by James Dale
“High King!” Dornael Mand saluted crisply. “My queen,” he bowed. “I pray you do not think less of me for not rejoining Doridan’s army. I am the last of my line and unmarried. For the opportunity to guard the High King…”
“No explanation is necessary,” Anna assured him. “Those who protect my husband protect Doridan, no matter what uniform they wear.”
Mand bowed.
“Six just to follow us around this morning?” asked Jack. “What happened to the Horse-maidens?”
“Captain Einnael is directing the security of the palace with Captain d’Kenna. There will be no more…incidents…while you remain in Dorshev, my Lord,” Kirk replied. “There are archers on the roof, and below watching the walls. They will send arrows at a stray wisp of wind if they think it suspicious.”
“Do you know where I can find Daenel d’Lachaeland?” he asked.
“He is quartered in the west wing, Jack,” Anna replied for him.
“I know the way,” Kirk nodded.
“Three in front and three following us then,” Jack ordered.
“Lions, ward the King and Queen,” Captain Vanar ordered, drawing his sword and moved to the front with Arrgenn and Falan, the other three taking up position in the rear.
They found the Steward of Immer in his room, in council with Captain d’Kenna. After sternly informing the Hammer’s captain he was expected to go get some rest as soon as his business with d’Lachaeland was conclude, Jack inquired about the fallen Hammer’s pension to their families. It was a reasonable compensation, both d’Lachaeland and Captain d’Kenna informed him. Anna was almost certain it was on par with death gratuities paid to families of soldiers of Doridan.
“Double it,” Jack informed Daenel. He ordered an increase in the Hammer’s pay as well. By a quarter at minimum. d’Kenna would have argued it was unnecessary save for the look Jack gave him. It was a small price to pay. Not an increase at all considering they had ridden from Immer with over sixty men counting the captain. They could field only forty-five now. Along with the four dead, three more of the wounded who would never serve again. Jack ordered their retirement compensation increased as well.
“Is there anything else, my Lord?” Daenel asked.
“I mean to ask the war council this morning for a delay to our departure,” Jack replied. “No earlier than seven days from now. Captain, any of the Hammer who wish to return to Immer for a brief visit with their families before we depart are given permission to do so. I will be well protected in their absence. I have the Horsemaidens and Lions and more troops will be arriving soon. I need the Hammer refreshed and rested when we move east. It will be your task above anyone else to ensure I reach Agash Thugar.”
“Very well, my King,” the captain nodded, though it was plain to see the command did not sit well with him.
“This is a reward Ardel, not punishment,” Jack assured him. “The Hammer has served me faithfully since we departed Immer. We have a hard road ahead of us. I expect them to travel it with renewed vigor and no lingering thoughts of words left unsaid to their loved ones.”
“As you command, High King,” the captain nodded.
“Go get some rest, captain,” Jack ordered him. “Go home if you can. I promise I will not leave Dorshev without you.”
His visit with d’Lachaeland finished, Jack and Anna, with their Lion escort, went to the royal council chamber for the meeting with Anna’s commanders. Though it was still almost half an hour before the scheduled meeting, all expected to attend were already present. Duke Morgan was the head of all the military forces of Doridan and would act as overall commander. Rhyn Dunnahel was present as Marshall of the Knights of the White Horse. Colonel Valdaen of the 9th Red Horse and the new commander of the 1st Thunderiders, Colonel Baris Errador were present. Others in attendance were the commanders of the 7th Longbow, The Queens 12th Lancers, General Aerhol Faerhan of the 5th Highland Infantry, generals for the 3rd and 8th Kings Dragoons and the 2nd Home Guard, Borg Cassaban and Malik Gamrin. High Lord Perigaen and Lord Dhoran represented the Staffclave. Prince Arrinor and Lady Ara’fael represented the Ailfar. Dorad was also there to absorb as much knowledge as he could before they marched east.
