Hollis followed the Earl of Hammersfield into his tower, noting the guards wearing Rutherford's livery. Ordinarily, he would have insisted on bringing some of his own men, for to enter another earl's domain was considered dangerous, but Rutherford had been an ally for years, and so he simply nodded at the guards, following his friend into a well-decorated room.
Rutherford sat, indicating a nearby chair for Hollis. Before they could begin their conversation, the door opened quietly to admit a couple of servants bearing wine. They quickly poured each earl a drink, then left as quietly as they had entered.
"There," said Rutherford, "now we're free to talk."
"Very well," said Hollis, "what in particular is it you wanted to discuss?"
"You know damned well," said Rutherford. "The king won't last much longer. We must prepare ourselves for the inevitable."
"Seizing power," said Hollis.
"Precisely," said Rutherford, "and I would be willing to support your claim once the fighting commences."
Hollis shook his head. "I'm afraid it's not the crown of Norland I'm working to gain," he said, "but that of Merceria!"
"How in Saxnor's name would you accomplish that?" asked Rutherford.
Hollis leaned forward, talking in a lower voice, "If we can get Thurlowe on our side, I think it can be accomplished."
"But how?"
"We bring this Mercerian Queen here, then finish off the king. It shouldn't be too hard to pin his death on these southerners."
"Uniting everyone against them," said Rutherford. "That's very clever."
"Oh, there's more," said Hollis. "With their queen here, among us, we can take her hostage. The confusion at their court alone should paralyze them, then, when they're leaderless, we send our armies flooding across the border."
"That won't work," said Rutherford. "They have fortified cities along the border."
"Then we bypass them," said Hollis, "drive straight for Wincaster. One siege and it'll all be over."
"You make it sound so easy," said Rutherford. "Are you forgetting that their capital is heavily fortified?"
"It is, but we have battle mages to help."
"Don't they have mages as well?"
"They do," agreed Hollis, "but I'm led to believe there are very few of them. Numbers are on our side, Rutherford. It's what we've been building up to for years."
Lord Rutherford sat back, letting the idea sink in. "It's achievable, but the cost would be high."
"Naturally," said Hollis. "What war doesn't have its price, but think of it, we would finally have the throne of Merceria in our grasp!"
"And all we have to do is capture the queen?"
"I'm not saying it'll be easy," said Hollis, "but she'll be here with little more than a small bodyguard. Surely not enough to withstand the troops we can call upon in the capital!"
"I'm in," said Rutherford, "provided, of course, that you can convince Thurlowe to join us."
Hollis smiled, "Good, for I've already ascertained his feelings in this matter. Rest assured, we can now begin to move forward on this."
Eleven
The Border
Fall 964 MC
* * *
Beverly reined in Lightning, coming to a halt before the queen. "We've spotted them, Your Majesty," she said. "They're approaching from the north."
"How many?" asked Gerald.
"A sizable force," said Beverly, "likely a hundred or more."
"That many?" said Aubrey.
"We ARE a rather large force ourselves," said Anna. "And they can't have us marching through their territory without an escort."
"I wish Revi were here with us," said Aubrey. "He could use Shellbreaker to spy them out."
"Speaking of Revi," said Anna, "is there any news?"
"The last I heard," said Aubrey, "they'd managed to activate the mirror for viewing purposes, but they're still trying to determine how to travel through it."
"Interesting," said Anna. "What did they see?"
"Our initial conjecture seems to be correct. It looks like a tower, likely that of Andronicus."
"I wonder what secrets it might hold," mused Anna.
"Let them worry about it," said Gerald. "We need to concentrate on the task at hand."
"Shall I ride out to meet them?" asked Beverly.
"Yes," said the queen, "and let them know we'll rendezvous with them at the ford."
"Very well, Your Majesty," said Beverly. She wheeled Lightning around and then galloped off to the north.
"Nervous?" asked Gerald.
"Of course," said Anna, "there's so much that could go wrong."
