The Desolate Empire Series: Books 1-3

by Christina Ochs

  “Oh yes, those.” Orland grinned, looking at Kendryk from under long dark lashes. “Apologies. I’m afraid I got too excited when I heard what had happened in Isenwald. I had just assembled my force, and it seemed the perfect way to put it to use.”

  He didn’t sound very sorry. “Hm,” Kendryk said again. “Well, it wasn’t the thing at all. What made you attack Princess Zelenka? If we ever had any hopes of gaining her support, they’re gone now.”

  “Oh, she was hopeless.” Orland tossed his head. “She’s always been in the empire’s pocket. But my little ploy worked. As far as I know, she hasn’t sent the empress any troops.”

  “Your little ploy?” Kendryk felt his face redden. “Your little ploy killed several dozen innocent Kronlanders, and now people blame me for it. Exactly what are you playing at?”

  Orland had the good sense to look abashed. “I was sure it wouldn’t hurt to show those southerners you’re serious, and that you can well defend yourself, perhaps even attack when needed. To be honest, I remember what you were like as a little boy and thought you might not be intimidating enough on your own.”

  “I see you’re as insolent as always.” Kendryk used his haughtiest tone. “For your information, I’m barely able to defend myself and as yet have no army I can use to attack anyone anywhere.” He hadn’t meant to say all that, but he was angry.

  “I wondered if that was the case.” Orland didn’t seem offended in the least. “That’s why I thought I should put on a good show.”

  He turned to face the troop coming down the road toward them. Kendryk stifled a gasp. He stood on a slight rise and could see the road as it sloped away below him. There was no end to the horsemen. Magnificently armored and equipped, and riding Maladene horses, from the looks of them. This was serious heavy cavalry.

  Kendryk swallowed hard. “How many?”

  “Ten thousand, give or take a few dozen. The baggage train goes on twice as long.”

  “Those are a lot of mouths to feed.”

  “They are.” Orland nodded. “But they’re rich in plunder from the Olvisyan frontier and can pay for all they need in good coin.”

  Kendryk tried to picture this enormous host camped in the Birkenhof gardens. “I suppose you’ll want payment at some point, too.”

  Orland waved dismissively. “All in good time. No need to discuss details right now. Besides, you are my liege lord and I should fight for you anyway, shouldn’t I?”

  “Yes, my thoughts exactly.” Kendryk turned to one of his officers. “Let’s stop here. I’d like to speak with Count Orland before we continue.” In truth, he desperately needed military advice, and Orland seemed to know what he was doing.

  An ensign set up a table at the roadside while Orland shouted a few orders, and the horsemen dispersed into the meadow on both sides of the road. Once they sat down over a bottle of wine, Kendryk told Orland how things currently stood.

  “There’s no need to be upset about any of this,” Orland said. “The empress is tied up well and good outside Atlona, and there’s no word about the Zastwar treaty.”

  “Our sources tell us they’re talking.”

  “Pfft. It’s all talk right now. Teodora might get a treaty, but she must give up a great deal. And from what I’ve heard, she’s so proud and stubborn, she’d rather die than give an inch.”

  “That’s true. She’s difficult to deal with, even when her temper doesn’t get the best of her.”

  Orland grinned. “Ah, a spirited woman is such a joy, isn’t she? I hope I can witness Teodora Inferrara’s temper at least once. Is she as beautiful as they say?”

  Kendryk was bewildered by the change in subject. “Not really to my taste, and well, a bit old, but most would find her attractive.”

  “Oh, but older women are wonderful. None of that trembling, shrinking virginal business. You must try one.”

  Stunned, Kendryk stammered, “Er, I’d rather not. I’m quite happy with my wife.”

  “Of course you are. Rumor is that the Princess Gwynneth puts every other lady in the empire in the shade. You are a lucky devil, you know.” Orland smiled and flashed a dimple.

  “I know,” Kendryk said sternly, not liking the conversation. “Where were we? Oh, the Zastwar treaty. I don’t want to take anything for granted and be prepared for the worst.”

