That night snow started falling heavily, and as Torvee looked out of the window high in the palace in her new rooms, Siggy came up behind her.
“Looks like a bad storm is coming, my Queen. Even the Menegar can’t attack in that.”
“I am afraid it will take more than snow to keep them away,” Torvee said.
“They are southern creatures, used to warmth. I think if this storm turns into a long blizzard it will cause them to go somewhere and regroup for spring.”
“It will be the only thing that saves us, this early winter.”
Siggy was prophetic, because the snowfall that night turned into a heavy blizzard that lasted for three days. On the fourth day the skies cleared, and the battlefield was cleared too. Her men and the Avish rejoiced.
“I will make damn sure that when they come back that we are more prepared and that we will survive,” Torvee said to herself.
Chapter 26: Frozen Little Fish
October 12, 850 A.A.
The first thing Tiga felt as she regained consciousness was pain in her toes, followed by pain in her head and a wave of nausea. She opened her eyes and found herself in a bed. That was all she registered before she leaned over the side of the bed and retched. Luckily someone had put a bucket there and she mostly hit the bucket with her sick up. After she emptied the contents of her stomach, which wasn’t much, she looked around at her surroundings. She was lying in a rudely constructed bed with an uncomfortable straw mattress. The room she was in had walls of roughly hewn logs. There was a hearth with a roaring fire going, which she was grateful for, a wooden chair by the bed, and on the far wall was a kitchen area and a small dining table with two chairs. She thought that this must have been a small cabin with no other rooms. On the walls hung an iron skillet, a bow and a quiver full of arrows, and a few pictures of mountain ranges and a lake. The cabin had two crude windows that were hard to see out of, but she could see that a winter storm was blowing hard outside. She was the only one in the cabin now. She tried to sit up and she found her ankle was in a shackle that was attached to the bed. Her stomach lurched at that realization and she retched again, but this time nothing came out.
She wondered how she came to be in the cabin and who helped her get there. She also wondered why they would feel it necessary to latch her to the bed. Surely it wasn’t a Menegar that pulled her from the river. A Menegar would have killed her outright. A citizen of Skal wouldn’t have reason to be wary of her either.
The cabin door flew open and the sound of the storm intensified as an Avish man who was bundled up against the cold came in holding some logs came in. He deposited the logs on a pile by the fire and stepped outside again shutting the door behind him. He came back in shortly carrying a loin from a pig. He shut the door once more and put the loin on the kitchen counter. He started unbundling slowly and Tiga resisted the urge to ask all the questions that were bouncing around in her head. Once he had all his winter clothes off, he walked over to the chair by the bed and sat down. Tiga saw his face for the first time and he had a scar from his jaw to just below his eye on the left side that made looking directly at him off-putting. He sat in the chair for a moment staring out of the window, then he turned his gaze to Tiga, and she had to make herself return his look.
“This storm is finally starting to quiet down,” the strange man said. “It doesn’t seem like it, but ole Red Marne can read the weather.”
“Is that your name, Red Marne?” Tiga asked.
“Yes, it is. What might your name be, my little frozen fish?”
Tiga paused a moment. “Dawn Rane.”
“Well Miss Rane, you are a little mystery to me. I noticed that you were wearing a captain’s uniform for the Aviel Army. A female captain is a rarity. Being in the army myself, it is a wonder I haven’t heard of you.”
“I was given a battlefield promotion. I was at Trellheim but was cut off from the main force when the Menegar arrived.”
“I see. How did you end up in the river?”
“The Menegar pursued my battalion to the river. We were slaughtered, I was the last one left. It was either be captured or killed by the Menegar or jump in the river, so I jumped.”
“Not an auspicious start as captain. At least you survived, by dumb luck by the way. Don’t expect to keep that rank, they demote captains who get all of their men killed.”
“I am sure you want to know how you came to be in this cabin,” Red said after a moment.
“Yes.”
