The Forsaken Crown

by Christina Ochs

  “He seems to bear the archduchess no great love. You on the other hand, he seems to like a great deal. Only the gods know why,” Irena added with a laugh. “Anyway, he went straight to Count Faris after you’d been dragged off, and they laid plans all afternoon. When they asked Captain Vondran to suggest who else might help, she thought of me.”

  “Wait, the captain knows about this too?” Sonya was beginning worry at what Teodora might to do her friends.

  “Yes, but no one else.”

  “So, where are we going? Andrei—I mean, Captain Danko—said something about Count Faris.”

  “Yes, we’ll meet with him soon. It seems he has a mission for you—I mean us.”

  That made no sense at all. “Who is us? If you come along, you’re deserting.”

  “Us is you, me, and Captain Danko.”

  “What?” Sonya’s brain moved much too slowly. “He can’t come too.”

  “I can.” Andrei had slowed down to ride on Sonya’s other side. “In fact, I have to, now I’ve done this.”

  “You’re deserting too? You can’t. If they catch you—”

  “Oh stop it,” Andrei said. Sonya couldn’t see his smile, but she heard it. “I’ve had enough of Teodora and that Daciana Tomescu. Everyone hates the two of them but no one does anything about it. This is a good chance to get back my self-respect.”

  “Or to swing from the nearest tree.” Sonya drew Zeki to a sudden halt. “I won’t have it. If we’re caught, I’m condemned anyway. But you two, I can’t risk.”

  “Fortunately, your opinion in this doesn’t matter.” The smile was still in Andrei’s voice. “We’re joining you in your mission for the count. It sounds very interesting.”

  They rode for some time, at least several leagues to the north, until they reached a river. A stand of trees clustered near the water, and here Count Faris and Captain Vondran waited, completely concealed.

  “Thank the gods,” the captain said as the three of them appeared. “The count wasn’t worried, but I asked him, are you sure you can trust this Danko fellow? How do you know he’s not working for Teodora?”

  Andrei gave a laugh, apparently not offended. “I was working for Teodora,” he said, dismounting. “But the fact I no longer wanted to meant you could count on me to help the lieutenant.”

  “I’m glad.” Captain Vondran shook her head. “But it was quite a risk.”

  “It was.” Count Faris stepped forward as Sonya dismounted. “I’ll be honest: I might not have ventured it if this other opportunity hadn’t presented itself.”

  “I wish someone would tell me what’s going on,” Sonya said. “I appreciate the rescue, but we can’t stay here. By morning, Teodora’s troops will be everywhere.”

  “Quite right,” the count said. “Here are your orders. I want the three of you to head for the Briansk border. Your horses are fresh and if you ride hard you’ll make it by morning. Go north at least a hundred leagues before heading west. I need you in Terragand.”

  “Terragand? Surely you’re not sending me home.”

  Faris smiled. “I am, but not to visit. I received a peculiar message a few days ago. The messenger chased me all the way from Sanova. It was written by young Prince Kendryk of Terragand, who isn’t quite old enough to rule on his own.”

  “Why would he write to you?”

  “I’m not certain. It seems he’s forming a small standing army, and is looking for experienced officers to run it. He was hoping I was available.”

  “You are, aren’t you?” Sonya wished the messenger had caught them sooner and they’d gone straight to Terragand, rather than come to this godsforsaken place.

  “I was.” Faris sighed. “And I will be again. But first I have to deal with Teodora. We’ll blame your escape on Captain Danko.”

  “That doesn’t seem fair.” Sonya frowned.

  “I don’t mind,” Andrei said. “I was bound to misbehave sooner or later.”

  “We’ll blame your escape on the captain,” Faris continued, “but I’m sure Teodora will be suspicious, so I might have to help her out for a time to placate her. Once I’ve managed that, I’ll follow as soon as I can.”

  “What do you want me to do in Terragand?” Sonya asked.

  “Find out what’s going on, and act as my representative until I can get there.” Faris handed her a pouch. “Inside you’ll find the prince’s letter, and one from me to him, authorizing you to act on my behalf. He has three regents, but from what I can gather, only Duke Desmond Balkunus is active.

