Revolution (Cartharia Book 2)

by Spencer Reaves McCoy

  "But I don't want there to be animosity. I don't want everyone second guessing each other before every battle. That's how the Lost Brigade will end up the Dead Brigade. I want you to have faith in each other.

  "No, distrust isn't what we should take from this. Lamonte has shown us how valuable deceit can be. One man. One man cost us dozens of our own. Your own. Think about that."

  Stini suddenly wished he had a drink in hand. He clenched his fists, willing them not to tremble. "So far," he told them, "We have focused on one mission. Our mission has been to terrorize the citizens of Lamonte until they're so terrified that they'll stop sending men and women into battle. We want them to join us.

  "And we've been successful," he continued. "We've had one village join us, and I think we'll get more. We've made plenty of them scared, too. We're a legend in our own right.

  "It's not enough. That's what I've learned. We need to take a page out of their book, use their own methods against them. We need infiltration."

  Stini glanced again over the faces, wondering which of these men would work. "Not all of you will be right for the job. It takes a certain kind of man to be able to go out and pretend to be part of something they're not. You're going to have to pretend you support Lamonte. You're going to have to recite their mantras, and fight with their men.

  "You might end up befriending some of them," he warned. "You might end up thinking they're not so different from yourself. You might wonder how people who drink their coffee black in the morning and tell jokes around the campfire at night and talk about their children and siblings and wives... you might wonder how men like that can do something like support Lamonte.

  "But you have to remember what your mission is, and who you are," Stini said, "You have to remember what you're doing for the Lost Brigade. We need information. We need men and women brave enough to go out and get that."

  There was silence now, no muttering. He stared out at them, noticing the sudden paleness. He also saw the excitement in some of their faces. This relieved him greatly. Part of him thought they'd all tar and feather him for the idea.

  Aeliana and Carl were the only ones who knew of the plan. He saw Rose's look of indignation, but he ignored it. He hadn't told her for a reason. He didn't want her to talk him out of it. There was a good chance that he was going to be sending these men to their deaths.

  "If you think you can handle something like this, I want you to talk to me or Lieutenant Jehryme or Lieutenant Cox. We need plenty of volunteers. If we don't get enough, we're going to have to volunteer people ourselves. So step up. For the Lost Brigade."

  He held his hands out and let them fall. There was a moment of silence and then light, unsure applause. He waved it away. He left them there like that, standing in a crowd, wondering if they were right for the job.

  Stini knew one thing for sure. He wasn't right for it. Not at all. The only thing he was good for, right now anyway, was a long, tall drink.

  Sullivan sat in his chambers, angry. He was feeling angry a lot lately. The war was not going how he wanted and the prince was gone. He had disappeared and none of his men seemed able to find him.

  They were saying the Gods were on Arinford's side. He needed to get rid of that notion, but he didn't know how. He didn't know what to do, and the warlord wasn't around to tell him. He'd sent him on a mission and now he regretted it. He needed him.

  He took a drink of his liquor, feeling the burn all the way down his throat. Eric would have said they needed to counter the claims. They needed to do something to show they were still in control. But the truth was, they weren't.

  It wasn't fair. He thought of Cartharia. Catherine saying it wasn't about morality. That the war was about power. It wasn't about power.

  He took another drink, and eyed the glass. He could easily throw it, and it was tempting. He could throw it against the wall, and watch the way the glass shattered, and fell to the ground, and watch the way the liquor would splash around. It might even be worth it.

  But it wouldn't do any good.

  It wouldn't make them believe him. He was a good man. Nobody seemed to understand that. He just wanted to make the world a better place. Cartharia was full of pits of doom, and he just wanted to repair them.

  He just wanted to make sure that everyone's life was good. That wasn't such a bad thing. He wanted to believe he was doing something right. He wanted to believe he was doing something good. But they wouldn't let him believe that.

