The Lion's Crown (The Emberlyn Chronicles Book 1), page 18
Owen had been sitting by a window, looking out. “If they kill or capture Anneli,” he asked, “what will happen then?”
Faric dropped his hand to his belt and placed it over the hilt of his knife. “Some with a strong affinity for magic, who are being considered to succeed Anneli, are in the palace. They will fight while they can, but none of them are powerful enough to make any real difference. Even using the magical weapons Lanioc left for us, they will be defeated without Anneli. Then the Dourosh will roam freely across the Great Forest, seeking out and killing any Lanosh who escaped the city. It will be the end of our people. I don’t have the ability to enfeeble you, but I’ll do what I can to get you back across the ward at the edge of the forest. You’ll still bear the mark of having been here, but there’s a chance Dourok might not find out about you. I’ll leave it to you to try and warn your people about what is to come.”
Owen looked back out the window. He let out a yell and nearly fell out of his chair. “Someone’s climbing over the wall!”
Faric looked at the sentinel crystal, but it remained dark. They all ran to the window and looked out. A head briefly popped up over the edge of the wall but disappeared again.
“The Dourosh can’t have passed the crystal; we would know.”
“Unless they’ve fooled the crystal,” Penny said. “Anneli said they could do that.”
Faric nodded. “They can, but it is by no means easy. It would take the presence of a Dourosh with quite a strong magical affinity.” He drew his long knife and took a step toward the door but stopped as the head reappeared. He began laughing. “They are not Dourosh. That’s General Braedok poking his head over the wall.”
The five of them rushed from the cottage and toward the wall guarding the valley. General Braedok had scrambled onto the narrow section of the wall next to the guardroom above the door and was looking down at them, waving.
He had descended the ladder by the time they reached him, and he and Faric embraced. Faric briefly explained who the others were, and Braedok nodded solemnly as he looked them over. “I didn’t know anyone would be here,” he said, speaking the language of Emberlyn so they would all understand. He turned to the door and lifted the crossbar. A few dozen men were lined up in the pass, waiting to come in.
“Why are you here?” Faric asked.
“Queen Anneli sent a message to me.” He tapped the side of his head. “I can’t imagine how much energy it took her to do that.”
“Such communication is used sparingly for a reason,” Faric said. “I’ve done it myself and did not fully recover for three days and nights.”
Braedok frowned. “She may not have had any other choice. She asked me to return to the city to help defend it, but I couldn’t come through the western approach. An army of Dourosh was already there.”
Faric let out a sound that Penny guessed was a curse in their language. “Then they are attacking the city from both directions.”
Braedok nodded. “So I came this way instead. I hoped to enter the city through the hidden passage and arrive directly in the palace.”
“Judging by the crystals,” Faric said, “the palace has not been breached, but there are Dourosh in the rest of the city. Now I know why they seem to be holding their position: they are waiting for the larger force from the west.”
“Then my forty men will make little difference,” Braedok said. “How did this happen? How did Dourok conceal the movements of his armies?”
“Not even Anneli knows.”
Braedok’s soldiers had all entered and settled down to rest near the cottage. He watched them for a moment, his eyes dark. “Between scouts and soldiers, I’d estimate we have a thousand in the field, all told.”
“How many Dourosh did you see near the western entrance to the valley?”
“Perhaps four thousand.”
Faric let out another curse. “We knew they were growing stronger, but numbers like this are beyond all imagining. Four thousand there, and two thousand came down the pass. Even if we can get everyone to the city, we’re badly outnumbered.”
Sir William had been listening, and he held up a hand. “I heard before that there are thirty thousand in the city of Lanion. Surely they will fight for their lives and homes.”
Braedok nodded. “They will, but there is magic to consider. Just as our army is led by those with an affinity for magic, so is Dourok’s. In a fair fight, I could counter anything the enemy’s general might do to turn the tide of the battle. But if this army of Dourosh is led by even a marginally proficient magic user, the advantage of their numbers will be more than enough. If a force of two thousand got through the gate at the pass, I think they must have a very powerful leader.”
Faric kicked at a rock. “And we’re here, doing nothing. Anneli told me to lead these outsiders to safety, but together, you, Anneli and I might be able defeat the Dourosh in the city before the other army can arrive. It’s our only chance.”
Sir William drew his sword, turned it around and held it out to Faric. “I am at your service. I vow to give my life to protect you and the queen if it will make any difference at all.”
Faric took the sword, studied the blade and nodded. He handed it back to William. “I accept.” Sir Stephen repeated the gesture, and Faric nodded again. “Thank you. Both of you.” He looked at Penny and Owen. “Since I am defying my sister’s—my queen’s—wishes, I leave this next decision up to you. Would you like to stay here or return with us to the palace?”
Penny looked at Owen then at Sir William. “I want to come with you. Faric, I also vow to do whatever I can.”
“I as well,” Owen said.
