“He maintains a military force of sufficient size and capability to defend New Ruatha from any of her neighboring territories but not large enough to pose a credible threat to those territories. He doesn’t want war and has carefully managed the affairs of the military to create a delicate balance of credible deterrent without overt threat. The forces he does have are well trained. Most are professional soldiers and many have served for their entire adult lives. He doesn’t use his military for maintaining order within the city and he expects his soldiers to obey the laws just as any other citizen. As a result, his soldiers are well respected and generally trusted by the people.
“He has a friendly relationship with the Wizards Guild and the Bards Guild. The wizards reject any governance but their own and for good reason. They enjoy the sanctuary of New Ruatha and in turn provide service to the people in the form of healing and other magical assistance to mitigate the effects of natural disasters or to prevent damage to property or livestock. Cery welcomes bards into his court and has a standing invitation for any traveling bard to seek shelter in the palace. They seldom take advantage of the offer because the main guild house is located in New Ruatha and they generally prefer to stay there. I’ve appointed a court bard to the palace who is responsible to the Regent and acts as my emissary to the council of nobles. In general, his duties are dull and typically revolve around providing entertainment at palace functions. His real duty is to stay informed about the matters of state and report back to me. The last report I received three months ago was as mundane as ever. Cery maintains a smooth order that seems to run itself in the background without much management required.”
Anatoly leaned in and gently interrupted Jack when he paused. “Are there any agents of the Reishi Protectorate in the city?”
“Yes, some of them are known to me while others are most likely not. The Reishi Protectorate is almost as capable of infiltrating an organization as my bards are. They have agents in a variety of places including the court, the military, various businesses around town, and most likely the Wizards and Bards Guilds. I know of two bards who are agents of the Reishi; however, I don’t believe they’re aware that I know of their true allegiance.”
Abigail looked alarmed. “Why would you let them remain in the Bards Guild if they’re loyal to the Reishi?”
Jack grinned with mischief. “Because they don’t know that I know where their true loyalties lie. That makes them valuable assets. I can use them to provide information to the Reishi that the Reishi will believe is accurate. I suspect they’ll become very valuable conduits of disinformation at some point in the near future. They’re not a concern to me because, knowing their true allegiance, I can defend against any threat they may pose. I’m far more concerned that the two infiltrators I’m aware of are not the only ones within my organization. At the moment, the only one I trust absolutely is Owen. Which reminds me, I sent him to ride with Erik as far as New Ruatha. I wanted him to return to the guild house and begin the process of reestablishing my authority. I’ve been gone for several years and I suspect the housemaster has become too comfortable in his role as the acting leader of the Ruathan Bards Guild. Owen will remind him of his place and prepare the guild for my return as well as gather information about the current state of political affairs within New Ruatha.
“More importantly, Owen will begin to sow the seeds for the return of the Ruathan King. He will tell your story and build up awareness within the populace that will lend credibility to your claim to the throne, create anticipation of your arrival and define you in a way that will make your enemies at court fear you.”
Alexander frowned, as did Anatoly. “Are you sure it’s wise to alert the world and in particular the Reishi that Alexander will be coming to New Ruatha?” Anatoly was respectful to the bard with his question but also clearly concerned.
Jack nodded and turned to Alexander to explain. “The advantages outweigh the risks, I assure you. You must have the support of the people in order to gain the support of the Regent. If you suddenly appear at court without forewarning and without the knowledge of the people, it would be very easy for an agent of the Reishi or one of the petty nobles to make a move against you. With forewarning, the court will be forced to receive you and give you an opportunity to make your claim to the throne. The Regent will be bound by his own law to protect you while you’re a guest at his court. In addition, the mystery and legend surrounding you will be enough to stay the hand of many would-be enemies. Finally, the Guild Mage will have an opportunity to make preparations for your arrival as well. His influence in New Ruatha is significant and his claim of loyalty to you will go a very long way toward establishing your credibility with the nobles and the people in general. As far as the risk goes, the Reishi know that you must go to New Ruatha to claim the throne. They’ll be waiting for you there no matter how or when you come to the city.”
“Isn’t it likely that Phane’s agents have already made a deal with the Regent?” Alexander asked.
He was starting to feel on uneasy ground again, much like he had when he arrived at Glen Morillian. He was so unfamiliar with the inner workings and machinations of politics that he didn’t really know what to believe except that Phane would probably be one step ahead of him.
“Phane has likely made contact with the Regent, but I doubt his emissary received anything more than a courtesy hearing,” Jack said. “The Regent has been charged with protecting the throne since the time the Ruathan line fell. It’s his most sacred duty and the basis for his claim to power and for the existence of the Regency in the first place. To go against that would undermine the foundation of governance for New Ruatha. Whatever else Cery is, he believes in stability and order. He wouldn’t take an action that would undo that, and even if he would, the petty nobles of New Ruatha wouldn’t support it. The Reishi are reviled in New Ruatha for their part in corrupting the Ruathan line during the Reishi War. The last Ruathan King sided with the Reishi out of fear and weakness, even when it was clear that the Reishi had lost all sense of morality or propriety. The House of Ruatha committed atrocities on the people and was cast down for it by Mage Cedric and his wizards. He spread the story far and wide that the Ruathan King had been corrupted by the Reishi and that one day a new king would arrive to redeem Ruatha and bring her back to her former glory. That story is still well known within New Ruatha even if it’s seldom told elsewhere.
“You’ll have some challenges establishing authority within New Ruatha but they’ll be relatively easy to overcome. The real challenge will be in gaining the recognition, support, and loyalty of the rulers of the other territories. I suspect a few will be swayed by the mark on your neck but others will openly reject your claim.”
