The Pinnacle Of Empire (Book 6) (4 page)

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I’m not sure if that wizard serves me or uses me for his own purposes.”

“I have that feeling.”

Nindax looked back to the tower just as the great chestnut door banged shut in the gloom. Nindax kicked his heels into his mount’s flanks. After stumbling slightly on the loose, rocky slope, the horse darted forward, leaving the chatra to catch up.

* * *

Neuyokkasin’s imperial emissary to the Velstorbokkin court rode through a less draconian pass at the Shinnadda fortress which guarded the imperial border with Velstorbokkin on the northwestern tip of Powteros. While guards checked the official’s diplomatic papers, a messenger rode with all haste to the capital to forewarn King Nemenese of the coming communication from the empire.

Old King Nemenese paced his private audience chamber behind the formal throne room, ruminating on the possible implications of the approaching imperial ambassador. He occasionally interrupted his pacing, tapping his knobby fingers on the desk. He glanced at the scroll from the border rolled up on his writing table.

Velstorbokkin is a relatively wealthy kingdom, he thought. Our rich hinterlands produce abundant agricultural products much sought after on Tixos. Our tradesmen produce the best iron agricultural implements for use in the kingdom and for export to Tixos as well. Will this new emperor wish to begin his reign by showing his strength in seizing Velstorbokkin and its wealth for his empire? The imperial fleets can land anywhere on our extensive coast line. The mountains that protect Senoshesvas and Zenobia cannot protect Velstorbokkin from invasion by sea. Will this emperor demand more than the annual tribute Engwan demanded to leave Velstorbokkin independent?

My daughter’s marriage to Emperor Engwan ensured our independence and my throne, but this new emperor has no such allegiance or tie to forestall such an invasion. What will his ego demand?

If I draw too close to the empire, that suspicious King Nindax will wage war on me. If I am too close to Nindax, it might alienate the new emperor. I had better play the middle ground and commit to nothing until I see which adversary will win this probable struggle.

The chatra knocked and entered. “A thousand pardons for interrupting Your Majesty’s contemplations.”

“Yes, yes, what is it?”

“It seems a lady rides with the imperial party.”

“What can this mean? Surely the emperor isn’t sending back my daughter now that she’s the widowed dowager empress.”

“The messenger didn’t think that was the case, Majesty.”

Nemenese stroked his white goatee. “We shall see what news this messenger brings. Perhaps it’s too soon to interpret the imperial intentions. Still, send messengers to the coastal fortifications to be on the alert just in case this is a diversion and there is an invasion underway.”

*

At Nenjiya, capital of Velstorbokkin, the imperial emissary bowed low before King Nemenese at his audience in the royal palace.

“His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Saxthor I, requests that Your Royal Highness, King Nemenese of Velstorbokkin attend the marriage of His Majesty to Your Highness’ granddaughter, the Princess Imperial Tottiana. The emperor extends his warmest regards and wishes that there will be perpetual peace between the empire and Velstorbokkin. His imperial majesty further requests that Your Highness will honor the emperor by giving your royal granddaughter to His Imperial Majesty at the marriage,” the messenger said.

The court was abuzz at the news. King Nemenese’s fidgeting began anew. The old king cleared his throat and exhaled. His facial lines and arched, furry white eyebrows visibly relaxed. He looked to his chamberlain and then his chatra with beaming grins before returning to his formal state countenance and facing the imperial messenger.

“We’re overjoyed at the prospect of the marriage of our granddaughter, the Princess Imperial Tottiana, to His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Saxthor of the Powterosian Empire. We’re greatly honored and will be exceedingly pleased to bestow our granddaughter in this marriage. Please, extend our congratulations to both His Imperial Majesty and to our granddaughter, Princess Imperial Tottiana.”

*

Later that day at an informal meeting between Nemenese and his chatra, Nemenese was jubilant, chattering about his new sense of security the marriage would bring. He’d just straightened his father’s portrait on the wall when he noticed the gloomy look on the chatra’s face. The man was silent and somber.

“What’s wrong with you? Have you no response?” Nemenese asked. “You always have some opinion about everything.”

“Your Majesty has committed his allegiance to the empire.”

“Of course we have. What did you expect? This ensures continued peace and independence. The empire will not attack us now.”

“Not the empire, but remember the border with Senoshesvas is even less defensible. King Nindax is more aggressive than his predecessors. He will be enraged at your immediate capitulation to the empire. He’ll now feel vulnerable and alone against the even more imposing new regime. This will virtually negate your treaty with Senoshesvas against an imperial invasion. He may well see it that you have joined the empire in some agreement to divide up Senoshesvas between you.”

