by MJ Blehart
Uronay read over the contract, nodding his head as he completed it. “This is satisfactory. How many guards does my shipment get?”
“One per wagon riding with the driver, and two more on horseback escorting them. No uniforms, we prefer to be discreet. When we arrive at the starting point, you pay half. The second half is paid up when we reach Gara-Sharron. Our escort service ends at the gates, we prefer not to go into the capital. But you should need no further protection at that time.”
The Sharron Army charged double, and all of it up front. Their compensation for stolen goods barely covered the cost of the lost wagons. His warehouse manager had been the one to recommend this course of action, and the man had never led him astray before. The savings and possible benefit were too good to not take a chance on.
“You have yourself a deal, lad. I’ll be hiring you to escort my provisions to Gara-Sharron.”
Corlan offered his hand. “Thank you, Captain. I guarantee your shipment will arrive safe, and on time.”
Captain Uronay took Corlan’s hand, and they shook.
Corlan produced an ink bottle and small quill from his scrip. He produced a second copy of the contract, and signed both. Captain Uronay signed them as well.
“Where will we find your cargo, Captain?”
“Pier four, third warehouse from the street, called Tegora’s Depot. Two wagons, black and maroon, registered to Olvan’s Freight. They’re scheduled to depart on Tagoduan at three hours after sunrise.”
Corlan wrote that on the bottom of his copy of the contract. He again offered his hand. “Thank you, Captain, it was a pleasure doing business with you.”
Uronay took his hand, “It will be a pleasure, if you don’t fail.”
Corlan grinned. “Fair enough. Calm seas, Captain Uronay.”
Uronay tipped his hat as Corlan stood, and disappeared back into the crowd as he departed from the tavern.
Narv Uronay would be back in his stateroom just after sunset, and heading to sea with a new cargo, bound for port in Ticarr, by dawn. If they did indeed make good on their contract, he’d probably hire the Falcon Raiders to protect his next shipment from Port Anduin to the rest of the Estarian continent.
The Captain of Tegora’s Sister sat, took a bite of his sandwich, and chewed upon it thoughtfully. He could care less about the political situation of Sharron. His only concerns were that his ship could sail from port to port, and that his cargos always reached their intended destination. Who guarded and protected them only mattered to him if they failed, and his profit suffered.
*****
The King looked around the oval table at the Sharron Council of Military, Civil and Foreign Administration. Around him, from right to left, were Lord Tulock, General Bodrir, Captain-General Callan, Constable drey-Sharron, Lady Marna Forkuln, Common Speaker Erlonn Broyva, Lady Ara Wiram, and Sir Garvol Dorran. General Sopiir was still at Vantirr, and Admiral Trem-Sharron was absent. Word had it he was with the fleet at its headquarters in Kelfarn.
“Alright, we have work to do,” began the King without ceremony. Lord Tulock, escorting the Speaker of The Common, had been the last to arrive, and they had just taken seats. “I would like to thank Erlonn Broyva for joining us here today. My Lord Speaker, I would also remind you that save what we say may be told to Common, you are to remain silent on affairs of state.”
Erlonn Broyva was a greying man of fifty-three, plain faced, a former innkeeper from Anduin. Chosen to represent the port city on the Common, he served for several years before he’d been nominated as Speaker, and unanimously selected. He was a quiet, unassuming man. Probably the reason they chose him.
“I am honored to be here, Your Majesty. This is only the third time in our history that the Speaker of the Common was invited to sit on Council.”
“You know your history well, Lord Speaker,” Varlock-Sharron complimented respectfully. He looked at the others. “Let us skip the pleasantries, shall we? Lady Marna, would you please share with the Council what you reported to me earlier?”
Without further ado, Lady Marna complied, updating everyone with the most recent information.
When she was through, Erlonn Broyva was shaking his head. “I had no idea,” he remarked quietly.
“What you just heard, my lord Speaker, you may repeat to the Common,” stated Varlock-Sharron. “It is time they know a war may be imminent. Lady Marna?”
