The King's Knight (Royal Blood Book 5)

by Kristen Gupton

  Royal Blood Book V

  The King’s Knight

  Kristen Gupton

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, are coincidental.

  Copyright © 2017 Kristen Gupton

  All rights reserved.

  There is no way out.

  It will be dark soon.

  There is no way out.

  -Torgo

  “Manos”

  The Hands of Fate

  Table Of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Prologue

  “General Danier, wake up.”

  He sat bolt upright. Though he hadn’t been quite asleep yet, he’d been close. His eyes scanned around the darkened room, landing on a figure standing at the end of his bed.

  In a flash, Danier moved off the bed and to his feet, taking up the sword he always kept nearby. “Who are you?”

  Athan didn’t move from his spot, unimpressed with Danier’s display. “Calm down, and put away your weapon.”

  The words were spoken in Tordanian, the Sadori’s tension rising. This wasn’t Keiran, however, and his accent was strange. Danier advanced, his sword forward. “I will do as I please! Now, tell me who you are!”

  Athan sighed and gave a shrug, his shoulder finally healed enough that he could do so. “I’m Lord Athan Vercilla. I’m sure you’ve heard of me a time or two.”

  Danier’s weapon lowered slowly, though his fear didn’t completely abate. “The Talausian warlord? What business do you have in the Sador Empire?”

  “We have some parallel interests in the world, you and me,” the older vampire said, giving a small wave of his hand.

  The general didn’t have time to react as his sword was ripped from his grip by an unseen force and cast into the corner. His eyes widened, and he looked around the room for the next weapon to be had.

  “General Danier, I simply need to talk to you, stop being so damned panicked,” Athan said, moving to sit on the end of the bed.

  “There are plenty in the world who would do me harm, you must understand my caution. Besides, you have invaded my home without permission,” Danier replied, taking a slow step forward. “What mutual interests could we possibly have, being that we are from different ends of the known world?”

  “The small matter of Keiran Sipesh. Tordania lies between our two countries. Now, I know you came back here for a reason after you were turned,” Athan said, winding his way into Danier’s mind to find out all he needed about the other vampire’s travels and motivations. “You have designs on taking over the Sador Empire.”

  The Sadori’s mind was completely unguarded as he’d never spent any meaningful time in the company of other vampires.

  “It is my place to rule this land. I was well on my way to doing so before Betram and Keiran conspired against me!” Danier continued to move around until he was standing before Athan.

  Athan nodded and folded his hands in his lap. “I suppose. Honestly, the affairs of the Sador Empire have never really interested me, aside from your invasions into Tordania. See, Tordania and Keiran are mine. I’ve been working with that country for a long while. The old king, Turis Lee, was a friend of mine, and I’d certainly like to have another now that he’s gone.”

  “The coal territories of Tordania belong to the Sadori people. We have no interest in the rest of the country, we merely seek the return of that which is ours,” Danier replied.

  In no way did Athan think the Sadori claim over southern Tordania was valid, but he wasn’t there to argue the point. It could be used to his advantage.

  “General, I have reason to believe that our dear King Keiran is going to try something foolish in the coming years. I might need your help when he does.” Athan gave up a smile. “Assuming, of course, you can actually take over this empire and put yourself in power.”

  “Not a matter of if but when,” Danier shot back. “I will take this empire for my own. The Quitam have been oppressed long enough. We have always been the greatest warriors in this nation, and we will rise to retake our place in leading the other tribes.”

  “I have no doubt you have the ambition to achieve that goal.” The elder vampire licked his lips and narrowed his eyes. “And when that comes to pass, I’m willing to make a deal with you.”

  Danier went rigid. “Sadoris do not make deals with outsiders, and we do not deal with vampires. Doing so is what motivates me to take this nation back from Betram!”

  Athan sighed and stood up, shaking his head. “Danier, you are a vampire. I think it’s time to let that Sadori line of thought go. As they say, that ship has sailed.”

  Danier had said it on instinct. Still, the Sadoris hadn’t needed the outside world before Betram came to power. “We will again be independent from ties with foreigners once I am Emperor.”

  “A solid ambition,” Athan replied, “but that goal would be much easier to attain if you possessed Tordania’s coal territories, wouldn’t it?”

  “Of course, but those territories are ours rightfully to begin with!” Danier scoffed.

  This Sadori was not the type of person Athan knew he’d associate with out of anything but necessity. He needed to be humbled, but this wasn’t the time for it.

  “It would be much easier for you to take that territory back if the Tordanians had already extended their military northward in an attempt to come after me in Talaus, wouldn’t it?” Athan asked.

  That gave the general a reason to pause. “It would, yes.”

  Athan paced a few steps away. “And Keiran would be forced to rip his forces in two if he had to pursue both fronts. We both win. I’m certain you’ll see to it that your next invasion force is strong enough to deal with whatever the Tordanians ultimately throw at you.”

