The Coming of Shadows: Innisfail, #2

By John Schettler

The Chronicles of Innisfail

Volume II: The Coming of Shadows

 

Duke Morgin Grenfell has a problem as he faces summary judgement and execution at the hands of an ingrate emperor, Alcandryn. While a plot is launched to free him, the Dreadlord Luth is joined by the Host of the Underworld raised by Morwenna and now threatens the West. The Duke must hasten back to his province of Rhaingoll to plan the defense of the White Company.

   Meeting Lord Frey, he begins a dangerous quest that takes Wilem and other characters deep into the Underworld while Morwenna is aloft. It leads to some powerful discoveries. 

   Luth and Morwenna march inexorably towards the capital of Innisfail to join with Luth's brother, Sonderin the Black. The Empire stands on the brink of collapse, and desperately needs the support of the Western Outlords. Now a powerful new Archmage urges  Duke Morgin to go east and break the tightening siege of Rammath-Innis. He will have help from Lord Frey and all the clans of the Dwarrowkin.

   The epic military fantasy revs into high gear and sees the Empire facing its greatest threat in nearly 300 years. Can Innisfail survive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Schettler
• Release date: May 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201488178

John Schettler

A prolific writer with 75 books, John Schettler achieved early recognition in winning the Silver Medal for Science Fiction in Foreword Magazine's annual competion, and scoring a 9.5/10 with Reader's Digest for his 5-book Time Travel series opener, Meridian. He went on to author the longest story ever written, the massive 64 volume Kirov Series, also a Time travel Military Fiction and alternate history of WWII. John's latest work is a new Epic Fantasy series, The Chronicles of Innisfail, released April of 2022.

Book preview

Shadow is ever besieged, for that is its nature. Whilst darkness devours, and light steals. And so one sees shadow ever retreat to hidden places, only to return in the wake of the war between dark and light.

—Steven Erikson

The Chronicles

of Innisfail

Volume II: The Coming of Shadows

By

John Schettler

Dramatis Personae

The Characters

A brief note on pronouncing names and places: pronounce every syllable, and vowels are often long. See examples below in (Parens).

THE HOUSE OF GRENFELL:

Morgin Grenfell, Duke of Rhaingoll – Strongest of the Outlords of the Empire, Morgin finds himself at odds with the Emperor in a border dispute involving the Falconbridge. He is the leader and organizer of the White Company, a loose confederation of five outland provinces west of Innisfail. Characters serving the House of Grenfell include:

Lady Carolyn – Wife of Duke Morgin

Armen Gorman – An engineer in Morgin’s hold of Cartimandua

Lord Gunnick, A master of arms in Rhaingoll

Lord Halgerd, A master of Arms in Rhaingoll

Lord Rachlin: (Rake-lin, not Ratch-lin) 1st Mark of Rhaingoll, a chief advisor and close friend of Duke Morgin.

Lord Reginald, Chosen to serve in Rachlin’s place as 1st Mark

Lord Harding, A minister of the House of Grenfell.

Captains Symon, Hudd, and Drystan of the House Guard

ANTAGONISTS:

Count Morfa – of Garlingwark and unaffiliated with the House of Grenfell, Morfa is shunned by Morgin and not invited to join the White Company. A jealous rival of Duke Morgin who becomes a pawn of the Emperor.

Lord Habrock (Hay-brock) of Gwimalden– A dissident and troublesome Lord, with divided loyalties.

Lord Baldrick – A pawn of the Empire, Baldrick is sent to contest the ownership of the Falconbridge, and test Duke Morgin’s resolve.

Lord Sonderin – Formerly Lord Erkenwald of Nefalia, slain in battle in the first age and carried off to the Underworld by the Morlich. There he was returned to life by the Witch Queen, and renamed Sonderin, the ever burning fire. He fled from the Underworld to the distant lands of the south and now seeks his vengeance on the ancestors of those who first killed him.

