by Blink, Bob
King Arotho pressed his seal against the warm wax and made the document official. He handed it over to the head of his church.
“Make the announcement this afternoon,” he said with a sigh.
The priest would have the word spread throughout the kingdom. Awll was betrothed to the eldest daughter of Branid’s King. They would be married sometime in the following year, the exact date yet to be worked out. King Arotho knew that he would eventually have to move the date farther out, but the country would more than likely be at war by that time, so it would be understandable. He had thought long and hard after receiving the private communication from King Rupermore. He felt for his neighbor’s situation. The stupid girl. How could she be defiant at a time like this. He would show her a few things once she was married to his son and she moved here as required. But for now, Rupermore was right. It was important to rouse the spirit of the people and build a bond between the two lands. Neither country was in any shape to fight off Lopal alone.
He had verified independently that Lopal was considering invading. His troops had reported the same kinds of incursions that Branid’s forces had reported. He’d had two remote villages wiped out. Already he was busy gathering his forces. Awll would supposedly lead one of the major forces. In truth, the forces of the challenged young man would be split, with each half being led to believe Awll was riding with the other. Meanwhile, he would be taken to one of the summer castles and kept out of sight. Senior commanders would actually be in charge of directing the forces. Unfortunately, Arotho was going to have to allow his second son Briz to have a major role in the coming war. Well, maybe something would happen to him. That would earn him sympathy and eliminate a potential problem he’d been thinking about for some time. Briz wasn’t a warrior either, but at least one of his sons would have to be seen by the people as actively visible in the war. He could only push the game with his eldest so far.
He pushed aside these thoughts. He had too much to do, and many matters he couldn’t trust to anyone else. He had already sent word to the Captain of his Army and told him what he expected. That was one area he felt would progress without too many issues. Everything else required at least some of his attention.
“Your Majesty,” said his secretary, an elderly man who was probably more adept at running the kingdom than Arotho was. “You probably want to have a look at this. I think it’s important.”
Arotho held out his hand for the document and sighed.
Chapter 36
Roit was waiting inside the courtyard when Duke Cordale returned with his men from the week-long visit to Sulen where he and the other senior Lords of Branid had been briefed by the King regarding the status of fighting along the border with Lopal. Even though Cordale and the King weren’t on the best of terms, this kind of information was deemed crucial for the defense of the country and there had been no reason for it to be withheld. Normally Roit would have ridden along with the Duke. Usually he led the men Cordale took to provide security, but the message birds from their mercenaries were bred to return to the tower here at the Duke’s stronghold and Cordale hadn’t wanted Roit to be out of touch for that long in the event something important developed. There was no one else he was willing to trust with their plans.
As he rode through the large gate, Duke Cordale let his eyes wander quickly around the area. Everything appeared to be in order, something he always worried about when he was away. He saw Roit waiting a short distance ahead, and as he approached he could tell from the look in Roit’s eyes that he was aware of the current status just as the Duke was. Their information was consistent, if disappointing. The Duke flicked his eyes in the direction of his private office to tell Roit that he wanted to meet as soon as he had dismissed his men. He would have liked to jump off his horse and go with Roit straight into the stronghold, but that would raise questions that he didn’t want. He’d have to do this the usual way, as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.
That meant Roit was already in the room when the Duke finally made his way from the stables into the cooler room of the office. Respectfully, Roit had stood by one of the large windows that looked out upon the courtyard rather than taking a seat in one of the comfortable chairs opposite the desk. He could see the Duke noted this upon entering, as he had known he would. By now Roit was familiar with how the man thought.
Roit could see that the Duke’s beard was meticulously trimmed, and cut shorter than it had been when he left. Whatever else had happened in Sulen, the Duke had found time to see to his personal grooming, which suggested he had almost certainly spent some time with that woman. Roit wasn’t certain who she was. Even when Roit had accompanied the Duke to the capital, he hadn’t been able to figure out who the man was visiting. He was discrete, which suggested she was someone important and they didn’t want their relationship known. Roit had always been able to tell afterward that the Duke had been with her. There was something different about the man for a short time afterward.
Cordale made for the side of the room where he kept a barrel of ale and poured himself a large tankard. He looked at Roit to see if he wanted any, but Roit shook his head no.
After taking a long pull of the liquid, Cordale said in a matter of fact way, “Prince Rhory still lives. At least that was the news the King received just before I left Sulen several days ago.”
“That is consistent with the news I received yesterday. Our mercenaries spotted his force headed south along the river, retracing their steps back the way they had come some days before.”
“So what happened? The young fool was supposed to be dead by now. What are we paying these men for if they can’t accomplish a simple task? Is there any reason we can’t send an order to simply attack now and finish what they were supposed to have done already?”
