“He’s due back in a few days”
“He’ll be longer, an hour ago his escort was crossing Quittle Peak”
Mak looked at Azon with a sceptical brow. “You’re not telling us everything, Monk.”
“That is true.”
“Spill it.”
“I cannot. Even were I to, you would most likely not believe me either.”
“Is this all true, Azon?”
“Yes, General. I regret to say that it is.”
“Damn.” Mak said, again mainly to himself. “Jaro has committed high treason.”
“When the Shaa attacks, he’ll be finished.”
“And we’ll be fucked.” Kellick interjected. “Have you spoken with anyone in the Assembly Azon?”
“No, you are the first. I was planning to speak to Aldo next.”
“Good.” Mak commented, sitting down again. “So far it looks like we can trust him. And right now, we’re totally blind back home. Don’t speak on the matter to anyone else.
“There’s more” The monk said, both officers looking at him with dread in their expressions. “Jaro’s given the Shaa ore.”
Kellick whistled in total disbelief, rolling his eyes to lock with Mak’s.
He’s killed us. The bastard’s killed us.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Drorea
"Everyone that could have made it back in time has returned my Queen."
"How many do we have?"
"About fifteen thousand, from a few different regiments."
"What? Is that all?"
"I had hoped that horns from the forts across the Reach would have arrived too, but can only assume the Naru have engaged them already."
"What else?"
"The garrison and the city guard. Thirteen thousand. Then your Palace guard, another thousand."
"And the citizenry."
"Yes, my Queen."
"Can we hold?"
"I… We will do the best that we can. Provisions in the castle are low though your highness. They could just wait us out”
“Wait us out? You mean starve us?”
“Yes, your highness. If we had known about the attack sooner, we could have gathered supplies from outside the walls.”
"It's your job to know!" She screamed at the officer.
The men in the room steeled themselves for another outburst without any noticeable change in their demeanour. Professionals. Hiding worry and no small amount of bitterness.
"Queen forgive me, but that is not true. My men are here by chance. The city’s defence is the responsibility of the city guard. The Home Office."
At that another man said, "the City Guard is at full strength Queen. But that's an army." He pointed out the window to the mass of tents on the distant hill. "We were on a peace footing."
"That is a good point your highness, what happened? Why has Galtus done this?"
"Because he is a snake. He knows we are in transition. Mourning. And he strikes."
"Will Carrid help us?"
"They have to!” She snapped, “Word has already been sent. I'm expecting one of their monks to arrive soon with their answer."
"So, we must hold until then."
"What has been done so far?"
"In honesty my Queen, not a great deal. We were only told yesterday."
"I don't want to hear excuses. I want to hear a plan."
"We hold the walls for as long as we can. Then retreat to the Palace."
"That's it?"
"That's all we can do your highness." A third man voiced.
"This is a disgrace! How could we have let this happen? It's all going to be taken. We are lost!" She began screaming again.
"My Queen, with respect. Your anger is misdirected. We will all do our duty and defend you and the realm, but we are under the command of the Committee's Defence Board. Should they not be here? Where is the High Horn?"
"I have already spoken to them. They have abandoned me."
"Abandoned?"
"They say it's too late. That we should surrender immediately." I have put them under arrest.
"My Queen, we need them. I have knowledge of only my own forces. Most of the Drorean army is still out there. Only the board know where for sure. We should let them coordinate a response, it could save us."
"No! They cannot be trusted. One of them will try and open the gates in exchange for clemency. Or gold. It is on you gentleman to protect us now. Go. Do whatever you need to do to hold them back."
They bowed and filed out of the room. One of her pages stood near the door waiting for her to acknowledge him.
"Yes?"
"Nathalian wants to talk"
"I don’t want to talk to him. This is all his fault." She snapped before forcing some control over herself.
"He says he has a way to fix it. To stop it. About Galtus, your highness."
"Where is he?"
"The Aviary in the eastern tower."
"Why is he...? Oh, never mind, I’ll go and see what he has to say. If he mentions anything about surrender I have a mind to push him out of that damned tower. Making me walk, how dare he."
The page ran off, clearly wanting to avoid his Queen. She had a look in her eyes that scared the young boy. Something unstable. Manic.
While Acalley climbed the steps to the Aviary, muttering to herself about the individuals most to blame for this disaster, her son and daughter had finally received the news of the invasion. It seemed as if she had forgotten about them. They were after all too far away to help her now.
"Captain, are we expecting anyone?" Citalley said pointing to the three riders coming in hard along the far road.
"No, my Lord. Messengers by the look of it."
"Palace guards I think. See the gold bands."
"Well spotted, highness."
"Come on let's greet them. Hopefully they bring with them good tidings!"
Maybe mother has had a change of heart and wants us home. Ha, three guardsmen won't be enough to drag even Dalia back.
"Your highness, we bring word from the Capital."
"Your horses looked wrecked, man!" Citalley said before ordering some men to take them to the stables and get care for beasts.
