Braden knelt to his duchess and the Hiddendell heir, but was just as quickly pulled to his feet by his daughters.
“You needn’t kneel to us, Braden. The triplets are my family. And so are you.” Samantha grasped his arm, smiling up at him while he looked bewildered.
“You’ll get used to us, Braden,” Java added, clasping his other arm.
Braden looked stunned. “I-I-I don’t understand. Duchess, are you sure?”
Samantha laughed, then led Braden over to Lieutenant Marston. “Merrit, this is the triplets’ father, Braden Salem.”
Merrit looked Braden over carefully, then smiled. “Welcome back to the world of the living. We have to get moving. Marian and Robin can feel something from the east, and it’s disturbing them. We want everyone back in Greencastle as soon as possible.”
Her comment caused the triplets to link up and stare off toward the east. Mayrie spoke for the trio. “The mage in Covan’s Bridge is a Master, and he felt it when we blasted this one. He has six men with him.”
Merrit nodded, then addressed Java. “Princess, do we run, or stand and fight.”
Java scowled slightly, then smiled. “We attack. Triplets, mount up. Lieutenant Marston, would you please send Ari’s patrol with them? This shouldn’t take long.”
Merrit nodded, smiling slightly at Java’s quick assumption of control. This is more like the heir of a duchy. “Ari, grab your patrol and back the triplets. We’ll be evacuating back to Greencastle. Don’t bother with prisoners.”
Ari and her patrol formed up behind the triplets and they quickly rode out toward the east as Lieutenant Marston began herding the people of Brian’s Ford down the road to Firedale. Some were reluctant to leave, though all wanted to be safe. Merrit pointed out that they did not have control of the region, just of the town. That got the reluctant ones moving. None of them wanted to be shackled by Frander again.
*
The triplets rode side by side down the road, their grief and rage making them cling to one another. When dust in the distance announced the arrival of the mage from Covan’s Bridge, they stopped and prepared. Shielding the archers, they downplayed their own power to make the mage come closer.
Master Mage Crandel saw the group in front of him and smiled. “So, there are some magi in Greencastle’s forces after all,” he said to his Guardsmen, laughing. “What say we go get some new women?”
The laughter of his men was cut short when the triplets let loose all their rage, anger, and grief in one massive magebolt that vaporized all seven men and their horses. The road was twisted and burnt, the surface cracking as it cooled in the breeze. Weeds and bushes in the ditches were either burning or completely charred away.
Ari and the archers sat their horses, stunned by the triplets’ display of power. Riding slowly forward, Ari touched Maylee on the sleeve. “Are you all right?” she asked softly, looking around to see the faces of the three young women.
Maylee looked at Ari, then at her sisters. “Yes. Let’s go. We don’t want to be late.” Turning her horse, she spurred her mount into a gallop and was soon joined by the rest. They reached Brian’s Ford as the town’s folk were loading their belongings into wagons.
Ari reported to Lieutenant Marston. “Sir, seven dead. We weren’t needed. The triplets simply blasted them out of existence.”
“Out of existence? You mean dead?” Merrit asked, looking at Ari.
“No, sir. Out. Of. Existence. Seven men, and horses, gone in the blink of an eye. Even the road and bushes were burnt.” Ari’s haunted eyes convinced Merrit that she was telling the bare truth.
“Very well. This group is going to stop just inside Greencastle. If we can defeat his magi so easily, then Marta may decide to occupy this territory.” Merrit looked around and spotted the triplets speaking with their father. “Those three are going to need close supervision.”
“Sir? Let Java and Sam handle them. My guess is that the only other person who would have a chance of controlling them right now would be their father, but he doesn’t look up to it.” Ari was looking at the triplets, so she missed Merrit’s closed look.
“If only…” she bit her lips, not wanting to think of might-have-beens, but having to wonder what would have happened if the triplets had been there when Frander had murdered Duchess Neldan. “Never mind. See to the horses and prepare to move out.”
