The Desolate Empire Series: Books 1-3

by Christina Ochs

  They joined the stream of finely dressed people entering the Arden. Janna tried hard not to stare, for once inside, there was a riot of color and jewelry. Janna saw right away that her dress was far from revealing, compared to those who were likely wearing the latest from Galladium. She wondered how they kept their bosoms from popping out altogether.

  She clung tight to Braeden’s arm as they entered a magnificent reception gallery.

  Gwynneth

  Though it was difficult to get used to being on a ship again, Gwynneth slept soundly. She’d made her plan and was sure it would work. The next morning, she went on deck again. It was cool and foggy, and the boat steered around rocky outcroppings. The channel here was narrow and shipwrecks littered the river bed.

  Gwynneth found Merton. “Would you mind walking with me? This deck is rather slippery.”

  Merton gave her his arm. Until she received his reaction, she wanted no one else overhearing.

  Once they were out of earshot of everyone, Gwynneth said, “I received some disturbing news, and never told the prince. I fear my letter may reach him too late to do anything about it.”

  Merton frowned. “Are you at liberty to tell me? Perhaps I can help somehow.”

  “Not if you’re with me. I’m sure you’re aware of how the Duke of Emberg feels about Edric Maximus?”

  “Not friendly.”

  “It’s worse than that. I have a source in his palace who overheard a most extraordinary conversation between the duke and his son. Once Kendryk has gone to meet Count Faris, they plan to ride to Heidenhof, arrest Edric Maximus and take him to the empress.”

  Merton went white. “He wouldn’t dare! That’s treason.”

  “It is. I wasn’t so concerned because I knew that as long as I was at Birkenhof, I could see the maximus properly guarded. I’m usually able to intimidate the duke myself.”

  “But you’re not there,” Merton said. “And he’ll learn that soon enough.”

  “Yes. And since I never had a chance to tell the prince, he won’t have left enough guards, or even warning it might happen.”

  “We must do something and soon.” Gwynneth hadn’t been wrong in guessing at Merton’s devotion to Landrus. “But how? Our orders are to take you straight to the Norovaean court.”

  “But that was because Prince Kendryk wasn’t aware of this danger. I doubt very much he would have provided me such a large escort if he had known.”

  “Why did you not tell him before you left?”

  “He wouldn’t allow me to speak,” Gwynneth whispered, allowing tears to fill her eyes. “And I couldn’t think straight, I was in complete despair at making such a terrible mistake.” She let the tears spill over and run down her cheeks.

  “Your Grace.” Merton reacted the way most men did to tears. Anything to make them stop. “I didn’t wish to distress you. It doesn’t matter does it? What matters is that Edric Maximus is alone and unguarded. We’ll come up with something.”

  “I already have.” Gwynneth wiped her eyes. “Though I fear it will mean you disobeying your orders. I will of course take full responsibility for that.”

  “Why don’t you tell me your plan, and then we’ll see,” Merton said, a little calmer now.

  “It will require at least half of your men.” Kendryk had sent an escort of fifty.

  “I can get half, maybe more, if need be.”

  Gwynneth told him her idea, and he listened carefully. Afterward he looked a long time at the passing vineyards.

  “You’re right, Princess,” he said. “It’s the only way to ensure his safety.”

  “Can you get anyone else to help?”

  “I’m sure I can. Most of the men here helped guard Edric Maximus when he was a prisoner and regard him as a friend today. We all of us realize he’s shown us the true way to venerate the gods.”

  “I’m glad.” Gwynneth smiled, feeling triumphant. At times, Landrus’s easy likability bothered her, but this wasn’t one of them.

  At first, Avaron and Linette were upset they would not be visiting the famous court of Andres Roussay, the Sea King. But Gwynneth convinced them this was an even greater adventure.

  The riverboat would dock in Kaltental the next morning, but it would be a day or two before the next ship sailed for Norovaea. In the meantime, they would stay in a quiet inn near the port.

