DAWN OF THE PHOENIX Page 35

  Endra had chosen Kian’s clothing for him: sleeveless black leather shirt and black leggings. His only armor was a pair of dark steel vambraces on his wrists. It took her awhile, but she also got him to wear a dark wool cape and tie his long hair back.

  Endra herself wore her chainmail and leather, but had traded her mammoth cape for a dark cloak. Even dressed like a warrior, she commanded the attention of many of the men in the room, young and old.

  K’xarr had them all stand around the small dais where Raygan sat on a smaller version of the Phoenix Throne.

  The princess herself was radiant; she wore a dark blue dress that made her beautiful alabaster skin stand out, with silver jewelry adorning her wrists, fingers, and neck. A small silver tiara encrusted with diamonds sat atop her dark hair that had been put up in the fashion of the married women in Bandara. She looked very confident and regal, but the truth was she was uneasy about the gathering. Many of these people would be important if she ever became queen.

  She looked over the crowd. All of them were talking among themselves. That would never have happened if Cain was about to hold court. They would have shown her brother more respect. They were most likely talking about K’xarr’s half-breed friend. She had told the servants to spread the word that Kian was not half-elven, that he was from a land far to the south. She hoped his altered visage and golden eyes would fool her nobles. It was his ears that might make the difference. They were not as pointed as a true elf, but they were upswept enough to be noticed. The man should have worn his hair down to cover them, but it was too late now. She told herself everything would be fine. The proceeding should be short and uneventful, just a display for the people she needed in her bid for the throne. What could really go wrong?

  Stuart Kaspar was frantic. All the coin he felt he had worked so hard for had been confiscated along with the lands he had inherited and his ancestral home. They had even taken his sweet servant boys. No explanation had been given, and now he was being marched to the palace like a common criminal. When Duke Blackthorn heard of this, heads would roll.

  When Kasper arrived at the palace, he demanded to see the princess. He would not be denied. He owned more land than anyone in the kingdom. When he spoke, people listened. He would set this little strumpet straight about who was running this kingdom. Just because her brother was away gave her no right to play queen.

  Rhys hurried through the crowded room and motioned to K’xarr. The temporary commander of the Bandaran army made his way to the finely dressed healer. “What is it?”

  Rhys pulled him over to a corner. “The watch just brought in Lord Kaspar, he is one of the conspirators.” K’xarr thought for a moment. “Kaspar, yes, I ordered him rounded up today. He was the only one still inside the city. What of it?”

  Rhys whispered, “He wants to see the princess. He’s making a fuss about it.”

  “I don’t care what he wants. Tell them to lock him up then get back here, I need a drinking partner when this is over.”

  Rhys turned to leave.

  “Wait,” K’xarr called to him. "Tell them to bring him in. The nobles should see the princess in action, perhaps they won’t think so little of her if they see her get angry.”

  Rhys looked with concern at his friend. “Do you think that’s such a good Idea?”

  K’xarr shrugged. “I don’t know, but do it anyway.”

  K’xarr walked to the dais and whispered in Raygan’s ear, “They have arrested Lord Kaspar. They are bringing him in now.”

  The princess’s eyes grew large and she touched her stomach. K’xarr stayed by her side with his hand on the back of the small throne.

  Kasper was marched into the room and a hush fell over the crowd. It was obvious this wasn’t how things were normally done in Bandara. Prisoners were brought before the formal court for judgment, not into the middle of festivities like this. Besides that, Stuart Kaspar was the richest man in the kingdom. Everyone present had heard about the king’s death and knew Stuart had been accused of being involved. Even so, a high lord was never treated as a commoner. Lengthy trials were held to determine their guilt or innocence.

  “Highness, there has been a mistake.” Kaspar was too agitated to wait for the princess to give him permission to speak. “I have done nothing. The watch came to my home, arrested me, and took everything I have. Duke Blackthorn and your brother will be displeased with you when they return. So I humbly advise you to return my property and call off your guards. If you do, I will tell the king and the duke this was all just an unfortunate mistake.”

