Chapter 13

  Donna Minerva and Charcoal set off at sunset. For the sake of stealth, the dragon knight planned to fly at night, navigating by the stars. The rest of the group travelled to their goal, the Black Brooks Valley, at first light. It was a desperate gallop as the royal bailiffs and imperial spies drove their horses, giving themselves and their mounts the minimum rest they needed. The camp was made in the dark, when it was simply dangerous to ride. Alas, the lack of replacement horses did not allow them to keep a really high pace. In addition, one of the pack horses of the imperial squad had to be given to the prisoner, distributing its load among the others. The line of steep hills marking the edge of the valley did not appear until the third day. The elven woman who was leading the troop stopped her white Snowflake and turned to her companions.

  - Here we'll have to split up again, - she said. - If our dear visitor from the other world has not lied once again, the main missile battery is deployed deep in the rear of the baron's army, and the minefield control post is on the left flank and far ahead. My company will take the battery, the control post I'm entrusting to the gentlemen bailiffs. Lady Maria will assist them. She's the only one who can read the alien language, and we'll probably have to deal with their technology on the ground. Therefore, noble dons, you will take a prisoner with you. Capturing the post is half the battle, you must try to disable the mines themselves, so that no one can use them anymore.

  - It will be hard for the three of us to storm the target and keep an eye on... this one at the same time, - Gotech muttered, nodding at Giovanni. Giovanni was the worst of the lot, which was not surprising, for the stranger had seldom been on horseback. To be fair, the others looked a little better. - We could use a tracker like you or the corporal.

  - Assaulting a battery behind enemy lines is no easier, - objected the sharp-eared girl. - Forgive me, dons, but in such a situation I would prefer to have at my disposal the men I am used to working with - every last one of them. But I have a modest gift for you.

  The captain pulled two short arrows with bronze tips from a leather pouch on her belt - one had scarlet plumage, the other white.

  - Enchanted crossbow arrows, - she explained, handing them to Armando. - The first for fire, the second for air. Use them as you see fit, but don't try to shoot directly at the outsiders.

  - And remember that the spell is set to touch the bowstring to the shaft, - master Carlon added. The stout Southerner's beard had turned grey from the dust of the road, making him look more like a venerable old wizard. - If you put an arrow like that in your crossbow, you'll have to shoot it. Do not try to remove it from the stock.

  - Thank you, - Armando sighed, stashing the precious charges in his quiver. He had never used enchanted arrows before. - I'll try to remember.

  - It would be worth waiting until nighttime to get Jana involved, but I'm not sure we have that option, - the elf continued. - Both groups should get into position around the same time and act according to circumstances. The success of one of the groups will cause confusion in the enemy camp and will facilitate the actions of the second group. After completing the tasks, meet at that abandoned farm to the west. If the enemy is there, meet at the alternate position to the north. If someone can't get there in time, the final rendezvous point is under the walls of the nearest town.

  Lady Maria hugged the bearded mage quickly, nodded to Sergeant Dallan, and shook the clawed hand of the lizard corporal. The lizard hissed in response, opened its mouth, and licked the girl-guardian's cheek with its long tongue. A moment later the two newly formed squads separated, each going their separate ways. The bailiffs headed straight for the valley; the Imperials would have to make a detour to approach the rebel camp from behind.

  For most of the journey Armando's companions were silent. The Lady Maria had nothing to say to the Daertzes, and the bailiffs themselves were unwilling to discuss anything serious in her presence. The prisoner was withdrawn, staring at the mane of his skinny horse, which was being led by Gotech. De Gorazzo, in truth, might well have learnt from him. Recent events had seized the young official like a hurricane, and carried him along the waves of destiny without respite. In fact, it was good - otherwise the bailiff would have been shaken long ago. The relatively calm last part of the journey gave him a chance to reflect on his actions and his situation. However, the don resolutely ignored that chance. Instead of reflecting, he was amused by the thought of how opposite his companions were to each other - the black-skinned, bald giant and the thin, albino-looking girl.

  As they approached the edge of the valley, they heard more and more suspicious sounds. Horns sang behind the hilly ridge, and there was a rumbling sound. It sounded faintly like the noises of an encamped army. The bailiffs and the guardsman spurred their horses and galloped off. They dismounted in the shadow of one of the hills and hastily climbed the steep hill. Messire Giovanni's hands were tied in front, so that Gotech almost dragged him by the collar. They did not hurry in vain - from the top of a rather steep and high hill they could see a breathtaking picture. The Black Brooks Valley was full of troops... at both ends. In the western part of the valley, baronial squads stood in irregular squares, while in the eastern part of the valley, rows of mounted lancers under the royal banners stretched out in a solid front. Queen Octavia's personal banner was flying, as it should, over the centre of the formation.

