Blood and Water_The Lionheart Province

by J. R. Castle

  Fajer studied him for a long moment, not releasing his hand right away. Finally, he also gave a nod and grunt of acceptance. “Good. Very good. We have much to do. I must wait here for three days. It is the law before our pact can become set. Though I doubt the Miller will be foolish enough to change his mind.”

  Darnel went to the pot sitting beside the fire and found it full of stew, as Master said. “What? He can change his mind?” Dare Darnel hope that foolish human would do exactly that once he realized what he’d really traded? “But…”

  “He can, but he won’t. Few are willing to pay the blood price to break our contracts.” He chuckled. “Few are willing to risk their own necks.” He ran his finger across his throat. “But, still I must wait. We will stock our supplies in the meantime. When three days have passed, we will head north to collect a debt that has come to term.”

  Darnel spooned the soup into his bowl. “You have more than this one?”

  “Oh, indeed. You will see. I’m very good at locating those gifted with significant talents. We will return this summer to check on our Sano. Make sure they do not try any tricks. I’m sure they will try to find a way to get out of our deal before realizing there is no way to back out short of death.”

  * * * *

  When Kardia woke, she was on her cot with the privacy curtains closed. Through the thin cloth, she could see the glow of a candle sitting on the table and the silhouettes of her parents seated facing each other.

  She remained still, not wanting to interrupt their discussion. Had she dreamed of a dark-haired man with the charming smile and unusual light gray eyes? They reminded her of the icicles that hung from the eaves of the cottage during the cold winter months.

  Had any of it been real?

  “We will think of something, Wilhelm,” Mother was saying. “We have many seasons before he returns.”

  Yes, it had all been very real. Kardia reached for the pocket in her skirt. Her hand wrapped around the seed. She squeezed it so tight she was sure to crush it. But when she slowly pulled it out to examine, it remained intact. A perfectly shaped oval, smooth-skinned and giving off a bit of a sparkling glow even in the darkness of her corner.

  She closed her fingers around the seed and returned it to her pocket to keep as a reminder of her foolishness.

  Dadda’s head rested in his hands. “I never asked the cost. A plot of land was what he asked for. How could I have been so careless?”

  “Hush, Wilhelm. I mean it, stop with your pity. What’s done is done. Did I tell you the news, dear husband? I heard it today down at the tavern when I stopped in to trade the skins I’d saved over the winter. Andres is always willing to trade his barley for hides to make his boots.” She reached across the table and tugged at Dadda’s sleeve. “Are you listening, my heart? A Messenger from Rodon, the capital, passed through the other day. He hung an announcement that a new Regent has been appointed to Rodonal.”

  Kardia listened with more interest. A new Regent? Rodonal was their province. Their town, Goia lay on the outer most edges of Rodonal but was supposedly still under the Regent’s care.

  “A new Regent,” Mother continued. “Perhaps one that will care for all of his towns, not only those that produce the most revenue for him. We can always hope, can we not?”

  Dadda gave a slight nod. “It is what I always say. We have nothing if we do not have hope. But when he comes and sees how destitute we are, he will probably banish us away into the Outlands and call in new people to work our land and run the town. Nobody here has properly taken care of the land given us. And I wouldn’t blame him.”

  “Indeed, he might if he comes and nothing has changed. But Wilhelm, we now have the means to make changes. Kardia will be all right. As you said, we have time to find a way to break the contract. Perhaps, when the Regent comes, and he finds us thriving, he will be willing to allow us to have a meeting with him. Perhaps he can find a way to save our daughter. But we will have to prove we are worthy to be heard.”

  Dadda’s broken voice asked, “Do we even know when the Regent will come? How can we know, Asmita? It could be many moons or a couple depending on which way he decides to travel.” Dadda had never sounded so despondent before. It broke Kardia’s heart.

