A Shot in the Dark - Chapter 39, Lord Buchanan
Summary: After contacting Rhodes by radio, Quin vows to continue the fight. A shot in the dark has consequences.
Length: 3.8 K
Warning: Teasing between friends, actions causing death of a character.
<<Chapter 38
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Bren sent a rider to Waya and Coulson about the King and Buchanan's fall trusting Quin to tell Heimdall when he joined that unit in the battlefield. By the time Quin returned to the castle the word had spread throughout the battlefield that the King had perished and his son would be crowned King that evening. When Quin and the King's Guard rode into the courtyard there were many soldiers crowded outside and inside the gates. He stopped under the gates and stood on his horse, turning and looking at the soldiers, seeing some familiar faces but many were unfamiliar to him.
"My people," he yelled. "We lost my father today by a sniper's bullet. What you don't know is he was dying already from Duke Walker's treachery ... a poisonous bullet that pierced his arm and spread a toxin through his body. When he woke today he saw the end of his life was near and chose to go out like a warrior, fighting with those who fight for him. Some of you only know me as a spoiled, petulant boy but I stopped being that brat months ago. Since then I have learned what it is to be a good man. I have learned that true nobility isn't something you're born with but something that you acquire by how you treat others and how you perform your duty to family, friends, and kingdom. I learned that from a man who was born a farmer's son. I have seen it in another man who was born a slave and still another who was born in a brothel. If you choose not to follow me that is your right. You can take your horse and your weapons, leave this battlefield, return to your families and live knowing that you will not be blamed by me for leaving. For I failed to be a noble man for the longest time. But if you believed in my father and joined his cause knowing that life under Duke John Walker would be infinitely worse then I ask you to stay. I ask you to put aside your lack of trust in me and believe in this kingdom and the right to live with dignity. I will bury my father this evening, then I will wear his crown. Then I will do something that many of you have never heard of. I will be the last King of the Western Plains. After the dust has settled and we have rebuilt I will abdicate to live as a normal man, like all of you. You will elect a ruler, and you will a elect a council to rule with that person. Anyone can be on that council, man or woman, current born or modern born, rich or poor. That is my pledge to you."
"You would give up being royal to defeat the Duke?" asked one man, and Quin looked for the face that went with the voice.
"Donald Cooper," said Quin, recognizing the face. "I bullied you for crossing in front of me as I rode my horse, making him rear. I made you put your face on my horse's droppings as punishment." Quin suppressed a look of self revulsion. "I did that to you yet you wear my father's uniform and by the spatter of blood on it you have slain many. Yes, I will give up being royal if you stay to defeat the Duke with me. In fact, if you are by my side I would be honoured. I am sorry for the cruel person I was."
"I will stand with you Quin Torres," said Cooper. "I was a bit of an ass myself at times."
There was laughter and Quin smiled a genuine smile. "Thank you. Tomorrow when we rise against that traitor you will be by my side. Is there anyone else who wishes me to reveal what cruelty I inflicted upon them for I remember them all, to my eternal shame."
There wasn't a sound then someone else yelled. "I will ride with you!"
Then another and another called out until it grew into a great chorus of men committing themselves to the future and last King. Quin wept openly then held his hand up one last time.
"You honour me," he said. "Tonight, eat, drink, spend time with your friends, go to a brothel, pray. I care not how you prepare for tomorrow just be ready to go in the morning and show Duke John Walker exactly what he is up against. I thank you all."
He dropped into his horse's saddle and rode into the courtyard where a groom took his horse from him. He waded through the crowd of soldiers inside the walls, many of whom touched him and shook his hand. When he entered and walked through the infirmary there were more who reached out to him and he touched their hands with genuine emotion. By the time he made it to the command centre he had been pressing through the crowds of people for over 30 minutes. The room, when he entered, was full of lords, some of them furious at what he had promised the crowd outside. They started yelling at him and as Fury was about to intervene Quin jumped onto the table and yelled back at all of them.
"You want it to go on like before?" he snarled. "You want to live in luxury while people lay dying in front of your estate because they have no work? Or they were injured in their job and you just let them go and hired another to take their place? You believe yourself better than them? Then why aren't you on Duke Walker's side because that's what he believes in and he is wrong. You followed my father for a reason. What was it? To keep yourself above everyone else or to help the kingdom get through changing times? For the times are changing and you are either on the right side of change or the wrong side. Make your decision now."