“Yes, we see your point,” Nemenese said, moving to his desk and slumping into the ornate chair. “We must send word to Nindax, assuring our continued support.”

“Such words will sound hollow to Nindax now. He can see the implications of this marriage. Your giving away the bride will appear as compliance with, even subservience to, the empire.”

“We’ve committed Velstorbokkin now. There’s no more middle political ground.”

“No.”

“Well, we shall have to send spies to Senoshesvas and watch Nindax’s reaction. We must know in advance if he intends to invade and seize Velstorbokkin before the empire can conclude our new alliance.”

“I am already assembling a force for that purpose.”

“Let it be so, but remember,” Nemenese said, staring his chatra in the face, “this is a dangerous move. If Nindax discovers our spies, it will surely trigger war.”

“It’s a risk we must take.”

“Let it be so, then. We wish we had a wizard to use his unnatural means to peer into Senoshesvas and see what Nindax’s reaction to the news is.”

“Your Majesty knows the curse of your forefathers should you allow a wizard to enter this kingdom. That curse has remained in force through the generations since that young sorcerer abused that first princess generations ago. The recent disappearance of the latest descendant in the sealed dark tower confirms trouble still lurks there.”

“Yes, send the spies. That will be all,” the king said. His voice was a near snarl at the reminder of the insane secret in the dark tower.

The chatra bowed and left the king to his thoughts. Nemenese kicked an elaborate waste basket when the chatra had left. “What else could I have done? To refuse to give away my granddaughter would have insulted the emperor and as much as challenged war with the empire. This new emperor has me cornered. Now I must placate King Nindax while courting the emperor.” Nemenese looked out a window at the forbidden dark tower scratching at the night sky, seeming to suck the very starlight from the heavens. How could anyone escape from a sealed tower? he wondered.

* * *

Tittletot Goes to Engwaniria

The imperial marriage was beyond all expectations rivaling Emperor Saxthor’s coronation eight months before. The entire capital was adorned with massive flower garlands. Buildings were cleaned, the marbles polished and gardens renewed. Royalty and nobility from across the continent came to pay homage and show at least nominal support for the new dynasty and its legitimization by marriage to the old dynasty. Ossenkosk Palace gleamed in the sunlight below the freshly gilded turrets and spires. The capital’s blue tile roofs contrasted brilliantly to the white marble buildings and the golden embellishments. Dazzled at first sight after passing through the great fortresses guarding the roads into the valley, none could deny the power and wealth of the Powterosian Empire. Engwaniria beamed like a massive broach centered in the lush, central imperial valley. Even the grand aqueducts which brought mineral water from the mountains into the valley, were decorated and lit at night with torches to accentuate the sleek and elegant elfin arches. Their waters flowed to fountains throughout the city and on through an elaborate canal system before flushing out into the great Cektar River the emperors rerouted to flow around the city’s walls as a moat.

King Nemenese had journeyed to Engwaniria after initial hesitation. What real choice did he have in his political circumstance? King Zirkin of Zenobia came. King Grekenbach of Graushdem-Sengenwha attended, representing his new state that encompassed Graushdem, Sengenwha, Prertsten, and Dreaddrac nominally, the whole of the northern peninsula. Queen Dagmar was unable to attend, being detained on urgent business, so it was reported. All came to the wedding except King Nindax of Senoshesvas. No word came from that dark, mysterious kingdom.

The official festivities were interspersed with meetings between monarchs arranging first hand alliances and agreements, adjusting to the new political map of the known world.

A few days after the ceremony, King Nemenese was sitting under the spreading branches of an ancient oak tree atop a small hill not far from the city walls. He gazed out at the sparkling waters of the Grand Canal and the elegant palaces of the empire’s nobility. He was enjoying the peaceful scene without his personal guards. 

Where else should I feel more secure and at peace? he thought, finally, after so much uncertainty since Engwan’s death and the accession of Emperor Saxthor. The sun broke through the tree branches and warmed his face. What a wonderful spot to take a nap. I hardly dare be so exposed in my own palace.

He was just dozing off when something blocked the sunlight and he felt a chill. Looking up, he was struck with horror. A serpentine energy vapor slithered out on the tree branch!

A chill rippled through Nemenese. His stomach turned and his heart began racing. He watched the gray vapor move along and among the twigs on the branch, its tip tapping at the air, searching for the source on which it was formed.

It’s following a scent, my scent, the king realized. I dare not move. It senses me nearby but doesn’t know exactly where I am yet. In a moment it will, and it’ll drop from the branch onto me, killing me instantly. And yet if I move I’m dead too.

