Rex Regis

15

Almost exactly a week later, on a sunny midafternoon, as Quaeryt and Vaelora rode along the last mille or so of the towpath of the Great Canal, Quaeryt gestured toward the northeast and the hold house of the late High Holder Paitrak. “It’s hard to believe that it was almost two seasons ago since we were there.”

“I don’t find that hard to believe at all. I’m most certain that we’ll find brother dear there.” She pointed to the southeast where, glimmering white in the sun, was Chateau Regis, which had been Rex Kharst’s and which Quaeryt’s imagers had rebuilt and restructured almost two seasons ago.

“By now, Bhayar should have received word that we’re almost in Variana.” Unless Deucalon delayed them. Although Quaeryt had sent out dispatch riders when they had set out that morning, he was well aware that did not assure that their messages reached Bhayar in a timely fashion.

“So should Deucalon, and Myskyl, if he’s around.”

“Myskyl might not be.”

Quaeryt wasn’t certain whether it would be better if Myskyl was near Bhayar or distantly removed. In either case, the submarshal was likely to cause difficulties. You can’t do anything about that now. “I still say that Kharst’s canal boat would have been welcome here,” Quaeryt suggested, “not that it matters now, this close to Variana.”

“You weren’t thinking about sleep, dearest…”

“But I was,” he half protested, with a grin.

“Just about sleep,” Vaelora amended her words.

Less than a quint later, a squad of riders wearing the green uniforms of Telaryn approached under Bhayar’s personal banner. The officer leading them was a major Quaeryt recognized by face, but not by name.

“Lady Vaelora! Commander! Lord Bhayar is most gratified that you have returned hale and successful. He awaits you at the Chateau Regis.”

“I’ll need billeting for Eleventh Regiment and two companies,” Quaeryt replied.

“Ah … we have made arrangements for two regiments, sir.”

“We didn’t lose Nineteenth Regiment, if that’s the concern. Subcommander Alazyn is supporting Submarshal Skarpa in the submarshal’s capacity as acting governor of Antiago.”

“Sir?”

“I’d appreciate your keeping that to yourself until we have a chance to brief Lord Bhayar personally.” Quaeryt image-projected a sense of just how displeased he would be if the major let that slip.

The major stiffened for an instant, then nodded. “Yes, sir. I understand, sir.”

Almost two quints passed before Vaelora and Quaeryt walked up the grand staircase of the rebuilt Chateau Regis to the upper-level foyer. The staircase, Quaeryt recalled, had needed few repairs, unlike the outer and inner walls and floors. The walls still held no ornamentation, and the main-level furnishings had been comparatively sparse, although part of that was doubtless a reflection of Bhayar’s wishes, since he’d never liked elaboration for the sake of elaboration.

“He is in the northeast study, not in the receiving chamber, Lady, Commander,” said the captain who escorted them when they reached the second level of the chateau. He turned to the left and led them along a wide corridor toward the sole door with a pair of guards stationed outside.

The guards watched as the major rapped on the door. “Lady Vaelora and Commander Quaeryt to see you, sir.”

“Have them come in.”

The major eased open the door and nodded. Quaeryt followed Vaelora, and the major closed the door behind them.

Quaeryt did a quick survey. The northeast study was the kind of chamber Bhayar preferred, a corner chamber with windows on the north and east sides, which provided early light and a flow of air on all but the stillest of days.

Bhayar stood beside the wide writing desk. On one side was a stack of papers, and on the other a map. For a long moment he studied the two, then frowned. “I would not have thought you would leave your child.”

“I lost her,” said Vaelora simply. “Sometimes … it happens.”

Bhayar’s eyes went to Quaeryt, hardening from dark blue to stone.

“It was not Quaeryt’s doing. There was nothing he could have done. He has done more than either you or I could ever have asked.”

“Are you protecting him?”

“If I must. You should have seen him when he came to my sickbed to comfort me after I … lost her.”

“Where was this?”

“In Kephria,” replied Vaelora. “You should let us tell you how and why you now are the ruler of Antiago.”

“What of Aliaro? Did you not bring him in chains … after all he has done?”

“That would be difficult, sir,” said Quaeryt mildly. “We were forced to destroy his palace fortress with all his remaining armsmen and imagers in it. He was also there.”

