Warrior King, page 16
“Yes, for some schools of magic. They refer to it as scrying.”
“Is there any way to detect if someone was being scryed upon?” asked Alexandra.
“I know of a universal spell that can detect the presence of magic, but one must cast it while the scrying is in progress. Unfortunately, while I’m aware of it, it’s not in my repertoire.”
“So we can’t dismiss the possibility entirely?”
“No.”
“That’s a fine conjecture,” noted Father Vernan, “but even if it were true, how would we find such an individual? We knock on everyone’s door and ask if they have a Necromancer in the house?”
Alexandra suddenly sat up straight in her chair. “Perhaps we don’t have to.”
All eyes turned to her.
“The list,” she said.
“What list?” asked Father Vernan.
“Majesty, if you recall, Temple Captain Hamelyn had a list of names.”
“Yes. That’s right,” said Ludwig. “The people whom Temple Commander Amarand visited before he left Harlingen.”
Captain Gustavo, who was standing near the door, stepped forward. “Shall I go and arrest them, sire?”
“No, but it’s a good place to start. Send men to pay them a visit and see if we can’t connect someone to the staff here at the Royal Keep.”
“So we’re not looking for Necromancers?”
“I doubt a Death Mage would look any different from a normal person. Let’s assume, for now, at least, that poison is responsible, and if one of these people is behind it, they would’ve needed some way to administer it. The most logical conclusion would be by coercing someone inside the keep’s walls.”
“Coercing?”
“Yes,” replied Ludwig. “Bribe, compromise, or even threaten in some manner.”
“Could it be the same person who passed on information to Temple Commander Amarand?”
“It’s quite possible, but how would we find the one responsible?”
“I could have my guards make some enquiries of our staff as well; perhaps someone saw something suspicious?”
“It’s worth a try,” said Ludwig. “Have your men begin their questioning. Let’s hope they can get to the bottom of this mystery.”
Gustavo left, calling for guards even as he went through the doorway.
“There’s something else that’s bothering me,” said Alexandra. “Why now?”
“What do you mean?” asked Ludwig.
“Well, Charlotte is loved by everyone. The only person who might bear her a grudge is that Cunar Temple Commander, and he’s been gone for nigh on two years. That’s a long time to wait to exact revenge, wouldn’t you say?”
“Perhaps the poisoning was an accident?” mused Father Vernan. “By that, I mean she wasn’t the intended target? I’m certain there are still some who oppose your reign, Majesty.”
Captain Paran appeared at the door, clutching a scroll. He moved with some haste to stand before the king. “This just arrived, sire, from Nethendril.”
Ludwig examined the seal, which featured the image of the Goldenwood surmounted by a crown, the mark of the ruling house of the Elves. He read through the contents while everyone watched with bated breath. “The Goldenwood is calling for aid. They’ve spotted a force of horsemen coming from the east. High Lord Sindra bids us muster the army and march for Tongrin with all haste.”
“Tongrin?” said Sigwulf. “I would’ve thought Eisen more likely.”
“We know so little about the Goldenwood’s borders, but we did learn about the existence of Elandril, even if we don’t know its precise location. I suspect that city is threatened, and Tongrin allows us to get closer to the general area without entering the Goldenwood.”
“Have we any idea of who’s come to fight the Elves? I thought we were the only ones who knew of their existence?”
“We were,” said Ludwig, “but Mirantha and Hollenbeck both learned about them, so word has probably spread to the surrounding realms. The tone of this letter, however, indicates the High Lord isn’t afraid for her own sake. I get the impression she thinks this army is coming for Hadenfeld.”
“We must march at once,” said Merrick.
“I can’t,” said Ludwig. “I need to remain here with Charlotte.”
“Don’t worry, boss,” said Cyn. “Siggy and I can march the army to Tongrin.”
“How soon can you leave?”
“It’ll take a day or two to gather supplies for the march, but we’ll send some cavalry on ahead.”