  “If all seems normal, and the regent doesn’t give you any trouble, work with the two of them to set up a small army. If something isn’t right—which I suspect is the case—I want you to learn what you can and write to me.

  “I was close to the prince’s father, and worry about the boy. I also know the regent well. He’s an unpleasant fellow, and there’s no telling what he might do to keep the power he has.”

  “How old is this prince?” Sonya asked.

  “Fourteen or fifteen, near as I can recall. Still a few years away from his majority, but old enough to oppose the duke if he wants to. His mother and uncle are co-regents, but I’m not sure how they’re involved in this, if at all. Do what you can, protect the prince if you must, and keep me informed. Here’s money.”

  Faris handed over a heavy purse. “I hope it will be enough to get you to Terragand. If you need more, there’s a letter to my banker in Heidenhof in that pouch, allowing him to release whatever funds you might need.”

  “I-I don’t know how to thank you, sir.” Sonya’s head spun. She wasn’t qualified to undertake this kind of mission, but she’d have to do it anyway.

  “You needn’t.” Faris smiled again. “Captain Danko did the hard part, and you’re doing me a favor. Now the three of you must go, before any pursuers can catch up to you.”

  “All right.” Sonya nodded, placing the pouch and the money in her saddlebag. “I’ll do my best to manage affairs in Terragand.”

  Everyone mounted their horses and prepared to go.

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” Count Faris said, “I thought it better to have someone higher-ranking do this, so you’re a captain from now on. It’s how I refer to you in the letter, so don’t forget.”

  “Oh, I ... all right,” Sonya murmured, nearly numb with shock. Her fortunes had reversed themselves so many times in the past few weeks, it was hard to tell if she was headed up or down. Up for now, it seemed, as long as they escaped Teodora in time.

  Sonya cleared her throat. “Thank you, sir.” She turned to Captain Vondran, “And thank you.”

  “We need to go,” Andrei said, his voice low and urgent. “Dawn can’t be more than two hours off. We must ride hard to make Briansk by then. Even there we might not be safe if the likes of Daciana Tomescu follow us.”

  Sonya shivered at that. Tomescu would follow them; she was sure of it. And they were only three, though her saddle and those of the others bristled with weapons.

  But before she could worry any more, they were off, Andrei leading the way down a small trail winding east through the tall grass. They put their horses to a gallop; they’d have to push them hard for a time.

  Zeki didn’t mind, stretching his head forward into the wind, his hoofs pounding the hard, dry ground. Sonya prayed he’d be fast enough to outrun any pursuers .

  Birkenhof Palace

  A FEW DAYS PASSED, and Kendryk tried to think of what to do. He was unable to get messages out, but he needed to somehow learn what was going on.

  Being under house arrest wasn’t as awful as it might have been. Kendryk was allowed to go to his study and have all of his books sent up from the library, though none of the military ones he requested made their way to him.

  He could even visit his mother once a day in the company of two unfriendly guards. Meals were brought to his room and Arvus attended him, same as always.

  “I’m afraid I can’t ask the tailor to come right now, Your Grace,” Arvus said as he helped Ken
dryk dress one morning. “Duke Desmond says you’re to have no visitors.”

  “It’s all right.” Kendryk smiled ruefully at his reflection. “I have no reason to dress up.”

  At first he’d been furious and determined to somehow escape the duke. But he wasn’t able to come up with any plan beyond that. He wouldn’t get far without help, or money, and the duke had made sure he got neither.

  Even Arvus refused to take a message out, though saying no to his master seemed to have nearly broken his heart.

  “I hate to be such a coward, Your Grace,” he’d whispered, after declining to take a message to Kendryk’s Uncle Evard. Though far away and unpleasant, Kendryk hoped he’d help. “But the duke spoke with me that first day, said if I did anything like that, he’d throw my old father in the dungeon, the cold one over at the castle.”

  “He’s vile,” Kendryk said, still angry, but also rather deflated. “I don’t blame you.” He walked over to the window. Now he couldn’t go outside, he spent a great deal of time staring out at the garden. “I have no one to blame but myself for being stupid and naive.”

