So she lifted her chin and said, “Very well, I’ll go see the Maximus. And please remember to refer to me as Your Grace since I am the ruler of Terragand.”
“Not anymore,” the captain snarled, his eyes hard, then turned away and stalked down the gangplank.
Maryna followed him with all the dignity she could muster, grateful that at least no one was grabbing or shoving her right now. It was so hard to come up with any sort of plan that way. She only hoped that Anton would run into this party on its way back to Kronfels. The road ought to take them right by the palace.
She was led into a cluster of mounted guards, and hoped she’d get her own horse. Perhaps she might create a diversion and get away somehow. But that hope was dashed when the guard captain grabbed her around the waist, throwing her into his saddle and mounting right behind her.
Maryna hung onto the pommel and gritted her teeth. It was difficult to stay dignified in this position. The last time she’d been in it, she’d been four, riding in front of her father. That memory made her want to cry, and she bit her lip until it bled, trying to keep tears from forming.
The party moved away from the docks and into formation as it reached the road. They rode at a gallop, likely hoping to make Kronfels before Anton intercepted them.
Maryna hung on and stared at the road ahead. Someone had to come. If they didn’t, she’d be at the mercy of the Maximus, and no one would know.
The ride seemed to go on forever, down the smooth straight road with trees on both sides. Maryna prayed for an ambush, but nothing happened, and soon they were at the city gates. The party clattered over cobblestones and Maryna held her chin up, looking down her nose at the people gathered along the streets to gawk.
They passed the temple and rode into the courtyard of the Maximus’s palace. The captain dismounted, then lifted Maryna down before she was able to react. She smoothed her dress and looked at him through narrowed eyes, wishing she could fix her hair. It was hard to be snooty with one's coiffure going all over the place.
The captain grabbed her by the elbow and steered her into a door and down a corridor. “Tell the Maximus I’ve brought him a treat,” he shouted at a servant. “It’s Prince Kendryk’s whelp. I’m sure His Holiness will want to get rid of her.”
Maryna barely held down the whimper rising in her throat and prayed for Anton to arrive harder than she’d ever prayed for anything.
Teodora
Now she was certain of Duke Orland's presence in the area, Teodora didn't want to wait to take him on. Frustratingly, Captain Kolar was unable to find out the number of enemy troops and where they were based. But they must have realized which way Teodora planned to go because the road north became dangerous as they entered the large valley drained by the Velta River.
Foothills flanked flatter land on either side. Orland had to be hiding there, but Teodora couldn't think of how to get to him. She had to wait for him to find her.
Which he did wherever the hills came near the road. In those spots, Orland’s troops would swoop in, kill several Moraltans, or set fire to a few supply wagons and disappear again.
“He’s somewhere in those hills,” Teodora said. “We can find him and defeat him.”
“We’ll never find all of them,” Kolar said, looking weary. Now he fought all day and spent half the night making the camp even more secure, even though Orland hadn’t attacked them at night again after the first time.
“We don’t have to find all of them,” Teodora said. “Just kill a few in retaliation for what they’ve done to us.”
“I don’t see what good it’ll do us.”
“It’ll do me good.” Teodora wouldn't argue about this. “I’m taking a few companies into the mountains with me. You can stay here and keep being a target.”
“I’ll stay here and guard the supplies,” Kolar said with an indignant sniff.
Teodora was sick of him.
One rainy morning, she led two companies of dragoons into the hills. She’d had a nightmare just before waking, but a different one. Though still dark and frightening, it left Teodora energized. The monsters lurked at the corners of her vision, but she had control. She didn’t know how she’d find the enemy or how she’d fight them, but was certain she’d succeed.
Much to the dismay of her officers, she didn’t send scouts ahead. She would sense the enemy presence. They rode along a rough track between brush and small trees, the steep hills flanking them on both sides. The perfect spot for an enemy ambush, but no one attacked. They probably didn't expect Teodora’s forces to ever leave the road.
