The shock of him reappearing began to wear off, replaced by anxiety as she realized the gravity of her situation. Again, he would betray her – this time to his mother. The truth would paint an ugly picture, and Varius would see Quinn imprisoned or worse. She was doomed.
Varius didn’t notice the exchange, instead, she circled her desk. “Things have transpired since you left, son.” She sat in her desk chair. “There was an assassination attempt, one that Glynnis foiled. It appears that the kingdoms would see me dead. I prefer otherwise. Glynnis now remains by my side to prevent such an outcome.”
Iko looked at Varius and then back at Quinn, his eyes narrowing, but he said nothing.
“Glynnis,” Varius said. “Go find Jeshica and have her arrange dinner for two in my chamber. You are then free for the remainder of the evening.” Varius leaned back with an easy smile. “Don’t worry about me. I assure you, I am safe in the presence of my son.”
Gathering herself, Quinn nodded. “Very well. If you need me, I’ll be in my room after I eat.”
Quinn walked out the door, which had remained open during the exchange. She pulled it closed and faced Ydith, who now stood directly across the hall, leaning against the corridor wall with that smirk still on her face.
“You knew he was in there,” Quinn said in a challenge.
“I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t know,” Ydith retorted.
“Yet, you did nothing to warn me.”
Ydith moved closer, her face twisted in a sneer. The woman stood a few inches taller than Quinn, allowing her to look down her nose as she spoke. “Since when do you need our help? I thought you were special.” Her voice took on a nasal quality. “The great Glynnis can do everything on her own…including taking credit for murder.”
“I didn’t murder Warrick.” Quinn had to restrain herself from shouting. “In fact, I did everything I could to not kill the man. Regardless, he wasn’t going to stop until the Archon was dead.”
“You’d have others believe you’re some grand hero.” Ydith poked Quinn in the chest with her finger, putting weight behind it to force Quinn backward. “I think you’re a fake and a liar. If you care to meet me in the practice yards, I’d be happy to show you how I deal with liars.”
Rather than respond, Quinn snatched Ydith’s finger from her chest and gave it a brutal wrench, dislocating it.
“Argh!” Ydith cried and stumbled against the wall with her hand cradled to herself. “You wench!”
Quinn turned and walked away, her thoughts shifting to Iko. He was sure to tell Varius the truth. She needed to prepare for that outcome.
20
Internal Conflict
The door closed and Iko stared at it in shock, his mind racing with questions clouded by confusion. Why is Quinn here? Did my mother call her Glynnis?
“Take a seat, Ikonis.”
Iko turned to find his mother staring at him from behind her desk. He numbly moved toward the empty chair across from her, sitting as instructed.
“I pray you have good news to report,” she said, prompting him.
Thoughts of Quinn washed away, replaced by the painful memories of what he had done. He had known this moment was coming for weeks, yet he had to steel himself to speak. Burying his internal conflict, he forced his emotions aside and responded.
“Yes, Mother.” You can do this. “As we planned, I was able to befriend Prince Broland. Soon after my arrival, we began spending many hours together, day and at night. As a sparring partner and a drinking companion, he and I grew close.”
He rubbed his eyes clear of the tears that had begun to form. Stop it.
“Sorry. My eyes are dry from lack of sleep and the wind on the ship.” Keep it together, Iko. “Although I found myself in a position of confidence, I discovered little that we do not already know. King Brock had reinstated the garrison at Hipoint and had been sending soldiers there to secure it. How many, I was never able to determine until the end.
“When Percy arrived and delivered the flash bomb, I…” Iko took a calming breath, “I initiated the assassination. I began by killing General Budakis but was forced to kill a guard in the process. I stole the general’s plans to defend Kantaria, which included details regarding the garrison and more. I then snuck to the top floor, killed the guard on duty, and entered the king’s chamber. While I was preparing my escape, Prince Broland appeared with a sword and interrupted me. I…” Oh, Issal. Why? “I was able to arm the flash bomb and escape over the balcony rail before it ignited. The prince, the king, and the queen were in the room at the time.”
