The Duchess and The Warlock

by Michael O'Gara

  “I did not expect that you would apologize.”

  Edmur turns red with anger and says, “You will regret the way you treat me. I will leave this wretched place.”

  Patrice says, “You are a guest and free to leave.”

  Edmur pounds the table with his fist. He does it so forcefully the plates and cups bounce. He yells, “You will pay with your life for this insult.”

  Patrice is now certain a plot is afoot. She just doesn’t have enough information to verify it. Edmur stomps out and Patrice calls for Falstaff and Dunnel. She arranges for the prince to be followed in secret.

  The next morning Edmur and his troops leave the castle. Patrice is in the courtyard to see him leave. He does not acknowledge her, which is fine with Patrice. She is pleased to have him out of her castle.

  Chapter 14

  The scout gives his report to Patrice. “Your Grace, we followed the Prince’s party for nine days. He went to Maslak. We could not find out what they discussed, but we know a large amount of coin was paid to Maslak.”

  Patrice asks, “How much coin.”

  “Ma’am, it was two very large bags.”

  Patrice knows that much gold coin is a fortune and she can only imagine the evil intervention that it had paid for.

  Patrice asks, “Where are the others?”

  The scout says, “Two are following the prince and two are keeping an eye on Maslak from a distance. The prince did not head in the direction of the king’s castle. He headed in the direction of Duke Wyles’ castle.”

  Patrice nods, “You have done well. Is there anything else you have to report?”

  “No ma’am.”

  Patrice says, “Go get some food and rest.”

  The scout bows and leaves the room.

  Patrice looks at Dunnel.

  Dunnel says, “It ties with the reports of the recent recruiting of mercenaries that Wyles is conducting.”

  Patrice says, “Prepare messengers. I will send a letter to the queen.”

  Soon after, Patrice writes, “Your Majesty, I regret to inform you that a plot is definitely afoot.

  I had your brother followed. He went to Maslak and paid him a large amount of treasure. He is now apparently headed for the castle of Duke Wyles who is recruiting mercenaries. Your brother is impetuous and threatened to kill me. I will write further when I have more reports. I am your loyal servant, Patrice, Duchess of Consar.”

  Soon after, the messenger leaves with a small escort.

  Patrice goes to her apartments and spends time in her little dark room. She realizes she has been doing that a lot lately and with good reason. It is late when she goes to bed.

  The dream is vivid. Patrice wakes knowing it is no dream, but another vision. A half hour later Patrice heads to the castle armorer. A male servant is carrying her father’s armor and Betsa is following.

  As Patrice enters the armorer’ workshop, he bows deeply and says, “Your Grace.”

  Patrice says, “Rise. I have work for you.”

  Patrice explains what she wants done and hands him the hooded cloak.

  The armorer says, “Ma’am, I have never done such before. This fabric is not strong enough.”

  Patrice says, “Then make the armor according to the pattern of the cloak and I will wear a cloak over it. I will also need a helmet fit for a duchess, but that will fit under the hood of my cloak. ”

  “I can do that, ma’am. It will be my honor.”

  Patrice says, “I will also need a choker to protect my neck. It must be formed of thin but strong metal.”

  The armorer nods, “Your Grace, I will need to make measurements.”

  Patrice says, “Do it now.”

  The armorer takes string and measures. He measures the circumference of her neck in three places, the length of the back of her neck, and the length of the front of her neck to her chin.

  The armorer says, “I am done, Your Grace.”

  Patrice smiles and says, “I will reward you based on the quality of the finished work. It must be the best you can achieve and you must finish it straight away.”

  The armorer bows his head, “Yes, ma’am.”

  Patrice turns and leaves the workshop. She goes to the dining room to eat and calls for Falstaff to come. He enters while she is eating.

  Falstaff bows and says, “Good afternoon, Your Grace.”

  Patrice says, “Indeed it is. Have you eaten?”

  “No ma’am.”

  “Then sit and join me.”

  Falstaff sits and a servant brings him a meal.

