A Dubious Peace

by Olan Thorensen

  “It’s confirmed again that the attackers were Kolinkans, and no, we don’t have any idea why they would do that. The messages we’re getting don’t say anything.”

  “Any news from the Fuomi ships that went after the Kolinkans?” asked a Skouks senator.

  “Nothing. That might be a sixday or more before we hear anything. The Fuomi frigate and sloop were going to try and catch the Kolinkans before they reached home. Hetman Adris confirms that the Fuomi sortied their entire flotilla from the Gulf of Normot. Our own active sloop is with them. The Resolute was ready for deep-water cruises, but the second sloop, the Valiant, is waiting on its last ten cannon and has not yet completed what Yozef calls ‘shakedown’ sailings in the gulf. It will restrict itself to patrolling the approaches to the Normot Gap while the rest of the ships search Caedellium waters for any enemy ships.”

  “Just how serious is Maera’s injury?” asked Stent.

  “There are no details, only that it was serious. A message did say that they will remain at the Seaborn town of Grastor until she recovers enough to make the voyage to Penmawr.”

  “What about casualties on both sides?” asked Balwis.

  “Most Caedelli casualties were the dragoons accompanying the Paramount. Of the forty Pewitt and Seaborn men, only one man survived. We don’t know the details.”

  “I think we can guess,” said Balwis. “The dragoons must’ve stood and held back the Kolinkans until the Paramount could reach Grastor. How about the Kolinkans?”

  “No numbers, but if thirty-nine dragoons were killed, they fought to the last man. I would assume the Kolinkan dead must be many times that.”

  A Farkesh senator stood. “What about the alert you sent out? I assume the other clans with coasts did the same as us. We have lookouts along our coast every few miles, and we mustered half of our dragoons. The companies are waiting to know where they should position.”

  Tomis gestured to Vegga and Kivalian. “We’ve discussed this, and we believe it’s best to have everyone hold their positions for now. That includes the lookouts and dragoon units. We’ll probably want to leave the lookouts in place for the next sixday, but if nothing happens in the next two or three days, the dragoons can stand down. That message will go out to all provinces as soon as we finish here.”

  Tomis was prepared for the next two hours as senators and hetmen asked questions, some of them repeated several times in different wording. Some questions led to discussions Tomis thought useful, but he finally ended the session when he thought nothing was being gained by continuing. Afterward, the men milled around for another hour, discussing events in small groups. The hetmen present stood clustered at the front.

  “I know we don’t have any details,” said the Bultecki hetman, “but I’m having trouble getting my mind around why the Iraquiniks would attack Seaborn.”

  “It wasn’t Seaborn they were attacking,” insisted Stent. “Certainly not that part of South Island where few people live.”

  “Right,” said Balwis. “They were after Yozef. That’s the only explanation I can think of. As for why they would attack Yozef, I’m afraid I can’t tell you. I suppose if they were out to capture him, they might think of ransom, but that doesn’t make sense. What I gather from the different Iraquinik representatives in Preddi City is that they are looking to have friendly relations with Caedellium . . . even possibly some kind of help against the Narthani.”

  “Well . . . that’s not going to happen now,” said Klyngo Adris.

  “I wouldn’t be so sure,” said Stent, drawing out the words. “I’m wondering what Yozef’s response is going to be.”

  “Whatever it is, it won’t be as bad for the Kolinkans as it would if Maera had been killed,” said Balwis.

  Tomis Orosz appeared troubled. “I hope this doesn’t mean getting involved in another war. We haven’t recovered from the one against the Narthani.”

  Stent shook his head. “I know Yozef worries about keeping Caedellium out of foreign entanglements, while at the same time trying to make Caedellium a less inviting target. But I would be loath to predict anything about Yozef. People who threaten him or do him wrong seem to come to a bad end.”

  Stent whirled toward Balwis. “It just occurred to me. Did the Kolinkans ever send a representative to Caedellium? How about ships?”

