“We were watching the Wargs, sire.”

They were sitting in a study that Matriach Calthune had loaned them. Einreth had insisted on attending as well, despite her wounds. The Matriarchs had been taken away and brought to the doctors; Matt had been told that they would survive, which was hopefully the case. They’d obviously proved their innocence, if only because they’d been Suluth’s targets as well. Attempted homicide had a way of uniting people, after all.

Karve, just as professional and unflappable as he’d always been, seemed to be a little more tired than he had been earlier that day. The Captain of the Eighth had not taken part in the fighting—his own wounds had prevented that—but his report showed that those wounds had not stopped him from preparing a trap.

“We knew that the last time they escaped, Suluth and the assassins used Wargs to escape. They also were quite good at using illusions to mask their movements and appearance. They did not, however, mask the scents of their mounts.”

Matt frowned. “So you used our Wargs to track their Wargs?”

“Yes, sire.” Karve glanced at Einreth, who was watching him with a disturbing level of intensity. “I had kept two squads of the Eighth ready to respond to any sign of the intruders in Shadowfen. They led us to the mounts in the Citadel, and from there we made our way to the kitchens.”

Einreth leaned forward. “And you did not think it wise to let us know about these preparations, Captain?”

Karve turned to look at her. He did not appear to be impressed by her snarl. “I had taken the precautions before you arrived, Lady Einreth. While I believed it would be helpful, there was no guarantee. Further, the King had his own lifeguard, who I believed would be able to guard him in the event of a possible attack.”

Her eyes narrowed. “So you judged that it would be unnecessary.”

He nodded, maintaining eye contact. “Yes, Lady Einreth.”

Matt let the silence stretch slightly and then broke back into the conversation. “Regardless of that choice, Captain, it appears we owe you our lives.” Einreth glanced at Matt, and then nodded, an abashed expression on her face. “You also brought yet another traitor to justice. Well done.”

Karve grimaced and nodded. Undoubtedly, he was unhappy that one of his soldiers had caught Suluth in the kitchens rather than having the chance to fight her directly. “She was apparently the one using the illusion to conceal your situation, sire. At the very least, when she died, it failed.”

“Such talent. If only she had used it to help the Kingdom instead of trying to kill us.” Matt shook his head. The statement was in part a bit of theater for the Orcs’ sake, but it was true. To have that kind of ability and waste it repeatedly was disappointing, to say the least. “At least we no longer have to worry about her striking at us from the shadows. Did any of her supporters escape?”

“Not this time, sire.” Karve smiled. “This time, we caught them all. There will be no more attempts on your life from them.”

“That is very good to hear.” Matt pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to massage away the pressure between his eyes. “Is there any other news I need to hear?”

Karve hesitated and then shook his head. “No, my liege. I am expecting a messenger to arrive from Redspire tomorrow, but aside from that, there is nothing.”

Einreth snorted. “Are you sure, Captain? There is nothing else that has slipped your mind?”

The Captain looked back at her. He smiled. “No, Lady Einreth. I believe that is everything you need to know.”

Matt smiled. “Thank you Captain. Please go make sure that your wounds are cared for, and report back to me if there are any other complications.”

Karve glanced back at him. “I will, sire. I am also ready to turn over command to whoever you choose.”

It was an interesting way of saying that Karve probably wanted some quality time with Shadowfen’s finest doctors, but Matt shook his head. “No, Captain. I’m afraid you are going to remain in command. Get yourself fixed up—I’ll take care of mustering the troops—but when we march south, you’re going to be in charge of the army. At least as my second in command.”

Karve’s unflappable expression was suddenly full of shock and alarm. “Sire? The Lady Einreth—”

“The Lady Einreth is the master of her Clan and House, Captain. She has responsibilities beyond the command of a portion of the army.” When Einreth looked about to protest, Matt raised an eyebrow at her. She subsided with a sour grunt; he was sorry that she didn’t like the change, but he wanted a commander that wouldn’t get randomly summoned back home in the middle of the campaign. “You’ve proved yourself a capable general, and I intend to use you as such. Am I understood, Margrave Karve?”

His words hung in the air for a little while. Then Karve’s jaw dropped. “S-sire! I’m only a—”

“Captain that has helped me bring not one, but two different traitors to justice? Don’t sell yourself short, Karve.” Matt gave him a level look. “I need someone I can depend on to watch my back. Morteth and Grufen are serving elsewhere. You’re who I need now.”

Karve still seemed to be looking for an escape route. “I-I thought that a Margrave needed to be a noble, sire. Not just a freeholder.”

Matt smirked. “If the Great Council decides that, then I have a tidy solution for it.” It took a moment for Karve to realize that he was talking to the one person who could instantly ennoble him. In point of fact, he already had; as a Margrave Karve held a noble title, whether he already had or not.