Iko’s heartache threatened to overwhelm him, so he pressed on, ignoring it as he finished the story. However, he could not look his mother in the eye for fear that she recognize his inner turmoil.
“Percy and I remained in Kantar for a few days while the search for the assassin lost momentum.” A torturous six days. Six days of loneliness, despite Percy’s presence. “Before we left, I was able to confirm that both King Brock and Prince Broland were killed in the blast. Queen Ashland remained alive but unconscious.”
He fell silent, but refused to look into his mother’s eyes, instead focusing on the marble tiled floor.
“This is wonderful news, Ikonis.” She stood and circled the desk to stand before him. Her hand cupped his chin and lifted it until he faced her. “You make me proud. With Budakis, Brock, and Broland dead, Kantaria is a ship without a rudder, lost to the whims of the wind. We will blow through the kingdom and make it ours.”
He swallowed hard and nodded. “There is more I must tell you.”
She turned toward the window, staring out with her hands clasped behind her back, the setting sun painting her face orange. “Go on.”
“When we left Kantar, Percy and I sailed to Wayport. While there, I chose to seek an audience with Chadwick and Illiri. I wished to ensure their loyalty by informing them of King Brock and Prince Broland’s fate, anticipating that they might fear a similar fate should they cross the Empire. When I arrived, Captain Sharene informed me of another guest who was meeting with the Duke and Duchess.” Iko paused, knowing his mother would be angry. “It was Pretencia.”
Iko’s mother spun about with a fire in her eyes. “Dalwin was there?”
“Yes, along with Admiral Thanes and Parker Thanes. Hearing this unexpected turn of events, I requested that Sharene gather a squad of guards to accompany me into the courtroom. Given the news from Kantar and the ultimatum that he commit, Chadwick told the guards to arrest Pretencia.” Again, he paused, knowing her anger. “Unfortunately, Tenzi escaped through a broken window and jumped into the river. Sharene promised that her soldiers would search for the woman, but I doubt they will find her. Regardless, Pretencia and Parker Thanes are both now locked in cells while Chadwick awaits orders from you.”
With eyes narrowed and lips pressed together, Iko’s mother stared at him as she considered the news. Finally, her stern gaze relaxed and she reclaimed her seat behind the desk.
“I will draft a missive for Chadwick, giving him instructions to execute Pretencia and Thanes. There was a time where I thought keeping Dalwin around might prove useful, but I cannot abide the man escaping again. The risk is too high.”
Iko found himself, again, staring at the floor, unable to meet his mother’s gaze. He knew she considered King Brock’s assassination a practical necessity, but the act had stained his soul and discussing it left his stomach sour. What has happened to me? How have I become so weak? He closed his eyes for a beat and then spoke again.
“I completed the task you requested of me, Mother.” Iko swallowed hard and forced himself to ask the question. “What would you have of me now?”
Before she could respond, a bellowing voice carried from the adjacent room. His mother’s brow furrowed as she stood and strode toward the door to Kardan’s office. Curious, Iko found himself compelled to follow. She opened it to reveal Kardan’s face, red with anger. A messenger stood before the general with shoulders hunched, his han
ds kneading one another.
“What’s this about?” Varius asked.
Kardan turned toward her and waved a fist wrapped about a crumpled message.
“This is about that imbecile, Mollis.”
Varius frowned. “Didn’t you task Mollis with leading the mercenary army in the capture of Hipoint?”
“Don’t remind me.”
The paper crumpled further in Kardan’s shaking fist, his veins bulging in his temple before he turned, stomped to his desk, and scribbled something on a sheet of paper. Once finished, he stabbed the pen point into the desk, breaking it.
Kardan spun and handed the paper to the messenger. “Get yourself some food and supplies for the road. You are to give this note to Sergeant Mollis as soon as possible. Tell Mollis to remain in Hipoint. While it’s of little use, we can’t allow the kingdoms to reclaim it. He is to hold the city, and the garrison, until reinforcements arrive.”
With a nod, the messenger turned toward the door.
