Fourth Vector

Chapter 18: Revelations

*****

Jack stared back at the red, hairy face of the Picard king as Aedan's last words bounced around his brain. He couldn't help the occasional glance back at Kat, her guilt written into the contours of her face. He had no desire to even question her about the accusation.

It was clear from the look in her eyes that Aedan's words were true.

Kat was really Katherine Rosdahl, the deposed Regent of Galicia. This entire time, he'd been fighting his way through countries with a regent by his very side.

And in his bed.

He wondered why he never questioned her background before. She'd always been skittish about her past, unable or unwilling to go into much detail. It was a luxury he permitted, thinking that she would tell him the real story after enough time. He just never envisioned that time would look anything like this.

After all these months, he'd just accepted her as a Galician exile, unable to go home lest she be killed.

Now it made sense why she had the price on her head. There was no way she could go back and expect her family not to get rid of her.

If only he'd been able to see it sooner.

Heron's words echoed inside his head.

Well, all except the last regent who tried to give the title off to his daughter. She was quickly deposed and replaced by her cousin

, said the voice of Heron in his memory.

Even his grandmother's own words made an appearance.

Not all the Rosdahls are bad people, Jack. Remember that, okay?

So that's what she meant. She knew who Kat was, and she was trying to prepare me for that revelation.

Kat managed to squeak out the tiniest of sounds. "I'm so sorry, Jack," she said in a quiet voice. In the next moment, her attention was back on Aedan, but the fearful, sorrowful expression on her face had been replaced by something that was much more lifeless. Something that resembled the stately benevolence he'd witnessed several times before from leaders.

Was this Kat's true persona? And if it was, who did he really fall in love with?

Aedan's eyes bounced between the both of them, with questions on the tip of his tongue. "I'm sure there's a lot more that you two need to talk about, but I don't have much time this evening to get into the depths of it. If we can, let's talk about why you're here, Jack. And what I can do for you."

What am I doing here? What did I need to talk to him about?

Jack's head was still spinning. He didn't dare look at Kat, knowing that seeing her only made the feeling in his stomach worse.

He had to focus.

"I'm not sure how much she may have told you about who I am or what I'm doing," started Jack, only casting the briefest of glances at Kat. Would she have told Aedan about his true identity? Especially if they knew each other from long ago?

"Yes, she told me about your Javan upbringing, but I have to question how a Javan officer finds himself traveling with a deposed regent?" asked Aedan.

Jack let out a sigh of relief. At least he wouldn't have to delve into the whole story with Aedan tonight. "It's complicated to say the least."

"Start from the beginning then, and let's make our way to the present."

"It all started with a mission from the highest levels of my government," said Jack, before launching into the entire tale. He left out almost nothing, going over the desire of the emperor to gain alliances for their war with the Occitanians, the entry into Lishkerra, and the overturning of the civil war in Sorella. He also explained how they found themselves in Andalucia, as well as his path to becoming king of the desert country, as well as their problems with the Swabians at each encounter.

Aedan was a good audience, listening patiently and asking questions only when needed. Several times he was able to quickly guess what happened next in the story, and most of it was based upon his previous encounters with the Sorellans and Andalucians.

"I'm guessing the Andalucians decided to test you when you became king. Did you face a revolt upon doing so?" asked Aedan.

Jack nodded. "Almost immediately, but we defeated it. It would've been better if we didn't have to crush a Swabian regiment in the process, but at least we ended any further meddling by the Swabians in Andalucia."

Curiously enough, Aedan didn't have much to say about the Swabians, a fact that Jack found odd. Even after going over the multiple transgressions he'd encountered since being in the Vector, Aedan offered no further commentary. Jack had to wonder if it had something to do with the high number of Swabian ships in Daban's harbor.

"So that's why we're here," said Jack finally, ending the story. "King Heron of Sorella suggested this would be the next best stop for our purposes, especially considering the kinship link between the two of you."

Aedan smiled fondly. "How is Heron? It's been ages since I last saw him. My older sister, Niamh, was his wife, you know?"

