Fate of the Crown

by Paul J Bennett

  It was all over in a moment, leaving Arnim and the baron looking at the carnage before them.

  "That wasn't too difficult," said Arnim.

  "I suspect they were newer knights," replied the baron. "Rather poor fighters they were, if you ask me. I'll never understand why someone is knighted without being trained properly."

  "Not all of us have the luxury of your instructions, Baron."

  "If you're referring to my daughter," said Fitz, "I might remind you it was Gerald that trained her, not I."

  "True," agreed Arnim, "though I'm told it was your decision."

  "I must admit that's true," he said, turning his attention to the horses. "Now, seeing how Saxnor himself delivered these fine mounts to us, take them and ride to the Palace, there's still an enemy to defeat."

  Arnim mounted a horse while Fitz detailed men to accompany him. The knight turned his horse, ready to gallop off when someone jumped on behind him.

  "I'm going with you," said Nikki, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Now hurry, we've no time to lose."

  "They've broken through at the wall," said Anna.

  "Are you sure?" asked Gerald. "I can't make out much at this range."

  "The princess is correct," said Revi, "I can see through Shellbreaker's eyes. Our men are making their way north and south, clearing the battlements."

  "Good," said Gerald, "with any luck, they'll soon have the west gate in their possession."

  "I should be there," said Revi. "People need healing."

  "Not yet," said Anna. "It's still too dangerous, and we can't afford to lose you. Once the wall is secure, it will be safe."

  "Someone's approaching," announced Gerald.

  An exhausted looking Elf ran up to them. "We need the Life Mage," he said through gasps for air. "The druid, Albreda, is gravely injured."

  Gerald turned to Revi. "Go," he said, "meet us inside when you're done."

  "How will I know where to find you?" asked the mage.

  "We'll be at the Palace," called out Anna, as Revi vanished into the distance.

  "Where is Sir Heward?" called Gerald

  "Here, General," came the reply.

  "Take the horse," Gerald commanded, "all of it you can gather, and head to the west gate. I rather suspect it will be opening soon. Stay out of bow range until you see the doors begin to open, then make your way into the city as quickly as you can. We'll rendezvous at the Palace."

  "Yes sir," responded the giant knight, turning to yell out commands.

  They watched the horsemen trot by.

  Gerald looked to the gate which even now began to open. "Time to get closer, I think."

  "Is that wise?" asked Anna.

  "I can't direct the attack from here anymore, I need to see what's happening. We'll follow the cavalry."

  "Very well," said Anna, "but I'm coming too."

  A tremendous bark erupted from beside her.

  "It appears Tempus is joining us," said Gerald.

  "She's in a tremendous amount of pain," beseeched Aldus Hearn.

  "I can well imagine," replied Revi, dismounting. He moved closer, looking carefully over the prostrate witch. "The wounds look quite severe. Can you hear me, Albreda?"

  She nodded her head weakly.

  "I'm going to heal you," he continued. "I can't repair the more seriously broken bones, but it will keep you alive until we can get Aubrey here. Do you understand?"

  Again the head nod, this time with a grimace.

  He began casting his spell, the air buzzing with the familiar feeling. His hands glowed with a pale yellow light, and then he placed them on Albreda, watching as her body absorbed it. "How do you feel?" he asked.

  "It still hurts," she replied huskily.

  "We need to get her out of this bush," said Revi. "She's entangled, possibly even impaled."

  "I can take care of that," said Aldus. "Hold on a moment."

  Now it was the elderly mage's turn to use his magic. He uttered the words of power, and the bush came to life, lowering Albreda carefully to the ground. A moment later the bushes receded into the dirt, all traces of them quickly gone.

  "That's much better," said Albreda, "though I can't feel my legs."

  "I suspect you've broken your back," said Revi. "From what they've told me you've suffered quite the tumble."

  "Better to die in a fall than suffer at the hands of that vile Necromancer," she said.

  "Penelope was on the wall?" Revi said in astonishment.

  "Yes," said Albreda, "and I tried to wound her."

