The Chronicles of Amberdrake

by Loren K. Jones

  Mellody considered that idea then nodded. “Well at least she’s not going to be able to compromise this sheriff. And along those lines, would you consider women on the council, or even as mayor?”

  Drake nodded. “I don’t see why not.”

  “Good,” she said with a smile. “Now we just have to convince the lords.”

  Drake chuckled. “Tell the ladies and stand back.”

  The next day they returned to the mayor’s residence. It was approaching midday when the lords, accompanied by their ladies of course, sought them out.

  Jarlath Agerwald led his peers into the residence and stopped, bowing deeply before presenting a small parchment to Drake.

  “Lord Drake, by these receipts I claim that I properly spent all but twenty-six silver crowns of what I held back. I therefore present you with this purse to complete my taxes.”

  Drake nodded, then looked toward the next lord. One by one the scene was repeated until Lord Dedrick and Lady Tessah Coalton stepped forward.

  “Lord Drake, I have receipts totaling one hundred and twelve silver crowns of my own money that I spent on repairing the King’s Road.”

  Drake smiled and nodded to the elderly lord before handing over all hundred and seventy-one silver crowns he’d just received. “Lord Dedrick, we are grateful for your dedication to the crown and to Carstairs. I invite all of you to join us in the mayor’s parlor.” He smiled at the stunned look on all their faces as he turned and led the way.

  The parlor was mostly intact, being highly visible, and Drake had asked Jeannette to ensure it was well stocked. She and Elwin now stood ready to serve the lords and ladies.

  When everyone was seated and had a drink in their hand, Mellody spoke. “Yesterday we appointed Lady Racca Agerwald as Lady Sheriff of Maiden’s Bridge. Having done that, we decided to open nominations for mayor and city council to women as well as men.”

  “That is unacceptable,” Lord Veraltan snapped.

  “Why ever not?” his wife demanded.

  He looked at her for an instant, and then shouted, “Because only men have ever been mayor or councilmen!”

  “We are changing that,” Drake said in a deep, strong voice. “The final decision will be ours. We are informing you, so you can consider nominating both men and women.”

  Lady Agerwald smiled and said, “I think it’s a splendid idea,” as she looked around.

  “You would,” her husband groused.

  Drake had a meal delivered from the inn and they ate as they discussed who the lords thought would make good lord mayors and councilors. By sundown they had a list of nineteen candidates.

  Mellody said, “We will interview the candidates over the next few days and make the appointments before we leave. Thank you all for your recommendations.”

  The lords and ladies stood and bowed, then left the residence. Drake remained silent until the door shut, then snarled, “What a bunch of grasping, self-centered hypocrites.”

  “Shh!” Mellody hissed.

  Drake frowned as he continued. “It’s true and you know it. Every candidate they proposed was preceded by ‘my cousin,’ or ‘my brother,’ or ‘my son.’ They want their relatives in power here, and they want to say, ‘You got the job because of me’.”

  Mellody sighed. “Of course they do, Drake. That’s how it’s always been done.”

  “I want a more independent mayor. One who owes us his position, not one of them.”

  Mellody thought for a moment then nodded. “A young mayor and council to go with our young new sheriff. So, no old lords or ladies. That eliminates more than half of them. We’ll talk to a few town’s folk and see what they have to say as well. The mayor has to be a noble, but the four councilors don’t.”

  Drake nodded and walked toward her. “Let’s go back to the inn and make an early night of it.”

  Mellody smiled coyly as she said, “Not too early, I hope.”

  * * *

  The next three days had Drake and Mellody interviewing the younger candidates the nobles had provided, and an equal number of others that had been recommended by innkeepers, shop keepers, and town’s folk.

  Drake and Mellody sent a summons to each of their choices on the fourth day and met them in the mayor’s residence. The five young people were looking at one another in evident confusion. Three women and two men were present, and the men were looking at the women like they were some kind of outlandish creatures.

  Drake addressed them with Mellody by his side. “Congratulations,” he began, locking their attention on him, “the five of you have been selected to replace Mayor Hunt and his councilors. You’ll notice that I did not say councilmen.”