"Don't worry," said Aubrey, "that's why I'm here. I can have you back in Wincaster in no time, should it prove necessary."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," said Anna. "The whole point of this meeting with the Norland King is to negotiate a permanent peace. It's a little hard to do that if I'm not present."
Gerald glanced back at the camp behind them. In addition to their escort of cavalry, they also had a half company of footmen who would be delegated to act as guards for whatever place they would be staying while visiting Norland. Yet, their numbers paled in comparison to the multitude of others present, for there were supply wagons, food for the trip, blacksmiths to help look after horseshoes and nails, not to mention the various servants necessary for the queen's entourage.
He thought back to his earlier life with Anna. It had been so much easier to make a trip in those days. Now, however, it seemed even short trips required an entire army to accompany them.
They all sat in relative silence, watching as Beverly slowed her pace. When the knight brought her horse to a halt, two riders detached themselves from the Norland group, riding towards her. There was the briefest exchange of words, then Beverly turned, riding back towards the Royal Party with the two Norlanders.
"This looks interesting," noted Anna.
"That's Lord Wilfrid," said Gerald, as they drew closer, "but I don't know who the other man is."
"We'll find out soon enough," said Anna.
The trio was soon splashing across the ford, close enough for even Gerald to make out their faces quite clearly.
"Judging by his clothes, he's someone important," he noted.
Beverly led them directly to the Royal Party. "Your Majesty," she said, "may I introduce Lord Hollis, Earl of Beaconsgate, and I believe you remember Lord Wilfrid of Hansley."
Gerald was taken aback. The Earl of Beaconsgate had long been a thorn in the side of Bodden, his troops had even tried to siege the Keep multiple times. He looked at Beverly, but the knight sat, stone-faced, unwilling to reveal her loathing.
"Lord Hollis," said Anna, "we are well met this day. I take it you have come to escort us to Galburn's Ridge?"
Hollis bowed. "Indeed, Your Majesty. My men are waiting to the north. We may proceed at your leisure."
"Very well," said Anna, "then let us be on our way for I would be in your capital before the snow comes."
"Of course, Majesty," said Hollis. The earl turned his horse around, then sat waiting as Gerald gave the order to march.
The column started moving slowly, Anna and her immediate entourage at its head. Gerald rode to one side of the queen, Aubrey to the other while Arnim Caster rode up and down the column, keeping a close eye on it as it entered the ford.
On the far side of the river, a group of Norland horsemen had trotted down to the bank and were watching with interest as the first of the Guard Cavalry reached Norland soil.
Beverly looked at Gerald, "With your permission, Marshal, I shall rejoin the advance guard."
Gerald nodded, watching her splash across the river.
Lord Hollis was watching her as well, and Gerald wondered what thoughts might be crossing the earl's mind. Was he even aware that Beverly was heir to Bodden?
"An interesting horse your knight has," the earl said. "Have you many of them?"
"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to discuss that," said Gerald, "just
as I'm sure you wouldn't tell me the strength of your army."
Hollis smiled, "An astute observation. You are quite right, of course, we should not be discussing such things. Let us move onto safer topics. Tell me, do they still serve Mercerian Pudding in Wincaster?"
Gerald smiled, "Of course, it's one of my favourites."
"I think you'll find everything is my marshal's favourite," added Anna.
"You are the Duke of Wincaster, are you not?" asked Lord Hollis.
"I am," said Gerald.
"Tell me, Lord, are these all your troops?"
Gerald looked to Anna, confusion on his face.
"He is the Marshal of the Royal Army," said Anna. "In Merceria, the army falls under the command of the monarch."
"Ah," said Lord Hollis. "In Norland, the armies are controlled by the earls."
"Surely the king has his own troops?" said Gerald.
"He is permitted a small retinue," said Hollis, "principally to protect him in the capital."
"That must make things difficult in times of war," said Anna.
"We have no neighbours save for Merceria," said the earl, "and so the issue has seldom come up."
"I can see we have much to learn from each other," said Anna.