Bhayar sighed, the long and dramatic expression of exasperation, rather than the short and explosive sound of anger. Then he gestured to the conference table and the chairs around it. “You have had a long journey. I’ve ordered refreshments.”

Once the three were seated, the Lord of Telaryn, Bovaria, and Antiago said, “If you would, tell me the sum of what you have accomplished, or not, before we dwell on the details.”

Vaelora looked to Quaeryt.

Quaeryt cleared his throat quietly. “As you ordered, we accompanied Submarshal Skarpa along the Great Canal to Laaryn. We made major repairs to the canal this side of Eluthyn and put down a factor conspiracy in Laaryn. That required leaving Subcommander Meinyt, two imagers, and Fifth Regiment to assure compliance and receipt and payment of damages, and tariffs. You should have received a dispatch describing those events. We proceeded down the Laar to Geusyn and Ephra. Because Captain Nykaal had been unable to obtain enough ships to carry two regiments, we embarked with first company and Eleventh Regiment and sailed to Kherseilles. On the way we were attacked, and the imagers had to destroy two Antiagon warships. Since the High Council of Khel restricted the sale and use of mounts, only first company accompanied us to meet with the High Council at the ancient capital of Saendeol. The Council agreed to consider your terms, but only when you held all of Lydar.” Quaeryt could see Bhayar open his mouth, but he continued to speak. “So we returned to Geusyn. Once there, we discovered that the southern Bovarian High Holders refused to pledge to you or to meet with either Skarpa or Vaelora. Then they fled into Antiago. We leveled all their hold houses and fortifications, breached the wall around Kephria and took it, and then rode to Suemyron and took it. After that, we took Barna and rode on Liantiago. Along the way, we fought four battles. We defeated and largely destroyed all who faced us. Aliaro holed up in his palace with his imagers. We destroyed the palace and almost all remaining Antiagon troopers and imagers. Skarpa remains as acting governor. In our absence from Kephria, Aliaro’s troopers and imagers leveled Ephra, Kephria, and Geusyn. We commandeered a schooner and returned to Kephria. On the way we destroyed the four warships, and the troopers and imagers that had burned the three cities. The imagers rebuilt the main pier and constructed a trooper compound at Kephria, the best harbor of the three. We left two companies of the Khellan troopers to keep order during the rebuilding of Kephria and set out to return to Variana. Here we are.”

Bhayar was silent for a time. “I sent you out to obtain the allegiance of Khel. You seem to have accomplished everything except that.” His voice was cool.

“I would respectfully disagree, sir. I believe you will be able to reach terms with Khel before long. Without taking Antiago, we had no chance of reaching such terms-except by fighting in Khel, and that would have meant fighting two lands to unite Lydar. Since Aliaro had already offered sanctuary to rebellious High Holders and attacked your warships three times without provocation, there were certainly grounds for the Antiagon campaign. Also, Antiago would have remained a threat and a temptation to the southern High Holders. Khel offers no such threat.”

The lord of three lands nodded slowly. “It is always dangerous to send you to solve a problem, Quaeryt. You solve the problem, but in ways unforeseen. And those ways further your ends as well as mine.”

“Would you rather have the problems unresolved, sir?”

Bhayar paused, as if to consider an appropriate response, when there was a knock on the small side door on the west side of the study.

“Bring in the refreshments,” ordered Bhayar.

A Telaryn ranker appeared with a tray, followed by another ranker. In moments, each of the three at the table had a goblet, a small plate, and in the middle of the table were several platters, one of fruit, one of cheeses, one of sliced meats, and one of assorted pastries. There were also two carafes of wine, one of white, and one of red.

Once the rankers had departed and closed the door, Bhayar looked to his sister. “Red or white.”

“The white, please.”

Bhayar poured her white and himself red. Quaeryt poured himself the white.

“To your safe return.” Bhayar lifted his goblet.

“To your forbearance, brother dear,” replied Vaelora with a smile, “for our exceeding your expectations.”

Bhayar’s smile was half sour and half amused. “I knew there was great danger in having you two wed.”

“It was your idea,” Vaelora pointed out sweetly.

“Enough…”

Quaeryt noticed the tiredness in Bhayar’s voice, but waited. So did Vaelora.

“Now tell me everything you left out, and the reasons why you did what you did.”

Vaelora looked to Quaeryt.