“I have dispatched ambassadors to Medaelia, Cordianlott, and Lirdarra. Volunteers, because of the inherent danger of this mission. We’re still trying for a diplomatic solution, but I doubt very much we shall have one.”
Varlock-Sharron nodded to her, and turned his attention elsewhere. “General Bodrir?”
“My liege, the Army is positioned in the Vann Region, likely the main target of this assault. Unfortunately, I cannot bring all our forces to bear, as we are dealing with a second situation at home.”
“The Falcon Raiders,” the King stated, his tone foreboding. He could not have asked for a better opening for the main topic of this meeting. “They are forcing us to waste resources we need to move into position to face Wilnar-Medira’s army. Do you have something decent plotted to deal with them yet?”
“We finally have a solid plan, your Majesty,” Sir Garvol remarked with an air of mischief in his voice.
“I am ready to hear it,” replied the King with a touch of annoyance.
Constable drey-Sharron and General Bodrir shared a look with Sir Garvol, and after a moment, shaking his head very slightly at them, he began.
“The Common, as you have been made aware, has already begun to show some support for Princess Lyrra-Sharron, and we know that several larger merchants have hired Falcon Raiders to guard their caravans. We have uncovered considerable, albeit circumstantial, evidence that these mysterious new bands of outlaws are, in fact, the Falcon Raiders in disguise.”
“It’s a cunning idea on her part, and effective,” chimed in General Bodrir. “Lyrra-Sharron has always been very clever.”
Sir Garvol spoke again. “The various Falcon Raiders, and their sympathizers, for that matter, that we captured and questioned here in Gara-Sharron, revealed that they followed the Princess because they believed in her. Very few said much more than that.”
“Which proves there is only a single problem here,” added Constable drey-Sharron. “The Falcon Raiders follow Lyrra-Sharron Anduin. If we remove her, we remove the threat.”
“Get to the point, my lords,” the King growled, clearly becoming agitated.
“For the benefit of Speaker Broyva, your Majesty, we needed to put this into perspective,” stated Sir Garvol. “Before we ask him to help us, he should know what it is that’s been happening. The Common is not often well informed.”
“Continue,” stated the King more calmly. He held is irritation in check.
“We will run the risk of disrupting The Common,” Sir Garvol said. “It is good, Speaker Broyva, that you are here to be in on this. We need you, specifically, during a legislative session, to state that you wish to address Lyrra-Sharron personally. We need you to call her to question, to state her claim against the King. My office believes she has the ear of several on The Common already, so word should reach her quickly.”
“Bear in mind, Lyrra-Sharron won’t just march into Mintarn,” stated General Bodrir. “She will not make her arrival public, and will certainly bring a large contingent of well-disguised Falcon Raiders for protection. She will likely suspect some sort of trap, so she’ll take several precautions to protect herself.”
“The Constable of Mintarn, Jimmon ril-Sharr, will be fully alert, waiting for her arrival,” added drey-Sharron. “He will make certain to have extra deputies, and be on the look-out for her presence. Quietly, of course.”
“Further, I will have special elite soldiers from Black Knight Company patrolling all around the city, looking for her Falcon Raiders,” explained General Bodrir. “We will also have another company hiding within the city, ready to take on the Fa
lcon Raiders should they put up a fight.”
“Our last line of defense is the most complicated, and controversial, Speaker Broyva,” added Sir Garvol. “We would like to place two or three of my most elite agents among The Common.”
“I’m not sure I understand why,” remarked Speaker Broyva, crossing his arms.
“Lyrra-Sharron is a greater threat to the stability of Sharron than most are aware of,” stated Sir Garvol. “Her actions have not gone unnoticed by our enemies abroad. That is, in part, why they make ready to attack us. It can be certain they are not alone. We are the largest, most prosperous and stable kingdom on the continent. Our army is strong, our borders, solid. That’s an affront to several of our neighbors. She is the sole threat, and uses her Falcon Raiders for additional leverage. The Common is rarely fully convened. There’s always a village without representation, or nobles not present. My people would be quietly admitted, and would be unremarkable, until called upon to act.”
“Called upon to ‘act’, how?” asked Speaker Broyva ominously.