“Are you certain that’s wise?” said Father Vernan. “We have no idea what this army consists of. What if the Cunars are coming to take their revenge?” Everyone looked at him in disbelief. “Is that so far-fetched?” he asked. “What lies to the east? I’ll tell you what: the Antonine, where sits the Holy Army.”
“Why march through the forest?” asked Lord Emmett. “Surely it makes more sense to come through Zowenbruch or even Mirantha?”
“Because coming at us through that great forest is the last thing we’d expect. We have a defensive pact with Mirantha and Hollenbeck, as well as an understanding with Zowenbruch. They’d have a hard time marching through those kingdoms without risking us hearing about it.”
Ludwig beckoned to one of the guards. “I must write a reply; be so kind as to fetch me what I need.”
“Yes, Majesty.” The guard left, heading for Ludwig’s office.
“I’ll send a reply assuring High Lord Sindra that the army will march. Paran, I should like you to have a dispatch rider standing by to carry it.”
“Yes, Majesty.”
“Sig, Cyn, you two see to the mustering of the army. Gita, you go with them. They’ll need funds from the treasury to speed things along.”
“What can I do to help?” asked Father Vernan.
“Pray that we’re able to stop this invasion.”
* * *
Ludwig fretted as he sat on his horse, watching the Army of Hadenfeld march out of the city through the eastern gate, the shortest distance to Tongrin.
Since meeting with his advisors in the spring, the Royal Army had been increased to thirteen hundred souls, all of whom now marched to war, with Sigwulf leading them and Cyn as his second-in-command. Ludwig wanted to command the army himself, but Charlotte needed him, so he must trust his closest friends to do what was required.
“A formidable force.”
The voice broke him from his musings, and he turned to see Temple Captain Hamelyn. “I’m surprised that you’re here. I was led to believe your knights would remain in their commandery.”
“And so they shall, and I’m not going either. It wouldn’t be right for two orders of Temple Knights to face off against each other.”
“We don’t know for sure that it’s a Holy Army.”
“It’s the only thing that makes sense.” The Temple Captain shifted uncomfortably in the saddle. “There’s something I should tell you.”
“Go on.”
“A dispatch rider arrived today from the Antonine.”
“And?”
“There’s no easy way to say this; the Council of Peers has branded you a heretic, or rather, Hadenfeld. I’m afraid it’s only a matter of time before they declare a crusade.”
“And when they do, will you fight alongside them?” asked Ludwig.
“I shall bear no arms against you, Majesty, nor will the men of my order.”
“But you won’t assist us; is that it?”
“That largely depends on what the archprior decides.”
“The last I heard, you took your orders from a regional commander, not the archprior.”
“That’s true,” said Hamelyn, “but our primary purpose is to guard the temples of the Saints. If Archprior Hywell decides to withdraw his people from Hadenfeld, I’d have no choice but to accompany them.”
Ludwig sensed a dark cloud gathering over the kingdom, one that might well spell the end of Hadenfeld as he knew it. “Tell me what it means to be named heretical? Does that carry a death sentence? Are they going to slay everyone here or only the ruling class?”
“Theoretically, only those who refuse to acknowledge the Saints.”
“You and I both know many commoners who worship the Saints in public but pray to the Old Gods in times of need. Are they to be sacrificed in the name of a Holy War?”
“I have no doubt that should a crusade be declared, many will die. Please don’t make the mistake of believing I support the idea.” The knight shook his head. “I don’t. I’m merely trying to present you with the facts as I know them.”
“I appreciate your honesty. I don’t suppose you’d be willing to tell me how large this Holy Army of yours is?”
“I have no idea. The Cunars form the heart of any crusade, but they’ll be supplemented by volunteers from across the Petty Kingdoms. Have you heard of the Battle of the Wilderness?”
“I have, although I know few details. Why?”
“At that battle, the crusade consisted of seven hundred Temple Knights, two hundred of which were on foot.”
