The Forsaken Crown

by Christina Ochs

  “Perfect.” Sonya shed her coat, handing it to an Orician trooper nearby. She wore a cuirass and helmet, but no other armor, while the duke was covered in steel down to his knees, tall leather boots covering the rest.

  Kendryk didn’t see how she would touch him. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” he said to Count Faris. “Surely we have someone bigger?”

  “Unnecessary. She knows what she’s doing.”

  Kendryk hoped that was true.

  Something rattled behind him. It was the cart bearing Captain Danko and Georg.

  “Please tell me this isn’t what I think it is.” Danko’s eyes were wide, his voice strained.

  “I’m afraid it is.” Kendryk found his voice just as strained. “I wish there were someone else.”

  “It would be me, if I could,” Danko said. “Can’t someone just shoot him?”

  “Not while he’s standing there.” Heaviness descended over Kendryk.

  A crowd had gathered, many of them Sonya’s young cavalry troopers and the others captive Terragand nobles.

  Kendryk had to make his rule legitimate, and gunning down his regent—no matter how treacherous—in cold blood would be a poor start to his reign.

  The duke made no preparation, other than drawing an enormous sword. With that and his long reach, Kendryk didn’t see how Sonya would get close enough to him to do any damage.

  In one motion, Sonya drew two swords, and spurred her horse forward. Metal screeched on metal as the blades met.

  They clanged and broke apart, Sonya’s horse bounding around the duke’s. Another loud clang rang out when one of her swords hit the duke’s well-armored shoulder.

  Kendryk didn’t see the point in that cut at first. There was no way that little sword would do more than scratch the armor.

  But an instant later, the duke roared out in pain as Sonya’s horse darted out of reach. While distracting him with the first blow, she’d landed a cut across his ankle, slicing through the thick leather of his boot.

  Beside Kendryk, Captain Danko caught his breath. “She can do this,” he said, as if to himself.

  “She must.” Kendryk’s eyes were riveted to the scene.

  Blood ran from the duke’s boot, over the stirrup, and dripped onto the ground. Now he was angry.

  He spurred his charger, and though Sonya was ready for him, his great sword came down on hers so hard she nearly fell out of the saddle, dropping one sword as she grabbed the pommel.

  The duke’s momentum carried him forward, and Sonya’s horse circled around again, seemingly without her direction.

  She swung the sword at the duke’s back, at the joint in his armor where it met the pauldron. She missed the gap, but the duke had to scramble to turn around, giving her time to back off again.

  “Come here so I can kill you, girl,” he growled. “You’ll never do more than give me a little cut.”

  Sonya shrugged and drew a dagger from a sheath at her side.

  Kendryk didn’t know what she planned to do with it, but refused to look away.

  Her horse bounded forward again and Sonya’s blade clanged off the armor once more.

  “She’ll wear herself out doing that,” Captain Danko said.

  But then Sonya slid sideways, hanging from her horse’s side, swiping the dagger across the duke’s other boot.

  He cursed and pulled away as Sonya went past.

  Kendryk still didn’t see how she would hurt the duke doing that; perhaps she could eventually cut off part of his leg.

  Sonya was wheeling around to come after the duke again when he pivoted, his horse charging straight for Kendryk.

  Kendryk stared at him paralyzed, realizing too late the duke’s pistol was pointed straight at him.

  The Velta River

  EVEN AS ZEKI GALLOPED past his massive charger, Sonya kept an eye on the duke. He was still dangerous, like a wounded boar, but now he was rattled, in at least some pain, and she reckoned she could unhorse him in a few more passes.

  Once he was on the ground, it would be easier to drive her sword into the tiny gap she’d spotted between his cuirass and neckguard. She’d only seen it because the duke’s red padded undershirt stood in contrast to the bright silver.

  But as Zeki came around again, the duke veered away. For an instant, Sonya expected him to come at her from another angle, but then she realized he was heading away from her, toward the crowd watching the fight.

  It took her another instant to remember that Kendryk was in that crowd. She should have known the duke would take the opportunity for an act of treachery.

