Rage of a Demon King (61 page)

Erik and Manfred exchanged startled looks, but Miranda was already mounting the stairs to the top of the keep. Calis said, “I’ll be back, my lord, Captain,” and hurried after her.

They reached the top of the old keep, a relatively small area of the large citadel. Two lookout positions were manned, directing fire from two large catapults
located on a roof segment a dozen feet below. Miranda looked to the east and began a soft, almost inaudible, chant. Then she opened her eyes wide and Calis was surprised to see they had changed. Deep amber with vertical slits, they now resembled a bird of prey’s. She surveyed the horizon and after a moment, she closed her eyes and rubbed them, and when she opened them they were normal again. She said, “The Armies of the East are moving in stately fashion towards the city. I would wager they might get here by sundown. More likely, tomorrow at dawn.”

Calis swore. “If we survive all this, remind me to have some sharp words with the King about the sense of alacrity of some of his Eastern nobles.” He leaned over the edge of the wall and looked down as the fighting continued unabated. Men died as they attempted to fill the moat, others as they attempted to prevent them.

“This is all so pointless!”

Miranda put her arms around his waist and said, “You can’t save them all.”

Calis turned to take her in his arms. “I’ve missed you so very much.”

Miranda said, “You know that I’m going with Pug.”

“Yes, I know.”

“He’s my other half. I’ve hidden much of my life from you, and someday, when there’s time, I’ll tell you the truth of who I am and why I’ve lied to protect my secrets, but what I say to you now is the truth: I love you, Calis. You are one of the best men I have known in a very long life.”

Calis looked at her, studying her features as if trying to memorize them. “But you love Pug more.”

She nodded. “I don’t know if ‘more’ is the way I’d say it. He’s what I need. I am what he needs, though he hasn’t discovered that yet; he’s still got too much pain locked away.”

Calis nodded and held her so her face was against his chest. “William,” he said softly.

“And Gamina. She and James stayed in Krondor.”

Calis closed his eyes. “I didn’t know.” He sighed.

“It will take a while, but he’ll heal,” she said. Then she stepped back and said, “And so will you.”

Calis smiled. “I’m fine.”

“No you’re not.” She poked him in the chest with a finger and said, “You must make me a promise.”

“What?”

“When we get done with this war, you must go home to see your mother.”

Calis laughed. “Why?”

“Just do it. Promise.”

He shrugged. “Very well. I’ll go home with my father and I’ll visit my mother. Anything else?”

“Yes,” she said, “but I’ll tell you later. We need to tell the Prince that help isn’t just outside the eastern wall.”

They returned to the conference room and found everyone huddled around a table. The sound of fighting outside was a constant, if low rumble. Miranda told Patrick what she had seen, and the Prince said, “Well, we must wait, then, for Pug to solve this mess.”

An hour later, Pug, Nakor, and a half dozen men in robes appeared in the hall outside the room. Nakor ran in and said, “You’ve got to watch this!”

Prince Patrick and the others hurried to where Pug and the other men in robes stood, and one of them said, “I protest!”

“Protest all you want, Chalmes,” said Nakor. “You’re the best weather witch on Midkemia, even if you are a pain in the backside. Now do it!”

Chalmes pointed his finger at Nakor. “You will stick by our bargain?”

“Yes,” said Nakor, “of course. But we must stop this war first.”

“Very well.” The most senior magician from Stardock turned to the other five who had accompanied him and said, “Once this has begun, I will grow faint, if I falter, you will have to continue for me until I recover.” He turned to Nakor and said I need a table.”

“This way,” said Nakor.

Chalmes took in his surroundings as he followed the others back into the conference room. As he passed through the door he said, “Excuse me?”

The Prince of Krondor said, “Yes?”

“Could you fetch me a burning taper?”

Patrick’s eyebrows rose, and Manfred said, “I’ll see to it.”

Chalmes opened a bag he was holding. He took out a candle and some other items, and said, “May I have the taper.” A servant produced it and Chalmes lit the candle. He drew around it with a waxy stick, then set it down. Closing his eyes, he began to chant.

