Treason, p.41
Treason, page 41
part #1 of Treason and Truth Series
Paturn held the King’s gaze. “That, of course, Sire, is your choice, but I would be extremely sorry to see Wynfeld leave the army and my command.”
Adeone thanked the General and then turned to Landis. “Defender?”
Stunned, Landis said, “Erm, you know my thoughts, Sire.”
“Yes, but now tell Wynfeld exactly what you think of him.”
Wynfeld glanced between the King and Lord Landis uncertainly.
Landis took a breath. “Wynfeld, for the last few aluna-months, I’ve been trying to get His Majesty to promote you to commander, working with the regular army somewhere in the empire.”
Astounded, Wynfeld turned back to the King, unable to speak.
Adeone made a small gesture which clearly said, ‘There you are then.’ What he said aloud was, “Do we pretend this resignation never landed on my desk, Wynfeld? Because I certainly don’t want or require it.”
Wynfeld swallowed. “I failed, Your Majesty. Badly.”
“Not just you, Captain: there are more at fault than you. I should have followed my own instinct which was to lift Gad in the autumn. I cannot resign my post, so I don’t think it’s fair, in this case, that you must; however, to help with your dilemma, I’ll decide for you. Richardson, burn this letter and remove any record of it from the office scrolls.” He rose. “Right. I’m not going to pretend I’m not angry at what happened. I am. Very. What I will say is it’s no good crying over spilt milk. My chest will hopefully heal. I’ll do no good whatsoever by yelling at you all. Let’s start picking up the pieces.”
They moved to sit around a table and Richardson put paper, pens and ink in front of them all.
Adeone said, “I presume Gad was executed.”
The General said, “No, sir. We’ve kept him alive in case you wanted to question him yourself.”
“I don’t. Has he given your more skilled men any information?”
“No. He claims he’s in bondage for his life and that he has no idea who his master is. He’s lost a finger trying to escape the serfdom—”
“Do you believe him?”
“There are marks to suggest torture at another point in his life, sir.”
Adeone said, “If he’s not giving you anything useful execute him. Check though as to when he realised that he was still being followed. There might be places he’s led us that aren’t as smoke in the wind…”
When the debriefing finished, Adeone asked Landis to stay behind. He looked at his friend. “I saw Ira last night. It was her. Standing before me and telling me to live, for our sons’ sake.”
“She’d always have wanted that, sir.”
“I know, Festus. It just made me think. I knew that something would happen around now. I was going to order Gad’s arrest today. A day late, it seems. Maybe my powers of a medium aren’t so strong after all.”
Landis stood stock-still. “Pardon?”
Adeone looked his friend in the eye. “Are you suddenly afraid that I might know your secret, Festus?”
“What secret’s that then, Adeone?”
The King grinned at him. “Oh, I think we’ll just have to wait and see, don’t you, my lord?”
Landis relaxed. “I’ll keep that in mind, Sire.”
The friends watched each other. Without saying anything they’d said it all.
* * *
Adeone’s chest healed remarkably well and Doctor Chapa was rumoured to be pestering Laioril for the recipe for the salve that he’d smothered the wound with. The Petitionals for 1211 were uneventful. Scanlon arrived in a flurry of officialdom for a fortnight. Faced with the evidence that ‘persons unknown’ had manipulated Fullerton’s situation for Lord Rathgar’s advantage, he played along and the land was handed back to Fullerton.
Adeone puzzled over Scanlon’s motives. Two years ago, he’d have said all his brother wanted was absolute power. Now he wasn’t so certain. He abused the powers the post of Justiciar gave him but never actively used them to gain more. If his brother did become king, would he just watch the empire destroy itself? If he did, why? Whenever Adeone tried to work out the threads, the starting points, the reasons, he couldn’t catch them.
Chapter 71
TERASIA
Septadai, Week 5 – 7th Tradal, 14th Middis 1211
Oedran
A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE MUNEWID, Adeone walked into the Outer Office, said ‘Good morning’ to Richardson and then repeated himself. His administrator came out of a trance as he apologised and returned the greeting.
