by James Dale
"Captain Einnael will show you," Morgan said. "Go. We will see to Ellgenn."
Jack carried Annawyn from the room, Tarsus following. "The king is dead," he announced to everyone gathered in the outer suite. "Captain Einnael, can you show me to Anna's rooms?"
"This way," the Horsemaiden nodded.
"Lions, follow me," Jack said, emerging to the hallway. "The queen needs to rest."
Carrying Annawyn, with the Lions and Horsemaidens in tow, Jack followed Captain Einnael down the long corridor. Instead of going back down the stairs, she turned right, leading them down another hallway where they soon arrived at the princess' rooms.
"Cyran, keep two Lions and stay with Captain Einnael," Jack instructed as the Horsemaiden opened Annawyn's door for him. "Tarsus, take the rest of the boys and see what's happening. I'll find you as soon as I have the queen settled."
"We'll save some Raashani for you," Tarsus promised. "If there are any left. Come on Lions. Let's hope they haven't all surrendered yet."
Jack carried Annawyn into her suite, similar to the king's in size and dimension but obviously belonging to a woman. Well, to a Horsemaiden of Doridan. Her bed chamber was also similar. Jack lay his unconscious burden on a large, four posted canopy bed, and gently brushed auburn hair from her face. Two days of hard riding, and now the death of her father, was enough to overwhelm even a Horsemaiden.
"Forgive me, Anna," Jack said, kissing her forehead. Then he began to remove her armor.
“Jack Braedan,” the Horsemaiden captain warned him sternly.
“Well then help me Einnael,” he snapped. “She can’t rest with all this on.”
Soon he and the captain had the princess...the queen, he'd have to get used to that, stripped her down to only her small clothes and tucked her snugly beneath soft, silk sheets and a thick comforter. Jack stroked her hair, then bent to kiss her again.
"I'll be back soon," he whispered to the sleeping beauty. "I promise."
"Captain," he announced, exiting her suite. "No one disturbs Anna without Duke Morgan's personal leave. You get permission straight from his own mouth, understood?"
“As you command,” Captain Einnael bowed.
"No one will bother the princess," Cyran promised. "On my oath."
Jack patted the Lion on his arm and gave him a nod of thanks. "Graeg, you're with me."
Jack and young d'Vis made their way back down to the palace entrance, passing only an occasional squad of Braegil's Rangers patrolling the halls. From one of those patrols, Jack learned all captured Raashani, as well as the palace servants and house staff, were being collected out front on the palace grounds. It was there Jack found Colonel Valdaen and learned the palace was all but secured. Word had also arrived the Raashani soldiers besieging the Tower of the White Horse were even now fleeing with all haste to the southwest, back toward Raashan.
"It looks like Kiathan’s scheming is over," the colonel observed.
"Send someone to make sure they don't cause any trouble on their way home," Jack instructed him. "We'll have to deal with them later, but for now we will let the dogs run away. Colonel, I’d like you to get me a casualty report as soon as..." A very loud, very indignant voice interrupted him. He turned to find a pair of Rangers hauling a distinguished, but decidedly harried gentlemen towards the holding area.
"Unhand me at once!" the man cried. "Do you not realize who I am?"
Jack recognized him immediately. "Is there a problem?" he asked, walking over to the rangers.
"Is there a problem?" the man cried. "Is there a problem? By whose authority was this...this outrage ordered! By Yh’Adan's Holy Blood, I'll see whoever was responsible..."
"You'll see them what?" Jack snarled. "Crucified?"
"Who...who are you?" the man demanded.
"I," Jack answered. "Am the queen's champion."
"Whose queen?" he asked, confusion for a moment replacing his anger.
"Your flaming queen," Jack barked. "Ellgenn is dead and Kiathan is running for his miserable life. Annawyn now rules Doridan. It is by her authority this was done. And you...Dornen Errdan, will be questioned to determine what part, if any, you played in Kiathan's plans to usurp the Ivory Throne. Colonel, put the Lord Minister somewhere nice and safe until he can be questioned. And get me that casualty report."
"Right away sir," Colonel Valdaen. "Come along quietly Minister Errdan, I do not think it wise to try his patients."
"Who's patients?" Dornen Errdan cried. "Who is he?"
