Soldiers of the Crown

by Stephen L. Nowland

  “The tracks are indistinct,” Valennia stated, “but appear to end here.”

  “More secrets,” Ronan muttered, moving forward to closely inspect the wall.

  “Does anyone have a clue where we are right now?” Pacian asked.

  “We were moving west,” Sayana replied. “I do not know where in the city that puts us, though.”

  “Moving west takes us very close to the Senate building,” Sir William postulated. Everyone was silent for a moment as that information sunk in, and Aiden almost gasped as he suddenly understood the magnitude of what was going to happen tonight.

  “The note we found at Thomas Bartlett’s place,” he breathed, having the full attention of everyone present. “It was trying to frame him for plotting to do something terrible to the Senate. I thought it was just a fabrication, but if those black robed cultists are heading there, then they were actually planning to kill key members of the Senate and place the blame for the murders on Thomas.”

  “Except they killed him after we uncovered the note,” Pacian pointed out. “We almost stopped their plans right then and there, but they’re pushing ahead with anyway.”

  “And the princess is speaking at the Senate tonight,” Aiden continued. “They’ll either grab her or kill her along with the others.” He moved to assist Ronan, who was already working on it as fast as he could, with Pacian rushing over to help out as well.

  “What could they hope to achieve by assassinating members of the government?” Nellise asked nobody in particular.

  “This ‘Number One’ individual clearly seeks to seize the throne, and he or she is taking steps to eliminate the king’s strongest supporters,” Sir William replied tersely. “The audacity of this plan beggars belief.”

  “Found it,” Pacian cried in triumph, pressing in a small piece of stonework that caused a part of the wall to slide open. A small passage beckoned, and at the edge of their light, a stairwell leading up could be seen.

  “This was used recently,” Sayana said, checking the floor for signs of passage. “We are closing in.” Ronan slipped past her and moved down the hallway, taking the stairs two at a time and disappearing around the corner. The rest of the group followed quickly, with a pressing sense that time was growing short.

  When he reached the top of the stairs, Aiden found Ronan standing before another blank wall, but one which stood out starkly from the ancient, dirt-covered stones they had been passing the entire journey with its clean, white brickwork. The wall had a latch on it, which Ronan turned as the rest of them caught up, opening into a dimly lit room.

  Holding his glowing sword aloft, Aiden could see a room lined with shelves of books and a desk covered in loose papers. Tiles lined the floor underfoot and a door across the room was slightly ajar, through which the sounds of whispered conversations from nearby could be heard echoing. Ronan and Pacian crept forward cautiously, wary of some sort of trap but found nothing awaiting them in the room.

  “Is this the Senate?” Aiden whispered as the rest of them made their way into the room, weapons drawn.

  “The tiles and stonework do bear a resemblance to the Senate building, “Sir William mused, “although I am not familiar with some of the more obscure antechambers and storage rooms in the building itself.”

  “Come over here and take a look,” Pacian prompted the knight.

  “Yes, that is the entry hall for the Senate,” Sir William confirmed after peering through the gap. “Nothing seems amiss, from what I can see.”

  “The trail of mud from below ends here,” Valennia declared. “If they travelled further into this structure, it will be impossible to tell.”

  “We should get to the Senate itself and warn them,” Sir William advised.

  “And stay there to guard them as well,” Aiden said, nodding. “Can you get us there?”

  “Outside this door we turn right and take the stairs,” the knight detailed. “The chambers are on the next floor, not far from the staircase.”

  “It might lend us a little more credibility if you take the lead,” Aiden suggested. “Take this note of commission from the duke. If any guards try to stop you, his authority might be enough to get us through.” Sir William took the note, and then smoothed his moustache and tidied up his appearance.

  “It doesn’t matter how pretty you look,” Pacian remarked, “you’re not going to get rid of that smell.”

  “More’s the pity, I suppose,” Sir William muttered, setting aside his vanity and stepping out into the hallway beyond. There were gasps from the bureaucrats going about their tasks as Aiden and his companions emerged from the storage room and strode casually along the expensive carpet, which would most likely have to be thrown out after being subjected to the unpleasant substances being ground into it with each step.

  “You shouldn’t be in here,” a middle-aged woman with tightly bound hair remarked, scandalized by their appearance. “How did you get in?”

  “It’s special government business, madam,” Maggie bluffed. “Can you tell me if you’ve seen any suspicious-looking individuals moving through here in the last hour?”

  “Yes, and I’m looking right at them,” she huffed. “Where on earth have you been walking, you smell terrible.”

  “Never mind about that,” Aiden replied impatiently. “The people we seek are probably dressed in black robes, or similar attire. Are you sure you haven’t seen anyone fitting that description?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “Thank you for your time,” Sir William interjected smoothly. “I’d be very appreciative if you would be so kind as to escort the rest of the people here out of the building. It’s by the order of the duke.” He showed her the letter from His Grace.

  “Are we in danger here?” she asked timidly.

  “Possibly,” Sir William replied, “but we need to get everyone clear just to be safe. While you’re at it, fetch the Captain of the Watch and make sure he comes here with support, as quickly as possible.” She nodded silently, the consternation clearly visible on her face. Satisfied, Aiden and the knight turned and hurried to catch up with the rest, who were moving up the staircase at the end of the carpeted hall.