“I am a scout and sometimes messenger in the army. I was given a mission to check on the Aviel forces here in Skal. More specifically I am to relay any news regarding the Menegar threat and most importantly I am to ascertain which side the Avish forces are on.”
“Which side?”
“Yes, which side. Vaux or Carrington. See that is why I shackled you to the bed. I need to find out who you are for. If you are a true devoted soldier to the rightful ruler of Aviel or a member of the rebellion.”
“I see.”
“Ah, you don’t want to tell me until you find out what side I am on. I don’t blame you, in your weakened state. I could kill you easily. Suit yourself. Just know that I will keep you bound until you tell me. Back to how you got here. I was riding to Trellheim and was about a day away when a light snow started falling. It quickly turned into a heavy snow, and it got to a point where I couldn’t go on, so I sought out shelter. I found this cabin uninhabited and a pen of pigs behind it. I needed to gather wood and I went to the river to see if I could get some water before it iced over. By then three hands of snow had fallen. I reached the river and there was a raised lump by where I was gathering water. I stepped on the lump and it made a noise. I was curious so I brushed off the snow and there you were. You were completely blue but to my surprise you were still breathing so I threw you on my horse and took you back to the cabin. I stripped off your frozen clothes, don’t worry, I avoided looking as much as possible, and warmed you by the fire. You lost a couple of toes to frostbite, but you kept your fingers. Now you look like you are recovering nicely. You need some food in your stomach so you can regain your strength.”
“Thank you for saving me. I am surprised to be alive.”
“I am surprised too. You escaped certain death twice.”
Red got up and started trimming the loin. Once he was finished, he took a big skillet off the wall and put the loin in it. He brought the skillet over to the fire and put it on a metal shelf that was over the fire. The loin started cooking and it smelled like heaven to Tiga. Once it was ready Red took it off the fire and cut it in half. He put each half on a plate and set the plates on the table. He walked over to the bed and looked at Tiga.
“Now I am going to unshackle you to let you eat, but if you try anything, I will tie your hands and feet, so don’t be stupid.”
“OK, don’t worry, I am not in a state to try anything anyway.”
Red took her shackle off and she woozily walked over to the table. She was able to look at her missing toes. The third and fourth toe on her left foot were just little stubs now. She didn’t think that the missing toes would impede her ability to walk or balance. She sat at the table and began to eat. She thought that there was no way she would finish the large cut of meat that Red had given her, but she surprised herself and consumed it all. They didn’t speak while they were eating, but when they were finished, Red offered Tiga some ale.
“No thank you,” Tiga said.
“Ok Miss Dawn, more for me,” Red said. “Tomorrow if the storm is indeed over, I am going to continue my mission to Trellheim. I am going to leave early, before sunrise, and will be gone overnight. Unfortunately for you I will have to shackle you to the bedpost. I will put a longer chain on the shackle so that you can reach the kitchen area where I will leave some hard biscuits and dried meat. It will have to last you two days so don’t eat it all at once. I will leave a large jug of water for you and will ensure your chamber pot and retching can are close. Is there anything else you will
need?”
“Red, please take me with you. Trellheim is my base, where my fellow soldiers are.”
“I would gladly take you if you tell me whose side you are on. Whose side are they on, do you know?”
“I am not sure. It has not been discussed.”
“I doubt that very much. Here you stay then.”
Tiga didn’t dare tell him she was for the Queen, just like she didn’t dare tell him who she really was. Tiga had been in the newssheets a few times, actually almost daily, when her mother’s trial was going on. She was grateful that Red did not recognize her, because she had a strong feeling that Red was on Keyland’s side.
After Red finished his ale, he led Tiga back to the bed and locked her to it. She crawled under the covers and attempted to sleep. She was almost out until Red, who was sprawled out on the floor by her bed, started snoring. It took her another two hours to get to sleep.
