Duke Volund puffed out his chest, furious to be insulted by his prince.
“Under the Old Laws, I am allowed to ask whatever questions I want of any of the royals,” Volund said. “I demand an answer. I have my reasons for wanting to know, and I’ll stand here until I hear something other than accusations about imposters and sorcery. We have no way of knowing what Lord Arundel did or didn’t do, since he is sitting in the dungeon, and I can hardly ask him if he did attempt to trick the Raven Mistress into coming to the royal city to be…manhandled.”
Lord Ungus rapped the table with his cane. “Enough, Duke Volund,” he said in a loud voice. “True, you are allowed to ask questions, but do not quote the Old Laws; that is my job.”
“Very well,” the duke said. “But we are all curious to know why, after the princess was notified the King’s health was at risk, she chose to go to Wolf’s Den with the Red Cobras. I am told she took the fortress by force and now holds it, and a number of Wolf Clan members, in her custody. I am told she has captured more than fifty old men, women, and children. Unfortunately, Captain Ramla is not here to offer testimony. Is it any wonder Chief Lykus captured her when she arrived? Yet, he is now in the dungeon with Lord Arundel after Grand Master Roland arrested them. The one who murdered King Frederick is sitting right there!”
“Rosamond did not kill the king, either by her own hands, or by her inability to reach Padama due to the arrival of Ragnal at Wolf’s Den,” Duke Andre shouted, as he started to rise to her defense.
The Duke of Bavol pulled the young nobleman back to his seat as whispers about Ragnal’s appearance filled the chamber. The nobles and knights could do no more than watch; no one was allowed to speak in her defense while Volund had the floor, and Ungus was displeased Andre had spoken. As Volund continued to bluster, Taliesin smelled burnt hair, and felt a ripple of dark magic spread through the crowd to the High Council. Arundel, gagged and forced to stand in a circle of salt, had managed to create conflict among the dukes through his son. Xander’s fingers twisted together on the railing, and his lips moved while he stared at Volund. Though Taliesin was unable to hear what Xander said, she knew he tried to provoke Volund into turning the court against her.
She focused her full attention on Volund, probed his squishy brain, and attempted to convince him she was not the enemy. His mind, as well as those of most of the dukes, were closed off to her, but Andre, Hercule, and Elric continued to think well of her, and resisted Xander’s magic. If she didn’t put a stop to Xander’s actions soon, no one would believe or care she was a princess and had a right to sit on the throne. As long as they did not turn on her completely and demand she be burned at the stake for witchcraft, she was not opposed to not being queen. But, she wanted it known Arundel, Dinadan, Almaric, and her mother had killed Frederick. She did not see Calista in the courtroom, and her mother’s lack of support hurt Taliesin deeply, though she had expected it.
“Lord Chancellor, I wanted to come to Padama, but Ragnal delayed me until the king was dead,” Taliesin said. “I had every intention of coming here to help him, and I believe I would have been able to had the war god allowed. The gods of Mt. Helos have their eyes on Caladonia, and the king’s death and the civil war are results of their interference. Now, if you want to know what I learned from Doomsayer, I will be more than happy to give you the names of the conspirators.”
The voices in the gallery grew louder. Most of the nobles did not believe she had encountered Ragnal or that the gods were involved. They did not care Varguld was already in motion, or each death fueled Ragnal’s desire for total domination of the kingdom. Hearing Almaric’s deep chuckle, she wanted to accuse him of conspiring with the war god and to reveal he knew about the king’s death, but she sensed it would further delay the vote if she accused Arundel, Dinadan, and her mother, and she wanted the matter resolved.
“Now she would name the culprits,” Volund said. “The very idea this girl spoke to the late king is preposterous—why should we believe her? I am told Calista and John Mandrake’s marriage license and her birth certificate were not found in the royal vault. Since Calista is not present, I have serious concerns the Raven Mistress is not of royal blood, but a commoner who poses as the princess. Why, last night this woman attempted to seduce Prince Sertorius by summoning him to her bedchamber, and then she…she bit him. Yes, bit him! I fear the rumors are true, and this…this she-wolf means to infect us all with the Wolfen curse!”
“You wish she’d bite you,” a man shouted.
Laughter filled the chamber, until Lord Ungus banged his staff on the table.