*
When Merrit and the rest rode out to Brian’s Ford, Captain Freeholm sent messengers to Thunder Ridge and Vandalburg, asking Captain Thuringer and Captain Wilkinson to join her for a conference. Vince rode into Firedale and was immediately escorted to Captain Freeholm’s office. Randy was already there. “Come in, Vince. We have a decision to make.”
“About those women? Their story opens a world of opportunity, if it’s true.” Vince kissed Marta and seated himself beside her.
“It is true. I sent Merrit in to take a look, and she reports that the situation is exactly as Mistress Lanida stated. I’ve already sent a patrol in force to retake Brian’s Ford. What we have to decide is whether or not we want to, or should, retake this portion of Lender’s Dale.” Marta looked at her friends and saw each weighing the feasibility of doing what she proposed.
“Marta, I don’t know if we can without permission from Duke Kaster. Our contract is with him, not Duchess Samantha,” Vince said as he stroked his chin. “I’m not even sure Lady Mountainstand can authorize this.”
“She can’t,” Randy said softly. “This is a change in our contract, and Duke Kaster has to do it. Princess Java doesn’t have the authority to make that big of a change.”
“Then I would like both of you to send a messenger to Duke Kaster and request such a change. We may be able to secure this portion of the border if we act quickly.” Marta looked each of the captain’s in the eye, trying to gauge the effect of her words.
Vince sat back and nodded, as did Randy. “It’s to our benefit if we do. I’ll ask Duke Kaster for permission, Marta. The further back we can push Frander’s forces, the better.”
Randy nodded his concurrence, and Marta sent for a messenger to carry their requests. Marta had her own messages to send as well, to both Kaster and Arten, concerning Java’s continued development.
Merrit led her patrol into the gates of Firedale late the third day, wearied beyond reason by the task of shepherding the people of Brian’s Ford. “Marta, I can’t do this anymore. With the Firewalkers, it’s different. They obey orders. But those people? Every one of them thinks they should be in charge, and none of them want to do anything someone else says to do.”
“You should’ve let Samantha or Java handle them,” Marta answered with a grin.
“I finally had to, and we still had trouble. Thank the Gods for the triplets.” She grinned and almost chuckled. “I never thought I’d say that, but they did an excellent job of controlling their people.” Merrit was easing down into her favorite chair, flexing her shoulders as she did. “As Duchess Samantha’s retainers, they have a great deal of real authority. The only problem they ran into is that most of those people still think of them as children.”
“And we don’t?” Marta laughed. “Gods, Merrit, they’re seventeen. Or eighteen, I keep forgetting. Anyway, we’ve got to stop thinking of them as children as well. Java and Samantha, too. Do you realize that Java is twenty? It seems like only yesterday when she brought you in, but it’s been five years.”
Merrit ran a hand through her hair, reflecting on how much more gray there was these days. “I know. Marta, I’m forty-five. You’re forty-seven. Hells, Anness is forty, and she’s my baby sister. Even Shair is getting on.”
“Oh, don’t remind me. I hear it every morning in the song my crackling joints play. But I’m not ready to step down. Not yet.” Marta had seated herself and was watching the swirls of wine in her glass as she talked. “I do have to start training a replacement. Someone young enough to hang on for a few more years.”
“How about Shair? She’d do an excellent job, and s
he’s talking of resigning because she doesn’t feel as confident in the field as she used to.”
“I thought of her, or Klamath. She’s handled more than half of the company for years, and the transition to handling everyone shouldn’t be too hard.” Marta scrubbed her face with both hands, the stress of the discussion becoming apparent.
“Gods, I hate getting old. But we founded the Firewalkers twenty-three years ago. Gods, twenty-three years. Where did all those years go?” Marta asked softly, looking at Merrit.
“I don’t know. I do know we have something to finish before either of us can step down,” Merrit said, looking into Marta’s eyes.
“Yes. We have to retake Lender’s Dale. That may not be our contract, but it’s what we have to do.”
*
Captain Freeholm continued to send patrols into Lender’s Dale, capturing one town at a time up and down the border. Java, as the Lady of Mountainstand County, used all her resources to support the attacks, and the rescued civilians.
