Winter of the Wolf (The Desolate Empire Book 4)

by Christina Ochs

  Beside her, she saw Anton quietly reloading his pistols. He reached behind him, and handed Maryna a brace of two small pistols. “Do you remember how to shoot?” he whispered.

  “Of course,” she whispered back, taking the belt and fastening it around her waist. She hadn’t fired one since trying to kill Daciana Tomescu, but she’d do what she had to if Trystan lost this fight. She refused to be a prisoner again.

  Trystan moved more slowly now, breathing hard. Vega had caught him in the side, just between the edges of the cuirass and that bled too.

  She realized the sounds of fighting behind them had died down. Perhaps Karil had chased off the villagers. That would be a help if they needed to retreat when this was over, which might be soon.

  Maryna fingered one pistol and forced herself to watch the rest of it. Trystan moved more slowly, but still held his sword, even though his arm couldn’t have been working well. Aside from breathing hard, he seemed unbothered and kept his odd, yellowish eyes on Vega, who grew more and more confident.

  “You’re sure you don’t wan to surrender?” Vega asked. “I’ll give you this one chance to escape with your life. It’s clear you’re no match for me and I don’t like to kill little boys.”

  “You won’t,” Trystan said, in that bored tone he had.

  As Vega laughed, Trystan’s sword flashed into his left hand and he raised it, his height advantage suddenly clear. Vega jumped back, but Trystan seemed prepared for that, taking another step forward before driving the sword down.

  It went straight into a gap between Vega’s pauldrons and cuirass, right between his neck and shoulder. He fell to one knee, and Trystan drove the sword in with greater force.

  Maryna clasped her hands over her mouth so she wouldn’t scream. There was so much blood.

  It was over, Vega toppling to the ground, blood darkening the snow around him. Trystan raised his bloodied sword in victory, then fell to his knees. A soldier ran forward to catch him, and Natalya jumped from her mule in a flash. “I can help him,” she said, pushing the soldier aside.

  The Cesiane guards came forward, looking dejected. Maryna recognized the one that had been friendliest to her, and she offered Maryna a raised eyebrow and a shrug. Two of them picked up Vega’s body and carried it off, Trystan’s troops making way for them. Maryna was glad they had caused no trouble, though she suspected they hadn’t cared much for Vega.

  Then she looked at Anton, who seemed both relieved and concerned. “I hope Trystan will be all right,” he said. “I was wondering why he fought with the wrong hand the whole time.”

  “It’s hard to outwit Count Vega,” Maryna said, feeling suddenly exhausted. “Believe me, I know.”

  Teodora

  Teodora drummed her fingers on the table, fixing Princess Viviane with a hard stare. “We need to move before the peasants gather more information. We cannot let them know how few we are.”

  The princess had insisted there was no way to gather her entire militia in less than two weeks’ time. “My nobles will come through,” Princess Viviane said. She was annoyingly haughty, considering she owed Teodora the return of her kingdom. “But they need time, especially with the roads so bad. Those in the outlying districts likely haven’t even received my message yet.”

  Teodora shook her head, considering her options. She had Janos Rykter and his two thousand, along with another eight hundred militia camped near the palace. She’d ordered the Kronfels city guard to join her, but even though the burgomaster had agreed while she stared him down, none had yet appeared.

  And besides, the city was in nearly open revolt at the arrest of Antonia Maxima. Teodora could not only discount their help, she needed to make a move before the city dwellers joined the peasants in opposing her. “I must throw the rebels off balance,” she said, mostly to herself. She doubted very much that Princess Viviane or Elektra would have any good ideas.

  “Surely the reward you’re offering will soon bear fruit,” Princess Viviane said. “I’m certain it will be only a matter of days before some rough character shows up with Princess Gwynneth’s pretty head in a bag.”

  “We can always hope, but she has been lucky far too many times. No, I must continue to act until something works.” That was why she was here in the first place, and why she now had Mattila on her side. Sitting around waiting for things to happen never yielded satisfactory results.

