The Burning Crown (Stone Blade Book 4)

by James Matt Cox

  In response Micah hooked Fadding's sabre with his own and tossed it from Outremin's dead hand toward its owner.

  "Micah," hissed Ferrel urgently.

  "Not now, Charlie! Don't distract me!"

  "How delightfully droll," said Fadding, "The two of you are acquainted. Perhaps this night you'll both knock on hell's door together."

  With that, Fadding swept his blade into a proper formal salute, which Micah returned.

  Fadding was a master of the blade, Micah gave him that, and fast! Still, even with all his skill he fell far short of equal to Micah. After a particularly vicious spate of bladework Fadding took a small slice out of Micah's shoulder, but Micah lowered his guard deliberately! When Fadding committed to the attack and drew blood, Micah swept his blade on the withdrawal, flicked it out of his hand and ended up with the point of his sabre digging into Fadding's throat.

  Many people in the crowd cried out and the Elder Guards reached for their blasters.

  "Stop!" Micah put a command snap into his voice. "Guardsmen, remove your hands NOW! If one of you clears the draw, this man dies for it!"

  Ferrel made a small, choked sound and Fadding actually laughed.

  "Ignorance, Stone, is your downfall. You cannot win this day. My blood is noble! Spill it and your life is forfeit! Your only hope now is to drop your blade and beg my forgiveness."

  Micah smiled as he twisted his blade slightly. It took a nick out of Fadding's flesh and a small trickle of blood dripped down his chest.

  "Oops," said Micah with no conviction whatsoever.

  ***

  As one the Elder Guardsmen drew their weapons.

  "You utter idiot!" Shock now suffused Fadding's expression. "Stone, you fool, I would have spared your life. Now I cannot! You have spilled noble blood!"

  "Yeah," said Micah, "I guess I have. That means I have nothing... Lower your weapons, guards! Yes, Fadding. That means now I truly have nothing to lose by killing you! Tell me, my laird, are you brave enough to die for what you believe? Guards! Drop your weapons now or he dies! I swear by my oath as a Marine that I can and will kill him if you do not!"

  "He can do it," said Ferrel, surprising the guards and the crowd, "I've seen him fight. You may kill him, true, but he will kill Joey first. You'd best listen to him."

  Slowly, by ones and twos, the Guards dropped their blasters. Fadding licked at his lips with a tongue gone dry.

  "So what now, my brother," asked Ferrel casually.

  "I need a Gladius, Charlie," said Micah. Then loud enough to be easily heard, "Is there a Gladius present?"

  One lady sitting close to the Brightcrown group rose.

  "Yes, sirra. I am Monica Lady Deming, Scion of House Gladius."

  "Lady Deming, I call on you to sit in judgment."

  Moving slowly yet deliberately Deming made her way to Fadding's chair.

  "Now, soldier of Varl, I sit in judgment as blood of a House not involved in your matter."

  "Thank you, my lady. As I said, I have solid evidence that Laird Fadding, on behalf of House Varl and several others, has committed treason against the Crown and the League. He has also engaged in numerous other lesser crimes, for which I also have evidence. I do not, however, have it in my pocket. It will require a short trip and a little time to present to you.

  "I swear upon my honor as a Marine and the word of my best friend Charlie that it does exist and that I do have it. I will accept confinement and whatever other measures you deem appropriate if you will allow me to gather it. If it does not satisfy you I shall turn myself over to your justice willingly and without contention.

  "I don't particularly want to kill this man, nor do I wish to die today. Will you grant me the indulgence I ask?"

  Deming sat and pondered for a long time. She motioned to one of her friends who brought her a datapad. The two of them consulted in low whispers for a moment, then she thought a while longer. Small twinges of fatigue nipped at Micah's arm. Finally, visibly, Deming reached a decision.

  "League man, I am truly sorry. I can grant neither indulgence nor pardon."

  Half the Guards looked ready to dive for their weapons. A handful of people in the crowd fainted. Fadding swallowed hard and tried to look calm.

  "You must understand," continued Deming, "that only one of Royal blood can countenance or forgive blood challenge. I am flattered that you think so highly of House Gladius but I cannot help you as you request."

  Pure fear now filled Fadding's eyes.

