Schism of Blood and Stone (The Starfield Theory Book 1) (8 page)

“I can better fight the Azuren from the throne on Magdeborg than I can isolated on the border,” Damien justified slowly. “Even if the Azuren discovered my identity through Darren they will have far more trouble reaching me as sovereign of an independent state. I can muster the full might of the Commonwealth's armies to crush Azuren influence here and across the entire Core if it comes to that.”

Reyna smirked at him. “There is that idealism in you again,” she said taking his arm gently. He felt his enthusiasm and vigor drain at her touch. “You were never a revolutionary zealot before. Do you really think the Commonwealth can stand against the Azuren and their allies? We can barely keep the Dominion at bay.”

“We are not defenseless,” Damien breathed, suddenly feeling weaker.

“The war with the Dominion has left us depleted. We can barely keep adequate garrisons on the border let alone every world on which the Averi are stationed.”

“Then we have to end the conflict with the Dominion as soon as possible, crush them on Goteborg and call for a white peace, long enough for me to assume the throne and consolidate the Commonwealth's power to-”

“Damien, you dream too big,” Reyna said softly. “Always strive for the best, but be content with what you get. It will take generations for the Commonwealth to regain its strength and we still have to defeat the Dominion here.”

Damien repressed a loud sigh and allowed only for the barest slump of his shoulders. He felt Reyna squeeze his arm reassuringly though it did little to sooth him.

“Perhaps you're right, my dear, one step at a time. First we must stop the Dominion at Goteborg.”

As Damien stepped toward the doors with Reyna in tow a younger officer wearing the uniform of Damien's personal unit from Hidelborg rushed in.

“My Lord!” He cried and managed a hasty one-kneed bow. “Message from the Sørensens.”

“I've grown tired of Sørensen missives of late. Leave it in my quarters,” he said waving his hand as if dispelling smoke.

“But, my lord,” the officer heaved, clearly distressed at disobeying his liege. “It is about Lord Pershing.”

Damien snatched the the data reader from the officer and read it quickly, his eyes stumbling over the words like a frantic escapee through dense underbrush.

Reyna glanced at Damien and saw real fear in his eyes that lasted only the briefest of moments. Finally he crumpled up the piece of paper and tossed it into the fire.

“Pershing is loose,” he said.

“Impossible!” Reyna breathed. “He was secured!”

“Apparently not. The worst enemy the Commonwealth has seen in a hundred years is going to be rejoining his armies soon. Goteborg was in danger before, but now I don't know if we can hold it.”

“What are you going to do?” Reyna asked carefully.

Damien took a deep breath, his brain whirling through problems and possible solutions. He needed his fire to calm his mind, help him think.

Finally, his voice nearly quivering, he said, “Perhaps we ought to pray, maybe only the Azuren's deity could help us now.”

Lady Salena Teton-Sten

Duchess of Danvers

Stargate, Danvers, Magdeborg Commonwealth

______________

“Do you understand the enormity of what you are asking? Such a delay could crash local economies, important medical transfers would have to be put on hold resulting in countless deaths. I cannot stress the impacts enough,” Thessilony the Azuren Legate to Danvers and the Teton family breathed loudly through his nostrils. His face sagged like sack on the verge of ripping and he stooped so badly he appeared deformed. The strand of beads in his hair barely reached beyond his ears, indicating a quiet and unaccomplished career. The gentle glow of his data pad revealed foggy eyes that had long ago lost their blue sheen and his hair had changed from Azuren white to gray death and hung off his spotted head in clumps.

The very sound was amplified by the tight confines of the receiving room attached to the man's office. Calling it spartan would have done it too much justice. It consisted of nothing, but two uncomfortable chairs and a simple table on which was stacked a number of data pads. The dim lighting bothered Salena's eyes and she doubted the ancient Azuren could even see at all. Clearly, Thessilony did not spend much time here in his role as legate. Dealing with the tribulations of mere humans was too bothersome and distracting for him and his disinterest defined his relationship with Salena and the Tetons for his entire career.

Salena's patience wavered at the Azuren's weak exaggerations and delaying tactics like a warrior parrying too many sword blows.
He is so old it is amazing he can still hold his head up. Should have retired decades ago or whatever it is they do with ancient Azuren who have long since left their wits behind them.

“I assure you, my Lord Azuren, our travel is most urgent. We require exclusive use of the stargate for our fleet,” she said calmly, again. “I have that right as Commonwealth nobility.”

“Hmm quite right,” the Azuren mumbled as he squinted at the fleet's composition. “These vessels are all armed.”

“Yes.”

“And quite large, too. It could take hours to generate the sort of power needed to jump them.”

An outright lie,
Salena realized.
He probably meant it could take hours to fill in all the paperwork.