Luthgondriel or more simply Luth – another Black Prince, thought to be a survivor of Old Mindemoya, and a practitioner of Dark Arts, like Sonderin, his brother.

Morwenna – Witch Queen of the Underworld.

THE MEMBERS OF THE WHITE COMPANY:

King Erik of Bomark, leader of the high plateau that shields Rhaingoll and other provinces from invasion, Bomark is instrumental to the defense and a central member of the White Company.

Lord Gorling of Penfro, one of the first outland provinces to come under pressure from the invading Khazar barbarian hordes.

Morgin Grenfell – Duke of Rhaingoll – founder leader of the White Company.

Lord Halkin of Haerlaw, a smaller province bordering Rhaingoll.

Lord Weymund, 1st Mark of Pendryl Ivanfelling, a rich outland province.

THE DWARROWKIN: A hardy people skilled in mining, masonry metal working. They were sundered in the kinstrife of ages past, where Lord Hornbori quarreled with his brother, Lord Gherin, over which should ascend to the leadership of all the clans. Hornbori left, taking half the Dwarrowkin south to found Delling, while Lord Gherin remained in the far north at Irondale. Dwarrowkin characters include:

Lord Hornbori, of Delling

Lord Gherin of Irondale (Deceased)

Frey, adopted son of Hornbori, appointed Lord of Irondale.

Grisnir, adopted son of Lord Hornbori appointed heir of Delling

Olaf, Lori and Tobin, traveling companions with Frey

Lothar the Brave – who took the scepter of Irondale to the Underworld

Rinngale – Great Grandson of Lothar and a faithless retainer.

Regin – Eldest son of Rinngale

CLAN LEADERS OF IRONDALE:

Faelgir, (Fail-gear)- Steward of Irondale

Alegog, Mith, Dunnu, Kep, Finn, and others, Clan leaders of Irondale, the latter a cousin to Frey.

Alestar – Magister of Irondale, presiding over official matters and rites of ascension.

TRADERS & MERCHANTS:

Kaspar Jakhad (Ja-khad) – A caravan trader caught up in the impending Khazari invasion.

Argo – The porter master of Kaspar’s caravan.

Ari – a train boy in Kaspar’s employ, serving as a runner and messenger.

William (Wilem) Doran – A stranger taken in by Kaspar’s train in Old Mindemoya.

Captain Miche Ryal – hired by Kaspar to captain his ship, Starseed.

Lieutenant Jimmal Rheen – An officer on the ship Starseed, a Brig.

Sachi - Kaspar’s trail scout and chief of security.

THE HIGH MAGES:

Sencha Windweaver – (Air)

Maelgrinn – (Water)

Tal – (Fire)

Vortigern – (Cold)

Obagone – The Seer (Far Sighted), who predicted the fall of Innisfail.

THE BARBARIANS: of Gorgessa and the Khazars

The Shon Malak, aka The Jade – leader of the Khazari Horde invading at Lyndra and Glynwood

The Shon Ganem – Leader of the tribes of Gorgessa invading Elcanar, Druim-Fadah, Penfro and Rhainnith.

General Alisander – A General commanding the combined armies of the two Shons.

LORDS OF THE EMPIRE OF INNISFAIL & OTHER PROVINCES:

Emperor Alcandryn II (Al-can-drin)– Emperor of Innisfail in the capital city of Rammath-Innis.

Lord General Aldridge - Commander of 2nd Legion of Innisfail

Captain Arbane – Commanding a squadron of Frigates

Lord Arken Glynn – Commanding the Tamargyn Marines

Baron Vlad Balorak- Lord of Wyddfallen, an inner province in fealty to Innisfail.

Lord Baldrick - Commander of 3rd Legion of Innisfail

Lord Bregund - Lord of Elcanar Province.

Lord Brondir – Of the small border land of Druim-Fadah, a traitor to the realm, he had supplicated himself to the Shon Ganem of Gorgessa.

