The Times That Try Mens' Souls

Chapter 21

The Journey to Turnone

We left immediately after breaking our fast. Alais and I dined in our quarters, knowing full well we wouldn't be welcome at Ysandre's table. It would take us a couple of days to reach Turnone and I intended to ride swiftly. Alais rode beside me, her guards and my men-at-arms behind us. I offered her the use of the carriage I kept in the City, but she declined. I had a feeling she would, but I thought I'd offer it anyway.

"What is Turnone like?" asked Alais as the City of Elua grew smaller behind us. "I've never been there."

"Well, it's been quite a while since I've been there myself, but it is a city built more for defense than for charm," I replied. "It is likely that it will not be quite as comfortable as the City of Elua, but we will manage." I thought of my Akkadian cushions waiting for me back at the Palace and sighed. Perhaps I could send home for some. I shook my head, dismissing the frivolous thoughts.

Alais was a fine rider and she easily kept pace with the rest of us. We rode until night fell, stopping only for a brief midday meal. After dark, we came to a decent-sized town which would make a fine place to stay overnight. I'd considered staying away from towns, but in the end I decided that it made no difference. The countryside was on our side, and Ysandre had, to the best of my knowledge, not issued any edicts forbidding people from aiding us.

There were two inns, so none of us had to sleep in tents. Alais and I stayed in the better of the two. The innkeeper was quite surprised to see a Princess of the Blood and the Duc L'Envers appear on his doorstep. "Your highness! Your grace! It is quite an honor to have you here. I am happy to assist you in any way I am able."

"Lodgings and a hot meal are what we'd like most now," I said.

The innkeeper bowed. "Of course." We followed him upstairs as he showed us to our rooms. They were of course much simpler than we were used to, but they would do well for the night. I would've liked a bath after a day of riding, but there wasn't a bathhouse. I briefly considered changing into some clean clothing, but I decided against it. No sense in dirtying more clothes than necessary.

Once Alais and I unpacked the essential items for the night and I saw that all of our men had accommodations, we joined the innkeeper for dinner. We'd only eaten a light midday meal and I was rather hungry as a result. We were served a beef and vegetable stew over noodles with thick slices of bread. It was simple fare, but filling and tasty. The innkeeper, clearly eager for news, sat with us as we ate.

"I've heard that some sort of madness has taken hold in the City of Elua and the Queen has lost her mind," he said.

Alais and I exchanged a look. "You might say that," I said dryly.

"The Carthaginians put a spell on the City to make everyone believe they are our allies and my sister the Dauphine made a love match with a Carthaginian general," Alais explained.

"Well when I first heard about that I thought the Carthaginian was a better choice than Prince Imriel." The innkeeper shook his head. "I lost a brother at Troyes-le-Mont. Surely her highness the Dauphine could do better than a traitoress's get."

"We are sorry for your loss," I said quietly. Alais nodded.

"Thank you, your grace. We've had some news out of Aragonia come through here. Last I heard, they were still retreating and the Carthaginian army was pressing north."

"Wonderful," I remarked.

"The folk who came by here seemed very confused about Terre d'Ange's lack of action. Is her majesty going to let Aragonia be conquered?" the innkeeper asked.

I refilled my glass and took a sip of wine before answering. It was L'Agnacite wine, passable but not on the same level of a fine Namarrese red. "I'm afraid she is. Everyone who was in the City during a certain 'celestial marvel' the Carthaginians promised is afflicted. Princess Alais and I have tried to persuade the Queen to step down and let her assume the throne until we can undo this vile enchantment. In return, the Queen exiled us."

The innkeeper was taken aback. "She would exile members of her own family?"

"Yes," I said grimly. "It has come to that."

"My uncle and I are making for Turnone. We intend for it to be the new seat of rule," Alais said.

"Princess Alais is now acting Queen of Terre d'Ange because my niece is obviously unfit to rule right now. We'd like word of this to reach the whole country, so any help you might provide would be greatly appreciated," I added.