  Patrice says, “Have you ever heard of fanged men?”

  Falstaff sighs, “It is said that demons roam the world in the form of men and drink the blood of men.” He pauses and adds, “And of women.”

  Patrice says, “They are demons possessing the bodies of men. We will be encountering some of those.” Patrice sees Falstaff stiffen. She adds, “Full armor is sufficient to protect against such. When we go against them, only men in full armor will accompany us.” She notices Falstaff relax.

  Falstaff asks, “Ma’am, when will this battle take place?”

  Patrice says, “On our way to aid the queen. It will be some time yet. In the meantime, I have tasks to be done in preparation. How many men can we field in full armor?”

  Falstaff says, “Forty one. Our troops mainly have partial armor, enough for normal battle and much more than most forces will have.”

  “How many others are close to being fully armored.”

  Falstaff thinks, “Perhaps two dozen squires.”

  “Concentrate on preparing them. What of the armor of the dead knights?”

  Falstaff says, “They are collected, but they belong to the families of the slain.”

  Patrice says, “Arrange to buy them from the families at a fair price. See our best fighters are armored. If they survive the battles, their reward will be great.”

  “I will see it done, ma’am. Is it true that only silver or a wooden stake in the heart will kill these demons?”

  Patrice smiles, “That is an old wives’ tale. These demon possessed can be incapacitated with normal wounds, but their heads must be severed to kill them. The knights and fully armored men must practice staying together so they are not overwhelmed and stripped of their armor to be bitten. The bite of these creatures is venomous.”

  Falstaff says, “Ma’am, will the fanged ones be armored?”

  Patrice says, “I doubt it.”

  Patrice and Falstaff eat in silence for a bit.

  Falstaff speaks first, “Your Grace, could we use archers.”

  Patrice says, “We have few of those and they will be of more use in the battle to save the queen. They would be in too much jeopardy if we bring them to fight the demon possessed.”

  Falstaff pauses before saying, “I see. Are they as fast as is rumored?”

  “They are no faster than our quick warriors and no stronger than our best fighters. The fanged ones usually lurk about at night and strike by ambush on their prey. It is the nature of the corpses found that strike fear into those who are superstitious. Myths are spread by the superstitious.”

  Falstaff asks, “So we will fight at night?”

  “They will come during the day. They are albino so the sun will burn them very easily. They will wear hooded cloaks and gloves to protect themselves from the sun.”

  Falstaff says, “It is said they feed off the blood of men.”

  “That is true and fear is their greatest weapon.”

  Falstaff looks at Patrice. She can tell he wants to ask more. She thinks he may want to ask how she knows such things. She is quite certain he will not ask that.

  Patrice asks, “Do you have more you want to know?”

  “Is it true that they can shape shift and fly?”

  “No. How do such myths start?”

  It is a question for which no answer is expected and Falstaff gives none.

  Patrice explains to Falstaff what to tell those who will be arm
ored and how to have them practice.

  Chapter 15

  Three weeks later, Patrice is woken and it is the middle of the night.

  Betsa says, “Your Grace, there is an urgent message. A messenger has arrived.”

  “Tell the rider that I will meet him in my library. Have a message sent for Dunnel and Falstaff to meet me there.”

  Betsa says, “Yes, ma’am.”

  Patrice hurriedly dresses. She goes to her library. As she enters both Dunnel and Falstaff give a head bow.

  Patrice says, “Bring the messenger in.”

  The messenger comes into the room, takes a knee and says, “Your Grace, I have a message from the queen.”

  Patrice looks at Dunnel who steps forward and takes the letter. He hands it to Patrice.

  Patrice breaks the seal and opens the letter. It reads, “Duchess Patrice of Consar, my loyal subject. I send this letter to you in my time of trial. The king is dead. My loyal retainers have put down an attempted coup. My enemies plan to come against me in force. Bring your troops quickly for my realm is under threat and I have need of you.”

  The letter bears the signature and seal of the queen.

