Ordermaster

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Eightday dawned far more quietly than had sevenday, for which Kharl was most grateful, since his chest and ribs did not seem much improved. There was less sharp pain and more of a dull aching. Since Hagen had told him to eat in the smaller dining room, he had enjoyed a hot breakfast there.

As Kharl had finished eating, Hagen had peered in, a somber look on his face. “I thought I might find you here.”

“You look worried.”

Hagen nodded as he slid into the chair across from Kharl. “Vatoran is dead. I just got a messenger from Norgen.”

“I thought Vatoran had escaped.”

“He did. He didn’t live very long after he escaped. He was garrotted.”

“Like the serving girl,” Kharl said.

“It might have been the same person, someone whom they both trusted. Or they were with someone they trusted, and off guard.” Hagen frowned. “I don’t see why they’d help Vatoran escape, then kill him. If they were worried about what he’d told us, they’d have found out-” Hagen looked at Kharl. “Chaos-wizards have a hard time telling if someone is telling the truth, don’t they?”

Kharl considered, then recalled what he had seen in Hamor, where a wizard had destroyed an innocent man who had been telling the truth. At the time, he’d just thought it cruel, but what if Hagen happened to be right? “Some of them probably do. Maybe a lot. I don’t know for sure.”

“So they couldn’t be sure that he hadn’t betrayed them. That would explain it. Once you’d talked to him, they couldn’t trust him.”

The rebels had killed Vatoran because Kharl had talked to him? “But he never told anyone anything.”

“They don’t know that. Lords like Malcor and Kenslan don’t trust anyone. Neither do Fergyn and Hensolas, and I’d wager that they’ve taken over leadership of the rebels.”

“There were that many lords who opposed Ghrant?”

“These things take on a life of their own. Hensolas in particular is too calculating ever to start a revolt, but he might encourage others and let them take the lead. That was why Estloch had sent him off as envoy to Brysta. Once he came back, he’d stayed in the background, but he had to have worried about Malcor’s treachery and Kenslan’s brutality. With both of them dead, and with the quiet support of Hamor-and seeing what you’ve done to Malcor, Kenslan, and Guillam, he and Fergyn wouldn’t trust Lord Ghrant. They’d feel that they had no choice. They don’t.” Hagen’s words were level.

“You’re telling me that I caused this revolt? Because I caught Guillam lying in his teeth?” Kharl set down the mug of warm cider without taking a swallow.

“Lords fear the truth at times more than death or their ruler.” Hagen offered a faint smile. “You didn’t cause the revolt. It would have happened before long.”

Kharl understood all too well that Hagen and Lord Ghrant would have liked more time before the rebel lords had acted. He just shook his head. “I was afraid that if Guillam walked out of the audience hall, there would have been a revolt within eightdays. I didn’t realize that I’d cause it to occur immediately.”

“Lord Ghrant is aware of that.” Hagen fingered his chin. “As I told you earlier, if we can get through this, matters may turn out for the best.” He laughed softly. “The next few eightdays will be the test.”

“What else has happened?”

“Norgen’s scouts have reported several Hamorian vessels off the coast just north of here. They landed a small party, then departed.”

“Golds … and more white wizards,” Kharl suggested.

“The golds I can see. They’re cheaper than soldiers and less costly.”

“So are white wizards. The one wizard with Malcor wasn’t that strong. Neither was the one with Ilteron. The one who attacked yesterday wasn’t as strong as the one with Ilteron in Dykaru.” Kharl felt that any white wizard he’d bested couldn’t be that powerful. After all, he’d been working with order for less than a year.

“You think so?”

“The emperor keeps his wizards under tight rein. I saw that in Hamor. What better way to suggest that they stay in line than by sending those who are not as … obedient as he might like to Austra?”

“And if they refuse to follow orders once they’re here,” Hagen added, “it just creates more chaos here in Austra, and anything that does that weakens Austra.”

Kharl nodded.

“Always Hamor …” Hagen shook his head. “They want to hold the entire world.”

“What about Reduce?”

“Hamor will try to take over everyone else first. It may take generations, but the emperors have all been patient, and they have wizards and iron-hulled warships and golds.” Hagen rose. “How are your ribs?”

“Still sore.”

“You’ll have a few days, I’d judge. I’d like more, but I’m not counting on it.”

Neither was Kharl.