“Are you all right?”
“I am now, so long as I don’t do much imaging for a while.” Alastar took the steps and stood beside her.
She looked to Taryn and then to Shaelyt.
“He seems to be, maitre,” answered Shaelyt.
“Shaelyt kept me from falling off my horse,” Alastar admitted.
“What about Desyrk? Do you know?” asked Akoryt.
“Chesyrk was in command of the regiment, and Desyrk was with him. They’re both dead. Let’s go into the study, where I can sit down, and I’ll tell you all about it. There’s a lot to tell. Taryn, Shaelyt, you need to come, too.” He offered a plaintive smile to Alyna. “And maybe we all could have a lager or two?”
She shook her head. “I’m certain that no one will deny the Maitre his wish, even if it isn’t his last.” Her smile was forced, and almost under her breath, she added, “Thank the Nameless.”
After everyone was settled in some fashion in the study, Alastar took several swallows from the beaker of dark lager that Jienna brought in on a tray. While she was serving the others, he belatedly wondered if he shouldn’t have suggested the dining room. Once Jienna left the study, he began, “I should have realized that the clunky brass rope holders in the anomen were big for a reason.” He paused as he could see the puzzlement on several faces. “I’ll explain…” And he did, telling almost everything from the time he, Taryn, and Shaelyt entered the anomen until they rode back across the re-imaged Bridge of Desires. “Now, Taryn, if you would tell about how you took out the cannon.”
Taryn flushed slightly. “It really wasn’t that difficult. I just used a concealment to get close enough. I reined up behind one of the mill walls and then kept imaging red-hot iron darts until things started exploding. I waited until there was nothing else to explode. There weren’t any troopers to stop me, or not many after that, and they couldn’t see me anyway. Then I rode back and helped the thirds make sure that the rex and his lady stayed safe. When you all finished repairing the bridge and the causeway, we rode over it.”
“I’m certain it wasn’t that easy or uneventful,” said Alastar.
“Ahhh…” ventured Dareyn from the door. “I didn’t want to interrupt, but Maitre Khaelis has been waiting to deliver a message.”
“Besides,” added Khaelis as he moved toward Alastar, “I wanted to hear what happened. We only saw what happened near the bridge.” He handed the envelope to the Maitre. “An army trooper delivered this. He rode up under both a parley ensign and a white flag of surrender. He was shaking in his boots by the time he reached the bridge. He said that it’s from Acting Marshal Wilkorn to whoever’s in charge. He’s waiting outside for a reply. Maitre Cyran didn’t give him much choice.”
“Good thought by Cyran. That way we don’t have to send one of our imagers out there.” Alastar opened the envelope, sealed in green wax, but with no imprint, and began to read aloud.
“Maitre Alastar—
“I trust and hope you will be the one reading this. If not, I offer condolences to your successor. You are doubtless aware of the explosions of Antiagon Fire at the anomen. Marshal Petayn, Commander Sacheur, and Major Allain all perished. There were no remains found of either any imagers, nor of Rex Lorien or Lady Chelia, and I can only hope that all are safe and well and in the custody of the Collegium.
It appears that Commander Chesyrk, aided by his brother Maitre Desyrk, and perhaps others, attempted to remove at a stroke the leadership of the Collegium, the rex and his lady, and Marshal Petayn and Commander Sacheur, the most senior commander remaining at headquarters besides Chesyrk himself, not to mention attempting to also remove me and Vice-Marshal Vallaun. From reports received by the few survivors, it appears unlikely that either of the brothers was successful in taking Imagisle. The Chateau D’Rex is undamaged and was never occupied by army forces.
I would have attempted to meet with you in person, but at the moment, I am recovering from the effects of a slightly mistimed explosion. Vice-Marshal Vallaun was not so fortunate, and I find myself as the senior officer in headquarters, and most likely in either the army or navy, if currently restrained in mobility. I can now assure you that the army and navy will follow to the letter and the spirit any plans put forth by the lawful rex of Solidar, be it Rex Lorien, or, if he has not survived, the regent for Rex Charyn…”
“Frig!” muttered Alastar.
