The Desolate Empire Series: Books 1-3

by Christina Ochs

  “I must return to Sanova first. I was hoping to leave for Kronland from there, as soon as this treaty is finalized.”

  “I suppose you have other fish to fry. Well, let’s get this thing done. I’m making a mess here, trying to write in the margins.”

  “Why don’t I take notes.” Gwynneth offered. “We’ll read down the list and you can tell me which items can stand and which ones you’ll change.”

  “Good enough.” Lennart turned his attention back to the draft treaty. “Write this down. I’ll give up these islands, but I want a bigger dowry in return. Twenty thousand is paltry for a princess.”

  “I agree. I came with fifty.”

  “See? Another reason I should have married you. Let’s ask for fifty, but I’ll settle for forty if I must. My army will eat that up in a month or two.”

  “War is an expensive business.”

  “In every way. I’ll be glad to see the end of this one. I hope I can do things differently in Kronland so there’s a faster resolution.”

  “Teodora won’t give up easily.”

  “I don’t expect her to. In fact, I expect her to die before the end. I might too, but if I can take her down with me, it might be worth it.”

  Gwynneth looked at him, appalled. “What a horrid thing to say. You mustn’t die.”

  “I’d rather not. But I also understand that what I’m proposing for Kronland and the Empire goes beyond what most folk might think reasonable. I expect to win, but I expect the cost to be high.”

  “It’s already high.”

  “I know, Gwynn.” He put the paper down and leaned across the table. “I know you’re the last person I can complain to about cost.”

  “I’m not sure I can bear much more.” Gwynneth could hardly meet his eyes.

  “You can. You’re a tough girl, and I reckon that husband of yours is tougher than he looks. Teodora has dealt you a big blow, but you didn’t break down. You’re fighting back and fighting hard. What’s more, you’re fighting on the side of truth. The gods are with us, Gwynn, and soon they’ll lead us to victory.”

  Teodora

  It had been so long since Teodora had last seen him, but when they finally met, it was in broad daylight in front of both armies. Teodora kept her face impassive, but Demario’s dark eyes twinkled at her. Just for her, although she thought Livilla noticed, judging by the smirk she failed to hide.

  He’d led his force south from Oltena to meet her before she reached Kersenstadt. “I was unable to apprehend your villainous friend.” He flashed her a maddening grin.

  “Oh, that’s all right.” Teodora looked at him out of the corner of her eye. She hardly trusted herself to look at him directly. “It seems she’s keeping Seward Kurant busy in Oltena.”

  “Yes, between the two of us, we had him hemmed in. Naturally, Princess Sebesta has done everything she can to support Kurant and thwart us. It made for a hard winter for everyone.”

  “You don’t appear to be much worse for the wear.” It was true, he looked marvelous, if perhaps a bit more gaunt than normal. Teodora decided it suited him.

  “No worse than usual.” He flashed her a smile. “Though I’m much better now. If I’m not too bold, I must say you look uncommonly fine, even for an empress.”

  “Sweet words will get you nowhere, General.” Teodora’s insides jumped with glee, and something else.

  “I don’t mind. I am a man of action, after all.”

  “Thank the gods for that.”

  The Tirilis foothills rolling out from the Galwend mountains were lush and green with spring. Winter had stayed long and the snow had been deep, but now that it was gone, new life bloomed in rare intensity. Teodora felt the sap flowing through her veins.

  She gave no specific orders as to where her tent was to be pitched that night. But she noticed that General Barela insisted on placing his nearby. “Should Her Highness and I need to consult before morning,” he said with a straight face.

  Teodora wondered if they were fooling anyone, then decided she didn’t care. For the hundredth time, she was glad she had left her husband in Atlona. His uselessness was less grating at a distance and now she had one less appearance to keep up.

  She cut dinner a bit early that evening, forgoing the usual entertainment so there was time for a bath. The road was dirty and bathing was a rare luxury. But tonight they camped near a rushing river and it was no great matter for hordes of servants to bring endless buckets to the cook-fires.

