The Crown of blood

IX

Ullsaard and Aalun had gathered the First Captains in the main pavilion and were discussing how to assault the Wall when Noran returned. The nobleman's serious expression told Ullsaard all he needed to know about the situation at the Wall.

"The gate was closed two nights ago," Noran said, helping himself to a cup of water that had been holding down one corner of the map. "The merchants bribed the gate captain to let them in at dusk yesterday, but all other traffic was sent back to Narun."

"Are we really going to attack?" asked Anasind. "Up to now, all we've done is kill a few peasants. Some would say this was treason."

There were discontented mutterings from the other First Captains.

"Leave us," Ullsaard said sharply, flicking a hand at his subordinates. "Don't go far though."

The First Captains withdrew and as soon as they were gone, Aalun spoke up.

"They have a point," said the prince. "Perhaps there is no need for this to become a physical confrontation. If we attack the Wall, we are attacking the legionnaires of the Crown; we will be waging war against our rightful king. I am not sure that is a step I want to take."

"And the alternative?" asked Ullsaard.

"We relinquish command of the legions, send word to my father that we accept exile and bide our time. In a few years' time, sooner probably, my father's death will create a new platform to challenge Kalmud's suitability for the Crown."

"And if Kalmud recovers?" asked Noran.

Aalun spread his hands on the table and his tone was earnest.

"I know that you think this is my personal ambition, but I assure you it is not. I genuinely worry for the future of Greater Askhor should my brother become an infirm ruler; worse still if Kalmud dies and the Crown passes to Erlaan, who is far too inexperienced."

"He has a point," said Ullsaard, looking at Noran.

"For himself, maybe," Noran replied. He directed his attention towards the prince. "I have no doubt what you say is true. I agree with you for the most part, even if your methods up to now have been faulty."

Aalun opened his mouth to speak but Noran raised hand.

"Let me finish, Prince, if I may. I think that if you were to dissolve the army and retreat for a while, you would be all right. The king exiled you personally." Noran turned again to Ullsaard. "But you, my friend… You have been declared a traitor to the empire by the Brotherhood. Seizure of all your lands, your family, and a gruesome death come with that. Aalun may walk away from this intact, but you will not. Lutaar will want your head on a platter for what he thinks you have done."

Noran began to pace, but kept his eyes on Ullsaard.

"No comfortable exile for you, General." Noran jabbed a pointed finger towards Ullsaard. "You would have to leave not only Askhor, but flee the empire entirely. Your reputation is already in tatters; your sons will be ruined and made paupers. People will spit in the dirt when your name is mentioned, and should you ever be caught, your flayed remains will be paraded around the empire as a warning to anyone who thinks they can defy the king of Askhor."

Ullsaard's expression grew grimmer as he listened to Noran, until a deep scowl creased his brow.

"I'll not let that happen," said the general. His hard stare moved between Noran and Aalun. "You can both leave now if you want no part of this, but I will be ordering my men to break through the Wall, and they will obey my order."

"I'm with you, friend," Noran said immediately. Aalun did not answer for some time, and when he did it was with a heartfelt sigh.

"If this is the way it must be, then so be it," the prince said eventually. "We must force this issue to a conclusion."

"Good," said Ullsaard. "Noran, I have another favour to ask of you."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Ride down to the Wall with a message for the gate captain. Warn him that if he refuses to open the gate for me, I will have no choice but to attack. He can avoid the deaths of his men if he does not interfere with our leaving Askhor."

"Is it wise to forewarn them?" Noran asked.

"I have thirty thousand men camped five miles away from the Wall. I think the gate captain already has a good idea of what we intend to do. Let's give him a chance to do the sensible thing."

Noran headed for the tent flap.

"And could you send my captains in again?" Ullsaard called after him. Noran raised a hand in acknowledgement without turning around and left the pavilion.

The First Captains stood around a fire not far away, deep in conversation. Noran passed on Ullsaard's message and stood looking into the flames when the legion commanders were gone.

This is it, he thought. A few days ago he would never have imagined he'd be in a legion camp, about to start a war with his own king.

"Bollocks," he muttered. "Shit and bollocks."