  "It's too bad you didn't kill her," said Hearn.

  "I can't," said Albreda, "no one can."

  "What do you mean?" asked Revi.

  "She said there is no person in this world that can kill her."

  "And you believed her?"

  "I do," said Albreda. “You didn't see my spell. Even at low power, it should have at least hurt her, but she just shrugged it off. It would have felled a lesser mortal."

  "I believe you," said Revi, "though I shudder to think of the ramifications."

  "You need to go," said Albreda. "You too, Aldus. You're both needed within the city. You must chase down the Dark Queen before she can make an escape. I'll be fine here until Aubrey can be brought, I promise."

  "I'll wait here," said Hearn, "my magic is not likely to be very useful in a city. I'll watch over you."

  "Very well," said Revi, "I'll send help as soon as I can."

  Arnim and his horsemen rode through the city at full gallop. Stray soldiers were running in fear, but none opposed them. They turned north onto the Royal Promenade, the main street that headed directly to the Palace.

  The stores were locked up tight, many with shutters nailed shut. As they drew closer to the Palace, its massive iron gates and high walls were clearly visible.

  "The gates are open," said Nikki.

  "The Gods favour us again," said Arnim as he noticed the line of horsemen just inside. "The knights forming up in the courtyard must have just arrived."

  "I'll leave that to you," she said.

  She held on to his shoulders as she stood behind him, then jumped, rolling as she hit the ground. Arnim looked back over his shoulder to spot her coming to her feet with a wave indicating she was all right. He drew his sword but didn't slacken his pace, crashing into the waiting knights, along with his men.

  To the east of the city, Prince Alric stared at the eastern gate, waiting impatiently.

  "I can't tell what's happening, Jack. How go the attacks?"

  "I'm afraid we have no news, Your Highness. Perhaps we should send a rider south to Baron Fitzwilliam, I believe he commands there?"

  "I doubt you'll find him. If everything is going according to plan, he should have assaulted the southern gate and be well inside the city by now."

  "Or still struggling to take the gate," suggested Jack. "We have no way of knowing which."

  Alric sat for a while, staring at the wall before them. "Is it just my imagination," he asked, "or have the defenders thinned out before us."

  Jack stood in his stirrups, struggling to focus on the distant defences. "I think you may be right, Highness. I would say there's only half the number we saw at dawn."

  The prince turned to his bodyguard. "It can only mean one thing," he said, "they've thinned the men down by sending some to repel the attacks. We must send troops to help."

  "How many?" Jack asked. "We don't want the enemy escaping through the east gate."

  "We have plenty enough to bottle them up," Alric replied. "Let's send half our men to the south gate to reinforce Baron Fitzwilliam."

  "Which troops, Highness?

  "Keep the horse and bowmen here, along with a hundred foot. That should be more than enough to deal with anything that tries to escape. Send the rest to the south gate. Wincaster is a large city, if the baron has broken through, he'll need all the men he can get."

  "And shall you command them?" asked Jack.

  "Much as I'd like to, I need to remain
here," said Alric. "I must do my duty to prevent the enemy from escaping. I'm afraid I'll have to delegate that responsibility. Do you think you're up to it?"

  Jack looked at him in surprise, a smile creasing his lips, "Are you serious, my liege? You're honestly asking if I'd like a chance at fame and glory?"

  "Does that mean you don't want to, Jack?" said Alric with a smile.

  "I accept the honour with all my heart, my prince."

  Beverly and Hayley pushed through the city, the Orcs spread out in front of them. There was no opposition here, and the fighting in the distance was sporadic.

  "We're almost there," said Beverly.

  "You know this area well?" asked Hayley.

  "I spent quite a bit of time here with the other knights."

  "How much farther, Bev?"

  "It should be just up ahead."

  "Yes," replied Hayley, "I can see the spires in the distance."

  They arrived just in time to witness Arnim and the others dealing with the prisoners.

  "Those are my father's men," said Beverly.

  The sound of galloping to the south grabbed their attention, and they looked to see Heward at the head of the Guard Cavalry.