  - The royal army is already here! - exclaimed the amazed Armando. - But they were only expected in two or three days....

  - Look closely - there are only cavalry here, - Gotech pointed out. - Her Majesty had left the infantry, artillery and wagons behind for the sake of speed.

  - It makes sense, - Lady Maria added with respect in her voice. The Duchess of Elvarth's protector shifted her gaze from one army to the other. - In a war against the Empire, such a plan would be reckless. But the rebels can't field battalions of pikemen, they haven't had time to build fortifications, and they have no artillery of their own.

  Actually, between the mounted vigilantes and the camp of the baronial army Armando noticed something resembling an artillery battery, but above the baskets of earth there were not mighty cast-iron bombards, but wooden throwing machines and carriages of tiny salute cannons. All that the disgruntled barons had secretly obtained. The royal army had so far kept well beyond the firing range of this junk.

  - But if the Queen was counting on the effect of surprise, why does she not attack? - De Gorazzo inquired.

  - Because Donna Minerva warned her about the mines, I suppose, - the white-skinned lady touched her palm to the hilt of her sword and looked at Armando. - Now we must disarm them before the barons realise and prepare to fight properly.

  - Yes, - nodded de Gorazzo, who had recovered from his first surprise. - Come.

  The hill they were looking for was a little to the east. According to the prisoner's words, the command post of the outsiders was hidden in the middle of the inner slope - not too visible, and a decent view of the valley. There should have been only a few people there - armed guards guarded the missile batteries, and the post's attendants relied more on good camouflage.

  - And beware of the boody traps, - Giovanni added at the last interrogation. - They are also mines, they put them around important places... just in case.

  - And why didn't your tell me about them sooner? - Armando arched an eyebrow derisively.

  - Well... I didn't think you'd drag me with you, - the stranger admitted, averting his gaze.

  The group approached the camouflaged alien post from the direction of the rebel positions. The aliens were in the least danger from here, but they were still cautious: at some point Gotech, who was walking first, stopped, gestured for his comrades to stop. He knelt down on one knee and pointed his hook at something on the ground. Armando looked closely and saw a thin black thread stretched between the bushes. It was easy to miss in the grass.

  - Boody trap, - nodded the prisoner, who had been sullenly silent until now. - If you hit it, it'll explode.

  - It's trickier still. - The Southern giant grinned unkindly. - Over there, someone cut a piece of soil and grass with a knife, and then put it back, see?

  - No, - Armando shook his head.

  - I see, - Lady Maria nodded.

  - When you step over a thread, you're bound to step on it. I'm sure nothing good will happen as a result.

  From here they advanced with caution. The captive was gagged with a secure gag, so that he might be able to warn his kin by shouting. As they ducked and crawled between the innumerable traps, the group came close to the place indicated by Giovanni on the map. De Gorazzo was once again glad that his friend was an experienced soldier who had seen so much in war. With only a general knowledge of the traps set by strangers, Gotech had found and avoided them without difficulty. He was the first to spot the command post itself.

  - Look, they're well settled, - the giant grumbled, trying not to disturb the white-flowered bush under which he had lain down.

  The post was a large circular pit, covered on three sides with bags of earth and a kind of fishing net. But the net was green, made of thick flat ropes, to which were fastened scraps of green cloth. Surprisingly, the hole covered with this net was completely lost among the grass and bushes. Above the bags were some kind of tubes, probably optical devices like telescopes. A couple of massive devices, also covered with netting, stood to the side, each with four thick wheels. It must have been some kind of transport, brought by the strangers from the homeworld along with their weapons. Finally, the last "decoration" of the enemy positions were two men in shaggy capes, huddled higher up the slope. On their knees the guards held long guns of intricate design. One of them had his attention fixed on the valley, the other was watching the top of the hill, which was the only reason why they had not noticed the enemies so close. Probably the strangers were relying on their traps to protect their flanks.

  - So, our plan? - De Gorazzo asked in a whisper.

  - Give me an arrow enchanted with air, and I'll deal with the guards, Don, - Lady Maria said quietly as well.

