Warlord's Wager

by Gwynn White

  Jerawin’s pursed his lips, then the king said, “I knew that the day I declared my alliance with Chad. In fact, I heard a rumor that Mott commanded you to destroy us.”

  “Lucky for you, I got shot with a poisoned quarrel.”

  Jerawin pointed at Thorn. “Good stuff, that poison of yours. Any chance we can use some of it on Lukan?”

  Everyone, including Axel, laughed, a bitter sound with no mirth.

  “Now would probably be a good time to do it.” Chad spun to face Axel. “With Tao gone, you are the first in line to the throne.”

  If only it were so easy. But he understood how kings with little knowledge of technology would seek solutions in what seemed commonplace and logical to them.

  Axel pointed to Thorn. “You tell him.”

  “You all heard my conversation with Axel. Lukan, and possibly Felix, knows where Lynx is. If we kill the emperor, that knowledge dies with him. It is unlikely that Felix will ever talk. This is one blood sacrifice Norin is not willing to make.”

  “Your daughter could already be dead.” A look of sympathy from Jerawin countered the harshness in his voice.

  “This time you explain,” Thorn said to Axel.

  Axel braced himself for derision. “Lukan is restrained from killing her by a curse on the Avanov line. We call it the Dmitri Curse. It says that a Norin princess will bear a son who will destroy his father and the empire. Both King Thorn and I know for a fact that Lynx is that princess.”

  They might not believe him, but they were unlikely to doubt Thorn.

  It struck Axel then how much he relied on King Thorn’s endorsement. “And, as you have just heard, she is pregnant. As much as Lukan may wish to kill her, in terms of the curse, he can’t.”

  “What would stop Lukan?” Chad sounded doubtful.

  Axel understood his concern. This was part of the curse he had never fully understood, either, but he wasn’t going to get into that now. Voice firm, he said, “Lynx is pregnant with that child. That is protection enough, given that he was foreordained by prophecy. So, the key issue is that she must be found, released from prison, and taken to a place of safety. While the sacrifice of men and resources we ask of Treven and Lapis is great, for the last four centuries, Norin has sacrificed their princesses to the Dragon. It is enough.”

  Chad turned to Thorn. “You know in what high regard I hold you. Do you really believe this?”

  Thorn spoke without hesitation. “My brother Bear first mentioned the Dmitri Curse to me . . . oh, twenty years ago or more, when he first arrived in Cian. But we could never confirm it. Then Lynx again brought it to my attention. My daughter is not fanciful, but she has seen visions that confirm the curse and her role in it. Finally, Axel knowingly took a poisoned quarrel for Lynx. I believe him. You can, too. Trust me when I say this is not the time to be trying to poison Lukan. We will not destroy him that way.”

  “Sad. An opportunity lost, then.” Jerawin rubbed his hands together. “No matter. We can work around it, I’m sure. Axel, you were telling us about your plans for training us to wield these . . . shotguns.”

  Some of the tension left Axel. “And you were telling me if you had some iron ore we can use to make them.”

  The celestial bodies on Jerawin’s face danced. “My forges and my ore are part of my contribution to this alliance.”

  “And training the alliance’s soldiers to use their shotguns is mine. As is the task of recruiting mercenaries from the other Free Nations to join this cause. It will take time, but in the future, I envisage an army of paid soldiers to wage the war in Treven for us.” Axel gestured to Chad. “Thus curtailing your blood sacrifice, too. But your initial counteroffensive to reclaim the mines after I’ve handed them to Lukan will have to be swift and brutal. He will retaliate, and you will lose men. Never forget that Lukan will soon have a son growing up with a mission to destroy him. He needs this ice crystal like never before. It is my belief that he will fight like a dragon for it.”

  Jerawin stroked the sun tattoo on his face. “Then, no matter what, we cannot let these mines fall into his hands.”

  Thorn nodded his agreement. “The whole notion is untenable.” He frowned. “I suppose until my grandson—Nicholas—grows up, we’ll be fighting to keep Lukan’s hands off these mines?”

  Axel nodded. “I imagine so.”