  “The announcement predicts late summer, early fall. They will send more messengers as he draws near, husband. We will be prepared. The Regent will not linger during his tour. He will wish to return to his comfortable home in Rodon before the next winter sets in, I know it. That gives us time to rally everyone to our plan. They will comply, I believe that. To comply will be better than the risk of being cast into the outer-lands. They will listen. I know it.”

  Kardia rolled over on her back. Through the small window over her sleeping cot, she watched the quarter moon hanging beside the brightest moon star. The Regent was coming. The money they’d been gifted would do the town a great good. Perhaps, there might be some way to break the contract.

  She would not allow herself to ponder the truth of the matter. The truth that once a contract with a Sorcerer was made, there was no way to break it, short of forfeiting one’s life.

  Chapter Four

  Leonard of the House of Lion stood before the thick wooden double doors of his father’s chambers. Now the ornately decorated rooms belonged to him.

  The carving of a lion’s face adorned each door, his family’s symbol. They’d buried his father two days ago. This morning, Leon had been sworn in as Regent of Rodonal, and ruling lord of the capital city of Rodon. He was responsible for all the land from the southern ranges of the Eclat Mountains and Melodies Forest, eastward to the Mire Woods, and southward to the edges of Wilderland.

  How long had he stood at the doors like one of the staff, waiting for permission to enter? When his father ruled, he was only allowed entrance when invited. Was that what Leon waited for?

  No, that’s wasn’t the reason for his reluctance to enter.

  “Leon, son of Lonnell and honored one of Shaydon, Head of the House of Lion, you will be late for your own preliminary council assembly.” A man dressed in a white tunic, trimmed in gold braiding, headed towards him down the passageway. The man’s smile was warm, his earthy brown eyes kind and full of sympathy. “What causes you to hesitate, my friend?”

  Leon tried to play off as if he weren’t the least bit worried about his new position but knew his attempts were futile. Issah, the Prince of Alburnium, always seemed to know what he was feeling.

  “I’m having a difficult time wrapping my mind around all this,” Leon pressed his hand against the lion carving on the oak door. “Father’s passing was so unexpected. All along I’d expected when he retired that we would move into one of the town’s manors, become the new overseers of Rodon, and you would pick a better Regent to care for Rodonal. Let’s face it, my Prince, my father grew apathetic toward his responsibilities over these past several years.”

  Issah rested his hand on Leon’s shoulder. “Yes, he did. But I do not question my father’s decision to pass on the Regency to you. Shaydon did not send me to ordain another family, but to appoint you. So, I have absolutely no doubt that you will be able to set right the wrongs that have been done.”

  “Is this a punishment, Sire? For my father’s offenses?”

  “Of course not, Leon. We feel you are the best qualified to bring Rodonal Province back into unity under King Shaydon. I will not lie. You have your work cut out for you. This tour you are about to undertake will give you a very good indication of who is on board with you and who will need more care and encouragement. I fear that your father, Lonnell, forgot why he was appointed to this position in the first place. I hope you will keep your heart set on what is true, dear son of the King.” Issah reached for the door handle and pulled it open.

  Leon still hesitated from entering. “I fear I’m not qualified. For the past few years, I’ve been away from Rodonal, attending the Academies of Radiance and Aloblase. Sire, I can’t even name all the towns and villages in our jurisdiction
.”

  “We do not always call the qualified, but I assure you, we will make sure to qualify you for the calling now on your life. I would like to send one of my Advisers to accompany you on your trip if you are willing to accept his help. I know Lonnell had his own advisers who are willing to continue in their positions if you wish. You are also free to choose your own council members.”

  Leon drew in a long, thoughtful breath. A chilled breeze blew down the corridor. He’d always hated living in the drafty fortress. Issah had told him he could live anywhere he wished. So long as he conducted his meetings and business within the Meeting Hall as people were accustomed to.

