“Pyetr, Swordmaster Timmer, may I speak with you in private?” beckoned Captain Brodst. The three retired to the swordmaster’s quarters away from the practice room. The captain locked and bolted the door behind himself. He began to speak in hushed tones, “Swordmaster Timmer, can they be ready by tomorrow, the seventh day?”
“Yes, Pyetr made some excellent choices. These are all fine men.”
“Good. All the delegates will be arriving later today and into tomorrow. I want your men to take the place of all the inner palace guards and provide personal protection to all palace officials tomorrow morning. Do you know each man by face?”
“Certainly.”
“And you, Timmer?”
“Yes.”
“Good, I want each man serving under you and only receiving orders from us three, no one else. They will wear no helmets and don our best light mail and bear the blue sashes of honor. I want you always to know of each man’s whereabouts, always.”
“Why all the secrecy? Is there something going on? If there is, we can be ready today.”
“No, I want it to come as a surprise, a last minute thing.”
“Is this serious?”
“Very, just keep your eyes on your men. I want you both to keep full inspection on them. Make sure that the man you appointed to a position stays at that position. Understand?”
“Are you saying what I think you are saying? You have seen the changes, too. I am not going mad.”
“No, Master Timmer, you are not.”
“What? I don’t understand.”
“This is not to leave this room. No one must hear of this. The first day I returned, I noticed that everything seemed in perfect order, and it was, almost. No offense, Pyetr, you did a flawless job of covering for me, and I thank you. It is just that I know every member of the royal guard by face or can at least recognize their voice. I inspect their posts personally each day. Even with the replacements for those lost I should have been able to recognize them, but I couldn’t. Swordmaster Timmer, as the senior trainer, you too should have been able to recognize them, but some you couldn’t, correct?”
“Yes.”
“I also noticed something odd on that first day. Pyetr, did Volnej check on you each day?”
“Yes, each evening just after I completed final rounds in your office.”
“Are you insinuating?”
“Think about it.”
“How can you say that? He has served the kingdom his entire life.”
“Yes, but until recently, he has served outside the palace. As a member of the council he traveled to many shores. Do you know where he was raised?”
“No, of course not.”
“And you, swordmaster?”
“No.”
“I didn’t either, until I researched his lineage. Keeper Q’yer was most helpful. Volnej’s parents were ambassadors from the Kingdom of Vostok. They enjoyed the capital so much they stayed. Volnej was born before they came here. He did not join them until the age of ten.”
“Do you really think he would betray us?”
“Would you, if your allegiance were to another country, another cause? Of course you would, because for all of us our homeland is the most important thing in our lives. It is our life.”
“Yes, it is, and if Volnej is a traitor, I shall be very glad to end his life with my blade.”
“As would I, but we must wait for him to give himself away. Once he is out in the open, he is ours. Tell no one. I have not even told Lord Serant or Princess Calyin; there is too much at risk. Silently, we can control the situation, but if he knows we have discovered him, he might do something rash and this could end in disaster. We will take them all out at once quietly and safely. I will return tomorrow morning; be ready. We will do this quietly and easily.”
Captain Brodst walked back to his quarters, carefully making sure that no one had seen where he had come from. His thoughts wandered to many things. He saw Sister Catrin in the hall approaching in his direction, but he skillfully avoided talking with her. He quickly moved toward the sanctuary of his office, which lay in the opposite direction.
He had just settled into his chair when a page entered with a message for him. He dismissed the page and hurriedly read the letter, already knowing what it would say. The only detail he didn’t know was the time the first delegation would arrive. King Jarom’s party was going to be the first to reach the capital, early, as he expected.
He was, however, slightly surprised to find King Peter of Zapad and King Alexas of Yug were also with him. As he had suspected, King William of Sever would still arrive separately from the others. The three had journeyed from the South together with a full complement of soldiers each. He had expected roughly 500; he had not counted on there being 5,000.
His plans were being crushed. He would be forced to tell Lord Serant before it was too late. He was hoping to dispatch the few rogues easily and thus quietly retain the union of the kingdom. The plot reached farther than he had ever expected it would. The dispute would not end quietly.
Sister Catrin entered his office just as he finished rolling the scroll and placed it in the fire. She cleared her throat to get his attention, startling him. “Why so nervous?” she asked curiously, wondering if he was hiding something.
“Most sorry, Sister Catrin. It is just that since the attack, I have been on edge. What can I do for you? Is there something you need?” he asked quickly and smoothly, moving her back out into the hall while he talked to her.
“Midori wishes to speak with you.”