  “But that means years of conflict.” Chad wrapped his arms around his chest, his eyes wary. “Apart from the destruction of my country, what happens while we wait for your army of mercenaries?”

  Axel understood Chad’s concern. His people were already hungry, and with more war coming, there was little chance of planting crops. It was not a strong position to wage war from. If they didn’t get resources, they would not survive long enough to keep the mines.

  “Food will be provided, as will more weapons to counter anything Lukan retaliates with. I am not without ideas. I can keep dreaming up stuff for years, if I have to.” Axel may not have spent quite as much time in the archives as Lukan had, but he had read every book with even the slightest military application.

  Chad still looked doubtful.

  But before Axel could address it, Jerawin spoke. “The money for this army and the weapons you propose? None of us have the kind of resources you are talking of.”

  “The emperor has offered to pay, although I’m not sure he’s realized that yet.” Axel cracked a wicked smile. “Avanovs who stand first in line to the throne, who are also expected to carry the hefty title of warlord, don’t come cheap.”

  “Ah.” Jerawin pressed his hands together and nodded. “Embezzlement, then. That could work, if you’re smart. Are you smart?”

  “Smart enough for this.” Axel touched Chad on the shoulder. “The first installment of funds will go to buying food for your people. We can’t have our allies starving.”

  A collective sigh of relief went up from the councilors, and Axel hoped it would quell any unrest that had been brewing against the king. And win their support for him.

  Chad said to Axel in a low voice, “You Chenayans brought this war to our door, but I see sense in what you now propose. But as most of the sacrifice in this conflict falls on our shoulders, I need time with my council to discuss your plan.”

  “Of course.” Axel looked over the crowd, willing them to accept his offer. “I wouldn’t have expected less.” He pointed to the informa. “Are Thorn and Jerawin invited to your discussion, or should I cut the link until you are ready for us to continue?”

  Chad shot a look at the two kings and licked his lips. “Leave them with us.” He waved to Porcelain-Face. “Magridal, escort Avanov to the jasper cave. Give him something to eat.”

  “Food won’t be necessary,” Axel said, following her from the chamber.

  She led him to a tiny cave, glittering with jasper-colored walls, and showed him in. A bench, carved from stone was its only furnishing. As he turned to thank her, she stepped out and swung a steel gate closed. A snap of a padlock, and Axel was locked in a cell.

  “Seems the king is still doubtful of all those credentials you were boasting about,” Magridal smirked. Without waiting for a reply, she stalked away down the passage.

  Axel laughed after her, refusing to show how much his imprisonment had broadsided him. When alone, he slumped down onto the bench. Of course they don’t trust me. Why should they?

  Still, it irked.

  As he settled down to wait, he licked his lips, wishing he had at least asked for water. Unable to bear the suspense, he leaped to his feet and paced the tiny cell. His boot kicked a flinty stone, sending it shooting against the wall. He scooped it, and another couple, up off the ground and began to juggle, anything to keep his mind off the meeting he hadn’t been trusted enough to attend.

  A stone dropped, and he tossed the others to the floor. A key rasped in the padlock. He started, surprised that he hadn’t heard anyone approach.

  It was Magridal.

  She held out a mug of water to him. A smile creased h
er perfect face. “They’re ready for you. And you never were a prisoner. We just didn’t want you wandering around. It would take weeks to find you if you got lost.”

  Axel wasn’t sure he believed her, but he smiled back and drank the water she offered. She led him back into the cavern.

  Chad was waiting for him at the pedestal, his face grave, almost apologetic. Axel glanced at Jerawin and Thorn and saw the same gravitas there.

  “We have decided.” Chad gestured to his councilors. “They all ask one thing: what is your blood sacrifice?”

  Axel couldn’t say he hadn’t expected the question, but it still made his blood chill.

  “You are trading time, money, and expertise,” Chad continued, “but those things are easily given. How can we trust that your commitment runs deeper than that, Crown Prince Axel?”

  Crown Prince Axel.

