The Chronicles of Amberdrake

by Loren K. Jones

  Once all the servants were present, Mellody addressed them with Drake standing close behind her right shoulder.

  “Lord Drake changed the ascension ceremony so we are equals. That means that Matron Jeanette is the senior servant. Elwin, that places you in a secondary position. Do you have a problem with that?”

  Elwin looked startled for an instant then recovered his wits and bowed. “No, Lady Mel, of course not.”

  Mellody smirked as she replied, “I didn’t think you would, but I wanted it to be clear. Jean, you know Gavan and he knows you. As Lord Chamberlain he’s in charge of the estate. All of you remember that. Outside of this suite, Lord Chamberlain Deltree has control. Inside, Matron Jean has control. Any questions?”

  Luther raised his hand slightly and waited for Mellody’s nod before asking, “Lady Mellody, where’s the necessary?”

  Mellody smiled and pointed at a door to the left and said, “Servant’s quarters. Hurry along, now.” She smiled as Luther bolted for the door, then addressed the rest of the servants. “You may all take until the midday meal to settle yourselves. Matron Jean will assign your quarters. Dismissed.” All of the servants bowed or curtsied, then filed away behind Matron Jeanette.

  Drake chuckled, “And after we all eat, they can settle our wardrobes.” Eleven of Drake’s tailor-made suits had been delivered and Sawyer had seen to them, but Elwin had brought along nine sets of clothing that Drake had been forced to keep at the palace.

  Mellody chuckled in return. “I’ll bet it takes more than one day to arrange things to Jean’s satisfaction.”

  Two days later Mellody nodded her approval of Jean’s arrangements. “Very good. We will be leaving on our tour of ascension in six days. You and four of the maids, along with Elwin and Luther, will go with us. I know how much you enjoy dressing me up, but we only want to bring one wagon for our wardrobe.” She smiled at Jeanette’s affronted look. “Mix and match for both of us, Jean. Make sure Elwin understands.”

  Chapter 17

  DRAKE AND MELLODY RODE OUT OF Blue Ridge with the carriage and a cargo wagon behind them. Halsey Dixon drove the carriage and a swarthy young teamster drove the wagon. The servants were spread out between them.

  “Mellody,” Drake asked, “how long is this going to take?”

  Mellody grimaced as she replied, “About seventy days for our original holdings, and probably twice that for the new lands.” Drake muttered but let it go. He’d known the answer, but was hoping she’d give him better news.

  The first town on their trip was Maiden’s Bridge, a large community on the Carstairs River just two day’s ride from Blue Ridge. They rode into town with the setting sun in their eyes and stopped in front of the Maiden’s Sorrow Inn.

  Drake looked up and felt his pulse quicken. In the lower corner of the sign was a gilded carving of a dragon.

  “This is one of the finest inns on our lands, Drake,” Mellody said as she dismounted. “It’s run by the Amberdrake’s Children Trading House from up on the Brondian Continent.”

  Drake smiled as he replied, “I’m familiar with them, Mel. I try to stay in their inns when I can.”

  Drake looked at Elwin and nodded. “Go announce us.” Elwin smiled and bowed, then marched up the stairs.

  Even through the doors and down the stairs they could hear him say, “Your attention, please. Lord Drake and Lady Mellody Carstairs have chosen to grace your establishment by staying the night. Let an appropriate suite be prepared.”

  Drake looked at Mellody and grinned. “He’s enjoying that way too much.”

  Mellody laughed and said, “He has a right to, Drake. He is the valet of a man who is not only one of the great lords of Vernardia, but also the most powerful Mage in the world and a hero of the kingdom. He has every right to be full of himself.”

  Drake chuckled. “He’s full of something, all right. Do we wait here or go up?”

  “He’ll be down with the innkeeper in a moment.” She looked around. “This is one of our largest cities. The census showed twenty-six thousand people in the area, and seven lords. We’ll have to give them a day or so to prepare a greeting for us.”

  Drake nodded, then his attention was drawn to the stairs as Elwin led a well-fed man down to them. The man fell to his knees and bowed deeply as Elwin announced, “Lord Drake Carstairs, Lady Mellody Carstairs, please allow me to present Innkeeper Marlas Grantsport.”

