Albreda's face paled. "Surely he wasn't one of your attackers?"

  "No, but he was in the city when it happened, then again so was Heward, and he's an honourable man."

  "But you don't believe the same true of Greyson?"

  "No, I don't. I can't explain it in so many words, but I just get the feeling that he's currying favour to advance his position."

  Albreda nodded. "Most likely he is, it is a common trait amongst the lesser nobility, yourself excluded, of course."

  "Does my father consider him dangerous?"

  "My dear, your father is a kind and generous soul who only thinks the best of people. I, on the other hand, don't trust the man for a moment. I've seen his type far too many times in the past."

  "For what it's worth, he's doing well with the training."

  "And where is Sir Hector in all of this?" asked the Druid.

  "I must confess I've seen little of him. The last I heard he was running messages between us and my father."

  "Is he trustworthy, do you think?"

  "He comes from Kingsford," said Beverly, "and Lord Somerset has always supported the queen."

  "I think it best you have a chat with him, but keep it quiet. The more eyes that watch this Norland princess, the better."

  "You think she might betray us?"

  "Not intentionally, but she may try something reckless. We've already suffered losses at Hammersfield, we can ill afford more."

  "And if she gets out of hand?"

  "I cannot tell you what to do, Beverly, merely remind you that the command of the rebel forces lays on your shoulders, not hers."

  "Will you have a chat with her, do you think?"

  "I shall," said Albreda. "Perhaps all she needs is a good talking to."

  "I doubt she'll take kindly to that."

  "Nor do I, but it must be done. I should have done it some days ago, but I have been kept busy of late trying to track down the elusive Lord Hollis."

  "Have you had any luck with that?"

  "We have determined he is NOT in the Deepwood, but beyond that we know little."

  "Shall I send the rebel cavalry to assist?"

  "No, you'd best keep them here, with the princess. You were coming out of her headquarters when I met you, were you going somewhere in particular?"

  "Only to check on the pickets," said Beverly.

  "Then I'll let you get on with it. Any advice on how I should deal with Bronwyn?"

  "You want MY advice? I find that hard to believe."

  "Nonsense," said the Druid, "you're practically family, why wouldn't I seek your advice?"

  "I've never known you to ask anyone for help."

  "Well, let's just say I'm trying to turn over a new leaf. I've been told I can be a little abrupt at times."

  "Who told you that? My father?"

  "Not in so many words. So, your thoughts on the princess?"

  "She expects to be treated with deference, other than that she's not too difficult to deal with."

  "I don't do deference," said Albreda.

  "No, I don't suppose you do. Perhaps if you just keep in mind that she's our ally, things will be easier?"

  "I shan't make any promises, but I'll see what I can do. Now, best you be off, those soldiers won't look after themselves."

  "Very well," said Beverly. "I'll drop by the headquarters later and see if you've utterly destroyed the place."

  Albreda smiled. "If you must."

  * * *

  Bronwyn sat, staring at the letter before her. "Are you sure this isn't some form of elaborate trap?"

  "I can make no guarantees," said Sir Greyson, "but I can assure you it's from Lord Hollis. Note the seal?"

  She lifted the letter, holding the seal closer to the flame, the better to see its details. "And he sent this to me?"

  "He did, Your Highness. A rider came in this morning, dressed as one of our own. He made some enquiries that led to me. I assured the courier I would deliver the message."

  "But how did he know I was here?"

  "Perhaps a lucky guess? He likely knows of your disappearance from his estate, and the presence of rebel soldiers amongst the Mercerians might have led to the conclusion you were here."

  "There is another option," said Bronwyn, "and one that I should have thought of sooner."

  "Which is?"

  "He has spies amongst our men."

  "If that's true," said Sir Greyson, "there is little we can do about it. And in any case your soldiers know nothing of the overall plans."

  She looked at the letter, tapping it against her other hand. "What in the Afterlife can he want."

