The Way of Courage, page 1
THE WAY OF COURAGE
BOOK 3 OF WEAVES OF EMPIRE
TONY CORDEN
Copyright © 2022 by Tony Corden
Tony Corden owns the content in this book and reserves all his legal rights of ownership. ‘The Way of Courage’ is published for your personal enjoyment (and, if he’s honest, so he can earn a living). He allows quotations in book reviews and social media posts. In fact, if they are positive reviews, he encourages their use (yay, free advertising). If you want to use it for some other purpose, then email him and get his written permission, if you don't then you may not reproduce or use it.
ISBN 978-1-922336-31-6 (E-book)
‘The Way of Courage’ is fiction, i.e., IT ISN’T REAL. Tony isn’t writing about real people and doesn’t intend in any way to point the finger at anyone. If there is a similarity, then it’s unintentional and a coincidence. If for some reason you think the good guys are based on you, then be encouraged, you are smart, kind and brave. If you think the bad guys are somehow based on you, they aren’t, but Tony suggests you need help. Seriously, see a counsellor or turn yourself in to the police.
Tony designed the cover using an image from depositphotos.com and Photoshop. Vellum was used to prepare the e-book.
Published by Tony Corden in 2022
You can find out more at www.tonycorden.com or write to Tony at tony@tonycorden.com.
With a deep hatred of slavery in all its forms
shackled existence
comes in myriad flavours
bitter emetics
battered and abused
selfish power imbalance
a silent anguish
discrimination
allowed to prosper and thrive
destroys liberty
inert acceptance
blind; bored; busy; over it
passive enslavement
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I struggle with both spelling and grammar. Even with the spelling and grammar checks turned on I keep making mistakes. Homonyms trip me up, as do commas. In particular I want to thank T and E for helping to edit this book. They are wonderful people who deserve all the credit when you can’t find an error. When you do, that is all me, not only for making it in the first place but also because I sometimes ignore what they suggest.
CONTENTS
Part 8 - Preparation
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Characters in ‘Preparation’
Part 9 - Infiltration
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Characters in ‘Infiltration’
Part 10 - Liberation
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Characters in ‘Liberation’
PART 8 - PREPARATION
CHAPTER 1
Prince Yearning, the oldest of the Emperor’s sons who had already ascended to the position of heir, looked at the body of his third wife as her ladies-in-waiting prepared her for the funeral service. She had produced only daughters in the three years they’d been married, the last of them just that morning, and with only two sons still alive, he hadn’t been prepared to keep persevering. Already he’d chosen a new bride who had the added benefit of being the granddaughter of a high council member. Having to wait the required mourning period before breeding her had him in a bad mood.
When the body was finally ready to be moved, he made the traditional three bows toward her before coming to his feet. He then followed the body in the processional march to the Imperial Crypt. By the time the ceremony had finished, his control over his temper was stretched thin. He arrived in his quarters to find the head of his security force waiting. As Yearning stopped in front of him, Colonel Discretion went to one knee and waited.
“Stand! Why are you here?”
Discretion had been with the prince for over twenty years and realised his news could have waited until he’d checked on the prince’s mood. He was volatile at the best of times, and with him already worked up, there was no telling what he might do. Coming to his feet, he took a breath and said, “My prince, the cruiser, Limitless, docked an hour ago with news from Tarlonin.”
“And?”
“Two more hands of assassins from the Eighth Way were killed by the mage, Resolute Fielding.”
He was interrupted as the prince reeled off a string of expletives and lashed out, catching the Colonel on the ear. Discretion could have evaded the blow but let it hit before pushing himself backwards as if he’d been hurt. Yearning watched as Discretion came to his feet, then said, “Do not give the abomination the honour of a Heptatic name. So, who sent the other?”
“Prince Desirable.”
“Desirable? What would he gain from killing her?”
“Like you, he follows Kish. Her being both a mage and having caused the empire to lose face would have angered him.”
“Not enough to reveal his Kish leanings to the Eighth Way.”
“He did not specify Kish assassins.”
“Then her being a woman can’t be the reason. It would need to be the purity of the empire, and he’s never struck me as being a purist, especially not after his inclusion with the diplomatic mission. Is he involved at all with Mage General Victorious?”