  - Are you alone?

  - Aliens aren't as dangerous when you take them by surprise. And they're only good in close combat when the enemy doesn't have a sword.

  - Then the post itself is for us, - Gotech nodded.

  Taking a crossbow from the giant and an arrow from de Gorazzo, the girl crawled back and disappeared into the grass. The bailiffs held their breath. For ten minutes nothing happened. Suddenly there was a deafening rumble over the valley, like a mighty clap of thunder over the horizon. Startled, Armando and Gotech looked round. Far behind the camp of the baron's troops, a thick column of smoke was rising into the clouds. "The captain made it," Armando realised. Almost at the same instant, battle horns blared in the east. A solid mass of the royal cavalry moved out, surging across the valley in a wave.

  The guards in their shaggy cloaks were not indifferent, either; they stirred, turned their heads at the noise, and rose from their seats. A crossbow arrow from the thicket took them by surprise. With a rustling sound, it swept between the strangers and sank into the ground of the slope. And it exploded without a flash. There was just a pop, a tight wave of air that pushed the guards into their backs, lifted them into the air, and toppled them to the ground. Without waiting for them to regain their senses, Lady Maria, hiding in the grass, sprang from her seat, instantly found herself near the nearest enemy, and drove the blade of her sword between his shoulder blades. Armando didn't look any further - he sent a second arrow, a fiery one, straight into the sack fortification. The third explosion in a minute sent up clods of earth and a cloud of smoke, just as the young bailiff had hoped. Even if the aliens inside the command centre were waiting for an attack, the black clouds obscured their view in the right direction for a couple of heartbeats.

  - Let's go! - Gotech, no longer lurking, shouted in a full voice. He jumped up with his battle-axe in his hand and leapt forward. Armando hurried after him, unsheathing his sword. By the time he had swung over the sacks and rolled into the pit, one of the strangers was already lying on the floor with his skull cracked open. The second and last was frantically trying to unbuckle a leather pouch on his belt - probably with some kind of weapon. Without further ado, De Gorazzo stabbed him in the back with his grandfather's sword. He exhaled, looking around. There were only two folding chairs and three low wooden tables, more like wide benches. On the tables were objects whose purpose was not always obvious. There was an ordinary clay mug, and next to it a flat black box with strange levers sticking out of it.

  - Are you all right? - Lady Maria asked, peering under the camouflage netting on the other side of the hole. She was still clutching the bloody sword in her hand.

  - Yes, it went like clockwork. - Armando frowned. - Lady, are you hurt?

  The left sleeve of the pale girl's jacket appeared torn, the fabric around the gash seemed damp.

  - It was nothing, just a knife scratch. - The Guardswoman shook her head. - I'll take a look around, and you take the prisoner.

  Armando hurried back. The royal cavalry were still at a trot, but they could gallop at any moment. Cutting with his sword the rope with which Messire Giovanni was tied to the bush, the bailiff pulled the gag from his mouth and dragged him by the scruff of his neck to the pit. He did not resist, but sniffed and shuddered. In the pit of the command post the prisoner trembled like an aspen leaf in the wind. The corpses on the earthen floor attracted his gaze like a magnet to an iron needle.

  - What, your friends? - Armando asked angrily.

  - Yes... no... colleagues. - The stranger sobbed as if about to cry, but instead he suddenly stopped shaking. - What do you want from me?

  - How do we activate the minefield? Right now.

  - I'll... I'll tell you. Let me see.

  Messire Giovanni squeezed past Lady Maria to the table that held the most instruments. Muttering something under his breath, he bent over them.

  - Don't touch anything yourself! - warned Gotech.

  - Yes... of course. - The stranger jerked his fingers away from the black metal boxes... and suddenly grabbed the orange cylinder that lay between them. Before anyone could do anything, Giovanni twisted the cylinder as if twisting the neck of a goose.

  - Sh-u-u-uf! - A ball of bright scarlet flame burst out of the cylinder, broke through the camouflage netting, soared upwards and burst into a shower of red sparks.

  Lady Maria, who had hesitated only a moment, knocked the dangerous object out of the stranger's hands, and Gotech, with a single swing of his axe, blew his head from his shoulders. He spat on the body that had fallen at his feet:

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  - Bastard!

  - I thought it was brave, - the lady disagreed. She picked up the smoking cylinder from the floor to throw it out of the pit.