There was grumbling but no one left. Quin looked at Fury and saw a smile appear on the man's face. As far as Quin was concerned that was the only man's opinion he cared about. Fury motioned to the radio room and Quin jumped off the table, knowing he had to make a call to Buchanan's estate. He went inside where the ham radio operator was waiting to begin the call sequence. Quin sat next to him and the man began.
"CQ CQ CQ KWP2 to KBL1 CQ CQ CQ come in please," he said.
They waited a moment and the man repeated it then the response came.
"KBL1 receiving," said the voice, who Quin recognized as Rhodes. "Go ahead KWP2. Over."
"Rhodes, is that you? Over." said Quin.
"Roger," said Rhodes. "Quin? What news? Over."
"The King is dead, killed by a sniper," said Quin. "Is Lady Buchanan with you? Over."
"No, she is resting under doctor's orders," said Rhodes. "She almost lost the baby some weeks ago. Over."
"Damn," said Quin, before pressing the transmit button. "Buchanan was hit by a sniper as well, using a poison bullet. Tom took him aside and helped him transform as the white wolf is immune to the poison. He is on his way back to you, alone, and injured. Over."
There was a moment of silence. "That's why Tom was there," said Rhodes, sounding defeated. "Beth told us about his vision from the Sorceress. We can only hope Lord Buchanan makes it home. I hope he does for Lady Buchanan's sake. Over."
Quin considered his next words. "Do you remember when you caught me gambling?" he asked. "You cautioned me against the strategy I was using. You don't have to say it out loud as we may be monitored. That is our plan for tomorrow. If it works you will hear from me soon. If it doesn't I will be dead and have released the soldiers from your lands from their commitment. Over."
"Understood, good luck, your Majesty," said Rhodes. "I will inform everyone here of the latest developments. Over and out."
Quin nodded at the radio operator and he signed off. The young king went to the door and opened it expecting to hear the sounds of arguing but instead he saw determined faces. The room was packed with lords, commanders and sub commanders. Fury had rearranged the table so that everyone would be able to see the large map laid out on top. Quin stood beside Fury and looked up, seeing Bren, Coulson, Waya and Heimdall nearby. Across from him was his father's garrison commander Garcia. He saw his two uncles from his mother's family who had stayed true to the King. Then he saw the fathers of some of his friends who had encouraged him in his previous life of a wastrel. In fact, several of those friends stood with their fathers wearing blood stained battle leathers and he nodded at them for they were also no longer the brats they had all been before.
"Thank you for staying true to the King," he said simply. "Tomorrow we go all in. Fury has been working on a plan and I pray it works because I am no tactician. But we must defeat the traitor soon as he already believes he has won by killing my father and wounding my general. Lord Fury?"
"We will use that belief against him," said Fury. "Lord Buchanan's men will leave before sunrise and we will pass the word they have been released from the battle as they were loyal to Buchanan and not an untested boy. My belief is that Walker will become overconfident and advance on the castle. We have all night to build blinds and trenches near the castle walls to hide our numbers, make him believe that most of you have also abandoned the fight. Buchanan's units will double back and attack Walker's forces from their rear. The rest of you will let the first wave pass then attack them from within. The final part of our force will be inside the castle walls. When the word is given they will attack by leaving through the gates while our archers and sharpshooters wreak havoc from above. We swarm them as a disturbed hornet's nest swarms anyone nearby."
"Do you not think we should negotiate for peace?" asked Lord Washburn, the small, sallow man who had suggested Quin hide out in the castle.
"Walker has killed my father with treachery," said Quin, pointedly. "You would trust his word in peace negotiations? There shall be no negotiations for peace, only his defeat."
"I'm not sure I can be part of this," said Washburn. "I think I shall withdraw."
"Too late for that Lord Washburn," said Fury, suspiciously, gesturing to the King's Guard. "The time to withdraw was before this meeting. Is there another reason you wish to leave now?"
"No, no, of course not," said Washburn, nervous now. "I ... I was undecided before."
Two of the King's Guard appeared behind him at Fury's gesture, and grasped his arms. Another appeared and looked through Washburn's pockets, pulling out a document and bringing it to Fury. He looked at it with a stony face then handed the document to Quin.