"I will assist you in any way I can, your grace, your hi- majesty."

We did not linger overlong downstairs, for we were both tried and we had another long day of travel ahead of us. The bed in my room was comfortable enough, though not quite what I was used to. I fell asleep almost instantly.

The next morning I was awake with the sun. We were treated to a full meal before we left, for which I was grateful. I would've liked to have some kavah, but in its absence I made do with strong tea. I wanted to set out early again, so we left shortly after breaking our fast.

I took more time to appreciate the countryside as we rode. L'Agnace was known for its wide swaths of farmland. The fields we currently rode by were those which fed the City of Elua. I find beauty in all of Terre d'Ange but my opinion, biased though it may be, is that Namarre is the most beautiful of the seven provinces. I did miss it a great deal while in Khebbel-im-Akkad, despite growing to love that harsh and desert land as well. It was as different from Namarre as a place could possibly be, but it had its own beauty. Few have ever understood that, for it seems strange that a D'Angeline could love other lands. I've never been a typical D'Angeline. The blood of Blessed Elua runs through my veins and I'm certain I could feel at home anywhere on this earth.

We made good time again on the second day, only pausing for our midday meal. The town we spent the night in was smaller than the first. There was a small inn, too small to house all of us, so our men were forced to camp for the night. The inn was not quite as nice or as comfortable as the first one, and I woke with a sore back the next morning. It might've been due to riding for two days straight at my age, but the bed left much to be desired. I hoped the beds in Turnone were better.

We kept up our pace on the third day. It was my hope that we would reach Turnone by nightfall. As I rode, I glanced over at Alais. She made no complaints, but I wondered if the pace was wearing on her. She was the sort of girl who enjoyed riding, but I did not think she was used to riding at such a pace. "How are you faring, Alais?" I called to her.

"I'm managing fine, Uncle," she called back, "but I'll be glad when we reach Turnone."

"That makes two of us. I could do with a comfortable bed and a hot bath," I retorted.

"A bath would be very nice," said Alais with a small smile.

The sky was beginning to grow dark when at last Turnone appeared before us. The city was situated atop a steep hill, the buildings clustered around the top. The palace, an old and impressive building made of grey stone, towered above the others. I hoped that Thierry had arrived and we were expected. I turned to face my men.

"Well lads, we're here. Welcome to our new home." Beside me, Alais addressed her guards in Cruithne. "Firman, ride to the palace and inform Comte Raylen that we've arrived."

Firman rode forward. "As you command, your grace." He set off for the hill. We paused for several more minutes- I thought we could do with a short rest. We all took the time to stretch and drink from our waterskins. Once we'd rested enough for the moment, we began the careful ascent up the steep hill.

"You were right, Uncle. This would indeed be a difficult place to besiege," Alais commented as we rode two-by-two up the narrow path.

"With any luck it won't come to that."

When at last we reach the top, the gates immediately opened. Lar-agash moved to ride in front of myself and Alais as we made our way to the palace. "Make way! Make way for her majesty Queen Alais and his grace the Duc L'Envers! Make way!" he called out in his heavy Akkadian accent, my standard clenched in his hand. We opted to do without the banner of House Courcel for this journey. The flag of Terre d'Ange would be Alais's device.

When we reached the palace, an escort was waiting for us at the gate. He bowed low. "The Comte de Turnone welcomes her majesty Queen Alais de la Courcel and his grace Duc Barquiel L'Envers to Turnone."

I waved a hand dismissively. "That is all well and good, but we must meet with the Comte as soon as possible."

"I have been sent to take you to him, your grace," said the escort.

"Very well then. Lead us."

We made our way to the Comte's receiving room. The palace itself was rather old and a feeling of dampness pervaded it. That was hardly encouraging, but I would have to get used to it if this was to be my home for an indefinite period of time. When we arrived at the receiving room, the escort knocked on the door. "Enter," came the voice from within. The escort opened the door and led us inside, bowing before his lord.