"He,” the colonel replied, “is Jack Braedan, the pirate you and Kiathan Ellgaer ordered crucified last year. Take my advice Lord Minister and hold your tongue. There has been a shift in power today, and he is somewhere near very the top. "
"Where to now my Lord?" Graeg d'Vis asked as the rangers led the fuming Errdan away.
"First we find out what happened to Erlwin," Jack replied. "Beyond learning his fate...I'm open to suggestions."
It didn't take them long to find where the wounded were being triaged, both Raashani and those of Jack's...coalition of the willing. It was a large group, so large it made Jack's heart ache. If there were this many wounded, how many had died? Doctor's and their assistants hurried about, quickly assessing what treatment, if any, they could provide, doing what they could to stop bleeding and ease suffering, then moving on to the next man. As he watched, one of the High King's Hammer was loaded on to a stretcher, then on to a waiting wagon. The doctor then moved to the ranger who had been lying next to him, checked for a pulse, then shook his head sadly and moved on.
"My Lord!" a voice called. Jack turned in the direction of the cry and found Kirk being treated for a wound on his leg by young medic.
"You okay?" asked Jack, kneeling down beside him.
"I've done worse shaving...oww! Easy there lad!"
"Sorry captain," the medic said, but did not slow his work.
"Where's Erlwin? How's Erlwin?"
"Pretty banged up," Kirk admitted. "They took him away a few minutes ago. The arrow is still in his shoulder and he took a sword cut on his thigh before we could reach him, but he'll live."
"Took him where?"
"Who knows?" Kirk shrugged. "They've been hauling wounded to three different infirmaries. I'll find out as soon as I'm done here."
"And Anghol?" asked Jack.
"Ran off with some rangers," Kirk replied. "They went to take care of some Raashani holed up in the royal stables."
"You let him go off by himself?"
"I wasn't in much shape to chase after him," Vanar sighed. "He's a big boy. He'll be okay. So...what happened to Kiathan? Did you..."
"He's gone," Jack muttered. "Again. I don't think we'll be going after him this time."
"General Gamrin will be...disappointed," Kirk observed wryly.
"I imagine he will," Jack admitted. "Are you going to be okay?"
"I'll be fine," Kirk nodded. "Don’t worry about me. I think I'll just rest here for a while. You can go do...whatever it is you nobles do after the battle’s won. Maybe give yourself a medal or some-thing?"
"Give myself a medal? I'll give you swift kick in the ass when you're done resting," Jack grinned.
"Well give someone a flaming medal," Kirk said. "A lot of them were earned here today my Lord."
"I'll see what I can do," Jack nodded, standing. "Graeg, go find the rest of the Lions. Have them start bringing water to the wounded. Go. I'll be right here when you get back."
"Yes, my Lord," d'Vis saluted. "Lions! To me!"
Kirk gave him an approving nod, then Jack went down the line to the first soldier not being seen by a medic, or nurse or doctor. He was a one of the Heavy Horse.
"How are you doing trooper?" asked Jack, kneeling down by the man. His right arm was bandaged heavily and secured to his chest.
"I've live, sir," the man nodded.
"Red Horse or Thunderiders?" asked Jack, noting his heavy armor lying beside him in a pile.
"Thunderiders of course," the soldier replied, offended.
> "You hang in there," Jack said, patting his knee. "They'll be moving you soon."
"Tell 'em to take their time," the trooper smiled. "It's not every day you get to lounge around in the king's garden."
"That's all you Thunderiders do is lounge around," the man beside him grinned.
"I take it you're a Red Horse?" Jack smiled.
On down the line of injured Braedan went, stopping at each man who wasn't being treated to give a word of encouragement or comfort. When his Golden Lions arrived, he set them to giving the soldiers water, carrying stretchers or helping the medics however they could. When Captain d'Kenna and the Hammer appeared, they fell in beside the Lions without a word. Two hours later, after Jack helped load the last litter on the last wagon, all remaining still were the dead.
There were thirty-eight blanket covered soldiers lying on the grass in front of Ellgereth palace. Eleven Red Horse. Six Thunderiders. Five Rangers. Twelve 2nd Home Guard. Three High King's Hammer. Two Dragon Guard and two Ailfar Rangers. How many Raashani had died was not yet settled. Captain d'Kenna estimated it was close to one hundred, with twice as many wounded and three times again as many captured or surrendered. Jack wasn't concerned with them at the moment. At the moment, his thoughts were consumed by the number thirty-eight.