  "Perhaps you should open it and find out?" he suggested.

  Bronwyn drew her slim dagger and used it to pry up the seal. Her task complete, she unfolded the note, perusing it as her knight watched. "He wants to meet."

  "Is that wise, Your Highness?"

  "It is if we want to find out what he wants. Perhaps he's willing to negotiate peace?"

  "More likely he wants to capture you to force you into marriage. He is still after the crown."

  "No, it's more than that. I have an army now, it might be small but it could be used to swing the battle at a critical time."

  "He wants you to betray the Mercerians?"

  "I am merely speculating, his note indicates nothing of the sort."

  "Surely you don't mean to take him up on this offer?"

  "I think it a wise decision, don't you? After all we should at least hear what he has to say. And if he does want to surrender, it would be wise to do so to me, rather than our allies, don't you think?"

  "I don't like this, Your Highness."

  "Don't worry, we'll take precautions. I'll need you to select only the most trustworthy of men, Sir Greyson, and tell no one else of this letter."

  Someone knocked at the door, causing Bronwyn to quickly hide the letter by placing it beneath the many papers that littered her desk.

  "Who is it?" she called out.

  "It is the Druid, Albreda," came the voice of a servant. "She wishes an audience with you, Your Highness."

  Bronwyn looked at Sir Greyson. "We shall speak of this in more detail later. For now, let us talk to Albreda, but no word of what has transpired, understood?"

  "Yes, Highness."

  "You may let her in," she called out.

  The door opened, allowing Albreda entry. The Druid was wearing the green and brown mottled dress for which she was best known, and her hair hung down her back in along ponytail, giving her the look of a country matron.

  "Mistress Albreda," said Bronywn, "what brings you to my office?"

  "I bring greetings from the General, Baron Fitzwilliam. He asked me to look in on you and see if everything is to your satisfaction."

  "That was nice of him," said Bronwyn, "but surely he has more important things to worry about?"

  "Your troops distinguished themselves taking Oaksvale,' Albreda continued. "Did you find much in the way of opposition?"

  "Not at all. In fact they welcomed us as liberators. Even as we speak we are training up three more companies of footmen."

  "Remarkable. At this rate you'll soon have more troops than Merceria."

  "I doubt that," said Brownyn.

  "Well, perhaps if we don't count the Dwarves and Orcs. Regardless, the men under your command have done well for themselves. I trust Dame Beverly has been up to the task of leading them?"

  "Actually" said Bronwyn, "I have been considering making some changes."

  "Of course you have," said Albreda.

  Bronwyn frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

  "Nothing at all, just a turn of phrase. Why? Does it bother you?"

  "I am a Princess of the Royal Line of Norland. You will address me as 'Your Highness'."

  "I shall do no such thing," said the Druid.

  "Do you show the queen such disrespect?"

  "Queen Anna has earned my respect. You, on the other hand, are nothing but a spoiled child."

  Sir Greyson's hand went to the hilt of his sword. "How dare you speak that way to the princess."

  Albreda turned her gaze on the knight. "Draw that sword and it will be the last thing you ever do."

  "I could strike you down long before you could cast your spell."

  "Is that what you think? I am a wild mage, you fool, spells are second nature to me. I could destroy you with the merest flicker of my eyes."

  Sir Greyson paled.

  He looked at his princess, but her eyes were locked on the Druid.

  "What do you want, witch?"

  "You're new to being in charge, so I'll forgive your rashness, but you are part of a much larger campaign to free your country."

  "Don't you think I know that?"

  "I know you do, but you certainly don't act like it. You had a victory today, but it might just as easily have turned into a disaster. An army is like a chain, held together by discipline and training. If one link breaks, it can destroy everything we've worked for. Is that what you wish for your countrymen? To be plunged back into the hands of a despot?"