"Her majesty the Queen and the Duc L'Envers are here to see you, my lord."

"Thank you, You may leave us now."

Several chairs were arranged in front of a large fireplace where a warm fire blazed. The furniture was not excessively ornate, but it was obviously high quality. The Comte, seated in one of the chairs, rose to give us a deep bow. "Your majesty, your grace. It is indeed an honor to have you here. Please be seated."

Alais and I situated ourselves by the fire. I took the time to study Raylen Marrioud. He was a man of middling stature, with light brown hair and hazel eyes. His clothing was practical rather than ostentatious, which spoke in his favor. We'd met a handful of times before, but I did not know him well.

"I received your letter yesterday," he began, looking at me. "This is indeed troubling news. I confess I've been very confused by the news which has been coming out of the City of Elua as of late."

"Well, you may rest assured that Terre d'Ange does not in truth have an alliance with Carthage. The entire City of Elua has been enchanted to believe we do," I remarked, shifting to stretch my legs out before me. They were cramped from riding.

Raylen looked from me to Alais and then back to me, confused. "How could they put an enchantment over the entire City of Elua?"

"They used a so-called 'celestial marvel' to do it," I answered. I did not tell him about the gem. Not everyone needed to know about it. "That and foul magic."

"The spell also made them believe that my sister fell in love with the Carthaginian general Astegal and married him willingly," said Alais. "But Sidonie is truly in love with Prince Imriel."

Raylen nodded. "I'd heard about that. I wore a black armband to show my opposition to them, but I suppose even a traitoress's get is better than being enchanted and married to someone against your will."

"Oh Prince Imriel is an ally now, by the way," I commented dryly.

The Comte's eyebrows rose at that. "You have allied yourself with Prince Imriel, Barquiel?"

"As shocking as that may seem, I have. No doubt you heard rumors of his madness?"

"I did."

"Well, it protected him from Carthage's spell. He sought my aid in escaping the City. He journeyed to Cythera to find how to undo the spell and now he's on a mission to locate the Dauphine in Carthage and free her from the love spell placed on her." I studied Raylen closely as I spoke. He was completely stunned, quite unsure what to make of any of this.

"Did he learn how to undo the spell on the City?" he asked after he recovered from his temporary shock.

"Yes, he did," said Alais. "He sent us a letter explaining what to do, but unfortunately it cannot be done now. There are pieces of the puzzle we don't have yet."

"And we can't get them without returning to the City," I interjected.

"Well, at least there is a way to undo it," said Raylen with a sigh.

"We tried speaking to Ysandre numerous times, but the nature of the spell is that if questioned it will only tighten its hold on the victim. And so she has exiled us and named us traitors." The memory of that last horrible audience with Ysandre was still fresh and painful, and I could not keep some of that pain from creeping into my voice. I'd been too preoccupied with the journey to dwell on it these last few days, but now the awful feeling of being stabbed in the heart returned.

"I cannot believe that the Queen would exile two close members of her own family." Raylen shook his head. "It does not fit with her at all."

"She's not herself, not at all," said Alais.

"And so we've declared Alais to be the temporary ruler of Terre d'Ange since we could not convince Ysandre to step down and let her take the throne until we can undo the spell. I've been telling folk to come to her with any business they might normally take to Ysandre," I explained.

Raylen was silent, considering everything we'd told him. His eyes went to a small window across from where he sat and then to the fire before returning back to us. "So you intend to make Turnone the new seat of rule?"

There was no note of offense in his voice, but I thought it best to explain my choice anyway. "Yes, we do. I do not mean to impose on you, but I selected Turnone as a destination because it is defensible and could withstand a siege, Elua forbid it comes to that."

"I understand, Barquiel. I want to see an end to this madness and I am more than willing to assist you both to the best of my ability. You are welcome to stay in Turnone as long as it is necessary."

"Thank you, Comte Raylen," said Alais with a grateful smile.

"Now I'm sure you are hungry and tired from your journey. Come, I will show you to your rooms." He returned Alais's smile.