Seeing him? The thought never crossed her mind, though it set her heart on fire to consider the possibility. He would be at court. It was reasonable to think that he could, even now, be somewhere within the palace, standing in the same maze of hallways that she traveled to reach this throne room. But she could honestly say that he wasn’t her purpose in coming there. Her purpose lay in the hands of Vorsila and Cadell.
“In truth, I came here in hopes of requesting something of Your Majesty.”
Brow raised in curiosity, Vorsila stepped back to stand at Cadell’s side, arms folded over her chest. “Something of me? Do share, then. Your personality intrigues me, so I will indulge myself in hearing your request.”
Straightforward felt the best approach with a woman like the Queen. “I came to beg entry into your forces against the Ven’shal.”
A sparkle flashed in Cadell’s eyes at Leyna’s words. He and Vorsila glanced between each other, her expression thoughtful. Contemplative of the idea. Leyna hoped it was a good sign.
“To clarify, I assume by ‘forces,’ you refer to General Cadell’s men?”
“That is correct, Your Majesty. I desire to serve in your military endeavors to fight those whom surely plot against our country as we speak.”
“What do you think, General? You have the floor to speak with the woman, if you like.”
Cadell stepped forward, his sharp features hardened as he looked her over once again the way he had upon her arrival. “You have prior military experience, from what I hear?”
“I do, sir.”
“Trained at the academy in Carpaen before that?”
Surprised by his knowledge of her past, Leyna nodded to him. Enaes had done his research well – though she wondered now if he had sent certain others to do some of the work for him, if not all of it.
Boldly reaching for the neck of her dress, Cadell tugged downward on the lace, revealing the scar there for Vorsila to see. “Your Majesty. This mark here is the reason your son lived. That kind of loyalty and service cannot be taught. Not even my best men have had opportunity to show it the way this woman has. She certainly has potential.”
“Well, then,” Vorsila shrugged. “I do say, though, I have never before witnessed a duchess serving in the military.”
“Duchess, Your Majesty?” Leyna blinked at her in confusion.
“Yes,” Vorsila stated plainly. “I had requested you to come here in order to properly bestow upon you the title which is rightfully yours through birth. I was recently shown documentation which verified the family heritage my son searched for so diligently over the years. Upon the death of your father, the one Aviden Diah, his properties and titles fall to the hands of his children. As further records show that the heir of Count Iden Evantine and the Duke of Escovul were rightfully married at the time of your birth, by right, you are his first born, regardless of this terrible scandal.”
“But what of his daughter, Maeri Diah?”
“What of her? She is married to my Consul. Her rank is secure in his,” Vorsila glanced over to Cadell, clearly amused by something. “My law and word is final, and the title has been passed to you. Though, if the military is your wish, we may be able to work something out. I think it might even be beneficial if the new Duchess of Escovul kept a low profile in the public eye for a period of time.”
All Leyna could think of was Thade. He was the only person who could have passed any of this information to the Queen. It explained the reason he conveniently continued to forget returning the birth certificate to her. It was no accident he wandered off with it the night she found it in Mialan. His intention was always to bring it to the Queen and restore her name. She wanted to be angry about it, but the shock was too great to break through.
“I still do not understand,” she shook her head, confused by Vorsila’s words. “You said that Count Iden’s daughter and the Duke were married at the time I was born. That cannot be accurate. Sarayi Evantine was the wife of Damir Rohld.”
Cadell chuckled, his hands folding firmly behind his back as he turned to face Vorsila. The Queen smiled at him, her expression shifting to Leyna in a look of sympathy. “You poor child. He said you were a bit lost to it all.”
“Lost to what, Your Majesty?”