  She stared at the princess, then continued. "I know that you see yourself as the liberator of your people, but there can be no victory without a careful and deliberate plan, and your actions threaten that. You need to earn the respect of your allies, Bronwyn, not dictate it. Listen to your advisers, they know what they're doing, and for Saxnor's sake, don't start taking matters into your own hands like you did here at Oaksvale."

  "That was not me," said Bronwyn. "It was Dame Beverly that took matters into her own hands."

  "Do you honestly expect me to believe that?"

  "It's true," added Sir Greyson. "I heard her give the commands myself."

  "I see," said Albreda, "and yet you did nothing to persuade her otherwise?"

  "It was not my place to say," said the knight, "she outranks me."

  The Druid fixed her gaze on the princess. "You and I both know the truth of things, Bronwyn. Show the general you can act like a true leader and stop this outrageous display of bravado. Only then will the people of Norland accept you as their queen."

  "I am already their queen," said Bronwyn, though her voice shook.

  Albreda held her tongue, her eyes boring into the young princess.

  "I will be queen of Norland," added the princess.

  "Then act like one and work WITH your allies, not against them."

  "And how do you propose I do that?"

  "Ask yourself what the queen of Merceria would do."

  "She would lead the army herself," said Brownyn, her voice now defiant.

  "No," said Albreda, "she would trust in her leaders to do that, just as you must. You are not a warrior, Bronwyn, you have little experience in such matters. Dame Beverly, on the other hand, has spent her entire life learning how to lead men into battle. Trust her in military matters, and trust in her father to make best use of your men."

  "I thought Marshal Matheson was the great Mercerian leader?"

  "And who do you think taught him everything he knows?" said Albreda. "Lord Richard, that's who. You would do well to remember that."

  Bronwyn's face was flushed. "I...didn't know that."

  "Well now you have no excuse. I shall expect you to follow orders from now on, not send Sir Hector scrambling off to clarify a very straightforward order. Is that understood?"

  "It is," replied the princess.

  Albreda stared for another moment or two, then took a breath. "Good, then that is all I have to say. Now, I shall leave you to your work, princess, in the hope that you may consider my advice. Good day to you."

  She turned, striding from the room with but a cursory glance at Sir Greyson.

  "She has the manners of a cur," he remarked, once she had left.

  "True, but they say she's the most dangerous mage in all the lands."

  "I still think I would have been justified in striking her down for her insolence."

  "Justified, perhaps," said Bronwyn, "but I doubt you would have survived the encounter. And how would we have explained it to our allies?"

  "Perhaps it's time we acquired new allies?"

  Bronwyn's eyes dropped to her desk, where the earl's letter lay. "Perhaps it is."

  * * *

  Sir Preston reached across the map, pointing with his finger. "They were here, my lord. Approximately two hundred of them."

  "Did you engage?"

  "No," replied the knight, as per your orders we kept our distance. They were heading north, keeping the edge of the hills to their west. I think they mean to reach the town of Anvil."

  "That would match up with Gerald's assessment."

  A deeper voice cut in. "What about Galburn's Ridge. Are we to leave it unattended?"

  Fitz looked at Herdwin, the Dwarven leader. "No, of course not, but we lack the troops to actually assault the place. The strategy is to isolate them, then starve them out."

  "That could take years."

  "If we secure the area around their capital they will have little choice but to surrender."

  "Might I suggest we move troops up to cut off any reinforcements?"

  "Now that, I would consider. How many would you require, do you think?"

  "My Dwarves will be sufficient, I would think, although I'd be much obliged for the loan of some cavalry."

  "I shall send Sir Preston and his horsemen. I'd also like to send the rebels. Perhaps their presence might convince the Norlanders to cross over to our side."

  "Not to say ill of the leadership of Dame Beverly," said Herdwin, "but can we trust these troops to behave?"

  "You will act as regional commander," said Fitz, "they'll take their orders from you. I'll make sure my daughter understands that. You may wish to consult with her, she was inside Galburn's ridge last year, with the Queen's delegation."

