“Have you proof of this? And identify yourself, man,” Markov snapped. “I don’t recognise that uniform or your rank, and as commander of the army, I will not be ordered around by a foreigner.”
“I’m Lieutenant Dietrich,
sir
, and I am employed directly by His Grace. I owe you no allegiance.”
The two councillors beside Paole gasped and Yveni smirked. Paole knew why. The lieutenant did his master no favours.
“Well,
lieutenant
, whether you do or you don’t, all the soldiers in the duchy answer to me. If you won’t produce your orders, I feel no necessity to discuss them. However, since His Grace the regent wants His Grace the vicont held in custody, I can’t imagine how the vicont could be
more
in custody than he is right now.” Markov swept his hand back to indicate the body of soldiers. “I’m bringing the vicont safely to his home, which is surely His Grace the regent’s only wish. You need not concern yourself.”
“The regent has ordered—”
“Lieutenant, get out of my way and clear the road, or I’ll do it for you. I have a thousand men, you have a mere hundred or so. Do I have to spell it out more clearly?”
The man clenched his fists, looked around at Yveni, the other officers, the dozen or so Sardelsans from Nukin, the Uemiriens and the huge mass of armed men behind them. “This isn’t over.”
“Yes it is. You have five minutes. Move!”
Markov stared implacably at the Karvin force in front of them. Yveni didn’t do or say anything. Paole felt helpless and just a little bit afraid. Would it work? Would it keep working?
With incredible relief, he saw the soldiers moving and the crude wooden barricades grudgingly shoved aside. Markov ordered some of his men to go forward and form a line between the Karvi and their people, before turning to Yveni and loudly saying, “Your Grace, my apologies for the brief interruption.”
“Carry on, Commander.”
Markov ordered his troops to march on. He and Yveni led the way on their borrowed horses, looking neither right nor left as they passed the Karvin soldiers. Paole and the Uemiriens followed their lead, though the two councillors and the Sardelsan supporters glanced nervously from side to side as they walked their horses through.
Once they were well clear and out of sight of the Karvi, Paole rode up alongside his lover. “Is that the end of it?”
“I doubt it. We might have to show our hand more decisively. Markov?”
“I agree, Your Grace. It’s very risky, with this far to go.”
“Then we go as far as we can before we do that. But at some point, Konsatin will have to be directly challenged. I think we need to take control of the communications as we discussed.”
Paole didn’t know what they were talking about, but it had to have something to do with the fact a number of their mounted soldiers peeled off and rode at speed ahead of them. “Where are they going?”
“Making sure Konsatin doesn’t win the propaganda war—or summon more troops,” Yveni said. “There are telephone exchanges which we need to take control of.” He smiled sweetly at Paole. “Not sorry you came, I hope.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Your Grace.”
Yveni grinned. “Commander, can we pick up the pace just a little?”
A hundred and fifty of the soldiers had been given horses to ride. The hundred remaining rode ahead with Yveni and the civilians, while the foot soldiers marched at their best pace. The aim was to reach a town called Teinemel in time for the soldiers to make a bivouac, but a kilometre from the town limits, their path was once again blocked—this time by civilians.
Yveni and Markov rode forward, with ten soldiers as guard. Paole could only watch, and wonder what the problem was this time.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace, but the regent has sent orders to forbid you entry to the town and deny you hospitality.”
Yveni felt quite sorry for the sweaty-faced mayor. No town officer should be in this position.
“Were you given a reason?”
“He said you were an impostor.”
Markov moved forward. “Excuse me, Your Grace. Sasha! Good to see you!”
One of the men standing in the road waved back to him. The mayor turned to look. “You know him, Commander?”
“I should think so—he’s my brother-in-law. Sasha! Come up and meet His Grace the vicont.”
The man walked up, grinning at Markov. “Mila wrote only today. You have a new grandson, Markov, did you realise?”
“By the gods, safely arrived then? We should drink to that…only there’s a slight problem. Oh, forgive me, Your Grace. Sasha, His Grace, the Vicont Yveni. I assure you he’s the real thing. I saw him being born and spanked his little bottom more than once.”
Yveni turned to the man. “Now, now, Commander. I’ve grown up just a little since then.”
“Indeed you have, but I still managed to thrash you the other day.”
“At least my backside was safe.”
Sasha frowned. “I don’t understand. Why would the regent say he’s an impostor?”
Yveni turned to Markov, who replied, “Because I’m coming to arrest the Margrave Konsatin for conspiracy to murder the vicont and for treason. He’s doing all he can to prevent the lawful heir to the ducal throne returning to his home, and using you gentlemen as part of that plot.”
The mayor clasped his chest in horror. “T-treason?”
“Yes, indeed.”
“Your Honour,” Yveni said. “I fled the duchy two years ago because of a conspiracy to have me killed. The margrave was the instigator of that. I’ve only survived because of the help of Uemire and the stroke of luck that sent Commander Markov to that country. As vicont and heir, I ask for your help and your support.”
“The Karvin troops…there’ll be a battle in the town. Your Grace, we’re only small. Please, don’t wage war around us.”
“We won’t. All we ask is to pass through the town and speak to your people. Any of your citizens who want to join us can do so. Konsatin will summon his troops back to the castle. They won’t waste time in reprisals.”