“The truth,” she said. “That helpful little document listed the name of a priest I happen to know quite well. He was more willing to discuss the matter than the Count. He was the one who married your parents. It was quite the scandal. No wonder your grandfather sought to cover it all up, not that it will save him when I have the time to deal with the matter. His daughter was married when she exchanged vows to that traitor Rohld. The bond was null and void. The priest admitted to a bit of tampering to get the divorce through when the Duke was set to marry the mother of his next child. None of this matters, of course. You should not concern yourself with it. These crimes do not reflect on you. The question now is… what to do with you.”
The silence in the spacious room was a deafening roar to Leyna’s ears, awaiting Vorsila’s decision. A title meant nothing to her. She couldn’t defeat Damir by gallivanting around at court with some flashy position and grand estate somewhere in the country.
Motioning for Cadell to come closer, Vorsila leaned in to whisper something to him, the words spoken between them inaudible to Leyna. When they finally stepped apart, Vorsila turned her stern gaze to Leyna, the elegant features devoid of any expression. “Cadell has an opening for a new Captain that we have yet to fill. He is willing to extend the position to you, under a few stipulations.”
“Captain?” Leyna gasped. “Your Majesty, I do not think –”
“Are you going to reject his offer? He is not likely to make it again and an insult such as that could result in his dismissal of your request altogether.”
Leyna glanced over to Cadell, shaking her head quickly. “No – no, I am not rejecting it. I simply… was not expecting anything of that… caliber. To be honest, I feared outright rejection.”
“Young lady, I owe you my son’s life. You have my eternal gratitude,” Vorsila replied, her tone calm, revealing a hint of the sadness that Leyna could see hidden in the depths of her silvery eyes. “I am being more open and generous than I would to any other woman in your position. Consider this a test. I will let you know when I feel you have shown enough. Now are you ready to hear the conditions or shall we end the negotiations?”
“I am listening, Your Highness.” She was flattered by the Queen’s seeming affection. But she spoke of gratefulness in saving her son, when it was also she who failed to protect him. Did she not know about her presence at the time of Enaes’s death?
With a quick gesture, Vorsila signaled Cadell to step forward.
“You will dedicate every waking moment to your training with me over the next few months,” he stated. His tone made it clear there was no room to compromise. “When you are ready, I will introduce you to the troops. Until then, you are to be invisible unless you are directed otherwise by either myself or Her Majesty. No one at court is to know of your military status. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And last but not least,” he glanced over to Vorsila, acknowledging her with a respectful nod before continuing. “For the time, you are not to be anywhere near Her Majesty’s son. Do not speak to him, do not look at him, and by whatever means possible, keep enough distance between you both that communication is not even considered. Your association and known identity with our enemies makes you a danger. We cannot risk the last remaining heir to the throne being killed in any crossfire aimed at you. Are we clear?”
“I am, sir – but what if he approaches me? Would it not be uncouth, to say the least, for me to ignore him?”
“These orders come from Her Majesty. Her word stands above any other order you receive. If he approaches… you walk away. Leave the aftermath to us.”
“As you command, sir. Your Highness,” she bowed to Cadell, turning to dip into a low curtsy before the Queen.
She could barely contain her excitement. Her plan had worked! She was in, if she could master the training Cadell challenged her with. It would be nothing like the regiment in Siscal. There was no doubt in her mind about that.
“Then the matter is done,” Vorsila nodded. “And not a moment too soon. I have other business I must tend to. I leave the poor girl in your hands, General.”
Bowing to her, Cadell snapped to attention, waiting for Vorsila to return to her seat on the throne before moving to usher Leyna out of the room. Their progress was halted by the sudden sound of Vorsila’s voice ringing through the air after them.
“And General – do see to it that one of our physicians takes a look at that limp of hers. Those doctors in Siscal are quite lacking. We cannot have our Captain hobbling about like an invalid.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Cadell agreed, looking Leyna over with a smirk. “Come, girl. Let us get you out of that dress.” He paused with a wink, stepping in front of her to leave her staring after him in confusion. “No Captain of mine is going to be caught prancing about in women’s clothing on my watch. I will have you fitted while we wait for the doctor to arrive.”
