The Loss of Power: Goldenfields and Bondell

by Jeffrey Quyle

  “Who is ‘almost everyone’? Who isn’t welcome to return?” someone asked.

  “The Healers House will not be allowed to have a seat on the Council any more, and Merle will not be granted the seat as the Spirit House leader,” Alec explained with a satisfied anger. Several voices rose in protest over the conditions.

  “Those terms are wrong obviously, but I think the greater wrong is to try to pretend that no assassination of the king took place, no ingenairii were murdered by ingenairii, and that no usurpers control the crown of the Dominion now,” Alec replied, feeling his face grow red with excitement over the issue.

  “I’m not going back. As you all know, I believe this Duchy is the place for good people to battle against lacertii, battle against the usurpers, and try to restore a rightful ruler to the Dominion,” Alec said. “I welcome all of you who want to stay here to do so. There won’t be any hard feeling for people who want to return, and I hope they know that we will still offer them safety and freedom when they flee back here again.

  “I expect that travel back to Oyster Bay will begin within just a couple of days,” Alec added.

  “First group, with the leaders, leaves tomorrow night, and the rest leave the following morning,” a voice explained. “That’s what we heard at the cathedral right before we came over here.”

  “There you have it then,” Alec replied. “Thank you for confirming that. I will find homes for all of you who wish to stay here. That is the most important thing I want to tell you. Most of you who have been with me have already been training at sword work, so you can protect yourself, at the very least. Anyone else who wants to start training is also welcome. A couple of you have already put your skills to work and I’m sure we can find opportunities for the rest of you to do so as well!

  “So anyone who wants to move in, just see Bethany and she’ll make arrangements for you here, and when we run out of space here we’ll probably move some of you into the Guard quarters,” Alec finished. “Does anyone have questions?”

  “I can ride horses. Can I join your cavalry unit?” a man Alec didn’t recognize asked.

  “Who are you and what is your talent?” Alec responded.

  “I am Colado,” he replied, holding up his arm to reveal the clouds and air currents pattern that marked an air ingenaire.

  “Come to the Guard Armory early tomorrow morning and I’ll introduce you to the lieutenant in charge of the cavalry. I think we ought to give you a shot and see what you can do for us,” Alec decided. “Any other questions?”

  Numerous questions followed, and Alec answered many for nearly an hour, until he felt it was time to stop. Bidding goodnight to everyone, he started towards the stairs. Bethany caught up with him quickly. “Where do you think I can put all those people?” she asked him in an exasperated tone. “You just sentenced me to facing dozens of ingenairii who are going to expect to stay here in the Hotel Alec, and I won’t have any place to put them!”

  “You think there will be that many? I thought we had gotten what we could a month ago when you filled the house the first time,” Alec replied.

  “You’ve put Waln and Streed to work, and you’ve taught the rest of us swordsmanship, and you’ve got a cavalry started, and everyone believes you are the leader to stay with, the boy who will deliver great things, whether they ever get back to Ingenairii Hill or not, Alec,” Bethany told him. “I believe that Genia and her crowd are going to be shocked at how many folks don’t follow them back. You’re going to have more than half stay here with you.”

  Alec felt alarm and pleasure well up inside him. Hope that he would have more ingenairii to work with and pride that his plans were so well received both made him smile. “We can do two things,” he suggested. “We can move the ones who have had sword training into the Guard quarters. There’s one section of barracks that could handle several new people. That would free up room for others to move in here. The other option is to buy the closest place we can find and move folks in there.”

  “You’ll probably have to do both,” Bethany told him, slightly mollified by his answers. “That will buy you some time, but if this goes on long enough, you may want to do something more permanent.”

  “Tomorrow I’ll ask the current ingenairii in sword training to move into the barracks and we’ll see where that leaves us. I could move into the Guard offices as well,” he told her.

  “You’ve hardly been around here for weeks it seems like anyway,” she told him without a smile.

  The next morning Alec was in the armory early, waiting for the officers’ training. When Imelda arrived early, Alec spoke to her. “I have an air ingenaire who asked to join the cavalry. Would you take a look at his skills and see if he can join you? I think that having strong wind blowing behind your arrows or horses might help you, or a stiff breeze blowing against you opponents might do you some good as well.”