The only commander of note not present was Captain Braegil of the Rangers, who at the moment was leading the search of the sewers and tunnels below Dorshev for Fallen. All told the commanders represented over eight thousand cavalrymen, led by the Knights of the White Horse, four hundred archers, and twenty thousand infantry. Braedan’s Lions and Hammer and Anna’s Horsemaiden’s added another two hundred to those ranks. A small number perhaps, but like Bregil’s Rangers and the White Horse, their skill was far above their numbers. Almost six thousand more soldiers from both Amorhad and Caladin were expected to arrive within the next two days. Over thirty-four thousand troops would march east under the banner of the Queen of Doridan.
“Be seated gentlemen,” Jack said, waving them back to their seats. He seated Anna at the head of the table, then found a spare chair and positioned it at the queen’s side. Before taking his seat, he drew Yhswyndyr and lay the Highsword on the table. Not as a show of authority, so much as to emphasis to the council ultimately, whatever numbers they fielded, it would fall the High-sword to win the coming war. “I once told General Gamrin that before I road south from Immer, the largest force I had commanded was an eight-man Special Forces team. My experience at war is small unit tactics, insertion behind enemy lines to cause general mayhem, and well…selectively remove high ranking enemy commanders from the field. I have learned much since that day, but I am only here to observe.”
Cassy snorted at that, and Jack smiled. “To observe, and…perhaps to offer a suggestion or two for consideration of the council? Morgan, I defer to you.”
“What do you gentlemen have planned for this morning, Uncle?” Anna asked the Duke of Dorshev.
“My Queen, High King,” Morgan said, rising and unrolling a map of the southern Whesguard, “our focus this day is to only settle the order of march on the way to Tanaevar. When we arrive, we will meet with Brydium and Ail’itharain and whomever else is assembled to plan our march farther east. It is our plan to have Rhyn and the White Horse Knights ride vanguard, two leagues to the front of our column. Colonel Valdaen’s 9th Red Horse will protect our southern flank. Colonel Errador’s 1st Thunderiders will guard our northern flank. The infantry will take up the bulk of our column, with you, King Jack, safely nestled in the center of the formation, surrounded by the Lions and your Hammer.”
“Stuffed in box, perhaps?” asked Jack, looking at the Lady Ara’fael. She graced him with a winning smile but didn’t rise to the bait. General Gamrin however, burst out laughing. Obviously the Ailfar Spellweaver shared most of their conversations with her stocky, sidekick.
“Well protected, King Jack,” Morgan smiled. “By archers as well, and a few lords and whom-ever else I can scrounge to make sure you and your willow switch make it to the Iron Tower.”
“And where do you see the Queen of Doridan riding in this formation?” Anna asked.
“In the box with him if you like, Queen Anna.” Ara’fael replied. “Guarded by your Horse-maidens. He has made it painfully clear, if you are not safe, he cares little what happens to the rest of Aralon.”
“Our trains will be the most vulnerable, of course,” Morgan continued, getting the meeting back on track. “They will stretch for miles behind us. By the time we are ready to depart, we will have gathered enough supplies to last us six months at least. A full company of cavalry will ride on their side of them, with more ready to respond if a threat presents itself. There will also be infantry and archers mixed with them trains. As many as we can manage. We do not plan on starving at the foot of the Iron tower. We will forage as best we can on the road, but once we leave Tanaevar behind there will be damn all to eat besides what we are carrying with us.”
“Of that, I am painfully aware,” Jack nodded.
“The rest, is minor mostly details,” Morga
n concluded. “The placement of battalions and companies will be left to the decision of their separate commands.”
“As they should be,” Jack agreed. “Micro managing from the top can muddy the waters. Get me to Tanaevar first, then the Iron Tower. How it’s done, I’ll leave up to the experts. I have only one request this morning. When do you expect this monstrosity will be ready to move?”
“Four day? Five at most,” Morgan replied, getting nods from the gathered commanders.
“Make it a week from this morning,” Jack said. “I’ve made certain…accommodations to the Hammer. When they left Immer they were not prepared to be gone for…well, however long this takes.”
“Three more days will not burden us overmuch,” Morgan shrugged. “A few days of extra training will benefit the newest…recruits.” Obviously, he was speaking of the probationers Anna was releasing from the jails.