  "Hear me out, League man!" Deming spoke with a touch of urgency. "I cannot help you as you ask, yet there is one service I can supply you.

  "If the current Laird of House Varl would care to recant the vile actions of his predecessor and those he himself has committed, I shall stand witness on behalf of King Hartwig and the Crown for Prince Gunter Lord Fyrelm's redemption into House Brightcrown."

  Now horror battled the fear within Fadding's eyes. Micah had no trouble seeing the revulsion he felt at the idea, yet he had no desire to die, even though Micah would join him in it.

  "I suppose the pious question now," said Micah, "is whether or not you are willing to die for what you believe. Do you have the stomach for it, Fadding?" Micah increased the pressure on his blade.

  "No! No!! Stay your blade!" Fadding took a breath. "I, Josef Marcel Carter Fadding, Laird of the Great House of Varl, do hereby renounce and condemn the actions of the former Laird Barrick Fadding of House Varl in petitioning the Houses of the Hausmoot for censure against the Great and Noble House of Brightcrown, and in petitioning for the exile of Prince Gunter. Let those actions be stricken and forgotten.

  "Let it be further known that the current censure against House Brightcrown was petitioned of King Hartwig and the Hausmoot unjustly." Fadding swallowed hard. "Let it be known that all sanction and recent actions, petitioned and conducted at my behest, against Gunter Lord Fyrelm, Prince Elmer, were unjust. So do I say by witness of my own hand."

  Tears now trickled down Fadding's face. "I do now petition Monica Lady Deming of the Great and Noble House of Gladius, in her office as representative of the Crown and King Hartwig, that Prince Gunter Rene du'Charle Fyrelm be restored... be restored to all blood and privilege under the Crown. So... So do I say and witness by my hand."

  The crowd sighed and shifted and the whispers and murmurs started again. Micah lowered the sabre and tossed it away. Fadding's knees buckled and he collapsed to the floor.

  "So do I witness," said Deming, "On behalf of King and Crown do I ratify and confirm the words and actions of Josef Laird Fadding of the Great House of Varl." She turned to the Brightcrowns. "Does the blood of the Great and Noble House of Brightcrown dispute Laird Fadding's words?"

  One of the Brightcrowns stood. "Nay, Lady Deming! House Brightcrown is honored to accept the words of Laird Fadding and to accept Prince Gunter back into his House and blood!"

  "So let it be shown," said Deming, "Welcome back, Prince Gunter!"

  That brought rousing applause from Brightcrown, Edders, McReely and a few others. After Deming clapped her hands twice she held up her arms.

  "Hold, my friends. Hold! There is still the matter of blood challenge. Prince Gunter?"

  Now free of his bindings, Ferrel looked up with more mischief than Micah ever hoped to see in one place. Or ten! He glanced at the still-cheering Brightcrowns.

  "Brightcrown! Do you have a blade. A proper blade, mind! I'll use no Varl trash for this."

  One young man hurried forward and presented Ferrel a dagger, still sheathed, and bowed. Ferrel bared the blade and made a small nick in his finger.

  "I need your finger too, Micah. No, not that one!"

  Puzzled, Micah extended the requested finger. Ferrel nicked a small cut in it and pressed his own finger against it.

  "Micah James Stone. We have seen battle together. We have fought side by side, my life in your hands and your life in mine. We have done battle as brothers and on the side of honor and justice. I swear to you now that my friends
are yours and your enemies mine. I shall gladly lay down my life in protection and defense of you and your kin."

  "Umm, yeah," said Micah, uncertain of what to say, "Me too you and yours."

  "Good enough, my brother," grinned Ferrel, "Lady Deming, Brother Brightcrown, please stand in witness. All is forgiven. From what I just heard, we have quite a load on our plate before we reach dessert!"

  Once again cheers exploded and this time everyone save Fadding and his allies joined in.

  ***

  "Now," said Ferrel, handing back the blade, "You said you have proof of treason?"

  "Long story," said Micah, "This time you owe me dinner!"

  "Of that I have no doubt, my brother. Does it perchance have something to do with the reason I was whisked away whilst you came here?"

  "That you have to ask Ted," said Micah, "All I know for certain sure is what we found when we got here. That's no-blather more than enough!"