After a moment, a cool breeze blew through the window. Nakor grinned. “It’s working.”

Miranda went to stand next to Pug and put her arm around his waist. “Why couldn’t you do this?”

Pug said, “I could have done a hurricane, but that’s pretty indiscriminate. I never studied much weather magic. You?”

Miranda shrugged. “Me either.” She laid her head on his shoulder and watched.

Chalmes concentrated, and those in the room with magic training could feel the energies growing as the very air became electric.

And colder.

By the minute the air cooled, and from outside the sounds of battle were punctuated by shouts of alarm. The room grew colder and colder. Finally Manfred ordered cloaks brought for those with him.

Then the snow began to fall.

Shouts of confusion issued on both sides of the moat. Erik said, “Pass the word to our own men that we’re doing this, Highness.”

Prince Patrick nodded, ordering a servant to pass the word that the unusual weather was part of the defense of the castle. Manfred hurried to the window and said, “Look!”

They stood on the large balcony, overlooking the outer bailey and the wall over the moat. A few of the enemy ran across slippery rooftops opposite the keep. Erik saw one man turn, draw his bow, and fire. As Erik started to shout, “Down!” the arrow struck.

Erik’s eyes widened in shock as he saw Manfred struck in the neck. Pug unleashed a bolt of energy, and the bowman fell from the roof. Others urged the Prince away from the balcony until the area outside was cleared of other archers.

Erik caught Manfred as he slid down the inside of the balcony wall. Erik didn’t have to examine his half brother to know he was dead. Holding Manfred, Erik quietly said, “Damn.”

Within an hour it was clear that the attacking army was withdrawing in confusion. The defenders
on the walls of the citadel, having heard the weather was the Prince’s plan, cheered.

Chalmes began to go weak at the knees, and Pug helped him to a chair, while another magician took over the continued manipulation of the weather. Prince Patrick turned to Pug as a servant rushed forward with some spiced wine for the weakened Chalmes, and asked, “How big an area does this storm cover?”

“About five miles in every direction, but we can enlarge it if you’d like.”

Patrick shook his head in wonder. “How long can you make it last?”

Pug smiled. “That depends on how many magicians I need to drag up here from Stardock.”

Patrick ran a hand over his face. Fatigue had left dark circles under his eyes. “Cousin Pug,” he said, “pardon the observation, but . . . are you younger than I remember?”

Pug smiled. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you tonight.”

For another hour snow fell in continuing flurries, until it was knee-deep in drifts along the walls of the city. The sky was completely grey and birds sat in confusion on the walls of the citadel, undecided if they should be heading south.

Then a band of men came trudging down the boulevard, and Erik looked out to see they were led by Owen Greylock, with Tomas at his side. Owen shouted up, “Will you lower the drawbridge! It’s damned cold out here!”

Erik laughed in relief, leaned over the balcony, and shouted, “Lower the drawbridge!”

Erik shivered.

Darkmoor lay under a blanket of snow, though it was beginning to melt as summer reasserted itself.

Erik turned his back to the wall, watching the city begin to come back to life, as the soldiers of the Armies of the East cleared the streets of any stragglers from the invading host who had tried to hole up in the burned-out buildings.

The eastern gates had been opened at dawn by Erik and a patrol, who had easily reached them. The few elements of the invaders’ army that were still in the city gave them wide berth. They were too tired, cold, hungry, and dispirited to offer much opposition after the sudden snowfall.

Erik turned to watch as new units of the King’s army marched slowly into the city. His own men were checking in, slowly, as Patrick dispatched newly arrived soldiers up and down Nightmare
Ridge, and Erik expected Jadow, Harper, and the other surviving sergeants to be in Darkmoor soon. Word had arrived that the dwarves and elves were also returning home.

A familiar voice said, “Von Darkmoor!”

Erik saw Jadow Shati standing below, waving. “How did we do?”

