The Consolation Prize, page 1
The Consolation Prize: And other Stories of Myrcia
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
THE CONSOLATION PRIZE: AND OTHER STORIES OF MYRCIA
First edition. April 23, 2023.
Copyright © 2023 J.S. Mawdsley.
ISBN: 979-8223172901
Written by J.S. Mawdsley.
Also by J.S. Mawdsley
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For Her Own Good
Royal Obligation
Reunion Vale
The Last Bright Angel
Of Duty and Silver: The Complete Series
Reign of the Eagle
Black Eagle Rising
Siege of Kings
Unspeakably Wooed
When You Are King
Old Habits Die Hard
A Troubled Peace
Reign of the Eagle: Complete Series
The Moiriad
A Sorceress Born
A Sorceress Made
Years of Exile
Called to Account
Standalone
A Fatal Humor
One False Step: And Other Stories of Myrcia
Above His Station: And Other Stories of Myrcia
Every Count Votes
A Fine Distinction: And Other Stories of Myrcia
The Changing of the Guard: And Other Stories of Myrcia
The Metal of Victory
The Web in the Palace: And Other Stories of Myrcia
Gilding the Lily: And Other Stories of Myrcia
The Night Nothing Happened: And Other Stories of Myrcia
A Glass of Sand and Stars
The Romance of the Viscount: And Other Stories of Myrcia
The Consolation Prize: And Other Stories of Myrcia
Red Sand Girl
The Art of the Future: And Other Stories of Myrcia
Girls' Night Out: And Other Stories of Myrcia
Watch for more at J.S. Mawdsley’s site.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Also By J.S. Mawdsley
Introduction
The Consolation Prize
Completely Improper
Just This Once
The True King
For the Cause
A World Without Miracles
Old Habits Die Hard (Preview)
Floorplan
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Also By J.S. Mawdsley
About the Author
Introduction
We all have to play the hand life deals us, but some of us play that hand with more aplomb than others. The same is true of the characters in the following stories.
Rohesia Sigor, if we do say so ourselves, plays her hand quite well, unlike her former love, Aldrick, in the title story of this collection, where, whatever she might say, Rohesia is not ever really a consolation prize for anything or anyone. In the following story, Hildred Cuthing (getting her first ever POV in the Myrcia ‘verse) chooses to lead her life without much care for others around her. “Just This Once” is a story about how a woman with an extreme past justifies returning to her old ways. Young Edwin Sigor, rightful King of Myrcia, struggles with his feelings of inferiority and how he can possibly find a way to seize what should be his destiny in “The True King.” Meanwhile, his sister Elwyn often feels helpless, and yet when she tries to claim some agency in “For the Cause,” it backfires. And finally, again in a first ever POV, Lady Jorunn Unset, hillichmagnar (sorceress) to the usurping king faces some uncomfortable truths about how she’s leading her life, and if, perhaps, it’s time for her to fold.
And that’s what you will find in this short story collection. These stories all feature characters from the novel When You Are King, Book 4 in the Reign of the Eagle series. However, you don’t have to have read that novel to appreciate these stories, which can all be enjoyed independently. And we sincerely hope that you will enjoy them!
J.S. Mawdsley, April 2023
PS We hope you also enjoy the preview of the next Reign of the Eagle novel, Old Habits Die Hard, and the never-before-seen floorplan of the Prince’s Palace in Rawdon, an important location in When You Are King and other books in the Myrcia world.
The Consolation Prize
January, 347 M.E.
“I can remain here if you wish it,” Rohesia assured Edgar, plumping the pillow under his head.
“No,” he grunted. “I, well, I know that you really don’t want to go, either. I wish my legs weren’t like this, then I could go and you could stay. But one of us really should be there.”
“Then I’ll go. I’ll be their consolation prize, since they can’t have you.”
Edgar snorted. “It’ll be an enormous consolation to all of them if I’m not there.”
“Oh, hush.”
“You are sure you’re feeling alright?”
In truth, Rohesia had reached the point in her pregnancy where her feet had begun to swell nearly as badly as Edgar’s. To say nothing of her constant backache and the fact everything she ate gave her heartburn. She said none of this to Edgar, though. The heir to a major duchy was celebrating his engagement tonight, and either the king or queen must attend. Edgar’s legs were giving him more pain than Rohesia’s were her, so she simply smiled and answered, “I am feeling quite well. You should just focus on resting.”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “I know I never did anything to deserve you, but I’m as happy as any man can be that you chose me anyway.”
She returned his squeeze, the upcoming feast a strong reminder of just how pleased she was that she had chosen him. “We are both quite lucky.”
“Don’t overtire yourself. Don’t let anyone talk you into anything you don’t feel up to.”
She grinned at him. “Remember, since you can’t attend, Faustinus is accompanying me. If anyone is difficult, I don’t even have to threaten them with the dungeon. He can turn them into a lizard, or some such, right on the spot.”
He chuckled and settled back against his pillows, the exertion of the conversation finally overwhelming him. “As long as it’s an ugly lizard. And I can still put it in the dungeon.” His eyes drifted closed.
