CHAPTER SEVEN
Exile
ARAMONDRIUS, LINUS (C.Y. 133-189)…..The greatest of Galvenian philosophers, Aramondrius is only one of two men in the Commonwealth era to contribute to the Philosophers' "Canon", the body of writings taught in the great universities of Terra – the other being Karzai (q.v.) of the Fulton Republic. Often simply referred to as "the Philosopher", his work is used extensively by thinkers in all walks of life, from the scientists of Lorean and Fulton to the theologians of Itaria.
The birthplace and origins of Aramondrius remain a matter of dispute, though he always identified himself as Galvenian. While his name is undoubtedly Itarian, it is unknown if this represents a later Itarianization of a Common or Varaldian name, such aesthetic changes being popular among men of letters in the second century of the Commonwealth. The tradition of his being descended from the Journeymen (q.v.) is probably legendary, though his brief history of the Order is still a classic of historical analysis…
- ENCYCLOPEDIA GALVENICA, 24th Edition, C.Y. 347
"Are you sure of this?" Makarov Juno said impatiently. They had been waiting in the woods outside Checkpoint Alpha for several hours, and despite the pleasantness of the mild spring weather, long waits always annoyed him.
"Of course, Juno," Jason Lugner said pleasantly. "Our quarry will pass this way, in a carriage carrying Mother Anna and a few King's College students, the latter serving as decoys. They foolishly believe that they will reach Lorean and find a safe haven with Marksmith, but the Zion agents will be waiting for them before they reach there. Fortunately, we are one step ahead."
"Here they come!" Juno hissed, as a carriage bearing the Marksmith coat of arms moved past them at a sedate pace. With a quick movement, Juno threw a grenade in front of the horses, spooking them and causing them to rear.
"Now!" Jason Lugner drew his sword and thrust it forward. The blade ignited into flame, setting the harness of the carriage on fire. The driver, still stunned by what had just happened, was quickly wrestled to the ground by Juno.
"What's going on?" two guards exclaimed, as they emerged through the carriage door, drawing their rifles. Juno quickly disarmed the first with a thrust of his sword, and then Jason launched a second grenade into the carriage itself, filling it with pink smoke. The second guard fell to his knees, coughing.
"We're moving in!" Jason said, covering his face with a scarf as he entered the coach, and emerged carrying a frail, elderly woman in his arms. However, as he climbed down, he was tripped from behind by a leg-sweep, and fell. The woman, who was unconscious but still breathing, fell onto the carriage steps, lying motionless there.
"Oh, no, you don't," Henrik Spenson said, drawing his own sword. With a quick slash, he pinned Jason Lugner to the ground and took his sword from him. "Viola, take Mother Anna back into the carriage! Quickly! I'll take care of these guys."
"Tsk, tsk," Juno said, pointing his sword at Viola, who was lifting up the aged nun. "So close, and yet so far." He thrust forward again, and would have struck her throat, but Henrik was quicker. He moved forward, the flame from the edge of Juno's sword licking at his wrist, and his sword parried the blow.
"Spenson?" Juno stared at him in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
"Makarov?" Spenson glared at him. "Just what do you think you're doing?"
"Spenson, do yourself a favour," Juno replied, "and allow me to take you and that old woman to a safe place. You are walking into a trap."
"Nonsense," Henrik replied. "We're taking her to a safe place before the Zion do. You've got it all wrong."
But the second guard had, by now, recovered, and fired wildly at Juno. The bullet struck him in the leg, but he hardly flinched, and aimed another thrust of his sword at the guard. It struck him in the chest, knocking him to the ground, his uniform on fire.
"We've got to put that out!" Viola exclaimed, as she reached for the pots of water that were inside the carriage. As she passed one to Henrik, Juno pushed past her, and dragged Mother Anna out of the carriage.
"Leave her alone!" Viola cried out, and then it happened.
A strong gust of wind arose suddenly, knocking Juno off his feet, and loosening his grip on Mother Anna. He tried to hold on, but the hem of her habit tore away in his hand, and he fell to the ground.
"What – Go away! Please, don't harm Mother Anna," Viola pleaded.
