Book 5, Chapter 53: Village Building
It was everything Morry had said. Atop a lone hill, the castle stood watch over a large village, spread out on the plains below. To the east, a wide delta where the Dernam River slowed, emptying into the ocean. A harbor nestled in its shores, late fishermen scrambling to leave before the dawn.
Tall, thick walls surrounded the lowest parts, just beyond where the hillside met flat ground, towers guarding its entrance and sides. The castle itself began just beyond these, on the hill, and spiraled up along it, high towers reaching upward, and thick tall apartments snuggled in among them.
A tent city sat in front of the castle walls, and I recognized this as the hospital. Reese and Echo, exhausting themselves, unable to serve the needs of so many injured men. Walking toward the tent I knew the head nurse to be in, I healed and cured the injured and sick. My second and final miracle. And, of course, fixed their teeth. I’d have to put out marketing for toothbrushes later.
I snuck into Reese’s tent but did not wake her. If I survive, I silently said to her, I’ll bring you to the temple and give you some years back. I touched her cheek, giving her good dreams and a well-deserved rest, and bade her body not awaken until well past dawn.
As I came upon the gates, I did not let the guards see me. Dawn broke upon the castle then, casting its stone with soft, red light. I stopped and wondered at this pretty warning. Off on the horizon, the deep blue ocean touched a dark and dusty red. I felt that I should hurry though knew I could not rush.
***
Upon entering the private meeting room, Brundle stopped and stared, “I didn’t believe it, but here you are! My lady,” he bowed low and formal.
I laughed, and grasped his shoulders, pulling a little to straighten him up. “Brundle, you don’t have to do that. It’s good to see you, too.”
“Princess, what happened? Where have you been? Did Morry find you?”
“A lot has happened. Up to Laemacia and back. And, yes, Morry did.”
“Oh. Uh, please,” he pulled out a chair for me. “I’m afraid Rand won’t be joining us. He’s down in the village, helping them rebuild.”
“It gladdens me to know that he survived.”
A serving girl entered with tea, poured for each of us in turn, then left.
“Would you like morning tea?”
“Perhaps when I return. I’ve . . . another place to go after this.”
“I’ll provide an escort. A moment, I’ll get my man on organizing it.” He pushed his chair back to leave.
I touched his arm with my hand, “Unnecessary, Brundle. This, I must do alone.”
Brundle settled back into his chair, asking, “What is it?”
“I didn’t come here to discuss it with you. The lands, the village, the Ketzles, please give me updates.”
“Yes, of course.” He scratched his beard. “Where to begin? You must have heard from Morrentz that we organized the hospital, then regrouped, such as it was, our army. Perhaps a third of our force remained uninjured and capable of fighting. I used it to eliminate the enemy forces.”
“You killed every last man?”
“No, my lady. And I hope you’ll forgive me. We captured some fifteen thousand of their remaining forces. I sent a few to return to Ketzle with the news and a warning. As for the remainder, in exchange for their lives, I took them as slaves.”
“You know I dislike the practice.”
He held up his hands. “Yes, yes. I will shortly offer them terms, with the reward of freedom and citizenship for service. But, you must understand, the Ketzles pillaged this land. Farms, public houses, even waterwheels had been vandalized. The village was nearly in ruins. And the direct fault of these men. I therefore thought it fitting that they should undo their destructive efforts and help us rebuild.”
“Ah, I see. Indentured servitude to repay the kingdom.”
“Exactly so. I’d hoped this wouldn’t upset you greatly.”
“It may actually be the best course of action, given the losses of people in our lands. What of the smithies, what state are they in?”
The door flung open, and young Maitlan entered, “Cayce!” He rushed over to hug me.
I put my arms around him, returning his embrace, smiling. “Maitlan. It is good to see you. Please,” I gestured at the table, “join our discussion.”
“How have you been? You look well! Where did you go? There’s so much I need to ask you!”
“Whoa, slow down! Calm down, ok? Military meeting, this is a military meeting. Tell me of the state of our military, now that we’re on the topic.”
“We’ve renewed training.” Brundle stood, getting a cup from the counter, then poured it for Maitlan. “And, as the injured heal, those who are able-bodied are rejoining. We’re back up to 60 000 and some troops. The smithies have been restored. Or, well, they’ve taken over buildings, set up forges, and gotten to work. We’ve been turning the confiscated Ketzillian weapons and armor into our advanced technology. Suits of full plate, sarissae, crossbows and lances. I’m rotating in soldiers as apprentices, as you did before, and we have been able to maintain high production levels.”
“And,” I looked to the young duke, “Yohstone? When do you believe you’ll be ready to retake it? Maitlan, Hafthon defeated the northern Ketzillian forces. Your lands await your return. You’ll need an army with you, of course, as there’s probably brigands living in the castle.”
