Ordermaster

IV

Almost half a glass had passed before the three commanders stood in Hagen’s small chamber. Kharl had choked down some bread and cheese, and a mug of ale, enough food that he was no longer feeling weakened.

Vatoran stood in the middle, a gray-haired officer with a broad forehead, pointed chin, and perfect mustache. Casolan, to Vatoran’s right, was short and blocky, square-faced. Both Vatoran and Casolan wore the green-and-black uniforms, while on the left stood Norgen, a slender man in black and yellow, whose once-red hair had faded to strawberry and whose freckles had faded into pale splotches on a face that had seen too much sun.

While Hagen stood behind the desk, Kharl was to the side, his back to the north wall.

“Commander Vatoran,” Hagen began, “you were at the audience earlier this afternoon. What did you think of the chief factor’s attitude toward Lord Ghrant?”

Vatoran squinted slightly. Clearly, the question puzzled the officer, Kharl felt.

After a moment, Vatoran replied. “His words were polite. They were not truthful, but they have never been. He was never that truthful to Lord Estloch.” The commander coughed, several times, then stepped back, trying to clear his throat. When he finally straightened up, he was to the left of Norgen.

Kharl could sense the falsity of the cough, but why had Vatoran moved to one side? There was a hint of chaos around the commander, but Kharl had found that many people occasionally showed such hints. While he didnot know why, he had surmised that occurred because they had been near a source of chaos.

“What was your impression of the chief factor, Commander Norgen?”

“Guillam was always well-spoken, ser. He chose his words with care. His own interests were always more important to him than the interests of Austra, but I have found that to be true of most factors and merchants.”

“Were you surprised to find that he was plotting against Lord Ghrant and ser Kharl?”

“No, ser. He is the sort that believes he is superior to others. He believes that, even if they know he opposes them, they will not dare to act against him.”

“You are charged with the safety of Lord Ghrant, Commander Norgen. One of your more trusted armsmen was suborned and tried to murder his consort and heirs. The performance of a number of your companies and their officers has left something to be desired. Under these conditions, I have to ask two questions. First, are you willing to do what is necessary to improve the personal guard? Second, are you personally completely loyal to Lord Ghrant?”

Norgen smiled ironically. “If I were not loyal to the Lord of Austra, I would not be in this room. It is clear that ser Kharl can tell falsehoods more quickly than they can be uttered. Because I understand this, I will tell the truth as I see it. I am loyal to the Lord of Austra, and I will do all that I can to improve the personal guard. I am greatly concerned that Lord Ghrant is not the leader that his sire was, but I always felt that Ilteron would have plunged Austra into chaos and that we would have ended as either a Hamorian pawn or part of their empire. Any other leader would not have the support of all those necessary to rule effectively. Lord Ghrant, unless he is most careful, and unless he heeds your advice, may still have great difficulty.”

Kharl could sense the truth of Norgen’s words, even to the fact that Norgen did not particularly care for Ghrant, but would be loyal.

Norgen looked to Kharl, not to Hagen. Then Hagen nodded at Kharl.

“Commander Norgen is bound by his duty, and will be loyal, even though he does not have the deepest of affection for Lord Ghrant.”

Vatoran shifted his weight from one boot to the other, and his lips tightened.

Hagen turned to Casolan. “The Western Division armsmen and lancers had the best performance in dealing with Ilteron’s forces, but they were not as good as they should have been.”

“No, ser. I have already removed three captains, and one overcaptain, and we have stepped up training for all companies.”

“I know,” Hagen said dryly. “The Lords Fergyn, Kenslan, and Sterolan have already complained that there was no reason to dismiss their sons. I’ve suggested, politely, that there was reason, and that the lords and their sons might well not wish those reasons to become public. They agreed, reluctantly.” The lord-chancellor paused, then asked, “How do you see your duty to Lord Ghrant, commander?”

“Guess I’m like Norgen. Lord Ghrant’s got a lot to learn, and he didn’t want to learn it until circumstances forced him. Ilteron was the worst of a bad lot, and I can’t thank the mage enough for putting an end to that problem. I’m loyal to the Lord of Austra. I just hope he’s worth that loyalty.”

Along with truthfulness, Casolan conveyed a rock-hard solidity. On the far side of the other two commanders, Vatoran shifted his weight once more, almost imperceptibly, his eyes avoiding Kharl.

“Ser mage?” asked Hagen.

“Commander Casolan has stated his feelings most truthfully, ser.”

“I would expect no less from a distinguished officer.” Hagen smiled. “Ser Kharl … do you have any questions for Commander Vatoran?”

Kharl thought he understood what was coming. “Commander Vatoran, the last time we met, I had told you about the officers who were eating a lavish meal in Dykaru when a battle was about to begin. I also told you about the officer who had given poor direction to the driver of a wagon carrying wounded. Could you tell me what you did about those incidents?”

Vatoran looked at Kharl, coldly, then at Hagen. “You are allowing this … mage … to question my command?”

“Can you suggest anyone more honest, and more interested in the truth, commander?” replied Hagen.