  Teodora had changed into a loose dressing gown and was drying her hair at the little brazier in her tent. The nights were cold, but she would be warm. She stared into the dancing flames, wishing she could discern her fate from them, as Livillia sometimes did.

  There was a rustling in the tent’s outer chamber and Brytta cleared her throat. “Your Highness, General Barela is here to see you.”

  “Show him in. And leave us.”

  She remained seated until she felt his hand on her shoulder. “I hoped you would see me.” His voice was husky.

  “Of course I would. I’ve missed you.” She was doing everything wrong. If she were wise, she would keep him guessing, not let him realize that she had thought of him a hundred times a day in the past months.

  “Good. I’ve also missed you.” He sat down on the bench next to her, picked up her hand and kissed it. “It’s been so long I thought it possible you had moved on. Taken a lover who was more convenient.”

  “It’s true, you are most inconvenient.” She leaned against him, just a little. It was nice to feel someone solid holding her up. “But I don’t mind.”

  He put his arm around her shoulder, drawing her close, and kissed the top of her damp head. “I hope Kersenstadt falls quickly, but not too quickly. I should like to see more of you, even under appalling conditions.”

  “Do you think it will be very bad?”

  “If it goes on for any length of time. Mattila first and then Orland have already picked the area clean, I’m sure. We will struggle to find food, although at least the grass is growing. But I don’t want to talk about sieges. We can do that tomorrow. Come here.”

  Teodora’s pulse pounded in her head. She wished she had the strength to pull away even for a second, if only to prove to herself and to him that she didn’t need him. Want, yes. But need was a matter of dependency and she could not, must not depend on anyone for anything. It wasn’t safe.

  Demario kissed her, then pulled back and looked down at her. “What is it, love?”

  That he could read her so well was worrisome.

  “You make me feel weak. I don’t like being weak.”

  He chuckled. “You are not weak. Not at all. You are simply experiencing a small side effect of desire. It can momentarily turn one’s limbs to jelly. I’m feeling less than sturdy myself. Perhaps I should get you into bed before one of us slides off this bench.”

  Gwynneth

  Over the next few days, Gwynneth, Lennart and Ludvik Meldahl pored over the treaty and finally had a draft Lennart could live with. Meldahl then took it to read over once more with a lawyer’s eye, leaving Gwynneth to discuss the coming invasion with Lennart.

  “How will you pay for a Kronland campaign?” Gwynneth asked. “It sounds like Raysa’s dowry won’t go far, no matter how much you get.”

  “It won’t. But I’ve been thinking about it while you were gone. You know who has a fair amount of coin and would love to put a bee in Teodora’s bonnet?”

  “Queen Ottilya, or rather Archduke Atinos.”

  “Well, yes. But I’ll be lucky to squeeze that fifty thousand out of them. No, I was thinking of your good friend Natalya Maxima. If she’s as cozy with Gauvain Brevard as you say, I reckon she can come up with some funding for me.”

  Gwynneth’s first impulse was to say Lennart was being ridiculous, but she held her tongue and considered it. “It’s not quite that simple,” she said, finally. “It’s true that Galladium is rich, but Gauvain must contend with a rather fractious noble council. He rul
es by their courtesy and they must approve all large expenditures.”

  “What’s new? I must do the same, though I’ve got my council well in hand.”

  “Gauvain doesn’t. At least not yet. I’m sure Natalya is working on it.”

  “No doubt she is. You’ve also said that she approves of the changes in the faith. That could be another reason for her to help me.”

  “I’m sure it is, though she must tread carefully. Maladena menaces their border, and Queen Beatryz is a staunch ally of the Imperata. She’s already taken brutal measures to deal with heresy in her own country. If Natalya moves too quickly, Beatryz might justify an invasion on grounds of preventing heresy from bleeding over her border, or some such nonsense.”

