The Forsaken Crown (The Desolate Empire Book 0)

by Christina Ochs

  The short woman put a long black cloak over her shoulders, then sent her down the corridor to practice her speech with the Maxima.

  Heidenhof, Terragand

  A dank, cold mist hung over the city, but Kendryk warmed up fast when he saw the size of the crowd. Within seconds, he was sweating, worried he might be ill.

  The temple square was the largest in the city, and must have been able to hold over a thousand people. From where he stood, on a makeshift platform next to the fountain in the square’s center, he didn’t see how his voice would project all the way to the edges.

  Julia had told him not to worry about that. “Speak as loudly as you can, but don’t shout,” she said. “I’ll have people standing in the crowd, and they’ll relay your words farther out. By the time you’ve finished speaking, I’ll have your words posted on the walls of every tavern and shop in the city. By evening, most folk in the town will know what you’ve said.”

  “Will they care?” That was the main question. Kendryk took a deep breath and mounted the podium, Julia at his side.

  Behind him came Captain Vidmar, looking miserable in a horrid green dress, and flanked by guards dressed like civilians, so folk wouldn’t suspect there was a risk of her killing him.

  “You’re their ruler, and an object of fascination,” Julia murmured in his ear. “They’ll care. You needn’t worry about that.”

  I need to worry about them hating me, Kendryk almost said, but bit his tongue. It did him no good to give voice to those doubts right now.

  He lifted his chin and looked out over the crowd, hoping to strike a balance between hauteur and friendliness. They’d never believe he was a normal person, but he didn’t want them thinking he considered himself too good for them.

  Kendryk cleared his throat, and the people standing at the foot of the podium quieted. Shushing noises spread across the square and soon all was silent.

  “People of Heidenhof,” he said, surprised at how his voice carried through the silence. “I am Prince Kendryk, ruler of Terragand, and I’m here to tell you the truth about what’s happening in my kingdom.”

  The faces below him looked eager, maybe even friendly, so he continued.

  “Just yesterday, I was nearly murdered by my regent, Duke Desmond Balkunus.”

  At that, a gasp went up, and even a few indignant shouts.

  “He’s responsible for this, too.” Kendryk pointed to his eye, now gratifyingly hideous, “and he also tried to poison my mother, the Princess Regent Renata.”

  He paused, and let the crowd buzz for a moment.

  Just below, a girl his age stood staring up at him, her hand over her mouth, her eyes filling with tears.

  Kendryk looked down at her, hoping his good eye made up for the ugliness of the other.

  “Fortunately,” he continued, looking away from the girl, but imagining her face as he spoke. “The duke’s plot was betrayed, and I was rescued by a brave citizen and Julia Maxima.”

  “Three cheers for our Maxima,” someone shouted, and a ragged tumult ensued.

  Kendryk let that go on for a moment, then continued. “Indeed, Julia is a fine Maxima and a patriot. She will help me drive off the duke, who now sits at the city gates, hoping to pressure you into giving me up.”

  He swallowed, realizing he was on dangerous ground. He needed to make clear it was not he who was putting them in jeopardy; it was the duke alone.

  “No!” the girl below him shouted, looking angry. “No! I won’t give you up.” Then she burst into tears, but others took up the call, and a chorus of no’s spread across the square.

  Kendryk grabbed the handkerchief in his pocket, then bent down, handing it to the girl who was trying to dry her tears with the corner of her shawl.

  “Please miss, take this,” he said, keeping his voice soft.

  She took it, and stopped crying, staring at the handkerchief in her hand.

  It was a fine one, trimmed in lace, with Kendryk’s initials embroidered on it. He supposed it might make a nice souvenir.

  “Well done,” Julia murmured beside him.

  Encouraged, Kendryk continued. “With your help, I will drive the duke away from your gates and bring him to justice.”

  He turned and nodded at Sonya, who stepped forward, looking pale. He couldn’t believe how frightened he had been of her before.