  “I would be most honored to accept any help you are willing to give me, Issah. I fear that Father’s advisers were… well, they had differing standards. But I do not believe I can relieve them of their posts, yet. They are all elderly and until I find suitable accommodations for them… I do not wish to callously toss them out if that makes sense?”

  Issah chuckled. “I do understand. And I commend you for your patience and willingness to give them a chance to prove their loyalties. But do not allow anyone to talk you into anything that goes against your heart, or what you’ve been taught. You are the ruling authority here. We appointed you to this position because you have the skills necessary to become a good and worthy caretaker of this portion of our kingdom. Do not take that lightly, Leonard of the House of Lion. Be brave and courageous for you will never be left alone so long as you continue to seek wise counsel and help when in need.”

  Leon grasped Issah’s hand and bowed at the waist. “Thank you, my Prince. I wish you could come with me on this tour, but I gladly accept your offer of an Adviser and know you will assign someone who only seeks the best for the Kingdom peoples.”

  “Ah, well, you never know when I might show up, Leon. But I promise, having the Elderad Riyah at your side is like having me at your side. He and I will continue to be in close contact during your tour.”

  The Elderad Riyah, what an honor! The weight bearing down on Leon’s spirit seeped off him like hot oil. “That is comforting, Sire. Very comforting. I remember Riyah from when I attended the Academy in Aloblase a few seasons ago. He is a wise and good-natured Guardian. Thank you for assigning him to my province. I’m…” Leon pressed his hand against his pounding heart. “Truly touched and set at ease now.”

  “Wonderful, my friend. Then let us go on inside and begin catching you up on the matters at hand. I believe you will find that the staff has refurbished your new quarters in a manner you will find pleasing and welcoming.”

  With a nod, Leon took one more deep breath and entered his new life.

  * * * *

  “Come, my son,” the Matron Regent Danita motioned Leon to follow her down the narrow hallway toward the library. “There are things I wish to show you before you depart in a fortnight.”

  Leon followed his mother. She would remain here and oversee the capital in his absence. She’d done it many times when Father was called away and had taken on a good part of the responsibility of the Regency after he became ill and could no longer get himself out of bed.

  They entered the two-story library, and the moment they entered, the lanterns began to ignite themselves, lighting the aisles and shelves so they could read the titles. One of the many Curian innovations they were privileged to enjoy.

  Mother led him to a long table that was covered in rolled stacks of parchment and old books. “You will want to study these maps before you leave. Of course, General Gailid and his guardsmen will have maps at their disposal as you travel. So long as you remain on the main highways, you should travel in peace.”

  Taking one of the larger leather-bound books with an ornate R painted on the front, she set it before Leon. “However, that is not the reason I wish for you to study these. You’ll want to acquaint yourself with the villages and towns we are responsible for. This book has the most up-to-date accounts on each borough’s status.”

  Leon flipped a few pages. Each chapter covered a particular town, starting from the most populated, to the least. “I need to read all of this? Why should I care who first started DeTierre and why?” He stopped on a list of family names that went on for several pages. “And family lineage? This will take me the rest of my life to read.”

  Mother waved his complaint aside. “I’m not asking that you read every page. Gloss over the lists, if you will. Though you might find some of your own heritage if you look closely enough.”

  “I’ll be leaving soon. There’s no—”

  “Take it with you, son. I’m afraid, you will find some towns that are no longer willing to serve under our authority. It will be up to you on how best to take care of that matter. It is within your authority as Regent to remove anyone from our lands who do not wish to follow our standards. Your father ignored them, but I fear he made a dire mistake in doing so.”

  She sat in one of the ornate high-backed chairs across the table from Leon. Mother was a stately, beautiful woman. Yet strong-willed and dignified. He probably favored her dark hair and tall, slender features more than he did his father who looked more like a tall dwarf than a human with his thick build and excessive hair.

  Leon was often at odds with his strict father which was why he’d welcomed the chance to attend the Academy where he’d honed his talent of seeing the possibilities in people and towns. His head constantly brimmed with ideas on how to make things run smoother, or how to build better structures to benefit people’s needs more efficiently.