Adeone crooked a finger at him. Once in the Inner Office with the door closed on the other secretaries, he asked, “What’s got you worried?”
Richardson sagged slightly. “It’s nothing really, sir. It’s just that my youngest decided to study law. I couldn’t persuade him otherwise and even after the first few weeks, he’s not changed his mind.”
Adeone considered his administrator steadily. It did explain the preoccupation and was certainly a disturbing proposition for someone as loyal as Richardson.
“If you can’t, Richardson, I don’t know who could.”
“Thank you, sir. I just feel we’ve somehow betrayed you.”
“Don’t be a fool. You could never do that. If it puts your mind at rest Prince Tain will need good men in the judiciary in the coming years. I have no doubt that young Tristan will be amongst them. Now, I’ve decided to send Prince Arkyn as my Representative for the Terasian Provincial Review. We need to start planning his trip.”
Richardson hesitated. “I don’t mean to criticise, Your Majesty, but isn’t His Highness a bit young to be undertaking a review somewhere as distant as Terasia.”
“Probably, but my sons need to be prepared. Oh, don’t look like that; you know that my brother will succeed in killing me one day. Back to Terasia: I wish I could give Prince Arkyn a couple more years’ freedom but I can’t, so… Can you prepare a briefing and talk to Edward about procedures? The usual things. I’ll talk to Prince Arkyn and Lord Portur. I’d also better see Lord Teran. I’ll need to talk to him today if possible.”
Once the door closed behind Richardson, Adeone watched the gardens and spotted Arkyn and Tain on one of the areas of lawn. Even from this distance, he could tell Arkyn was teasing his younger brother. He sighed softly, wishing he could join them in the sunshine. He was never quite certain how long he’d been standing watching them when Richardson announced Lord Teran.
Lord Teran, charged with representing Terasia’s interests in Oedran, was a sharp-featured, sly-looking gentleman, whom Adeone heartily disliked. He was one of Scanlon’s confederates and even if he hadn’t been Adeone would still have found it difficult to like him. As he entered, Adeone turned and made his way back to his desk. Teran certainly wasn’t high enough in favour to be seated comfortably.
* * *
When Teran had left, Adeone went in search of his sons. He found them still wrangling on the lawn. Grinning, he waved the guards further off.
“What’s the dispute about then?”
Arkyn and Tain whipped around, jumped up and gave short bows before Adeone hugged them. Arkyn answered first.
“Nothing calamitous, sir. We were betting on whether you would be sending me to Terasia or not.”
Adeone was impressed. He had mentioned the idea to no-one before that morning. He lay on the lawn, watching the scudding clouds, enjoying the sun on his face. Tain lay on his front, his legs kicking the air, whilst he picked at the grass, Arkyn settled himself cross-legged and also picked at the grass.
Adeone said, “You two never cease to amaze me. Do you want to go?”
Arkyn thought for a long moment. “Yes, in a way I do, but I’d be slightly—”
“Scared.” Tain completed the sentence for him with his normal aplomb.
“I don’t blame you. I know I was during the first review I undertook. The odd thing is that this morning I decided you would be going. I was impressed with how you handled events at the Guildhall. I just came to tell you.”
Tain sat up. “Can I go as well?”
Adeone looked at his son’s excited face. “Not this time, maybe another. Your brother will have more than enough on, without wondering what you’re getting up to. Carry on destroying Ceardlann for a couple more years.”
Tain grinned sheepishly but went back to picking at the grass, disappointment ill hidden on his face.
Arkyn poked him. “Just think of all the boring meetings I’ll have to endure. At least you’ll be able to be out and about.”
“Suppose. When will you be going?”
Adeone heard the note of disappointment ease as uncertainty took its place. He sat up. “Oh, not until the autumn. Lord Teran has a report to write. It’ll take him that long to find a pen!”
His sons laughed. They all spent a pleasant quarter of an hour before Adeone spotted Richardson.