“What—” began Akoryt.
“Wait,” commanded Alastar, “I’ll explain in a moment.” If not totally. He cleared his throat and continued.
“All army companies, or their survivors, have been recalled to headquarters and confined to the post, pending an investigation of the circumstances that led to the events at the Anomen D’Rex and the second unprovoked and unwarranted attack on Imagisle and the Collegium…”
“He really doesn’t want you angry at him,” murmured Alyna.
“… with the possible exception of scattered survivors or any troopers in your custody.
I remain at your service and that of the rightful rex of Solidar.”
After a moment, Alastar added, “Wilkorn signed it as the Acting Marshal of the Army.”
“He’s emphasizing the ‘rightful rex’ of Solidar a great deal,” observed Alyna.
“I did notice that,” replied Alastar. “I’ll need to write a reply immediately, but before I do, we need to discuss what we do next. I think a number of maitres should accompany me to the Chateau D’Rex tomorrow morning, along with Rex Lorien and Lady Chelia, and put matters to rights.”
“What about…” began Akoryt, before saying, “Oh … if Marshal Wilkorn … but how do we know?”
“I can start by talking to the messenger,” said Alastar dryly. “Just Alyna with me, if you please. We’ll be back shortly.”
The two left the study.
Out in the front hall stood a young but broad-shouldered and muscular trooper. He swallowed as Alastar and Alyna walked toward him, and as Alyna said, “This is Maitre Alastar.”
“I will have a reply for you to take back to Marshal Wilkorn very shortly. Did you see him personally?”
“Yes, sir. He insisted on it. He said you would want to know that he had written the letter himself.”
“How badly was he wounded?”
“He has some burns and a broken leg and arm, the surgeon said. He was thrown into a wall.”
“When did that happen? Do you know?”
“It was sometime before noon at a staff meeting. That’s what he—the marshal, I mean—that’s what he told me.”
Alastar nodded. Desyrk … a concealment and more Antiagon Fire … and then a quick ride to the Anomen D’Rex. “Marshal Wilkorn is the senior marshal and in command?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you know what happened to the battalion that escorted Marshal Petayn to the Anomen D’Rex?”
“That was Major Allain’s battalion, sir. They returned to headquarters. They didn’t get there until a glass before I left.”
“Do you know if there are other companies or battalions that are not at headquarters?”
“Tenth Battalion was posted around the Chateau D’Rex, but they were returning to headquarters when I left. That’s all I know, sir.”
“Is there anything else I should know?” Alastar looked hard at the trooper.
“Ah … yes, sir. Marshal Wilkorn said to tell you that small gunboats for use against pirates was a very good idea.” The trooper looked vaguely puzzled as he delivered the message.
Alastar smiled. “Thank you. It won’t be too long before you’re on your way.” He paused. “You didn’t ride the whole way alone, did you?”
“No, sir. My squad is waiting for me on the other side of the river.”
“Good.”
Alastar nodded, then turned. He and Alyna walked back to the study.
Akoryt and Taryn looked askance at Alastar.
“It appears that the message is accurate, especially given the personal word entrusted to the
messenger. Even if there are some matters still undisclosed, we’ll need to deal with matters at the chateau tomorrow. Akoryt, Taryn, if you’d convey what happened here to Maitre Cyran. We’ll need some guards on the bridge this evening, and some here at the house, just to make certain Rex Lorien is safe and remains here. Tell Maitre Cyran that I’d like to see him here after he’s made arrangements with which he’s satisfied.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Shaelyt, would you please convey the same information to the other junior masters?”
“Yes, sir.”
Alastar smiled warmly at the Maitre D’Aspect. “And thank you. More than I can convey for being there to support me, both with imaging and your presence, when I desperately needed both.”
“Sir … I was only…”
“Not only. Matters could have gone very badly without you. I know that, and so should you.” Alastar cleared his throat. He’d been talking too much. “Now … Maitre Alyna and I need to talk over things in order to clear up matters with Rex Lorien and Lady Chelia.”
