Ordermaster

LXXVII

Belatedly, Kharl had ordered Mantar to drive up Lord’s Road from the Hall of Justice. Even from just outside the Quadrancy Keep, Kharl had not been able to sense the kind of chaos that surrounded a white wizard. Nor had there been any chaos near the Hamorian residence. In fact, the Hamorian envoy’s residence had felt deserted. Kharl had not liked that at all.

After checking the Hamorian residence with his order-senses, Kharl had Mantar swing back by the harbor. Both Sarronnese warships were well beyond the breakwaters, and a single iron-hulled warship was making its way past the harbor forts-a Hamorian ship. Despite the muting effects of the water and the iron, Kharl could sense that there were several white wizards on board.

“Ser?”

“More white wizards on that ship.”

“With them and the rain, won’t be long before things get tight,” suggested the undercaptain. “You thinking we should move out?”

“That would be a good idea, if we had anyplace to go.” Also, even using the wagon and the carriage, Kharl doubted that they had mounts and space enough to take everyone housed at the residence. Given Egen’s vindictiveness, Kharl had no doubts that anyone remaining would be in great danger, and the captain could always claim that none of them were protected by being part of the envoy’s staff because they were all from Brysta.

“Sure would like some more armsmen.”

“That would help,” Kharl agreed, not voicing his thoughts that even a full company of armsmen and lancers would not make that much difference.

The streets were not quite so busy as usual on a fourday, but they were far from deserted. Kharl found the situation almost like a dream-or a nightmare. Egen had a private army ready to take over the city. The rain would keep falling, and make it hard for anyone else to contest Egen′s control, and the Hamorians now had at least four white wizards supporting them. Kharl also suspected that the white wizard who had been in the Quadrancy Keep might well have left to join Egen-or the Hamorians.

Yet, with all that, nothing in Brysta looked amiss.

“We’ll have to mount some sort of guard,” Kharl said.

“Yes, ser.” After a moment, the undercaptain added, “Sure would like a good squad of lancers.”

“That would help,” Kharl said. So would being in a position to strike at Egen. One of Kharl’s problems was that neither Ostcrag nor Osten seemed to understand, or want to acknowledge the depth of Egen’s treachery. Every other envoy seemed to see it. Then, reflected Kharl, perhaps Ostcrag and Osten did as well, but had their own plans. Or found themselves unable to act because they had discovered too late that they had been outmaneuvered.

What made it worse for Kharl was that he didn’t care for any of them. It was just that the idea of Hamorian control of Nordla was even less appealing.

He took a deep slow breath.

“Piss poor situation, ser,” offered Demyst.

“It is.” It was even worse than that. If he could find Egen at the moment, killing him might well help Kharl and those with him. It would not help Ghrant and Hagen, because they would be seen as wanting to meddle in other land’s affairs. That would not help Kharl over the long term. And that was if Kharl could even find Egen and kill him against the opposition of the Hamorian white wizards. Then, he might not have to find Egen. Egen might well soon be after him-and everyone close to Kharl.

Kharl looked out the coach window. Once more, everything that he tried to do to help those he cared for seemed to turn back against him. Yet, if he had not stood up for Werwal … who would have?

Kharl just hoped Werwal listened to his consort and hurried to the residence.