Liberator
The Saga of Java Mountainstand, Book 2
By Loren K. Jones
Twilight Times Books
Kingsport Tennessee
Liberator
This is a work of fiction. All concepts, characters and events portrayed in this book are used fictitiously and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2018 by Loren K. Jones. Expanded and revised from a previous electronic edition published by e-Quill Publishing, Brisbane, Australia 2010 with title “Liberator.”
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except brief extracts for the purpose of review, without the permission of the publisher and copyright owner.
Twilight Times Books P O Box 3340
Kingsport, TN 37664
www.twilighttimesbooks.com/
Revised Electronic Edition: July 2018. Author’s preferred version.
Published in the United States of America
For my wife Pamela, and children, Cimmaresa, Alexander, and Dana, who tolerated me while I was writing these books.
Loren K. Jones
Table of Contents
Timeline of the Brondian Continent
Preface
CHAPTER 1: THE SUMMONS
CHAPTER 2: THE GREENBRIAR HOSTEL
CHAPTER 3: SO MUCH FOR INCONSPICUOUS
CHAPTER 4: WHITEHALL
CHAPTER 5: PRINCESS
CHAPTER 6: SHOCK AND DISMAY
CHAPTER 7: SETTLING IN
CHAPTER 8: THE HORNET’S NEST
CHAPTER 9: LESSONS
CHAPTER 10: SURPRISES
CHAPTER 11: DUTY
CHAPTER 12: BUILDING ON ASHES
CHAPTER 13: ROBIN’S RETAINERS
CHAPTER 14: FIREDALE
CHAPTER 15: REUNION
CHAPTER 16: ROYAL COUSINS
CHAPTER 17: COMING HOME
CHAPTER 18: MASTER ROBIN
CHAPTER 19: OPPORTUNITY
CHAPTER 20: LENDER’S DALE
CHAPTER 21: STALEMATE
CHAPTER 22: CHANGING OF THE GUARD
CHAPTER 23: ARRANGEMENTS
Timeline of the Brondian Continent
NOTE:
BL stands for Before Lux. FR stands for Frander
Year 6715 BL
A bored dragon called Dandarshandrake decides to experiment on humans, making them better
Year 4796 BL
Dandarshandrake’s experiments begin to show promise.
Year 2239 BL
The people Dandarshandrake is experimenting on separate into clans: Chosen, Cat, Artisan, Servitor, Common
Year 1628 BL
Dandarshandrake’s “pets” begin to build a civilization
Year 1018 BL
Lux (the word for city) is founded
Year 843 BL
The people of Lux begin conquest of other tribes
Year 357 BL
The people of Lux permanently stratify and take up signifying prefixes: Chosen (Zel), Cat (Kel), Revered (Fel), Honored (Bel), Common (Del)
Year 00
The Empire of Luxand is Founded by Dandarshandrake, saying they are his “Chosen” people
Year 414
Luxand conquers 70% of the Brondian continent
Year 1599
Sahrendrake is hatched
Year 1899
Lebawandrake is hatched
Year 3057
Sahrendrake joins her sire’s experiment and becomes Lady Sahren the Nurturer
Year 3186
Lebawandrake joins his sire’s experiment and becomes Lord Lebawan the Cutter
Year 5316
Dandarshandrake embraces oblivion
Year 5327
The empire of Luxand fragments without the unifying force of Dandarshandrake
Year 5411
Queen Fiora Zel’Kanis of Farindia banishes her father’s Royal Guards to Kel’Kavin
Year 5608
Marydyth Zel’Karyn is born in Coravia
Year 5624
Marydyth Zel’Karyn joins the Army of Coravia
Year 5627
Knight of Justice Marydyth Zel’Karyn goes to Evandia
Year 5631
Knight of Justice Marydyth Zel’Karyn renounces the path to may Carlstan Zel’Fordan
Year 5646
Marydyth (Mary Death) Zel’Fordan dies defending Evandia
Year 5849
Stavin Kel’Aniston goes to the dragon’s cave above Kel’Kavin
Year 5850
Stavin founds House Kel’Aniston and saves King Kalin
Year 5851
Stavin saves King Kalin for the second time and Princess Marina goes to Kel’Kavin
Year 5852
Stavin becomes Prince Stavin and receives the Sword of Zel’Hallan from Shovar
Year 5853
Evandia annexes Old Farindia and Stavin leads the force that brings Farindians into Evandia
Year 5856
Stavin becomes King of Coravia to save it from Lebawan’s priests
Year 5859
