Fate of the Crown

4. Kingsford

FOUR

Kingsford

WINTER 961/962 MC

Gerald looked to the woman beside him. "Nervous?" he asked.

"Very," she replied. "I've never been married before."

"Relax," he soothed, "it's not as bad as it sounds, though if it were my choice, the ceremony wouldn't be performed in the middle of nowhere."

"Better to be wed before we set out," the nervous woman replied. "Where's my future husband?”

"He'll be along shortly," said Gerald. "He is a rather busy man, after all."

They were in a glade, near the outskirts of Queenston. Anna had selected the site for its natural beauty, a choice that Gerald whole-heartedly agreed with. A small stream nearby, trickled as they waited, lending a relaxing air to the ceremony.

He heard a noise, then looked to see Arnim Caster approaching the party, another man following. "It appears he found someone to perform the oath, a Weldwyn volunteer by the looks of him," said Gerald, "though he's likely a follower of Malin."

They came closer, and the man held out his hand. "Greetings," he said, "My name is Carver, Desmond Carver. I see to the volunteer's spiritual needs."

"Strange to see a Holy Father in the army," said Gerald.

"I was a Holy Brother before volunteering," the man replied. "Is this the bride?"

"It is," said Gerald.

"I hope you're not nervous, my dear."

"No," the woman replied. "I've waited a long time for this."

"Then let us begin," said the officiant.

"Do you, Arnim Caster, take Lady Nicole Arendale..."

His Grace, Lord Avery Somerset, Duke of Kingsford sipped his wine absently. He was staring down at a list of figures, his mind elsewhere, when someone entered the room. He looked up at the intrusion, only to recognize one of his captains standing before him.

"Captain Harcourt, is something wrong?"

"No, Your Grace," the man hesitated. "Well, actually, I suppose something is wrong, my lord."

"Well, spit it out man, what is it?"

"There's a knight demanding entrance to the city."

"Just one?" the duke mused. "I would have expected more. I suppose it was inevitable that the king should hear of our rebellion. Did he give you a name?"

"No, my lord, but she did say she represented someone important."

"She? You're saying this knight is a woman?"

"Precisely, Lord."

"With red hair?" he asked.

The captain shifted nervously, "Aye, my lord."

"I can't believe it!" yelled the duke. "For Saxnor's sake man, don't just stand there, go and open the gate. Give them leave to enter the city and bring them straight here."

"Yes, Lord.” The captain turned to leave, but the duke's next words caused him to pause.

"And while you're at it, call out my guard. We must have a guard of honour to welcome Her Highness."

"Highness, Lord? I thought we were rebelling against the king."

"We are, Captain, we are. If that red-headed knight is truly Dame Beverly, then there can be no doubt that Princess Anna must be alive and well. Be off with you, quickly man."

The captain scurried out the door to attend to his duties. The duke tried to return to his lists, but the imminent arrival of the princess took hold of his interest, and he swept them into a pile, to be dealt with later.

"Marsdon," he called out, only to find the old steward already present, startling him by his answer.

"Yes, Your Grace?"

"Saxnor's beard, Marsdon, you old fool, you were nearly the death of me, sneaking up on me like that!”

Marsdon smiled. It was an old game, one that he knew the duke appreciated.

"We're expecting a royal guest," continued the duke. "It appears word of Princess Anna's death may have been a tad premature. We'll need rooms for her party, and tell the kitchen to prepare a meal fit for a royal."

"Have we any idea of the number in the party, Your Grace?" asked the faithful servant.

"No, but I'll send word as soon as we know. I expect it's only a few, after all, there isn't an army at our gates. I'm sure the good captain would have told me if there had been."

"Will you want it in the great hall, my lord?"

"No, I think something more intimate. If I remember correctly, the princess isn't one for ceremony. I shall want my officers in attendance, can you arrange that?"

"Of course, Your Grace, though it will take some time. Who would you prefer for the guard of honour?"

"Whoever is closest, we haven't much time. Have the rest join us here as soon as they can. I expect there will be much to discuss."