“Not to my knowledge. The other option is that his reason is personal.”
“What does that mean? I can see you have a theory, so spit it out.”
“Supposedly, the woman is killing those who tortured her. Prince Desirable has always enjoyed the darker pleasures.”
“He would have covered his tracks, and even if she knew who he was, there is no way she will be able to either accuse him or gain access to him.”
“He wouldn’t want to take the chance.”
“True enough. While the rumour itself achieves nothing, anything which gives value to it could destroy all his chances for future glory.”
“Then the latest rumours would seal his ruin if they are true.”
“What rumours?”
“Some say the woman has a child, perhaps a son.”
Yearning couldn’t help the bark of laughter even as his face turned cruel. “So, Desirable ascends even as his life is destroyed. When the rumour gets around, the Eighth Way will be flooded with requests to kill the wench. The Emperor might even be persuaded to send one of the way-lords.”
“The rumour also mentions keepers.”
“Make sure that the various rumours find their way to my father. The keepers would also explain why the assassins of the Eighth Way have run into trouble. Send two more hands and arrange for a couple of Skarian seekers.”
“The seekers will want to talk directly with you, my Prince.”
“Set up a meeting, but have the two hands of the Eighth Way leave on the next tide. Also, arrange a meeting with Desirable. For some help to contain the fallout of the rumour, he might be persuaded to help thin the ranks of the ascended.”
The Duke of the Fair Forest wandered out into the small communal garden where he and Gentility often sat to reflect on their day. It had been built when they’d heard of Resolute’s death. He wasn’t surprised to find Gentility on her knees, carefully removing the few weeds which had somehow managed to poke their shoots above the carefully smoothed soil. He waited until she’d finished before speaking. “Gentility, come and sit with me.”
Gentility carefully wiped her hands and rinsed them in the small water feature before drying them on the cloth she’d prepared for that purpose. Impartial could still see the grief on Gentility’s face eight months after they’d heard how Resolute had been tortured and killed. Her eyes were dim, and he worried for her health. He was hopeful the news he had would lift her eyes and give her the strength to keep living instead of slowly fading.
Once she’d sat next to him, he waited in silence until she sighed. He doubted that she realised it, but each night this was the signal that her thoughts were calm enough for her to be present in their conversation. Anything he said before the sigh wasn’t heard. “Gentility, I received a letter today from Tarlonin.”
Gentility looked up at her father, and the grief on her face was even more pronounced. “Who from?”
“From your sister.”
He watched as the grief faded slightly, “From Resolute?”
“Yes. It is short and was in a code I had given her. May I share it with you?”
“Please! Father.”
Impartial would never have trusted the words to be put to paper, so he recited the message.
To my father and sister, I miss you both and think of you each day. I suspect the rumours of my death reached you, and I am sorry for not writing earlier. I could not take the risk of being found to be alive. Know that your love not only sustained me through the trials but was the medium of my salvation.
I do not want you to be alarmed, but I need to share some truths and apologise if they cause you grief. Six people were involved in the torture that led to my breakthrough and subsequent death. Four I have dealt with, one I leave for the Forsaken, and one I will deal with when I reach Haven’s Gate.
As a result of my torture, I became pregnant. Following the example shown toward me by both of you, I chose to love instead of destroying or giving the babies away. One day I hope to introduce you to my daughter, Faithful Spark Fielding, and my son, Steadfast Flame Fielding. Their father is one of those still alive.
Already the Eighth Way has sent three hands to kill me. I am prepared, and each child has a keeper.
With love to you both, Resolute.
Gentility had tears in her eyes, and when he’d finished, she began to sob even as he brought her into his arms. He held her until she’d finished crying, then waited as she cleaned her face. Finally, she said, “I am an aunt, and you are a grandfather. This is cause for a celebration.”
“Indeed! I have asked Patient to prepare Resolute’s favourite dishes for dinner tonight.”
“What are keepers?”
“They are members of a Skarian order whose sole function in life is to protect the one they have chosen to defend. They give up their life for the life of an innocent. It is rumoured they are highly competent.”