  Mellody spoke now, smiling up at her husband for an instant before speaking. “When Drake assumed the role of Lord of Carstairs, he modified the ceremony to make me his equal. As such, I want to bring more women into leadership roles. Lady Verona Barden, you are the new Lady Mayor of Maiden’s Bridge.”

  She smiled at the startled looks she was receiving as she turned to the others. Only one of the men was from a noble family. “You other four have been selected as the new Town Council due to your education and business sense. Rachaun Hunt robbed us of tax monies as well as selling off many of the Residence’s furnishings and decorations. Rather than trying to locate what was sold, we are allotting one hundred gold crowns to refurnish the manor. The City Hall, Council Offices, and meeting room are mostly intact, but they look shabby. An additional twenty gold crowns is being provided to clean and refurbish your offices. Spend it wisely.”

  Drake took over again, looking each of them in the eye as he spoke. “There was some collusion on the part of the old council as far as Mayor Hunt’s crimes were concerned. That will not be tolerated again.” His expression turned rueful for a moment as he muttered, “Wouldn’t be tolerated this time if they hadn’t run to the far corners of the kingdom.” He glanced at Mellody and sighed. “We have decided to let the matter drop and not seek redress from their families. If they return, however, you will inform us.” All five members of the new city government bowed to Drake and again to Mellody.

  “Very well,” Mellody said as a smile crossed her lips. “Now that we’ve thoroughly frightened you, I invite you to share a congratulatory drink with us.” She picked up a small bell and rang it. Matron Jeannette led the way with Elwin right behind her with a tray loaded with short wine glasses filled with light-red wine. Jean presented everyone with a glass and stepped back, then curtseyed.

  Drake said, “My friends, raise your glasses toward a brighter future.” As one everyone brought their glass up for an instant, then drained them in one gulp. Jean stepped forward and received the empty glasses, then she and Elwin left the room.

  Mellody smiled at the new mayor and bowed her head. “You have quite a job in front of you, Lady Mayor Verona. If you find out anything significant, send the information to Blue Ridge.”

  All the stunned young men and women bowed, then Drake led Mellody away.

  Chapter 19

  MORNING FOUND DRAKE AND MELLODY IN the saddle, headed toward their next town. The carriage had picked up a faint jingle when it hit a bump, but no one mentioned it. It was a ten-day ride, and a pleasant surprise. Contrary to Mellody’s fears, everything was in order, and they only stayed three days. The same story met them in the next two towns as well, but the third town had been raided and destroyed. Charred timbers stood in stone foundations where the walls hadn’t collapsed completely. No smoke rose from the ruins, telling them that it had been at least three days since the attack.

  As soon as Drake saw Carelwood, he shielded their entire party. Turning in the saddle, he told Mellody, “Stay back. Let me check it out first.”

  Mellody looked at the ruins of the town with fear-filled eyes. “Be careful, Drake.”

  Drake grinned as he looked at her and said, “Don’t worry, Mel.”

  Drake rode forward slowly, watching for any surprise, but found nothing. He’d ridden through the entire
town and was on his way back before he was confronted.

  “You ride on,” a young boy of about ten shouted from where he stood beside a burned-out building.

  Drake stopped his horse and looked at the child, then said, “We are here to help,” in as gentle a tone as he could manage.

  The boy hefted an ax as his chin bunched in determination. “You just go. There’s nothing left for you to take.”

  Drake dismounted to walk over to the side and looked at the boy for a moment, then asked, “Who did this?” in a soft tone.

  “What do you care?”

  “I am Lord Drake.”

  The boy seemed torn between hope and fear. He whispered, “For reals?”

  Drake nodded and went to one knee as he said, “For reals.”

  The boy dropped the ax and walked into Drake’s open arms. As soon as Drake’s arms wrapped around him, he started crying. Deep, soul-wrenching sobs shook his slight frame as he desperately clutched at Drake.

  Drake just held him for a moment, then asked, “Are there any others?”

