Nodding, I turned to Marco.
“I think you should tell King Stefano what happened today, Marco. You ensured our success and learned what sect they are part of.”
“That is generous of you, Lord Pierce-Seahorn, but it was you who found and killed the archer. We could have lost all the prisoners and some of our own if you hadn’t been there.”
Unwilling for this to become a ridiculous contest about who did more, I forestalled him by saying “I think we can agree we both did a fine job today. I hope we have ensured the safety of the princes.”
“King Stefano will be disturbed to learn the Madre Natura is involved on the attack against his sons.”
He turned away to signal Francisco over. He spoke to him so quickly and in such a low voice I didn’t hear what he said but caught the name Captain Andreas. I still wasn’t comfortable with the shapeshifter but he was the best of King Stefano’s men. Francisco nodded his understanding and took off at a run.
Turning abruptly back, Marco led the way to the royal antechamber. I was a fast walker but almost had to jog to keep up. Alfonso met us and escorted us to the King’s antechamber without inquiring as to the outcome of our mission.
“Conran, with your leave, I will check on our men.”
“Of course, Silvesto.”
With a nod to Marco, Alfonso and I, Silvesto quickly left. Our steps echoed in the marble hallway until we paused outside the gilded doors. Alfonso sharply rapped twice. The sound reverberated through the door. It was quickly opened to reveal the empty antechamber.
“I will let King Stefano know you have returned. Wait here.”
Marco and I took our positions before the throne and remained standing as we waited in the imposing yet airy room. Woven hangings depicting hunting scenes hung on the walls. I struggled to stay as straight and motionless as Marco. I found it hard to be still. I hoped King Stefano would not be long.
To my relief the heavy door to the left of the throne was thrown open and the marshal announced King Stefano’s entrance. Marco and I immediately bent a knee and bowed low until the king bade us rise.
“What news do you bring, Lord Conran?”
“Marco and his men captured four men we believe were involved in the attacks. We were assailed on our way here, wounding one of the prisoners. We found the archer but he killed himself before we could question him. I would like Marco to tell you the rest as he is responsible for our success.”
I bowed again and turned to Marco with a smile.
“Sire, Master Pierce-Seahorn is far too generous in his praise. I believe we would have lost the prisoners if not for him, but we learned all the men are members of the Madre Natura.”
I jumped when King Stefano slammed his fist on the throne arm.
“Damn the Madre Natura! All my forbearance and this is how they repay me! I want every known member arrested, no matter their standing!”
The king’s uncharacteristic vehemence surprised me, but Marco calmly responded.
“I sent Francisco to advise Captain Andreas. His battalion will have begun rounding up all known members. Captain Andreas’ spies have been providing additional names and they will be brought in, too.”
“Good man! Take me to the prisoners now. We need to learn all we can.”
I didn’t relish going to the dungeon to watch men tortured but knew I had no choice. I stepped back to allow the royal guards and King Stefano to lead us. Marco bowed and indicated I should precede him. Silently, I fell behind the royal party into an empty, echoing hall.
I glanced around and wondered at the emptiness. I wanted to ask Marco if he knew what was going on but my voice would have carried too easily. Casually, I held the Druid’s Egg and sought the answer while keeping my eyes open.
I immediately viewed the court at dinner with Queen Marguerite and the princes. My stomach grumbled in appreciation of the array of food spread before them. I hadn’t realized the time but wasn’t sure I’d be able to eat after seeing tortured men.
The escorted king stopped before a large tapestry. One of the guards pulled it back and the second pressed a brick. The wall silently swung open. The guard who had opened the door reached in, lit a torch and dipped his head to King Stefano before leading the way in.
The last guard held the heavy tapestry back until I entered the hidden passage, dropping it behind us before he pressed a stone to close the wall. Flickering light made wavering shadows dance on the sandstone walls. I shivered in the cool air but sped up as I didn’t want to lose the receding light. The second guard followed close behind.
