Another man moved forward, his brother from the resemblance.
“And who is third?”
A dour old woman meekly raised her hand. Hannah also called her to the stage. The woman took her time, stopping to speak to several people on her way, an insult that Hannah ignored. Hannah took the arm of the first in line and escorted him near the rear of the stage and whispered, “Do you fully support King Edward? His policies and the war?”
“I do. He is my uncle.”
She went to his brother and repeated her question. He also supported the King. Perhaps her plan needed adjustment. Hannah asked the old woman the same question.
“No, good heavens, no.”
“Why not?”
“Have you not seen the deterioration or our kingdom? We’ve gone from a happy, prosperous country to a land filled with death and destruction.”
Hannah said, “Then I ask you to wear the Peermont Crown.”
The old woman sniffed into a kerchief. “I have no interest. I’ve planned to abdicate if it ever came to me, but there are two ahead of me, and the laws are clear.”
Hannah said, “You can abdicate after we clean up the mess King Edward left.”
“He is still King, young lady. Those two rascals beside you are next in the official line. You can’t just come in our kingdom appoint another King or Queen.”
“He’s given up his crown, the King.” Hannah didn’t elaborate that it may have been against his will. She spoke loud enough for those in front to hear and watched the word passed to the others standing nearer the rear. As the word rippled through the room, a silence fell. “Your name?”
“Lady Elizabeth, Duchess of Grayshield.”
“Why are there no mages here defending him?”
“King Edward does not like them, nor trust them.”
Hannah said with a smile, “It seems that the ex-King and I agree on one thing. Now, back to the subject. I am going back to Wren, and your ex-King is departing for Ansel with a sack of gold to pave his way, and another after he arrives. My question to you, Lady Elizabeth, is to consider what is going to happen in this war-torn kingdom where the people are starving?”
The older woman turned up her nose as if that didn’t concern her.
Hannah continued speaking, “How do you think the King of Ansel will treat any surviving Peermont royalty if he wins this war? I believe he will wish there are no future problems—and eliminating all of the royalty is the surest way. What is your opinion?”
“I think you are trying to force me into saying something outrageous. We are winning the war.”
Hannah snorted, then drew up short. The woman believed her words. She shouted, “Will every soldier who believes Ansel will win the war before the winter snows fall, shout out?”
A hundred voices shouted. Hannah said, “Lady Elizabeth, the Ansel Army is only two days ride from this city. They are massing for the final push. Now, I don’t know what you’ve been told, but I saw it for myself. If you don’t believe me, ask any of the thousand troops outside the main gate, and they will tell you the truth. Peermont is lost.”
“You should leave us alone. Besides, I am not next in line.”
She faced the brothers. “Will you abdicate your claim to the throne?”
The eldest snarled, “What are our choices?”
“Abdicate and join your uncle in exile or death. Today. Your choice. Announce it now, before this gathering.”
The younger brother took a menacing step closer and pulled a jeweled knife that sparkled as he raised it and charged the two steps it took to reach Hannah. Her extended fingers stiff, she shot out her arm and the tips of the fingers struck his throat just under his chin. Hannah had held back any force, but the blow was enough to drop him to his knees where he wheezed to draw breath.
In combat, Hannah would have followed up with a kick to his head, and the initial blow would have crushed his windpipe. Her action had been almost casual, yet everyone in the room had seen the raised knife and initial attack. Instead of condemning it, she dismissed it as if it was of no concern.
Turning to the old woman again, Hannah said, “You told me I should leave Peermont alone, which is what I plan to do.” She turned to the general. “Sir, if you and your army wish to accompany me to Wren, you will be made welcome and live in a peaceful, prosperous land where nobody is hungry. You and all of your men may leave this devastated and worthless land with me and become citizens of Wren.”
“My men will gladly accept your generous offer. Will you also accept their families?”
“With open arms.” Hannah moved a step closer to Lady Elizabeth and held her with a steady gaze. “General, I cannot have an enemy kingdom at my back door. After defeating Peermont, Ansel will look to defeat Wren next. Before we depart, I want this city evacuated. Then burn it and pull down every stone wall. Wren will send ship laden with salt to spread over the ground, so nothing grows here for a hundred years, but I will not endanger Wren by being weak and thinking only of myself and my pleasures.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” the old woman hissed.
The general said, “I’ve known this Princess for a few days, and I’ll tell you she will dare.”
“The residents of Calverton are innocent. You cannot do this.”
Hannah turned her back as she said loud enough for the entire hall to hear, “Everyone in this cursed city and kingdom will die before winter no matter what I do, so what difference does it make how? My first duty is to protect Wren, as yours is to protect Peermont. Under a treaty, I can send food and aid, and evict Ansel from the lowlands.”
“I do not want to be Queen.”
“You are a hypocrite. You enjoy the rewards of being royalty. You wear rich dresses, eat full meals, and attend balls while the innkeeper at the main gate cannot afford to feed his visitors. I will grant you one reprieve. Wear the crown for a single year, and I will help you push back Ansel. Then you may give your crown to the next in line.”
“One year. On your word?”
An officer rushed to the stage carrying a scroll.
“Yes.” Hannah turned back to her. “One year. As for Prince Able and Prince Howard here, they have not given me their answers about abdication, so I have to resolve that before you are crowned, and I can speak further.”
The older one said, “Will I receive a stipend to live on?”
“No, you will receive a small, very small, purse with gold in it. Enough for you to live modestly for the remainder of your life.”
He stood taller. “I accept, and also speak for my brother if he is awarded the same.”
Hannah glanced at the younger brother who still clutched his throat. He nodded eagerly. She said, “I need to hear it. And all in this hall.”
“My brother and I abdicate our claim to the throne of Peermont.”
Hannah watched the crowd as he made the announcement. Most of the royals scowled or shook their heads in disagreement, but she noted a few smiles and a pair of young men clapped their approval. Hannah unrolled the scroll and read the names. Lady Elizabeth was indeed third. Her eyes skimmed down the scroll searching for her mother but managed to hold herself in check. It was too far down the list to find in such a short time. There was still too much to do.
She handed the scroll back to the officer and faced the crowd that waited for her next pronouncement. “We, that is, the Kingdom of Peermont and me, do not have much time if we are to withstand Ansel’s aggression and survive the winter. Therefore, we’ll move fast. We will coronate Queen Elizabeth at noon. Today. Make whatever preparations are required and return here at mid-day.”
A few cheers sounded.
Hannah pointed at the two men and told the general, “Bring those two with us.”