  “This is Captain Sonya Vidmar,” he told the crowd. “She was sent to help me by Terragand’s own Count Faris, but Duke Desmond attempted to bring her over to his side. Captain, would you tell the good people what the duke wanted you to do?”

  Kendryk stepped aside, and Sonya took his place.

  “My father is Konrad Torner,” she said, her voice shaking. “He owns a farm near Runewald.”

  “Good old Konrad,” someone shouted, and Sonya offered a tremulous smile.

  “Anyone acquainted with my father knows him to be an excellent farmer, an honest businessman and a friendly companion during a tavern visit.”

  “That he is,” the same voice shouted.

  Kendryk hid a smile. Julia had been right to play up the local angle.

  “I didn’t follow my father into farming,” Sonya said, “choosing to join the military, like my mother and her people. I’ve been away for years, so when Count Faris gave me the chance to return to Terragand, I was overjoyed.”

  “As you should be,” a woman in the second row said with an approving nod.

  “But I found a terrible situation here. I returned to find Desmond Balkunus in sole charge of the kingdom, even though there are two other regents. One he drugged to incapacity, the other he sent abroad on missions that would benefit only himself. But even worse,” by now Sonya appeared less nervous, and her voice rang out across the square. “Even worse, he attempted to murder the prince and his mother, and he had the nerve to try to hire me to do it.” She shook her head, as if she couldn’t believe it herself.

  The crowd roared in indignation.

  “I have proof in writing of the duke’s treachery,” she said, “and you’ll be able to read it soon.”

  Along with Kendryk’s speech, Julia had printers copy the duke’s contract and post it everywhere. Copies were also circulating in the crowd.

  “I’m sure once you see that proof, you will join me in defending the prince and his kingdom.”

  By the time Sonya had finished speaking, the mood had turned angry. But it was anger at the duke. Kendryk hoped he heard that beyond the city walls.

  “And now to the garrison,” Julia said. “With any luck, they’ve already heard what is going on.”

  “Might I come too?” Sonya asked.

  “I don’t see why not—” Kendryk began.

  “I don’t think so,” Julia snapped. “You did well, but we don’t need you for anything else right now.”

  Kendryk disagreed, but didn’t want to argue with Julia right then. “Can you at least not put her back in the dungeon?”

  Julia rolled her eyes. “All right. I’ll find a better place for her.”

  “Thank you,” Sonya said, “And my friend too.”

  “Your friend will stay put,” Julia said, before Kendryk could say the opposite.

  She really was rather overbearing. Grateful as he was for her help, when all of this was over he’d need to make sure she wasn’t always telling him what to do.

  Sonya disappeared, and Julia led Kendryk to her carriage. It rolled through the streets, still busy as the crowd dispersed from the square.

  People stood about in clusters, many of them holding sheets of paper, waving and cheering as the carriage passed.

  “You did well,” Julia said, “Now we must act while public sentiment is on your side.”

  “I somehow doubt the garrison will be as easy to convince,” Kendryk said. There’d be no teenage girls crying over him there.

  “I’ve already sent a copy of the duke’s contract ahead, and detained the commander, though they don’t know that yet.”

  “How did you do it?”r />
  “I called him away to my palace for a meeting. He’s in the dungeon by now, but no one else knows that. Once you’ve spoken to them, I’ll say their leader is incapacitated—which is true—and that I’m appointing someone to fill his position for the time being.”

  Kendryk smiled. “You’re marvelous. I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t helping me.”

  Julia gave him a level stare. “I’m not supposed to get involved in politics, but if anyone complains, I’ll point to the duke’s distinct lack of piety. Everyone knows about that. I can say I couldn’t risk having an unbeliever ruling the kingdom.”

  “That sounds good.” Kendryk was nervous about confronting the garrison, but since his speech in the square had gone well, wasn’t as worried as before.

  They soon arrived at the main guardhouse. The place was already abuzz with excitement and the soldiers seemed happy to see Kendryk. Hopefully it wasn’t because they meant him harm.