General Scion Cross – A General commanding the Army of Innisfail.

Lord Durward of Ermenrich, a wealthy outland province unaffiliated with the White Company.

Commodore Ellinore – Commanding Concord, a ship of the line.

General Embergrim - General Engineer in the Army of Innisfail.

General Symon Galien – Newly appointed to lead 4th Imperial Legion

General Gunnar – Commander of 1st Legion of Innisfail.

Lord Haldane – Brother to Duke Morgin and Lord of Rhainnith, an inner province in fealty to Innisfail. Haldane has renounced his title to Rhainnith to join the Western Outlords and the White Company.

Lord Huldra of Rhainnith, The Mayor of the city of Caithness, main city of Rhainnith.

Lord Landon of Ivinghelm Province, unaffiliated with the White Company.

Lord Rathinwilde – Imperial Ambassador.

Admiral Rhayd (Raid) – Commander of the Navy of Innisfail.

Lord Rogmar – Commander of the 2nd legion of Innisfail.

Lord Audric Roland – Commander Imperial Guard of Innisfail

Commodore Alyster Rolland, Imperial Cloud Ship Fleet.

Lord Weymund, 2nd Mark and Lord of Pendryl Ivanfelling.

MEN OF BOMARK:

Lord Dolfa – Master of Dragonwyk Tower

Captain Dylan - Captain of the Frontier Scouts and Guard of Gallion

King Erik, young king of Bomark.

Fenmark – A General in Bomark

Lord Hard – (Hay-erd) Builder of Hard’s Hold.

Colonel Theo Koal – Of Gallion Tower

Scion Thorpe – Alderman and gatekeeper of Gallion Tower

Thrand – A General in Bomark

BEASTIARY:

Arachnids – Spiders the size of an elephant

Army Ants – The size of a wolf

Centipedes – Massive insectoid

Dreadhounds – Large dangerous wild dog packs (Like Dobermans)

Dragons – Classic flying, fire breathing dragons. Only 2 exist.

Ghoblin Kind – Classic Goblins

Giant Scorpions – capable of a flinging sting

Gutmorgen Brood – Man sized Slime Devils living in marshland

Herelinki (Hair-linki)– A kind of Zombie-like undead

Mereliki – Dragon Bats of the fens and meres

Morlich (More-like, as in Lichen not More-litch)– Mythical massive dark flying creatures who carry the dead to the underworld.

Smoke Screamers – Apes of the heavily misted forest lands

Terror Lizards – T-Rex! Lurking in Grimwood.

Thunderbeasts – Triceratops

Trolls – Classic thick limbed ogres

Vaarks – Goblins interbred with humans

Waerloga – Lycanthrope wolf men

Woodwicca – Witches of the forested lands

THE GODS and MONTHS OF THE ALDERENH

Each of the 12 months is named for the gods below.

Donn Rhy (pronounced Don Ree) is the All-Father of the cosmos, sometimes called the Lord of ten thousand lights. First month.

1)  Donn Rhy, The All-Father

2)  Anbiorn, the Sky Father, God of the clouds and sky

3)  Vedar – The Trickster, God of Deception

4)  Lune, The Moon Goddess, also Goddess of Madness

5)  Hemdon, God of Dreams

6)  Hexel, God of Darkness and Night

7)  Angatyr, The God of anger, war, and battle

8)  Tallus, the God of Vengeance, the act of revenge often referred to as The Talons of Tallus.

9)  Aneyar – God of Work

10)  Waldir – God of the Harvest, Seas and Shadows

11)  Tethar – God of Commerce

12)  Issyl – God of Winter, cold and frost

There are twelve months of 30 days each, all named for those Gods in the order above. Each month has three weeks of ten days each. The first week is governed by the new Moon, the second week by the fat moon, the third week by the waning or crescent moon. The last five days of the year are the days of feasting. This calendar dates to the time of Old Mindemoya, the empire destroyed in the first age by the Starfall. The first day of any month is dedicated to offering and prayers made to that god. The last day is called the day of thanks, where thanksgiving is made to the god of that month for all that was given.

