The Burning Crown (Stone Blade Book 4)

by James Matt Cox

  ***

  "If you're going to use babble," said Kittley, rudely snapping Blue back to the present, "You really should learn how to use it properly."

  She filled a hypo with an all-too-familiar liquid.

  "The dosage has to be exact," she continued, "Not just close, dear. Exact."

  Kittley eyed the hypo and decreased the dose slightly.

  "Too little, you see, and all you get is a warm, hazy feeling that's easy to fight. If you know how. Do you?"

  Kittley approached and Blue tried hard to move. Impossible, she discovered, thanks to the straps and manacles anchored around the bed and holding her in place.

  "Too much," continued Kittley, baring Blue's arm, "and you still get that warm happy feeling, but plus-plus more intense. From there it only gets stronger, right up to the place where your heart goes suborbital. That's when the pain starts. Or so I'm told. Still, it does allow at least a short window of... opportunity. I've heard you can survive it, though, if you get to a medic quickly enough."

  Terror welled up in Blue. She bit down hard to avoid screaming but a muffled mewling still leaked out.

  "Oh, don't worry, dear," said Kittley, "I'm very good at asking questions quickly, should the need arise. I'm guessing you really don't know much about babble. It can be very dangerous." She grasped Blue's arm and cleaned the injection site. "One last thing you should know about it. I absolutely hate having it used on me."

  Blue felt an icy prick and heard a hiss. Kittley leaned close over her.

  "Think about that, dear. I'll have you some questions soon."

  Blue's vision blurred momentarily but snapped back into focus.

  "Now, Lacy Blue," said Kittley, "We shall discuss why you thought it wise to accost my friend and me."

  What, thought Blue. How did she know?! What else did she know? The terror within her multiplied and a ragged scream of it finally tore out of her throat.

  "No! Noooo...."

  The sound mushed and distorted as a warm, tingly feeling enfolded her.

  ***

  Kidwell sighed and lit a much-needed drugstick. Blue whimpered and twitched as she lived what dreams Kidwell knew not. The drug she administered, a mixture of NiGhTmArE and a mild sedative, would not reach full potency for a few minutes more. She had another cocktail ready for when it did. She glanced at Thompson, who looked back with eyes wide and face pale.

  "What's wrong, Cap'n John?"

  "Lady, right now you're six-sigmas off the beam scarier than Sergeant Stone, House Varl and the Consortium combined!"

  "I know, lover, and don't think it feels good. We need information and answers, though, and we don't have a lot of time to get either. Don't forget, these bastards are working against the League! I promise you she'll survive this and so will Seigneur..." She examined his ID. "Karr. They will survive to face League justice and feel every second of it!"

  Thompson shuddered. "I know, Vera, but right now I'm absolutely and totally not interested in finding out any more about Protocol!"

  At that moment Blue's eyes snapped open and forestalled Kidwell's reply.

  ***

  After half the morning running about taking care of details Outremin suddenly started rushing Micah even harder. Even stranger, he spoke of active-linking to Astraboria.

  "Pardon, sir," said Micah, "I thought we were going to Barinhall."

  "We shall, Stone, not to worry. All in due time. I've just received critical information, though. My Laird Fadding will meet us on Astraboria and the Great House of Varl will see its justice sauced with sweet revenge! Now hurry! We must find those fools Simmons and McConney before they go haring off on some fool's journey!"

  "Will I meet him? Laird Fadding, I mean."

  "Of course, Stone! I am his hand of action just as you are mine. You'd best polish your Peerage and Precedence, as well as your Conduct, else someone's hand may be chopped off."

  They found McConney just finishing a long breakfast and totally absorbed in financial reports and similar House business. He showed Outremin courtesy due but only that. He steadfastly refused to hear Outremin's news before lunch or absent Simmons.

  When the two of them reached Simmons' manor the servants flatly refused them entrance. After Outremin fussed, fumed, intimidated and finally bullied his way in, those same servants used every trick of courtesy they could to delay him. They offered wine, nibblers, breakfast, early lunch and even a quick trip to the manor's pool or spa. Only when Micah caught Outremin's ear and whispered, just loud enough for a few to overhear, about killing a few of them to expedite matters did they finally behave.