Kharl could sense the faintest hint of ironic amusement from Casolan, but he kept his eyes and senses upon Vatoran.

“Truth means nothing without understanding,” Vatoran replied.

“That is very true,” Kharl said. “That is why I asked what you did. You could certainly explain matters to me so that I could understand. What did you do?”

Vatoran stiffened. “My officers insist that you were mistaken, mage. Honestly mistaken, but mistaken.”

Vatoran was lying, but Kharl could not understand why, not under thecircumstances. “I am confused, commander.” Kharl paused. “The uniforms of Austran officers are very distinctive. I did see those uniforms. Does that mean that someone else was wearing them?”

“You had to be mistaken.”

“Did you actually inquire?”

“Of course.”

That was a blatant lie. “I see. Would you say that your loyalty is more to your officers, or more to the Lord of Austra?”

“I must be loyal to both. If my officers do not trust me, then I can do nothing for my lord.”

Kharl had to think. Vatoran was right about that. “How do you enforce discipline, then, when they have done wrong?”

“Done wrong? You were mistaken, mage.” Vatoran’s voice was tight.

Kharl half turned to Hagen, not totally taking his eyes and senses off Vatoran. “I may have been mistaken. I do not think so, not when there were others in Dykaru who also saw those officers and spoke of it. Whether I was mistaken or not, Commander Vatoran is not telling the truth, and he knows that he is not.”

Vatoran turned to Casolan. “Will you let them do this? Listen to a cooper who has never commanded a single armsman?”

Casolan smiled sadly. “The mage has been in more battles than you have, Vatoran. He doesn’t lie, either.”

Vatoran looked to Norgen.

Norgen shook his head.

Kharl cleared his throat. “I have one last question. Have you been involved in any of the plots against Lord Ghrant?”

Vatoran looked from Kharl to Hagen. ″I do not have to answer such an insulting question.”

“Yes, you do,” Hagen said. “If you do not answer, you are admitting guilt.”

“Ghrant is a weakling. Who would not oppose him?” Vatoran shrugged. “You can imprison me, but you will not hold me.”

“My guards will,” said Norgen.

Vatoran looked stunned. “You don’t even like Ghrant.”

“That has nothing to do with loyalty and duty,” replied Norgen. Casolan nodded.

Hagen moved to the bellpull and tugged it once.

Vatoran looked at Kharl, except that his eyes darted away from meetingKharl’s directly. “You will destroy Austra, mage, you and your truth-telling.”

Kharl said nothing. He well might destroy the Austra that Vatoran represented, but could he do less, after what he had experienced?

“If that is the Austra you represent, Vatoran, it might as well be destroyed,” Hagen said, “because it will fall to the first gale of winter.”

At the knock on the door, Hagen ordered, “Enter.”

Undercaptain Charsal opened the door. Behind him were four guards, two in green and black and two in yellow and black.

“Commander Vatoran is to be held,″ Hagen stated.”In the deep cell for now.”

“Yes, ser.”

Vatoran looked around the small chamber. “None of you will survive this. Not even you, mage. There are always greater mages.” He turned to the undercaptain. “I am in your care, undercaptain. For now.”

No one in the room spoke until the door closed.

“He never did like real armsmen,” Casolan said.

“That may be,” replied Hagen. “But some of his companies may attempt to attack the Great House. He has three nearby. Can you two get companies you trust in place here immediately?”

“I have one company standing by, ser,” offered Norgen. “I can get another in place within two glasses.”

“I only have one near here. Most of mine are nearer to Bruel,” said Casolan dryly.

“You’d best go and form up what you can.” Hagen nodded. “The mage and I need to see what else we can do.”

“Best start with Lord Kenslan,” suggested Norgen.

The two bowed and departed.

Hagen tilted his head, and began speaking, almost to himself. “Both Hedron and Kenslan left the Great House right after the audience. Majer Fuelt is Kenslan’s middle son. He’s a majer in command of three companies under Vatoran.”

Kharl frowned. “Fuelt? Wasn’t he in that meeting in Dykaru? Was he the one who was contemptuous-”

“That would be Fuelt. His father is worse.”

Kharl looked to Hagen. “I’m sorry. It seems as if-”

“Don’t be sorry. It would have happened sooner or later. Better now than later. If … if we can weather this storm, it may be for the best.”

Kharl wasn’t so certain. He recalled what Lyras and Taleas had said to him, how setting forth the truth was a good way to get killed, and to upset everyone. Well, he’d exposed too many truths in the past day. That was clear.

“You look doubtful, Kharl.”

“I was thinking about the dangers of truth.”

“It’s a little late for that. I need to brief Lord Ghrant. He won’t be happy, but I think I can convince him that it’s better to face this head-on than to get a knife or a crossbow quarrel in the back in a season or two. You need to get more to eat. We’ll need all the strength you have in the glasses ahead. Go on down to the kitchen. Then come back here. If I’m not here, wait for me.”

“Yes, ser.”

“Don’t fret so much. We might as well face this storm as run from it.”

As if we have much choice, thought Kharl.