UNITS OF MEASURE:

Mark, (about 1 kilometer) Each hex on the map is 2.5 Marks.

Kapel (The currency of the realm, pressed in either gold or silver. Gems and pearls are also accepted means of payment)

Coil: A measure of length the distance of a single coil of a rope, about three feet in our system, or one meter.

THE GEMSWORDS:

Powerful enchanted swords, each bearing a gem that designates their ranking. Only eleven were forged, listed here with their last known bearer. Ranked by their hardness and subsequent power:

11 Starseed – Vortigern, long lost Ice Mage

10 Diamond - Luthgondriel

9.0 Ruby – Sonderin, brother to Luth

9.0 Sapphire – Maelgrinn, a High Mage

8.5 Zircon – Sencha, a High Mage

8.0 Topaz – Tal, a High Mage

7.5 Emerald – Tyrannis, a Dreadlord

7.0 Amethyst – Duke Morgin Grenfell

6.5 Jasper – The Dreadlord Esus

6.5 Onyx – The Dreadlord Drava

6.0 Moonstone – The Witch Queen, Morwenna

––––––––

The Maps (24) of the Alderenh can be found on the web site here:

https://www.writingshop.ws/html/map_room.html

The 9 Imperial provinces of Innisfail:

Arnir

Hallowfield

Hardwyke

Innisfail (Includes North Innis)

Llanishen

Rhainnith

Shanidar

Raedwalden

Wyddfallen

The Western Outland Provinces: (*= in White Company)

Bomark*

Ermenrich

Garlingwark

Gwimalden

Haerlaw*

Ivinghelm

Pendryl Ivanfelling*

Penfro*

Rhaingoll*

Provinces occupied by Barbarian Tribes in the first Migration:

Ashkelon

Ashedon (Including North Ashedon)

Betheldune

Elminad

Nefalia

Old Mindemoya

Radnor

Sarvendon

Provinces occupied by Barbarian Tribes in the Second Migration:

Argentyne

Druim-Fadah

Elcanar

Glynwood

Horon

Lyndra

New Khaladin

Rhainnith (Contested)

Zarabad

Provinces controlled by Sonderin

Andru

Arnir (Contested)

Cavella (Contested)

Hardwyke (Contested)

Hallowfield (Contested)

Niador

Nuidor

Niaminof

Troneshar

Varmador

Provinces controlled by Luthgondriel:

Dark Mornaland

Nangobhar

Gorgathor

Magamord

Dharma

The Chronicles of Innisfail

Volume II

The Coming of Shadows

"Everything that we see is but a shadow cast by

that which we do not see..."

—Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Chronicles of Innisfail

Volume II, The Coming of Shadows

By

John Schettler

Part I – Summary Judgement

Part II – Passage North

Part III – The Ice Hollows

Part IV – Calm Before the Storm

Part V – Plans and Devices

Part VI – The Quest

Part VII – The Bone Fortress

Part VIII– 25th Of Tallus

Part IX – Downfall

Part X – The Black Sails

Part XI – The Fate of Empires

Part XII – Mage War

Afterword

Part I

Summary Judgement

"How easy it is to judge rightly after one sees what evil comes

from judging wrongly."

––––––––

Chapter 1

Morgin

A dungeon cell is never an easy or comfortable place to find yourself, and more so when an hour before you were leading a grand charge that ended up saving the lives and treasures of the very men who put you there. Duke Morgin Grenfell was not happy. In the last two weeks he had lost his closest friend and then saw his mortal remains carried off to the Underworld by an abomination he could scarcely describe. He had then fought against the Hunding and Gorg, against Baldrick’s Imperials at the Falconbridge, and subsequently marched over 150 marks to the heart of the Empire and led his charge to foil both the Khazari and Gorgessen Hordes along with the Vile Host that had emerged from Grimwood. If that were not enough, he had just received word that his wife, the Lady Carolyn, had gone missing, and then suffered the ignominious treachery of the Emperor with this arrest. This stack of misfortune would put any man in a foul mood, and Morgin was right there.