  There it was, the fury and distrust of King Chad’s councilors shoved into three simple words. Angry at the rape of their country, they wanted to strike back, to make him suffer the way they had. From the sorrow on the faces of the three kings, Axel guessed that whatever would be required of him was not what they willed.

  It was time to put on a bold front.

  A sarcastic smile quickly followed. “What more would you wish me to offer to prove my loyalty to this coalition?”

  “A bloodletting.” Chad held up his left hand, showing his wedding band on his ring finger. “We, in Treven, believe that an energy field runs from the ring finger to the heart. As a constant reminder to you of your . . . marriage, if you like, to my people, they ask that we remove your finger.”

  Axel’s eyes widened before he could stop himself.

  “It will be preserved. Kept where it can be seen by all during the hard times that are bound to come as we follow your plan. A reminder to us all that we have a friend in high places. You, in turn, can look at your stump and know what you have promised to do for us.”

  Not bothering to hide his incredulity, Axel replied, “I have to hand it to you, when it comes to ghoulishness, you Trevenites win first prize. But if that’s what it takes, then hack away. I have nine other fingers. Doubt I’ll miss one. Much.” Heart racing, he faced the Lapisian king. “Are you looking for some blood, too? Let me guess, a tattoo on my face that mirrors yours?”

  Thorn and Chad chuckled. Even Jerawin cracked a smile.

  “It might do you well, young pup, to have such a tattoo. But I will spare you.” Jerawin touched his face. “To qualify for such, you must first worship the sun, the moons, and the stars, but it seems Thorn’s Winds have already caught your fancy.” He winked at Chad. “Sorry, friend, but not even your spirits are enticing enough for our warlord.”

  Axel laughed and then joked, “My devotion to the Winds is largely dependent on King Thorn’s need for a blood sacrifice.” Face challenging, he looked over at Thorn. “Can you top the finger the Trevenites want?”

  Thorn took a moment to laugh before dropping his usual stately mask. “The Winds’ claim to blood was settled with the quarrel in your back. Norin has no further need of assurances.”

  Axel let out a long sigh, not caring who saw his relief. He turned to Chad. “When do you want to do this?”

  “Now.”

  Chapter 31

  Axel swallowed hard, the click loud in the silence. Chad drew a dagger from a sheath attached to his belt and gestured to Axel to put his hand down on the pedestal, next to the informa. A brazier had been brought into the room. It had a cautery pushed into the coals.

  King Jerawin coughed. “Ah, Chad, if you don’t mind, I would prefer not to have this procedure in close-up.”

  “Of course.” Chad pushed the informa to the far side of the rock.

  Axel closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and laid his finger on the edge of the pedestal, grateful that the rock stopped it from trembling.

  A whoosh of air. A crack of bone. A burst of exquisite agony that shot through Axel’s hand right up into his arm. And then it was over. His finger lay on the table, and all that remained was shuddering waves of pain, pain, pain.

  Axel hadn’t wanted to cry out. He’d wanted to be stoic and brave, but he moaned as he crouched down, his throbbing hand clutched to his chest. A fountain of blood soaked his uniform, but he was oblivious to it.

  Someone grabbed his arm. Tears glossed his eyes, making it impossible to see who it was. The person wrenched his hand back to the pedestal and plunged the cautery on the hole where the middle knuckle of Axel’s finger had been.

  The fire searing through the stump almost consumed him. He staggered against the pedestal, grateful for the support that stopped him collapsing to the ground.

  The stench of charred flesh filled the cavern. Body trembling, Axel cradled his hand as King Chad hefted his severed finger for the crowd to see. In a haze of agony, Axel couldn’t bring himself to look at Chad or his trophy.

  “It is done,” King Chad told his people. “You have your blood sacrifice. Now, let every man, woman, and child pledge to do their part so we can defeat the Dragon.”

  Almost in unison, the Trevenites in the chamber and crowding the passageway outside went down on one knee. A moment’s silence was observed, but Axel was barely aware of the time passing. A gentle hand on his shoulder made him look up from his misery. King Chad gestured to a rickety wooden stool and eased Axel onto it. A man knelt next to Axel and carefully bandaged his hand.

