Free Valour and Victory by Candy Rae

Xavier with suspicion. He had stayed silent until
now, listening and learning.
    “From Susyc
Julia herself,” announced the Lord Marshall, dropping the
bombshell. “She intends to send most of those under her command
into Duchesne and Graham. They will be on their way as we
speak.”
    Xavier did not
need to feign dismay. “What part of her army?” he demanded, “not
the Vada or the Lind surely?”
    “I sincerely
hope so,” voiced the Crown-Prince, “and don’t start mouthing out
words like treason Xavier.”
    “If Duchesne
and Graham willingly permit the Lind into their duchies, then they
are traitors,” an angry Xavier insisted.
    “I have given
leave,” said his brother.
    “Without
Conclave approval. How could you Paul? It’s one of our oldest laws.
Murdoch must never be beholden to the North for anything and you
have invited them in!”
    “Our Father,
the King, has given his approval. Don’t be stupid Xavier. The
Largan is throwing every warrior he can get his paws on at us. We
need all the help we can get. The Dukes of the Eastern and Western
Isles are sending aid as are the Earls of the Galland
Confederation.”
    “That’s
different,” insisted Xavier in a tight voice. “They are our
allies.”
    “As are Argyll,
Vadath and the Lind at this time,” said Crown-Prince Paul. “I’ve
sent a message to all the northerly dukes. Until this crisis is
over, the law prohibiting Lind on our soil is in abeyance.”
    If Crown-Prince
Paul had thought his brother was going to pronounce further on the
subject he was pleasantly surprised.
    “As you wish,”
Xavier said in a smooth voice, “until the crisis is over I accept
your decision.”
    Maybe Xavier
has got more sense in his head than I give him credit for ,
thought his brother.
    “Right,” said
Peter Duchesne, getting back to the business in hand. “We know the
Larg are running northwards on two fronts. Duchesne and Graham,
with the help of our northern allies will hold them. Duchesne knows
what he is doing.”
    “What about van
Buren and Sahara?” asked Crown-Prince Paul.
    “The Larg are
intent on reaching the Island Chain,” Peter Duchesne replied. “It
is most unlikely that they will cross the border so they are not in
any immediate danger. Raoul van Buren was warned, he’ll have taken
precautions.”
    “And Count
David Gardiner will do the same for Sahara.” The Count was the
Crown-Prince’s viceroy in the Duchy and a close friend.
    “I have done
the same,” lied Xavier, “all my borders are covered.”
    “Me too,” said
William of North Baker, “what of Pierre Cocteau?”
    The Lord
Marshall sighed, “he doesn’t believe we are in any danger.”
    “He might be
right,” quipped Xavier, an attempt at levity. It fell flat.
    “He might not.
Unfortunately I have no Regiments I can spare, even if he comes to
his senses and does ask for help.”
     
     
    * * * * *
     
     
    The
Crown-Prince
     
    The castle at
Fort was in ferment. During the night the soldiers of the company
of the Eleventh Foot had revolted and taken over its
governance.
    Any who
resisted were dead, their bodies piled in the middle of the inner
courtyard awaiting disposal.
    The royal
family were confined to their quarters in the palace complex and
rumour had it that they were going to be moved ‘for their own
safety’ to more secure quarters within the Citadel.
    The town was a
hotbed of speculation. What was happening? The King is dead. The
King is alive.
    One name was on
everyone’s lips; Prince-Duke Xavier.
    Retainers
dressed in the South Baker livery were everywhere, ordering people
to stay indoors. The townsfolk were scared and did what they were
told.
    By the time the
noon bell rang the town of Fort was silent.
    In the royal
apartments Crown-Prince Paul, his wife Crown-Princess Susan and
their three daughters, Princesses Susan, Mary and Janet were
crammed into a tiny room with guards on the door. With them were
Prince David, brother of the King, his wife Princess