"Come with me gentlemen, we can talk in my office."
"Yes, my Lord."
"Have you eaten?"
"No, but it can wait your highness. Thank you."
As soon as the office door was closed Citalley turned to the three.
"Well? What does she want?"
"Want? The Queen? No, my Lord, it's Narubez. They have invaded."
"What!?"
"Three days ago."
"Get my sister." Citalley said to his Captain who left the room half running.
"Where are they now?"
"When we left, they were on the road to the capital."
"I see, so at the walls now we can assume."
"Yes, my Lord."
"And what were my mother’s orders."
"Sir, she..." The guardsman seemed lost for words at this point.
"Don't hold back man, it's her words not yours."
"It's not that my Lord, she didn't send us."
"Who did?"
"The Council, your Highness. The Defence Board."
"And?"
"They have been arrested. Fadius sent me to tell you what has happened. He says it's too late now to save the city from capture.
"Arrested? I don't understand."
"He gave me this note."
The Prince took the scroll and broke the wax seal as he sat back in his chair and began to read. Heart racing.
Friend Citalley,
We are in great peril. As my men will have already told you we have been attacked. Galtus has sent numbers we cannot hope to prevail against.
This may seem sudden, but not to the Council. As you informed me, your mother has been intent on playing a reckless game with Galtus, pushing the Naru people living in the eastern provinces. After you left, I too cautioned her that any advan
tage to be gained paled with the risk of angering the Emperor. The details can be reviewed later, but the main point is that events escalated quickly.
Right now, you are the only hope for the kingdom. The Council and I have agreed (from our cell) that you have the full authority of the realm now.
We’re sorry Citalley, for we have agreed too that much of the blame falls to us. We allowed ourselves to be ignored by your mother because it meant she ignored our own affairs. In that we let Drorea down. After your father died, myself and a few others argued in favour of you being coronated, rather than your mother. On reflection, it seems obvious that she knew about this division among the Council. It is most likely why you had been sent away. And the Council never called.
I don't know what is going to happen to us Citalley after the city falls. Unless your mother finds a way to send word, this will be the last message from the Palace.
You must gather the remaining forces in the West and protect as many of our people as you can. Find somewhere you can defend and pray to the gods that Jaro sends help. Whether you decide to take Galtus on or flee to Riam is up to you, though If I was by your side I would advise on the latter.
You are King now Citalley.
And for the god's sake, make sure your sister stays alive. Whatever happens one of you at least must keep the Danor line intact. While either of you stand on Lathanian soil we will still have a claim to Drorea.
Your humble servant,
Fadius
Citalley held the paper reading again and again. Shock was overtaken with rage and now, as he sat completely still, calmness had settled within him. A focus. The men around him watched expectantly, anxiety hung thick in the air around them. Citalley stood, rolling up the parchment and pocketing it as everyone else jumped to attention.
"You three work for me now."
"Yes, my Lord." One said while the others nodded with obvious relief.
"Ride out to Lotus and Aura.” He said to the guardsman on his left. “You go to Tipjo.” Then to the last man, “send some riders back east to Veribund and The Akre. We march directly to the Redwood. Everyone, every deer, cow and goat. Every piece of grain. Every barrel of wine, is to be brought to me there. Understood?"
"What about the capital?"
"It's gone. As good as gone. We are Drorea now."
The Aviary door was open and she marched through shouting again "How dare you make me walk up here, this is all your fault Nathalian. You promised me Galtus would not act against us. That this would be a cheap victory. We are all going to die."
"Acalley, listen..."
"No! You have let your hatred for Galtus destroy me. I should never have listened to you."
"Acalley come here, we can fix this."
"How?" She screamed again before breaking into tears, collapsing on the ground weeping.
The man walked over to her and sat beside his lover, holding her.
"How are we going to fix this Nathanial?"
He looked into her eyes and held the Queen more tightly. As if comforting a child.
"You just have to go away, my Queen." And at the very moment realisation flickered in her eyes, Nathanial pushed the knife upwards into her back. The Queen's mouth sprung open, pain flashed on her face and she died before any broken words left her lips.
He pushed her away onto the floor with the knife still protruding from her spine. He wiped his hand on the beautiful black satin and lace dress she wore and bolted the door. Then walked back to the cages stacked on the far wall and found the one marked Narubez. Within seconds of opening the latch, the room was alive with flapping birds. Most escaped out the window, but a few landed on the dead Queen. Examining first the blood. And then her eyes.
Nathanial reached into his pocket to find the letter Acalley had written and given to him to send to Jaro begging for aid. He held it over a candle beside him for a moment before changing his mind and withdrawing his hand.
I'll think I’ll keep this. A souvenir.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Taleese
"I don't work for him."
"How can you say that?"
"We're partners."
"No Bo. You do all the work and he pays you."
"He's working on other projects. More important ones than cloth."
"Which are?"
"I don't really know. And I can't really say anyhow. Look, we're not all rich you know."
