Trial and Glory (34 page)

* * *

Cassus watched Kroke’s blades dance in his hands. The hypnotic pattern eased his worries.

At least some things have stayed the same.

He and Kroke had always gotten along well, but Cassus hadn’t considered him among his closest of friends. They just thought too differently. The assassin’s reaction to his arrival had taken Cassus completely off guard. He expected a smile and a nod of welcome at best, definitely not the rough embrace he received. It reminded him just how much he considered the Hell Patrol family.

The only family I have now. One Above, how I missed everyone.

Kroke and Rygar took turns filling him in. He marveled at each new detail. His mood soured slightly when they spoke of the rest of the crew following Kaz to the lost continent of Hesh in order to help the man reunite with his wife. The tale seemed so fantastic that Cassus swore if it had all been written in a book, no one would believe it.

“. . . so, what I’m saying is that it might be a while before you get a chance to catch up with everyone else,” said Kroke.

If they make it back.

“It looks that way. Well, it’s good to see you and Rygar at least. And it will be good to see Yanasi, and catch up with Elyse.” He laughed. “The last time I saw her she was still a girl.”

“She’s anything but a girl now,” Kroke said.

Cassus frowned. There seemed to be something more behind the assassin’s words.

“We’ve been talking for hours. Shouldn’t Yanasi and Elyse be done by now?”

“Good point.” Kroke nudged Rygar. “You checked on them not too long ago. What’s going on?”

The scout shrugged. “Niken, told me that several new messages just arrived. He wasn’t sure what they said, but it didn’t seem good.”

Kroke stood. “Well, I say we’ve waited long enough. If she’s in a bad mood, maybe Cassus might brighten it.”

“No pressure,” said Cassus.

Kroke grinned. “And if not, it might do her some good to have another opinion or three.”

Cassus rose. “Then let’s go.”

* * *

Elyse tortured herself by rereading the new letters a third time. Yanasi leaned over several maps in silence, reexamining the army’s current course. As more information came in, Elyse’s original plan of intimidation looked worse and worse. The nobles prospering under Gauge’s edicts no longer danced around whether they would come to her aid. Many outright refused her.

They know I will overturn his decisions. That explains why Gauge felt confident in his coup. If I won at the High Pass, any army I’d return with would be battered while his would be fresh.
She clenched her jaw.
The One Above better help those nobles who support him if I win because they will be hard pressed to find sympathy from me.

The minor lords Elyse thought she’d be able to count on expressed the desire to support her, but also expressed their inability to avoid a conflict with others if they did so. Thinking of the people they oversaw, many respectfully declined. Though their responses angered Elyse, she could not hold it against them.

All did not dismiss her pleas. However, the paltry increase of a few dozen here, or a hundred there, would not swell her numbers as much as she wanted.

I can only hope that Jeldor’s men will be able to better persuade the major houses more than my words have.

“Your Majesty?” Yanasi looked up from the maps.

Elyse shook away her thoughts. “Yes?”

“I think I’ve made some progress.”

Elyse thought it might feel strange to work so closely with Yanasi, if only because she knew that Jonrell had considered her like another younger sister. Yanasi had seemed like her replacement when they first met. However, once she learned of Yanasi’s past, Elyse had been proud of her brother for taking the girl in. Over the past couple weeks as she and Yanasi worked together, she felt an unspoken bond with the woman.

“You mean you’ve figured out a way to retake Lyrosene and seize Gauge, all without spilling another drop of blood in the process?” Elyse said, trying to make light of the situation.

“No, Your Majesty. I can’t see any way for that to happen.”

“I didn’t think so. One can keep praying. Tell me what you have.”

Yanasi traced her finger over the map, pointing out their current course with the one she proposed, explaining the reasons for each change. “. . . ultimately, we’ll reduce our travel time by four days. Six, if we increase our pace to what I think we can.”

Elyse nodded. “Six it is then.”

Putting pressure on Gauge certainly can’t hurt matters. And it’s not like an epiphany will strike me the slower we go. If I only understood his motivation better.

