The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 3)(47)

Richard shook his head. “Facts, Lord Mayor. It is clear that we do not have an evacuation plan for the city. Please work with the ealdermen to prepare one. This is important. It may help us during the rebellion, but it will certainly be necessary once the armada comes.” He turned to Dodd.

“Lord Price, what have you learned about Kord Schuyler’s power? When your father was Earl of Forshee, how many men could he bring to bear?”

Dodd looked much calmer than he had appeared at the beginning of the meeting, and he seemed almost pleased by the question. “I have spoken to the court historian. Kord had assembled three earldoms under his command, two in the north and one in the south. Combined, they give him the right to call fifteen thousand men, if all will heed and serve him. I have already been approached by many of my vassals, who have pledged their support to me. I believe five thousand will come if I call. More may rally, but that is my best information for the moment. My understanding is that Billerbeck Hundred is faithful to my Family. They are assembling soldiers even now.”

Richard nodded. “How long would it take to march them here?”

Dodd frowned. “It may be a fortnight.”

Shaking his head, Caspur murmured to himself but did not address the group.

Richard nodded. “How long will it take you to reach that Hundred and determine whether you can raise that many?”

“I planned to take the Apse Veil to Billerbeck Abbey today,” Dodd said, giving Maia a quick smile. “That saves me two days of riding.”

Suzenne beamed as he said it, and Maia could not help but smile with them. “The situation has indeed changed,” Maia said. “The full rites of the abbeys have been restored. That will hasten this work. Thank you, Dodd. You have my leave to go whenever you are ready.”

“Thank you,” he said, grinning. She saw him sneak his hand under the table to clasp Suzenne’s.

Richard fumbled with some of the scrolls on his desk. “Ah, this is it,” he said, withdrawing one. “Lord Caspur, you gave this to me last night. Your earldom is still intact. Please educate the council on your situation.”

The earl rose swiftly, brushing his hands together. He was struggling to control his expression, for Maia could see the admonishment he had received was difficult for him to endure. “I beg your pardon. We need to act swiftly, so forgive my agitation. I had hoped to be on the saddle already and riding for my domain. I cannot . . . use the Apse Veil, as Lord Price can, so I must be away and quickly. Schuyler had the largest domain in the realm. He is a formidable enemy, Lady Maia, and tested. Your father made him warden of the army, and he was quick and ruthless with his power. He has men like Trefew serving him. While some of his soldiers may be inclined to serve Lord Price,” he added with a subtle urgency in his tone, “he will execute any man who flees his camp. Your Highness, a rebellion gains size the longer it lasts. He strikes at you now because he knows you are at your weakest. If you would appoint me to be the warden—”

Maia’s brow furrowed. “Please . . . before we discuss that, help me understand how many soldiers you can muster and how soon. It sounds like you still need to summon them.”

“Yes,” he said through clenched teeth. He was fidgeting, which Maia did not like. “If you insist on the formalities, so be it. I can bring nine thousand men from the west. If we march to Comoros, we can be here in five or six days. But I suggest you send me to face Kord Schuyler directly. It would be wiser to fight a battle before he reaches the city. If I can bar his way, then Lord Price can attack him from behind while I serve as a wall in front and”—he clapped his hands—“we have him defeated! He is your biggest threat at the moment, Maia. If it is quick and decisive, you will put down the rebellion.”

Maia did not feel right about his words, which were delivered too quickly, with a manic sort of energy. She wondered at that.

Perhaps her doubt showed. Richard said, “My lord earl, I feel uneasy about your assessment.”

Caspur glowered. “And what would an Aldermaston know of armies and soldiers?”

The deliberate barb struck Maia, and she felt her anger stirring, but she tamped it down with effort. This was how her father used to run his Privy Council. She could see the tension in Caspur’s eyes, the eagerness for . . . for what?

Glory.

She felt the sudden urge for Jon Tayt’s counsel. Thinking of him almost made her smile. Back at Muirwood, her dearest advisors and friends had all believed as she did and held the same intentions. As she gazed at her Privy Council, she realized it would take much longer for this group to reach a conclusion.

“That is why I chose him, you see,” Maia said softly, looking at Richard Syon with a growing heart. She trusted him. She respected him. Having long ago learned to master his anger, he was not ruffled by the earl’s provocation. Once the very man they discussed, Kord Schuyler, the former Earl of Forshee, had come to Muirwood to threaten him. He was unflappable. “Please, Lord Caspur. Be more civil.”

Caspur’s face mottled with rage and he clenched his jaw, clearly struggling to accept the rebuke of a young woman. His voice was almost a low growl when he next spoke. “Maia, I have risked everything siding with you. If Schuyler is not stopped quickly, he will not only take your crown, but also my head. Forgive me if I am impatient, but I know what to do. I have a force strong enough to challenge his, especially if Lord Price’s force joins us from the north. Do not fight him so near the city. A river gains strength as it flows down from the mountain. Do not let him become a flood.” He raised his hands and shrugged. “You do not have a seasoned battle commander, my lady, except for me. Give me this charge, and I will bring the rebel to heel.”