Fall of the Titan (The Desolate Empire Book 5)

by Christina Ochs

  “I’m glad you’re here now. As long as any of Kendryk’s children live, it’s not too late. You must join us in Terragand.”

  General Vidmar glanced at Lennart. It seemed they’d already been discussing that topic. “I’m afraid I’m bound by contract to Princess Edyta. Her orders were to chase Franca Dura out of Podoska. I’ve sent her off to Sanova, so I must return to Berolstein.”

  “We can work something out, “ Lennart said, then turned to Gwynneth. “General Vidmar was one of my best officers during the war against Sanova. I must have her for the fight in Terragand.”

  “I can’t just leave.” Vidmar offered a wry smile.

  “We’ll talk about it,” Lennart said. “I know I can persuade the princess to let you go.”

  “I don’t see how,” Vidmar said, but the amused look on her face made Gwynneth think she wouldn’t mind letting Lennart at least try to persuade her.

  Trystan

  Stepping out from behind the guards, Mother Lena held herself erect, even as her voice quavered. “The trial of the false Maxima won’t be until tomorrow,” she said. “You may all go home now and return in the morning.”

  “You know that’s not why we’re here,” Louise said, her voice ringing across the square. The crowd had stopped singing and all was quiet but for the crackling of the torches. “We’ve come to demand Natalya Maxima’s freedom.”

  “She is no longer the Maxima,” Mother Lena said, backing up. “And you will learn why tomorrow, when I bring her to justice at last.”

  “We have no interest in your heretical examinations,” the burgomaster said, taking a step forward so he loomed over the priestess.

  A few guards moved in, and Trystan came closer, his hands sweaty around the halberd’s haft.

  “Let her go,” Louise urged. “You must realize the guards won’t be able to stand against this crowd. I don’t wish for bloodshed, but all of us here are prepared to die to defend our faith. I hope you’re prepared as well, since your death will be a certainty if you try to resist us.”

  “You wouldn’t dare kill a priestess!” Mother Lena’s voice started low, but ended in a shriek.

  “We would never do it on purpose,” the burgomaster growled, “but if there’s a big fight, who knows what might happen?”

  “I’ll kill her,” Trystan offered, stepping forward with his halberd pointed toward the priestess. He was tired of standing aside. “She deserves it for trying to take temple justice into her own hands. It’s not the place of a priestess to challenge a Maxima on her own.”

  “I have the support of Octavia Maxima,” Mother Lena hissed. “She ordered any cleric who could apprehend Natalya to deliver her to justice.”

  “In Allaux, I’m sure,” Trystan said. He wasn't familiar with all the traditions of the temple, but he might guess at this one. “A Maxima’s trial should take place in the presence of the kingdom’s ruler and another high cleric, at the very least.”

  “Octavia wanted it taken care of quickly,” Mother Lena said.

  “I’ll bet she did.” Trystan grinned. “Now order the guards to step aside and tell me where Natalya is. I’ll escort her to Allaux myself where she can take up this matter with the king. If you’re lucky, he won't punish you too harshly for overstepping your bounds.”

  Mother Lena still looked haughty, but it was clear she was becoming more uneasy as the crowd shouted abuse at her. A row of burly farmers holding scythes had come up behind Trystan and Louise.

  “You really want to fight these fellows?” Trystan said to the guards standing near the priestess. While talking, he’d counted them and saw they were only twenty. The crowd in the square had to number over two hundred.

  One guard cleared his throat loudly and said, “Mother, I’d be happy to lead an escort taking the prisoner to Allaux.”

  That was enough for Trystan, though he wasn’t sure the crowd would settle for anything less than Natalya’s release. “What do you think?” he murmured to Louise.

  “She must not be taken to the new Maxima,” Louise said, “though we trust the king to deal with Natalya fairly.”

  “So do I,” Trystan said. “I’m on good terms with the king and can get an audience with him immediately.”

  “Some priest,” Louise said with a smile. “You’re not very good at it, you know, though it’s sweet of you to try.”

  “Er, thanks,” Trystan said.