  Patrice says, “Falstaff, prepare the army to march as quickly as possible. Send riders to my vassal lords to bring their troops. The knights will ride with me at the head of the column. We leave at first light.”

  Patrice knows that most of what needs to be done for her troops to take the field is already completed in anticipation of this day. Wagons are already loaded and her army is prepared. The soldiers at Consar Castle are assembled and leave quickly. The other troops will meet them on the way.

  It is late in the afternoon of the second day of travel when Patrice recognizes the place. She calls for Falstaff and he comes.

  Falstaff says, “Ma’am?”

  Patrice says, “You will keep the army moving. I will take the knights and veer off here. We will do battle this afternoon with the abominations which are approaching. Sir Kresmer will be my second.”

  Falstaff says, “As you command.”

  Patrice leaves the column and waits. The knights and fully armored men from her castle come to her. She motions and the knights follow her. After a half hour ride, Patrice comes to the place that she saw in her dream.

  Patrice orders, “Dismount and secure the horses.”

  The armored warriors do as commanded. As soon as the horses are secured, the men form up in line and wait. Soon the enemy comes into sight. When they are a hundred feet away, the fanged ones uncover their heads and start their charge screaming like the demon possessed that they are. The knights quickly form groups as they have practiced. The vampires hesitate and their charge slows. They are used to others fleeing from them and then they are bitten as they flee. The knights move forward and the battle is engaged.

  The enemy attack like animals without regard for injury or tactics thinking they are invincible. They are if their head is attached to their body. The knights immediately start taking heads.

  Patrice advances with a group of five and they hack their way into the enemy. The swords and fangs of the attacking demons are useless against Patrice’s armored warriors.

  One of Patrice’s knights is knocked over and the attacker tries to pull the man’s helmet off. Patrice’s group rallies to him. Patrice separates the vampire’s head from his body and helps the warrior up as the others fight off other vampires. Patrice and the warrior she saved rejoin the battle.

  The attackers soon realize they are suffering great losses without hurting any of the knights and try to retreat, but they are so closely engaged that most of those who try to flee lose their heads when their backs are turned.

  The vampire leader calls his followers to concentrate on reaching Patrice. Three of about twenty make it to her. She takes the head of one when another attacks her from behind and tries to sing his fangs into her neck through her hood. His fangs meet metal and Patrice pulls her dagger with her left hand and strikes backward, the blade sticks in his side. Patrice finishes the attacker in front of her and twirls around to severe the head of the vampire who is drawing the dagger from his body so it may heal in seconds. Patrice’s sweep is clean and his head falls to the ground before his body.

  The battle is only fifteen minutes old and a small number of the demon possessed vampires are fleeing the field.

  Patrice looks around. The ground is littered with headless corpses that are already decaying. She recovers her dagger and wipes it on the clothes of fallen enemy. She turns to a knight and says, “Quickly, make a count. Do not take anything for what they have is unclean.”

  Kresmer comes up beside Patrice, “Your Grace, we have won a great victory.”

  Patrice says, “Yes and Maslak’s magic is greatly weakened. Now we must go to battle mere flesh and bones.”

  Kresmer says, “It will, I fear, be a prolonged battle and perhaps more dangerous.”

  Patrice nods agreement and orders, “To the horses.”

  By the time Patrice and her knights are mounted, the corpses are filling the air with the stench of rotting flesh as they quickly decay. Patrice thinks there will be nothing but bones within minutes. She knows what she has yet to do.

  On horse, Patrice and her followers quickly catch the column. They are with the army for just ten minutes when the chief scout comes. He bows in the saddle.

  Patrice flips up her helmet’s formed faceplate and asks, “What do you have to report?”

  “Your Grace, Duke Delmoz approaches with the survivors from the queen’s castle.”

  Patrice says, “Surely it cannot be. The queen’s castle is a fortress.”

  The scout is speechless.

  Patrice says, “Something foul has taken place.” She pauses and looks at the scout again, “How many men accompany Duke Delmoz?”

