SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter Eight: Consequences
Boyar Vicinia had to go to great lengths to arrange this meeting. She wasn’t sure who to trust, as the Tsar had eyes everywhere. Roderick, her Son, had disappeared, and she feared he was dead. Vicinia sought out the revolution’s leaders to gain influence over the situation. Vicinia had a dire forecast for Ishavara if it continued to fall under the spell of a tyrannical Tsar.
Vicinia risked treason and death, not only hers but her whole family’s being here. Boyar Vicinia figured the Tsar would eliminate her one way or another, but the fact he might be targeting her family was something she wouldn’t stand for.
Boyar Vicinia didn’t know if who she was meeting with was a top official in the revolt or just a lowly messenger. She hoped it would be someone with real power to make changes—a former politician or general.
She had to travel disguised as a nomad, moving goods from town to town. Vicinia was at the arranged spot, but no one had shown up yet. It had taken quite a feat to be this far in negotiations. It could still be a trap. It didn’t seem right to Vicinia that her downfall could happen in this dirty town at the foothills of the mountains.
Vicinia was here with a loyal servant from her family farm, Harsha. Boyar Vicinia waited as Harsha looked for signs of trouble. Vicinia had a bad feeling she would only find soldiers coming to meet her.
Harsha returned to inform Boyar Vicinia that someone was coming down the mountain pass trail. Vicinia climbed to a rock just outside the town limits to get a good vantage point. She watched the figure as it carefully stepped down from the rugged and rocky trail.
It looked to be a young man. His clothes were well-worn and tattered, as it didn’t like he had to try too hard to look like a peasant. His look reminded Vicinia of people she had seen in mining towns high up in the mountains. She doubted he was the leader of this revolt.
They soon found each other and gave the proper passphrases. It was all a bit silly but necessary.
“My name is Kai; the revolution sent me.”
“We don’t need to share names. As far as we’re concerned, this is just a friendly conversation between travelers. Does my fellow traveler have anything to share?” Vicinia shut him down.
“I am here to give you this.” Kai handed her a piece of parchment.
“Who told you?”
“Someone. That will have to do for now until we have a greater trust. I am here in case this is a trap. I’m an expendable person. I don’t know much; I do what I am told.”
“Unfortunately, I take the risk almost entirely.”
“War is a treacherous business.”
“It consumes us all.” Vicinia read the note. “This is just a wish list. I didn’t risk exposure to become a rebel lackey.”
“To earn trust, first you need to prove yourself worthy. You have cargo ships; we require cargo. We can arrange for ships to meet each other and switch cargo. If all goes well, further negotiations can be arranged. Secondly, I have leaflets with our manifesto. We’d appreciate it if they found their way into Dhara. Do we have a deal?”
“And if I get caught? I don’t suppose you rebels will come to rescue me?”
“You do what you do on your own accord. We are allies because we share a mutual enemy for now. It doesn’t mean we are fighting on the same side.”
“Perhaps you children are not as stupid as I thought.”
“I’ll tell my leaders we have a deal and leave out that last remark. Here is a riddle: if you can figure it out, you will know what Island to meet us at with the supplies. We will go from there.”
Vicinia nodded in agreement.
“I have fur, not feathers, and wings but no beak. I’ll scare you at night if even just a squeak.” Kai saw that she was about to say the answer. “Don’t speak it. Just go there by the second week of the upcoming month.” And Kai walked back the way he came.
Vicinia started to think she made a mistake coming here. She’s been fighting a dragon in the capital but might have added another dragon to the list. The situation with Roderick, her Son, has made speed an issue. She had to do something drastic. Vicinia was already turning to her backup plan. For that, she will need to speak to the Bishop once more.
—
“Welcome, Your Highness.” Bishop Rastan greeted Tsarina Salma. “Can I offer you something to drink?” One of the Bishop’s staff offered. The Tsarina confirmed she did.
“Always a pleasure to host our Tsarina.” The Bishop said.
“I am always glad to have an excuse to leave my confines,” The Tsarina said.
“Do you find life restricting for a Tsarina?” Boyar Vicinia challenged.