  "It seems we're all getting here just in time," she observed.

  "Dame Beverly," called out Heward, "it's good to see you safe. And you too, Dame Hayley."

  The horsemen entered the courtyard while they chatted. At the tail end of the line rode another pair of friends.

  "Your Highness," said Beverly.

  "Dame Beverly," replied Anna, "it's good to see you fit and hale."

  "Your plan worked brilliantly, General," said Hayley.

  "It worked yes," agreed Gerald, "but it very nearly turned into a disaster."

  "Over here," came a voice. They all turned to see Nikki waving frantically, "We have to find the Dark Queen. We must search the Palace."

  "Where's Revi?" asked Anna. "He should know where to look."

  "I am here," he called, astride his horse which was lathered in sweat.

  "You move quickly," said Anna.

  "A fast horse that doesn't have to worry about carrying a lot of armour," explained the mage. "Albreda is seriously injured. Where's Aubrey?"

  "To the south," called back Nikki. "She's helping with the wounded while the baron clears the streets."

  "I'll send someone to fetch her," offered Heward.

  "Come on," called Arnim, "we have no time to lose."

  They dismounted, rushing for the doors to the Palace. Anna insisted on leading the way. "The great hall," she said, "that's likely where they'll make a stand."

  They entered, turning down the passageway towards the audience chamber known as the great hall. Gerald nodded, and two soldiers pushed open the doors revealing a unique sight. The room was empty save for a single chair in the centre of the room, its occupant still and brooding, the warrior's crown of Merceria upon his head.

  "Sire," called out Arnim, "your reign is at an end. I call on you to surrender."

  There was no response. The figure remained seated, unmoving.

  "Henry, it's Anna," called out the princess, stepping into the room.

  "Something's wrong," warned Beverly. "He's not moving."

  "I think he's dead," said Gerald.

  "I smell something," said Hayley, "a burning smell of some type."

  "Acid," said Revi, moving closer. "If you look at his chest you can see the small puncture wound where the acid stream hit. It seems Penelope likes her deaths to be painful."

  They all gathered around the body of the fallen king, his crown balanced upon his head at an angle while his sword sat at his side, still sheathed.

  "He's been posed like this," said Gerald.

  "It's a message," said Anna, "from the Dark Queen."

  "So it's over," said Nikki.

  "No," said Anna, "we still have to find Penelope."

  "Her tower," shouted Revi. "Follow me, I know the way."

  They rushed through the Palace, soldiers following in their wake. Revi knew where Penelope's tower was located, having escaped from it some time ago. He led them to the room that served as its ground floor, but when he opened the door, there was a surprise waiting for them; three knights wearing the livery of the Order of the Hound.

  "Not again," cursed Beverly stepping forward. She swung the hammer at Dame Aelwyth, but the undead knight blocked with her shield.

  An arrow punctured the knight's breastplate but didn't appear to have any effect. Arnim stepped forward, swinging at the creature that used to be Sir Barnsley. The blade bit deep, slicing off a chunk of flesh, but the former Knight of the Hound returned the blow, sending its attacker sprawling.

  The last of the princess's departed knights, Sir Howard, launched itself at Gerald, who parried the blow. It sent a shock up his arm, and he staggered back.

  "Keep them busy," yelled Revi, "we must get past them." He stepped forward, trying to edge along the wall, but a sword hit just in front of him, sending fragments of brick flying.

  Gerald stepped forward, braced for an attack. His sword stabbed out, sinking into the chest of Sir Howard, but the undead knight didn't even flinch. "Go for the legs," he yelled.

  Beverly dropped to her knees, swinging the hammer in a wide arc. It struck the kneecap of Dame Aelwyth, making a sickening sound and causing her to topple to the floor. Hayley stepped forward, plunging her sword into the eye socket of the possessed knight's helmet.

  Anna, appalled at the site of her departed knights being used this way, turned her head to see Gerald in danger and stepped forward, stabbing out with her Dwarven sword. It sliced into Sir Howard's arm, cutting it loose, the limb still moving as it hit the floor.