  Balwis snarled. “They’ve had several trading ships coming and going the last few months. It’s just a coincidence that six days ago, a group of Kolinkans who were in Preddi City left aboard one of their ships to go back to Kolinka. That’s according to one of my advisers, Storlini, the ex-Narthani. One or two of those men claimed to be some kind of representative wanting to meet with the Paramount. The others were traders looking for business. At least, that’s what they said. Their departure before the attack is more than suggestive. Obviously, we’ll be looking into who they had contact with. Right now, Storlini tells me there are no Kolinkans in Preddi.”

  Balwis turned thoughtful. “You know . . . now that I think about it, I agree with Hetman Stent. The future might not be so good for Kolinka. Yozef might occasionally make quick and rash decisions, but giving him time to think is worse for Kolinka. There’s no telling what he might come up with. Those bastards had better thank whatever god or gods they worship that Maera lives. She’s also carrying a child. I hope no harm was done there, but if it was, I don’t doubt the Kolinkans will rue the attempt on him.”

  Lordum Hewell raised his hand to forestall Stent’s commenting and looked pointedly at Kivilian.

  “There’s something else I want to bring up. It’s not immediately relevant to the current events, but I hear rumors that there is discord among the Fuomi concerning their relationship with Caedellium and their ships stationed here.”

  Half of the eyes in the room reflexively stared or glanced at Kivalian, sitting behind Vegga.

  Tomis Orosz already knew what Vegga was referring to and thought it was sensitive enough to wait until Yozef returned before certain rumors and suspicions became widely known.

  CHAPTER 41

  MEA CULPA

  Grastor

  Two sixdays passed before Yozef and Medicant Harlow agreed that Maera was able to travel—despite her insistence that she had been able a sixday sooner. Two days before they left, Yozef and Synton rode eight miles to a farm northeast of Grastor. There, the extended family of Omol Oston, leader of the Seaborn dragoons, was waiting for the Paramount’s visit. He needed to thank them for their son’s sacrifice and describe the events of that day. It was one of the most difficult days of Yozef’s life. He anticipated that the family would feel he was due a degree of blame for Omol’s death, but they didn’t. The family’s sorrow mixed with pride. When they left to return to Grastor, Yozef was disconcerted to feel more like the recipient of consolation than the giver. If anything, the family’s effort had the opposite effect on the Paramount.

  On the day of departure, Yulan Seaborn had returned from Brudermyn to see them leave. Yozef waited at the Grastor dock with the Seaborn hetman while Maera was taken to a cabin.

  “We both lost sons, Paramount,” said Yulan. “Eternal curses on the Kolinkans and Narthani.”

  Yozef was taken aback. He had told Medicant Harlow not to reveal that Maera’s lost child was male.

  “Uh . . . Yulan, I asked Medicant Harlow to keep that quiet.”

  “Harlow told me before you spoke to him. I haven’t told anyone else—and won’t.”

  “Thank you, Yulan. There’s something else I wanted to talk with you about before we leave. With your permission, I would like to consider naming a future son I might have after Reezo.”

  A sheen of moisture reflected the morning sun off the craggy hetman’s eyes. “I think Reezo would have liked that, Paramount. My family will never use the name again, but we would be honored to have Reezo remembered in your family.”

  “Believe me, he will always be honored, whether a Kolsko son is named after him or not. And remember, it’s Yozef, Yulan. I think we’re past awkw
ard formalities.”

  “Very well . . . Yozef. This was not the Paramount visit either of us envisioned. The price was hard, but I suspect my clan feels closer to you and the other clans after what happened. I also intend to write a public letter to Hetman Pewitt honoring the sacrifice of his men. We will erect a marker at the site where men of our two clans held back the Kolinkans. The place is remote, but a stone monument will be built in Brudermyn where the people can be reminded of what happened. The names of all the men killed will be etched into the marble.”

  “There will be other honors to the men,” said Yozef. “At least, a battle streamer to be attached to the flags of those men’s units.”

