Michael Stackpole - Of Limited Loyalty

“You’re right, of course. Still…” The Prince moved to the table on which the troll’s bones had been laid out. Some sections were missing because the rhino’s attack had pulverized them. Others had suffered because Nathaniel’s plan for getting the body back without its scent angering the rhino involved freezing it solid in a block of ice. The rhino had no difficulty hauling the block east, but water had seeped into some breaks, had frozen and further shattered bone.

“I am most concerned over the damage, or lack thereof, to the creature’s skull. Even with the help of ice formation, Nathaniel’s bullet only chipped the skull.” He shook his head. “I have no doubt a swivel gun or cannon could kill one, but a musket ball?

Gisella pointed to one of the jars on a shelf. “At least we know Mugwump’s saliva dissolves its tissue, much as it did the demons.”

“If I had barrels of his spit and a way to spray it, this should make me happier.”

His wife nodded. “I’d rather you had an army of dragons.”

“I fear we’ll have to make due with one.” He glanced up at Count von Metternin. “Are you ready to go, my lord?”

“Yes. I have convinced the Steward that he shall come as my aide, and he has agreed to remain disguised. I do not think any of the Rangers will revolt at knowing who he is, but there is no reason to provoke Bumble unnecessarily.” The Count traced a finger along the green ghost river track on the south side of the Benjamin. “A Ranger squad is already at my home, and we shall head out tomorrow morning, find Owen, and push west with all speed. I will have my thaumagraph with me, so I shall send you information to supplement your map.”

The Prince turned and plucked a wooden tile from a shelf. It had burned onto it the figure of a walking man wearing a crown. “You should use this for the thaumagraph I will bring with me. I’ll leave the other one here, and Gisella will relay information. The thaumagraph from Temperance will also travel with us so we have another way to signal if there is an accident.”

“I am packing spare strings, Highness, just in case.”

“A wise precaution. We’ll be following with the rest of the Rangers and a battalion of foresters to build roads as soon as we can. General Rathfield is organizing to join us, but likely will be several days behind. I hope we will travel faster than we did going to Anvil Lake.”

Again his wife squeezed his shoulder. In asking Nathaniel and Owen to recount their visions, both had provided details that suggested the Norghaest would emerge in the late spring and early summer. The presence of the troll indicated the Norghaest were proceeding on schedule. If the Mystrians were going to locate them and hit them hard before they had raised defenses, they would have to move quickly. But will it be quickly enough?

The Count sketched a short bow. “I shall take my leave of you, as much as I would prefer to stay. I am mostly organized, but I wish to double-check the thaumagraph and make certain it is well packed. You will get reports in short form, and I shall send runners back with more complete documents as needed.”

“Thank you, my friend.”

“It is not just for our friendship or my duty to your wife’s family that I do this, you know.” The man smiled. “I love this land, and I admire your people. The Rangers have come only because you ask, not because you demand or because it is their duty. They are not your vassals; they are your companions. What you have here is unlike anything in Auropa, and fighting to preserve it is a sacred honor.”

Gisella crossed to him, hugged him and kissed him on both cheeks. “Go with God, Joachim.”

“Thank you, Highness. Your smile shall inspire me.”

She closed the door behind, then turned and looked at her husband. “Will you tell him when next you see him?”

Vlad looked up from the map. “Tell him?”

Gisella stroked her stomach with a hand. “That I am pregnant?”

Prince Vlad made no attempt to hide his smile, and even felt the weight pressing on his chest lighten. “I will. I promise he will know before any bullets fly.”

“But you have not told him yet because he would argue that you should stay behind.”

Vlad shook his head. “It’s not that he would argue, it is that I would acquiesce.”

His wife came to him and pressed a finger to his lips. “You would not, and you know it. And, no, I do not take that as a sign that you do not love me. At least, not at the moment, but I shan’t always be responsible for my feelings in this matter.”

He slipped his arms around her and looked upon her smiling face. “It feels as if I am two men jammed together in one body. Part of me knows it is my right, perhaps even my obligation, to choose men like Joachim or Owen or General Rathfield to act in my stead. Were I a Prince in Norisle, my aunt might let me travel with her generals and field marshals, but she would not give me command. They would not allow it. They would be afraid I was just playing at war and that I’d retire when it bored me or frightened me. And part of me might have done that.”

“Not you, Vladimir. You would not be bored or frightened.”

“I would become distracted, perhaps, but I would not serve well the cause nor the men fighting beneath me.” Vlad kissed the tip of her nose. “But as the Count said, the men going west are not my vassals, they are my companions. The second man inside me is one of them. Four years ago we fought together, shed blood together, and were victorious together. I am calling them together to face a foe who, I fear, makes Laureate du Malphias look like an errant child. The Crown gives me nothing-Ian Rathfield will be sacked for bringing his troops along whether we win or lose. We have too few troops. I could call up the militia, but I haven’t funds to pay them or enough brimstone or equipment to provide for them. And, frankly, if we fail in the west, they’ll be needed here.”

“You won’t fail, my love.” She slipped from his arms, then opened hers. “Do you know how I can say that?”

“How?”

“You are one of the rare men who looks for truth. Men like Bumble will never understand that because the truth frightens them. I know, when you started to examine magick, you were afraid, but it was your thirst for knowledge that got you past that fear. Now what awaits in the west also frightens you, but you will learn. You will figure out how and where the Norghaest can be defeated. And you will defeat them.”

“I shall keep you informed every step of the way.”

“My dearest Vladimir, I learned long ago to be patient. There are times when not knowing is fine. I trust you and your judgment. I trust you shall return to me, unharmed.”

“Thank you.”

She cocked her head. “I do wish you would countermand one order.”

“What?”

“You are going off to war. This will be apparent to everyone, and yet Owen is not going to have a chance to say good-bye to Catherine.” Gisella hugged her arms around her middle. “I believe they truly have been working on their marriage, but this stress… The last time Catherine was very nervous. I do not know if she will be here when he returns.”

Vlad rubbed his hands over his face. “That, I’m afraid, cannot be helped. I need Owen out there. Kamiskwa is off gathering the Shedashee. Nathaniel is in Temperance gathering up the rest of the Northern Rangers. Joachim and Hodge Dunsby know the way to Plentiful, but neither has had sight of a troll alive, or of the demons. I don’t wish to cause Catherine or Owen pain, but I cannot spare him. If you think my speaking to her would help…”

“No, beloved, I will do it. I will calm her nerves and distract her.”

The Prince went to his wife, sliding one arm over her shoulder and caressing her stomach with his free hand. “I do feel as if I am abandoning you. That would be because I am.”