Shadow Countess: A Fantasy Adventure Romance

by M D Baker

  Keeping up appearances, I made my way between various groups throughout the evening, joining in their conversations and even accepting several offers to dance. Despite how polished the attempts were, the venomous sheen of deceit was more obvious than ever in the handful of advances that were made, a contrast that was only more glaring against the backdrop of Tayson’s honest overtures.

  I caught a few glimpses of the Duchess during the night, but she made no move to engage me, and I dared not approach her uninvited. My story had apparently failed to provoke any interest, and I was trying to decide whether I was relieved or disappointed by that as I accepted a glass of wine from a passing servant when my brief moment of solitude was broken.

  “Countess Amarrah, isn’t it?”

  I turned toward the voice to find the Sorceress-Advisor’s calculating gray eyes looking me over.

  “Yes, Your Grace,” I replied, rising from the seat I’d just taken only to dip into a low curtsey.

  “Errind has told me of your time in Cyndhar,” the Duchess commented in an almost disinterested fashion, and I had to repress a smile when I finally learned the steward’s name. “It does bring up one very intriguing question, however.”

  “What would that be?” I inquired, wondering just which fictitious aspect of my tale I’d have to explain.

  “After all they’ve taken from you, why would you bring a Cyndhari into your home?”

  “He’s nothing more than a well-trained dog,” I scoffed. “I needed to replace a good man, and he’d proven himself competent enough.”

  “Besides,” I sneered in open contempt. “While I appreciate the King’s generosity, this is not my home. Blackwood Keep is, and when I retake it, there won’t be a single soldier of Cyndhar left alive on its grounds.”

  “That’s awfully…” the Duchess paused, searching for the right word. “Flexible of you.”

  “I’ve learned to moderate my positions to suit my current circumstances,” I replied, reining in my derision to a more appropriate level. “That’s all.”

  “Still, such vision is rare.” Surellia appraised me once more, as if for the first time. “Most are unwilling to bend so easily.”

  I allowed a tinge of bitterness to slip into my words again. “There’s nothing easy about having everything stolen from you or having it flaunted in your face.”

  “Yes, I imagine it was quite painful to return there,” the Duchess remarked. “Yet you did what needed to be done under difficult conditions.”

  The probing nature of her comments left an opening too enticing to resist. “My aid was coerced, and you know it. I would’ve preferred to be fighting on the other side of that battlefield.”

  “You were.” She smiled, baring her teeth in a most disconcerting manner. “Rest assured, Amarrah. Your efforts helped us far more than Cyndhar.”

  “How?” I feigned ignorance, still playing my role as best I could.

  “That will have to wait for another time, I’m afraid.” Surellia waved me off as she glided away to greet the Raskan ambassador.

  I tried to remain calm as I strolled across the broad courtyard, thankful for the long skirts that hid my trembling knees. Snatching another glass of wine from a passing server, I downed a mouthful as I tried to steady my badly rattled nerves. Although I understood the conspiracy had to run fairly high into Farren’s government, discovering that the Sorceress-Advisor was so deeply entrenched in the scheme caused me to reevaluate my course of action. A secluded bench nestled among a bed of snowy flowers promised at least a few moments of privacy, allowing me to consider the revelation.

  The woman was more than just a powerful political figure; she was the living embodiment of Farren’s magic. While she was truly cunning, Surellia hadn’t risen on guile alone. The job of a Sorceress-Advisor was truly a double-edged sword, requiring a mastery of both strategy and the ability to wield incredible spells. It was her might that ultimately backed the authority of the throne, a seat she could easily take under the right circumstances.

  Oh, shit…

  Up until that moment, the true purpose of the conspiracy had been somewhat elusive. While I’d come up with several possibilities, my imaginings hadn’t included Surellia seizing control of Farren, yet it was clear that was her goal. Stirring up trouble within Cyndhar provided the perfect diversion, allowing her to amass even more power without raising any suspicions. Once she’d assembled her forces, Surellia’s unfettered access to the Palace would be all she needed to ensure a quick victory over the King’s guard.