  The boy sniffed, and then nodded. “Six of us.”

  Drake patted his back and stood as he said, “Take me to them.” The boy nodded again and led Drake by the hand between the remains of two half-burnt buildings, and into the woods behind the town.

  Drake could hear the whispers long before he saw the first child. Soon he was surrounded by five children and one injured young woman. The boy said, “Lord Drake, this is Miss Cardin. She’s our teacher.”

  Miss Cardin looked at him and asked, “Lord Drake? Our Lord Drake Carstairs?”

  Again, Drake nodded. “How were you hurt?” he asked gently as he went to one knee beside her.

  “Trying to put out the fires. Trying to save the school at least. I failed.” She broke down and cried. Drawing his massive power together, Drake Healed the young woman’s injuries. When she looked up at him, he smiled.

  “I’m taking you and the children back to my wagon. Lady Mellody will watch over you while I seek out these bandits.”

  Miss Cardin whispered, “They were soldiers from Bresardia.”

  Drake shook his head. “Not acting like this, they aren’t. Can you stand?”

  She climbed carefully to her feet and smiled when she wasn’t assaulted by pain. “I am fully healed, Lord Drake.”

  Drake led the way with the teacher beside him and the children in a single file behind her. It wasn’t a long walk. Mellody dismounted as soon as she saw the children.

  “What happened, Drake?” she shouted when they were still twenty paces away.

  “These are the only survivors, Mel. I need you to stay here and take care of everything while I hunt these butchers down.”

  “No, Drake, it’s too dangerous. Wait until we have some soldiers to help.”

  Drake shook his head and for a change he didn’t smile at her. “Mellody, remember how I made my living up north. This is what I do.”

  “You be careful, Drake. This isn’t like facing the Bresardian Army. They won’t give up and go home to save themselves.”

  Drake looked at Miss Cardin and nodded. “According to the teacher, they were Bresardian soldiers. And I’m not going to give them the chance to surrender or retreat.”

  “Drake?”

  “You haven’t seen what they did to the town, Mellody. These are not soldiers waging war: they are bandits slaughtering civilians.” He moved closer. “I have the authority to sentence them to death for what they’ve done. I’ll be back soon.” He kissed her, then mounted his horse and rode back through the remains of the town.

  * * *

  Drake was searching for the bandits with all his senses. It took the rest of the day and two more before he caught up with them.

  The men were lying in wait on both sides of the road. He rode into the ambush they had set with his shields fully active. Four crossbow bolts flashed as they were vaporized, and Drake magically seized all eleven of the bandits before they were able to reload.

  “Just the vermin I was looking for,” he murmured as he faced the men.

  One of the men was in an officer’s uniform and he shouted, “You can’t do this!”

  Drake walked forward and looked him in the eye for a moment before answering him. “Since I am in fact doing this, your statement is both incorrect and pointless.”

  “Magi aren’t allowed to use their magic on regular troops!”

  Now Drake nodded. “True, during a declared war, Vernardian Army Magi are forbidden to use magic against the opposing army’s troops. However,” Drake looked at all the men, “Bresardia has been defeated, the war is over, and you men have been attacking civilians.”

  “You can’t prove that!” another man shouted. “Take us before your lord and produce a witness to speak against us. You can’t, because there isn’t one.”

  “Because you think you killed everyone?” Drake asked and saw the man sneer. “Wrong. A teacher and five of her children survived.”

  “No one who saw us survived,” another of the men snarled.

  Drake chuckled. “I really don’t need anyone to identify you. I followed your tracks and trace straight to you. You attacked me without warning. In addition, you’ve confessed to your crimes. I sentence you to death.”

  “You can’t sentence us,” the officer snarled. “You have to take us before your lord.”

  Drake simply smiled. “No, I don’t. Now let’s go to your camp and see what you’ve stolen.”

  Drake forced the men to walk in front of him until he reached their camp. There were twenty-two horses and a large pile of goods next to a forest giant. Drake bound each man to a tree then started searching through the goods.

