Peril of the Crown, page 38
“That’s right. Still, that was years ago.”
“Six and a half, to be precise.”
“Was it really?” said Gerald. “It seems like longer. Do you think they would honour that commitment?”
“Given their present circumstances, they might consider it.”
“Meaning?”
“They live in Therengia, a realm scorned by most of the Petty Kingdoms.”
“Wouldn’t that make them less likely to help rather than more?”
“Perhaps,” said Anna, “but this gives them an opportunity to prove their value to the rest of the Continent.”
“How far east did you say they were?”
Anna laughed. “I didn’t, but it’s an extremely long trip for them. Still, there’s a possibility they could travel to Reinwick by ship, assuming they agree to help.”
“Interesting,” said Gerald, “but perhaps the question remains: would they make a meaningful contribution? You can only fit so many on a boat.”
“The Halvarians managed to embark an entire legion.”
“True, but they used their own ships and had a lot of time to prepare. The same cannot be said for the Orcs of the Red Hand.”
“Ah, but I think you’re missing an important element. The Red Hand and Therengia are one realm.”
“Are you suggesting the entire kingdom would march west to aid the Petty Kingdoms? That’s a lot to ask.”
“We know the empire threatens the existence of everyone, not just us, but we don’t know if they see things that way. If not, we must hope Beverly and Aubrey convince the Northern Alliance to march to Erlingen’s aid and pray that will be enough.”
“You’ve given me much to think on,” said Gerald, “but it won’t affect my plans in the short term. We still need to clear the empire from the swamp, and not even the Petty Kingdoms can help with that.” He paused, then walked over to Braedon, asleep on the floor. He lifted up the young prince, then set him onto his mother’s lap. “There,” he said. “Right where he belongs.”
“As are you, Gerald. Without your presence, we never would have survived this invasion.”
Epilogue
Spring 968 MC
Exalor, the High Strategos of the Halvarian Empire, watched as the shattered remains of the Third Legion made their way back across Kharzun’s Folly. They had suffered a defeat of monumental proportions, all because their commander-general was more concerned with personal glory than following the plan.
He thought back over his strategy. It called for a three-pronged attack on Merceria, but two prongs had been repulsed. How had his plan failed? Not the type to admit personal culpability, he blamed it on the men under his command. It now fell to him to salvage the situation, but how?
The eastern side of Kharzun’s Folly was defensible, and he could use mages to destroy the temporary bridge that spanned the ravine, making it even more so. As for the southern coast, the failure of that landing stung, but the empire maintained control over the Sea of Storms. Their presence alone forced Merceria to garrison men there to repel any possible future attack, so they were, in a sense, still carrying out their duty.
He held out hope Ironcliff would fall. Once that happened, the Seventh Legion would be freed up to deal with the troublesome army holding the western end of the Gap, but to ensure success there, he needed to oversee the assault in person. He would have to entrust his current location to the Marshal of the Empire, someone with whom he seldom saw eye to eye.
He was pondering this very thought when he noted the arrival of his aide, Wingate, whom he’d left back in the capital to look after things. The fellow wound his way through the retreating legionnaires, halting before his master.
“Your Grace,” he said, out of breath. “I bring news.”
“If it’s about the failed seaborne invasion of Merceria, I’m fully aware.”
“That’s not it at all, Your Grace. It concerns the campaign in the east.”
“There is no campaign in the east. What in the name of the emperor are you babbling on about?”
“Four legions crossed into the border kingdoms some time ago, intending to complete the Great Dream.”
“That’s impossible! Only I, the High Strategos, can authorize such a thing!”
“That is not entirely true, Your Grace. The invasion carried the emperor’s blessing.”
“Have I missed something? Was I relieved of my position?”
“No, Your Grace.”
“Who led this invasion?”
“Edora Sartellian.”
“She’s not even a marshal!”
“True,” said Wingate, “yet somehow she was given command of the frontier. I fear you have been left in the dark by design. I only learned about it myself when I was mistakenly delivered a message meant for someone else.”
“And you came straight here?”
“I did, Your Grace, but I fear, without magic, it took me far too long.”