His chest was pounding when Nemenese caught movement in the corner of his eye. He turned his head ever so slightly to discern what it was. Memlatec was racing across the lawn toward him, robes flapping, Fedra soaring overhead.

“Don’t move!” Memlatec shouted. His pinched face pointed his lined features to his brilliant, violet eyes. His right arm held out his crystal tipped staff in Nemenese’s direction.

Another movement caught the king’s eye. He glanced up to see the primitive, elemental vapor excited; its jerky probing vibrated the limb.

Like a dog, it senses the elevated energy from my stress, he thought. The thing will strike me any second. Surely Memlatec is within striking distance. Hurry!

Nemenese held a deep breath in unnerving suspense as the lethal assassin hovered over him. Its sensory probe was jerking back and forth then turned down. It locked on the king as if staring him in the face. Nemenese shuddered, flashing hot and cold.

“Destroy it, now!” the king yelled.

The vapor jolted. It recognized its intended victim and dropped off the branch writhing, falling toward Nemenese. In a flash, Memlatec shot wizard fire. The slithering energy creature exploded in sparks and a puff of smoke just above the king’s head.

Nemenese had crouched down, his eyes pinched in anticipation of imminent death. It should have struck me by now, he thought. A faint odor of smoke singed his nose. He opened his eyes as fine ash floated down on his clothes amid the stench of sulfur. Goose bumps mingled with tiny sweat beads on his forearm. He was trembling as he rose with difficulty to meet his approaching savior.

“That thing was sent to kill me!”

“Yes, I’ve sensed something evil moving in the city of late, Memlatec said. I’ve been trying to locate it. When I passed nearby, Fedra discovered it. I didn’t know what it was or whom it was seeking.”

“How dare the emperor attempt to kill his own grandfather-in-law?” Nemenese brushed ash from his cloak. His confidence returned with the heat of rage in his face. “I’m leaving at once.”

“Saxthor would most certainly not have tried to kill you, Majesty.”

“I’m in the imperial capital. Who else would attempt to kill me here? I should have anticipated such treachery. With me dead, he could claim Velstorbokkin without even a war by right of inheritance through Tottiana once he eliminates my son. That’s also in the works, I suspect. I must return to Velstorbokkin at once.”

“Whoever attempted to kill you, it wasn’t Saxthor.”

“You may know magic, high wizard, but you under estimate greed and ambition among men.”

King and wizard hurried back toward Ossenkosk. The king’s guards appeared suddenly, escorting Nemenese through the great gate.

* * *

“Saxthor, there is an assassin in the city,” Memlatec exclaimed on entering the emperor’s private reception room. “He’s just attempted to kill King Nemenese with an energy vapor like the one Witch Earwig sent to kill you on the River Nhy when you were escaping the mainland through Olnak.”

Saxthor looked up at the wizard, staring for an instant. He put his finger to his lips and moved quietly to close the door to his suite. “What are you talking about?”

“An energy vapor, woven on King Nemenese’s hair, almost killed the king by the grand canal.”

“Impossible, the city is an armed camp, and you’re here. You must have sensed it before it could do harm. Who would attempt such a thing?”

“Nemenese thinks it was you.”

Saxthor slumped back a step. “I would not kill my own grandfather-in-law. You know that.”

“Yes, but Nemenese doesn’t. He thinks, now that you’re married to Tottiana, you will eliminate first him then his son and claim the Velstorbokkin throne in the name of the empress.”

“Why would I want another kingdom? I didn’t want to rule Neuyokkasin in the first place, certainly not to be emperor. I’ve more than enough to rule as it is.”

“Well, Nemenese is convinced you want his kingdom. Someone wants him out of the way.”

“It’s not me. We’d better find out who did this.”

“I destroyed the vapor creature without trace.”

“Yes, but someone created it, and there will be someone in the city that released it here unless he or she has fled after dispatching it. See what you can find out. I shall go to King Nemenese at once and assure him I had nothing to do with this.”

“He won’t believe you. I doubt he will even receive you. He might have already fled the palace and be making his way out of the city.”

“I must try to find him or he will forever be suspicious of me,” Saxthor said. He rushed past the wizard to find the old king.

*

“Majesty!” Saxthor exclaimed, rushing to catch up with Nemenese, who was racing down the palace hallway with his guards closely gathered around him. A flurry of frantic servants struggling with his luggage trailed behind. 

“Stay away from me!” Nemenese shouted as he quickened his pace.

“I’m not responsible for that attack.”

