Queen Persephone: The Chronicles of Mattias

By Douglas Roff

About the Book

 

Queen Persephone is the tenth novel in the series, The Chronicles of Mattias, and concludes his journey in search of what the gods want from him. Will this task, once completed, finally mean that Mattias can retire to one of his lodges and enjoy life with his wives, children and grandchildren? Or is there more that the gods will demand of him?

The novel opens up with Mattias and his army perched at the opening of the corridor between his new conquest of Partha and a new kingdom located in a long valley called Tarshan. He is there to meet with the queen and her royals as he continues his task of freeing Lesti and Bjerne slaves, this time in a new place with new characters, some of whom want to help him and some who want to destroy him.

These royals are very odd, and Mattias soon suspects evil and foul play from a source but not what that source is. The gods are intervening now more than ever, and the goddess Hel, goddess of the underworld, has taken a liking to Mattias who seemed very taken with the Lady, who is both difficult and arrogant beyond all measure.

He enters the kingdom, expels the royals, and discovers hard truths not only about this small kingdom, but all of the kingdoms of the Tarshan Valley. He soon sets about understanding his new conquest as well as the structure of the Krais that crisscross and checkerboard the entire two thousand mile length of the wide valley, sandwiched in between two vast mountain ranges.

Mattias' family arrives and with it old disputes about who decides and what is decided. After conquest and the submissions of many new lands, Mattias sets out again by himself, only a few true believers with him as he takes new territory and frees more and more Lesti and Bjerne. They stumble upon a new kingdom, a vast and beautiful kingdom, that regularly engages in slaving and not just the Lesti.

Mattias meets and becomes friends with new creatures who are freed by Mattias; ancient steeds and shapeshifters are discovered, along with thousands of trapped souls and life essences brought back to the land of the living.

Mattias seeks out Seth and Xerxes, always one step ahead.

Aurelius is returned to his sister and father, and ends his association with the Queen of Asan. Fire Jade has been sold in direct contravention of Mattias' orders; it seems Seth and Xerxes have acquired quantities and are selling it in the Tarshan Valley and beyond. 

Mattias stays in his new kingdom for two years then goes off on the final leg of his decades long journey. He solves the riddles of the Key, and makes his peace with the gods.

Or does he.

Will his journey end, or is there more he is tasked with.

His origins are finally revealed, and his people identified.

Where will this new history take him next?

Has he discovered whom the gods fear?

Perhaps, or perhaps Mattias never understood the makeup of the heavens, and the beings who watch the mortals from above.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Douglas Roff
• Release date: Sep 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215056387

Douglas Roff

Douglas Roff is a retired corporate executive. He has lived around the world working in various capacities for government and industry.  Doug has written twenty-seven novels to date, mostly in the paranormal and fantasy genres, but not exclusively.  He currently resides in Latin America, speaks Spanish, and is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.  

Book preview

PART ONE

VALERUM

Prologue

Matters were growing tense along the border as the small army moved ever closer to the narrow pass separating Boria from Valerum. Mattias was informed that elements of the Valeran militia had mustered out, formed up, and were moving troops to the only border pass at the very easternmost entry point into the Tarshan Valley. Troops from other communities nearby came to the border too, drawn there by an urgent call to arms, but also by invitation of Lord Mattias Denson himself, who announced his arrival well ahead of time.

He was anxious to meet them; they, less so, to meet him.

Mattias sent his avians into the air high over the border pass to scout the numbers and identities of the hostiles drawn up around the narrow pass. However, he had avian leaders Tala, Var and Rothyl in camp for another reason, just as he had family members Rasha, Yusa and Milna Mattiasdottir sleeping in his tent.

He had cooked up other surprises for the hostiles on the other side of the narrow pass; those were for later.

The tension in camp had nothing to do with the forces arrayed against them at the pass; Mattias could sweep them away if he wanted to with just the wave of his hand, but that was still not what caused him to pace. She was late, and she was unhappy, and he would have to stand there and take whatever was coming to him, and say nothing. They too would have to sit still and take the metaphorical tongue lashing with him.

They were as nervous as he was.

She was a holy terror.

She was a wife.

She was a mom, and her kids had portaled away again without permission.

He, most certainly, must have been to blame.

