Bloodstone - Power of Youth (Book 3) (19 page)

Anchor spluttered like an old man. “I haven’t forgotten. My life at the keep has been sheltered in its own way.  After Histron took over, I avoided all men as I made my way to Gensler. I hope my thoughts didn’t overly upset you. I am pledged to you, don’t doubt it. I fear for all of those who lie in the various paths of this war. Shiro told me of how Duke Happly drafted all of his people into war with Valetan. I spent a little time at Happly Keep in my travels and he made the town a miserable place to live. I think war affects everyone, innocent or not. I am upset that the Dakkorans foment all of this conflict.”

“Thank you, Anchor. I need your perspective now and in the future. Keep thinking and considering these things and whisper in my ear should I appear to ignore such considerations. We might not make the very best decisions, indeed, there might not be any good alternatives, but we must do what we can.”

“I agree, Princess,” Shiro said. “I traveled from the very south of the Ropponi Empire to the north and saw much in the way of nobles and functionaries with their eyes blinded to the plight of the common people and even fellow nobles. I was happy to leave because I realized Roppon is a nation lost to decency and kindness.”

Sallia clenched her fists. “I will not let Histron ruin my country!  I will restore order with the help of the alliance. Decency and kindness. Yes, I will dedicate my rule to such with predictable laws to keep the indecency of Histron and his men out of the Red Kingdom.” The emotions that welled up inside surprised her. She knew she had to feel that way, but had never expected it to feel it within herself with such passion. She looked at the Duke out the side of her eye and noticed that he had paused to listen.

“Princess, I am behind you. I have ruled Gensler with those same principles and I think the results have been more than adequate. I let my guard down for a bit. I must take responsibility for Eberlo’s neglect of my southern defenses, but I’ve been sufficiently chastened. My only hope is that my heirs will do the same.”

Sallia knew he had said that for Prince Peeron’s benefit. His eyes had shifted for an instant at the end towards the prince. She had initially viewed the prince as a peer, worthy to join their company. He certainly presented himself with impeccable manners and she warmed to note his willingness to join her cause. Yet, she sensed an edge. Would the duke have more to say in private?

~

“Duke,” Sallia put her hand on his arm. He turned around from a conversation with his general.

“Yes, Sallia?”

“A word, if you have time.”

Jellas spoke briefly to his general, who bowed and scuttled away.

“What has brought you into my study?” He walked around and sat behind his desk. “Please sit.”

Sallia pursed her lips, gave the duke a polite smile and sat. “I haven’t spoke with Prince Peeron, but everyone seems to be leery of him.”

“As should you. Anchor and the Prince of Learsea nearly drew swords in our meeting today. Anchor, I would trust with my family, and you, my dear princess. I would hide my family from Peeron, if I could. He has a petulant aura to him. He looks down on us all and acts as if we are privileged if he gives us a scintilla of attention. I do not trust the man.”

“Then why did you let him join our alliance?”

“I am doing Anchor a favor. With us, the Peeron gets to know what we are doing, but has no control over the troops and our strategies. With Anchor, he is Prince of Learsea and the poor boy won’t be able to ignore him.”

Sallia furrowed her brow. “But won’t the Prince realize what you have done?”

The Duke waved his hand. “We will treat him well and provide him with good food, good accommodations and a small command. You are also here to attract him.”

She colored. “Me, attract him? You overestimate my affect on men.”

Jellas would have none of that as he waved away her comment. “You are the only heir to the Red Kingdom. You possess the Bloodstone. You are highly presentable and not married. Neither is he. Even if you were old and hoary he would take notice of a possible alliance with the Red Kingdom when you are restored.”

“Duke!  Old and hoary?”

He laughed. ‘I said if you were, and you, quite definitely, are not.”

“So I must be on my guard?”

The duke’s face sobered. “Always and not just because of Peeron. Once we move south of Crackledown, you will be exposed, again, to great danger and I would not want to see my charge, you, in difficulty. You survived Foxhome only due to the resources of Unca. He is not here, but you have us to help you. Vigilance must be a constant companion. Indeed, it already has, thanks to Anchor and his timely message.”

