Antiagon Fire

3

As Quaeryt had suspected, his meeting with Bhayar was not short, and he did not return to the quarters he and Vaelora shared until almost three quints past ninth glass. She was waiting for him in the small sitting room adjoining their bedchamber and immediately rose from where she had been seated, setting a small leatherbound volume on the table beside her chair.

“Reading Rholan and the Nameless again?” he asked.

She offered a mock scowl. “Are you going to tell me how things went with Bhayar? Besides getting promoted?” An impish smile appeared as her eyes took in the gold crescent moon insignia on Quaeryt’s collar.

“Did you know?”

She shook her head. “You know I’ve scarcely talked to him since you recovered. I did think he’d have to, but having to do something means he’ll usually take his time in getting around to it. What did he say about your going to Khel?”

“About what we suspected,” replied Quaeryt dryly. “Except for one thing. You’re coming with me to Khelgror. We’re both being named as envoys.”

“I thought that might be the case.”

“Oh … you did?”

“Think about to whom you’ll be talking, dearest … and who often makes the decisions. Especially after what happened to most of the men.”

Quaeryt nodded. He should have thought about that. Women were equal, if not more than equal, in Pharsi culture. Since much of Khel had been Pharsi-at least before the ravages of the Red Death and the bloodbath created by the late Rex Kharst’s conquest of Khel-women would definitely be involved in deciding on Bhayar’s offer. Sending not only a high-ranking Pharsi officer such as Quaeryt, but his wife, who was Bhayar’s sister and known to be of Pharsi blood, only made sense. If you succeed … only if you succeed. “It’s not likely to be as easy as Bhayar thinks.”

“I doubt he thinks it’s easy.”

“And … if we don’t get their agreement…”

“You’ll end up as princeps in Tilbor again or in the far north of Bovaria when all the fighting’s over,” suggested Vaelora. “Or, even worse, as military governor of Khel.”

“That’s assuming I survive the assignments that Myskyl and Deucalon will suggest Bhayar give me.”

“We’d best succeed.” Vaelora’s voice was firm.

She didn’t have to mention that Quaeryt had barely survived either the battle of Ferravyl or the battle of Variana.

“We’ll have two regiments, plus first company, after we leave Ephra.” He kept a bland expression on his face.

“We’re supposed to travel unescorted across Bovaria?” asked Vaelora a trace sharply.

“No … two regiments and first company will accompany us all the way. Commander Skarpa and Southern Army will also go as far as Ephra.” He shook his head. “After that, Bhayar’s arranged for ships to take us to Kherseilles. I have my doubts about whether they’ll all show up, since ten are merchanters.” More than doubts, knowing what you know about merchanters. Then again, he had to have made arrangements weeks ago, even before you’d recovered, but … He looked at Vaelora. “Did you tell him I’d recover?”

“Of course. I knew you would. I told you that, dearest. What about the ships?”

“His two warships will be there, but the merchanters…” Quaeryt shrugged. “If they all don’t make it, Skarpa could use extra battalions and regiments. Then there’s the problem with mounts. The ships can’t carry them. Bhayar claims he’s made arrangements for us to have mounts in Kherseilles, but he wouldn’t tell me the details … and that’s not good.”

Vaelora shook her head. “No … and he probably said he had every confidence in you. But don’t you think we could travel with fewer troopers, even if you don’t want to tell Bhayar?”

“We could. I don’t like it. Do you think I should?”

“No.” She smiled. “You should have the choice of what to do if it comes to that.”

“I still worry.”

“You’ve never had enough troops, or mounts, dearest. Neither has Skarpa. This time, you might. Don’t give them away because something might happen.”

It most likely will happen, but she’s right. In the momentary silence that filled the sitting room, Quaeryt said, “I need to find Skarpa and talk to him.”

“You didn’t tell me when we are leaving.”

“Lundi.”

“Lundi? That only gives me four days to get ready.” Her eyes narrowed. “Am I supposed to ride the entire way?”

“No. We’re to use Rex Kharst’s personal canal boat as far as Ephra. We’ll take the Great Canal from Variana to Laaryn…” Quaeryt quickly explained the arrangements.