In moments, Alyna and Alastar were alone in the study.
“You did a magnificent job of keeping the troopers at bay,” Alastar said. “Did anyone get hurt?”
“Not from the rifles. Only a handful were hurt from the cannon fire. But the cottages and the stables … even some of the sheds—there’s not that much left. Except for the imagers who could image across the river, Akoryt had everyone up in the north part of the isle. I don’t think many of the troopers wanted to expose themselves. Not after what happened to the first ones.”
“I imagine you were particularly deadly.”
“I did as much damage as I could, as quickly as possible. I didn’t want them to get the idea that if they all fired at once they could cause more damage.”
Alastar frowned. “Just where were you?”
“On the first span of the bridge, of course. I did use a concealment. I could see better from there, and it took less effort.”
He winced.
“Good,” she said gently.
Alastar knew exactly what she meant. At least, he hadn’t protested vocally. “How long had they been attacking when we arrived?”
“The scouts warned us that the troopers were moving north on the West River Road at about a quint before first glass. The first shells hit just after the bell rang the glass.”
“You’d been fighting more than a glass and a half when we arrived, then?”
She nodded.
Alastar looked down at her. “I’m so glad you’re all right. I can’t tell you…” He swallowed.
“You just have, dear Maitre.”
He reached out and drew her to him.
After a time, she eased back, if seemingly reluctantly. “You do have a rex upstairs, you know?”
“Should we go up … or request their presence down here?”
“Upstairs, I would venture. You’ve probably ordered him around enough today.”
Alastar smiled at the wry tone in her voice. He was about to tell her to lead the way, when he realized she hadn’t the faintest idea of the upstairs.
“Then we had best mollify him … and explain some things of … interest.”
The two walked from the study out to where Dareyn waited. There, Alastar said, “Dareyn … will you see if Jienna and the cooks can come up with a meal for four before too long? I don’t think the rex and his wife have eaten for some time. I know we haven’t.”
“Yes, sir. I … I already did, except I said it might be as few as four or as many as eight.”
“Excellent. Then Maitre Cyran can join us if he wishes when he arrives.” He turned to Alyna. “This way…”
The stairs were wide enough that they walked up side by side. Alastar liked that, very much.
At the door to the guest quarters, he knocked.
“Yes?” answered Chelia.
“Might we enter? It’s Maitres Alastar and Alyna.”
“You might as well.” There was heavy resignation in Lorien’s tone of voice.
As Alastar opened the door, Lorien rose from one of the two armchairs in the sitting room that adjoined the small bedchamber. After a moment, so did the blond Chelia.
Since there were only two armchairs in the sitting room and a single settee, and since Alastar intended to be as brief as possible, he didn’t bother to sit or to suggest that anyone else should. “I just received a missive from Marshal Wilkorn. He is the sole surviving senior officer in L’Excelsis, and he has gathered all troopers, except for scattered survivors, back to headquarters and pledges complete and unconditional obedience to the lawful rex of Solidar. The Chateau D’Rex appears unharmed, unlike the Anomen D’Rex. Tomorrow morning, you and Chelia will ride with us back to the Chateau D’Rex where we will straighten out certain problems.”
Chelia paled. “You can’t mean…”
Lorien looked puzzled—again.
Alastar understood exactly what Chelia meant … and it also confirmed that she either knew or suspected what Alastar did. “No, Charyn is most likely perfectly safe.” For now. He looked at Lorien. “You are going to write a grant of lands, good lands, perhaps one of your best properties, but one of those farthest from L’Excelsis. You are going to grant them to your brother and to his heirs in perpetuity as a High Holding, with the sole condition that he has been disinherited of any right of succession, for reasons too obvious to be named, and that he is never ever to set foot in L’Excelsis again, nor to approach the city or the Chateau D’Rex on pain of death. We will tell him that, if you do not enforce that, the Collegium will. Further he will depart tomorrow, and your mother, the Lady Asarya, will accompany him.”
“I don’t understand,” said Lorien.