  They kept calling him the Black King. That was fine. He understood that. He painted heads black. He painted them black and mounted them high on stakes. But only the people that deserved it. But they also called him the Bringer of Death. They called him a devil. They said he was evil.

  And it hurt. Sullivan finished the drink, and then realized that he was crying. He was crying, because their accusations hurt him. They hurt deeply, and that pain was not a good thing. Not at all. He was a good man and he would have made Cartharia a wonderful place. A wonderful place for them all.

  FORTY-FOUR

  That Treason Can But Peep

  CATHERINE ALLOWED MAYA, THE SERVANT WHO BRAIDED her hair for her birthday, to button up the back of her dress. Catherine had chosen it with extreme care.

  It was tight in the bodice and waist, and slowly filled out near her knees, becoming more of a gown. There were several layers of material on the bottom half, white beneath red. Intricate beadwork connected the slimming top to the extravagant bottom half. It was sleeveless, and a deep wine color.

  It had been her mother's. A tailor had been hired to adjust the gown to her particular size, but had proved unnecessary. Catherine had inherited her build from her mother.

  Her hair was curled with care and pinned back with beautiful silver combs. She wore diamonds on her neck and ears.

  "You look so beautiful," Maya whispered. "Like a vision."

  "Thank you," Catherine said, "You've been wonderful to me, Maya. I hope you will continue to serve me after my wedding."

  Maya blinked, blushing a bright pink, "I would love that," she said, "I'm not sure if the King will allow it, however."

  "I've spoken to him already," Catherine said, "If you are agreeable, he is more than willing to allow you to continue your service as my personal servant."

  "I would be very happy to," Maya said. Her hands trembled a little on the last button, but then she let out a slow breathe and managed to get the button through the loop.

  Catherine nodded. She gave herself a critical look in the mirror. She liked what she saw.

  Outside her chambers, Matilyn and Samuel stood waiting. Both of them were dressed for the day. Matilyn had forsaken a dress this time for formal military wear. Samuel matched her. Both of them wore their pins of commendation proudly.

  "You look beautiful, Princess Catherine," Matilyn said.

  "Thank you," Catherine said, "You both look very good as well."

  "Are you ready?" Samuel asked. He extended an arm.

  Catherine took it graciously and nodded, "Let us go then."

  Together, they walked to the courtyard. Thousands of people were gathered to watch the ceremony. Lee stood in the center alongside one of the ministers and Oliver. Catherine glanced over her betrothed for a moment, wondering if this was the right course of action.

  It was too late to change plans, of course, but she'd gone through so much work to pause the wedding. That was act one. The wedding itself was act two. She knew her plans were good, but she still wondered. What if this was a mistake?

  It was her first moment of doubt and fear. She was gambling her future by marrying Oliver. What if he wasn't the person she hoped he'd be? What if he became too scared once he'd married her to continue to allow her to act upon her plans?

  "Catherine," Matilyn murmured at her side, "It's time to go in."

  Catherine glanced at Matilyn, and then at Samuel. Both of them were watching her apprehensively. She shook off her doubt and her fear and drew herself up to her full height.


  Together, they joined Lee and Oliver and the minister.

  Catherine couldn't help but notice how wide Oliver's eyes went when he saw her. How wide everyone's eyes went. She relished in the attention, knowing she was as stunning as she thought.

  The minister smiled at her and then turned his gaze to the crowd, "Today we have gathered together to witness the union of Princess Catherine Sullivan of Lamonte to Prince Oliver Sanders of Terifille.

  "Out of respect for Prince Oliver, King Lee Sanders stands as a material witness to the union, offering his blessing to the couple. King Sanders?"

  Lee looked between Catherine and Oliver and cleared his throat. "From the first moment I saw you," he said to Oliver, "I've wanted nothing more than to give you the world. More importantly, I've wanted to see you happy. I've wanted to see you leading a life full of fulfillment and joy. In Catherine, I can see that you've found the enrichment you were seeking. She is an intelligent, kind woman and I know that the two of you will have a long life together, full of the excitements that two people in love come to experience together. You have my blessing."