I should have remembered that Alcandryn would be faithless, Morgin berated himself. This was something I should have easily seen and avoided. That man is wholly self-centered, and sees everyone around him as an accessory to his own glorification. While that may be a malady inherent in any monarchy, with Alcandryn there is a peculiar cross blending of narcissism and utter incompetence. How could I have allowed myself to be brought so low here, and under his control, fearing for my very life? It’s shameful, but all is not yet lost.

Yes, not all lost, said another voice within him. He could feel that, knew it in a way that was almost a certainty in his mind. Yet try as he might from the dank darkness of that cold dungeon, he could not see the path that would lead him to that end. He tried to reason things out. Where were his assets now?  Gunny is out there with my knights, he thought, and let’s see what pressure he can bring to bear on the situation. Another two hours should tell the tale.

That had been the one thing he had done in the way of a precaution. It was the reason that he decided to come east and answer Alcandryn’s Imperial summons, even though he could see the doubt on the faces of both Gunnick and Halgerd when he gave the orders to ride east. Yet when they knew they were coming with him, and with a thousand men under arms, their doubts seemed to vanish.

If I had not come, the path I would be on now would be darker yet, for instead of victory on the fields of Arnir, there would have been defeat. In spite of the victory; even after that glorious charge against Sonderin’s Vile Host, it seemed that shadows of grave doubt still rose in his thinking, clouding his judgement and obscuring his view of the way ahead. At the center of all those shadows it was not Sonderin, he saw, nor even the Dark Witch Queen he had been thinking to challenge soon. No, it was Alcandryn, the Emperor of Innisfail, the very same man who had just betrayed his loyalty and sent him to this place, under lock and key.

Yes, said the voice inside, it was Alcandryn all along. He was where your real peril was waiting like a patient spider, not those you and your men fought on the fields of Arnir.

Now here he was, Morgin Grenfell, High Duke of Rhaingoll, and would-be head of the White Company. How could he have failed and fallen into captivity like this? It was shameful, shameful!

If I had not allowed myself to be disarmed during that audience with the Emperor, I would not be in this predicament, one voice chided him from within The Five Imperial Guardsmen arresting him would have been a tough order, particularly when he was also covered by men holding crossbows. But his armor was strong, and that Gemsword was worth 50 men in battle. Was that the real crossing point in this journey, his decision to surrender his sword for the mere privilege of entering the same room as that effete fool of an Emperor? He had no doubt he would have cut those Guardsmen down if he had drawn that blade instead of unbuckling it and handing it off to Captain Jilad. Now it was gone, something that never should have happened. The heat of regret was confusing him, he knew, and he forced himself to put those thoughts aside.

The Duke knew he had to be clear-headed, and clear-eyed now as to the path ahead, for one part of his mind could sense his imminent demise if he did not find a way out of this cell soon. Think! He shouted inwardly at himself. What’s wrong with you? Look clearly. What are your assets, here and now.

He was thankful that his captors had been so remiss as to leave him in his armor. Yes, that was good. He still wore a nice burnished steel mirror over tightly woven chain mail. That armor would let him survive all but the most carefully administered blow. They were fools not to strip him of it, yet these stone walls, and steel bars were intimidating, nonetheless. Where are the real obstacles? He considered that now: his minders seemed particularly fond of seeing him humiliated like this, which only fed the simmering anger within him. But he knew he could not allow himself to be possessed by anger or fear. He had to remain clear-minded. Only then could he discern the path he needed to take.