Juno glared at her, then rose to his feet, and pointed his sword at her breast, but he had lost valuable time.
"No!" Henrik exclaimed, lunging forward furiously from behind Juno, and striking him in the side before he could turn and defend himself. He groaned, and fell to his knees.
"Viola, run!" Henrik said, as he lifted Mother Anna into his arms, and pointed her in the direction of the woods. "Don't look back! I'll stay right behind you in case anyone tries to attack." Frozen for a moment, Viola nodded mutely, then began to run for the woods, with Henrik close behind.
Juno swore, and held his hand to his side. It came away covered in blood, and he groaned.
"Curse you, Spenson," he muttered. "You do not realize what you have just done."
xxx
"Well, Lavie," Leah Mendelson said, as she handed her niece a glass of freshly squeezed grape juice, "how do you like it here? I realize it can't be as good as home, but you and your family are always welcome to stay with us." She was a large, motherly woman, who always seemed to be wearing an apron. I wonder if she wears one when she sleeps, Lavie thought, and the image brought a smile to her face.
"Pretty good, actually, Auntie," Lavie replied. "Mom and I are very grateful – you know that, right?"
"Oh, Lavie, think nothing of it," Leah replied. "Father always warned us that Sigmund would cut himself one day, trying to be too sharp. And before he died, he told me: 'Look, Leah, you're Sigmund and Vincent's big sister. Vincent will always lead a quiet life, though he has too little ambition, and I have no worries about him. But Sigmund's too clever for his own good. If he gets into trouble, stand by him, my child.' He was a very wise man, Lavie."
"Sort of like my Gran," Lavie reflected. "I guess I miss her more than anything else, Auntie."
"Emily told me about that, Lavie, and I'm sorry. Take comfort from the fact that she's probably in a better place now, and that she'd be glad to know that your family is safe."
"I wonder what she was trying to tell me, Auntie," Lavie said, closing her eyes, and remembering the last time she had spoken – and would ever speak – with her grandmother….
"She's…asking for you, Lavie," Ryan said, coming out of Anne Lancaster's room with an embarrassed look on his face. "She's quite ill."
"Thanks for bringing us here, Ryan," Lavie said, a tear falling to the ground as she stood up and walked into the room.
"Gran," she said softly, sitting down beside her, "can you hear me? Do you want Mom here, too?"
"Lavie, darling," Anne replied with a smile – even near death, she still radiated the warmth that had often comforted Lavie, both as a child and as a young woman – "I'm so sorry. I wish I could have lived longer – perhaps long enough to come to your wedding, or to see my great-grandchild." She shook her head feebly. "But it wasn't meant to be, Lavie, and all things considered, I've had a good life. I've had Gerald, and Emily, and you – and Providence has been so good to me."
"Gran…" Lavie found herself unable to speak, and wiped away a tear, then sniffed.
"Cry if you must, Lavie," Anne replied, "but remember that no matter how long it rains, the sun always comes out one fine morning, and then you will know. You will know that everything will work out, and that life will go on. Poor child, you haven't been having an easy time. But you've got courage, Lavie, and you can live it all down."
"Thank you, Gran," Lavie said, leaning forward. Anne placed her hand over her head, and stroked her hair.
"Now, Lavie, I know I don't have much time, but before I say goodbye to you and your mother, there are two things I must tell you. Are you listening, sweetie?"
"I am, Gran," Lavie replied.
Anne paused, trying to draw a breath with much effort. "We are living in dangerous times, my dear," she whispered. "Gerald warned me about this many years ago, but he could not get the King to listen. In these times, even good men will be forced to do terrible things for a good cause, Lavie – men of noble birth and honourable descent. And the trouble is that when a man does these things, he will not – no, he cannot remain untouched by them. Be careful, Lavie, and take care of those you love. Let that be my legacy to you. And if you ever need shelter, this home will always belong to you, my precious granddaughter."
"Gran…" Lavie tried to speak, then burst into tears. Anne comforted her, then went on.
"And there's one more thing, darling," she said, holding her granddaughter's hand. "You see, Lavie, Gerald wasn't the most handsome man I ever met. Nor was he the richest, or the one with the largest estate, or the most erudite." She laughed. "But he had one thing, Lavie, that no other man had."
