Devyn raised his head and turned to her, his pale blue eyes frighteningly cold. “I know,” he said. “I know. And I won’t rest until that witch is dead.” He clenched his fists. “I was so close. I had her in my sights, but someone came up on me from behind.” He shook his head.
Gwynneth offered a dry chuckle. “Well, I had her in my sights too, with a musket I couldn’t figure out how to use.”
Devyn nearly smiled at that. “You will learn how to use one. The next time we stop, I’ll teach you.”
“Me too,” Stella piped up.
“You’ll learn to shoot a pistol, sis,” Devyn said, looking down at her. “The next time we see Teodora, one of us will get her.”
The sledges went on and on for hours, settling into a slower pace, likely to spare the horses. Gwynneth couldn’t think how they’d reach Terragand. But as the afternoon grew darker, they came upon a hamlet deep in the woods. The sledge stopped in front of a house and Gwynneth waited for Braeden to come up.
“Is it safe here?” she asked.
“I hope so.” Braeden looked more tired and drawn than she’d ever seen him. “We need to stop and rest, get fresh horses if we can.”
“How will we ever reach Terragand?” Gwynneth asked as Braeden helped her out of the sledge.
“We won’t. I’m taking you to Kendryk’s aunt in Oltena.”
“But I must get Devyn home.”
“It’s the only way,” Braeden shook his head. “They’ll expect us to go to Terragand and it’s just too far. With the peasant revolt a failure, we can’t rely on any of them to help us. We were lucky that one of the men has family here and they’ll give us food and shelter for one night. One more day and we’ll make it to Oltena. I’m sure Princess Galena will help you.”
The house’s front door opened, and they trooped in, while a small cluster of country women stared at them. Awkward introductions completed, they all sat down at a rough table while the women clustered around a stove, chattering in an incomprehensible dialect.
At least it was warm, and Gwynneth realized she was starving. Devyn had dropped his head to the table and was asleep in minutes, while Stella crawled into Gwynneth’s lap and followed suit.
“Once I get you to Terragand, “ Braeden said, keeping his voice low. “I must find a way to rescue Elektra.”
“What?” Gwynneth had been drowsy, but suddenly came awake. “But she betrayed us.”
“No.” Braeden looked grave. “I asked her to create a distraction. I hated to do it, since she’d just saved my life. But I wasn’t able to think of anything else. The only way I could get her to do it was to swear I’d rescue her as soon as possible.”
“Oh gods,” Gwynneth said. “Now I feel awful. The poor girl.”
“She’ll be all right. She looks soft, and can be a real ninny, but she’s surprisingly resourceful. I’ll try not to leave her in Teodora’s clutches too long, but I reckon she can survive a few months.”
“I doubt Teodora will stay in Isenwald that long.”
“Likely not. But once she’s on the road, she’ll be even more vulnerable. Might be I can get Princess Galena to chip in, and we’ll find a way to attack her. I’m also hoping Trisa Torresia and her troops got away. I told her if anything went wrong to take the lot of them to Oltena. Same for Destler. If he or any of his force survived, they’ll make their way there.”
“We were so close today, weren’t we?” Gwynneth said. “It could have all been over today.”
“Maybe, except for the wonderful Count Herbst,” Braeden said. “But we were lucky. All except for poor Florian. Now I feel bad for worrying he’d betray us.”
“So do I.” Gwynneth felt sad and empty. “There’s almost no one left we can trust, after everything that’s happened.”
“There are a few,” Braeden said.
“Thank the gods for you,” Gwynneth said, tears starting to her eyes.
“Not just me.” Braeden’s voice was rough. “Prince Kendryk might be gone, but his friends won’t forget what happened. You can trust Edric and King Lennart. They won’t rest until they’ve avenged him. And other friends, like Anton and Karil. Oh, and young Trystan Martinek. he’ll help us too.”
“You’re right.” Gwynneth wiped at her eyes.
An old woman brought trenchers full of a thick, greasy stew, chunks of black bread and tall mugs of ale.
For a while they ate silently. Then Gwynneth lifted her mug. “To Kendryk,” she said, unable to hold the tears back any longer. “To Kendryk and his friends.”
“To Kendryk and his friends.” Braeden drank, then lifted his mug again. “And to his family.”
Epilogue- Trystan
In spite of the bitter cold, the snow somehow melted anyway, and Trystan was ready to put these godsforsaken mountains behind him. He’d worried he might go mad, cooped up in a little hut while he recovered from his wounds. Even once he felt better, there was nothing to do in the village, and Trystan might have died of boredom if it hadn’t been for Natalya.
She didn’t spend as much time with Trystan as he might have liked, since she was occupied with Princess Maryna, who’d taken the news of her father’s death rather hard. While it was very charming of the girl to come to his bedside and thank him for his gallant defense of her against the cruel Count Vega, she’d started weeping in the middle of it and then she wouldn’t stop.
Anton had to lead her out eventually. When he came back, he said she did that most of the time now because she was so upset over her father. That was understandable, but Trystan had rather hoped Maryna would be more like her mother, whom he’d found admirably tough. Even the last time he’d seen Princess Gwynneth, sad as she looked, you could tell she would not crumble under the weight of her grief. Maryna didn’t take after her mother in that regard. In fact, Trystan generally found the princess a disappointment.