Here he was, sullen, angry, and smoldering with hatred for the Emperor. The only thought on his mind was the fact that he still had 700 armored knights waiting for him to return, just outside the city walls, and that failing, they had orders they would execute in another two hours. Something told him even they would not be enough, but he could not stop what he shouted next.

Guard! he bawled. Tell your bloody Emperor that I still have 700 Knights under my banners, and not five marks from where I sit now. Unless he wants them raging like mad dogs through this province and raising hell, I had better be released before midnight. My men have orders. You think I didn’t foresee this?

Even as he shouted that, he knew it was useless bravado. His knights were strong, the Gods knew that. They were well led by men utterly loyal to him. The Gods knew that as well. Still, they were outside the inner city walls, and his keepers let him know that in a dismissive riposte to what he had said.

A guard appeared. "My, these highborn never like it when they find themselves caged up. Well my Lord Duke. Shut the fuck up! I could care less about your bloody knights. This city has walls. What are they going to do—fly over them? Leap over them in a single bound? Be silent!"

Oh, you won’t want to see what they’ll do, said Morgin, "and you had better mind your manners, and your mouth. I have a long memory." Morgin’s response had been reflexive, and that was the wrong way to proceed here. He needed clear-headed thinking, not knee-jerk reflex. What was he doing here, bickering with his jailors? It was foolish, and all it did was make him look weak, pathetic.

A long memory, have you? the Guard taunted. "For a while, I suppose. But word is the charge against you is treason, me high and mighty lard, and that gets swift judgement here. Who knows? You might even be dangling with a rope around your royal neck before midnight. Or the Emperor just might let us sever that noisome head, long memory and all, from those shiny shoulders of yours. It never does a man well to piss off the Emperor. He has a way of showing him his place. Enjoying yours?"

Morgin was infuriated, made a mental note to split that man in two when he got his sword back. If you get your sword back, said another voice in his head. It’s gone, because if they have you like this, they certainly took Captain Jilad and his two men as well. They’re probably locked up just as you are, and they would certainly have taken that sword from them. Think! Where would it be? Was it close, or taken off to Alcandryn? He had no way of knowing for sure. All he could do was guess, so he assumed that would be the case.

Good, said the inner voice of reason. That’s better. Reason it out as you always have. Work on that angle. If the Gemsword will be near the Emperor, you can use that to some advantage. What else have you got? Nothing, he thought. The guards had even found his hidden dagger, so he had nothing more than his bare hands to fight with now, and he was still manacled with chains. But by the Gods, he would make these men pay. That cold thirst for revenge was all he really had.

But that won’t do, said the inner voice again. No, that won’t save you. Think! What assets do you have beyond those 700 knights?

Fortunately for Morgin, the word of his arrest had also reached his Masters of Arms, Gunnick and Halgerd, and though the latter was still nursing a wound from the earlier fighting, Gunnick would be ready to take immediate action to find and free him. What might he do?

Gunny is smart, he thought. He can see the city walls, and he also knows that I could easily be used as a hostage to prevent any misbehavior on the part of my remaining knights. So he’ll work this from another angle. Who will he approach? Embergrim? General Cross? The Emperor himself?

That’s it! said the voice. Gunny is your real asset now, not just those knights. Morgin knew he would find a way.

*  *  *

Gunnick did indeed find General Scion Cross to lodge a complaint over the Duke’s imprisonment when he heard the news.

I am sorry, said Cross, I warned Duke Morgin that the Emperor could be very vindictive, and even petty when he perceives he has been wronged. I’m afraid that between the accusations of treason and the fighting at the Falconbridge, Alcandryn would not stay his hand.

Well General, look to your west city gate. There’s 700 armored knights there, and I have orders. Come midnight we won’t be staying our hands either. If this Emperor wants a civil war on top of the one he’s already got, then we’ll bloody well give that to him.

That won’t help anything, Cross warned. Morgin warned that we haven’t seen the last of this Sonderin and his Vile Host—or the Khazars for that matter.