“One last thing,” Jack said. “Anna has suffered two attempts on her life in the palace in the last week. I was ambushed in the street before we left for Lordsisle. It is obvious our…adversary still has the will…and means, to try and keep me from ever reaching the field. I don’t know what other surprises he has already in place, or how many watchers he has on the palace, but obviously Anna is not safe here, no matter how many sentries we have roaming the halls. Here, he has a target to strike at. If her…if our whereabouts are unknown, then we are less vulnerable. That makes all of Aralon safer,” he finished, looking at the Lady Ara’fael.
“We could secret you both to the Tower of the White Horse,” Rhyn suggested. “Kiathan could not breach our walls with a thousand Raashani.”
“Thank you but, no Marshal Dunnahel,” Jack smiled. “I am sorry to say the memories of my first stay there are not the most…pleasant. Give it some thought. It doesn’t have to be this morning. And I’ll not force the queen to sleep in a barracks, no matter how soft the cots or hardy the bread.”
Jack could see Anna was not pleased at his suggestion, but she did not raise objection. That would wait until they were alone, he was certain. “Gentlemen. Lords. Lady Ara’fael, I will leave you to the minor details,” Jack said, rising. “I have interviews for a squire to attend, or I’ll hear no end of it from Daen Haemond. Dorad, could you send me a report as soon as you hear from Captain Braegil?”
“Of course, King Jack,” Dorad nodded.
“My Queen,” Jack said, picking Yhswyndyr up off the table, he sheathed the Highsword, then offered her his hand. “If you trust your commanders and you have no pressing duties, would you help me pick some poor soul to be my squire? You are the only one I’ve ever had.”
“Have I not been a faithful squire, Jack Braedan?” she asked, taking his hand.
“My love, you will continue to serve me in other ways,” he replied.
“That did not, come out as intended,” Jack assured them all quickly, when the queen blushed and everyone in the room tried to hide their smiles. “Good Christ, get your minds out of the gutter! Come, my queen, let’s leave them to their minor details.”
“I already know what you need the queen to do,” Jack thought, looking at Ara’fael.
“From the state I found you both this morning,” the Ailfar Spellweaver smiled, “I have no doubt she is fulfilling her own…minor details, King Jack.”
“I knew it,” he scowled at Ara’fael.
“Guard your thoughts better Son of Bra’ Adan,” she smiled. “You seem to think of nothing else with her at your side.”
“Coming, my love,” Anna asked, wondering why he and the Lady Ara’fael were staring silently at each other so intently.
“Of course,” Jack nodded, throwing up a wall around his mind as they left the room. He could not be certain, but he thought he heard the Ailfar Spellweaver laugh.
In the end, after interviewing all six candidates and discussing it with Anna, Jack settled on Darnol Elldoran, the seventeen-year-old son of a high-ranking officer in the Queens 12th Lancers. He was a strapping young man, with a sharp mind and just the right amount of swagger. Best of all, he had been training with a sword since he could walk and hoped to one day be accepted into the Knights of the White Horse. Being squire to the High King would certainly add to his resume, and knowing the pointy end of a sword from the pommel meant Jack wouldn’t have to worry about him every second when they were out in the field.
“Squire Darnol,” Jack said, shaking the smiling young man’s hand. “I’ll probably growl at you a lot when I don’t really mean it, and shoo you off when I can’t think of anything for you to do. Serve me well however, and you will be a White Horse Knight one day if you are good enough.”
“I will not fail you, High King,” Darnol bowed.
“And don’t do that again,” Jack instructed him. “I get enough of it from everyone else.”
“Darnol Elldoran,” Anna warned him, “You will hear language being around his Lions you will not dare repeat in front of your father! Not if you want to be a knight.”
“Yes, my queen,” he bowed, guessing Jack didn’t include the queen of Doridan in his prohibition on bowing.
“Have Daen find you a room and get you outfitted with what you’ll need,” Jack smiled. “And don’t let him bully you around. You work for me now. Go home and tell your mom and dad you’ll be moving into the palace. You can start your duties tomorrow.”
“Yes, High King.” He almost bowed, but caught himself at the last instant. “My queen.” Another bow for her before he left.
Jack sighed as he watched him go.