  Simmons himself they found asleep in a decadent bedchamber with eight women, two other men, an assortment of empty bottles and cans and several different flavors of drugs. An open cabinet revealed straps, manacles, crops and a plethora of other gear more suited to the Varl sport house basement. The lot of them also lacked enough clothing to dress two of their number completely.

  When they roused Simmons he spoke sharply and grumpily. He, also, refused to speak to them of the project without McConney present.

  "Idiots! Weaklings and fools, Stone! Mark my words, we shall have a reckoning indeed. Once m'Laird's plan comes to its full fruition we shall all count our recompense! On that day those wastrel brats will rue every second they cost me here!"

  "What exactly is our hurry, sir. Until now it's been patience and wait. Now it's hurry and faster."

  Outremin eyed Micah with some annoyance that soon faded.

  "You might as well know now, Stone. I received word just this morning that a bastard fool of an exiled Brightcrown criminal has returned to the Crown! We have him, of course, but since he is - was - of royal blood we cannot simply kill him without ceremony. The man is a fool with his head likely full of noble and stupid thoughts. He was caught in his crimes nigh twenty years ago and the censure he brought Brightcrown should have brought it down. It did not and he was allowed banishment. That cost the Great House of Varl greatly, and now we shall have our due!"

  "With proper ceremony."

  "Yes, Stone! You understand that now!"

  "Then we kill him."

  Outremin opened his mouth, paused and finally spoke.

  "Yes, Stone. Then and only then."

  ***

  "Micah just messaged me," said Kidwell, "They're leaving within the hour and traveling under rapid flight protocol."

  "Bloody! Did he get your squirt?"

  "Yes but he might not have time to read it. He sounded hurried."

  Thompson winced. "Belay that 'might,' dear. If Crown RFP is anything close to Navy he'll have to borrow time to even think about being in a hurry. What about these two?"

  "They'll be awake soon enough," she said, "We'll decide then. Why don't you go chat with our hosts. See if they might have some breakfast."

  "Slib."

  Blue registered these words and tried mightily not to show any sign of awareness. She heard a door open and then close, certain now that she truly heard it. After centuries of hideous and soul-numbing nightmares, all with a monster's voice droning in the background, she realized they had stopped and released her.

  "I have a monitor on you, Signora Blue," said a female voice. Kittley! "So I know you're awake and aware."

  Blue opened her eyes. She lay across the bed the formed the altar for so many of her horrid dreams, now reduced to nothing more than a bed. She twitched involuntarily and discovered her arms and legs free of restraint.

  "Better," said Kittley, "I want you to know the two of you gave us a lot to consider. Today you'll have the chance to prove some of it, along with your own veracity."

  Blue stretched slowly, gathering and tensing her muscles under its guise.

  "Don't," said Kittley, "I've trained in unarmed combat under Micah, dear. He's the one who rescued me. I've taken down hardened soldiers stronger and tougher than the two of you. Right now you and all your Houses are in a lot more trouble than you realize. Attacking me won't help them a milli,
it will cause you a galaxy of problems and you still won't be free."

  Kittley spoke easily and honestly and with no sign of subtle persuasion or trickery. If she was lying, thought Blue, then no wonder she convinced so many people at Lithigrove.

  "What do you want," Blue finally asked.

  "Wrong question. The one you should be asking is 'How can I help you?'"

  "Slib, then." Convinced of the woman's truth, at least about her fighting skill, Blue wracked her brain for another less-physical alternative. "How can you help us?"

  Karr tossed on the bed beside Blue and muttered some incoherent thing. Blue looked at him critically.

  "Don't worry, hon," said Kittley, "He's polar. The drug just takes some time to wear off.

  "Now. Information." Kittley lit a 'stick and tossed Blue the pack. "First of all, the two of you concluded that the League was working with House Varl to destroy House Brightcrown, disrupt the Star Crown worlds, move in under cover of chaos and take total control planet-wise. Yes?"