Aye, but if my Duke is not released, you’ll have seen the last of any support from the Western Outlands. That includes my men, the 750 man contingent here from Bomark, and all the men of Haerlaw, not to mention Lord Haldane’s men too. Those troops held a good chunk of your Raedwall, and all of Rinnith-Lodras. You’d better be ready to replace them when we leave. General, there must be a way around this, and you must help me find it.

My fear is that the Emperor will act precipitously, pronounce summary judgement, and execute the Duke. What will you do? Surely you cannot assail the walls of this city. It would take much more than 700 men, and need good siege engines.

Aye, but heads will roll just the same, throughout this province. I could burn every farm and hamlet for miles in any direction. That will put an end to food stores in the Capital soon enough. Does the Emperor want to add famine and civil unrest to his long list of enemies?

But do that and you’ll all be condemned as outlaws.

Kill my Duke and that’s what I’ll be, and eager for the work. If Alcandryn makes outlaws of us, then that is exactly how we’ll act, and you know damn well there’s nothing the empire can do about it and still have men left to stand on that nice red wall to the south. You need us General, and that badly.

Wait, Marshal, perhaps I could do something. If Judgement is to be passed on the Duke, then they will first move him to the Emperor’s audience chambers for that theater. That’s the time to act.

Gunnick liked the sound of that response. Say on, he said, removing his hand from the hilt of his sword. Would there be any way we could get troops inside the city walls?  If we were past that obstacle, then my knights would have real leverage with this Emperor. Then he would simply have to listen to our demands.

You forget the Palace Guard.

How strong is it?

360 men, all hand-picked for their bravery, loyalty, and skill in battle.

Well, I’ve twice that, all mounted, all well armored, and I’ll wager my knights would come out the better in that argument. But this is the key. If I could get beyond the inner walls of the city, then that fact alone could force the Emperor to negotiate the release of my Duke. He’ll ignore us as long as he knows there’s a wall between his precious Imperial Palace and my knights. But if we were inside his city, then he’d have to treat with us. We could solve this without my men having to raise hell as I was ordered. Think carefully, General. What could be done here?

General Cross gave him a long look, thinking. Come near the west gate at 11 tonight. You will know the hour when Arcon is high over Luna in his rounds. I will be leading out a supply convoy that hour, and the gates will have to be opened. Why, an enterprising man could ride right in if he was ready, and forceful enough.

We’ll be both, said Gunnick, extending his hand. But what about your guards. Surely you post them at every gate. Will I have to cut them down?

Not necessary, I could order them to assist one of the wagons—get them out of the way at the key moment. Then you come through with your whole contingent, and what will they be likely to do? Nothing.

Gunnick gave the General toothy smile, a gleam in his eye. Do this and you will have our thanks, General Cross, and you just may keep our swords on your side of things as well. My Duke thinks little of this Emperor, but he has great respect for you. We will remember. The two men shook hands, but Cross had an uneasy feeling. He had just conspired with another Outlord to subvert and reverse the known will of his Emperor. The conversation he had just concluded would be every bit as damning as any charge now levied against Duke Morgin. At the same time, he was becoming more and more convinced that Alcandryn was going to lead the Empire to an early end. His interference in military planning and directives was one thing, but this vendetta against his Outlords quite another. It had to be stopped, and to do that, Cross knew he was going to have to stand forward and consider something that had been in the back of his mind for some time.

Lord Gunnick, he said. Another matter, and say nothing if it offends you.

What matter?

This Emperor... He will lead us to ruin, or so I see things. If a stronger arm were to ascend to the throne here, where would the Outlords stand?

My Duke is the one to pose that question to, but I can say this much. None of my men would lift another finger in defense of Alcandryn-II, not unless Morgin Grenfell gives the order.

Yes, your Duke has said this to me personally.