Sasha plucked at the mayor’s arm. “We can’t stop them, and I for one will ride on. I always thought there was something fishy about what we were told.”
The mayor’s face contorted as he struggled to decide. Yveni gave him a little help. “Your Honour, why don’t you and your fellows ride back to town, and let your people know what’s happening. Ask those who are afraid to stay indoors. We’ll pass through without causing any difficulty.”
The man bowed. “Give us an hour or so, Your Grace.”
“Willingly. Thank you.”
The mayor ran back to his comrades. Sasha waved. “See you soon, Markov.”
Markov saluted his brother-in-law, then turned to Yveni. “Should we take a route to avoid the next two towns?”
“No. That leaves Konsatin’s lies unchallenged. We have to meet them head-on.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.”
“What’s going on?” Paole asked, straining to see Yveni farther down the road.
“No idea.” Gil said. “Oh, wait, they’re leaving.”
“So we won?”
“Not necessarily,” Sofia said. She suddenly galloped forward towards Yveni and Markov. Gil followed, and Paole, wondering what the hell was happening, went behind him. He found Sofia talking urgently to Markov, Yveni listening grimly. Paole only caught the end of the conversation.
“…force you into surrendering.”
“What’s happening?” Paole asked Gil.
“Sofia’s Seen that the Karvin troops have invaded that town. They’re planning to take citizens hostage to make me surrender to them.”
“They’ll ambush him as soon as he enters the town,” she confirmed.
“I don’t have a choice but to give myself up,” Yveni said.
“Don’t go in!” Paole shouted. “Are you mad?”
“Then they’ll kill the hostages,” Sofia said. “It’s already too late to stop them.”
“Are you sure?” Yveni asked. “What about Juen?”
“Let me ask him.”
She whipped her mount and raced back to the waiting group.
“Yveni, you
can’t
go in,” Paole insisted.
“Wait,” Markov said, rubbing his chin. “Your Grace, it’s risky…but this could be what you need to prove Konsatin’s perfidy.”
“Are you suggesting I let them take me prisoner?”
“And be rescued. But I can’t guarantee we could save you.”
“No!” Paole yelled at them. “You’re insane. What’s to stop them cutting his throat on the spot? Or killing the townsfolk anyway?”
“Nothing,” Gil said.
Yveni shook his head. “No, they won’t kill me. I’ll be their surety until they reach the castle. We outnumber them.”
Gil frowned at him. “I agree with Paole. It’s too damn risky.”
Sofia was on her way back, Juen hot on her heels. “He’s Seen same as me,” she said as she brought her horse to a halt near them.
“How many troops?” Markov asked. “And if His Grace is captured, what then?”
Sofia and Juen hurriedly consulted. “A hundred or so soldiers. We See soldiers left on guard in the town, but no one killed or hurt.”
“Do you See if communications have been controlled by our people between here and the castle?”
Another quick discussion. “We think so. It’s not clear.”
Markov grunted. “I can see how we can make this work, but I think it puts you at grave risk, Your Grace.”
“My life or the townsfolk’s? No choice.”
“Except if Konsatin wins, they’re in danger anyway,” Paole said. “Yveni, you can’t.”
“They don’t know we know. They think we’ll be taken by surprise, but we won’t be. Markov, if we had troops in position to surround the town, and our mind controllers ready to cause confusion as soon as the Karvi left…”
“Let me think on it, Your Grace.”
“Yveni, please? Don’t do this.”
Yveni pursed his lips. “Excuse me, Commander. Paole, come with me.”
He walked his horse off the road a way, and Paole followed. “I have to do this.” Yveni used his dark eyes to plead. “What kind of duc would I be if I sacrificed my own people for my safety?”
“A live one for a start. Markov said he can’t guarantee you’d be rescued. Sofia didn’t say if you would be either.”
“I know. You said yourself I have amazing luck.”
“Which could run out at any time,” Paole snapped. “You’re letting that bastard manipulate you.”
“No, I’m manipulating
him
. Think about it. When word gets out what his troops have done, Konsatin’s finished. We have two reporters from Nukin with us, remember?”
“Are they planning to stand between you and the Karvi guns?”
“I doubt it.”
“And what if Konsatin orders you shot out of hand?”
“They won’t do that in the town. Yes, I could be killed. You knew that before we left.”
“I didn’t know you planned to throw yourself at your enemy like this!”
“Neither did I. Paole, I love you dearly, but this isn’t up for discussion. This is my job, like it or not. You can’t tell me how to govern, and this kind of decision is for me and Markov. Not you.”
Yveni stared steadily at him, leaving no room for argument, and clearly not prepared to move at all on this.
Paole clenched his jaw, angry and worried. “So this is how it will be, if I stay with you?”
“I hope I wouldn’t give you so much cause to worry, but yes. My job, my decisions. I will be duc, not you.” He bowed his head. “Forgive me.”
“If you die…”
“You won’t be alone.” Yveni looked up. “You’ll never be alone again, whatever happens to me.”
“You’re not
allowed
to die.”
“Then that’s settled. I have to go back.”
“I know.”
Yveni patted his hand and, turning his horse around, rode back to the others. Paole couldn’t make himself move yet, but he would. He had to, for Yveni’s sake.