Jorrhen was riding boldly before her soldiers in formation. She held a hand in halt to the battalion. The blaring mimic of the hornbirds relayed the order from their saddle perches. She urged the courser forward in obvious peaceful parlay. Kir rode out to meet Jorrhen and her commanders with Ulivall, Eshuen, and Ferinar behind.
“General Jorrhen,” Kir called. She still didn't know where they stood. A little levity might bring it to light. “Apologies. I believe we took warrior's claim on your quarry without your permission. I hope you don't mind that we spanked them for you.”
“Your Affianced Highness,” Jorrhen returned. “You were welcome to them. Impressive stand for such a ragtag, rumble-tumble band as I see before me.”
“Looks can be deceiving,” Kir chanced. “It's never wise to underestimate a foe.”
There was a palpable tension on the air as they sized each other up.
“Indeed,” Jorrhen said, calculating and cautious. She suddenly dismounted and bowed in the deepest respect of the warrior houses. “Your Affianced Highness, on behalf of High General Farraday, we bring you welcome. The Army of Northern Aquiline is at your command.”
The battalion dismounted at that and every head bobbed in submission. Kir's jaw practically hit the dirt, but she grit her teeth to keep from gawking. Farraday had come through and Kir knew for certain now. They had eyes and ears on Alokien. Farraday was their man.
Jorrhen's troops bivouacked beside the Hilian caravan and over the next few hours, reinforcements began to arrive. The detachment that had been sent ahead in pursuit of the kaiyo army was only a fraction of their true numbers. By nightfall, the encampment was a bustling miniature city of tents and fire rings.
Erahnie stayed true to her duty, playing Vann's decoy with no wavering. Despite the apparent friends they had in the army, they could not allow their ploy to be discovered. All it took was one spy's report and their ruse would land right in the lap of Alokien. Lyndal reclaimed his role from Erahnie after she was led to the tent for evening retirement. He was issued firm command from Eshuen to remain quarter-bound and await punishment. Kir did not envy him the pounding he was about to take.
When the developments were satisfactory, the wounded under treatment and the organizational duties were complete, Jorrhen and Kir joined the greenie officers and Hilian warriors in the command tent for debriefing. They seated themselves around the central map of Aquiline and commenced to congratulations on the kaiyo victory.
“This Chaos-spawn battalion was a new concept to me,” Kir stated. “We've had rumor of developments in Arcadia, but I thought the anticipated kaiyo army to be figurative. That it meant the numbers of kaiyo would simply increase in masses. I never expected organized bands that would attack on command. Gensing flicked his wrist and they seemed to obey.”
“The Chamberlain has been busy these past months,” Jorrhen replied. “He's been training these foul beasts, analyzing their strengths, overseeing breeding programs. This has been in the works for a long time.”
“You have a lot of intelligence to share,” Kir noted. “We haven't had much in the way of information from Hili, for fear of hawk interception. I've been blind to the happenings of the world of late, so I don't even know where to begin with questions.”
“Why don't you give us a rundown of your part in this first, Highness,” Jorrhen recommended. “Then we can fill in the missing pieces as we go.”
Kir directed Ulivall to the report. He detailed their troubles with the nessertaum, the kaiyo battle, and Gensing's hostaging of Kir. He finished with his own curious inquiry that he seemed unable to contain. “As grateful as we are for the aid, I still can not determine how you knew to find us here, General.”
“We didn't,” Jorrhen replied. “Farraday reported your ship to be heading for Kestih. He ordered General Beyhue and the Army of Southern Aquiline to offer escort when you docked. If we had known about the nessertaum, or that you would be forced to make port this far north, we'd have sent a detachment to your aid. My troops were merely laying chase to the invading kaiyo force.”
“Then, what about Gensing? How did he know where to find us?” Copellian asked.
“He didn't know, either,” Kir supposed. “Being a direct route to the sea, this is a major road. We just happened to be on the same one. Gensing looked incredibly surprised to see me, and he was acting on situational response. His kaiyo attacked us because we were in their way, they act on instinct, and Gensing hadn't arrived yet to give them command. When he realized who we were, he knew the order to retrieve His Majesty would belay any other command, but in his haste he was clumsy. Gensing only knows the frilly, falutin little me from years ago. A girl who never could have overpowered him with a blade pressed against her throat. He was sorely outdated in our acquaintance.”
