Lose A Princess, Lose Your Head (Merchant Blades Book 2) Read online

  Lose a Princess, Lose Your Head

  By Alex Avrio

  Kindle Edition

  www.Alexavrio.com

  @Alexavrio

  Facebook.com/alexavrio

  Copyright 2017 by Alex Avrio

  1 THE DRUNKEN HUSSAR

  “I beat the crap out of a man for being late with his payments. I burned down his house. His wife and children weren’t inside, so Varga beat the crap out of me,” Jaeger whispered in Regina’s ear. “Never again will I go into service over a game of cards.”

  “You in?” asked the lanky cigar-puffing opponent opposite her at the table. She glanced at her hand and reached for her chips.

  “Be sure,” Jaeger warned. “Of course, last time, you only got servitude for five months. Perhaps you liked it?” Regina shot him a look. Kapitan Maximillian Jaeger had a unique way of winding her up. Regina was keenly aware of what happened last time she’d lost a game of cards. Forced to take a job no words could describe. To an ending that stuck her with Jaeger permanently.

  The man took a puff from his cigar. “Come on, lady, can’t wait all night.”

  “First, it's Captain,” Regina said. She waved her hand in front of her mercenary’s coat. “I’m wearing this for a reason.” She threw her cards down. The man was too keen. He looked disappointed, until two of the remaining players rushed to go all in. Then, flicking ash from his cigarette, he showed a full flush.

  Jaeger whistled through his teeth. “I’m so glad I folded,” he said, and waved over the waitress. She knew their order: when she handed Jaeger his drink with a broad smile, he returned it with interest. When Regina got hers, the smile became forced. With practiced dexterity, Jaeger shuffled the deck.

  The room, tastefully decorated, if a little heavy on the red brocade velvet, smelled of cigar smoke and perfume. The lanky man with the full flush, Fancoiaz, director of the local branch of the Temple Bank, was playing next to Madam Ester, the proprietress of the establishment, and Colonel Seressay. Jaeger dealt. There was a gentle murmur of conversation in the room. Before Regina could pick up her hand, the murmur was broken by rowdy shouts from the entrance hall.

  “Oh, my dear, don’t worry,” Madam Ester said. “A regiment of Hussars is in town. Some officers are visiting the girls upstairs.”

  “It sounds like the whole regiment,” the colonel commented, rubbing his chin and studying his cards.

  “Having fun, from the sound of it,” Jaeger said, a sly smile on his lips. Regina shot him a warning look. Don’t. Even. Think. About. It. Jaeger breathed out and rolled his eyes upwards. He was learning to adapt to the rules of enforced co-existence, as was she. Where, two months ago, Jaeger wouldn’t have thought twice about joining the fun upstairs with such pretty ladies, now he was starting to show some consideration for Regina.

  “Captain,” Mr. Fancoiaz said, “do you plan to grace us with a gambit?”

  “Oh, what? Yes.” Regina looked at her hand and pushed two chips in. She noticed an almost imperceptible frown flit across Fancoiaz’s brow that meant there was money to be made on the hand.

  A group of Hussar officers stumbled into the room, laughing and drinking champagne. Madam Ester waved the waitress over and whispered. The waitress turned and strode out of the room. Another waitress entered with champagne, and one of the Hussars grabbed the bottle out of her hands. To the guffaws of his friends, the man unsheathed his saber and sliced off the bottle’s neck. The wine, spurting, drenched the back of Regina’s head.

  “Oh, for goodness sake!” she cried. She jumped up, wiping her coat. The startled waitress ran over with a cloth and mopped her down. Regina grabbed the cloth out of the waitress’s hands and took over. Unsteadily, one of the taller Hussars approached, moving towards Regina.

  “I like a woman in uniform,” he said. Regina straightened to her full height.

  “I would, no doubt, be flattered by your enthusiasm, if I worked here.” The Hussar kept coming.

  Jaeger rose from his seat. “You heard the lady: go back to your friends,” he growled.

  “Thanks, Lancelot, I got this,” she said, without looking.