Or maybe it was that a little girl, no matter how pretty, didn’t hold a candle to someone like Natalya. She didn’t look it, but she had to be ten years older than he was. Trystan didn’t care. He needed a real woman in his life, someone who could get things done. He had plans for himself, and Natalya was the kind of person who could help him accomplish them.
Both Karil and Anton looked surprised when Trystan informed them he was taking Natalya all the way back to Allaux.
“But King Gauvain said he’d send a force to escort her from the Galladian border,” Karil said. They’d been here so long, there’d been plenty of time to exchange letters with the king.
“As he should,” Trystan said, looking around the little stable to make sure he had everything. The snow had cleared from the lower passes, and they were moving out. “But it’s better if one of us accompanies her personally. Those Maladene troops we saw in the mountains might still be out there. The two of you are already tight with the princess, so it makes sense I go with the Maxima.” He saw his saddlebags in a heap next to the wall, and waved over his servant to get them. “Besides.” He grinned. “Someone’s got to collect the reward. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get your share.”
“I don’t care about the reward.” Anton shook his head.
“I realize the Maxima’s smiles are better than coin,” Trystan said. To his annoyance, Natalya had been equally friendly with all the boys, even though she’d spent the most time with Trystan, fussing over him when he was hurt. At least he had that. “But smiles don’t buy supplies.”
“We have enough to get back.” Karil also seemed uninterested in a reward. For such a capable fellow, Karil was alarmingly unambitious.
“You wouldn’t understand,” Trystan said, now outside and preparing to mount his mule. “But I have an army to lead, and that costs money. So I’ll take the Maxima and a third of our force, and go to Galladium.” He hoped his tone made it clear this was not up for discussion.
Anton and Karil looked at each other, and Anton shrugged. “Have it your way. But don’t take too long. I expect by the time we reach Tirilis, Lennart will be on his way to O
lvisya. He’ll need you.”
“I’ll be there,” Trystan said, a touch impatiently. “And I’ll be there with a lot of money. I’m sure Lennart won’t mind that.”
They all rode together part of the way, until the road branched off to the west and Galladium. But then they couldn’t part right away because the little princess was so upset at the prospect of Natalya going. First she cried all over her, then insisted they have a farewell feast, on the mountainside, on top of a snowdrift.
But finally the goodbyes had been said, and the Galladium-bound force split off from the larger one. Trystan slowed his mule down until Natalya caught up. “What’s in the box?” he asked, nodding at the package strapped to her saddle. He’d noticed she always kept it with her.
“A present for Teodora,” Natalya said. “Sadly, I won’t be able to deliver it in person.”
“Can I see?” Trystan asked, even though it was obvious she didn’t want to talk about it.
“It’s unpleasant,” Natalya said, then changed the subject, and Trystan thought that might be the end of it.
But when they made camp that night, she beckoned him over as servants put up her tent. “I don’t suppose there’s any harm in showing you.” She put the box on the ground, and opened a series of complicated latches.
Trystan squinted in the gathering dusk. “Whose head is that?” It looked rather dry and mummified, though it still bore a shock of thick, dark, curly hair.
“Daciana Tomescu’s.” Natalya clapped the lid down again. “Teodora sent her to kill Princess Gwynneth and her children, but Braeden Terris stopped her. I’d hoped to surprise Teodora with both her friend’s head and a live Duchess Maryna.”
“A nice thought,” Trystan said, “too bad it didn’t work out.”
Natalya shrugged. “I’ll think of something else.” She handed the box to a passing servant who took it, while making a face, and bore it into her tent. Then she turned to Trystan. “Will you walk with me for a few minutes, until supper is ready? I need to stretch my legs.”
“Certainly.” His heart leapt as he offered her his arm. Beside him, Natalya seemed so small and delicate, but even so you could feel the power radiating from her.
There was nowhere good to walk, but back up the road. Once they left the camp behind, Natalya said, “I want you to tell me exactly why you’ve come along.”
Trystan hesitated. More than once already, he’d considered declaring his love, but worried she’d laugh at him. He’d need to build up to that. But there was something else, and maybe it was time to share that.
He stopped in the middle of the road, meeting Natalya’s eyes in the gloom. “You’ll think I’m crazy,” he said.
She offered a wry smile. “Try me.”
“I worry about Lennart’s long-term ambitions.”
Natalya’s eyebrows shot up, but she said nothing.
“He hasn’t said so, but I’m sure he wants to be emperor.” The words came out in a rush now.
“You wouldn’t be the only person to think that,” Natalya said, her eyes guarded.
“It only makes sense.” Trystan swallowed. “I hope I’m wrong, I really am. I like and admire Lennart a great deal, and that particular ambition would be disappointing, to say the least.”
“Why do you care?” Natalya’s eyes were still unreadable.
Trystan took a deep breath. “Lennart as emperor would be as wrong as an Inferrara. If he tries to do it, as a patriotic Kronlander, I need to stop him.”
“And you want me to help you with that?”