Rohesia kissed her husband on the forehead, and then set off for the engagement feast of the man she had very nearly eloped with seven years earlier.
Whenever possible, Rohesia tried not to remember her ill-conceived plan to run off and marry Aldrick Sigor. They had fallen in love at school, and maintained an epistolary relationship for several years after they both left Atherton. But once she was around him regularly again when they were both at court, Rohesia realized that marrying Aldrick would be a monumental mistake. Unfortunately, she had only admitted this to herself after their bags were packed and the moment had arrived for them to leave together. Aldrick had never forgiven her for that last minute change of heart. She doubted him finally marrying someone else would change that, but she could always hope.
When Rohesia reached the Wealdan Castle Palm Court, she found Faustinus waiting for her. He was chatting with some of the young ladies of court, and they all seemed entirely charmed by him and whatever tale he was relating. That, of course, was a typical reaction to Faustinus, who was not only charming, but handsome with the additional benefit of being a hillichmagnar, which meant he was more than 400 years-old and could start fires, heal wounds, and kill people with a thought. Rohesia had counted him as a close friend for many years.
“It has been a delight,” Faustinus said with a nod to the young ladies when he saw Rohesia approaching.
Several of them nodded and said pleasantries in return, but Faustinus had already moved on, stepping forward to give Rohesia a lovely, deep bow that still struck her as strange coming from him. “Your majesty. You look magnificent.”
She could not agree with him in her heart. Her gown had needed letting out, and it now hung awkwardly over her stomach. It had also lost about an inch at the hem because of the need to accommodate her pregnancy, which meant her unstylish shoes that did not match were visible. But with her swollen feet, they were the only shoes she could get on. Of course, she said none of this. “How very kind,” she answered, offering her arm.
Rohesia did her best to maintain her composure as she was led to and helped into her carriage. Once inside, though, she could not hold in a bit of a groan as she slouched back against the seat. Faustinus hopped in and sat beside her. As soon as the door closed, he chuckled.
“Lean back against the corner and put your feet up here.” Faustinus patted his lap.
“I couldn’t possibly do that to you,” she said, even as she desperately wished to have her feet elevated.
“The spell will be far more effective if you deign to put your feet in my lap for at most ten seconds. But if you would prefer to spend the night in agony, be my guest.”
Rohesia considered herself stoic, but acting the martyr was unnecessary, so she relented and presented her aching, swollen feet to Faustinus. He held them gently with one hand under her heels, and the other resting atop her ankles. He whispered a few words she did not understand (although years of knowing him allowed her to recognize the language as Old Trahernian), and indeed, in less than ten seconds, her feet felt remarkably improved.
“You are the most amazing friend an expecting woman could ask for,” she said with a grateful sigh.
“For you, I am always happy to do anything.”
“Could you do something like this to help Edgar with his legs?” She thought back to how uncomfortable he had looked when she left, and now wondered if not only could his pain have been relieved, but he could have been made well enough to attend the feast. Of course, he wanted to attend as little as she did, Edgar being a natural homebody and never caring for parties. The fact she could so often act as his representative was one of the best aspects of their marriage. But just this once, she really did wish she could skip this particular party.
“Magy is tricky in all things, but it is truly at its most complex when it comes to medicine. Edgar’s problems are larger and chronic, and even if I could alleviate the pain a bit for an hour or two, I cannot make him well. Whereas, you just have a bit more water somewhere that you usually don’t, so that is simple to take care of for the evening. Besides, I have a feeling tonight will be painful enough for you in other ways.”
Rohesia sighed. “I am glad I at least have you with me.” Faustinus was one of the few people who knew of her history and near elopement with Aldrick. Somehow, having someone in the room with her tonight who knew the truth and was on her side, she was quite sure, would make all the difference.
It took almost no time at all to reach the Duke of Newshire’s home here in Formacaster. Like most of the upper nobility, Duke Jeffrey had a grand home on Hafoc Street at the bottom of the magysk hill Wealdan Castle sat atop. (Faustinus once told Rohesia the story of how he and several other hillichmagnars had used their magy to make the hill three hundred and forty some odd years ago. She still tingled when she thought of it.) The duke’s house was one of the newest, built in a new style that favored smaller rooms. Rohesia had only been inside twice before, but she did not care for it as a space for entertaining. Perhaps it provided cozy living space, but she did not find it a pleasant place to visit with a crush of other people.
Trying to convince herself she would not mind it so much this time, she took a deep breath and smoothed her skirt as the carriage pulled up to the front door. A glance at Faustinus and his supportive smile helped a great deal. All would surely go well.
“It will be a simple evening,” he said. “Likely dull, save when we are speaking with each other, but the food will be palatable, and the people likely ridiculous enough we can have great fun making snide remarks.”
“And you can turn anyone difficult into a lizard, I presume,” she said with a grin. “I promised Edgar that was how you would handle difficulties. I’d hate to let him down.”
The door opened, and all Faustinus could offer in answer was a chuckle, and an “Indeed.”