  Blue said nothing but Kittley nodded smugly at the expression she couldn't help.

  "Yes, dear. You told us all of that and more besides. Now let me return the favor. You were totally and completely wrong about the League. That is both for now, for the future and ever, period. That isn't how we operate and the Crown is one of our staunchest and longest-standing members. We don't interfere in our member worlds without specific invitation.

  "What you don't know is that over the past two to five years, the Navy has experienced a very significant failure rate in photon arrays, transfer couplings and quite a few other heavy-load components. What's more, these units don't fail under ordinary use. They do fail under combat load, and sometimes not the first time that happens. They only fail when they're needed the most.

  "Our investigation here led us to the fact that these units are being manufactured outside the League. They are, in simple fact, being manufactured by the Consortium. That means the League's most powerful and dangerous enemy is secretly supplying it with combat equipment guaranteed to fail just when it is needed the most."

  Blue felt her heart constrict at this. She knew what Kittley would say next.

  "One last fact," continued Kittley, "We traced every defective part to Catonatta and House Brightcrown. Every. Single. One."

  Blue's jaw trembled until she clenched it. It felt like the floor, bed and all, dropped out from under her. The magnitude of Varl's plot stunned her and shocked her brain into senselessness, just when she needed sharp focus the most.

  "All the evidence we have collected points inescapably to Brightcrown," said Kittley, "There are a few curious inconsistencies but they are small and well-hidden. None of them, or even all together, is sufficient to convince anyone outside your own small group of allies.

  "The only remaining thread of doubt lies with me. As you might have guessed, I am a very astute student of psychology and behavior, from the individual level upward. If the facts are as you say, your only hope of proving them is to convince me."

  Blue finally worked her jaw loose. She moved to a more comfortable sitting position and lit a 'stick. Karr snapped awake and made to rise hastily. Blue put her hand across his chest and held him in place.

  "That's a good start," said Kittley, "But only that."

  "What..." Karr shifted.

  Blue had no idea where to start but Kittley did.

  "Piotr Sir Karr," she said, "Orders of the Broken Flame, Duty, the Blade and Diligence. Numerous other awards and commendations, your proudest of which is the Order of the Scroll."

  Karr's eyes widened.

  "As I just told Lady Blue, the pair of you gave me and my friends more than a little information to consider. I am in the process of returning the favor."

  Kittley summarized what she'd told Blue.

  "... and since you're familiar with proper interrogation technique," she continued, "you will recognize my folly at letting each of you hear what I told the other." She handed Blue and Karr sealed bottles of tea. "That is, of course, if the League was in fact planning what you think it is. It is not."

  "What proof do you have," asked Karr, "other than vague words and details you've tortured out of us."

  "Nothing you'd believe," said Kittley, honestly enough, "Other than the fact that you'd both be dead now, or at least bound and immobile. If what you suspected was true."

  "Is Stone working with you," asked Karr neutrally.

  "Obviously. Which you knew or strongly suspected, given the fact that he didn't kill you, could have easily, didn't kill any of your guards and could have, easily. There is more to him, to all of us, than the data you've seen or gathered."

  "Release us," said Karr, "I won't promise to believe you, even then, but that will make a good start of it."

  "It's not that easy, seigneur. Right now we're in the basement of a house full of Varl guards. These guards believe you are of noble blood and were frightened down to their ankles when Micah showed total indifference to that fact."

  "So how, exactly, do we get out?"

  "Dead, of course." Kittley held up a pair of hypos. "These are loaded with a strong sedative that will, temporarily, place you into a comatose state." She tossed them onto the bed. "I'll give you ten minutes to discuss your options, or more if you wish. You can probably improvise a dozen or more weapons and I don't doubt your skill with them. You might even make it past me. But, as I said, there are dozens of Varl guards beyond that door and between you and freedom. If you choose to fight you will not help your cause at all."

  With that Kittley rose and left.

  ***

  "Well," asked Blue after the door closed fully.