Stavin goes to Reynadia and becomes the Blessed of Arandar, then saves Reynadia from Ravashanal
Year 5866
Stavin and Shari go and find Klamath, the Capital of Vaskan
Year 6019
War breaks out between Luxandia and Evandia, soon involving all of the Old Empire kingdoms
Year 6026
A mage from Luxandia calls forth the Dershal Plague, killing 80% of the population of all six kingdoms
Year 6033
The Dershal Plague runs its course, finally dying out but leaving few survivors
Year 6121
Survivors isolated from the plague cautiously reestablish the kingdoms
Year 6592
400 years have repopulated the Brondian Continent
Year 6980
A mage released the Red Death Curse, killing most of the people in the southern part of the Brondian Continent
Year 6981
The Kingdom of Forinstan arises on the eastern part of the continent, below the Great Bay. (FR -548)
Year 7416
A foolish boy makes a rash request of the God of Chaos and becomes Amberdrake, heir to Dandarshandrake as the greatest mage that ever lived (FR -113)
Year 7494
Blackmoore Javinson is born to King Javin and his queen, Morval. (FR -35)
Year 7519
Blackmoore Javinson ascends the throne over the body of his murdered father. (FR -10)
Year 7526
King Blackmore begins his fall into madness
Year 7528
The Forinstanian Revolution begins
Year 7529
Amberdrake ends the Forinstanian Revolution by killing King Blackmoore
Year 7645
Prince Kaster of Greencastle marries Werrin, a Silent Clan assassin. In the Duchy of Rey, Adept Mage Frander leads a coup against the duke and proclaims himself King Frander
Year 7654
Prince Arten of Hiddendell marries the former mercenary, Naria Grantsport.
Year 7668
Java Mountainstand joins the Firewalkers
Year 7671
Java Mountainstand becomes Lady Java and becomes Lady of Mountainstand and Link Counties
Preface
ON THE EASTERN HALF OF THE Brondian Continent, in the lands that once formed part of the Kingdoms of Reynadia, Kavadia, and Luxandia, the duchies that had formed the Kingdom of Forinstan are threatened by the ambition of the Adept Mage, Emperor Frander. He is one of the most powerful human Magi that has ever lived, and his dream of a perfect communal society is coming true. All who
have fallen to his armies have been given magical control brooches which allow even a minor Mage to control large numbers of people, directing their lives for the common cause. But the utopia of his vision has become a dystopia for the people under his control as venal magi abuse their power.
None had been able to resist him—until Greencastle stopped him in his tracks.
The tiny duchy of Greencastle, ruled by Duke Kaster Cambar, had stymied Frander and his armies. In every other instance, Frander’s advanced force had infiltrated the command and control structure of the Duchy Guard, making his takeover easy. But in little Greencastle, the duke knew each of his commanders personally, and would not dismiss them for the political reasons that had always worked before. Not only that, but Duke Kaster has an ally: the duke of his western neighbor, the Duchy of Hiddendell. Childhood friends as well as cousins, Duke Arten not only pledged his support, he sent aid in the form of a mercenary company called Freeholm’s Firewalkers.
The Firewalkers, along with the Greencastle Guard and three additional mercenary companies, fortified the border between Lender’s Dale and Greencastle and fought Emperor Frander’s forces to a standstill.
One Firewalker distinguished herself beyond all others. Firewalker Scout Java Mountainstand, through her sense of honor and self-determination, has become a shining example of everything to be admired in a mercenary. That she did so while still a teenager was a constant source of amazement and pride to her mentors.