Teodora stayed at the head of her troops, wearing her armor, but otherwise exposed. Today she sensed that no one would hurt her. Dark spots danced at the corners of her eyes and her ears roared. Her horse stepped into a small clearing, and Teodora knew.
“In the trees, up ahead,” she whispered to the officer riding at her side. “Charge on my command.”
He looked surprised, but gave the order.
Teodora drew her sword and shouted, “Charge!”
As her horse leapt forward, the monsters jumped out ahead, but this time, they didn't bother Teodora. Still part of her, still uncontrollable, they were on her side. She acted out of instinct, though she barely saw or heard a thing. An enemy officer rose in front of her, pistol raised, but she cut him down before he fired.
Screams rose ahead of her, somewhere in the trees and by the time Teodora reached the next rank of enemy they were running away from her. She caught up to them and cut them down as they ran. Her troops were close behind and after the roaring in her ears subsided, not a single enemy soldier remained standing.
She drew her horse to a halt and pushed up her visor, conscious of moisture on her face, though it had stopped raining. She wiped her hand across her eyes, then drew in a quick breath. Blood and sweat mingled on her palm and when she looked back up, an officer regarded her in horror.
“Are you hurt, Your Highness?”
“I don’t think so.” Teodora wiped her face again, and saw more blood, though it wasn’t much. Perhaps someone else’s had sprayed into her face, gotten through her visor somehow.
The officer took a deep breath. “Congratulations on a complete victory. Might I ask how you knew they were here?”
Teodora shrugged. “Instinct, I suppose.”
The officer frowned, still looking at Teodora rather too closely. “Something frightened them before we got there; sent them on the run. What do you suppose it was?”
“Who knows?” Teodora smiled. “Perhaps a wild animal. Or they weren’t expecting us and we scared them.”
“I’m sure that’s true.” The officer backed away, looking uneasy. “Would you like to report to Captain Kolar?”
“Certainly.” Teodora didn’t mind taking full credit for this. She wasn’t even sure how much the others had done.
Riding back to the valley, joy mingled with relief. Perhaps her problem had just been lack of action. All she needed was a good fight and the monsters would disappear.
She didn’t tell Kolar much, except that they’d slaughtered nearly thirty enemy and that she’d be taking a larger group into the hills the next day. He objected at first, but only until he’d spoken to the officers who’d gone with her.
Teodora didn’t know what they’d told him, but whatever it was frightened him. He no longer made a peep when she told him what she planned to do the next time they rode out.
Elektra
Elektra could hardly stand to look at Princess Viviane and decided she would have to get rid of her forever. After this there was no chance of working together, and Elektra couldn’t risk the princess coming back yet again. “We’ll take her to the Maximus,” she told Anton. “He’ll help me.”
Anton grimaced. “I must return to Princess Maryna. We’ve already been gone a lot longer than I said.”
“Send her a message. We can leave someone else to meet the troops and she can join us.”
“Good idea. I’ll send Karil.�
�
That order given, Anton joined Elektra for the ride into Kronfels at the head of his troops. He left a few behind to secure the palace and ordered Princess Viviane bound and put into a carriage. Elektra hoped no one would try to free her. The Duchess of Lemberg and her accomplices had also been bound and placed into another carriage.
They made good time into town and Elektra saw the spires of the temple with considerable relief. “Let’s go to the Maximus’s palace,” she said. “He can take it from there.”
Elektra was puzzled to reach the palace courtyard and see the guards who’d accompanied her to the river. She rode up to an officer. “Why didn't you stay with Princess Maryna?” she asked.
“We did, Your Grace.” The man’s words were deferential enough, though his gaze was insolent. “Captain reckoned the Maximus would be happy to see the little princess.”
“Oh gods,” Elektra whispered, nearly sliding out of her saddle. How could she have been so stupid?
“What?” Anton asked.