  She spurred Zeki after him, but she was too late.

  A pistol shot cracked through the air, followed by a scream, cut off quickly.

  Sonya galloped into the crowd, people scattering in every direction. She didn’t see Kendryk, or the duke.

  After what seemed like the longest second of her whole life, she caught sight of Count Faris, looking pale, his eyes wide with shock, struggling to control his panicked horse.

  “Prince Kendryk?” Sonya asked, scarcely wanting to hear the answer.

  Andrei’s voice distracted her. “Over here, Vidmar, hurry!”

  She looked at the cart. Someone lay bleeding in it, Irena sitting beside them. Was that Kendryk? And where was Andrei?

  “Hurry!” Irena pointed to the far side of the cart. “He can’t hold him down for long.”

  Sonya spurred Zeki forward, around the back of the cart. The duke lay on the ground, struggling against Andrei, who held him down, sitting on his bleeding legs.

  “I surrender,” the duke said, through gritted teeth.

  Andrei shook his head, and Sonya looked around while she dismounted. Aside from Irena, occupied with whoever was in the cart, no one looked their way.

  “Too late,” Sonya said, plunging her dagger into the gap at his neck. Blood burbled out, like a spring in the meadow on her father’s farm.

  The duke made a choking noise, thrashed for a second, and was still.

  “How did you—? What?” Sonya dropped onto the frozen grass beside Andrei, who had rolled off the duke’s body and leaned against a cart wheel, breathing hard.

  “He came straight for Prince Kendryk with a pistol.” Andrei put an arm around Sonya’s shoulder and pulled her close. “Someone pushed him out of the way and the ball hit Georg. I’m not sure how serious it is, but Irena’s taking care of him.”

  “Holy Daughter of the Gods,” Sonya said. She still held the bloody dagger, but dropped it, her hands shook so badly. She’d killed people in battle before, but never quite so deliberately. “How did you end up sitting on him?”

  “When he saw he’d missed the prince, he rode right past me, likely hoping to try again. So I jumped on him and knocked him off his horse.”

  “Are you insane?” Sonya asked, even as she snuggled closer. “You can barely walk. How did you think you’d manage a fellow that size?”

  “I didn’t really think. But I managed him, didn’t I?” Andrei looked down at her, his eyes twinkling. “Good thing you came when you did. Once the shock of hitting the ground wore off, I doubt he’d have settled for me sitting on him much longer.”

  “I don’t know what to say,” Sonya said, “Except that you always seem to be there when I need you.”

  “Good.” Andrei kissed her on the nose, which had grown rather cold. “I’d like to keep doing that.”

  Ebenstein

  THE GROUND WAS COLD, and very hard, and someone was pushing him into it. Kendryk’s head hurt and his ears rang.

  It was a long fall from horseback and Kendryk hadn’t seen it coming. Was the duke holding him down, preparing for a killing blow?

  But then the weight lifted, and someone knelt beside him saying, “Are you hurt, Your Grace? I’m so sorry, but I’m certain the duke was aiming at you.”

  Kendryk rolled onto his back and stared into Becker’s concerned face.

  “He was aiming at me,” Kendryk said, his last memory before hitting the
ground that of the duke riding straight for him, hatred in his eyes. “You saved my life. He didn’t hit anyone else, did he?”

  Kendryk sat up, Becker holding him by the elbow. “I need to find out what’s going on,” he said, scrambling to his feet. He wobbled a little, and leaned on Becker. Kendryk looked around. “Let’s find Count Faris. And keep an eye out for the duke.”

  Judging by the way folk stood around, chattering nervously, it seemed the immediate danger was over, but Kendryk drew his sword anyway, just to be safe.

  He saw no one familiar, though Captain Danko’s cart stood a short distance away. He could start there. Surely Georg could tell him what had happened.

  He walked up to the cart and stopped short. Georg lay in the bed, pale and bloodied, his head in Irena Tchernak’s lap.

  “Oh gods.” Kendryk leaned against the cart for support. “What happened?”