“The Great Canal,” mused Vaelora when he had finished. “Wasn’t that where so many died in building it?”

“Kharst’s father started building it. Kharst finished it. They used prisoners, captives, and some even say imagers. It took almost thirty years to finish, and at least one scholar wrote that thousands were buried under its walls.”

Vaelora shivered slightly. “For a canal?”

“Because Bhayar and his father denied Bovarian traders free passage on the Aluse,” Quaeryt pointed out.

“So they sacrificed thousands to avoid paying passage tariffs?”

“Some rulers find lives cheaper than golds,” Quaeryt said dryly.

Vaelora shook her head, then added, “We’ll still end up riding into Khelgror, I’d wager.”

“But you won’t be riding the whole way.”

“Go find Skarpa. I need to make arrangements for more suitable clothing.”

Quaeryt frowned.

“Dearest, even if all goes well, it will be winter, or close to it, before we return to Variana, and by then I will not be able to wear what I now possess.”

“I understand,” he said quickly. “I’ll try to finish…”

“Take your time. And keep working on getting your shield strength back.”

Quaeryt nodded. Actually, from what he could tell, his shields were stronger than ever, confirming his feeling that the more he attempted with imaging, the stronger an imager he became. Except all the times that happened, you almost died. How long will it be before you push too hard and don’t survive? He couldn’t help but think about poor Shaelyt … who’d tried to do too much … and hadn’t survived.

“And even if you think your shields are back, keep them up, especially when you think it should be safe.”

Quaeryt smiled sheepishly, then walked over and embraced his wife, holding her closely before kissing her cheek, and retreating to seek out Skarpa.

He’d hoped to find both Major Zhelan and Skarpa in the estate’s guesthouse-temporarily being used as headquarters by Marshal Deucalon, but Zhelan was out, riding a patrol with first company, the only unit effectively left of what had been Quaeryt’s Fifth Battalion, now that the Khellan companies had been dispatched with Subcommander Calkoran.

Quaeryt finally located Skarpa, sharing a small chamber with another commander at the rear of the guesthouse, a space far closer to the courtyard and stables than that of any other senior officer. The other commander was absent, but likely not for long, given the papers stacked on the second desk.

Skarpa rose. Then he saw the insignia on Quaeryt’s collar and nodded. “About time, Commander.”

“Quaeryt. You’ve been a commander longer. You still outrank me.”

“Not for all that long, I’d wager.” The hint of a smile lurked behind Skarpa’s pleasant expression.

“You’ve said that before. It didn’t happen. Bhayar promoted me because he had to for me to command more than one regiment.” He paused. “He has told you about escorting us…?”

“He hasn’t. Myskyl did, this morning.” Skarpa offered a wry smile. “Then, less than a quint ago, Deucalon appeared at my door here, and told me that I’d be promoted to submarshal tomorrow by Lord Bhayar and that I’ll be leading a full seven regiments to Ephra-in addition to your forces. How much of that was your doing? Don’t tell me it wasn’t.”

“It was Bhayar’s decision. I did suggest that two or three regiments weren’t enough for what he wanted, and that it would put less strain on the quartermasters if you took more men south. I also told him to let you pick your successor as commander of Third Regiment.”

“I appreciate that.”

Quaeryt raised his eyebrows.

“Fhaen. Falossn would do as well, but Fhaen has more experience. That’s not all you said, knowing you.”

“I did suggest that he dispatch Myskyl to the north and northwest to assure that the High Holders there, and any remaining Bovarian forces, pledge their allegiance to Bhayar.”

“Like I said, in time you’ll outrank me.”

Quaeryt shook his head. “I’ll never be a submarshal or marshal, and I shouldn’t be.”

“I have my doubts, but I won’t argue. I’ve learned that I’m usually wrong where you’re involved.”

“That’s because I don’t argue when you’re right,” said Quaeryt with a laugh.

“And I argue when I’m wrong?” jested Skarpa.

“No. But sometimes you don’t appreciate your own abilities enough.” After the briefest hesitation, Quaeryt asked, “How many of your new regiments will be foot?”

“Two.”

“Good. You’ll need more foot in the south.”

“That’s why I asked for them.”

“I’m glad we aren’t arguing about that,” quipped Quaeryt.

