Siege of Pailtar (25 page)

Avera sighed, “Is it too late to let Liam be king?”

Verin smiled, “Elanor would murder you in your sleep if you let that pompous little prig rule.”

“I know, but can you imagine the dinner parties if he were king? We’d be broke in a year, but oh what parties we would have.” Avera laughed softly, if only the cost of parties were the issues she had to face as queen. “How are you, Nathan?”

“I’m okay. I’ve been focusing on helping out at the blacksmith shop to take my mind off Ava.”

“That’s good,” said Avera. “Sometimes keeping busy is the best way to deal with loss.”

“I’m afraid your slacker blacksmith days are going be done for a while,” said Verin.

Nathan looked at his uncle. What did he have in mind?

“Now that this queen business is sorted out, Nathan and Sharon are going to be coming with me.”

“What are we doing?” asked Nathan.

You’ll be scouting with my rangers. I’m spread a little thin with all the extra training. I’m using my more experienced rangers to train recruits. Having two more scouts in the woods will be give me two more rangers I can use to train recruits with.”

Nathan welcomed the news that he would be joining the rangers to help scout the forests surrounding the city of Balta. Getting out of the city was the type of change that would help keep his mind of Ava.

“What about me, Verin?” asked Quinton. Quinton wondered how much the rest trusted him now that they knew his father had been the traitor.

“You are going to be very busy for the next little while,” said Queen Avera. “We have lost two powerful mages in the last while. The remaining mages are going to have to take on more responsibilities, and the younger mages like yourself are going to be studying extra hard. It’s not fair, but we need you to hone your battlemage skills as fast as possible.”

Quinton relaxed a little. Being given extra studies as a mage was something he wanted. That they weren’t stopping him from studying because of his father was a good thing.

“Also, because we no longer have a commander of the royal fleet, I am going to be restructuring the command structure. Quinton, you know the captains better than I. I want your input on which captains are best suited to take on more responsibility. On top of your mage duties, you are going to be working with me on this task. I need someone I trust advising me on this,” said Queen Avera.

“Thank you,” said Quinton.

“Don’t thank me, Quinton. I just sentenced you to long hours of study and even more hours of work with me and the military council. You will have hardly any time for your friends, Sharon included. I’m afraid you are going to regret agreeing to this workload before long.”

Quinton did not intend to wither under the workload, no matter how much Queen Avera gave him to do. The fact that she was relying on him, trusting his word on military matters meant she truly believed in him. His father’s betrayal was not going to stain his future. Quinton would be forever grateful to Queen Avera for that trust. “I will do whatever is needed.”

Verin slapped Quinton on the shoulder, “I’m sure you will. Now go see your girlfriend before I steal her.”

Quinton grinned and quickly excused himself, leaving Verin with Nathan and Queen Avera.

“Why am I really joining your scouts?” asked Nathan now that Quinton was gone. Verin’s explanation about needing more scouts for training made sense, but Nathan felt something else was behind the decision.

“Ava’s death—”

“Don’t say her death,” said Nathan, interrupting Verin. “She is gone. I don’t know that she is dead.”

“What makes you say that Nathan?” asked Avera. She felt a glimmer of hope.

“Balthazar did something to her before he died. I know she is gone, but it doesn’t feel like she is dead. I can’t explain it but it doesn’t feel like she is dead.”

“Magic is a funny thing, Nathan, you and Ava had a special connection, maybe a part of her spirit is still with you,” said Avera.

“Possibly,” admitted Nathan, “but I know what I saw. Balthazar did do something, and if anyone could have saved her from that explosion it was him, I am not giving up on her yet. She still might be out there somewhere.”

“Good,” said Verin. “If it were the other way around, I know Ava would not give up on you either, and you are correct, If anyone could have saved Ava, it was Balthazar. His magic was very powerful.”

“Do you still want me with the scouts?” asked Nathan.

“Yes, Ava being gone is terrible, but I really do need you to be sharp. You and Sharon do need to be prepared. If King Ganus attacks by land, I will need warriors who know the woods. Nephew to the queen or not, you are a Stoneblood. Your place will always be at the front of the battle.”