“I’ll start,” he said, “but I trust Vaelora will add what I don’t include.”

Bhayar’s lips quirked, almost as if to suggest that he would have been greatly surprised if his sister did not. Then he nodded.

“The first thing we noticed, after just a few days on the Great Canal,” began Quaeryt, “was that it had not been that well maintained…” From there he described in great detail the harsh conditions of peasants on the lands of many landholders, the factors’ deception and the problems in Laaryn, the conditions of the roads on the way to Geusyn, and what followed on their voyage to Kherseilles and the ride to Saendeol. Quaeryt deferred to Vaelora to let her describe the trial requested of them by the High Council and the subsequent meeting with the High Council of Khel.

When she finished, Quaeryt added, “Without the image that Vaelora made them see, there would have been no possibility of future terms.”

Bhayar sighed again, a long expression of resignation, then said, “I begin to see the reasons for your actions. Go on.”

Quaeryt took up the tale again.

When he got to the part where he and Skarpa, and the massed regiments, were about to leave Kephria on the ride to Suemyron, Vaelora interrupted. “I insisted that I remain with Eleventh Regiment and the troopers that would be returning from Khel. I knew that without all the remaining imagers, they could not prevail against the Autarch’s forces. I also knew that I could not accompany them. I was too close to term. As you will hear, and he will not tell you, Quaeryt almost did not survive the final battle. Had there been even one less imager, he would not have.” She looked to Quaeryt to continue.

Quaeryt went on to explain what happened in Antiago. He did not skip over his dread at discovering that Aliaro had sent warships to Kephria, and his efforts to reach there.

“He was close to being carried onto the schooner,” interjected Vaelora. “That is what Major Zhelan told me. The captain was worried that he might not live.”

“It wasn’t that bad-” Quaeryt began to protest.

“It was a week later when I saw you, and half your body was yellow and purple,” snapped Vaelora.

A faint smile crossed Bhayar’s lips.

Quaeryt finished up with what happened on the way to Kephria, then turned to Vaelora. “You should finish this part. I wasn’t there.”

Vaelora did, speaking firmly about the Antiagon attack and what she had done, and her accident, adding quickly, “I was not trying to be a hero. I left Kephria as soon as I could. I was just unlucky.”

“You were fortunate that it was not worse,” replied Bhayar. “Still-”

“We have not finished,” said Vaelora firmly.

From there the two recounted what had happened in repairing the harbor and building the trooper compound and on their journey to Variana.

When the two had finished, Bhayar looked to Vaelora. “At times, I wish you were not so headstrong as your grandmere. I cannot fault you, for the same blood runs in all our veins, but the price for these conquests you have laid before me has been high.”

“Not so high as failing to succeed,” replied Vaelora.

“I would talk to Quaeryt-”

“If it is about what has happened, I should be here,” Vaelora said firmly.

Abruptly Bhayar laughed. “I will not insist. I would that my marshals showed even the slightest hint of the loyalty for each other that you two have for one another.” After a moment he said, “I have questions. They are not about what you have done. What is done is done, and it was as well done as you could do with what you had. I would like your thoughts about what lies ahead. About what troubles you foresee.” He looked expectantly at Vaelora.

“I have had no such foresights. Not yet.”

“Then your feelings and thoughts.”

“You need strong regional governors,” said Quaeryt. “The factors cannot be trusted without someone over them. Nor can the High Holders.”

“I thought your imagers would assure that,” replied Bhayar sardonically.

“No, they can only do that if you have effective governors who can call upon us. That the governors report to you, and we support the governors, is necessary for the comfort of both factors and High Holders.” Quaeryt took a swallow of the wine. All the talking had left him almost hoarse. “Have you heard from Subcommander Meinyt? I left him acting as a regional governor.”

“He has sent dispatches every week, as well as the token tariffs from High Holders as he has collected them. He reports that all is going well.”

“Good.” One less worry there.

“You were saying?” prompted Bhayar. “About the imagers?”

“You need the imagers to repair the worst in the roads, as we can. We did improve the road from Eluthyn to Kephria, but the part from Semlem south to Daaren needs widening…”

Bhayar’s questions continued for another glass before he said, “I will have other questions once I have thought over what you have said.” He looked to his sister. “I need Quaeryt to brief the senior officers at fifth glass. Then, after that, we shall have dinner together, but I will not badger you with questions then. At least, not with too many. You have rooms on the south side, and I have ordered them to be as comfortable as possible.”