  - I'll get the horses, lady, - the giant black man ignored Maria's words and turned to her. - And you and Armando... think of something. Before we have guests.

  - What can we think of? - De Gorazzo asked, confused, when he and the pale girl were alone-except for the piled-up corpses.

  - Anything, - Lady Maria said quietly, leaning over the instrument from which the late Messire Giovanni had pushed her away. - I can't make out anything. All the inscriptions on this machinery are combinations of letters with no meaning. I'm sure they're abbreviations and symbols I just don't know.

  - And?

  - Logic would have to be involved. - The girl stretched her fingers, pulled up her long, thick brown leather gloves. - These boxes on the left table are a radio station, we've seen them before. On the right one there's no equipment at all, just some papers... So it's this thing with the levers. This one, it's in the middle, it's easier to work with than the others. It's probably the most important. There's ten levers and one button.

  The Lady Guardian moved one lever on the black box from the lower position to the upper position. Nothing happened. The girl returned the lever to the down position, then abruptly flicked all ten up. And slew nothing. Armando bit his lip. Failure, however, did not deter Maria. She pressed the button. Then flicked the levers back up and pressed again. Then jammed the button with her finger and moved all the levers up again.

  The ground shook. From the pit of the control post, the official and the girl could not see the results of their work, but they could hear them perfectly well - it rumbled much closer than when Captain Valria had blown up the missile battery. Crawling out of the hole, Armando stood on the bags of earth and put the palm of his hand over his eyes. The Black Brooks Valley was cut in two by a band of smoke as wide as a river. The royal cavalry, which had not reached the minefield in time, stopped its advance like water against a rock. But now, out of the centre of the formation came a single tiny figure - black, on a black horse, barely distinguishable from this distance. De Gorazzo had no doubt that it was Queen Octavia. The rider in black galloped along the front rank, accompanied by a standard-bearer, and the cavalrymen, as if they had broken through an invisible barrier, surged forward again, gradually changing from trot to gallop. There was also confusion in the rebel camp, but it was shorter. When they realised that the trap had failed, the barons sent their squads into a counter-attack so that they could gather speed before the inevitable clash with the enemy. But the two waves of cavalrymen were not as interesting to Armando as the large troop galloping towards him. It was close enough that it had clearly moved out as soon as it saw the scarlet signal fire over the steep hill. A group of riders had separated from the royal army, but they were much later in reaching the hill.

  - Gotech, hurry up, - the young bailiff said through clenched teeth.

  The desert giant didn't let him down - in a couple of minutes he showed up on his war stallion, leading three horses.

  - Let's go back the same way, - the giant said briefly as his companions climbed into the saddles. - There's no time to look for traps from other directions.

  - But that's... back, back towards the enemy, - Armando muttered.

  - What, are there options? You see how many traps there are on the west side? You think there's less on the east side?

  It took a few more minutes to get out of the field of boody traps and underground mines around the deserted command post. In the meantime the two armies in the valley had almost converged, and the squad moving up the hill was close enough for Armando to make out the faces of the soldiers. They had not yet seen the riders on the slope, but they would not have to wait long.

  - We can't get over the hills in time. - Gotech clenched the bridle in his huge fist. - We must go down and move under the protection of the croyal forces. Hope, the queen has warned at least one of them about us... At least the officers....

  - We won't be able to leave together, - Armando corrected him. He looked at the girl. - Lady Maria, your knowledge of the alien language is too important now that we have no prisoner. Take the spare horse, get the papers from the command post, and ride to the rendezvous point. We'll ride to the army and distract the pursuit.

  - Don Armando. - The white-haired Elvartian rewarded the bailiff with a pale but sincere smile. - I wish I could stay with you, but you are right. I hope we meet again, and not as enemies.

  She spurred her horse and led it along the slope. The bailiffs led their horses down to the bottom of the hill.

  - You've become a chivalry knight? - Gotech grinned.

  - Let the Imperials be with the Imperials. You and I are better at this, - Armando replied, grinning wryly as well. He wouldn't have said why he'd sent the guardswoman away. However, if de Gorazzo had any sympathy for any of the Imperials, it was for the polite and sincere white-skinned lady. Who had probably just saved his queen.

  The bailiffs were spotted when they reached the base of the hill. The rebel troop was already galloping, so it could not accelerate any further, but it had changed direction, heading straight for Armando and Gotyeh. The front riders lowered their lances.