“One more thing,” Kardan added, stopping the messenger in mid stride. “Go down one floor and knock on the third door on the right. If a young man answers, send him up here to speak with me. He will be joining you on your journey.”
The messenger, again, nodded before leaving.
When the door closed, Varius spoke. “What is this about, Leo?”
The general glared at her for a moment, shifted to his desk chair, and collapsed in it with a sigh. “Despite four siege engines, a full complement of flash bombs, and three thousand soldiers, Mollis was barely able to defeat a wooden-walled garrison occupied by a few hundred of the enemy.”
Iko’s brow furrowed. “But, he was successful?”
“Yes, but at what cost?” The general ran his hand through his thinning hair. “In the process, the enemy killed over half our soldiers. When they finally took the garrison, only a few enemy bodies were found. The bulk of Kantarian soldiers stationed there apparently escaped through a tunnel that later collapsed. Worse, our remaining mercenaries abandoned Mollis and fled north after the battle. All that remains are Mollis and sixty Imperial soldiers, who now hold Hipoint.”
Varius gave Kardan a stern look. “We paid with gold and promised them more. Why would the soldiers abandon us after one battle?”
Kardan rubbed his eyes and ran a hand down his face. “Mollis claims to have faced dozens of arcanists, wielding deadly magic. His report mentions landslides, shockwaves, and powerful explosions, all caused by Chaos magic. Apparently, such a display of mystical power put fear into the hearts of the mercenaries. They chose survival over the chance to earn more gold.” Kardan’s brow furrowed. “It’s all very strange. We’ve been monitoring the comings and goings from Fallbrandt. The only group we saw leave the valley, and later appear in Hipoint, consisted of four people. A squad so small couldn’t have done this much damage, yet I don’t see how they could have equipped the garrison with so many arcanists without our knowledge.”
“At least the garrison no longer stands in our way,” Varius said. “What of Rhone?”
“While the rest of Hipoint had been evacuated, Rhone opted to remain at his manor with the hope of our forces winning the day. He has since sent word for the citizens to return. The city is ours to use as we see fit.”
“You don’t intend for Mollis to remain in charge, do you?”
Kardan shook his head. “No. He is detailed and can follow orders but lacks the creativity to lead when facing the unknown.”
“You could send Sculdin,” Iko suggested.
His mother looked at him with an arched brow before nodding. “True. Sculdin is suitable for such a task.”
Kardan stared at her for a moment before responding. “While I value Sculdin’s input and his strategic mind, I will certainly need to put him in the field…but I would rather wait until it is time to advance beyond Hipoint.”
A thudding knock came from the door.
“Come in,” Kardan bellowed.
The door opened and Percy strode in. “You wished to see me?”
Kardan crossed the room and put his hand on Percy’s shoulder. “Yes. I have a task that requires special skills. Mollis is holding Hipoint with a small force. I need you to meet him there and then track down the Kantarian army that escaped.” His serious gaze held Percy captive. “Scout out their position well. Count their numbers. Assess their weakness. When we move against them, I intend to be well prepared.”
Percy nodded. “You can count on me, Kardan.”
“Good.” The general nodded and removed his hand from Percy’s shoulder. “Gather your things and visit Hundley in the stables. Tell him I gave you leave to take a horse. You are to travel with the messenger who visited your room. Don’t dally, because you leave inside the hour.”
“You can count on me, Kardan.” Percy noted turned toward Iko, clasping his forearm. “I’ll see you soon.”
Iko nodded. “Farewell, Percy.”
Percy slipped out the door, closing it behind himself. Kardan stared at the door for a long moment that was interrupted when Iko’s mother cleared her throat.
“Although things did not go as you had wished, our plans remain intact, Leo.”
“We lost one quarter of our army, Meryl.” Kardan grimaced. “Worse, we have gained almost nothing in the process.”