  "Thank you," Oliver said.

  "Thank you," Catherine said.

  The minister turned towards the crowd again, "Out of respect for Princess Catherine, Commander Matilyn Malevus and Commander Samuel Frien stand as material witnesses to the union, offering their blessings to the couple. Commander Malevus?"

  Matilyn glanced over at Catherine, "I first met Princess Catherine when I joined the Lamonte military. In her veins runs the blood of the Sullivan family, and she continuously displays the intelligence and ambition that her father, the Good King, is so well known for. In Prince Oliver, I have seen the same grace and courage that his father displays daily. Together, they represent more than a mere couple. They represent the marriage between Terifille and Lamonte, and together, they represent the future of Cartharia. They have my blessing."

  The minister looked over at Samuel next, "Commander Frien?"

  Samuel cleared his throat, "I have watched Catherine Sullivan grow from a young girl to a lovely young woman. When the idea of an alliance between our kingdoms was broached, I worried for her. I worried about the ramifications of an arranged marriage would have on her. It was a needless worry. As most of us know, love is a amazing thing. For me, it was a wondrous time, watching two people, two very deserving people, fall in love with each other. I am eternally grateful that Catherine has found not only a partner in Oliver, but a husband that she can care for. They have my blessing."

  The minister nodded and turned his attention back to Catherine and Oliver. "Your witnesses have given their blessings to this union. I must now ask, do you enter this union of your own will?"

  "I do," Oliver said.

  "I do," Catherine said.

  The minister nodded. "The Gods oversee us and offer their eternal love and wisdom to us continuously. Those who are humble enough to listen receive their insight. Right now, I would like to ask that the two of you both take a moment to listen to the gods, and decide for yourselves if you still wish to enter into this marriage."

  The minister bowed his head and the crowd bowed their heads with them. Catherine bowed her head but kept her eyes slightly open. Across from her, Oliver had his eyes tightly closed.

  She didn't need to listen to the Gods. She didn't rely on them for anything. The only higher power she needed was herself.

  After a few minutes had passed, the minister opened his eyes and looked back up. "Prince Oliver," he said, "You have listened to the Gods. Do they wish for you to continue in this marriage?"

  "Yes," Oliver said.

  The minister turned to Catherine, "Princess Catherine. You have listened to the Gods. Do they wish for you to continue in this marriage?"

  "Yes," Catherine said clearly. The time for hesitation had passed.

  "Then in the name of the Gods, and the power given to me by King Lee Sanders, I am happy to present you to the people of Terifille as husband and wife."

  Catherine beamed at Oliver as applause broke out in the crowd. She couldn't hear anything but the clapping, cheering, and stomping of feet. She reached out and took Oliver's hand. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. The applause rang out even louder at this.

  It took nearly ten minutes for the applause to die down enough for the minister to speak again. "Now, I invite you all to a celebration of this union, hosted by Prince Oliver and Princess Catherine Sanders!"

  Applause rang out again as Catherine and Oliver linked hands and led the crowd through the courtyard into the gardens. They had been set up with long tables full of drinks and food. Servants waited to serve people, and musicians played love ballads in the background.

  "You are my wife now," Oliver whispered to her.

  "I am," Catherine whispered back, but at that moment, she could only think of Will.

  Samuel stepped up to Matilyn, holding a glass of red wine. "Here," he said. Matilyn looked over in surprise. She took the wine and tried a sip. It was dry, and made her mouth pucker. She'd never been a fan. She kept it anyway.

  "Thanks," she offered.

  Samuel nodded. "The wedding is over," he said, "Now we just wait for the coronation date. Are you ready for tomorrow?"

  Matilyn nodded, "Ra'sha has her sister and her friends ready. We have to be careful though. We don't want them hurt."

  Samuel grunted, "I don't know about that."

  Matilyn gave him a look.

  Samuel held up his hands defensively, "I know. Still, they're planning murder. What are we going to do? Slap their hands?"