During the third year of the war, Samantha Lender, the youngest child and sole survivor of the royal family of Lender’s Dale, had escaped from her home duchy. Wearing the uniform of Frander’s Army, she made her way to Greencastle by masquerading as a young boy.
Mistaking her for an officer’s young son, Scout Java captured the young duchess and brought her to Captain Marta Freeholm. By a trick of fortune, Lieutenant Merrit Marston of the Firewalkers had been Samantha’s Armsmistress at the estate of Duchess Neldan, and recognized her while she was being questioned. Once the duchess was identified, she was placed in Scout Java’s custody, along with the phenomenal triplet magi, the Salem Sisters.
Soon after the rescue of Duchess Samantha, Duke Kaster and Duke Arten had traveled to the Firewalker Camp with the intention of taking the young duchess back to Greensboro or Whitehall with them, but Samantha had other ideas. Declaring that she wouldn’t leave while Frander raped her duchy, Samantha stubbornly stood up to her elder cousins, proving she was indeed Duchess Neldan’s daughter.
As a compromise, the dukes ennobled Scout Java to provide the duchess with a noble guardian, naming her Lady Mountainstand. Duke Kaster invested her with the unclaimed lands on the Greencastle-Lender’s Dale border as her domain, and allowed her to name it Mountainstand County, honoring both her and her parents. Duke Arten invested her with Link County, the Firewalkers’ home in Hiddendell.
For eighteen-year-old Java, the daughter of a servant in northern Hiddendell, being ennobled started as a dream come true, but turned into a nightmare. The constraints placed upon her by her title, as well as the duties of the Lady of Mountainstand and Link County, removed her from the destiny she had charted for herself. She could not perform the duties of a County Lady and still be an active Scout. Control of her destiny had been ripped from her grasp, and she fought to regain some semblance of control over her life as the months passed.
But the Gods Above and Below weren’t through playing with her.
When summoned by the powerful people in your life, stand tall. Stand proud.
But most importantly, stand ready.
Master Scholar Prince Stavin Zel’Andral, “The Short Warrior’s Guide”
AS SUMMER TURNED TO FALL IN the fourth year of the standoff with Frander, Duke Arten sent a summons to Lady Java.
Lady Java Mountainstand of Link County, you are hereby summoned to present yourself to us in Whitehall at your earliest convenience.
Duke Arten Carrington
Duchess Naria Carrington
Captain Freeholm smiled when Java showed her the note. “You realize, of course, that ‘at your earliest convenience’ is a polite way of saying immediately.”
Java grimaced and nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“Java, I’m sending ten cavalrywomen with you as guards,” the captain said as Java read through the terse message yet again. “Traveling alone at any time is dangerous, but it’s worse now. Men use war as an excuse to throw off the yoke of civilization. With so many of the Guardsmen on the border, there are many more men willing to risk turning bandit. I am also sending along Sergeant Whitehall and Ari’s patrol. Emily is from Whitehall, as you may have guessed, and she can be your guide in the city. She’ll be in command of your escort.”
Java smiled. “Yes, sir. May I take along Samantha and Robin? The triplets are needed here, but Robin isn’t. And Sammy, well,” she paused, tilting her head to the side, “I think she’d enjoy going to Duke Arten’s court. She can also try to help me to look less like a yokel, sir.” Java smiled shyly. She was much more comfortable with the captain than she’d been just a year ago, but she was still unsure of herself.
Captain Freeholm nodded. “You can take those three demons with you as well, if you want them,” she said, holding her mouth in a sour grimace.
Java’s expression lightened considerably at that. “I can, sir?” she asked brightly, her eyes widening along with her smile.
“Oh, yes.” Captain Freeholm grinned. “Without your civilizing influence, there’s no telling what trouble they’re likely to get into. Take them, and good luck.” Captain Freeholm smiled and laughed, waving away Java’s thanks.
Java bounced into her tent, laughing and happy. All four of her girls were there, sewing warmer clothes and gossiping.
“What are you so happy about, Java?” Samantha asked.
