Rising Empire: Part 1

Chapter 1

2430GL 34th Spregan

The battlefield; a place where heroes are made, legends thrive, myths enthral and lives are broken.

A sword slashed through the dark and pierced the cushions that lay in its path. Feathers and torn rags of silks plumed into the air. The night was still in the Castle of Anamoore, nothing was out of place in the darkness. The patrols of men and women moved without seeing any enemies moving to strike against them.

All things belonged to Kasnata, only daughter of Tsmara & Jadow, Queen of fire and destruction, bringer of death, dark angel, scourge of the wicked, wife of King Mercia Nosfa VI and Sovereign of the people of the Order. She had been woken by turbulent dreams of the war that had endured for so long in these lands.

Such needless destruction. She muttered to herself. Her brow was beaded with sweat as she sat amongst the feathers settling on the furs around her. Her sword, the Ralenetia Estral, was clasped tightly in her right hand, the blade embedded in the cushions she had slaughtered in her dreams.

She shook her head and freed her weapon from the upholstery. Her dark dreams cursed her nights. She had sought the wisdom of many different people in an effort to end them, but none had been able to rid the queen of the nightmares.

She looked around her bedchamber, assessing the damage that had been done by her nocturnal turbulence. It was not as bad as it had been on previous occasions. The furniture was still intact. She had not been sleep slaying the bed, tables and benches this time. Besides the shredded cushions and abundance of loose feathers, there did not seem to be any damage.

She rubbed her hand over her stomach and letting go of her Ralenetia Estral rose carefully to stare out of her widow at the night sky. Her room looked out over the plains as well as the city of Anamoore. In the distance she could see the twinkling lights of the watch that walked the battlements of the city of Queteria.

She smiled in memory of her first love. He had been a man of the city watch in Queteria. There had been many nights when she had stolen away from the palace in the city to spend the dark hours talking with him as he walked his patrol.

He had been a kind boy, quick to laugh and clumsy in affairs of the heart but it had endeared him to her. He had dreamed of being a warrior of legend, one to charge across a battlefield to fight beside the woman he loved, but fate had taken him before he had the opportunity.

An infection in the lungs had slowly drawn the breath from his body, a painful end for both him and his love affair with the now Queen. She closed her eyes and smiled sadly at the memory, wondering, as always, on nights like these, what might have been had he not died.

Below her in the city, all was still except for the town watch that strode between the buildings, searching for spies in these days of war as well as those who committed crimes. There were extensive building projects taking place in the city below her. A new market district was growing to the west of the castle and the castle itself was being extended.

New stables were being built at the request of her horsemistress, Cara, who had insisted that battle mounts must be trained in greater numbers given their current diminishing stock due to the continuing hostilities on the mainland. Kasnata looked out and marvelled at how skilled her people were to create such things.

She knew, as she gazed, that this was the last time she would look out at her beloved homeland for some time. She had been summoned to the battlefield once more by her husband, King Mercia Nosfa VI.

The land of Celadmore had been plunged into war by the death of her parents. Her family had held the military forces of the nine kingdoms in check for the last four generations, none of the kingdoms dared to move or declare war whilst Queen Tsmara and King Jadow were alive.

When the nine kingdoms were established, it had been the suggestion of both the Guardian of the Wilds and the Guardian of the Spire that a council should be formed to mediate disputes and prevent war from breaking out on a large scale. The Order, renowned for its wisdom and battle prowess, had been appointed head of the council.

With the death of her parents, Kasnata was not only made ruler of the Order but head of the council. At sixteen, she was not prepared for the chaos that erupted and could not prevents the council from dissolving as war between all nine kingdoms broke out. Not even the words of the Guardian of the Wilds could stem the dissolution.

The Order did not abandon its duties to protect the freedom of the nations and moved to defend the borders of those kingdoms that counted them as friends and allies. They watched as the plains of Celadmore were washed red with the blood of its people. It had hurt Kasnata to watch all that happened. She blamed herself for not being strong enough to keep the lands from war and vowed that she would bring an end to it, no matter what it took.

There had been days when Kasnata would cry herself to sleep over the mistakes she had made, but those days had been short lived. She regretted marrying Mercia, marrying outside of her people, even though her intentions had been good.