She woke up with a start. The sun was up and it had indeed stopped snowing, just like Red predicted. She felt much better than she did the day before. She threw the covers off her and looked at how Red had shackled her. The end of the chain was attached to a shackle that was attached to the bed rail. There was no way of getting it off without chopping the bed rail in two, and she didn’t have an axe. She was sure there was an axe outside, but she couldn’t reach the door, much less go outside. She walked over to the kitchen area to look for a knife, but she could see that Red had stacked the knifes in a corner that was beyond her reach. She screamed in frustration and fumed for an hour. Then she realized she was hungry and ate some of the food Red had left her.
After she ate, she kept looking around the cabin for anything that could help her. She searched every nook and cranny but found nothing. She was about to give up but then she realized she was missing something that was in plain sight; the pegs the pans were hanging from. She could barely reach two of the pegs, one holding the iron skillet and the other holding a pot. She took the skillet and the pot down and looked at the pegs more closely. They were just what she hoped they would be, not wooden pegs but nails. She grabbed a rag and used it to grip the first nail. She attempted to work the nail loose and she pulled on it as hard as she could. It wouldn’t budge. After a while she moved to the second nail and as she worked it, she felt a little give. She worked it and pulled it harder and harder and after a moment the nail slid out from the wall. Tiga uttered a little yell of victory and proceeded to attempt to pick the lock on the shackle that bound her to the bed. After a while she heard the satisfying click of a lock opening.
Red Marne approached Trellheim and he was amazed by the destruction he saw. Menegar bodies lay piled by the walls, but smoke was still rising from the portion of the wall that was destroyed. He had circled the city before he came too close to ascertain how much damage there was. As he rode closer, he could see that some of the towers were destroyed.
Two soldiers on horseback emerged from the city gates and approached him. They hailed him when he came within ten span of them. He stopped his horse and waited for them to come to him.
“What business do you have in Trellheim?” One of the soldiers asked.
“I am an emissary from the crown of Aviel. I have messages for King Arkyn and General Rackam.”
“I am sorry to say both are dead,” said the second soldier. “Queen Torvee is now our ruler and Colonel Montfort is in command of the Avish forces.”
“I see. In that case it is vitally important that I speak to both. As honor dictates, I would speak with Queen Torvee first.”
“Follow us. We will take you to a room in the palace where you can wait in comfort and be fed while you wait on the Queen. She is quite busy, and I am not sure when she will be able to see you.”
“Thank you for your hospitality. Lead on, I will wait all night if I need to.”
The soldiers led Red into the city. They stopped at a livery near the palace. Red gave his horse over to the attendants.
“You will want to leave your sword with your horse. Foreigners are not allowed to bear weapons in the palace unless they have been vetted.
Red shrugged and took his sword belt off. He attached the belt to his saddle.
“That better be here when I get back or your Queen owes me a new sword,” Red said.
“Your sword is safe.”
The soldiers led Red into the palace and down a few corridors. They came to a room with a door that was slightly opened. It had a couple of couches and a small dining table. Before they left a palace, servant came by and asked if Red wanted anything. He asked for wine and some food.
The food and beverage came and Red wolfed both down. He settled down to wait by laying back on one of the couches. He dozed off and was awakened by a servant telling him the Queen was ready for him.
He straightened himself up and followed the servant down more corridors. They came to two huge doors and Red guessed that on the other side of them would be the throne room. The servant knocked once on the doors and they opened to the inside and the servant bade Red to enter. The room was cavernous with three fireplaces on each side wall and a fire pit in the middle of the room. There were tables set up for feasting. Red assumed they had a celebratory dinner when the Menegar left.
Queen Torvee was seated on a throne made entirely from crystal at the far end of the room. The throne was up on a dais and three torches were on each side of her. As he approached the throne, he thought Torvee looked very comfortable on it considering she had just become the ruler. He reached the spot in front of the throne. On Queen Torvee’s left were her generals. Further back from them were the Aviel commanders. On her right were what Red assumed to be advisors.