Her stomach lurched.

No sense in prolonging it anymore. I’ve learned all I can, and fed as much false information to Lobella as I could. It’s time for the truth.

A guard peaked his head inside. “Your Majesty, Kroke and Rygar are here to see you.”

“Send them in,” she said, still examining Yanasi’s new route. “Kroke, I need your advice on a situation that . . .” Her words trailed away as a third person entered behind Kroke and Rygar. He wore plain clothes, and his thick, black hair bounced as he walked. He carried several faint scars on his face that hadn’t been there before.

Is it really him?

The man’s eyes widened as their gaze met, no doubt equally as surprised to see how different she looked in their time apart. Even with a couple days’ worth of growth on his face, Elyse recognized him immediately.

“Cassus!” squealed Yanasi and ran to him. She jumped into Cassus’ arms like a child running to her father. Cassus’ face lit up as they hugged.

They pulled away, Yanasi wiping at her eyes. She tried to ask Cassus a question, but he whispered something inaudible to her. She eased away.

Cassus stepped forward. He took a knee before Elyse, bowing his head. “Your Majesty. I’m not sure what to say except that I’m sorry. I should have come back sooner for you, for my country, for my friends. For Jonrell.”

“Get up, Cassus. What you should have done is in the past. You’re here now.”

“Yes, I am.” He smiled in a way that reminded Elyse of Jonrell.

The connection to her brother brought her some much needed comfort.

* * *

Though Cassus had not expected to return to Cadonia and find the same young girl he remembered, he realized he had not expected to find the woman before him either. Hours passed as Cassus and Elyse caught up in private. They talked about family and friends. As expected, Jonrell’s name came up often. Slowly, they relaxed in each other’s company in the same way they did when they had been younger.

She’s much stronger than I expected. Wiser. Harder.

Eventually conversation turned to more grave matters. Elyse explained to Cassus the severity of her current situation. She hoped that as an outsider he might be able to provide some insight.

“. . . so you see, this isn’t exactly the best time to be returning to Cadonia,” she joked.

“Has there been a good time these last couple of years?” he asked.

“No.”

Cassus scratched his chin. “I still don’t understand parting with Kaz. From what Kroke said, he’s a good man, and would likely have stayed on to help you straighten this mess out. Why did you withhold the truth from him, or from the rest of the Hell Patrol for that matter?”

“Because I knew that Kaz would feel obligated to stay. And I could not let that happen. It would not have been fair. If I had told the others, it’s likely Kaz would have learned the truth.”

“I’m not sure I understand. I—“

“I’m not asking you to understand. Let’s move on.”

That’s a sore spot.

Cassus cleared his throat. “Well, we could always call up some of the men you left behind at the High Pass.”

Elyse shook her head. “No. The fortress is in bad shape and needs to be repaired.” She reached for a cup of wine and took a sip. “Besides, I’m not sure what will happen in Thurum during the coming months. Based on a decision I made before leaving, there is the likelihood of another power struggle among their leaders in the coming weeks. The High Pass needs to be well defended. I took what I felt I could. I’ll call for no more.”

Cassus stared at Elyse. The brief glimpses of the young princess he knew had vanished as they discussed matters of the kingdom. In their place remained only the image of a queen that demanded respect. “Fair enough.”

“What else do you have?”

“Well, rather than repeating a possibility that has already been dismissed, what has Yanasi suggested?”

“We increase our pace and lay siege on Lyrosene, all the while hoping it doesn’t come to that.”

“You don’t have enough troops to circle the city.”

“We might if Jeldor comes through.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

Elyse leaned back, looking at the tent ceiling. “That’s what I haven’t been able to figure out. In theory, we could just cover the gates and wait them out. However, if we cut supplies off from the city, the commoners will suffer far more than the nobles.”

“Which would turn them against you just as Gauge is trying to do.”

“Exactly.”

They sat in silence, mulling over the implications. The sound of guards changing posts reached them.

Elyse sighed. “So much for trying to get to sleep at a decent time.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

She waved him off. “Nonsense. It’s just . . . I put off something I had planned to do earlier . . . again.” She rose. Cassus did the same. “I can’t wait any longer.”