  Merton assured Gwynneth that most of the men were eager to join in on her plan. They might have found her character questionable, but if there was the least talk of harm coming to their beloved Landrus, they seemed inclined to overlook the direst of sins. To Gwynneth’s relief, no one had bothered to question her more deeply. She had no sources at the Emberg court and she doubted Duke Evard would bother Landrus now he had the power of the office of maximus behind him.

  What worried her was that Evard would take his considerable militia to join Teodora as soon as Kendryk left Terragand. She did not intend to allow that.

  They reached the riverside docks of Kaltental by mid-morning. There was great confusion as they disembarked, but she spotted the boy Merton dispatched to a nearby stable as she came down the gangplank. Her ladies and maid were behind with her baggage. A few of the guards would accompany them to the inn and discover no princess when they arrived. Merton had arranged it so everyone with knowledge of the plan went with Gwynneth.

  Once out of sight of the boat, Merton motioned to her. “Your Grace, the stable is nearby.” She hurried after him through the dirty narrow streets.

  There were almost forty guards with them and they hired all the horses from that stable and the one next to it. Merton inspected them with care. Most looked fit. They would have to make the journey with all speed. Merton picked a fine three-year-old for Gwynneth. He was large and spirited, but she was sure she could manage him. It would give her something to occupy her mind.

  It took only a few minutes for everyone to mount their horses, but Gwynneth was anxious that their absence would be discovered too soon. “How many did you leave behind?” she asked Merton.

  “Less than fifteen. Enough to bring your ladies back to safety, but not enough to stop us, even if they try.”

  “You won’t let them, will you?” Gwynneth asked, looking over her shoulder as they rode down the narrow street to the city’s eastern gate.

  “Of course not. But I doubt they’ll find us. They’re not mounted, and I left none of the smartest behind. It will take them hours to figure out what’s happened. Unless one of your ladies says something.”

  “I’ve sworn them to silence. It’s true Avaron can’t stop talking and Linette is a silly goose, but I’ve convinced them how important it is that they play their part.”

  “I trust they’ll do well.”

  Gwynneth breathed a sigh of relief once they reached the open gate and left the city. It was cooler up here, near the sea, but the morning mists had burned off and the sun shone bright. It would aid them to have clear weather and dry roads. She offered a prayer to Vica for guidance and to Ercos to give her and her horse speed and strength. It felt good to have Merton beside her. He was a comforting presence and reliable. She would have to make sure Kendryk wouldn’t be too angry with him. What was one more bit of trouble for herself?

  Janna

  They stood in the crowded reception hall, the sounds and sights overwhelming. Knowing the empress herself was so close, Janna’s heart pounded alarmingly and she found it hard to breathe. She was sure Senta had laced her corset too tightly.

  “Here we wait for the empress,” Braeden whispered, looking down at her and giving her hand a squeeze. “There’s nothing to worry about. I can do all the talking if you like.”

  Already speechless, Janna nodded.

  The chatter died down and everyone lined up along both sides of the enormous room. A tall double door opened and Teodora Inferrara entered. She wore an embroidered deep red silk dress, with a stiff collar of black and gold lace that towered high over her head. Her hair was elaborately dressed with diamonds and gold rib
bons.

  Janna tried to put her terror aside and just look. Teodora was beautiful in an imposing way; tall and strong-featured. Even in her finery, Janna felt a drab little mouse next to her, but stood up a little straighter all the same.

  The empress made her way down the room, greeting people here and there. The rest bowed or curtsied as she passed. Janna had been practicing hers for days so she wouldn’t embarrass Braeden.

  As she had feared, Teodora stopped in front of Braeden. “Commander Terris,” she said. “It’s good to see you. And this must be your, hmm, wife, is it?”

  Janna’s cheeks burned.

  Braeden didn’t flinch. “Your Highness, this is Janna Beran, of Moralta.” He made it sound like she was a fine lady, without addressing the wife question, for which she was grateful.

  “You may rise, sweetheart,” Teodora said, and Janna realized she was speaking to her. She’d remained awkwardly sunken in her curtsy. She made herself gaze into the empress’s eyes. They were large and brown, but not warm, sparkling with aggression and intelligence. Janna forced herself not to look away.

