Everyone knows their place. Where does that leave me?
He chuckled to himself, realizing that with Hag gone, and Raker off on some foreign continent fighting a war he knew nothing about, there wasn’t anyone around to lighten the dark cloud that hung over the army as they marched toward none knew precisely what.
That doesn’t say much if I have to take over those responsibilities. What would someone like Hag do to bring a little levity? Probably lift up her shirt and shake her teats.
Cassus started laughing, uncaring about the stares cast his way.
One Above, I miss that old woman.
* * *
Soldiers dressed, tents came down, and dirt snuffed out the dying coals of the previous night’s fires. With the sun cresting the horizon, Elyse watched her army break camp. She broke her fast on cold sausage and hard cheese as the army prepped for the day’s march. She had grown accustomed to the simple fare and would not allow anyone to go through more trouble by providing her something different.
The previous night had been the first she had spent on lands under direct control of the crown. Each day brought her closer to Lyrosene, and yet so much uncertainty hung over her.
Plodding hoof beats erupted over the clamor. “Your Majesty!” a voice shouted.
Rygar came galloping up, a man gagged and bound at the ankles and wrists lay across the saddle in front of him. She stepped forward, guards at her side.
“We found this man sneaking toward camp. He claims to have news for you, but refused to tell anyone but you the details.”
“Niken, help Rygar get the man down.”
Her guard stepped forward and they lowered the man to the ground, placing him on his knees. Though the man’s clothes bore fresh tears, they still appeared too fine for a commoner. His face seemed familiar to Elyse, but she couldn’t place it. Rygar removed the man’s gag.
“Your Majesty,” the man huffed in a raspy voice. “Please, you must listen to me.”
The man’s name came to her. “Lord Gershel, what are you doing sneaking into camp? Your last letter stated you’d be bringing nearly five hundred men to join me. Where are they?” She gestured to Niken. “Remove his binds and help him to his feet.”
He hung his head. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. One of my lieutenants seized control of my lands and my men.”
“How?”
“Apparently, Lord Gauge contacted him after he failed to persuade me to grant him my loyalty. He made him quite an offer.”
“I don’t understand. That explains the behavior of your lieutenant, but what about the rest of your men. Do they not have any love for you?”
“At one time, yes. However, the rumors about your condition have caused many to question who they should support. I beg your pardon for saying so, but many feel they must choose between the lesser of two evils.”
Elyse shouted. “The lesser of two evils? Rumors? What are you talking about?”
Gershel flinched at her tone, blinking. “I’m sorry Your Majesty, I thought you knew. Gauge has made a strong case that you are no longer of sound mind, that you are afflicted by the same thing to that brought your father low in his later years.”
“That’s ridiculous. My father suffered from a broken heart after losing my mother and his eldest son. And then later that was heightened by High Mage Nareash’s control over him.”
“Gauge has cast those events in a new light, Your Majesty. He says that it was you who manipulated your father with Sacrynon’s Scepter, and that Nareash tried to stop you.”
“If Nareash tried to stop me, then why did he kill so many in the castle, including the other High Mages? Why didn’t they all work together? And why wouldn’t I still be wielding such immense power now?”
“Gauge claims that you manipulated the High Mages into believing Nareash was at fault. The deaths at your castle were simply the results of their battle. Amcaro cast some spell before his death that negated your ability to use the scepter.”
“And people believe this?”
“Not all, but enough. Even those who managed to flee from Nareash that day are no longer sure of what they saw in the confusion.”
“So, my word against Gauge’s. And people believe him. Why?”
“He claims that you lied about the scepter. That Amcaro didn’t destroy it. That you hid the scepter and played the fool to deflect the attention of those who might be able to stop you. However, he said that your true colors are beginning to show, allowing foreigners to gain notable positions.” His eyes flicked to Yanasi who had come up. “He says that no one but him can prevent you from ruining Cadonia.”
“If he is so certain about these things then why didn’t he bring these charges against me sooner?”
“Because he needed more proof. In the meantime, he thought it best to remain close to you in order to ensure the kingdom did not fall apart.”
“And now he has this proof? Something to substantiate the claims that I lied about the scepter?”
Gershel nodded. “Yes. He said he found it in your room.” Elyse’s stomach lurched. “He plans to execute those who won’t pledge loyalty to him as traitors to the crown. He will show the scepter to the people then.”
One Above. If he has the scepter, then how can I stop him? She thought of Krytien. The one person who might be able to stand against it is leagues away.
She stiffened herself, doing all she could to maintain control. “Do you believe these claims?”
“No. The whole idea seems farfetched. Besides, he said the scepter was under your bed of all places.” Gershel laughed. “What person would hide something like that under their bed like a child?”
Me.
He continued. “I believe the scepter is a fake. No one knows what it looks like anyway. One Above knows he could present a wooden dowel painted white and I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.”
Not until someone uses it.
“Thank you, Gershel. Niken, please see that his needs are cared for as best we can.” She began to turn away.
“Your Majesty, there’s something else. The real reason I came to see you.”
Great.