Let your mother talk, let your mother shout at me, and don’t say a word. When she’s done, we lavish praise on her, and apologize as sincerely as we know how.

Papa, we are never very sincere in our apologies; you taught us that.

"I know, I know. But I said, apologize as sincerely as we know how. I asked you to practice your apologies."

Yaren, Mattias’s eldest daughter with this mate, Queen Persephone, said, Papa, we girls have practiced. Our brothers have not. They hunt instead of studying.

And they are rotten kids while you are my very favorites. Extra Mosh for you, and more hugs.

Liar.

Still no good?

No, papa. This conversation is going to be painful.

For you?

No, papa. For you.

By the gods, here she comes, and she's on fire.

She arrived, stepping out of the portal.

Where is he?

Mattias immediately went into grovel-to-wife mode as his adult sons and daughters looked on. They had seen this roleplay acted out dozens of times, and were always amazed how their father was able to deflect his wife, the queen, into calm forgiveness. Mostly they smiled, as they got into so much more fun mischief with father than mother. Mother ran the household with love in one hand and a healthy tolerance for her husband's sweet lies in the other.

Today was no different.

Why my love, my precious, how lovely you look today. I am both shocked and delighted that you have come for a visit. How may I make your stay more comfortable?

Don’t lie.

Really? That’s all?

Where are they?

"Wife, to which ‘they’ do you refer?"

"Mattias Denson, get them, all four of them and their cousins out here right this minute. I’m not alone on this journey."

Your other half-sisters are here? Not your full sisters, I’m guessing by the depth of your ire.

"Pagan and Lesti, all of your children too. You were fruitful while visiting our palace last month. I’m happy to see that you have been faithful to the gods in seeding our kingdom too."

Still upset about that? You introduced me. They were playful, and then I was drunk ...

You don’t drink.

No, well I was enraptured by your sisters, which is practically the same thing, and the next thing you know we were discussing maps and strategies.

Yes, maps to their bedrooms and strategies to keep your secrets from me.

You make it sound as though we tried to usurp your throne. Not so, my love. I can assure you that none of your sisters will ever rise up against you. I have seen to that.

Yes, they're all pregnant. Very recently.

Probably a rogue prince. It happens sometimes. Yes, undoubtedly it was some ne'er do well rogue prince just passing through the kingdom. I shall find him and have him beaten.

All the children will have red hair.

A clue. Perhaps a foreign prince from a very faraway land. A redheaded rogue who I will find and bring to justice.

As Queen Persephone stood still, having stepped through the vortex of the portal, dozens of women poured through right behind her at the same time, all running to Mattias seeking their fair share of hugs and kisses.

Queen Persephone, Seph to all who knew and loved her, came forward smiling.

The mystery of the red-haired children is now solved.

I might have visited a couple of times, and I always, always visited you first, unless you were busy, of course. Or I may have accidentally visited the children first, but only the older ones who wanted to, uh, join the hunt.

"Yes, the older brats and their equally brat cousins. And, I might add, their brat moms, also known as your other Toranji mates. And, my sisters. Honestly, why am I the only mother who objects to her children disappearing willy-nilly."

You’re very responsible; that’s what everyone says. I am, on the other hand, recognized far and wide as irresponsible and a veritable simpleton.

Yes, I’m sure that’s why everyone loves you and sees me as everyone’s mean matron mother. I’m the one who has to put her foot down and say no.

Yes, but in matters of governance everyone obeys the queen, and ignores the fool of a king.

You’re the fun one. I’m a witch, apologies to Ithiria and Erin.

That's not true, wife. We all adore you and obey your word.

The boys were quiet; the girls snickered.

Girls, said Mattias. That is rude and uncalled for. I shall take you to the camp square and have you beaten severely, young ladies. Unless your mother intervenes, or you get a pardon from the king at the very last moment.

The entire camp watching burst into laughter, even the boys who knew better and normally stayed out of these conversations.

Mattias said, I am very sorry, wife, but you knew what a terrible father and husband I would be before we married. I am irresponsible, break every rule, and never properly mind either mom or Lesti matron. Truthfully, all my wives wish to string me up. I am a terrible example to my children. However, Seph, my love, we need to hurry this conversation along as the children and I have some work to do.

Transforming again?

Rigorous training in the field. Some of our children are ready to fight.

"Our oldest child is eight. You have an army of little brats."