  K’xarr watched as anger spread across the girl’s face. “Do not dare speak to me. You are a villain. You helped murder the King of Bandara, my father. You do not get the luxury of pleading your case to me.”

  She was half out of her chair with rage. K’xarr would not get a better opportunity. He stepped forward. “Kian.”

  The swordsman took two steps forward and plunged Malice through Kaspar’s chest, severing the high lord’s spine. Kian pulled the sword out and the portly lord crumpled to the floor, his mouth still moving, trying to declare his innocence.

  The throne room went silent and Raygan lowered herself into the throne, staring at the dead man in the middle of the floor. Someone shouted, “The princess’s justice.”

  “No,” K’xarr bellowed. “The queen’s justice.”

  “What were you thinking, having that pet monster of yours just kill a Lord of Bandara in the middle of my throne room?”

  K’xarr and Rufio watched the small woman pace back and forth in front of them. The party abruptly ended after Kian killed Kaspar. Several women fainted and had to be carried out. The noble and wealthy alike had left the throne room very quietly. Not one of them had protested the out of hand execution. It wasn’t because they agreed with it, but because they had been afraid.

  “Give them time to think on what just happened, Highness. In a day or two, you will see a change in your nobles' thinking. Besides, that man was one of the men who plotted against your father."

  She spun around to face him. “I know that. I wanted him dead. I wish I could have killed him myself. It’s how you did it that upsets me and the fact you ignore all etiquette and custom. You do these things without even a ‘by your leave, Highness’.”

  K’xarr was starting to get flustered with the princess, she just couldn’t see what he intended. “I’m trying to do what I think is best. Just because you're back living in the palace doesn’t mean you will stay in it. If your brother doesn’t come back and throw you out, the Abberdonians will. We have to control the kingdom and this city. There is no time for subtleties, you need to be proclaimed queen as soon as possible, and we must start preparing to defend the city. Your nobles need to learn you rule here, not them, and if that takes Kian killing an arrogant lord in your throne room, then so be it.”

  Her anger eased a little. She liked the idea of the nobles listening to her and not just being dismissed as a pretty-faced girl. “K’xarr, I know you mean well, but you have to inform me when you do these things. Until Ansellus returns, you are the only one I can rely on to protect Bandara.”

  “Your Highness, may I speak?” Rufio asked.

  She nodded to the Dragitan.

  “I know K’xarr can overstep sometimes, but he is right. In my country, if a ruler or noble is seen as weak, they are quick deposed, sometimes killed. You must understand that your people see you as their princess, a sweet young girl only good for hosting parties and birthing heirs. Now you must show them that you are a queen, not a weak girl but a hard and decisive woman. You must make them believe you rule Bandara and that anyone that gets in your way will be destroyed. Having the people’s love is a fine thing, but you must have them fear you to rule. You have nothing else right now. You can’t keep trying to win their respect and adoration by being beautiful and stately. Make them fight for your approval and make them beg for your mercy. It’s you who will rule, not your petty nobles. I don’t know much about the art of statesmans
hip, but I know about people. Let us make these fools tremble and dread your displeasure, then you will see how quickly they try to appease you.”

  K’xarr and Rufio could see that Raygan was deep in thought, then they saw the light of understanding shine in her eyes. “Help me to understand what must be done. I was not trained like my brother. I have no idea what I should do.”

  K’xarr looked into the princess’s eyes. “I wasn’t trained either, Highness, I just go on my instincts. I will do what I must to see you on the throne. I know you don’t want to hear this, but I have seen the steel in you, Highness. I believe it is in your nature to be ruthless, even cruel. You must forget what your father taught you and be your own woman. Do what you believe is right, not what you think he would want you to do. If there is killing that must be done, you can leave that to me.”