“There is one problem with the regiments, though,” said Skarpa, “or their commanders. One of them is Fourteenth Regiment. Commander Kharllon.”

“I don’t know him, but I’d wager he’s close to Deucalon or Myskyl. Are there any other commanders or subcommanders in the regiments he assigned to you who outrank Meinyt?”

“No. Paedn, Dulaek, Meurn, and Fhaasn are all subcommanders. One is enough, especially when Kharllon is close to Myskyl.”

“Have you talked to Meinyt?”

Skarpa nodded. “He expected it. So did I, but I don’t like it. Kharllon outranks you, too, but he’d likely not press that. He understands power well.” Skarpa shook his head. “Calkoran won’t get the Pharsi to agree to Bhayar’s terms, you know?”

“I’d be surprised.” Quaeryt laughed sardonically. “I’d be surprised if Vaelora and I can.”

“He’s sending you both?”

“Women have a stronger position in Khel … or they did before Kharst conquered them.”

“I’d still be surprised if you can’t get them to agree.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Khel wasn’t strong enough to stand that long against Kharst, Red Death or no Red Death. It certainly can’t stand for long against a united Telaryn and Bovaria. Now is the time when the Pharsi have the greatest leverage, and you’re the perfect one to point that out.”

“People seldom decide such things rationally. We both know that.”

“Then you need to give them a reason to decide irrationally. I’m sure you can manage that. You’ve done it before.”

“Only with a few individuals. The rest of the time I’ve been far more effective at destroying things and people.”

“That’s true, but it doesn’t mean you can’t change how you operate.”

Quaeryt nodded. It does point out again that it is time to try other approaches. “What do you know about Subcommander Alazyn and Nineteenth Regiment?”

“Alazyn … Alazyn…” Skarpa’s face brightened. “He was the one who took over after Commander Kantyr got killed by that girl who claimed she was his mistress.”

That figures. “What about Alazyn?”

“He’s another one like Zhelan. Tough, fair, knows fighting men and discipline. Not much for tactics. But he’s not from Nineteenth. He was the senior regimental major under Pulaskyr. Is the Nineteenth the other regiment you got? I heard about Khaern.”

“It is.”

“Alazyn will do fine under you. He’ll have his hands full for a while with Nineteenth, not so much, though, as if they’d stayed in the Northern Army under Deucalon.” Skarpa went on. “You might wish to pay a call on Submarshal Myskyl. Marshal Deucalon is touring the lands east of Variana, paying visits to the estates of quite a few High Holders.”

“Mostly deceased, I presume.”

“I have not heard.” Skarpa offered a crooked smile.

“I will see Myskyl, then. By then, perhaps Zhelan will have returned.”

“He said something about returning by the first glass of the afternoon. Please don’t give Myskyl my best.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, even in a nightmare. Until later.” Quaeryt nodded and made his way from the small chamber toward the front of the guesthouse, where he soon located the study occupied by the submarshal.

The hard-faced undercaptain-likely a recently promoted senior squad leader-looked up, then immediately stood. “Commander, sir?”

“Would you inquire to see if the submarshal might have a moment?”

“Certainly, sir.” The undercaptain moved to the door, knocked, and stepped inside, only to return almost immediately, gesturing for Quaeryt to enter the small study.

Once inside the chamber, most likely a lady’s study, from the graceful carved bookcase of only three shelves to the writing table with the curved legs, Quaeryt inclined his head to the gray-haired submarshal, noting that the scars on Myskyl’s left cheek, old and faded as they were, seemed more prominent for some reason … or perhaps Quaeryt had forgotten them, since he’d seen so little of Myskyl in the past half year. “Good morning, sir.”

“Good morning, Commander.” Myskyl studied Quaeryt, then smiled. “I understand that you’ll be off to the west to make certain that the lands of Khel remain loyal.”

“I will indeed be heading west with several regiments to persuade the High Council of Khel to accept Lord Bhayar’s offer of governance. Since he did not conquer them, they doubtless believe that they owe him no innate loyalty. My task, as I am certain you know, is to make certain that they understand that accepting his kind offer and pledging their loyalty is by far the best and most prudent course of action.” Quaeryt smiled. “My loyalty to Lord Bhayar goes back to when we were both students, long before Lady Vaelora and I were wed, and that bond has only reinforced my desire to dedicate myself to acting with prudence in his best interests.”