“Yes,” Trystan said. “You made Lennart. You can unmake him. Will you?”
“Get me to Galladium in one piece,” Natalya said, taking his arm, and turning back toward camp. “And then we’ll see.”
*****
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The story continues in Fall of the Titan: Book Five of The Desolate Empire Series
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Cast of Characters
Terragand
Kendryk II Bernotas, Prince of Terragand
Gwynneth Roussay, Princess of Norovaea and Terragand, Kendryk’s wife.
Their children: Maryna, Devyn, Andres, Stella, Renata
Edric Maximus, religious leader in Terragand, formerly known as Father Edric Landrus
Merton, Captain of the guard at Birkenfels
Evard Bernotas, Duke of Terragand-Emberg, Kendryk’s uncle (deceased)
His son, Balduin, a prisoner inside Birkenfels
Ruso Faris, a general leading the remnants of Kendryk's army.
Aidan Orland, Duke of Kaltental-Terragand
Arian Orland, son of Aidan, mercenary general supporting Kendryk and Gwynneth (deceased)
Anton Kronek, a young officer serving Kendryk
Baron Persyn, garrison commander at Birkenfels
Cid, Arian Orland's battle charger
Storm, Anton's horse
Podoska
Edyta Martinek, Princess of Podoska
Karolyna Martinek, her daughter, heir and disgraced general of Podoska’s army
Trystan Martinek, Edyta’s youngest child, general serving Lennart
Isenwald
Princess Viviane Kasbirk, ruler of Isenwald
Florian Herbst, Baron of Linter, leader of a popular revolt
Count and Countess Herbst, his parents
Antonia Maxima, a Quadrene cleric
Father Vico, a Quadrene priest
Baroness Kerstin, a member of Princess Viviane's court
Duchess of Lemberg, a member of the court
Karla Moser, a Kronfels merchant's daughter
Derrk, a peasant
Magda, Florian's cook
Aquianus
Prince Dristan Fabrey, ruler of Aquianus
Princess Edda, his wife
The Kronland Rulers
Eldrid Benda, Prince of Lantura
Floreta Bensen, Princess of Brandana
Ossian Dahlby, Prince of Ummarvik
Dristan Fabrey, Prince of Aquianus
Stepan Falk, Prince of Helvundala
Viviane Kasbirk, Princess of Isenwald
Keylinda Marthaler, Princess of Fromenberg
Edyta Martinek, Princess of Podoska
Herryk Peloso, Prince of Tirilis
Galena Sebesta, Princess of Oltena and Kendryk’s aunt
Alarys Zelenka, Princess of Arcius
Olvisya
Braeden Terris, ex-mercenary commander with the Sanova Hussars, now an ally of Lennart and Kendryk
Trisa Torresia, cavalry officer serving under Braeden
Franca Dura, leader of a cuirassier regiment
Kazmir, Braeden Terris's horse
Karil Andarosz, a former prisoner of Teodora’s, now infantry officer serving Lennart
Teodora Inferrara, Empress of Olvisya, Queen of Moralta and Marjatya
Her children: Elektra, Zofya and Rudofo
Livilla Maxima, religious leader in Olvisya
Daciana Tomescu, guerilla commander and friend of Teodora
Ahbert Solteszy , Head of the Imperial Council and Teodora’s closest political adviser
Countess Meryl Biaram, an adviser to Teodora
Sibyla, Teodora's personal doctor
Niklas van Ensden, Teodora’s primary military commander (deceased)
Brynhild Mattila, a general working for Teodora
Jozef, her son
Maladena
Beatryz Inferrara, Queen of Maladena, cousin to Teodora
Cornelio Vega, Count of Avela, a Maladene naval officer
Galladium
Gauvain Brevard, King of Galladium and childhood friend of Kendryk
Natalya Maxima, religious leader in Galladium
&
nbsp; Joslyn, their daughter
Henny and Gaspard, pirate couple
Tirovor
Resi Tardin, burgomaster of a mountain village
Sepp, a village boy
Estenor
Lennart Ostberg, King of Estenor
Raysa Sikora-Ostberg, Queen of Estenor
Silvya Meldahl, lady-in-waiting to Queen Raysa
Tora Isenberg, a general
Dolf Kalstrom, a general
Leyf Lofbrok, a general
Major Silberg, Elektra's escort across Kronland
Norovaea
Arryk Roussay, King of Norovaea
Count Magnus Torsen, Arryk's best friend
Aksel Roussay, Arryk's and Gwynneth's youngest brother, Teodora’s hostage
The Faith
Teodora the Holy, ancient founder of The Faith
Quadrenes, followers of the reforms of Edric Maximus
League of Aeternos, a group of clerics specially trained to counter the Quadrenes
Vica, the sister goddess
Ercos, the son god
DEDICATION
To my nieces:
Amara, Lauren, Haley, Kayla, Natalie, Kalli, Hailey and Hope
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Of the four books I've written, Winter of the Wolf has been the most challenging so far. It's also the longest, so the people who persevered to help me with it are especially deserving of recognition.
I want to thank Clarissa N. Goenawan for being such a diligent first reader. She finds innumerable errors and plot holes before anyone else sees them.
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