  “That’s the correct approach,” Orland said. “Although, I’d recommend moving against Teodora now, while she’s weak. If we marched into Olvisya right away, you could kill or capture her within a few weeks.”

  “I don’t want to do that. I want her to leave me alone.”

  “That’s unlikely. But now I’m here, I’d like to help.”

  “I don’t know how to fortify the border. We’ve tried to keep the buildings and walls in good repair, but we don’t have enough trained soldiers.”

  Orland shrugged. “I doubt there’s much you can do there, although I can advise you on training and how to best man the fortifications. You’ll have to take the fight to Teodora.”

  Kendryk didn’t like Orland’s assumption that attacking the empress was the best course, but it was a relief to have someone at his side who understood his business. Orland had the bulk of his force make camp near a larger town, and then he rode with Kendryk toward the Sanovan border.

  Things weren’t any better there, but Orland’s cool competence made even the peasant soldiers stand up straighter. Kendryk felt more confident just listening to him. Orland had taken part in many sieges in Zeelund and Floradias and had defended against besiegers as well.

  But best of all, whenever Kendryk worried, he would think of that magnificent cavalry, waiting for them back at the crossroads. With that and with whatever infantry Count Faris could find, he might have a chance of winning.

  Gwynneth

  “Goodness!” Gwynneth jumped as Devyn grabbed her skirts and burrowed into them. He was hiding from Maryna who collided into her other side.

  Kendryk laughed and snatched Maryna while Gwynneth untangled Devyn and passed him back to the nurse. Maryna shrieked as Kendryk swung her onto his shoulders, crushing his collar. Gwynneth made a face, which Kendryk saw.

  “Oh come now, darling. They’re happy to be out in the garden. So am I.”

  It had rained for a solid week before Kendryk returned two days ago with Arian Orland and an enormous force of sodden cavalry troopers. They were probably all occupied in polishing their armor. This was the first fine day, and it promised to be hot.

  “It’s difficult to talk when they’re running about screaming,” Gwynneth said, aware of how sulky she sounded. With Orland here, Kendryk couldn’t think about anything except troop dispositions. When he wasn’t poring over scrolls with the priest, he was poring over maps with the soldiers. He’d had Orland and his top officers move into the palace, so even their meals centered on military talk.

  Gwynneth also wished Kendryk had consulted her before bringing them all into the palace. Count Orland was civilized enough and two of the Maladene officers were courtly in the extreme. But Ossian Schurtz, a rough mercenary colonel, was another matter and not proper company for anyone else here. She had no idea who he was or where he was from, but his manners were horrid. Worse, he regarded Gwynneth with a frightening leer and had once cornered Linette in a dark corridor. Only a passing footman had saved her from gods-knew-what.

  Kendryk put Maryna down. “Go play with your brother now.” He kissed the top of her head and gave her a gentle shove, then turned to Gwynneth. “I’m sorry darling. But we see the children even less than we see each other.”

  “I doubt that.” She tucked her hand under his elbow. “But you were telling me how Count Orland proposes to man the border.”

  “Yes. He believes we can spend much less time training the militia if we have them guard fortifications, rather than drilling them for the battlefield. With Orland’s cavalry, and whatever Faris finds in Zeelund, we should have enough force to meet whatever Teodora throws against us.”

  “That�
�s encouraging.” Gwynneth squeezed his arm. “Much as I dislike Orland’s type, we can’t deny he arrived at an opportune time.”

  “Yes, the truce in Floradias has been fortunate for us. But I fear it might also be fortunate for Teodora since it will make Maladena’s troops available to her.”

  “Do you think so? She’s not on good terms with Queen Beatryz.”

  “She’s not on good terms with anyone, but that doesn’t keep her from getting what she wants from them.”

  “True.” Gwynneth frowned. “In that case, we should act before she gets help from Maladena.”

  “That’s what Arian says, too.”

  “Oh, so it’s Arian now? You two are rather friendly.”