"And what was that, Gran?"
"Simply this, dear: he was the only one who stood by me and Mother when Father died, and we learned that he had lost most of his fortune in dubious investments," Anne said, with a laugh that was almost girlish. "Poor Father never had a head for business, unlike your father, dear. Most of the other men shied off at that, despite their fine feathers. Faithfulness is a wonderful thing, Lavie. You're a faithful soul, and I hope you find someone like that. Not the mysterious heartbreaker of a novel for young girls – no, the Infinity forbid that!" She laughed again.
"I understand, Gran," Lavie said, embracing her frail form.
"And now, could you fetch your mother, sweetie? I think the time has come."
The door opened, and Lieutenant Reckland – who was waiting outside with Ryan – motioned to Emily to enter…
"Looks like she was quite a wise old woman, Lavie," Leah said, holding her hand. "And I can't think of a better way to leave this world than that. When my time comes, that's how I'd like to go – with David and my children beside me. And, if you could make it, that'd be wonderful!"
"Aw, come on, Auntie," Lavie said, with a laugh. "You're going to live to be a hundred."
"A hundred? Now there's a pleasant thought. Are you quite settled in, Lavie?" David Mendelson said, emerging from his den with a pleased expression. Like his wife, he was large of frame, but while she exuded order and efficiency, chaos described him better. His hair was untidy, his smock was stained with every colour of the rainbow, and a thin trail of dark paint had somehow found itself adhering to his left cheek.
"David!" Leah said affectionately. "Can't you wash your face when there are guests at home?" She wiped his cheek with a corner of her apron, and he sat down at the table next to his wife. "Good day today?"
"Pretty good, dearest," David said, beaming. "I've almost finished that commission of Josen's, though it's pretty awful in my humble opinion. Only an utter boor would ask for a portrait of Jadeed Bridge in full light. That bridge is an eyesore, except when the sun is setting."
"There speaks the artist," Leah teased, "though I'd trouble you to remember that, in our days of youthful folly, we had no problem meeting there even in full daylight."
"Indeed, we didn't," David replied, kissing her on the cheek. "And we're a long way from Jadeed now, thank the Infinity. My friends at the Ministry say that the war will soon involve the Republic."
"Really?" Lavie said, alarmed.
"Now, don't you fret, child," David said calmly. "Since we share a border with the Varald, it's possible that the Zion may try to attack there. That is, if they're not too busy giving those poor Itarians a hard time. Despite the Commonwealth's best efforts, a lot of the coast is now under Zion control, and those new submarines of theirs aren't helping. The Imperial Divisons are marching on Itaria City even as we speak, and though Hipper has deployed as many men as he can, it still may not be enough."
"I know," Lavie said dully. "Ryan's mom wrote to me, saying that his battalion was being deployed to defend the City."
"Ryan? Oh, that boy Emily was telling us about? Don't worry, Lavie," David said consolingly. "Sooner or later, evil gets its deserts, and the Zion will get theirs soon."
"And that's quite enough war talk from the two of you!" Leah chided them. "Now calm down, Lavie. David, could you fetch Sigmund, Emily and the girls? The tea-cake should be just about ready by now, if my trusty oven hasn't failed!"
"Of course, dearest," David replied. "In the meantime, Lavie, enjoy your stay in Indernes."
xxx
"So Socius is dead," King Arlbert said, as he donned his fur-trimmed cape and adjusted his crown. "I do hate funerals, but as much as I hate to concede it, he was a good Galvenian."
"It was fortunate that Mrs. Socius and I were able to see him, the night before he died, and that the Queen visited him today morning," Lady Anton said, with a sniff. "Poor Sarah, my heart aches for her."
"Oh, does it?" Arlbert joked. "I thought it was already frozen stiff by that Itarian religion of yours. By the way, Lady Anton, do you think the Seat of Itaria will finally fall vacant?"
"Your Majesty!" Lady Anton protested. "Jest about earthly things if you must, but do not mock God or his priests!"
"Oh, you're no fun, Rochelle," the young Duchess of Delanos twittered, then lightly stroked Arlbert's cheek with one bright pink nail. "Wouldn't you say so, my king?"