“You did well,” said Exalor, “though this news could not have come at a worse time. My offensive is in tatters, and now elements within the Royal Council plot to usurp my authority.”
“What do we do?”
“What I should have done months ago: return to the capital and seize the Crown for myself!”
<<<<>>>>
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Cast of Characters
MAIN CHARACTERS
* * *
Merceria & Allies
Aldwin Fitzwilliam - Master smith, married to Beverly
Alric - King of Weldwyn, married to Anna, father of Braedon
Anna - Queen of Merceria, married to Alric, mother of Braedon
Arnim Caster - Viscount of Haverston, married to Nikki
Aubrey Brandon - Baroness of Hawksburg, Life Mage
Beverly Fitzwilliam - Baroness of Bodden, General, married to Alric
Gerald Matheson - Duke of Wincaster, Marshal of the Army
Hayley Chambers - Baroness of Queenston, High Ranger
Herdwin Steelarm – Dwarf smith, friend of Queen Anna
Kasri Ironheart - Dwarf warrior, daughter of the Vard of Ironcliff
Krazuhk - Orc, Master of Air, Sky Singers
Nicole (Nikki) Caster - Viscountess of Haverston, married to Arnim
Owen - Knight of Erlingen
* * *
The Empire of Halvaria
Exalor Shozarin - High Strategos
Nevarus - God Emperor
Wingate - Aide to Exalor
* * *
SECONDARY CHARACTERS
* * *
Dwarves
Agramath - Master of Rock and Stone, Ironcliff
Brogar - Bodyguard to Princess Althea, Mirstone
Caldrim - Captain, arbalest company, Weldwyn
Galman Boldhammer - Captain, Stonecastle
Garnik Hardhand - Guildmaster, Warriors Guild, Ironcliff
Gelion - Captain, cousin to Herdwin, Stonecastle
Grolik - Warrior, Forlorn Tower, Stonecastle
Khazad - Vard, Stonecastle
Margel – Stonesmiths guild, Forge mate to Gelion, Stonecastle
Murdan - Arbalester, Gelion’s company, Stonecastle
Rotmir - Warrior, Forlorn Tower, Stonecastle
Selia Ironfist - Guildmaster, Mining Guild, Ironcliff
Skodan - Arbalester, Gelion’s company, Stonecastle
Strodar Goldeye - Guildmaster, Bankers Guild, Ironcliff
Taldur - Warrior, Forlorn Tower, Stonecastle
Thalgrun Stormhammer - Vard, Ironcliff
Tindal - Warrior, cousin to Margel, Stonecastle
Tulfar Axehand - Dwarf, Baron of Mirstone, Weldwyn
* * *
Erlingen
Alain Heinrich - Duke of Erlingen
Deiter Heinrich (Deceased) - Previous Duke of Erlingen
Eadric - Therengian traveller
Emerson - Captain, Army of Erlingen
Galrath of Paledon (Deceased) - Knight of the Sceptre
Hagan Stein - Baron of Mulsingen
Kinmar - Therengian traveller
Milgyrd - Therengian traveller
Myles - Knight of the Sceptre
Rosalyn Stein - Baroness of Mulsingen
Rudolf Sturgess - Mercenary Captain, Torburg Wolves
Wulfrum Haas - Baron of Regnitz
* * *
Halvaria
Agalix Sartellian - Inner Council, Fire Mage
Agostino Feranti - Captain-General, 1st Imperial Cohort, 4th Legion
Alitor Verathras - Earth Mage, Halvaria
Bastien Lambert - Commander-General, 7th Legion
Beaufort - Aide to Marshal of the South
Castimar Stormwind - Marshal of the South, Water Mage
Claudio Zalango - Captain, 4th Legion
Desjardin - Captain, 5th Legion
Edora Sartellian - Inner Council, Fire Mage
Enelle Sartellian - High Purifier, Fire Mage
Erkinwald (Deceased) - First emperor of Halvaria
Esteve Solinak - Commander-General, 3rd Legion
Fadra Stormwind - Inner Council, Water Mage