  Teodora sat quietly for a time, wishing for Livilla, or even Count Solteszy. Both of them were always full of practical ideas. Teodora hated being the only person in the room with a brain. She’d always considered Princess Viviane a woman of sense, until she had been stupid enough to let Princess Gwynneth and Elektra walk all over her, on top of leaving written evidence of her crimes in this desk for anyone to find.

  Teodora still insisted that all of their meetings take place in the “bloody study,” as she’d learned the servants called it. Both the princess and Elektra were visibly uncomfortable in here, but Teodora never tired of sitting in the very spot where Kendryk had met his end. That Princess Viviane had pulled that off was the only reason Teodora bothered with her at all.

  “I know,” Teodora said so suddenly that both the princess and Elektra jumped. “We can make use of the fact that the archduchess betrayed our cause.” Elektra reddened and Teodora smirked. “As far as Princess Gwynneth and Braeden Terris are concerned, she’s still on their side, and is likely my prisoner. I’m sure we can put that fact to good use somehow.”

  “I don’t see how,” Elektra said. “They’ll expect you to have turned me, I’m sure.”

  “Oh, they won’t expect that at all. Not if you have a convincing story for them. No, if you escape my clutches and find them, they’ll be happy to welcome you back.”

  Elektra’s eyes widened, likely in fear, but perhaps also in hope.

  Teodora wanted to stoke the first and dampen the second. “You won’t go alone, since I can’t trust you. I’ll ask Janos Rykter if he can suggest someone to keep an eye on you.”

  “I—” Elektra began, then quieted.

  “You’ll have no objections, I’m sure,” Teodora went on. “You swore to help me.”

  Elektra nodded, her lips pressed together.

  “That’s an excellent idea.” Princess Viviane’s eyes bore a malevolent gleam. No doubt she’d welcome any chance at ridding the world of Elektra’s presence. “Ought to be perfectly safe.”

  “Naturally.” Teodora smiled at Elektra. “After all we’ve been through, I’d hate for anything to go amiss. We’ll plan this carefully, though you’ll want to go as soon as possible. Within the next few days.”

  “I don’t even know where they are.” Elektra spoke rapidly.

  “None of us do, which is why we need you. I’m sure if you manage to “escape” to the city, and the Maxima’s supporters find out, they’ll be happy to get you to your friends. And, you’ll go with the person who helped you escape. Someone big, strong and reliable.”

  “I don’t understand what I’m supposed to do once I meet with them,” Elektra muttered.

  “You needn’t do much.” A plan was forming in Teodora’s mind as she spoke. “You’ll be followed so you’ll only have to make friendly noises for a time, though I’ll be particularly pleased if you obtain names and locations pertinent to the revolt.

  “Also mention the reward often and loudly, in case anyone hasn’t heard about it. Before long, you’ll be rescued and the leaders, including the princess and Braeden Terris, will all be dead.”

  “Why should they be with the peasants?” Elektra shook her head. “Since they captured the princess, I doubt they’ll be on friendly terms.”

  “Maybe not, but now that I’m here, they have nowhere else to turn. So you’ll find the peasants first, and see if they can at least tell you where the others are. That’s all we need for now.”

  Elektra stared at her, startled. “I don’t think—”

  “What you think doesn’t matter.” Teodora gave her a hard stare. “You
’ve agreed to help me with anything I ask, haven’t you? In fact, I recall you swore it in front of Vica’s icon at the temple, didn’t you?”

  Elektra nodded, still unhappy, but that didn’t matter to Teodora. All she needed was obedience. It didn’t have to be willing.

  Elektra

  Once she realized she wouldn’t get out of this mission against the peasants, Elektra prayed as hard as she ever had. This was an opportunity to escape her mother’s clutches, though it wouldn’t be easy. She had to see it as just one more obstacle on her path to becoming empress.

  Teodora sent for Elektra early the next morning, calling her to that awful room again. Elektra’s maid had confided that Prince Kendryk’s ghost haunted the study, waiting for the right moment to take revenge on his killers. Perhaps that was why Princess Viviane constantly looked over her shoulder whenever they sat there. Elektra wouldn’t have minded a ghost killing Princess Viviane, though she didn’t really want to see it.