  “It will be quite some time before I’m ready to engage in such a thing,” Danier replied, though intrigued.

  “I know, and I don’t expect Keiran to make his move very soon. The timing could work out quite well.” Athan stopped and turned around. “I simply wanted to plant the seed of this in your mind. You could have a strong ally in me, Danier. It would help your cause.”

  Danier knew that taking the Tordanian coal territory would vindicate and validate him in a way nothing else would. While he didn’t want to rely on someone else in the course of building his power, Athan’s offer could be used to his advantage.

  “There is much to do before that time comes.” The general locked gazes with the vampire’s unnerving teal stare. “If this is a way to get things done more efficiently, I might be agreeable.”

  “Good.” Athan flashed a quick smile. “I’ll leave you to think on things. I will see you in the future.”

  Danier started to respond, but Athan’s body liquefied and disappeared through the carpeted floor. The general had never seen such a thing, and he rushed forward outstretching his hands. The space before him was truly vacant, the carpet dry beneath his feet.

  Chapter 1

  The spring air was warm and finally able to carry scent well enough for Keiran’s sensitive nose to discern. Standing on the north wall of the castle, he tipped his head back, taking in a few long breaths. What hit him was immediately objectionable, but he didn’t shy away. Though it was faint, the heavy reek of death was on the breeze c
oming up from the valley below.

  “How many, did you say?” he asked.

  Sygian, one of Keiran’s newly promoted advisors, ruffled through the pages of his leather-bound notebook. Though he’d served in the castle for decades as a mere assistant to one of Turis Lee’s many advisors, he was one of very few to have survived the purge Keiran had carried out of his father’s former staff.

  He squinted at the number he’d scrawled earlier. “According to the last count, up to eight-hundred, twenty-four dead, My King. As I said, however, there are still many houses to check and roads to be cleared before we will have the final tally. Though it is beginning to melt, there is still a terrible amount of snow down there.”

  Keiran reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose, not from the smell, but from his heartache and frustration. “It will be over a thousand, won’t it?”

  “Some are estimating that, aye,” he replied.

  “And that is just here in Tordan Lea.” Keiran’s hand fell back to his side, his shoulders rounding. “My father never saw that great a casualty count during the spring census.”

  “King Keiran, we haven’t seen that much snowfall during winter in a hundred years,” Sygian said, shaking his head. “People were trapped in their homes for weeks on end. You saw the drifts here cresting the very castle wall you now stand upon. You can imagine what that much snow did to the small homes and streets below. When people ran out of wood, coal, or food, there was simply nothing they could do.”

  “We opened up the castle when it became apparent what was happening, but few made it here.” The vampire’s brow furrowed. “They could neither walk nor get their sleds up the road.”

  The advisor frowned. “Had they all arrived, you, the guards, and the staff would have been starved out, too.”

  “The issues we had here when the aqueducts and sewage lines froze solid wouldn’t have been helped by it, either.” Keiran turned his head to look at the man beside him. “The sickness that spread amongst the staff here would have turned into an epidemic, but that small consolation does little to ease my heartache over what has taken place. What happened down in the valley eclipses what we endured up here. The people have been beaten down for so long, they were in no condition to survive this.”

  “You cannot control the weather,” Sygian replied. “The military camp has managed to dig their way out, and they’ve joined the efforts to clear the town. As long as we don’t face any harsh spring storms, it should continue to improve. The warmth over the past few days is making a difference. Per your request, someone went to check on Sorna Leoram. She is quite alive.”

  “Thana will be glad to know that, despite her misgivings toward the old hag.” He swung his arms at his sides, anxiety making him restless. “Let us hope the death toll doesn’t rise, but I fear it will. Who knows how long it will take the country to recover from this?”

  “Which brings us to the next issue.” Sygian slouched, hating the task of giving the king yet more bad news. “With the amount of snow now melting off, the fields are flooding. The ground is saturated. The river is still frozen further north, not allowing the water to flow out of the valley properly. It looks like our already short growing season is going to be delayed. Our tall-grain cannot be planted for weeks.”

  Keiran slowly pivoted where he stood to face the advisor, his jaw tensing. “Grain stores were already dangerously low going into the winter, Sygian.”

  “Unfortunately, true.”

  Keiran’s eyes closed and he shook his head. “If we’re not able to farm this summer, we will have an outright famine in the valley come next winter, snow or not.”

  “The same conclusion arrived at by the others and myself,” he said. “The situation is dire.”

  The young king opened his eyes and looked off into the distance, nodding to himself. “There isn’t much left in the coffers, but the Ibianese have been anxious to import more of our steel for farming implements. Perhaps we can work something out with them to get us through. Grain instead of gold for payment.”

  “The people cannot eat gold,” the old man said, bobbing his head in agreement.

  “We’ll need to have a meeting with the heads of the steel towns,” Keiran replied. “I don’t suppose we have word on how they or the coastal farms fared as of yet?”