“Midori, why?”
“I am just the messenger. Please come at your earliest convenience,” said Sister Catrin as she departed.
Captain Brodst was curious why Midori would be looking for him yet didn’t let it concern him. He had other pressing things on his mind. He rushed from his room to Lord Serant’s quarters, only to find that he was gone. Captain Brodst panicked for an instant; where would he have gone? Calyin would not have allowed him to leave. Then he realized where Lord Serant was. He was preparing for the seventh day ceremonies in the audience chamber.
Captain Brodst hurried into the room and whispered into Lord Serant’s ear that he must talk to him in private. He looked around the hall. He wasn’t surprised at all to find Chancellor Volnej seated across from Lord Serant; and of the many guards throughout the hall, he saw only one that he recognized.
“Would the Princess Calyin like to escort us?” said the captain, offering her his arm. She almost protested until she saw the fierce look in the captain’s eyes. The three walked from the hall to Lord Serant’s room, which conveniently was close at hand.
Once inside, the captain locked the door and then searched the room. He found no signs of spy holes, so he returned to a seat near the extremely puzzled duo.
“Sorry for all the intrigue; it was a necessary precaution.” Captain Brodst was quick to fill them in on what he had discovered, going over each detail completely. When he finished, the shock was evident on both Calyin’s and Serant’s faces. It was also evident that they believed what he had said.
They would be prepared if the time came for battle. They sent several runners to all the city garrisons and riders to others close at hand. The message called for the garrisons to rotate in and out of the city for battle dress inspections during the coming ceremonies, keeping the real reasons hidden.
Captain Brodst bade them wait here until his return and he sought out Midori. The more he thought about why she would want to see him, the more interested he became. The question was gnawing at the back of his consciousness for the better part of an hour; now he would have it answered.
Midori greeted him warmly, and readily invited him into her chambers. She wore a light robe, which, if the captain had noticed, was quite revealing. She closed the door and the two were alone. She sauntered back to the rear chamber of the suite, and sat upon the bed. Nonchalantly, Captain Brodst followed her and sat down next to her. “Well?” he asked as she placed her lips against his. “You aim to seduce me. Is that it?”
“Seduce you, yes,” she whispered as she kissed him.
“No games?” he asked.
“No games. Is this not your heart’s desire?”
“It has been a long time.”
“Yes, it has, and I’ve missed you.”
The time raced rapidly by and soon it was well into the afternoon. A heavy rap sounded on the door several times before Captain Brodst opened it.
“Captain, come quickly,” the page said. He scrutinized the page thoroughly wondering how he had been found, but quickly followed where the boy led. He arrived in Lord Serant’s chamber just in time to see a runner arrive.
“The honorable and mighty Kings of the South, Peter of Zapad, Alexas of Yug, and Jarom of Vostok request admittance into your great city.” The small runner announced the message quite brilliantly, then bowed and departed.
“Well?” asked Captain Brodst quizzically. “Shall we? We will be back soon, Calyin, please stay here as we planned.”
Lord Serant and the captain hastily ran from the room. They made a short stop to see Swordmaster Timmer and Pyetr to put the captain’s plan into effect immediately. Serant ordered the group to go to the palace courtyard, mount, and wait for them.
In the space of a few minutes, the entire company was outfitted, mounted and departing the gates of the palace. They raced towards the westerly gates of the city. Upon reaching them, the column of four parted, splitting into two. Skillfully, they faced each other, then walked the horses backwards forming two neat rows on either side off the road, a very graceful display of horsemanship.
The four lead horses moved from the pack and strode to the gates. Lord Serant signaled for the gates to be opened. Readily the two hulking forms wound outward. “Greetings to the monarchs of the South. Thank you for answering our call. The Great Kingdom welcomes you,” announced Lord Serant crisply; then he asked the troops to follow his detachment to the southern garrison.
King Jarom’s aide instantly sparked an objection, stating that their guards should be housed in the palace garrison. Lord Serant’s subtle diplomacy quickly and decisively won the argument. He still didn’t like the high number of extras he was forced to accept as retainers for the kings. He was assured that the men only acted as personal bodyguards and servants and the like. He was quite convinced otherwise but didn’t offer further objection. He had them almost precisely where he wanted them.
Once Lord Serant saw that the kings were properly lodged, he and the captain returned to check on Calyin. She flew into Serant’s arms and hugged him fiercely. He kissed her gently and carried her over to a chair and sat upon it with her in his arms. Captain Brodst smiled and turned his back for a moment, while Lord Serant kissed Calyin deeply and reassuringly. He chased away her fears, reassuring her that no further harm would befall him.
