DF218 - Rumours Of Glory (Suliel) (Patreon)

It was such a waste of an opportunity. Suliel had a regal Class. She got her experience from ruling over her domain. The more trying and testing the situation was for her and her land, the more experience she received. An invasion by a vastly superior force should have been an excellent opportunity for her to grow.

But she wasn’t in charge. Anton was.

Her Class chafed at the restriction. She was a Queen, meant to rule. Anton delegated as much as he could to her, but it wasn’t enough. It was something, enough for a small trickle of experience, but nothing like the rush she’d gotten when she had been besieged in her family manor.

It wasn’t Anton’s fault. He would delegate more to her if he could, and he already deferred to her advice when it came to matters of command. His instincts and training were woefully inadequate when it came to the military, to leadership of anything more than a small group. And his diplomacy… the less said about that, the better.

Right now, he had her hosting the delegation from Queen Syrelle Kalond, headed by Baron Talem Valen. He was one of Count Brankil’s vassals, Anton’s peer. Under normal circumstances, Anton would be expected to handle the upcoming negotiations personally, as a sign of respect. However, “preparations for the imminent invasion” was a good excuse for his absence, allowing Suliel to serve as a substitute.

Baron Talem had paled when they’d taken him up to the tower and shown him the fleet that was, for the moment, still out there. He’d required something much stronger than a polite tea when he got back to the sitting room. Suliel exchanged pleasantries with him until he regained his composure.

They may have been missing Anton, but she did have assistance. Lord Odran Tressault and Princess Elara were both at her side, much to the surprise of Baron Talem. It more than made up for her comparative lack of standing and gave them something to talk about before they got to the substantial part of the discussion.

“And you’ve been in negotiations with this Tiaitian prince, you say?”

“Unsuccessfully,” Suliel said. “He did express an interest in contacting our Queen, but that was before Kalond handed over his half of Zamarra.”

Talem frowned. “We’ve seen it already,” he said. “Tiatian troops riding with the loyalist forces.”

“We heard that the first battle was won,” Suliel said. “Have our forces pushed into the K—Kalond’s lands?”

“We have,” Talem said with a nod. “Right now, he’s brought the northern Earls and their men down from the hills. When I left the front, we were trying to maneuver past them.”

His eyes looked into the middle distance, remembering. “The guns were of great aid, but we wish to save our remaining ammunition for the main battle. We were sent here to bring back more guns and the men to use them, but I can see…”

“We can supply you with guns,” Suliel said. “Possibly even on credit. The soldiers, though, we do need all of them.”

“Oh, we have gold… but really? I would have thought you needed all the guns as well.”

“We have more rifles than soldiers,” Suliel admitted. “We’ve considered handing them out to the adventurers as well.”

“That must be some consolation,” Talem said cautiously. “How are you supplied for carts?”

“We have plenty that aren’t seeing any use at the moment, but I don’t recommend you take them. The Lancers are still in the area, as are Tiatian scouts.

“I’m not sure laden horses would do any better than carts against that Tier Four you described, but they’d have a chance against the Lancers, at least.”

Baron Talem frowned in thought. “Perhaps it would be best to just load up with as much shot as we can carry.”

“Say, ten thousand?” Suliel asked. Talem raised his eyebrows, but nodded.

“That seems like a lot, but they go through it so quickly,” he said.

Suliel nodded understandingly. Can you get 10,000 rounds ready? She sent to Kelsey.

For the guns we sold to the Rose Circle? I’ve got that much in storage, Kelsey sent back. Do you want to give them any faulty guns?

No! Why would we want to do that?

I never got to see any of the first batch go off, Kelsey replied. I mean, the test ones, sure, but watching skeleton heads explode has gotten old.

You get that it would be bad if our allies’ heads exploded, right?

I’m just wondering if it’s time to turn against the Rose Circle, Kelsey sent. You’re tricky like that.

What? I am not!

Whatever you say, boss.

Suliel sent a surge of displeasure down the link, but Kelsey only responded with laughter.

“We can have the ammunition ready for transport whenever you’re ready to leave,” she told the baron. “Which brings us to the next topic.”

“You don’t want to talk price? I did say we could pay.”

“I know the Army of the West doesn’t need charity,” Suliel agreed. “But gold does very little for us right now. Should Kirido fall, it will just add to the coffers of the Tiatians. A debt, on the other hand, can be collected as long as Lord Nos or I manage to escape.”

It wouldn’t be much, compared to the loss of Kirido and… Kelsey. But it would carry them through any number of possible situations, giving Anton a chance to get back on his feet. No matter what disaster befell them.