  “He’s been very helpful,” Kendryk said. She regretted the bit of defensiveness in his voice that seemed to be there almost every time they spoke. “And unlike everyone else who claims to wish me well but offers nothing useful, he’s doing more than his share.”

  “It’s his obligation. Besides, the truce freed him up, and he needed employment.”

  “Unlike everyone else, he’s not asking for immediate payment, and I appreciate that.”

  “I wonder what he wants,” Gwynneth mused.

  “Probably a good fight.”

  “How does the treasury look? I’m afraid to ask these days.”

  Kendryk frowned. “There’s not much left after accounting for what the Zeelund army will cost. More is coming in, but not as fast as it’s going out.”

  “How long will you be able to pay the Zeelunders?” Gwynneth tried not to show how appalled she was. She’d always thought they had an unimaginable amount of money.

  “Three months; give or take a few weeks.”

  “So something has to happen within three months, or they go home.”

  “Yes.”

  “In that case, you should move as soon as they arrive.”

  “Move where?”

  “Attack Teodora. We know where she is, and she’s undefended right now. My sources in her camp tell me she’s sent the Sanova Hussars into Marjatya, so she can’t have over five hundred troops, total. You have more than enough to defeat her.”

  “Yes, but …”

  “But nothing. She needs to be removed and you are in the perfect place to do it.”

  Gwynneth took a deep breath and walked ahead. The children were playing with a ball on a large circle of grass nearby. She stopped at the edge of it.

  Kendryk caught up and put his arm around her, pulling her close. “So I remove her. Who would replace her?”

  “Who cares?” Though Gwynneth very much cared, she realized Kendryk didn’t agree with her ambitions. “It’s time they looked outside that family with it’s half-crazed blood.”

  “Only half?” Kendryk joked. “But you know I don’t want the job.”

  “I know. What about an independent Kronland? Let the rest of the empire sort out who rules them, and we go our own way, including a complete break from the Temple.”

  “Maybe. I just can’t be certain it’s the right way and I’m so tired of trying to figure out what is.” He sat down on a stone bench, and she sat next to him, sliding an arm around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder.

  “You think I’m always so certain about what to do next, but I’m not. I’m trying to look at the situation clearly, and Father Landrus isn’t helping, for all he started it.”

  “It’s not his fault.” There was that tone again.

  “Of course it’s not. But we have a real opportunity and we ought to take it while we can. What if the Zeelunders disperse when the money runs out and Teodora attacks us then?”

  “The money won’t run out,” Kendryk said. “I can borrow at least six times as much as I’ve spent.”

  “But for what purpose? So you can fight Teodora after she has a treaty with Zastwar and is back at full strength?”

  “What if Korma attacks her right now? He could do all the work for us.”

  “Korma is like a dog with a bone and won’t let Atlona go for anything. He should go after Teodora herself, but he’s not an intelligent man. He’s decided on Atlona and he will have it. It’s probably never occurred to him how unprotected she is right now. And those around him are no better. There is nothing so thick-headed as a Marjatyan who’s decided on something. Except for you, when you haven’t,” she teased.

  “I’m close to an answer,” Kendryk said. “Or at any rate, Father Landrus is. He’s working his way through a difficult part of the text and he’s sure something important is hidden there. It’s just a matter of uncovering it.”

  “He’s been saying that for months now.” Gwynneth sighed.

  “I know.” Kendryk’s face was a picture of misery. Her heart went out to him in spite of her frustration. “I’ve committed to this thing because of what he’s learned and what he’s taught me. It would be folly to try something else. Please, just give me a little more time.”

  “I needn’t give you permission.” She forced a smile. “You should take whatever time you need. The rest of us are here to support you in whatever you decide.”

  “Thank you darling,” He kissed her hand. “Something will turn up. I promise.”

  Braeden

  Braeden had finished his supper and was contemplating bed. Teodora would be pleased at the villages burned and the crops destroyed that day. Somehow, that work was more tiring than battle. He had risen from the campfire where he’d been talking with the other troopers when Senta Torresia bustled up to him.

