Trapped, p.1
Trapped, page 1
part #3 of Treason and Truth Series
From the past comes magic,
from the present, danger, gradually colliding.
Daggers sleep and secrets waken.
Forty years after rebellion raged, Landis House lies in ashes with the future of greater consequence than any past. There are lessons to learn, companionship to savour and life to live. As time passes, friendships are tested and secrets unearthed for Lord Scanlon is digging and no-one is safe.
Copyright
Copyright © J.A.Cauldwell, 2024. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.K. copyright law. For permission requests, please email contact@pennodpress.com
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
Book Cover and Illustrations by J.A.Cauldwell
Pennod Press First Edition 2024
Distributed on Kobo
ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-917145-10-7
ISBN (ebook): 978-1-917145-09-1
Trigger Warning
This series is fantasy set in a pre-Victorian style civilisation. There are references to unacceptable behaviours including torture, rape, slavery and murder. Other subjects such as suicide, child death and fatal illnesses are touched upon.
TRAPPED
The Erinnan Legacy
Treason and Truth
Book 3 of 12
J.A. Cauldwell
Dedication
For Gary
The answer to your question is:
Quite a lot!
Character lists and notes on world building
are at the end of the book
THE ERINNAN LEGACY
TREASON AND TRUTH
FROM THE PAST COMES MAGIC,
FROM THE PRESENT, DANGER,
GRADUALLY COLLIDING
TREASON
TERA
TRAPPED
TRAGEDY
STORIES FROM ERINNA
EVERYBODY HAS A STORY AND SOMEBODY KNOWS IT
Standalone stories that may link to characters from the main series.
TIES
For freebies, The Court Newsletter and to see more details and information on works in progress, please visit https://erinna.co.uk/
MAPS
ARCHIVE
PART 1
Chapter 1
REBELLION
1169
EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF
PRINCE LACHLAN AMARUS FITZALCIS
Hexadai, Week 3 – 20th Cearal 1169 – Day One
Hardly had time to breathe today. I warned Alt, but he didn’t want to listen and now rebellion in Bayan. Lilith and Galwood missing! Stupid idiot. Why didn’t he rescind that blasted tax? He knew people weren’t happy. Just because he’s King doesn’t make him right! I suppose this is day one of the rebellion…
Tretaldai, Week 4 – 24th Cearal 1169 – Day Five
Conscription Day. Aluna, it’s hard watching; each man is someone’s father, brother or son. Most came but there were enough arrests to keep me busy – won’t be me though. I’ve decided I’m going with Alt to Bayan. Ewart’s also coming, but he’s sent Am to Tradere; I’m pleased, just wish Alt would send Orph and Ad to the Rex Dallin, it’d be better for them. I know the city needs a leader but he should be protecting his family. Dunius is Representative…
Imperadai, Week 6 – 11th Tradal 1169 – Day Twenty
They came out of nowhere! How did they know where we were? I’d fifty men with me, no more. We were lucky to win, whatever I’ll tell Alt. Lost enough men though – Lord Iris and young Julius included. Ig is badly wounded; Alt is furious. Don’t even know all the names of those lost. Names… Time is short for writing; that council was heated. Initials safer now. CS, LN fought well. Capt. P is trying hard to prove himself. Why? What’s he hiding? Alt’s listening to everyone at last but he’s got the General for a reason, let him strategise.
Cisadai, Week 7 – 16th Tradal 1169 – Day Twenty-Five
…Can’t stop thinking about L, hope she’s alive. Could have been Am - bet the rebels are glad it isn’t, I am. Trying to find a crack to open up the cit. Lord C or M would be best. Maybe C’s son – must find him though…
Tretaldai, Week 7 – 17th Tradal 1169 – Day Twenty-Six
C’s son walked into camp, asked to speak to Alt. He’s our chink. Hope his father doesn’t realise his son’s joined us - let alone is honour-bound. Capt. P seems to think night is dangerous. Alt’s ordered a guard to be in my tent at night… S is rather a pretty one too… I’ll try to keep him.
