***
Delmar Hide had become commander of the city watch when King Cain took the throne. Everyone had praised him and told him how wonderful a job he would do keeping the city safe. He had proved them right, until last night. Now he waited in the throne room to face Duke Blackthorn’s wrath.
Captain Hightower was the only other person in the huge room. Delmar thought that the captain of the Royal Guard must have been summoned as well; at least he hoped that was why the captain was there.
The door slammed open from the King’s private study behind the throne. Duke Blackthorn came out with Delmar’s report in his hand. “Commander, I want to know why you didn’t bring the Princess back here after I told you where she could be found.”
Delmar’s eyes grew large, he had never seen anyone that furious before. “You were right, Your Grace, we found her at the healers, but she had help. Warriors were inside this Rhys Morgan’s home. She escaped from us, but my men are still looking. I won’t rest until she’s found. You have my word on that, Your Grace.”
“You lost twenty-three men last night and several more are still missing, how did that happen, did she have a company of Asconan Knights with her?”
“No, my lord, just a handful of fighters, but the men said one was some kind of demon.”
The duke wadded up the report and threw it at Delmar, hitting him right on the nose. “You are going to tell me that your excuse for losing the Princess is that your men were attack by a demon?”
“No, my lord, that’s just what some of the men reported.”
“Get out of my sight, Commander.” Delmar turned on his heel and left the throne room.
“Captain, how many men do you have left in the city?”
The captain thought for a moment. “Forty-two, my lord.”
“How many does the city watch number?”
“After last night, maybe one hundred and seventy, give or take.”
The duke thought for a moment. “You take command of the watch and find the Princess. Use the Royal Guard if need be, but find her.”
The captain saluted. “It will be done, my lord.” He turned and started out of the throne room.
“Oh captain,” the duke called out.
Captain Hightower turned to face Duke Blackthorn again. “Yes, Your Grace?”
“Please kill Commander Hide’s demon too, if you run across it.”
Captain Hightower grinned at the duke’s wit. “Gladly, my lord.”
K’xarr had been thinking on what Ansellus had said about taking one thing at a time. He had never led more than a five-man raiding party, but he wasn’t going to tell anyone that. This was his chance to make his mark in the world. He had thought of a scheme, though he had no idea if it would work. He decided he would keep up the front that he knew what he was doing. Motioning the old general over to him, he said, “I have a plan to take the palace but I need a few things.”
Ansellus looked surprised. “Well, everything I have thought of will get us all killed, so I am willing to listen to whatever you have come up with.”
K’xarr felt a small wave of pride. His plan would most likely see them killed as well, but he relished the fact a seasoned general was going to listen to his proposed tactics. “Here is what we will need: a few horses.”
Ansellus stroked his beard. “That should be no problem at all. I would say the ones we rode in on might still be where we left them. What else?”
“Well, a lot of luck, enough spine to even try this, and Kian. By the way, how much do the people of Bandara like their little Princess?”
“They have always loved Raygan. Why?”
K’xarr laid out his plan for the general. Ansellus just looked at the Camiran with wonder.
“You are a madman that is the most foolhardy plan I ever heard of. I unfortunately have nothing else to offer and I truly wish I did.”
“There is no time for anything else Ansellus. It won’t take the watch long to hunt us down, if we are going to do this it must be now. To have any chance we have to get behind the walls of the palace and put the Princess in power, else we will be finished in a matter of days. “It will also give you a chance to sway Blackthorn’s men to our cause. Whatever you do, keep Blackthorn’s army out of the city until we take the palace. I’m sure they will listen to their old general.”
“You might be right, but if this lunacy doesn’t work were all dead men.”
K’xarr clapped the general on the shoulder. “Aye, but a quick death is best. Right?”