  Jaeger shrugged and moved away. The Hussar laughed drunkenly, grabbed Regina by the hips and brought her to him. If he had intended to kiss her, Regina’s uppercut to his jaw was too fast. She sent him tumbling to the floor, at the feet of his friends.

  “A feisty one,” he laughed, getting to his feet. “I like that!” He made another move towards Regina, but two burly doormen interposed, and politely but firmly ushered him and the rest of the Hussars out of the room. Regina shook her head and sat back down.

  “I believe it’s your turn, Mr. Fancoiaz,” she said calmly.

  There was a small hubbub downstairs for some minutes and then a Hussar colonel appeared, framed in the doorway.

  “Someone here tell me what happened!” he demanded, scanning the room.

  Madam Ester smiled. “My dear Colonel Meyer,” she said. “Come in, have a drink on the house and I’ll explain.”

  The colonel’s gaze fell on Jaeger. “Maximillian Jaeger! Can that really be Maximillian Jaeger?”

  Jaeger looked up. “Meyer. Long time. You're a colonel? The Hussars have let their standards slip.”

  Madam Ester gestured for Meyer to take her seat next to Jaeger. She stood beside the colonel and motioned to the waitress for more drinks.

  “It was you knocked down my drunks, then?” Meyer asked.

  “No,” Jaeger laughed.

  “Who, then?” Meyer asked, glancing round the table.

  “May I introduce Captain Fitzwaters,” Jaeger said. Meyer looked in surprise as Regina extended her hand. He made to kiss it, but at the last moment changed for a firm shake.

  “Fitzwaters? That’s Merrovigian, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. A problem?” she asked. They were the Eressian side of the border. The war between the Merrovigian and Eressian empires had ended five years earlier. Some had never quite got over it.

  Meyer shrugged. “Not really.” He paused. “So you two are…?

  “Business associates,” Regina said frostily.

  Meyer smiled. “I was merely going to inquire if you two were already on a job. But first let me apologize for the overexcited behavior of my officers. Allow me to buy your drinks tonight.”

  Regina nodded. It wouldn’t be wise to slight Meyer. She wondered, though, what would have happened to a woman without her combat experience.

  “No. We’re on our own time,” Jaeger said.

  “Speaking of time, are we still playing?” Fancoiaz demanded.

  “Of course, forgive me,” Meyer said and got up. “Max, come see me tomorrow morning? I might have a job for you.”

  2 A ROMANTIC IMPRESSION OF MARRIAGE

  “THAT’S the last time I’m going to that place,” Regina said when the two of them got back to their room. Jaeger filled a glass with whisky and took a large mouthful.

  “You wanted to play cards. It’s not my fault the best games are at Madam Ester’s.”

  “It doesn’t hurt that the girls are upstairs, does it?”

  Jaeger didn’t reply.

  “I swear, if one more man comes and asks how much for an hour of my time” Regina said, sitting down on the bed.

  “Well we couldn’t stay in Border Town, could we?” Jaeger finished one drink and poured another, pointing to both Regina and the bottle but Regina shook her head. “I heard that Gold and Honesty have removed all the mirrors from the Blue Rose. I don’t think it would be good for our health to stay around to find out what's going on.”

  He was about to pour himself a third drink
. Regina grabbed his arm.

  “That’s enough. Once upon a time, you drank, you suffered the deserved consequences. Now that this bloody curse means I get them tomorrow too, just as bad, you will control yourself.”

  Jaeger shrugged and put the glass down.

  “Please step out so I can change,” she said.

  “Modesty now? I’ve seen all the inches there are of you.”

  “With none of our real emotions, as you said yourself. We must wrest dignity from this curse of Nephthys. Under normal circumstances you wouldn’t stand and watch me change, would you?”

  Jaeger gave her a smile that indicated that he might have, but to avoid an argument he stepped out and made his way to the steps at the front of the inn. He sat. The meeting with Meyer brought back many memories of his time as a Kapitan in the Imperial Eressian Army. In the chilly night air he wondered at the job a Hussar colonel might have in mind for a mercenary. It was colder than normal for the time of the year. The coming of the full moon felt imminent. Jaeger took out his timepiece compass to check, and shuddered when he saw he was right.