Einreth was scowling at a nearby wall, and Matt went on in an elaborately casual tone of voice. “Of course, as a Margrave you won’t be able to participate in the Great Council or lead a House. Just in case there are any concerns about that.”

She blinked, and her expression suddenly smoothed out as she realized exactly how much power she’d have to surrender to receive the title Karve had just been given. Matt tried not to let his smirk grow wider, and he focused more closely on Karve. “All you need to do is command my armies and continue to serve as you already have. Can I depend on you, Margrave Karve?”

The Coldhearth Orc struggled for a moment, as if fighting for the right words. Then he let his shoulder slump with a resigned sigh. “I knew you were going to be trouble for us. From the very first day. Did I ever tell you that?”

“Serves you right for letting Nikles beat on me so much.” Matt slapped Karve on the shoulder, and the Orc laughed. “Now, I need you to choose a new Captain for the Eighth, and I need a report on how many troops we can take with us into the Grim Hollows. Morteth is going to begin his attack soon, if he hasn’t already, and we won’t have much time to get into position if we wait much longer.”

Karve nodded. “I will have the report to you by tomorrow, my liege.”

Matt nodded back and then gestured for the Captain—now Margrave—to go. Karve bowed, and then walked out of the room, looking only slightly dazed from his change in circumstances. He watched the Orc go for a moment and then turned back to Einreth.

The leader of the Red Moons was still staring in the direction that Karve had gone. When Matt cleared his voice, she seemed to blink and return to the present. “He seems to be a very capable soldier, my liege. Are you sure that he will still serve you well as a Margrave?”

“If he does half as good a job as a Magrave as he has as a Captain, then I’ll consider it a worthy investment.” Matt shook his head. “He’s already saved my life repeatedly. I intend to encourage that kind of behavior. Wouldn’t you say that’s wise?”

She snorted. “I suppose so, sire.” Then her gaze drifted in the direction of the exit again. “You mentioned he was not permitted to represent anyone in the Great Council, or to lead a House. Are there any other restrictions for someone with the title?”

Matt studied her for a moment. “Not particularly. They are to mostly function as military leaders and advisors to me, so the current restrictions are mostly to prevent my generals from being absorbed in politics, or the leaders of the Council being sent out on campaign.” It was also an effort to prevent a conflict of interest, of course. Military leaders who also started to gather political power were rarely satisfied with ‘just’ controlling the armies. He didn’t want to leave the Kingdom with a perfect setup for a new tyrant to rise, after all.

Einreth didn’t appear to be considering any of those possibilities, however. She was still looking at the closed door, her expression thoughtful. Then she shook herself. “I will have to watch him closely, then. He may do well, but he likely will need guidance in the ways of noble society.”

It was hard not to crack a wide smile. He was starting to think that Einreth had a very different picture of the guidance she intended to give than what she implied; if things turned out well, maybe the rumors about Einreth chasing after him would go away on their own. “I’m sure he would appreciate your advice, Lady Einreth.”

She gave him a brief, suspicious glance, but he kept his expression neutral. Then she nodded, and Matt congratulated himself on yet another victory—though he actively wished Karve luck. Things were going to be very, very interesting for the former Captain in the future. Poor fool.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

After the shock of the assassination attempt and Suluth’s death, Shadowfen appeared to settle back into a more comfortable rhythm. The nobles of the city had been reluctant to visit him at first—the fact that one of their own had just attempted to kill him had understandably tainted their view of his attitude towards them—but eventually they began to extend their invitations. Matt welcomed them to his rooms in the Citadel where he was lodged; the lifeguard had to be instructed to let them pass without a heavy search after the first couple of days.

Fortunately, the news from the rest of the Kingdom was almost as encouraging as the removal of the threat Suluth had represented. The messenger from the capitol had arrived the next day, as Karve had promised, and carried the news that the troops he’d expected to join him in Shadowfen were only a handful of days away. They included not just the members of the Irregulars that he’d requested from Grufen, but also the soldiers from the Frost Elves that the former rebels had promised him. It was very nearly an entire new army in itself, and it would give him a decisive edge when it came to fighting Teblas in the Grim Hollows.

The other news that the messenger brought seemed to indicate that the conflict with the final rebel would happen sooner rather than later. Morteth would have received the banners of Hill Guard at least three days ago; the Gnomish soldiers had passed through Redspire on their way east, and had been making good time. Unless something else had gone very wrong, it would also mean that Morteth would start his campaign into the Copper Hills within the next handful of days.

As soon as Morteth moved, messengers would be moving across the Grim Hollows to reach Teblas’ camp. They would bring news that would drag him back across the swamps and mires to try to rescue his homeland—and put the rebel right where Matt wanted him. He just needed to move before Teblas could cross the Hollows, and intercept the rebels short of their homeland.