"A letter from Duke Walker offering you a powerful position in his cabinet," said Quin, sneering at the man. "Dated a week ago. You've been a spy for some time Washburn. Throw him in the dungeons. He will be judged after the battle."
"You are not the King!" yelled Washburn as the King's Guard dragged him out. "You're a worthless coyote pup."
"Anyone else want to admit to receiving such a letter?" asked Quin as Washburn's epithets faded away. "Now's your chance to get thrown in the dungeons."
To a man the remaining lords turned out their pockets to reveal they had nothing to hide. Quin smirked and nodded his approval. Fury addressed them again.
"The King's funeral will take place immediately in the chapel where he will be interred," said Fury. "Immediately after Prince Arthur will be crowned as King. I have already spoken to the companies who will be outside the wall and who will be inside. All archers and sharpshooters are to be on the battlements before sunrise. This briefing is over."
The funeral was brief as was the coronation. Quin wore his battle leathers for both ceremonies, dispensing with pomp and circumstance. In his opinion his elevation to king was like a battlefield commission, the mantle of responsibility was offered to him and he accepted. Drinks were offered to the men to mourn and celebrate. As Quin stood outside the chapel receiving the congratulations and fealty of the lords he leaned towards Fury.
"How does this affect the marriage contract?" he asked.
"It doesn't," replied Fury. "The terms of the contract have already been fulfilled. You have been crowned King and when your bride arrives there will be a separate ceremony crowning her your queen. The finances were put aside in a vault upon my return with the contract and will be paid to her upon her arrival. You will have nothing when you abdicate but she will keep her fortune as a contract is a contract. You will be a common man married to a rich, common woman."
"I hope she doesn't divorce me when she finds out she has to give up her title," said Quin.
"She won't," said Fury. "I told her the King's plan for he thought of it some time ago. She agreed to it. It is buried in a sub clause somewhere but I pointed it out to her."
"But not to me," said Quin, looking at Fury in surprise.
"Need to know," said the inscrutable man. "Your mother was aware of your father's plans but she also has a contract that will keep her and your sisters comfortably for many years." Fury looked sideways at Quin. "There is nothing to stop you from running for office, you know. You have a gift for oratory, that's making speeches. People like you. They like that you have changed from the shallow, spoilt youth that you were to a determined, principled man. Keep that in mind when you consider your future, your Majesty."
Quin smirked. Fury was sly but he was loyal and that was worth much. After the long line of lords had finished paying their respects, Quin removed the crown, gave it to Fury to return to the vault then went outside to dig trenches with his soldiers. He was surprised to find Liam and Edward each with a shovel already there.
"So do we have to call you King Arthur now?" asked Liam, as he leaned on his spade briefly. "I mean, this morning you were still Quin Torres who farts in his sleep. How did the Baroness feel about that on your honeymoon?"
Quin smiled but didn't answer. "He probably waited until she fell asleep and let it all out in one rip," said Edward. "I'm surprised he didn't wake her up when he did it."
When Quin didn't take the bait his two friends looked at each other then upped the ante. "How did the Baroness feel about the third nipple?" asked Liam, with a straight face.
Several other soldiers stood up, hearing the question. Quin stood up and looked at his friend exasperated. "You mean the one you wanted to suck because you missed your mam's tit?" he asked.
There were sniggers from the other soldiers, including Edward. Liam turned red, at least Quin assumed he did in the dark. "That's low, Quin, that's really low," complained Liam.
"You started it," said Edward. "I think he defended himself well. You insulted his wife, he insulted your mother. All that's left is his horse."
"Don't go there," warned Quin, trying not to laugh. "A man's horse is something special. You both know that. You've both slept your fair amount of time in stables."
"More than brothels I would suspect," said another voice and Bren appeared. "Cease the insults you three. I could hear you from a hundred yards away. The last thing you want is for spies to hear you in the dark. Your Majesty, would you like these two to remain with you in the morning? Perhaps as your personal guards?"
"Don't you need them?" asked Quin. "I guess I could put them on the food serving line. They have experience with that."
"As do you," retorted Liam.
Quin laughed then approached his friends in the dark. "Truce," he said, offering his hand.
Edward stepped forward just as a gunshot was heard and he fell to the ground. There were yells all around as everyone dropped to the ground and Bren yelled for soldiers to search the tree line then he called for a medic. He kneeled down and took out a shielded battery light. Edward laid splayed out on the ground with his eyes wide open. Bren leaned over Edward's lips and looked sideways at Quin, dousing his light.