“How in the five Hells did Gensing pull off that disappearing act?” Rendack asked. “It looked like he moved faster than light. Or that he was made of mist.”
Kir knew for certain that Gensing was not using Forbiddens because her Kion had not kicked to waking. He wasn't sporting any magical devices. There was only one other explanation. “He's kaienze,” she answered without even needing to confirm. “A trickster, using Psychonic and Prophetic illusion to deceive.”
“Kaienze? You mean half-human, half-kaiyo? I thought they were the stuff of myth,” Rendack said incredulously.
“It was a kaienze that took Guardian Arrelius' life,” Malacar stated darkly. “During their battle, Soreina indicated that there were more like her. They have the superhuman strength and ability of a kaiyo, blended with the intelligence of a human. Can you imagine anything more dangerous?”
“The tanuki is a trickster kaiyo. They're like walking alterlets. If the Chamberlain is kaienze, it's possible he has tanuki blood,” Jorrhen suggested.
“All those years Gensing—the second most powerful man in the kingdom—sat below the King and not a soul suspected he was anything but human,” Kir mused. “Who knows how many more kaienze there are, and if we've been walking next to other sleeper agents of Chaos all along.”
There was a long moment of silence as the thought was processed. Kir finally killed it. “We've digressed here. It's your turn, General. Where did this kaiyo battalion come from, and how did you end up in pursuit?”
“The Chamberlain brought his Chaos-spawn to Gander's Ferry on the moonless night,” Jorrhen began. “He also brought a newfangled device called a speculorb, a vase that puts you in direct vocal contact with the King, just by speaking through it. Gensing held scroll of command, ordering the kaiyo regiment be added to our ranks as an elite force. Establishing their presence, so he said, to the security of northern Aquiline. It was a pretty way of dressing up the reality that it was an invading force. About a week later, High General Farraday made contact with General Irrill and I in confidence, through the speculorb, and at great risk. He explained what had happened on the moonless night. He explained His Majesty's... condition. And he told us in no uncertain terms that we were not to allow these abominations to get cozy amongst our corps.
“Farraday is still maintaining cover at the Chaos Bringer's side, Highness. He attempts to feed the Chaos Bringer false information, but he is being closely monitored, which limits him drastically. His hands are extremely tied under the scrutiny. He believes the Chaos Bringer suspects him. I doubt we will be hearing much from him, unless he can find ways to work around the retainers that are ordered not to leave his side. Any messages we send him will be intercepted by the Chaos Bringer's agents, so we cannot contact him, for fear of betraying his cover.
“General Irrill was unwilling to follow Farraday's order, which he considered an act of treason against the King. Farraday issued again that the King is dead and his body is inhabited by the prophesied Chaos Bringer. He named Your Highness as our sovereign, by right of Karanni and the incapacitation of the Crown Prince. General Irrill, it seems, was a Chaos sympathizer. In the end he was...” Jorrhen hesitated briefly to f
ind the right word, “relieved of duty. Command fell to me.”
It was a neat little way to summarize what was probably a messy fiasco of mutiny.
“We engaged the invading force in three skirmishes, pushing them further away from Gander's Ferry,” Jorrhen continued. “The larger, slower creatures were slain early, at great loss. What remained were the smaller, more agile and aerial units. The remnants were finally in full retreat, and thanks to your aid, we can now consider it a complete annihilation. With Gensing captured, we should be able to collect intelligence.”
“I'll have him released to your custody,” Kir promised. “General Ulivall can recommend a few of his interrogators for your disposal. They have a talent for prying information loose from mute lips.”
Jorrhen threw her gaze to the Ithinar Steel warriors. She and her division had worked closely with the Hilians in the aftermath of Gander's Vale, and her respect was evident. “I have heard such rumor. I welcome their expertise.”
“Our people are done in,” Kir said, changing the subject. “Close to four hundred civilians, elders and children included. If you could spare a company, we would appreciate an escort to the Arshen River.”
