Haven: Chronicles of Warshard (3 page)

“Always a pleasure, Toma.” The young prince
grinned.

The others introduced themselves in turn. First was King Alton of Eris, the plains nation, well known for its vast farmlands. It was just to the south of Calisa and west of Salander. He was a tall man, almost as tall as Emeril. Broad and a bit overweight, but well-tanned and very blond. He put on a serious demeanor, but she’d caught the smirk beneath his bushy mustache when Toma glowered at
Emeril.

“Well met, Lady Queen.” He shook her hand and gave her a quick
nod.

“Well met, Lord King.” Haven returned the
nod.

Second came another somewhat familiar face, her other neighbor, King Evander of Calisa. She’d met him a few times throughout her princess days, and the King had sent his daughters to her coronation in his stead. He wasn’t quite as tall as the others, but he always held his chin high, giving him a regal appearance. She had yet to see a frown grace his
face.

Evander congratulated her on her new coronation, and expressed his regrets for the loss of her family. She accepted graciously, trying her best to smile through the pang of loss in her chest. She chanted inwardly to not think about them, to keep her mind on the present. But her mother’s presence lay heavy on her
mind.

The last of the Royals stepped forward, shaking her
hand.

King Corrin of Wakefin greeted her with the mischievous smile he was known for. She’d heard stories of his womanizing even in her own kingdom. Haven never understood why so many women fell for his tricks until now. He was quite possibly the most handsome man she had ever seen. Not quite a decade older than she, he stood tall with sandy blond hair and tan skin so rich with freckles, he had to be from the port
city.

“What a lovely new Queen,” he grinned, showing his teeth before he bent to kiss her hand. It was a gesture of familiarity and respect, only one of which she shared with this man. “I can already tell I will enjoy your company much more than
Toma’s.”

Haven couldn’t help but stare at him with near revulsion. Though he was pretty to look at she sensed a snake beneath his freckled skin. Never had anyone been so forward with her. Recoiling, Haven yanked her hand
back.

“You will enjoy my company far less if you do not address my adviser and me with some respect,” she snapped. Face flushed red, she turned away abruptly. King Alton burst into laughter, and she caught an amused look from
Evander.

For a moment she wasn’t sure where her internal storm should take her. It was then she remembered the scene she had come upon. Moving around the obnoxious King, she let her torrent lead her to a wide table with a map of the six kingdoms of Warshard and beyond. It was a very detailed map, with carved figurines representing each of the kingdoms and a few representing the movements of
war.

Upon closer inspection, a thought struck her. She was only surprised she hadn’t realized it before. Glancing at each King who joined her around the table, there was only one kingdom not represented here. Dagan. The port city was the closest to the open sea. It wasn’t known for anything in particular until recent years when a new Queen took control of the city. Not long after her reign began, terror and death littered her kingdom. She started wars, attempted to take over her neighbors, halted all trade on her shores, and began to strip her forests bare. She was said to be completely mad, though her people still worshiped her. They called her insane Queen
Kadia.

Stories had spread as far as Rythern as more and more of their people were called to battle. Her parents had done their best to keep her in the dark when it came to the evil Queen. She wished they hadn’t, as Kadia was the reason her parents and brothers were dead. When the battle began, they chose to fight in the wars she started. It had cost them their lives. Though Kadia’s madness only seemed to grow, all had been quiet in recent weeks – until her mother showed up beaten and bloody on the palace
steps.

“Would someone please explain?” Haven motioned to the figurines. Black soldiers stood at the edges of Dagan, facing inland just south of its closest neighbor. Grey soldiers, presumably of Wakefin, stood before
them.

The lighthearted mood quickly shifted and not a word was
spoken.

“I’m sorry, Lady Queen. I hadn’t the time to tell you why this meeting was called.” Toma appeared at her shoulder, his expression
grave.

“Tell
me.”

“Queen Kadia has taken war to Wakefin once more. This time it appears she is trying to take the capital city of
Dessa.”