“If Lyrra-Sharron is not stopped upon entering the city, when she appears before the Common, they will terminate her.”
“They will what?” asked Speaker Broyva, eyes going wide as he dropped his arms to the side.
The King cleared his throat. “She must be eliminated. If she lives, imprisoned, the Falcon Raiders will continue to fight, to try and free her, to try and win her the support of The Common. I will have more than a band of outlaws trying to usurp my authority. I will have a full-blown civil war on my hands. Our enemies will strike, then. Sharron will be torn apart,” the King stopped, unable to continue.
“If she is eliminated,” continued Lord Tulock for him, “they have nothing to fight for. They follow her. If she is gone, they follow no one.”
Silence followed, punctuated only with the raspy intake of breath from Lady Ara, fighting back tears.
“If....if...” Speaker Broyva paused, cleared his throat a couple times. “if...if, she, that is, if the Princess is...well, murdered, right in front of The Common, she, well, she may well be martyred right there. As, as was said, this may, uh, well, this might upset them somewhat.”
“We are aware of this,” stated General Bodrir.
“We are prepared to handle this,” added Sir Garvol. “As I said, it is our last line of defense, if we cannot take her out before she reaches the Chamber of the Common. We will now show you the evidence we have obtained that reveals the Falcon Raiders are behind these surprise outlaw attacks, as well as other crimes against the Kingdom. This information, Speaker Broyva, you cannot reveal to The Common until this crisis is through.”
The Speaker just bobbed his head up and down several times, remaining silent.
Varlock-Sharron had taken aside the Constable, the General, and his Warlord prior to opening this meeting. They had gone over their latest plan, and he realized it was fortunate the Speaker was in Gara-Sharron, and could be brought in immediately.
“Bodrir, Garvol, drey-Sharron,” the King had decided to make a statement before the whole of the Council, “it has certainly taken a great deal of time and effort on your parts, and my patience you stretched to the limit…but this is finally an idea I approve of. Show the Speaker all your findings on my daughter’s rebellious activities.”
Over the course of the next thirty minutes, Speaker Erlonn Broyva was shown many forms of evidence against the Falcon Raiders. The King was silent, as was Lady Ara, though Tulock occasionally added statements, and Lady Marna supplied suppositions about foreign reactions. When they were through, Speaker Broyva sat quietly, tapping his fingers upon the table.
“Well,” he began, then cleared his throat. “Well. Well, well, well. The Princess and the Falcon Raiders have certainly made life complicated. I, I knew I should never have taken the chair,” he grunted to himself, then continued. “I see no other recourse. It will not be easy, but, yes, you have my support. I will call for Princess Lyrra-Sharron to present herself before the Common, in Chambers the day after tomorrow. I will serve you as needed, my liege.”
“Very well,” responded the King. “There is much that must now be done. I know you care not for such things, Speaker, but when this is through, I will reward you for this. Even if all goes well, you may be removed from your Chair.”
Erlonn Broyva shrugged at that. “I never really wanted it, anyhow. Someone else nominated me, I never made a claim…but they chose me all the same. I would not be unhappy to go back to my inn, see my wife.”
Varlock-Sharron gestured towards the man respectfully. “I can see, however, why you were chosen, Speaker.” He glanced around the table. “General, Constable, Sir Garvol?”
“My people will be in place in three days,” stated General Bodrir. “They’ve already been called to order at the Loros Barracks. I ride there myself when we adjourn.”
“I will personally escort Speaker Broyva back to Mintarn, and speak with Jimmon ril-Sharr,” added Constable drey-Sharron. “I worked with him long ago, and have often considered bringing him back here to serve as my Prime Deputy. He can be trusted.”
“My people will be ordered to join The Common,” said Sir Garvol. “A young lady, representing the currently un-represented village of Wolnav, and a pair of nobles, a Lord and a new Knight. Just so you are aware, Speaker Broyva.”
The Speaker acknowledged the Warlord’s remarks.