“My lieutenant not only commandeered my men, he also has them positioned in hiding about an hour’s ride from here on top of a hill. The position is a strong one. He has orders not to allow you to pass through to Lyrosene.”
“How do you know this?”
“I overheard men speaking about it before I escaped.”
She looked at the staring faces waiting for her orders. She thought on what Gershel said.
If Gauge has the scepter, why hasn’t he used it? Either he doesn’t know how or he can’t. He hasn’t shown skill with the arts to my knowledge. She paused. But he does have access to other mages I left at the capital. That would mean he doesn’t want to give someone else that sort of power. At least for now. That could all change the more time I give him, the more desperate he becomes.
“General, thoughts?”
“It boils down to two options,” said Yanasi. “One, we try to speak with them first under a banner of peace.”
Gershel kneaded his hands. “I’m sorry, but that will never work, Your Majesty. I know my lieutenant well. He is confident he’ll win because he believes he is in the right.”
“That leaves us option two,” said Yanasi.
“Which is?” asked Elyse.
“We form ranks and take the hill.”
Elyse’s stomach twisted. “Is there no other way?”
“We don’t have time to go around it or wait them out. Not if you’re concerned about reaching Lyrosene before Gauge has a chance to consolidate more power.”
Elyse thought about her war-torn land and all the lives lost thus far. It sickened her to think that she would be adding to the carnage.
But what other choice do I have? Now that Gauge has the scepter, it is imperative he’s stopped.
She looked at Yanasi. “Do it.”
* * *
Cassus had been
busy developing a rapport with Lufflin and Nora. They were telling him about Krytien’s accomplishments when word reached him about the army preparing for battle. By the time he got the full story, their forces were fast approaching the hill Lord Gershel warned them about.
He managed to locate Yanasi as she issued orders to her captains.
“You shouldn’t do this,” he called out as he rode up.
Yanasi cast him an annoying look. “I’m in the middle of something, Cassus.”
He climbed down, and pulled her arm. “You need to listen to me.”
She yanked her arm free, leaning in close. “What do you think you’re doing? You know better than to do that while I’m talking to my men.”
“You’re right. But you need to stop. This is wrong. The people you want to fight are just scared and confused.”
“Probably, but that doesn’t change anything.”
“We need go to them under a banner of peace.”
“Gershel said it wouldn’t work. I’d say he knows his men better than you do.”
“He didn’t know them that well. They turned their backs on him.”
She sighed. “I don’t like this any more than you or Elyse do. However, you know how important it is to reach Lyrosene in as little time as possible. This is our only option.”
“There’s always another option.”
“Give it to me then.”
His mouth hung open. “I don’t know. I need time to think.”
“We don’t have time.”
“Yanasi, I—”
“Cassus, if you want to change someone’s mind, you need to talk to the queen. I take my orders from her and her alone. I have work to do.”
She turned back to her men.
He wanted to be mad at her, but he knew she spoke the truth.
He climbed back on his mount and rode off, hoping that the other option would come to him on his way to see Elyse.
* * *
“Elyse!”
Elyse blanched, and heads turned at the informal mode of address. Cassus vaulted from his mount and moved with such authority toward her, that the royal guards blocked his approach. He paused, sneering at them.
“Let him pass,” she said.
“We need to talk, Your Majesty,” Cassus said, brushing by the guards.
“About?”
Cassus flicked his eyes about. “In private.”
“Very well. Niken, wait here. I’ll be just by that oak.” She pointed.
“But Your Majesty—”
“I’m sure Cassus won’t mind if Kroke joins us. Does that ease your worries?”
Niken nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
She walked off without waiting for Cassus to protest. He fell in next to her.
“I’m glad to see how well I’m trusted.”
She noted his tone. “You’ve only been back for a few weeks. You cannot come and order your queen around like a child. Anyone else would be in chains, especially when you consider our current situation.”
“You’re right. My apologies.”
They came to a halt, Kroke a step behind Elyse. “What do we need to talk about? We’re wasting time we don’t have.”
“I think you should recall your orders to Yanasi.”
“Why?”
“Because this is exactly what Gauge wants. You send forces to wipe out these people and you’ll only be adding credence to his claims. You need to think clearly.”
“I am thinking clearly,” she snapped. “You think it is an easy decision to attack? It is not. But the longer I wait, the more opportunity I give Gauge to grow stronger. In turn, the weaker I appear. We need to crush this roadblock and get to Lyrosene.”
“Roadblock? Remember what I said about Jonrell and tough decisions? When you start dehumanizing your subjects, the tough decisions become too easy to make.” He paused. “You have every right to be angry, but pursuing different, more diplomatic means will not make you weak. It takes strength to be the better person.”
“You’ve been a mercenary for well over a decade. You should know that being the better person doesn’t always make you the victor.”
Cassus grunted. “Jonrell said the same thing to me once.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“That I’d rather lose a hundred battles doing the right thing, than win one by stooping to a level I couldn’t live with.” He paused. “If you take this course, the entire citizenry of Lyrosene will turn against you. They might not be willing to overthrow Gauge, but no one said they’re willing to fight for him. However, if a man fears for his well-being, he’ll fight to the death. Don’t give commoners cause to support Gauge.”