“Focus!” Cadell shouted, his hands moving in quick succession. Jab, cross, hook, his feet gliding over the floor to push Leyna back. His fighting prowess was above any other Leyna had seen before. Speed and timing, not to mention his impeccable technique, made him a force to be reckoned with. It amazed her that she somehow continued to stand toe to toe with him in their current bout, though she could only assume he was going easy on her.
Block and counter. Never be pushed back. That was easy for him to say. He was built like a rock.
They traded strikes back and forth, Leyna’s hands aiming for the points Cadell had taught her to focus on. Always a vital or vulnerable target. If the technique used didn’t serve to end the fight in some way, then it was a waste of time and energy. He stayed close to her, his lead foot maintaining constant contact with hers, either in front or behind. When she shifted her stance, he moved with her, never losing his point of contact.
Finally breaking through her guard, Cadell caught her arm as she threw a punch, gripping it between his hands at her wrist and just below her elbow. A hard jerk startled her, breaking her focus, Cadell’s hands moving forward rapidly. They paused at the last second, his knuckles aimed at her throat while his other hand tangled into her hair, rendering her effectively helpless.
“What went wrong? Do you know?”
“I hesitated, sir,” she replied calmly.
Cadell nodded in agreement, his hand releasing her hair. “You are a skilled fighter, and over the past few weeks I have seen you improve immeasurably,” he stated. “Most of your opponents will not be an issue for you. I have faith that you are capable of cutting through them effortlessly. My concern is for the more seasoned warriors, and trust me, they will have a few. It is inevitable. Even the weakest armies will have a few gems.”
Taking her arm, Cadell repositioned Leyna as she had been before he closed in on her for the win. He gripped her wrist and forearm in his hands, the look in his eyes questioning and intense. Leyna understood. “I should have come in with my free hand. With your arms down, your head is open,” she said.
“Possibly, but it could be a false opening,” he nodded. “Look at the rest of my body. There are a few things which work to your disadvantage in this position. Can you tell me what they all are?”
“You have control of it,” she frowned. Her eyes scanned over his hold on her, discouraged.
At her statement, he shifted his grip on her forearm to just over her elbow, the application of pressure there causing her to double forward, guided by his every whim. “That is one thing, yes. If I have a hold on you, chances are great that I will not give you an opportunity to take another strike. From here I could easily finish you. You’re off balance, unable to kick or sweep, and your free hand is now out of range for defense. Freedom is not impossible, but difficult.” He allowed her back up, repositioning his hands to their original placement. “What did I do which caused you to hesitate?”
The match played over in her mind, vivid in detail. She remembered that brief second of disorientation. “You did something. I flinched,” she mused. It was simple, now that she thought about it. Nothing more than a mere tug on her arm, but executed in a way that blocked her mind from recognizing what was happening until it was too late.
“Very good,” he smiled. “You can disrupt the thought process of your opponent. A simple, sharp, and precise pull or strike can take them out of their thoughts, breaking their focus for that split second, which is all you need to get in and finish it. But there is one final thing at this point, and a few points prior even, that you failed to take note of.”
“Other than my arm?” She peered at him, quizzical. There was nothing else that stood out to her. He nodded, a knowing smirk gradually forming over his lips. At her continued confusion, his front leg snapped into motion near her foot, her eyes opening wide in shock at the sudden lurching sensation as her body fell backward, a simple buckling of her knee sending her crashing to the floor with a dull thud.
Staring up at the ceiling in a daze, Cadell’s face appeared in her vision. His hand extended out to help her up. “Watch my feet. Just because I am using them to stand on does not mean I cannot use them to put you off yours.” His strength alone picked her up off her back, her feet positioned in front of him again. He slid his foot forward into his stance, demonstrating where she had gone wrong. “My leg is set here for a few purposes, all of which are intentional,” he nodded. “The knee is turned in to protect the groin, and my foot is slightly hooked behind yours. This gives me control over your leg that you most likely are not thinking about. I can sweep your foot, or check your knee, or both. Either way, you are going down.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a very frightening man?” Leyna chuckled, moving away before he could take her down again.