29

Pailtar

“KING GANUS IS COMING TO PAILTAR” said Colby.

Everet looked around the room. In the days following the attacks he had been organizing the remaining Guild members, taking stock of who had died, been wounded or had been lucky enough to survive. The remaining mercenaries had been tracked down and killed, any that were not dead had fled the city. Today Colby and Evert were meeting a large number of the Guild hierarchy. The Guild needed to figure out a plan to deal with King Ganus.

“How do you know that for sure?” asked Duncan Reed.

Colby turned to Everet. “This is Everet, he is the one I spoke of.” Colby had told the Guild of Everet being the one to notice the mercenaries in the Barnyard Pub and spearhead the efforts to save other Guild members. “Everet and I captured  Marco Miles, Everet used some creative methods to persuade Marco to tell us all he knew of King Ganus.” Thanks to Kiana Clairmont and Ethan, the Guild knew that Marco had been a spy for King Ganus.

“What did he tell you?” Duncan asked Everet.

“The mercenary attacks are the first wave. Troops from Morthon are crossing the desert and a fleet is sailing north from Conta.”

“What of the mages that attacked the city guard?”

“Hired men, Marco did not know from where, just that he was to inform them of when to attack the barracks. The mages are not part of the mercenaries that attacked.”

“I know who the mages are,” said Lilliana Clairmont, interrupting Everet. “They are from the far northern Isles. They are very dangerous, if Ganus has made a deal with them, we will not have seen the last of them.”

“Troops from Meron, ships from Conta and northern mages, how are we going to defend ourselves?” asked Damian Rivas, one of the Guild’s top men.

“With help,” said Lilliana Clairmont. “We ask Balta and Venecia for help.”

“Will they come?” asked Leon Cooper, another of the Guild’s leadership.

“If King Ganus takes Venecia, he has a port from which to launch attacks to Balta and Venecia. It is in their best interests to send help,” said Lilliana.

“Okay,” said Leon. “I’ll inform the governor of Pailtar to ask for help.” The governor of Pailtar was the official leader in Pailtar, but everyone knew his authority did not cover the Guild. But with war coming the Guild would have to work with the city guards to defend Pailtar from the invading troops.”

“Just have him send messages to Venecia,” said Lilliana, “I’ll send word to Balta. I know who to talk to.”

Lilliana turned to Everet, “How long until they arrive?”

“Marco did not know for sure, but within a fortnight. They could possibly be here as soon as a week.”

“That doesn’t give us much time. Duncan, have scouts sent out into the desert. King Ganus will likely use the water holes for his troops. Make sure we know when his troops start crossing the desert. We cannot afford to be surprised. Damian, send men down the coast, have them watching for the fleet,” ordered Leon Cooper.

30

Balta

THE CARRIER PIGEON ARRIVED at Avera’s home. The note from Lilliana was one that Avera had feared might come. Lilliana Clairmont, had once been one of the most powerful Thieves’ Guild members, and still carried significant weight within the organization, was a long-time ally of Avera’s. Her request for help meant much to Avera.

Avera turned to one of the knights that now travel with her, “Signal for the rangers to return to Balta.”

Avera and Rose had been packing things to take to the castle. Now that Avera was queen it was necessary for her to stay there. Rose would stay with her in the castle as well. “Rose, we need to stop packing and head to the castle.”

Rose looked up, “More bad news?”

Avera gave a small nod, “Yes, that seems to be the only news we have gotten lately. Come, we will stop by the royal kitchens and have a sweet or two. There has to be some perks to being queen.”

“Okay,” said Rose. She had become distant and quiet since the attack. Losing Ava had been hardest on Rose. She had now lost her entire family. For such a young child, her expression was old. It pulled at Avera’s already hurting heartstrings.

