The Desolate Empire Series: Books 1-3

by Christina Ochs

  “No, she will always have supporters. But if those supporters hate her, they will abandon her at the first sign that things are going against her. And that will be your moment.”

  “I don’t know if I can wait that long.”

  “You must. It’s one of many unpleasant things an effective ruler must be able to do. You must wait.”

  “Perhaps. But she wants me to send Demario to her,” Teodora wailed. That had been the part of the letter that hit her hardest: Mattila demanding that Barela be put under her direct command.

  “I cannot operate freely throughout Kronland knowing you cannot control your troops. Demario Barela must be under my command by month end, or I will resign and dissolve this army,” the letter had said.

  “That’s a problem,” Livilla said. “You cannot deny her, but you must not allow it to happen. I’m sure he will help you.”

  “He would never take orders from her.”

  “He will, if he must. Oh, child.” Livilla came closer and took both of Teodora’s hands in hers. “Of course it’s all right to show them in front of me, but you must learn to hide your emotions. If others see how you feel about him, it gives them power over you.”

  “It gives him power over me, too.” Teodora wanted to cry on Livilla’s shoulder, as she had when she was a girl, but it wasn’t possible. She might not have complete self-control, but she had some.

  “Yes, it’s unfortunate. But I don’t think he’ll take advantage. He doesn’t appear to want anything from you aside from your company. But let it be a lesson to you—you might not be so lucky next time.”

  “There won’t be a next time. Falling in love is the most ridiculous thing, and so inconvenient.”

  “Yes, but it’s already happened. I’m sure you’ll get over him. With any luck you’ll do it before he gets over you.”

  Panic struck Teodora. “Will he?”

  “Of course he will, sooner or later. Men always do. Even the best ones. The difference is that the best ones stay with you anyway. But in the general’s case, it won’t be possible.”

  “I don’t think I will be able to bear it.”

  “You will have to, but not yet. At least, not for a long time. At any rate, you can’t worry about it now. You must keep him from Mattila without denying her outright.”

  Teodora paced some more. After a time she said, “What if I send him after Daciana?”

  That was the other part of the letter. Mattila had taken matters into her own hands and declared Daciana and her riders outlaws, to be killed on sight. “I must warn her to stay away from any imperial troops. He can deliver the message.”

  “That’s an excellent idea. Tell Mattila that Barela will join her soon. Unfortunately, you had already heard of what Daciana did and sent him after her. Right now he’s gods-knows-where between here and Podoska.”

  “He’ll get the message to Daciana and then we’ll find another way to occupy him. It will buy us time at the least.” Teodora started to feel a tiny bit hopeful.

  “And time is all we need. My new military clerics should arrive at Kersenstadt any day now and once they are operational, Mattila will be distracted for quite a while.”

  “I’ll talk to him now.” Teodora hated to send him away, but she had no choice if she wanted to keep him out of Mattila’s clutches.

  Anton

  After the party, Anton learned the old woman’s name was Kamyla Melchor.

  “She’s not really that old,” the count said.

  “She looks old to me.”

  “Everyone looks old to you. Truth is, it could be a lot worse. And it doesn’t matter anyway because she’s swimming in gold. She was rich to start with, then married a fellow who made another fortune in the spice trade. He died a few years ago, and she’s had her pick of suitors.”

  “But she hasn’t picked anyone.”

  “That’s because she hadn’t met me.” The count grinned.

  “Will she give you money?” That was the key thing.

  “She doesn’t have to. I only need her to stand surety for a loan. A large loan, but I’m sure she’ll do it.”

  The widow wasn’t so easy to persuade. After three days, the count was getting the same expression he had while pretending to like Vrouw Belsen. He’d been spending a lot of time at the Melchor mansion—Anton was already familiar with the stables and had made friends with the cook, who fed him pastries and was teaching him how to talk like a Zeelunder. It wasn’t so different from Olvisyan, which Anton had picked up easily enough.