  He was led into a large room full of benches. Kendryk and Julia walked to the front of the room, their steps echoing on the stone floor, and by the time Kendryk had reached the steps leading to a small platform, the room was nearly full.

  More confident now, he faced them and delivered his speech again, but with much greater informality. That was the easy part. The next part wasn’t. Unlike the crowd in the square, he needed to ask for concrete help here and now.

  “I’m sure all of you are already aware,” he said after he had told them of his narrow escape. “But the duke is out there and likely won’t leave until I’m turned over to him. Obviously, I don’t want that to happen,” he added with a nervous laugh. “But I don’t want the city to suffer either. We know he doesn’t have a large force, and this garrison, combined with the temple guard—which the Maxima has put at my disposal—should be enough to see him off.”

  “We’re going to attack the duke?” a young officer asked. Of all the faces in the room, his had been one of the few regarding Kendryk with suspicion.

  “Yes. He has no right to besiege this town, and no right to rule the kingdom without me.”

  “But he’s regent,” the man said.

  “What kind of regent tries to murder his sovereign?” Kendryk asked. “I would say he’s forfeited his position by his actions, don’t you think?”

  The officer shook his head, but most others in the room murmured their agreement.

  “I don’t wish to fight him,” Kendryk continued, “and if I could make him go peacefully, I would. But it will take at least a small show of force to make him leave.”

  “Is it true you tried to get the Sanovans to invade?” The man wasn’t letting it go, a defiant tilt to his chin.

  “Of course I didn’t.” Kendryk did his best to stay calm. “That makes no sense at all.”

  “It does if you want to get rid of the duke.”

  “I didn’t want to get rid of him,” Kendryk said patiently. “And even if I did, what good would it do me to let another country take over my kingdom?”

  “He’s got a point,” another man said.

  “The duke said you weren’t trustworthy.” The officer was on his feet now, openly hostile. “He also said you weren’t too smart. And he’s right. It’s downright stupid to oppose someone so powerful.”

  Kendryk took a deep breath, conscious of the guards who now clustered close around him. At a word from him, they would whisk the man away, but that would do his chances with the others no good at all.

  “The duke spread misinformation,” Kendryk said. “He didn’t like the idea of giving up power when I turned seventeen. What makes more sense: that I would destroy my kingdom to get rid of a regent who would lose power anyway in less than two years, or that my regent would try to murder me so he wouldn’t lose that power?”

  At that a murmur of agreement went up from the room. Kendryk saw several of the soldiers holding copies of the contract. The hostile man gave an angry huff and walked out.

  Julia nodded at a guard, who followed him.

  Kendryk hoped the rest would be more cooperative.

  Maxima's Palace

  Sonya’s heart sank as she returned to the same building as before, but this time the guard didn’t take her down the stairs. Instead, he led her up a flight and showed her to a small room. It too had a barred window and heavy oaken door, but it was light in here, with furniture.

  “Is this where you keep the less awful prisoners?” she asked the guard, who seemed friendlier after her performance in the square.

  “It’s where we keep the highborn ones, when we have ‘em.”

  “I don’t suppose you have many of those.” Sonya looked around the room. A small cot stood in one corner and a table and chair in the other. Not fancy, but better than the dungeon.

  “Not too often,” the guard said. “Last one was before I came here. A nobleman’s son who went off to be a scholar. All that learning turned him heretic, and he shouted about it all over town until they locked him in here.”

  “What happened to him?” Sonya sat down on the edge of the cot. Saggy, but not bad.

  “Some say his family took him back home and locked him up there. Others say he was put in the hospital for those who aren’t right in the head.”

  “How awful.” Sonya shuddered.

  She smiled at the guard, who seemed in no hurry to go. He was about her age, with sandy hair and mustache and a dusting of freckles across his snub nose that made him seem even younger.

  “Are you excited to go fight the duke?” she asked.

  “If they’ll let me. But a few of us will have to stay behind to guard the prisoners.”

  “How many are there? Aside from my friend, who you’ll find isn’t dangerous at all.”