Sallia nodded and had more to think about. Her time as the sheltered ward of Duke Jellas had ended weeks ago. However, her suppressed fear for the future had come out of hiding and she had Duke Jellas and Anchor to thank for it.

~~~

Chapter Twenty

~

A
nchor backed up as Chika began a flurry
of attacks with her staff. He grabbed the staff as it whizzed past him and pointed his blade at her stomach. That ended the session.

Laughter came from behind him as Tishiaki and Shiro started to clap their hands.

“Finally, I find someone else who can defeat you. I can’t do much better with a sword, although with a staff—” Shiro laughed as he stopped his sentence short.

“Enough. It’s time to get some sleep,” Anchor said, smiling, cutting off the pair’s exchange short. “Tomorrow comes quickly and we can’t dawdle our way across the Red Kingdom.”

Anchor already missed Gasso, but someone had to command South Keep with Colonel Hesting’s delayed arrival. His forces now consisted of half of the Red Roses, Shiro and Tishiaki plus Leef, the Learsean captain. Chika commanded the rest of the Red Rose along with the remaining soldiers that Leef left behind at South Keep as a guard for Prince Peeron. They had marched for five days to the southeast, across Happly and a sliver of the Red Kingdom. Tomorrow or the next, they’d be in Learsea. The heavy forests would protect them from any of Histron’s forces for the time being.

Shiro and Chika walked with Anchor to their tents. “I wish there was a quicker way to get to Learsea. We need to talk to the king now rather than in three or four weeks,” Anchor said.

“I can take you there, with Leef’s help, remember?” Shiro said. “If he will submit to the Sunstone, I can fix a place to teleport. I should have thought to do the same for Lotto, but he’s already headed to Beckondale with three of my Red Roses so he can transport to and from the Valetan capital. I’d be happy to take you.”

“All three of us?”

Shiro nodded. “You name the time. If I leave the Sunstone with one of my Red Roses, then I can focus on that and we can return to wherever the camp is.”

“We’ll go as soon as we cross over into Learsea. Now take some time off with Chika before she leaves for South Keep and on to Crackledown in the morning.”

Anchor nodded at the pair and walked off towards Leef’s tent. He couldn’t help but be a bit jealous of the open relationship. But then what kind of relationship did he really have with Sally?

~

The weather didn’t cooperate with Anchor. He rode with Shiro and Leef. Rain drenched the entire column and the road began to thicken up with mud. Still, Anchor breathed a little easier now that they had passed the border keeps between Learsea and the Red Kingdom. The bad weather made it easy to slip by the Red Kingdom pickets.

“No horses, if you don’t mind,” Shiro said, referring to their trip to the city of Learsea, the capital. “They take up too much energy here in Besseth.”

Anchor looked at Leef. “Are you ready? Remember, Shiro opens up to you and you to him when you connect with the Sunstone.”

“I don’t mind if he does,” Leef said. “There are worse things that can happen in war.”

“Indeed,” Shiro said. “We should dismount.”

A Red Rose woman, that Anchor had never met, rode up. “I’ll take care of the horses.”

Shiro put out his hand and let Leef put his over the stone.

Anchor had never seen anyone connect before. Leef closed his eyes and began to sway. Anchor stepped behind him.

“Enough,” Shiro said.

Leef’s eyes blinked and then he fell back against Anchor. They both fell into the mud.

“So much for being presentable to His Highness,” Anchor said as he helped a weakened Leef to his feet. “Let’s go now.”

Shiro put the Sunstone in a pouch and handed it to Tishiaki. Shiro took hold of the arms of Anchor and Leef and suddenly they were standing in sunshine.

Anchor breathed in tangy salt-laden air. The next thing he knew, Learsean guards surrounded them.

“Put those down. I’m Captain Leef!”

The soldiers all narrowed their eyes and slowly retracted their weapons.

“Why are you so muddy, Captain?” one of them said.

“I’ve just come from a rainstorm on the border between Learsea and the Red Kingdom. We seek an audience with the king.”

“What makes you so important all of a sudden?” another said, dressed better than the other soldiers.

“Watch your tongue, Weart. This is Captain Anchor. He is to command all of you louts as you fight Duke Histron!  Notify King Willom.”

Two of the men quickly jogged towards a large set of double doors.

Anchor took to the time to survey his surroundings. The sun told him it was midday. Seeing the sun after standing in that downpour seemed miracle enough. As Unca, he doubted that he ever had the power to transport a flea. He looked out parapets that blocked only some of his view of the Ayrtan Sea. Covered ballistae lined up along gaps in the crenellations. It dawned on him that he had been here before and could have saved Leef the trouble, but then he’d have to explain what had brought him all the way to Learsea’s capital city. He turned his face up towards the sun, closing his eyes. The warmth felt wonderful.

“Captain Leef, this way.”

“Time to meet your master,” Leef said as he clapped Anchor on the back, pulling him from the heat that bathed his face.

They walked up twelve steps to the wide portico that supported the ground floor of Willom’s castle. The decade since Anchor had walked these corridors seemed to fade away. He could detect no changes to the tapestries hanging on the walls, nor the polished lantern sconces that brought light to the inner reaches of the place. He noticed that his boots were squelching as he walked. Perhaps their condition might be to their advantage.

King Willom looked a bit on the frail side as he sat on his throne. Courtiers littered the Learsea court. Unlike his red-haired son, Willom had blond hair, now turning to white. He had always favored a full beard, but it now looked more trimmed. His body had softened somewhat and the king’s once-fat belly no longer hung over his jeweled belt.

“Leef, why have you disturbed my court? Who have you brought me and please tell me why you are here and my ne’er do well son isn’t.”