  “The woman is much too suspicious,” the count grumbled as they headed back to the lodging house one evening. “She’s been flattered by so many men for so long and they’re all after her money, so she thinks I’m just like them.”

  “She’s right,” Anton said.

  The count thwacked him on the head for that, but not very hard.

  “What if I’m losing my touch?” the count asked. “First the princess; now this old woman. Where will it end?”

  “What does she want?” Anton asked. “What does she want from you so she’ll help you with your loan?”

  “That’s the problem,” the count said heavily. “Marriage.”

  “But you’re already married.”

  “Yes. Though that needn’t stop me, since I’m not using my real name. You’ll keep your mouth shut, won’t you?” He glared at Anton.

  “I won’t say a word.”

  “On the bright side, if I marry her, I won’t need a loan.”

  “She’ll let you have her money?”

  “I’m sure she will.”

  Anton hoped it would be soon enough to get Cid back. That was all he thought about right now.

  It was all the count thought about too. As soon as the widow Melchor accepted his proposal of marriage, she gave him enough money to get his horse back as a kind of engagement gift.

  Anton was overjoyed, and spent the next few days in the stables grooming Cid and talking to him and enjoying the feeling of all being together again. The count didn’t feel quite like family, but the horses sure did.

  After that, it didn’t take long to arrange the marriage. The count wasn’t entirely happy. “She’s got her money all tied up in trusts,” he groused. “She wants to give me an allowance, and it won’t be enough to do anything.”

  “What about her businesses?” Anton wondered. “Won’t she want your help with those? You can make your own money that way.”

  “I don’t know anything about business.” The count frowned. Then his face brightened. “But wait. You’re right. You’re a genius, Kronek.”

  And he was off, leaving Anton wondering what was so great about his idea. He didn’t know much about business either, except his father had done well enough at it.

  So the count and the widow were married. The best part was that Anton got to move into her mansion too. The stables were full of beautiful horses, and the cook was trying to fatten him up. It wasn’t really working, since Anton kept getting taller, but that was a good thing. He decided he wouldn’t mind staying in Zeelund a little longer. Hopefully the war wouldn’t be over before he and the count could get back to Kronland.

  Braeden

  There was no argument when Braeden decided to find a place for Janna and Iryna to live until after the baby was born. Once they neared Kersenstadt, he asked for and received permission to ride ahead of the army, leaving Janna under Senta’s and Dr. Toure’s watchful eyes.

  Janna was poorly after Tomescu’s attack, and Doctor Toure had been firm with Braeden. “She cannot have another shock like this,” she said. “As it is, she was lucky not to lose this one. She must have rest and quiet. Soon it will be cold, and that will do her no good either.”

  Braeden liked what he saw. Though not a capital city, Kersenstadt was large and important. As he rode up to the main gate, Braeden cast a critical eye at the fortifications. They appeared to be in excellent repair and of the latest design. Mattila had already taken care to garrison the city, so the walls wer
e manned by troops accustomed to Zastwar border duty. In other words, they knew what they were about and Braeden could feel certain that Janna and Iryna would be safe here.

  Located where the borders of Tirilis, Lantura and Arcius met, Kersenstadt stood comfortingly near Olvisya and far from Arryk Roussay’s armies. It was unlikely in the extreme that this city would be threatened by the enemy. And even if it was, there was almost no chance of it being taken. By the time Mattila left, all cellars and warehouses would be filled to bursting. Braeden would see that Janna had plenty of money so she could get the best of everything, no matter what happened.

  He followed Doctor Toure’s instructions and found the practice of the doctor she’d recommended. A pale, serious-looking young man, Alen Marsel had already received Braeden’s letter and said he’d heard from Doctor Toure as well. Marsel seemed to be a bit in awe of her. “She’s an extraordinary doctor. I’m honored that she’d trust me with your wife’s care. Will she live nearby? Most of my patients are in this part of the city so I can reach them within minutes if needed.”