  His Curian Instructors were often favorable toward him and would even listen with great interest to his ideas in mechanics classes. They truly loved their little gadgets and devices.

  Perhaps he did have what it would take to coax Rodonal into being a fruitful province once again. He certainly hoped so.

  “Mother, Issah, and Riyah have already shown me a map of the province. Riyah will be my personal guide, so I’m not worried about us getting off on the wrong road. I trust him completely.”

  “As you should,” She flipped open another leather-bound book. “This journal will explain the history and products each town contributes. There are a few towns I’ve not heard anything from in the past several years.”

  Leon settled himself into the chair, realizing this was part of his training so he could take the responsibility off her shoulders. As she talked about the various hamlets in their jurisdiction, her voice sounded strained.

  She must be growing weary of taking on a task that hadn’t really been assigned to her in the first place, he reasoned. She was to be Father’s helper, not the one who did the all work for him. Perhaps he’d been wrong staying away from home for so long. If he’d returned sooner, he could have taken a position within the town council.

  Leon was determined to ease her burden and take over his responsibilities as soon as possible. Leaning forward, he gave her his full attention.

  Matron Danita began, “I’ve met with the Priors from Atser, the metal workers; DeTierre, the largest livestock providers; and Osas, the horsemen. We have a good trade standard with them, and I’m sure they will welcome you with open arms.”

  “I fear that Tarest, once our greatest cotton supplier, has drifted away. I no longer receive contributions or any kind of correspondence from them.” She leaned back in the chair with a slow shake of her head. “I’ve not had a chance to send anyone to them. Koloman…” Her countenance darkened, “brushes off my suggestions to send representatives there.”

  She turned the page, then pointed to two outlying hamlets along the border of the Mire Woods. “You will pass by several smaller hamlets. Sometimes families break away from the larger towns. I’m most concerned about Warton and Goia. They are the farthest away from Rodon, and the smallest.”

  Mother paused a long moment, her fingers running over the inked words. “Lonnell, for the most part, ignored their existence. I’ve tried to send messengers to all three towns this last winter. The messenger to Tarest never returned. I’m concer
ned about that. The one from Goia did return but said there was no activity at all in the Meeting Hall and it seems the Prior has either passed without a new appointment or was away on a trip. The townspeople were suspicious of outsiders and refused to answer my messenger’s questions. Warton returned a message that they were fine and able to sustain themselves.”

  Leon’s brows furrowed. “That doesn’t sound respectful.”

  “No, there was no tone of respect in his letter. I’d advise you to approach these towns with caution. I no longer trust their loyalties.”

  From the pocket of his jacket, Leon took a small leather book he kept to jot important notes he wished to remember. Each town had a few pages that he’d make comments about things he wanted to address once he arrived there. The metal-smithies were dedicated to keeping communications open and bringing in their contributions, but they hadn’t sent any of their children to Rodon for training in some time. Nor had anyone requested passage to Radiance for their meeting with Shaydon. All who had reached the age of twenty seasonal cycles were to be encouraged to meet the King. The fact that none had passed through the capital city in the past several seasons bothered Leon greatly.

  He would need to make sure the towns understood they were still expected to prepare their young men and woman for this important passage into adulthood. To ignore meeting with the King put them at great risk to the traders and sorcerers that were constantly looking for unprotected people they could gain control of.

  Another reason he needed to get to the towns that were no longer contributing or communicating with Rodon. All he needed was an outside force threatening the bordering towns of his province and undermining his work to keep Shaydon’s kingdom strong.

  “Duly noted, Mother. I wish we could visit those places first, but that would make my time away much longer. We will follow the course planned out for us and hope once I do reach the smaller villages that they will welcome us in. Issah has already sent out his Messengers with word that I’ll be visiting soon.”