  The bandits had stolen a wide assortment of goods ranging from a beautiful ceramic bowl to a clerk’s brass inkwell. Beside the pile of goods were eleven pack frames and an equal number of saddles. Drake loaded all the horses lightly and fed them before returning to the men.

  “You men are condemned. What I want to know is who ordered you to do this?”

  The officer raised his chin and snapped, “Bergat you!”

  Drake looked at him and his smile turned nasty. Golden light flared and faded, leaving the men facing a daemon. As the men all began to scream, the creature grabbed the officer’s throat and commanded, “Answer me.”

  “General Markinson! General Markinson sent all of us out to draw off the Vernardian Army.”

  The daemon growled and ripped the officer’s throat out. Stalking from man to man, it slaughtered them without remorse. Finally, it paused and returned to human form. Looking at the bodies, Drake shook his head and released the bonds he’d put on them. As the last body fell, he erased them. Only some sprayed blood marked where they had been.

  Drake returned to the horses and rode away with two strings of eleven horses behind him. It took another three days to return to the town. As he cleared the trees he stopped in confusion.

  * * *

  Mellody watched Drake ride away with a deep feeling of disquiet fluttering in her belly. Turning to the survivors, she asked, “Is anyone injured?”

  Miss Cardin shook her head and replied, “No, Lady Mellody. Lord Drake healed me. If I may be so bold, though, we’re all hungry. Most of the food that wasn’t stolen was burned.”

  Mellody looked startled for an instant, then turned and commanded, “Jean, have the girls prepare a meal. Elwin, you, Halsey, and Luther gather firewood.” She nodded toward the town. “Scavenge what you must.”

  A small voice said, “I beg your pardon, Lady Mellody.”

  Mellody turned to find a very young boy standing in front of the rest. “Yes?”

  The boy looked nervous and bowed deeply before saying, “I know where a lot of firewood is.”

  Mellody smiled and said, “Then go with the men and help them bring a good supply back,” she commanded, and the boy bowed again before walking over to Elwin.

  Mellody turned back to the maids and shook her head. “All of you who aren
’t cooking, come with me. Let’s see what’s left of this town. I want the children to stay here with the cooks. They don’t need to see this again. Miss Cardin, take the lead.” The teacher bowed, then turned away with Mellody and the maids close behind her.

  The town had been reduced to rubble. Most of the buildings had burned to the foundations, and some had burned all the way to the ground. Mellody asked, “How many people lived here?”

  Miss Cardin looked over her shoulder to answer, “About two-hundred and seven, Lady Mellody. More folks live out away from town on their farms. We would have gone, but—” she motioned toward her body.

  “But you were injured.”

  “Yes, Lady Mellody.”

  Mellody nodded her understanding. “Show me where you have been camping,” she commanded, and Miss Cardin led her behind the buildings.

  The camp was fifty paces into the woods, behind a huge fallen tree. It was more of a nest than a camp, lined with assorted blankets and bits of cloth. Mellody surveyed the camp and pointed.

  “Bring everything back to the wagon. We don’t have enough blankets for all of the children.”

  Miss Cardin and the maids gathered all the goods and bundled them in the few blankets the children had scavenged, then turned to face Mellody again.

  Mellody led the way back to the wagons and had everything arranged, and then looked at the children. “Miss Cardin and the maids are coming with me again, but I want you children to stay here.” One of the youngest girls began to cry and Mellody went to one knee. “Don’t be frightened. We’re just going up the road a bit and see what’s left of the town. Tamalyn,” she said, looking at the youngest of her maids, “stay with the children.”

  Tamalyn curtsied, then went to her knees and looked at the children and asked, “Do you know the pony dance?” with a bright smile.

  Mellody smiled and turned away, leading the way back into town. Her impressive magical abilities probed the burnt-out buildings looking for anything salvageable. She found some preserved foods that hadn’t broken and levitated the containers out of the ruins. There was a trunk full of bedding, an oat-bin that was just scorched on the outside, and a few other small items—and death. It seemed that every building had bodies in it. Mellody’s eyes grew haunted, and by the time they reached the end of the town she was on the verge of tears.