  Raygan sat down and leaned back in a large wooden chair. She regarded K’xarr and Rufio for a moment then spoke. “I don’t know if I should be angered by what you two said or take it as a compliment?”

  “Take it as good advice, Highness.”

  They had done all that could be done. Nine thousand battle weary Bandarans marched into the city of Northham and the safety of Castle Fox.

  Talorn sat on his horse, stroking the animal’s neck as he watched the tired soldiers file into the city. His father rode up beside him. Talorn had no wish for his company, he had done nothing but criticize what he and Cain were doing since he had arrived, and he had refused to tell Talorn how he had gotten up north so fast or where his army was.

  “Well, Son, it seems you and your king have failed to defend our lands. What’s your plan now? To hide here at Northham until the Abberdonians starve us out?”

  Talorn hung his head. “I will have to talk to the king. For now, we hold Northham and the castle.”

  Duke Blackthorn turned his horse in a circle so he could face his son. “Tell the king after you talk to him that I might have a way to defeat Havalon, if he is interested in making a bargain with me.”

  Talorn looked at his father. “The king has to deal for your patriotism?”

  “You and your self-righteous ideas have almost doomed the kingdom. It’s time I take charge or there will be no kingdom to bargain with. My patriotism is unconditional, I will save Bandara. It’s up to you and the king if you wish to be involved or not. The kingdom needs a man in charge, not two boys playing at war.”

  The duke galloped into the city. Talorn looked up to the sky and said a prayer. He was having his doubts about holding the city, but winter was coming and the fighting would stop until spring. It might give him time to think of something. His mind kept wandering back to his wife. If what his father had told him was true, Raygan had taken control of Turill. He knew his father had embellished what had happened in the capital. He made his wife out a mad woman and her cohorts, demons. He didn’t believe that was true at all.

  No matter what happened, he didn’t think she would leave her husband and brother to their fate, even if they both might deserve it. He had to hope the people helping her would come up with a way to save Bandara. He hadn’t talked to Cain about it, but there was just no way to push the Abberdonians back out of the kingdom.

  Trying to tell Cain would be a waste, the king would hear nothing about it, but that didn’t change the fact that the best they could hope for was to hold their ground. The fate of Bandara no longer rested with its king and his general. If there was any hope, it was in the hands of a spoiled princess and the men who were aiding her. He hoped God was with them, they would need his mighty hand when they faced the Abberdonians.

  K’xarr was summoned to the princess’s private chambers a week after Kian slew Lord Kaspar on his order in front of what was left of the Bandaran nobles. The guards outside her door parted as he approached, and he knocked gently on the door. “Enter.”

  K’xarr walked into the room and found the princess alone. “You summoned me?”

  She took a sip of her wine. “Would you like some wine, Commander?” He nodded and she poured him a goblet herself.

  K’xarr had never seen her serve anyone before. He wanted to say something, but held his tongue. “What’s the occasion, Highness?”

  The princess handed him the wine. “Every noble left in Bandara has offered me their support. Bishop Lyfair said he would be more than happy to crown me Queen of Bandara and would write a letter to the Church explaining why my brother was being deposed. You were right about what happened in the throne room. I have gained the respect of the nobles as well as their support.”

  K’xarr drained the wine and held out the goblet for more. She gently poured him another. “I’m glad it worked out, Highness. I don’t know if you gained any respect, but from what I have heard, they are afraid of you now. It will be a great advantage in the days to come.”

  The princess filled his goblet again before commenting on what he had said. “It’s you and the others they fear, K’xarr. I will not deceive myself about that, but you do serve the queen.” She smiled at him. K’xarr didn’t argue the fact; for now he did serve the throne of Bandara.

  “I have received word today that my brother and my husband have retreated to the city of Northham. Their army has been all but defeated and they are surrounded by Prince Griffyn and Prince Donovan. I hoped you would tell me what you intend to do about King Havalon and the Abberdonians?”

