“I’m not privy to such details, Your Highness.” The boy sounded genuinely sorry.
“Of course you’re not,” she chided.
“You know full well the boy doesn’t sit in the king’s council.” Marisa turned the messenger. “Tell Markus we’ll be there shortly.”
“Yes, my lady.” He bowed and walked back to the palace.
Penelope looked at Marisa and raised an eyebrow. “We?”
“I’m going to make sure Markus sends enough of the right kind of troops. His idea of a proper army is having more than the enemy.”
“Be nice.” Penelope half stifled a laugh. “My brother made certain Markus is well versed in military tactics.”
“I know, but what he thinks we need and what I know we need aren’t always the same.” She motioned to Peter and Wallace. “You two are coming with us.”
“Mar, do you really think it wise to bring an entourage with us when Markus only requested my presence?”
“Yes,” she said. “This is their fight. Markus needs to see their resolve, not mine.”
“I’m coming, too,” Claire said. Peter had forgotten she was in the room, since she’d been so quiet. “This involves you. I want to be there.”
Marisa looked to Penelope, who shrugged. “Markus only summoned me. I don’t see the harm in one more.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Minutes later a guard escorted Penelope and the others into the king’s council room. Markus was in conversation with someone Peter didn’t know when they arrived. He smiled at first and then rolled his eyes.
“Gods, Auntie. I summon you and you bring an entire retainer with you.”
Penelope frowned. “Petulant child. If you summon me back to the palace before I can eat my dinner, you must put up with my bringing support.”
“Lady Marisa.” Markus bowed politely. “I’d say you look lovely, but you appear dressed for a fight and I don’t wish to offend you.”
“Wise as ever, Your Majesty.”
“Why am I here?” Penelope asked.
The king snapped his fingers at a guard, who opened a side door. “After you left I had a most interesting visitor. But I suspect you knew that or else you wouldn’t have brought Wallace with you.”
Penelope exchanged looks with Marisa before answering Markus. “What are you talking about?”
The guard allowed someone to enter. Older than the king by at least a decade, the man’s close-cropped gray hair belied his otherwise spry appearance.
“Father?” Wallace said.
“Hello, Son.” Baron Tomas smiled. “I didn’t know the king summoned you here.”
“I didn’t.” The king tried to sound annoyed, but it missed the mark. “Auntie Penelope thought it best to bring backup for some reason.”
“Markus, I’m in no mood for games,” Penelope said testily. “I’ve been hopping all over the world tonight. I’m tired and hungry. Either get to point or I’m going home.”
The guard nearest Markus tensed, but the king waved him down. “Tut-tut. Manners and decorum are still in fashion. I called you back because Tomas arrived and I wanted you to hear what he has to say.”
Baron Tomas gave his king a formal bow. “Thank you, Your Majesty. As you know, my son has decided he will ride off with the prince of Belsport to liberate the western cities of Ardus.”
“So I’ve heard.” All eyes turned to Peter and Wallace.
“As a proud father, I can attest to my son’s ability with his sword. I’m told the prince of Belsport is no less accomplished. My beloved wife, however, is the sort to worry too much, and she frets for his safety.”
“Tomas, get to the point or I’ll turn you into a radish.” Penelope tightened her hand around her staff.
The baron gave her a mock look of pain and then winked in Peter and Wallace’s direction. “As you wish, Princess, but you’re wasting a marvelous speech. I’ve hired five thousand mercenaries to go with my son and the prince to Belsport. I came to ask if I can bring them into the city so they may leave when Wallace and Peter depart.”
Only Markus didn’t appear surprised.
“Five thousand?” Marisa asked. “How did you hire so many so quickly?”
“Your Majesty sent word there would be work available for mercenaries. Captains from all over Dumbarten have flocked to Dreth. Since no one has stepped up to hire them yet, I engaged some excellent soldiers at good prices.”
“Ever the opportunist, eh, Tomas?” Markus smiled. “But I thank you for not making a liar of the crown.”