  “With all respect, I don’t agree, Your Grace,” Arvus said. “Now let me fix that collar. You’ll feel better for looking presentable.”

  ‘You’re right.” Kendryk let Arvus fuss over his clothes. It wasn’t as though the poor man had anything better to do these days.

  That done, Kendryk went down the corridor to his study. No guards were visible, but he was aware of their presence, standing at the foot of the stairs, and at each outside entrance. None were under his windows, but they were much too high to jump from, and Kendryk had yet to work out how he might climb down the palace’s smooth facade.

  “Come inside for a moment, Arvus,” he said as he stepped into the study. He’d always liked it in here, with its heavy green velvet hangings and dark wood paneling, but now he spent all of his time in it, the room seemed small and suffocating.

  “Have a seat,” Kendryk said.

  Arvus’s eyes nearly started out of his head. He only came in here to tidy up or bring Kendryk something.

  “We need to talk.” Kendryk sat down.

  Arvus finally lowered himself onto a brocaded chair, teetering on the edge of it.

  Kendryk leaned forward, careful to keep his voice low. “I suspect Baron Oberdorf betrayed me, but I’m hoping there’s someone in this palace besides you and my mother I might rely on. I was thinking perhaps the Baroness Engler. She’s one of the few people I see every day. Maybe the duke hasn’t threatened her as he has you.”

  “I don’t believe he needs to.” Arvus looked puzzled. “I thought you were aware, Your Grace. The baroness is on excellent terms with the duke. I’ve seen them whispering in corridors many a time.”

  A cold shudder ran over Kendryk. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Didn’t seem notable at the time.” Arvus looked so stricken, Kendryk felt bad. “I always thought they were discussing your mother’s care. The duke seemed to take a personal interest.”

  “He did?” Kendryk had never seen Duke Desmond anywhere near his mother’s quarters. It seemed the servants noticed a great deal more than he ever had.

  “I’m sure that’s all it was. Besides, how would the baroness have known about anything that might get you in trouble with the duke?” For lack of having anyone else to talk to, Kendryk had explained to Arvus what he had done and why the duke was upset with him.

  “Yes, I don’t see ... “ Kendryk trailed off, as he remembered that evening with his mother. He’d laid the list of names on the bed, unworried because they were alone. And then the baroness had come back for her cloak ...

  “Oh gods,” Kendryk said, jumping out of his chair. “She did it!” He paced to the other side of the room, then came back and sat down, quivering with agitation. “Why would she? She’s so close to my mother.”

  He dropped his head into his hands. “That means my mother probably isn’t safe either.” He took a deep breath, drawing in new determination. “I’ll try to learn more when I visit her tonight.” If only his mother would speak to him.

  Now he realized the Baroness Engler wasn’t trustworthy, Kendryk felt a mixture of nerves and resolve when he went to see his mother. It was hard to wait until the usual time, but he feared any break in his routine would arouse suspicion.

  When the time came, he concentrated on walking down the corridor at his normal pace. Every awful possibility jumped around in his mind. What if Arvus was untrustworthy and had already told the duke that Kendryk now suspected the baroness? What if someone had harmed his mother in the meantime?

  So Kendryk struggled to hide his relief at the sight of his mother in bed, same as always. He smiled at the baroness, hoping she wouldn’t be able to detect any strain.

  “I’ll just be in here,” the baroness said, rising from her chair and heading for the next room. Since Kendryk’s arrest, she never left the princess’s suite any more. He couldn’t ask his mother anything unusual, let alone snoop around. But he’d prepared for that, and hoped it would work.

  Before sitting down he patted his pockets, then sighed. “I’d found a book Mother might like and wanted to bring it to her.” He shook his head and smiled at the baroness, who’d stopped in the doorway.

  He had brought books from time to time for the baroness to read aloud. “If I go now, I doubt the guards will let me come back tonight. Will you find Arvus and ask him to bring it? He knows the one.”

  The baroness hesitated, and in that moment Kendryk was certain his suspicions were correct.