Lord Hollis turned to Aubrey. "I assume this is your lady-in-waiting?"
"No," said Anna, "this is Lady Aubrey Brandon, Baroness of Hawksburg."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance," said the earl.
"Lady Aubrey is also one of our mages," said Anna.
The earl looked at the queen in surprise. "A mage?"
"Indeed," said Anna, "a Life Mage to be precise."
Aubrey smiled at the man's sudden discomfort. "I can assure you, my lord, my magic is dedicated solely to healing the sick and injured."
The earl seemed to relax a little, though he was still gripping his reins tightly.
"Will you ride with us, Lord Hollis?" asked Anna.
"I would be delighted, Your Majesty," the earl replied. "Lord Wilfrid?"
The older lord bowed. "I regret I must ride ahead. There are preparations to be made for this evening, but I look forward to seeing you again, Your Majesty."
He rode off, climbing up the far bank. Anna urged her horse forward, Gerald keeping pace with her. Lady Aubrey fell in behind, alongside Lord Hollis.
"I hear you have Orcs in Norland," she said.
Hollis looked at the young mage. "You seem remarkably well informed."
"It's my duty," said Aubrey.
"As a Life Mage?"
"No," she replied, "as an advisor to the queen."
"You surprise me, Lady Aubrey. I had no idea the court of Wincaster had women in such high positions."
"And why wouldn't we?" she asked. "It's what's on the inside that's important, not our exterior."
"Wise words from one so young," said Lord Hollis. "I mean no offense, it's just that we do things differently here in Norland."
"Perhaps the exchange of knowledge will benefit us both," said Aubrey. "Have you no women at court at all?"
"We do," said Hollis, "but they are not what you would refer to as advisors. Instead, they are playthings for the wealthy and powerful."
"We are familiar with the custom," said Aubrey. "Our previous king had a mistress."
"Yes, precisely what I meant," said Hollis. "You see? We are not so different, after all."
"It makes sense," noted Aubrey, "we do share a common ancestry."
"True," the earl replied, "and yet four centuries have left their mark on both our cultures in some ways. Tell me, do they still have the games in Merceria?"
"What games would those be?" asked Aubrey.
"In the old days," said the earl, "prisoners would fight to the death for entertainment."
"You know as well as I do that the practise ceased long before the founding of Norland."
The earl smiled, "So it did, but I'm surprised you would know of such things."
"Why? Because I'm a woman?" she said.
"No, because you are so young. How old are you, just out of curiosity?"
"Old enough to not answer that question," said Aubrey. "And in any case, what has my age to do with anything?"
"I can see our cultures look on age much differently," said the earl. "In Norland, we value age and experience."
"That is valuable for us as well," said Aubrey, "but intelligence and education are also highly prized."
"Surely you were trained by your mother?" said the earl.
"Naturally," said Aubrey, "but what, do you suppose, she taught me?"
"The finer points of womanhood, no doubt," answered Lord Hollis.
"Which would be?"
"Needlecraft, music, and literature, I would surmise."
"I hate to disabuse you of that belief, my lord, but my mother ran the barony in my father's absence. I can assure you I have learned much more than what you describe. I AM a Life Mage."
"What does that entail, precisely?" asked the earl.
"A good knowledge of anatomy, for a start, not to mention the non-magical methods of treating the injured. On top of that, I've had to learn how to channel magical energies to heal flesh and bone."
"Remarkable," said Lord Hollis, "I never would have thought it."
"Why," asked Aubrey, "because of my gender?"
"No," said the earl, "as I said earlier, because of your youth. Tell me, are you promised?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Are you yet promised in marriage?" explained Lord Hollis. "I only ask because an arrangement might be made to marry you off to a Norland lord. Think how beneficial that would be to both our realms."
"I am not a piece of property to be bartered away," asserted Aubrey.
"Of course you are," said Hollis, "we all are. We may be earls or, in your case, a baroness, but ultimately, we all serve the crown."
"Are you married yourself?" asked Aubrey.