  “Until the river thaws to allow ships, or the road into the valley from the north is clear enough for travel, we won’t know for certain, but we can hope for the best.” Sygian forced a smile.

  “But we need to prepare for the worst,” Keiran sighed. “You know as well as I do that the people of this country can’t afford to import enough grain to sustain themselves until we can get into a good growing season. Even with the help of the steel exports, I’ll have to put everything we have left into this. Tordania cannot seem to find one bit of luck.”

  “At least you’re willing to be proactive about this. Your father wouldn’t have, if you’ll pardon my saying.” Sygian looked at Keiran, shrugging.

  The vampire shook his head and reached over to pat his shoulder. “I don’t mind. However, I feel like I’m failing at this job myself in all honesty.”

  “Again, you cannot be held accountable for the weather.”

  “I imagine we have a few weeks before I can get news about the rest of the country, and it will be just as long before I can begin putting in purchase orders with Ibia if we need to. Mari went out to see if any of the passes are clear enough for travel, but I’m not optimistic.” Keiran squinted, his head starting to ache. “Thank you, Sygian. Please, keep me apprised of any and all reports that come in.”

  “I will do so, My King.” The old man gave a deep bow before turning to head down the stairs to the courtyard.

  Keiran remained where he stood, staring out over the valley. “How am I supposed to do this?”

  He spun around quickly, feeling as though someone was coming up behind him. While there wasn’t anyone there, he didn’t feel alone. Keiran took a few deep breaths, trying to use all of his dulled senses to figure out what was there, but he picked up nothing. The same thing had happened a few times over the previous day, but he soon shrugged it off to his stress level and exhaustion, hoping it was that simple.

  * * *

  Thana sat on the edge of the bed in the room she and Keiran shared. As she worked to comb out her hair, something odd caught her attention. She abandoned her hairbrush on the bed and stood before making her way toward a large dresser.

  What looked to be a gloved right hand and forearm rested on the dresser’s top, with a few leather straps protruding from the elbow end. She reached out and touched it, not knowing what it was or where it had come from.

  Beneath the silk-like fabric, there was something metal giving the hand its form. Intrigued, she picked it up and looked it over more closely. It was some manner of prosthetic, but it seemed far more complicated than any of the others she had been offered since the loss of her right hand.

  She slipped off the glove from it, marveling at what was revealed. The hand itself was a skeletal armature made of silver. Within it were multiple gears, cables, and pulleys. All of the components, except the cables, were ornately carved making the apparatus a work of art.

  Since her amputation, Thana had refused every prosthetic offered to her. Something about them had seemed repulsive. Strapping a bit of wood onto her forearm that lacked any functionality at all served only to constantly remind her that her hand was gone. This, however, looked to have some manner of articulation.

  She walked back to the edge of the bed with it and sat down again. After a few more minutes of study, she slipped her truncated wrist into the sheath of the prosthetic. It covered much of her forearm but was comfortable. The straps hanging from it were intuitive enough to affix to her upper arm above her elbow.

  Once it was on, she extended her arm to test its weight. To her delight, the fingers of the hand extended and opened up as her elbow straightened. When she pulled it back toward her body, the hand closed
again.

  “It works!” she said, standing up as excitement took her over.

  Thana moved to the fireplace, where a pail sat for collecting ashes. She reached down with the hand toward the pail’s handle. Once the fingers were close, she bent her elbow, watching as the silver digits hooked around the handle. With a laugh, she stood straight, lifting the weighty metal bucket from the floor, the hand securely holding it.

  Tears formed in her eyes. How Keiran had found someone capable of making such a thing she didn’t know, but to have any use of her right hand back felt amazing.

  * * *

  Mari returned from her scouting expedition and headed into the throne room. As she’d hoped, Keiran was inside, though he looked beaten down and tired. He lifted his gaze from a document an advisor had given him when the courier entered. He waved the others away, wanting to talk to her in private.

  He set the document he’d been holding aside and gave an insincere smile. “Please tell me it isn’t as bad as I keep being told.”

  She didn’t smile in return. “Honestly, Keir, you have no idea what it is like out there. I didn’t get very far in my scouting trip south. Where the trees block the sun, the snow level on the road is impassible. Where it has melted, there are washouts that will have to be repaired if wagons are to get through. We aren’t going to Aleria in that direction anytime soon unless this warm streak over the past few days keeps up for another week or two.”

  His eyes panned toward the ceiling. “The river isn’t an option for travel yet, either. Though I’m not fond of travel, I don’t like this sensation of entrapment.”

  “Then you can only imagine how I feel,” she said, moving closer. “I was hoping I could leave soon to get this run to Aleria done, but it isn’t going to happen quite yet. You’ve told me several times this wasn’t a normal winter for this place, and you better not be lying.”

  The corner of his mouth quirked upward. “I promise you it isn’t. I’ve seen a few nasty winters in my time, but generally it’s nothing like this.”