"What more amusement than I need, when your fair form is next to mine?" Arlbert replied.
"If you'll excuse me," Rochelle said stiffly, "I must go and see the Queen. Good day, Your Majesty."
"Don't let the guards behead you on the way out!" Arlbert bellowed as she hurried away, causing the Duchess to laugh helplessly.
"Ahem.." The interruption was discreet, but it was an interruption nonetheless. "Your Majesty, could I have a word with you?"
"Don't tell me you're going to take up the mantle of Galvenia's most boring politician from Socius," Arlbert protested, turning to face Sir Cornelius Fairfax, who had listened to this entire exchange.
"The King is right, cousin Cornelius," Juliette Delanos said, pointing an accusing finger at him. "Don't bore him!"
"Ahem, Juliette, would you leave us alone for a moment?" Arlbert said reluctantly. "I will be with you soon."
"I shall be terribly lonely, Arlbert," the Duchess replied, winking at him as she left the room. "Do make haste."
"Hmph." Arlbert did not like being separated from his favourites at the best of time, and today was not a good day. "What do you have to say to me, Cornelius?"
"Let me not beat around the bush, Your Majesty," Sir Cornelius said. "Socius did not die a natural death. He was poisoned."
"He died of a broken skull, Fairfax," Arlbert retorted. "Who gave you a medical degree, anyway?"
"Your Majesty, please listen. Despite the severity of his injuries, Socius was beginning to recover, and could even recognize his wife and speak a few words. When he died suddenly, Trask and I ordered that an autopsy be carried out in secret…"
"Fairfax, I've just eaten some good bacon," Arlbert groaned. "Don't make me sick."
"…and we found that he died of massive bleeding into his brain," Fairfax went on, speaking firmly. "We consulted the doctor, who was puzzled by this and conducted a few tests. He concluded that Socius had been given a poison that thinned his blood, and caused him to develop a fresh haemorrhage at the site of his head wound."
"So who did it, Fairfax?" Arlbert muttered. "Who would have the necessary knowledge to choose that particular poison, and administer it to Socius while he was still in the Royal Hospital?"
"We suspect that a doctor or nurse may have been bribed to do so, Your Majesty," Fairfax replied. "I am informing you of this, because we will interrogate them and find out who was the instigator of this plot."
"Probably Regale, the clever dog," Arlbert joked. "Even in the Republic, he's pulling his strings."
"We do not think so, Sire. If we obtain a confession, what would you have us do?"
"Do?" Arlbert glared at the Interior Minister. "I'll tell you what you must do. Promote Sheffield, who is Deputy Prime Minister, to Socius' post. Do what you must. And now, kindly leave me alone. Poor Juliette needs to be consoled, and I need to recover my strength for tomorrow morning's moaning and wailing. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Sir Cornelius replied, bowing low before leaving the room.
xxx
"Now, are you all clear about what you have to do?" Commander Chernev said, looking anxiously at the four men in front of him. They were encamped in an abandoned farm outside Itaria City, huddled around the fire.
"Hell, yes," Stein replied. "And I'm raring to go. Those fools sank my ship, and no self-respecting member of the CSF is going to stand for that."
"I am, Sir," Ryan replied, placing his hand over the butt of his rifle, his eyes going to the scar on his hand that was a reminder of their last battle.
"No disagreement here, Commander," Niazi of the Republic replied, and his fellow troop leader, Urquhart of Galvenia, nodded in reply.
"The situation is this. Our forces are now beginning to regain ground on the coast, since the Zion's reverses in the Varaldian war mean that they cannot commit any more troops or ships to this front. However, the Zion forces have now headed directly for the city, and have captured the Itarian Guard's garrison there. The remainder of the Guard has now regrouped to guard the Pontifical Castle of Saint Hermanus, where Pious XXI and his men still stand firm – in fact, in their latest broadcast on the Voice of Itaria, they strongly condemned the Zion for their warmongering and their bad theology." He laughed. "You've got to hand it to the old boy. Word has it that he's ill, but he's still standing strong."
"He does seem to be a fighter, Sir," Ryan remarked.