It had been her desire to end the terrible war that had led her to marrying King Mercia Nosfa VI; he had seemed to be the key to bringing an end to all the conflict, but in this Kasnata had been deceived.

When she had first met him, he had presented a gentle nature, one that detested conflict and wished only for peace and a time to rebuild what had been destroyed. He had told her that he wanted to lift his people out of the mud and create better lives for the children born into the time of unrest.

In truth Mercia was nothing more than a warmonger, looking to expand his kingdom and influence as a side to increasing his wealth. He ruled with a fist of iron and rode over those that stood to oppose him. There were rumours that even those closest to him were not safe from his wrath.

His mother had died and been taken from his castle one night after she had demanded that food be sent from the castle kitchens to the poorest quarter of his capital, Grashindorph, where people were dying from starvation in large numbers. No investigation was launched to try and explain her death and no questions were asked as to where her body was taken.

He ruled through fear and malice. Kasnata was a prize to him, a creature that was beautiful and should be his to adorn his arm, her lands and people to come under his rule. He had courted her, hiding his true nature until they were wed.

When Kasnata discovered his true nature, she had strived to change it. She had refused to bow to his will and so Mercia had waited. He refused to divorce her and instead pressed her for an heir. When she gave birth to their first child, a son, Leinad, she had become trapped.

He was taken from her as he drew his first breath and held hostage. Mercia threatened to kill him if Kasnata did not do what he wanted. Her forces became his to command through her and as she gave birth to two more children, both daughters, his hold over her grew tighter.

She had tried to resist, but her love for her children was so great that she would risk no harm to them. She was allowed to see them only under guard and when the King was present. It broke her heart that they could not see the land she loved so dearly, nor be raised in the culture of her people as well as that of their father.

Mercia knew that as long as Leinad was his only heir there was only so much control he could exert over his wife, his daughters were expendable to him, but his son was the survival of his line. He sent his wife away from his court, expelled her to her homeland and decreed that she may only return to his presence and lands at his request.

His wife gone, he ordered his steward to find him young women that were strong and unmarried nobles in his kingdom that might bear him a son. They were brought to him in droves, a harem of concubines so that he might sire another heir.

The fathers of the women that protested were cut down and their homes burnt with their households locked inside. When word spread of this, no further resistance could be found.

Kasnata was not ignorant of her husband's actions and had endeavoured to rescue her children from his clutches. Should Mercia march his army against hers it would be broken on the walls of her cities and she would free herself of his hold. Many had tried to infiltrate the palace in which the children were held but none had succeeded. The Queen of the Order had been trapped for so long now she had forgotten what it was like to make her own decisions in war.

She was not without enemies amongst her own people either, namely the Valians. The Valians were people descended from the same line as Kasnata, but they did not recognise Kasnata's right to rule. Instead, they believed that the descendants of Queen Valia should be seated upon the throne of the Order.

Valia had been branded a traitor after she had murdered her younger sisters and caused the only civil war that had ever been fought in the history of the Order. Queteria himself had decreed that she was not fit to rule and removed her line from the right of succession.

Her descendants and those warriors loyal to her had chosen exile from the Order and had plotted for generations to overthrow those that they believed had usurped power. In the last eight years Kasnata had seen the number of Valians grow, the men and women unhappy with the connection to the mainland kingdom of Nosfa and their military action being dictated by Mercia and his desires had left to join their brothers and sisters in exile.

She did not blame them for their actions, but she found herself in an unenviable situation seemingly without solution. Those that remained loyal to her also provided constant petitions, discussion and opposition to her husband's whims.

For the last twelve years Kasnata had been living in a nightmare. Yet every attack and attempt the Valians made to seize power, she repelled. Every assassin sent was thwarted. She took every day as it came and by some miracle and the will of Arala, she held the Order together. Her strength throughout all this won her the respect of her people. Those that had doubted her now believed in her and Mercia became ever more uncomfortable and troubled by the thought that she would move against him.

She planned and schemed every day to try and break the hold that her husband had over her, to bring her children home and restore the balance of power in Celadmore. Mercia's spies kept him well informed of her plans, and vexation started to curse his waking hours. So he conceived a plan to dispose of her completely and place one of his daughters on the throne of the Order whom he could control.

