Sovereign Stone (17 page)

“What, exactly, will that accomplish?” Anatoly asked.

“If I’m not mistaken, Alexander was thinking about introducing himself to the commander of the legion. A little groundwork might be in order.”

Anatoly looked at Alexander sharply.

He shrugged. “The thought crossed my mind. If we can make friends, they might reconsider their support for Headwater or at the very least give us safe passage to the Baron of Buckwold so we can make our case to him.”

“This is risky, Alexander,” Abigail said. “I thought you were in a hurry to get to the Pinnacles.”

“I am, but this won’t take long and Buckwold is along the way. If we can isolate Headwater and deprive them of support, we can defeat them without losing too many more soldiers. We’re going to need all the men we can get before this is over.”

Abigail narrowed her eyes at him. “What do you mean? What haven’t you told us, Alexander?”

He took a deep breath. “I looked in on Jataan P’Tal and saw him in a meeting with Rake and his generals. It seems that Phane has made a deal with Andalia to send cavalry up through Kai’Gorn.”

Anatoly looked worried. Fighting on two fronts was always a dangerous proposition.

Alexander spoke in a whisper to keep the soldiers nearby from hearing. “That’s not the worst of it. If Phane can get the Sovereign Stone, he’s planning on using the Reishi Gate to send half the Reishi Army Regency through. I sent my father a letter detailing the plan, but I’d feel a lot better if we could defeat Headwater outright as quickly as possible. Without support from Buckwold, they’ll fall much more easily.”

Anatoly thought it over for a moment. “You realize that we’ll have to fight our way out if this doesn’t work, and then we’ll be on the run from a legion of enemy soldiers.”

“I don’t think it will come to that. The officers here don’t really want to fight. If we can offer them a way out, I think they’ll jump at it.”

“All right, but I suggest we get our things together first and maybe have Lucky go collect our horses so we can make a quick exit if we need to,” Anatoly said.

Alexander nodded his agreement.

They spent the next ten minutes clearing out their rooms and moving their packs to their horses where Lucky had tied them to the railing in front of the inn. Jack circled around and entered through the front door while Alexander, Anatoly, Isabel, and Abigail found an empty table near the exit.

Jack spoke to the innkeeper for a moment. The man was more than happy to have a bard offer a song. Entertainment had a way of making people thirsty.

Jack stepped up onto a table with a little tin whistle and started playing without any introduction. The tune was an old one that most people had heard as children. Within a minute or so, he had the attention of every person in the room.

“Lords and ladies, I have a song I’d like to sing for you, if I may?” The crowd urged him on. Music was almost always welcome and he accepted their urging with a gracious bow. “This is a song of young Lord Alexander, the King of Ruatha.” Jack paused to gauge the reaction.

A man from the crowd shouted. “He’s our enemy!” Another yelled, “He attacked Headwater and cut off our trade routes.” But the commander shouted them down. “Let the man sing. We might learn something.”

Jack bowed deeply to the commander. “I learned this song just a week ago from a bard who bore witness firsthand to the events of the battle for Headwater’s supply depot.”

He began his song. His voice was clear and carried to every corner of the hall. The men listened with rapt attention as he put the story of the battle to a tune. The melody was a common one that Jack had adapted for his purposes and the words flowed easily.

He sang of the plan and the desperate need of the new King to defend his capital city from the invasion of Headwater. He sang about the luck of discovering the location of the central supply depot for the whole army of Headwater and then he sang of the battle.

His account of the bloody charge by Alexander wielding the Thinblade through dozens of soldiers was factually accurate but sounded like an exaggeration. He sang of the bravery of the Rangers and their willingness to risk everything for their King. He sang of the fear in the hearts of the soldiers of Headwater at seeing the fearsome power of the rightful King of Ruatha with his ancient sword in hand.

When he finished, there was dead silence. The faces all around were somber and almost worried. After several long moments, the commander clapped slowly and the crowd responded with a tepid applause, more for Jack’s masterful delivery than the content of the lyrics. He gave a bow and withdrew to the bar for a cup of tea.

Alexander watched the crowd. Their mood had shifted noticeably. Once he started to hear the officers openly expressing doubts to one another, he casually sauntered over to the table with the legion commander and his senior officers. Anatoly stood and took a position by the door. Isabel and Abigail both positioned themselves to be ready to respond if a fight should break out.

Chapter 14

Alexander stepped up to the head of the long table and cleared his throat. When he had everyone’s attention, he smiled and turned to the commander. “I wonder if I might have a word with you.”

The commander stood and appraised Alexander for a moment before he spoke. “My name is Commander Kern, what can I do for you?”

He was clean shaven, had medium-length black hair, and was just over six feet tall with a medium build. He offered Alexander his hand in greeting.

Alexander examined Kern’s colors as he shook his hand. He was an honorable man with a sense of loyalty and duty.

 “My name is Alexander. I’m concerned about Buckwold going to war. The way I hear it, Headwater invaded New Ruatha, so I guess I’m wondering why Buckwold is getting involved.”

The commander shook his head and motioned for Alexander to sit. “The simple answer is because the Baron chose to get involved,” he snorted. “More likely, his administrator gave the order but we’re duty bound to obey. Besides, we need the trade routes through Headwater to move our goods.”

Alexander nodded his understanding. “I know how important trade is. I grew up on a ranch south of the Great Forest along the trade road between Southport and Highlands Reach. If that road had been shut down, the whole range would have shriveled up and blown away. It was a lifeline for everyone who lived along it.”