"Indeed, Second Lieutenant, indeed he is." Chernev frowned. "Now, this is the plan. There is a safe route out of the palace, with a passage guarded by our men leading to the coast. Niazi and Urquhart, you will assume your positions on that route, and defend yourselves against any of the Imperials who come that way. Stein and Eramond, your men will lead a direct attack on the Castle tonight. If you are successful, hold the Palace, and send word to Niazi and Urquhart to join you. If you fail – and it is possible, gentlemen – use the signal we agreed upon earlier, and your colleagues will rescue the Pontiff – and as many men as we can save with him – and take him to safety on Unity Isle."
"What if he refuses to go?" Stein remarked.
"He has agreed to leave if there is no choice," Chernev admitted, "but has urged us to make every attempt to prevent that. I myself will lead the fifth division, and we will join either the assault or the rescue party depending on how the wind blows. We move in an hour. Any questions?"
No response greeted him, except firm nods and determined looks.
"We're ready, Sir," Ryan said at last. "Count on us."
"Oh, I will, Eramond," Chernev replied. "I will."
xxx
"Thank you, child," Mother Anna said, stretching out comfortably as Viola placed a moist towel over her head. "You've been very good to me, Viola Marie. You're a credit to your parents."
"You're welcome, Mother," Viola replied with a smile. "How did you find out my middle name, though?"
"Oh, an old woman like me enjoys observing small details," the nun replied with a serene smile. "In a few days, I should be quite myself."
"Doctor Harding, the College's chief physician, says it's just a bad chill, Mother," she replied. "And it was fortunate that Henrik's friend and his men had been alerted about a possible attack, and were able to find us in a few hours. We couldn't have lasted much longer out in the woods." She shivered.
"Oh, the Infinity looks after his own, especially old, feeble women," Mother Anna said ruefully. "Sometimes I wish He had chosen a more worthy instrument than me for His purposes."
"You're not feeble," Viola said gently. "I was just as run-down as you when I had the 'flu last year."
"Oh, that's good to know," Mother Anna replied. "And don't take my words too seriously; I grumble too much for my own good. The Infinity knows what He's doing. It's just that sometimes, my child, keeping a secret can be a terrible burden. Do you know what I mean?" She looked at the girl meaningfully.
Viola blushed. "I don't know what you – Do you mean…" She paused, folding and unfolding her hands nervously.
"Oh, don't worry, Viola Marie," Mother Anne said kindly. "Your little secret's safe with me, and perhaps someday, when I'm too old to go on, I'll tell you mine. But for now, let's just keep quiet about it. Does that seem satisfactory?"
"Yes, Mother," Viola replied. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"Thank you, child," Mother Anna replied. "A little water, perhaps, and then I shall sleep a little."
A few minutes later, Viola was back in Professor Scott's room. With him were Henrik, his friend Armin – who had rescued them in the woods a few hours after their encounter with the cloaked men – and another man, whom she did not recognize, but who was wearing the garments of a noble.
"Ah, good day, Viola," Professor Scott replied. "Sir Cornelius was just listening to some of the details of our little adventure, and he has something to say."
"Sir Cornelius?" She curtseyed. "Pleased to meet you, Your Lordship."
"Oh, let's not stand on formality, Miss Benise," Sir Cornelius replied. "What I need to say is simply told. For the time being, Mother Anna will remain here as an anonymous patient, and once she recovers, she will continue to teach a few classes as a visiting faculty member, assisting Father Richard Laplace in his philosophy classes. For this purpose, she will use the name she was given during her religious profession – Sister Phoebe. We will also place a guard here, just in case."
"That sounds quite drastic, Sir," Henrik observed. "Wouldn't she be safe with the Duke, or at Lorean Castle?"
"Ah, but the question is, dear Henrik," Armin said lazily, opening and closing the flick-knife he was carrying, "can one be safe where there are snakes in the grass? I can't spill too many beans, but let's just say His Dukedom is under the microscope."
"The Duke a traitor?" Scott exclaimed. "Impossible, young man."
"He may not be a traitor himself," Fairfax replied, "but he is either being used, or has assistants who are playing him false. As Mr. Tamas said, I cannot divulge sensitive information – especially not so soon after Socius' death – but it is clear that one of the Duke's agents was involved in something very ugly indeed. We have detained the man, and he insists that he acted on his own, but I would recommend caution."