"Anything else, Your Grace?"

"No, that's it for now, Marsdon. I shall leave the details up to you."

"Certainly," the old man replied, "then with your leave, Lord, I shall retire."

"Yes, yes of course, off you go."

The faithful servant shuffled out leaving the duke in a somewhat flustered state. A royal visitor meant protocols to follow, clothing that must be changed into, and he hadn't much time. He rushed from the room, calling for his manservant to come and dress him.

Dame Beverly led the small procession to the duke's estate. She halted and then turned to look at the column following her. Gerald and Anna rode behind, with the rest of the travellers arrayed in two's just beyond.

The duke had lined up a row of soldiers; each standing with spear and shield, while a captain bowed deeply.

"On behalf of the Duke of Kingsford," the man said, "welcome to our city, Your Highness."

"Thank you, Captain," said Anna, dismounting.

Beverly watched as the duke exited the building, a rather opulent house with ornate marble pillars out front. He was an elderly man, with long hair and a neatly trimmed beard. They had met before, but she couldn't help but notice how much he had aged since their last meeting, just under two years ago.

"Your Highness," he said, through laboured breath.

"Lord Somerset," replied Anna, "you honour us by your presence."

"It is I that is honoured," replied the duke. "Had we known of your coming, we would have organized something more fitting to your station."

"We don't need any special treatment, Your Grace. I believe you know General Matheson, my army commander?"

"Army?" the duke's face went pale. "Surely you're not here to arrest me?"

"No," replied Anna, "far from it. We have seen the flag of rebellion flying from your ramparts and have come seeking your help."

"Your army," he asked, "is it nearby?"

"It is some distance from here," she replied, "but perhaps we should discuss this in more comfortable surroundings, rather than outside?"

"Of course," said the duke. "I'm sorry to have interrupted you. You were introducing your party?"

"Yes," she continued, "as I said, this is Gerald Matheson, general of my army. You've met Dames Beverly and Hayley before, along with Master Revi Bloom and Tempus, but I don't think you've met Sophie, my Lady-in-Waiting."

"Pleased to meet you all," said the duke graciously. "Now, if you'll come this way, you can make yourselves comfortable inside, where it's warm. I'll have someone take the horses, shall I?"

They followed him inside where he led them into a comfortable looking sitting room. Servants were standing by to take their cloaks while another stood ready with wine, serving them as they sat.

"I must thank you for your hospitality, Your Grace," said Anna. "We didn't know what to expect when we received word of your rebellion. Can you tell us what led to it? I fear we've been out of touch for the last few months."

"Well," started the duke, "where should I begin? Of course, we all rejoiced when you returned to Merceria after a year abroad, but then, shortly after your arrival, we started hearing rumours that you had been arrested and tried for treason. Then, almost a month later, came word from King Henry that you and all your followers had been executed for said treason. I must say it was just too much to take. You have been popular here ever since you saved our city early last year. The final straw came when the king summoned all his knights to Wincaster."

"All of them?" asked Gerald.

"Yes, every single one of them. King Henry wanted them to repeat their oath of allegiance to him. It left us completely devoid of protection. How can a king deprive his own people in such a way? Why, if Westland decided to attack, we should have little to defend ourselves with."

"I can assure you, Lord," said Gerald, "that Weldwyn has no such thoughts. Don't you have a large garrison?"

"We do now," said the duke, "but it wasn't always so. Ever since the attack in the spring of '60 we've been more vigilant. I've doubled the garrison, and the town guard has been resurrected."

"And what do you place your numbers at, if I may ask?"

"We stand ready to defend our walls with more than a thousand men. Of that, the bulk are footmen, but we have three hundred archers, some of those using crossbows. It is cavalry we are weak in. The king took our knights, leaving us with no horsemen, though I daresay they're not too useful when defending a walled city."

"And your defences?" Gerald asked.

"In fine shape," he replied. "We wouldn't be going against the king if they weren't, and it's not just us."

Anna leaned forward at the news, "Whatever do you mean?"