“No, and yes. The laws and traditions of lands could use some refining, particularly the role of women, but Vicinia, you seemed to have overcome it.” The Tsarina praised her.
“I make do. Sometimes that requires giving away a piece of soul.” Vicinia said.
“What do you mean?” The Tsarina asked, confused.
“Nothing. Sometimes, the greater good comes at a high cost, that’s all.”
“Now you sound like my husband,” Salma said.
“Speaking of your husband, he has been more cordial to the Duma lately. It seems you must have affected him since our last conversation,” The Bishop said.
“I have my way with the Tsar.” The Tsarina smiled.
The Bishop’s staff left their drinks on a table. They were in a private room the Bishop used to entertain. Before anyone could grab their glass, Vicinia had to distract the others to pull off her plan.
Vicinia’s Son was still missing, and she suspected the Tsar was involved in the plot. At this point, Vicinia believed her Son was likely dead. Vicinia was taking her revenge no matter how she felt about the Tsarina.
“I haven’t had anything to drink all day; please excuse my manners while I gulp this down.” Vicinia play acted as she took a big sip.
Vicinia stood in front of the tray to hide her hands. The Tsarina and Bishop were distracted in conversation. Her chance had come, and she pulled a small vile out of a pocket. Then Vicinia put the contents into one of the targeted glasses. She took another big gulp of one to try and sell it was safe to drink. Vicinia picked up the one she tampered with and handed it to the Tsarina. She then gave the other to the Bishop.
“I propose a toast. To all our loved ones, may they be safe and prosperous. Here’s to hoping for a better tomorrow.” Vicinia said, raising her glass as the others followed. She watched in relief as the Tsarina took a big sip.
“I’m sorry, I forgot I promised to take care of something about my Son. I’ll have to leave you two to talk. Please excuse me.” Vicinia said.
The deed was done, and now came the waiting. Whatever the consequences, it was too late to look back. Vicinia quickly made her way out. You don’t linger when you’ve just poisoned a Tsarina.
---
“My Lord, there has been a tragedy in the North. There have been attacks by the tribes in Qamata on settlers. They’ve been burning homes, killing and stealing cattle, and unconfirmed reports of women raped.” Commandant Toto informed Tsar Miro.
The Tsar had been tied up all day and hadn’t seen his wife. He had too much to do, but things were starting to fall into place.
“Make those confirmed reports and make sure the news spreads throughout the city.” Tsar Miro ordered. “How widespread is it?”
“It is mostly isolated to the southern-most region.”
“Make sure that is left out of reports. We need people outraged. Send word to Field Marshall Ramsey that he is unleashed. He can start forming camps and capturing all these savage tribes. Women and children included.”
“We will need more soldiers to form enough camps.”
“I want an emergency meeting of the Boyars and a war Duma of my Generals. We will soon have Armies marching in those savage lands. Commandant, have we any updates on the location of Flaero- the so-called revolt leader?” The Tsar added.
“No, my Lord. We have yet to find Flaero’s whereabouts. I do have an update on Boyar Vicinia’s activities. One of my men skillfully followed her to the mountains. We believe she met someone from the revolt. Do we ignore it for now? Should we release Vicinia’s Son?”
“Yes, go ahead, have her Son released. Arrest Boyar Vicinia. Wait until she goes to see the Bishop, then arrest them both. Did anyone follow the rebel agent?”
“Yes, but they lost him in the mountains.”
“It is of no consequence. As news of the tragedy spreads, people will shift their focus. I have what I need to proceed.” Tsar Miro said.
The Commandant left, and the Tsar worked on what he would say to the Duma and his generals.
—-
“I have gathered you to the Duma tonight with a heavy heart. I’m sure you have heard of this outrage in the North. There has been a massacre of our people. Men with their heads decapitated and their mouths stuffed with grass. I’m hearing that even children were spared from the violence, or….” He pauses dramatically. “Or the rape.” Tsar Miro stood in the Duma hall before an assembly of Boyars.
The Duma members went into a frenzy of shock and outrage. He didn’t know if children had been involved, but he needed to keep them angry. Ishvara needed to look strong in their response. When people discover the full details, it won’t matter anymore. The days of sorrow are over; today will begin a new and glorious Ishavara. The Duma and Boyars would approve this war.