“I merely played the hand the Six gave me.” Tomas shrugged. “I’d say I did it out of loyalty to the crown, but my son’s valor inspired me to action. He reminded me, either we fight the enemy where they are or they’ll come to us. Since I’m no longer young enough to ride off with him, I’m left to help as I may.”
“That many mercs must’ve put a dent in even your considerable wallet,” Marisa said.
The baron’s expression became serious. “Every coin I have and more, I’d spend to keep my child safe. Wallace’s plans put a lifetime building a business and amassing my fortune into perspective. As you know better than anyone, sometimes doing what is right is more important than the money it costs.”
Wallace appeared on the verge of tears when the king’s chamberlain walked briskly into the room.
“Your Majesty, my apologies for interrupting you, but I have an urgent message.”
Markus’s eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed. “What could possibly require you to interrupt me at a time like this?”
“The high priestess of Seritia requests an audience,” the elderly man said in an even tone.
Markus opened and closed his mouthed and then took deep breath before he answered. “Please tell Mother Mergrania I’ll send a messenger to the temple tomorrow.”
“It is not Mother Mergrania who seeks your time.” Saulist lost his stoic expression. “The High Priestess from Agloth herself is waiting. Mother Jolella and a prince of Ze’arder are outside your door.”
“Jolella left her city?” Penelope asked.
“There is more, Your Majesty.” Saulist waited for Markus to nod before he continued. “Hundreds of Ze’arderian warriors have formed ranks outside the temple of Seritia. More are arriving by the minute.”
“What in the name of the Six is going on?” Markus asked. “Are they invading the city?”
“Perhaps if you invited the high priestess in, you could ask her,” Penelope said.
Markus’s lips tightened and he motioned his hand. Saulist left and a moment later, Jolella and Cendreth entered the room. Jolella smiled as she passed Peter, and her eyes twinkled when they fell on Wallace. She held out her hand to Penelope.
“You look well, Princess.”
“Thank you, Holy Mother.” She smiled and accepted it. “Greetings to you as well, Prince Cendreth.”
Cendreth nodded as the pair continued until they stood before a still shocked-looking Markus.
“Holy Mother.” He bowed deeply. “It is a great honor for you to visit Dumbarten.”
Jolella inclined her head. “My apologies for coming unannounced, Your Majesty. Most Holy Seritia ordered me to seek you out at once.”
Markus looked to Penelope, who shook her head. “No need to apologize, Holy Mother. How may I be of service to you and Most Holy Seritia?”
“The Blessed Mother has sent Her soldiers to accompany Prince Peter on his mission.” Jolella turned to Cendreth. “She directed Crown Prince Cendreth to lead four legions to Ardus. They will be under the command of Lady Marisa.”
Cendreth bowed. “Your Majesty, my father, Amelt Randgar, sends his regards. I seek permission to bring my soldiers into Dreth. Amelt Randgar seeks to repay the debt owed to Belsport for aiding in the defense of Agloth.”
Markus blinked and looked around the room again. “What’s happening?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Penelope said. “The boys are raising an army to bring with them.”
“Which brin
gs me to why I’m here,” Marisa interjected. “I want to discuss the compilation of the legions you are sending to Belsport.”
“One crisis at a time.” Markus shook his head. “Holy Mother, permission granted to bring your legions into the city. Do you need space for them?”
“That would be most kind of you.” She smiled. “Send the temple the bill and we will reimburse the crown.”
“No,” he said with a smirk. “I’m not foolish enough to ask Seritia to pay me when she is trying to help a friend. Consider it a donation to the temple from Dumbarten.”
“Seritia said you were a wise ruler.”
Penelope snorted, which drew a glare from Markus.
“As for you, Tomas.” He shifted his gaze from his aunt. “How soon can your companies be in the city? My understanding is Peter wanted to leave yesterday.”
“I have given them leave to camp on my estate a day’s march from Dreth, so the third morning from today.”
“That’s too long,” Penelope said. “Have them ready to leave the morning after tomorrow. I’ll open a Door for them to join the others in Ardus.”