  As obvious as the plan was, I had no proof. With nothing to offer but her few vague words and my intuition against Surellia’s impeccable reputation, there was no point in even making the accusation. All I’d do is unmask myself, ensuring that I met a rather quick and painful demise.

  My choices were once again limited. I could flee, though I had nowhere to go. Or, I could try to tease out the conspiracy a little further. Despite her abrupt dismissal, my actions in Cyndhar seemed to please the Duchess, perhaps enough to earn a small amount of trust.

  I pondered that question for the remainder of the evening, going through the motions of interacting with my ‘peers’ while my mind played out the possibilities. In the end, I realized that running was pointless; all it would do was attract attention. There was only one option that didn’t result in my death, but even then, my chances of surviving were minimal at best.

  It wasn’t as if I expected anything different. No-win scenarios were nothing new, after all.

  Chapter 24

  With virtually nothing to do but wait for the Sorceress-Advisor to make her next move, I kept myself occupied by attending several more functions over the following days. The constant verbal jousting lost all its appeal, however, and I was growing bored with the pointless duplicity. Fortunately, I had one other project to fill the empty hours.

  Even if I uncovered the truth of Surellia’s treason, without evidence, my word alone was practically worthless. I needed proof of her treachery if I were to end the threat of war and protect Farren from the Duchess, but a public confession seemed unlikely. I’d have to tease out an admission and find some way to ensure that it was overheard by someone other than myself. Lady Korrine’s journal provided the solution once again, and I spent many hours tinkering with various weaves of magic before I was certain that I’d gotten it right.

  The break I was waiting for came in the form of a summons to Surellia’s office. Although it was precisely the opportunity I’d been waiting for, I reread the letter many times, and my sense of dread grew with each occasion. There was only one possible reason for this meeting: Surellia intended to offer me the opportunity to join in her rebellion. This wasn’t something she’d do without first obtaining some assurances from me, of course. I just had no idea what sort of ‘test’ I’d have to pass to gain her confidence.

  My anxiety wasn’t helping as I got ready, yet once again, I had no option but to tread the path that had been laid out for me. Despite my apprehension, openly bearing arms during an appointment with the Sorceress-Advisor was frowned upon, so I settled for the pair of daggers concealed beneath my dress. The weapons were an emotional comfort, at best. Any confrontation with the Duchess would be waged with magic, not blades. After clasping my sapphire necklace in place, I was ready to meet whatever fate had in store for me.

  I’d planned on walking to the palace, using the time to focus on what lay ahead, but as Reynold and I stepped outside, a carriage came to a stop in front of my estate.

  “Compliments of Her Grace,” the footman announced, lowering a small stepping stool as he gestured for us to climb inside.

  The short ride was over almost before it began, and we were at the gates within a few moments. The King’s attendant was waiting to escort us inside, and I couldn’t let myself pass up the chance to offer him a warm greeting.

  “Good afternoon, Errind.” I smiled broadly, baring my teeth in a false grin. “I trust the day finds you well?”

  “If
you would follow me, Countess,” he replied stiffly, clearly displeased with the discovery of his name.

  Reynold and I exchanged a quick glance as we trailed behind the steward. Even in his limited dealings with the man, the sergeant’s contempt nearly matched mine. Errind might not have been a member of the nobility, but he’d made a point of adopting all their worst habits, including a sense of haughty arrogance that went far beyond any respect he’d earned. It was yet another reason why I wanted to be free of this awful place, even if I had nowhere else to go.

  We traveled up several winding staircases, walking by statues of Farren’s past monarchs on our way to the upper floors. The pointed reminder of what was at stake settled my nerves, and I slipped into a calmness I’d only felt during battle. The challenge in front of me was like combat in its own way, a contest of wills not unlike waging war. The consequences were certainly the same, at least for me. If I failed, my head would most likely end up mounted on a pike in the city square.