“We will not let our slain innocents die in vain. The heathens in the North will be eradicated in the name of justice. Our response will be swift. I ask your support for the war. I will lead our Great Armies across the border into the lands of the savages. We will emerge victorious.“The Tsar truly believed in his words. It may have taken grotesque measures, but it was the only way.
The Tsar didn’t see Vicinia there.
“Unfortunately, I have other news to burden this Duma with. I have learned of a treacherous plot committed by some right here in this assembly. This plot aims to aid revolution, and possibly with sympathies to tribes in the North. They seek to destroy our nation from within. I can’t give you the full details as we are still unraveling the fullness of the conspirators. I will use all my power and war tools to suppress this violation of the law. I do this in the name of security. You have my word that this all ends tonight.”
Tsar Miro left the assembly. It wouldn’t take long for them to vote to go to war. One way or another, Ishavara was going to war, and Tsar Miro’s opposition would
—-
The Tsar had just finished speaking with his war Duma when he was summoned to the Basilica Sophdu. He couldn’t imagine what had happened. He wondered if the Bishop was to try and advise him to reconsider war. The Bishop had little influence on Miro.
Miro came into The Bishop’s private entertaining chamber to see servants and The Bishop standing over someone’s body. Doctors were attending to this person. The Tsar recognized the dress to be one of his wife’s.
Miro rushed to Salma’s side and tried to get a response from her, but she seemed conscious.
“What’s the matter with her? Does she have a pulse?” Miro asked frantically.
“Her pulse is faint. We aren’t sure what happened yet. The Tsarina might have passed out,” A doctor answered.
“Why is she here?” The Tsar addressed the Bishop.
“We were talking, and The Tsarina just collapsed.” The Bishop defended.
“What do you mean, collapsed? Tell me everything.”
“Vicinia and I were having an innocent conversation with the Tsarina.”
“Vicinia?”
“Yes, Boyar Vicinia was with us but had to leave on family business. we made a toast, and soon after, the Tsarina fell.” The Bishop explained.
“The Tsarina fell,” The Tsar interrogated.
“Yes.”
“You mean to say Vicinia was here when Salma drank something?”
“Yes.” The Bishop said, confused about where this was going.
The Tsar started examining the glasses on the table. He smelled the content inside. One had a slight odor that he recognized, having used it on some of his enemies before.
“She’s been poisoned.” The mood of the room changes as the Tsar hears gasps. “Send for Commandant Toto.” The Tsar was forming new plans, but first, he had to stay with his wife.
The Tsar kneeled to hold Salma’s hand. She was breathing but barely.
—
When Vicinia arrived home, she knew she had to be ready to travel and leave the city. She couldn’t linger until she was sure she was above suspicion. If the Tsarina’s death were found to be foul play, she and her family wouldn’t be safe.
“My Lady, great news, your Son, he’s come home,” Hasha told her.
The news sent chills of regret down her spine. She was both relieved and filled with guilt. She had taken revenge on the Tsar, but he hadn’t killed her Son. It was too late now.
“I guess pirates had kidnapped him, but they didn’t know he was your Son. The Pirates thought he was a nobody for whom they couldn’t get a ransom. So they finally released him.” One of Vicinia’s servants continued.
“Where is he?”
“He’s in his room sleeping; I’m sure he’s exhausted after such an ordeal.”
“Wake him; we need to leave immediately.”
“My Lady?”
“Do as I ask, now.” Vicinia had already made arrangements to leave by sea. Vicinia was going to sail with supplies to the arranged Island. There, she would deliver what the rebels asked for. Now, she might have to ask for refuge and help.
Vicinia didn’t have time to catch up with her Son. She hoped her deception would go unnoticed and she could return in a week or two. She prepared an excuse: emergency business arrangements caused her to leave town.
It took much longer than Vicinia had hoped for them to pack their things for the journey. They had loaded everything into her horse-drawn carriage, and Vicinia joined her Son in the passenger compartment. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but every second would count.
The front gate opened, but Vicinia’s driver wasn’t moving them through it.
“Why aren’t we moving?” Vicinia snapped.
