Rise and Fall (47 page)

Elyse had hidden her nervousness well during her speech. Following his advice, she was brief and direct. The commoners needed to hear words of encouragement after the news of the fall of Namaris. Her message was clear. Tomalt would be stopped and a plan was already in place to do so.

That wasn’t completely accurate. Jonrell had a few things rolling around in his head on how to handle the situation but he wouldn’t be able to work out the details just yet, not until he had a better understanding of what he had to work with. Even then, he would probably have to make some things up as he went along.

I’ve been away too long to understand the clandestine maneuverings within the kingdom.

After rising from his knee, the queen kissed him on the cheek, a gesture for the crowd mostly, though Jonrell was happy to recognize the sincerity behind it. “You did well,” he whispered.

“But now the hard part,” she said in a worried manner.

“You’ll do fine. I’ll be there. Just remember what we talked about.”

She nodded.

“Good. Then let’s go, My Queen,” he said smiling.

Elyse forced a smile as well, waving to the crowd before striding back into the castle. Before joining her, Jonrell met the eyes of several of his men, nodding to each one. They answered back in a similar manner. Satisfied, the commander followed.

* * *

Heated conversation filled the council chamber. Advisors seated behind the black dais that encircled the space shouted at each other. Those who had not found their places yet argued in the room’s center. Jonrell walked in unnoticed and strode across the floor to take a spot below Elyse’s seat. To Elyse’s right, Gauge strained with effort to calm the fury of voices.

One Above, they would have never thought to act in such a way when my father was alive. Have they forgotten him already? The old fool might have been insane but he demanded respect.

He shook his head in disgust and then met the queen’s gaze with a comforting wink he was sure no one else noticed. His sister looked troubled, helpless in her seat, not the regal image he wanted her to portray. She acknowledged the gesture by straightening her posture. Jonrell gave her a slight nod of approval before turning back around to face the room, drawing his sword in one fluid motion.

Heads turned in his direction at the sound. Conversations ended in midsentence as the hiss of steel resonated throughout the chamber and echoed off the walls. “It is a sad day in this kingdom when a drawn sword is what it takes for lesser men and women to remember the company they are in,” he said, pointing with his sword at those still standing. “None of you would have dared to act in such a way in front of my father. Your Queen, has tried to rule differently than him and chooses not to use fear to gain respect as he did.” He paused. “I, on the other hand, lack my sister’s patience. I have no qualms in handing out any necessary punishment.”

Faces paled at the implication and seats were taken with haste. Jonrell turned back to Elyse. “Your Highness.”

All eyes went to the queen but she failed to move.

C’mon Elyse. This has to start now. Just a few words. Remember, you rule over them.

As if hearing Jonrell’s thoughts, she slowly rose. “I think your point was made, Brother. Please, sheathe your sword.”

Good.
“Yes, Your Highness,” he said and obeyed.

A throat was cleared to the left and a man stood. “Your Highness, if I may. I would like to apologize for our…behavior and take the opportunity to welcome Jonrell back home after such a long time away. His return has caused us to forget ourselves.”

“Your apology is noted, Phasin. Have a seat,” replied Elyse in a flat tone.

Very good
, Jonrell thought. Then he saw a slight shake of the queen’s hands and watched her quickly move them to her sides to conceal her nerves.
Just a little longer.

“To Phasin’s point, I know everyone is eager to discuss the return of my brother and what that means. That was addressed moments ago outside the keep. Jonrell is dedicated to bringing peace back to our kingdom and has returned to aid us in the war I had hoped to avoid. I have given him command over all our armies and resources. He answers to no one but me. That is what his return means and there will be no further discussion on the matter.” Heads turned as whispers hissed through the council.