  “Signor,” she said, although he’d told her to call him Braeden a thousand times in the past twenty years. “Might I speak with you alone?”

  “Of course.” He gestured toward his tent.

  Gergo had lit a lamp and made everything ready, so there were a few camp chairs sitting at a table.

  “Sit down, if you have time.” He grinned at her since she was always in a hurry.

  “What is it?” He asked though he had an idea.

  “It’s that girl you and Trisa found in the woods the other day.” Senta dropped her voice.

  “Is she all right?”

  “Oh, she will live. And she is not crazy though Trisa is not sure. Reno says she acts like normal girls, but I know he is teasing.”

  “So she’ll live and she hasn’t lost her mind. It sounds like she’s doing well.”

  “She will get better, but it’s difficult. She is so very frightened.”

  “I noticed that. I imagine some soldiers mistreated her.”

  “Yes, they did.” Senta wrung her hands and dropped her voice to a whisper. “She would not say, so I asked her, with great care of course, if those bad men had their way with her.”

  Braeden didn’t want to hear this. “Hmm. And?”

  “She wouldn’t answer, but every time I ask, she cries.”

  “That seems natural.”

  Senta shook her head. “She is afraid of Reno even though he is so kind. She tries to hide whenever she sees him, or any man.”

  “That’s a shame,” Braeden said. “I’m sure she’ll get better. What do you want me to do?” Senta always had a task to be accomplished.

  “Perhaps you can talk to her.”

  “That will just frighten her more.”

  “But you’re different. She already knows you won’t hurt her.”

  “What would I say?”

  “Oh, not much. Stop by sometime and ask how she’s doing. Just a friendly check up on her.”

  “Hmm. You’re sure it will help?” In Braeden’s experience with Senta, objections were useless.

  “Yes, I do. I understand girls and I can help this one, but I need you to do something too.”

  “All right. I’ll visit her tomorrow.”

  “You should come right now.” Senta smiled.

  “Now?”

  “The sooner the better. It’s a quiet time and you can talk for a few minutes. Come along now.”

  Braeden followed her, knowing it was easier than arguing. B
etter to get it over with anyway.

  The Torresia tent wasn’t far away. It was large and comfortable, having at one point housed the entire family of five. Since Cara had stayed with the court, there was plenty of room.

  The girl sat on the edge of a cot, doing some mending. She started when Senta bustled through the flap, and her eyes widened when she noticed Braeden behind her. She jumped up, dropping her work on the floor.

  “See who I found wandering around the camp,” Senta chirped. “It’s your rescuer.”

  Braeden forced a smile and said, “Please sit down, miss. I wanted to say hello and see how you’re doing.”

  She sank back on the cot and Braeden sat on a stool so he didn’t tower over her.

  She looked at her hands and was silent. Senta had melted, not altogether quietly, into the background.

  “Are you feeling better, Mistress er, Kronek is it?” he asked.

  She looked up and back down. “Yes, much better, thank you.” Her voice was so soft he could barely hear her.

  “Good. I told you Signora Torresia would take care of you.”

  “She has been most kind, and so have you.” She looked at him, but he could tell it cost her some effort.

  “Oh, it’s nothing. No trouble at all.”

  “But that’s the problem.” The girl glanced in Senta’s direction. “I worry I’m being a great burden to all of you. I can’t do anything except a little sewing.” She looked at the work back in her lap. “Everyone here is so busy and capable.”

  “You don’t have to do anything except get better.”

  “I know I need to.” She swallowed and he could tell she was working herself up to say something. “When I’m better, I must search for my son. He disappeared after … well, I’m sure the soldiers took him.”

  “Any idea whose soldiers?”

  “No.” Her eyes welled up. “It was dark, and I was so frightened. I didn’t pay attention to anything important.”

  “Now, now,” Braeden said uncomfortably, seeing she was about to cry. “We can ask around for your boy. Could be someone’s seen him, or even picked him up.” Though it was doubtful, it was better she had hope right now. “How old is he and what’s he look like?”