“I won’t allow it.” Raygan surprised herself coming to her feet and yelling at the Lord Justice.
“You have no choice, if you don’t you will be excommunicated and not recognized as the Queen of Bandara by any God-fearing nation or any person who up holds the laws of the Holy Tome. Does that thing mean that much to you?”
Raygan sat down hard in her chair. She couldn’t betray the people who helped her win her throne back, but the Church could make things very hard for her. Bandara could slip from her fingers without the Holy Father’s support. Very few nations thrived without the Pope’s blessing. “May I have a few days to think on it, Eminence?”
“I will give you two days, no more.”
The group of people seated at the table had not been together as a group since before the battle. K’xarr had asked them all to meet him at the inn, so he could buy them a drink. The tiny inn was called the Oxen’s Tail. It wasn’t much, but the place was clean and the ale was cheap. “Why does the Queen want us all to come to the palace?” Rufio asked.
“I bet she wants to shower us in gold and women,” Cromwell said smiling. “I’m sure many of the court ladies have heard of me. Most likely they asked the Queen if they could meet the famed Toran bull, Cromwell Blood, hero of Turill.”
“Why is it when you open your mouth nothing but horse dung comes out?” K’xarr said with a look of irritation. The general poured more ale into Cromwell’s tankard and continued, “She didn’t say why, she just said bring everyone tonight.”
“Even me?” Kian asked.
“She told me to make sure and bring you and Endra.”
Kian looked at the dark-haired woman. Endra shrugged and took another drink from her mug.
“I would say she wants to publicly thank everyone for their service and their support in her time of need.” Rhys said looking at the bandage on his leg. He had been moping since Talorn had been returned to the palace.
Cromwell slammed his hand on the table, shaking everyone’s drinks. “Service and support? By Fane’s balls, what the hell is that? Half of us almost died getting the girl her marble chair, and that’s what we get a handshake a pat on the back?”
“That’s not how I meant it. I’m sure the Queen knows what was done for her and you will be properly rewarded,” Rhys said defensively.
K’xarr leaned back in his chair. “I didn’t do any of this for her. I like the little Queen as well as the next man, but that’s not why I took up her cause.
The Camiran’s look became more somber. “Aside from Rhys and Rufio there, we all know what we are. Cursed outcasts destined to live in the shadows, never to achieve anything more than our own survival. I did it to prove that wasn’t true.”
Cromwell looked down at K’xarr. “You told me long ago we had nothing to prove to anyone.”
K’xarr looked around the table, catching the eye of everyone there. “I wasn’t trying to prove it to anyone. I wanted to prove it to myself and any like me. We are not cursed and what we do in this world will matter. Our lives will not just be chafe in the wind. I believe that we can be more than renegades and drifters—much, much more.”
***
The group entered the palace. They were instructed by Ansellus to stand on the dais in front of the phoenix throne. Several nobles and their families were present, as well as Bishop Lyfair and Lord Justice Milara.
The Lord Justice could not keep his eyes from drifting toward Endra. The woman noticed and glared at the priest.
K’xarr smiled to himself, Endra would gut Milara given half the chance. The woman had no love for the Church.
Rhys hobbled up beside him, his hip wound still forcing the healer to use a crutch. Rufio and Cromwell were scanning the crowd just as he was, they acted as if they expected trouble and truthfully so did he.
The Queen came in, wearing the crown K’xarr and Rhys had made for her. The young woman looked beautiful. She wore a golden dress accented with red, and it hugged Raygan’s body in all the right places. Even at sixteen, the Queen gave off an air of nobility. When she wanted to, the girl could make anyone seem like they were unworthy of her attention.
K’xarr stifled a chuckle, if these nobles really knew her, they would not be so in awe of her presence. He knew part of her mystique had been his doing. Proclaiming her as the Phoenix Queen had added to her bewitching appeal. He had to admit though, the young Queen knew how to use her womanly gifts. She had a flair for turning heads and wielding her sexuality like a sword. Her looks and charm were the girl’s only weapons, and K’xarr had to admit she was skilled with both.