  When Jaeger returned to their room, Regina was asleep. He leaned over to make sure she was covered with the blankets, and spent a few minutes watching her sleep. During their three days at The Crow, when she’d called him Maxy, he had felt that he could do anything for her, even die for her, but now this memory scared him. It was bitter consolation to know that these emotions weren't really his; they were the trickery of the damned curse. For three days at the full moon, every month, as if Jaeger and Regina were both drunk or drugged, the curse fought to exert control over their bodies or minds.

  He got into the bed and blew out the candle.

  The following morning both dressed to look their best for the negotiations with Meyer. They walked to the town house of Baron Schaefer, where the Hussar officers had taken residence. The butler there took their swords and led them through to the drawing room: Colonel Meyer and the Baron were enjoying an early morning cigar. Both men stood up as they entered. Regina noted large crystal chandeliers and elaborate decorations on the ceilings.

  “Ah, Major Jaeger,” the Baron said, extending his hand. Jaeger shook it but his back stiffened.

  “I fear you confuse me with my brother.”

  “Oh, yes. Right. Good man. How is he?”

  “Dead, sir.”

  The Baron coughed and rang for refreshments. Good old Jaeger, Regina thought. Still got that magic touch.

  “This is Captain Regina Fitzwaters.” Jaeger made the introductions and they all sat down. There was an awkward silence while the maid came in and served refreshments. When she left the room Meyer finally spoke.

  “We lost track of you after the war, Max.”

  “I went into private ventures,” Jaeger replied. There was another awkward silence. The unspoken hung in the air.

  “Gentlemen, if you would prefer to speak privately with Kapitan Jaeger, I could wait in the library,” Regina said, rising. The Baron let out a small breath of relief and seemed about to accept her offer when Jaeger also stood.

  “Gentlemen, Captain Fitzwaters is my associate. I trust her and can vouch for her. If you wish to discuss a job, she will hear the proposal too. We are a team.”

  The men exchanged a glance. Meyer finally broke the uneasy silence. “If you vouch for her, that’s enough for me.”

  The Baron paused, then nodded reluctantly. “We were hoping to hire a loyal Eressian, but I will trust your word as a former Kapitan of the Imperial Army,” the Baron added.

  “Now sirs, may I enquire what this is about?” Regina asked, sitting back down.

  “First,” Meyer said solemnly, “I need your assurance that the conversation we are about to have will stay in this room. This is a matter of incredible delicacy and political consequence.”

  “I assure you Merchant Blades are discreet and ever loyal to our employers,” Regina said.

  “And to their money, I’m sure,” Schaefer said with a smile.

  “That, my dear Baron,” Jaeger said, “goes without saying.”

  The Baron got up and poured them some drinks. It was early in the day but Regina took it.

  “As you know, there has been political and economic tribulation in the Empire since the war ended.” Meyer shot a look at Regina but her face remained impassive.

  “In an effort to stabilize the Empire and revitalize the economy, the Prince of Neidenwalde is to be married to the Princess of Eraden. This has been agreed by the families.”

  Regina and Jaeger exchanged a swift glance. "So where do we come into this?" Jaeger asked.

  "Unfortunately, the princess has a slightly more romantic impression of marriage. She doesn’t want to meet the prince for the first time in the Temple at the altar. She insists on courtship. But this union won't be popular with all in Eressia, and we think it wise for it to be kept secret until the wedding, so we have arranged for them to meet and spend some time together at one of the Prince’s estates.”

  “And I guess a company of Hussars will be escorting the princess,” Jaeger said calmly.

  “Very perceptive,” Meyer said.

  “That should be enough protection for anyone. She's only traveling from one province of Eressia to another,” Jaeger said.

  “My friend,” Meyer said reluctantly, “things aren’t as they were before the war. The roads are far more dangerous now.”

  “That’s how we make a living,” Jaeger commented.