Roit hesitated to point out the obvious. They couldn’t send any orders, at least not in a timely manner. The Duke knew that, but he was clearly upset at the developments. The birds flew from the men at the front back to the tower here at the stronghold. They weren’t trained to fly the other way. In fact, it was becoming difficult to field enough birds to carry the daily messages from the front. The fool of a messenger who had been taking more birds to the front lines had allowed the cage to fall off the wagon while crossing one of the rivers between here and there and let more than a dozen of his trained carriers drown. Now he had barely half the birds he’d had a few weeks ago. They couldn’t be trained that quickly. In addition, even if they could communicate with the mercenaries, they had never been a large enough force to openly attack the prince and his troops. Surprise raids and pullbacks were the technique they had been relying upon. Given the losses suffered, even with the reduction in Rhory’s forces, the mercenaries were in worse shape relatively speaking than they had been at the start of this affair.
“Your Lordship,” Roit began, but Cordale held up his hand.
“I know,” he said simply. “How is it the Prince still lives? I thought we had a sound plan.”
“Risos must watch over him,” Roit replied.
“Not very likely given the unkind words he has to say about the church at every opportunity,” Cordale said interrupting.
“More than once conditions were right and an attack set in motion, but he was able to respond to the attack,” Roit said continuing. “Even with attacks by superior forces of Lopal’s troops, he had been victorious time after time. Our people report that the Prince’s brother also has a plan or two in work. Once it was observed that Prince Rhory’s flank was deliberately exposed to a charge, but the quick action of his personal guard was able to prevent him from being killed.”
Duke Cordale nodded. “I learned a little about Prince Rhog’s plans and who he is working with. One would think that with the two of us plotting along similar lines, one of us would have been successful at this point.”
Roit noticed that the Duke didn’t reveal his source of information. It annoyed him that the Duke kept such matters secret even while he had to admit the wi
sdom of doing so. If something went wrong, only the Duke knew all of his co-conspirators. Roit wondered if the woman Cordale visited had any hand in what he learned.
“What did the King reveal while you were in Sulen?” Roit asked.
“The information he has received from Prince Rhory matches what our own people are saying. I sense that Rhory is becoming suspicious about some of the attacks. That is not good. What is also distressing is the magnitude of the attacks by Lopal. It is very clear we are on a path to war. We had intended to make it look that way for our own purposes, but it is very clear that Lopal has intentions to move ahead with the very attacks we wanted everyone to think were happening.”
“That is not good,” Roit said, thinking again to his own plans and wondering if he needed to do anything more. It was starting to look like he might need to actually use his fallback plan.
“It’s worse than that,” exclaimed the Duke. “While the most intense activities have thus far been aimed at the far north, there are signs the attacks are spreading. Kellmore has been seeing probing attacks all along its border with Lopal, and Rhory is reporting that the attacks are becoming more frequent now along the more southern part of our border. It might be only a matter of weeks before we see action along the eastern border of my lands.”
“Have you thought about what action we should take?”
The Duke’s intense gray eyes looked into Roit’s own. He lit one of the foul smelling rolls of tobacco he liked to smoke, and after a moment’s consideration when he paused to seemingly consider the lit end of the smoke, he finally said, “Yes, I have. The King informed us that he was continuing with his negotiations to form a treaty and support agreement with Kellmore. Despite certain setbacks which he didn’t describe, he has sent forth an emissary who has instructions to finalize the agreement. The King’s signature is already on the agreement. All it requires is for Kellmore’s King to sign. I think that is a good thing. The stronger the two countries appear, the more pause it is likely to give Lopal. If we are prepared to support one another, they might be less inclined to engage in an all out war.”
“I think they are strong enough to whip us both,” Roit said. “They came out of the last plague far better off than the rest of us.”
“Yes, I think you might be right. The question then, is what do they really want? If we can toss them a bone or two, allow them to take a few things they really need, we might be able to put off an invasion.”
“Does the King agree with that?”
“I don’t know. It wasn’t discussed and I didn’t think it prudent to suggest,” Cordale replied. “He is preparing for all out war. He will be calling for men from each of the districts within weeks. As soon as Rhory returns with a full report, he will start planning how to proceed. That is why we must act. If we allow his plan to go forward, all of this,” and the Duke waved his hands to indicate the lands where they stood, “will be the front lines of the battle.”
“I’m not sure what you are suggesting,” Roit admitted.
“Several things must be done, and done quickly,” Cordale said. “You must see to the removal of Prince Rhory. That was your task and it isn’t complete.”
“I don’t think we have the men to accomplish the task. He has become cautious and suspicious.”
“I agree. But we know his plans. The King told me what Rhory intends, and the route he will be taking on his return.”
“I don’t see how that helps us. We haven’t time to hire the necessary mercenaries.”
Duke Cordale smiled. “What do you think Lopal would be able to do with the information?”
“You are going to share his plans with Lopal?” Roit asked.
“I’m not. You are.”
“What? How am I going to do that?”