The Queen slowly sat down on the phoenix throne. She said nothing at first, giving everyone time to take in her captivating appearance. “I have called everyone here today, because there have been too many lies and betrayals in Bandara. It is time everyone knows where they stand. Our Kingdom will no longer be divided by greed and treachery. I will rule our land with justice and dignity and I expect those under my rule to act accordingly.
“The palace and gardens will be rebuilt, as well as the honor of my house. Bandara will be restored to its proper place in the world. I vow this before God and the throne of my father.”
The crowd of nobles enthusiastically applauded their new monarch. Raygan spoke with a newfound tenacity. Her demeanor surprised K’xarr. He realized the little Queen really meant what she was saying.
Raygan leaned back in the marble throne, giving the appearance of relaxing. Then she held up her hand for silence. “Two days ago, I was told by Lord Justice Milara to have the warrior Kian Cardan arrested and turned over to the Church. The Lord Justice said the Church would oppose my right to rule Bandara and excommunicate me if I failed to honor his request.” Many of the nobles looked at each other, shocked by the statement. She paused letting what she said sink in to the crowd.
K’xarr wondered what she was going to do, he knew Raygan loved her country beyond all else, with the exception of her son. He didn’t think she would risk opposition from the Church to save a half-breed. Milara had most likely scared the girl into handing Kian over to him. K’xarr put his hand on the hilt of his sword, he wasn’t going to let that happen without a fight.
The Queen stood. “I must respectfully say no to the Lord Justice. I know what the Church thinks of Kian and his kind, and I am aware of Church law, but I also know that he has risked his life to save Bandara and its Queen. Kian Cardan is a friend to Bandara and a friend to me. I will never hand him over to you Lord Justice Milara. Never.”
K’xarr watch as Milara stepped forward to speak, but the Queen raised her hand again. “None of your threats will change my mind. You may tell the Holy Father I‘m willing to accept whatever consequences he deems necessary for my refusal. Whatever I endure for this man will never repay the debt I owe him and those who stand on this dais with me now. They have given me my Kingdom, my life, and the life of my son, that is a sum I can never repay.”
She looked out over all those assembled. “I am a young Queen and have many failings, but gratitude is not one of them. I honor the Church Lord Justice, but I am Queen in Bandara, and I will not yield to threats from you or anyone else.” The throne room erupted with shouts of praise and applause. Many of the nobles might not have agreed with Raygan about Kian, but they seemed to admire her resolve.
She had defied the Church and had done what she thought was right, K’xarr found he too was proud of the young girl. For the first time he felt Raygan was worthy of his service. Tonight he did not stand before a frightened girl. He stood in the presence of the Phoenix Queen.
The Queen walked down the dais. “How did I do?” she whispered to Rhys as she passed. His huge grin was answer enough. Ansellus dismissed the court as the Queen walked into her private study at the rear of the throne.
Lord Justice Milara followed her. Kian watched the priest as he stomped across the throne room. The swordsman stepped down from the dais and discreetly fell in step behind him.
Ansellus stood outside the Queen
’s door. It was easy to see the anger on the Lord Justice’s face. “I will see the Queen now, step aside,” he commanded Ansellus.
“She wishes to be alone just now, Lord Justice.”
“I don’t care what she wants.” Milara pushed the old general out of the away and went inside.
Raygan looked up from behind her father’s great desk as Ansellus was about to grab the priest from behind. “It’s alright, General Ansellus, I will see the Lord Justice.” The former General lowered his hands. “As you wish, Majesty.” Raygan looked small behind the big desk, but not afraid. Milara would not dare harm her here. The old general reluctantly closed the door behind him. As he turned, he saw Kian standing there. The Half Elf put his finger up to his lips. Ansellus nodded that he understood. Both men stood silent and listened.
She could see the priest was very displeased. The Queen hadn’t expected the Eye of God to take her refusal graciously.