  “I really shouldn’t leave,” she said.

  “Why not? Are you confined to your rooms too?” He said it with a smile and in a joking tone, he hoped.

  The baroness smiled back. “No. It’s just those guards, they make me nervous.”

  “Me too.” Kendryk kept smiling, even though it was becoming painful. “I can’t imagine where the duke found such fearsome-looking fellows. I’m sure they won’t bother you. Please do find Arvus. He ought to be in his room.” He injected authority into his voice, knowing those below him would find that hard to oppose.

  “Of course, Your Grace.” The baroness said it with obvious reluctance, but was well-trained enough not to say no.

  Arvus slept in a small room next to Kendryk’s quarters, but would be difficult to find if he was trustworthy.

  Kendryk paused until the baroness had passed the guards waiting for him outside the door. They had no reason to stop her, he hoped. Once she was gone, he reckoned he had ten minutes—twenty if she didn’t give up the search right away.

  He sat down next to his mother and took her hand. “Please, Mama.” He hadn’t used that word since he was a little boy. “Please let me know you can hear me. I’m so worried for you. It seems the baroness is great friends with Duke Desmond, and he’s taken quite an interest in your care. That can’t be good.”

  The princess’s eyes widened and she turned her head. So she could hear him.

  Kendryk breathed in deeply. “I don’t understand why you can’t speak, but it’s all right. I’ll figure something out and get you away from these people.”

  “I can speak.” The words came out sluggishly, her voice scratchy from disuse. “But it’s hard.”

  “Oh gods.” Kendryk squeezed her hand even harder. “Thank the gods. I wasn’t sure if you even noticed I was there.”

  The princess nodded, then drew in her breath, as if making a great effort. “Always so tired and sick. Something in my food.”

  “That’s odd.” Now Kendryk’s suspicions were aroused, he wondered about many things. “Poison?”

  The princess shook her head. The hand he held started shaking. “Weaker than usual. Haven’t eaten much since you got in trouble.”

  “I’m so sorry, Mama. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

  “No!” That was louder than he’d ever heard her speak.

  He pulled back in surprise.

  “Not you. Something in my food.”
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br />   “I wondered ... “ Kendryk put her hand down and stood. “I knew something wasn’t right.” He wondered how much time he had, and decided he’d have to talk fast as he investigated. He pulled open drawers, looking for anything suspicious. “We have to act like you can’t speak a while longer. We can’t let on that we know. Especially the baroness.”

  “She doesn’t even try to hide it anymore,” the princess croaked. “Look in the desk.”

  “I’ll get you out of here, I swear it,” Kendryk said, hurrying into the adjoining room and opening his mother’s writing desk. “But we have to act like we don’t suspect a thing until I can get help.”

  “There is no help,” his mother said.

  “Uncle Evard.” Kendryk opened a little drawer in the desk and found a small glass bottle. “If I can get a message to him, I’m sure he’ll come.”

  “Too far away.”

  “I’ll think of someone else.” Kendryk lifted the bottle. The liquid inside was clear. “What is this?”

  “Not sure. She always sprinkles some on my soup.” The more she spoke, the stronger his mother’s voice grew.

  Kendryk looked around, praying to all the gods at once that the baroness wouldn’t return for a few more minutes. Next door was his mother’s dressing room, with a pitcher of water beside a bowl on a table. He dumped the contents of the bottle into a corner where it was too dark to notice it stain the carpet, then refilled it with water, hoping he’d guessed the level correctly.

  He put the stopper back in and returned to the desk, just as voices murmured outside the door. His hands shaking, he slid the drawer shut quickly, and put down the lid of the desk. The door handle turned as he ran into the bedchamber, flinging himself back into his chair.

  The door opened.

  “Your servant will bring the book,” the baroness said, out of breath. “He was all the way down in the kitchen, pawing at the scullery maid.”

  “The rascal.” Kendryk sighed. “I’ll have to have him beaten again.”

  Marjatya

  THE ENDLESS TALL GRASS held no landmarks. “How will we know when we’ve crossed the border?” Sonya asked, after they’d ridden for a time.