"Correction, Seph, my queen, and the love of my life. We have an army of well-trained little brats, with General Yaren in charge of the family troops. Face it, she's a natural born leader."

Brainwashed by you, I might add.

Eir first helps with training the troops, Inga then teaches them how to correctly ride the mane, while Miseria and Xen recruit spies and diplomats from within family ranks. Perfectly harmless.

You mean they conspire with your other brats, the grown up brats, and your Lesti mom brats who really are no better than their children.

Mattias smiled, absentmindedly, We do have fun, I must admit.

Persephone relented, and sat down in a chair.

I can’t fight you any longer, papa. I'm weary. I hate being queen, just as you predicted. Roads, planning, and street names; taxation and complaints. Honestly, I want to punch the merchant class. They gnaw at my very soul.

I feel your pain.

That is why, Lord Mattias Denson, that as the hereditary Queen of Toranji, I decided to give you a present. For all the help, love, and assistance you have given me with the children, I decided to call the scribes to my office and prepare this surprise for you.

A gift? Is it tasty?

Yes, papa. A gift not only served cold, but early in the morning.

Like chilled watermelon, right out of a cold mountain stream.

Don't be absurd. It's a legal parchment.

Wife, you had better not ...

Too late. I abdicated, making me a mere princess while you are the new King of Toranji. The kingdom is all yours. Now, girls, boys, what has papa taught you that I should know? He’s the rule maker now, not me.

Mattias made a face, and scowled, There’s no need for such draconian measures, wife. You cannot suddenly turn me into a responsible father. It's unhealthy.

"I agree, papa. But still, I want to be with you, and our children, and our extended family as we go on this adventure. I can still fit into my leathers and armor. I refuse to any longer be a queen to vipers, sycophants and miscreants. I have left my Lesti generals in charge, and there is a council to rule over the legislature. I will return to visit occasionally and without warning. I have left a complete corps of Lesti spies behind who are promised great reward and vacation in Papa-land if they do their job well, and tell me everything that’s going on in the kingdom."

The people will miss their queen. I can hear weeping already.

The people can natter and nag someone else about when the trash is to be picked up in their neighborhood. I am here to go to war with my husband. I hear our first engagement will be with a Lesti Kingdom. This ought to be interesting.

You’ll help then?

Yes.

No hard feelings?

Hardly any at all.

You love me again then?

I never stopped, papa. I love you madly and deeply.

I seem to have escaped the most serious consequences.

You forgot to ask about one.

Wife?

Whether you’re still in Dutch with your wife.

Oh. That question. Am I?

Oh, yes, husband. But I’m sure we can work out the terms of your penitence.

"Yes, I’m sure of it. You are widely reputed to be fair minded, tolerant and forgiving."

Really?

It is widely known, Lady Persephone, that you are a paradigm of model behavior, especially one married to such a flawed husband as me.

"Flawed? Yes, you are. I think we shall now spend some time working on repairing our troubled marriage."

It is?

Yes, horribly, terribly. However, the good news is that there is only one flaw in dire need of repair, and that will take some time.

Oh?

Think of it this way, papa. You have a huge load of bricks, and you must build a magnificent wall, but you are only allowed to use one or two bricks each day. Are you seeing the scale of the project?

How many bricks?

Unknown, but many. Build the wall, papa. Then we will be square. After all the bricks are laid, so to speak, and the wall is complete.

Mattias smiled.

You’re such a pushover.

Am not. You ignore me.

That, unfortunately, is very true, Queen Persephone. I shall now make every effort to atone for my mistakes.

You will?

Of course. It is also known far and wide how greatly I take advantage of my wife’s tolerant and loving personality.

Persephone fake pouted, and said, It’s true, you know. You have been very insensitive. I may cry.

Mattias responded, I see that the Lesti maidens are teaching you new tricks. How to manage a prime pushover; King Papa?

I can’t get the crying thing down. The girls are all amazing at pretending to be sad and wistful. Their waterfalls flow. Mine are awful. They drip.

"Just say that you’re crying on the inside."

Inside? That’s excellent! OK, papa, I’m no longer queen, you are however, king and I am now here ready for war. Now, papa, where are these Lesti maidens who so frighten you?

Come wife, it's about time that I brief you on matters of state.