“Now,” Elyse continued, “My brother has already determined our first steps in response to Tomalt’s capture of Namaris. I will let him comment further on the matter.” Elyse took her seat.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” said Jonrell with a slight bow in the queen’s direction. “I will keep what I have to say brief for we have little time to accomplish the many tasks that need to be done. I have heard good things about what General Grayer has been able to accomplish in such a short period of time. Therefore, he will stay here in defense of Lyrosene and continue to train and prepare the bulk of our army. I will take with me a smaller force and any necessary supplies to Cathyrium. We will strengthen their garrison and that is where we will make our stand against Tomalt.”

“But wouldn’t it make sense to keep our forces together as one unit here since he is likely to march on the capital?” blurted out Vulira.

“No. It wouldn’t. Tomalt has greater numbers than we do and by splitting our forces he has no choice but to meet us at Cathyrium. Otherwise, he would have an army harassing his rear while he tried to take Lyrosene. Such a strategy would only work in our favor. By attacking Cathyrium, he then has a better advantage in numbers. Also, he wouldn’t have to worry about his lengthening supply lines,” said Jonrell.

“I beg your pardon, Your Highness,” said Vulira interrupting, “but this is madness. Our Prince is practically admitting that he will lose Cathyrium with this scheme.”

“That is always a risk,” said Jonrell, cutting in before Elyse could respond. “But I do not plan to lose anything. Cathyrium can be defended against Tomalt.”

“It sounds as though you already have worked out some of the details,” came a voice to Jonrell’s left.

Jonrell turned. “I have.”

“Perhaps,” said Adein, standing. “You could be more specific in regard to your strategy?”

“No.”

“But how can we advise you and the queen on such things if you would not share with us the details of your plan?” asked Adein. He gestured around the room to others who nodded in agreement to his question.

Jonrell chuckled. “You don’t understand. You are here to advise in your areas of expertise. You are not rulers. When it comes to matters of war, I take my advice from those men and women with experience I can trust.”

“Are you implying that we cannot be trusted?” asked Adein outraged. Several shouts rose in agreement.

Jonrell raised his hands and hushed the audience.
Good, they are learning.
“Not all of you have been tainted but indeed there are spies here in this very room.” Whispers broke out once again at the statement made.

“You’ve just arrived this day, Prince. Spies? You haven’t had time to gather the proof to make such accusations,” said Adein.

Jonrell suppressed a smile. Adein already worked to undermine his authority and turn the nobles against him.
No doubt he was a catalyst in doing the same to Elyse.
“On everyone? Perhaps not. However, my men are in the process of pulling information together on two of the most notorious offenders, nobles I had warned my father about years ago before I left Cadonia.”

“Well, please, you must tell us who these conspirators are,” demanded Adein. “I’m sure I speak for everyone here when I say that these people deserve swift justice for their actions.” Several nods were seen throughout the room.

“As you wish, My Lord,” said Jonrell with a mocking bow. “My men are currently confiscating your estate and the estate of your dear friend Vicalli.”

Adein’s face grew pale as his mouth hung open in shock.

Vicalli stood up in a rush of anger. “This is outrageous. How dare you compare me to this imbecile? I will not tolerate this conspiracy being led against me.”

Adein gathered himself and bolted toward the door. But as he reached the handle and swung the door wide, several guards greeted him. Two others came in to grab Vicalli who hadn’t stopped yelling, though his language had grown more colorful.

Jonrell called to the guards. “Please place the men in separate cells for questioning.”

One of the guards looked to the queen. “Your Majesty?”

Jonrell turned to Elyse and saw the shock on her face. She recovered quickly and composed herself as she cast a sidelong glance at her brother. “See to it, Captain.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Wait!” cried out Adein. “What of my possessions?”

Jonrell answered his question while facing the rest of the room. The message served as a warning. “Due to the treachery of these men, all of their wealth, land, and titles will revert back to the crown. Their punishment will be determined once the extent of their treason has been discerned and their cooperation evaluated. This punishment will be extended to anyone else found guilty of similar crimes.” He paused for effect, letting his words sink in as he waited until the guards led Adein and Vicalli out of the chamber and shut the door. “Now, I want to reassure everyone here that if you are not guilty of anything you have nothing to fear. In fact, I would say that you have plenty of opportunity for gain. You only need to prove yourselves.”