“My lord Azuren,” Salena said slowly as her patience began to melt away like the snow on the mountaintops outside her old home on Magdeborg. “I beg of your goodwill to allow us through as quickly as possible. We really cannot afford to be delayed any further.”

“Is there a problem here?” Another Azuren asked as he entered the room. Salena hadn't even heard the door open.

If Thessilony could have a more opposite associate, Salena could not image how. The huge Azuren was probably half his age. His pure white, thick hair was cropped closely to his head and shaved in areas that allowed him to interface with machines via hidden SESE tattoos. He was a warrior then. His muscles bristled even under a black uniform and he stood so still and straight Salena almost mistook him for a statue.
His face could have been chiseled from rock anyway,
she thought.
The pride of the Azuren genetics program. If the human empires could use him as a recruiting tool their armies would attract millions.

“No, my Lord Azuren. We wish only to be on our way so my Lord Thessilony can be free of our trivial concerns,” Salena said graciously. With a pang, she realized she almost meant it.

“What's the delay then, geransis?” the newer Azuren asked, using a polite, but abrupt, term reserved for the oldest Azuren. Thessilony's face sagged even further.

“It is a war fleet. It would take hours to produce the sort of gravitonics necessary to open-”

“She has the right as a Commonwealth noble to pass through whether she has one ship or a thousand.”

“I am aware,” Thessilony said as his eyes narrowed and seemed to vanish.

“Good then there shouldn't be any further need for discussion,” the younger Azuren said. “Charge the coils and put the queue on standby.”

The older Azuren's face seemed to shake with rage, reminding Salena of various gelatinous desserts at holiday meals.

“Of course,” he said.

Salena stood then bowed deeply to the old Azuren as he issued orders through his data pad. She exited quickly before there could be any further discussion, but the young Azuren followed her into the hall.

“Please excuse the manners of my associate,” he said, closing the door behind him only after he had finished speaking, giving Thessilony enough time to hear. “My name is Alos. I am the Supreme Legate to Magdeborg.”

“I remember you from my father's court on Magdeborg. He would never let me near you out of his silly fears. I must thank you, Lord Azuren, for your assistance. We are in your debt,” Salena said bowing her head.

“Perhaps, but all debt will be forgiven if you only satisfy my curiosity.”

Salena paused, her mind rapidly considering what the Azuren would ask. Finding no question that would be too offensive she agreed.

“Where is you are taking this great fleet of yours?”

“To Magdeborg,” she said immediately, seeing no advantage in misleading him. Her fleet would not be difficult to track.

“I was not aware the Dominion had advanced so far. Surely, the Sørensens are capable of repelling them?” He was playing ignorant, fishing for information.

Salena's fist closed about the hem of her robes. “The Sørensens have claimed the throne as their own. We must correct this oversight in their governance.”

Alos' eyes rose in mock surprise. “Is that so? I did not take the Sørensens for usurpers. I must say this is most unexpected.”

All Azuren are bad liars
, Salena thought. “Wars require the application of time and money. This is more similar to a parent correcting the poor behavior of her child.”

“With warships and destriers,” Alos chuckled at the imagery. “I have delayed you too long then. You are free to go.”

Salena bowed her head again and turned to leave.

“Duchess,” Alos called after her. “A word of advice, perhaps?”

She turned back. “I'd be foolish to ignore the wisdom of Azuren when offered so freely.”

Alos' face lost its previous charm, replaced by a look so cold it could freeze nitrogen. “Magdeborg is a dangerous place. A throne so hard does terrible things to ones' mind, especially one gained through violence. You are strong, but even the greatest monuments to power fall to time and corrosion.”

Alos smiled. “Walk with Amrah, Duchess Salena.”

“And you,” Salena responded sourly. She bowed her head again then left the Azuren standing in the hall.
Nothing but scripture quotations
, she rolled her eyes.
I could find more useful advice on the bathroom stalls in bars
.

Once reunited with her fleet, Salena Teton-Sten tapped her fingers anxiously on the side of the railing that encircled a massive fluid tank. Inside, tiny representations of her fleet floated, orbiting the Danvers stargate. They were waiting for the Azuren signal to power up the gate's jump coils that controlled the star's gravity, pinching space time and pulling it towards her final destination. She rather enjoyed the idea of space moving to accommodate her. It seemed so much more
powerful
than traveling through passively. Space became a tool rather than a medium.

More importantly, due to her unique status as Commonwealth royalty, she was bumped to the front of the long line of waiting star ships by the grumpy Thessilony. Other spacers, even those employed by the most powerful mega companies had to wait. A satisfied warmth crept up her limbs through her fingers and toes.