  Drake nodded as Mellody said, “Stand, Innkeeper Marlas,” in a gentle tone.

  Marlas stood and bowed again before saying, “We welcome your return, Lady Mellody.” His eyes darted toward Drake and Mellody chuckled again.

  “Marlas, Lord Drake and I are both pleased to stay at your fine inn. As you might know, he’s from up on the Brondian Continent, and he knows your family’s inns up there.”

  Marlas gave Drake a look of wonder and Drake smiled in return. “I stay at inns run by Amberdrake’s Children by preference,” he said as he bowed his head slightly. “Your family brews the best beers and ales.”

  Mellody giggled as she looked up at him, then back toward Marlas. “That’s an unsubtle hint that he’s thirsty.”

  Marlas bowed, then turned and all but ran up the stairs. Drake laughed as he led Mellody up the stairs at a more reasonable pace. They had barely chosen a table before Marlas placed two large mugs of beer in front of them.

  “Lord Drake, I hope this is to your liking.”

  Drake nodded and tried the beer. It was a thick, hearty brew, much like his own. He sat back and smiled. “That’s good. That’s very good beer.”

  Mellody giggled. “Roe calls it liquid bread.”

  “She’s been here?” Drake asked.

  “No,” Mellody said softly as she shook her head. “I had a cask shipped to Mount Royal before King Bevan died. He only got a little of it, but he and Roe both liked it.”

  Marlas was beaming with pride at Mellody’s comment and bowed deeply. “I am honored to know my brew was able to provide our late king with some measure of comfort. What else may I bring you?”

  Drake glanced at Mellody, and at the negative shake of her head, he replied, “This will do for now, Marlas. Please show our servants to a suite, and send someone to inform the City Council that we are here.”

  Marlas bowed deeply as he said, “At once, Lord Drake.” Then he took one step backwards before turning to go.

  Mellody smiled as she sipped her beer. “This really is the best beer in Vernardia.”

  Drake grinned back at her. “Wait ‘til you taste mine.”

  Mellody’s head tilted to the side as she asked, “Yours?”

  Now Drake chuckled. “Mine. I used to be very good friends with an innkeeper, and we experimented until we had a brew that was even better than this. I intend to start a batch when we return to Blue Ridge.”

  Mellody smiled and took another sip. “I look forward to tasting it.”

  It took less than an hour for the members of the city council to join them at the inn. Mellody smiled as she made the initial introductions.

  “Mayor Rachaun Hunt, this is my husband, Lord Drake.”

  The mayor appeared to be a nervous wreck as he bowed deeply to Drake. He was in his later years, sixty at the least by Drake’s estimate, and his thick hair was gray as a storm-cloud.

  “L-Lord Drake, it is an honor to meet you,” the mayor finally said as he straightened.

  Drake bowed his head minimally. “I am pleased to meet you, Mayor Hunt.” Looking behind the mayor, Drake asked, “Is this your council?”

  The mayor actually shook as he replied, “No, Lord Drake. No. Most of the councilors live out away from town. I’ve sent riders out to all of them.”

  “What are you afraid of, Mayor Hunt?” Mellody asked in a puzzled tone.

  The mayor turned toward her and whispered, “The lord, Lady Mellody.”

  Mellody said, “Drake?” The mayor nodded, then seemed to collapse in on himself. “Why?”

  The mayor glanced at Drake before whisper
ing, “The rumors.”

  “What rumors?” Mellody asked.

  “That we are all going to be replaced by his people.”

  “Oh, that’s just silly,” Mellody murmured. “He doesn’t know that many people, Rachaun. Now quit acting like you got caught cheating on your taxes.” The mayor flinched, which made Mellody ask, “You haven’t been cheating on your taxes, have you?” The mayor seemed to collapse even farther as he nodded. “Oh, Rachaun.”

  The mayor began crying as Mellody moved closer. “You will provide me with a full accounting, Rachaun Hunt, and full restitution for any and all shortages.”

  “Yes, Lady Mellody.”