The children started to follow them along with his other Toranji wives.

Mattias turned to his kids.

Go get into trouble; I need to consult your mother about royal matters in the kingdom. That includes the queen and all my Toranji mates.

Yaren said, "Papa, we're children, not babies. We know what consultation about royal matters means.

Good. Then go away.

There was an uneasy peace between those in Mattias’s camp on one side of the very narrow pass, and those factions lined up on the other side of the pass waiting for Mattias to make the first move. He came out frequently, almost every day, to walk a few hundred yards down a stone corridor to the enemy posted on the other side.

Mattias often came to the border's edge with one of his children, usually a Lesti girl. Eir and Inga were also favorites, and Lady Morona was in demand from all factions; the Lesti on the other side of the narrow entrance held a special place in her heart. It was not clear after weeks of chatting amiably whether the women on the other side were simply there to chat him up, or prevent him from entering with his people.

As the weeks went by, Mattias saw no armed men and women, just Lesti maidens flirting with him and the Lesti girls in his army. There would be no fighting; Mattias wanted no casualties on either side.

In time, after many weeks that is, various representatives from Valerus came to visit and chat, though none from the inner city of the ruling royals. Mattias, along with Eimear Wolfsdottir, Lady Xen and spymaster Lady Miseria, soon began to sense something akin to fear, but not fear. Apprehension? Perhaps, though, what they soon concluded was that the royals had something to hide. Mattias decided he would not fight anyone in the kingdom, though the royals would have to face him and his judgment over the issue of slavery.

One day he received a visitor, a woman of some note and beauty, clearly a Lesti woman of rank. She called herself Lady Trevailia, and was announced by all as the wife of the ruling sovereign, Queen Valeriana Risha. She was richly dressed, and nobly attired in the purples of royal houses everywhere.

She approached the exit of the pass, and greeted Lord Mattias with a deep bow. Mattias bowed deeply to her, then spoke.

I will, of course, respect all your protocols of greeting, but in my realms, we prefer to greet each other with a hug and a kiss. I have daily engaged in subverting your girls here at the border through this custom. They love their queen, and warn me to behave myself if I am allowed to enter your kingdom. I am forewarned, of course, and would not think of disobeying your Lesti maidens.

You have not asked to enter as yet. Fear, Lord King?

Yes, and no. Fear of your people, no. Fear of not being sufficiently penitent to my pagan and Lesti wives, newly arrived? Yes. They say I am in very deep trouble, and I must work off a debt I owe to them. I want to come for a visit, but my wives are insistent.

You have Lesti wives?

Witch, pagan, Lesti, avian, and Bestianari. Plus a few who wish not to admit they have mated with me. I’m not as popular with some as with others.

You left out your immortal wives.

Did I?

"And you did not mention your ... friendships with the goddesses, in particular, Lady Hel."

Yes, well I am sometimes called a braggart for dropping names.

Is it really bragging if the braggadocio is true?

I struggle with that one myself, Lady. Perhaps we could discuss the matter at greater length.

If my wife permits. I am asked to come here to invite you to have a visit.

But you will not hug me?

Papa, what kind of a trick would that be?

My bad. It was a sly trick, and one beneath me. Apologies.

Actually, I am not averse to one of your famous hugs. To demonstrate my goodwill, I bring my children to meet you. They are all very anxious to do so.

Mattias stepped through the stone barrier as if it weren’t there, and approached Lady Trevailia and the children surrounding her. Mattias got down on his knees and opened his arms to the dozen or so children there, who rushed to him for their hugs. Then he stood and embraced Lady Trevailia.

You are most generous, Lady Trevailia. I appreciate the kindness shown and generosity of your mistress. Your children are adorable.

The children have asked if they may stay with you for the night and attend evening meal, share a Mosh tart, and stay for story time.

They are welcome, and I accept your offer to travel to the capital to meet the queen.

There will be no hugging, of course. She is a full Lesti, and no male is allowed to touch her.

No doubt a wise course of action. Any requests I can fulfill for you?

Just one.

Yes?

I would ask to meet Lady Yusa, your daughter, and Lady Rasha, your wife.

Of course. I shall bring them.

Yusa was already perched on her father’s shoulder.

She whispered, Papa. I’m right here.

Wait. Be patient. I need you for a mission tomorrow. You and Rasha.