  Teodora regarded her, appraising. “Lovely. You surprise me Terris. I hadn’t expected you to manage such a pretty young thing.” She looked around, acknowledging the general laughter. Braeden’s face was set in a pleasant and highly unnatural smile. Janna suppressed the sudden urge to laugh.

  When Teodora had moved on, Janna almost collapsed against Braeden.

  He squeezed her hand again. “See? That wasn’t so bad now, was it?”

  “No, though it seems she was trying to embarrass both of us.”

  “She was. It’s her way. She likes making people squirm.”

  “Is that all? Do I have to talk to her again?”

  “I think not. She might address you at dinner though I doubt we’ll be close enough to speak with her. With any luck.”

  They weren’t quite that lucky. Janna nearly panicked when she realized she and Braeden wouldn’t be seated together. He was several places up the table, between two stunning women, one of whom he already seemed to know rather well.

  Janna found herself between an ancient Olvisyan duke and a dashing Maladene officer. Her Olvisyan was rudimentary and her Maladene nonexistent, but the Maladene carried on in heavily accented Olvisyan, not bothered that she couldn’t understand either language, and ogling her bosom all the while.

  She shot Braeden a worried glance from time to time, and he often caught her eye with a reassuring smile. The beautiful blonde he already knew also gave Janna a friendly smile when Braeden pointed her out. Janna remembered Franca mentioning that Braeden liked buxom, vivacious blondes, not timid, scrawny brunettes. She told herself she had no right to be jealous.

  Servants in ornate liveries brought out one course after another and kept refilling numerous crystal goblets with wines of varying shades. Janna was already sick from nerves and couldn’t identify most of the food. The Maladene officer tried to explain at length, but she didn’t understand him, so she picked at her plate and tried not to drink too much wine.

  She was just within earshot of the empress. For the first part of the meal, Teodora conversed with an ugly yet attractive Maladene in an elaborate uniform. Janna guessed this was General Barela, whom Braeden admired very much. It seemed the empress also admired him a great deal. Prince Novitny sat on her other side, but didn’t seem keen to engage her in conversation.

  Somewhere around the seventh or eighth course, the empress turned her attention to the rest of the table. She sent some joking barbs toward a dour-looking old woman and a thin, pale aristocrat, then focused on Braeden.

  “So Terris,” Teodora said, taking a sip of wine. “You must tell me more about how you met this pretty girl of yours.”

  “It was in Moralta,” Braeden said.

  Everyone waited for more, but he stayed silent. Many eyes turned to Janna, and she hoped she didn’t look as bright red as she felt. The room was too warm, and she was certain she had had too much wine.

  “Obviously,” the empress said, to more laughter. “But where in Moralta did you meet her? Did she offer you hospitality in Kaleva, or were you quartered in her family’s house in some god-forsaken town?”

  “We met in Nitrany.” Braeden was as cool as could be. “She thought it was time to see the world.”

  “So you rescued her from a life of boredom?” Titters all around.

  “Yes, I did.”

  “You are a most difficult man, Terris.” The empress laughed, though her eyes sparked dangerously. “Here we want the details of your romantic life and you give us nothing.”

  “Begging your pardon Your Highness, but those things are rather personal,” Braeden said, boldly, judging by way the blonde covered a gasp.

  “You are quite right.” The empress turned to Janna. “I’m sure you never thought such a rough-looking fellow could be so discreet, did you?”

  Janna raised her chin and hoped her voice carried. “I’ve always known Commander Terris to be a gentleman, Your Highness.”

  “Well said.” Teodora looked none too pleased. “I can see you two are well-matched in wit,” she added. This was clearly not a compliment.

  Janna pasted a smile on her lips and kept it there until Teodora’s attention moved to another unfortunate soul. When she dared, she looked at Braeden again. He was quick to catch her eye, and she gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

  The empress worked the table, bullying some far worse, and Janna realized with relief that she wasn’t the only target. Teodora was unpleasant to everyone, except perhaps, General Barela.