General Braedok was smiling. “Then we all meet our fate together, at the palace. Give my soldiers but an hour to rest, and we will be on our way.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The Lion’s Crown
It was late afternoon when they emerged from the tunnel. Penny could tell by the light in the palace. As Faric and General Braedok sought out someone who could tell them what was happening, Penny made her way up to the balcony beside the queen’s chambers. She looked south, across the river, but she couldn’t see any sign of the Dourosh army. She imagined that if she could look east, along the main road leading into the city from the mountain pass, she would find what she feared to see.
There was a commotion from downstairs, and she went back inside to find Faric dashing up the steps. He was speaking angrily to a servant who hurried along beside him. The servant covered her face and ran back down the stairs.
“What’s happened?” Penny asked as Owen, William and Stephen also came up the steps and crowded around Faric.
“My sister. She’s gone up to the top of the tower. She’s gone to put on the Lion’s Crown.”
“What is that?” William asked.
Faric began moving as he talked. “Lanioc’s own crown, one he forged himself and imbued with so much power that only one other sovereign has dared to don it before. He died instantly.” Faric reached a second stairwell, one Penny hadn’t seen before, and they began spiraling up the tower.
“Why would she put it on?” Penny called after him.
“She is desperate; she thinks there is no other way. We have to stop her!”
They followed Faric as he raced up the steps. He reached the uppermost landing and barely paused to catch his breath before throwing open the only door. He rushed inside, and through the opening they could see Anneli. She was lowering a crown onto her head. Faric yelled out and shoved his shoulder into her back, knocking her over and sending the crown clattering to the floor.
Anneli’s eyes burned with fury as she looked back at her brother. She glanced up at the others as they peered into the room. Penny realized it was filled with locked strongboxes. One lay open, empty except for a silken cloth that she guessed had once been wrapped around the crown.
The two siblings began shouting at one another in their language, and Penny watched helplessly as Anneli waved her hand toward her brother. He went sliding into one of the chests, and before he could get up again, Anneli had the crown back in her hands.
She placed it on her head and stood. As she looked down at Faric, her eyes softened. A second later, they were filled with fury once again. “Move,” she said as she strode toward the door.
The four outsiders stepped aside as Anneli crossed the landing and looked out the eastward-facing window. Penny moved as close to the queen as she dared and look down. From this height, they could see over the palace wall. Arrayed along the outside of the wall was the Dourosh horde. They had made camp and had the palace fully under siege. Beyond them, Penny could see that the bridges crossing the river had been burned. Even if the people of Lanion did rise up to defend their queen, they would be easily picked off as they tried to cross the river in their boats.
Queen Anneli nodded as though she had come to a decision. She held her hands out in front of her, aimed her palms at a section of the Dourosh camp and spoke a single word in her language.
Men, tents and wagons were thrown back as though they had been toys knocked aside by a child. Anneli repeated the word, and another hundred Dourosh perished.
Five more times Anneli repeated the word, speaking it louder each time until she was screaming it, and each time more Dourosh died. Penny watched in horror as they were not only thrown back but had their legs, arms and heads ripped from their bodies.
A commotion in the courtyard below caught her attention, and she spotted General Braedok leading his men from the palace. The guards who were still alive joined in on the charge, and a hundred of them were at the palace gate as it was pulled open. Out streamed the defenders as Anneli continued screaming her word of destruction, throwing back any attempt to meet the soldiers as they burst forth.
Anneli screamed one final time, and it sounded as though a thousand voices had joined in. The tower shook with the power, and Penny saw the last of the Dourosh vanish in a spray of gore as their bodies were torn into hundreds of pieces.
Anneli let out a choking noise and collapsed back into Penny’s arms. Penny eased her down to the floor, cradling her head in her lap. She pulled the crown off of Anneli’s head and dropped it to the ground at her side.
Faric staggered from the treasure chamber and knelt down beside his sister. “Anneli… what have you done?”
The queen’s face was as white as snow, and her breath came short and fast. Faric closed his eyes and held his hands over her chest, but after a moment he shook his head. “There’s nothing I can do. She’s suffered an injury beyond any healing I know.”
Penny brushed her hand across Anneli’s cheek. “She’s… is she going to die?”
“I don’t know.”
“What can I do, Faric? Tell me!”
Faric stood and looked out at Braedok and his soldiers as they picked their way through the remains of the Dourosh camp. “For now, just hold her. Keep her warm until… just keep her warm.”
Penny hugged Anneli closer to her body and nodded. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see William.
“I will go down to aid General Braedok.”
“And I,” said Sir Stephen.
Faric looked back and rubbed his eyes. “Yes. Good. Owen, you and I will find some servants to bear her down to her chambers, yes?”
Owen nodded and followed as the four men made their way back down the stairs. When they were gone, Penny glanced over at the crown. It had saved them, but at what price?
“The price that had to be paid.”
She looked at Anneli and saw that her eyes were open. She was awake, and she was reading Penny’s mind again.
“Anneli?” she said. “Be still. We’ll have you in your bed soon.”
Anneli shook her head. “The army… from the west. They still come. Give… give me the crown.”