  Once we reached the ministerial level, Errind led us to the grand entrance of Surellia’s inner chambers. Reynold was forced to wait for me in the hallway, however, as these rooms were reserved for official business, and only invited guests were permitted to venture inside. His presence had only been for show, so I didn’t hesitate to walk through the looming paneled doors on my own.

  The antechamber I found myself in was larger than the entire first floor of my estate, with luxuriously upholstered couches and several tables carefully arranged around a central conference area. The room clearly served more than one purpose, likely offering space for meetings that required more than just a handful of officials in attendance. Before my inspection was complete, a small side door opened, and a man wearing the uniform of the palace staff beckoned for me to follow him into the adjoining office. The Duchess spared only a quick glance in my direction before setting aside a cup of wine and rising from her chair behind a richly embellished desk.

  “I’m so glad you could come, Amarrah,” She offered the cordial greeting—as if I’d had any choice in the matter.

  “Glad to be of service, Your Grace,” I replied with the appropriate amount of decorum as we took our seats, carefully adjusting my sapphire pendant when it slipped out of place.

  “You don’t really need that in here, do you?” Surellia’s brow arched as she indicated the Shield I held around myself.

  “Forgive me,” I responded, assuming a slightly embarrassed tone. “But keeping it up at all times has become something of a habit.”

  “I understand.” She relented far too easily, hinting that her comment had only been a probe of sorts, a subtle indication of how easily she’d read through my magic. “The spells can be a bit taxing; I wouldn’t want to make you dismiss it needlessly.”

  “Thank you.” I breathed out a sigh, not needing to feign my sense of relief.

  It wasn’t that my energy was low—quite the opposite—or that the spell was anywhere near as difficult as the Duchess indicated, but keeping the barrier intact was the key to ensuring my safety in more than one way.

  “You’ve proven to be resourceful and practical, Amarrah,” the Duchess began as a more calculating glare replaced her faintly warm expression. “While those are qualities I admire, what I need to know is how determined you are to regain what’s been stolen from you and how far you’re willing to go to take it back.”

  I fidgeted in my seat, adjusting my necklace once more. “I think you already know the answer to both those questions.”

  “Yes, I do,” she replied, smiling in a most uncomfortable manner. “All that’s left is to find out how bold you are.”

  The Duchess leaned a bit closer. “Tell me why I brought you here today. How much have you figured out?”

  Everything prior to that moment had been nothing but a show, setting the stage for her query. The question she’d asked was the real test, determining not only how perceptive I was but also whether or not I had the stomach to confront her with the truth. It was profoundly ironic, determining my suitability to aid in her treason by measuring my honesty.

  Until then, I’d been able to get by with mostly speaking the truth, evading any attempt by the Duchess to use Intention to root out my deceit. I hadn’t even bothered trying to detect her magic; I knew she’d cast the spell without bothering with the wasted effort. While eluding the magic was technically possible, I’d have to tread a very fine line if my efforts were to be successful.

  “The uprising in Cyndhar has more than one purpose.” I swallowed my apprehension as I revealed most of what I’d discovered, leaving out a few choice bits that I hoped wouldn’t lead to my undoing. “In addition to destabilizing them, it allows you to gather allies here without drawing attention.”

  “For what purpose, my dear?” Surellia preened, obviously pleased to have her scheme discussed so openly.

  “Isn’t that obvious?” I responded, not needing to hedge my reply. “To take the throne, of course.”

  “That would be treason,” she replied, fanning herself in mock indignation.

  “Only if you fail.” I met the Sorceress-Advisor’s gaze as she smiled in satisfaction.

  “I have a role in mind for you, but you have to understand that I won’t be able to repay you for quite some time.”

  “No.” I waved off her equivocation. “I imagine we won’t be ready for the real war for at least a few years.”