Move too early, and the messengers might warn Teblas and convince him to turn north to attack Shadowfen instead. If he moved too late, Teblas might actually reach the Hills, where it would be much harder to dig him out of the forts and familiar terrain there. It was a narrow window, but one that he felt he would be able to reach.

All he had to decide on now was the spot where he would try to meet Teblas and bring him down.

He was still looking over his maps three days after the assassination attempt when a knock came at the door of his study. Matt glanced up at the lifeguards, who peered outside. They nodded, and he sighed. “Come in.”

To his surprise, Tanya stepped through the door. She seemed far calmer than when he had seen her last; she had survived the assassination attempt without so much as a hole in her dress, but her eyes had still been wild, and she had nearly snapped off another Spell when a lifeguard had reached out a hand to help her.

Now she seemed extra calm, and she seemed like she had recovered some of her usual poise. Matt wasn’t entirely sure if he was happy about that fact or not, but she had saved his life. Supposedly, that was worth a little gratitude. “Tanya. Good to see you.”

She smirked. “Isn’t it though?” Tanya took another step into the room, peering at the table where he was scouring the maps again. “Still planning your campaign in the south?”

Matt nodded. “Yeah. I just need to find the best site for a battleground…” He trailed off as he examined the swamp-infested terrain one more time. Then he shook his head. “Sorry. It’s been difficult to not get too focused.”

“Understandable. You don’t want to get yourself killed, after all.” She gave him a wry smile. Then she grew serious again. “I came by to let you know that I’m going to be heading back to Redspire with my attendants.”

He blinked. “You’re sure?” After she had fought so hard to stay near him, she was going back on her own? It seemed too good to be true. “Are you sure the road will be safe enough? I know Karve said he found all of Suluth’s troops, but if there’s even a few left…”

She rolled her eyes. “Your reinforcements arrived today. That means that a thousand or so soldiers just went down that road. I’m sure any bandits have found somewhere else to be.”

Matt fixed her with a stare. “All the same, I would feel better if I sent a few lifeguards with you. To make sure your journey isn’t blocked by something we didn’t think would be there.”

Tanya opened her mouth to deny the help…and then nodded. “You’re right. We’ve had enough surprises on this trip to last me quite a while.” She grinned. “Of course, I might have a few pieces of art that I need to protect as well. The Goblins were quite anxious to make sure their pieces reach the museum first.”

He groaned and closed his eyes. How had the headache come back so fast? “You really think it’ll already be done? That thing is still going to take months to build.”

“Maybe, but at least we’ll have it started.” Tanya spread her hands and twirled a little. “From what I hear, the nobility are already lining up to contribute to it. It’ll be the envy of the Kingdom, for sure.”

“As long as we don’t go bankrupt first.” He glared at her a little, but he couldn’t force any heat into it. “Tanya, I never did thank you for what you did.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Well, I’m glad you appreciate the artwork, I guess.”

Matt snorted. “You know what I meant.”

Her grin faded a little, and she looked away. She took a few steps towards the study’s window. “Yeah, I guess I do.”

A silence fell, and Matt floundered while she stared out over the ringed walls of Shadowfen. Was he supposed to reassure her? Tell her that her guilt or feelings would fade? He knew what a book would tell him to say, but this wasn’t some fairytale. Some of the assassins she’d hit had died long before a knife reached them. Tanya hadn’t just saved him; she’d killed for him.

As he stood there, still half-frozen with indecision, Tanya spoke up. “Tell me it’s going to be worth it.”

He stared at her long enough that she turned from the window and glared at him. “What?”

Tanya drew in a short breath and let it out in a huff. “I had to watch you kill people. I had to do it too. Not just because they were trying to kill you. Not even because they were probably going to try to kill me.” She looked away, and her jaw worked for a moment. “They were trying to break what you were working so hard to make. To stop you from building this place into something different.”

When she looked back at him, her eyes were bright with unshed tears. He couldn’t quite tell if they were from sadness or rage, but they both would have fit well enough. “So tell me I wasn’t wrong to do it. To do that to them, and not feel a thing when I did. Tell me what you’re going to build will be worth all of it.”

Matt stared at her a moment longer. Then he nodded. “Okay, Tanya. It will be worth it.” He saw her open her mouth, and he held up a hand. “But I can’t just tell you that. Let me show you. Come with me.”

Matt led Tanya out of the Citadel and into a small courtyard.

It was a plain, barren place beside the Warg kennels, a spot tramped on and passed through by every messenger, Shadow Hunter, and Warg Rider in the fortress. The hardpacked earth seemed closer to cement than soil, but it would be perfect for what Matt had planned.