“So you say now.” Nemenese halted and pointed for his guards to stand between the emperor and himself. “Your attack failed, as you see, but I’ll not remain here for another attempt.”

“I had nothing to do with that vile thing,” Saxthor said. He stopped close to the king but didn’t attempt to push through his guards.

“I can’t afford to trust you in that. You may send my daughter back to me. Helgamyr will be welcomed home. You have my granddaughter under your control, but I shall disinherit her so that she has no claim to my throne. It will do you no good to kill me and my son.”

“I shall get to the bottom of this and let you know who is responsible.”

“Indeed. Who will you point your wicked finger at to cover your own blunder?” Nemenese asked.

“I assure you; I had nothing to do with this.”

With a grunt, the king turned and motioning his guards to keep close. He fled Ossenkosk and made his way across the empire, barely stopping until he was back within his own kingdom. There wasn’t another attack, but twice Nemenese thought he saw a creature of unknown species trailing his escape.

* * *

Helgamyr rushed out of her father’s royal guest suite later that day in hysterics. Her thoughts raced through possibilities, having discovered the rooms empty and all the entourage and baggage gone with the royal Velstorbokkin guests.

“Guard!” Helgamyr shouted to a soldier standing by the next suite in the Ossenkosk east wing. The guard rushed to the dowager. “Where is my father, King Nemenese? Have they moved him?”

“He’s gone, Your Majesty.”

“Gone! Gone where?”

“He left with his court and attendants an hour ago.”

“Left?” the dowager exclaimed storming down the corridor. “We’ll see about that.”

*

Helgamyr burst into the private audience chamber where Saxthor was talking with Boktorian. The guards pursued, but Saxthor motioned them back out.

“What’s the meaning of this? Where has my father gone? Why would he depart without taking leave of me?”

“Calm yourself, Your Highness,” Saxthor said, nodding to the chatra to withdraw. “King Nemenese left this afternoon after a foiled attempt on his life. Memlatec destroyed the attacker, but your father decided to return to Velstorbokkin without delay. I’m sorry he didn’t stop to say goodbye to you.”

Helgamyr stared incredulously at Saxthor; her face was red hot. She grabbed Saxthor’s arm, feeling her nails dig into his flesh. “Did you have anything to do with this attack?” Helgamyr’s throat tightened and choked off her last words.

Saxthor put his hand on hers and patted it gently to reassure her. He looked into her eyes. “I had nothing to do with the attack. It was an energy vapor, a sort of deadly serpent of energy woven around the hair of the intended victim.”

“Helgamyr snatched back her arm. Her eyes didn’t leave Saxthor as she searched his face, but she could find no sign of insincerity. She stormed back out of the chamber, past the chatra who waited outside to continue speaking with the emperor.

* * *

“Are you okay, Mother?” Tottiana asked, rushing into Helgamyr’s apartments. She found the dowager lying prostrate on the bed with a compress on her head.

“
Okay
? Am I
okay
? Ask about your grandfather, Tottiana. The question is, is he
okay
? Someone tried to kill him earlier today. He’s fled back to Velstorbokkin in fear of his life without even saying goodbye.”

“Yes, I know. Saxthor told me. Grandfather wasn’t hurt. I was trying to think of how to tell you without upsetting you, but you discovered his departure before I could come to you. Saxthor is trying to ascertain the source of the attack.”

Helgamyr bolted up in bed, jerking away the compress and slinging it against the wall. “Saxthor indeed, he’s behind this. I know he is. We shall both be slaughtered next. Your husband will be rid of us soon. There’s nothing my father can do to save us.”

“You’re overwrought, Mother; Saxthor isn’t a ruthless tyrant.”

“Tell that to your father. Oh, that’s right, Engwan is cold in his grave,” Helgamyr said, staring at her daughter. Then she slumped back down on the bed and swept her covers tightly against her like a protective shell.

“Saxthor wasn’t responsible for father’s death. I don’t think he would attempt to kill grandfather under the very palace walls. You must calm yourself.”

“First Engwan, now father… I tell you, we’re next.”

Tottiana put a fresh compress on her mother’s forehead.

Then Endaquac, who’d been embroidering in the corner shadows, stepped forward. “I shall attend to Her Majesty,” Endaquac said.

“I shall leave her in your capable hands then,” Tottiana said. She returned to her own apartments, still troubled by the attack on her grandfather and her mother’s accusations.

* * *

King Zirkin arrived late for the wedding but had excellent accommodations prepared for him. Among his entourage was Tittletot. When the festivities died down and Saxthor paid an informal visit to the King of Zenobia, the two men were clearly pleased to have the opportunity to get to know each other better in person.