  Louise stepped forward. “Mother, please see sense. Natalya should go to Allaux and explain herself to the king. How can you argue with that? Or do you not trust the king?”

  “Of course I do.” Mother Lena huffed.

  “It’s settled,” Trystan said. “Madame Foret and I will accompany Natalya Maxima to Allaux and deliver her to the king.”

  “How can I be sure you won’t just set her free?” Mother Lena was still far too haughty for someone in her position.

  “Send a couple of your guards along.” Trystan reckoned he could manage them well enough. “One has already volunteered.”

  “I recommend you do it, Mother,” the burgomaster said, still looming over the little priestess.

  “Very well.” Mother Lena snapped, and turned to face the crowd. “But I shall hold every one of you responsible if she escapes. And one more thing,” she said to Louise. “I want Octavia Maxima present when the king questions Natalya.”

  “I want that too,” Louise said with a smirk. “It seems we are agreed. Send a few of your guards to retrieve our Maxima. You’ll stay here until we see she’s unharmed.”

  Lena grimaced, but waved at the guards and two of them scuttled off.

  Trystan moved into position right before the priestess, pointing his halberd at her. “We’ll just stand here like this until the Maxima appears, all right?”

  Lena scowled. “I knew there was something wrong with you, besides being a foreigner and heretic.”

  “I have no idea who he is either,” Louise said, “but I'm certain the gods sent him to help our Maxima, and for that I’m grateful.”

  Trystan was about to reveal his real identity when there was a commotion and Natalya appeared, walking unhindered between the guards. Trystan didn't bother concealing his relief.

  She smiled at him. “I knew I was right to take you along, Duke.”

  A gasp went up from the crowd, then folk cheered and began chanting Natalya’s name.

  “Might I speak to the people?” she asked Mother Lena.

  “Absolutely not. You are still a prisoner and will find justice in Allaux.”

  “Oh, I hope so,” Natalya said. “Let’s be off. The sooner I get there, the better.” Then she moved close and whispered, “Get me out of here, Trystan. And thank you.”

  Maryna

  Maryna didn't know what to make of the story as Anton explained it to her. The Archduchess Elektra was prettier than she’d expected, and Anton seemed on good terms with her. That didn’t make Maryna very happy, but she needed to be bigger than any petty jealousy if she wanted to be a good princess. Karil had stomped off scowling, so he wasn’t any help.

  “Teodora is in Terragand,” Anton said, after explaining Elektra’s situation. “So I need to get you to Lennart first. Do you know where he is?” he asked Elektra.

  “He’s on his way to Terragand,” Elektra said, with a half-smile for Maryna. “He might be in Lantura or Oltena, though no one seems to know for sure. My mother hoped to reach Heidenhof before he did.”

  “We must stop her,” Maryna said. “Edric Maximus is in Heidenhof and Teodora cannot capture him.”

  “I agree,” Elektra said. “The Maximus is too important to risk. He’s my friend too,” she told Maryna.

  That settled it. “Then we will help you with your problem here, and afterward take as many troops as you can spare to stop the empress,” Maryna said with a gracious smile.

  “Your Grace.” Karil was at her side again. In spite of being in a snit, it seemed he’d been listening the whole time. “You can’t trust this person. Believe m
e, I know.”

  “I’m different now,” Elektra said, apparently not offended by Karil’s rude tone. “I was young, stupid, scared, but most of all, wrong to betray you.” She turned toward Karil and curtsied. “I apologize and beg your forgiveness.”

  “Nicely done,” Anton said, with more warmth in his voice than Maryna would have liked. “Come on, Karil. An archduchess just apologized to you, and with a curtsy, no less. How can you not be moved by that?”

  “I can.” Karil’s face was bright red, and he seemed unable to look at Elektra. “But it’s nice of you to apologize, Your Grace. And I was wrong too, kidnapping you the way I did.”

  “Let’s put it behind us,” Elektra said, looking dignified in spite of her soaked clothes. “It’s time we all worked together if we’re to defeat my mother.”