"Who?" She asked with surprise.
"Me. Carrideans I mean. I need to do something to earn a living.
"We all have to earn a living Bo."
“Yes, and I can see now that if I'd tried to start alone here. Try anything, I’d have ended up broke or dead. I didn't know anyone. No one was guaranteeing my credit, let alone watching my back. If I hadn't met Chiros, I’d have spent my gold and the journey would have been over. Back to the tower. All of this..." he motioned to the restaurant they dined in."...would be over. Understand?"
"I'm not saying you should quit."
"Then what's the issue?"
She looked away, hiding a small tear welling in her eye. This hadn't been the young couples first disagreement, but it had been the first time she had heard Bo raise his voice even a little. "You're just always so busy." She said, quickly looking away.
"I..."
Before Bo could finish the restaurant’s door opened suddenly and two unusually heavy-set men, for Taleese standards, walked in.
They aren’t Taleese.
They scanned the room for a moment until one had spotted the young man. The closest two approached slowly, yet directly towards them.
"Bo?" Aiona said, her words hanging in the air with worry.
Bo discretely knocked his steak knife onto his lap and turned slightly in his chair to regard the men looming closer, weaving between tables. A silence had taken the room and every eye tracked the newcomers, occasionally flicking towards him.
"Excuse me, sir."
I recognise him. From where?
"I work for Chiros." The man continued.
Bo felt himself relax immediately. The calm was quickly interrupted by sudden concern for his mentor.
"Is he okay?" Bo asked standing quickly.
"He told me to tell you that it's time, sir. It's time."
"What are you talking about? Time?"
This is a joke
"There's a wagon outside, we'll take you to the canal. Chiros is waiting."
"Chiros is joking right? This isn't funny"
Chiros has never joked before. About anything.
"Sir. We need to go. Now."
"Bo what's going on?"
Bo looked at her. Then back towards Chiros' man before noticing the audience.
"Let's talk outside..."
"Yes, sir."
"Bo?"
"Outside." He repeated with a sureness she had not seen of him before.
Bo placed his hand on the small of Aiona's back gently guiding her towards the wagon. Another employee of Chiros sat towards the front of the wagon, reigns in hand. Despite the dimming light, Bo recognised this man instantly when he tipped his green top hat in the familiar way.
One of the Carrideans that work or Chiros in the house. What’s his name?
"What's going on?" Aiona protested.
"I'll tell you everything, just wait a minute." He left the nervous looking girl and approached closer towards the wagon and gathered men.
"Where is Chiros?"
"He's waiting for you at his wharf on the canal."
"Can Aiona come with us?"
"Chiros said nothing about the girl."
“I’m not going without her.”
“What’s going on Bo. Answer me!” The girl started to shout in accented Carridean.
Turning back to her he said, “Chiros told me a few moons ago that trouble was coming. He said he had made plans to leave if anything happened.”
“And what’s happened?”
“I don’t know.”
“I don’t understa
nd Bo.”
Me neither.
Bo turned back to the men. “What can you tell us?”
“Chiros is going to be arrested tomorrow.”
“What for?”
“I don’t know, sir. One of our agents in the Palace sent a bird. They are coming to get us a bell before dawn.”
“Us?”
“Yes.”
“Me?”
“Especially.”
Bo was in shock, never before had words so quickly shattered his world. He had been in Talon almost half a cycle, just starting to feel at home in this bizarre tropical paradise, hidden away from the world in a vast jungle surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
“Will you come with me?” Bo asked her.
“I… I can’t Bo. But you have to leave now. If they’re coming, you’ve no idea what they can be like. They torture people all the time the Palace.”
“I won’t leave you.”
“Bo!” She said fraught with worry and sadness. “They could hurt my family. I have to go. I have to go back now. I’m… I’m sorry.”
“Sir!” The man said more loudly with growing frustration.
Bo said nothing.
“Sir?” The man repeated, louder and more impatient still.
“What about my stuff?”
“Already collected from Ranon’s. What little you had lad.” The man in the wagon said with a smile to the still reeling boy. “Say your good byes now, we need to make a move.”
Chiros’ men gave the young lovers time to kiss and cry before finally calling to the boy that they needed to depart. He reluctantly broke his embrace and jumped up into the wagon. Eyes never leaving the beautiful girl until she disappeared out of sight.
Bo’s mind raced and it took an inhuman will not to bombard the men with questions. Half a bell later they had reached the road that ran parallel to the waterway and Bo saw a man was standing on top of an oversized double decked barge, directing hurried activity.
Chiros.
“You’re just in time boy! We’re leaving.” He shouted from the barge.
“You don’t need to worry about it Bo.” The two sat together on the rear of the giant steam powered boat. Chiros reclined on the deckchair watching the starboard wheel lifting water through the air as it rolled forward through the shallows. They had left the city’s canal system a bell and half ago, and now slowly meandered through the jungle’s brown, sediment thick river.
The Ravens of Carrid Tower Page 19