The damp stone tunnel twisted downward in the gloom. I pressed my hand against the cold wall to keep my footing on the wet steps. The humid air clung to me and seemed to seep under my clothing. I was relieved when our descent spilled us into a wide area lit by a large fireplace.
The dungeon wasn’t as bad as I’d feared though I wouldn’t want to be jailed down here. The smell of human waste, rank sweat and some unidentified stench assailed the senses. The prisoners were chained to a long stone wall but there were no agonizing screams or obvious signs of torture. Much to my relief. King Stefano’s direction put an end to my complacency.
“Conran, while not a cruel man, I have a responsibility to know why the Madre Natura attacked my sons. I need you to do what you can to get them to talk before we have to resort to more painful methods.”
One of the prisoners shifted, his chains ringing against the stone. Defiance filled the eyes of two of the men but the third looked fearfully at King Stefano and then me. I didn’t like invading his mind but it would save him being tortured.
Shutting out the all sounds and sights, except for the man before me, I slipped into his memories and found what I needed. I learned his name was Carlino. With only a twinge of regret, I manipulated Carlino’s perception so that he saw his family being dragged into the dungeon.
Carlino watched as his wife’s dress was torn from her and she was pushed down onto the scratched pine table by one of the guards. His children’s sobs and screams echoed in the room until one of the guards slapped the little boy, sending him reeling into the stone wall. There was a sickening crunch as his soft head hit the unyielding wall.
Carlino’s scream rose above that of his terrified wife. His head turned to King Stefano and he started jabbering in Veneti. I’d learned enough of the language to know he was providing names and how the Madre Natura had abducted his eldest son to force his compliance in attacking King Stefano’s family.
With a small hand movement, I expanded the vision. There was the sound of rending cloth as Carlino’s daughter was pulled upright and pushed over her mother’s supine body. Carlino trembled. Tears streaked his face and snot dripped from his sharp nose.
“Bring him to the side room,” King Stefano directed curtly.
“Join us, Lord Pierce-Seahorn.”
Two of the guards had to drag the limp and shivering prisoner. I entered the small cold room last. Carlino was thrust into a small wooden chair. One of the guards pulled him upright when he started to slide off his chair.
“Why did you attack my sons?”
“I had no choice, Sire. The Marchese threatened to kill my family if I did not assist his men,” he blubbered.
Apparently unmoved, King Stefano’s face remained stony.
“You should have come to us. We would have protected you and your family. Is it the Marchese Alessandro de Ponti who sought my sons’ deaths?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. He planned to attack during their funeral.”
King Stefano began pacing in the small space. “Are the other prisoners part of this plot?”
“Yes, Sire.” Carlino sniffled and wiped his nose on his sleeve. Tears had quit flowing but his fear-filled eyes kept sliding to me. His chin quivered as the silence stretched out.
King Stefano ceased his pacing before me. He stared silently at me before turning to his guards.
“Take the prisoner back out for my sentence. Bring the wounded one,
as well.”
I waited with King Stefano as the men left the small, cold room.
“These men will be executed today. However, there is no need for you to witness it.”
“I serve you and support your decisions. I will stay with Your Majesty.”
For the first time that morning, a brief smile touched the king’s mouth. We waited silently until Marco announced that the wounded conspirator was present. I bowed and stepped back after opening the door for King Stefano. I stayed by the door as he walked to the center of the room and faced the prisoners. He met each ones’ eyes before speaking.
“For the attempted assassination of the royal princes, assistance with the attempted overthrow of the monarchy and failure to report the conspiracy, you are each sentenced to death. The sentence to be carried out immediately.”
Still unshackled, Carlino dropped. Only the guards on either side of him kept him from falling to his knees.
“Mercy, Your Majesty! I was only trying to protect my family! I never wanted to harm your sons or you! I can’t die! Grant me mercy!”
King Stefano’s face did not soften.