Vaelora rose. “Thank you. Might Quaeryt escort and settle me, brother dear?”

“So long as he returns within the quint.”

The three of them left the study and walked back south to the large foyer and across it to the corridor back along the east side. The doorway to which Bhayar led them was the first one outside an archway guarded by two Telaryn troopers.

“Your quarters?” asked Vaelora, gesturing in the direction of the guards.

Bhayar nodded. “Some precautions are necessary. That is another reason why I wanted you in these quarters, especially for those times when Quaeryt may be traveling.”

“For now,” replied Quaeryt. “Until we can build a suitable compound for imagers on the river isle.”

Bhayar chuckled. “You never lose sight of goals.”

“No,” said Vaelora, “and one of those goals is to make you the absolute and secure ruler of all Lydar.”

“For which I am grateful, if apprehensive about the means.”

As if there were any others that were practical. Quaeryt opened the door to the quarters, discovering a sitting room with archways on both sides.

“You have a study, a sitting room, and a bedchamber with a small bath chamber,” said Bhayar.

“Thank you.” Vaelora smiled warmly at her brother.

“There should be several chambermaids up here shortly with warm water for a bath,” said Bhayar. “I look forward to dinner.” With a smile, he turned.

Once Bhayar had left, the two walked around the quarters, which Quaeryt could see were truly spacious and elegantly furnished. Quaeryt couldn’t help but wonder from whom Bhayar had commandeered the furnishings, which included an overlarge bed with a pillared headboard and matching bed tables and a pair of armoires, a pale green velvet settee in the sitting room, with a pair of green velvet upholstered side chairs, and both a desk and a writing table in the study.

“These are quarters fit for the lord’s sister, but far better than a commander deserves…”

“And far less than the man who has delivered most of Lydar to Bhayar deserves…”

“It’s far better this way, that I remain a commander and not more.”

“That remains to be seen, dearest. If … if matters turn out as you plan … that may be.”

If not … Quaeryt knew what she meant, and the problem was that intrigue would determine as much as skill and imaging now that they had returned to Variana. “You didn’t mention your farsight…”

“That was about you, not about Bhayar or Lydar.”

Quaeryt didn’t object. “I need to return to meet with Bhayar.”

“Say as little as possible,” cautioned Vaelora.

“Or as little as Bhayar will allow.”

“He won’t wish you to say more than necessary,” observed Vaelora.

Quaeryt bent forward and gave her a brief hug. “I hope this won’t take too long.” Then he slipped out of the quarters and walked back to Bhayar’s study.

The study door was open, and Bhayar motioned for Quaeryt to enter and close the door. Quaeryt did and walked over to the side of the desk where Bhayar stood.

“The two of us will talk tomorrow,” said Bhayar, “about what tasks may be appropriate and necessary for you and the imagers. At this meeting, I just want you to give a solid briefing about what happened as far as Southern Army and your imagers accomplished. If asked about Khel, just say that the High Council is considering the terms you presented.”

“If Deucalon or one of his commanders presses as to why we attacked Antiago and not Khel, can I say that it seemed unwise to attack a land that neither threatened us nor that presents no threat when Antiago sent troops and Antiagon Fire to support Kharst, offered sanctuary to rebellious High Holders, and attacked without provocation vessels under your flag on three occasions.”

“If appropriate, you can mention that earlier.”

Quaeryt nodded.

“We can walk down to the conference room. By now, Deucalon should have assembled all the senior officers who are available.”

“Where might that be?”

“Oh … that’s at the south end of the chateau on the main floor.”

“Where is Submarshal Myskyl? I assume he’s not here.”

“He spent the winter, with half of Northern Army, in a place called Rivages. It’s up the Aluse, supposedly as far to the north as Laaryn is to the west. He sent regular dispatches over the course of the fall, but I’ve heard nothing since the turn of winter. He observed that reaching the High Holders there is a time-consuming task because the roads are poor and the winter has been long.”

And because he really doesn’t want to do anything terribly difficult if he doesn’t have to, thought Quaeryt.

“So far, he hasn’t reported the trouble you had with High Holders.”

“He wouldn’t.”