"That's right, dudes," Armin went on. "Unfortunately, he'd been blabbing a little too much in a tavern, and that's how we got wind of the fact that you'd be attacked on your way back. He did try a little diversion though; he said you'd be attacked in Lorean, while they actually struck in the woods. Still, they're morons."
"And we escaped, all thanks to Henrik," Viola said, looking at him admiringly.
"Not to mention a little help from the weather," Henrik observed. "God works in strange ways."
Viola was silent, then spoke suddenly. "But if that's true, Sir Cornelius, then can we believe anyone? If the Duke – who will soon marry the Princess – is now suspect, then is anyone trustworthy?"
"Oh, trust us, sweetie," Armin said, replacing his knife in his belt. "The Galvenian Intelligence Service are here for you."
xxx
"Damn it, they're getting away!" Ryan swore, looking at the fleeing Zion troops in front of him. "Fire again, at least once more!"
The CSF rifles rang out in a loud chorus, and a few of the Imperial soldiers fell to the ground, but the remainder made good their escape.
"Oh, don't worry, son, you did well enough," Stein said, standing at the other end of the bridge that led into the Castle of Saint Hermanus. "We've taken down at least half their forces, and the Palace is secure. But they're bound to come back. Now, those of you who can, surround the castle and raise the bridge. Eramond, take a body count."
After the casualties had been counted, the two Commonwealth divisions entered the Castle.
"Do you think any of them are waiting inside, sir?" Ryan asked.
"We'll just have to find out –" Stein began, then stepped back, as he spotted the shadows of approaching swordsmen.
"Watch out!" Ryan exclaimed.
The Zion soldiers were upon them before they could realize it, and it was a crucial few moments before they reacted. However, the Commonwealth men had numbers on their side, and soon disposed of their opponents without any major losses.
"How did they get in here?" Stein asked, looking bewildered.
"No time to worry about that, sir," Ryan said firmly. "There may be more of them, and they may have got to the Pontiff already! We have to hurry!"
There were more Zion soldiers awaiting them inside, and when they reached the threshold of the Pontifical Domus, the answer to Lieutenant-Colonel Stein's question was clear. The last of the Pontifical Guards were engaged in a desperate battle against a small group of Zion riflemen – along with some men in the Guards' uniform.
"Ryan, take them down!" Stein shouted. "Some of them have gone over to the…"
A volley of shots was aimed in their direction suddenly, and the fight soon became a free-for-all. Ten of the Commonwealth men were gunned down by the rebel Guards – some literally in front of Ryan's eyes – but they struck back fiercely, and soon the Hall of Saint Guibert was tiled with the bodies of Zion soldiers.
"That'll…show them," Ryan said, breathing heavily, as he knelt by the side of his platoon-mate, Mike Humphreys. "Mike, can you hear me?"
"I….guess so, Ryan," he replied, coughing up blood. "You'll….have to move on without me, old chap…."
After making arrangements to evacuate the wounded, they moved on, and arrived at the Hall of the Pontifical Council. The remaining Pontifical Guards helped to free the Archbishops from their fetters, while Ryan and his men moved ahead.
"We'll pick up the Pontiff, Sir," Ryan called out. "If we need help, I'll send a signal."
"Go right ahead, Eramond," Stein replied.
As they approached the door to the Pontiff's quarters, they were suddenly stopped by four men wearing the uniform of Zion infantrymen, but with no swords or guns.
"Step aside," Ryan said. "We've come for the Pontiff."
"The Pontiff?" One of them laughed harshly. "The Pontiff is ill, boy, and we don't care about him anyhow. He's just a decoy. Now step aside, if you don't want to get hurt."
"Don't bluff," Ryan said, aiming his rifle at the man. "You don't even have any weapons."
"Foolish Galvenian, are those crude weapons the only things the men of Zion excel at?" a second man scoffed, and in a flash, the four men had drawn wands from their belts.
"Step back!" Ryan cried out, but it was too late. A wave of yellow light struck the twenty men with Ryan, and they all fell to the ground, writhing in pain as if they had just grasped a live electrical wire – except him. He felt a tingle, a discomfort throughout his body, but was still standing.