  It didn’t help it was still mostly dark when Elektra entered, and Teodora only had one lamp burning on the table she sat at, the meager light casting enormous shadows against the walls.

  “It’s all working out so well,” Teodora trilled, as Elektra sat down, eying a tall shadow wavering over her mother’s head.

  “That’s nice.” On her way here, Elektra had resolved to show no fear. The gods had given her this opportunity and she would use it. And it did no good to cower in front of her mother.

  “I’m glad you’ve come around to the idea.” Teodora smiled, even as the shadow leapt down, caressing her cheek.

  Elektra shuddered. So much for showing no fear. “I don’t have much choice,” she said as calmly as she was able.

  “True.” The shadow pulled back, as if gathering itself for an attack. Elektra looked away.

  But Teodora continued as if she hadn’t noticed a thing. “I wasn’t sure at first, but I’ve decided that Janos Rykter will accompany you.”

  No. Elektra pushed down her terror. “Surely he’s needed here to lead his troops?”

  “His second-in-command will do well enough until he can take over again, which if all goes as planned, won’t be long. I’m pleased, since he’ll be able to keep you in line. Don’t you agree?”

  Elektra nodded. Better to let her mother think she’d intimidated her into going along with everything.

  “Good. He’s not the most trustworthy character, but I believe he wants to please me, so that’s a start. Now, let’s go over the plan. I want nothing in writing, so you must memorize the key points in the next few hours. You’ll leave tonight.”

  Elektra nodded again, and did as she was told. She had to memorize many names and figures she knew were false, then pass them on to the peasants. She didn’t think she would be able to pull off a deception as her mother expected, though she would have to manage something with Rykter glowering over her shoulder. She didn’t know how to get rid of him either, but she’d pray, and maybe a chance would present itself.

  Once Elektra committed the plan to memory, she had a big meal, though she felt too sick to eat. Still, it might be a long time before she got food of any kind, so she did her best. Then she went to her room, dismissed her maid, and pulled on layers of warm clothing. Now she just had to wait until it was time. She half expected a final visit, but still wasn’t happy to see her mother again.

  “I wanted to clarify a few things,” Teodora said, letting herself into the room and taking a seat in Elektra’s favorite chair. “I know you think you’ll use this chance to escape, and that you might somehow slip away from Rykter. Maybe you’ll be able to, though I’ve ordered him to kill you the moment you try anything.”

  Teodora paused, her eyes on Elektra, while Elektra struggled to keep her face impassive.

  “Besides that,” Teodora went on, “if you escape, Antonia Maxima dies. And I’ll make sure you hear about how awful it was for her and how much she suffered. If you return but I hear from Rykter that you deviated from my instructions in even the smallest way, the Maxima dies, and you’ll get to watch. Is that understood?”

  Elektra nodded, though she felt her dinner trying to come up. “Understood,” she croaked, since her mother seemed to expect a response.

  “Good.” Teodora smiled as she stood. “Be assured if you perform well in this, it’ll go a long way toward getting back in my good graces. Now, off you go.” She waved her hands at Elektra.

  Elektra licked her dry lips and picked up a candlestick from her bedside table. She swung it at the locked window overlooking the garden, shattering the glass. Then she threw a blanket over the jagged window ledge, and climbed over it, until she sat with her legs hanging over the side.

  “Goodbye, Mother,” she said over her shoulder, then “evil bitch” under her breath as she jumped into Janos Rykter’s waiting arms. Once he put her on the ground, Elektra looked up.

  Teodora stood at the window, looking down at them. “Oh dear,” she said, “the archduchess has escaped. I’ll sound the alarm ... eventually.”

  Elektra turned away and followed the light of the lantern that Rykter held. The garden was still covered in snow, but an icy crust had formed over the top, making walking much easier.

  “We’ll go out the back, Your Grace,” Rykter said with a chuckle, “The way Braeden Terris escaped. I assume you know it well.”