  - Yeh! - The young official made an obscene gesture to his pursuers and whipped his horse on the croup. The rested mare spurred on as an arrow.

  He did not know how long the two of them had been riding eastward, ducking against the horses manes - a minute, two minutes, an eternity. The wind howled, horseshoes clattered on the stony ground, horns sang and steel rang on all sides. Armando looked down to turn his horse away from a pothole in the ground or a large stone, but every now and then he raised his head to look ahead. And each time the line of the royal lancers came closer and closer. The young official did not look back. At one point he rose in his stirrups, tore his hat off his head, and waved it. The lancers galloping towards him drew apart, but not enough to allow the bailiffs to pass through whole troop. The first cavalrymen rushed past Armando, and then the official had to turn his horse round and follow them, to avoid being hit by the hooves of the rear lines. The two cavalry units clashed almost immediately, and the bailiff was in the midst of a mad scramble before he had time to blink. He threw his horse to one side or the other, twisted in his saddle, trying to avoid the blows, not even trying to draw his sword, but it could not go on like this for long. A rider in an old brigantine bearing the crest of one of the rebels came at de Gorazzo from the side. His horse crashed chest-deep into Armando's mare, and the mare fell to the other side with a startled cry. Trying to free his foot from the stirrup, the bailiff had time to see the fragment of a spear sticking in the animal's neck. The impact with the ground knocked the spirit out of de Gorazzo. His eyes went black. Armando made an attempt to get up, but something heavy, smelling of leather and metal, fell on his head, and he lost consciousness.

  *       *         *

  Armando was brought to his senses by the sensation of being pulled under his arms. Someone's strong hands pushed the weight off the bailiff's head and chest, pulling him out from under the weight of his legs. De Gorazzo shook his head, trying to gather his thoughts more quickly, and opened his eyes. When he blinked properly, he found himself standing, held under his arms by a pair of soldiers in the armour of royal lancers.

  - How are you feeling, Don Armando? - asked a very familiar melodious voice. The lancers turned de Gorazzo round so that he could see Queen Octavia in person. Her Majesty stood literally three steps away from Armando, arms folded across her chest and smiling. The young ruler wore no helmet, her glossy black hair falling over the blued shoulder pads of her famous armour.

  - My Lady... - De Gorazzo muttered in a stammering voice, and tried to fall on his knee. The soldiers prevented him from doing so. It was fortunate, for in his present condition the young bailiff would have fallen face down into the ground.

  - Stop it, don. - The queen made a sign to the soldiers. They carefully placed the bailiff on the saddle removed from the dead horse. - I said, how are you feeling? I see no open wounds, no fractures.

  Armando listened to himself, looking around. He squeezed out:

  - Mm-mm... no, Your Majesty... my whole body aches, but my bones are intact.

  The Black Brooks Valley stretched out around them, littered with the corpses of men and horses as far as the eye could see. In the distance there were some mounted troops, but there were no more than a dozen soldiers here, near Armando and the queen.

  - That's good, - Octavia nodded. - I had given up hope of finding you alive. I was told that you and your friend had been seen in this part of the battlefield, but I didn't know if you were alive. I decided to follow the search myself.

  - Gotech... where is... Don de Ardano? - Armando remembered that he had lost sight of the black-skinned giant before the clash had begun.

  - They haven't found him yet, either dead or alive, - the queen said with a smile. - But I think if he had died in battle, his body would not have gone unnoticed.

  - Yes, - De Gorazzo agreed, grinning involuntarily. - Forgive me, Your Majesty... But why are you here?

  - I was hoping to find you, Don. I told you, didn't I? - Octavia shrugged. - The battle is basically over. We have won, thanks in large part to you and your friends. Old Marshal de Crazo is driving the rebel remnants west. Marshal de Holamo commands the rearguard, but is actually looking after Duke Auguste. I have kept the Duke's unit out of the battle, and left enough of my troops nearby for him to sit tight. In Daert, Marshal de Cotocci and the archmage are making sure Auguste's supporters don't do anything while I'm gone. Now that the rebellion is over, we'll have time to deal with the outsiders.

  - Donna Minerva got to you, - Armando exhaled with relief.

  - Yes, and she brought back invaluable information. I sent her away at once. The families of the Dragon Knights are neutral, so she shouldn't have been on the battlefield. She said she would find her comrades behind enemy lines.

