Gambit of the Glass Crowns: Vol. I of epic fantasy The Sundered Kingdoms Trilogy (26 page)

“You are also either very brave or very wicked to brandish a weapon in my presence.”

Kendric glanced down at the daggers sheathed on the scabbards crafted especially for concealment on either wrist which were uncovered now that his cloak was drawn back. “Forgive me, my lord. I meant no offense, nor do I mean you harm. You are a wise man and have served on the Senate far longer than I. Certainly you as well have noticed the foul stench of treachery in the air which renders such weaponry necessary for one’s own protection.”

“Yes, I have, lad,” Vaughn said, leaning back in his chair and wrapping his long fingers around the top of the walking staff.

“I am hardly a lad.” Kendric strained the corner of his mouth at the man’s assertion, and the tone of condescension which accompanied the statement.

“I am over four decades older than you.” Vaughn laughed. “To one as old as I, most men are still lads. I did not mean to offend.”

Kendric’s face betrayed the surprise he felt by the respectfulness which graced Vaughn’s voice. As he said, he had passed his sixtieth year, far older than most. He was also one of the most respected men in both Annwyd and among Cærwynian nobility: an acquaintance of High King Alric Gwalchgwyn II himself. And yet, Vaughn of the great House Garanth still retained humbleness to speak to him with such courtesy.

“Tell me, how do you fare?”

Senator Garanth made his best efforts at casual conversation. While in Senate meetings, he retained a solemn air of utmost tedium, but it seemed the old man truly wished to befriend him for a tenuous alliance, if nothing more.

“As well as can be expected.”

“And your wife, the Lady Meredith? Have you yet been blessed with sons?”

“I fear not, Senator Garanth.”

“Vaughn, please.”

Kendric nodded.

“Then your province fares well as a whole?”

“We would fare far better had this season’s rain been plentiful. I worry that our stores will not last the winter. After export‌—” Kendric stopped.

“You may speak freely. You need not have fear of retribution.”

Despite his better notions, he continued. “After exporting the expected crops by the king’s decree, I fear for not only the people of my province, but of the entirety of Annwyd. What use is an overflowing coffer if the people of Annwyd have died of famine?”

“You are far more compassionate than your years would lead me to believe. You do so remind me of my son.” Vaughn sank back onto the chair a bit further, a wistful gaze coming across his face. “It is truly a great leader who cares first for his people’s wellbeing than filling his own pockets.”

“I thank you, but I am at a loss as to what answer lies ahead for Annwyd’s problems.”

“That is why I have asked you here.” Vaughn clasped his fingers together as he thought, appearing to choose his words as carefully as he could. “Our power as Senate wanes with every passing day as Madoc ages toward his fourteenth year.”

“And yet his father seems blind.”

“Yes, but I have found that we may have a most powerful weapon at our disposal that has only recently revealed itself.”

“A weapon?” Kendric leaned forward.

“Do you know of the servant girl, Ellen?”

Kendric shook his head. He could not remember the names of servants in his own household, let alone another’s.

“She is a servant in Braith’s house. She is with child‌—‌the king’s child.”

Kendric’s eyes grew wide. “How do you know this?”

Vaughn smiled, trying not to betray his good intention with laughter. “You will soon learn it prudent to have those you can trust‌—‌as much as you can trust anyone‌—‌in all reaches of the kingdom. One of my spies rests his head on a pillow in the king’s own guardhouse. He overheard the news from the girl herself.”

“And you are certain she speaks truly?”

“The girl spoke of the pain she felt. She was a virgin before Braith took her to bed. He is the only man that could be the father.”

“A royal bastard is hardly a weapon.” Kendric crossed his arms. “A bastard holds no title. He will not even bear his father’s name.”

“Were the child a boy, bastard or no, he would be the son of the king. Annwyd would be forced to recognize him when he came of age, and he could claim the throne were he to challenge Madoc or‌—”

“‌—‌if the young prince Madoc were to die beforehand,” Kendric finished Vaughn’s sentence.

Vaughn leaned back in his chair, taking another deep breath and clasping his hands together.

Kendric broke the silence. “Then what shall we do?”

“Word will soon reach Madoc, so we must act quickly and smuggle Ellen from the castle.”

“Whereto?”

“Madoc will not rest once he hears of this. Ellen, nor her child, will be safe in Annwyd.”

“But if not in Annwyd?”

“Do you not have, shall we say, a connection to Gweliwch?”

Kendric’s eyes narrowed. “Of what connection do you speak?”

“He hales from Gweliwch, does he not?”

He saw no reason to deny it now. Vaughn already made him aware of his spies, so it should come as no surprise to him the old man knew of Caden.

“He is a soldier, a general, under Rodric’s command.”

“And he is trustworthy?”

Forgetting himself, Kendric scoffed, “Of course.”

“When you return to your province, steal away in the night and take the girl with you.”

“Forgive me, but I fail to see why I should fall on my sword while your hands remain clean for such a thing?”

Vaughn’s expression indicated he expected such a response, and he continued on, undaunted, “I fear Senator Boraste suspects I am up to something. Your young age is to your benefit. I depart for my province on the morrow. You can take your leave whenever you wish. Ellen must be taken to safety as soon as possible.”

Kendric ran his hand through his hair, scratching a nonexistent itch as he ruminated on what the old man said. “Would it not appear suspicious for Ellen to simply disappear from Castle Rotham?”

Vaughn shook his head. “Servants come and go all the time. It would surprise me more if they took note of her departure. That is, as long as the king and prince remain unbeknownst to her condition.”

“And if they do notice?”

Vaughn shook his head again, issuing a phlegm-filled cough. “Even so, it is of utmost importance that she be whisked away. This favorite of yours, the soldier, he can take her to Gweliwch, can he not?”

“Yes, I suppose. Do you believe she would be safe there?”

“There is great animosity growing within Gweliwch toward Annwyd and Cærwyn both.”

“I have heard.” Kendric sneered. “Rodric does not hide his disdain for Bronwen’s marriage to the high king.”

“Ellen will not be safe anywhere in all of Dweömer. If I could, I would have her sent to Ordanis, but it would not be possible in time. She can slip into the city that lies around the Gwelian citadel, unseen were she escorted by one of their own soldiers. From that point onward, Duke Gweliwch’s own paranoia will safeguard her without his knowledge. He would sooner castrate himself than let an Annwydian within his province, let alone his capital.”

“And then we shall deal with the prince?” Kendric smirked.

Vaughn held up his hand. “Let us discuss that when the time comes. At present, Ellen’s potential son should be of the utmost priority. For now, we need only watch the prince give himself more rope for his own gallows.”

“What do you mean?”

“He is young and impetuous. He will fall victim to his own machinations. While he believes he will be a good king, he lacks the practical ability to reign.”

“So both of our hands remain clean.”

“A most advantageous situation has presented itself to us, and I believe we should welcome it most graciously and with open arms.”

Kendric crossed his leg and slumped back in the chair, staring at the fire. Only the crackle of the logs and the snap of pine resin broke through the silence.

“Does something trouble you?”

“Your province is far to the north. Mine lies significantly closer to the castle, to the king’s soldiers.”

Vaughn stroked his beard. “Ah, yes, these old bones no longer handle the chill in the air. It was a brilliant strategical manœuvre, building my home on the icy northern shores. With the Sea of Glass to the east, my fortifications were two-fold. Now…” He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Senator Vaughn?”

“Hm? Yes…‌where was I?”

“My household lies far to the south of yours‌—”

“Very well, send your wife ahead of you to my province. Though, send her with as few escorts as you can manage. We do not want to have even the slightest hint as to what we plan.”