Haven faced her adviser. “Only five years into her reign and she is trying to take another nation?” Her breath escaped her all at once, unable to hide her shock. Her whole body cooled. The damp air felt suddenly suffocating. Nothing good would come of
this.

“It seems so, My
Lady.”

Haven turned her eyes to Corrin. The handsome man stared with a furrowed brow at the map of his kingdom. His fists were held so tightly they shook, and his smirk was nowhere to be seen. Though he had seemed obnoxious only a moment ago, when she saw his face now she regretted her presumption of his
nature.

After a long moment of silence Haven spoke. “I’m sorry, Corrin,” she began, forgetting his title. She steeled herself under his troubled gaze. “What can we
do?”

Corrin’s eyebrows pulled together and he looked back at the map thoughtfully. “I need swords, men. Soldiers,” he sighed, shaking his head, “and I need to get my people to
safety.”

“Prepare for the worst,” Alton agreed in his deep, gruff voice. His graying beard trembled as he
nodded.

“I’m sure we can take in some of your people.” Haven glanced at Toma for reassurance. This would be her first real act as Queen, and she needed to make sure it was a good one. With a nod of affirmation from her adviser, Haven held Corrin’s
gaze.

“Thank you,” he said. The look in his eyes told her he truly meant
it.

“I will lend you my aid as well,” Evander agreed. “We can begin at first light. I will send my soldiers from the western tower to help with the transition. We will escort them to you, Queen Haven. We will keep as many as we can here in
Calisa.”

“And I will lend you my soldiers,” Alton piped in, holding his fist to his
chest.

Emeril shifted on his heels, leaning his hands on the table. He stared intently at the map. His eyes did not leave the row of shadow soldiers threatening Corrin’s kingdom. “I will confer with my father and send word,” he said. “I’m sure we can spare a few
resources.”

“I am grateful, to all of you.” Corrin’s shoulders lowered, and he sighed in relief. A bit of weight lifted from his
back.

The mood changed quickly, but it didn’t last for long. As they all took their seats around the table, plans were discussed, as well as things the Kings had heard. Where Eris and Wakefin bordered Dagan, they were the most privy to rumors of the dark country. Corrin confessed to the bizarre nature of the attacks on his kingdom. The soldiers who attacked seemed to appear from nowhere and disappeared just as quickly. They amassed in shadow and disappeared in the same way. They left hundreds dead and few alive to tell the tale of what actually went on. Those who did survive spoke of shadow soldiers with armor and masks as black as night. When one fell to the blade of another, the body quickly disappeared. When the fighting was over, only the bodies of their own soldiers remained, as if they’d only ever been fighting themselves. It was strange, to say the least. Though such magical occurrences weren’t completely unheard of, they were most certainly
rare.

Not long into their conversation Alton admitted to seeing similar things on their borders. Though they hadn’t been attacked yet, his spies kept a close eye on Queen Kadia’s army. An army that hadn’t seemed to move from the city in months. With the attacks on Wakefin mere days ago, there was a piece of the puzzle the Royals weren’t quite
getting.

It was disturbing in a way Haven couldn’t quite describe--an enemy who attacked suddenly without warning, and simply disappeared in the aftermath. It had to be some sort of trick. But if Alton’s spies were correct, it meant there was something far more sinister at work
here.

“My spies have returned similar information,” Corrin agreed. None at the table had seen these things with their own eyes, making them skeptical of the situation. Haven couldn’t help but notice how the guards along the walls grew increasingly restless as their conversation continued. Something about it bothered them as much as it did the
Royals.

“If this is true,” Toma began, “We may not have merely a mad Queen on our hands anymore.” All eyes turned to her aged adviser. “We may very well have an evil Queen with very strange abilities in her grasp,” he continued, “and with powers such as these, beyond our understanding.” He paused, obviously troubled by something
deeper.

Haven reached out and took his hand. This man was like a father to her, and she hated seeing him in such distress. She had a feeling that these meetings were why he seemed distant many days in the castle. Dark circles under his eyes always accompanied those days, along with a large amount of tea – late
nights.