"I am," Hollis confirmed, "for some years, as a matter of fact. It was an arranged marriage. The Earl of Hammersfield is, truth be told, my brother-in-law. What of you? You must have relatives in various places. Any I might have heard of?"
"My uncle is the Baron of Bodden," she said, watching him closely.
The earl's eyes went wide. "Well, that is something I hadn't expected."
"And that's not all," said Aubrey, relishing the effect. "My cousin, Beverly, is his daughter. She's the knight that escorted you across the river."
Lord Hollis swivelled his gaze to where Beverly led the Guard Cavalry.
"It seems you Mercerians are full of surprises," he noted, smiling slightly. "I shall have to keep a closer eye on you, but for now, I think it time I rejoined my people. I hope we have time to chat in the future, it's been quite enlightening."
"Of course," said Aubrey, nodding her head slightly, "I look forward to it."
Lord Hollis spurred on his horse, riding around Anna and Gerald and then galloping off towards the Norland troops that led them. Aubrey urged her mount forward, coming up beside Anna.
Ahead of them, possibly alerted by the activity, Tempus barked, causing more than one look of concern from the Norland troops. Anna laughed.
"He's enjoying himself," said Gerald.
"And why wouldn't he be," said Anna. "We don't get out into the countryside much these days, and he's always liked being outdoors." She turned her attention to Aubrey. "What did you make of Lord Hollis?"
"He seems rather...how should I put this?"
"Old fashioned?" offered Gerald.
"Yes," said Aubrey, "and he doesn't have much of an opinion about the usefulness of women."
"I imagine that will be common in Norland," said Gerald.
"But surely they have the same traditions as us?" asked Aubrey.
"They do," said Anna, "but when Prince Talburn tried to usurp the throne, he had no female warriors in his entourage."
"And how do we know this?" pressed Aubrey.
"Need you ask?" said Gerald. "Anna has read every
book on Norland that she can find."
"Prince Talburn was the founder of Norland, wasn't he?" said Aubrey.
"Indeed, he was," said Anna. "After his defeat at the Battle of the Hills, he fled north with his followers. Back in those days, our nobles controlled the bulk of the army, but after Talburn's defeat, the crown created the Royal Army."
"That explains a few things," said Aubrey. "Do we know which followers fled with him?"
"We do," said Anna, "though you likely wouldn't recognize the names. I suspect that their descendants became the earls of Norland, though we won't know for sure until they're introduced to us."
"I heard you mention the Orcs earlier," said Gerald, "what was the earl's response?"
"He evaded the topic," explained Aubrey.
"We shall have to keep a close eye on him," warned Gerald.
"On that, we are in agreement," said Anna.
"What do you expect in Galburn's Ridge, Your Majesty?" asked Aubrey.
"I imagine they'll be quite polite," said Anna, "but I doubt we'll make much headway. I have a feeling the earls are not all in agreement with peace."
"And why would they be?" said Gerald.
"I'm afraid I don't follow," said Aubrey. "Surely they would all desire peace?"
"A state of perpetual war gives the earls a reason to maintain strong personal armies," said Gerald. "Peace would end all of that."
"Yes," agreed Anna, "so peace would be good for Norland, but not, it appears, good for the nobles."
"It hardly seems fair," noted Aubrey. "All we want is for our people to live in peace, surely they are the same?"
Anna smiled, "You would think so, wouldn't you, but the truth is that Merceria has been in an almost constant warlike state since its founding."
"We haven't fought that many wars, have we?" said Aubrey.
"When we're not at war, we're often fighting each other," said Anna. "I frequently wonder if mercenaries founding a kingdom was a bad idea."
"What else could they do?" asked Gerald.
"I don't know," mused Anna, "surrender to Weldwyn, perhaps?"
"And what good would that have done?" asked Gerald.
"The land might be more peaceful, for one."
"You're forgetting the history of Weldwyn," Gerald replied. "Without our ancestors as a threat, the tribes would never have formed Weldwyn."
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