The Queen flipped her hair back and a look of determination settled on her face. “If I don’t meet with him, my only other choice is war, and my people have suffered enough from Cain and I squabbling over the throne. Even if he had a hand in killing our father, I have to put that aside for the good of my Kingdom. A civil war could destroy Bandara. I will not have that on my conscious. I will go and try to settle this with him, but not alone.”
Ansellus folded his arms. “You have something in mind, Highness?”
“I do, but I have some reservations about it.”
Eldon Cross rested his big hand on the Queen’s petite shoulder. “Almost every decision I make I have reservations about. It is the fate of those who would command. Make your choice and stand by it, Majesty, it’s all you can do.”
***
Raygan dressed herself in a simple white dress and left her dark hair down. She turned her back to the mirror and looked over her shoulder. Her hair had grown long over the winter, almost down to the middle of her back. The long heavy curls were perfect. She gave herself a quick smile. God had truly blessed her.
She walked over to where Isabella sat with the little Prince. Raygan rested her hand on Isabella’s shoulder and looked down at her son. She must stay strong for him. His fate rested on the choices she made now. If Corwin was ever to be King, she had to settle the feud with her brother one way or another. Raygan felt much older than sixteen, all the fighting was beginning to wear her down. She wished her father was still alive and all she had to worry about was her hair. She would never be that carefree again. The Queen squared her shoulders and headed down to the small courtyard of Castle Blackthorn.
The Queen walked into the courtyard, she had not really noticed it before but the courtyard here was awful; it looked like it hadn’t been tended in years, but what could she expect from William Blackthorn. Her father-in-law didn’t seem like a man who would enjoy having a beautiful garden.
Kian and Endra sat on a stone bench, watching their odd little child play. Rhys had taken her to see the little girl the day before and the child had frightened her so bad, she let out a small yelp when she saw it running across the abbey floor. Rhys told her that Kian and Endra had tried to move the child out of the abbey after the battle, but she returned back there every night. Brigitte liked to climb the sanctuary’s wall and sleep on the huge crossbeam that spanned the Abby’s ceiling. So they decided to let the little girl do what made her happy. Raygan could not imagine how Endra must feel giving birth to a child like that.
“Kian, Endra, so nice to see you out in the sun.”
They both stood. “Thank you, Majesty, it is nice to have a day to ourselves. I wanted to thank you for the dress you gave Brigitte, she looks beautiful in it, when I can keep it on her.”
“I am so glad you like it, Endra.” Before the Queen could say more she felt something run into her leg. Raygan looked down to see the child standing beside her. It was odd to see a child so small standing, but Brigitte was not built like a human baby.
She was much thinner and she looked strong. Endra had tied the child’s long hair back into a ponytail. The little girl’s hair was gorgeous, it almost had an inhuman luster to it. Rhys had told her the girl had been covered in fine hair when she had been born. Thank God it had fallen out. It gave Raygan chills to think about it, but it was those golden eyes that disturbed her the most. Too much like her father’s.
In truth the child’s looks were beautiful, that could not be denied, yet so divergent! The more the Queen looked at the child, the more traits she found appealing. She wondered what kind of woman the little girl would grow into.
Raygan saw her tiny upswept ears, a bit more pointed than her father’s. It hurt the Queen’s heart to think of how the beautiful creature would be treated out in the world. “She is a pretty girl, Endra, let no one ever tell you different.”
Endra’s look told the Queen the young woman knew what she meant. The Queen walked over to stand in front of Kian. “It is your husband I actually came to see. I have a favor to ask.”
Kian looked at her with those frightful golden eyes. Raygan could barely hide her revulsion. “I am going to Turill to meet with my brother. I will be taking K’xarr and the remains of my army, but I would like to ask if you would go as my personal guard?”
Kian glanced at Endra, he saw the concern on her face. Both of them knew how the Queen felt about Kian. “Majesty, K’xarr told me about the invitation from the Prince. Are you expecting trouble from you brother?”
