The Mageborn Cynic Chapter 5 Part 4

'Lord Jakob? Your Grace?'

'Yes Lieutenant?' Jakob shook off the dark thoughts that had plagued him since he parted from his family and acknowledged the officer. The escort of hussars had made good progress since leaving Lawndale that morning and with only a brief halt to rest and water the horses they should rendezvous with the rest of the regiment in Barksdale within the hour.

'There's a rider approaching, one of Major Sauchelli's men I deem.' The eager young officer replied.

'Very good, halt the column and have him report to me immediately.'

'Yes sir.'

A few moments later a captain rode up to Jakob and saluted. 'Good afternoon your Grace. The Major asked me to intercept you and report that her Grace, the Duchess of Barksdale, has kindly offered to billet our troops in her late husband's barracks as the Duke of Barksdale's regiment is already with his majesty and she requests that you and your senior officers join her for dinner this evening.'

Jakob sighed and muttered something that sounded like 'more trouble' before nodding to the man.

'Is your horse fresh Captain or would you like a replacement mount?'

'Fresh enough your Grace, we haven't come far.'

'Very well Captain, please return at good speed and thank her Grace, then see to it that someone has a bath available for me and these officers, it will be full dress formal this evening, all officers of the rank of captain and above plus any lieutenants not on duty, have the Major draw lots, losers will attend.'

'Surely you mean winners your Grace.'

'I know exactly what I mean, Captain, you are dismissed, Lieutenant, start the column.'

Before long they came in sight of Helena's childhood home, Le Château Valée d'Écorces, an imposing turreted granite manse on a hill dominating the town of Barksdale. Jakob called a meeting of his senior staff. Aside from the regular troops which were already with the Emperor the entire regiment was assembled and resting in the well appointed barracks. The march had proceeded as intended and there was nothing of note to report however Captain Mack of the Clan Mackenzie seemed troubled.

'What's on your mind Captain?' Jakob asked him.

'Nathin' important, Your Grace, I'm a wee bit saddle-sore is all.' Mack said aloud, but he 'pathed a request for a private discussion.

'I understand, Captain, join me in the baths if you will, it will ease our tired muscles.'

Mack was dubious about engaging in the intimacy of a 'pathed conversation with a superior officer but he daren't let his suspicions be overheard. As they settled into tubs in adjoining cubicles Jakob cut across that and asked him outright in a private 'path. 'All right Michael, please speak plainly, what is it?'

'Your Grace first of all I would be loth to speak of this to a non-mageborn officer but I believe you will understand. As you know my men and I have been assisting in the training of your new recruits. There was some resistance at first but once we'd knocked a few farmboys and blacksmith's apprentices on their backsides they began to pay attention, that, at least, is not a problem, however... someone or some group is sowing dissention in the ranks, some aimed at us but a lot of it is aimed at yourself. I hear "usurper" and "interloper" whispered and I overheard two men in a latrine saying that a priest had told them you'd used black magic to replace your brother. I entrusted Colonel Arbie with this information and between us we've been seeking out this "priest" but to no avail. I'm fairly certain the regular chaplains have no axe to grind with you so it's someone else. I may be mistaken but once or twice I'm convinced I saw a darkmage talking to some of the soldiers. He must have been casting a glamor but Lady Daria has assured me I am gifted with the ability to penetrate such disguises.'

Jakob pondered this for a while before replying. 'I am inclined to trust her judgement in these matters. Thank you for coming to me with this Captain, I will think on't and see what we might do. Please continue to keep your eyes – and ears open and don't hesitate to come to me with your concerns. I gather the Clans don't have formal uniforms but you are still most welcome to join my officers at dinner this evening, though I can almost guarantee you won't enjoy the company of my in-laws.'

'Eh... actually we do have formal wear Your Grace...'

Jakob had to chuckle at the inadvertent image of Mack in a white ruffed shirt and oversized gilt-edged sporran. 'Very good Captain, we had best ready ourselves for battle, the enemy awaits us in the dining room.'

At sunset, Jakob and his officers marched back through the stableyard to the main house. Her grace, Lady Evelyne, and some elderly retainers in full dress uniform were lined up on the bottom of the steps to greet them.

Protocol demanded that Jakob had to carry the ceremonial sword of his family at all times when in full dress uniform which was a damn pain, especially in his wrist as it had to be held hilt up to show the blazon of his family, no drooping allowed no matter how heavy the sword became. Her Grace Lady Evelyne was taking her own sweet time greeting and chatting to each and every officer when she'd been barely civil to her son in law, favoring him with that sneer she seemed to reserve just for him.