Penny frowned. “No. You can’t do that again.”
Anneli closed her eyes, and her body began to shake as her face twisted. For a brief moment, Penny thought, she looked like one of the Dourosh. “Give me the crown.” The words were whispered, but there was fury behind them more intense than if she had screamed them.
Penny wanted to recoil from the anger coursing through the queen. Was this what the crown did? Did it give great power, but at the cost of kindness and humanity?
“No,” Penny said more forcefully.
Anneli opened her eyes again, and Penny knew she was looking inside her mind. Something she found there calmed her, and she smiled. The smile faded, though, and her eyes went glossy as her body convulsed violently. Penny yelled for someone to help, but she could do nothing else as the queen spasmed as though in excruciating pain. Finally, her body went limp, and she was still.
Penny sat breathing hard, looking down at the motionless figure resting in her lap. She supported Anneli’s head with her hands as she scooted out from under her. She gently laid the queen’s head on the floor then lowered her ear to her chest. She could hear a heartbeat. It was weak, but it was there. She remembered what Faric had said: keep her warm. For the first time Penny realized how cold the queen’s skin had become, and she lay down next to Anneli and pulled her body against her own, trying to share as much of her warmth as she could.
She lay like that for several long minutes until she finally heard footsteps on the stairs, and Faric and Owen returned leading two servants bearing a stretcher. As Anneli was lifted onto the stretcher, Faric went into the treasure room, returned with the silk the crown had been wrapped in and picked it up.
After he put it away, Penny remained sitting on the floor as the others took Anneli back down the steps. The coldness of the queen’s body had passed into hers, and she sat alone, shivering, until Sir William found her, lifted her up and carried her down the stairs. He took her across the palace and to the bed they had shared then lay with her, cradling her, until she fell asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The Ember Lion
Penny awoke to the sound of someone moving about the room. She opened her eyes and looked toward the source of the noise. Sir William was standing by the foot of the bed, dressing. When he saw that she was awake, he came to the side of the bed, leaned down and lightly kissed her.
“How do you feel?”
“Better. It’s early?”
“Yes.” He looked down at his clothing, guessing her meaning. “I… I must go. Sir Stephen and I will help defend the wall.”
Penny sat upright. As the covers fell back she realized that she had been taken out of her clothes and a thick, warm nightgown had been put on her. She wondered if William had been given any help undressing her but put the thought aside. “The Dourosh… are they here?”
“They will be soon,” William said as he returned to the divan at the end of the bed and began pulling on his boots. “The city lies at the far eastern end of the valley. Stretching out to the west are farms and fields. It is clear, flat land, and the city guard have been able to easily track the enemy’s progress.”
“And the soldiers in the field? Any word from them?”
“Not as of yet. But Faric has been recruiting the strongest of the civilians from around the city. Many of them can handle a bow well enough and will be stationed on the walls. What’s left of the city guard and Queen Anneli’s royal guard, along with General Braedok’s men, will barricade themselves inside the gate for when it is breached. Sir Stephen and I will be with them.”
“And risk capture by the Dourosh?”
William shook his head. “In the heat of the battle, I doubt any Dourosh will stop to see if we have horns or not.” He finished putting on his boots and picked up his sword belt. “You and Owen will stay here with the queen and—”
Penny jumped up from the bed, ran to William and buried herself in his arms. “No. I want to be with you.”
“It will be too dangerous for one with no fighting experience.”
“I don’t care. I want to be by your side. If they breach the gate, I’ll run back to the palace, but until then, I want to be with you.”
With her head on his chest, she could feel William take a deep breath. “Very well,” he said quietly. “I will go rouse Owen and see if he wants to be with us as well. He has no training, but he is strong and can wield a sword.”
Penny opened her mouth to object but stopped herself. Owen was no longer helpless. He could make his own choices, and the city’s defenders would need any support they could get.
William pulled away and put on his sword belt. “I will await you downstairs, in the great hall.”
Penny watched him until the door closed then lifted the nightgown over her head, ran to the washbasin and splashed water over her face and body. Without bothering to dry herself, she began looking for the clothes she’d been wearing but spotted a folded pile on one of the armchairs. Lifting up the shirt, she saw that this was a different, clean set of clothes and a new cloak. Fortunately, they were also suited for movement and travel.
Fifteen minutes later, she was in the great hall with William and Stephen. They had been equipped with armor like that of the royal guard. Owen came in a moment later, and William handed him an extra sword he was holding. Owen took it reverently. Another team of servants came in with more armor, and Penny watched as they affixed the breastplate around Owen’s chest, secured his sword belt around his waist and then lowered a helmet onto his head. When they turned toward her, she waved them away. She had told William she would run if the Dourosh broke through the gate. Any armor would only slow her down. Finally, each man took up a shield, and they turned toward the main entrance of the palace.
They did not speak as they made their way out of the palace and through the deserted streets. There were few guards still in the palace; Penny knew that all but a token force had been sent to the western wall.