  “I’m happy to have any advantage we can get,” she said. “When can I meet him?”

  “He’s supposed to come by this morning. Also, I expect we’ll have Neill in the smithy as soon as possible. I mean to see Tarpa and get him to work on all the things we need, so when your folks take over the stables after construction finishes up today, let them know to expect him soon,” Alec told her. “How many do you have now?”

  “From the folks I’ve seen and tested so far, we’ve got almost two dozen who have the horse and weapon skills I want. If you had a mission today, I’d be comfortable taking that lot out to do it,” she said. “There’s a dozen more that are good on horses, but need work on their weapon training, and I hope they’ll be ready soon.”

  Ellison walked in just then to find Alec, and asked him to join Colonel Ryder and the Duke. Imelda looked at Alec in surprise, a feeling he shared at the unusual summons. Alec excused himself and followed a young page to the Duke’s private quarters.

  “Alec, thank you for joining us so early,” the Duke said, appearing agitated. “A message just arrived that is most disturbing. Lord Kelvin has been on a diplomatic mission to Bondell, seeking something I have asked of him, as well as trying to determine their support for Goldenfields in the face of the king’s death.”

  “Apparently,” the Duke said, “the junta at Oyster Bay has sent its own delegation, a more muscular one, to Bondell too. There’s been a skirmish and Kelvin and others are being held captive at a camp outside the city. I just received a note by pigeon this morning, and the battle occurred just two days ago.”

  “I’m sure there will be demands from us. At the very least there will be ransom, and there probably will be some political expectations as well,” the Duke finished.

  “Do you know how many are in the force that is holding Kelvin, or do you have any details about where they’re holding him?” Alec asked.

  “Kelvin had a squad of the Guard with him, and they faced about twice their numbers. Most of the Guard is dead. That’s all I know. They probably inflicted as much death as they received, so perhaps there’s a squad or more holding Kelvin,” Colonel Ryder guessed.

  “We could try the cavalry on this rescue mission,” Alec suggested hopefully, feeling his adrenaline rise. “Imelda just told me she has two dozen who are ready to go at any moment. If we add a couple of ingenairii and myself, I think we’d have all the forces we need to spring a surprise rescue for Lord Kelvin. Taking extra mounts along would reduce the trip to probably no more than a week to arrive there, and the soldiers from Oyster Bay surely don’t expect any rescue attempt to come that quickly.”

  “The journey to Bondell is a challenging one, Alec,” Colonel Ryder told him. “Although this is the best season to go, when the desert is relatively mild.”

  “I’m not sure we can let you leave us for that long Alec,” the Duke said. “You’d be gone a week to get there and a week to get back at best. That’s a fortnight I’d like to have you here helping DR with the Guard.”

  “I feel my abilities are needed on this journey to release Lord Kelvin,” Alec said, sensing t
hat the raid was being considered. “Ellison could carry out the role of being second in command in my absence,” Alec suggested.

  “Since I’ve asked you to be the second in command, I need to accept your judgment in this matter,” Ryder stated. “You’ve shown good instincts so far, and I’ve been pleased with all you’ve done. Go talk to Ellison and Imelda and find out if you can pull this together and report back as quickly as possible.”

  “Thank you, sir. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Alec said with elation, and he left the palace at a run.

  “Mortis, get Ellison for me as fast as you can. I’ll be in the stables looking for Imelda, or else in the armory,” he quickly said as he stopped by his office.

  In the stables he found Imelda meeting with Colado, the wind ingenaire. “Excuse me, Imelda, I’d like a word with you. Colado, don’t go far,” Alec asked as he looked at the cavalry leader. “Imelda,” he said as they walked to a corner of the stables, “the Duke has just told me that Lord Kelvin has been captured near Bondell by a force from Oyster Bay. Would you think your cavalry unit would be able to ride there within a week and battle for his freedom if the odds allow a fair fight?”

