The Desolate Empire Series: Books 1-3

by Christina Ochs

  It stung just a little, though he felt a trickle of blood form at the corner of his mouth. He looked straight at her. “It’s the simple truth, Your Highness. If you would but see it, we could end all of this.”

  She hit him harder. He saw stars this time, but through them, caught the twist of her mouth and pain in her eyes before she called to the guards and stormed out. It wasn’t much, but he felt a small twinge of satisfaction. He’d once again held firm and perhaps even upset her. He would take the victory, however small.

  Anton

  “It’s annoying, but otherwise not so bad,” Count Orland said. He and his officers sat around a table in his tent. It was still raining. Anton hovered in the background. He was there to bring drinks and anything else that might be needed, but he was also eavesdropping. No one seemed to mind as long as he didn’t tell anyone what he’d heard.

  “The Sanova Hussars going back to Atlona before we can take them on is annoying all right,” Ossian Schurtz grumbled.

  “They can’t find forage for their horses during the winter and neither can we.” The count studied the map spread out on the table. “It’s time we picked the best place to spend the winter.” They had hurried south once they’d received a message from Ruso Faris that the Sanova Hussars were operating in Lantura. Faris had taken a strong position in a walled city with his big guns, but it was a good opportunity for Orland to make a move. Anton was disappointed that they still hadn’t been able to face the Sanova Hussars.

  “Should we join King Arryk?” an officer asked.

  “I doubt he’ll want to see us. He’ll have enough to do finding food and shelter for his own army. No, we should find a comfortable city, one well-situated to put us in position for a spring offensive. I’m sure once the king is certain of his western allies he’ll want to take the fight straight into Olvisya. With any luck, Hohenwart and Kurant will join us by then. Arryk will move into Lantura while Falk and Faris will likely winter there. If we cross the river Lera here …” the count pointed to a spot on the map, “… we can meet up with them and march to meet the king when he comes out of Fromenberg with more troops. Then we’ll be straight on the road into Olvisya.”

  “I like the sound of wintering in Lerania,” Schurtz said.

  “So do I. It’s a proper city so we shouldn’t be too bored.” The count smiled, as if imagining the fun he might have there. “Now, here’s what we’ll do.” And there was a long discussion about sieges and deployments, and Anton was sent to bring food. By the time he returned with bread, cold meat and ale, talk had turned to money, which Anton found even less interesting than women, the other common topic.

  Ossian Schurtz rode out the next morning with a force of two thousand. He was to secure Lerania which stood at the biggest bridge crossing the river Lera. The count would follow with the larger force, which had swelled to include several thousand infantry and a baggage train so long Anton had never seen the end of it.

  Edric Maximus had been so successful in these western towns that all of the minor lords around them volunteered their militias to support the cause. The count added them to his force, but had little interest in infantry, so he let each lord command his own group. It was all very chaotic, but Anton supposed every soldier counted, when they planned to meet the empress on her home territory. He wasn’t happy about spending a whole winter without fighting, but he would use the time to train Skandar and become a better shot. Maybe he could get the count to teach him how to fight with a sword, too. He was almost eleven and it was time he learned how to be a real soldier.

  Teodora

  She came at last, weeks after Teodora sent for her, with an entourage to rival the empress herself. Teodora received her on her throne, with all the pomp of the empire. She told everyone she wanted to give Brynhild Mattila her due as a senior member of the loyal Moraltan nobility, and a potential savior of the realm. In reality, she wanted to make sure that Mattila understood who she was dealing with.

  In contrast with her splendidly-robed entourage, all in fur-trimmed coats of dark velvet in the style of old Moralta, Mattila herself wore riding dress under a plain, somewhat battered suit of armor. It wasn’t fitting for an audience with the empress, but it made her look very warlike. She approached the throne with her brisk, long stride and went down on one knee, her lips brushing Teodora’s outstretched hand. Then she looked up, her gray eyes still hard and clear, though the rest of her looked quite faded.