  “Which is why it makes sense for her to act indirectly. You’re good at these discreet operations. When you leave Sanova, travel back to Galladium and arrange me some kind of subsidy. No doubt it can be funneled through Zeelund. In the meantime, I’ll marry little Raysa and soften up my aristocracy. They won’t object to another war quite so much if someone else is paying for it.”

  “I should hope not.” Gwynneth couldn’t deny that he was making a great deal of sense, and hoped she, Natalya and Gauvain could come to an agreement. “But I have a problem of a more personal nature. Arryk will go into the field against Mattila anytime now and I don’t want my children going with him. I must get back to them soon.”

  “Take them to Galladium with you, then. You can stay there until I come and once Terragand is secure you can return.”

  “That’s a good solution. I want the children safe in Allaux. I should have left them there a long time ago,but I imagined they would be more useful to the cause in Kronland. Maryna adores Natalya who’s the perfect person to teach her statecraft.”

  “I’ll bet she is. I would very much like to meet this Natalya.” Lennart leaned back in his chair, a dreamy look in his eyes.

  “You’d like her. She’s lovely, though rather forceful for your tastes.”

  “I’m changing my mind about forceful women.” Lennart straightened up and looked right at Gwynneth.

  “It’s a little late for that. Though it’s possible Raysa might be trained up, given time away from her mother.”

  “Don’t know. I won’t care much for her in any case. You on the other hand—”

  “Oh, stop teasing.” It was clear he was serious, but Gwynneth couldn’t so much as entertain the thought.

  “I’m not teasing, Gwynn. Please don’t laugh at me.” He came around the table and took the chair next to hers. “All this time we’ve spent together, plotting and planning, I’ve fallen in love with you.”

  “I doubt it.” She slid her chair a bit farther away. “You just haven’t seen any other women in some time, and we get on rather well. Once I’m gone, I’m sure you’ll forget all about it.” She tried to keep her tone light, but her heart banged against her ribs. It would be so easy. He was so close, and so very attractive. And unlike Arian Orland, she liked him as a person. She appreciated his good nature, his blunt intelligence and supreme confidence. And here they were, alone on this godsforsaken rock. She had to admit she was tempted.

  “No, I don’t think so Gwynn.” His voice was husky. “I’ll say it right now: I really am sorry I didn’t marry you. I know it sounded like I was joking earlier, but it’s the truth. You would have been the perfect wife for me and a magnificent queen for Estenor.”

  “Perhaps.” She turned to face him. “But that ship sailed long ago, don’t you agree? I’m married now, with children and the fact my husband is imprisoned doesn’t change that. And you are about to marry as well. There’s no point in regretting anything now.”

  “I was thinking more along the lines of, well, I don’t wish to be crude, but we could have some fun while you’re here, don’t you think? Maybe we can get it out of our systems. I understand if you’re not interested, naturally.” His eyes were wide and hopeful.

  He’d put his cards on the table and Gwynneth felt he’d earned a measure of honesty from her. “I’m tempted; I won’t lie.”

  A hopeful smile spread across his face.

  “But. I can’t do it, Lennart.”

  The smile fled. “I know. I shouldn’t have asked. You’re an honorable woman and would never do such a thing. I apologize if I’ve insulted you. I got carried away.”

  Now she smiled. “You haven’t insulted me. In fact, I’m flattered. But you’re wrong about me being too honorable to do it. It’s exactly why I can’t. I made a dreadful mistake a few years ago and I must never do anything like it again.”

  “You made a mistake?” He raised an eyebrow. “I find that hard to believe.”

  “It was a bad time. I had a moment of weakness and someone was there to take advantage of it.”

  “Who was it? I’ll kill him if you like.”

  “That’s not necessary. He’s rather sorry as well, and I’m making use of him in another way. In fact, I’ve made him swear to rescue Kendryk.”