  He didn’t mention it, but he’d had thoughts that maybe they needed a formal set of honors. It would take some consideration, but he envisioned something like a Caedellium Medal of Honor and lesser medals.

  “I think they’re waiting for you, Paramount. If there is mercy in the world, I pray God will grant you and Maera a swift and safe trip home.”

  They shook hands, and Yozef walked up the gangway. Twenty minutes later, Brudermyn shrank in the distance.

  Orosz City

  Hetman Yulan’s prayer was granted. The seas between Grastor and Penmawr were calm, the sky was clear, and the winds were favorable. They no sooner had lost sight of the Seaborn coast before that of Pewitt peeked above the eastern horizon. They had considered the offer to travel to Adris City on the Fuomi frigate, but in the end, they sailed to Penmawr and then took the train to Orosz City. In contrast to the outward trip, they did not stop at province capitals: Penmawr, Clitwyth, or Cherona. At each city, the medicant who accompanied the train disembarked and was replaced by another. They made other stops to change horses, stopped once for two hours at a village so a blacksmith could repair a wheel, and also got off the train for food and necessary relief of bladders and bowels. Their pace had started slower than the train’s normal speed but then accelerated when Maera felt no difference in discomfort.

  Their arrival in Orosz City was quiet. At Maera’s request, Yozef had sent word forward that there be no gatherings. Maera only wanted to get home. Nevertheless, streets were lined with silent throngs. Only when the carriage stopped at Kolsko Manor was there a reception. Ceinwyn had come from Preddi City, as did Breda and Mared Keelan from Caernford in Keelan Province. An orgy of gentle hugs and tears ensued, led by Anarynd. Yozef finally called an end to everything when he perceived Maera becoming unsteady. He and Anarynd guided her into her bed. Once Maera sat with covers over her legs, the children were allowed in. Anarynd brought Anida for Maera to hold. The youngest children didn’t know what was happening, but the older cohort (Aeneas, Dwyna, and Morwena) knew Maera had been sick. More tears were shed, those of happiness, when Aeneas offered to kiss Maera’s “hurt” and when a frightened Dwyna Kolsko-Puvey was convinced that Mama Maera was not dying.

  Over the next hour, Maera held the three toddlers (Xena, Odysius, and Siston) for a few minutes each. Yozef called a halt, and Maera was asleep before the room cleared. Everyone moved to the other side of the manor and mingled in the great room and the kitchen as a communal meal and drinks lasted well into the night. It had been almost a year since Yozef had seen Breda and Mared Keelan, Maera’s mother and youngest sister. Breda looked the same, but Mared had matured into a beautiful young woman. The Keelan family women would remain for two sixdays.

  The Kaldwel family had also been present at Maera’s arrival but stayed in the background while Maera’s family paid attention to her. Yozef made the introductions and left the others to their own devices, while he took his turn holding or talking to all the children, one at a time or in clusters.

  As Yozef was about to excuse himself for sleep and was gathering his thoughts to make a goodnight statement, Mark appeared at his side.

  “God damn, Yozef, I’m so sorry. The reports were that Maera is going to recover. Is that true?”

  Mark wanted to say more, but his mouth clamped shut the instant he saw Yozef’s face. On Earth, his first thought could’ve been that of a close relative of Yozef’s, maybe a brother or a cousin. Yozef looked older by ten years or more, the lines seemed deeper, and the eyes . . . Mark didn’t know what to make of the eyes, but after a moment, they softened at least slightly. Yozef rose and gestured toward the cushioned chairs.

  Yozef nodded. “The ball hit her hipbone and took off a small piece, then did damage inside but didn’t hit anything vital. The lead Seaborn medicant said she’s not in danger, but long-term effects might not manifest for months. She may limp or have trouble with some movements.”

  Yozef stopped. Mark had another question, but how to ask wasn’t obvious.

  His hesitation was solved by Yozef.

  “She lost the baby. The medicant said the uterus was nicked by the ball, which caused it to abort. Nothing anyone could do.”

  Mark cursed quietly and suppressed the urge to spit to one side. “And the nanos couldn’t save it?”