“I understand that you are a messenger from the crown of Aviel,” Torvee said. “That is a rather sketchy way of identifying yourself. Before you deliver your message, tell me which crown you are from, Queen Sarah or King Keyland.”
“Your Majesty, I represent the only ruler, the true ruler, King Keyland.”
“I see. What message does Keyland send?”
“Ma’am, he and I were under the impression King Arkyn was still on the throne. We express our sorrow for your loss, for Arkyn was a great leader and a stalwart ally of Aviel. We also congratulate you and wish for your every success as Queen of Skal. Whatever we can do to help you, please just ask.”
“Thank you for the kind words. You can send us more troops, that would help.”
“Alas, we have no more troops to give without putting Aviel at risk. In fact, part of the reason I am here is to call the troops loyal to Keyland, which I hope are all of them, home to assist in putting down the nasty rebellion by Sarah Carrington.”
“Is that right?” Torvee said without any emotion.
“Yes Ma’am, and since you are both new monarchs, I hope that you will re-ratify the treaty between Skal and Aviel. I brought a copy that King Keyland has already signed.” Red pulled out a rolled-up document and one of the servants came and took it from him. The servant went to give it to Torvee. She took it, and promptly tore it in half and threw it on the floor.
“I want no treaty with that prick,” Torvee said.
“Does this mean you support the pretender, Sarah?”
“You presume to question me? In my own hall? I should have you drawn and quartered.” Tiga paused for a moment. “My better judgement prevails, and I won’t. In fact, I will answer your question. You see, I am in a unique position. I know Keyland well, and I have gotten to know Sarah. I detest them both, but for different reasons. My advisors have pleaded with me to remain neutral, and that would be the safest answer to give to you to pass along to Keyland, that I am staying out of Aviel politics until the real ruler emerges. You don’t know me, but I am a strong woman, and that means I listen to the advice I am given, then I do what I want. What I really want is for the Menegar to attack Aviel next and burn Alexandra to the ground, but since that probably won’t happen, I do have to maintain an ally in Aviel. That means that when Sarah wins, I will ally with her. Do
you want to know why I know Sarah will win? I will tell you. I have known Keyland since I was a little girl. I spent the summers and yuletides with the Vaux’s every year from since I can remember to this last year. From the first Keyland was a stuck-up arse who thought that the Skalish people, including me, my sister, and my papa, were inferior. He got that from his father, to be fair, but he embraced it. He was never kind to me, and always looked at me with derision. He is one of my least favorite people. I feared him when I was younger, but as I became older, I realized that his arrogance and rudeness was a coverup. He was really an unconfident coward, and he always will be.”
“I met Sarah after she stole the heart of the man I loved, my cousin, Winn Vaux. I hated her more than any other. The reason why? She was beautiful, intelligent, witty, insightful, and most of all because she was genuinely a kind and good person. She has drive, strength, and courage. That is how she won Winn. It was who she was, not what she looked like, that swayed Winn’s heart. I hated her for that. I thought I was fierce, but I was a kitten compared to her. I hate to admit it, but she inspired me, and the reason I am ready to be Queen of Skal is because the rightful Queen of Aviel taught me what it is to be a woman. I hate her but I respect her. She is a thousand times the person Keyland is and has more courage in her big toe than Keyland has in his entire body. She will prevail. She will be queen. Your master will be fed to the dogs. Get out of my palace. You have until dawn to be out of Trellheim and you have 48 hours to be out of Skal, never to return, on pain of death.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” a stunned Red said.
The guard led Red out of the palace and onto the streets of Trellheim. He was stunned at the hostile reception he received. He put it out of his mind and concentrated on his other issue. He wanted to find out more about Dawn, so he headed to the barracks. As he got close, he saw that there were fires lit outside the barracks and that soldiers were seated around them drinking. He cozied up to one of the fires and offered a drink from a flask to the soldier seated next to him. The soldier was Avish and had been drinking for a while.
Trials of a Champion Page 36