She felt overwhelmed by all that had happened. It was so fast she could only cling to the strength inside her to go on. As her father once said, ‘Deal with the now and take stock later’. She was also filled with emotion for Martin’s immediate reaction. “I accept your oath, Commander.” He rose and stepped back. She looked at the people around the room. “Lord Roland, would you excuse us now please?” He bowed to her before leaving. “Commander Martin, Captain Loras, would you wait for me in the hall?” They bowed as well then followed her orders. She was not yet Queen technically since she had to be officially crowned first, but practically, she became the ruler of Summerhall as soon as her father had signed his name.
“I have spoken to you all already except for you,” Stemis said to Katelyn. “Would you all excuse us? Anne,” he added. “Come back in when we are done.” She smiled at her husband before leaving. “Coran. You must stay for a moment too please,” he said as the others filed out. He took his daughter’s hand in his. “I am sorry for doing this without talking to you first, but I thought speed was best.”
“I understand, Father.”
“Thank you.” He looked at Coran. “And thank you for all you have done for Summerhall and more importantly for my daughter. I see a great many things in both of you.” He glanced at the door quickly. “I must tell you something. Gelarus knows far more than he lets on. You two are important in a way I have yet to completely understand, but I know it is so. Katelyn.” Her father’s expression became almost desperate. “You have surpassed all my expectations. Do what I could not, save Summerhall. Save the Alliance.”
“I will,” she said fighting tears.
He turned his head to Coran. “You have proved yourself greater than I could have imagined. Use that greatness well, and keep her safe.”
“I promise,” he replied resolutely.
Stemis seemed satisfied with their answers. He exhaled loudly as if the conversation had worn him out. “Send in my wife, and Gelarus. Let this be done.”
Katelyn kissed her father on the cheek, then took Coran’s hand and together they walked from the room. The four people specified waited in the hall. Her mother gave her a hug before following the wizard back into the room. Katelyn took strength from the hand she held tightly.
“Commander,” she said, and Martin straightened. “In twelve days time the official coronation will take place. I expect all of the Lords of the Plain to be in attendance.” Twelve days should be enough. She wanted everyone there, but not at the expense of time. The coronation had to occur as soon as possible to insure a smooth succession. “Because of the importance of time I ask that the Knights of Soros carry the messages themselves.”
Martin bowed again. “I shall see to it immediately.” He put a fist to his chest, turned and left to carry out her orders.
She stared at Loras for a moment before speaking. “We have had our differences in the past Captain Loras. Will they continue?”
“No, Your Majesty.” He dropped to a knee and gave his oath of fealty.
Surprised by being called Majesty she waited for him to rise. “I will be inspecting the guards in one week. I expect them all to be ready to depart if it is necessary.”
Loras saluted. “They will be ready.”
She nodded and watched his back as he departed. “Take me to my room,” she asked the man at her side now that they were alone. If it wasn’t for Coran she didn’t think she would have made it all the way without falling. Back in her private room there was no one to see her as she fell into his arms, thinking of her father. Coran was wise enough not to speak. He did what she wanted and just held her. It was done. Now it was time to deal with the reality of what it all meant. It was time to take stock.
Treska entered the Queen’s Inn and looked around at the empty tables of the common room, all save one. One of his fellow trading captains sat at the square table near the door that led to the kitchen and pantry. Treska went to join him as the midmorning light came in through the one window that faced the square outside. He pulled out a chair and took a seat as a heavy set woman entered from the back. “Mornin,” the other man greeted him.
“Good morning Jorgins,” Treska replied. He noticed the empty table before him. “Just get here?”
“Yup,” Jorgins said from beneath a bushy mustache. He wore a brown cloth cap with a narrow brim perched atop his head. Jorgins was a few years older them him, and had sailed just about everywhere in the West at one time or another. He always had something to say about anything.
“You want some breakfast I suppose,” the woman asked them.
“About time you served me,” Jorgins grumped.
“You think all I do is wait to serve you? I have other things to do you know.” The brown bun of hair at the back of her head bobbed as she spoke. “Now what do you want? Quick now…”
“Just a mug of ale if you please,” Jorgins ordered.
“Me too,” Treska added, smiling slightly at the exchange. They were all old friends and Irene was always on the old rascal about his bad habits.
“Why Treska, Trina will have your ears if she finds out your drinking at this hour,” she admonished him.
“It is almost noon,” Jorgins protested.
“Not for another two hours it isn’t.” She shook her head. “All right just one. Anymore than that and I will have to tell your wife,” she spoke to Treska.
“Thanks, Irene.”
Irene went in back as Jorgins spoke again. “I wouldn’t be drinking this early myself if there was something to do. With no place to sail for trade goods I find myself bored stiff.”
Three mugs were placed on the table by Walther, the owner of the Inn. He was as heavy set as his wife and had the same brown hair. “Mornin friends.”
“Won’t Irene mind you sitting down having a drink?” Jorgins asked him as the Innkeeper took a seat.
