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The BloodVaine EpicChapter 64: Talistrand Reacts
The ball was over. It had been a long and interesting night, and most of the guest were now making their elegant ways out of the Ballroom, and to their respective homes or quarters.
Bernard Quorandis walked Elwen to her quarters. Jayko followed not that far behind, determined not to leave Elwen completely alone with the Cavalier for so much as a second. The Old Man had gone out to the streets, looking for the inebriated Captain Blackheart.
To Jayko’s relief, for he really didn’t want to challenge the Cavalier to any form of combat, Quorandis escorted Elwen to the doors of their suite, and after making a suitable farewell, he departed, intending to go speak with the Sorcerer-King before nightfall.
Elwen appeared to be very tired. Which was really a natural reaction to being forced to dance with Targon. Twice. She was rubbing her forehead as if she had a headache, and mumbled something about wanting to have her crown removed, before slipping into her bedroom to drop off to sleep.
Jayko sat in their parlor, staring at the fire, with no particularly enlightened thoughts in his mind, until the door opened, and the Old Man entered, pushing a somewhat sober Blackheart before him.
The Old Man was less than pleased with the Black Knight privateer, who seemed to be protesting his innocence in that he had only had four goblets of wine, not the three bottles that the Old Man had said. Neither Blackheart or the Old Man noticed that Jayko was there, and neither said anything to him.
Completely ignored by the others, Jayko headed sadly off to bed.
Maybe the Socerer-King was right, he thought. Perhaps things weren’t quite as clear between who was good and who was evil as he thought.
Bernard Quorandis had left Elwen at the door to their suite, and had sought out the Socerer-King, in order to discuss their upcoming journey to the Old Ruins. They were just finalizing the details of their expedition, standing in the halls, when King Valentius came towards them from one direction, and the Old Man from the other. King Valentius looked extremely troubled.
“Captain-general,” he said when he reached Quorandis, “I have very grave news from Orion. An Imperial Courier has come from the imperial city.”
A frown flickered over the Socerer-King’s face, knowing as he did what news the courier had brought.
“Indeed?” said Quorandis politely. His mind was mainly on getting to bed now that the ball and his work was done.
“Yes, and he brings grave news,” said Valentius, his face haggard, “The Emperor is dead. The imperial city is in the hands of an evil sorcerer named BloodVaine. The Imperial court is either slaughtered, subverted, or scattered. The Imperial Cavaliers have been scattered or killed.”
“What of the countryside?” asked Quorandis. “What of the other knightly orders? What of the vassal kings?”
“Chaos rules all,” said the Old Man. “The vassal kings were in Orion at the time, and are dead. Most of the orders are leaderless. The Cross Knights, however, have gone on a rampage, ‘Purifying’ the countryside. While BloodVaine holds an absolute sway on the imperial city, the countryside is almost completely orderless.”
“What of those members of the Imperial Court who escaped?” asked Quorandis.
“The courier didn’t know for certain,” said Valentius, “but it seems that they have taken sanctuary in foreign lands, mainly in Royal Knight territory, although that land is in a sorry state too. The Dragon Masters have been giving it trouble.”
“The Dragon Masters?” said Quorandis, raising an eyebrow. “Surely Lord Void would keep them neutral…”
“Lord Void has disappeared,” said Valentius, wearily. “His general Del Grakken has been crowned king, and sworn allegiance to BloodVaine, as has King Falconis XXVIII. BloodVaine seems to have temporarily assumed command of the country, but he dwells in Orion, and it seems that an insurgency movement loyal to Lord Void has taken command.”
“The Emperor dead. The Dragon Masters allied with Orion. The Cavaliers dispersed. The world is now stood on its head,” said Quorandis, shaking his head.
“Upon the valid and reasonable assumption that the high commanders of the Imperial Order of Cavaliers are all dead or turned traitor, and with the death of the Emperor, I, Bernard Quorandis, Captain-General of the Cavaliers, and interim commanding officer of all Imperial Forces loyal to the true Emperor, whomsoever he may be; do herewith assume command and authority over all Imperial possessions, territories, and statutes within the LEGOland Empire until such time as the law be restored. I name those present as witnesses in this act.”
Quorandis turned to the Sorcerer-King.
“My apologies, sire, but access is now restricted to the Old Ruins, due to national crisis. Once it is over, I will be happy to allow you there again, but for the moment I mustn’t permit you to enter those dangerous ruins. You are free to leave the Empire, if you so desire, but your assistance would be much appreciated if you would stay and aid us.”
The Socerer-King remained calm on the outside, but inside he was seething. He had foreseen this, and he had hoped to get out of the city before the Black Falcon quarantine was broken, and the news of the Emperor’s death had leaked out. Unfortunately, that had not happened. He swallowed his irritation, and said, “It would be a pleasure to assist the Empire in any way I could.”