“I’ve been summoned to Whitehall by Duke Arten, and you’re going with me. All of you, and Robin too. Captain Freeholm is also sending along Ari’s patrol and ten cavalrywomen as guards.” Java was still laughing and dancing around.
“When do we leave?” Samantha asked enthusiastically, her eyes alight.
“As soon as possible, which will probably be in the morning. Dig out your dress uniforms. We’ll have to make do with them in Whitehall, but I’m sure Duke Arten will understand.” She stopped talking when she realized that Samantha was looking at her strangely. “What?”
Samantha grinned. “Why uniforms? Java, that strong box is full. Why wear uniforms when you can just buy a few dresses in Whitehall?”
“Damn, I forgot. But I’ve never bought a dress before. Mama always made mine from the lady’s discards.” She looked at the triplets, but they just shrugged. Poor girls seldom bought a dress. Most of the time they didn’t have the money to even buy good cloth. Like Java, the triplets had always had dresses made from some noble’s castoffs.
Samantha made a rude noise. “Oh, of all the…Java, we’re going to be in Whitehall. Naria can see to our dresses. I’m sure she knows at least ten seamstresses.”
Java nodded. “You’re right, of course. I just didn’t think of that. Very well, but we travel in Scout standard. We don’t want to look like tempting targets.”
Maylee ran to get Robin, and she arrived within moments. Maylee had already told her the news, of course, and she was grinning widely when she entered the tent.
“This is exciting, Java. I’ve never been to Whitehall. It was always too far to travel.”
Java stepped closer and hugged Robin. “I’ve never been there either. That’s part of the reason Captain Freeholm is sending Sergeant Whitehall with us. She knows the city.”
Robin nodded, then looked thoughtful. “Java, what about Jah’Moke?”
Java looked puzzled. “What do you mean? I don’t think Captain Wilkinson would let him come with me.”
“No, but you should at least write him a note, telling him what is going on. And Java,” she moved closer and leaned her head toward J
ava’s, “you should release him from any promises. We might be gone for a long time.”
Java’s expression went blank for a moment, then she nodded. “I can’t ask him to be faithful for so long when we’re not bonded in marriage. Especially when I’m so far away.”
Samantha moved closer now. “Java, life out here is so short.”
Java looked at the floor and sighed. “I know, Sam. I know. Let me think now. I’ll write him a letter.”
My Darling Jah’Moke, I have been summoned to Whitehall by Duke Arten and Duchess Naria. I don’t know how long I will be gone, and I wanted to make this clear.
I don’t want you to be lonely.
I love you, and want you for my own, but I know what this world is like. If you need someone, know that I am happy for you. I will return to you when I can, if I can. But don’t let the chance at happiness pass you by.
With all my love,
Java
Java left her tent in the early morning and went to Lieutenant Skyhaven’s tent. She wasn’t surprised to see the flickering light of a candle under the tent flap.
She scratched at the plaque and whispered, “Lieutenant?”
A very sleepy-eyed Shair looked out at her. “Java?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, Sir, but I need a favor. I have a letter that I have to be sure will get to Jah’Moke.”
“I’ll take it,” a familiar voice said, and Larena Caswell stuck her head out beside Shair and kissed her cheek. Smiling at Java, she said, “I’m on messenger duty for three more days. I’ll take it and make sure he gets it.”
Java smiled and said, “Thank you, Laree,” as she handed over the letter, then hugged her lieutenant and kissed her cheek. “I’m going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you too, Java. Tell Arten and Naria hello for me.”
“Yes, sir.” With that Java stepped back and saluted, then turned and hurried away.
*
First light found Java and her party mounted and heading out of the compound. Captain Freeholm had meant to send along a purse to provide for them on the road, but Java had left it on the captain’s desk. It didn’t matter, as she, Samantha, Robin, and each of the triplets carried a purse filled with ten gold and thirty silver royals from her own coffers. She had also given each member of the escort fifteen silvers for their own use, and Sergeant Whitehall had a purse full of gold and silver that would more than provide for them on the road. That damn strongbox is still full to overflowing, but I’m finally using some of it.