  “Your Highness,” she said. “It has been many years.”

  “It has.” Teodora forced a smile. Mattila had been Teodora’s commanding officer when she first joined the military. She had made a point of showing everyone that the young archduchess would receive no special treatment because of her station. Teodora hadn’t expected special treatment, but what she got from Mattila was nothing short of brutal bullying. She’d hated being on the receiving end, helpless to stop it.

  But that was decades ago, and now Teodora was in charge.

  She looked at Mattila a long time before speaking. “I worried something befell you on the road, you took so long. I hope your journey wasn’t too difficult?” She nodded and Mattila stood up. She would have preferred to keep her kneeling longer, but didn’t like having those cold eyes so close to hers.

  “Not at all,” Mattila said, her voice still unpleasantly harsh. It sounded as though she had grown used to shouting and could barely restrain herself. “The journey went well enough but I needed to see to some of my new estates along the way.”

  The Moraltan rebellion had not been a disaster for everyone. When Teodora arrested and executed the rebellious aristocrats, she sold their estates to raise cash to pay her army. Already-wealthy Moraltans like Mattila snapped them up at favorable prices. It was maddening. They were worth so much more, but Teodora had needed the money desperately at the time.

  “I hope you found them to your satisfaction,” Teodora said tightly.

  “Some are in poor repair since your pet Daciana did rather more damage than was necessary.” There was no question she remembered why Teodora and Daciana had become friends. Teodora would never forget it, or forgive it either.

  “Daciana followed my orders perfectly,” Teodora said. “The low prices reflected that they may not have been in perfect condition. I’m sure you will manage.”

  “Oh, I will.” Mattila laughed, a rough cackle that echoed through the pillared room and would likely have embarrassed anyone else. But it was hard to put this woman at a disadvantage. Teodora reminded herself that it wouldn’t help her cause to do so right now.

  “Good,” Teodora said. “I’ll give you and your company time to refresh yourselves, and I will send for you later.” She nodded a clear dismissal.

  Mattila bowed and walked away, turning her back rather sooner than was proper.

  Surely it was possible to be allies with someone so hateful.

  Rather than meet Mattila in her private study, where she normally conducted such sensitive business, Teodora sent for her in the large council chamber. It was far more impressive and less intimate. She also surrounded herself with her ladies, Count Solteszy and Livilla. Uncomfortable as it was, she wanted witnesses to whatever transpired. Besides, it was easier to keep her temper with Livilla in her line of sight.

  The Maxima had cautioned her against losing her temper. “It is upsetting, I know, but she is far too valuable to you right now. Get her to do your bidding, and use her as long as you can. When the time is right, and you no longer need her, do with her what you will. But right now, you must show restraint.”

  Teodora took deep breaths while she waited for her opponent to appear. No, she corrected herself, not an opponent; an ally.

  Mattila came alone. She had changed into clean, though creased, clothing. Men’s clothes, from the looks of them, but tailored to fit her lanky form. Her short gray hair was slicked back and she looked fresh, much fresher than Teodora felt. She also didn’t seem the least bit intimidated by the people ranged on Teodora’s side, givi
ng them all courteous nods in turn.

  “Let’s not waste time on useless formalities,” Teodora said. “You must know why I’ve sent for you.”

  Mattila nodded. “You need an army of some size, and someone who can command it to victory.”

  “Yes,” Teodora said, “I do, and I’ve heard you can provide such a force.”

  “I certainly can. Not only can I supply one, but I can do so at no initial expense to you.”

  “None?” That was hard to believe.

  “I have the resources to recruit, train and equip a large number. Once that’s done, I intend to keep them supplied in the lands of your enemies.”

  “How many?”

  “How many do you need?”

  There was no use prevaricating. “My best estimates show that there are somewhere around thirty thousand enemy troops in Kronland, maybe as many as thirty-five, once the provincial militias are called. So I would say forty thousand unless you can succeed with less.” Teodora thought she’d start high, hoping for at least thirty.