  Teodora

  Teodora hoped she would feel better after sending Elektra off to distract the enemy, but instead, she prowled the palace corridors, restless and unsatisfied. Of late she’d gotten a taste for action again, after years of sitting around, and she wanted more. The problem was, she couldn’t even walk to Princess Viviane’s front door and back to her own room without exhausting herself.

  She’d recovered reasonably well from Livilla’s ritual to save Daciana, but the stroke was another matter. Teodora couldn’t even think about Daciana. She’d refused to believe Elektra’s story, but others confirmed it.

  That is, Teodora’s maid sobbed out a similar tale when Teodora grabbed her by the hair and refused to let go until she told her what the other servants were saying. No one else had dared breathe a word about it, and now Teodora understood why.

  She’d been so angry at the maid’s forced confession, she’d slammed her head down on the dressing table, then banished her from her sight. Training up a new maid was tiresome, but better than having to constantly look at the person who’d confirmed such horrid news.

  So Daciana was gone, Rykter was busy with Elektra, and Teodora had no one else to rely on. Rykter’s second-in-command seemed competent enough, but Teodora refused to send him off and hope for the best. And yet, if she followed him into combat, sitting on the sidelines seemed unfulfilling. She must do something. Sybila had forbidden any military activities, so there was no point in talking to her.

  Once Teodora caught her breath again, she sent for a sleigh and made straight for the temple in Kronfels. There was a great deal of scaffolding and sounds of construction as the temple was restored to its former, pre-Quadrene glory. Father Stipan had been adamant that was of the highest priority.

  He came hurrying to meet Teodora now, looking somewhat dusty. “I apologize, Your Highness,” he said, brushing at his robes. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

  Teodora didn’t care for Father Stipan’s sly expression, or his narrow, dark face, but she resolved not to judge any allies on their looks. As long as he served her faithfully, he didn’t need to be pretty. Besides, Livilla vouched for his steadfastness, knowledge and reliability.

  “I wanted to see first-hand how things are progressing,” Teodora said, keeping her fur cloak on. In spite of the activity, the temple’s vast interior was still rather chilly. The Quadrenes had removed or destroyed most of the ornamentation, but its soaring columns and beautiful stained glass windows remained intact.

  “They’re progressing well,” Stipan said. “Can I show you? We’ve nearly repaired the high altar. We can’t have it repainted until the artist from Ces
iano arrives, though I doubt that will be before summer.”

  Teodora had forced Princess Viviane to hand over a large sum to help restore the temple, since it had been her own weakness which had allowed the Quadrenes to take over. Princess Viviane had protested that she’d held firm, but even the League of Aeternos priest she’d retained had turned out to be a traitor, playing an important role in Braeden Terris’s escape.

  “It looks marvelous.” Teodora smiled at Father Stipan. “I hope you can finish the major work quickly. I can assure you this temple will be busy before long.”

  The priest frowned. “It isn’t right now. Most of the population is still openly Quadrene.”

  “That will change, and soon. In fact, the change is underway right now. Expect many penitents in the near future.”

  Father Stipan’s face broke into a smile, transforming his narrow features. “That is excellent news, Your Highness. I can assure you my colleagues and I will be aggressive in bringing the people back to the true faith.”

  “Good.” Teodora dropped her voice. Regular speech echoed off the great stone arches. “Might we speak alone somewhere?”

  “Of course.” Father Stipan turned to a novice who’d been following him around. “The Empress and I will confer in my quarters. See they keep up the pace once I’m gone.” He turned back to Teodora. “We’ve had to make do with Quadrene workmen, and they never fail to slow down when given the chance. Now follow me, please.”

  He led her out another side door and into a small courtyard attached to the Maxima’s palace. Teodora had told him to make himself comfortable there, and it seemed he had. Father Stipan showed her into a little sitting room, then shut the door behind them.

  “What we speak of here must never leave this room,” Teodora said, taking a seat. “It’s of a very serious nature.”

  “Certainly.” Stipan dropped into a chair across from her.

  Teodora took a deep breath. “I understand you studied with Livilla Maxima for many years,” she said, keeping her voice low. The room was small and there was no saying who might lurk on the other side of the door.