  Ferrel glanced at Fadding, who still knelt like a broken man.

  "In that case he should probably be in custody. Guards?"

  One of the Elder Guards shackled Fadding with due honor.

  "Them too." Micah indicated Simmons and McConney, who had begun slinking toward the door.

  After a glance at Ferrel, the guards stopped them as well.

  "One last detail." Ferrel wrapped Micah in a back-pounding embrace which Micah gladly returned. "It's good to see you, my brother! Very, very good!"

  After a momentary and loud disturbance, the main doors opened wide. In strode another group of Elder Guards, followed on close order by a squad of Garrison Marines, all with weapons drawn. After them came...

  "Vera!" Ferrel started toward her, "I should have expec... John? John Thompson! What the hades are you doing here?!"

  Ferrel and Thompson slammed into a hearty hug into which Ferrel pulled Kidwell.

  "Pulling your duff out of the fusion chamber," said Thomas, "As usual! Rumor says you caused an orbit-wide splash. Again! What's wrong? Too much boredom in your life?"

  Ferrel laughed and the Marines, on seeing no imminent disaster, sheathed their blasters. The Elder Guards did likewise but kept careful vigilance. Micah noted the man he'd captured at the back of the group: Karr. He looked apprehensive at Micah's approach but he'd also taken note of Outremin's body and the cut on Fadding's throat.

  "Seigneur Karr," said Micah, "I see you convinced my friends of your story. I'm rather glad of that, no blather."

  "Aye and for truth, Master Stone." Karr relaxed at Micah's words. "I am also quite pleased to find less destruction than Lady Kittley feared. I, ahh, truly do regret the misunderstandings of our first meeting."

  Micah shrugged. "What's important is the result, Sir Karr. Everyone gets firsted, it's what happens next that matters."

  Now recovered from the shock of seeing his friends, Ferrel nudged Micah.

  "My brother, I hate to be overly precipitous during such a glad occasion, but I no blather want to lay my hands on that misbegotten bottomfeeder of a League Adjunct before he leaves the planet or the League. I realize he has a solid lead on us but he'll have very limited options once I find a terminal with some serious access!"

  Deming approached Ferrel with a handful of datacubes.

  "You'll want these, Prince Gunter," she said with a bow, "They are the official recordings of what happened here, properly signed, sealed and certified."

  "Thank you, Lady Deming," said Ferrel, bowing back, "Peace and fortune favor the Great and Noble House of Gladius. You are a credit and honor to it."

  Deming turned to Micah. One of her friends handed her his cloak, which she presented to Micah with a bow.

  "Please accept this, sire," she said, "I know it is not House Brightcrown but it is a good sight better than Varl, and my kinsman is the only one among us of a size to fit you."

  "Thank you," said Micah, returning the bow, "Umm... Honor to House Gladius for it."

  Deming and the others all smiled, as did Ferrel. He himself now wore the young Brightcrown's cloak, which fit a little tight, and the now-cloakless lad positively gushed happy excitement over it.

  ***

  The group made quite a procession as they sped toward the League offices. Elder Guard hovers and hovercycles led them with flashing lights and wailing sirens. Behind those came Micah, Ferrel, Karr, Kidwell and Thompson, plus a McReely driver. That young lady and no few others seemed quite affronted and ready to argue when Micah made to drive. Fadding, McConney and Simmons rode, shackled, with the Marines in their transport.

  The procession stalled within the League compound. More Marines stood emplaced and ready to defend and they carefully checked and verified everyone's ID. They ended up in front of the main administration building with a Marine lieutenant. Karr appeared quite nervous, but the Elder Guards, now debarked and showing no urgency, calmed him somewhat.

  "We have urgent business with the Adjunct," said Micah, "I'll gladly stay here if you wish and identify myself further, but please detain him."

  "Already done, sir," said the Marine, with a nod to Kidwell, "Ma'am, we're to escort you and several others inside immediately."

  The lieutenant and the Elder Guard commander escorted them inside, then motioned Micah, Ferrel, Kidwell, Thompson and Karr into the adjunct's office. Micah tensed until the door opened.

  "Ted!!"