“Yes, unfortunately I am, and I could think of no one that could handle it better than you.”
Kian seemed lost in thought for a moment. “I do understand a brother’s treachery.” He gave her a slight bow. “I would be honored to escort you home, Majesty.”
“I thank you both, of course Endra, you may accompany us as well. I will find someone suitable to look after your children,” the Queen said, looking at their daughter. She wondered who on her staff would be so brave.
“Thank you, Majesty, but Nick Nock can see to them. Let me say, it will be a great pleasure to see you return to Turill.”
The Queen patted Brigitte on the head very lightly. “Thank you. I just wish it was under different circumstances. Well, I have plans to make, thank you both so much. I will have someone notify you when I am ready to leave.”
The Queen squatted down hands on her knees and looked the little girl in the eyes. “Thank you for letting me take your mother and father away for a little while, my dear.” Brigitte stood on her toes and licked the Queen’s face with her abrasive tongue.
“Brigitte,” Endra shouted. “I’m so sorry, Majesty.”
The Queen wiped her face and tried to smile.
Endra had taken Brigitte to the abbey and put the other children down for the night. She found Kian in the courtyard exercising. The movements and footwork Gildor had taught him seemed almost like a dance. The pivots and leaps the lunges and fades all could have music set to them, she thought. “Will you teach me?”
Kian stopped and wiped the sweat from his face with a towel. “Need you ask? I am not my master, but I will do my best to teach you what I can. I would feel much better if you had some training.”
“I have held my own in battle,” Endra snapped back.
“I meant no offence. You have great natural skill and you are strong. You can kill, I have seen that, but with training you could become an artist.”
Endra looked at Kian as if he was a madman. “What does swordsmanship have to do with being an artist?”
Kian pulled Endra’s bastard sword from her hip. “Gildor told me death was an art form. A swordsman must create death each time he fights. This is your brush.” He said pointing to her sword. “And your opponents are your canvas. You must start by giving life to the blade.” He slowly moved the bastard sword through the air in an intricate pattern. “Then envision your composition and craft your masterpiece.” He sliced through the air three times, too fast for her to follow. “It is easy to kill, it is a much harder thing to stay alive as you do it.” Kian handed Endra’s sword back to her hilt first.
She looked at the polished blade. “Teach me to be an artist.”
He explained what he had been taught all those years ago. He worked with her into the night by the torch light of the courtyard. The woman was quick and had good balance. She listened to everything Kian told her and did her best to mimic it. All the years of instruction he had inside him could not be taught in one night, but Kian felt Endra was off to a fine start.
When they finally sat down on a stone bench, they were both drenched in sweat.
Endra leaned over and kissed Kian on the cheek. “Thank you, my love, you are a good teacher.”
“You are a better student. I questioned everything Gildor told me. You listen and do as you’re told. I think you will learn faster than I ever did.
Kian became silent and looked into the night sky. The moon was bright and beautiful. He was quiet for a long t
ime then he spoke very softly. “I have seen the Old Gods. They have spoken to me. I’m afraid of what they might want.”
Endra’s brow furrowed. She knew Kian well enough to know what he said was no fantasy. If he said he had seen the Gods, then he had. “Why didn’t you tell me? What did they say to you?”
Kian drew Malice and held it out before him, looking at the strange steel. “I think some may want me to serve them. It’s causing me great concern. I don’t know what I should do.”
Endra didn’t know what to say. Her people still believed the Old Gods walked the world in disguise and interfered with the lives of men. Her mother said they tested people to see if they were worthy to serve them. If they failed the test, the Gods would kill the poor man or woman for their inability to please them. “Do not anger them. If they are watching they have a purpose and it must involve you in some way.”
Kian looked into her eyes. “I do not wish to be involved.”