Myskyl’s eyes hardened, if but for a moment, before he smiled heartily. “I’m more than certain that Lord Bhayar appreciates your unrestrained loyalty more than he will ever be able to repay, and that you will employ all your considerable talents to the end of assuring that Khel will remain loyal to him.”

“I will certainly do my best to create such a loyalty, although I doubt that the Khellan acquiescence to Rex Kharst was based upon loyalty in any form. Still … we all do what we must, as I know you have always done, first in service to Marshal Rescalyn and now in service to Marshal Deucalon and Lord Bhayar. I have watched the care with which you have planned every strategy and can only admire your skill.” Quaeryt smiled slightly more than politely.

“Alas, Commander, your skill in such is second to none, and you have mastered the art of applying force when and where it will do the most good. Of course, not all … difficulties … can be so resolved.”

“I defer to your expertise and experience in that, Submarshal, and I will keep that well in mind as I deal with the Khellan High Council. Might you have any specific advice as to those points I should keep most in mind?”

“Only that agreements that cannot be enforced, in some fashion or another, will be broken as soon as it is in the interest of the parties to do so.”

Quaeryt nodded. “I fear that may be a concern for those on both sides, and I will follow your observation as matters develop.” He inclined his head just slightly. “I would not wish to take any more of your time, but I did want to pay my respects in case I did not have the opportunity before we depart.”

“You are most thoughtful in that respect,” replied Myskyl, “indeed in all respects. As you demonstrated in the last days of the hill holders’ revolt.”

“That thoughtfulness I learned from observing you and Marshal Rescalyn, and I do appreciate having the opportunity to learn from you both.” After another nod, Quaeryt smiled politely once more, then turned and left.

From Deucalon’s duty officer, Quaeryt learned that Khaern had ridden out earlier on “a routine scouting mission.”

After another quint or so had passed, Quaeryt saw Zhelan ride into the side courtyard, but it was yet another quint before the hard-faced major with the slightly graying black hair left the stable and crossed to the guest house’s rear entrance where Quaeryt waited.

“Sir?” Then Zhelan glanced at Quaeryt’s collar. “Congratulations, sir.”

“Thank you.” Quaeryt paused. “Has anyone told you of our next task?”

“Our next task?” The major’s eyebrows lifted, and a mild expression of puzzlement crossed his face.

“Lord Bhayar has assigned Eleventh and Nineteenth Regiments-and what remains of Fifth Battalion-to me for a mission to Khelgror.”

“You’re to … conquer the Pharsi again with two regiments?”

“No … Lady Vaelora and I are being sent as envoys.” Quaeryt went on to explain.

Once Quaeryt had finished, Zhelan was silent for several moments.

“Go on. You can speak,” said Quaeryt cheerfully.

“Lord Bhayar doesn’t want much of you, does he?”

“He’d prefer not to resort to arms. So would we. So, I suspect, would the Pharsi High Council.”

“But leaving on Lundi?”

“We can’t afford to wait.”

“I can see that. Are you…?”

“I’m well. And it will be two weeks or longer before we encounter even the chance of serious opposition … if we do at all. The Pharsi aren’t likely to attack any envoy now.”

“I can see that, sir.”

“Think about it. I just wanted to make sure you knew as soon as I did.” Quaeryt added, “I’ll need a squad to accompany me to meet with Subcommander Alazyn … as soon as you can provide one.”

“Fifth squad is the duty squad. They can be ready to ride in less than a quint.”

Not quite a quint passed before Quaeryt mounted the mare that had seen him through so much and, accompanied by fifth squad, rode out on the hazy gray day. In deference to Vaelora, rather than carrying light shields that, if anything impacted them, would trigger heavier shields, Quaeryt held full imaging shields.

They traveled more than a mille south, and another two west along a muddy rutted road to reach the smaller holding where Alazyn and Nineteenth Regiment were quartered. The hold house was old, of reddish bricks that needed repointing, and the hedges that flanked the narrow drive to the small uncovered portico had been but raggedly trimmed.