Suliel managed to keep the sudden flash of despair off her face, but some of it must have leaked through to Kelsey.

Ah, don’t worry so much. I won’t go down that easy.

You don’t know what Tier Fours they have to send against you, Suliel sent.

And you’ve never seen me go all out.

Baron Talem inclined his head. “A debt is also a vote of confidence that the Crown will survive to honour it. On the Queen’s behalf, I thank you.”

“We are all in this together, Lord Baron,” Suliel said. “If she doesn’t survive—and succeed—then our own lives won’t be very long.”

“True, true.” Talem nodded. Then he frowned. “But can you make such a commitment without your husband’s approval?”

Suliel smiled. “I assure you, we have discussed the matter and are in full agreement.”

Not that she had, but she had every confidence that Anton would back her up. She had faith in his faith in her.

She was so close to being in charge, she could feel her Class reaching for it, demanding that she stop playing the dutiful wife and take action on her own behalf. But Suliel refused. She accepted the trickle of experience instead of the flood that she deserved. Anything more would be a betrayal of who she was.

Classes didn’t always fully mesh with the person who possessed them.

“Then, the other matter? What else did you wish to discuss?” Talem asked.

Suliel indicated the other two nobles in the room. “I have two distinguished guests who need to join up with the Queen. I take it she’s with the army?”

“Mmm. The risk of assassination was deemed lower if she was in the field.” Baron Talem looked at the two nobles with assessing eyes.

“Lord Tressault is one thing,” he said slowly. “If he can ride a horse, we can take him.”

“I can stay on a horse for as long as I need to,” Odran said, “and Lady Suliel has graciously allowed us both to loan from her stable.”

Suliel nodded. Horses weren’t of much use in a siege—except as food, and Suliel didn’t want it to come to that.

“And I can ride better than Lord Odran can,” Princess Elara put in.

“That’s good… but that isn’t the entire problem, is it?” Talem said. “That fleet is coming for you, and if we take you with us, they’ll be coming for us.”

“Their ability to follow inland is limited,” Suliel said. “And you’re headed towards an army.”

“And if they do give chase,” Elara said. “There will be no need for them to take Kirido. We could save the whole town.”

“Is that your plan, then?” Talem asked. “Sneak her out and then tell the invaders, ‘Oh, your princess is in another castle!’ ”

“That would never work,” Suliel replied. “They might leave us alone if they saw her leave, but that would put her in too much danger to be part of a plan. And if they didn’t see her leave, they’d tear Kirido apart looking for her.”

Elara pouted. They had already been over this. “A little risk to me is worth saving a town!” she protested.

“No, she’s right,” Baron Talem said. “You are too important to risk.”

“I don’t feel important,” Elara sulked. “I’m just a pawn—to both sides.”

“Then it is our duty to get you to the right side of the board,” Talem said. “Our Queen has no heirs, so you are the best candidate for that position.”

“I haven’t seen my Aunt for fifteen years,” Elara muttered. “Do you really think she’ll want me as part of her family?”

“Family is family,” Lord Odran declared. “This is the truth that the class of nobility is founded on.”

“Tell that to my father, who apparently tried to have his sister killed,” Elara said bitterly. “Who did have my husband killed—apparently.”

“Apparently?” Suliel asked.

“Captain Oldaw did manage to sow some doubt,” Elara admitted. “I know how I want to go forward… I just wish I knew with certainty what my family really thinks.”

Suliel was struck by how thoroughly their positions had been reversed. She felt a surge of sympathy for the older princess.

Back in Bures, Elara had been fully in her Class, confidently filling the role of Dissident Noble. She had a goal that she had pursued without fearing what might be uncovered by turning over old stones.

Now that she knew who had her husband killed, she had become filled with doubt. Like Suliel had felt when her mother had turned against her.

“Getting back on topic,” Baron Talem said. “How do we avoid her highness getting captured?”

Would you ask my husband, Suliel sent to Kelsey, if he’s willing to screen Elara’s escape attempt?

Of course he is, Kelsey sent back. He’s just waiting to hear your plan.

Suliel knew that, of course. She hadn’t even needed to discuss it with him beforehand to know what he would do. She could have arranged the whole thing without checking, and Anton would gladly follow the plan.

This was why her Class chafed at her. It wasn’t Anton’s fault. It was hers. She could come up with the plans, she could organise the barony, but she couldn’t be in charge.

Because Anton was her husband, and she belonged to him.

“With your agreement, Baron Talem,” Suliel said, “We will locate the Tiaitian forces and distract them so that you can make your escape.”

Talem gave her a long, steady look. “That sounds dangerous—for your people.”

Suliel nodded. “That’s why my husband is a hero.”