“Almaric bit me,” Sertorius said. “Had Rosamond not given me a magical charm to keep me from turning into a Wolfen, I might have harmed others. Now, we can continue to listen to Volund and be sidetracked, or we can simply let the High Council adjourn to select a new ruler.”
Taliesin felt a tickle at the top of her head and sensed Arundel. He stared right at her. ‘I may be caged, but Volund does my bidding through Xander. Almaric will sit on the throne, girl. Not you.’ The image changed, and she saw Arundel in his natural form, with blue scales and a fish tail. He immediately broke contact.
Something happened in the chamber. She felt a shift in energy and noticed Volund stop his oratory to draw a breath. Sertorius glanced at her and gave a supportive nod, wanting her to speak.
“I am protected by the Old Laws,” Taliesin said, “the same as the Draconus princes, and I cannot be blamed for anything that happened prior to this meeting. Lord Ungus, I beseech you to speak on my behalf. You know I am Calista’s daughter and Frederick’s niece. I deserve the same rights as my cousins, and if there is to be a vote, then I should be considered as a possible ruler.”
“I remind you again, Duke Volund, this is not a trial,” Lord Ungus said, with a smack of his cane on the table. “We are here to vote on who will rule Caladonia. The Old Laws allow you to question each prince or princess; however, your line of questioning has grown tedious. Sit down, Volund, and allow Andre to speak.”
Volund sat and glowered. Andre stood, swaying slightly, and pressed fingers to his forehead. He gave a shake of his head and forced the words from his mouth.
“Lord Arundel, Prince Dinadan, and Princess Calista are involved in the murder of the king. Chief Lykus supplied the poison from a flower that grows only in Scrydon, and gave it to a servant girl, who poured it into the king’s wine. This information does not come from Princess Rosamond, but from Lord Arundel’s own scribe. The scribe is in a room, guarded by my own knights.”
Dinadan let out a whimper as the crowd started to shout and demand justice. Lord Ungus stood, motioned for Andre to take a seat, and slammed his cane onto the table three times. The voices faded, and he glared to his left and right.
“Unfortunately, since the crime involves royals, under the Old Laws, they cannot be tried for murder. I am greatly disappointed in you, Dinadan,” Lord Ungus said, in a gruff voice. “Had I been told this information last night, Andre, before the High Council voted, I could have arrested Dinadan and Calista; however, Arundel and Lykus will remain in the dungeon until we can have a formal trial.”
Almaric leaned forward. “You are clever, cousin,” he said turning to Taliesin. “I would have bitten Dinadan, too, but he hid beneath his bed and screamed like a girl. We can end this seedy affair; simply agree to wed me, and I will tell the dukes to cast their votes. We will rule, together.”
“Do what Arundel says? No thank you,” Taliesin hissed.
“Be silent!” Lord Ungus slammed his cane onto the table.
“We apologize, grandfather,” Almaric said. He waved his hand in the air. “Perhaps our cousin, Duke Peergynt, would like to say something. He has been silent for too long; it’s time to know what the Duke of Maldavia has to say.”
“My concern is the use of magic, my Lords,” Duke Peergynt said, as he stood. “Magic was outlawed in this realm, though King Frederick revoked that law on his death bed. I was not present, so I canno
t say if this is true or not. The Old Laws allow us to vote for a ruler; however, the King’s Law decrees all magic users should be killed and all magical weapons destroyed. Before we cast our votes, I think we should address the matter of the princess being a sha’tar, and whether or not we want magic restored. If we allow Rosamond to be queen, we condone the use of magic. I am told by a witness a raven flew around the castle three times before it rained. Another claims five hawks flew from the south tower two nights ago, and then it snowed. I personally saw a dragon fly into this castle and turn into the princess. Is this the type of queen you want? A queen of magic? A Raven Queen?”
His questions generated angry retorts from the dukes who all spoke at once. Fakar jumped to his feet and spoke out of turn.
“Ringerike can only be used by the Raven heir,” Duke Fakar said, as he ran a finger across his moustache. “I believe the Raven Mistress is here to avenge the death of King Korax Sanqualus. She is a threat to the House of Draconus. The sword and this woman should both be destroyed!”
“She is a witch! Burn her!” a man in the gallery shouted.