  Lennart threw back his head and laughed his hearty booming laugh. “Of course you did. You are an amazing woman.” Then he sobered. “I have to say, I’m a bit jealous of the fellow, but I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes now. Do you reckon he can rescue Kendryk without losing his own life?”

  “I have no idea. And I don’t care. From what I’ve heard, Kendryk is shut up in the empress’s largest, most secure fortress. I doubt anyone can get him out. That’s why I was so hopeful Gauvain could arrange something.”

  “You don’t care, eh?” Funny he’d latched onto that.

  “No. I have no interest in the man. Like I said, it was a moment of weakness, he was attractive and knew exactly what to do. But once it was over, I hated him for nearly destroying my marriage.”

  “Kendryk found out?”

  Gwynneth nodded, feeling rather sick. She had pushed the episode far back in her mind and did her best to never think about it.

  “Well if that doesn’t beat all. But the two of you are all right now?”

  “We reconciled before the battle, but just. So you see why I can’t even entertain the idea?”

  “Of course. I’m sorry I brought it up.”

  “It’s all right. Let’s just forget about it, shall we?” She stood and started rolling up the documents on the table. “I’ll leave for Sanova tomorrow and when I next see you, it might well be in Terragand. Perhaps by then you will have fallen in love with your lovely young wife.”

  The look on Lennart’s face indicated that was unlikely.

  Teodora

  Demario had been right about the state of affairs around Kersenstadt. There was no food for miles around. As Teodora’s armies drew near, both generals sent large bodies of troops back to the areas that had still appeared prosperous as they marched through. They wouldn’t stay prosperous for long.

  Ensden had raised only fifteen thousand with the short time he had and the little money Teodora could borrow from her cousin, Queen Beatryz, but Barela brought another three thousand. His force was diminished since he had first brought it to relieve Atlona, but he had been in the field almost constantly since then. Teodora decided that once she was through with Mattila, she’d give those troops to Barela. Perhaps she could get him away from her cousin’s service in the end.

  Still, with all of the animals, camp followers and baggage train, the army snaked over tens of leagues of countryside, devouring everything in its path. Until Teodora needed them at Kersenstadt, it was best to keep as many troops as possible quartered on surrounding towns and villages. Teodora sent a curt message to Prince Herryk, letting him know she appreciated his cooperation in this matter. He had claimed loyalty to her while allowing King Arryk to march all over his land, aiding and abetting him. He could pay for that now.

  Teodora was shocked at the size of the earthworks surrounding Kersenstadt’s already formidable wall. A river wound around one side and then turned north, but it was full and would be difficult to cross. A great wall of earth with a
tall wooden stockade on top stood wherever there was no river. When Teodora looked at it through a glass, she could catch the glint of large guns positioned all along the top.

  Her first task was to ride around the city, at least to the river on the east side. She took Barela, Ensden, and all of their various staff. “Do you think we can undermine that?” She asked the colonel in charge of Barela’s engineers.

  “Perhaps.” He shrugged. “It will take time, but we can start immediately. I am short on manpower, so that will slow me down. Most of my sappers died in the winter.” Digging was hard work and those who did it were often first to succumb when food was short or disease struck.

  “Can you use regular troops?” Teodora didn’t mind bringing in infantry, though feeding them would be another matter.

  “They must be strong enough to dig for long periods of time.”

  “They will be. Let me know how many you need.”

  She turned to an artillery captain and handed him her glass. “What size are those guns? I know that Mattila had several demi-cannon, but would she have left them here?”

  The captain peered through the glass. “These don’t appear to be quite so large. Culverins perhaps. We can still expect a considerable range, though quite how far, I don’t know. We should consider provoking a barrage so we can find out.”

  “Do we have anything to counter those?”

  “I should think so. I’ve brought some mortars, though we will need entrenchments to make them the most effective. We also have a few culverins. They’re on the small side, but if we concentrate fire, we can take down that stockade, perhaps even the walls.”

  “That’s what I need. You said you have a few. How many is that exactly?”