  Gerald struggled to keep Sir Howard busy, taking a terrific pounding to his shield. He felt a heavy blow that sank him to his knees, buckling his shield. He held up his sword to stop the next blow as a large bulk sailed over him.

  Tempus tore into Sir Howard as he landed, ripping the other limb from the vile creature which fell back, thrashing about on the floor.

  Beverly, now free of her opponent, swung the hammer in an overhead strike, pummelling its helmet until the creature lay still.

  Now only one knight remained, Sir Barnsley. It had forced Arnim back with a heavy blow, but suddenly it changed its tactics, backing up to block the door behind it.

  Revi let out a curse and then began casting. A moment later, the creature that had been Sir Barnsley dropped to its knees, letting out an otherworldly shriek. Arnim stepped forward to finish it off.

  "What was that?" asked a surprised Gerald.

  "A heal," said Revi. "I wasn't sure if it would work."

  "A heal did that?" said Anna.

  "It's undead," defended Revi, "the very antithesis of life. It only makes sense that curing the flesh would hurt it."

  "The door," called out Anna, "we must hurry."

  Gerald grabbed the door, but it wouldn't budge. "It's locked," he cursed.

  "I have it," said Nikki, pulling forth her lock picks. She knelt by the door, her fingers working feverishly.

  Revi had his ear to the door, "Hurry up, I can hear her casting something."

  "No more of those foul creatures, I hope," said Anna.

  There was a satisfying click, and then Nikki backed up. "Got it," she said.

  Revi pushed open the door, but the only thing visible was the faintly glowing runes of a magic circle. “Saxnor help us“ he called out, "we're too late. She escaped."

  "She has," said Anna, "but the kingdom is now finally free of her shadow."

  Thirty-Five

  A New Beginning

  Summer 962 MC

  Mid-afternoon saw soldiers still searching the city, but things were beginning to calm down. With a sense of relief, Gerald made his way through the Palace to the great hall. King Henry's body had been borne away, and in its stead, the room was now a refuge for the wounded. Revi and Aubrey healed the most critical, while Sophie made her way through the s
oldiers, helping where she could.

  The general heard a bark and looked to see Tempus sitting beside his old friend Jax. It took a moment for Gerald to register the presence of Arlo Harris. The Uxley tavern keeper lay propped up against the wall, his arm in a sling. Sam Collins sat chatting with him while the two dogs wagged their tails.

  "I see you made it through the siege," said Gerald.

  "I did indeed," replied Arlo, "though I had my doubts there for a moment that we would survive."

  "You did us a great service, Arlo. If it hadn't been for you, we could never have secured the west wall. You and the rest of the villagers of Uxley held the line long enough for us to get there."

  "Don't thank me," he replied. "If it hadn't been for Sam's note, I would have never thought to mark the wall with a sheet, not to mention wearing the armbands to identify us."

  "I didn't want you getting cut down by friends," offered Sam.

  "Is it true?" asked Arlo. "Are you really a general now, Gerald?"

  "I am," he said, "though I fear we have little enough of an army left, but the city's ours and hopefully, the rest of the kingdom will soon submit."

  "I'll drink to that," said the tavern keeper.

  Jax barked, and Gerald looked down at the old dog, "How did you find him?"

  "He was wandering the battlefield," said Sam. "I caught him trying to steal food."

  Gerald reached down, scratching the dog's head. Tempus watched, then forced his head forward, seeking similar attention. "If Tempus is here, the princess can't be far away," he mused.

  "She's over there," said a familiar voice, and Gerald turned.

  "Sophie," he said, "I haven't seen you for ages."

  "I've been busy helping Lady Aubrey," she replied. "There are far too many wounded for her and Master Revi to look after by themselves."

  Gerald's eyes scanned the room, "You seem to have enlisted a lot of help. Is that Jack Marlowe I see over there?"

  "It is," she said. “He and Prince Alric have been visiting the injured, keeping them in high spirits."