“To the river?” Jorrhen's brow pinched and she offered a rare grin. “Your safety is our primary objective now, Highness. As I stated before, the Army of Northern Aquiline is at your command. We are prepared to escort the royal party all the way to Hili.”
Kir exhaled a breath that was shakier than she had expected. All the prior apprehension about their long trip seemed to evaporate. The Armies of Aquiline had rallied around them, and the caravan would have safe passage for sure. Kir wanted to assault Jorrhen with enthusiasm and embraces, but she held her seat and allowed her mask to subdue the joy. Ulivall did not allow his own excitement to be squashed by propriety and etiquette. He laughed and leaned forward to clasp Jorrhen's wrist. The demeanor in the chamber melted into rounds of laughs and relief.
“We've been tiptoeing on eggshells for weeks,” Kir explained to Jorrhen. “It's nice to have some friendly blades at our backs for a change.”
“I can understand the sentiment. Do not fear for safety of the people under your protection. They are now under mine,” Jorrhen assured Kir.
“Might you have a collar smithy among your ranks?” Kir asked. “We've a caravan of collars to pop.”
“The quartermaster is capable. I'll put him on it immediately.”
One of the sentries entered and gestured for Jorrhen's attention. “The Dekshar has arrived.”
“Send him in.”
A highborn man of later-middle age, with deep-set gray eyes and a high ponytail of long dark hair, made way into the chamber. It was Wainsel Sehlovah, the Dekshar of Gander and long-time Adviser on the King's Council. Sehlovah was one of the political alliances Vann had made in Empyrea. While Kir did not know him well, she placed her faith in Vann's word. Sehlovah was one of the few men on the Council that Vann knew he could trust implicitly, and he was an advocate for Hili. Kir had not seen him since the moonless night.
Trailing Sehlovah was his seventeen year old daughter, Gevriah. She was outfitted in riding clothes and her chestnut hair was pulled up in an elaborate woven style. Kir remembered Gevriah fondly from years before, when they had both been petitioned. They hadn't spent much time together in Empyrea during Vann's courtship of Arumia. Most of Kir's public duties had been either on Farraday's arm or in her Guardian tabard on post. Gevriah was one of the few people in High Empyrea that Kir had actually wanted to know better, but she had not made the effort. A gentle lady of breeding would not care to be seen in the social presence of a lowly warrior, so Kir had saved herself the embarrassment of rejection by not bothering to invite a meeting. The week after the Conflation, Kir's duties to the court had allowed her to socialize with Gevriah, but there had been so much going on and so little time for honest jawboning.
The party rose to welcome the Dekshar. Sehlovah clasped arms with Ferinar warmly, then he made his way to Kir. His respects were deep and heartfelt. Gevriah joined him in the royal tribute.
“Highness, I am so sorry about His High Majesty,” Sehlovah offered sincerely. “How does he fare?”
“Much the same these past weeks,” Kir said, gesturing the newcomers to their seats. “He is here, but not. A walking vessel, as Soventine wanted, void of his soul. His mark of Karanni remains, black and disconnected, like Guardian Malacar's vambrace.”
Gevriah joined her father on the seating mats. Most noble women would have requested a lady's prop for comfort and the height of status. Gevriah seemed quite content to sit cross-legged on the hard ground like the warriors. Kir's liking of the young women was expanding by leaps and bounds.
“An outcome to which I feel partly responsible. I was there on the moonless night,” Sehlovah said heavily. “On the hunt. Dekshar Possenar and I heard Duke Karmine's claims. I'm ashamed to say we froze. As the battle erupted around us, we made no move to act. Several of us held back, unwilling to believe Virnard's assertions, but unable to face his Elite. We kept our hawks hooded and stayed away from the chaos, having no idea what to do. Virnard and Soventine were the closest of friends, all their lives. None of us ever dreamed that Virnard would try to overthrow Soventine, or that Soventine would...”
There was a defeat in Sehlovah's eyes that was plain as print. Soventine had fooled even those who thought they had known him well. Scilio was not alone in that regard.