  - I was worried about her. - De Gorazzo tried to stand up. He failed miserably. - And I'm worried about Gotech. But thank you for the good news, Your Majesty. And for your concern.

  - I gave you a task, you've done it. Of course, it is my duty as commander to take care of you now. - Octavia smiled again and held out a clenched fist to the official. - I swear on my royal blood, Don Armando, we will cleanse our continent of these scum. I will do everything I can to stop them from meddling in the affairs of others. I'll even make an alliance with the Empire if I have to. But I'm sure we can manage on our own.

  - You can count on me in this matter, Your Majesty. - His body felt like cotton, but the young official raised his hand and touched his fingers to the queen's armoured fist in a formal gesture of oath.

  - Great, then we'll have to get you…

  - My lady! - one of the foot soldiers suddenly interrupted the queen. - A troop of soldiers is approaching.

  - So? - Octavia turned to him.

  - He is... under the banners of the Duke de Veronne.

  As Armando looked in that direction, he saw a group of fifty cavalrymen approaching from the direction of the king's camp.

  - Jacques. - The queen frowned and flashed a glance at one of the soldiers. - Mount up. Ride to the nearest unit and bring them here. Don't say anything, just bring them here as soon as possible.

  - Yes, my lady. - The soldier took off, rattling his armour as he ran.

  - What's going on? - Armando asked.

  - No good, Don. - The young ruler looked at the approaching cavalry. - Marshal de Holamo had received a direct order not to let the Duke's soldiers out of the camp after the battle was over. Why did he...

  She faltered. Her face changed, and she stretched out:

  - So that's it...

  - Your Majesty?

  - Duke Auguste himself rides at the head of the troop. And the marshal is with him, though he has not raised his banner.

  - So.

  - I'm not a good judge of character, - the black-haired girl said, grinning sadly. - I thought the marshal was reliable....

  - Madam, you should get on your horse and... - one of the soldiers started, but the queen raised her palm, silencing him:

  - It’s too late. Our horses are weary from battle and theirs are fresh. Our troops are far ahead, we won't catch up in time. And I'll bet the Duke has a few outsiders with long-range weapons.

  - Then...

  - Let's trust in the Creator. You leave now. I'll buy you some time.

  - We won't leave you, Mistress, - lancer shook his head. His comrades joined him in a conciliatory cheer.

  - I won't give you orders. - Octavia drew her sword and strode leisurely towards the ducal cavalry. Armando, still not thinking clearly, caught up with her and walked beside her. The soldiers lingered, climbing into the saddles.

  - I hope he doesn't have the nerve, and it's just a show of force - the queen said in a completely mundane tone, not looking at the young official walking beside her. - But if suddenly... Don Armando, I want you to know. Octavia is a throne name. Before my coronation, my name was Letitia.

  - That's... how.. - de Horatso mumbled. Only then did he realise why Octavia was telling him this. But he had no time to say anything in reply - de Veronne's cavalry came close, surrounded the queen and the bailiff from three sides. Octavia's lancers, lined up behind her, prevented them from closing the ring. A few riders rode on, apparently in pursuit of a soldier who had been sent for help. Duke Auguste the Strong rode forward, a huge man on a huge horse. The ruler of the Duchy of Veronne was as tall as Gotech and a good third as wide. The pretender wore only a light breastplate over his gold-embroidered green camisole. Armando gritted his teeth when he saw that Auguste's four personal guards were holding unusual long rifles across their saddles, definitely gifts from another world.

  - What an awkward meeting, Your Majesty, - the duke say, looking down at the young queen. He didn't think to dismount.

  - Indeed. - The girl in the black armour rested the point of her sword on the ground, palms folded on the cross. Her face remained impassive, her voice calm, even a little mocking. - I thought I had explicitly ordered you to guard the camp with the marshal. What are you doing here, Don Duke?

  - I conferred with the Marshal, and we agreed that it was a crime to wait in the rear at such a crucial hour for the country. - The duke grinned rather unpleasantly.

  - Oh... - The queen tilted her head to her shoulder to look behind the Auguste's back at her commander. - In truth, Don de Holamo, I thought you were a man of strong opinions.

  - I… - The crown marshal began, but was interrupted by the Lord of Veronne:

  - The Marshal always said he was loyal to the kingdom, not the crown. I convinced him I could bring more glory and greatness to the country than you, Your Majesty. It's a good thing you're not alone, by the way. Too many people saw you survive the battle, it would take a scapegoat for a public execution....

