The Desolate Empire Series: Books 1-3

by Christina Ochs

  Kendryk nodded, though he didn’t understand. “Why would Teodora send me this if it’s not true?”

  “Because she’s evil.” Lennart stood up and stomped around. “You ought to understand that better than anyone. Because if she can’t destroy you by force, she’ll find another way. Don’t let her do it.”

  “All right,” Kendryk said, though he still didn’t know what to believe. But he let Lennart lead him back into the house and sat there without moving for a long time. His thoughts always turned to that awful letter and what it meant. If he was to go on, he didn’t dare think about it. But if it was true, he didn’t think he wanted to survive.

  Elektra

  One night before dinner, Edric said, “Your Grace, I must speak to you alone.”

  His voice was so serious Elektra worried it was bad news. Had her mother discovered her location and was demanding her return? She hoped Edric wouldn’t give in to such a request. Elektra waited for him in his study and he came soon after, shutting the door behind him.

  He sat behind his desk then said, “I’ve received news that’s sure to be discussed by our dinner guests, and I wanted you to find out first.”

  Elektra nodded, her heart beating a little faster.

  “King Lennart has defeated Count Ensden at Kaltental. The battle was decisive and the count is dead.”

  Elektra made a small noise. She hadn’t known Ensden well, but he’d been a fixture at court for most of her life.

  Edric looked sympathetic. “It’s excellent news for my cause, but a disaster for yours. Your mother will have few options now.”

  “I don’t understand. I thought Lennart was here to reconquer Terragand on Kendryk’s behalf, and it seems he’s done that. Won’t he go home soon?”

  Edric shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Lennart is determined to spread the Quadrene Creed through all the empire and will not rest until your mother is defeated.”

  “Oh gods.” Elektra worried she might be sick. Much as she hated her mother, she didn’t want to see her birthright overrun by a foreigner before she ever had a chance to be empress. “And now, there’s no one to stop him.”

  “Not yet, though the empress is resourceful. She’s come back from other difficult situations. As optimistic as my allies are, I’m not keen on underestimating Teodora. Doing so has cost us too much already.”

  “What’s to become of me then?” Elektra asked in a small voice. “I suppose Lennart will want me for his prisoner.”

  “Perhaps.” Edric’s tone was far too casual. “But you needn’t worry—he’s no monster.”

  “That’s easy for you to say.” Elektra’s hands shook, so she buried them in her lap. “You won’t be his prisoner.”

  “You have a choice in this.” Edric looked at her as if she should understand his meaning.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “If you should convert and publicly support Lennart, I’m sure he will be happy to install you as empress when he overthrows your mother.”

  Elektra realized she was staring, her mouth open in an unbecoming way.

  “It’s quite a good opportunity for you,” Edric went on as if what he had proposed wasn’t shocking, heretical and treasonous, all in one sentence.

  Elektra shut her mouth. “I don’t—” she croaked, then cleared her throat and tried again. “I—are you saying that if I convert to the Quadrene Creed and support Lennart, he will make me empress?”

  “I can’t speak on his behalf. But he knows you’re here and is praying—as am I— that you find the truth. If you do, I’m sure he’ll be pleased. He’ll be here in a few weeks, so you’ll have time to consider it.”

  Elektra knew she should refuse emphatically and indignantly, but the words wouldn’t come. She feared choosing the wrong path and angering the gods, but just as much, she feared never getting her chance to rule. “I—I will have to pray about it,” she stammered at last.

  “That’s what I suggest,” Edric said. “But keep in mind, when Lennart comes, and you show yourself an adherent of the true faith, and a staunch opponent to your mother, he will see you as a natural ally. I will support you in every way I can, should you choose this path.”

  Elektra nodded. “Is it all right if I don’t join you for dinner?” she asked. Being casual and conversational right now seemed impossible. “I just—”

  “I understand. I’ll have something sent up for you.” Edric still looked at her, his eyes brilliant. “I can see you were surprised at the idea, which surprises me in turn. I’d thought you rather ambitious, and was certain you’d already considered the possibility of throwing in with Lennart if he prevailed.”