“It will be okay, Toma. We will figure this out together,” she assured him, squeezing his
hand.

Toma smiled slightly and turned to face her. He seemed about begin, then stopped, gazing at the others as well. Though the gravity of the situation was thick in the air, it was only made worse by his next
words.

“I fear this is only the
beginning.”

CHAPTER 3

“I
am beginning to see why my brothers were so keen on heading into war,” Haven
sighed.

A day had passed since the secret meeting in the Calisan Mountains, with no word from King Evander. Her place in this war was uncertain. Though she looked forward to aiding the people of Wakefin, Rythern didn’t have the military force it once
had.

Haven was sure the Eris-Wakefin attack had already begun, but still she received no letter on how things were going. Their plan was simple. When Kadia’s army attacked the capital city of Dessa, Alton’s soldiers would lie in wait, blindsiding Kadia’s from the rear. While the attack took place, King Evander would usher refugees from Wakefin into his own kingdom of Calisa, and through to
Rythern.

While all of this took place Haven was stuck with her advisers doing paperwork. Much to her dismay, this seemed to be about eighty percent of a Queen’s duties. She was to read and sign papers, decreeing this and disallowing that. It was all rather boring, but it kept her guards happy. Here in the castle she was safe. With the assassin gone and her coronation over, she could set her sights on the future of Rythern. Once she was done signing, of
course.

“Your brothers were only keen on going into battle because they were reckless boys, My Queen,” Toma answered simply, his brows pulling together like a disapproving
caterpillar.

“At this moment battle sounds much more attractive,
Toma.”

“You mustn’t say such a thing, Lady Queen. War is never a pleasant thing to wish upon the
kingdoms.”

Haven paused, staring blankly at the page before her. Stacks of parchment sat on her desk, while many men sat around her at desks of their own. They mostly ignored her conversations with Toma, scribbling decrees as quickly as their fingers would allow. She had to wonder what they were always writing about so
furiously.

“I don’t wish war upon the kingdoms. I suppose paperwork does still help Rythern, does it not?” She sincerely hoped it
did.

“Of course, Lady Queen.” Toma smiled to assure her. He paused a few more moments while she finished her current work. The only reason Toma ever held his tongue was when he was about to ask something she might not approve
of.

“Have you said your goodbyes to Prince Emeril, My
Lady?”

Haven paused her reading and turned her gaze on her adviser. Her parents had always pushed a Prince of Salander-Princess of Rythern match upon her when she was young. In fact, it would have been a great pairing, bringing both of their families great honor, while keeping them both in a royal line. The match would mark a great union of countries, an alliance that could have bolstered the economies of both
kingdoms.

Unfortunately it was not meant to be. As time went on, her parents and brothers perished at war, leaving her to be Queen. Haven’s fist clenched around her quill. She pushed away the images of blood that remembering her parents conjured, and thought of Emeril. The young prince was the only heir to the Salander throne. Toma could not think it a responsible idea to push such a marriage on her after her coronation. Where would that leave her kingdom? Or Emeril’s for that matter? His father surely had only a few years left, and was well past the age of siring more children. He hadn’t even taken a new wife after Emeril’s mother
passed.

“Of course. We said our farewells this morning.” Haven didn’t look up from her paper, relaxing her hands and pretending to read on. “I’m sure the Prince has long since departed
court.”

“Perhaps,” was all Toma added, returning to his own
work.

At that moment, a loud rush of feet from the hall caught her attention. Haven and Toma exchanged looks before he slowly rose. Lareina, her guard today, pushed away from the wall, hand on the hilt of her sword. She positioned herself between Haven and the door, an act Haven was all too familiar
with.

Bursting through the office doors came Nikolai, face wild, boots covered in mud, and brown hair wind-whipped in a flurry of spikes, the only explanation for which, could be a long day of riding. His bright blue eyes searched the room before finally settling on
Haven.

“Lady Queen,” he croaked, voice
hoarse.