“You made your choice and deserve the harshest of penalties. Marco, summon additional guards and the executioner. We will take them to the oubliette immediately.”
To my surprise, Carlino fell silent. It was as if the realization of his imminent demise had broken him. I felt a twinge of sympathy for him but squashed it down. This would be my first execution and I didn’t want to break down before King Stefano and his men.
Four burly guards and a tall, hooded man entered, led by Captain Luca Andreas. I was surprised to see him as I thought he would be with his men rounding up the Madre Natura. They quickly unchained the prisoners shackled to the wall and lifted the wounded man to his feet. With two guards flanking each prisoner, we quickly left the central dungeon. Marching boots and dragging feet marked our progress.
I followed the main party with Captain Andreas behind me. We’d gained a tacit understanding and respect for one another since our original meeting. We solemnly traveled up a narrow dank hall. Spitting torches stuck in the dark stone walls lit our way.
Water trickled down the walls, glistening in the flickering, smoky light. It got colder as we descended. I shivered as our breaths puffed in the putrid air. A smell that would become far too familiar (but, that was years down the road) permeated the air.
The men in front of me disappeared around a corner, so I quickened my pace until forced to duck under a low arched opening. The four prisoners had been lined up kneeling before an ominous opening in the stone floor. I stayed by the cool wall next to entrance.
Captain Andreas took a position beside the royal executioner who silently stood behind the first prisoner. The king nodded at the captain who signaled the executioner. With no preamble, his sword sliced into the back of the man’s head. The head flew into the hole before the body toppled forward to follow it.
Carlino began shaking but remained silent as the executioner stepped silently behind him. The sword whistled down, and Carlino’s head and body dropped into the hole. I felt a twinge of pity for him and his family.
The third man struggled in the arms of his guards until they forced him down and pulled him taunt between them. He stilled just before his head separated from his body, and the body’s weight followed the head as if to reconnect. Two thumps softly reverberated.
The final prisoner looked up before the blade decapitated him. I couldn’t stop a shiver when I saw his eyes blink at us before his head disappeared into the pit. Unlike his predecessors, the body slumped and remained on the abyss edge. Captain Andreas moved forward to push it over with his foot. There was a long pause before I heard it hit bottom.
Everyone remained silent as the executioner cleaned his blade with a cloth. The wetness on the wall behind me began to seep into my shirt. Shivering, I stepped away. I wanted nothing more than to leave this oppressive place of death.
The black yawning pit was mesmerizing and drew me. Everything faded as I stared into it. I jerked back when I felt myself tipping forward. I looked up to see the shadows of the men disappearing on the wall.
“We should go, Lord Pierce-Seahorn.”
“Thank you for waiting, Captain Andreas.”
He nodded with a small fanged smile. Without wasting any more time, I quickly left the horrible little chamber. I was relieved to see we weren’t too far behind the execution party. I didn’t see King Stefano but assumed he was at the front of the party.
The captain extinguished the wall torches as we passed them, forcing me to walk quickly to keep the last guards in sight. I didn’t want to walk this tunnel in the dark! After what seemed far too long, we finally reached the central dungeon.
King Stefano was waiting with Marco. The other guards and the executioner were gone. I was surprised to see the king with only one attendant, but he ran his kingdom in a more relaxed manner than King Drexel.
“Wait for us outside, Captain Andreas. Marco, you may go.”
The two men quickly left, softly closing the heavy oak door behind them. I stood respectfully before the king and waited.
“Was this your first execution?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I believe you made the right decision though it could not have been easy. Carlino was very pitiful.”
King Stefano took a shaking breath as he stared at me steadily.
“Marco is taking a small contingent of troops to Carlino’s home to bring his family to court. They will be taken care of.” He paused before continuing. “He should return within the hour. Then, we ride to Marchese Alessandro de Ponti’s estate.”
“Should we wait, Your Majesty? He may get word of the executions and have time to assemble his own men to mass against you.”