Freya Stormwind - Inner Council, Water Mage
Grafford Sartellian - Fire Mage, Halvaria
Grim - Aide to Commander-General Vorinus Moreau
Hamath Nordin - Commander-General, 5th Legion
Idraxa Shozarin - Acting Marshal of the North
Janek - Servant at the Imperial Court
Jansen Borke - Captain, 5th Legion
Kaladesh (Deceased) - Ruler of ancient Halvaria, pre-empire
Kelson Shozarin - High Sentinel, Enchanter
Korvin Bandros - Commander-General, 11th Legion
Kozarsky Stormwind - Admiral, Storm Fleet, Water Mage
Nedermeyer - Captain of Horse, 5th Legion
Praxar Shozarin - Marshal of the Empire, Enchanter
Rhedra - Earth Mage
Ryfar Shozarin - Halvarian Agent, Clanholdings
Stivern Lindman (Deceased) - Captain-General, 2nd Imperial Cohort, 7th Legion
Umberto Rakert - Commander-General, 8th Legion
Vadym Stormwind - Halvarian Agent, Clanholdings, Water Mage
Vorinus Moreau - Commander-General, 9th Legion
Zoran - Captain of foot, 9th Legion
* * *
Merceria
Albreda - Mistress of the Whitewood, Earth Mage
Aldus Hearn - Earth Mage
Andred (Deceased) - Former King of Merceria
Ansel (Deceased) - King of Merceria, Husband of Queen Evermore
Arandil Greycloak - Elven ruler of the Darkwood, Fire Mage/Enchanter
Bertram Ayles - Ranger
Braedon Gerald - Prince of Merceria, Son of Anna and Alric
Brenton - Royal guard, Wincaster
Edgar Greenfield - Retired Bodden warrior, queen’s courier
Edwina - Former princess of Weldwyn, Air Mage in training
Evard Brenton - Royal Guardsman
Evermore (Deceased) - Queen during Merceria’s first Golden Age
Galloway - Captain, Colbridge
Gral - Troll, Trollden
Harold Wainwright - Captain, Wincaster Bowmen
Harper - Royal guard, Wincaster
Heward 'The Axe' Manton - Baron of Redridge, Knight of the Hound
Hugh Gardner - Captain, Wincaster Light Horse
Jane Goodwin - Lady of the Weldwyn court
Kiren-Jool - Kurathian Enchanter
Lanaka - Kurathian cavalry commander
Lightning - Beverly's Mercerian Charger
Lily - Saurian
Montrose (Deceased) - Executed traitor
Preston Wright - Baron of Wickfield, Knight, married to Sophie Wright
Randolf - Former Knight of the Sword
Revi Bloom - Royal Life Mage, Enchanter
Richard ‘Fitz’ Fitzwilliam (Deceased) -Baron of Bodden, Beverly’s father
Robbins - Archer Captain, Colbridge
Shalariel - Elf, Mistress of Thorolandrin, The Darkwood
Sophie Wright - Baroness of Wickfield, married to Sir Preston
Storm - Kurathian Mastiff, Queen Anna’s pet
Swiftfeather – Hawk, Merceria
Tog - Troll, Earl of Trollden, Leader of the Trolls
Valmar (Deceased) - Former Marshal General of Merceria
* * *
Norland
Asher - Earl of Beaconsgate, nephew of Lord Hollis
Bronwyn - Queen of Norland
Calder - Earl of Greendale
Creighton - Earl of Riverhurst
Hollis (Deceased) - Former Earl of Beaconsgate
Jendrick - Advisor to Lord Hollis, Necromancer, Elf in disguise
Marik - Former champion of Lord Hollis
Marley - Earl of Walthorne
Rutherford - Earl of Hammersfield
Waverly - Earl of Marston
* * *
Orcs
Bloodrig - Shaman, Sky Singers, Deisenbach
Ghodrug - Chieftain, Black Ravens, Norland
Gorath - Deputy High Ranger, Black Arrows, Merceria
Kraloch - Shaman, Black Arrows, Merceria
Kurghal - Shaman, Black Arrows, Urgon’s sister, Merceria
Meghara - Mythical mages of ancient Orc origin