“Well enough, until this damnable snow arrived. I nearly froze my backside off!”

Erik hurried down the flight of steps next to the gatehouse and gripped his old friend’s hand. Wanting to get the bad news over first, he said, “How many?”

“Too many,” said Jadow. “I won’t have exact numbers for a few days, but too damn many.” He turned and watched as cavalry from Salador entered, banners flapping in the morning air. “We lost Harper two nights ago.”

“Damn,” said Erik.

Jadow said, “We’re running short of sergeants, Erik.”

“Well, we’ll just have to make sure you stay alive.”

“What are we to do next?”

“The Prince will tell us.”

Jadow said, “Will we rest?”

“I think Patrick intends to let the Eastern Army drive the invaders down the hill a bit. So, until you hear otherwise, find a billet near the palace and get the men some food and blankets.”

“Yes, sir,” said Jadow. “They’ll like that.”

Erik said, “Send word to the citadel where you are when you’re situated. I’ve got some things to do.”

“Sir!” said Jadow, and he turned and hurried off.

Erik returned his attention to the eastern gate, and after a few minutes of watching the procession of
brightly colored uniforms, clean horses, and unbloodied weapons, he turned and started walking back toward the citadel.

Slowly the city began to revive. Three days after the last of the invaders were reported to be safely on the far side of Ravensburg, Erik heard a familiar sweet voice from the courtyard.

“Erik!”

He spun, and in the wagon pulling into the castle, Kitty sat behind Roo and his wife, next to their children and the Jacoby family.

Erik almost knocked over a squire as he raced down the steps to the courtyard, and was almost knocked over in turn as his wife flew into his arms. He kissed her and held her. Then he pushed her back to arm’s length and said, “What are you doing here?”

He looked at Roo. “You were supposed to have everyone safely down at Malac’s Cross.”

“Well, we almost got there,” said Roo. He jumped down and said, “Then we ran into this army and, given the situation, I judged it pretty safe tagging along behind them.”

“Where’s Luis? Nathan, my mother?”

“They’re on their way,” said Roo. “I sent them down to Malac’s Cross with a list while I stayed close to the army. They should get here tomorrow.”

“A list of what?”

“Things to bring to Darkmoor,” said Roo. He motioned for Karli and the others to get out. He tapped Erik on the chest as Kitty kissed his cheek. “You and I have suffered a great deal of financial loss, my friend.”

Erik laughed and kissed Kitty again. Then he
said, “That money I lent you—I never expected to see it again.”

“Well, be that as it may,” said Roo, “you’re a partner.” He threw his arm around Karli’s waist, and Helen Jacoby came to stand next to them. “We’re all partners.”

“In what?” asked Erik.

“Avery, Jacoby, and von Darkmoor! Milo and Nathan are loading up in Malac’s Cross with things that will be needed here, and I expect that shortly we’ll have a brisk trade set up.”

Erik laughed. “Roo, you’ll never change.”

Karli said, “He’s changed.” She blushed. “We’re going to have another baby.”

Erik laughed. “Well, go inside and I’ll see what I can do about getting us something to eat.”

They headed for the keep, and Erik looked at Kitty. “You have no idea how wonderful you look.”

She said, “No, but I know how wonderful you look.” Erik said, “Let’s eat, then I’ll show you where I’m staying.” He put his arm around her and they slowly walked to the keep, just enjoying the nearness of each other.

Erik entered the room and Patrick said, “Captain! Is your family settled in?” Everyone in the room laughed. Erik saw Owen, Calis, Arutha, and the other surviving nobles of the Western Realm in the conference room, and saw Pug and Miranda standing in an anteroom beyond.

Erik blushed. “Yes, sir.” He had introduced Kitty to the Prince the night before. It had taken a messenger pounding on Erik’s door with a summons from the Prince to get Erik out of Kitty’s arms this morning.
Nathan, Milo, Rosalyn, and the others had arrived, and had found their way to the keep. Roo was off bartering and making deals, so the Prince had sent for Erik to find quarters for his family.