“There was no way to foresee what would happened,” Kir offered. “None of us did, even with a prophecy telling us so. Staying away from the battle was the smartest thing you could have done under the circumstances, Dekshar. You could not have saved His Majesty from the Chaos Bringer, even if you had gone into that chamber keep with Elementals flying.”
“Perhaps. But I still feel obligated to him. To right a wrong that was committed that night, and to reestablish order from what has fallen to chaos in this kingdom,” Sehlovah said. “When they brought Soventine back to the Karmine estate, he was different. They claimed he had been betrayed and attacked by Hili. That His Majesty and Your Affianced Highness were kidnapped.”
Kir exchanged dark looks with Ulivall. Hili was just now making its way into the kingdom; the last thing it needed was a black taint on its name.
“The chaos was unimaginable,” Sehlovah continued. “The household was in disarray. The Karmine servies had vanished to the winds. Every story varied. When Soventine was well enough to hold his first Council session, Possenar and I knew. He was not himself. The lies were strung together with truths so to seem feasible, but we had been there and knew there was no Hilian revolt. Karmine's revolution was pardoned inexplicably. Nothing made sense.
“As Soventine readied to depart for Empyrea, we made our excuses and fled at the first opportunity. Farraday met us on the road to Westlewin and explained about the Chaos Bringer. Possenar and I have since been in contact with the Islandic Governor and most of the high Aquilinian houses, rallying them to your aid. We've kept the royal notices from being posted on the local boards—they offer reward for the royal party's retrieval from its Hilian captors. Please take our convictions to Hili, Highness. Meet with the Hilian Circle and express our Aquilinian unity. If Arcadia comes from the south, we will meet them south. If Empyrea comes from the north, we will meet them north. We will be your arms, Highness. If there is anything I can do, any resources I can offer, say the word,” Sehlovah said firmly. “We reject the Chaos Bringer as our sovereign. We stand for Vannisarian. We stand for you.”
“We have Aquiline?” Kir said aloud to her own surprise. She had not expected an entire island to back them.
“You have Aquiline,” Gevriah stated. Her voice was much higher in pitch than her father's, but inlaid with deep conviction.
Another round of relief made waves around the circle. It was the first time Kir had tasted the hint of hope on her breath.
“I thought facing down the Chaos Bringer to be a forlorn hope.
That we were alone against the entire kingdom,” Kir admitted. “I did not think we had so many friends.”
“Forgive my tendency to ruin a joyous occasion,” Ferinar said darkly and deliciously, “but in case you missed it, allow me to summarize our predicament for your benefit and reality. The Chaos Bringer has decreed Hili to be the scourge of the kingdom and the kidnapper of its Crown Heirs. Aquiline has openly dissented against his order by running his elite kaiyo army out on a rail. I think it is safe to say we will be facing the entirety of the Royal Army and Navy at our doorstep any moment now.”
“We are working to garner support in the other Advisers,” Sehlovah countered. “There are a few. Hanntell for certain. Possenar was hesitant at first, but he is on board. Farraday works his officers from within and he will hold off any drastic measure for the time being. It is too early yet to determine how many stand with Aquiline, but I am optimistic.”
“If the Chaos Bringer has the other Advisers in his pocket, your optimism will make fools of us all,” Ferinar warned. “He already has Empyrea, Cornia and Arcadia fixed in his clutches. Aquiline may be standing alone against the kingdom.”
“So be it,” Sehlovah said firmly. “I have too long been content with my comfortable power, unwilling to risk losing it by speaking out against the corruption around me. Vannisarian came along and for the first time, I saw a glimmer of what this kingdom could be. I stood idly by in court. I stood idly by on the moonless night. I will remain idle no longer. I will call my homeland to fight the Chaos Bringer, and when His Majesty is restored, I will offer him my oath of fealty, just as I offer it to you now, Highness. My heir will know that her father is not a coward, and that he stands for Order.” The Dekshar looked to Gevriah, exchanging proud conversation in their eyes. It looked to be the extension of a talk they'd had before.
Bardian's Redemption_Book Four of the Guardian's Vambrace Page 27