  Anton was practically quivering, ready to spring into action. “Let’s do this before the other army appears.” He fired off orders, and soldiers ran in all directions. By now the rest of their boats had drawn up and Karil oversaw an orderly disembarkation.

  “Everyone will be dying for some action,” Anton told Maryna. “We haven’t had a thing to do since rescuing you.”

  “How can I help?” Maryna didn’t want to be sidelined, especially as she watched Elektra calmly giving her guards orders.

  “You can’t,” Anton said. “I want you back on the boat until this is over.”

  “No,” Maryna said. “Don’t be ridiculous. Surely there’s something I can do?”

  Anton paused for a moment, considering. “All right,” he said. “You might not be a fighter, but you’re good at talking. So you’ll wait here for the other army and convince them to help us.”

  “But they might not come until it’s all over,” Maryna protested.

  “Maybe. But no matter when they come, we can’t have them meeting the wrong people. I’ll leave a company behind to guard you, though I’d prefer if you stayed on the boat while you wait. In fact, I insist on it.”

  Though Maryna could have overruled him, she didn’t really want to. Negotiating with the foreign troops was an important task. She hoped they came in time.

  “How long until you return?” she asked Anton.

  “It’s an hour back to the palace,” he said. “I don’t expect much resistance, so we’ll arrest Princess Viviane and anyone who defends her. Then it’ll take an hour for me or a message to make its way back to you. So, three hours, maybe?”

  Maryna doubted anyone would appear in that time, but at least it wasn’t terribly long to wait.

  Anton called Elektra over and told her his plan.

  “Why don’t I leave the temple guards here?” she asked. “They look impressive, but won’t be much good in a fight. That way we can use more of your troops against Viviane.”

  “Good point,” Anton said. “I’ll leave a small guard with Princess Maryna on top of that.” He turned to Maryna. “If anything goes wrong with the foreigners, Your Grace, I want you to get on the boat and go straight back to Fromenberg. Understand?”

  “All right,” Maryna said, “though I don’t expect anything to go wrong.” She was happy to have the temple guards around her since the Isenwalders had been Quadrene for a long time. It was nice to be back among those practicing the correct faith.

  Soon, everyone was ready to go, and Maryna wished them all luck, especially Anton. He looked so handsome in his armor, his horse outfitted for battle. Maryna wished she could watch him fight, though the idea seemed terrifying at the same time. But she had her own job to do, so she stood on the dock and waved until they’d disappeared, then motioned for the captain of the temple guard to attend her.

  “I’m going back to the boat,” she said. She needed to change into something more princess-like, and stay out of the rain until someone appeared. “Come and get me as soon as you see anything.”

  “Certainly, Your Grace.” A hint of amusement glinted in the man’s eye, and Maryna wondered if he was laughing at her. Perhaps he was just happy that they were about to get rid of Princess Viviane. Maryna was glad too. It seemed wise to have the woman executed this time so she couldn’t cause any more trouble.

  Braeden

  Meeting Lennart like this had been the best possible thing to happen to them. Braeden also liked the look of General Vidmar, but it seemed she wasn’t available to help at the moment.

  “Tell me about your fight with Franca Dura,” Braeden said as they sat together at dinner, the night before Vidmar planned to head back to Berolstein. He swallowed down a lump in his throat. “Did you kill her?”

  “She got away,” Vidmar said, not looking unhappy about it either, immediately going up in Braeden’s estimation. “We only killed a few of her troops and wounded a few more before the lot of them made for the Sanova border. I wanted to chase her, but Princess Edyta has a treaty of friendship with Sanova and gave me strict instructions not to set foot there.”

  Braeden didn’t bother to conceal his relief. “I’m glad you chased her off,” he said, “and I’m glad you didn’t kill her. She’s a friend of mine. Was my page from the time she was twelve and grew up to be one of the best officers I’ve ever seen. I wasn’t looking forward to facing her in battle.”

  Vidmar’s eyes warmed with sympathy. “Understandable. I’ve been in a similar position. I suppose it’s the nature of this work sometimes, fighting on opposite sides from our friends.”