“Ah, well, Your Highness, I won’t be able to secure supplies for them that soon.”
“Between Markus’s quartermasters and King Miceral’s, you don’t need to worry about supplies. You’ve been most generous already paying their fee.” She turned to Markus. “The crown can pick up the tab to provision them.”
“Humph.” Markus frowned and turned to Marisa. “Now what about the legions I promised my auntie?”
“Tomas and Prince Cendreth have provided enough infantry. We need cavalry and pikers for balance.”
“Horse and pikers?” Markus asked. “Do you expect to face mounted soldiers?”
“We don’t know, but it is safe to assume we will. Or worse, our enemy will turn the lot of his army into Chamdon. Pikers will be useful against such an enemy.”
“Cavalry is very expensive,” Markus said. “And pikers require greater logistics to move their equipment.”
“If Tomas can hire five legions, do you think quibbling over cost is a winning hand?” Marisa asked.
He glared at her, but Marisa held her ground. They dickered for a few more minutes, but Markus appeared uncomfortable. He glanced at Jolella and Cendreth several times before they ended negotiations. In the end he agreed to three legions of pikers, two legions of cavalry, and five legions of foot soldiers.
“Did I understand Marisa is going to lead this army?” Tomas asked when the discussion of troops concluded.
“That is Blessed Seritia’s expressed wish,” Jolella said. “Marisa’s abilities are well known. She and King Miceral can work together to lead the two prongs of the rescue mission.”
“Then if you’ll excuse me,” Markus said with a bow, “I need to have the appropriate orders drawn up so you can leave on schedule.”
It was nearly midnight when they returned to Penelope and Marisa’s home. Peter held Wallace’s hand as they walked to his room. He smiled at how much things had changed since the day Farrell caught them trying to sneak out of the house.
“Not that I object, but why did everyone insist Marisa would lead the troops?” Peter asked.
They reached Peter’s room and went in. The staff had turned down the large bed and set out clothing for the next day. “Are you staying tonight?”
“I don’t know. Did you want me to?” Wallace said with a grin.
Peter shut the door and threw the lock. “Do I even need to answer that?”
“No, but being asked is always appreciated.” Wallace sat on the edge of the bed but didn’t look upset.
“Wasn’t my asking if you were staying asking?” He sat next to Wallace and pulled off his boots. “Of course I want you to stay.”
“Much better.”
They helped each other get out of their armor before they used the small bath attached to Peter’s room to wash up.
“You’re quiet,” Wallace said as he slid under the sheets. “Something wrong?”
“No.” Peter crawled in and snuggled behind him. “Just thinking.”
“About?”
“Marisa. Why is everyone so convinced she should lead our rescue force?”
Wallace twisted until he faced Peter. “What brought this on? You don’t trust her?”
“No, no, no. It’s not that. But I need to reach my father. I know she’s a very good fighter, but has she ever led an army? Has she ever been in a pitched battle?”
“Ah.” He flopped onto his back and Peter did the same. “You needn’t worry on either side. The answer is yes to both.”
“Really? I’m not aware of anyone fighting a war with Dumbarten.”
“That’s true, but there have been many full-blown internal battles between houses.”
Peter rolled onto his side and propped his head up on his hand. “That’s incredible. Why does the king permit that?”
“Better they fight each other than the crown. With a kingdom as vast as Dumbarten, disagreements arise all the time. With no natural enemies, this keeps our soldiers battle-ready.”
The idea made sense on some level, but Peter found it callous. “Marisa fought one of these feuds?”
Wallace moved so he faced Peter. “It was more than a mere feud, Peter. It was a full-on war. Marisa is from one of the oldest families in Kentar. They swore allegiance to Hevnor and prospered along with the rest of the kingdom.
“As you know, over the centuries things change. Powerful families wane under inferior leadership. Minor families thrive with the right person in charge. Marisa’s family experienced many such changes over the millennia. Her family had been on the decline for centuries before her father, Extar, was born.