Yes, papa.

Mattias returned to his tent, the dozen or so children following all around him, the little ones on his shoulders or in his arms. When he arrived back in camp, he bade the Lesti find room for them in his quarters, and for the Lesti healers to examine the children.

Mattias said, They are not the children the Lady said they were; they are her children, and the children of other Lesti noblewomen in service to the queen. I was able to embrace Lady Trevailia, and, from that embrace, learn something. Little, as she will be checked by her mate when she returns to the palace to see just how much she allowed me to know. The Lady is trying to tell me something and not get walked to the gallows for doing so.

One of the Lesti warriors asked, Do you have any idea what that might be?

I think so. I sensed something. Now I will confirm it. If you would, someone please go find Lady Ariazate. I need to speak to her, Rasha, and her sisters.

Yes, papa.

Yusa was curious.

What papa?

I wonder if all the Lesti in Valerum are actually Lesti?

Papa?

What did you sense at the pass?

The factions. Joy or apprehension. Fear. Love. Curiosity.

Which factions?

The main ones, Lesti and pagan.

Anyone else?

Some mixed spirit individuals though not many.

What else did you sense?

Trouble. Lady Trevailia is in trouble.

I will deal with her situation in the morning. He turned to a guard, Send someone to the pass to inform the Queen of Valerum that I will join her right after first meal in the square in the capital city. Not the inner sanctum, but the outer sanctum. And tell her that I am anxious to speak to Lady Trevailia, and it is urgent that I do so. Tell her that a reply in the negative would be most unwise.

Right away, Lord.

In the morning, just after dawn, Mattias left for the pass, not having heard a reply from the queen, but not really caring whether he received a response from her or not. He went directly to the mouth of the pass where the guards and others gathered to see the king every day, but as the days passed, soon only Lesti were gathered there. The Lesti guards knew they could not prevent Mattias from entering, and none wanted to prevent him from entering anyway. In fact, they wanted Mattias Denson to enter the kingdom.

Lord Mattias had doubts about who resided in the inner sanctum; so did the guards, though for them it was death to even think of revealing who might actually reside within.

Those of you who love me, come with me now. Fear not retribution. As of this moment, if you are a slave, you are free; if you seek freedom, come with me or walk back through the pass to my camp. You are welcome in my world.

She is powerful, said a young Lesti maiden. She will attempt to harm you.

She is powerful, just less so than me. I know who she is now. And soon this secret will be revealed.

Mattias waited for those who sought refuge in his camp to depart; only a few Lesti remained.

Your sisters will welcome you in camp; you have nothing to fear.

The maiden said, If you have come here Lord, we fear nothing. It is said that there is no safer place in this world for a Lesti maiden than when we are with our Lord. If you are Mattias Denson, then you are our Lord, and we are safe with you.

Then come to me and visit my daughter and my wife in my mind Village. They will take you to a lodge to watch events.

He paused, You're very brave to remain behind with me. What is your name, girl?

Draca, Lord. My name is Draca.

Cool name, Draca. Are you a good girl, a bad girl, or just mischievous?

Papa?

Never mind. I'm sure you're a good girl and, with proper training, you may one day achieve true Lesti brat-hood.

Draca smiled, I aspire to such nobility, papa. May I stay?

Yes, please, Draca, I insist.

Chapter 1

Persephone met Mattias as he was about to leave for Valerum. She had two things to say.

I’m coming along. Any objection?

Am I forgiven?

"We have renegotiated your repayment schedule to your Toranji victims, your wives. You are forgiven so long as you keep to the schedule."

By the gods, how many bricks are there?

"No one really knows, papa. But quite a few still remain. And, papa, I have one more announcement to make. I am now Princess Persephone Mattiasfrau; the new kind of name that means ‘wife of Mattias’. It’s catching on with the wives. You have me to thank for that."

I think I thanked you three times last night. Not enough?

We girls will let you know when your tab is paid. Don’t you worry about these matters. These are officially wife-only matters.

You’ll let me know when my account is up to date?

Papa, don’t be that way.

What way?

Distrusting your wife. Why it’s positively criminal, and may add time to your sentence.

"Yes, busted again. OK, let’s go Queen Persephone Mattiasfrau."

I’m only a princess working my way up the ladder.