Avera was determined that being queen would not interfere with her spending time with Rose. Rose would know that she was still loved and had people that cared deeply for her, blood or not. Avera knew Nathan and Sharon loved Rose, but they walked the path of the warrior. Conflict and danger followed them, and they too could be taken away from Rose. Life was a fragile thing, to be cherished and appreciated. Rose would learn from her to love deeply but also to accept that losses will come, that sacrifices will be made in order to bring peace and stability in the kingdoms

The news that King Ganus was attacking Pailtar presented both a danger to Balta and an opportunity. The danger was two-fold. Queen Avera studied her options carefully. Don’t commit to helping Pailtar and the Morthon forces would gain a strong foothold at the narrow strait and drastically shorten the distance needed to sail to attack Balta. Commit too large of a force to sailing to Pailtar and the ground troops headed towards Pailtar could be redirected to Balta. Coming up with a strong strategic response would be vital. Queen Avera squared her shoulders, and reached for Rose’s hand. Her strength was tempered with a gentle heart.

But by sending troops to Pailtar, Balta could strengthen its position with its nearest neighbors. If sending troops to Pailtar helped stop Morthon’s advances then King Ganus would have a harder time attacking Balta. So only sending a token force was not in Balta’s best interest. Avera pondered how to respond. Sadly, the two people most knowledgeable in this type of war were now dead. Avera would have to rely on her own instincts and those of those people she trusted.

Walking Rose to the kitchens, Queen Avera sent one of the castle guards to find Quinton and send him to the kitchens. He was going to have to help her with naval questions faster than anticipated.

“Hey, Rose, what you got there?” asked Quinton as he arrived in the kitchen.

“Strawberry and gibbons berry cake,” said Rose with a smile. The sweet yet tart dessert was one of her favorites.

“I don’t suppose you left any for me?” asked Quinton.

“Yes, I didn’t eat it all … yet,” said Rose. A sad smile replaced what usually would have been a giggle as she eyed up a second piece of the cake.

“Good, it looks delicious.” Quinton turned to Avera. “Queen Avera.”

“I’m still Aunt Avera, when we are in the kitchens. Save the formal titles for the throne room please, Quinton.”

“Sorry, Que—, Aunt Avera.”

“Quinton, I need to discuss the Navy with you. I had intended to wait a few more days before making any decisions, but we have run out of time. I need you to recommend two captains that you trust the most and think would be the best to run the Navy.”

Two commanders to run the Navy?
thought Quinton
, that was not the normal power structure, but then again Aunt Avera was not a normal woman, and she obviously had a plan
. “I’ve sailed under a handful of captains, and know most about the rest. Dad spent a lot of time analyzing captain performance. If you want someone who is excellent in war strategy, Captain Cooke has been in more battles than any two other captains. He is older though and can’t sail as much anymore, but as a military advisor he would be top notch. I know Captain Singleton better than any other Captain and trust him explicitly, he is a smart and honorable man.”

“Thank you, Quinton. That is very helpful.”

“Are you planning on changing the military structure?” asked Quinton.

“Yes, I believe in having some degree of overlap. When you have a single line of command losing one link in the chain can be devastating. With war looming, I want multiple people we can trust at all layers of command.”

Quinton nodded, it made sense. However, in the field having two commanders presented its own challenges. “Might I make a suggestion?” asked Quinton.

“Speak freely, Quinton. I am relying on you to tell me everything you can on how to make our Navy stronger.”

“Overlap is good, but a clear line of command is still important. I would talk to Captains Cooke and Singleton, and get them to make a list of current commanders and captains, and find out their opinions. Have Captain Cooke, along with one more Navy man be strictly your naval advisors. Appoint Captain Singleton and one more captain to be in charge of the Navy. It’s the sailors at sea who have to make the most vital decisions. So keeping the most capable captains at sea will be wise.”

“Rose, would you be a dear and head to the throne room and request one of the knights there to fetch Captains Cooke and Singleton and have them meet us in the war room?” asked Avera.

Rose finished stuffing her piece of cake into her mouth, grabbed a third piece and took off. “I’m on it,” she mumbled through the cake.

Quinton laughed at Rose’s antics, and then gave Avera a questioning look. “Why all the way to the throne room? You have knights here, standing outside the kitchen.”

“I want Rose to get used to hearing most of my conversations without talking, but she doesn’t need to hear everything. If she knows too much we put her at risk.”

“Okay,” said Quinton, as he waited for the bad news that was sure to follow. Sending Rose away was a sure-fire indicator of trouble.