***
Eldon Cross sat on his huge warhorse at the head of a column of knights. “I wish I could send all of them with you, Majesty, but the Abberdonians have been defeated, and I can’t stay and help you with your brother, it is a Bandaran matter and must be handled by Bandarans, besides, I don’t need any more trouble with the Church. The Pope is not fond of me or Ascona, and I don’t wish to incur his wrath by meddling in the affairs of a Kingdom still in good standing with the Church.”
The Queen smiled. “You have been of great help to the people of Bandara, they and I thank you, and I will never forget the kindness you have shown me.”
The Grand Master of Ascona inclined his head toward the Queen. “I’m sure K’xarr and Ansellus will see you on your throne. I wish you luck, Majesty. I hope the small guard of honor I leave with you is of use.”
“I’m sure it will be, Grand Master.”
“I don’t believe you will ever call me Eldon.” The Grand Master chuckled. “Till next we meet, Highness.” The knight raised his gauntleted hand in farewell.
K’xarr came up as the Grand Master rode away to lead his knights back home to Ascona. “It’s time, Majesty.”
The Queen trotted her horse to the front of her company of soldiers. She sat with K’xarr and Rufio, watching the men ride past. “Only six hundred left, I will have to rebuild the army as first order of business, if I regain my throne,” the Queen said.
“When you regain it, Majesty,” K’xarr corrected. “I have not come this far to fail now.”
“Of course. I have faith in you and the men. It just seems like there is always one more battle to fight. Cain and my husband are very determined men. It will not be easy to win back Turill from them.”
“Just stay close to Kian and leave the rest to me. You’ll be fine, Highness. Besides, Cross left you that Asconan honor guard and Sir Ivan.”
Yes, here they come now.” K’xarr and the Queen sat leisurely on their horses and watched as five thousand Asconan knights rode past.
“All of you better listen to Nick while Kian and I are gone, or it won’t go well for you when I return.” The older children all nodded solemnly. Tressa gave her mother a hug and had to be pulled away by her brothers. Sabra and Brigitte only understood that Endra was leaving. Both looked downcast and unhappy. Endra bent down and pick both the girls up and gave each a kiss. “I will be back soon before you know it.” Payton shook his head. “Mother, you’re going into battle you might not come back.”
“Payton, please don’t start this now. Think of your sisters,” Endra scolded. The boy gave his mother one of his looks. Endra hated when he looked at her like that. His eyes seemed so cold and empty.
“Nick, good luck my friend, your task may be more difficult than ours,” Kian called from his horse.
“It will take more than luck. Please try to hurry back.” The cook did not look happy about watching over the children again, but Endra would have no one else. He had managed the children better than anyone besides Kian and their mother.
“I love you all, be good.” Kian held the reins of her horse as she pulled herself into the saddle. Endra gave one last look back at the little army of children standing in the road before riding forward to join the Queen.
***
The veiled woman stood in the doorway of an abandoned garment shop. There would be no business in the market today. The Mistress could smell the rancid stench of rotting corpses, it bothered her little, she had grown accustomed to the scent.
King Cain had hung a thousand Bandaran citizens throughout the Grand Market. Eyes bulging, tongues hanging out of their mouths, and the buzz of flies everywhere, it warmed her black heart. The smell reminded her of the happier days with her husband. “Death always makes me feel nostalgic. How about you, dear?” She had sensed her daughter’s approach.
Syann looked around in disgust. “Did you have a hand in this, Mother?”
The Mistress turned to face her incensed child. “I didn’t have to do much, a poke here, a gentle push there. Prince Cain and his duke are power-hungry men, not much need to take a direct hand.”
“First Fane, now you, what is it you really want with these people?”
“You have seen Fane?”
Syann pulled her blonde hair from the tight pony tail she had it in and shook it free. “Yes, he used his power at the battle at Braxton Bluff, as if anyone cared about Vinteytium anymore.”
“Your hair is truly divine, Daughter.” The dark Goddess walked over and touched Syann’s hair. It felt like silk and gleamed in the sun light. It reminded her of the day the girl was born. She had been happy then.