“Wouldn’t report or wouldn’t have?”

“It’s hard to have trouble with High Holders you haven’t met,” said Quaeryt dryly.

“You’ve never cared much for him.”

“I’ve never trusted him. There are officers I don’t care for that I’ve still trusted.”

“Why not?”

“In this case, I worry that he wouldn’t demand allegiance of the High Holders. He’d just assume that they would be loyal, and he’d believe that he could later crush anyone who wasn’t.”

“Why is that so bad?” asked Bhayar, an amused tone in his voice, as if he knew what Quaeryt might say. “It does give them time to adjust.”

“That approach has its advantages, and it’s better suited to the north than the south. In some ways, it’s similar to what Rescalyn did in Tilbor.”

“Because there’s no real escape in the north, except distance or outright rebellion?”

“Among other things,” admitted Quaeryt. After a moment he realized something and asked, “You said that Myskyl hasn’t sent any dispatches recently?”

“No. Not since the first days of Ianus, but I wouldn’t have expected dispatches in the dead of winter.”

But we’re nearing the end of spring. Quaeryt frowned, but said nothing as the two walked down the grand staircase and to the southwest corner of the main floor.

Quaeryt had the feeling that Bhayar was having him brief all the senior officers present near the Chateau Regis just so that Deucalon or others would have a more difficult time misrepresenting what Quaeryt said.

As Quaeryt stepped into the conference room followed by Bhayar, as required by protocol and courtesy, Deucalon stood. “Lord Bhayar!”

The officers seated around the long oblong table rose.

Quaeryt could see that two places had been left vacant, the one at the head of the conference table, and the seat adjoining it at the left side. Deucalon stood at the first chair on the right side.

“As you were,” said Bhayar. “Please be seated.”

Quaeryt only knew a handful of the commanders and subcommanders by both face and name, including Subcommander Ernyld, who had been Deucalon’s chief of staff from before the battles at Ferravyl. Quaeryt was intrigued to see Pulaskyr, because he’d thought Pulaskyr would have been with Myskyl at Rivages. The only other commander he recognized by both name and face was Dafaul. There were only two other subcommanders besides Ernyld present. That did not surprise Quaeryt because the majority of regiments headed by subcommanders had been assigned to Skarpa’s Southern Army. Quaeryt assumed the others were with Northern Army, and that suggested that the commanders present had not wished to brave winter in northern Bovaria, and that Deucalon had accommodated them.

Quaeryt took the vacant seat and waited.

Bhayar did not sit, but waited a moment before beginning. “I had you all summoned because Commander Quaeryt has returned with some news that I find … momentous, if unexpected. I’ve asked him to provide a short factual summary of events that led to the situation he will present.” Bhayar nodded to Quaeryt and seated himself.

Quaeryt rose and stepped back from the table just slightly. “The news is simple enough. Lord Bhayar is now ruler of Antiago, and the High Council of Khel is considering terms presented to them from Lord Bhayar.” He waited for several moments to let the import sink in before continuing.

“The mission assigned to Southern Army was to obtain the allegiance of the High Holders of southern Bovaria and to assure that the Autarch Aliaro did not continue hostilities against the lands held by Lord Bhayar. Lady Vaelora and I were dispatched to accompany Southern Army and then to depart from Ephra to present terms to the High Council of Khel, which has been reconstituted in a form similar to that which ruled Khel before the attacks and depredations of Rex Kharst…” From there Quaeryt gave a summary of the events that occurred, following Bhayar’s instructions to limit himself to the military events and the results. He concluded by saying, “Once we rebuilt the piers at Kephria and created a working trooper compound, we set out on the return to Variana.”

Quaeryt then turned to Bhayar.

Bhayar merely nodded.

“Might the commander answer a few questions?” asked Deucalon.

“I’m sure the commander can answer a few questions,” replied Bhayar. “So long as they deal with the matters at hand.”

“Did you not consider sending a dispatch rider to inform Lord Bhayar more quickly?” asked Deucalon.

“I did. Lady Vaelora and I considered it. We decided against it because we had determined to take the shorter route up the Phraan River. If we had sent a dispatch rider, because we have no dispatch stations established, the only place he would have been able to be assured of remounts would have been in Laaryn, and that route is much longer. If we had sent enough riders to assure his safety, he would not have arrived much sooner, if as soon as we did. Once we were close enough to assure that safety we did in fact send a dispatch rider.”