You’re there. If I suffer, you suffer. I restore you as queen, and remove your right to abdicate.

Not fair, papa.

Yes, I excel at causing grief to my women. One of the few joys left to this broken old man.

Boo-hoo, papa. Let’s get a move on. Trevailia is in need of our urgent assistance. You were right.

Thank you, and my wives for doing the work last night. I owe you.

Let’s hopefully find Trevalia alive and well; that will be thanks enough. She's risked a lot to ... protect you.

It was noble, but unnecessary, something she could not possibly have known. She was brave to try to protect me; it's only fair that we protect her from what she knew was going to happen next.

They left, and soon arrived in the city square of the outer sanctum of the capital city.

Richly robed women, mostly Lesti maidens, came forward to greet Lord Mattias, though some pagan city officials were also present. Mattias thought they were a hasty substitute for the queen, her entourage, and Lady Trevailia.

Lord King, on behalf of Queen Valeriana Risha and her royal house, I bid you welcome to the capital of Valerus. You are most welcome to see the city. We have provided you with guides who can explain our customs here, and show you around.

"I am, however, not a tourist. I come as a conqueror if there is slaving here, and as a friend if not. Now, I requested the presence of your queen and Lady Trevailia, though I see neither are present at present."

The queen is detained; the Lady is unavailable due to her duties at court.

Perhaps you misunderstood. When I said I requested their presence, it was actually a demand.

"Lord King, we here outside the inner sanctum have no ability to influence anything that transpires within the inner sanctum. Asking us is like asking the wall of the city gates to do the impossible. If we fail the queen in any manner, it could easily mean death for us, our mates, and our children."

What if I said that I’m taking over here, and the city and kingdom are under new management.

We would be encouraged, if true, but then the queen is quite persistent in her hold on both sanctums of the city. She has great power, Lord King. Perhaps you should reconsider aggravating the situation.

Well, then, I shall demonstrate my power and authority just by speaking to a stone wall.

If you say so, Lord King.

Mattias approached the gate of the inner sanctum, a huge iron monster that was anchored in twenty feet of iron and stone wall.

Mattias approached the wall, and spoke to it as if alive, and suddenly stones in the wall began falling away. Pretty soon, as the guards on the wall began to move away from the gate, the stones anchoring the gate fell away, and the gate fell down flat against the stone pavement.

Pagan male guards rushed out to confront Mattias, but he froze them in place.

Standing on the steps of her magnificent palace were Queen Valeriana Risha and her royal house, her children and the nobility. The latter resembled women, but who Mattias sensed were not, in fact, real women. They were something else, and Mattias would next attempt to discover who, and what, they were.

Mattias approached the palace looking around as he did to find archers everywhere, though he sensed they were Lesti archers, not these strange new creatures who huddled around the Queen and her children. Seated on a chair at the top of the steps leading into the palace was Lady Trevailia, though she looked weak.

Mattias knew he had not acted fast enough. He incorrectly assumed that the queen would not act against her if he wanted to see her in the morning. In that, he was wrong.

What have you done to Lady Trevailia?

No more than is merited for any wife or servant who disobeys the orders of her sovereign queen. No less than what your generals might do to maintain order in the ranks.

Trevailia is not military.

Yet she is disobedient. She is my wife, and in matters of intimacy and household, you have no say, foreigner.

"Yes, if she were your wife, it would be the best argument for you to remain alive. But she is not your wife; she is your slave."

Wife, slave, what’s the difference? She exists to serve me, and you have no say in the matter.

I disagree.

Bold, Mattias Denson. Bold but futile.

A breeze picked up and a small bluish cloud developed, like a dense morning fog, and drifted in the direction of Mattias.

Mattias stood his ground, and after the cloud passed, Mattias fell to the ground, as if asleep.

The queen said, Pick him up and put him in the cells. I will deal with him later.

Mattias then stood up, and stretched as if it was a morning yawn.

That was refreshing, he said. You must give me the recipe for that later. Leaves a bit of an aftertaste, but not a bad experience otherwise.

The queen was not amused as the one thing she could do with her limited powers was kill adversaries who came too close in this manner. She could direct a toxic cloud, controlling the wind, and it could be deadly, or just harmful to her adversaries. It was a pretty potent defense against invaders; sieging the city was practically impossible.

