Preserving the Ingenairii (57 page)

Upon my arrival in Oyster Bay, I discovered that your army had left behind a treasure of unsurpassed value and beauty,” Alec said.
 
“And although I long to keep it for myself, because it has grown precious to me,” he paused and glanced momentarily at Jeswyne, making eye contact with her, “I am bound by honor to return this jewel to the imperial family of Michian.”
 
He motioned to Jeswyne to remove her veil.

“Gentlemen, today I am privileged to deliver to you the Lady Jeswyne, niece of Emperor Mikhail of Michian,” he said and stood, as Jeswyne let her veil drop into her lap, revealing her face.

General Bronson and the others at the tent stood in shock as they stared at Jeswyne.
 
“Are you playing some game with us?” Bronson asked, looking closely at Jeswyne.
 
“We received reports that she had been killed in an explosion that destroyed three demons in Oyster Bay.”

“She and I were together that day, and we escaped the explosion because I used ingenaire abilities,” Alec raised his arm and shook his sleeves down to reveal his marks.
 
“She nursed me back to health, and then after the Queen passed away and various other activities occurred, it was proper for us to make this journey to return her safely.”

An officer leaned forward and spoke softly in Bronson’s ear.
 
He raised his hand in a motion, and all the officers in the tent bowed down on one knee, their heads bowed further to the newly returned girl.
 
“You may all rise, thank you,” Jeswyne said, and they all came back to their feet.

“We recognize and acknowledge her identity,” Bronson said, “although it seems you’ve taken extraordinarily good care of her, based on her appearance.
 
You may find other imperial family members seeking your hospitality, if it provides such favorable results,” he chuckled.

“As it turns out, the timing is extraordinary in more ways than one,” he went on.
 
“We just had a transporter arrive here yesterday with a message of profound importance, and since this parlay
was
scheduled, I arranged for it to wait to return today.
  
So we will have a vehicle available to take you directly back to the imperial palace immediately, your highness.

“The timing is so remarkable because the message that arrived yesterday informed us that your uncle is no longer emperor,” Bronson said, making Jeswyne gasp.
 
She reached out to hold Alec’s hand, and he stepped closer to her.

“Your uncle was deposed four days ago by your father, Sergey, Duke of Tintgavel, who is now the new emperor, if the apparent disposition of forces in the capital is maintained,” the general said.

“Oh father, oh father!” Jeswyne said aloud.

“You can imagine what a commotion your return now will make.
 
It will be seen as a sign, a favor from the gods,” Bronson told her.

Jeswyne nodded.
 
“Yes.
 
I must go back to the palace immediately, if you will arrange for the restorer to get ready, I’ll be there in just an instant.”

She turned and faced Alec.
 
“I don’t know what to
say,
after all we’ve been through.
 
But it seems you knew what was right, because this is the right time for me to be here.
 
I must go to my father.
 
I’ll miss you, and remember you always,” she said in the lowest voice she could manage.
 
“Good bye, Alec,” and with that she squeezed his hand tightly, then released it and left to follow an aide out of the tent.

“You’ll certainly be in the good graces of the new emperor, if he holds on to the throne,” Bronson said a few seconds later, as all eyes tried to follow Jeswyne’s figure through the Michian lines.
 
He sat back down, as did Alec.

“For her sake, I hope he does,” Alec said thoughtfully.

Can we do anything for you in return for your great service?” Bronson asked.

“Well, I had intended to wait a little while before saying this,” Alec prefaced.
 
“But since I am here, I will go ahead and say it.

“Now that the Dominion is mine to rule, I intend to rule over all.
 
I will give you time to think about this, and time to carry out a campaign to retire from our land.
 
But if you do not begin to withdraw from the Dominion within one week, I will personally lead my army in battle against you, and we will show no mercy.”

“That is quite a change in tone from the dashing young man who was just so gallant,” Bronson told Alec.

“It may seem that way, but it’s consistent with honorable treatment.
 
Returning Lady Jeswyne was honorable, and giving you a chance to avoid bloodshed is honorable, in my eyes.
 
Now, would you like time to think about it?” Alec asked.

“We need time to talk and think,” Bronson agreed.
 
“I’m a general.
 
I just want to fight wars.
 
But sometimes we have the sorcerers and sorceresses thrust upon us, or something else happens, a favorite from the court is sent as a meddlesome observer, for instance, who meddles in a straightforward military decision.
 
I don’t personally see any reason for my army to do anything other than fight a good fight, but,” he left a pregnant pause.

“With a new emperor, for now, we need to evaluate,” Bronson said.
 
“If you will give me this week as an armistice, I will let you know what we will do next.”

“I accept those terms for now,” Alec said.
 
“We shall observe a ceasefire for one week.”

“Perhaps we can arrange an opportunity during the armistice for our general staffs to meet,” Bronson suggested.
 
“After decades of battling one another, a chance to meet and size up the leadership from our opposing sides would be an interesting exercise.”

Alec liked the idea.
 