“You, my little fool, have just ended your reign, when I return to Tyro the Holy Father will excommunicate you and you will no longer rule by divine right or with the Pope’s blessing. The countries that follow the teachings of the Church will stop trading with Bandara. You will have no friends in this world, my little Queen. How long do you think you can last? You have no army and no gold, your Kingdom will be gone in a year. Do you think Havalon was the only ambitious King in the world?”
Raygan knew what he said was true, there was no army to defend Bandara and she had little coin, but the stubborn young woman would not give an inch. “We shall see, Eminence.”
Milara smiled. “Yes, we shall see. You may even receive a visit from one of the Hands of God, Majesty. They don’t like heretics or children. Are you beginning to understand me? You have put your life and the life of your son at risk. You will learn what it means to defy God.” The Lord Justice slammed his hands on the desk to make his point. “Now, little girl, hand over the half-breed and I will forget your insolence.”
The door slammed open. Kian stood in the doorway, a low growl issued from his throat.
Raygan watched as Lord Justice Dracen Milara leaped over the desk and cowered behind her. “Get out, monster, you have no business here,” Milara said pointing his finger towards Kian.
The Queen stood and faced the man that was trying to hide behind her. “This is my chamber, Eminence, and I will decide who has business here. “Now Kian, is there something you need?” she asked sweetly.
“Yes, Majesty, I need you to step out of the room.”
The Queen smiled at him. “I do need a glass of wine and I think I will get it myself.”
Milara stomped his foot. “You can’t leave me in here with this thing, Highness, it will kill me.”
Raygan turned and looked at the terrified man. “I’m sure God will protect you, Lord Justice, however, I do suggest you try to be polite.” The Queen walked out and Ansellus shut the door, grinning from ear to ear.
“What do you want?” Milara squeaked out.
“I have an offer for you, Eminence. I will forgive what you have done to me and my friend Rhys, if you leave Bandara now. Wish the Queen well and return to your church in Tyro and trouble her no more. If you do not, I will seek revenge.”
“She is a heretic and has broken God’s law. The Queen must be deposed and put on trial, and it is you who has caused this, monster. Do you not think the Holy Father and I don’t know what you and you companions truly are? Because of you, the Queen will be held accountable, all those you touch will pay for your evil. You and the others are children of the Beast and the Church will not suffer your existence.”
Kian slowly walked toward the desk. Milara backed away, until he was against the wall. “I don’t care what you think I am, priest, or what your Church believes. You have said your piece, now I will say mine. If you will not take my offer or if you harm the Queen in any way, I will visit a war on your Church the likes of which you have never seen. I will let go the thing inside me and sate its voracious appetite on you, priest, and your precious Church.
“I will go to Tyro and kill your Pope and every knight or Church minion that gets in my way. I may be killed in the undertaking, but I can assure you many will die before I fall. Think on what I say priest.” Kian turned and walked towards the door.
“I don’t fear you, monster. I have God on my side.”
Kian whirled around and drew his long sword. The blade flew across the room and buried itself in the wall close enough to Milara’s head that it nicked his ear. “And I have that, priest.” Kian walked out of the room as the Lord Justice’s bladder let go.
Endra and the others stood in the middle of the throne room talking when the swordsman walked up. Everyone could see the rare look of satisfaction Kian’s face. “Where have you been?” Endra asked curiously.
“I had a chat with Lord Justice Milara,” he said casually.
K’xarr looked up at the ceiling. “Oh hell.”
Lord Justice Milara rode out of Turill that night without a word to anyone. He would not try and deal with the half-breed alone. He wasn’t that foolish. He would return to Tyro and report to the Holy Father. Next time he crossed paths with the monster, he would be ready.
The following morning was to be William Blackthorn’s trial. Raygan wanted to get any unpleasantness out of the way before the children returned from the Bluff.
She already knew what the outcome of the proceeding would be. She would strip the duke of his titles and lands and banish him from Bandara for the rest of his life. K’xarr had offered to just hang the duke out of hand, but Raygan would uphold the letter of law. Even William Blackthorn was entitled to a fair trial, even though she already knew he was guilty. Some semblance of civility had to be maintained, even for the man who murdered her father.