“Nikolai.” Toma stepped forward and motioned to Lareina to sheathe her sword. “What has
happened?”

It took Haven a minute to realize why Nikolai had burst into her study, but when she finally saw the letter he brandished, she
understood.

“Word from King Evander,” she said, standing to greet the
messenger.

“Yes, Lady Queen.” Nikolai stepped forward with his note. “There is terrible
news.”

Haven saw as much in his eyes. Though wild from the ride, there was more behind his bright gaze. There was
fear.

“Let me see it,” she said, trying to sound gentle and understanding. Haven could feel her own fear rising. What had happened to make such a large man so
afraid?

Handing her the letter, Nikolai bowed and stepped aside, waiting as she sat to read. She couldn’t help her trembling hands as she undid the seal and spread the single page before her. The writing was messy. Evander had written in a hurry. Haven read
on.

Queen
Haven,

The battle for Dessa has gone horribly awry. Kadia’s soldiers have passed the great river and attacked the main city. Wakefin soldiers have been called back – those who were in the castle at the time are feared dead. Alton’s army was wiped out, and Kadia has hold of the Wakefin capital. Corrin is safe and being taken into hiding. I fear the worst has happened. We have worked through the night to aid as many refugees as possible, but there are many more than we can
handle.

Following Nikolai will be the injured. We kept as many as possible, but our resources are limited. I urge you to seek aid from Salander. I know your kingdoms have always been close, and we will need any healer they can
spare.

A meeting will be held
soon.

Stay
safe,

King Evander of
Calisa

Haven slowly rose, her eyes glued to the crisp handwriting. Never had she imagined that Dessa would fall so quickly. Wakefin’s army was grand enough on its own, but the soldiers of Eris certainly would have overwhelmed even the largest of
battalions.

“How can this be?” she whispered. She couldn’t help but stare in disbelief at the words she’d
read.

“What is it, Lady Queen?” Toma came to her side and she handed him the
letter.

“Dessa has been taken. Alton and Corrin’s armies were obliterated.” Haven sat down hard, the legs of her chair scraping along the floor. Hushed whispers filled the room. It was the first time she’d seen her advisers distracted from their work. Suddenly sense returned to her. “Wait, Emeril.” She stood just as
quickly.

“Emeril?” Lareina glanced at her
queen.

“He may not have departed court yet. I must find him.” Haven fled the room as fast as Nikolai had entered. Lareina was on her heels, jogging to keep up with the young
queen.

“Haven, you should send someone in your stead. Toma needs you to form a plan.” Lareina met Haven’s pace, glancing at her with worried blue
eyes.

“I must tell him myself,” Haven brushed off her guard before descending flight after flight of stone stairs. Lareina followed her all the
while.

The Salander envoy would be departing from the main courtyard, only paces away from the main entry. It would only take moments for Haven to race through the doors. As she stepped off the last sweeping flight of stairs, her eyes found Emeril’s back outlined in the afternoon sunlight streaming through the door. But it wasn’t Emeril who blocked the
sun.

A long shadow stretched from the center of the courtyard through to the main entrance with its arms spread and head tilted to the sky. Haven could hardly believe her eyes. Faintly she heard her name mumbled behind her, but Haven was already crossing the length of the
yard.

As she drew closer, the sun moved and her eyes fell upon a grisly sight. Stuck through a long wooden pike was a young man. His blue eyes were glassy, staring sightless at the sky. From his open mouth, the end of the pointed pike emerged, his jaw hanging unhinged with a single red rose held behind his teeth. Blood poured down his body, pooling at the base of the pike. At his feet leaned a bow and a
quiver.

Could this be her
assassin?

All at once, the reality of what she was seeing flooded her. A gasp passed through her lips and she stepped back, tripping over her skirts and crashing onto her behind. All she could see were those sightless eyes, bloodshot and filled with terror, staring at the
sky.

“Haven?” a familiar voice
called.

Emeril trotted over from the spectacle, quickly kneeling and blocking her line of
sight.