Calyin moved to a chair beside Lord Serant. “Captain Brodst, it is quite all right to sit down,” she said sardonically. The three then discussed their plans in more detail. Pyetr’s men had taken the key positions throughout the palace as planned. They had replaced the chancellor’s manservant with a planted servant of their own. It had been a delicate maneuver, which Pyetr had quite skillfully managed. The three kings and their servants were placed in the second wing of the palace, which just happened to be nearest the central guard quarters; and the soldiers of the South were tucked away nicely in an easily-accessed position.
Everything was working to their advantage; now they needed only to wait for the opposition to make its move. They would then be able to spring their exquisitely designed trap. With luck, the coming conflict would die just as rapidly as it began.
It was well past the dinner hour when the three entered the great hall. The three kings had eaten long ago and were visibly frustrated by the long wait for an audience. Lord Serant took his place at the head of the table with Calyin to his left. Captain Brodst was the last to enter and he took a place next to his lord.
Servants quickly brought out the main courses and poured drink. Each time one of the guests began to speak, Serant would raise his hand to stop him, offering a toast instead. He was somewhat surprised at how well the royalty retained their etiquette as they watched Calyin, Lord Serant, and the captain drift through an eleven-course meal, which they had already finished earlier.
When the last remnants of food were removed and drink flowed, Lord Serant raised his hand again, signaling it was permitted to talk. King Jarom’s aide was the first to stand and beg a more private audience. Serant snapped his fingers and Chancellor Volnej entered the room. He whispered quietly into Lord Serant’s ear. “Ah, yes, Chancellor de Vit, I will permit you this. We shall retire to my personal audience chamber.”
The group moved to a smaller chamber just off the hall. Captain Brodst winked at Pyetr, who had just changed the guards around the inner audience hall; as he entered, the doors closed behind him. King Jarom’s wolfish grimace grew into a cheerful smile as he studied Lord Serant and his captain.
“You may speak freely in here, gentlemen,” said Lord Serant loftily.
“Good,” said Chancellor de Vit. He started to speak further when King Jarom silenced him. “Yes, good indeed, we—” said King Jarom, indicating King Peter and King Alexas, “are most concerned about the affairs of the kingdom.”
“You needn’t be concerned; there is nothing to be concerned over. I assure you.”
“We are not so sure. It has come to our attention that since King Andrew’s death there have been circumstances regarding the rightful rule of the kingdom that concern us. The kingdom has no true heir. Prince Valam was the only heir, and he is gone.”
“You were not called here to debate my position. Princess Calyin is also an heir, and as her husband, I am assuming my rightful place.”
“I bet you do!” sparked King Peter.
“I object to what you are insinuating. Calyin is the next in the royal line. It is her rightful place.”
“She is a woman. Her rightful place is with her husband, nothing more.”
“She is the rightful heir. I will hear nothing more on this subject. We have more pressing matters to deal with tomorrow.”
“Just the same, Lord Serant. We wish to make a formal claim to the council to contest your claim. We feel it is a king’s place to rule in the absence of the prince.”
“Do not forget your place. You come to Great Kingdom as honored guests, nothing more. Great Kingdom has not forgotten the treachery at Alderan and Quashan’. We are not the ones who need to explain ourselves.”
“As members of the alliance—”
“—An alliance you honor of your own convenience—”
“What occurred in the south is a separate matter, a matter of lands in dispute,” cut in King Jarom. “As members of the alliance, it is our right; it was written into the treaty. We wish an audience with the council in two days’ time. I assure you that when Prince Valam returns we will relinquish our rule. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Guards! Remove these men from my sight! Now!”
“We are not men, we are royalty, and you will treat us as such in the future. You need to learn to control yourself better. This little outburst will be made known to the council. Good day, Lord Serant—Princess.”
King Jarom shook away the arm of the guard that attempted to assist his exit. The three kings walked gracefully out of the room, followed by their aides. Once the door was closed tightly, Lord Serant lost his haughty exterior. “Captain Brodst, would you leave us for a moment, and please send for Keeper Q’yer and Father Joshua. I could use their wisdom.”
Lord Serant watched the captain walk stiffly from the room. He turned to look at Calyin and sank down to his knees beside her. “Can they do it? Can they take control?” Calyin understood the pain her lord was feeling. Uncertainty was an emotion he had only recently discovered. He didn’t know how to deal with it. Even though sadness filled Calyin, she was happy; her pillar of flawless granite did in fact need her, and that filled her mind with joy.