  "Greetings Agent Stone, Agent Ferrel, Agent Kidwell. I'm glad you could join us today."

  ***

  Ionoski conducted them into the office, established full security and gestured toward the seats there. Several pots of chog steamed on the table and he waited long enough for everyone to pour a cup. Neither Micah nor Ferrel nor Kidwell wanted to speak first.

  "In case you are concerned about it," started Ionoski, "the former Adjunct n'Guirro is currently in custody and not likely to leave soon. Thanks to a friend of a friend, of a friend, I was able to gather considerable evidence of corruption of the most severe kind. I'm certain you will be able to add to it.

  "Agent Ferrel. I shall start with you first because you've caused me the most trouble. To date, at least. Is there anything you would care to report?"

  Amazingly, Ferrel looked back sheepishly. "Ahh... Yes. First and foremost, the new terminal works incredibly well with the Mekhajan virus inversion. The AIdaptive routines are almost as fast as the standard ones and the configurable optimization is very efficient.

  "When I received Father's letter I had no idea what Varl was about, but it's never anything good. I have several fans of cores rented under an assumed name and I did not use any official resources for that! I sent the release codes to Father and to you. I... convinced... all of the Varl cores along with Binkor-Sud and Imix to crypto-compress and transfer any highly-secured data. Low and slow."

  "I see," said Ionoski, "What happened to your new terminal?"

  "As soon as I owned their cores and finished my tasks with it I securely destroyed it. I sent all the pieces along with a full report by bonded courier back to... where it needed to go."

  "That's polar," said Ionoski, "Exactly how did you manage to remove it from its home?"

  Micah gaped at Ferrel. He stole an experimental terminal?!

  "For truth, Ted," asked Ferrel, "You can't expect me to tell you all my secrets, now can you? Suffice it to say the methods I used won't be feasible again for at least a few centuries. Maybe longer."

  "Fair coin, I suppose. Don't do it again!" Ionoski turned his attention to Micah and Kidwell. "As to you two, do you have the smallest idea of how much trouble you're in? I agree that this was a sewer full of rotgrubs but you still violated an incredible number of rules, including the strongest ones about non-interference!"

  Micah had no excuse for that. He knew when he did it that he'd face a massive splash.

  "Yes sir. As Agent Kidwell and Commander Thompson will attest, I assumed full command once I discovered the suspected Consortium presence, and I am prepared to take the consequences for my actions and those of my team
. If you have an official 'caster I can..."

  "Hush, Micah," interrupted Kidwell, "You too, Ted. As it happens I know exactly how much trouble we're in, but this time you don't!"

  Ionoski lifted an eyebrow. Kidwell reached over and squeezed Karr's hand.

  "We were, in witnessed fact, asked to intervene here by an official member of the local government. Piotr Sir Karr, Knight and Scion of the Noble House of Edders with commendations and honors in piles, asked us for our help in resolving this detestable situation. Is that not accurate, Sir Karr?"

  "It is," said Karr, "Although I must admit I am more uncertain now of exactly whom I asked for aid. Yet... ask I did and I shall stand by that."

  Now Ionoski smiled and Micah felt a great relief at that.

  "Thank you, Sir Karr. After reading Agent Kidwell's initial report, I checked your background. You are now cleared to know this and I am certain you won't go blathering it about.

  "Agents Kidwell, Stone, Ferrel and myself are members of League Intelligence. Commander Thompson was sent along in the event that Agent Ferrel discovered the situation here and decided to show up and try something... foolish."

  Karr and Thompson both looked at the others with shocked surprise. Thompson's expression also contained more than a little anxiety.

  "Not to worry, Commander Thompson," said Ionoski, "If I didn't trust you, you wouldn't be here."

  Ionoski turned his gaze to include all of them.

  "From the point of my superiors," he said, "you have all done well. But... Considering the jolly-bag of duffage you uncovered, there will be splash assigned. Misconduct in a League official is a very serious matter, especially when said misconduct involves treason, and most certainly when that treason involves the Consortium.

  "Agent Kidwell. Not long before you all arrived I received word from the starport. The Marines you sent with Lady Blue did capture all of Outremin's flight crew. They were captured away from their ship and the ship itself has been impounded and secured. It's awaiting whatever you wanted done with it."