mind?”

  Krytien smiled. “Good point. Don’t be afraid of the past. I’ve done a lot of things I regret. We all have. Instead of hiding it in the corners of your mind and hoping never to hear from it again, embrace it. Make it yours and learn from it. Aren’t you always the one who says, ‘A little fear makes you feel alive’?”

  “Sure. But I was talking more along the lines of facing an enemy in battle.”

  “Is there an enemy more dangerous to a man than himself?” asked the old mage.

  “When did you become so wise? I’ve never heard you talk like this.”

  “Well if truth be told, I like to keep some things secret so you don’t give me even more work to do.”

  “But now your secret’s out,” said Jonrell with a grin.

  “Aye, and I’m sure you’ll make up for the lost time.” The mage looked over his shoulder. “I hear a game of dice calling my name.”

  “Haven’t you lost enough? Raker said you were down five silvers just today.”

  The old mage winked. “I’ve got him right where I want him.” He walked away leaving Jonrell to his thoughts.

  Not exactly the insight I was looking for but it’ll do. He looked up and whispered “Thanks.” He moved the stone from his fingers to his palm, squeezing it hard one last time before wheeling his arm back and tossing it into the still water. The small splash it made contrasted against the sudden relief he felt. He turned from the rail, and walked toward the game of dice.

  “Seven again. Today must be my day,” said Krytien.

  “You better not be cheating. I’ll run you through if I find out you are,” said Raker.

  “He’s got to be cheating,” said Hag. “He hadn’t won a game in two days and now he can’t lose.”

  “Hag’s right,” said Raker, working hard on some chew. “That’s almost eleven in a row.”

  Krytien paused, grabbing the dice from the ground. “Whoa. Why is it when I was in a slump and everyone was taking my money, no one said a word. But now that the roles are reversed everyone is upset.” He looked to Jonrell. “Commander, help me out. Surely you see what’s going on.”

  Jonrell chuckled, holding his hands up. “Oh, I see what’s going on.” He leaned down by Hag’s ear and whispered, “Check his left sleeve. He’s been switching dice the whole game.”

  The old woman’s squinted eyes grew wide and a quiver ran across her shriveled lips. “Raker, hold that fat mage down while I skin him. He’s got the dice rigged. Kroke, give me your knife.”

  Krytien looked shocked. “What? That’s ridiculous. I would never do such a thing.” He cast a glare at Jonrell.

  “Then let’s see what’s up those sleeves,” said Kroke, spinning a dagger.

  Other shouts joined in and Krytien backed away until coming against the main mast. He held his hands up in submission and pulled up his sleeves, exposing both arms and his pasty white skin.

  “I told you there was nothing.”

  Half a dozen dice fell from under his robe and clattered across the deck.

  Jonrell let out a laugh so loud it caused eve
ryone to turn. “You better give them back their money.” He kept laughing. “You had to get greedy. If you would have lost a few here and there, no one would have been wiser.”

  “Just getting our money back from today isn’t enough. Who knows how many other times he’s cheated us,” said Hag.

  “Oh plenty,” said Jonrell still chuckling. “But no more than anyone else and that’s what’s so funny.”

  “You better not be calling me a cheat,” said the old woman.

  “Oh I am. I’m calling all of you cheats, just some are better than others. Hag, you’ve a marked deck you keep in your trousers for whenever you play cards.” He turned to Kroke, “Your deck isn’t marked, but you sure like to keep a few extra face cards in it.” He looked to another. “And Raker, you’re the worst of all. You keep trying to cheat with Yanasi, trusting her to tell you her hand and the whole time she’s lying while she’s got you giving away everything in yours.” He started laughing again. “Now you know why I only play chess.”

  The Hell Patrol stood there looking at Jonrell with an array of emotions. Confusion, shock, frustration, and even amusement in some of the old hands.

  One Above, Krytien was right. It feels good to laugh again. It’s been too long.

  “Commander!” a shout came from above.