“I believe Lady Chelia can enlighten you.” Alastar looked to Chelia. “Or would you prefer that I do?”
“It might be best if you did.” Chelia’s voice was both sad and wary.
“I will attempt to explain this in a roundabout way. Why did your mother object to the idea of your marrying Khanara and Ryentar’s marrying Chelia?”
“She never explained. She just said that it was impossible. She and Father almost came to blows over it.”
“High Holder Ryel never pushed Ryentar’s marrying Chelia, did he? It was your father’s idea, wasn’t it?”
“How did you know that?”
“Because it’s the only thing that makes sense,” said Alastar dryly. “Your mother said it was impossible for a very real reason, something along the lines of incest.”
Lorien looked at Chelia, and a horrified expression crossed his face. “You can’t … it isn’t…”
“I’m afraid it is,” said Alastar. “And that ties in to why your brother and mother were so conveniently ill yesterday.”
“I can’t believe…” Lorien’s face stiffened. “Maybe … I can at that.” He looked to Chelia. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I didn’t know. I only suspected … and by the time I did … Father was dead, and I wasn’t about to ask your mother.”
“I suppose not.” Lorien’s shoulders dropped. “But … why … were they … pretending to be sick.”
“I can’t prove all of it, but the renegade imager, Desyrk, he had some ties to your mother, after Chelia’s father died. Desyrk wanted to destroy the Collegium and make his brother marshal of the armies. Your mother wanted Ryentar to be rex, not you.”
“Ryentar always has been her favorite.”
“We need to go to the chateau tonight!” declared Chelia.
“I’m sorry, Lady,” said Alyna. “That is not possible. Almost every imager is exhausted, and nothing will happen to your son tonight.”
“Nor would anything happen for some time,” added Alastar. “Ryentar would wish to be loved as a good and successful regent. Otherwise, the Collegium, the marshal, and the High Council would look askance at how he obtained power.”
“I don’t like it,” declared Chelia. “If anything happens…”
�
�I don’t like it, either,” admitted Alastar, “but Maitre Alyna happens to be correct. I’m afraid saving ourselves, saving you, destroying an army, and keeping Imagisle from being totally destroyed is about all we could accomplish today.” He couldn’t keep a hint of sarcasm out of his voice.
“He’s likely right,” offered Lorien.
“I don’t have to like it. And I warned you about her…”
Alastar wouldn’t have wanted to receive the look she gave her husband. In hopes of deflecting some of that, he went on, “By the way, you will also promulgate a tariff proclamation that the Collegium will draft and you will sign, along the lines we discussed earlier. Marshal Wilkorn has agreed to the reductions in the army and the changes we discussed for the navy.”
“I don’t have much choice, do I?”
“None.” Alastar inclined his head. “Dinner will be ready shortly. Until then.”
He and Alyna made their way from the sitting room. Alyna closed the door quietly, and neither spoke until they were back in the study.
“How could Ryen not have known?” Alyna frowned. “He must have. That was why they had separate quarters.”
“It’s also, I suspect, why Smarthyl went to Mont D’Image.”
“But…” Alyna nodded. “Of course. If Ryen harmed her, he’d still find out, but he was far enough away that it would be difficult for Ryen to remove him … and if he did, Fhaen would have known.”
“That’s also why Fhaen waited so long to send for me. Ryen wasn’t stupid. Prone to rage, perhaps, but not stupid. He knew. But he could get back at her by pressing a wedding between Ryentar and Chelia. Ryel—the elder—couldn’t object. Not publicly.”
“From what Zaeryl said,” added Alyna, “he likely would have laughed if all of it had come out. He enjoyed women. Apparently, most of them enjoyed him.”
“Including Asarya.”
“Given Ryen, can you blame her?”
Alastar shook his head. “She was foolish to dally with Desyrk, though.” He frowned. “Were Smarthyl and Desyrk at all close?”
“I never saw any sign of it. It doesn’t mean that they weren’t. Both were very private people.”
“As I found out with Desyrk.”
Madness in Solidar Page 52