"Get in the castle," he ordered. "You're done here. He's gone."
Quin, stared at the body in the darkness, not believing what had just happened. Liam grabbed him and jolted him out of his inaction, both of them scuttling low to the ground, with Liam keeping his body between the tree line and Quin. As they entered the courtyard Quin hit the wall with his fists, angered at what had just happened. Liam, stood with him, his mouth quivering. Quin turned to him.
"I want you with me when I kill that bastard myself," he spat out.
Three soldiers brought in a young man. One of the soldiers held a long rifle and a device that looked like it fit over the head. Quin noticed with disgust the man wore a patch with the tarantula spider.
"My own kinsmen sent to kill me," he stated. "Have you no idea that I have de Torres blood?"
"Not pure blood," stated the young man. "You're an abomination. All mixed bloods are. Walker promises to leave us alone if we help him kill you and your blood traitors. We will take over the lawless lands and control the coffee trade."
Quin struck him and bloodied the man's nose. "Put him in the dungeons," he said to the soldiers. "He will be hanged for the traitor he is. He's no family of mine."
The young man smirked and spat out a blob of bloody phlegm. Fury came out as Bren came into the courtyard, carrying the body of Edward in his arms. He looked at Quin with concern when Bren passed by.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry," he said. "We will bury your friend with honour."
"Promise me, Fury," said Quin, looking at the man in the dark. "We send all of them to hell. They think I'm an abomination, a mixed blood. The men who negotiated my mother's marriage to my father think the progeny of that marriage don't deserve to live. We wipe them out, all of them."
The third soldier, carrying the long rifle and head gear, handed them to Fury, wordlessly. Fury put the headgear on and swore. Calling to the garrison commander he ordered a sweep of all the tree lines around the castle. The trenches had to be built but if there were any more snipers then all of their plans would be for nought.
"What is that thing?" asked Quin. Fury put it over Quin's head and the young king looked around in amazement. "It allows them to see at night? Are the secret tunnels still walled up?"
"Yes," replied Fury. "We should open them to allow Buchanan's force to leave secretly. I'll get people on it immediately."
"Secret tunnels?" asked Liam.
"From after the calamity," said Quin. "They were built to allow the first king to get his men out quickly without being seen. The tunnels end about 2 miles from here. I don't even know if they are still intact. You will have to lead your horses out using a torch for light."
An hour later Fury reported the tunnels were all intact. He suggested Buchanan's men exit now and hide in the washes just north of Amarillo but he wanted Waya's men for another task. A flare would be sent up when it was time to attack the rear. Bren, Coulson, Heimdall and Waya were sent for and Fury and Quin spoke to them alone in the radio room, with no one else present. Fury looked at the men.
"I am sorry for the loss of young Edward," he said. "There is a gentleman's agreement that no hostilities take place at night. We know once more that Walker is no gentleman. By the words of the sniper himself we are considered blood traitors for allowing mixed marriages. They are zealots and in their eyes they can do whatever they want to defeat us. Well, we can play dirty as well. Waya, I want you to go to Walker's estate, and the estates of his commanders and take their families hostage. You will bring them back here using the tunnels. They are not to be harmed. I wish to use them bring the traitors out of their tents, out of their places of safety. They will be given a choice. Surrender or we kill their families."
The four commanders looked at Fury with alarm.
"Of course we won't do that," he said. "We're not monsters. We don't kill women and children. Hopefully if they see and hear their husbands and fathers throw them to the wolves they will turn from him and his commanders. Then we slay Walker and his traitors from the parapets and from the rear. No mercy. It will be a massacre, yes, but it will be known we gave them the opportunity to surrender peacefully. The decision to die would be theirs."
"If they do surrender?" asked Bren, still troubled.
"A trial for Walker, his generals and lords for treason," said Quin. "The families will be sent into exile. Princess Maria has already promised enough ships to take them to some islands far in the south ocean. They will be left with supplies then life will be up to them after."
The four commanders agreed and their soldiers were summoned into the courtyard with their horses. Waya's company set out through the tunnels first, armed with maps of the estates of Walker, the lords aligned with him and his generals. The other three companies went through and assembled at a wash a couple of miles further on. They were ordered to rest easy until the signal was given.
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