Rise and Fall (58 page)

Jonrell sighed, rubbing his eyes. “Mal, I’m exhausted.”

“It won’t take long, I swear. Besides, you were up late talking to your captains anyway,” said the boy, growing upset.

“Aye, I was. But that’s different. I’m preparing for a war,” said Jonrell walking up and resting a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You understand, right?”

“I understand that you never have time for me. You promised you would sit down so we can talk about my future with the group but I keep getting shuffled around from one person to the next.” He looked up, pleading. “I want to help you.”

“Look, I’m sorry. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now. I heard just this evening that Tomalt is on the march and will be here in a matter of weeks, earlier than we expected. Things are going to get even more hectic than before. I just don’t have time to take you under my wing and teach you right now. After the battle things will change. I promise, we can talk then.”

Mal shrugged Jonrell’s hand away. “Things won’t change. And I’m tired of your empty promises.” Jonrell watched a tear fall from his eye. “I should never have left the Hideaway,” said the boy as he stormed off down the dark hallway.

Jonrell thought to chase after him but he just didn’t have the will to make his legs move.
Maybe Krytien was right. My soft spot got the best of me.
He shook off the thought as he remembered how happy Drake seemed to be working with Raker.
Nah, he’ll be fine come morning. A boy at his age has emotions that change with the wind. Still, maybe I can get Cisod to find a use for him tomorrow. Perhaps that had been my mistake all along. Mal probably should be with someone he knew before joining up with us.

Jonrell sighed as he made his way to his room and closed the door behind him.
One more thing to remember for tomorrow. Who in their right mind would ever want to lead an army?

He eased into bed, clothes still on, nestling his head onto the pillow just as the bells chimed for the change in watch.
Three rings. Well, I guess three hours of sleep is better than none
, he thought, dimming the lamp near his bed.

Chapter 24

Elyse never thought she would find herself in a dungeon. Drab stone walls, rusted steel bars, a bed of straw to lie on, one lone stool, and a chamber pot in the corner. No plush furnishings, no fire to keep away the chill, not even a window to provide fresh air. Though in some way she was thankful for the latter as a window would have only made the place that much colder. Regardless of how she tried to find the positive in her situation, she couldn’t escape the fact that she had failed.

When they arrived at the castle, Jeldor placed her in the dungeon. “You can rot with the other liars until we find out who you really are.” he had said.

There would be no alliance, but it was not due to lack of trying on her part. During their journey back to Ithanthul, Elyse had tried numerous times to plead her case to Duke Jeldor. Each time he dismissed her with a snide comment and refused to even acknowledge that she was in fact the Queen of Cadonia. Her plain attire surely didn’t help her argument, especially with it caked in dirt and blood.

How could he not know me?

Despite her bleak situation, her worries went to Kroke and Rygar. All alone in the dank cell, huddled under her coat on the bed of straw and left to her thoughts, she realized how much she missed the company of the two mercenaries. Even the uneasy looks and harsh silence of Kroke appealed to her over the emptiness of her current surroundings.

Her hand wiped away a tear before it fell.
Am I cursed to live my entire life so alone?
She sat down and squinted in the dim light with her legs tucked under her body and placed her head on her knees. “I’m sorry I failed you, Jonrell,” she whispered.

Elyse jumped with a start at the sound of a heavy steel door closing. The noise echoed down the long corridor. Footsteps followed, growing gradually louder.

This is it. They’re going to torture me. I just know it.
Her stomach twisted into knots and she swallowed the bile that crept into the back of her throat.

The footsteps stopped at her cell door. She kept her head down, afraid to look up and face the fears running through her mind. “Shall I come back then?” said the grave voice. Elyse recognized it immediately and looked up to see Jeldor.

“Good. You’re up,” he said, pulling out a key and twisting it in the lock. The hinges squeaked as he entered the cell. He seated himself on the lone stool opposite her and heaved a heavy sigh. He struggled to settle his large frame on the small stool. After a minute he stood up, frustrated. “Bah. I’d just as soon stand then.” He turned to face Elyse. “I feel the need to apologize to you.”