“Now that you have returned to us, I was hoping, Cayce, that perhaps you could join me with a strong force, perhaps 40 000 men, to retake and rebuild the, uh, duchy.”
“Those are not, I apologize, my plans. I’ve exalted Tread and Morry, and they and Brin will be arriving in the coming weeks. At that point, if I’m still alive, we’ll-”
“If you’re still alive? Princess,” Brundle leaned forward, alarmed, “why is your life in jeopardy?”
Maitlan reached across the table, putting his hands on mine, “I won’t be leaving your side. We will defeat whatever enemy is coming for you.”
Laughing, I squeezed his hands. “Gentlemen, I think I’d best tell you what transpired these last few weeks. In brief.”
***
“And you must ride out and confront the mages?” asked Brundle. “Perhaps we can reach a bargain.”
“I will accept no bargain from them.”
“But Cayce, you cannot. You just returned!”
I said to my general, “Brundle, I hope you’ll forgive me for not also exalting you, but I need you here, continuing to build and expand this castle, the surrounding towns and villages. If I survive, I have plans, many, many plans for this place.”
“Plans?”
“Flush toilets, running water, a functioning sewage system, these all top my list. We’ll build roads, strong, solid roads, expand the harbor and more. We may have to conquer Ketzle, too, though I want to stop these endless wars.”
“Ah. Sooner than later, perhaps next summer, would be ideal for attacking Ketzle. Before they can rebuild an army.”
“General, could you give Maitlan and I the room?”
Maitlan looked delighted to finally be alone with me. “Cayce,” he stood, again taking hold of my hands, and going down onto one knee, “I’ve given this much thought.”
I shook my head, “No, no! Maitlan, the answer is no. Get up, sit down at the table, I am not marrying you.”
“Of all your nobles, we are the closest in age. Our lands are near – the roads you want to build, we can connect them. Spend winter in your castle, summer in mine. We’ll prosper, have many children-”
“Stop, stop!” I laughed, pulling him up, guiding him to his seat. “No, dear boy, none of that is happening. You’ll return to your castle and find a good woman to be your wife and have many children with her. It won’t be me.”
“Cayce, you are not going to die. You will return, if that is your worry.”
“I’m not so sure about that. These mages . . . never mind. I like you, Maitlan, but I don’t love you. I’m sorry. I know you had hopes. And thank you, for taking care of the soldiers and for leading the kingdom in my absence. You’ll now return to Yohstone and rebuild.”
“But, Cayce, if you just let me explain.”
“As you gain in years and mature, you’ll find that you cannot convince someone into loving you, Maitlan, nor change them into someone they aren’t. If you continue protesting, I’m afraid I’ll just have to put you to sleep.”
“Put me to sleep? What does that mean?”
***
Brundle remained outside, waiting for me. I said to him, “One last thing.”
“I have more questions I’d like to ask you. And would ask your orders, what you’d like done.”
“I no longer have the time. What you’re doing is excellent and why I’d like you to stay by my side.”
“Then what do you need to say.”
“Only that when you next see Morry, don’t be alarmed. He is younger now.”
“Younger?”
“Almost a teenager.”
“How is such a thing possible? I can’t imagine it!”
“Definitely something you should tease him about.”
“My lady, please allow me to send with you an escort. Why,” he pulled out his necklace, “the Parasol Patrol should accompany you. We’ll stay out of sight and out of the battle and await your triumph to accompany you back to your castle.”
“Sending an escort is not a bad idea. If I survive, I may need one. But our confrontation will be east of the former Barclay duchy. At the mages’ conclave.”
“I’ll send out a cavalry contingent with fresh horses this very morning.”
“Walk with me, Brundle.”
I took his arm and we set off to the courtyard. I explained to him what I expected in terms of sewage canals and drainage pits, and how to build strong, Romanesque roads.
“That is a lot to remember.”
“Write it down after I leave. Now, I must depart. Thank you for all you’ve done. And take care.”
Sleipnir waited for me in the courtyard. Soldiers watched him, wary, a distance from the mighty beast. One soldier ran over to Brundle, saying, “General, you will never believe this . . .”
I breathed in the fresh ocean air and did not want to go. The stone of this castle called to me, wanting my footsteps on it as I explored its halls and stairways. To speak with Reese. Have breakfast. Listen to the difficulties we needed to overcome. Make plans to tackle them. Visit the surrounding forest. Learn of the industries of the village below.
Wait for Morry and Brin and Tread to arrive.
Stared at the ground a bit. Mostly pebbles pressed into hardpack dirt. Took a deep breath.
I walked to the tall and handsome horse, we spoke, and he let me mount, then we rode off into the sky.
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