"Have they all been identified?" he asked Captain d'Kenna.
"All have been named my Lord," d'Kenna nodded. “From Colonel Dreuhil to Lance Private Cole Adair of the Home Guard.”
"Send someone to find the palace gardener," Jack said, ordered. An idea had been forming in his mind as he counted the dead. He decided he wanted it accomplished before anyone could gainsay him.
"The gardener my Lord?" d'Kenna asked. "If I may ask Lord, why?"
"Because I have work for him to oversee,” Jack replied simply. “Please Captain?"
"Yes, my Lord," the d’Kenna saluted.
"What are you up to Jack?" Tarsus asked. He, like the Lions and the High King's Hammer, had spent the last two hours beside Braedan, carrying water and loading up the wounded.
Braedan ignored his friend as he knelt down and pulled back the blanket covering the first man in row of dead. We wanted to see every face, to look upon every man who had died under his command today. Number eighteen was one of the Ailfar. He actually knew him. Berehil was his name. Jack reached down to smooth his golden hair. He looked twenty but could easily be two hundred. Jack silently prayed he’d lived a long, happy life in the Golden Wood.
"Jack?"
He continued to ignore Tarsus as he went to the next man, and the next, lifting the blanket back to see each face. It was the first time he'd kept his plans from Tarsus, but he did not want anyone dissuading him in the course he’d decided on, not even the Amarian. The palace gardener arrived when Jack was on number thirty-two, but he made him wait until he'd looked at each man.
When he'd finished, the man was tapping his foot impatiently and opened his mouth to voice his protest at being so rudely treated. Until he saw the look in Braedan's eyes.
"I need shovels," Jack informed him.
"Shovels?" the man asked. "Whatever for?"
"To bury the dead of course," Jack replied shortly.
"You can't bury them here!" he man cried. "In the king's garden?”
"I can. And I will," Jack said. "They will be buried here. Right...beside...the...flaming...drive!" Each word was punctuated with a finger to the man's chest. "And I will…you will erect a monument with each man's name. Every flaming time a flaming noble from Doridan comes to visit the palace, they will stop here and pay homage to these fallen warriors. They will pay homage and remember how many lives were lost because not one of them, lifted a voice in protest or lifted a flaming finger to stop Kiathan's treason!"
"In fact!" Jack was shouting now. "Colonel Valdaen!"
"I am here my Lord," the colonel replied. He'd been drawn by the shouting and had been on his way over before Jack had called.
"How many sit on the High Council of Dorshev?" asked Jack.
"Fifteen," Valdaen replied. “Well, minus Kiathan fourteen.”
"I need fourteen shovels," Jack ordered the gardener. "Do you know where they live colonel?"
"If I don't, I'll find someone who does," Valdaen said, a grim smile slowly forming on his rugged face.
"I want them here within the hour," Jack said. "In irons if necessary."
"As you command sir," Valdaen smiled. "Captain Dugghan! Captain Arghil!" he shouted, turning away, "Gather the Red Horse! Our day isn't done!"
"Fourteen shovels, master gardener," Jack said, turning back to the man. "Right here, within the hour. And don't make me come looking for you."
"Within the hour sir," the gardener bowed, and hurried off. He had no idea who the flaming man in sky blue armor was, but if he could order a Doridanian colonel to draft the High Council as flaming grave diggers, who was he to gainsay him? In fact, the man decided, fumbling for the keys to his shed as he ran, a little manual labor would do those arrogant blowhards some good! His oldest nephew of his second sister was in the Home Guard. It was about flaming time a noble showed some appreciation for their service. By the time he found the right key, ideas were already swirling through his head on what type of landscaping would be best for the new cemetery.
"What now Jack?" Tarsus asked.
"Captain d'Kenna?"
"Yes, High Prince?" Ardel nodded.
"I know it's been a long two days, and the men are tired," Jack said, "but we're not done yet."
"I have thirty Hammer who are still fit," Captain d'Kenna said. "We'll begin arranging the fallen."