Elyse was confused by the Duke’s attitude. “Apologize?”

“Well, I’m sure you would prefer accommodations befitting your station.”

“Wait. So you believe me now?”

“I always believed you. I just chose not to let anyone else know that.”

“My Lord?”

Jeldor waved a hand. “Don’t give me that ‘my lord’ nonsense. We are in private. Let’s put away the titles.”

She thought about a lesson Jonrell taught her regarding respect, but realized she was in no position to push the issue. So, she nodded.

“Good. Now, why are you here?”

“I told you before. Cadonia is in turmoil. Tomalt has seized Namaris and is intent on marching against me. We suspect Bronn and Conroy are plotting against the throne as well. I’ve come to offer an alliance with you.”

Jeldor chuckled. “An alliance with me? You must be desperate. How much pride did you have to brush away to come seeking my aid?”

“Actually, none. I know you think that others look down on you but…”

“Think? I know!” he cut Elyse off. “First Aurnon the First slighted us and only the One Above knows why. He gave us this bitter land that no one would even bother with. Then because of a mistake made by a distant ancestor, there are minor lords who seem to live better than I do. I don’t
think
anything. My family has never been respected. But now that you are in trouble, you want my help? Why should I? The chance of you defending the throne against Tomalt is amusing enough. And if Conroy and Bronn are working together, the odds are not in your favor.”

“Olasi is aligned with our cause,” said Elyse, not sure what else to say.

“Olasi,” he said the name as if it were a curse. “He’s not a bad man but he is surrounded by enemies. He may hold out for awhile but in time, he’ll fall too. Besides, he’s too far from you to be much help.”

“Which is why we need you. I do not care about the past. I care only about the present and the future. You said yourself that the other dukes still look down on you. Do you really think they won’t turn their eyes this way after destroying me?” Jeldor’s eyes widened and Elyse knew he hadn’t thought about that. Jumping at the chance, she continued. “Align with me and march to Cathyrium to aid my brother in the defense of the city against Tomalt, and I will see that all extra taxes instituted by Aurnon the Third are removed from your lands and holdings.”

For a moment, Elyse thought she had struck a chord and found herself hopeful as she watched the man pace the room in silence with his hands clasped behind his back. “You make a good point, I’ll give you that.” He paused and stroked his beard. “But no. It will not happen.”

“But they will come for you…”

“Oh, I’ve no doubt they will if I just sit here and let them. However, I now have something to bargain with,” he said, smiling at Elyse. “Perhaps, the victor would be interested in marrying you himself to solidify his claim to the throne.”

Elyse felt her heart sink.

Jeldor looked around. “But if that’s the case then there is no need to continue this charade. I hardly consider you a threat to me physically. I’ll see that you are moved to more favorable quarters. I may be a hard man but I am not completely lacking in compassion.”

Elyse started to argue further but Jeldor raised a hand before she could even speak. “Don’t bother wasting your breath. My decision has been made.”

Her shoulders sagged as Jeldor exited the cell and locked the door. She suddenly remembered a question she hadn’t asked. “The two men I was traveling with. Are they well?”

“Yes. The injured one is recovering and the other is unharmed as well. We had to remove nearly three dozen knives from his person before we placed him in his own cell.” Jeldor shook his head. “They will remain down here.”

Jeldor’s footsteps faded.

There is no hope left. It happened just as I knew it would. Just as I tried to warn Jonrell. If he were here, perhaps there would be another way.
She began to rock in place and tears fell unheeded.

* * *

Elyse slept very little in her new surroundings, though a lack of comfort was not the cause. After weeks of sleeping on hard ground and later a straw filled cell, the soft bed covered in thick furs was a welcome alternative. The constant dread of what was to come next kept her awake and sobbing most of the night.

I had another chance with Jeldor in the dungeon and failed again.

Despite the reputation Jonrell had garnered for himself in the years he’d been gone, he would be badly outnumbered facing Tomalt alone. Even if her brother could manage a victory, their forces would take a beating, and little would be left to defend the lands still under the crown’s control.

And how many soldiers will die as result of my failure?