“Oh no, I’ve been found. Could you hide me?”
Grinning, Tain and Arkyn jumped up, shielding their father from view.
Richardson came over grinning. “I don’t suppose Your Highnesses have seen His Majesty?”
Arkyn said seriously, “Not for a while, I’m afraid, Richardson.”
“If you do happen to see him, sir, could you tell him General Paturn requires a word? Regarding Terasia of all places.”
Adeone, behind his sons, groaned and rose. Richardson, pretending to be surprised, glanced at Arkyn.
The Prince shrugged. “I never said in how long a while.”
Ruffling his sons’ hair, the King left.
Once in the Inner Office, Adeone motioned for General Paturn to explain. Half an hour later, Wynfeld was confirmed as Commander of Terasia, allowing the current incumbent his requested retirement and Adeone peace of mind.
Over the next few days and weeks, Adeone completed the preparations for Arkyn’s trip. He chose Fitz as Captain, a reliable clerk was found to act as Edward’s deputy and Kadeem located someone to act as his, along with footmen, clerks, grooms and guards they made up a sizable entourage. It would take over three weeks to reach Tera. Not wanting to leave anything to chance, Adeone planned out the route with Fitz and Arkyn. They would use the main highway, skirt the Rex Dallin, then stay at Amphi Palace for a couple of nights before riding south through Areal until they reached Terasia. The route left little to the imagination, but the stops had to be carefully orchestrated so there was enough contingency time. Some were at the Arealian forts, some at lords’ manors.
The day Arkyn left for Terasia, the King found a note on his desk. He opened it expecting to see Richardson’s or Simkins’ writing. The note, however, was in neither and Adeone’s blood ran cold.
Day soon turns to night.
CHARACTERS
FAMILIES
FITZALCIS
KING ALTARIUS APOLINAR – King of the Oedranian Empire
PRINCE ADEONE ALTARIUS – Heir to the Oedranian Empire
PRINCESS IRA – Adeone’s wife
PRINCE ARKYN ADEONE – Adeone’s eldest son
PRINCE TAIN LACHLAN – Adeone’s younger son
PRINCESS ELIZA (ELLA) – Adeone’s daughter
PRINCE LACHLAN – Altarius’ brother
LADY AMARA – Altarius’ sister
LORD SCANLON – Justiciar of the Empire
LADY AELIA – Scanlon’s wife
LADY ELANTHA – Scanlon’s daughter
LANDIS
LORD FESTUS LANDIS – Lord of Oedran, Defender of the King’s Life, Chief Advisor, nearfather to Adeone’s children
LADY CORNELIA LANDIS – Long-suffering, hardworking Lady of Oedran
JULIUS AND JULIA – Eldest children, twins
MARCELEA, ANTONIA, LUCIUS – Younger children
GALDWIN
MASTER GALDWIN – Cloth Merchant, Cal’s father
MADAM GALDWIN – Cal’s mother
CALUMIEL GALDWIN (CAL) – Eldest son
HALTERN, LOUISA, CRISPIN, TABITHA – Younger children
WANDA
LAIORIL – A chief of the Wanda
MIRANDA – Wise woman of the Wanda
SAYRE – Man of the Wanda
RETINUES AND HOUSEHOLDS
KING’S RETINUE
RICHARDSON – King’s Administrator
SIMKINS – King’s manservant
DOCTOR CHAPA – King’s Physician and cousin
MARIA WYNFELD – Nurse to the Princes
CAPTAIN FITZ – Officer of the FitzAlcis
CAPTAIN HASTER – Head of the Palace Guard
SERGEANT MARSH – Head of the King’s Guard
KENTON – King’s Secretary
ADVISOR RAYBURN – King’s Military Advisor
ADVISOR VANVAL – King’s Court Advisor
KADEEM – Footman
CEARDLANN
COMPTROLLER – Gentleman in charge of Ceardlann
COOK – Cook
ALFRED – Chief groom
LANDIS HOUSE
WILLIAM KADEEM – Lord Landis’ manservant