"He was well when we left Sorella, hot on the heels of victory over his brother. I am sorry to hear about your sister, though. Heron still talks about her to this day, and her passing was extremely hard on him," said Jack.

"As it was on all of us," said Aedan with a regrettable look. "Niamh was full of life. She was the heir here for a long time before I was born. Of course, the Picard throne will skip over women in favor of a male heir, so my birth robbed her of that opportunity. My parents figured if she couldn't be the Picard sovereign, at least she could be queen in another country, which is how the match between Heron and her was arranged."

"A good one, by what I've heard about it. It seemed to be a true love match," said Jack.

Aedan nodded. "It was. How is my niece, Elektra? Still a little spitfire?"

Jack chuckled. "Indeed, but she is well. And engaged to be married."

"That poor man," said Aedan with a hearty laugh. "He may not know what he's getting into."

"I have a feeling he does," added Jack, as his mind turned back to Nikias. "If anyone can handle Elektra, it would be Nikias."

"It's been too many years since I've last seen them," admitted Aedan. "My sister's children are all grown up, and I have yet to have one of my own. To be expected with a ten year age gap, but I always enjoyed being an uncle to her children."

Jack smiled. "Indeed. Sometimes all we have left is family, even when everything else crashes around us." He hazarded a look to Kat, who quickly turned red at the implication. He didn't mean to do it, but the metaphor was all too appropriate in that instance.

Aedan nodded and then looked back to Jack. "So you're here seeking an alliance with me. Why us? Why Picardy?"

"Because of who you are and what you represent," said Jack. "We've heard that Picardy is one of the strongest countries in the Vector. You have a history of fighting against aggression and from the sounds of things, you've been loyal to your allies. Why wouldn't we want you on our side?"

To his surprise, Aedan started to chuckle. "Why do you easterners still refer to us as the Fourth Vector?"

Jack blinked. "We always have. It's always been a Javan thing to refer to the three eastern nations as the three original vectors and this part of the world as the fourth. I've never really questioned doing anything else."

"Yes, you all call us the Fourth Vector," said Aedan with an amused tone. "It's not what we call ourselves. Sure, the term gets thrown around here, but you won't hear it in most of the respectable nations."

"What do you call yourselves then?" asked Jack, after a quick glance at Kat.

Aedan looked directly at him. "This is the West, Jack. You're from the East, but we are the countries of the West. If you're going to be in this part of the world, you need to get used to the names that we call ourselves. Some won't take offense to it simply because they see you as foreign and therefore, you don't know any better. But if you're going to talk to the kings of the major countries, you need to know the correct terms."

Jack looked back at Kat, who only nodded simply to confirm the king's words. "Very well then. Picardy is one of the strongest nations in the West, and that's why we'd like the chance to ally with you."

"Have you approached the Galicians yet? What have they said?"

Jack opened his mouth to speak, but Kat was the one that answered. "Unfortunately, no, we have not. Nor do I think that path would be open to us as long as my cousin, Eric, holds the regency," said Kat. "He's been hunting me for years. I don't think he'd be willing to forgive that if he found out my current whereabouts."

"I can't say I'm surprised by that," admitted Aedan. "But still technically correct. You'd be just as likely to find the Galicians abstaining from any affairs outside their islands right now."

"But historically, the Galicians and the Picards have been friends in the past?" asked Jack. "In an anti-Swabian alliance? That's why we're here now. I don't think it's a coincidence that the Swabians are making waves in the West right now. If we have to fight them again, I'd like to do so on the side of their historic enemies."

"Historic enemies?" asked Aedan as he began to laugh. He then turned to look at Kat. "I'm guessing this is your influence now?"

Kat raised an eyebrow. "Is it not true? Galicia and Picardy have always been friends and allies. Going back hundreds of years."

"And where is Galicia now?" asked Aedan curtly. "When I asked for aid from our old allies, why did I receive no response? When the Swabians attacked Naxos and I asked for a conference with your cousin, Eric Rosdahl, why did he decline to even

meet

me let alone discuss the issue?"

Kat answered back quietly. "You know what kind of man he is. I was barely regent for a few months before he made his plan. Eric cares for nothing but power."