Isabel drew a medallion from under her shirt and held it up to the firelight. “My father gave me this so that I may speak in his name at the Ruathan Council. You have the support of Glen Morillian already. We hold sway with both Northport and Southport because of our role in patrolling and maintaining the road through the forest. If need be, we can use the economic leverage of access to the road to force their allegiance.”
“I’d much prefer to have their support without having to force it, but it’s nice to know I have the option if I need it,” Alexander said. “Hopefully they’ll see the necessity of presenting a united front against Phane. That makes four territories, including New Ruatha. Jack, do you have any sense of the how the other territories are likely to react to my arrival?”
“Headwater will oppose you without question. Elred Rake, the Master of Headwater, is a ruffian and a thug who rules with fear and violence. His position on the Ruatha River and his control of the main road running east and west give him significant power over the economic fortunes of both Warrenton and Buckwold, so they’re likely to support him. Highlands Reach is closely connected to Southport and will probably align with you.”
Anatoly nodded. “I know the Governor of Highlands Reach, as does your father. He’s a good man who believes in the Old Law. I suspect he’ll support you without much resistance.”
Jack continued, “As for Kai’Gorn, it’s hard to say. They’re so far to the south that they have more extensive trading ties with the Isle of Andalia than with most of Ruatha. I know little of their ruler except that he’s said to be very independent-minded, preferring to keep his little part of the world held apart from the rest of Ruatha, especially after losing so much land during the border wars.”
Anatoly agreed, “I wouldn’t expect much from Kai’Gorn. They’ve withdrawn into themselves and severed many of the trading ties they used to have with Southport and Highlands Reach. The border wars cost them a great deal and they’re still bitter about it. At this point, they have a substantial merchant fleet they use to trade with the northern cities of Andalia. I understand they still send an emissary to the Ruathan Council but he offers little input.”
“It sounds like Headwater is going to be the main problem. If we can persuade Rake to support us, will Warrenton and Buckwold follow?” Alexander asked.
“I believe so but I doubt you have anything Rake wants more than he wants his autonomy. He’s a petty tyrant who lives for power. You represent a limit to his authority. I suspect he’ll side with Phane if he hasn’t done so already,” Jack offered.
“What kind of forces can he muster?” Abigail asked.
“Significant,” Jack said. “He has a fairly large standing army that he uses to keep his petty nobles and his people in line. They’re violent and lack uniform training but they fear Rake and will follow his orders no matter the cost or the risk. Rake is widely feared and justifiably so. He has a well-deserved reputation for ruthlessness.”
“If Rake were eliminated would his army fall in line?” Alexander felt sort of odd asking such a brutal question with such calm nonchalance. He’d never considered killing another man in cold blood before, especially not for the sole purpose of political gain. The consequences of leadership in war were starting to sink in, and he didn’t like how the demands of the situation made him so easily blur the line of morality. But when he weighed it against the alternative, the choice became clearer. He couldn’t allow Rake to stand in the way of a unified Ruatha, especially if Rake was likely to side with Phane anyway.
“Warrenton and Buckwold are partners of necessity with Headwater,” Jack said. “They need the road and the river to move their trade. They’ll go where Headwater goes regardless of who’s running the city.”
Alexander nodded in thought. “Can you get us into New Ruatha and into the court quietly?”
“Sure. I know a number of routes into the city that are well concealed. We can show up in the palace as if we appeared by magic, if you like.” Jack smiled with mischief again.
“That’s exactly what I’d like,” Alexander said. “I want the Regent to know that I’m coming but not when I’m due to arrive, only to have me suddenly be there right in front of him. I’d also like to keep everyone in New Ruatha off guard as much as possible for the duration of our stay.”
Chapter 39
They were up and on their way just after dawn. Alexander was again feeling the urgency to get to New Ruatha and then to Blackstone Keep. He had so much to do and couldn’t help worrying that time was running out. Phane was in Karth and had clearly taken command of the Reishi Army Regency. He appeared to be intent on taking command of the entire Isle of Karth. Once he had that secure, he would be able to consolidate his forces and have a good-sized army of battle-tested soldiers at his disposal. Alexander didn’t know what Phane’s next target would be, but he did know that eventually Phane would come to Ruatha and he wanted to be as ready as possible when that day came.
They moved more quickly than they had for the past few days. The encounter with the gorledons, coupled with Alexander’s sense of urgency, made for a fast pace through the forest. It was midmorning when Isabel guided them up a rise and stopped to look out over the little valley below. She smiled broadly and motioned for Alexander to hurry.
He was speechless at the sight. The entire valley was filled with an ocean of trees covered with soft pink blossoms. After the greens and browns of the forest they’d been traveling through, it was a surprising sight. But more than that, it was breathtakingly beautiful. Alexander could only stare into the ocean of vibrant fluffy pink trees stretching out into the distance.
“It’s called the Pink Forest. It blooms in late winter or early spring and then only for about three weeks. We just happen to be here at the right time.” Isabel took in a deep breath and released it with a wistful sigh. “I remember this place from my childhood. I figured we might get lucky, so I took us this way.”
Everyone else was standing in a row along the top of the bluff looking out over the pristine little valley. Alexander didn’t say a word but instead simply took Isabel’s hand and marveled at the stunning majesty of so many trees in full bloom.
They slowed their pace under the low canopy of the Pink Forest. The light that filtered through was shaded pink and the ground was littered with a spotty, almost polka-dotted covering of pink petals. Alexander didn’t even really like pink as far as colors went but he couldn’t help feeling his mood lift as he walked, hand in hand with Isabel, through the stand of trees in bloom. They came to a little hillock that jutted up forty feet out of the middle of the ocean of pink, like a lone island in a sea of color, and made their way to the top to stop for lunch. It was sheer rock on three sides with a steep little grassy patch on the fourth side that made for an easy path to the top. It stood just a few feet higher than the tops of the trees all around them.