The assembled Teton fleet was the largest assemblage of ships in the history of the house. She had at her fingertips four battleships, nearly a dozen battle cruisers and many times that number support ships and lesser combat vessels. Perhaps the only force in the Commonwealth capable of rivaling it was Damien's own defensive fleet on the Dominion border. Not even the Sørensens could muster such power.

She stood on the
Bargmoar's
command deck, an isolated section overlooking the main deck where the various pilots, gunners and technicians managed the ship's systems. The ship was named for the huge battle that marked the formation of House Teton and their rise to power a thousand years ago. The confines were cramped, as they were on all ships, but she enjoyed looking over the activity of the personnel below. The main deck was large as decks went on board warships, occupying a space that could easily fit several fighter craft. Most firms tried to limit the size of the bridges and hallways on vessels they built back then. Wide open areas tended to take up space best used for other systems like cargo, weapons, electronics and armor. While a large deck was unusual among ships, the Teton-Stens had insisted on a sort of grand scale in everything they built. Their war fleets were no exception.

Beside her, Sir Magnus Teton-Sten stood at rigid military attention. He stood a full 1.9 meters, towering over most of his subordinates. He had inherited his father's height and thick brown hair, but his brilliant blue eyes were indicators of Sten blood. As was customary, the first-born child of any noble house entered the military so his personality and behavior revolved around his service to the near exclusion of all else. This was his ship, after all, intended to be the vanguard of the invasion force. Magnus was the ranking knight and she had shown him the deference that his title commanded without sacrificing any of her own authority. He must be seen as a leader and not just his mother's son.

While he had a hand in the planning of the invasion of Magdeborg, the details had been left up to the other Teton generals. He was only twenty-six, still young and inexperienced. He'd seen only a few border skirmishes and was kept well away from the thick of the fighting despite his protests. Four years earlier he had been severely wounded in a training accident, losing part of his left arm when it was crushed in the collapsed cockpit of his destrier. Terrified that the wound would end his military career early, the Tetons turned to the Azuren for help. They replaced the limb with a prosthesis and synthetic skin manufactured by House Mason with support from Azuren scientists which looked real and nearly moved as convincingly as a flesh and blood arm.

The price, though, was enormous.

In return Salena was forced to send her youngest daughter, Isarla, to the Azuren training schools, forbidden from speaking with them for a full two decades until her training was complete and she was a full Averi diplomat and warrior. She had lost her second daughter, but had regained her only son. Magnus was Teton royalty, heir to the Duchy of Danvers, her pride and joy, her heir. The youngest children of royals were always viewed as reserves, just in case the first one failed. As the youngest herself, Salena had learned they were expendable and sometimes were expended to protect those higher up the inheritance chain.

As much as she loved Magnus, Salena had to temper his fury. As much as he wanted to fight, he couldn't get himself killed fighting some pirate thugs now. She had much more important plans for him, her most powerful weapon. She knew nothing was more dangerous than a young ambitious solider denied his chance to prove himself so for the past week, Magnus had drilled his troops, calling on all of the Teton vassals to contribute soldiers and supplies. The resulting ground force was the largest ever assembled by the Teton clan, nearly two hundred sections of Teton warriors as well as fifty sections of assembled vassals and about that number again of mercenary troops.

Magnus took a few steps to join his mother. As if echoing her thoughts he said, “House Teton has never seen an invasion of this scale.”

Salena nodded. “They're ready.”

“How long do you think Dietrich Sørensen planned his coup?” Magnus asked. “They will have had time to prepare.”

Salena paused thoughtfully as the first of the Teton ships began to glow brightly before warping and twisting as the star's gravity pulled space together. The ship vanished in a flash.

She had been careful when explaining the situation to her family back on Danvers. She left out any mention of Archduke Peter's alleged children and insisted Dietrich had claimed the throne for himself. She doubted the children actually existed, but she was not interested in leaving things to chance. She'd already dispatched agents to find them and get rid of them.

“Perhaps he has been preparing since my father died forty years ago. Perhaps since the days of my grandfather. The Sørensens are long-term thinkers, my son. It's possible they have been plotting for centuries and finally all the pieces fell together now. With the Commonwealth at the losing end of a violent war, our Archduke is dead and the people are divided. The conditions could not be any more ripe.”

“You think the Sørensens assassinated Archduke Peter?” Magnus asked staring into the holotank. Another ship vanished.

Salena had considered that question for many sleepless nights in the last week. Why had the Sørensens murdered her brother? How had they done it? How had they managed to fool him for so long? Peter wasn't stupid. If there was a plot to murder him and overthrow the family, surely he'd have found it somehow.

“I think so, Magnus,” she said finally. “I think they murdered him to gain sympathy from the Azuren and secure a temporary peace with the Dominion while they took the throne. One which we must take back as quickly as we are able.”