“Haven, don’t look,” he said. Haven couldn’t help but peer past him at the sightless dead
man.

“We need to remove the queen.” Lareina took her arm and pulled her to her feet. Emeril held her up on her other side, his blue-green gaze pulling her from the dead
archer.

“Haven, close your eyes,” Emeril murmured gently. Haven didn’t listen, but in the next moment Lareina and Emeril turned her and led her away. She let them, trying to find the energy inside herself to walk on her own instead of being
carried.

Something inside her revolted against the image of that man. Whether it was the blood, the pike, or the rose, she wasn’t sure. Nausea climbed from stomach and into her throat. Before she knew what she was doing, she pushed Emeril and Lareina away, ducking her head into a nearby bush and
retched.

Lareina gently pulled her hair back from her shoulders, rubbing her back gently as she rid her body of breakfast. Once Haven was finished, Emeril and Lareina led her back inside the castle, being careful to avoid any windows facing the
courtyard.

When they finally reached her study once again, Nikolai was gone and Toma came to
help.

“Lady Queen!” he gasped. “What on earth
happened?”

Lareina silenced him with a look, and deposited Haven behind her desk. She sat down hard, feeling returning to her limbs. She took a few deep breaths and met her guard’s
eyes.

“Thank you,” she
whispered.

Lareina simply nodded and stood behind her, much closer than she normally would. While Haven composed herself, Emeril updated Toma on the situation in the courtyard. Toma cursed once before covering his mouth. He dispatched another guard to take care of the courtyard display and returned to his own desk. He sat down just as heavily as Haven, rubbing his hands over his face before his gaze met
hers.

“What was that?” she
asked.

Toma glanced at Emeril and then Lareina, before answering, “I don’t know, Lady
Queen.”

“Who could have done such a
thing?”

No one answered the queen. Haven stared at her adviser until she came up with her own answer. “Could it be
Kadia?”

“We have no way of knowing that,” Emeril rounded her desk and lay a hand gently on her shoulder. Haven reached up and squeezed his fingers in thanks before he stepped
away.

“We will launch an investigation, Lady Queen,” Toma said,
nodding.

“I don’t want to hear of it, Toma. Investigate, but please do not mention it until the killer is caught.” Haven’s fingers found her lips. She used all of her might to push back her nausea. “Please, Toma. Distract me. What are we to do with the news Nikolai has brought?” Haven smoothed her dress and made herself comfortable. She tried with every ounce of her being not to think of the man on the pike. She needed something else to think about, something important. Something she could put her heart
into.

“Yes,” Toma nodded. “Of course, Lady Queen.” He paused, shuffling through his desk full of papers. When his gaze returned to her, he cleared his throat. “The attack on Wakefin. We must make decisions, provisions and
preparations.”

“Attack?” Emeril perked up. She hadn’t given him the news
yet.

“Dessa has been taken. Evander sent word.” Haven handed Emeril the
letter.

He read it quickly, fear and disbelief slowly creeping into the grooves of his face. “This can’t be,” he
whispered.

“But it has, and we must act quickly ,” Haven said. “Preparations must be made. Injured refugees will pour in at any moment. We must be ready.” She blindly sorted through papers while she tried to think. There was no telling how many refugees they were about to take on, but from Evander’s warning, there had to be hundreds, if not more. She tried in vain to remember a number for the population of Wakefin.
“Toma?”

“Yes, Lady
Queen?”

“How many healers do we have in the castle?” she asked. Haven felt this was a fact she should already know, like the population of Wakefin. She was startled to find out she didn’t. As queen, she would need to take a greater interest in not only the workings of her castle, but of her city, and her kingdom. How many hospitals were in the city? How many nurses could they conjure? Should students of medicine be brought in to
help?

“About half a dozen, My Lady,” Toma said, starting to sound a bit more like himself. Like Haven, he needed a problem to solve, something to focus on. Together they would resolve this predicament and she would hopefully forget about the man on the
pike.