Elektra swallowed down the dryness in her mouth. “There’s been a misunderstanding, I’m sure.” She didn’t want to look Anton in the eye, but forced herself. “Please do nothing until we’ve discussed this.” He might have enough troops to fight the Maximus’s guards, but it would be a bloodbath.
“What do you mean?” Anton looked around. “What does the Maximus want with the princess?”
“He’s not a Quadrene,” Elektra murmured. “My mother installed him.”
“And you let me leave those guards alone with the princess?” Anton’s voice was tight and angry. “Whose side are you on?”
“Yours,” Elektra whispered; he had to be wondering why he should trust her. “I was sure they wouldn't do anything.”
“Well, you were wrong. Now you will figure out what to do. If anything happens to her, I’ll hold you responsible,” Anton said, touching the pistol in his belt.
“I understand,” Elektra said, her stomach twisting into knots. “Follow my lead.” She hoped no one suspected Anton and his troops of being anything but her own escort. “Have your troops stay out here, but make sure they’re ready to leave.” She’d have to secure her rule here without them.
Anton shook his head and glared at her, but waved over a few sergeants and gave quiet orders.
“Let’s take Princess Viviane inside,” Elektra said.
“No,” Anton said. “I’m not turning her over until I have Princess Maryna back.”
“She’s my prisoner.” Elektra doubted she sounded forceful enough.
“No, she isn’t.” Anton jumped down from his horse. “I’m not letting you have her until Princess Maryna is safe.”
“Fine.” Elektra dismounted. “I’ll talk to the Maximus.”
“Make it quick.” All friendliness had fled from Anton’s voice.
Elektra noticed that Anton's troops surrounded the carriages holding the prisoners, their weapons drawn. The Maximus’s guards had pulled back against the palace walls. She hoped there weren’t more coming. She was glad Karil wasn’t here, since he’d just tell Anton how stupid he’d been to trust her for a second.
Elektra walked into the palace, her steps heavy. “Take me to the Maximus,” she told the first servant she saw. He led her down the corridor to the big receiving hall.
The Maximus sat there in state, surround by clergy and guards. Maryna stood before him, her hands bound, though her chin still had a defiant tilt to it.
Elektra walked up and stood beside her as a footman announced her name.
“You’ve impressed me, Your Grace,” the Maximus said with an unpleasant smirk. “Here I expected Princess Viviane, but you’ve brought me a better one.”
“I’ve brought you Princess Viviane,” Elektra said, “but I must ask you to release Princess Maryna into my custody.”
The Maximus chuckled. “I can’t think of a good reason why I should.”
“Because I’m now the sole ruler of Isenwald.” Elektra drew herself to her full height, which didn’t feel like nearly enough. “Princess Maryna is an imperial prisoner and since I’m my mother’s representative, she must remain in my care.”
“I’m afraid that’s not how it works.” The Maximus shook his head. “You’ve done well, but aren’t trustworthy enough, especially because you accomplished your little coup using enemy troops. Turn their leader over and then perhaps we can discuss it further.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that.” Elektra mimicked his mocking tone even as she prayed that the gods would keep her voice from shaking. “I’m in charge here and will dismiss you from your post if you question me again.”
The Maximus chuckled. “You have a lot of nerve, just like your mother. Unfortunately for you, you can’t back it up. Now please step aside while my guards retrieve Princess Viviane and apprehend the enemy force.”
“No,” Elektra said, even as she wondered what to do next. There had to be a way to show the Maximus who was in charge, and she wished Anton had come in with her.
She’d barely had the thought when he appeared beside her. “Glad you’re here,” she murmured.
“Shut up and do as I say,” Anton said, then grabbed her around the shoulders, pulling her against him.
Elektra felt the cold of a pistol barrel against her chin.
“Get down on the ground, Princess,” Anton said to Maryna, shoving Elektra forward a few steps. “Now Maximus,” he said, the barrel poking into Elektra’s chin. “Release Princess Maryna and I’ll let the Archduchess live.”