"You'll have to excuse me, Katherine, but this goes back further than your cousin. Your father Marcus was the same way. Most of the regents have been. Galicia cares for nothing of the world anymore, only what goes on inside her own borders."

"While that may be true," interrupted Jack before turning to Aedan. "What does Galicia have to do with Picardy? Yes, Kat is my companion but we don't yet speak for Galicia."

"Yet you say? Did I hear that right?" asked Aedan with a chuckle. "You're ambitious, I'll give you that. I'll give you a hint though. Eric Rosdahl will never ally with you as long as you protect his cousin. If you want Galicia, you'll have to make a choice someday between him and Katherine."

"That's an easy decision for me to make then," said Jack with a raised chin.

Aedan scoffed. "You don't get it, Jack. Even now I'm sure he hunts her." He then turned to Kat. "How many assassins did we catch when you first came to Picardy right after you were deposed?"

"Two," answered Kat.

"And that was just in a space of three months," said Aedan before turning back to Jack. "He won't stop hunting her. As long as she's with you, you'll be nothing to him."

Jack swiped his hand through the air. "Let's take Galicia off the table. We have no accommodations with Galicia, despite Kat's status."

Or mine, for that matter

. "We came here to discuss Picardy, not Galicia."

"Do you think you would get one without the other?" asked Aedan with a raised brow. "Or perhaps you think you'd be able to capitalize on the old Swabian enmity of the past. Well, I have news for you, Jack. Times are changing."

Jack pursed his lips. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that if the Galicians are not willing to take their part in leading the West, then the Swabians are more than capable of doing so. Picardy is a strong country, yes, but she can't be isolated. She needs allies of her own."

"All the better. Our alliance includes Sorella and Andalucia, as well as the Javan Empire."

Aedan smiled condescendingly. "I meant big countries, Jack."

"Java is more than big enough—"

"I know enough about Java to know that I doubt their trustworthiness. They are on the other side of the world, and by your own words, embroiled in war. What help would they be for us? As for Sorella and Andalucia, they are small countries. Heron would tell you the same thing. Against the might of the Swabia, they will not stand for long."

"But we might with Picardy," added Jack. "If you join with us, you'd be able to help us turn the tide."

"No offense to you, Jack, but I don't know you. I don't know your motivations. I don't know your character. I know Katherine, and she has that going for her, but her people are weak and impotent. They've absolved themselves of their willingness to lead. Picardy needs a strong ally, which is why I've started appropriate dialogues with the Swabians."

"Aedan, you can't do that," said Kat, stepping forward quickly. "You know they can't be trusted. They've broken their word on just about everything they've ever given it on."

"Haven't the Galicians broken their word to us?" asked Aedan. "What happened to our old alliance? Is it not dead and buried?"

"I would have renewed it," shot back Kat.

"Alas, you would've, Katherine." Aedan shook his head. "I have no doubt about that. My father liked you a great deal and said you would've made a great leader someday. I only wish you were still at the helm. The rest of your family is not cut from the same cloth, as much as it pains me to say it. I would've enjoyed working with you the most. We acceded to power around the same time. What a world we could've forged together! One based upon mutual respect and power. And now there is nothing left to do with Galicia."

"That doesn't mean you need to turn toward the Swabians. You know what they did to Picard troops during the Fourth Swabian War," said Kat. "The atrocities they committed. The scores of people they killed. It's the same in every conflict they have. They have shown repeatedly that they have no care for the value of human life."

"Ages ago, Katherine. Ancient history practically," dismissed Aedan. "Who didn't get carried away in that war? As I'm sure that there were things we did on our side that were particularly distasteful as well. I can move past those issues. There is nobody alive today that fought in that war, so why should we carry on the same prejudices?"

"Where is this coming from? What's changed?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Pragmatism," answered Aedan. "The Swabians have approached me with a trading agreement. I'm sure you've no doubt noticed their ships in this very harbor."

"Unfortunately, we have. We also noticed they are the only ones allowed past the port office," said Jack.

"I've found them to be remarkably good partners so far. Fair and honest."