Pentadai, Week 7 – 19th Tradal 1169 – Day Twenty-Eight
Three men dragged by Capt. P into Alt’s tent. Alt asked me to judge, he forgot it’s military law within the camp’s confines and would have been even if they weren’t soldiers, soon put him right. Not sure I’d have convicted TT without far more evidence… CS and LN were traitors - no wonder they survived that ambush… C’s son should have made Garth… Alt’s methods of execution might be traditional but rather brutal. Didn’t take long for the men to kill the traitors, anger all round. Bodies moved to the camp’s extremities; won’t take long for nature to feed. Alt ordered the traitors’ names proclaimed in Oedran for a year. The families who raised them must take some of the blame; if we lose this fight, we lose Bayan and worse comes to Oedran…
Imperadai, Week 8 – 25th Tradal 1169 – Day Thirty-Four
…We march on Garth. I’ve got Cmdr R and a company to distract the walls. Alt’s going for the main gate. Alcis bless us, we’ll need the moons’ help if C’s failed…
Septadai, Week 8 – 28th Tradal 1169 – Day Thirty-Seven
Not had a moment to write. Bayan’s ours. Citadel fell quickly. C’s father killed. M defected before we attacked. All other lords to be executed. City Guard disbanded. Rebels taken have been hanged. Men tracking down others. Best news: L and G found. G looks ill but Alt’s naming him Exarch. L simply looks drained. Sent word straight to her father. He made his normal sarcastic reply but he was relieved. Just have to secure things and head for Oedran. Orph must be pleased. Ad will be wanting all the stories…
* * *
Cisadai, Week 32 – 23rd Anapal 1171
I never appreciated in 1169 how much damage we did, especially as it wasn’t proved. To have family die of shame and to carry on facing the world. He handed those coins back so apologetically; I wasn’t insulted, how could I have been? Tried to talk to Alt. Am intervened; she reckons we owe him - even if it hadn’t been L.P. involved. I reckon she’ll get what she wants, as always. Anyhow, I’ll see him again in a couple of days when he’s had time to think… There’s something in his eyes…
Chapter 2
A NEW ERA
Cisadai, Week 35 – 16th Bayal, 9th Bayis 1204
Oedran Palace – Lord Scanlon’s Chambers
LORD SCANLON THUMPED a wall. He couldn’t return to Ceardlann, to the Rex Dallin, to the place that had been the FitzAlcis’ retreat for six centuries, to where privacy was guaranteed. Banned and banished because of others’ actions. Adeone had manipulated his father. King Altarius would never have taken such action without provocation. Scanlon stopped pacing. Maybe, just maybe, there had been provocation but it wasn’t of his making. His character had been moulded by others’ teachings, then tainted, tarnished by events of others’ making. Adeone was punishing him for them, for wanting to be himself, to act how he wished; he wanted Scanlon to be as lax and soft as he was, as flippant and as scornful about the traditions of the empire. Well, he wasn’t going to conform. Whatever had happened, whatever was between them, he had his principles and he’d stick to them.
With rage still coursing through him, he decided on his course of action. A half-formed decision became defined. He’d put out feelers for discontented souls, those who feared the changes Adeone would make, but now he would pursue his plan of becoming king. Adeone couldn’t be allowed to wreck their forbears’ work or the ideals of iron control, which had forged an empire from disparate lands.
The door opened and his wife entered. He glared at her. She must have known what would greet him on his return from Terasia.
Seeing anger in his gaze, Aelia said, “Welcome home. I’m sorry I wasn’t here; Her Grace asked to see me.”
“What a welcome indeed! You should have warned me!” Seeing her puzzled expression, he scowled at her. “You mean you didn’t know we’ve been banned from the Rex Dallin? Or rather that I have. He refused to give me entry!”
“Who did? Not Adeone, he’d never—”
“No, not him, he hasn’t the spine to,” spat Scanlon. “It was in the requests and bequests.”
“Your father refused to give you entry after his death? Oh, Scanlon, I’m so sorry. I had no idea. His Majesty never said a word. I would have tried to warn you. What a welcome. Come, my dear, sit down, let me send for refreshments. You must have ridden hard and this has come as a shock.”
“Oh, stop fussing. Have you any news?”
Aelia stepped back. “Elantha’s beginning to talk, not much but definite words. Her cousins are all voluble as ever. Ella’s beautiful—”
“Are you carrying again?”
“No, sir.” Aelia dropped her gaze.
He
“Could I not travel with you?” enquired Aelia.
Disdain dripped from him. “I’m not travelling with a screaming toddler. You’ll stay here and nurture our child to be obedient. I’m going to the Courthouse. Be ready to receive me this evening.”
Within a fortnight, Scanlon was fretting; by the time another had passed he had decided to travel to Tradere before returning to Areal.
Aelia was glad to see him leave but worried about a few snippets she’d overheard. Her husband was simply annoyed; he couldn’t be contemplating usurping his brother, could he?
* * *
In Tradere, Scanlon decided he couldn’t live at the Palace of Oedran. He needed somewhere he could plan without questions being asked, a house in a secluded spot. He sent for his new advisor, employed in the last week.
“Bantling, find me a house, somewhere in Anapara. One that’s private. See it’s large enough to maintain my status and family but not so large that I must entertain.”
“Very good, sir. I’ll see what we can manage.”
Scanlon jerked his head in dismissal. He ought to adopt an honorific. He’d lost the obligatory ‘Highness’ when he became Lord Scanlon instead of Prince Scanlon, but he ought to be addressed better than ‘sir’ or ‘my lord’ by his staff. He was FitzAlcis and the chief official of the empire.
Two aluna-months later, Bantling returned. The Justiciar’s Administrator had a word with him which resulted in raised eyebrows and questions that weren’t answered.
Scanlon looked over as his administrator announced Bantling. “Well?”
The advisor gave a short bow. “We’ve found a house that might suit you, Greatness: Black Hills. About a day’s ride to the north-east of Oedran, in the Raven Hills. Secluded, surrounded by a good-sized wall, enclosing the whole estate as well as the house.”
“Who holds it?”
“Your landlord would be Lord Atgas, sir.”