  Elektra had to laugh at that. “Apparently I’m not ambitious enough, since it never occurred to me.” She sobered. “What if I’m unable to convert? Will you let Lennart make me his prisoner?”

  “No,” Edric said it so quickly and decisively Elektra knew he meant it. “I would have your conversion come from the heart, not because of fear. If you cannot make a change by the time Lennart comes, I’ll find a way to keep you here for the time being. I realize it’s not ideal for you, but it’s likely better than the alternative.”

  “It is.” Elektra stood up, ready to go to her room now and think all of this through. “And thank you for that. I’ve had enough of imprisonment, but being here is not so bad.”

  “I’m glad of that.” Edric stood as well. “And I will pray that the gods show you the way that is right for you.”

  Elektra hoped they would, and quickly.

  Lennart

  Now that the allied armies were giddy with success, Lennart took advantage of the moment to press his cause. “Terragand is secure for the time being,” he told a gathering of the Kronland generals. “But if I leave now, it won’t stay safe for long. After that, it’s only a matter of time before Teodora brings the other kingdoms to heel.”

  “Sounds like we need to take the fight to Teodora,” Arvus Dahlby said. “And soon, before she and Mattila kiss and make up.”

  “That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Lennart was sure Trystan would back him on this, and he hoped Manier would as well. “She has no army right now, and I don’t see why we can’t take Atlona before winter.” It was now full-blown, glorious spring, and Lennart intended to take full advantage of the weather to get as far south as possible. “We’ll meet no opposition before Arcius, and I expect to make peace with Princess Zelenka once she understands what she’s up against. We’ll cross the mountains by mid-summer and be at the gates of Atlona before autumn. His Grace can spend the winter in the Palais Arden.”

  He smiled at Kendryk, who hadn’t said a word. Lennart had hoped the prospect of action against Teodora might perk him up, but he stared at the wall above Lennart’s head, his face expressionless. Teodora’s letter had put him in an awful funk, but it had to be a lie. Lennart had to hand it to the woman—she knew how to get under a fellow’s skin.

  Once plans to march south were completed, Lennart dismissed everyone except Kendryk. “What do you think? About time we took on Teodora herself. Ought to be fun.”

  Kendryk looked at Lennart, his eyes glassy. “I suppose. But first I need to look for my family. At the least, I need to speak with Natalya so she can tell me what really happened.” He looked down at the table.

  “I’m sure Braeden’s taking care of matters well enough. It was smart of you to send him, and he can do far more than you can. I’m sure you’ll hear something soon. In the meantime, I need you to come with me, to talk the other Kronlanders into giving me more troops and supplies.”

  “I’m not sure I can do that,” Kendryk whispered. Lennart worried he might cry on the spot. He felt awful for him, but needed him to hold it together, for everyone’s sake.

  “You can.” Lennart raised his voice, hoping he sounded bracing, rather than bossy. “You need a little time. Why don’t you head for Heidenhof ahead of me? I’m sure Edric Maximus will be happy to see you. When you’re feeling better, you can set you
rself up at Birkenfels and rebuild your army. That way you can come with me while making sure you leave Terragand well-defended.”

  “I’d like to see Edric,” Kendryk’s eyes had lit up just a little at the suggestion, though his voice remained dull. “But I can’t imagine how I’ll afford an army.”

  “I’ll make you a loan,” Lennart said. “It’s no problem. It’ll give you something to do until I can join you, since I have plenty to do here.” It would take him at least a month to get things organized here in Kaltental. Karolyna Martinek had survived, but it would be a long time before she would lead an army again. She was in such a pathetic state, Lennart didn’t have the heart to give command of her troops to Trystan, though he had more than earned it. It wasn’t like there was much left to give anyway, so he had Geffrey Manier absorb the few under-size battalions into his army.