“Glad to hear you understand the need to keep the trade routes open. I just hope the rest of Buckwold comes around. My family are sheepherders. If those routes close, they’ll fall on hard times,” Commander Kern said. “Besides, the way I hear it, the pretender to the Ruathan throne is hopelessly outnumbered, the bard’s song notwithstanding,” he motioned toward Jack at the bar. “As for the Thinblade, everyone knows it was lost during the Reishi War, but you can’t blame a man for writing a song about it,” he said with a chuckle.

Alexander considered his next words very carefully. “Commander Kern, you strike me as a man who would prefer to avoid war if possible. Is that a fair assessment?”

He nodded. “I suppose it is, but like I said, it’s not my decision. The Baron’s made up his mind.”

“Would you welcome an opportunity to persuade him to reconsider?”

The commander frowned a bit suspiciously. “Where are you going with this?”

Alexander took a deep breath while he appraised the man sitting next to him. The rest of the men at the table had fallen silent and were looking at Alexander with suspicion. He decided to be bold. While holding the men’s eyes, he very deliberately reached up and pulled his cloak collar down to reveal the mark burned into the side of his neck.

Kern’s eyes widened and he froze for a moment like he was trying to decide what to do. Alexander’s hand was on the hilt of his sword under his cloak.

“Commander Kern, do you serve the Old Law?” he asked pointedly.

Kern frowned as he made his decision. “Of course, but I serve the Baron of Buckwold first. Who are you?” he asked.

“I told you, my name is Alexander and I’m offering you a way to avoid war right here and right now.” Alexander spoke softly but with deadly seriousness. He could see the fear bloom in the commander’s colors when he made the connection. “You have this one chance to protect your lands and your people, Commander. Consider your next decision very carefully.”

The commander looked around and saw a room full of his officers. Most of them were not even aware of the very tense conversation taking place at his table, but those nearby were all looking at Alexander with varying degrees of realization.

“You’re hopelessly outnumbered,” Commander Kern said with less than complete confidence. “What’s to stop me from killing you right now and ending this war?” Alexander could see uncertainty shimmer in the man’s colors.

“My death won’t end this war because I didn’t start it—Phane did. But more importantly, I wouldn’t be here if I feared you. I can see that you’re a good man. You clearly want what’s best for your people. Siding with Phane and Headwater will buy you slavery at best and destruction at worst. Side with me and serve the Old Law. Help me reunite Ruatha. Please.”

He held the commander’s eyes with his own while he made his plea, but he watched the rest of the room with his all around sight. Most of the men were still oblivious but the man to his left was slowly going for his sword. Alexander tightened his grip on the hilt of the Thinblade.

Commander Kern hesitated like a man torn between duty and conscience before giving his answer. “What would you have me do?”

Before Alexander could answer, the man to his left stood and drew his sword. He tried to bring it around in one stroke across Alexander’s chest, but he wasn’t fast enough. The Thinblade came free of its scabbard, sliced up through the heavy wooden table, and clipped the officer’s sword off three inches from the hilt, the blade clattering noisily onto the table. Alexander brought the Thinblade up and over the man’s head, then dropped the flat of the blade down onto the startled officer’s right shoulder. He looked over at Commander Kern while keeping his mind’s eye on the officer who’d just drawn on him. The officer stood stone-still, looking at the edge of the Thinblade. Commander Kern stood slowly with his hands open and visible.

“Make your choice, Commander Kern, but know this, if you choose war, it begins for you right now.” Alexander held him with glittering golden eyes.

The room was standing as awareness of the conflict spread from the officers’ table like a wave. Some drew weapons; others just looked at the commotion.

“Stand down,” Commander Kern said loudly enough for all to hear.

His men sheathed their weapons but remained on their feet, watching the spectacle unfold.

“I choose peace, Alexander. In truth, we have no desire for war. If you can offer a way to avoid bloodshed, then I will hear you out.”

Alexander felt the acuteness of his all around sight. He could see everything in crisp detail within the confines of his mind. He shifted his focus to the man on his left, who stood motionless under threat of the Thinblade. “Who do you serve?”

He stood mute for a few moments before Commander Kern looked at him. “Answer the question,” he commanded.

“I serve the Baron of Buckwold,” the man lied.

Alexander watched his colors flare. He turned his glittering eyes on him.

“You lie,” Alexander whispered with menace. “I can see right through you. Speak the truth. Tell all here whom you serve or I will take your head.” Everyone at the table tensed at the very real prospect of bloodshed.

The officer whimpered, “He’ll kill me if I tell.”

“I’ll kill you if you don’t.” Alexander visibly tensed his sword arm before the officer answered.

“I serve Elred Rake,” he said quietly but still loud enough for all at the table to hear.

“Who gives you your orders?” Alexander asked. He could see anger play across Commander Kern’s face at hearing his officer’s betrayal.

The man deflated in defeat. He was broken. Alexander saw it in his colors and on his face.

“I get my orders from Administrator Nero.”

“What?” Commander Kern said hotly. “Who does Nero work for if not Baron Buckwold?”

The officer hesitated. Alexander looked at him pointedly before he answered.

“Nero serves Elred Rake.”

“Dear Maker,” Commander Kern whispered. “Baron Buckwold took ill nearly a month ago. He’s delivered all of his orders through Nero.”

Alexander sheathed the Thinblade and offered his hand to Commander Kern. “I am Alexander Ruatha and I offer Buckwold my friendship.”

Commander Kern took his hand and the tension in the room faded. “Thank you, Lord Alexander. I fear Buckwold may have been duped into supporting this war for the benefit of Headwater. I must return to Buckwold and expose this fraud.”

“I agree,” Alexander said. “I would ride with you to Buckwold and make my case to your Baron myself.”

***

Commander Kern put his Second in command of the legion with orders to remain where they were no matter what messages came from Headwater. He selected a score of men to ride escort and they made haste to Buckwold.