“I would be most pleased to work out such arrangements,” he replied.

“With the onset of the great tournament festivals about to begin in a few days time, it will make our people very jolly to have such an event,” the Michian commander commented.

A messenger came in and spoke in Bronson’s ear.

“You’ll be pleased to know that Lady Jeswyne has been safely taken back to Michian aboard the restorer, along with your request that we give up our conquests in your land, your majesty,” Bronson told Alec.

“Is there anything else to discuss this morning?” the General asked Alec.

Alec stood up.
 
“No, I think this morning has gone as well as possible.
 
I thank you for your assistance in helping to restore Lady Jeswyne to her proper place, especially under the circumstances.”

“Your majesty, your nation has a more warlike leader with your ascension to the throne, yet you are seeking peace.
 
That is a refreshing situation.
 
Perhaps we will all be surprised to learn that our own apparent change in leadership will provide some equally surprising answers,” Bronson said.

“We’ll send a suggested meeting time to you in a few days,” he told Alec as they shook hands; the Dominion leader nodded and left the tent with an escort.

When he returned to his own escort outside the lines, he saw the relief on their faces.
 
“The meeting went well.
 
The Lady Jeswyne has already been returned to their capitol, where she will be reunited with her family,” he told them loudly enough for everyone to hear.
 
They precisely wheeled and escorted Alec back to their own lines.

An anxious knot of officers from the general staff and the retinue that had attended Jeswyne waited for Alec’s return.
 
“The Lady Jeswyne was recognized and already returned to her family’s palace in Michian.

“And we will have a one week armistice with the Michian forces, while they consider the demand that they withdraw, and particularly while they consider the fact that there has been a coup in Michian and Jeswyne’s father has overthrown her uncle,” Alec announced.
 
“I’ll
come
talk to you soon,” he turned to Stracha and the others.
 
“Let me debrief the officers first,” he said.
 
He and the staff went to the headquarters to talk about the brief transaction with General Bronson and the officers of Michian.

“The General gave no indication that he intends to withdraw, but the timing of this coup and the fact that the he had the new emperor’s daughter pass through his hands perhaps left him a little adrift.
 
He has agreed to a one week armistice, during which we will hold a meeting of our mutual general staffs,” Alec reported to a tent full of uniformed officers.
 
The proposed meeting drew loud murmurs for several minutes, until Field Marshal Ulltar cleared his throat loudly.

“That’s about all.
 
We should expect General Bronson to send a proposal to us about the meeting.
 
Until then, take nothing for granted.
 
We will proceed to prepare for hostilities, including preparations to seize Salt Crust,” Alec commanded.
 
“I’m going to go speak to the Lady Jeswyne’s followers now,” he said, and added in a low voice for the Field Marshall.
 
“I will carry out the inspection we discussed tomorrow afternoon.
 
And I will walk among the troops tonight to see how my healer powers can improve our fighting ability.”

Minutes later he was with the small group that had surrounded Jeswyne since Oyster Bay.
 
“She is back in Michian already,” Alec told them.
 
“And I doubt that she’ll ever be sent anywhere close to the battle front again.
 
Especially now that her father is the Emperor Sergey.”

“How did that happen? Why?” Givens asked.

“No one offered any explanations,” Alec told them.
 
“My guess is that there was the fact that under Jessie’s uncle, the empire lost three straight major battles around Three Forks, Frame and Oyster Bay, plus their demons were defeated and their sorcerers and sorceresses have been massacred.
 
And from a personal level, her father thought that his own daughter had been killed under his brother’s rule.
 
They don’t tolerate defeat well,” Alec said, remembering the bodies he had seen displayed when he had visited the emperor’s palace in Michian.

“It’s a good time for her to return,” Alec said reflectively.
 
“The great festival is about to begin, so she will have numerous events to fill her days and her mind.
 
I hope she’ll be so busy she won’t have time to think about us.
 
And she’ll be the wonder of their society – the princess who returns from death or captivity.
 
People will put her on display.”

“Lady Jeswyne told us about the festivities.
 
There will be so much to do.
 
And there will be the weddings and engagement events.
 
She said it’s the most romantic time of the year,” Stracha added.

“Well, I hope you’re right, that she’ll happily fit right back in, but I’ll miss her,” Givens said.
 
“We all will,” he said, looking around the tent.

“Yes, Givens, we all will,” Alec agreed.
 
He stood and excused himself to leave the tent.

“Your majesty?
 
Alec?” Stracha called as he walked out.
 
She stepped out to catch him.

“What did you do for her yesterday?
 
She was at peace,” Stracha told him.
 
“Whatever you talked about, it was well-spoken.

“Oh, I wish we had one of those restorers.
 
Why don’t ingenairii travel through space like they do?
 
You could go to visit her on the promenade, the way you promised to,” the girl told him.
 
“Well, take care of yourself, and don’t let this get you down Alec.
 
You’re a wonderful person too.”
 
She tiptoed up and kissed his cheek, then left him standing alone.