  “Did you find any other doors in that little room? Aiden asked Ronan quietly, falling into step beside him.

  “Nope, just that one we came through,” he answered. “You’re wondering how a bunch of black-robed killers strolled past all these people, aren’t you?”

  “It’s like they just disappeared,” Aiden said, mystified.

  “Maybe they took the window?” Pacian offered helpfully. Aiden glanced at him, then looked to the walls and saw the darkened windows looking out over the frozen streets of Fairloch, and he realized that’s exactly what they’d done.

  “That’s got to be it,” he declared. Giving up the pretext of civility, Aiden raced up the stairs intent on getting to the Senate chambers before the assault started. When he reached the next floor, he was looking down a corridor at a set of large, polished double-doors with a guard standing to either side. They were lightly armed and armoured, and seemed to be ceremonial in nature.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, this is a closed session,” the guard on the left intoned as Aiden led the others rapidly down the hall toward them.

  “Does that door lock from the inside?” Aiden asked without stopping.

  “What?” the guard replied, caught off guard by the blunt question. Aiden reached the door and tried to turn the golden handles, but found that it was indeed locked. The sounds of voices arguing something of great importance could be heard through the door, so it appeared there was still time.

  “I need you to open this door,” Aiden ordered the guard who had spoken. “There is a plot against the Senate, and these people with me are going to provide security while we move the senators to safety.” Sir William handed over the letter of commission, which the guard glanced through briefly before giving it back, his expression changed from obstinance to uncertainty.

  “Is there
an imminent threat we should be aware of?” the second guard asked as he fumbled with a metal ring with a dozen keys upon it.

  “Keep your eyes peeled, and when we go through here, secure the door and let nobody enter until the city watch arrives,” Aiden advised as the door was unlocked. The sound of a man speaking instantly became clear as the doors opened to reveal a huge chamber with vaulted ceilings held up by tall, ornate columns. A number of large, comfortable chairs arrayed around a huge oak table in the centre denoted where twenty men and four women sat as they deliberated issues affecting the nation.

  Aiden and his companions walked cautiously into the room, taking in the spacious, opulent surroundings and listening to the voice of the man who was speaking before the Senate. Across the room, Aiden spied Criosa seated at a special chair that appeared to be reserved for the King, wearing a regal blue dress and surrounded by her four royal guardsmen.

  As the doors slammed shut behind them, the man who had been speaking went silent, and the entire body of senators turned to see who had entered. Criosa was making her way towards him, accompanied by her personal guards who didn’t let her stray more than a few yards without protection.

  “You are not permitted within these walls during a closed session, sirs,” the foremost senator scolded him.

  “Speaker of the house, distinguished senators — please forgive our intrusion,” Sir William offered in an effort to placate the man. “We have been working under the auspicies of the Crown attempting to uncover evidence that—”

  “Hush!” the speaker hissed, walking over to them to speak in a lowered voice. “After three days of debate, we are finally about to reach an agreement and end this debacle. I will permit you to remain, but whatever you have to say can wait a few more minutes.”

  He didn’t wait for an answer, but instead turned and walked back to the assembly, apparently expecting them to follow his orders without question. Aiden was about to protest when Criosa rushed up to him and caught his attention.

  “Aiden, what are you doing here?” she whispered as the speaker went back to addressing the senators.

  “This place is about to come under attack from the assassins, or those associated with them,” he whispered back.

  “Just let him quash this bill first, then you can carry them out of here for all I care,” she advised.

  “I think they’re in the building already so we need to get all of these people to safety. What is so important about this debate? In case I wasn’t clear your lives are in danger.”

  “I have my guards, and you’re all no strangers to a fight, correct?” she countered. “If something does happen, I’m sure you can deal with it.”

  “We have no way of guaranteeing the safety of everyone—”

  “Oh, I have to say my piece now, excuse me,” Criosa interrupted him, walking over to stand beside the awaiting house speaker.

  “Criosa has it right, we should just grab them and drag them out of here, kicking and screaming,” Pacian muttered.

  “They have to come willingly, or we’ll be fighting them every step we take,” Sir William cautioned. “Not the best position to start a battle from.” Aiden started to examine the layout of the room in case they had to fight here, noting the ample space and many windows through which assailants could approach. He caught the attention of Ronan and Pacian and gestured to the windows. They nodded in understanding and slowly made their way around the room.

  The assembled senators stopped whispering amongst themselves and turned their attention to the princess, who stood next to the speaker and began to address them.

  “It has been brought to my attention that this bill has drawn interest from more than a few of your number,” she began regally. “I find this more disturbing than I care to admit. My father, our king, spent weeks in negotiations trying to persuade King Evariste Davignon of the peril we all face but when diplomacy failed, he had to act. Even now he fights for the safety and security of our great land, beset though he is on all sides by those that would see him fail. I can understand this desire from our enemies in Tulsone, but not here in his own home.”