Vicinia opened the door and was about to yell at the driver. It shocked Vicinia to see Commandant Toto and his Hathauda blocking her path. It was dark by now, but blazing torches illuminated the situation.
The Hathauda all have face-covering helmets, so you can’t make out their expressions, but Vicinia knew why they were there. She looked to her Son to see his face wide with fear.
From behind the Commandant, Tsar Miro appeared. He had put on his armor as if heading to battle.
“You didn’t need to stop here on your way to battle, my Lord,” Vicinia said, but she knew that was not why he was there.
The Tsar looked to his Commandant, “Burn it, burn it all.” The men spread out and started igniting the fields and buildings. Foot soldiers brought Vicinia and her Son over to the Tsar. Vicinia was about to say something to the Tsar, but before she could, Miro had his sword run through the midsection of her Son.
Her Son fell to his knees and put his hands on his mother’s legs. She leaned over to touch him, but he gurgled on his blood and slumped to the ground, bleeding out. Vicinia looked at the Tsar in anger.
“You monster.! I’ll kill you.” She tried to choke the Tsar, but he relieved her of a head instead.
—
The Tsar arrived at the Basilica Sophdu to find the Bishop having a jolly conversation with the other priests. Armed men accompanied him.
The Tsarina had been pronounced dead for hours by then.
“Arrest all of the priests and clear out the Church. I am now the Head of the Church.” Tsar Miro proclaimed.
“I don’t understand.” The Bishop exclaimed.
“I know all about you and Vicinia plotting against me. Secret meetings, and even negotiating with Revolutionaries. You and Vicinia plotted to assassinate the Tsarina.” A look of rage was on the Tsar’s face.
“I had nothing to do with that. I didn’t know Vicinia was going to do that. I never agreed to that. The Tsarina was one of my closest friends.” The Bishop protested.
“Don’t you dare talk about her? You snake. You lured her here to betray her. You pretended to be her friend, you rat. You have killed my very soul. Salma almost convinced me to listen to what you and that demon had to say. Vicinia is dead.” The Tsar said with satisfaction.
The Tsar looked at his left hand with tears streaming down his face. In a sobbing voice, the Tsar added, “Salma was the only thing tempering the fires within me. I could find compassion through her, for I felt love for the first time. You have stripped me of love. The world is devoid of love now. My enemies will not find peace in any land. Tonight, I purge these lands.”
The Bishop thought to beg for his life, but he knew this would be fruitless. “I loved her too,” Rastan whispered.
The last words his Holiness uttered as the Tsar slashed at the Bishop in a fevered rage. One can’t count the number of times he hacked at him. It would be hard to decipher that a human had once encompassed that bloody lump of flesh.
—
“Why are we here again, your Highness? Are there new developments?” One of the Boyars asked.
“I have called you here for a disturbing reason. We have been betrayed. The Tsarina was murdered this evening. Conspirators assassinated her. Boyar Vicinia and Bishop Rastan have been found guilty. They are not the only ones. I see a den of thieves and liars have come to roost in high places.” The Tsar accused.
“Vicinia is dead, and so is The Bishop. Members of the Church were arrested. The conspiracy ends tonight. I ride to war this very evening, but not before I cut the heads off many snakes.”
“I am now the Head of the Church. The corruption of the Holy and sacred is over. It has been purged. That leaves one other place that the fires must burn a new.” The Tsar paused and made a gesture with his right hand.
The Duma meeting hall became a thunderous echo of armor clanking and footsteps as soldiers piled in, blocking the exits. They kept coming in like a swarm of disturbed ants. The Lords were shouting in confusion, trying to discover what was happening. The Tsar didn’t respond to any of them. Some Boyars tried to leave but were pushed back down the steps to the main meeting hall.
The Tsar gave the word, and the Duma quickly became a bloodbath as soldiers killed every last one of the Boyars. Some had secretly thought the Tsar was a monster. If that’s what they want, he can be a monster.
Seeing the soul leave his wife’s eyes as he held her during her final breaths had killed the light inside the Tsar. He was reforged in flame. You don’t need to wait for death to find Hell; Miro was bringing it to battle.
He is the harbinger of death.