For some reason she thought of the warm conversation she had enjoyed with Kaz. She knew she’d likely never learn more about the mysterious man who seemed to hold so many things behind his dark eyes. Even more likely, she would never be able to apologize to Jonrell for her failings. In the end, she would be alone. Solitude should have been familiar to her by now, since she had lived so much of her life that way. But the thought of it caused her to breathe out an audible groan.

She remained in bed, past mid-morning. She saw little point in readying herself, knowing she’d never leave her quarters. Breakfast still sat untouched on a small table. The simple room held little majesty. She remembered Jeldor’s words and knew the Duke did not exaggerate.

Indeed he is poorer than other lords.

Her chamber resembled the rest of the castle, plain and ordinary. Servants wore clothes in similar condition. It was apparent that the harsh taxes over the years had hurt more than Jeldor’s pride. If the duke hadn't taken her captive then held her for ransom, she may have felt sympathy for the man. Under present circumstances, his lack of wealth brought her a smile. It was a small comfort, though she was ashamed to admit it. Although another enemy to her, the One Above would frown on such selfish behavior.

Disappointing the One Above yet again, only made her more depressed.
Can I not do anything right?

She remembered her lessons from High Priest Burgeone and immediately threw off the covers, hopping out of bed and dropping to her knees, slightly embarrassed to approach the One Above half-clothed.

She began reciting one of the first prayers she had learned as a girl. The words were more familiar to her than any other. The prayer’s design asked for strength to cope with life’s turns, humility to deal with things not going one’s way, understanding that everything was part of the One Above’s plans, regardless of how bad something appeared. The last part was an area Elyse struggled with the most and like so many times before she said the verse emphasizing that plea over and over.

Despite the goose pimples forming from the touch of a cold draft, she felt her heart warm as she so often did when approaching the One Above.

“Thank you,” she whispered, finishing the prayer and climbing to her feet.

A sharp voice and loud knock preempted the door flying open and slamming against the stone wall. Elyse shrieked and darted behind the bed.

Duke Jeldor strode through the door, mumbling to himself, reading over a paper.

“My Lord!” she squealed, reaching for the nearest bed sheet to cover herself.

He slammed the door closed and waved a hand in her direction. “I have a wife and two daughters. You’ve nothing I haven’t seen before.”

His dismissive nature crawled under her skin and she fired back. “I know I am your prisoner and am at your mercy, but I demand to be shown some sort of respect. I am still a descendant of Aurnon the First and until someone rightfully takes my throne, I am the official ruler of Cadonia.”

Jeldor stopped in his tracks, taken aback. He looked up from his letter surprised, and he stammered in response. “Uh, yes. I see your point.” He turned his back. “I’ll wait here for you to cover yourself,” he said. “I haven’t the time to leave and come back.”

Elyse saw a robe draped across a chair near the fire. She carried half the covers from her bed as she moved toward it. She realized after fighting with the garment she would need both hands to get it on. She dropped the sheets and flung the robe over her shoulders, punching her arms through the sleeves and binding the opening with a thick belt.

“alright. Now what are these pressing matters?”

Jeldor turned without any acknowledgement of her change. “A message just came in,” he said thrusting the letter into Elyse’s chest. “That pompous prick has taken my iron mines.”

Elyse scanned the letter. “It says Bronn attacked and captured Arcas Island.”

“That’s what I just said! I can see that smug idiot grinning and making jokes behind my back,” said Jeldor. “My main source of income…gone like that,” he pounded his fist into his hand.

It took everything she had not to smile. She had another chance to save her kingdom and help Jonrell.
The One Above heard my prayers.

“I’m not sure why you came to me with this,” she said, handing the letter back to Jeldor. “I have no role to fill in this squabble of yours with Duke Bronn.”

“Of course you do,” said Duke Jeldor. “The alliance you spoke of.”

“I seem to recall you dismissing an alliance just yesterday while I was locked in one of your cells as a prisoner.” She waved her hand in a sweeping motion across the room. “And although my surroundings have changed, I thought it safe to assume my status in your home had not.”