“You do not become the General of the Royal Army by being a pushover,” he chortled softly. “However, you hold your own against me better than most. I am impressed, to be honest. The last time I had a pupil that learned as quickly as you I believe was when the young Thade came under my tutelage. One of the best men I have had the pleasure of training. A few more months, and you might give him a run for his money.”
Leyna concealed a grimace at the mention of Thade’s name. Almost a month had passed for her in Tanispa and there remained no sign of him. Not that any free time had been granted since her acceptance into Cadell’s ranks. She’d spent no time at all in her chambers at court. Arrangements were made to have Reina found and brought to the rooms for protection while Leyna took refuge in the Captain’s Quarters of the barracks. Upon waking each morning, she was met by Cadell, spending the day, apart from lunch and dinner, in training. The thought of seeking Thade out never crossed her mind.
“The last time I saw him fight, he took down his opponent with incredible ease,” Leyna smiled through her misery at the thought of Thade’s easy victory over Kael. The calculated strikes he’d utilized reminded her now of Cadell’s methods, unlike any of the techniques they taught during her time with the Siscal military. It came as no surprise to her that Cadell’s men were as feared and respected as they were.
He took note of the change in her demeanor, the smile fading from his face. A glass of water sat on a small table near the wall, his hand motioning toward it, glancing to Leyna inquisitively. “Thirsty?” he asked. “I will allow you a brief break. Orders came from Her Majesty this morning which I must pass on to you.”
Water. The word alone was refreshing, her throat dry and parched from the workout. Brushing the dust from her pants, she moved over to the table to snatch up the glass and drink it down in a few swift gulps. “Orders? Has there been some news regarding the enemy’s movement?”
“They are closing in,” he nodded. “We have multiple units on guard at the perimeters of the city as w
ell as the borders of Carpaen and Siscal, which have already suffered a few attacks. Arcastus and Damir are said to have men coming from both directions. But that is not quite what I meant.”
“It does not involve the impending attack?” He was acting strangely. Something about the news made him appear discontent. Perhaps unhappy with the decision of the Queen?
“Queen Vorsila insists that the plans for the masquerade ball will continue – against my counsel, of course. It is set to take place in a week from tomorrow evening. Even worse, she requests that you put in an appearance as the Duchess.”
Leyna frowned at the thought. “That is a terrible idea on many levels. I must advise against it…”
“I did advise against it, but it is out of my hands. Seems there are some people at court who are questioning your existence and Queen Vorsila wants you to make their acquaintance.”
“But if the Prince is there, would that not directly conflict with my orders to maintain distance from him?”
“I will be at your side to ensure you remain a safe distance from His Majesty.” Cadell frowned, the lines on his face deepening in concentration. “Her Majesty has conceded that your presence cannot be a lengthy one at the party. I need you to be prepared in case of an attack –”
“Which is bound to occur. It is the perfect opening for our enemy.”
Cadell nodded to her in agreement. “I know. And the Queen knows. She is prepared for it, but she feels that cancelling the party would send the people into a panic. It is set to be in honor of the late Prince Enaes. A memorial of sorts. I recommend you attend in whatever attire you can which allows you to wear most of your uniform underneath. If anything happens before we are able to excuse you from the party, you need to be able and ready to lead the men with me.”
Her heart was pounding. Deep inside, she found herself excited at the chance to be free of her training for an evening, to experience the grandeur of court. But then she remembered all the reasons why she’d hated it in the past. “You and I should not be so distracted. Could these introductions not wait until a more appropriate time?”
The Myatheira Chronicles: The Vor'shai: From the Ashes (Volume 1) Page 82