  Her grin widened noticeably. “You truly do grasp the entire plan, it seems.”

  “Once your first goal became apparent, the rest fell into place easily enough.” I paused to stop my fingers from straying towards the pendant around my neck again.

  “We only lost the last war because Herrold was too meek to pull our spellcasters from their posts,” Surellia bitterly recounted the defeat, revealing the course she’d likely counseled the King to follow. “I won’t be so timid.”

  Almost every wizard and sorceress in Farren was tied to some keep or estate, tasked with providing for the safety and security of those homes. Although they were reluctant to abandon their stations, drafting them into our army would multiply our forces many times over. The move might leave us vulnerable, but with their power, our victory would be certain, just as she imagined.

  “When the time is right, we’ll burn Cyndhar to the ground with the full might of our kingdom,” she finished, the fires of her anger kindling brightly in the Sorceress-Advisor’s eyes.

  I had no idea what her timetable was, but with years of planning behind her, I knew that she had to be close to making her move. Having drawn out every shred of her confession, I reached up to touch the sapphire pendant around my neck, not bothering to conceal my actions this time as I tapped it twice. The action halted the spell I’d imbued into the jewel, crystalizing the gem’s structure as it stored away our conversation.

  Weaving together patterns of energy drawn from the air, I’d combined them with Sight, altering the spell to detect sounds rather than images. Blending that magic into my Shield allowed the pendant to capture every word the Duchess had spoken, sealing the Sorceress-Advisor’s fate with her own voice. All I needed to do was escape from her offices and expose Surellia for the traitor she was.

  “What is that?” she inquired, her words laden with suspicion when my actions drew her attention.

  “A small bauble, nothing more,” I responded innocently, rising to my feet.

  “You’re lying!” Surellia seethed, launching a vicious Bolt at my face.

  Despite its power, the arc of lightning reflected off my Shield, blasting into the marble wall instead. The Duchess stared blankly at the scorched stone, unable to comprehend how I’d managed to thwart her attack. While the defensive spell typically only blocked physical attacks, I’d added a small twist, enhancing it with the magic of Dispel.

  Even with my barrier in place, Surellia was not one to be taken lightly. I was certain she had a few surprises of her own to offer, and I didn’t wait for her to spring one of them on me. Gathering the
energy of both Air and Fire, I twisted them together, replicating the magic I’d used to free Tayson. Casting the spell I’d named Gout sent a pulsing stroke of inferno-clad electrical destruction hurling back at the Duchess.

  Before the blow could land, she cast her own Dispel, disrupting my magic with the potent counter. Unlike my passive Shield, Surellia had to actively wield the power of her magic, and I poured even more energy into Gout as she struggled to keep pace.

  “It seems your mother left you something of a legacy,” the Duchess panted as she struggled to fend off the attack, trying to break my concentration. “I should’ve given the order to kill her much sooner.”

  I’d known Griff was only a minor player in a much bigger picture, but Surellia’s scathing comment revealed an additional layer to her treachery. Her crimes against me paled in comparison to the suffering she’d inflicted, but adding Lady Korrine’s murder to the long list of offenses didn’t provide the distraction she’d sought. It only served to fuel my rage.

  “Several legacies, as a matter of fact.” I glared at the Duchess as I funneled even more energy into my spell. “You’ve only seen the first of them.”

  Seeking to shatter the stalemate, I conjured a second stream of magic, forming a simple spike of ice that I tried to angle around her defenses. Keeping my Shield up while channeling even more raw power into Gout was a feat beyond most, but with an incredible reserve of energy just waiting to be called on, I had more than enough to add yet another spell.

  The Duchess anticipated the attack, and my frosty spear went wide, barely missing her. Despite how much it cost me, the tactic I’d employed was rather obvious, and one that she also sought to use against me. Unfortunately, Surellia’s greater experience won out over my less refined technique, and she managed to slip a rocky dagger past my defenses with a well-executed casting of Shard.