Well, General, if something’s to be done, it’s a fine night for it, though it would be a shame if we have to slaughter the Palace Guardsmen. Will Alcandryn use them? Something tells me you’re going to need every man you’ve got under arms from here on out.

Indeed, said Cross. I think I’d better speak with Colonel Roland of the Guard. Well I must away, but sir, be cautious once you pass the gate. Take as few heads as possible, if you will.

The General had men waiting some twenty paces off, and he started issuing orders to get the supply convoy formed at the West Gate. The men of the 2nd Legion at Rammath-Arnir were in need of weapons, armor, and fresh water and food.

Colonel Audric Roland ~ Imperial Guard

Colonel Audric Roland had come up through the ranks of 1st Legion before he was selected to serve in the Palace Guard, but once inside the Imperial Palace, he had seen entirely too much of Alcandryn’s pettiness, his wanton impulsiveness, and the aura of paranoia that often surrounded the Emperor. While Roland was an honorable man, he had seen the worst of the Emperor, and it left a distasteful stench about the palace that he decried.

A clever man, Roland had never voiced his inner resentment of Alcandryn to anyone else, but General Cross trained with him at times, and in the idle chatter between them when they were at swordplay, the General had picked up hints and innuendos of how Roland truly felt. Commander of the Imperial Guard was a high post, and so if there was to be any move made against the throne, Roland would simply have to be a part of it. Scion Cross figured he could rely on his own personal guard, but they were no more than twenty men. Yet if he could bend Roland to support him, then he thought a move on the throne was entirely possible. So he found Roland at table that night, and asked if he might come walk a patrol on the outer wall with him that evening for reasons of security.

Once the two men were up on the parapets, and well isolated, Cross ventured to speak his mind, even though he knew he was taking a grave risk in doing so. Colonel, he began, You are certainly aware of the situation involving Duke Morgin Grenfell, are you not?

Of course. I was the man given the stupid order to arrest him. That was very foolish!

This was starting well, thought Cross. I must agree, he said. You were here, but this Duke and a thousand knights with him were absolutely essential in the battle we just fought. He and his men swept back the Khazars, and then turned smartly to take Sonderin’s Vile Host on its flank. But I must tell you something. Morgin Grenfell is a careful man. I just spoke with his Master of Arms and security, and he has orders to raise hell if Morgin isn’t released by midnight.

I would guess as much, said Roland, a man with jet black hair and steely blue eyes. The Duke himself has been shouting that from his dungeon cell for the last two hours as well. But really, what could his men do outside the city walls as they are.

Aye, said Cross. "It would need good men inside the city to take any action to right this business. Are you a good man, Colonel? Or are you in Alcandryn’s shadow?" There it was, the question that would decide everything this night. It would either end with Cross arrested, Morgin dead and a bloody civil war as another log on the fire, or it would end some better way. He hoped against hope that the Colonel would see that.

Roland turned to face him. That’s dangerous talk, General. But I suppose I could say I didn’t quite hear you. It’s windy up here.

Roland was giving me a pass on that slip, thought Cross, but that’s not good enough. I need him. He’s going to have to choose sides, here and now.

Well then listen again, said Cross, determined. listen well. Alcandryn will lead us to wreck and ruin. Did you hear what he said after the battle? We asked his permission to harry the enemy south and clear them from Hallowfield and Hardwyke, and he told me those provinces, and the whole of the east coast in fact, were of little concern. Duke Morgin was ready to cross the Tarsis and push the Khazars right out of Rhainnith too, but Alcandryn would allow for no Imperial support. Oh, he was pleased that Morgin’s knights helped save Rammath-Arnir today, but how soon he forgets. Colonel, I fear with his hand on the reins, the old prophesies may indeed come true.

That was a reference to the Seer Obagone’s prophecy, who had proclaimed that the Empire of Innisfail would be founded and destroyed under Emperors bearing the same name. Alcandryn-I had been the founder, and Roland took the General’s meaning. At the