“This is my Inn. I can do as I please,” he told them.
“It was her idea was it?” Treska shared a laugh with Jorgins.
“You won’t be laughing when you hear the news I heard this morning,” Walther said, lowering his voice. “I got up early to talk to Gends, the coppersmith, about some things I need. Anyway, his son works in the palace stables some times, and he heard what happened yesterday. I guess they wanted to keep it hushed up until they make an announcement.”
“Well, what is it?” Jorgins urged the man impatiently.
“King Stemis is indisposed.”
“Indisposed? What do you mean by that?” Treska asked.
“Don’t know for sure, maybe took sick or something. Gends said poison, but if it was that I think the King would already be dead,” Walther speculated as he took a sip from his mug.
“So he isn’t dead?” Jorgins questioned closely.
“No, but it must be something serious because the rumor is he gave up the throne.”
If he abdicated the throne it had to be serious.
“Well, it isn’t too bad. I mean Lady Margery is said to be a good person, and smart too,” Treska noted a bit reluctantly. She was said to be kind, and being kind in a time of potential conflict was not always the best thing.
“That’s just it,” Walther continued excitedly. “It’s the Lady Katelyn who is going to be crowned.” That raised the eyebrows of both Treska and Jorgins.
After a moment of thought, Treska started to smile. “That’s even better.”
“That’s right,” Walther stated. “Your wife has been telling everyone that you actually spoke to her, face to face.”
“I did,” Treska replied proudly. “And I am telling you she will make a fine Queen.” When he saw her he could tell she had the iron necessary to do the job.
“Some of the guards who come in here speak highly of her,” Walther added.
“Well, as long as she bares the mark of the sun, that is good enough for me,” Jorgins decided. “Too bad for Stemis though, he was a good enough King. Never meddled too much in the lives of us common folk. Always a good th
ing.”
They all agreed to that, toasted the former King, and then the new Queen.
Chapter 28
Secret Departure
Coran checked the bookcase in his anti-room for the papers he had copied and placed there before leaving for the East. The last week was difficult for many, but no one as much as Katelyn. She had been swamped by meetings with various officials and people of importance who basically wanted her to know they were there. Other meetings were more important. She wanted to send someone North to Herrinhall, but apparently the Kings in the North were calling a gathering there and no one but a Northman could be present. That information came from Roland who had finally received word from Holdon.
Coran spent what time he could with her, even sitting in on the meetings himself. All he could do was give her what support he could, and his council when she asked. He had to let Shirri take care of herself for a while. Why the Karandi woman was still here was a mystery, but it was her business. The few times Shirri and Katelyn were together in the same room he could feel a tension in the air. Something was going on between them and it had to be about him. At least it hadn’t become open dislike yet.
Stemis was in his state of ‘sleep’ in the royal bedchamber and his wife stayed mainly in their rooms to watch over him. It was the illness, or poisoning, that started a tickling in his mind that he was missing something. The feeling grew until he thought that maybe it was something he had read. He found the papers right where he remembered putting them. Taking them out he sat in the blue cushioned chair that was arranged before the crackling fire. He scanned the papers, and didn’t find what he had been looking for. If he remembered correctly, there were more papers from where he had copied these. He would have to go and look through them again. Getting up he replaced the papers back on the shelf.
He could tell Katelyn was in the former King’s study by the two guards who were flanking the door. He knocked once and entered. It was still a mess of scattered papers and stacked books. She said using it was difficult at first, but all the reference material she needed was already there. She looked on it as a place for business, not family.
He found her sitting behind the oak desk, she glanced up from the paper she was reading at his entrance. Someone else was already there. Clad all in gray was Lord Roland, standing in the middle of the room facing her. By the looks on their faces he knew there was more bad news.
“What is it?” he asked quickly.
She held up the paper in her hand. “Roland’s predictions seem to be coming true. Northmen have raided a town north of Waverly.”
“Raids are nothing new,” he stated. “They go on all the time.”
“Yes, but this one is different,” Roland answered for her. “They slaughtered everyone. Everyone they didn’t take with them that is.”
If he thought it through it shouldn’t have been the surprise it was. They were up against an enemy who would do anything to win. Even so, it was still a shock to hear. Normally, there were unwritten rules followed in committing raids. Looting was all right, but unnecessary killing was the kind of thing that made rulers angry. That code was what kept the nations from going to war with each other. If that happened it could easily spread to engulf all of the North and all of Midia.
“Do we know who is responsible?”
“No,” Roland responded. “It does not really matter. Relations will become even more strained and I am sure that Holdon will have to send some help to Northwatch.” He glanced uncomfortably to the Queen. “That is not the only thing.”
Katelyn took it from there. “King Mattis is dead. He was murdered by Lord Oscan of Canby.”
One King poisoned and now another murdered. What would be next? “What of his son?” He was sure that Mattis had a son who was old enough to rule.