“You have a compelling point. I have sufficient available soldiers to face him.”
King Stefano turned, opened the door and murmured to the erect guard waiting outside. His sharp look raked across me.
“Go to the armory and get a quilted vest and helmet. It would not do for such a valued advisor to be injured.”
“Yes, Sire.”
I took off at a brisk trot. I was glad we were not waiting to ride out but I had a bad feeling about the endeavor. I decided to stay close to the front, so I could better protect the king.
In less than twenty minutes we were clattering over the drawbridge at a fast gallop. Chickens and geese scattered as we passed several small farms. I watched each side but didn’t see anyone riding out to give warning.
Once past the eastern vineyard, I felt a ripple of excitement and nerves travel through the riders. My own feelings were conflicted. I murmured a protective spell before and around our party.
The back of my neck itched. I sent my vision out and found six men on horseback just over the small hill we were climbing. Pressing my heels into Scimitar, I moved closer to Captain Andreas.
“There is a small party of six men in a copse to the right of this road, just over the hill.”
Nodding, Captain Andreas pulled his horse up for King Stefano to reach us. Quickly, he apprised him of the threat.
“We have thirteen very capable soldiers but I would rather not lose any men.” King Stefano looked past the soldier to me.
“Can you take care of it, Conran?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I bowed to him from my saddle before riding into the forest that ran along the dusty, cobbled road. I rode cautiously and soon found where the men waited. A movement directed my attention to the opposite side.
The Marchese sat astride a stunning black stallion whose ebony coat shone in the light. I felt the blackness rolling off the rider. I’d not felt such evil since Ganthor. A rage surged forth and I let it.
Unthinking, I stripped a tall cypress of all branches and sharpened the top to create a black sixty-five foot stake. Marchese de Ponti’s horse reared but his rider capably stayed astride and settled him. Power surged within and I lifted the first sold
ier from his horse and posed him over the honed tree.
A long scream ripped from his throat as he hovered over the whetted pole before I plunged him down. I quickly ducked as a bolt whizzed past. Nostrils flaring, I flicked my wrist to send the bowman to follow his mate.
A roaring filled my ears and my vision narrowed to the Marchese’s men and the sharpened tree. I swiftly dispatched the remaining men onto the unnatural stake. The Marchese seemed frozen on his stallion until he saw the last of his men impaled. He whirled his horse to flee but with a twist of my hand I jerked him from his horse.
I lifted and flew him as slowly as possible to the towering pole where his impaled men bleed, whimpered, sobbed or screamed their deaths. My heart twinged in regret, but their deaths were a just sentence for their insurrection and disloyalty against the king.
I hardened my resolve as I slowly impaled Marchese de Ponti onto the living stake. Thinking of Carlino and the other men executed, I wanted his death as slow as possible. The Marchese’s screams echoed across the valley and I knew his family could hear his death throes.
An image of his family huddled in a small room came to me. I saw a worn, pretty woman, a baby, a crying girl and two young boys, between twelve and fifteen. Fear and anger filled the boys’ eyes.
The power ebbed and flowed away. Reluctantly, I rode back to King Stefano. I knew what my next task would be and I was not relishing it. I also feared how the guards would now treat me after witnessing my power.
I quickly rode down the small hill where my party was waiting. Captain Andreas and Mario rode to meet me. Mario’s smile was as warm as ever. Captain Andreas nodded with respect in his eyes.
“Is it done?” Captain Andreas asked.
“The immediate threat is done, but I fear his family heard what happened.”
“The de Pontis are known for their blood feuds. My men and I will take care of them.”
In the bright sunlight, a chill swept over me.
“His youngest is only a babe,” I protested weakly. We lived in a tumultuous time and I understood that drastic measures were often necessary but I found it hard to condone the slaughter of an innocent family.
The Sigil of Sobek: Book 2 The Chronicles of Conran Page 15