  Once the medical ministrations were complete, Chad pulled the informa over for Jerawin and Thorn’s benefit. The Trevenite king held up Axel’s bandaged hand.

  The sun, moons, and stars on King Jerawin’s face crinkled. “Wear that blood sacrifice well, Avanov, and the heavens, the spirits, and the Winds will favor you in this quest.”

  A tingle of presentiment shot down Axel’s spine. This path would be fraught with danger and challenge, but there was no going back. There never was. Not from the moment he first set eyes on Lynx. Who could have foretold that his blood sacrifice had started when she sliced his thigh open with her machete?

  King Thorn’s voice brought Axel back to the present. The Norin king held a wooden cup in his hand. “Mead is drunk every time a Norin youth joins the ranks of our raiders. A symbol of courage and victory, I drink it now to cement our alliance. May the Winds, the stars, and the spirits be with us all as we go forth to slay the Dragon.”

  * * *

  “Now we eat,” King Chad instructed once Axel had severed the connection with Thorn and Jerawin. He pointed to the green stone table. Axel sat, only too glad to rest his aching back and burning hand. Chad took a stool opposite him.

  Faces beaming with pride, a boy and a girl dressed in dusty tunics and leggings appeared, carrying trays. Hands shaking, they placed wooden bowls in front of Axel and Chad and a platter with coarse bread, a jug of cider, and two mugs in the middle of the pedestal. They bobbed a bow and darted away giggling.

  Intrigued, Axel watched them go.

  “With the breakdown of our society, we’re trying to find new ways of teaching our children the value of work and service to the community.”

  Axel focused on Chad.

  “Those two had table duty. Others work in our kitchens. Many help with readying weapons.”

  “Such is war. It leaves no one untouched.” Axel looked down at his spoonful or two of runny lentil soup. He pushed the bowl away. “I can’t take your food. Give it to one of your soldiers. He’ll need it far more than I will once the battle starts.”

  Chad glared at him. “If you value your other fingers, you’ll eat. You’re my guest, and we don’t let welcomed visitors go hungry.”

  Axel scooped up a spoonful of soup. Even though it tasted insipid, his stomach screamed its appreciation. “Have you decided how many troops to sacrifice?” He knew Chad had a small but effective standing army. According to Axel’s predecessor’s reports to Cian, the capital had been surrounded before Chad had even deployed them.

  A frown furrowed Chad’s face. “I wanted to ta
lk to you about that. How many troops are you committing? And will they be wearing jasper?”

  “I have some guardsmen with me, but I won’t inflict them on you. It will be grunts. The twenty thousand infantrymen who survived your gas. Obviously, I can call on more if I need them.”

  Chad winced. “Twenty thousand? That many?”

  “Sleight of hand,” Axel reminded. “For this to succeed, I have to convince Lukan that I’m a devotee of his ice crystal cause. It won’t help if I come at you with half measures. He will have his spies watching to see that I fulfill my command to kill every man, woman, and child of your country.”

  “Those were your orders?” Chad paled, and he pushed his food away. “How can we possibly get around that?”

  “Sleight of hand,” Axel repeated. “I suspect Lukan will assign Colonel Fedor, my second-in-command, to do much of the spying. He’s a guardsman, and Lukan will expect blind obedience, but my cousin will be disappointed. Fedor is on our side. He will help me lie about the number of deaths—both ours and yours, because I don’t want my men to die unnecessarily, either.”

  “There are enough corpses rotting in my country,” Chad said bitterly. “Can’t we use those to boost the numbers?”

  “Fedor is collecting the records of my dead. I will delay the release of the names so I can adjust those numbers into this new conflict. I intend to do some creative accounting with your dead, too. That will help us both reduce real casualties.”

  Chad rubbed his temples. “May the spirits forgive me, but we have graves here in the mines. People we have lost since the capital fell. We don’t leave our dead without honor if we can, but these are savage times. I can exhume the bodies, if it helps. I can also send out people to scour the countryside to find more of my fallen. You can have those, too. That way, we won’t need to fight at all. I can lead my people deeper into the mountains until we declare the war over.”