“Surely … Bovaria is not that dangerous. There are no armies or marauding armsmen roaming the land.”

“Marshal,” Quaeryt said firmly but quietly, projecting absolute assurance, “once one leaves the towpath of the Great Canal, the roads range from passable to abysmal. On the way to Ephra we repaired roads as we could. One of our tasks on the return, and one which took little time, was to use imagers to repair bridges and the causeway on the stretch of road from Eluthyn to Daaren. That will speed travel considerably in the future.”

“But surely…”

“I believe the commander has answered your question, Marshal,” said Bhayar quietly. “Are there other questions?”

“Success is often best not questioned, Commander, especially in war,” said Pulaskyr, “but could you say why you or Submarshal Skarpa felt you had a chance of defeating the Antiagons?”

“After seeing the pattern of Antiagon tactics, and noting how poorly defended Kephria was, and also seeing how much Aliaro relied on the Bovarian holders of the south to defend his northern borders, it appeared likely that Antiago was ruled by fear of the Autarch and that fear was reinforced by cruel and absolute punishment of those who disobeyed. In addition, Antiago is thinly populated in many areas. There are only three major cities, or four if one counts Westisle as separate from Liantiago, and the Autarch maintained a large fleet. It appeared unlikely that he had that many armsmen and troopers. And we had already destroyed a regiment or more of his troops on the advance up the Aluse to Variana. Because Aliaro had attacked us a number of times already and had given sanctuary to rebel High Holders, Lady Vaelora, Submarshal Skarpa, and I decided that it was best to take the risk and attack when Aliaro did not expect it.”

Pulaskyr nodded.

Another commander cleared his throat. “Did you not think the prerogative of declaring war belonged to Lord Bhayar?”

“In the documents which named Lady Vaelora and me envoys, there is a section which empowered us to take action against any powers or forces either rebelling against the rule of Lord Bhayar or hostile to and threatening his lands. After all that the Autarch did, I don’t believe we exceeded the authority he granted.”

Deucalon glanced at Bhayar.

Bhayar smiled. “If I cannot trust my sister and the commander who has been most devoted and most successful, who can I trust?”

Commander Dafaul asked, “Did you consider the use of force against Khel, rather than against Antiago? After all, by setting up this High Council, Khel is technically in rebellion against Lord Bhayar?”

Quaeryt knew from where that question had come-Deucalon, no doubt. He nodded. “Your question assumes that Rex Kharst actually held Khel. In fact, he held five port cities and not much more, except Khelgror, and that only briefly. More to the point, Bovarian traders largely held those cities. Once it became clear that Kharst had died and his armies had been destroyed, the Bovarian forces in Khel either fled or were killed piecemeal. That included the Bovarian traders. The toll on Khel was so high that only one in three of those who lived there before the Red Death and Kharst’s invasion are still alive. Nonetheless, there were no Bovarian forces alive anywhere when we landed in Kherseilles. I did not have Southern Army at my beck and call, but one regiment, without mounts, and to make an attack on Khel would have taken at least a year, even with Southern Army. Khel represents no immediate threat. If Lord Bhayar orders an attack on Khel, then I will follow his orders, but the instructions he provided were to persuade the High Council of Khel to consider his terms. They are doing so. If they reject them, then Lord Bhayar will decide as to what shall be done.”

The remaining questions were far more factual.

“What range of arms and weapons did the Antiagons use?”

“How did you escape the effects of Antiagon Fire?”

“Do you know how much of the Antiagon fleet remains?”

A half a glass passed before Bhayar rose. “I think we have tried the commander’s patience enough for now. I’m going to have dinner with him and my sister.”

As he left the conference room with Bhayar, Quaeryt still wondered about Pulaskyr’s presence in Variana. The commander’s question had been designed to allow Quaeryt to provide an answer before a more slanted question could be asked, and precluded a nastier attack in the guise of a question.

Still … that didn’t address Quaeryt’s concern. Was Myskyl planning something and didn’t want a senior commander as competent and loyal as Pulaskyr around? Had Pulaskyr been left in Variana because he knew Myskyl too well from their years together in Tilbor? Both? Neither?

Quaeryt had no idea, except Pulaskyr’s presence worried him.