  So Braeden had Doctor Marsel direct him to the offices of a wealthy property owner. When he explained what he needed, she smiled. “I have a place in mind, if you can afford it.”

  “Let’s take a look then,” Braeden said, and followed her out. It wasn’t far, just down a street or two from the prosperous commercial district. “Will it be noisy?’ he wondered.

  The landlady shook her head. “Most traffic stays on the main road. It’s all homes here, and they are all occupied by quiet, well-established people. No young rowdies or students.”

  She unlocked a heavy oak door and Braeden followed her in. It belonged to a tall stone house with mullioned windows. Janna would like this. Very pretty.

  The interior was even better. “The house is old,” the landlady explained. “But I modernized it when I bought it ten years ago. I put in new floors, glass in all the windows, fireplaces or stoves in the main rooms and installed a water pump directly inside the kitchen. You’ll want three or four servants to help run it.”

  “Do you know where I might find a good cook and a few maids? Oh, and a big ugly fellow for the front door,” Braeden asked. “We’ll also need a nurse for our little girl.”

  “Certainly. Just give me a few days. Quite the proper little family you’ve got,” the woman said, looking Braeden over as if she didn’t expect that from him.

  “Quite.” He smiled wistfully, wishing he didn’t have to leave them here.

  The house was comfortably furnished with modern furniture and thick carpets. It would be warm and dry here, even during the worst winter storms. He expected it to be expensive, but the high rent took him aback. Still, he would feel good about leaving his girls here, in comfort and behind a stout door.

  In the end, he negotiated a lower price by agreeing to lease it for two years. It would be at least six months before the baby was born and he wanted it to be a bit bigger before going back on campaign. And besides, at this rate, there might be another baby before the lease was up. Leaving the landlady to hire help, he hurried back to Janna.

  The weather had turned bad and the city wasn’t big enough to quarter the whole army. Most of Mattila’s vast host had to camp outside the city and conditions in the tents were miserable. It was a relief to bring Janna and Iryna back inside the walls.

  Janna was as pleased as he’d hoped she’d be. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “I wish you could stay here with us.”

  “We might be close by for a while. I’ll come visit when I can.” He took Iryna up to the well-equipped nursery and handed her off to the nurse who was already there. Birgid was a kindly-looking older woman and Janna didn’t seem to mind leaving Iryna with her. Braeden was pleased; the landlady had done well.

  After showing her the rest of the house, he sat her down in the little front parlor where someone had lit a fire in the grate. Rain drummed against the windows and wind rattled the panes, but it was warm in there.

  “Now to business,” he said. “I don’t want you to have to worry about much and I’ll take care of what I can, but I still want you to know what to do in case I can’t come as often as I’d like. Tomorrow, we’ll visit my factor here. The house is paid for and he’ll pay the servants every month. You’ll get an allowance for expenses, though you can always ask for more if you want anything special. I’m sure I haven’t thought of everything you might need. You’ll meet the doctor too, before I go, and he’ll stop in often. He seems reliable enough and Doctor Toure speaks highly of him.”

  “It all sounds so expensive,” Janna said.

  “It is, but I don’t want you to worry. I’ve done well on this campaign, and before I met you, I wasn’t spending that much. I’ve got some tucked away in Zeelund too, just in case.”

  “Thank you for taking such marvelous care of me.” She stood up smiling, and pulled him to his feet. “Do you suppose we have time to inspect the bedroom once more before supper?”

  Teodora

  It was annoying that Natalya had left Galladium, traveled across all of Kronland and entered Atlona with none of Teodora’s agents knowing about it, but it wasn’t unexpected. Teodora sent for Livilla as soon as she heard.

  They had both known Natalya since she first came to study with Livilla and were on friendly terms with her. Teodora didn’t begrudge Natalya her early success overmuch. Rumor said her appointment as Maxima came about because she had seduced that horrid Gauvain Brevard, but Teodora appreciated a woman who knew how to get what she wanted.

  “Your Highness.” Natalya sank into a graceful curtsy. “Thank you for your kind invitation. Of course I’ll stay with you.”