“On foot? That’s strange, isn’t it?”
“No,” replied Hamelyn. “Unlike the other orders, those who join the Cunars are already knights. For the first year of their service, they serve on foot as a mark of their devotion to the cause.”
“Seven hundred doesn’t sound so bad.”
“With all due respect, Majesty, I wasn’t finished. They were assisted by an equal number of volunteers who came from across the Petty Kingdoms.”
“Were they to field the same numbers in Hadenfeld, we’d find ourselves outnumbered.”
“Your saving grace is the cities of Eisen and Harlingen, which are both walled and command strategic locations. You also have your Elven allies, giving you a slight numerical advantage, but that only holds true if the Cunars field similar numbers to the last crusade.”
“Not the most encouraging of news.”
“When I joined the order, I took an oath to always tell the truth.”
“I appreciate that,” said Ludwig. “Your order also helped me claim the Throne of Hadenfeld, so I’m thankful for that as well. I just wish the news were better.”
“At least you now know that they’re coming.”
“True. When did they make this decision branding us heretics?”
“In the spring.”
“If they’re like us, it would take them a while to amass an army.”
“Even more so,” offered Hamelyn. “The normal practice when announcing a crusade is to spread the word to all the Petty Kingdoms, asking for volunteers. The Temple Knights of Saint Cunar are fine mounted warriors, but they still need archers and foot troops to carry out a campaign.”
Ludwig considered the Temple Captain’s words. They made perfect sense, for what army would march without foot, horse, and bow? It suddenly struck him that perhaps that was the weakness of any Holy Army. “Tell me what you know of the Battle of the Wilderness.”
“The Holy Army marched to the east of Ebenstadt to pacify the region. They claimed the easterners were causing trouble in Ebenstadt. They called a crusade, and warriors from across the Petty Kingdoms gathered in Ebenstadt, under the command of the Duke of Erlingen.”
“Lord Deiter? I fought alongside him back in ninety-five.”
“Unfortunately, he died in the battle, while the Cunars fought to the last man, refusing to surrender. Those of the duke’s forces who survived told us what we know about the battle, but I’m afraid it makes for a confusing account.”
“You seem to know a bit about it.”
“We Temple Knights try to learn from every battle, even a loss. Not that my order was involved, you understand. In fact, our grand master objected most strenuously to the idea of the crusade, which led to an entirely different matter.”
“That being?” said Ludwig.
“Crusades can only be declared by the Council of Peers.”
“Are you suggesting the crusade was unsanctioned?”
“So it would appear,” replied Hamelyn. “Unfortunately, that has little bearing on Hadenfeld’s current predicament.”
“You’ve given me much to consider.”
“I’m merely attempting to clarify what you’re facing. Were it my choice, my men would stand beside you.”
“Even against a fellow fighting order?”
“I’ve suspected for a while now that the Temple Knights of Saint Cunar have strayed from their original purpose. They are meant to lead the Holy Army in times of war, but of what use is that when all they do is wage crusades to punish unbelievers? They should stand shoulder to shoulder with the Petty Kingdoms and face the threat of the Halvarian Empire together.” The Temple Captain took a cleansing breath. “Sorry, Majesty. I didn’t mean to lose my composure.”
“Understandable, given the circumstances,” replied Ludwig. “Have you any theories when this change in policy originally came about?”
“The Church has always been careful to stay out of regional conflicts, and I understand why. War is so commonplace in the Petty Kingdoms that if the Antonine became involved, it could cause a lot of ill will.”
“Yet the very presence of the Cunars has supposedly held the empire at bay for decades.”
“That is the general belief. The threat of them marching to a kingdom’s defence is, I think, the reason the empire expands by conquering one realm at a time.”
“So that by the time the Cunars react, the war would be over?”
“Precisely, but their active interference in Arnsfeld is very troubling and indicates some within their order support Halvaria.”
“And now,” noted Ludwig, “due to the actions of one of their Temple Commanders, it appears we in Hadenfeld must fear the full power of their order.”