  The larger matter was handling the thousands of prisoners they’d taken after the battle. Lennart was happy to have any willing soldier join him, but it took time to assign everyone to the right unit, get them equipped and then trained to his standards. He had a larger force than anything Teodora might raise, but he wasn’t taking any chances. Even though he’d sent another messenger to Brynhild Mattila, he’d received no response.

  “I have an even better idea.” Lennart leaned back in his chair. “Why don’t you take young Anton with you? He likely could use a change of scene, and will give you company on the journey.”

  “That’s a good idea.” Kendryk brightened just a little. “I’m worried he’ll drink himself to death in the Kaltental taverns. If he’s in Heidenhof, Edric will make sure he behaves himself.”

  “No one can stand up to Edric,” Lennart said with a grin. “Not even me. That settles it then,” he added, before Kendryk thought of any more objections. “Tell Anton to get packed, and the two of you can join me for dinner tonight. We’ll send you off in style.”

  Teodora

  “What am I going to do now?” Teodora was too upset to scream at anyone. That alone was worrisome. She’d gathered Solteszy, Countess Biaram and Livilla in her study late, after she’d already sent them to bed an hour earlier. The message telling of Ensden’s defeat and death had just arrived by the fastest courier. Her army was gone: killed, captured and scattered.

  “Perhaps nothing,” the countess suggested. “Wait to see what Lennart does. Likely he will install Kendryk as ruler of Terragand and go home. Once he’s gone, you can deal with Kendryk.”

  “I’ve already dealt with Kendryk.” Teodora offered a mysterious smile. Until she received independent confirmation of Gwynneth’s death, she’d say nothing, but could at least amuse herself with cryptic hints. “But I find it hard to believe that’s all Lennart wants. At the least he will make demands on behalf of Kronland, demands I can’t agree to. And then what? Will he march on Olvisya?”

  “It’s hard to say,” Solteszy said. “If he does, we are in a very weak position. I don’t see how we can build up our forces in time if he comes this way.”

  “I doubt I can get more help from Maladena,” Teodora said. “They’re about to go to war with Galladium, and Beatryz already complained mightily last time I asked for money and help from her navy. She won’t give me anything else.”

  “You should ask anyway,” Livilla said. “She won’t be pleased about Lennart either.”

  “I suppose I will.” Teodora slumped in her chair, exhausted and defeated.

  “There is one other possibility,” Livilla said, looking uncharacteristically cautious.

  Teodora groaned, knowing what was coming next. “It’s impossible,” she said. “Even if I were willing to do it, Brynhild Mattila won’t, I’m sure of it.”

  “You must at least ask her,” Livilla said.

  “I can’t imagine under what circumstances she’d agree to it. Between the two of us, we humiliated her terribly. Can you imagine what she’ll demand if I ask her to return to the fold?”

  “She’ll ask a great deal, it’s true.” Livilla was looking rather tired herself. “But what if Lennart gets to her first? She sent Kendryk packing last year, but things have changed. What if Lennart offers her Brandana with no conditions except opposing you?”

  “He can’t do that,” Teodora whispered.

  “He can make the offer,” Livilla said. “How he plans to pull it off is another matter, but at least he’s presenting her with the possibility.”

  “I can’t bear it,” Teodora said. “Of all people, why is she always the one who has what I need at the worst times? How can the gods be so cruel?”

  “They are not cruel, Your Highness, but they are mysterious. I understand Mattila is a great trial to you and always has been. But she can either be of great help to you, or of great help to your enemies.”

  “But she is my enemy,” Teodora wailed. She hated sounding like this in front of the others, but she was so tired.

  “Not in the same way that Lennart is,” Livilla went on. “Nothing is certain, but I think he will not leave Kronland until he has established the Quadrene Creed in every kingdom, perhaps even in the empire.”

  “He wouldn’t dare.” Teodora exploded, the blood churning in her veins in a way she hadn’t felt before. “What right does he have, this foreigner, to come here and tell my subjects what to believe?” Now the blood rushed to her head and a terrible pain pierced her whole body to the tips of her fingers. She must be ill.