  “He took the pistol ball meant for you.” Irena’s voice was much softer than he’d ever heard it. “He’s still alive, but needs a doctor.” She looked downright frightened.

  “Find an Orician officer,” Kendryk told Becker, “and ask them to send their doctor as quickly as possible.”

  Becker hurried off, and Irena said, “You might want to see what’s on the other side.” She nodded to her right.

  Kendryk walked around, still holding his sword.

  The duke lay facedown on the frozen ground, while Captain Danko and Sonya sat against a wheel, kissing.

  Kendryk cleared his throat, then sheathed his sword.

  Sonya looked up at him with a smile. “Thank the gods you’re all right, Your Grace.”

  “He’s dead then?” Kendryk looked at the duke. Blood had run all over his armor, and onto the ground, darkening the area around his head.

  “Very.” Captain Danko struggled to his feet with Sonya’s help. “I unhorsed him after he took his shot at you. Captain Vidmar came over to help me, and he was killed in the struggle.”

  “Thank you,” Kendryk said. “For everything. I’m sorry I sent you on such an awful mission.”

  “Please, Your Grace.” Sonya looked happier than he’d ever seen her. “I was glad to do it, though I wish I’d killed him before he attacked you.” She peered into the cart. “Will your friend be all right?”

  “I don’t know,” Kendryk said, “though a doctor will be here soon.”

  Count Faris appeared, a broad smile of relief crossing his face as he saw Kendryk. “I was looking for you,” Faris said. “I realized you’d fallen off your horse, but mine bolted, and by the time I got back, you were gone.”

  “It’s all right. Captain Becker saved my life.” Kendryk smiled at Sonya and Captain Danko. “It seems I have a number of people to reward when all of this is over.”

  “We must go, Your Grace,” Count Faris said. “I wish to secure the duke’s palace at Ebenstein at once. I want no one in his family trying to rally the troops that ran away.”

  “Do you think they would?”

  “I’m not sure, but I wish to prevent it in any case.”

  “I’ll come in a moment,” Kendryk said. “First I want to see what the doctor says.”

  The Orician doctor, a tall thin man with graying black hair, had returned with Becker and climbed into the cart, kneeling beside Georg and Irena.

  “Will he be all right?” Kendryk asked.

  “He will live.” The doctor looked up. “The shot went into his shoulder, but hit nothing vital. He’s just lost a lot of blood.”

  “We’ll bring him to Ebenstein,” Kendryk said. “Please come along.”

  It was getting dark as they reached Ebenstein Palace. The Duchess Ora Balkunus waited for them in the hall as they entered. It seemed news of her husband’s death had preceded them. A plain-faced, dark-haired woman, the duchess was seldom seen at Birkenhof. Kendryk had always assumed she stayed in the countryside to run the estate.

  Ora bowed, then said, “I am at your disposal, Your Grace. I did not approve of my husband’s actions, though I realize that’s a poor excuse for doing nothing. If you arrest me, I only ask that—”

  “I won’t arrest you,” Kendryk said. “Unless I find out you were actively involved,” he added, hoping that wasn’t the case.

  “On the contrary,” the duchess said, “I often urged Desmond not to overreach himself, but he was ambitious, and we weren’t on good terms. If you’ll follow me, Your Grace, there’s someone here who might interest you.”

  The duchess turned, and Kendryk followed her down the corridor, Count Faris at his side. She stopped at a door, pulled a key from her belt and unlocked it. “I didn’t want her getting away.” She showed Kendryk into the room.

  He stopped short when he saw the Baroness Engler rising from a chair. “What are you doing here?” He didn’t care if he sounded rude.

  “She came to us a few weeks ago.” The duchess showed Kendryk and Faris to chairs facing the baroness. “I don’t know what she did, but my husband was angry with her.”

  “She failed to carry out his plans,” Kendryk said, his voice cold.

  “He was going to kill me.” The baroness’s voice was small.

  “That seems extreme, even for him,” Kendryk said.

  “I knew things,” the baroness continued. “I knew the things he’d done, so he wanted to get rid of me.”