“Mother, what is going on?”
The Mistress released her daughter’s hair. “Don’t you wish to be worshipped again? You were once the beloved Goddess of Justice. Syann the Beautiful, remember? Don’t you long for that kind of power again?”
“No, Mother, those days are over. The people of this world worship another God, they have moved on. We are but memories to them now. Our powers have weakened, the days of blood and fire are over. I think even Father knew that.”
The Mistress chuckled. “The days of blood will never be over for your father, if we had not imprisoned him, what do you think he would be doing now, living among the mortals as one of them? Hiding in the shadows of this world, watching as the humans bowed before their invisible God? Don’t be foolish. If he had not went mad, he would be slaughtering them by the thousands. He would bleed this world until the humans fell to their knees and shouted our names to the stars.” The veiled woman paused reverently. “I want things to return to how they once were; I cannot live any other way.”
Syann tenderly took her mother by the shoulders. “Things will never be as they once were, Mother, you must accept that.”
The Mistress pushed her daughter’s hands away. “I am the Queen of Hell, and there is nothing I must do.”
***
Talorn found his father in the council chamber of the palace. “Cain will not see me, he has locked himself up in the throne room with Fox and Bradford. He must stop this now Father. Executing our own people? What are we becoming? Has everyone gone mad? I will not stand by and watch innocent people be put to death.”
The duke looked at his son, he knew this would happen. Talorn was the finest warrior in all Bandara, but he had the soul of a priest. “The King found it necessary to show the people that he ruled Bandara. If you want to blame someone, blame your shrew of a wife. It’s her fault Cain had to assert his authority.”
“How can she be at fault? Raygan is not even in the city, and I know she would never stand for this barbarity.”
William put his hands behind his back and turned his back to Talorn. He gazed up at the tapestry depicting the Phoenix Queen that hung on the wall of the council chamber. “The men that support her call her the Phoenix of Bandara now. Perhaps they mean it as a joke.”
Talorn ignored the comment. “What are we going to do about the executions, Father?”
“Did you know your wife is on the w
ay here as we speak?” the duke said, ignoring his son’s question.
Talorn was truly surprised. “No, I didn’t. Why is she coming, Cain will never submit to her rule. Has she decided to give up the throne?”
William laughed. “That woman will never give it up. She has a taste for it now. Son, you must get this through your head. There will be no peace between those two. You will have to choose between them.”
Talorn ran his hand through his thick hair. He never wanted this. “If she does not intend to relinquish the throne, then why is she coming?”
The duke turned and faced his son. “The King invited her.”
Talorn looked pleadingly at his father. “Why would he do that?”
William smirked. “I think you know the answer to that, Son.”
***
Talorn waited for Lord Justice Milara. He paced the floor of the side chapel of the cathedral. The Lord Justice would surely help him. When Raygan came there would be blood in the city streets if someone didn’t stop it. Lord Justice Milara had the power to do just that. Even Cain could not defy the Church.
The door opened and the Lord Justice came in. “Hello, General Blackthorn. I was told you wished to see me. What can I do for you?”
Talorn told him of his concerns. With his fingers forming a steeple, the Eye of God listened intently until Talorn had finished. “While it was a terrible thing that the King had to hang so many traitors, the Church doesn’t often interfere with a King dispensing justice. If Cain found these people to be guilt of sedition, then he may punish them as he sees fit. As for your wife, I was asked to investigate her and what I found greatly disturbed me. She has aligned herself with enemies of the Church, one is the renegade half-breed I seek. She also ordered dark sorcery used in the defense of Turill. I’m afraid she will never be able to remain Queen in the Church’s eyes. If she gives the throne to Prince Cain willingly, she will stand trial and peace will return to Bandara, if not… Cain will do what he must. I have judged him to be the rightful ruler of Bandara and the Holy Father in Tyro will agree with me, I assure you.”
Gods Of Blood And Fire (Book 1) Page 57