Patrick said, “I’ve got enough governance and military matters before me to confound two Kings and a dozen Dukes, Erik, but I wanted to take care of one issue before things dragged out much longer.”

The door opened and Erik tensed as he saw a soldier escorting Mathilda into the chamber. The old Dowager Baroness bowed before the Prince, but when her eyes met Erik’s, they burned with hatred.

“Milady,” said Patrick. “I wanted you here so I could put a certain matter to rest.”

“Highness?” asked Mathilda.

“It’s fairly common knowledge you harbor Erik von Darkmoor some ill will—”

Mathilda interrupted, “Don’t use that name! He doesn’t deserve to be called von Darkmoor!”

“Madam!” said Patrick, slamming his hand on the table. “You forget yourself! I forgive much because of your pain, but speak cautiously!”

The old woman almost bit her tongue to keep from speaking, but she bowed her head slightly. Patrick’s tone was ice. “Your late husband pointedly refused to deny Erik that name! More, he has earned it! You will put aside any ill will you have against Captain von Darkmoor. He is my man and serves me. If any harm comes to him that I can trace back to your offices, madam, your rank or family connections will do nothing to spare you my wrath. Is that clear?”

“Yes,” she said in tones as cold as the Prince’s. Then she looked at Erik and with barely controlled
rage she said, “Well, bastard, there is nothing to stop you now, is there? With Manfred dead and you the only one of Otto’s bastards to wear his name, your friend here can name you Baron now.”

“Madam! How dare you!” Patrick motioned for a guard to take Mathilda away.

“Your Highness,” said Erik. “Please forgive me, but let her stay. There’s something I need to say to her.”

Patrick didn’t look pleased, but he said, “What?”

Erik looked at Mathilda. “Madam, you have hated me without knowing me for my entire life. I can only blame my father’s weakness for other women as the cause, though knowing you as briefly as I have, I can now understand it.” She bristled at this. “Perhaps if you had been loving, kind, and gentle, he might still have strayed and there is no fault in you.

“It doesn’t matter. My father is dead and so are your sons. But I will not be the next Baron of Darkmoor.” Erik looked directly at the old woman and locked gazes with her. “You have a grandson.”

Mathilda said, “What? What nonsense is this?”

Erik said, “No nonsense. He’s Stefan’s son.”

Mathilda’s hand came to her mouth and moisture gathered in her eyes as she asked, “Where is he?”

“Here, in the castle.”

“Who is his mother? I want to see him!”

Erik motioned for a guard and said, “Go to the inn across the bridge and find Milo, the innkeeper from Ravensburg, and his daughter, Rosalyn. Bring them and the baby here.”

Patrick said, “Somewhere else, Captain, if you don’t mind.”

Erik said, “Bring them to the great hall.”

Patrick said, “Madam, please wait for them there. I’ll send Erik along in a minute.”

After Mathilda had departed, Patrick, Prince of Krondor, said, “Captain?”

Erik said, “Highness?”

“Out there,” said Patrick, “just a few miles beyond the walls of this city, is the new western boundary of the Kingdom of the Isles. I’m the Prince of Krondor, and Krondor no longer exists!

“While all of us here are aware of the terrible destruction we avoided, this war is far from over. I have a commission for you, should you be willing to accept.”

“Sir?”

“Retake the Western Realm. Get me back my Principality!”

Erik looked at Calis, who shook his head. “I’m going home,” he said softly. He glanced across the room, through the door, to where Pug and Miranda stood watching from the balcony. “I made a promise.”

Owen said, “You are the new Eagle of Krondor, Erik.”

As Erik stood still in amazement, Patrick said, “That is, as soon as you recapture my city.” Bitterly he said, “Or what’s left of it, so we can begin rebuilding.

“That’s the first order. We winter here, rest and refit, and then we move to Krondor in the spring. We drive out what’s left of this invading army, and rebuild. After that, we take it a day at a time.”

Erik knew the task before him was tremendous. Owen said, “But you and your wife can have a quiet winter together before we start.”