  "No," Matilyn said, "I know they're going to be arrested for treason. What's Lamonte's punishment for royalty that have committed treason?"

  "Lifelong imprisonment," Samuel said.

  Matilyn nodded, "It's the same in Arinford. Anyone else, it would be death."

  "I don't think King Sullivan could handle that," Samuel admitted. "Catherine is his daughter. He's already lost his wife."

  "I know," Matilyn said, "I'm torn up about this, Samuel. I don't want to have to do it. It's going to hurt him, even if her punishment's not death."

  Samuel nodded, "I know what you mean. He deserves better."

  "At least the marriage is done," Matilyn said, "Terifille and Lamonte are officially allied. The start of King Sullivan's vision. That'll help a little."

  "It will," Samuel said, "and we did a large portion of that. I've never felt so proud. What about you?"

  "When I became a Priest," Matilyn said, "It feels a little like that."

  Samuel took her wine from her hand and helped himself to a drink, "I suppose it feels a little like when my daughter was born."

  "You miss her," Matilyn said.

  "Every day," Samuel said. "Come on, we're done for the night. Let's get out of here."

  Matilyn nodded her relief. The festivities had lasted several hours already. There were many Terifille traditions that had been fulfilled; dancing, toasts, a drink for the newly weds from the same goblet, flaming desserts, comical acts, poetry readings... the list went on.

  "Tell me about being a Priest," Samuel said as they walked, "What was it like, training?"

  Matilyn considered for a moment, "It felt like everything. Knowing how to help people, it meant so much to me. My mother died when I was a girl, you know that. I spent years trying to think of what I could do to make her proud. That's why I decided to become a Priest."

  "Was she one?" Samuel asked.

  Matilyn laughed, "No. She worked at the Sweeton bakery. That's one of the things I remember about her. She could make the best pie that you've ever had. My favorite was blueberry creme. She would make it once a week, and she'd always let me have two slices."

  Samuel smiled.

  "When I decided to become a Priest, in memory of her, my father was so happy," Matilyn said, "He worried, of course. Eight years of your life dedicated to the same cause, it seems like a lot for a young girl to sign herself up for.

  "But I never regretted
it," Matilyn said, "Never. It changed, you see. It went from this thing I was doing to make my mother proud to something that I'd been missing. There's something about working for the greater good... well, you understand that much, don't you?"

  Samuel nodded. "That's how I feel working for King Sullivan. It felt like everything in my life had led up to that moment, when I first joined his military. For the first time in my life, I was doing something that wasn't just for myself or for the people I cared about. I was doing something for the world."

  "Yes!" Matilyn said, "Exactly."

  They had reached the gardens. They walked silently for a moment, both caught up in their own memories and thoughts.

  "You're a better person than I am," Samuel finally admitted. "It took me a while to see that. Every day, I was faced with the problems of the world. It would have been impossible for me to turn a blind eye to them. You, though, you lived a decent life. You weren't faced with the world's depravity on a daily basis. Yet you still came to our side."

  Matilyn shook her head, "No, not at first," she told him, "At first, I wanted nothing more than to kill King Sullivan. I thought it was my destiny. Sometimes, that still keeps me up at night."

  "But you didn't," Samuel told her, "When you saw that he was right, you course corrected."

  "I don't understand how anyone can't see what he's doing," Matilyn admitted. "Sometimes I think about my ex-girlfriend... my ex-wife, really. Did I ever tell you that? We said the words to each other one morning. We decided we wanted to be married, and we said the words."

  "You didn't," Samuel said.

  "Well, we did," Matilyn said, "And then I left her to go to war. I told her she couldn't come with me, and I told her she didn't matter. I didn't want her hurt, that's all. I couldn't stand the idea of her getting killed out there. Anyway, she remarried, but sometimes I still think about her. I think about her out there supporting Arinford, not knowing the truth that we've seen."

  "Maybe someday you can explain it to her," Samuel said.