"Have you been out of the country? I thought everyone knew," said the confused duke. "You were the people's princess. When word of your demise at the hands of the king spread, so too, did the talk of rebellion."

"Where did it start?" asked Gerald.

"It is rumoured to have started in Bodden," the duke explained, "and it's said it spread through the north like wildfire."

"Bodden?" said Beverly.

"Oh yes, I can only imagine the effect that the report of your death must have had on your father."

Beverly looked to the princess, "We must send word at once," she said, "before the king can send troops."

It was Gerald that answered, "We will, in time, but the king won't march in winter, and you're needed here. Have no fear, we'll get word to the baron eventually, long before the king can make his move."

"You spoke of an army," interrupted the duke. "Where have you raised it? I haven't heard of any recruitment."

"We have stitched together a patchwork army of allies," explained Anna, declining to give more details. "You have ample supplies here for the city?"

"Oh, yes," said the duke, "we're well prepared to hold out."

"Good, for we have allies in Weldwyn," she said.

"Westland? Why in the Three Kingdoms would they help? They've wanted to destroy us for years."

"We saved their kingdom last year," said Beverly, "and now, in return, they've pledged to help us take back the crown."

"Well, I'm glad to hear it, though the thought of Westlanders on Mercerian soil worries me."

"They owe us," said Gerald, "and the truth is they feared us as much as we did them, but they are a decent people, not terribly different from us. I'm sure once you meet them, you'll see for yourself."

"So what is the next step?" asked the duke. "I shall issue a proclamation to the city, of course, but what then? Have you a Royal Standard?"

"We have a flag," said Anna, "but it's not a Royal Standard. Sophie, if you would?"

Her servant dug into the satchel she carried, pulling forth the flag that had served them so well in Weldwyn. Hayley took one end, while Sophie stood, holding the other to display it for the duke.

He looked rather pleased by it. "The red flag of rebellion over a green bar. Saxnor himself couldn't have picked a finer flag, but surely your coat of arms should be present?"

"No," said Anna. "This is a flag for the people of Merceria, not my personal emblem. We fight for everyone, not just the Royal Family."

The duke appeared overcome with emotion. He dabbed at his eyes with a kerchief. "You make me proud to serve you, Highness."

"Thank you, Your Grace," said Anna. "Now, there are many things that need to be done. We have an army to move and preparations to make for the spring. I would like to send word to Weldwyn that they can start shipping supplies to Kingsford if that's all right with you?"

"Of course, Highness," he replied, "I am at your disposal."

"Excellent. We'll rest the night here. In the morning, Gerald and Hayley will return to Queenston while Beverly remains here with me to make arrangements."

"Queenston?" said the duke. "I don't understand. Where is that, in Weldwyn somewhere?"

Anna blushed slightly before answering, "It's best you don't worry about it for now. Suffice it to say our army is nearby, but we will need to bring it to Kingsford to continue with our plan."

"You will winter here?" asked the duke.

"Some, yes," said Anna, "but the bulk will continue downriver. We mean to take Colbridge before the spring."

"I shouldn't advise that, Highness," said the duke. "Lord Anglesley is a strong supporter of the king. He's likely got a large garrison of loyal troops."

"We shall see," said Gerald. "We've sent in some scouts to assess their defences. I expect we'll hear back within a fortnight or so. In the meantime, you'll be dealing with shipments coming in from Falford."

"Surely you mean Aldgrave," said the duke. "It's just a few hours ride across the river."

"No," said Gerald, "Falford is better able to handle the boats we'll need for transport. Ferrying goods across the river here would take too long, and we're told Aldgrave has its own problems."

"I see," said the duke. "I'll do all I can to facilitate things."

"Thank you, Your Grace," said Anna. "And now, if it isn't too much to ask, we'd like to retire, for it's been a long ride."

"Of course, Your Highness."

Gerald stood, extending his hand, "Thank you, Your Grace. We'll keep you informed of our plans as they develop. We won't know more until our scouts return from Colbridge."

Lord Somerset shook his hand firmly. "Of course," he said.