The Burning Crown (Stone Blade Book 4) (29 page)

"Quadratus, von Halm and du'Varl knew that titles could come and go and that people could change, so they must needs find a way to keep their leaders worthy. The three of them then began laying the foundations for the King and the Houses.

"von Halm was killed defending against rogue Imperial raiders. Even though he died, he bought the others time to mount a proper defense and, for the first time, the Senate spoke with one voice and moved with one hand. When they elected their first prime minister, which position would eventually become King, du'Varl and Quadratus married their wives and began their families.

"House Brightcrown and House Varl are the descendants of du'Varl and House Gladius is the blood of Quadratus. Of all the original houses, only Brightcrown and Gladius routinely swear Halm's Oath." Karr shook his head. "I am loyal to the Crown, my lady, but I do not know if I could swear that Great Oath."

"Did Charlie?"

"Yes, lady. That is what brought him back. One thing you must understand: House Brightcrown does not merely speak Halm's Oath, they
live
it. That above anything is what it means to be a part of House Brightcrown."

"I think I understand that now."

"Excellent, Lady Vera. I hope you will speak favorably of us to the League."

"I will. That is where my loyalty lies and I'll do everything I can to inform them."

Chapter 18. No Escape!

Micah walked unnoticed behind Outremin as Outremin walked beside Laird Fadding. That worthy expressed great pleasure at meeting Micah, commended what he'd heard and hinted at some possible assignment or reward that very day. Micah bowed properly and spoke the right phrases, earning himself and Outremin a brief smile.

With formality done, Fadding began speaking to Outremin in hissed whispers too faint for Micah to hear. Their volume increased as they began speaking of the Houses with representatives present for the day's procedure. Micah watched their ceremonial cloaks swooshing around their sabres as he concentrated hard on listening.

Micah felt torn about the pending execution. By what he knew of House Varl and what he suspected of House Brightcrown, this 'lost prince' faced a sentence far in excess of whatever crime he allegedly committed. Micah had no desire whatsoever to witness the execution of an innocent man but he also had very limited options and, also from what he gathered, the man knew his fate should he return to Crown space. Despite all Micah's instincts to the contrary, this was a local matter and subject only to local laws, despicable though they might be.

"Excellent, Outremin," said Fadding, "Most excellent! Our two allies, such as they are, are the strongest blood here besides me. Are you certain there are no Brightcrowns in attendance?"

"None of any standing, m'Laird," said Outremin hesitantly, "There is a trio of low scions along with their toadies. They were the only ones with pizzle enough to demand a place here. House Gladius sent a full contingent, though. They are of low blood but of sufficient number and presence."

"They are no concern. What of the others?"

"One Edders and two McReelys, but they only sit in witness for their Houses."

"What of our special guest?"

"He was most recalcitrant, m'Laird," said Outremin, "He didn't deem his presence here necessary. He also thought to bring a detail of his own guards. M'lord Garver convinced him otherwise on both counts."

Fadding smiled. "Most excellent. I must remember to reward Lord Garver. He has done well by his House and his Laird. As to our guest, we shall settle him presently. He might have one small use left in him. The Fyrelm is crafty, after all."

"Truth, m'Laird. Are you certain you desire no more guards?"

"I am certain, Sir Beau." Fadding spoke those words with some affection. "As ever, you shall be my sword and shield. Besides which, my friend, we have half a score of Elder Guards along with House Varl's newest member."

"Aye, m'Laird, and thank you."

The three of them approached a large building already swirling with crowds. Two double lines of Elder Guards held them back but only just. Another six led by a Knight-Captain escorted Fadding, Outremin and Micah inside.

***

As they entered the building Outremin pulled Micah back.

"Propriety, Stone. M'Laird Fadding must enter properly, especially now. We must not usurp his position; he deserves it by his work and by the insults he has bourne. He alone must bask in this glory."

That suited Micah. Ahead of them, across a splendidly decorated chamber, lay a massive and ornate door. Two guards flanked it, each garbed in the fashion of their earliest peers. They each held a gleaming halberd supplemented with a holstered blaster. These guards were definitely not for show, thought Micah. He also thought he saw very modern armor beneath their ancient tunics. As Fadding approached, a herald blocked him with a heavy staff.