  A mercenary gleam came to Imelda’s eye, a joy at the opportunity to engage in battle as leader of the new fighting band of Guard cavalry. She whooped briefly. “Yes! Yes, we can do this. I can have our folks ready to leave this afternoon. Thank you for this chance, Captain.”

  “I’m going to make these arrangements, if all works out,” Alec told her. “I and at least four ingenairii will travel with you. I’d like to have a water ingenaire, an air ingenaire, and two light ingenairii for various purposes.”

  Imelda looked startled at the proposals. “If you think those ingenairii will help us in some way, then by all means bring them along. Shall I start preparing the troops and arranging supplies?”

  “Go right ahead. We’ll plan to leave at mid-afternoon if all goes well,” Alec agreed. “I need to make some other arrangements as well,” and he walked away from the stables.

  Alec ran over to the armory, where he did not find Ellison, so he went to his own office again. He told Mortis that he would be back at his shop for a while, then return to the Guard headquarters.

  When he arrived at the shop on Bakers Street he found Cassie treating a roomful of waiting patients, and other apprentices variously occupied around the building. He knocked on Bethany’s door and walked in to talk to her. She gave a little shriek of surprise at seeing someone enter her room so suddenly. “Alec, what are you doing here so early in the day? Is everything alright?”

  “No and yes,” Alec told her. “Lord Kelvin was on a mission for the Duke to Bondell. We’ve just gotten word that he has been attacked by forces from Oyster Bay, and taken captive. We’re going to send Imelda’s cavalry across country to try to rescue Kelvin and any others with him.”

  “Slow down, captain, sir,” Bethany said with playful seriousness. “This sounds like a serious matter, but why have you come back here in the morning with problems like that?”

  “I’d like for you to go with us on this trip,” Alec told her.

  “Alec, you would be a brilliant addition to this cavalry group. What in the world would I do?” Bethany asked.

  “The territory between here and Bondell is very dry, and most travelers only make it across by carrying considerable amounts of water with them. I’d like to avoid all that weight and use your powers to conjure water for us as we need it, and then there will be some other potential uses of your powers later as well,” Alec explained. “Could you do that?”

  “That’s something I can do. If it’s that dry, the effort will be slow, but I’ll do it. How many people would you need water for?” she asked.

  “Probably thirty riders plus horses on the way there, and hopefully more on the way back,” Alec estimated.

  “Horses too, well, that makes sense. Alec, it would be short rations, but I could do it, I’m sure,” Bethany said, her eyes sparkling. “What else would you think I might be able to do?”

  “Well, if we were in a battle or being pursued, a quick downburst or flood to distract or harm the other side is a possibility, or if we happen to travel by boat at any point, a faster current to carry us along, or to wreck another ship would be nice,” Alec mentioned.

  “You’re just doing this to avoid another dance, aren’t you?” Bethany asked looking at him shrewdly.

  “What?” Alec responded in complete bafflement.

  “You had the Duke talked into putting on a ball for the ingenairii here in the duchy, and now you’re too scared of dancing to go through with it, so you’re dragging us out of the city.”

  “I’m not afraid of dancing…” Alec began, then saw the slight twitch of Bethany’s lips as she crossed her arms in front of her. “You know better than that!” he said laughing as she too broke into a smile.

  “When will we leave?” she asked, realizing she was really destined to be part of the journey.

  “I hope we’ll leave early this afternoon,” Alec said with a grin. “Pack light and practical, and come over to my office as quickly as you can. I’m going to recruit a couple of other ingenairii here as well. I’ll ask Cassie to run things, but you ought to inform some of the level-headed ones you know to help and advise her if she needs it. See you soon Bethany,” he finished as he left the room.

  Alec went in search of Chester, Shaiss, and Alder, air and light ingenairii he also expected to use in the expedition. He gathered them together and told them they were to go on a cavalry raid of three weeks in length. Without further details he told them to pack as quickly as possible and meet at his office. Then he quickly threw together a bag of clothes for himself and went to see Cassie.