"The Lions will help," Kirk Vanar said, appearing at Ardel's side.
"Did you find out where they took Erlwin?" Jack inquired.
"He's at Saint Eialhor Hospice," Kirk replied. "He'll be going into surgery shortly."
"Then your job will be to record the name and position of each grave," Jack said, eyeing the way Vanar favored his leg with the large bandage. "No heavy lifting."
"Can my Rangers be of service?" Captain Braegil asked, joining the group.
"I still want the 18th patrolling the palace for stragglers," Jack said, "but if you can spare a few..."
"Would a squad be enough Captain d'Kenna?" Braegil asked.
"More than enough," the Hammer's commander nodded.
"Also, I need..." Jack began, but Tarsus laid a hand on his shoulder interrupting him.
"What you need," the Amarian said, "is get out of our hair for a while and let us get to work."
"Tarsus, I'm not going..."
"Captain Braegil, could you spare another detail to escort Prince Bra'Adan to a nice quiet corner where he can't get into any trouble?" Tarsus asked.
"I can spare a heavy squad," the ranger captain grinned.
"Tarsus," Jack sighed.
"Jack, you've done enough for one day," the Amarian said sternly. "For a week of days. Now get your ass out of here and get some rest. Or High Prince or not I'll..."
"Okay. Okay," Jack relented. "Captain Braegil, two Rangers should be enough to keep me out of trouble. I need to find Duke Morgan..."
"Four rangers," Tarsus said. "And you can talk to Morgan for thirty minutes. Not a second longer."
Not having the energy to argue with the stubborn Amarian, Jack decided to let him have his way. He headed back to the palace, not waiting for his escort. If they were rangers worthy of the name, they could find him.
It only took Jack a second to realize however, he had no idea, beyond the throne room or Ellgenn's quarters, where to begin looking for the Duke of Dorshev. He stopped and took a seat on the palace steps and waited for the Rangers. When the four men joined in a few minutes later, he sent one back to where the palace servants were being held in search of someone who might know where to find the duke.
The ranger returned quickly with a man of middle years, who apparently possessed enough common sense not to immediately begin protesting about his treatment or demand to know why he had been summon
ed. "I am Haemon Emnael," the man bowed, "Chief Steward of the House Ellgereth. How may I serve you?"
Finally finding someone today other than a fighting man or Anna or Morgan, who had a civil tongue in his head, Jack stood and returned the bow respectfully.
"Haemon Emnael, I am John Braedan, Duke of Thonbor. I apologize for the...inconvenience but I have need of a guide. Where would I find Duke Morgan on such a day as this?"
"Your grace, I cannot recall there ever being such a day as this in Dorshev," Haemon replied stoically, “I imagine he is with the king in his bed chamber. If not, he may be found in the council chamber."
"Forgive my bluntness, Haemon," Jack sighed. "But His Majesty rests in the Bosom of Yh. Queen Annawyn now rules Doridan. Take me to the council chamber."
"Your grace," the Chief Butler said sternly, "My staff needs to be released at once!"
"For their own safety, they will stay where they are for now," Jack replied. "Just as soon as I have been assured there are no Raashani troops left within the palace, they will be released back to their duties. Now, if you would be so kind..."
"Follow me your grace," Haemon Emnael bowed.
The Chief Steward led Jack and his ranger escort on a winding path through the palace, arriving after several minutes at the king's audience room. The mix of Dragon Guard and Ailfar guarding the entrance was enough to convince Jack he would have to look further for Morgan, Theros or Cilidon. If Haemon Emnael was surprised at finding foreign troops standing guard within the palace of Doridan, he gave no outward sign. One of Theros' Dragons opened the door for Jack without a word. Jack thanked the Chief Steward and assured him again his staff would be released to their duties as soon as possible. Inside he found the duke and the two Whesguard kings sitting around a large conference table.
Braedan found the nearest empty chair and sat down with a weary sigh.
"Duke Morgan," he began without preamble, "I've ordered something which may upset you, probably went against ummm, well protocol."
"I think the new...memorial garden is an honorable idea," the Duke of Dorshev nodded. "Fitting for those who fell today and...as a reminder to Doridan of their sacrifice.”
"Word travel’s swiftly within these walls,” Jack observed, wryly.