  The moment Teodora had heard that Natalya was in the city, she’d sent an official invitation to be her guest at the Palais Arden. The messenger said she was staying at a plain but respectable inn, arriving in a hired coach with very little baggage.

  All the same, she looked perfect. Her Maxima’s robes were spotlessly white, uncreased, and somehow appeared more stylish than the usual. Instead of the long braid most Maximas affected, Natalya wore her straight chestnut hair unbound, so it fell to her knees in a shimmering ripple. Teodora felt a pang of envy and was glad that Demario wasn’t here. She had a feeling that Natalya was just the type he’d like, and she was so much younger than Teodora.

  “You should have let me know you were coming,” Teodora said, taking Natalya by the hand and leading her to a group of chairs in the corner of her library. “You should enter Atlona with all the pomp befitting your station.”

  “I’m sorry to surprise you like this, but I come on a mission of considerable delicacy. It’s better that no one knows I’m here.”

  “Goodness, that sounds ominous.” Teodora hoped she wasn’t bringing awful tidings of some sort.

  “Nothing ominous for you.” Natalya smiled. “But several people in the Maladene court would be unhappy with this visit.”

  “Fools, the lot of them.” Teodora sniffed. “Still, I suppose you need to keep them sweet.” She didn’t mind if Maladena occupied Galladium on its southern borders to keep it distracted from Kronland, but of course she would never say so. “Isn’t King Gauvain on the verge of marriage to the Enfanta Johanna?”

  “He was. But the Enfanta is ill and not expected to recover.”

  “Poor Beatryz. Her only daughter.”

  “Yes, it’s quite a blow for her personally, but also for the hopes of peace between our countries. We must come to some other arrangement. But the Enfanta’s imminent death creates a different opportunity.”

  Teodora cocked her head and said nothing, though she felt a thrill of expectation. She could think of an excellent solution.

  “King Gauvain would like to make a formal offer for the hand of the Archduchess Zofya.”

  “Zofya? She’s just twelve.” Teodora hid her disappointment. “Why not Elektra? She’s nearly old enough and my heir.”

  “That’s why it can’t be Elektra.” Natalya’s tone was sym
pathetic but firm. She no doubt understood Teodora’s hopes. “The Queen of Galladium cannot also be the Olvisyan Empress. It would create the same entanglement that caused the break with Maladena in the first place.”

  “I’m sure that might have been avoided, had it been handled properly.” Teodora would not let this go easily.

  “Perhaps.” Natalya shrugged. “But I won’t put it to the test just now. And you must admit it’s an excellent opportunity for a second daughter.”

  “Oh, it is.” Teodora settled back into her chair. “You just caught me a bit off guard. King Gauvain would still benefit from a match with some other Maladene princess. Why is he looking to us instead?”

  “Only one reason.” Natalya’s eyes narrowed and her tone intensified. “Kendryk Bernotas. If the king marries your daughter, you will release Kendryk into the protection of Galladium.”

  Teodora was stunned speechless for a moment. It had never occurred to her that Kendryk would be part of any deal. She tried to slow her breathing and consider the proposal, all the while making sure her face didn’t change expression.

  It would be an excellent arrangement for Zofya, though it was annoying that Elektra remained on the table. And Kendryk had turned out to be a worthless hostage. The best she could do now was use him to make another deal that might help her. But she feared squandering some future, better opportunity. “I’ll have to consider this carefully,” she finally ventured, hoping Livilla got here soon.

  Natalya smiled. “That’s all right. I expected the offer would be a surprise. King Gauvain and Prince Kendryk have been close since they were little boys. He considers him his dearest friend and would do anything to see him released. We realize of course that Zofya is still too young, but we can arrange a formal betrothal now and she will come to Galladium in four or five years.”

  Teodora nodded and smiled, trying to remember what her youngest daughter looked like. With any luck, she’d be more promising than Elektra. But it would still be hard to compete with Natalya.