Captain Wilkinson and Captain Thuringer couldn’t directly assist without the permission of Duke Kaster, but they did provide what support they could without violating orders. Nearly three weeks passed before they received a reply to their messages about Lender’s Dale. The message consisted of just four words: “Take Lender’s Dale back.”
Duke Kaster’s message set in motion an avalanche of attacks against Frander’s forces. The attacks came as a distinct surprise: No one had ever dared attack Frander before. Forces from the Latté, backed by two Guard brigades and volunteers from the refugees, swept in from the south as the mercenaries and Guard units attacked the north and center. Thousands of refugees had been trained and armed to occupy the territory as soon as Frander’s forces were seen to.
Samantha, as Duchess of Lender’s Dale, began to have more authority over her people. The backing of Java and Captain Freeholm, as well as the incredible power the triplets wielded, made the people of Lender’s Dale think for the first time that they had a chance to take back their home.
CHAPTER 20: LENDER’S DALE
When your turn comes to lead, lead. Don’t hesitate. Your life and the lives
of your people depend on you being decisive.
Marydyth Shalina Forlan Zel’Karyn, better known as Mary Death
DUCHESS SAMANTHA HELD COURT, TRUE COURT, for the first time in her life in the main room of the Green Dragon Inn. Mistress Sabrina had recovered herself, with the aid of Lieutenant Skyhaven, and had gone home to reopen the inn as soon as the area was secure.
Samantha surveyed the people before her and inwardly cringed. They look so weak and helpless. Outwardly, she was calm and regal.
“My people, we have begun. With the help of Dukes Kaster and Arten, Lender’s Dale is being retaken. We don’t have much yet, but we have started.”
Mayor Keening of Covan’s Bridge stepped forward slowly and bowed. “Duchess, forgive me, but what can we do against Mage Frander? He’s made no real effort to fight you yet. When he does, won’t we all simply fall to him again?”
“We don’t know,” Samantha answered truthfully. “All we know is that we’ve been able to free eight towns close to the border. The mercenary captains are being cautious, and for good reason. We have pitifully few fighters to take on an army the size of Frander’s. That’s our main concern at present: Raising an army to fight against him, and training them. Our troops are being trained by the Greencastle Guard in towns across the border in Mountainstand County.”
Another man stepped forward and bowed. “Forgive me, Duchess Samantha, but where? I’ve never heard of this place.”
Samantha nodded. “Mountainstand County didn’t exist before the war. It’s named for Princess Java Mountainstand, the woman who rescued me and became my guardian. It consists of the portion of the border that was unclaimed before the war. There are a number of towns there now that also didn’t exist before the war. Towns that hold a great number of our people who fled when Frander attacked.”
Mayor Porter Jalleden of Carter’s Ford stepped up next, bowing to Samantha before turning to speak to the gathered people. “My friends, we have a duty, not only to Duchess Samantha, but also to our fallen friends, to fight Frander in any way we can. I lost everything during the time the amulet controlled me. My wife died, as did my daughter. My son was taken away to only the Gods know where. If I’d been able, I would’ve killed myself. I will kill myself before another of those infernal things hangs about my neck.”
Nods of understanding and agreement showed throughout the room as the gathered leaders of the area considered Porter’s words. Samantha let them go for a moment, then called them to order.
“My people, we have much to do. The first order of business is to complete the harvest. Hiddendell and Greencastle cannot feed us all. We have to feed ourselves, and likely a great number of our people who will have sent their harvest to Frander before we can free them.”
*
Winter saw Greencastle’s forces drawn to a standstill. They couldn’t actively fight Frander’s forces in the snow and ice. Captain Freeholm and her fellow captains established forward bases in the towns they had liberated and reinforced them with men and women from the refugee towns. Java’s lumber mills continued to produce as long as they could, and when the mill streams froze over they provided rough-cut trees for stockades. The Lender’s Dale side of the border was becoming a fortress.