  “But instead he brought you here?” This wasn’t making much sense to Kendryk.

  The baroness smiled. “I had insurance. If something happened to me, a friend of mine had instructions to make the duke’s crimes public. He didn’t want to risk it.”

  “The duke’s crimes have been public for a while now.” Dread rose inside Kendryk, even though the duke couldn’t hurt him anymore.

  “They are worse than you could imagine,” the baroness said. “Did you ever wonder why your brother fell off his horse?”

  “It was an accident.”

  “It wasn’t.” The baroness shook her head. “The horse was poisoned, driven to temporary madness. It would never have thrown him off otherwise.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “I loved Desmond.” Tears started to the baroness’s eyes. “I would have done anything for him. It was easy enough to pour something into the horse’s water when I went to the stable to fetch the riding crop I’d left behind.”

  “You’re good at that.” Kendryk’s throat tightened. “Poisoning, and leaving items of yours behind.” He swallowed hard. “Why would the duke do such a thing?”

  The baroness shook her head. “Even then, he wished to rule the kingdom. There was little chance with your father still young, and two healthy heirs.”

  “Not to mention my uncle and his son,” Kendryk said. “How did Desmond think he’d get around them?”

  The baroness shrugged. “He planned to deal with them one at a time. He had a plan for your father’s death as well.”

  “He killed my father too?” Kendryk couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

  “No, your father died of natural causes, as far as I know. I wasn’t involved in his death, I swear it.”

  “I suppose he had plans for me too,” Kendryk said, “likely before I turned seventeen.”

  “He had several, though he wouldn’t tell me specifics. But when you wrote to military types abroad, that worried him. He didn’t want someone like Count Faris coming here and taking your side.”

  “Which is exactly what I did.” Faris fixed a stern glare on the baroness.

  “Once he’d softened you up by keeping you prisoner, he thought you’d be happy to go into exile in Galladium,” she continued. “Of course, you would never have made it. But all of that never came about because you learned what I was doing to your mother.

  “He panicked and decided to get rid of both of you as quickly as possible. Those awful Orician mercenaries appeared and he decided they would do the job. The guards he’d hired wouldn’t hesitate to get rid of them afterward.”

  “Unbelievable,” Count Faris said. “I always
found Desmond insufferably arrogant, but that he hoped to rule the kingdom after murdering his best friend and his whole family makes him far worse than I realized.”

  Kendryk felt sick to his stomach. “Thank the gods he’s dead.” He looked at the baroness, who didn’t seem as abashed as she ought to, considering her complicity in the duke’s crimes.

  “I’ll punish you, of course,” he said. “You deserve death for what you did to my brother, but I don’t wish to start my reign with a public execution.”

  He turned to Faris. “Send for guards to take her away. We’ll keep her in a secure place until I decide what to do with her.”

  At that the baroness started crying.

  “You fool,” the duchess, said. She’d been quiet this whole time, but it seemed her patience had come to an end. “What did you think would happen? You’re lucky the prince is kind. If it were me in charge, you’d be dead before morning.”

  Kendryk thought of something. “I’ll want all of this in writing,” he told the baroness. “Do it tonight, leaving nothing out. Do that, and you might not spend the rest of your life in the dungeon.” It wouldn’t hurt to have physical proof of the duke’s crimes, in case anyone of his supporters gave him trouble.

  The baroness’s face lit up at that, though it soon fell again when two guards appeared to take her away.

  “Ask the footman to show you to the cellar,” the duchess told them. “There are a number of rooms in which you can lock her for now.”

  “Thank you for keeping her here,” Kendryk said to the duchess. “I hated to hear all that, but I suppose it’s better to know. Are you willing to swear loyalty to me? If so, I’d like to leave you in charge here.”

  “I’d be happy to offer my support,” the duchess said. “Truly, it’s what all of us should have done to begin with.”

  Birkenhof Palace

  ARVUS KNOCKED, THEN poked his head inside Kendryk’s study. “It’s time, Your Grace,” he said.