Inside, they were met by a low ceiling, oppressive wood paneling, and far too many people. Rohesia still managed to put on a pleasant face, and Faustinus, of course, immediately set to charming people. They were greeted by Duke Jeffrey, who was close to Edgar’s age. Through a twist of fate, Edgar had actually grown up spending more time with Jeffrey’s older brother, Fransis, who was a friend of Edgar’s older brother, Ethelred, until Fransis had tried to overthrow him. And later in life when Edgar had gotten to know Jeffrey better, well, he had never been impressed by the man’s intellect. Rohesia considered him affable and simple. Edgar usually referred to him in private as a “dumbass.”
“Your majesty,” said Duke Jeffrey with a bow. “It’s such an honor to have you here for this celebration. I hope his majesty’s health is not too worrisome.”
“Just a bit of overexertion, your grace. I am hopeful he will be up again in a day or two.”
“I’m very happy to hear it. And Faustinus. Good to see you as always.”
Duke Jefferey did not sound as enthusiastic or earnest when addressing Faustinus. The sad truth was that as Myrcia’s war with Loshadnarod dragged on, Faustinus became less and less popular. Many people in the country had grown weary of war that resulted in no change other than having less of everything and dead soldiers. The stagnation had many causes, but as one of the most vocal advocates of the war and a foreigner to boot, Faustinus took much of the blame. After all, what was the good in taking the advice of an Immani hillichmagnar if the Immani Empire did not intend to throw their full weight behind the effort? Rohesia always tried to explain that the situation was vastly more complex, but very few people heeded anything she said in defense of the war or Faustinus.
“What an interesting new home,” Faustinus said so genuinely pleased that Rohesia had to remind herself he had excoriated the design as thoroughly as she had after their first visit here together. “It was very thoughtful of you to have so many people in your home for this occasion.”
The duke’s countenance turned sour for a moment, although Rohesia could not guess why. Faustinus had been perfectly polite in her estimation. If Duke Jeffrey had anything to add, though, he dropped it when he saw Aldrick entering the room, and he called his son over to join them.
Aldrick’s bow to her could be better described as a barely civil nod, but she always accepted his impertinence without comment or consequence. She understood that she had wounded him in a manner not easy to forget. To judge his behavior to her now would be unfair. Allowing his discourtesy was the least she could do.
“Now that her majesty has arrived,” said Duke Jeffrey, “we can head in for supper.”
“Fine,” Aldrick replied a bit petulantly. “I’ll go find Rachel and have it announced.”
“Oh, I can go find your bride-to-be,” Faustinus said. “You and Queen Rohesia have already found each other right here at the door to the main dining room. Best not to lose her.”
“Why should I be concerned about that?” Aldrick asked, and loudly enough that heads began to turn toward them.
Faustinus raised an eyebrow and contemplated the question. Rohesia already had visions of Aldrick as a lizard, and as many times as she had thought he deserved such a punishment, she did not wish for it quite as literally as she feared Faustinus was contemplating it. And certainly not in his father’s home at his engagement feast.
“It’s no problem,” she said, resting a hand on Faustinus’s forearm. “I have no objections.”
“Protocol ought to be observed,” was Faustinus’s answer. She, however, did not point out how often and entirely flagrantly he ignored protocol when it suited him.
“I think I should escort the future Duchess of Newshire into supper and I should go first, as it is my engagement feast.”
Of course, that was proper, particularly in his family home. But having the queen there should change that. If Edgar had been able to make it, he would have entered first with Rohesia, but in his absence, she still needed to be in the lead couple. Well, she needed that if precedence was properly followed. Again, she was willing to overlook the slight for Aldrick, but the volume at which he was protesting would not help matters. She did not like to call attention to the leeway she afforded him.
“I don’t think that is how it works,” Faustinus replied in a soft, but unnerving tone.
“It can be tonight,” Rohesia said. “I do not mind deferring to Lady Rachel in the least. Duke Jeffrey will see me in.”
“Um, why, yes. I would be delighted,” the duke stammered.
Faustinus glared at Aldrick for several tense heartbeats before shrugging. “As the queen commands,” Faustinus said.
Aldrick scurried off, and after letting out a collective breath, everyone who had been close enough to overhear set to whispering. Duke Jeffrey asked again about Edgar’s health, clearly just in an attempt to find something to say. Rohesia answered in rather boring detail in order to fill the conversation. Faustinus gamely joined in, and even took some thought for her, asking his grace if he had a footrest prepared for Rohesia, as well as some extra cushions for her sore back.
A few minutes later when Aldrick and Rachel appeared just outside the main dining room (tables had been set up in several adjoining rooms, because no single one was large enough to hold the number of guests), the start of the feast was announced. More guests, who had not been close enough to hear the earlier exchange, stared at the situation. Rohesia smiled politely with her head high, gladly taking Duke Jeffrey’s arm. In these kinds of moments, she made it a habit to avoid looking directly at others, not needing in the moment to deal with their pity, surprise, or disdain. She would, no doubt, hear a great deal later about the reaction to her entrance, and at that point, she would be ready for it. In the moment, though, she preferred to focus on maintaining her dignity.