“Is it something that I can help you with?”

“Not likely.” She paused. “Did Jonrell have to do things he didn’t necessarily agree with for the betterment of the Hell Patrol?”

“What do you mean?”

“Things he wouldn’t normally do. Things he may have hoped never to do. However, unique circumstances forced his hand. Do you know what I mean?”

Cassus nodded. “I do. And yes, Jonrell was in that situation more than once.”

“Did that ever change your opinion of him?”

“Maybe in the moment, but in time I realized it had been the right call. Besides, I found comfort in knowing that he never enjoyed any of it. It never changed him as a person. Why?”

Elyse tried to smile, but her face looked pained. “Because I’m about to do one of those things.” She breathed. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find Kroke.”

Elyse strode from the tent, shoulders back, and head held high.

* * *

“Thank you for doing this,” said Elyse. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be offended.”

Kroke chuckled as they walked through camp. “No. I’m alright.” He looked over at the queen. Her breathing had grown shaky. “Are you sure about this?”

“It needs to be done.”

“I understand. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a part of it. I can do it alone.”

“It’s not for your benefit so much as it is for mine. I have no business hiding from this part of ruling. It’s too easy to decide something like this while someone else deals with it. Besides, I’d rather be the one to ask the questions so I can be assured something isn’t missed.”

“She may surprise us and hold out. It could get ugly.”

“I know.”

Silence ensued as they made their way through camp toward a separate tent Elyse had set up on its outskirts. A dozen royal guards surrounded it to ward off uninvited guests. Janik strode around the tent, gesturing with his hands. He stopped when he noticed their approach.

“Your Majesty,” he said, bowing. “It’s done. No sound will escape from the inside or penetrate from the outside.”

“Thank you. Please stay near the entrance in case you’re needed.”

“Of course,” he bowed again, and backed away.

She took a deep breath. “Are you ready?” Elyse rubbed her hands, trying to hide their tremors.

“I’m ready.” Kroke cleared his throat. “You have to be in control while you’re in there. If it helps, pretend you’re someone else. Become completely detached. Otherwise, she might use whatever emotion you show against you. Understand?”

Elyse nodded.

After a gesture from the queen, a guard pushed aside the tent flap. Kroke followed Elyse in. The space smelled like fresh urine. Lobella sat in the center of the tent dressed in only her undergarments.

Elyse spoke with an edge to her voice. “Lobella, we have some questions. What can you tell me about Gauge’s plan to take over the throne?”

The servant looked up, eyes puffy and red. “I don’t know anything,” she whispered. “I swear.”

Elyse stepped aside. “Kroke, please rephrase the question.”

He drew a knife from his sheath.

* * *

Cassus laughed to the point his side ached. Yanasi joined him. The rest of the camp stared in their direction like the two had gone mad, but he didn’t care. Though it felt good to talk to Rygar and Kroke earlier, it was even better to catch up with Yanasi.

One Above, how she’s grown.

Yanasi still spoke softly, but it no longer was due to a lack of confidence. The woman had commanded more men that Cassus ever had.

And now she commands the army of a nation.

He shook his head when he thought of the scrawny, lice-infested, little girl Jonrell found in Thurum all those years ago.

There’s no denying she’s a woman now. Not someone who’s every action was designed to obtain Jonrell’s approval.
He smiled.
I know she would have it were he here.

“What’s wrong?”

“Huh?” Lost in thought, Cassus hadn’t noticed that the laughter had died. Yanasi stared at him, head cocked to the side.

“You’re looking at me funny.”

“Not funny. Just thinking how proud I am of you. And how proud Jonrell would be too if he were here.”

She looked away, blushing. “Thanks. You know, half the time I forget he’s dead. I still keep expecting him to round the corner of a distant tent and come plop down by the fire next to me. Or I imagine hearing him tell a joke or two that sends the camp into an uproar. Does that sound silly?”

Cassus hung his head. “Not at all.”

“When did word reach you?”