Under the law of Nosfa, a married woman found to be an adulteress, even a Queen, could be divorced, forfeiting all rights to her husband's money and their children and even be executed. He dare not risk the people of the Order raising arms against him for executing their Queen so ordered his wife to the worst of the fighting, hoping that she would be killed in battle.

Yet she survived, but this did not deter Mercia, he kept sending her to battle and sent his own men with her, men he felt could seduce her and become close enough to her to assassinate her, discretely, so the enemy would be blamed.

Her latest orders saw her being sent to the northern lands of Celadmore, to the lands where bandits had control of the highways and three kingdoms fought for the land which had become so polluted with blood that it would be generations before anything could grow there.

She had been told a new general would be joining her forces there, a Lord; reported to be the last son of the oldest noble family in Nosfa. Her spies had informed her that he was seen as an honourable man, but Kasnata did not want any of her husband's retainers within her camp, no matter how honourable they might appear.

Most of her army had already departed for the mainland and would be setting up the camp and her forward command before she arrived.

You still aren't sleeping well? A familiar and friendly voice asked from behind her.

No, not for two years now. The Queen of the Order sighed and turned from the window to face the source of the voice.

Understandable really, it's been that long since you saw your children last. Given their incarceration, your lack of rest is what any might expect. The visitor to the Queen was a woman dressed in tight hessian trousers and a brown leather cuirass. At her waist hung two daggers and a claymore, her auburn hair was held back from her face by a strip of fur and she had war paint streaked across her nose and cheeks.

Your blunt assessment of situations is always welcome, Cassandra. Kasnata replied with a raised eyebrow.

The Guardian of the Wilds smiled and shrugged in response. She had been as she appeared now for as long as Kasnata could remember and for as long as her mother could remember. She was a fearsome woman, wild and free as the animals that roamed her domain, but she counted those amongst the Order as her friends. Kasnata could remember her grandmother telling her that Cassandra had known Anagura and Queterian; that they and the Guardian of the Spire had many adventures in their youth.

From what Kasnata could see Cassandra was still in her youth. She had not believed her grandmother as a child, but as she grew and Cassandra did not age, credence was leant to these tales. The Guardian of the Wilds had her own people that followed her, a small army of barbaric warriors, warriors that had tried to rescue Kasnata's children from their father. None returned from their attempts, but it did not stop more from trying.

Stating facts without embellishment saves one from pointless conversations with simpletons. Of course you do not fall into that category, but when you form habits over hundreds of years, they are difficult to break. Cassandra said with a smile. Kasnata laughed at Cassandra’s words.

I’m glad that I do not fall into the category of dim-witted individuals that have led to such habits forming. As for behaviours being difficult to break, I am not sure I can hold with your excuse. The Queen said with a frown.

Oh? Cassandra asked with surprise. Why is that?

It’s the same excuse that people use to allow them to fight wars against each other, that allow feuds to fester and spread like poison, that cause prejudice to form in rational minds. No, I cannot hold with it at all. She said decisively and stepped away from the window. The Guardian of the Wilds did not reply immediately, but instead she moved across the room to where the Queen stood. Facing her, Cassandra placed her hands on the Queen’s shoulders and kissed Kasnata on both cheeks.

Your mother would have been so proud to hear you say that. Cassandra said quietly, betraying her tenderness in a rare moment of affection. Still. She said releasing Kasnata’s shoulders and turning away to move and lean against the window ledge. I find that directness avoids confusion, though it is often unwelcome as it seems to strike at sore points. I apologise for any pain my words caused, highness, it was not intentional. The Guardian of the Wilds said with an apologetic smile.

No, I should apologise, I fear I have become overly sensitive in recent years. Kasnata said shaking her head. With your lack of tact none could tell by speaking to you that you are an excellent spy. The Queen said playfully.

It has always been a superb way to avoid arousing suspicion. It also helps in obtaining detailed accounts from gossips. For people who acquire useful information, they seem to have a preference for spouting the most awful nonsense if you let them. The Guardian of the Wilds said scornfully.

Did you manage to discover anything of interest about my husband’s latest enemy? The Queen asked as she walked back and sat on her bed.

The toad seems to have set his sights on securing not only the lands on the coast that belong to Delma, but also the lands to the north that the kingdom of Vasknar holds. Cassandra said with disdain. Kasnata smirked at hearing the Guardian of the Wilds describing her husband as ‘the toad’. Cassandra had never liked the King of Nosfa, even before Kasnata had married him.