Rulahk - Shaman, Black Ravens, Norland
Shaluhk - Shaman, Red Hand, Therengia
Urgon - Chieftain, Black Arrows, Merceria
* * *
The Twelve Clans (Clanholdings)
Althea - Princess, Dungannon
Flint - Goblin, Tinker, Stonewall
Glisnak - Goblin, Stonewall
Grazuk - Goblin, wolf rider, Stonewall
Haldrim - Dwarf, Captain, Dragon Company
Lochlan - Clan chief, Dungannon
Tarzil - Goblin, wolf rider, Stonewall
Virdu - Goblin, bender, Stonewall
* * *
The Fighting Orders
Alonso - Temple Captain, Saint Mathew
Bernelle - Temple Captain, Saint Agnes
Charlaine - Temple Commander, Saint Agnes
Cyric - Temple Knight, Saint Mathew
Enna - Temple Captain, Saint Agnes
Giselle - Temple Captain, Saint Agnes, Deisenbach
Isabeau - Temple Commander, Saint Agnes
Johanna - Temple Knight, Saint Agnes
Marlena - Temple Captain/Commander, Saint Agnes
Petra - Temple Captain, Saint Agnes, Erlingen
Roland - Temple Commander, Saint Mathew
Vitaly - Temple Captain, Saint Mathew, Erlingen
* * *
Weldwyn
Aegryth Malthunen - Earth Mage
Beric - Earl of Southport
Dryden - Earl of Loranguard
Gretchen Harwell - Enchanter
Jack Marlowe - Cavalier, Viscount of Aynsbury
Julian Lanford - Earl of Falford
Leofric (Deceased) - King, Weldwyn, Father of Alric
Oliver Weldridge - Earl of Faltingham, Weldwyn
Osbourne Megantis - Fire Mage, Weldwyn
Parvan Luminor - Elf, Baron of Tivilton, Weldwyn
* * *
Others
Argalin Krantz - King, Gotfeld
Athgar - Fire Mage, Therengia
Axalon (Deceased) - Ancient army leader, Thalemia
Burghild Raina - Duchess, Angvil
Corella - Maid, Neiburg, Angvil
Delsaran - Elf bard, the Darkwood
Engle Bertran - General, Angvil
Ernst Falkenberg - Older brother of Temple Commander Marlena
Gwayne - King, Rudor
Kip - Youth, Angvil
Ludmilla Stormwind - Water Mage, Advisor to Queen of Deisenbach
Ludwig Altenburg - King, Hadenfeld
Natalia Stormwind - Water Mage, Therengia
Rilan Paldrin - Manservant, Neiburg, Angvil
Wilmot - Baron, Rudor
* * *
PLACES
* * *
Halvaria
Aloria - Ancient kingdom bordering Halvaria
Auverney - Conquered kingdom, now province, Halvaria
Calabria - Kingdom, coast of the Shimmering Sea, absorbed by Halvaria
Dun-Galdrim - Dwarven stronghold, fell to Halvarian fifty years ago
Guilford - Keep, Auverney, Halvaria
Varena - Capital of Halvaria
Wyburn - City, Northwest Halvaria
Zefara - Port city on the west coast of Halvaria
* * *
Merceria
Bodden - Town, Barony
Colbridge – City
Erssa Saka’am - Saurian city/temple
Great Swamp - Massive swamp
Haverston - Village, viscountcy
Hawksburg - Town, Barony
Queenston - Town, Barony
Redridge - Village, Barony
The Whitewood - Great forest
The Queens Arms - Inn/Tavern, Wincaster, Merceria
Trollden - Town
Wickfield - Village
Wincaster - Capital City
* * *
The Petty Kingdoms
Abelard – Kingdom, northeast coast
Andover - Kingdom, north of Erlingen
Angvil - Duchy
Arnsfeld - Kingdom, adjacent to Halvaria
Burgemont – Kingdom, north of Angvil
Deisenbach - Kingdom
Erlingen - Duchy
Gotfeld - Kingdom
Hadenfeld – Kingdom, bordering Deisenbach
Ilea - Kingdom, South Coast
Oberfeld - Kingdom, south of Gotfeld
Reinwick - Duchy, Northern Coast
Rudor - Kingdom, adjacent to Halvaria
Talstadt - Duchy
Thalemia - Ancient Empire on the Shimmering Sea