  "Good to know," replied the Dwarf, "I'll see if we can't work up a floor plan of the fortress."

  "I'm told it's quite impressive."

  "It's not of Dwarven construction," said Herdwin. "It can be defeated, we just have to figure out how."

  "If you run into any trouble, send word immediately. The rest of the army will remain here, just north of Oaksvale, ready to move where needed."

  "Very well, General, I'll have my troops on the march before midnight."

  "You can wait for tomorrow," said Fitz.

  "Nonsense," said the Dwarf, "my people can march just as well at night, and in any case it'll be cooler than marching in the sun. Now, with your permission, I'll get right to it."

  "By all means, and good luck, Commander."

  Herdwin smiled. "I don't need luck, General. I have the Dwarves."

  He moved towards the exit, halting as he almost collided with Albreda, who was just entering.

  "Pardon me," said the Dwarf.

  Albreda nodded her head. "Greetings, Lord Herdwin. I trust all is in order?"

  "It is, but you'll have to excuse me, Mistress, I have things to attend to."

  "Of course." She stepped aside, allowing the Dwarf to exit.

  "How did it go with the princess?" asked Fitz.

  "About as well as I expected," she replied. "She can be stubborn, but I think she got the message. I doubt she'll trouble you again."

  "I certainly hope not, we shall need them in the coming days."

  "Oh? For what?"

  "We're sending them to cut off the Norland Capital."

  "And you trust Bronwyn to do that?"

  "No, not at all, that's why they'll be put under Herdwin's command. I know Beverly won't mind. She's known him ever since they escaped Wincaster together. He's also a good friend of Aldwyn."

  "Sometimes, Richard, I wonder if you don't think more of your son-in-law than you do your own daughter."

  "Don't be ridiculous," countered Fitz. "It's just that he needs more guidance. Beverly will always be my favourite."

  Albreda laughed. "Don't fret, my dear, I'm only teasing. I know how important your daughter is to you."

  Twenty-Seven

  The Hammer

  Summer 965 MC

  * * *

  "Are you sure of this?" asked Hayley. "It means splitting our forces."

  "It is a calculated gamble," said Gerald, staring down at the map, "but I believe it has the best chance of success."

  "But you can't take Ravensguard with less than five hundred troops, you'd need at least four times that number."

  "We are counting on some help from the inside," he revealed.

  Hayley turned her attention to the queen. "Surely you're not agreeing with him, Your Majesty?"

  "I have complete faith in Gerald," replied Anna.

  "And the rest of the army?"

  "Sir Heward," she continued, "will take the Mercerian foot north, towards the town of Anvil. Their job will be to shadow the troops of Lord Hollis."

  "I need you with us," said Gerald, "along with Tog and his Trolls. The plan is to form an Orc brigade."

  Sir Heward spoke. "Are you sure, my lord? Won't the presence of the Orcs only make things worse?"

  "That is precisely the effect we're going for. I cannot say more at this time, but if their attention is on the besieging army it will only work to our advantage." He looked around the room, seeing the nervous looks of the Humans. "I know this is a gamble, but I'm confident it will work."

  "And if it doesn't?" asked the knight.

  "Then we are no worse off than we are right now. We won't assault the gates unless we think we have a high chance of success. You know I won't waste the lives of our troops."

  "Very well," said Hayley. "Where do you want my rangers?"

  "We'll need them out in front and to the sides, we won't have any cavalry to screen for us."

  "What about the Kurathians?"

  "Commander Lanaka and his light cavalry have been given the task of tracking down Hollis. Once they locate him, it will be up to the rest of you to bring him to battle."

  "I'm not sure I'm up to the task," said Sir Heward, his voice choking. "My last battle resulted in the loss of my command."

  "Nonsense," said Gerald, "you have suffered a defeat by a superior enemy, no one faults you for that."

  "Shall I accompany Lanaka?" asked Revi. "With Shellbreaker I could greatly increase the range of detection."

 

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