Chapter 17
No one liked his plan or thought it would work. K’xarr didn’t care, he had bullied all of them into it anyway. When he thought something was right, there was no changing his mind. Besides he couldn’t think of anything else and he wasn’t going to tell anyone that either. He had never planned something like this. Ansellus just assumed he knew what he was doing. The old general putting his faith in him had fed his ego, but now he realized people were counting on him and it made him a little apprehensive. After all he was just a Camiran. A warrior from the Harsh Coast, what did he know about leading anything? It was too late now anyway, he was going through with it no matter what the others said.
Kian had been the only one who had not tried to change his mind. The Half Elf seemed undaunted by the others’ reservations. K’xarr felt a little guilty about Kian’s blind faith. He hadn’t told the swordsman or anyone else the extent of the half-breed’s part in the plan. If he had, no one would have agreed to it.
Rhys knew an elderly couple that had agreed to take care of Endra’s children for the day. They had also left Nick Nock behind to help watch after them. The cook had become the children unwilling keeper. The portly young man wouldn’t be any help to them today anyway.
K’xarr told Nick and the older couple someone would come back for the children by nightfall. He didn’t tell them that if this didn’t work they would have the children a lot longer than just a day.
Rhys started out that morning on the north side of town where he had practiced his medicine. The healer began gathering as many people as he could. It had went well. Rhys was very respected and most of the people he talked to owed him for helping them when someone in their family had been sick or injured. K’xarr had been right about Rhys, he was charismatic and well spoken, the people of Turill would listen to him. It also didn’t hurt most of the city was unhappy with the King’s new taxes. Within a couple of hours, a large crowd had gathered to listen to the healer.
By noon they had acquired enough horses and people to start out for the palace. Only the citizens of Turill and Kian were on foot, the rest of them were on horseback. Endra had found Kian a leather vest and a pair of riding boots from somewhere. It made him look a little less wild fully dressed. His golden eyes darted back and forth. K’xarr didn’t think he would miss any threat that might approach them.
The Princess had issues with her attire, she complained that she was not wearing the right clothing for riding and needed at least a day to prepare for the procession. Raygan told them there was no way she was going to ride through the city after spending the night in a barn. She was relentless about it. K’xarr had held his temper as long as he could. In the end he finally had told her to shut up and do as she was told. Of course, that had set her off with threats and a lecture on how to speak to royalty.
He had laughed at her fit and that had not gone over very well either. K’xarr had told her it was her and not what she was wearing that would win over the crowd. She seemed to take that as a compliment and let the matter drop.
K’xarr was glad he didn’t have to deal with the Princess every day. She was a beauty to look at, but ugly to listen to. Maybe that would change when this was over, but he had little hope of it. The warrior tried to remember she was little more than a girl, and if they were successful the weight of a Kingdom at war would descend onto her shoulders. It was just hard to have much sympathy for her when she opened her mouth.
K’xarr was also a little worried abo
ut Vandarus and Rufio being wounded, but both men swore they could handle the ride. He was proud of them both. They were men of courage and the longer he travelled with them the more he realized how much he could count on them. Trust is a rare thing among mercenaries, but Vandarus and Rufio had earned his.
Within minutes of starting out, their small group was surrounded by a cheering mob of well over a hundred people, and every street they passed added more to the Princess’s swarm of well-wishers. They chanted and yelled for their Princess. They really loved the young woman. K’xarr couldn’t figure out why but they did. Ansellus told him she was popular with the commoners but K’xarr had been unprepared for the reception the city gave her.
He had to give it to Princess Raygan. She played the part well, waving and smiling to the crowd, touching the hands of those that reached out for her. As he observed her with her people, it occurred to him that she might not be playing a part. She really seemed to care about her subjects. It surprised K’xarr because she was such a little harpy most of the time.
They had encountered a few of the city watch, yet none had offered to even approach the Princess. It was either fear of the people or of the man that walked in front of the Princess’s horse that held them back.
Kian stalked through the crowd with his sword unsheathed and held low. If he was nervous or afraid, he didn’t show it. His expression was severe. With his black hair hanging down in his eyes, he looked completely untamed.
K’xarr knew Kian was playing no part and the fear and unease that they all felt seemed to have no hold on him. He knew the Half Elf that he met in Thieves Port was gone.