“His father is a true warrior of Doridan,” Anna assured him. “His brother serves as a first lieutenant under him I believe. He will have learned how to take care of himself by now.”
“God, I hope so,” Jack replied. He was just a kid.
“Now, since I am no longer your squire,” Anna said, walking over to take a seat on the large bed. “How may I serve you, High King?”
“Do you think we have time?”
“Your queen commands it,” she said, beginning to work on the buttons of her gown.
Chapter Twenty-five
Siegebreaker
They had time, but only just. They were barely dressed again before the world began to intrude on them once more. Lieutenant Ennul Tannaelson, commander of the Galekindar who had remained behind to protect Anna, arrived asking to take their leave of Dorshev. After hearing about the mission his king had been given, he was anxious to ride east to meet up with Tarsus in the Southran Plains. Jack had not forgotten the Sons of Storm were in the palace, but he’d had a hundred other things on his mind since returning. After informing Ennul Tarsus was likely still at sea and he had no idea how long it might take them to join up with their king, the Amarian assured him they would find him, and would put themselves to good use in the plains while they waited.
“You have my leave to depart, then,” Jack nodded. “I apologize for not sending for you sooner. Ride whenever the Galekindar are ready.”
“We shall leave at once then, High King,” the Amarian informed him.
“Ennul Tannaelson, thank you, for your faithful service,” Anna smiled, rising to offer the Amarian her hand. “The Galekindar are always welcome in Doridan. Your sacrifices for the Ivory throne will never be forgotten.”
“Queen Anna,” Ennul said, dropping to a knee. “Amar can only pray one day we have a queen with a shadow of your grace and generosity.”
“I pray that day is not long in coming, captain,” Anna replied.
“High King, we will find Tarsus,” Ennul promised, rising.
“I will see you in Tanaevar,” Jack nodded.
Ennul departed with a bow just as a runner from the Rangers arrived with a report on the hunt in the sewers for the Fallen. Captain Braegil and a squad had encountered three more of the snake-men not far from the palace walls in a seldom used tunnel. All three of the Fallen had been slain with only minor injuries suffered among the Rangers. What minor injuries meant to the stoic Rangers, Jack could only speculat
e. They had searched well over half the systems running beneath the city so far, and had found no other sign of more “nests” though the search continued. Jack thanked the Ranger and asked to be informed when the search was concluded. Though he was pleased with the results so far, he still meant to have Perigaen and the Lords emplace their Word before nightfall.
After the Ranger departed, Richard de’Bracy entered to give an account of what he had been doing since Jack left for Lordsisle. He went over several sales and purchases he’d made in the last two months, of silks and cotton, and spices and other goods, announcing proudly he had increased the coffers of Thonbor by at least fifty percent in that time. Jack asked him if he could spare enough of Thonbor’s resources to buy a winery.
“Do you have a particular one in mind?” Richard asked.
“Surcca Valley,” Jack nodded. “Though I will likely have to give half of its bounty away to pay a debt.”
“It will cost us, but I can make this still work out to your benefit, my King,” Richard assured him, the wheels in his head beginning to spin already. “We will have to increase production, of course. That’s the reason Surcca Valley is so expensive. They limit the supply to inflate the demand. Even giving half of it away, we can still turn a tidy profit. I know just the man to run it for you.”
“Do what you think is best Richard,” Jack nodded. “You know I trust you.” If he continued at his present pace, and he wasn’t interrupted by the war, the young de’Bracy would make him one of the richest men in all of the Whesguard. Jack decided on the spot when all this was settled, he would make Richard de’Bracy Minister of Finance in Immer.
If they survived of course.
There was a steady stream of visitors throughout the afternoon to see the queen as well. Before Jack knew it, the time for dinner had arrived. Though he wanted to take their meal in their room, Anna would have nothing of it. She made him bathe and dress for dinner, then he and the queen joined Duke Morgan, Dorad, Arrinor and Ailicia and the Lady Ara’fael in the cozy royal dining hall reserved for private meals of the rulers of Doridan. They had a hearty meal of lamb and steamed vegetables and some very good red wine. Morgan informed him over dinner most of the “minor details” had been worked out, and the forces of Doridan would spend the next few days honing their skills.