CLODACH – Chief groom
COOKIE – Cook
NURSIE – Children’s nurse
BACKERY – Footman
SANDBINE – Warden
GIBB – Chief Bailiff
IN OEDRAN
COURT
LORD ELIDIR RYSON – Lord of Oedran for Gerymor
LORD ANGUIS – Lord of Oedran for Serpent Isle
LORD IRVIN IRIS – Young lord of the Court, grandson of Lord Iris
ADVISOR MEYER – An advisor
ADVISOR BLUNT – An advisor
PALACE
STEWARD – Gentleman in charge of day-to-day running of the Palace
CHAMBERLAIN – Gentleman in charge of the individual rooms in the Palace
HERALD – Gentleman in charge of the mail routes, runners and couriers
CAPTAIN HASTER – Captain of the Palace Guard
JACK – Chief Groom
BLACKWOOD – Head Gardener
DENNY – Chief Server of Upper Hall
CITY
MERCHANT CHAPA – Merchant of Oedran and King Adeone’s cousin
ALDHOUSE – Chief Yeoman of Oedran, head of law enforcement
JUDGE JAMES TANCRED – Judge of Oedran, Friend of King Adeone
KEEPER OF THE JUSTICE HALL – Superintendent of the Courthouse of Oedran
ARMY
GENERAL PATURN – Head of the King’s Army
MAJOR WYNFELD – Major of Oedran
CAPTAIN BEAVER – Captain of Intelligence
CAPTAIN SHARPARU – Captain in Garth
IN THE EMPIRE
BAYAN AND GARTH
LORD TYLER GALWOOD – Exarch, King’s Representative and second cousin once removed
HERITOR FULLERTON – Last Heritor of Bayan
MERCHANT FULLERTON – Son of Heritor Fullerton
DELVINGS
Lexicon
OF THE MOONS
ALUNA – The larger of the two Erinnan moons
ALUNA-MONTH – Four weeks
ALUNAN – The higher section of society
ALUNAN-AGE – Twenty years old. Alunan become adults in law
CISLUNA – The smaller of the two Erinnan moons
CISLUNA-MONTH – Three weeks
CISAN – The lower section of society
CISAN-AGE – Fifteen years old. Cisan become adults in law
FOR THE ANCESTORS
ALCIA – A guardian of the ancestor’s memory
ALCIUM – A place to remember the ancestors, for blessing new life, for contemplation and for funerals.
ON RELATIONSHIPS
NEAR* – Named when a child is born, nearparents act as mentors for a child and would act as guardians should the child be left orphaned. Nearparents’ children are nearcousins, unless the child lives in the same house, then they’re nearsiblings
WED* – This prefix denotes relatives married into the family, rather like the suffix in-law
IN OEDRAN
KING’S ADVOCATES – A group consisting of the King’s Defenders, heir and Representatives in the empire
TRINICULUM – A formal dining room at the Palace.
AULNAGER – Chief cloth merchant
YEOMEN – Law enforcers
HONOURIFICS
SIRE, MAJESTY – The King
GRACE – The Queen
HIGHNESS – Princes
ELEGANCE – Princesses
EXCELLENCY – King’s Representatives
GREATNESS – Scanlon
MY LORD – Lords
MY LADY – Nobel Ladies
FEALTIES
FEALTY – A declaration of loyalty from one person to another: a declaration to take up the fight for the liege by the vassal
TRUTH- BINDING – In addition to fealty, the vassal swears to speak to the truth to the liege when required.
SPEECH- BINDING – In addition to truth-binding, the vassal swears never to reveal anything confidential, never to say anything to annoy the liege, to speak only for them not against them.
HONOUR-BINDING – In addition to truth-binding, the vassal swears only to work for the honour of the liege, not against them.
LIFE-BINDING – Melding all aspects of truth, speech and honour bindings, the vassal ties their life force to the wishes of the liege. If they annoy their liege, they feel pain. If they commit treason, the vassal will die immediately.