“You have my resources in this matter as well,” said the Old Man.
“And you already know that the Kingdom of Talistrand, and the Order of Club Knights will continue to serve the Empire,” said King Valentius.
Quorandis acknowledged them all gratefully, then dismissed them for their beds. They would meet again in the morning. He sighed. In one night he had gone from a captain to an interim emperor. Fate was cruel.
A council of war was called the following morning in the Throne Room. At its head sat the dual thrones of Emperor and Vassal King. Valentius IV sat on the lower, less ornate throne set slightly to the left. The Great Throne, which was very rarely visited by its true owner, lay empty, as always. Bernard Quorandis sat before it on another chair.
Ferdinand Quorandis was among those at the council, which included most of the nobles and captains of the Kingdom of Talistrand. He had never been more proud than he was now, seeing his son, resplendent in the armor of the Cavaliers, taking command of the remnants of the Empire.
Also among those present were the Old Man and the Sorcerer-King, both somewhat awkward at being on the same side in this strange fight. Elwen, Jayko, Blackheart, Broadside, Targon, and Elbadar were also present at the council.
First, Quorandis had the courier deliver his messages again to those present, and then he had them confirm his temporary rule over the loyal portions of the Empire. Then he turned to the Old Man, who had news of his own to share.
“As many of you know,” he said, “I am a sorcerer, a sorcerer of not inconsiderable power. Among my gifts I have the ability to see, if I so desire, things that happen in distant lands.
“Here is some of what I have seen: the long-dead kingdom of the Bull Knights have been refounded. There is a council of war being held at Drullen Bell Keep, in the lands of the Forestmen. And alliance of Forestmen, Bulls, Dark Foresters, and Wolfpack is preparing to assail Orion, and drive out BloodVaine. The Cavaliers there, as you know, are no longer a force to be reckoned with, and there is no force to stop them ere they reach the Golden City.
“BloodVaine’s allies are engaged in war. The Dragon Masters fight the Royal Knights, and themselves. The Black Falcons are nearly completely occupied in war with the Black Knights. But BloodVaine is not so weak as you think. He has devastated the Royal Knights, the Crusaders, and the Forestdwellers with fire and repeated attacks. Their mainland holdings are tired and weak. The Fright Knights and Knight’s Kingdomers of the east and west have been ravaged with freak blizzards. And BloodVaine controls the Eroth Gamus, the god-dragon. If you choose to fight him, as surely you must, you must choose very carefully how you will go about it, lest you bring about your own ruin as well.”
“The most important thing to do,” said Quorandis, “is to ensure that Talistrand is not destroyed or damaged. In this regard, military force is not going to be of great help. We are fortunate therefore, to have the aid of the Sorcerer-King and Magarus. Together, they are a near-match for BloodVaine, and he will think twice about attacking us if they remain here, as they have said they would.
“If the city be protected then, we should stand idle. The Kingdom of Talistrand boasts some five hundred Imperial Cavaliers. We have the entire Order of Knights Clubs, some two thousand horse. And there are the Dragon Masters who serve the Sorcerer-King, and the thousands of regular soldiers of the kingdom.
“It is my intention therefore, to lead a military expedition to the continent. I will take some two hundred Cavaliers, some thousand Club Knights, the Dragon Masters under Marshal Targon” - Quorandis sniffed - “and such men and ships as are required to transfer us to the continent. The rest of our forces shall remain here as a last resort, and as a deterrent should the colonial Black Falcons seek to attack us.”
“Where will you strike?” asked one of the nobles. “In Orion? Will you join Lord Bjarn’s Alliance?”
“No,” said Quorandis. “We will help them by distraction. It is my intention to invade the Dragon Master mainland. There are many dissidents there who will rise to help us, and our invasion will be somewhat legitimized by the presence of Marshal Targon and his Dragon Masters. In doing so, we will likely not only subdue the Dragon Masters, but bring relief to our Royal Knights allies.”
Elbadar spoke up.
“Captain-general,” he addressed Quorandis. “It would be wise to seek the aid of Governor Jarvick and the island Dragon Masters. They will be loyal to Lord Void, and not to Del Grakken, and if Jarvick or his brother Drock accompanies you, then you will have not only more military and legitimate presence, but a sorcerer’s aid as well.”
“An excellent thought, colonel,” commended Quorandis. “Now, gentlemen, I think we shall set about preparing for this departure. King Valentius, I leave you in command of your kingdom. Admirals Broadside and Blackheart, I would have your aid in the transport of my army.”
The two sailors looked at their respective wizards. The Sorcerer-King nodded sharply at Broadside. The Crusader would be another check to ensure that Targon returned to him once the invasion was over. The Old Man gave Blackheart a look that said to do as he pleased.
With the Throne Room buzzing with noise and movement, the council was adjourned.
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