“Prince Rhory will be passing opposite the lands controlled by tribal leader Bab’hon. If you were to ride into Lopal and inform him of Rhory’s plans, and that changes were to be happening in Branid that might mean certain agreements could be reached beneficial to both countries, I’m betting he would solve that little problem for us.”
“Why me? That sounds like it could be dangerous.”
“Who else can I trust with such a sensitive assignment. Besides, I’ll be finishing up the other, and equally important aspect of the plan. I don’t think it will be that risky considering what you will be bringing to Bab’hon. The two countries aren’t yet at war after all.”
“And what would you be doing while I’m asking my throat to be cut?”
“Getting rid of Rupermore once and for all. He can’t be allowed to proceed with his plan. That means I’m forced to act. I will be getting the poison that will infect him with the coughing sickness delivered within the week. I have made arrangements for it to be given to him, and his youngest daughter a few days later. I am wondering if I should have his wife infected as well. She has no official standing once the King is dead, but she has friends.”
“I’d be more worried about Rhog,” Roit suggested. “He’s a nasty one and with everyone else gone he’ll be in line for the throne.”
“He will be swept aside easily enough. I have ample proof of his plotting now, and can clearly prove his plans to have his brother killed. Most probably won’t think he could have had his father killed, but those who don’t believe it is the coughing sickness might think it poison, and suspicions for that will fall on him as well. No, the young lad will be swept out of power before he has a chance to take the throne. I will be in a position to ride to the aid of my country.”
“It is a plan filled with risk,” Roit declared honestly.
“So it is,” admitted Cordale. “It is not exactly what I would have planned. But the fates have forced our hands. It is act now, or accept the likelihood of never having another opportunity and an uncertain future in the coming wars.”
“When would you want me to leave?” Roit asked.
“Tomorrow,” Cordale said without hesitation. “We can meet this evening for dinner after I have washed the road off myself. I can tell you what I know of Rhory’s plans. You think on who you want to take with you. Perhaps it would be safer to travel alone. Any one who goes with you might have to be eliminated later.”
Roit wasn’t comfortable with how fast things were moving. He would have to consider what was best for him once this meeting was over. He might have to disappear on the way to Lopal, although the potential wealth he would be forfeiting would be huge. On the other hand, the Duke couldn’t know that he was the perfect person to send into Lopal. He could fit in like a native, which no one knew he was after all.
“I’d best get prepared,” Roit said as he prepared to leave.
“One other thing,” the Duke asked. “Has anything ever come of your investigations into our lost assassin?”
Roit was uncomfortable. “No your Lordship. We have found nothing. No body has ever been discovered, nor any word filtering back that the killer was killed. The only thing I can offer is that discrete inquires have revealed that KalaBhoot is not taking any assignments at the moment. That suggests, but doesn’t prove that she, or he, is dead.”
“She might be planning revenge,” the Duke said.
“If she lives, it would be a likelihood,” Roit agreed.
The Duke grimaced, but indicated that Roit could go. “Send Sandle to me,” the Duke directed.
“Yes, your Lordship,” Roit said, as he made his way from the room.
Duke Cordale watched as Roit walked away. Could he still trust the man? If not, then his plans were doomed to failure. There was no time to locate another. Roit had been uncomfortable with his being sent to Lopal, as well he might. The Duke was certain the risk was small, and he needed a contact with those in power in Lopal. Bab’hon could contact King I’Vorris, something that would be difficult to do directly. Cordale would be willing to give Lopal the northern territory, and even select regions along the river, if it would save the majority of Branid for him to rule. Time would tell how Bab’hon, and more im
portantly I’Vorris, would react to his offers. For now he had to see Rupermore eliminated.
Cordale walked over to the inside wall and pulled aside a tapestry. Behind was a locked chest built into the wall. He retrieved the bronze key from around his neck and unlocked the door, pulling out a heavy oaken chest from the inside. He set the chest on the table while he waited for Sandle.
Sandle would see the chest back to Sulen. He would deliver it to a contact he had visited before. He would have no idea what was inside because of the lock and would not think it strange because he had carried such items for the Duke in the past. The man he delivered it to would pass it on as well. Since that man also didn’t have a key, he would know it was to be passed on and forgotten. The third person in the chain would have a key and would be able to open it. That man would find his own payment, and instructions where the inner chest, also locked, was to go. He would deliver it, not knowing the contents.
The individual who received the inner smaller chest had already agreed to the task at hand and had the necessary key. The inner chest contained one hundred gold Royales, a large sum, but not for killing a king, and the powdered extract from the flower that the old woman promised would bring on the fatal sickness. The exact means by which the powder would be administered was not known to the Duke, but he was certain it would happen. Within two weeks, King Rupermore would be dead, or close to it.
Cordale was smiling when Sandle arrived.
“You wished to see me, your Lordship?”
Cordale pointed to the chest. “I need you to deliver that to the usual place. It must be done right away. I’d like you to leave today.”
“Of course, your Lordship,” Sandle said as he bowed slightly.
Chapter 37