  - I suppose there's no point in asking you to settle our dispute with a duel, is there? - The young queen threw back her head slightly, smiling contemptuously.

  - Unlike you, Your Majesty, I'm not afraid to entrust important matters to others, - the duke replied with a chuckle. - But there are some things I intend to do personally today.

  Auguste the Strong slipped his hand into his saddlebag and pulled out a curved metal object. Armando had seen very similar ones on the belts of the strangers killed in the pit of the command post.

  - It's called a pistol. A gift from my business partners as a token of good co-operation. - The duke pointed it at the queen. - I've spent a lot of time mastering it, and I can say that....

  This strange conversation was not to end, for a deafening roar from the sky caused everyone to raise their heads. A coal-black war dragon was descending on the battlefield, a furious dragon, judging by its bared fangs and clawed paws.

  - Damn it! - exclaimed the Duke. The object in his hand came to life, twitched, spat fire - once, and again, again, again. The bullets struck Queen Octavia in the chest, piercing her blued cuirass. The girl staggered, but by an incredible effort of will she stayed on her feet - Armando, who came to his senses, had to grab her by the shoulders and pull her to the ground, saving from the fourth shot. Auguste's guards needed no special commands - their guns slammed down frequently. A rain of lead swept over de Gorazzo's head, sweeping away the royal lancers. The bailiff had no time for that - he was trying to lay the queen more comfortably, at the same time covering her with his body from de Veronny's soldiers. The dragon practically crashed into the ground nearby, crushing several riders with its body, including one of the riflemen.

  - Ar... - the black-haired girl said suddenly, looking somewhere in the sky, over the bailiff's shoulder. - Don...

  - Your Majesty?

  - Live... fight... stop... - de Gorazzo could barely make out the queen's whisper through the crackle of gunfire, the dragon's roar, and the horses' neighing. - My... orders...

  The last queen of the Iderling dynasty did not utter another word as blood gushed from her mouth, spreading down her cheeks and chin. The girl wheezed and stretched convulsively in the bailiff's arms. She twitched a few times in a final convulsion and collapsed. Octavia's eyes remained open, but the flame of life in them was gone.

  - Your… - Armando realised with confusion that he was crying. Tears poured from his eyes, blurring his vision. De Gorazzo tried to lift the queen in his arms, but the weakness had not completely passed, and the girl's body weighed alot in her armour.

  - Don Armando! - As if through cotton wool stuffed in his ears the bailiff heard a shout. He looked back - Donna Minerva was waving at him, hanging dangerously from Charcoal's back. The dragon staggered back, as bullets and jets of magical flame struck it, reflecting off the blue flaring force shields. The knight used everything she had, including the disposable amulets woven into the dragon’s harness.

  For a few seconds de Gorazzo hesitated. He could not take Octavia with him - but he could not leave her here, among his enemies. What if by some miracle something else could be done? If master Carlon could help with healing magic?

  - Don Armando! Over here!

  Wiping his tears with the dirty sleeve of his jacket, the bailiff rose, took one last look at the queen's breathless body, and ran to the dragon. He jumped up and grabbed with both hands the straps that braided Charcoal's body, and the dragon stopped staggering. It ran forward, wing beating, scattered the Duke's cavalrymen, pushed off the ground, soared into the air, accompanied by gunfire and the hiss of battle spells. Armando heard them for a few moments, and then there was only the sound of wind in his ears.

  Donna Minerva got out of the saddle, helped the bailiff climb onto the dragon's back, secured there with straps behind her seat. Asked:

  - The queen?

  - Dead, - Armando breathed out. He was shivering violently, and the icy wind did nothing to stop it. The bailiff's face was unprotected by helmet, making it hard to speak. - I...couldn't...do...anything...about it.

  - And I was too late, - the knight said bitterly, getting back into the saddle. - Captain Valria sent me back as soon as we met, told me to protect the queen, and to find you if possible... - she said.

  - Have you seen Valria?

  - Yes. And the rest of her people.

  - And Gotech?

  - No. You, too?

  - He's alive. The Queen... so she thought... Where are we going?

  - To the assembly point. To the Imperials.

  - Well, yes... - Armando covered his eyes. The tears dried as suddenly as they had come. But the dying Octavia's last words continued to echo in his head. Live. Fight. Stop. Her orders. - Where else do we have to go now...?