After the formal introduction of his officers Jakob accompanied his mother-in-law up the steps of the ducal palace and greeted his sister-in-law, Henrietta du Chambre, and her adult daughter, Arianne. 'Rietta, as she was known within the family, shared Helena's handsome features but Jakob suspected her honey blonde hair and shapely figure were the products of bleach, henna and whalebone respectively.

'I see Helena's been keeping you well fed, Jakey.' Rietta sneered as she cast a disdainful glance at his paunch. Arianne rolled her eyes and gave him an apologetic look.

Rietta didn't know that Jakob wasn't alone in his head at that moment and even at a great distance Helena was able to help him stay calm. Taking his lead from his eldest daughter Jakob assumed a stoic expression and politely kissed the hands of both women.

'Arianne, it's lovely to see you again, you're looking particularly elegant this evening, how is that fiancé of yours? Off with his regiment I assume? I was sorry to hear your wedding had to be postponed.' Jakob had always been quite fond of his niece as she reminded him of the way Helena had looked during the time of their courtship.

'Why yes uncle, thank you. May I offer my condolences on your recent bereavement, it must be a difficult time for you and your ladies, especially now that duty calls you away to war.'

Remembering her upbringing Rietta belatedly offered her condolences also.

Dinner was a prolonged and tedious affair interspersed with Lady Evelyne asking Jakob about his preparations only to interrupt and cut across him to ask a junior officer if he thought that was the correct way to do it. A couple of the men seemed to think this was funny but the ones who'd been in the tent in Loughrea when Jakob had set the traitorous colonel ablaze became more and more nervous at the colour Jakob's neck was turning.

Hoping to head off an eruption Colonel Arbie addressed a question to the duchess.

'Dame Evelyne, correct me if I'm wrong but did your late husband not have a great interest in war machines? I seem to recall hearing word of a museum of some sort?'

'Yes indeed Colonel, you are quite right, Percival had quite a collection ranging from catapults to a... What is it called again? Three bucket or something...?'

'A trebuchet? Really? I wonder if our engineers might examine them this evening? They've been quite successful building mangonels and I think they're ready for something larger.'

'You have engineers? My goodness that is modern. Of course they may, the larger pieces are in the old hay barns, my steward will show your lieutenant the way.'

'Thank you, your Grace.' Arbie summoned an attendant and passed on the order.

'Oh it's my pleasure, Percival would be so proud that we Barksdales can still make a contribution to the war effort, he was so disappointed not to have a son of his own but sadly I was only able to bear him three daughters. That reminds me Jakob, has my middle daughter decided it was time to do her duty and try for a son for you yet? Now that you're finally the Duke as I was promised when I let Helena marry you I can at last hold my head up in society. You need an heir now to ensure your line and with Barksdale blood in him who knows what he may achieve! If my worthless cousin doesn't succeed in siring a boy out of that shrew he married your son could even be a worthwhile heir to this house, why with the combined titles he could be first minister at least! Second only to the house of Schrecter!' A wild light of ambition shone in her eyes at this imagined glory.

Of all the officers present Charles Arbie alone knew of the tragic loss of Jakob and Helena's son. He was appalled that her ladyship could be so callous and unfeeling toward her own daughter's sensibilities. Jakob had turned white but seemed to have found a calmness that belied his fury.

'Evelyne,' he addressed her quietly so only Arbie and Mack and the two Archmages seated near could hear him. 'You are fully aware that Helena bore me a son but he succumbed to a fever before his first birthday. The best healers in the land have informed us that Helena almost certainly cannot carry a child to term and the strain would likely kill her. Therefore the only way for me to have an heir of my body would be to set Helena aside, disown my daughters and take a new wife from some other family. Now I ask you plainly, should I do that terrible thing?'

'By the Gods Jakob surely you...?'

'Every option, every healer, every prayer Evelyne. There is no hope there however I have made arrangements so my house will continue, albeit with a new family name, the line of Morgendorffer ends with me, just as the line of Barksdale ended with Lord Percival. Now, by your leave Madam, my men and I will retire, we have much to do and a long march tomorrow, pray excuse us. Good night.'

Jakob stood and his men all followed suit. They all bowed to the duchess then followed the Duke out of the elaborate dining room and into the night.