  Teodora blinked away the black and red dots in front of her eyes and said, “The gods will help us combat these heretics. I will write to Beatryz, but I’ll make no overtures toward Mattila—” she gasped for breath as the pain returned, sharper this time.

  From very far away she heard someone ask, “Your Highness, are you—?” just before the pressure exploded into shards of agony, like a great temple window breaking onto her head. She tried to speak, but her mouth wouldn’t move. Nothing would move. She refused to close her eyes, but a black curtain drew over them as she slid out of her chair and under the table.

  Anton

  Even though he was only fifteen, Anton reckoned he’d been through a lot. He’d lost his whole family when the war started, then lost Lora, lost the count, lost Skandar, and now he’d lost Susanna and their baby as well. He was plenty miserable, but that was like nothing when he looked at Prince Kendryk.

  And that was what he did all day, as the carriage bounced down the road that ran alongside the Velta. Anton felt Lennart had packed them off a little quickly—he wanted to stay in Kaltental a while longer. He didn’t go see them every day, but it was nice that Susanna and the baby were close by, even in a gloomy temple crypt. And if Princess Gwynneth and Maryna and Devyn were alive, as the king seemed convinced they were, Anton wanted to be there when they returned. He wouldn’t mind seeing Braeden again either.

  But Lennart seemed sure they were both wallowing in misery there in the city. Kendryk had even started drinking in taverns with Anton, so maybe he was right. Lennart didn’t seem to be the type to put up with much wallowing, though Anton wondered if he’d ever had much to be sad about. But when the king told you it was time to visit the Maximus, you went. And he provided a nice, comfortable carriage with the best accommodations along the way, when you could find them.

  Still, whenever Anton looked at the road, he remembered the last time he’d traveled it, struggling through snowdrifts with Susanna, worried they’d freeze or starve to death, and realized how much happier he’d been then. He groaned and leaned his head against the wall.

  “It’ll get better,” Kendryk said, his voice dull.

  “You don’t believe that,” Anton said.

  “I have to, or I can’t go on. You must pray to the gods and trust they will comfort you.”

  “You don’t believe that either,” Anton said, even though he realized he sounded rude. He didn’t much care, and neither did Kendryk, it seemed.

  “Perhaps not, though I try. Edric Maximus will help us.”

  “Is he anything like Natalya? Except for th
e beautiful woman part; you know what I mean.”

  That at least brought a smile from Kendryk. “Nothing like her at all, but you’ll like him.” He took a deep breath. “It’s hard, Anton, but you have to consider the future. Do you know what you want to do? Whatever it is, I’ll try to make it possible.”

  Anton suddenly realized that if Kendryk’s children were dead, he’d likely look at Anton as if he were a son. He already acted like a father, the way he fussed when Anton drank too much. He leaned his head back against the cushions. “I used to want to be a soldier more than anything. And I loved being Count Orland’s page, but then I hated serving in the infantry.” He decided not to say anything about the fear that overcame him in battle the past few times.

  “That’s understandable,” Kendryk said. “You were fighting on the wrong side and I imagine being in one of those huge blocks of infantry is rather different from being on horseback. Would you be interested in serving in the cavalry again?”

  That made Anton’s heart beat faster, and he felt a twinge of joy when he imagined being on horseback again. “I might,” he said. “But I’m not sure how I can. I have no horse, no weapons, no equipment and no money.” Lennart had gifted him with a small purse, but Anton had already spent half of that on liquor for the journey.

  “I’d take care of that,” Kendryk said. “Now I’m ruler of Terragand again, I have money, even if I have to borrow it from Lennart.” He smiled wryly. “I need to build up an army again, because Lennart won’t be here forever, and I’m sure Teodora will pounce as soon as he leaves.”

  “If she survives,” Anton said.

  “She always survives.” Kendryk shook his head. “She’ll be a threat until I see her dead body, and I don’t expect to do that for some time.”