“Enough,” Almaric snarled. He stood and glared at the court. “When I am king, magic will be allowed. I possess Doomsayer, which Rosamond used yesterday to speak with the king’s ghost, and he told her Lord Arundel and Dinadan were involved in his murder. Sertorius has Calaburn, the sword of Prince Tarquin Draconus, and even a few of you dukes have your ancestral magical swords. Magic has returned to Caladonia, and it does not matter if my cousin is a sha’tar; she is a Draconus and a Sanqualus. Let us agree the king revoked the law before his death and restored magic to the realm, and be done with it.”
“I never used magic,” Dinadan cried. “Not once!”
“No, you just poisoned our father,” Almaric snarled.
Sertorius leaned forward. “You went to war against him, big brother.”
Lord Ungus pounded the floor with his cane. “We are no longer discussing the death of the late king,” he said. “We also know Lord Arundel had a magic guild. We are not here to vote on the restoration of magic. However, the Council will note Prince Dinadan alone has not used magic or broken that particular law.”
“Doomsayer belongs to my family. I want it returned,” Duke Hercule barked.
“I brought the Horn of Bran with me.” Duke Andre stood and drew his cloak aside, revealing a long hunting horn hung from his belt. “This horn has been in my family for centuries. One blow and troops will rally to it. Fakar lost Tizona in the desert, but he had a magical sword.”
“What is wrong with all of you?” Duke Elric asked. “You have become sidetracked, and you bicker with each other. These things should not be discussed in an open forum; serious affairs of state should be kept private. I say clear the room and let the High Council reach a decision on all matters without a circus, Lord Ungus.”
“Be silent,” Lord Ungus replied. “Let us vote here and now on the restoration of magic. All must agree or disagree. Should we change the law and agree magic is restored to the realm? If you agree, raise your hand.”
Taliesin was not surprised when each duke raised his hand, as did Almaric and Sertorius, though their votes did not count. Lord Ungus pounded his cane, and it was settled; the old law was stricken from the record, and a scribe, seated in a nearby chair, made note, as he had with every word spoken at the meeting. Taliesin glanced at Xander and saw he had crossed his arms and no longer muttered. He had what he wanted, the legalization of magic, though it worked to her benefit as well.
“Magic is restored,” Lord Ungus said. “Now, we will decide who shall rule. We know what each Draconus prince and the princess offers. Almaric is a warrior. Dinadan is a scholar. Sertorius is both a politician and a warrior. Rosamond is a magic user, the Raven Mistress, and related to three royal houses. If a vote is not unanimous, the Star Council will join us, and the majority vote will carry.”
Dinadan flew out of his chair. “Sertorius married the daughter of Duke Richelieu of Garridan,” he said. “This marriage was consummated. Sertorius cannot annual his marriage to wed Rosamond—only Almaric or I can marry her.”
“I can get an annulment,” Sertorius said. “Sit down, brother. We all know you will never consummate a marriage to a woman. You only embarrass yourself, once again.”
Laughter from the gallery brightened the color in Dinadan’s pale face. He sat in his chair, glowered at the crowd, and began chewing a fingernail.
“Perhaps none of the Draconus children are worthy of the throne,” Duke Fakar said. “Perhaps it is time one of our noble families claimed the throne. Each of our families is as old as the Draconus and Sanqualus lines. Why pick a rotten apple when one of us could restore peace and prosperity to the realm?”
People seated in the gallery shouted, naming the crimes of each prince and demanded justice. While the dukes bickered, Lord Ungus stood and turned as Princess Calista drifted into the chamber, accompanied by five handmaidens. Dressed in a red gown with a high black collar, she stood before the dukes and the chancellor.
“My Lords, allow me to confirm Princess Rosamond has blood bluer than any child of my brother’s. Royal, Wolfen, Lorian, and Hellirin. Clearly, she should be our queen,” Calista said. Taliesin gasped in surprise; she had not expected her mother to speak on her behalf, nor even to make an appearance. “War must be avoided at all costs. Choose the wrong ruler and each of you stands to lose your dukedom, as well as your life. But there is another way to decide this matter.”
“Yes?” Lord Ungus asked.