  “I dunno. She growled at me when I brought her lunch.”

  “She gets that way when she’s hungry.” Sonya grinned. “Who else is there?” She wasn’t sure what good the information would do her, but it wouldn’t hurt to have it. And the more the guard liked her ... well, that wouldn’t hurt either.

  “The garrison commander arrived today. And we’re to expect more from the garrison, anyone who doesn’t support the prince. Julia said there might be a few of those.”

  “This Julia is rather ruthless.”

  “She is.” The guard looked proud. “You don’t see a woman of that quality often.” He gazed at Sonya boldly, then flushed. “Though you look right tough.”

  “Not in this dress,” Sonya said with a laugh. “Do you suppose you might get my clothes from the palace? These long skirts drive me crazy, and when there’s a draft ...” She raised her eyebrows meaningfully.

  The guard turned even redder. “I’ll see what I can do. I can’t think it’d be a problem.”

  “And my horse,” Sonya said, while she was ahead. “Can you tell me if my horse is all right?”

  “Is he one of the Zastwarians?”

  She nodded, nearly sagging with relief.

  “He’s in the stable then. Probably keeping him for you until you go.”

  “If I go.”

  “I’m sure they’ll let you,” the guard said. “If what you said in the square is true, then you’re a hero. You saved the prince.”

  “Not exactly. But I’d like to help him now, if he’ll let me.”

  “I think he ought to,” the guard said, then took his leave with a smile.

  Sonya lay back on the bed, wondering what would come next. It was good that her speech had gone well at least. The crowd had shown sympathy to Kendryk almost right away, growing angry during his speech, but became positively enraged after hers.

  Knowing Julia, she’d harness that anger and throw it at the duke. It was frustrating to not be a part of that. And a trial still wouldn’t go too well if Sonya couldn’t prove that she wasn’t planning to act on the contract. All she could hope for now is that Kendryk believed her and overrode Julia’s desire to punish her.

  Garrison Headquarters, Heidenhof

  After the troublemaking officer st
ormed out of the room, two more followed him. The rest of the soldiers were shaking their heads over copies of the contract or regarding Kendryk with a friendly gaze.

  “Stay up here,” Julia whispered and stepped back. The man she’d chosen to lead the garrison took her place.

  “Captain Becker, at your service,” he said to Kendryk. “I’m with the Maxima’s guards, but she thought I’d be of more use here.” Becker was no taller than Kendryk, but enormously broad across the shoulders. A bushy black mustache gave him a fearsome look, but that was only until his brown eyes twinkled.

  “You are certainly needed here,” Kendryk said with a warm smile.

  In spite of his short stature and genial expression, Becker commanded authority, and when he cleared his throat, the buzzing in the room died down. “You’ve heard what your prince has to say, and you’ve seen the contract the duke took out on his life. That same man is out there, trying to keep the free folk of Heidenhof from going about their rightful business. I say we chase him off.”

  A roar of affirmation went up from the room, and Kendryk was swept along at the captain’s side.

  They walked into the corridor, and the captain paused. “You coming with us?” he asked.

  “I suppose I’d better.” Kendryk wasn’t sure he’d be any good in a fight, but letting others do this for him seemed cowardly in the extreme.

  “Did you bring your weapons and armor?” the captain asked.

  “Er, no.” Kendryk had none, aside from a suit of tournament armor he’d nearly outgrown, and the weapons he used for hunting.

  “I don’t suppose the duke would have let you bring them along,” Becker said with a chuckle. “Never mind that, we’ll outfit you from the armory.” He waved over a young sergeant. “This here is Schmitt. She’ll get you set up. We’ll meet in the courtyard in a half hour.”

  A compact blond woman, Sergeant Schmitt looked Kendryk over with a practiced eye. “I’m sure we’ll have something that fits you. Easier when you’re not so big.”

  Kendryk followed Schmitt down another corridor, out the door and across a courtyard, then into a hall containing nothing but weapons and armor.