"Who approaches this chamber," he asked loudly.

"Josef Marcel Carter Fadding, Blood and Laird of the Great House of Varl."

The herald pounded the floor three times with the staff. "Come and be welcome, Laird Varl."

The door split down the middle and opened slowly inward. The herald stepped aside and Fadding walked regally forward. Only well after he entered did Outremin motion Micah forward. By the time they reached the doorway, Fadding had crossed halfway through the massive chamber. Most of the folk there applauded but precious few did not. Outremin pulled Micah aside and the two of them walked unobtrusively around the edge of the chamber. Micah had no problem discerning high blood from low; or, for that matter, Varl's allies from the rest.

Fadding strode forward, careless of any praise or taunt voiced him. Outremin made careful note of the latter, though, and Micah suspected ample hidden holocasters did as well. He debated wearing his but elected not to. Fadding ended his walk by ascending a low dais at the far side of the room. It held a large, throne-like chair flanked by a pair of smaller.

A squire assisted Fadding to the middle chair and as soon as he sat, McConney and Simmons took seat beside him. Fadding sat king-like and spoke a short greeting to the other two, much as a master throwing a treat to a favored pet. Neither they nor the crowd missed that and Micah worked to keep the amusement off his face. Then again, by the smug set of Outremin's shoulders, he need not have bothered. They eventually settled at a small table away from but closest to the dais.

"Greetings and good day to you all," said Fadding, "Are there matters of the blood to discuss?"

By the expressions of many present in the room, Fadding adhered but minimally to the required formalities. The herald stepped forward with an expression of disapproval on his face. He hardened it into resolve as he pounded the floor three times.

"In light of current concerns, m'Laird, all other business has been tabled. The only remaining matter is that of the former Prince Fyrelm."

Micah didn't miss the small flash of anger across Fadding's face. Apparently he wasn't the only one guilty of shorting the ceremony, now. Micah had no trouble reading the amusement from some of the other nobles in the chamber. They knew it too!

"Very well," said Fadding, "Is the criminal present?"

"Bring forth the accused," said the herald.

Murmurs and soft whispers echoed softly throughout the room. A door off to the side opened and four Elder Guards approached with the prisoner between them.

Micah's heart skipped a beat as a hand of ice and shock closed around it.

Gunter Rene du'Charle Ferrel, his best friend Charlie, stood flanked by the guards.

***

Micah couldn't help the reaction now coursing through him. His vision reddened as anger and adrenaline washed through him, almost past his ability to contain it! His muscles quivered with energy and he struggled to keep himself from launching into attack and laying waste to all around him.

Ferrel, with mischief in his eye but absent his usual grin, stumbled wide-eyed when he spotted Micah. He recovered quickly, clenched his jaw and turned his attention to Fadding and his cronies.

Micah heard a voice droning low as time slowed around him. After a calming breath followed by another he managed to wrest his attention back to his surroundings.

"... what you were thinking, Gunter," said Fadding with obscene satisfaction dripping from each word, "but nothing save death and humiliation await you now!"

"So tell me... Joey." Ferrel spoke conversationally, which infuriated Fadding. "Am I allowed to speak in my defense or have you... discarded all of the ancient laws?"

"Speak," spat Fadding after a moment to control his temper."

"Polar." Ferrel shifted himself and suddenly it seemed he sat on a high throne and spoke to one far inferior. And stupid. "Before your little murder party starts sharpening its knives, they should be told that harming me now will open a jolly-bag of spine vipers even you cannot hope to handle.

"You see, I happen to be a serviceman enlisted in the League Navy. Unless I recall incorrectly, my alleged crimes were never presented to a Guild Arbiter or Naval Adjudicator. This may be a Star Crown world but it is also a Member World of the New Stars Trade League. Unless I have committed a violation of the League Unified Military Code of Conduct in my," Ferrel gestured at the guards around him, "short time here, you have no right to detain me or visit any barbarism you call
justice
upon me!

"That assumes, of course, that the, ahem, great house of Varl does not wish to face the full force and fury of the League Navy and Patrol, backed by all the resources the League cares to bring to bear. Even if you do, I suspect King Hartwig won't. Once he hears of this I'm sure he'll call Moot, and he would not be unjustified in excluding Varl and its... minions from it."