  “Go now and spread the word that we will be inspecting all accounts in search of tax cheats. And move out of the mayor’s residence. You are dismissed. Be prompt with your reparations or you’ll be jailed.” The mayor sobbed, then stood and backed away.

  Mellody looked at Drake and shook her head. “I hope this isn’t the beginning of a pattern.”

  “But you’re afraid it is,” Drake continued for her.

  “Yes, I’m afraid it is,” she admitted.

  Drake smiled as he put his arm around her shoulders. “Don’t let it upset you too much, darling. We’re not short on money.”

  “I don’t care about the money, Drake. It’s the principle. It’s being betrayed by people I’d placed my trust in.”

  Drake squeezed her shoulders and guided her back to their table, completely ignoring the two men who crept out of the inn behind the mayor. A serving girl carried a tray over with Jeanette right beside her.

  She said, “Lady Mellody, you should eat something.” At Mellody’s nod she placed plates of sliced sausage, cheese, pickled peppers, and bread in front of both of them.

  Drake picked up his beer, drained it, then looked at Jeanette. She didn’t have to be told what he wanted.

  Luther carried another beer over and placed it in front of Drake. Elwin was just a step behind him, supervising his apprentice.

  “Here is your beer, m’Lord,” Luther said with a bow.

  Drake smiled and said, “Thank you, Luther.”

  Luther bowed and stepped back, then glanced up at Elwin. At Elwin’s smile, he relaxed and smiled as well.

  Mellody sighed deeply and nibbled some sausage. “We’re going to have to extend our trip, Drake. I never suspected that the people I’d left in charge of our lands would betray me.”

  “Don’t let one bad apple spoil the barrel, Mellody. Human nature isn’t always what we’d like it to be.”

  Drake and Mellody were left alone until just before midday the next day. A group of twelve men and women arrived at the inn and requested an audience.

  Drake borrowed a private dining room and had Elwin and Luther arrange the room in a circle with his and Mellody’s chairs facing the door. Once everyone was seated, Mellody addressed the gathered nobles.

  “We have discovered a distressing bit of information: Mayor Hunt has been cheating on his taxes. He has been dismissed from our service, and we are demanding that he make full restitution for his misdeeds. We will be inspecting all of the accounts,” she paused to glance around, “to determine who has and has not been paying their taxes.”

  Only one of the couples looked uncomfortable at Mellody’s announcement. She looked at them and almost whispered, “Lord Jarlath Agerwald, don’t tell me you’ve betrayed my trust.”

  The lord and lady both stared at the floor for a moment, then he stood to address his overlord. “I have, Lady Mellody. I held back half my tax for the last two years. I would offer a reason, if I may?” At Mellody’s nod he continued. “Lady Mellody, Lord Drake, I hired men to maintain the King’s Road through my lands because Mayor Hunt wasn’t doing it.”

  Now another lord stood. “I must make the same confession for the same reasons, Lord and Lady Carstairs.”

  The others stood one at a time until only one couple remained seated. When the others looked at them, the lord snarled, “I’ve paid my share to the Crown and to Carstairs, and still maintained the roads. True, there’s not much of the King’s Road that touches my lands, but I saw to my roads and the King’s Road just the same.”

  Mellody was looking at all of them with hooded eyes. “Return to your seats,” she commanded and waited until every eye was on her before continuing. “I am severely disappointed in all of you except Lord Dedrick and Lady Tessah Coalton.” She looked at Drake and he stood to take over.

  “Those of you who held back to pay for road repairs will provide us with a full accounting of what was held back and what was spent. And, my lords and ladies, it had better be an accurate accounting.” Drake let a touch of power make his eyes glow for a moment. “Rest assured that we will expect repayment of any excess, but we will repay any moneys you are due. But this will be the one and only time we will make this accommodation.”

  Lady Tessah asked, “What of that thief, Rachaun Hunt, Lord Drake?”

  Drake took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he shook his head. “We will deal with him once we find out what damage he’s done and how much tax money he’s taken.”

  “We’ll also be appointing a new mayor and council before we leave,” Mellody said from her seat. “If any of you are on the existing council—”

  “None of us are, Lady Mellody,” Lady Tessah interjected.