She smiled. “Now I know why Jonrell told me you were the heart of the Hell Patrol.”
Cassus looked away, embarrassed.
“However, you still haven’t offered an alternative. Everything you’ve said, I agree with. But, I see no other course. Neither did Yanasi. So unless you have something I can use instead, my plans remain the same. And may the One Above forgive me for it.”
“I thought about something on the way over that may work.” He looked to Kroke who had remained quiet during the exchange. “Remember Skallow’s Hill?”
“Hard to forget.”
“You’ve seen these mages in action. If they work together, do you think they can pull it off?”
The assassin grinned. “I believe so.”
* * *
Elyse learned that Skallow’s Hill was nestled in an obscure location on the northern part of Mytarcis. The hill had been named after a long dead conqueror. His last stand had been at the hill, and locals believed his ghost haunted the place.
Eight years ago, the Hell Patrol was hired by a tribe to help them retake their homeland. Skallow’s Hill rested in the middle of their path. Though Jonrell had superior numbers, he had neither the time nor the desire to waste lives at the useless mound of dirt before pressing toward their main goal.
Working with Krytien, Jonrell had walked to the hill alone under the illusion of Skallow’s ghost. They tried to attack him, but the concentrated sorcery protected him. Most fled in panic, and the Hell Patrol took the hill without a single life lost.
Elyse watched as the same strategy unfolded. Cassus played Jonrell’s role, only different. No one in Cadonia knew the tale of Skallow.
But they’ve heard of the Hero of Slaves.
Cassus strode up the hill wearing all the exaggerations from the various retellings of the story as one massive illusion. Seven feet tall, long black hair, spiked armor, and flames dancing at his feet with each step.
“You don’t think Janik overdid it with the fire?” asked Elyse.
“Nah,” said Kroke. “We need to put some fear in them so they aren’t thinking clearly. Besides, you didn’t see how Krytien did up Jonrell. This is nothing compared to that.”
Cassus halted within range of their bows, allowing the projectiles to bounce off him. Sorcery from minor mages within the small army came next. Neither fire or rock worked against the Hero of Slaves.
Elyse breathed relief. “Nora’s shields worked. Let’s hope Gershel’s lieutenant doesn’t try a charge.” She knew the defensive spells had limitations.
“It’ll depend on what Cassus says to them.”
“Do you think he can do it? He wasn’t the most vocal person growing up.”
“I guess we’ll see.”
Cassus raised his hands in a calming manner. Though his voice rang out from Lufflin’s sorcery, the distance was still too great for Elyse to hear each word.
After a few moments, a man came forward to lay down his arms. Others quickly followed.
“He’s all full of surprises these days,” grunted Kroke.
Elyse smiled. “Yes, he is.”
Her smile wilted.
Too bad he doesn’t know how to counter the power of the scepter.
Chapter 26
After speaking with the lieutenant, Elyse managed to convince him that Gauge’s
reports were false. Though apologies came to her and Lord Gershel, Elyse still dismissed the man of his duties. She would not take unnecessary chances.
With Lord Gershel commanding his men once again, her army numbered seven thousand.
Decent. But not large enough.
She expected another two to three thousand men when Jeldor returned. However, word reached her that Jeldor would be hindered by flooding near the Ascyium River.
He would be delayed for weeks.
Elyse considered her options. One, she could wait for Jeldor, hoping with his arrival she would have enough men to adequately lay siege on Lyrosene. Two, she could press on with her current army while trying to pursue other avenues. She chose the latter option, mindful that each day she delayed worked against her.
Less than a day’s ride from Lyrosene, she met with Yanasi, Rygar, Cassus, and Kroke in her tent to discuss strategy. Elyse could no longer wait for some epiphany to strike her. A decision was needed.
Even if it means our end.
“We can try to use our mages to blast the gate while we keep pressure on the defenders with our main forces,” said Yanasi. “The mages within the city shouldn’t be able to handle the combined effort of ours.”
“That’s not an option. Like the High Pass, Sacrynon worked sorcery into the walls of Lyrosene. It would take far too long to gain access into the city that way.”
“Then I just don’t see it,” she said. “Without Jeldor’s men, we don’t have the numbers to take the city in an open assault. For any attack to be effective, we’d be forced to keep the men close together. That’s the worst thing to do in a siege as it allows the defenders to remain bunched up, as well.”
“She’s right,” said Cassus. “We’d do better to spread the army out and put a small force near each of the gates. Rygar says they’ve already shut themselves in. What’s the harm in waiting for Jeldor to meet up with us?”
What’s the harm? She laughed without humor.
“Elyse, are you alright?” asked Cassus.
“One Above, no. I’m not alright.” She shook her head. Why bother? At this point, what harm will it do in telling them? No more harm than keeping it secret these last couple years. She sighed. “I’ve been lying to you about the scepter. It wasn’t destroyed. Before Amcaro died, he told me to tell no one it still existed. I’ve been trying to determine how to destroy the thing myself, but I obviously haven’t figured anything out. The facts in Lord Gershel’s reports lead me to believe Gauge has found it.”
Trial And Glory (Book 3) Page 29