“That may be true, but we have gained in other areas.” Her mouth turned up in a smile. “Ikonis was successful in cutting the head off the snake. Kantar is leaderless, and Chadwick has committed in full. Wayport is ours as are the eight hundred soldiers Brock had stationed there.” She strolled to Kardan’s desk and placed her hands on it, leaning close. “We now hold all the lands along the Sea of Fates and the east coast, from Wayport to the northern tip of Hurnsdom. With nothing at our backs, we can advance without fear.”
“Yes.” Kardan dipped his head in a nod, his expression determined. “Some planning is yet required, but we can do as you say, placing us in position as we wait for spring. When the weather turns, and the snows melt, we will attack.”
“Precisely,” Varius said. “We will soon see the end of Chaos.”
21
Imperial Gambit
Quinn slipped the cord over her head, her keys dangling from it before she found the one that unlocked her door. Light from the setting sun lit the interior, warming the room. She closed the door and noticed a sheet of paper on her nightstand. The handwriting was recognizable, the message simple and direct: We must talk. Now.
Varius, Quinn thought. Why does she wish to see me? What did Iko tell her? Images of prison cells and executioners appeared in her head. This could be bad.
Discarding the note, she opened the drawer, scooped up her remaining Chaos trap and a chunk of coal, and traced a rune on her palm. Staring at it, she thought I hope I don’t have to use it. She then gripped the false makeup case in the same hand and approached the door connecting her room to the Archon’s chamber. Her knock was answered with a muffled response.
“Come in.”
Quinn opened the door to find Varius far across the room, staring out the window. The Archon’s face was lit orange, her shadow cast across the floor and up the far wall to create a tall, ominous silhouette of the real thing. Quinn’s stomach fluttered as she crossed the room, toward the waiting Archon.
“You wished to see me,” Quinn said.
Varius remained quiet for a number of breaths, her hands clasped at her waist.
“There are very few who genuinely understand my motives,” the Archon began. “Others often mistake my ambition as a lust for power. Those people are wrong. I am simply doing my best to shape the world into a place of peace, and hope, and prosperity. And, yet, the position of Archon, as leader of the Empire, has become a constant struggle.
“There are times where I feel as if I am playing a massive game of Ratio Bellicus, moving my units against an unknown, invisible enemy. Worse, my opponent’s moves remain hidden until it is too late, similar to a gambit maneuver in the game itself. I fin
d my ranks thinning, my perceived advantage waning with each mysterious shift of the game board.”
Quinn’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you wish of me, Meryl?”
The Archon turned from the window, moved to her desk, and opened the bottom drawer. From the drawer, she removed two leather-bound scabbards. She gripped one of the hilts and pulled the sword free. Sunlight reflected off the blade as Varius twisted it in examination. The short sword was a work of art, beautiful and deadly.
Varius shifted her focus from the sword to Quinn. “We have spies among us…right here in the citadel.”
Swallowing hard, Quinn forced herself to speak, her sweaty palm gripping the Chaos trap tightly. “What do you mean, Archon?”
“I speak of my hidden opponent. This invisible hand is reaching into Sol Polis, into our very center of operations, and is making tactical moves right beneath my nose.”
The Archon’s voice grew louder, carrying an edge of anger. The knuckles of the fist holding the sword turned white. “First, an assassin appears in my chamber and tries to murder me. Then, Dalwin Pretencia is freed from his cell and whisked away in the dark of the night. And, today, Sculdin tells me that somebody broke into his office and stole a map marked with key locations for our initial offensive assault.”
That map lies hidden beneath my mattress.
Varius sneered. “This cannot continue! I’ll not allow my plans to be thwarted!”
Quinn’s mind raced. She wondered at what Iko had told his mother – what conclusions Varius might reach based on Quinn’s history. Does she suspect me? Does she know about Brandt? Does she know how to use a sword? Her hand squeezed the bronze disk in her palm, preparing to press the switch and unleash the power inside. Somehow, Quinn was able to keep her voice steady as she spoke.
“Again, I ask what you wish of me.”
Varius tilted her head, her tone softening as she lowered the sword. “You came here as a handmaid for Larrimor and soon shifted to the role of my handmaid.”
An Imperial Gambit (Wardens of Issalia Book 3) Page 17