  “If his supply lines are cut, he and the men with him will surely perish, and yet that is what you propose to do by closing the treasury. You will be responsible for his death as surely as those who will eventually put a sword through his body.” Criosa became emotional as she spoke and wiped away tears from her eyes. The Senate as a whole didn’t seem to be moved by this, although Aiden spotted one or two of the old men lower their eyes in shame.

  “So, I implore you to consider well the implications of this bill,” she continued, once more in control of herself. “Whatever you might think of this war, he is still our King, and it is our duty to support him in all things. Thank you for your time.”

  “Why would they want to cut funding?” Aiden asked Sir William under his breath. Criosa stepped away from the assembly as they whispered amongst themselves.

  “I think we are about to find out,” the knight answered ominously as Augustus stood. Unlike the others, he was wearing an ornate breastplate, though he did not appear to be armed. His receding hairline framed heavy-set features that betrayed no emotion as he took in the faces of the men around him.

  “The floor recognizes Senator Johnson,” the Speaker intoned.

  “My esteemed Senators,” Johnson began. “I thank Her Highness for speaking to us this evening, and I understand that this has been a difficult debate so I will keep my remarks brief. I must impress upon you all that it is not our duty to serve the king, but the Kingdom itself.” His speech started quietly but built with each word into a powerful oratory.

  “The people of this land count upon us to manage the realm in a responsible manner, and sending the Crown into bankruptcy to finance a war that has no purpose other than for His Majesty to bask in the glory of victory, over a foe that was not our enemy until we attacked them is selfish and wrong. Not only are we continuing to finance this travesty, trade deals with reputable Tulsonite merchants have been torn up, and the revenue loss is quite considerable for the entire Kingdom. Less revenue is less tax, and the combined effect of this is to drive us deeply into debt.”

  Aiden gripped the hilt of his sword in consternation, for while the senator railed against the Crown’s spending, their enemies were doubtless moving into position. Ronan and Pacian had walked past the windows and made sure they were locked, which somehow didn’t make Aiden feel any safer.

  “We have been discussing and debating this issue for days,” Augustus continued. “Let us put it to a vote and end this debate once and for all. Mister Speaker, if you would be so kind?” Aiden saw that Criosa was trying to appear calm, but her hands were clasped tightly together.

  “All those in favour of discontinuing funding for the war effort, raise your hands,” the speaker requested. “All those opposed?” the speaker asked, and more than half of the senators raised their hands — a clear majority. “The nays have it, the bill is defeated.”

  Criosa actually jumped a little with excitement before restraining herself and smoothing her dress once more. The Senate erupted into discussion, and Aiden looked at Augustus expecting to see bitter disappointment on his face. What he saw instead was more akin to calm resolve.

  “I am truly sorry you could not be made to see reason,” he spoke, loudly enough to be heard over the din. The senators hushed and gave him their attention, also sensing that something was about to happen. “Clearly you are no longer working in the best interests of the people, so I am force to disband you, permanently.”

  “You do not have the authority, sir!” the princess replied in shock. “Only the king may dismiss a member of the Senate, and not even he would dare disband the entire body at once. You are out of line.”

  “I wasn’t asking your permission, Highness,” Augustus corrected her, his voice quiet and purposeful. “In fact, I am going to achieve this through… other methods,” he added, turning and walking towards an antechamber on the right si
de of the room. A startled shout from one of the senators heralded the appearance of twelve black-robed men who stepped out of the gloom cast by the tall columns, using some kind of shadow magic. They had been there, hidden from sight the entire time.

  Chapter Twenty

  The instant Aiden laid eyes upon the robed assassins, the room went completely dark. The thought that he had been struck blind flashed through his mind, until the sound of armoured men being cut down accompanied by screams of terror from the nearby senators echoed around the room. The darkness began to lift as Nellise countered it with whispered prayers of light. A subtle aura of radiance increased in strength with each passing moment.

  Not far away, Criosa was holding one of the royal guards who was bleeding profusely from several injuries, along with the three other men sworn to protect her lying in their own blood. Two robed cultists stood there with bloodied weapons, and were on the verge of turning to finish the job.

  Aiden reacted quickly, raising his hand and speaking the command word to activate his magical ring. With a gesture he shoved one of the men into the nearby wall and grabbed the other one, tossing him to one side before his weapon could hit Criosa.

  Valennia roared out a battle cry that almost deafened everyone standing nearby, accompanied by the sound of her visor being slammed shut as she charged towards their robed enemies, who could only be seen as vague, shifting shadows moving around at the edge of the light. With her piercing cry, hell broke loose in the chamber as the terrified senators moved away from the oncoming enemy.

  “Get her out of here!” Aiden shouted to Sir William, who rushed to Criosa’s side and coaxed her gently towards the door, though the distraught woman had trouble letting go of the guards who had laid down their lives for her. Just as they reached the door, a vicious, scythe-like weapon pierced it from the other side, covered in the blood of the guards who had been stationed out there.

  Criosa screamed as Sir William positioned himself between her and the door, and eased her backwards away from the threat. Once she was clear, he charged forward and slammed the full weight of his body against one of the doors, with Aiden rushing over to add his weight. Their enemies on the other side were shoved backward for a moment, but then regrouped and started to push the doors open again.