Has he moved against Tulna at all?

No, he still seems oblivious to the significance of the village to the Order. I’m sure that if he did know he would have tried to take the place long ago. Cassandra smiled to herself at the thought. Tulna was a small village of free people that lay within the borders of the kingdom of Nosfa. As king of Nosfa, Mercia only ruled the cities and villages that swore allegiance to his throne, those that did not were free villages, towns and cities. It was the same across the nine kingdoms. Free cities avoided living under the rule of a central hub, but they had no Lord to appeal to in times of crisis, no central army to march to their aid if they were attacked.

Tulna was the oldest of the free cities on Celadmore, so old that it had been there before Anagura and Queteria had been born. It was led by Kania and Nodarto and had been since it had been founded. The two had been great friends to Anagura and Queteria and to those that were descended from their line. Tulna was also the place that Cassandra had been born and raised alongside her brother. The idea that anyone would be able to attack the village and survive to tell of it was laughable to the Guardian.

His desire for domination over the other nations dwarfs his desire to weaken my stronghold of power. Kasnata said sadly shaking her head.

That may be so, but I doubt that he will always be so blinkered in his vision. Cassandra said seriously. You depart in the morning, you should be sleeping. The leader of the barbarians of the wilds soothed.

What is it that you came here for? Kasnata asked abruptly, realising that despite all the light conversation that they exchanged. Cassandra had not revealed her purpose.

My bandits of the wilds are all engaged in subterfuge and intrigue on your part, I am somewhat bored without their daily antics to entertain me. The bandit warrior shrugged.

That I do not believe. The Queen said flatly.

No? Well then. I met with the Abbott; he sought me out, in fact. Cassandra began thoughtfully.

That is unusual. Kasnata observed.

Indeed. The last time he did so was to inform me of Valia’s descent into madness. He came to me bearing the news that your children are being moved. Only your son will remain with his father. Your daughters are being taken elsewhere. The Guardian of the Wilds said as gently as she could.

Kasnata felt her body react before her mind did. She began to choke on her breath, her eyes grow wide and she staggered backwards seeking support from her furnishings.

Where? She asked in a weak voice.

I do not know. Cassandra said softly. She had moved quickly and had taken the dark angel into her arms. She held the Queen of the Order as Kasnata began to shake in shock. Not yet. The Guardian of the Wilds whispered into her hair. But I swear to you, Venia, I will find out. There was sincerity in the bandit warrior’s voice that Kasnata had not heard before. The sound of her childhood nickname, Venia, was oddly comforting and brought a certain amount of peace to her heart.

Chapter 2

The palace of King Mercia Nosfa VI was one of foul ostentation. Comfort was not considered a priority in its design, more a passing nuisance. White marble inlaid with gold, silver and more precious gems than most could recite were the chief building materials used in the construction of the great monstrosity that lay outside the walls of the city of Grashindorph.

The city had a castle that was perfectly suitable for any monarch save for Mercia. Upon his ascension to the throne, he had his palace built away from what he considered the mundane drudgery of his subjects and had his own mount Olympus created. None were allowed within its walls without his expressed invitation.

He held court for two hours for two mornings a week when his landowners were permitted to come before him with petitions and when new women were presented to him for inspection. The rest of the time was spent indulging himself in pleasure.

Amongst his court there were unsettled grumblings at his behaviour, but none would move against him whilst he commanded not only his army, but could bring his barbarian child bride to bear against them. There were none in the court who were as disconcerted as Lord and General Bird.

Lord Haston Bird had been a close friend of Mercia’s father, King Rosla Nosfa VIII. The two had been almost inseparable as boys, riding across the country of Nosfa; wenching and fighting bandit raiding parties. It had been Haston that had introduced Rosla to Lady Hermia and had watched as their relationship had developed to love and eventually marriage. A year or so after, Rosla had introduced Haston to Marcia, his second cousin and had enjoyed watching the two court and marry.

They had been golden days of youth that were now immortal in their rose-tinted film of memory. Times of stress of the kingdom had caused Rosla to fall into ill health not long after the birth of his son. Three summers passed and Rosla’s health failed. He called for Haston to be