Scanlon pursed his lips. “I’m FitzAlcis not a tenant! His Lordship will relinquish the house if it suits.”
Bantling took heed of the tone. “Very good, sir. I’ll approach his son. The current Lord Atgas is elderly and Lord Abbas is running the estates.”
“I’ll expect an update within the week. You’ve already spent far too much time on this.”
A week later, Bantling re-entered the Justiciar’s office to find his employer disciplining his manservant; the whip cracked, flesh parted and blood ran. Bantling winced, noting the man’s scars. This wasn’t the first time Scanlon had taken such measures.
When Scanlon had dismissed the manservant, Bantling asked mildly what he’d done.
Scanlon put the whip through his belt. “He was inquisitive to the point of insolence. You have a report?”
Bantling swallowed. “Lord Abbas says that he’s happy to come to some arrangement and, should you wish to view the house and estate, he will make it available whenever you wish.”
“I am not your equal! You will address me correctly. You were employed with specific conditions, were you not? One of which was that you are unattached. How long have you been married?”
The spacious room was suddenly claustrophobic. “A year, Greatness. I needed the job, sir…”
Letting the thong hang loosely, Scanlon pulled the whip from his belt.
Bantling’s eyes tracked the thong, his feet rooted to the spot. He took a steadying breath as Scanlon padded towards then around him. ‘Prey,’ he thought. ‘I’m prey…’ He jumped. The icy caress of the whip’s heel touched his sweat-soaked neck. Would he die whipped or beaten?
“I shall ignore the fact you’ve lied to me,” hissed Scanlon, “but I shan’t forget. How old is your son now? Six aluna-months, I believe…”
The sound of a dagger being unsheathed. Maybe that would take his life, his son’s life, his wife’s life. No, Scanlon wouldn’t be that kind. Scanlon liked his toys.
The Justiciar moved in front of Bantling. Faster than a cutpurse, he sliced off the advisor’s belt pouch and took his dagger. “Never come armed into my presence again. Go.”
As Bantling passed him, Scanlon’s administrator said, “He means it, Advisor. There’s no escape. He would find you all. Don’t reject him, it would be unfortunate. To question, to advise against something means you’re against him.”
Returning to his room, Bantling found it ransacked. As he put things in order, he found personal papers, books, elaborate accessories and best tunics were gone, even his everyday knife had vanished.
He sank onto his bed, his stomach twisting into knots of dread. Administrator Dwyer had been right. There was no escape. He had trapped himself. A dream job had become a nightmare. How had he fallen for Scanlon’s easy public manner?
Chapter 3
FIRE AND FAMILY
Pentadai, Week 45 – 5th Lufial, 19th Geryis 1211
Oedran – Landis House
KING ADEONE AND LORD LANDIS rode through the Administrative Quarter followed by three palace coaches. The warm stillness of the last weeks of spring was welcome, but acrid smoke was rising as they approached Landis House. There were more people than normal congregating around the gates, craning to see what had happened. Adeone nodded to Hillbeck to clear a path.
Riding into the stableyard, there was no denying the stables had been destroyed and the old part of the house had been gutted. Hearing horses, William broke away from the group of the servants clustered in the yard. Having been Landis’ manservant for years nothing much fazed him. He gave a slight bow to Adeone.
“His Highness is in the gardens, Sire, with Lady Elantha and your children, my lord.”
As Adeone entered the gardens, Tain ran over exhilarated.
“Father—” He stopped, aware of all the eyes on them. “Sorry, Sire.”
Adeone simply pulled him close and gave him a strong hug, relieved to confirm with his own eyes what his administrator had told him and William had inferred. Tain was safe and unharmed. “Where’s your cousin?”
“With my nearcousins, but I helped with the bucket chain. I—”
Adeone smiled. “I look forward to hearing about it over dinner. For now, you’re all going to the Palace.” He glanced at the Landis House nurse who was walking towards them with a gaggle of children. “Thank you, Nursie. Can you see all your charges, and mine,” he added ironically, ruffling his son’s hair, “to the Palace. Maria is expecting you. There are Palace coaches outside.”
Nursie nodded. “Of course, sir. His Highness did a marvellous job organising everyone earlier.”
Adeone chuckled. “I can imagine he did.” He gave his niece a hug. “Are you all right, El?”
She nodded. “It wasn’t too scary.”
Adeone watched them go and made his way towards the house. He took a moment to thank the moons that it was a still day as the images of a fire-ravaged city played on his mind’s eye.
Lord Landis was surveying the damage glumly. “Fortunately, no-one was hurt, but I guess I was going to have to rebuild this wing eventually.”
Adeone sighed. “What happened?”
“His Highness spotted a fire in the stables. Somehow, it jumped to the house. He told Clodach to take the horses to Macarian House; I hope you don’t mind. Getting them out let the fire take hold, but that doesn’t matter.”
“Very sensible of him. Is much lost?”
“It could be worse. They stopped it where the new and old house meet and managed to rescue a lot. William knew what mattered. His Highness helped with that too. Wouldn’t be gainsaid, though William and Nursie managed to keep him out of actual harm’s way.”