  Mellody nodded. “Very well. The new council will not contain any members of the old council. The reaction of those members who were here yesterday was enough to indicate that they knew what Rachaun was doing. We will see to that over the next few days.”

  “And a new Lord Sheriff,” one of the ladies whispered.

  “What happened to Lord Cahris?” Mellody asked in a puzzled tone as she looked the lady in the eye.

  “He died,” the same lady replied. “He was my big brother, Lady Mellody. He died in his sleep and Rachaun left the position vacant. It is my belief, though I have no proof of it, that Rachaun was pocketing the sheriff’s pay.”

  Drake and Mellody shared a significant look, then Mellody shook her head slowly. “We must have a trial and an investigation. Our stay here will be extended to see to this matter. Are there any young lords who you think would make a good Lord Sheriff?”

  Lord Marlon Eaton stood and bowed. “There are several younger sons who would be good choices, Lady Mellody, but the best choice I can think of isn’t a lord: she’s a lady.”

  Mellody glanced at Drake and smiled at the stunned expression on his face. Turning back to Lord Marlon, she nodded and said, “Please elaborate.”

  “Lady Racca Agerwald, Jarlath’s granddaughter.” He glanced at the other lord. “She’s unmarried, though she’s all of twenty-five, skilled at hunting, very skilled with sword and shield, and she’s got as keen a mind as any man or woman of her generation. In addition, she served under Lord Sheriff Cahris as a clerk, guard, and deputy. She knows the job and the law.”

  Drake looked at Lord Jarlath and chuckled at his expression. He appeared to be torn between pride and embarrassment over the things that had just been said about his granddaughter.

  Drake asked, “What do you think, Lord Jarlath?”

  “Racca’s a very unfeminine young woman, Lord Drake,” he replied with a wry grin. “My son Jallard has failed every time he’s tried to find her a husband. And everything Marlon said about her is true. She’s worked for Lord Sheriff Cahris for almost eight years. She’s the one who researched laws for him when there was a question of legalities.”

  “Very well, Lord Jarlath, we will speak to her,” Mellody said to draw everyone’s attention. “Please send her to see us tomorrow. The rest of you prepare statements as to what measures you took to do the mayor’s job, what monies were held back and spent, and who you think would make a good mayor and council for Maiden’s Bridge.”

  Drake stood and looked around the room. “We’ll give you two days, not including today, to provide us with the information and your recommendations for Mayor and Council. Until
then, we’ll be seeing to Rachaun Hunt and his misdeeds.”

  All the lords and ladies stood and bowed to Drake and again to Mellody before filing out of the room. Drake closed the door behind them, then turned toward his wife and raised his eyebrows.

  Chapter 18

  MELLODY SIGHED AND SHOOK HER HEAD for a moment. She finally began pacing the room in silence, not looking at anything but the floor. Drake simply stood with his back against the door and let her think it out.

  “I want Rachaun Hunt’s head,” she finally whispered.

  “That would be a bit extreme, wouldn’t it?”

  “Yes, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to execute him. Drake, I trusted him! I trusted his judgment. I trusted his wisdom. I trusted his honesty.”

  “And he betrayed that trust,” Drake continued for her. “But while that betrayal deserves punishment, it doesn’t deserve a death sentence.”

  Mellody finally looked at Drake with tears in her eyes. He opened his arms and she rushed into his embrace as she broke down and cried. He let her cry until she finally calmed down and pulled away.

  “Now that you’ve gotten that out of your system,” he said in a gentle tone, “we should go see what we can find out about what Rachaun Hunt did to our lands.”

  Drake and Mellody left the inn and walked toward the middle of town. They received bows of respect from everyone they passed, but worried looks accompanied many of those bows.

  The center of town was marked by a wide plaza bordered by ornate, official-looking buildings. Mellody pointed to a building that had a crowd gathered around the steps and said, “That’s the mayor’s residence. What’s going on?”

  Someone noticed them, and the word passed like wildfire that they were there. The crowd parted to show two shrouded bodies at the foot of the steps. An old man looked at Drake and Mellody, and then mutely held out a piece of parchment.