“Then we are ready,” concluded the King. “General Bodrir, move as many of our forces as you can into positions in the Vann Region, as soon as possible.” Varlock-Sharron addressed Captain-General Callan, “I want you to place as many Guardsmen as can be spared into positions currently being held by the Army in Gara-Sharron. Coordinate with drey-Sharron, so that the Guardsmen and Constabulary may completely take all of the Army’s positions in and around the Capital within five days. We know the Medaelians are not likely to strike for another month and a half, but that still leaves us very little time. Let us free up as many soldiers as possible.”
Varlock-Sharron addressed everyone present. “The strategy is sound. We implement it right now, without delay. Lady Marna?”
“Your Majesty, we’re doing what we can to bring about a diplomatic solution. It does not look good, though. I would like to also dispatch an extra mission to An-Quarvan, to re-assure our northern neighbor that we are not in danger of being picked apart from within, or without. We should remind them of the Tela-Sharron Accords.”
“Excellent thinking,” approved Sir Garvol openly.
“See it done, then,” commanded the King. “I think we are through here. For now. We have work to do. Thank you for your time, Speaker Broyva. Dismissed.”
Quietly, the Council arose, leaving in small groups. Lady Ara and Lord Tulock remained, awaiting the King. Noting his mood, they exchanged a look, and quietly left the council chamber together.
Varlock-Sharron sat alone for quite some time. A King was not supposed to shed a tear, especially when it was about betrayal, family or not. He would not be seen doing so.
Chapter 20
Cam Murtallan stood before the door, as he’d been for several minutes now. This moment had been a long time coming, but for some reason, he found himself feeling apprehensive.
He had lived and worked among the Falcon Raiders for almost three months, and in that time he’d found a group of people with whom Cam shared a mutual respect. It was a first for him. He found himself unusually apprehensive, concerned that what would be shared today could alter what he had.
Cam shook his head, catching himself. He had something he had to do, and this could not be avoided. It was his destiny. Perhaps now was when he would begin again to move towards the fulfillment of that destiny. Taking a deep breath, calming himself, Cam rapped on the door.
“Enter,” called Lyrra-Sharron from within.
The leader of the Falcon Raiders sat at a small table, sharpening a dagger. She looked up at Cam as he came in.
“Good, Cam, at last. Wine?” she ge
stured to a decanter on the table.
“Thanks,” Cam replied, closing the door behind him. This room was next to the one Lyrra-Sharron slept in, used as a study of sorts. Cam noted a few weapons about the room, as well as scrolls, mostly tattered. He took up the carafe, filled with an old vintage Alcreecian Red that had been discovered in a vault beneath one of the taverns of this village. Cam poured himself a goblet.
“Have a seat,” Lyrra-Sharron gestured.
Cam noted for the first time that she seemed rather pensive. It was an unusual characteristic for the leader of the Falcon Raiders. But the time had come for this.
“I wanted to see you, Cam. We...have not spoken much since the Brivarn raid. I know from Andim and Dak that you...want to know the why of this.”
“I do,” replied Cam simply. “I’ve earned an explanation. I deserve to know why we fight against the King, your own father.”
“Indeed,” she set down the dagger and sharpening stone, and looked more closely at Cam. “And it is time that you tell me why you came to Sharron in the first place.”
Cam nodded, “I expected as much. How do we go about this, then?”
Lyrra-Sharron visibly relaxed, and smirked at Cam. “I have been debating that myself.” She paused, considering. “You have been with us thus far, and I believe you will remain with us. You still work to regain your strength in Sorcery. You are, however, the guest in this land. You are also, among my Falcon Raiders, a subordinate to me. Would you mind going first?”
Cam chuckled. “I could argue the opposite, you realize, that as guest and subordinate, you should be first to tell. However...if you swear, even upon hearing my story, to tell me yours, I shall proceed.”
“On my honor as Princess of Sharron, heir to the crown, and leader of the Falcon Raiders, I swear you shall not leave this room without the answer to your question.”
“Very well, then,” Cam agreed. “You wish to know what has brought me to Sharron?”
“Indeed,” Lyrra-Sharron replied, clearly relieved he would finally tell her, and obviously intrigued as well.