“What exactly do you mean by that?” asked Phasin.

“The queen has decided to accompany me to Cathyrium.”

This time Gauge was the one to voice his opinion. “Cathyrium? Your Majesty, is this true?”

Elyse paled at the question and turned to Jonrell searching for an answer. However, he had to remain quiet. All eyes watched them. Any gesture would be noticed too easily, and to answer in her stead would only weaken the power he was trying to build back into the crown.

It all hinges upon these next few moments. How much is she willing to trust me?

“Your Majesty?” asked Gauge once again.

Elyse blinked away the confusion in her eyes, puffing herself up in her seat. “Yes, it is true. Once preparations are made, I will be accompanying our Prince to Cathyrium.”

“But Your Majesty, the queen’s place is in Lyrosene,” said Gauge

“My place is wherever I chose it to be. This is my kingdom, is it not?” Elyse asked in a stern voice.

Jonrell suppressed a smile once again.
I couldn’t have said it better myself, Elyse.
Gauge squirmed in his seat and Jonrell noticed the other advisors looking smug at Gauge’s discomfort.
Interesting, I’ll have to talk to Elyse about his position at a later time.

After a moment, Gauge found enough words to respond. “Yes, Your Majesty. This is your kingdom. I did not mean to infer anything otherwise,” he said, bowing his head.

“I’m sorry, my Prince, but you spoke of opportunity,” said Phasin. “I don’t understand.”

“Well, I think it should be obvious, really. Those in this room will have far more time on their hands since these council meetings will be suspended in the queen’s absence.”

Another series of shouts erupted from the advisors and Jonrell was forced to calm the group of nobles once again. Vulira was the one to speak up this time. “These council meetings have been in place for over four hundred years. Would you abolish something instituted by Aurnon the First?”

“No. However, Her Majesty and I have discussed the validity of suspending such meetings for a period of time. After all, you can’t expect to hold a meeting with the queen in another city, now can you?”

“I suppose not,” Vulira answered after some hesitation.

“Of course not. But not to worry, we will not be parting to Cathyrium for several days. Before we leave each person in this room will be given a crucial task. While we’re gone, it will be necessary for each of those tasks to be fulfilled. And that,” he said, turning around the room to meet everyone’s eyes, “is where the opportunity lies.”

“The success each of you has with these duties will influence the likelihood of being assigned such tasks in the future. Naturally, if someone is unable to complete an assigned duty, well, we would have to question not only that person’s support of the crown but even their overall competence. And Her Majesty cannot have people like that share a seat on her council.”

Jonrell watched mouths hang open in shock and shoulders hunch forward. He also received several piercing glares that only made him chuckle.

If that is supposed to intimidate me, you are sorely mistaken.

He finally came to his sister’s eyes. “Your Highness, I believe that covers everything I wished to discuss at this particular time. Do you have anything to add?”

Elyse’s look was one of confusion even as she stood and dismissed the meeting.

* * *

What just happened?

Elyse sat back into her seat with as much dignity as she could muster, remembering her brother’s advice from last night. She and Jonrell had spoken briefly about what needed to happen today – how she should act and what topics to cover.
“Trust me,” he said. “I’ll do as much of the talking as I can without taking away your authority. I only need you to trust my judgment and support me openly before the nobles.”

Despite the exhaustion from tossing and turning the night before, she had felt confident about what to expect. Once the meeting was under way, it occurred to her how few of the day’s details they actually discussed the previous night. She expected Jonrell to take some of the pressure off of her and buy time with the nobles as they formulated a plan.

But he did that and so much more
, she thought, watching a disheveled group of nobles shuffle from the chamber.
He completely turned the tables on them.
The same group who had pushed and pressured her every chance they had since her father died were taken so off guard by Jonrell, that they simply crumbled before her eyes.
They saw what happened to Adein and Vicalli. He set this whole thing up as an example to them. But how did he act so quickly?