Again emotion surged through Micah but this time he struggled to keep from laughing loud enough to shatter the stones in the walls and floor! Brilliant! Brilliant plus-plus! Micah resolved that once they reached Azure he'd treat Ferrel for a week of whatever he wanted to eat! Plus dessert!

After a moment of disbelief Fadding's expression turned sly.

"Yes, Gunter. I thought you might try something like this." Fadding turned to another of his lackeys. "Bring in our guest."

The man nodded and disappeared through the side door. A few minutes later he returned carrying an official holocaster and dragging a League official behind him. He set up the caster and the official approached the dais with his shoulders drooping.

"n'Guirro?" Fadding lifted his eyebrow at the man.

n'Guirro turned to face the holocaster with the expression of a condemned man.

"I am Darnell k'Mar n'Guirro, Senior League Adjunct to the Worlds of the Crown of Stars, credentials on record." He handed the lackey a crypcert. "I have reviewed all pertinent details concerning one Gunter Rene du'Charle Ferrel, or Fyrelm, along with his actions both present and twenty years past.

"As to the latter, I hereby officially find that the accusations leveled against Ferrel to be of local scope only and not relevant to any League statutes, articles or laws. Concerning his reentry into the sovereignty of the Star Crown Worlds, I find that he did so knowingly and with full cognizance of his criminal status here.

"On behalf of the New Stars Trade League, I do hereby abrogate and release any and all obligation toward and on behalf of Gunter Ferrel. Furthermore, since Ferrel is, by record, on official furlough from his military duties I do hereby abnegate any immunities or protections such service may convey.

"Finally, I do hereby remand custody of Gunter Ferrel to Josef Laird Fadding, as a qualified representative of the government of the Worlds of the Crown of Stars."

***

Kidwell burst into the Marine barracks on Astraboria with an apprehensive Blue and Karr and an only slightly less apprehensive Thompson following close behind. On the way from the ship she learned that the Senior Adjunct to the Crown was onplanet but unavailable. Ruddy wonderful! Several officials at minor desks tried to distract her but when she finally found one with the authority to identify her, things changed drastically! Then she had to locate Captain Mack McHardy, the Marine commander here.

"I'm sorry, Agent," he said apologetically, "My orders are recent and very specific."

Kidwell sighed with exasperation. "Captain, this is a matter of League-critical importance."

"So are my orders, ma'am."

"This concerns possible treason against the League, crimes against the Crown and a verified Consortium presence here!"

"So do my orders, ma'am."

She scowled hard at Thompson, who wilted at it. Finally, with inspiration, she tapped a code into her datapad and thrust it into McHardy's hand.

"Read this, Captain. Eyes only, don't speak."

McHardy's eyes widened as he read.

"Now, Captain," said Kidwell, "unless your orders
also
involve carnage and bloody mayhem on an orbit-wide scale against whatever power structure you have here, and I have information most if it is concentrated there, I recommend you gather your men and come with me. He is in there with them right now and this 'Brightcrown criminal' happens to be his best friend in the universe. If we don't stop him he
will
go Imperium on everyone there, rescue his friend and torque the splash!"

"I understand." McHardy turned to one of his lieutenants. "Williams! Boots and harness. Angstrom, gear up and stand ready!"

"Yes sir!" "Aye, sir!"

"Let's go, ma'am! We'll have hovers waiting," said McHardy. Then he saluted her!

"Thank you, Captain," said Kidwell. Then, quietly "And don't you
ever
salute me again!"

The Marines assembled in full gear as quickly as McHardy promised. They had a pair of official hovers and two transports.

"Polar," said Kidwell, "Lacy, we need to find Outremin's ship and crew."

"Done, m'lady," said Blue meekly, "McReelys will have them cold!"

"No," said Kidwell, "We just need the location." She turned to McHardy. "Captain, please send a detail to the starport with Lady Blue. She knows who and what we need. Take them into custody, isolate them and make certain they don't access their ship. You'll also need to isolate it, cut power to it and impound it. There is critical data there."