"What the…."
"Attack again!" a third mage screamed, staring with horror at Ryan. "More power!"
But Ryan was quicker, and had drawn his sword. Lunging forward, he struck the first man in the chest, and he collapsed, bleeding from a wound in his side.
"You'll die for that, Commonwealth scum!" the second mage shouted, and fired again. Once more, the bolts struck Ryan, but he was not incapacitated. He drew his gun and fired, and the second man fell.
"Still determined to stand there?" Ryan said, pointing his sword at the third man's throat. "Now step aside. If you don't, you'll join your two buddies there."
Still looking at him with shock, the two men stepped aside, and were quickly captured and immobilized by Stein's men, who had overheard the altercation and hurried to join them.
Ryan, in the meantime, had flung open the door to the Pontiff's chamber, and found him lying in bed, with Archbishop Polycarp Meissner and a nun at his side. He seemed frail and weary, but he smiled."
"Ah, the cavalry has come to save us, Polycarp," he said. "Galvenian Rough Riders, I presume? Or are you fighting for the Zion? Those four men tried their monkey tricks on me, but I'm afraid magic holds few terrors for an Itarian priest."
"Not a Rough Rider, sir," Ryan said, still breathing hard, "but certainly Galvenian. We're here to take you safely to Unity Isle."
"Ah, it looks like I must submit," Pious replied with a laugh. "Come, Polycarp, let us rule in exile, and hope that these brave men can liberate our country."
"We will, sir," Ryan said firmly, as they helped the Pontiff get out of bed. "That's a promise. That's what Lord Geraud created the Commonwealth for."
"Oh, are you an admirer of Geraud, lad?" Pious said kindly. "If so, I certainly am in good hands!"
In the meantime, Stein had arrived. "Great work, Eramond," he said. "We've captured the two Zin sorcerers, and we'll be questioning them quite carefully at camp. The news from the city is still not too good, so we'll proceed with the evacuation of His Holiness. But tell me, how did you escape that attack? Most of your men are still smarting all over, despite being given anti-magic shields before going into battle."
"Beats me, sir," Ryan said, perplexed. "It was as if I was – blocking their spell, or something. Probably a quirk of Nature."
"Perhaps," Stein said, looking at the young Galvenian with a mixture of awe and disbelief.
xxx
It was a month after this – and just a little more than a month away from the Princess' approaching nuptials – when Queen Katarina fell ill, though not gravely. This was a sore disappointment to her, for she had been looking forward to the bridal preparations, and now had to delegate responsibility to the few friends she had.
"I'm sorry your mother isn't feeling well, Carranya," Lady Anton said, trying to avoid the King's mocking looks. "It looks like I'll have to take you to your appointment at the dressmaker's today."
"Why can't the dressmaker come here?" King Arlbert asked, twirling his moustache. "After all, he ought to be an obedient subject of the King."
"Father, that is how she works," Carranya said patiently. Even at the worst of times, she found it hard to suppress a certain fondness for the King despite all his flaws – and she knew well that, though he tried to conceal it behind a wall of humour, the death of Socius had shaken him. "Besides, Rochelle and the Palace guards will accompany me, and it's just a short distance away."
"Besides, Your Majesty," Rochelle added, noting that the King was wavering, "Carranya's been cooped up all day with that awful man, Thomssen, and few things are more wearisome than a lecture on a lovely spring day. She needs the fresh air."
Arlbert laughed. "If you've decided to take Carranya away from that worm, your ladyship, I think I may have misjudged you. Go and make yourself beautiful, as they say in Zion. Speaking of the Zion, they have bitten off more than they can chew: the Pontiff has been safely brought to Unity Isle, they are losing their grip on Itaria with each passing day, and the Varald are also giving them headaches. I wonder Charlemagne hasn't worried himself into the grave. All's left for the fool to do is sue for peace, and things will return to normal."
"Let us pray so, Father," Carranya replied, smiling at him. "Come, let us go, Rochelle. Irma does hate to be kept waiting."
"Enjoy yourself, child," Arlbert said, with a friendly wave as his daughter and her chaperone left.