  “I can field forty thousand, though it will take some months.”

  “What do I do in the meantime? Only the Sanova Hussars remain in the field. I need Demario Barela here to defend the city, should the worst happen.”

  “Ah yes.” Mattila smirked. “Leaving the city undefended last year was ill-advised, even for you. Lucky that Beatryz was cooperative.”

  Teodora bit down on her tongue so hard it bled, aware of Livilla’s insistent stare. A moment passed before she could speak in a normal tone again. “I intend to keep either Barela or Novitny close by until I have another force sufficient to keep Olvisya safe.”

  “In that case, you will be all right until spring. Winter is coming hard and early in the north and Orland and Falk have already gone into winter quarters. I’m sure Arryk will do the same. A force of his size will need to spread across several kingdoms unless he wants them to revolt.”

  Much as she hated the woman, her calm, professional assessment was a relief. “Very well then,” Teodora said. “What do you want from me to put your recruitment in motion?”

  “Supreme command,” Mattila said, her eyes unblinking.

  “What?” Teodora was supreme commander both by right and tradition.

  “Supreme command over all of your forces.”

  “No,” Teodora snapped, avoiding Livilla’s imploring gaze.

  “Then we are done here.” Mattila stood.

  “Wait, please,” Livilla said, with an apologetic glance at Teodora. “This is an unexpected development and Her Highness needs time to consider your terms.”

  “There is nothing to negotiate,” Mattila said. “If I am to repel a large invading army, I must control all imperial forces. I’ve operated under civilian authority before and I won’t do it again. It’s too difficult to command an operation like this from the capital.”

  “I won’t be in the capital,” Teodora said, finally finding her voice. “I’ll be in the field.”

  “No, you won’t,” Mattila said calmly. “In moments like these it’s important your subjects know where you are and that business is going on as usual. You cannot risk being shut out of Atlona again for any reason. It would be the end of your reign.”

  “It won’t happen again.” Teodora nearly choked on her anger.

  “It could very well. Arryk will gather allies through the winter and without me in the spring, nothing stands between them and you. Barela and Novitny, able as they are, will not have a chance against a combined force of thirty thousand or more. If only one engagement goes against you, Arryk Roussay will be at your gates.”

  “Arryk is an idiot.” Teodora snapped. “Perhaps even more stupid than Andor Korma.”

  “That may be.” Mattila sat back down. “But for an idiot, he defeated Ensden rather easily. King Arryk may be a lightweight, but he’s advised by experienced generals like Faris, Orland and Hohenwart. They all know how to besiege a city and take it. So you must decide if you will accept my terms. And perhaps I should be clearer so there’s no confusion. Supreme command includes the Sanova Hussars and Demario Barela.”

  Teodora gasped. “Prince Novitny would never agree. He is sworn to me.”

  “No, he’s sworn to your sister-in-law. I’m sure you can come to an arrangement with her. He’ll do as he’s told. Oh, Daciana Tomescu you can keep.” Mattila stood again, but didn’t back away from the table. “I’ll leave you to discuss it. I have business here that will keep me three days. Shall we talk again at the end of the third?”

  Outraged by her peremptory tone, Teodora began, “I’m no longer a cadet for you to—”

  “That will do,” Livilla interrupted, standing up as well. “We will discuss this and send for you in a few days. Thank you.”

  And before Teodora could say anything else, Mattila had left the room.

  Teodora waited until the heavy door had closed behind her, then exploded. “There must be someone else. These are intolerable demands.”

  After a long, uncomfortable silence Count Solteszy said, “That woman is the height of arrogance. But her reputation is well-earned, and the situation desperate. The problem is that she knows this and feels she can make such demands.”

  “I could have her arrested,” Teodora said, her mind whirling. With Mattila gone, her estates could be confiscated and Teodora could build her own army.