  The scout says, “There are less than a hundred, ma’am. They are mostly afoot.”

  Patrice knows a disaster has occurred for the Duke to lead so few. She asks, “How far away is the Duke?”

  “Ma’am, he is about an hour’s march away.”

  It is Patrice’s turn to be speechless. She thinks and then looks at Falstaff.

  Falstaff asks the scout, “Is Duke Delmoz followed?”

  The scout says, “He is not, My Lord. We have scouted far to his rear and sides.”

  Patrice says, “Falstaff, give the order. We will rest the army here while we will wait for the Duke and receive his report. Do not make camp for we may need to set out again.”

  Falstaff gives the orders while Patrice sits in her saddle thinking. After a few minutes she dismounts and stretches her legs. A soldier comes to see to her horse. Patrice paces back and forth obviously lost in thought. It is Falstaff who breaks her concentration.

  “Your Grace, I suggest you take nourishment. We do not know when we again have the chance.”

  Patrice nods and finds a place to sit and motions Falstaff to join her. A soldier puts a blanket on the ground and Patrice sits down and Falstaff follows her lead.

  Falstaff says, “The victory of the men you led is spreading throughout the army. The men hold you in awe. No one has dispatched vampires before.”

  Patrice looks at Falstaff. She knows more is to come. She says, “And?”

  “I most respectfully suggest you let others lead the attack.”

  Patrice looks seriously at Falstaff and says, “I will follow my visions, but I will take your advice in other circumstances.”

  Falstaff thinks the compromise is the best he will get. He says, “I am reassured, ma’am. If we lose you, the army will be disheartened and leaderless.”

  Patrice again looks at Falstaff.

  Food and warm ale is brought. Patrice and Falstaff eat in silence. After eating, Patrice falls asleep sitting up. She is woken gently.

  Falstaff is saying, “Your Grace, Duke Delmoz approaches.”

  Patrice gets up and prepares to meet the duke. As the company approaches, Patrice sees the signs of soldiers and
knights weary from battle. It is obvious some knights are out of armor and marching. Armor is piled in two wagons.

  Delmoz rides to Patrice and dismounts.

  Patrice says, “Welcome, friend.”

  Delmoz smiles, “You cheer me, Duchess.”

  Patrice can tell that Delmoz is bone weary. She responds to Delmoz, “I am glad to see you. Come eat and tell me what has happened.”

  Delmoz hands the reins of his horse to a soldier. Patrice leads him to the blanket and they sit. Food is brought for Delmoz. He tells the story.

  “The queen received your report but chose not to believe you. By the time your reports were verified, the die had been cast. I am told the queen sent letters by courier to me and you. If she had acted sooner, she would still be alive. Her brother and some of his men killed the gate guard and let the traitor Duke Wyle into the castle. The queen’s loyal men fought hard. The prince was wounded and Wyle was killed. Still, the castle fell and the queen and her children with it.”

  Delmoz takes a bite of food before continuing, “I was on the way to the queen’s aid as you are. I encountered Duke Dunstar and his troops. They attacked. Apparently Wyle and Dunstar have conspired with the queen’s brother to bring her down and divide the kingdom.”

  Delmoz stops to take a drink and a bite of food before continuing, “The prince is taking the queen’s treasure to his father’s realm. You must stop him. We captured some enemy officers. They told us Maslak plans to attack you with vampires. ”

  Patrice sighs, “He already has and his minions were destroyed.”

  Delmoz seems speechless. He asks, “How many were there?”

  “Not counting those which fled, a hundred and seventy one.”

  Delmoz says, “Your men killed that many?”

  Patrice nods. She knew with the right tactics, such as her men had used, that there was less danger than fighting other knights and armored men.

  Delmoz says, “It must have been a costly battle.”

  Falstaff said, “Your Grace, it was for Maslak. The duchess lost no men.”

  Delmoz looks at Patrice.

  Patrice ignores his wonderment and says, “How many men does the prince lead?”