They had almost reached Gerius Street, home to Irma's House of Couture – the Queen's official dressmakers – when they were stopped by a man in police uniform.
"Destination, please?" he said, holding up his hand.
"Goodness, this is the Queen's own carriage!" Lady Anton said exasperatedly. "Really, Sir Cornelius and his safety measures…."
Carranya's head emerged from behind the curtains on the carriage door. "We're headed for Irma's shop, Officer," she explained. "There are three guards with us."
"Oh, what a pity," the man said. He waved, and suddenly the carriage was surrounded by five more men in uniform.
"What is the meaning of this?" Carranya said, displeased. "Guards, please…."
But before she could finish speaking, one of the men had lobbed a grenade at the carriage, and then a second one. The horses stood still, frozen with fear, and two others, trying to board the carriage, engaged the Palace guards in combat. A third man, pushing his way past the duelling guards, entered the carriage, pointing his pistol at Lady Anton.
"Leave her alone!" Carranya said firmly.
"We don't want her, kid, we want you," he growled. Rochelle tried to throw herself in front of Carranya, but the man blocked her with a single hand.
Carranya bowed her head, raised her hands, and a ray of white light struck the man, unbalancing him and knocking him out of the carriage.
"Don't worry, Rochelle!" Carranya said, as she and her friend emerged from the carriage. "If we run for it, we can make it to Irma's while these villains are fighting, and I can defend you!"
Looking stunned, Lady Anton took hold of Carranya's hand, and the two began to run, when Carranya heard her companion scream. The fifth of the men had caught her by the hand and was twisting her arm.
"Let her go!" Carranya ordered, then bowed her head again. A second ray of light shot forth across the sky, but the man dodged it.
Carranya moved closer – then felt her entire body quake as a heavy blow struck her on the head, and she fell unconscious on the pavement. The last sound she heard was Lady Anton's screams.
xxx
"Don't fret, Juno," Jacob Lugner said, as the three of them met in their shelter in the mines. Juno looked at him gratefully. His wounds had healed soon, aided by the clandestine help of an Army doctor from Alton, but his failure to capture Mother Anna still rankled. "You did well enough, and she is safer at King's College than at Marksmith's mansion, where the traitors in the Palace might easily get at her. Besides, I have another mission for you."
"The latest news from Itaria is interesting," Jason added, setting down his newspaper. "While the Zion and the CSF are still eyeball-to-eyeball, the Pontiff has escaped – and all thanks to our mutual friend Ryan Eramond. Hipper has even cited him for bravery at the Commonwealth, much to Lucan's discomfiture."
"Is he going to betray the Pontiff now?" Juno said sarcastically.
"Calm down, Juno," Lugner replied. "He is not yet a traitor, regardless of how much you dislike him. It is just that there is treachery in his bloodline, and it might manifest itself given the right temptation."
"What do you mean?" Juno said, puzzled.
"Here, take this," Lugner replied, handing him a small book. "I hope you can read old Galvenian prose."
Juno looked at the title: Aramondrius Unveiled: The True Story of Indernes. "If this is a storybook, Jacob Lugner, I have no time for stories. Fairy tales are for cowards who cannot face the realities of life."
"Oh, it's a true story, Juno," Jason said with a smile. "It's one that we've studied carefully for a long time. But enough of that topic for now, I need to brief you on your next mission. You need to head across Alpha, and to the woods outside Darington – a forest known as Linois' Glade."
"Darington?" Juno frowned. "And what awaits me there?"
"A beautiful young woman, Juno," Jason said teasingly, then laughed. "Oh, I forgot, you only have eyes for one woman in this world."
"What are you talking about?" Juno said, glaring at Jason.
"Oh, Juno, we've had an eye on you for a long time, and Jacob and I do our homework pretty carefully," Jason said, in an affectionate, elder-brotherly tone. "We can't promise you everything, but if you do not fail us, we know many ways of showing our gratitude."
"Do not fence with Makarov Juno, Jason," Juno said, closing his eyes and clenching his fist. "What do you want me to do?"
"It's very simple, Juno," Jacob Lugner replied. "You have to rescue the Princess."
xxx