  "I don't know, dear lady. She is right in that they could have killed us easily, and also about the interrogation. I think she was being mostly truthful."

  "But she does know how to handle people. We know that for certain sure."

  "Aye. I also have no doubt there are guards aplenty beyond that door. Varl or otherwise, what matters it? We are at their mercy, m'lady. Did they want us dead, dead we'd be. That lends weight to her words."

  "But what else could they want? What could we give them?"

  Karr scratched his ear and glanced around the room. "Many things, Lady Blue. Many things."

  "Truth," she sighed, "What do you deem our best action?"

  Karr shrugged. "Consider for the sake of hypothesis that what she said is true. Where does that lead us?"

  Blue thought on it. "Parallel to the track of our investigation, but from a different side. That frightens me, Piotr. It does fit so closely with what we've uncovered."

  "We can verify the failures," he said, "If we have proper net access and resources. We cannot do that from here."

  "Truth, my friend," said Blue. She picked up one of the hypos. "If we choose wrongly and end up truly dead, it has been an honor and a pleasure serving with you!"

  Karr took her hand and made a proper ceremony of kissing it.

  "You as well, dear Lady Blue."

  After a short time Kittley walked back through the door.

  "Well," she asked.

  "Any Edders or McReely household will suffice," said Karr.

  Kittley nodded and he and Blue pressed the hypos against their arms.

  Chapter 16. The Prince's Story

  Reginald Laird Fyrelm paced his cabin, back and forth. Though the largest on the ship, and certainly the most luxurious, still he wished it bigger. Now in link to Barinhall, his ship continued to receive news broadcasts up to the point it entered linkspace. Perfectly normal. Not until it linked in, though, did he have a chance to read the news just breaking across the Crown worlds. His heart ached dreadfully yet he had no way to assuage it.

  The summons to Moot came as a shock, if not a surprise. The contingent of Crown Guards, led by a Crown Knight, was nothing more than a slap to his face by House Varl. Nor did Fyrelm blame the man. He did House Brightcrown as much honor and courtesy as he could, given his duty and the circumstances. Unfo
rtunately that duty was clear: escort Laird Fyrelm to Hausmoot with utmost dispatch.

  When the summons arrived, all of Fyrelm's household, blood or otherwise, stepped forward to accompany him. Of course he could not take them all but their absolute support and belief in him both cheered him and distressed him. No other House of the Crown, he knew, earned and held such loyalty from all associated with it. It distressed him because, strong though it might be, Fyrelm felt their faith misplaced.

  "Stand strong, m'Laird Fyrelm!"

  How Osbury managed to slip aboard the ship Fyrelm knew not. Now, though, he was glad of it. He chided himself for weakness and age, but still he felt comforted with Osbury there.

  ***

  Blue opened her eyes to a headache almost as bad as the one the stunner left her. Considering the alternatives, she elected not to complain.

  "Lacy. Lady Blue!"

  Blue focused her eyes to the very welcome sight of Kelsey McReely hovering over her.

  "Kelsey. Yes. I'm well." She looked about. "Piotr?"

  "He's here." McReely handed her a drink and a headache tablet. "He woke with a fearful headache and thirst."

  "How..." Blue let the question trail off. The tablet hadn't yet taken effect!

  "You were delivered," said McReely, "By Lady Sneak and her toady. We have them safe here and they'll not be leaving soon!"

  "No. Wait. Kelsey. They're... They're not enemies." Blue forced the words into order. "I think. Don't harm them."

  McReely and several others shifted uncomfortably at that.

  "We didn't. Much. Sir Piotr is with them now. He said to bring you there once you woke."

  One of the others led Blue through a maze of hallways and down several staircases to a small room with a solid door.

  "Welcome back, m'lady." Karr spoke from where he sat at a terminal and worked it hard.

  Kittley and Thomas sat on a sofa against the wall, not much worse for wear. Thompson had a few new bruises and cuts and Kittley sported a black eye. They each had a soda, and a holovee on the opposite wall reported news. Five beefy McReely guards stood close by, weapons ready to draw.