Lady Trevailia was smiling, though Mattias could see that she could not move easily, and was otherwise in pain.

You’ve been a very poor leader, a worse queen, and a terrible liar. Worse than me, I suspect. But now you, your royals and servants, and your children are now my captives. The Lesti inside this sanctum will stand down, and kneel to your king. I recommend you do so now.

As they did, he said, Not you, Lady Trevailia. I will attend to you personally. And do not worry, your children, and the other children you sought to save, are safe and being cared for in camp.

Mattias turned to the queen.

"I will make you and your demon kind a one time offer to leave with the proviso that you communicate with your counterparts everywhere, and tell them that their only option is to surrender to me, leave the lands they occupy, and leave the Lesti in charge. Any attempt to harm the Lesti on your way out will mean your immediate execution, along with your faux males and your vicious demon children. You know what I can do; I would prefer not to harm anyone. You are the way you are because that is how you were made. I don’t fault your nature; I fault your actions. Now, we both know you can leave, so leave." 

"He will hear of this."

"No doubt, and one day he will definitely come for me. And on that day, one of us, you or me, will be happy while the other will be dead. When he goes, so will you. I want all of you out of this long, wide valley."

One at a time, Lord King. We are ticks, and must be dug out, not politely asked to leave.

You are the last of your kind who I will ask politely to leave. After this, I will kill all you demon spirits. You are a scourge.

We are those spirits who were left behind to find our way alone. My powers are not the only ones we have. My powers are enough to control my lands, and the pass. Others will resist far more, unleashing death and destruction on you and your army. Others control vast armies and will fight your Lesti for the right to rule over this valley.

"Yes, I’m certain that you speak the truth. Oh, no, I got that mixed up. I’m certain you’re lying."

"No matter, Lord Papa, she said derisively, You may begin here, but you have no idea what awaits you out there. This valley is two thousand miles long, and there are hundreds of kingdoms, none as weak as mine. Powerful kingdoms dot the landscape, most whose cities are built into the sides of the northern and southern cordilleras, and are massive mountain fortresses. Even in a lifetime will you be able to subdue all these lands."

I will not seek change by conquest; I will ask for surrender and negotiation. No one wants to live the way you have forced the people to live, and your slaving is unacceptable.

Then we depart enemies, and I will take what is mine.

The queen shrieked, then departed attempting to take her Lesti slaves with her. Mattias prevented the kidnappings, then rushed to Trevailia to support her.

You were very brave, Lady. Now I will care for you.

I am poisoned by her. I will not last the day.

I have already removed the poison from you, and the rest of your body will soon be healed too. It was clever sending the children to warn me.

The queen thinks the Lesti are stupid. We are not that, we were simply too powerless to remove her.

Well, you're free now and there is no longer an inner or outer sanctum. There is just a free Lesti city, the first new Lesti kingdom in Tarshan lands.

I should rest, papa.

"I'm papa, already?"

You were always our papa; we just hadn’t met you yet.

Then you must come to the Village to recuperate and allow my Lesti and Farai healers to attend to you. Your children are there healing too.

Trevailia was swept up to the Village in his mind.

Yusa asked, Papa, who were the children you were healing last night?

"The Lesti children Lady Trevalia brought to me were used as 'whipping girls' for the sins of the queen’s vicious daughters. But given that the queen and her entourage are not Lesti, their children were commoner boys and girls pretending to be their offspring. That had to be hidden or their lies about being Lesti themselves would be revealed. They wanted to conceal being known as Lesti slavers and to bolster the trade as legal. They culled villages to pacify the Lesti and keep them from rebellion. The city will no longer be sending their pagan men to seed new crops of slaves."

And the queen?

Yet another faction, one created by Lord El to help with his rule before he was captured and imprisoned.

A new faction?

"Yes, the same kind of faction as Ariazate, Rasha and her sisters, though forged in a very different manner. These creatures are both Lesti and Pagan, in different proportions, infused with demon spirit. When Lord El fell, these demons were on their own and without direction, so his path was the path they followed. We will remain here in this kingdom until we understand exactly what happened, who is here, and what we will need to do next. This exercise today was not difficult because little power was needed to seal the entrance to the valley. Now, as we venture forth, the degree of difficulty will climb. I expect that the demons I just released will travel far and wide, telling of their brave defense of the pass, and their defeat at the hands of the monster who follows after them, taking Lesti souls as I go."