“He was with the King’s army in the south of Grendin. When he heard the news he took the army back to Fairtown and reached it just before Oscan did. Lord Oscan pulled back, but the damage is done. Grendin is now in a civil war.” She sighed heavily. “The worst part is that Grendin will not be able to help us. Holdon is unsure at this point and Voltia cannot be counted on. Only half of Midia is able to fight and we still do not know for sure what Ithan is up to. Are they taking advantage on their own or are they in league with Elthzidor?”
Coran had never heard her in such despair. She sounded like she had lost all hope. He thought of the idea he had to propose and hoped it might be enough. He looked directly at her. “We need to talk.”
She nodded and glanced at Lord Roland. “Would you excuse us, please? And give my offer some thought.”
The man bowed his head before leaving them alone.
“Offer?” Coran asked curiously after the Lord of Axely left the room.
“I asked him to command the combined armies of the Alliance.” She shrugged. “He is respected by all and his reputation precedes him. No one should object.”
He nodded. “A good choice.”
“So what did you want to talk about? Or did you just want to be alone with me?” She forced herself to smile.
“I always want to be alone with you, but right now I need to find something.” Without explaining he walked behind the desk and pulled open the top left hand drawer. Reaching inside he found them at the back. “What are you doing?” she asked him, then saw the papers he pulled out. “What are those?”
He quickly scanned each paper, putting the ones he didn’t need back in the drawer, until he found what he sought. “Take a look at this,” he said triumphantly, handing her the scrap of paper.
She read what was on it.
“When the old sun grows dim,
The Chosen must seek the answer in the land of Ice.
There will he find the cure within him.”
“It did not make much sense the first time I read it, but I think it does now. Do you understand it?” he asked her.
She nodded. “The dimming sun is my father?”
“That is what I think too.”
“So who is supposed to be the chosen?”
“I don’t know for sure. But when I was in Crecy Miko told me that I was their chosen leader.”
“You did not say anything about that.”
“It is not something I am comfortable talking about,” he said and then reluctantly explained about being the M’Shai.
“Death?” she repeated in a whisper.
He didn’t really want to talk any more about that. “So I could be the chosen it talks about.”
She appeared doubtful. “Would that apply here?”
“I do not know for sure, but it cannot just be a coincidence,” he told her and he believed it. The timing was too perfect. “It is worth a try if I can find a cure.”
“Maybe, but what does it mean inside you? Do you have a cure already and just don’t know it?”
He shrugged. “Either way I have to go there to find out. Also I was thinking that I could try and talk to the Northern Kings and convince them to help.”
“What about the prohibition against non-Northerners?”
“I have Northern blood remember?”
“I forgot.” She shook her head wearily. “The thought of you leaving again...” She couldn’t finish the sentence.
“I know.”
“Do you really think you can get the Northmen to help?”
“I don't know, but if I can get into that meeting and somehow make them see reason, who knows.”
She smiled for the first time. “If anyone can it would be you, but I think that even this might be too much for you.”
“That isn’t the only reason,” he told her and the smile vanished. “As soon as the idea came to me I knew it was right. I had that feeling in my gut. I keep thinking of the path ahead and I wonder if these feelings are like signposts, guiding me along the way.”
“The last time you had that feeling I received word that you were dead,” she scolded him.
“I think I have to do this,” he said firmly. “I need to. I ha
ve to find out why Elthzidor wants me dead. Maybe I will find an answer in the North.”
She took in his set features. “All right. Now I know how my father felt asking you to go to Daes Shael.” She took a deep breath. “When do you leave?”
“I want to talk to you about that as well. I have been wondering about that attack when I arrived. Why did Elthzidor send those two creatures after me so long after the first attack?”
Her brow lowered in thought. “Obviously you have a theory.”
“I do. You received word of my death here, and there were no attacks on me even though I was right under his nose for a time. Then you find out I am alive and there is another attack. What does that suggest to you?”
“A spy?”
“And another thing. Who knew I was leaving for Arencia?”
“Some of the people in the palace, but many more knew you were leaving if not where.”
“I think it would be safer if we assumed the worst. There is a spy in the palace,” he stated significantly. “So here is what I want to do...”
They waited in the office until a knock announced the arrival of the man they waited for. Gelarus entered the study wearing light brown robes that were somewhat worn. He came to stand in the middle of the room.
“You sent for me?”
“I did,” Katelyn told him. “I have some questions for you that I need answers to.”
His face became serious and amused at the same time. It was a look he recognized. The old wizard was getting ready to play with their words.
“You know this Elthzidor, or about him anyway. Who is he really?” she asked evenly.
“Who do you think?” he countered.
“I expect an answer,” she said, her tone becoming heated.
Gelarus faced her hard gaze without changing his expression at all. “A wizard, the Ra Majin, the leader of an army, the leader of a people, take your pick.”
That wasn’t getting them anywhere. Coran didn’t think it would. “You said you do not have a cure, but Herrinhall might? How can you know that?”
Fire And Ice (Book 1) Page 44