“What of the Eighth Way?”
“Adopting Resolute not only led to my exile, but it polarised the Imperial Court. Many understood honour and accepted the action, but even more rejected the outcome. I suspect that those who pushed for my exile are looking to end what they see as a blight on our Empire. They will continue to send people if she’s already dealt with three hands.”
“The father?”
“Desirable spent eight months in Tar Eylia. He has a dark nature, and his mother was from Bright River, so he could have heard all about her from Stalwart. I am tempted to deal with him myself, but I suspect Resolute will have more success, and she has the right. My only worry is it could influence the Emperor to send one of the way-lords. Regardless of his moderate views, he will be against the son of a Tarlonin being an Heir Presumptive.”
“Resolute is Heptatic.”
“According to law and tradition, that is true. Changing people’s minds and prejudice is not as simple. Those who understood why I chose to adopt Resolute will accept your statement readily. The issue becomes much more complex because of what Resolute described. I suspect that the details will be carried to the Emperor’s ear. I do not doubt her words, but I may not share why it makes the situation complex, for the explanation is within one of the Imperial Hidden Edicts.”
“Then it should remain unspoken. Come, Father, we must celebrate that my sister lives and give thanks for her children.”
Seeing the life in Gentility’s eyes, Impartial smiled and let her lead him from the garden. On the other hand, he struggled to deal with the grief that he would almost certainly lose not only a daughter but also two grandchildren. The Hidden Edict would assure they faced every barrier and weapon the Empire had at its disposal.
It had taken Bess almost two eightdays to arrange things in Tar Eylia before leaving the city to visit her children. In that time, she’d arranged to pack up the house they had been living in and arranged for its sale. Instead of asking Earnest, Bess had contacted Marin’s father. He had recommended an architect and builder to rebuild the manor on Jagged Isle. To pay for this, she’d sold several of the smaller properties she’d acquired that had belonged to House Stone; she’d kept the Embassy of the Central Highlands Duchy. She’d also kept the various warehouses and transport hubs along with the central administrative building, which she’d renamed House Fielding.
Besides the repairs to Jagged Isle, she’d commissioned the rebuilding of the docks that had belonged to House Stone and now belonged to House Fielding. Grandmaster Shirlay Draper had introduced her to a friend who specialised in designing seals and emblems for new businesses. Bess chose the phoenix as the basis of her seal. It was from a legend passed down from the ancients, a bird that symbolised renewal, resurrection, balance, passion and power. The wings were stretched wide and stylised to represent the various aspects of her strengths using aether. The tail had seven feathers and these were coloured and shaped to highlight each of the paths venerated by the Heptatic Empire. The background had a tree in relief which was identical to that which represented Impartial’s House.
Besides arranging for the design to be installed on the gates of Fielding House and to be used as her Ducal seal, she also commissioned Master Kent to work the chosen design into the various fabrics within the house on Jagged Isle and at the Embassy. She had directed that both buildings be redesigned internally and then refurbished. House Seafarer, House Darknell and House Archer, along with the private House owned by Prince Kern, House Arden, had all agreed to manage her affairs for a year until she was able to take over their control personally.
When she finally got away, she was accompanied by her apprentice Leith, who, at Bess’ request, had been granted a two-month leave from her apprenticeship with Master Kent. It took them a day to lose the people following them, although Bess was certain the eyes and hounds probably had additional watchers placed on the Shallow Moors and at the main crossroads throughout the Central Highlands. To evade these, she and Leith left their horses at a farm west of Tar Eylia; it was owned by Earnest. From there, they made the rest of the trip on foot, keeping to the back trails. The seventy-league journey to Arabella’s new estate in the Eastern Grey March took them an eightday.
CHAPTER 2
Bess pulled herself out from the shelter where she and Leith had set up camp just after dark the night before. She added a few broken branches to the fire and then, after pulling the water from them, set them alight with a simple weave. Leith watched as Bess warmed water for a cup of tea and then made oats for their breakfast. After Bess had handed her a cup, she said, “Now you’ve finished preparing breakfast, I think it should be noted that these chores are usually the domain of the apprentice, not the master.”