No fear showed on K’xarr’s face either. It was there but he hid it well. He had a right to be a little afraid though because what his plan really hinged on was a crazy half-breed and a very young Princess, if they couldn’t pull off their parts in this little play they were all dead.
***
The two women were watching the procession make its way through Turill from the roof of a tailor’s shop. The sign on top of the building hid them from the crowd’s view. The Princess had just ridden into the Great Market. “Look at their courage, Raven, how bold they truly are.”
The woman turned to her companion. “I expected no less.”
“The barbarian woman is much more beautiful than I had heard, don’t you think?”
“You think he would have chosen an ugly woman, Shamira? Where is Scarlett? I told her to meet us here.”
Before the other could answer a red-headed woman appeared beside them. She shook out her auburn locks and addressed the other two women. “You wanted to see me, Raven?”
The woman turned so the red head could see her face inside the cowl she wore over her head.
“I did, dear sister. I was told you had a talk with that vile creature down there?”
Scarlett’s eyes widened. “I only thought it right, after all, he didn’t ask for what has happened to him, and we both know what she intends for him.”
“Then that is her affair,” Raven said harshly.
“I only told him about the sword. I felt it only right for him to know what he carries, you know how dangerous it can be.” The red head said with a hint of audaciousness.
Raven smiled icily. “How did he even get his hands on it? That sword should have been destroyed long ago.”
Scarlett put her hands on her shapely hips. “I don’t know. I heard he found it in the Dark One’s tower, but you know as well as I do she had something to do with it falling into his hands.”
Raven turn back towards the city, so she could watch the Princess and her entourage. “Well, at least now we know who stole it from the temple in Sidia. I’m really starting to dislike that horrible man. He is only bold because Shiavaka favors him. I don’t want to talk about the arrogant little toad. Let him sit in his tower and rot.”
Scarlett nodded her head. “If only he would.”
Raven gestured to the group riding through the market. “I hope you are watching this, Scarlett. Do you see how tall they walk the world?”
The red-headed sorceress fixed her gazed on the Princess and her mercenaries. “I do, Raven. I just hope they don’t stomp on it.
They stopped in the Great Market where Princess Raygan climbed the stairs of one of the many platforms that the merchants used to hawk their goods.
K’xarr had Ansellus help the Princess with what she should say to her people. K’xarr had also given her a few suggestions of his own. In the end, it was the Princess that had to make this work. No one could help her now. The girl had to convince them, or his plan would end here.
He listened as she spoke of Bandara and its people and the love she had for both. He watched the faces of the people in the crowd, they were hanging on her every word. It was working.
When she talked about her late father, some of the crowd even began to weep. She told them about Blackthorn, not in detail but enough to make them see he wanted to put a noble foot back on the necks of the common man. She even made an appeal to the city watch to help her reclaim the city or stand down. They had told her not to say much about her brother, he was off defending Bandara as far as the people knew. It would not go over well if she made him out a villain just yet. She had balked at that, but Ansellus told her the people would form their own opinion of the young monarch.
The people of the city already resented the new taxes he had levied against them. Once they learned the truth about Cain’s intentions, his reign would be over.
K’xarr could not believe it. The Princess’s speech had drawn the people to her like a bear to honey. Her pleas were so effective on the mob because the Princess was well spoken and believed what she was saying. The citizens of Turill could tell the young woman cared about them.
When she finished, many of the watch were cheering her and joined the mob. After all, they had families that had felt the pain of the new taxes just like everyone else. Many felt if the Princess was the rightful heir, their allegiance should be to her.
When they moved on from the market, hundreds followed them. K’xarr felt like his plan might just work. The young Princess had done her job, now it was up to Kian.
Bishop Lyfair stood on the wall with Duke Blackthorn, it was a cool day but the Bishop could see that the duke was sweating heavily in his armor, but he didn’t think the aging noble was perspiring because he was hot.