  “Highness, I’m still securing the city. Oh, by the way, I also wanted to tell you that we have found no sign of the girl Isabella, the one you asked us to locate. In my opinion, she is no longer in the city.”

  He saw the concern on her face. “Please, keep looking if you can. I want her found. I don’t believe she would run away."

  K’xarr could tell the girl meant something to the princess. “I will, but I would not get my hopes up. As to Havalon, I have a few ideas, but nothing I could really tell you now.”

  “Very well, keep me informed about your plans. Also, my coronation will be within a month, you must be there.”

  “I will be there, Highness, you can count on it.” K’xarr turned and left the princess’s room.

  He didn’t have the first idea what he was going to do about the Abberdonians. He had never been in this kind of position before. Why she wanted him in command while Ansellus was gone was a mystery to him. He wanted to ask, but in truth, he already knew the answer.

  Raygan couldn’t trust anyone else. Greyson Kyle was Duke Blackthorn’s man and she would never allow him to command anything. K’xarr knew he was really all she had. He would do his best to defend the city. He didn’t have the experience or knowledge of the Abberdonian King he would have to face. He was just a young man from the mountains in way over his head. It didn’t matter. He had his courage and a sharp sword. If his dream ended in Turill, so be it. He would face his death with a smile.

  Summer was gone and the cool winds of fall could be felt during the night. King Havalon marched south with twenty-five thousand men as his sons besieged the city of Northham.

  The city of Turill was still waiting for the crowning of their new queen when the news of the approaching army spread through the city. The Abberdonians would be at the gates by winter.

  “You were right, Rufio; K’xarr has led us to places I never thought I would be.” The wind on top of the great wall of Turill blew Vandarus’s blonde hair across his face, and it was much cooler compared to the air in the city. The two warriors had decided to take a walk around the city's fortifications. The wall was huge, forty feet tall and ten to twenty-five feet wide in places. The battlements of Turill looked impenetrable.

  Rufio adjusted his cuirass. “These straps are too tight.” He fumbled with them a moment then walked on. “So, you’re happy with the way things are?”

  Vandarus laughed. “Why wouldn’t I be? We almost have free run of the city and we are in Princess Raygan’s good graces, what’s not to be happy about? For God’s sake, Rufio, I’m sleeping in the palace.”

  Rufio grinned at his
friend. He couldn’t help but like the younger man. “It wasn’t too much trouble taking the palace, but it might be a little harder holding on to it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Vandarus, have you forgotten the Abberdonians? Do you think Havalon gives a damn who is king or queen here? No, he’s going to ride down here and take this city, if he can, and kill us all for good measure.”

  Vandarus’s good humor dissolved into the evening breeze. “Perhaps the Bandarans will defeat him in the north. Then Cain and Raygan can settle their differences and the people can live in peace again. God, this city doesn’t need a civil war.”

  Rufio shook his head. “They won’t be able to stop him. From what K’xarr told me, reports say they are all but finished up there now. They have retreated into the city of Northham. It’s just a matter of time for them now. It will be us and the men we have here to repel Havalon’s army.”

  Vandarus thought a moment. “We have only Duke Blackthorn’s men. It’s not enough, even I can see that. I don’t care if Ansellus vouches for them, how can we trust them? Blackthorn murdered the king. They might be Bandarans, but they are his men. You think K’xarr might decide to ride on before he gets stuck here?”

  Rufio stopped walking and looked out over the Bandaran landscape. “K’xarr won’t leave. Even though he cares little for Bandara or its princess, he will stay and die in the shadow of its walls before he gives it up.”

  Vandarus leaned against the parapet. “If we can’t win, why would he still stay and fight?”

  “It’s his nature. He would see it as being craven to pull out now and he couldn’t live with that. Don’t tell him I said this, but he makes a poor mercenary. A sell-sword must know when a battle can’t be won and when it’s time to pull out and quit. K’xarr is no quitter and he has too much pride. I know that sounds foolish and maybe it is, but it’s how the man is, hardheaded and stubborn.”