Isabella sat on the bed watching her prepare. Rhys had done all he could for her severed hand. Raygan knew the stump still ached, but Isabella didn’t complain. Isabella never complained about anything. Sometimes Raygan wished she could be a little more like her former handmaiden, so strong and stoic.
Sitting at her dressing table, she brushed her beautiful hair. It had to be just right for court. The nobles all expected her to look her best when she addressed them.
“I will do that for you, Majesty.”
The Queen looked at her former servant. “I will not hear of it. You’re no longer my servant, Isabella, and besides I’m sure your poor arm still hurts, and when we are alone you must start calling me Raygan.”
“Yes Your … I mean … Yes, Raygan.”
The door opened and Talorn came in, her husband had said little since he had been released. The wounds to his body were minor compared to the wounds to his pride. She no longer hated him, she felt only pity for the defeated knight. Raygan knew she could never love Talorn, but she couldn’t hate the man that had given her Corwin either. “What is it, Talorn? I’m already going to be late for the trial.” She saw the knight bow his head. Raygan hadn’t thought about how this was affecting him. The pious knight must be beside himself with shame.
He knelt down before her taking her delicate hand in his. “I have come to ask lenience for my father, I know he is guilty, but I ask, as your husband, please show mercy.”
Raygan stopped brushing her hair and slowly turned to look at her husband. “He killed my father and plotted against me at every turn, he deserves nothing.”
“I know, but I had to ask. At least think on it. ”
“Oh very well, I will think on it, but I can promise you nothing.” Talorn bowed and left the two women alone.
Raygan looked at herself in the mirror, there were times wish she wasn’t Queen.
Isabella stood and walked over to the dressing table and picked up the Queen’s brush with her left hand and began to brush Raygan’s hair. The Queen closed her eyes and relaxed. She always loved the way Isabella brushed her hair. She noticed no difference now that the girl was doing it left handed. It felt just as divine as it had before.
“Raygan?
”
“Yes, Isabella?”
“Are you thinking of showing mercy to Duke Blackthorn?”
Raygan sighed. “I don’t know, he is Talorn’s father, and I have no choice but to stay married to the man. Would it be unseemly if I merely stripped the duke of his titles and lands? I hate this, he killed my father, and he should be punished for it. Maybe I should have just let K’xarr hang him after all.” The little Queen opened her eyes and folded her hands in her lap. “Oh, Bella, maybe there has been enough discord and hate in Turill. The city needs to heal. My father would have been lenient on Duke Blackthorn, perhaps I should be too?”
Isabella stopped brushing the Queen’s hair. She gently laid the silver-handled brush on the dressing table and put her remaining hand on Raygan’s shoulder. The two women looked at each other in the mirror. “Majesty, I want to speak with you as the Queen now.”
Raygan turned around in her chair and looked up at the girl. She could hear the urgency in Isabella’s voice. “What is it, dear?”
Fumbling a bit with her stump, Isabella pulled her hair behind her ears. “I want to tell you what Duke Blackthorn did to me when I was imprisoned.”
“I already know, dear. The Dark One told me in the tower.”
“You don’t know all of it my Queen. I will tell you the details of my imprisonment. You should know what he is before you judge the duke.”
Raygan swallowed, she was afraid to hear what the girl would say. “Very well, tell me.”
When Isabella finished, there would be no mercy for the duke.
***
Raygan tapped the arm of the throne the entire time the court formalities went on. She was furious, she could not stop thinking of what Isabella had told her about the smirking man standing before her now. Even wounded, the man was arrogant and smug.
He knew that even with all the evidence against him he was Talorn’s father and his son was technically King of Bandara. Talorn sat at her side now. It was the first time he had appeared in court as King. He had barely raised his head the whole time the evidence was being presented.
Gods Of Blood And Fire (Book 1) Page 63