The Princess was coming and she had Ansellus Fox with her, as well as part of the city watch and hundreds of the citizens of Turill. The city watchmen that were still loyal to Cain had entered the walls that surrounded the palace.
The watchmen told the duke besides Ansellus Fox a handful of mercenaries were also escorting Raygan, and one of them was the demon that had attacked them the night before.
Bishop Marin Lyfair didn’t believe in demons, but he knew they were in a tight spot with only forty members of Royal Guard and now less than fifty of the city watch. Ninety men should be able to hold the palace from this rabble, even if they had Fox with them. For some reason, he felt uneasy. He was at least enjoying watching Duke Blackthorn squirm. No one in Bandara, including himself, had ever stood up to him.
William Blackthorn had made a mistake. He had underestimated the Princess. He assumed she would bend to his will. He had been wrong. Lyfair didn’t know if Raygan had found a hidden strength or if it was the fact that King Aaron had spoiled her so much she was just doing what she must to get her way.
He did believe that Ansellus Fox had something to do with Raygan’s sudden courage. The former general had never liked William Blackthorn and Blackthorn had never liked him. Fox had been favored by the Albana family and William had never liked that fact.
It didn’t matter now why the Princess opposed the duke. The girl had angered him. If she failed, which the Bishop felt she surely would, William would make her suffer or worse. The Bishop wondered if Raygan was ready to spill Bandaran blood, because the duke most certainly was.
She was smiling and waving to the c
rowd as if she was in a parade, but she was sick. Not just the nausea the baby was causing but sick with fear. K’xarr was crazy to push her father-in-law like this. He didn’t know Duke Blackthorn like she did, the man was ruthless.
She thought Ansellus would have them take her to reside at one of the noble families’ keeps until he and barbarian mercenary gathered an army and drove William Blackthorn and his lackeys out of her father’s palace.
K’xarr said she would have to stay in the city. The arrogant mercenary told her she was the only one who could rally the people to their cause and the people would be her army for now. She had looked to Ansellus but he had agreed with K’xarr.
To top things off, that Endra woman was riding beside her. Raygan would never admit it, but the woman’s looks rivaled her own, with those dark eyes and thick black hair. The woman’s powerful body was simply stunning. It was all so irritating. Raygan didn’t even think the barbarian woman brushed her hair out at night. She made no effort at all to look beautiful, yet she was ravishing. Of course, it was in a common way, but it was still infuriating.
At least Rhys was with her. His very presence made her feel much better. He was such a brave man and she could tell he cared a great deal for her, even if he hadn’t told her so. She had seen the pained look on his face when he told her she was carrying Talorn’s baby. She wanted to tell him that she wished it was him, not Talorn, who had put the child inside her, but that would be unseemly, since she had not so much as even kissed the healer or told him how she felt. Now she would most likely never get the chance, since she had let herself be talked into this brazenly absurd plan.
Raygan looked over at K’xarr, but the savage wouldn’t return her stare. She wanted to make sure he saw how much her people loved her. When Ansellus had told him the people of Bandara adored her, she could tell the mercenary had doubted the general’s word. She wanted to gloat a little, but maybe this wasn’t the right time.
They hadn’t got to the palace yet, that’s when the trouble would start, even she knew that. William Blackthorn wouldn’t be handing anything over to her, no matter if the whole city demanded it. K’xarr’s plan would fall apart when the duke became involved. She was very afraid of what would happen to her after that. Talorn’s child inside her might be the only thing to keep her alive. As they got closer, she was starting to have second thoughts about the whole thing. Maybe she should have just run away with Rhys and left Bandara to Cain’s tyranny. No, she would rather die than see her father’s Kingdom left in her brother’s hands. The Princess of Bandara told herself right then, it was time to be strong. The trouble was she had never had to be strong or brave. Frightened or not, Raygan knew she had to ride on. The young woman threw back her shoulders and tried to look as regal as she could. If she was to be killed, she would face death like a Bandaran Princess.
Gods Of Blood And Fire (Book 1) Page 30