  She was finishing her healing work with a patient, and Alec waited until she was done, then entered the exam room with her and closed the door behind him. “Cassie, our cavalry members are going to leave this afternoon on a mission, and I’m taking several ingenaire apprentices along on the trip, including Bethany. I’m placing you in charge of this shop and anything that might come up. Ellen will give you the best advice if any problems arise. Work with Ellison on finding room for the additional ingenairii and apprentices that want to join us; that may be an issue by tonight. You can plan to move everyone who’s had sword training into the barracks, and that will give you room here to take in a new batch of people. You can add bunks to my room as well.

  “You’re very far along with your ingenaire training, so just practice on your own and you’ll probably be done by the time we’re back in three weeks. Talk to Merle if you have any questions. You’ll be the head of the healers’ house while I’m gone!” he added with a smile. “I’m sorry to tell you all this at once with no warning, but we have to move fast. Take care and I’ll see you when we return.”

  Cassie sat in stunned silence. “You’re just going to tell me all this and leave? Alec, I’m not sure I want to be in charge of all these decisions.”

  “Sometimes we all are asked to do more than we expected,” Alec told her earnestly. “I’m asking you because I have faith that you can do this, and I hope you will accept this responsibility so that other people will be better off, just like your healing skills help others.”

  “Alec, that’s not fair,” Cassie responded with disapproval. “But if you feel you’ve got no one else to do this, I will try my best this time for you. You’ve done so much for me I can’t really refuse.”

  “Thank you Cassie. When we return I know you’ll have things in order.” He hugged her quickly and left to return with his bag to the Guard quarters.

  “Ellison is in the armory now,” Mortis said as Alec returned. “He knows you want to see him.”

  “Thank you. Mortis, we’re preparing to send the cavalry and a few ingenairii to Bondell to aid Lord Kelvin. I’m going to ask Ellison to serve as second in command in my absence. He’ll rely on you a great deal. You know everything that happens on a regular basis here already. The special
items I hope can be addressed while we’re gone will be having Neill start working in the smithy to prepare the best possible swords for all Guards members, and any other items that are needed. We are also going to move the group of ingenairii that have had sword training into the B barracks on the east side, because I think we’ll have a flood of new ingenairii joining us in the net day or two. In another fortnight I’d like the recruiting trips to start over again so that we can begin to add the next several squads to our numbers.

  “I’ll go over all this with Colonel Ryder and Ellison as well,” Alec said. “I just want to make sure that everyone knows what needs to be done. And, if Elcome returns, let Ellison know what we’ve found out about the purchasing of goods while he was quartermaster. I’ll be back after I talk to Ellison,” he said as he walked out the door again.

  In the armory Alec found Ellison working with a group of recruits. “Everyone pair up and practice among yourselves,” Ellison told the students.

  “You’ve got something planned, don’t you Alec?” Ellison asked as they walked back to the equipment room.

  “The Duke and Colonel Ryder told me this morning that Kelvin’s mission to Bondell has been attacked and captured by a force from Oyster Bay,” Alec told him. “I’ve asked Imelda to get her best cavalry squad members ready to leave immediately, and I’m going to go along myself, with other ingenairii for certain duties. I’d like for you to be in second in command until I return.”

  “Won’t Captain Lewis be back before then?” Ellison asked.

  “Lewis is going to remain in charge of forces in the east. Before I go, I want you to be aware of some activities that I’ve already talked to Mortis about. I haven’t talked to Mortis about arming ships for Natha, but I think you may want to arm every other shipload of water the trader sends out, and work on that plan for rotating a squad’s worth of men in and out of Three Forks. I’ve told Mortis that we need to expect more ingenairii to join our forces, and we’ll start moving some into our barracks immediately to make room for them all. You may want to send a half squad of Guard to Natha’s home and to my shop for the next day or so to make sure there is no coercion of ingenairii who want to stay; lets not let them be forced to leave. Our smithy needs to start working for us fulltime on preparing swords and other materials for our forces; Tarpa can arrange that, and feel free to be generous with a salary to bring him to fulltime daily work for us. Send out more recruiters again in a fortnight, and if Elcome comes back, send him right back out or imprison him for theft while he was quartermaster.”