“There is a clause in the Old Laws pointed out to me by Lord Arundel,” Calista said. “It states if the High Council is in disagreement, rather than relying on a Star Council to make the final decision, they can ask the Draconus sword to select the next ruler. Let Prince Tarquin Draconus’ sword, Calaburn, decide who will rule. Bring Calaburn forward and let us crown the chosen king or queen this day.”
“I do not have the sword,” Sertorius said. “I believe the wizard Zarnoc took it from my tent. If you want the sword, Aunt Calista, then the old wizard must be summoned.”
The scribe ran to Lord Ungus with a large tome. The young man placed the book in front of the chancellor, flipped it open, and tapped at a passage. Dinadan crossed his arms and looked furious, while Almaric laughed. Taliesin noticed Roland’s flustered look in the gallery, and her thoughts drifted to Zarnoc. She saw the wizard in her mind as a raven in flight toward the castle. The wizard flew with a flock of birds over the soldiers camped outside the walls, and entered Padama, heading toward the Moon Chamber.
“There is such a clause,” Lord Ungus confirmed as he glanced at the dukes. “Will the Council agree to let Calaburn select the next ruler? For it is clear Ringerike has chosen Rosamond to be our queen, and a king must have a queen to rule at his side.”
The dukes raised their hands.
“Then Zarnoc will be allowed to come to Tantalon Castle,” Lord Ungus said as he banged his cane on the ground. “Let the wizard produce the Draconus sword!”
A large black raven and a flock of white doves flew through an upper story window. The doves landed on the back of Taliesin’s chair, and the raven landed in front of the four royal cousins and turned into Zarnoc. He appeared as an old man, in a dark blue robe and a pointed hat. The Lorian sword, Brightstar, hung at his side, and he held a plain wooden staff. As Taliesin glanced at one of the doves, it jumped to the floor and turned into the girl Wren, then all of the birds changed into humans. Hawk was armed with his rapiers, Sting and Fang. Rook, in black armor, held his silver Erindor spear and had Tizona strapped to his waist. Prince Tamblyn, the Lorian, wore Graysteel, and he cradled a polar bear cub, Ursus, in his arms. Shan Octavio, armed with Retaliator, and his daughter, Jaelle, in a nun’s habit appeared beside Ismeina the White Witch. But it was Rook who caught the attention of the High Council, and Duke Fakar was on his feet at once. He pointed at the young man.
“It is my long-lost son, Hassan,” Duke Fakar cried, overcome with
emotion. “How does he come to be among the Raven Clan?”
“By choice,” Rook said, loud and clear.
The Erindor duke walked around the table. He showed no concern for protocol, or the chatter of voices in the gallery, as he stood before the young man. The family resemblance was unmistakable as Fakar embraced Rook, who stood with his arms at his sides, looking pained to be touched by his father. Taliesin felt Rook’s embarrassment as if it were her own, and she remembered the stories her friend had told her in private about his abusive father. Wren stared at Fakar, as surprised as the dukes by the announcement and the embrace. Lord Ungus, displeased at the interruption, pointed at the group with his cane, but no one paid the old man any attention.
“I searched everywhere for you, son,” Duke Fakar said. “I was told you drowned at sea. You must come home with me.”
“This is Wren, my wife,” Rook said. “I am the Captain of the Black Wings and a Raven; I have no intention of returning to Erindor.”
“This is your son, Fakar?” Lord Ungus asked. The duke nodded. “Hassan is not your heir, for I happen to know he was born to one of your courtesans. For that matter, no noble here is worthy to be our next ruler. However, if you desire to make Hassan your legitimate heir, then tell us.”
“Yes,” Duke Fakar said as he faced the chancellor. “I want Hassan to be my heir. I loved his mother. The loss of them both was more than I could bear. Had I known you were alive, son, I would have made amends.”
“It does not change the fact I am a Raven, sir.”
“Father. Call me father.”
The Erindor duke turned to Wren, bowed his turbaned head, took her by the hands, and kissed her cheek. He was not the villain Taliesin had thought. Or, if he had been, he now regretted his prior actions. Family clearly meant something to Duke Fakar. As the duke whispered to Wren, Rook stood tall and proud, unmoved by his father’s decision, until his wife embraced his father. Rook softened, motioned to Hawk, and introduced him to his father.
Queen of Magic Page 28