The Learsea captain went down on a knee and bowed as did Shiro and Anchor. When Anchor last appeared in this throne room as a subject of King Billeas, they both bowed from the waist. Not now.

“Prince Peeron has taken an advisory position with the alliance of Gensler, Valetan, Prola and Learsea in Crackledown. I have Captain Anchor and Commander Shiro of Roppon is my second in command.”

Willom’s face showed surprise. He rose slowly from his throne and walked the few steps to the floor of his court and shook Anchor’s hand with pleased expression. “I’m glad you’re here, but how?”

“Shiro is a wizard and has learned how to teleport. That is why Peeron is in Crackledown and I am in your court. Forgive our appearance, we left our forces in the midst of a downpour,” Anchor said.

Willom shook his head. “No matter. You are here and my son is out of the way, at last,” he said quietly. “Court is adjourned!” the King said loudly. “Come with me. My map room is behind the throne.”

Anchor’s map room in South Keep was behind the common room, but it might have been a throne room in another time. As he entered Willom’s map room, the maps on the walls were tapestries, painstakingly done. He could tell they were generally accurate. The windows were wider and very thick. He had noticed them on previous visits.

“Those are hefty glass panes, your majesty,” Anchor said.

“Have to be. Must have cost one of my predecessors a lot of coin. None of them have broken, but I would imagine they are nearly an inch thick. They’ve held back the weather and not a few arrows and ballista bolts in all of the time the windows have protected this room. Every other window that faces the sea has shutters; even my throne room has shutters, but not here. I feel like I can defy the sea itself from here.”

“Indeed.” Unca had never been invited into this room before.

“Now…  “ The king barked a laugh and sat down. “I still can’t get over your transporting here all the way from Gensler.”

Shiro shrugged. “We came from within your borders, Your Majesty. Only a few people at a time. It takes a powerful wizard to teleport.”

“Will you teach my mages? I’ve always heard Ropponi wizards are the most powerful in all Goriath.”

“I will do my best, King Willom.” Shiro gave the king a curt bow. Anchor wouldn’t let him teach them their secrets until he trusted Willom’s men.

“Now, tell me how we are going to defend ourselves?”

Anchor began from the attack on Happly. By the time he had finished with his final description of all of the alliance forces closing in on Foxhome, the windows only reflected the light from within the map room.

“Aren’t you men hungry? I could eat a whale.” He climbed down from his elevated chair that looked down at the map table. “I have a private dining room that will suit us just fine.”

~

How could King Willom have sired Prince Peeron? The king had a quick grasp of current events and of Anchor’s strategy. He lacked a certain amount of courage and Anchor could see him struggle with the dramatic moves Anchor intended to be made.

He took another sip of his wine. He’d never had this vintage before. The king said it came all the way from Dakkor. He noticed that the king only picked at his food despite his claim of hunger. Anchor felt dismayed at the king’s ill health. If Willom died and Peeron ascended to the Learsea throne, all of Besseth would fall into chaos through Peeron’s incompetent rule.

“Do you want to know what my son wanted to do?” The king’s tongue seemed to be a bit loose from the wine that he had with dinner. “He wanted to build a wall across the Red Plain. That’s what we call the gap between the mountains. Fifteen leagues. Would have taken years and I still don’t know where you’d find all of the stone.” King Willom shook his head. “He honestly scares me. I didn’t have a competent man to lead our ground forces. Peeron is not bad at naval strategy, but on land, he’s even worse than I am. Sometimes, I’d prefer to hole up in my castle, but that’s not good enough for the rest of Learsea, is it?”

Anchor shook his head. “An admirable position in the right circumstances, but these are not the right circumstances.”

“You speak like a courtier of some kind.” Willom narrowed his eyes. The alcohol made them droop. “Are you sure you’ve never been to Learsea? It seems I might have met you before.”

Anchor laughed. “I assure you that Captain Anchor has never set foot in Learsea until today.”

Shiro smiled at Anchor’s statement.

“Nor will Captain Anchor set foot on my lands again. I can’t have a Captain commanding all of my troops. I’ll think of a suitable title to bestow upon you tomorrow with my generals in attendance.”

“As you will, your Highness. We must begin to muster troops immediately from all parts of your kingdom. I can show you or your staff how I would do it, tomorrow morning, then I need to return to my forces. As we discussed, the Red Roses under Shiro’s direction will begin constructing the fortifications.”

“Where will you get the stone?”

Shiro sat up a bit straighter. “We will use compacted earth and timber. They won’t be as strong as stone, but then they can be dismantled or reinforced for permanency after the coming conflict.”

Willom gazed into his goblet as he rolled the wine around the inside. “Are you absolutely sure Histron is coming?”

“Emperor Daryaku pulls the strings, your majesty. He has been successful in Oringia, the Red Kingdom, Happly. He’s tried to do the same in a number of places, Valetan, Gensler, Learsea.” The king nodded in agreement. “Militarily, your kingdom is the easiest he has to access. I’m not at all certain all of the south Duchies aren’t under his control as well.”

“Not Bintz or Ashof,” the king said. “They are all but part of my kingdom. Trading pacts make it so. You may have a point with the southern dukedoms of Deshine, Venato and Teryon. My factors have reported a slackening of our trading volume with those three.”

“Then we won’t have to expend resources on dukedoms of Bintz or Ashof. Could we expect assistance with men and supplies?”

The king blinked and pursed his lips. “Let’s see how successful we are to the Northeast. If that goes well, that will give me the confidence to ask Duke Hovitz and Duke Selgrid to join us.”