A short stocky officer with the silver crescents of a subcommander on his collar had hurried out into the cool fall wind to stand waiting on the uneven stone platform that served as a receiving portico. As Quaeryt put his second boot on the stone, a violent gust of wind whipped around him, and he had to grab his visor cap to keep it from blowing off his head.

“It’s been right windy, Commander,” offered the subcommander. “How might I help you?”

“Would you be Subcommander Alazyn, by chance?”

“The very same, sir.”

“It’s good to meet you. I’m Commander Quaeryt.”

Alazyn opened his mouth, then closed it, finally saying, “Sir … I should have known … I didn’t expect you to ride out here…”

Quaeryt grinned. “Why not? It makes more sense than sending a courier.”

Alazyn gestured toward the door. “Please do come in.”

Quaeryt followed the shorter officer in through the wide single and weathered ironbound oak door, closing it behind himself.

“Commander Pulaskyr has been kind enough to share the study here with me.” Alazyn stopped at the door off the small entry hall, again motioning for Quaeryt to enter. “He’s out with Second Regiment at the moment … Second Tilboran, I should say.”

The study was little more than an oblong room with a hearth at one end and a writing desk at the other, with two tall bookcases behind the table desk and against the tan plaster wall. The two windows in the outside wall were chest high, with small leaded panes cloudy with age. Two armless chairs stood before the desk. Quaeryt walked to the nearer one and seated himself, then waited for Alazyn to sit down in the other.

Alazyn did so, then said, “You and Commander Pulaskyr were together in Tilbor, I understand.”

“We were in Tilbor at the same time, but we never actually served anywhere together. He was in charge of all operations north of the Boran Hills, and I was with Marshal Rescalyn in the south. We never even met until after the hill holders’ revolt was put down.” And even then we barely had a chance to speak to each other. “I understand he was very effective in dealing with the northern hill holders.”

“He said that you were largely responsible for the way things turned out in the south.”

“He is far too generous. The entire campaign in the south was planned and masterfully carried out by Governor Rescalyn, and finished by Submarshal Myskyl.”

“The governor died in the last battle, Commander Pulaskyr told me. Did you see any of that?”

Quaeryt smiled wryly. “No. I was unhorsed by a heavy cavalryman moments before Rescalyn fell.” That wasn’t quite true, but it was what Quaeryt had said all along, and what everyone, including Myskyl, believed. “Have you yet been instructed as to where Nineteenth Regiment will be assigned?”

“Just a dispatch yesterday saying that we were assigned to special duty under your command, sir … and that specific orders would come from you.”

“Eleventh and Nineteenth Regiments, and the one company remaining from Fifth Battalion that was not Khellan, have been assigned to support Lady Vaelora and me in our duties as envoys to the High Council of Khel…” Quaeryt went on to explain.

When Quaeryt finished, Alazyn tilted his head, almost quizzically. “I’m not certain I understand why Lord Bhayar … has taken this approach. Isn’t taking a woman, even Lord Bhayar’s sister…?”

At that moment, Quaeryt realized he’d assumed that Alazyn knew more than he did. “There are several reasons. First, both Lord Bhayar and Lady Vaelora are part Pharsi. Second, I’m the highest ranking officer of full Pharsi blood in the Telaryn forces. Third, I was the one in command of all the Pharsi officers who are already in Khel offering Lord Bhayar’s terms.” He paused. “And there is the small matter that Lady Vaelora is my wife.”

Alazyn’s eyes widened, if but for a moment.

“I take it that no one bothered to mention those facts to you,” said Quaeryt dryly.

“Ah … no, sir.”

“That’s not surprising. At times, senior officers assume subordinates know everything they do.” Quaeryt laughed humorously. “As I just did.” After a moment he went on. “Please ask any and all questions you may have … even if you worry that they may indicate you don’t know something. In situations like this, the only stupid questions are the ones you don’t ask.”

“Yes, sir.” Alazyn looked away from Quaeryt. “Is it true that you’re an imager?”

“Yes, but I’m one of about ten, and the other imagers will be accompanying us as well…”

More than a glass passed before Quaeryt had answered all of Alazyn’s questions and departed the hold house for the ride back to the outskirts of Variana.