  “On what grounds?” Livilla asked. “She has committed no crime except for that of rudeness. If you arrest her without cause, the nobility will abandon you, and you cannot afford that right now. In all of this, you must at least have the Olvisyan aristocracy behind you. As harsh as she sounds, I believe you can still negotiate. Give her the Sanova Hussars, but keep Barela. If she intends for you to stay here, it makes sense for you to be defended by troops under your direct command.”

  “But Beatryz could call Barela back at any time,” Teodora said, panic rising.

  “She might, but we can persuade her not to, just yet,” Livilla said. “We can impress upon her the need to stop the Quadrene heresy before it spreads to Floradias and south. That will make an impression.”

  “All right,” Teodora said. “But the rest? Must we give her everything else?”

  “It can’t be avoided right now,” Solteszy said.

  “I agree,” Livilla said. “But once Arryk and the others have been defeated, you can take whatever measure you feel necessary to deal with Brynhild Mattila.”

  Janna

  “That can’t be true,” Janna said. “The Sanova Hussars would never let Arryk Roussay get so close to Atlona.” She and Nisa sat in her little parlor on a blustery autumn day. Along with all of the other hussar’s families, Nisa and her children had been left behind. She wasn’t as fortunate as Janna and lived in a cramped apartment, so Janna invited her over often.

  Two days ago, they had gone to the parade ground to watch General Barela and his forces march out. The Sanova Hussars were supposed to be on their way back to the capital and Barela was taking their place in the field.

  Janna waited anxiously for Braeden to appear. The past few months had dragged by. She seldom heard from him and whenever much time went by between letters, worried that he’d been killed, his body lying in a ditch somewhere in Kronland.

  “It makes sense though, doesn’t it?” Nisa asked. “Our men might not return for a few more weeks and Barela is gone. The city is undefended, so it’s the perfect chance for King Arryk to strike.”

  “Wasn’t he supposed to be in western Kronland?”

  “That’s what he’d like everyone to believe,” Nisa said. “That’s what I would do if I were trying to surprise my enemies.”

  “But surely the city will hold if he comes.” Janna remembered how well the city had withstood its last siege just over a year ago.

  “Oh, the city will hold, I’m sure. But he’ll draw in our fellows, won’t he?”

  “Oh gods.” Janna didn’t want to think of Braeden somewhere out there while she was trapped insi
de the walls here, no matter how safe. “But the empress is here. And didn’t that General Mattila just arrive? Surely they can do something.”

  “Mattila has no troops and neither does the empress. It would be up to our lot and Barela to deal with Arryk.”

  “But they’re not enough,” Janna said, panic rising.

  “No, they’re not.” Nisa’s voice was grave.

  The next few days were worse, as no one seemed able to discuss anything besides Arryk Roussay’s imminent approach. Most of the city’s inhabitants remembered Andor Korma’s siege well and felt that King Arryk was much better organized, with larger numbers. Many seemed filled with an almost gleeful desire to see the city fall, which made no sense to Janna, since they would be the victims in a sacking.

  Even though the weather grew cold, Janna took to pacing the ramparts of the outer wall. It swarmed with the soldiers of the imperial guard, but civilians could climb up in several spots and look out into the countryside. Janna bundled up Iryna and hired a carriage to take her there and bring her back. It was too cold to stay long, and though she didn’t see the Sanova Hussars coming, there didn’t seem to be any sign of Arryk Roussay either.

  After a week had gone by, Janna hoped it had all been a figment of fearful imaginations. She decided to stay home and not worry, if she could. She was better off laying in supplies in case there was a siege. Food was still plentiful, but prices went up as people worried. So the next day, instead of going to the wall, she hired a small cart to take her to the market, where she bought as much food as she could load into it. It was nearly identical to the cart she’d had in Kaleva, the one she’d used to escape the city with the children, just days before Dimir’s execution. It seemed like a lifetime ago, though it hadn’t even been two years.

  At home, she put a crying Iryna to bed, then set to work stowing everything in her spacious cellar and pantry. Her cook had the afternoon off and the house was quiet except for the rattle of an occasional wind gust against the windows.