  “It’s one of my least favorite parts,” Braeden said. “Now tell me, when did you fight for Lennart?”

  “It was during his long war with Sanova.” Vidmar’s tanned face creased into a grin. “I’d fought for Sanova only a few years before, but that was under Count Faris. During the truce, he sent me to Terragand to help Kendryk.”

  “I know that story,” Braeden said. Kendryk had told him about the overthrow of his regent and the critical role a young Sonya Vidmar had played in pulling it off. “Impressive work. What did you do after?”

  “Spent a year in Briansk during their short war with Zastwar, then joined Lennart. After the first truce, I hired on with Maladena and fought in Floradias and Zeelund ever since. When I heard of Kendryk’s trouble, I had just signed on for four years. And after that ...” She paused and sighed. “My husband died and I didn’t much feel like doing anything for a time.”

  “I understand that,” Braeden said, and hoped it was enough. Discussing his own family’s grisly demise wasn’t nice dinner conversation. He was sorry Vidmar wouldn’t be joining them, but understood how contracts worked.

  “I’ve only signed up with Princess Edyta for three months,” Vidmar had told Lennart earlier. “Once my contract’s up, you’re free to employ me yourself.”

  “I’ll do it in a heartbeat,” Lennart had said. “Just name your price.”

  “Oh, I will.” Vidmar smiled.

  “What a shame,” Lennart told Braeden as they headed north the next day. “Vidmar’s force would be an excellent addition to ours. She came up through the Orician light cavalry and her own force is set up in a similar way. Great for scouting, skirmishing and ambushes. I’d love to send her ahead and hit Balduin first.”

  “Too bad we can’t.” Braeden agreed. “How are we going to do it?”

  “Dolf Kalstrom should still command a sizable force inside the city,” Lennart mused. “But getting it out is the problem. We must break through Balduin’s force first. I’m not worried about him, but if Dura should come...”

  “And she will,” Braeden said. “She’s done it before. A few years ago she came into Terragand from Sanova after you’d gone north. She knows the area well.”

  “Then we must get there first.” Lennart’s face was grim. “We can take her on, I’m sure, but we don’t yet know Balduin’s numbers and we’re only a few thousand.”

  “Do you reckon we can surprise him?” Braeden asked.

  “I’d like to, but if he has any sense at all, he’ll be watching the road south.”

  “He likely doesn’t have much sense, though
others around him might.” Braeden had an idea. “But what if we don’t come straight from the south? There are other ways. You remember the Garsten Gap, don’t you? Where we ran off Ensden’s troops?” Never mind he’d sworn never to enter that place again.

  Lennart grinned. “It was our first battle together.”

  “Our only battle.” Braeden shook his head. “I haven’t been much of an ally.”

  “You’ve done plenty,” Lennart said, glancing over his shoulder at Gwynneth. “Keeping her and the children alive was more important than your part in any battle.”

  “I didn’t keep Kendryk alive.” Braeden couldn’t look Lennart in the eye.

  “That was not your fault,” Lennart said a bit sharply. “That attack was so well-planned, I might have fallen for it too.”

  That was probably meant to make Braeden feel better, but then he imagined Lennart killed like Kendryk had been and grew even more depressed.

  Lennart reached over to slap Braeden on the shoulder. “Cheer up. You won’t miss out on any more battles and you can start by helping me deal with Balduin. I like your idea about the gap, though he’ll likely guard that too.”

  “Maybe,” Braeden said, “though you left a patrol there. Reckon they’re still holding it?”

  Lennart roared with laughter. “You’re right. I’d forgotten about that. They might still be there, under Kalstrom’s command. We’ll just go see. When we reach the next crossroads, lets turn east so we end up on the other side of those mountains. With any luck Balduin won’t know where we’ve gone.”

  Elektra

  Elektra couldn’t believe the Princess of Terragand and her escort had arrived at just the right moment. She hadn’t been happy to see Karil, but Anton Kronek seemed all right, and very competent. It was time to put hers and Karil’s difficult past behind them anyway.