  Kendryk

  Much as he hated leaving the children, it was a relief to get away from the palace. Kendryk wondered if he could ever gaze upon it with pleasure again. Fortunately, there was much to occupy his mind. As he rode north, hoping to find Faris and his army, messages from the south caught up to him. His Aunt Galena Sebesta, Princess of Oltena wrote that Marjatyan marauders were ravaging her borderlands. They had come through Arcius, where Princess Zelenka was a firm supporter of the empress, but that had not spared her, either.

  “Everyone is certain the raiders are led by Daciana Tomescu, the empress’s wolf,” Princess Gallena wrote. “I have called up the militia to protect the populace, but they are not equipped to counter anyone so ruthless. Please send help as soon as you can. While I will do everything in my power to aid you against the empress, I cannot do much alone. I’ve tried to rouse Benda and Martinek to action, but they do nothing but wring their hands and prevaricate.” Among the states of southern Kronland, Kendryk held out the greatest hope for help from Princess Martinek of Podoska since she constantly engaged in disputes with the empire.

  “There are troubling rumors of goings-on at Birkenhof and I can only hope they are rumors spread by the empress’s friends to cause you grief. What I am more sure of is that Arian Orland is operating in these parts. We have not seen him, but many have reported a great force of cavalry looking to engage Daciana Tomescu. I doubt she will be so obliging.”

  Kendryk frowned and put down the letter. He had hoped Arian would leave Kronland altogether. Something needed to be done about Tomescu, but he’d prefer Orland stayed out of it. He would consult with Faris when he found him. The last dispatches showed that he was marching across Brandana at speed. Princess Bensen had so far declined to offer military aid but was more than happy to let his army march across her land. Knowing Faris, they would pay good coin for everything and cause no trouble.

  Kendryk found Faris at the border.

  “Your Grace,” Faris said, surprised. “I expected you’d be on the Sanovan border right now.”

  “I was.” Kendryk dreaded the coming conversation. He joined the head of the column heading back into Terragand, and told Faris everything that had happened.

  “You must send for Orland at once,” Faris said. “We cannot do this without him.”

  “It’s too late.”

  “No, it’s not. If he’s in Oltena, as your au
nt thinks, he can be back at Birkenhof by the time we arrive.”

  Kendryk shook his head. “I can’t do it. If I see him right now, I might try to kill him.”

  Faris sighed. “I understand how upset you must be. And yet, the situation is dire. You must put your personal feelings aside.”

  “I can’t,” Kendryk whispered. “I’m very sorry.”

  “But at the least, you can call back the princess. Birkenhof should not be left empty.”

  “It’s not empty,” Kendryk said dully. He couldn’t think of Birkenhof as home without Gwynneth there. “The children and all the servants are there and Edric Maximus will keep an eye on them.”

  “That’s not what I mean. Someone needs to govern there with both of us gone. Life continues. The princess could manage most tasks.”

  “I can’t bear to look at her either, I’m afraid.” They rode in silence for a while. “I’ve made a horrible mess of things, haven’t I?” Kendryk asked.

  “You? You’ve done nothing wrong. I have to confess I’m amazed at the princess, but the fact remains she is at fault here. And Orland’s part is inexcusable. It’s unfortunate you banished him, but understandable.”

  “Perhaps the princess will be able to get help from her father.”

  Faris frowned. “There has been much news from Norovaea. It seems King Andres is ill, and the court is in an uproar.”

  “I knew he was ill but didn’t know how seriously.”

  “It’s serious enough to start a power struggle.”

  “I thought Prince Arryk would inherit. What’s to struggle over?”

  “The prince is impetuous, and he’s picked a fight with Count Classen, his father’s chief adviser. Classen wants to hold onto power as long as he can while the prince tries to wrest it from him.”

  “That will give Gwynneth something to do. She’s always liked sorting out those types of situations.”

  “True, she might do well there. From an objective standpoint, I can’t help feeling she would be a far better ruler than Arryk.”