"Fair and honest? Are we still talking about Swabians?"

Aedan turned away. "Something needed to change, Katherine. This trade agreement is our first step toward a real alliance. One that we haven't had in a long time. The Carinthians haven't been friendly in some time, and the Galicians would rather pretend we didn't exist. Why stand up alone to Swabia when we can come to some acknowledgment of our power together?"

"You're making a mistake, Aedan. I don't know who you're working with on the Swabian side, but this is what they do. They come in as friends only to stab you in the back when you least expect it," said Kat.

"Not to mention, their track record since I've been here has been unsavory to say the least," added Jack. "I didn't come to the West disliking them from the start. They've shown me they couldn't help but meddle in the affairs of other countries. We caught them trying to steal the treasury in Sorella as well as selling slaves in Andalucia. Every country they take an interest in ends up having its own conflict. I have no doubt that yours will be next."

"That's where we differ in opinion, Jack," said Aedan calmly. "Swabian traders have flooded our marketplaces with their own goods, a benefit for my people. Like never before, they have access to a wide range of traded products, which has been extremely beneficial during this plague. Our forces have even arranged joint movements together, in a way to increase our understanding of our own peoples and improve the way they work together."

"You've willingly let Swabian soldiers into your own country?" asked Kat with a near gasp.

Aedan turned to face her. "I'm happy to do it! I welcome this new change, unlike many of the others. It's time that Picardy turned over a new leaf. There is no reason to remain blinded to the old customs of the past. The Swabians can be trusted, and I will prove it."

Jack shot a look over to Kat, noticing a real look of worry on her face. It was something he felt deeply within his gut as well, a troubling feeling that took hold over everything else. He knew not all was right in the country, but this would be a disaster to find the Picards aligned with the Swabians.

It also potentially added to his list of enemies.

It wasn't hard to tell why Aedan thought this way. Jack could see that he was young, and from his own depiction, he was still relatively inexperienced on the throne.

Yet in dealing with the Swabians, it left out the elephant in the room.

"Let's move on from the Swabians for a minute," said Jack finally, causing Kat to drop her jaw. "It's obvious that we're not seeing eye-to-eye there, so let's focus on something else. Tell me about this plague that you're dealing with. What's really happening?"

Aedan's body language shifted from the defiant and confident king to a slumped-shouldered man in the space of several minutes. It wasn't without notice, and Jack wondered if he'd just found the man's weak point.

"What more is there to say?" started Aedan weakly. "Plagues come and go, and it appears it's Picardy's turn right now. It's not the first time, and I'm sure it won't be the last either."

"When did it show up though? How long have you been suffering through it?"

Aedan sat down at the chair near Jack's desk. "About a few weeks now. It started here in Daban, not surprisingly. The first victims showed up at the hospitals bearing fevers and reports of the chills. Most of them were sent away with basic medication, only to come back with swollen protrusions all over their body, as well as a whole host of other symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. The worst part about it is that our medication can only treat the symptoms, meaning the plague has to run its course. Even worse for the patient, their last day alive usually looks like recovery. Their pains melt away, they become more lucid and talk about being released and going home. Then they die." Aedan hung his head. It was obvious he'd seen way too many casualties of the sickness.

"How many are dead?" asked Jack. "With something that's been going on for weeks, what's the toll?"

"Thousands," muttered Aedan. "It would be worse had we not closed the borders, ports, and banned travel between the cities. Everyone is to remain inside their homes for the time being while we attempt to get ahead of this thing. But it may already be too late. It's already been carried to our next two largest cities, Zarah and Burwick."

"How long do they suffer before death?" asked Kat.

"About a week altogether. The worst days are four through six. Seven is when they make the recovery before they are dead on the eighth. I've seen too many of them to count," said Aedan. "I'm at my wit's end trying to figure out how to stop it. The first week we had maybe thirty victims. Now, we are losing five hundred people every single day, with no end in sight. I can't keep up with all the burials. We have bodies that are decomposing because there's not enough people to bury them. And those that are left are petrified to go near anyone that died of the plague, not that I blame them. I wouldn't want to be near them either."