Queen Persephone smiled, and asked, Papa, are you after my soul again?

Well, Persephone, in your war leathers, it is unlikely that it is your soul I am after.

Papa, how exciting. In battle again, and me in your tent. I predict a pregnancy soon. Not mine, but the Lesti in the city are already eyeing you.

I think we should bring our people here, and start organizing. Then I will need your help visiting the villages to assess their quality of life. But we need a good plan in order to move on. You’ve developed many such plans in Toranji. I think you should be in charge.

"I’m a little disappointed, papa. You want me for my mind."

First, you're gorgeous. Second, you're brilliant. Decide the order for yourself; all I know is I love the whole package.

I’ve forgotten how much I love your lies.

I’m not lying; I love you.

You are a very strange male, papa, whatever you are.

And you are no less lovely or intelligent. And, what makes you most loved is your heart. I strive to be more Lesti in my joy for life, and more Bjerne in my calmness of spirit and love of the gods. Achieving that makes me more like you.

I have a temper, papa.

A little one. And not unjustified. Especially with me.

Mattis moved his entire camp to the city, still expecting something very bad to happen in retaliation for the summary expulsion of the prior management. The Lesti of the city couldn’t explain who was coming, only that someone had to be on the way. The Tarshan Valley was interdependent, and the basis of the economy of every feudal kingdom was gold and slave labor. Some kingdoms tried to tie serfs to the land, and exact payment for land tenure, making it a crime to depart lands without paying for the land use, even unproductive land. Serfs then could be moved around or even sold for their labor. It was all legal, the local nobility said, and certainly not slavery.

When Mattias found these people, he occasionally put the landowners on the land under identical conditions with their wives and children. He then watched as they cried and whined that his forced subjugation was illegal and against the laws of nature and the will of the gods.

They all said the same thing, Some are meant to manage, most are meant for work.

That was the phrase most often expressed by the owners of land and resources, and it was the reason given for the most egregious conduct. No common worker, it was said by owners, could ever be intelligent enough to do anything other than labor. As such, the logic of the system was self-evident. 

The system led to abuses, and when asked if the landowner ever took payment in kind, most denied what the Lesti had already experienced first-hand. Pagan wives were no better than their pagan husbands in most cases, and their children were raised to abuse their workers as a matter of right.

Village raids in the middle of the night to harvest girls in Lesti villages were common, and an ordinary event in daily life. Terror could strike any village, any hut, at any time. The Lesti were back in hell, and no one seemed to care.

Was this kingdom now Kir Oasis all over again, just different in circumstances and surroundings? Or was this different in other, more important ways? In the end, while circumstances were vastly different, they were similar in at least one regard. The Lesti were either actually or functionally slaves in Valerum just as they had once been actually or functionally slaves in Frijia.

No doubt, he thought, the differences in circumstances mattered little to the slave.

What Mattias found was an easily replicable system of enslavement on a large number of widely scattered Lesti victims. While conditions in which the Lesti lived were deplorable, they were just sanitary enough for the women to work in the fields, get pregnant, and produce children. There were overseers who managed the women’s work activities, the slave trackers who chased escaped Lesti, and Lesti overlords who represented the owners of the farms, and their crops at market.

Human crops.

Unlike Frijia, but like Partha, the Bjerne had no particular interest in Lesti goings on. They were largely reduced to being observers occupying grazing lands they would continue, bit by bit, to lose over time. But that was later, this was now. For now, they had paws not hands, no weapons and no allies. They had no magic or special powers, and were seldom allowed to come in contact with the Lesti, or for that matter, anyone other than pagans. They decided long ago to not make trouble, look out for themselves, and bide their time.

He was coming. One day, he would come.

When the Bjerne heard years ago of Mattias Denson, of the miracle at Kir, and the wars fought by the Lesti mounted on Bjerne war beasts, they knew their time was coming, but had not come yet. They would keep their tusks down, infiltrate the Lesti farm community, and begin the conspiracy that they hoped would one day lead to insurrection and war.

But he was coming, and when he did, all hell would break loose. The Bjerne knew something that the Lesti and pagans did not. Several matters in fact. When he came, they would share information with him and his army, then there would be