“Extar was a brilliant merchant. He was also lucky and ruthless when he needed. He’d revived his family’s fortunes long before Marisa could walk. Success, however, breeds enemies. Especially among those less prosperous or whose fortunes are failing. More so when one house is the cause of another’s pain.
“During his career Extar outmaneuvered, outplanned, and outfought any who stood in his way. The list of people who felt wronged by him was long. He also counted a like number of allies who profited along the way, my father included. Three decades ago, Extar made an enemy of a young baron named Dalcides.
“Dalcides hailed from a house in Oglithan that had been prominent before Kentar united Dumbarten. He and Extar ended up on opposite sides of a trade involving the harvest. Dalcides lost and the bet ruined his family’s fortunes. On the other side of the deal, Extar and his allies made a small fortune.
“Dalcides blamed Extar and vowed revenge. Maybe I’m biased as Father was part of the deal, but Dalcides bore the blame. He never should have gotten involved in a market he had no experience in. Worse, he never accepted his own part in his failure. To Dalcides, this was an example of Kentarian nobles grinding Oglithan into the ground.”
“Does Kentar oppress the other two kingdoms?” Peter asked.
“Again, you’re asking someone from Kentar. In my opinion the crown treats all people equally. Oglithan is a prosperous place. It has fertile lands, abundant resources, a thriving fishing industry, and some of the finest craftsmen on the island. Moreover, Markus draws his advisors from all Dumbarten, not just old Kentar. And don’t forget, Dumbarten has been one kingdom for more than two thousand years. Markus doesn’t consider which of the old kingdoms one hails from as a yardstick in his decisions.”
“Prince Emerson disagrees with your assessment. He said Markus rebuffs him every time he tries to help because he is from Oglithan.”
“Did he tell you Markus cited Oglithan as a reason?” Wallace sounded defensive. “There are many reasons Markus might reject his offer that have nothing to do with his family.”
“He said something like that to Farrell before he left to serve my father.”
Wallace paused before continuing. “As I said at the start, maybe I’m biased given I’m from Kentar.”
“Th
e fact your keep saying that proves you’re at least aware of the possibility. I’ll go with your version.”
“Now who’s biased?” Wallace ran his finger across Peter’s cheek. “Back to Marisa’s war. Dalcides blamed the south for his and all Oglithan’s woes. With his fortune gone, Dalcides quietly organized all who chafed under Kentar’s rule. To increase his numbers, he told people he was going to liberate Oglithan from Kentar.
“A few years passed without incident as he gathered and trained his army. Then he struck Extar and his family.”
“Sounds like revenge more than rebellion,” Peter said.
Wallace nodded. “Despite what he told his followers, Dalcides’s only goal was to hurt Extar. He knew Prince Fergus never supported their revolt, not even tacitly. Without the prince, the movement lacked wider support, at least at first.
“Despite a valiant fight from Extar and his family, they were greatly outnumbered. At the end, Extar and his eldest son rallied their fighters to let Marisa and her mother escape. They held off Dalcides long enough for them to happen.”
Peter shuddered. He didn’t need to hear the rest to know it would be brutal.
“Marisa and her mother arrived at the palace covered in blood. They demanded troops to aid her family. King Burtrum sent what resources he could with his sister, Penelope. When they arrived everyone was dead, the villa sacked, and the bodies desecrated.
“Marisa vowed revenge and swore to hunt down the rebels in the King’s name. Burtrum refused to send his troops to Oglithan. He needed proof it was rebellion rather than just a deal gone bad. Otherwise he risked creating an uprising throughout the kingdom.”
“Why would taking action against Dalcides cause such a civil war?”
“The crown didn’t punish the winners of personal conflicts. If he sent troops against Dalcides, it would signal the old ways were under attack.”
“I’d bet gold that didn’t sit well with Marisa?”
Wallace laughed. “You’d be right. She raised her own army. At the time, Extar was easily the richest man in Dumbarten who wasn’t a king or prince. Marisa and her mother spent freely, and many of Extar’s friends joined her banner. My father and Princess Penelope were among those who joined her.”
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