“I don’t care if she lives or dies,” the Maximus said with a wave of his hand toward the guards clustered around his chair. “Kill them all.”
Trystan
Even as they made for Allaux at a gallop, Trystan kept his eyes peeled for the de la Tour standard. If he ran into any, he’d have to hope for surprise and overrun them. With any luck, they had focused on the town behind them, though he expected to find more in Allaux.
When they’d gone a few leagues with no trouble, Trystan slowed their pace, put two of the farmers in front and fell back to talk to Natalya.
“How are you doing? You must be exhausted.”
“No worse than you. Or Madame Fouret.” Natalya turned to smile at Louise, riding just behind them.
“I’m fine,” Louise said stoutly. “I might be old, but I’m used to working long hours this time of year. I keep myself going by dreaming of a feather bed in Allaux.”
“Oh, you’ll get something much nicer than that,” Natalya said, then turned back to Trystan. “We must be careful about entering the city.”
“I think we can pass for a bunch of peasants traveling with a country priestess easily enough.” Trystan had already thought about getting through the gates. “It’s a market day tomorrow, so that’s a good enough reason for us to come to town today.”
“True, and unless there’s trouble, they won’t be watching the gates.”
“But they might be looking for you.”
“They might.” Natalya dropped her voice. “If they spot me, let them take me and go straight to the king.”
“I can’t let them do that. This time they won’t wait to give you a trial, even a false one.”
“I’m sure I'll have little time, so you must be fast.” Natalya slowed her mule to a walk and took her hands from the reins. She reached into the neckline of her robes and pulled out a chain with a pendant. Handing it to Trystan, she said, “Take this to the king’s palace. Not all of his servants are friendly so if you can’t get through the audience chamber, go to the servant’s quarters and ask for a footman named Charel. Show him this and he’ll take you to the king at once.”
Trystan took the pendant, trying to hide his shock at the size of the diamond it held. The king must have valued Natalya a great deal to give her such a token. He hoped he still felt the same way. Now was no time for jealousy.
It was becoming clear to Trystan that he couldn’t stay long in Galladium. He was out of his depth and powerless to aff
ect the intrigues here in any meaningful way. He belonged at the head of an army, not playing games of power in a country where he barely spoke the language.
Trystan glanced at Natalya out of the corner of his eye. Someday he’d come back for her, but when he did, he’d be ruler of his own kingdom, her equal in every way. She’d no longer see him as a boy and they might become partners in building something extraordinary. Perhaps he would even become emperor, and put her over all the temples of the empire.
Daydreams helped pass the time, and after a quick change of horses at a roadside posting station, they saw the walls of Allaux in the distance. It was still midafternoon, so they’d made good time and no one had tried to stop them.
Trystan looked over his shoulder as the traffic slowed near the gates. They stood wide open, but the many wagons clogging the narrowing road forced their mounts to a walk.
Trystan tried to be patient, but now he worried at being caught before they reached the king. For all Trystan knew, the de la Tour soldiers were close behind. He wondered what would happen if he forced his way forward, shouting for everyone to make way for the Maxima?
Natalya put a hand on his mule’s mane. “Do nothing. I know it’s hard to go this slow, but we must not draw attention to ourselves.”
“Of course.” Trystan smiled, though he was annoyed at the way she read his mind. It was hard to stay mysterious when she always seemed to know what he was thinking.
Even though a few city guards sauntered along the side of the road, no one was minding the gate. The road was full of farmers and merchants, and Trystan’s little party blended right in.
Once they were inside the city, moving quickly along the streets winding between tall, balconied buildings, Natalya came up to ride beside Trystan. “I’ve been thinking,” she said. “We ought to split up. You go in the front entrance to the palace. Even in rough clothing you have the air of a nobleman and can insist on seeing someone important. I’ll take the others and go around the back. If Charlise de la Tour is established as Maxima, it’s too dangerous to announce my presence before seeing the king.”
Fall of the Titan (The Desolate Empire Book 5) Page 15