“Not only the order, the entire Church. I might remind you that the Council of Peers approved the motion to declare you heretical.” Hamelyn shook his head. “The Church has lost its way. The people of Hadenfeld are faithful in their devotion to the Saints; this manipulation of the council has another agenda, but for the life of me, I can’t see what it is.”
“I can,” replied Ludwig. “They want to crush our army so it can’t be used to repel the empire when it comes.”
16
Temple General
Summer 1107 SR
Ludwig paced, his mind in turmoil. Time dragged on, and still, Charlotte sweated, tossing and turning to no end. Kandam had tried everything, including consulting a local herbalist to enquire if there was a plant that might offer some relief, but nothing came of it.
Weeks passed, and while Charlotte could keep down broth, she’d grown thin and gaunt. He began to wonder if she’d survive the month.
Yelling came from outside the window, but he paid it no heed, his thoughts consumed by the imminent loss of his wife.
Footsteps approached, and then the door to the queen’s chamber swung open, and Cyn, along with another woman dressed in white, entered.
“Who is this?” asked Ludwig.
“My name is Temple Captain Teresa,” the woman replied. “Cynthia tells me the queen is ill. I’ve come to offer my services.”
“I don’t understand.”
“She’s a Sister of Mercy,” offered Cyn. “A Life Mage.”
“So is Kandam, and he’s been unable to cure her.”
“Your pardon, Majesty,” said Teresa, “but from what I’ve been told, he lacks my experience.” She looked down at Charlotte. “May I examine the patient?”
Ludwig nodded, and she moved closer, feeling Charlotte’s forehead, then forcing the queen’s eyelids open to peer into her eyes. “How long has she been like this?”
“Three weeks or so,” replied Kandam. “She’s taken broth for sustenance, but I’ve had to resort to powdered seaflower to allow her some measure of respite.”
“We suspect it’s the result of poison,” added Ludwig, “but we’ve been unable to identify it.”
“If it’s truly poison,” said Teresa, “I have a spell that would remedy her condition. Would you permit me to cast it?”
“Most certainly.”
She closed her eyes, soft words issuing from her lips as the air surrounding her buzzed. A faint blue light glowed from her hands as the litany of magical incantations continued. The glowing increased in intensity, bathing the room in its soft light. Teresa abruptly fell silent and placed her hands on Charlotte’s stomach, the colour draining from her into the queen, causing her to glow. It was a strange sight, for as her skin returned to its normal hue, the bones beneath still glowed, revealing Charlotte’s skeleton. Once this, too, paled, the queen ceased all movement.
Ludwig caught his breath, fearing the worst. The Temple Captain reached for Charlotte’s wrist, feeling for a pulse. “This is no ordinary poison. Has she been moved since she fell ill?”
“No. She’s been here the entire time. Why?”
“There is a force at work here which defies logic.”
Ludwig struggled to make sense of her words, finding it difficult to even think. “Can you cure her or not?” he snapped.
“Prepare another bed,” said Teresa, “and ensure one of you watches the servants prepare it. Once you’ve moved her, seal this chamber. No one is to enter until I’m finished with it.”
“Are you suggesting it’s something to do with this room?”
“Is this her normal bed chamber?”
“Yes,” replied Ludwig. “We share it.”
“You haven’t slept here since she fell ill, have you?”
“How did you know that?”
“I suspect that if you had, you would’ve fallen prey to this same sickness.”
“Who sent you?”
“The Temple General of Saint Agnes.”
“Temple General?”
“Yes, boss,” said Cyn. “Charlaine.”
Ludwig nodded at Gustavo. “Do as she says.”
“At once, my lady,” said the captain.
“Sister will do, or Temple Captain. Now, you’ll need a couple of your men to move the queen, and be quick about it.”
“I’ll carry her,” said Ludwig.
“With all due respect, Majesty, you’re too weak. Have you even slept?”