The mercenary captains saw the opportunity to train their commands more thoroughly, as well as the people of Lender’s Dale. New lieutenants were promoted for the purpose of training the Army of Lender’s Dale, and Duchess Samantha ensured obedience by taking part in the drills and training herself. Many of her people were shocked by her participation, but none could refuse to join her.
*
Samantha sat in her room in the Green Dragon and shivered as Java poured warm water into the wash-tub that held her feet. “Sam, I swear, you should know better than this. Once your boots were soaked, you should have come in.”
Samantha shivered and shook her head as she gritted her teeth against the pain the hot water was causing her frozen feet. “No one else could stop, so neither could I. You know that. You taught me that, remember?”
Java nodded, reaching into the water to massage Sam’s feet. “I hope none of the others is this bad.”
Samantha shook her head. “No, I was in the lead. Playing scout. I was the only one to fall through the ice.”
Java shook her head in amazement. “Sam, I taught you better than that.”
Samantha nodded. “I know. I just got complacent. Isn’t that what you taught us? Complacency kills. Well, this is a good enough lesson for me.”
Java had insisted on moving into the Dragon with Samantha over Captain Freeholm’s objections. Once there she had appointed herself as Duchess Samantha’s vassal and servant, since she didn’t really trust anyone who had been under Frander’s control.
Lieutenant Sheridan, one of the surprise promotions, knocked and quickly entered the room. “Sam, are you all right?”
“Yes, sir. Just a touch frozen,” Samantha said from her seat.
“A touch stupid,” Anness scolded affectionately. “You’re not going to be effective for two or three days now. Next time, pull back and dry off. Discretion, young woman, is the better part of frostbite.”
“Yes, sir,” Samantha answered softly as Anness examined her feet.
“No permanent damage.” Anness looked at Java and Samantha together and smiled. “We’re going to need some more supplies. Heavy coats and pants, mittens, hats, the works. A lot of my recruits are wearing threadbare castoffs.”
Java nodded and went to the desk at the side of the room. “I’ll send an order to Linkville. That way I can buy from myself. For now, I’ll buy the extras from the Firewalkers. We’re fairly well set for our people.”
“You’ll have a hard time buying anything from Marta. After everything you’ve given us, she’s going to want to give something back.�
�� Anness smiled fondly and ruffled Java’s hair.
“As she once told me, I’ll insist. Lieutenant Lerves has a good supply of our old blankets as well. Those I’ll let her give to the people of Lender’s Dale to turn into pants and coats,” Java said as she wrote her letters.
Samantha smiled as well. “My people thank you, Princess Java.”
Anness laughed as Java frowned. “Don’t start, Duchess Samantha.”
The triplets walked in and heard the last of the exchange. “Ooo, what sparked that?” Maylee asked, grinning broadly.
Anness laughed as she answered. “I think it’s called love. Well, ladies, I have others to see to. Sam, stay off your feet for a day. That’s an order. If you’re not careful, you could end up crippled.” She wagged a finger at Samantha and received a subdued, “Yes, sir.”
The triplets waited for Lieutenant Sheridan to leave before announcing their news. “Sammy, Java, Master Sherefin has passed us. We are all officially Masters now.”
Samantha and Java both jumped up and hugged the triplets, winding up in a tangle of arms and legs that almost dumped Mayrie into the tub of water.
“What’s this for?”
“My feet,” Samantha replied as she sat back down.
“What happened?” Maygren asked, looking closely at Sam’s feet.
Samantha filled in her friends and endured their affectionate scolding. “I won’t do it again. I promise!” she finally said, and received hugs of acceptance from her friends.
Java sent her notes to Captain Freeholm and Lieutenant Lerves along with a packet to Mayor Grendalstone. It would still take weeks, but at least the supplies were being ordered. Other orders went to the Weaver’s Guild in Greensboro. Java wanted to build up a surplus of supplies for the people they were going to be liberating in the spring.
*
Lord General Alric Gavington of His Majesty Frander’s Army surveyed the reports on his desk. “What do you mean you’ve lost contact with the magi near the border? Haven’t you sent out a patrol to wake them up?”
Captain Evenston bowed low before answering. “We did, Most Excellent General. They also disappeared.”
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