He sent the lifeguard to clear a decent sized space, giving him enough room for the demonstration. Tanya watched him from the side, with a small smile on her face and a shake of her head like she already knew what he had planned. It made him wonder for a moment if his attempt was going to help her feel better, or if it would just be an empty gesture.

Matt shoved his doubts aside and started constructing the framework inside him for the Haunted Dust Spell. It gathered easily in his mind; he’d been practicing with those techniques every day. He’d even started carrying around a bag of dirt with him, just to avoid having nothing to work with in another situation like the assassination attempt, and Haunted Dust seemed like the most useful technique to use with it.

A small crowd had started to gather around the space. Karve and Einreth had appeared from somewhere; the newly appointed Margrave had been showing the Orcish noblewoman something in the stables, and the commotion of the lifeguard clearing the ground had attracted their attention. Some of the nearby soldiers, grooms, and even a noble or two from the Goblin Houses were also watching. Maybe they’d share what they saw, maybe they wouldn’t. Either way, he’d do it for Tanya, so he might as well begin.

With only a hint of hesitation, Matt held out a hand. The magic flooded through him, filling the framework, and the dust of the courtyard began to turn and spin. He drew on the dust and muck from all over the yard, coalescing it into a single spinning disk of Earth that he could mold and shape to his will.

Just like he had at the debris yard, he formed the city of Redspire. First as it was, and then as the improved version he hoped it would look like within five years. Then he pushed it forward again, and a murmur spread through some of the soldiers as more and more towers rose and the castle itself started to fade into the background as a modern city took shape around it.

Ashpeak and Summerhall received similar treatment. Their walls expanded and were reformed, their people and buildings grew and rose above their former limits. By the time those two cities were done, he was starting to feel the strain, but he pushed himself further.

Heartlight appeared, as he had seen it just a scant few days before. He heard Einreth say something to Karve, but he missed the Coldhearth Orc’s response as he focused his strength—and suddenly the Red Moon capitol began to change. The slave hovels disappeared and became a block of new buildings, similar to those he had planned for Redspire. A stadium rose beside the Keep, one that would rival the Colosseum back on Earth. On the opposite side, he called a gigantic building into being; it was a university of some kind, something he hoped would give the Orcs a different calling. He let the city build itself into a new future and then turned his attention to the last one.

The murmurs spread and grew as Shadowfen itself grew into being. His control was already being tested, but he painstakingly formed its beautiful walls and the graceful slopes of the Citadel. Goblins were gathering in larger groups now, and he saw some of them peeking over the heads of their fellows at what he had built.

So he pushed their city forward as well. More rings appeared outside of the initial three, opening the city further into the forest as if the city were some kind of flower. As the sprawl of the city increased, Matt placed new blocks of buildings inside of it, and then filled the space with parks and pools, gardens and arboretums. Even in the grit and dirt, it was clear that the city of Goblins was becoming a center of beauty and peace, a place where one could go to enjoy it as an oasis of safety amid the rest of the Darkwoods. Above it all rose the Citadel, though as more and more rings joined the city, other towers began to rise; places that stretched towards the sky in aspiration.

Matt reached the end of his limits, and held the Spell there, trying to give Tanya and the others a chance to see his vision of the future. It was a dream of a time when the Kingdom was at peace and was able to tend to its own future without worrying about rebellions or invasions or usurpers. It was the kind of dream that Matt realistically knew would never happen; no kingdom in history ever enjoyed total peace for long, and fortune had a way of wrecking the plans of those that refused to anticipate bad turns.

Yet it was the goal he was aiming for, not only for the cities themselves, but for their people, too. In the cities he was showing them, there would be no serfs, no slaves, no war prisoners. There would only be a free people, one that could trust its leaders and work together towards a better legacy. It would be a world of true magic, and one he’d be proud to leave behind.

He kept the images of those five cities going long enough for Tanya to stride forward and inspect them. She stretched his tolerance by poking at them a little, making the cycling dirt and dust grow hazy as her fingers moved through the models.

Then she turned to him and nodded. He waited until she’d stepped back, and then let the dirt fall. Matt stared at the small cloud of dust that the collapsed models had left behind, panting slightly with the exertion. Apparently, the demonstration had taken a bit more out of him than he’d expected.

Tanya studied him for a moment and then grinned. “You’ll need to work on that some more, cowboy king. I want a better set of models next time. Maybe with a few more monuments and art galleries.”

He gave her a sour glare. “Why of course, Maiden. What else could I be busy with?”

They exchanged false glares for a few more moments and then gave into the laughter underneath. Then Tanya headed to the stables, where her attendants were already waiting. He watched for a moment and then headed back upstairs. There was still a war to plan, after all.