Erik stood silently for a moment, then said, “Highness.”

Whatever momentary satisfaction at the acknowledgment that Erik was now in charge of Calis’s Special Command was quickly lost as the Prince continued. “Arutha,” he said, and Lord Vencar stepped forward from the corner where he had been standing. “I need a new Duke of Krondor, and you’re it. Father will ratify the choice as soon as I send word. You and those sons of yours are going to be very important to me. Oh, by the way, James and Dashel are now Barons of the Court.”

Arutha bowed. “Highness.” It was obvious that holding the office held by his father was a source of honor to Arutha. Erik noticed the strain in Arutha’s features and realized the pain he felt because of his parents’ and uncle’s death. Then he grinned and Erik caught a fleeting glimpse of Arutha’s father as he said, “I think the boys will find their new titles amusing.”

Patrick smiled at Arutha. “No doubt.” He turned his attention back to the list before him. “Greylock, you’re the new Knight-Marshal of Krondor, until I find someone better.”

“Won’t be hard, Highness, so please don’t dawdle too long,” said Owen.

Patrick leaned forward and softly said, “Well, you better hope it is, because if I do, you and I are going to have words over your yanking me about the way you did. I don’t take kindly to being manhandled, even if you were right.”

“Understood, Highness,” said Owen gravely.

Patrick said, “We’ve got to find out if we have any navy left, before spring. Erik, I want you to send
some of your black shirts to Sarth and have them snoop around. See if any of our ships survived.”

Calis said, “If we do find any of them, Highness, where do we tell them to go? Ylith?”

Patrick looked at a map. “No, I’m going to want to open trade with the Far Coast and the Sunsets as quickly as possible. Tell them to make for that harbor Lord Vykor created down in Shandon Bay. It was supposed to be a temporary anchorage, but we’ll have to turn it into a permanent one.” Patrick had been told that Krondor’s harbor was now impassable and would remain so for at least a year. “In fact, that’s what we’ll name it. Port Vykor.”

The appointment and redistribution of the newly reemerging Western Realm continued.

Outside the chamber, Miranda and Pug watched. Calis left the conference and came over to them. He said, “Father and I leave tonight.” Calis looked at Miranda. “You said I must do you one more favor.”

Miranda said, “Yes.” She slipped her arm from around Pug’s waist and took Calis aside. “There’s a woman in Elvandar. Her name is Ellia.”

“I don’t know that name,” said Calis.

“She is from across the sea. Her husband died and she is alone in a strange place with her sons.”

Calis’s eyes narrowed slightly and he said, “Twin boys?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve seen them, teaching the other children to play football,” said Calis. “They are beautiful children.”

Miranda said, “I do not know the ways of your people, more than you have told me, but I sense
something in her. She and you have much in common. Seek her out, that’s all I ask.”

Calis said, “We are both within our home, yet we are outsiders.”

Miranda touched his cheek. “Not for much longer, I think.”

Tomas came down the stairs and said, “Son, it is time.”

“Yes, Father,” said Calis.

Pug came up to his boyhood friend and said, “Let it not be years before we see each other again.”

“Agreed,” said Tomas. They embraced. “And you? Do you return to Sorcerer’s Isle?”

“No. There are things that Miranda and I can do here to help, for a while at least.”

“When you have time, come visit.”

“We will.”

Tomas and Calis left and Miranda came to stand beside Pug. After a moment of silence, she said, “Well?”

Pug said, “What?”

“Don’t you have something to say?”

Pug laughed. “Such as?”

She punched him in the chest. “Younger men! Why are you all so thick-headed?”

Pug grabbed her and pulled her to him. “What would you have me say? You are my life, Miranda. You fill up a place I thought would never again know happiness. Stay with me. Marry me.”

Miranda said, “One thing.”

“What?” he asked, half playfully, half concerned.

“I want a baby.”

Pug’s mouth fell open as he stepped back. “A baby?” He blinked. “How? You’re two hundred years old!”