  “The– war reparations we have to pay to Merrovigia have been rather heavy,” Meyer said.

  “On everyone,” Baron Schaefer commented.

  Regina shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

  “Be that as it may, a company of Hussars would discourage even the largest gangs of bandits. They prefer easier targets, merchant convoys and the like. A small mercenary escort is usually enough to dissuade them. When they see a party so heavily guarded they'll steer well clear,” she said.

  Jaeger leaned forward. “If so, Colonel, there’s something more to this. Tell us what this is really about.”

  3 FOR THE GOOD OF ERESSIA

  MEYER looked uneasy but Schaefer laughed. “Very astute, Kapitan,” he said. “Very well. Again, I cannot stress enough how, outside these walls, this must not be repeated.”

  Jaeger and Regina nodded. Regina suspected some finer points of Eressian politics that she wasn't aware of.

  “Discontent has been stirring through Eressia, since the war. The former Emperor brought unity and prosperity; the princes were content to send their province's taxes to the Imperial Treasury. Now his son is Emperor. Unfortunately, it could be considered treason even to say it, the boy was never popular, even before war. Now he is Emperor, only threadbare loyalty to the Empire keeps the provinces together. The people suffer financially. He cares little, continuing to squander Empire gold on decadence and debauchery.” Baron Schaefer poured himself a double, and drank. He went on. “Marriage to the Princess of Eraden will stabilize the Empire and smooth the current political disquiet. Not that everyone would be happy about it, you understand. Please be in no doubt: not everyone wants a strong unified Eressia.”

  Colonel Meyer nodded, his face grim.

  “The Prime Minister expended considerable effort to arrange this union. He is all that holds things together at the moment. We cannot afford to have any other war of any sort. A civil war would spell the end of Eressia as an empire. Do you understand?”

  “Where does the army stand?” Jaeger asked.

  “We give our oath of obedience to the Emperor. We are bound by it,” Meyer said. Regina couldn’t help feeling this left much unsaid.

  “We need a few extra bodies on the look-out: people we can trust, who don't have vested interests. People not afraid of heavy work, or dirty work if it comes to it,” Baron Schaefer said draining his drink. “All that matters is keeping the princess safe, getting her to her prince to hold that wedding.”

  “When do we begin?” Jaeger asked.
<
br />   “Hold on, hold on, hold on,” Regina said. “Thank you for the offer. But what Kapitan Jaeger means to say is that he and I will go away and discuss this, and have an answer for you by the end of the day.”

  Back at the inn Regina ordered for herself, and then ordered a drink for Jaeger, which he declined. They sat in silence. Regina gathered glasses and bottles and suggested they go to their room. Both knew better than to have an important conversation in a room where they could be overheard.

  After ten minutes without a word, Regina asked: “What’re you thinking then?”

  Jaeger rubbed the bridge of his nose.

  “The politics of the Empire have always been complicated. The Emperor’s supposed to be the glue that holds the nation together. An unpopular emperor’s nothing new, but between you and me, the current one really isn't fit to govern. He couldn’t command a nation at war and I doubt that he can command a nation at peace.”

  Regina reflected on her own nation’s empire. The Merrovigian Empress was universally considered to be doing a good job. Since the war, Merrovigia had settled down to a period of stability and prosperity. Admittedly, the reparation payments from Eressia had made the job of keeping the Empire happy a little easier.

  “Something about this worries me,” Jaeger finally said.

  “Me too,” she said in a low tone, as if about to share a secret. “You know, the Merrovigian army wears red jackets so that when a man is wounded the rest won’t see the blood and be dispirited. I was at the cavalry charge of Feneryn. When the Eressian Hussars charged, I’m telling you, we should have been wearing brown pants.”

  Jaeger laughed.

  “What I’m trying to say is,” Regina continued, “there's no way anyone would attack a convoy protected by a company of fifty Hussars. Maybe they're not really looking for extra help. You heard what Meyer said, about not everyone wanting this to succeed? Maybe they're looking for someone to blame when it all goes to hell.”