  “I suspect the trauma was too sudden. Even Earth technology probably wouldn’t have made a difference. I think it was like what happened to me at the Battle of Moreland City. Once I survived the initial trauma, the nanos did their thing. It just took time that Maera and the baby didn’t have.”

  “God damn, but why the attack? I thought the Iraquiniks were also enemies of the Narthani.”

  Yozef shared the theory that he had been the target and that Kolinka had been the instruments of the Narthani. Words were on the tip of Mark’s tongue, but he suppressed them. However, Yozef either detected his reserve or anticipated what Mark was thinking.

  “Thanks for not saying it, but it’s okay. You should say, ‘I told you so.’”

  Mark relaxed but didn’t speak, not sure where Yozef was going, but he suspected.

  “We’ve argued enough times over what to do about the Narthani.”

  “Well, I would’ve called it discussed, rather than argued,” said Mark, “at least, most of the time.”

  “Either way, I wanted Caedellium to stay as far from the fighting and involvement in Anyarian politics as possible. I’d seen too much war, blood, and death for one lifetime. I envisioned a prosperous and peaceful Caedellium, though one well prepared to defend the island.”

  Yozef put a hand on Mark’s arm. “But we can talk about this later. Right now, I’m almost as tired as Maera. I didn’t get much sleep the last two sixdays. We’ll talk another day.”

  After leaving Yozef, Mark collected Maghen and Alys to return to their dwelling. Alys had fallen asleep, and Mark carried her.

  “Thank God Maera is going to be all right,” said Maghen. “But losing the baby . . . ;” She sighed. “Only time can heal that, but she’ll never totally get over the grief. I know I couldn’t even if there are more children.” She looked sharply at Mark. “Do they think this may stop her from having another child?”

  “I don’t know. Yozef didn’t say anything.”

  If I had to guess, thought Mark, I’d bet the nanos repair any damage, but who knows?

  “Mark, what does the attack on Yozef mean? I’ve heard whispers that he’s going to do something. But what? People seem to expect things to be different . . . but how?”

  “I’m not sure,” said Mark, “but changes are coming.”

  The Pit

  Two days later, Mark and Yozef had not spoken again. When he heard Yozef was in the Pit, the room with the large elevated maps, Mark searched him out.

  Yozef leaned against the rear railing at the northern part of the topographic map when Mark entered the Pit door.

  “Over here. The maps make Caedellium seem so large, it’s tempting to forget how insignificant it is with respect to the rest of Anyar.”

  “Maybe you need a bigger map.”

  “Exactly what I’ve been thinking.” Yozef smile was strained as if a recently unused expression. “Of course, what scale would we make it? It would have to be smaller, or the map would extend all the way to the river two miles from here.”
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  “I guess it all depends on what the purpose is and how much detail you want.”

  “You were right,” said Yozef.

  “About the Narthani?”

  “They’re never going to leave us alone. I thought we’d have years of peace . . . hopefully, many years.”

  “I never thought ill of your goal, Yozef. I just didn’t think it was realistic. I didn’t experience the level of fighting you were involved in, but I’ve traveled more and seen the global reach of the Narthani. After hearing more of their history from the Fuomi, I just didn’t believe then, and still don’t, there is any way the Narthani won’t be an unending threat unless something is done about them.”

  “It’s not that I don’t understand the threat,” said Yozef. “I just didn’t see how this island could affect events involving nations and empires so much larger than us. We’re like ticks on the elephant. In lieu of seeing what we could do, I guess I’d hoped to keep our heads down and trust something happens down the road.”

  “Do you still feel that way?”

  “Oh, I still want the same thing. I just don’t believe it’s possible anymore. And I’m not just talking about the Narthani. I’ve had more time than I would have wished to think these last sixdays. Yes, the Narthani are the current overriding threat, but if they weren’t around, who knows where else danger might come from? Certainly from the Iraquiniks, although Maera argues I shouldn’t think of all the Iraquinik kahsaks the same way as Kolinka. The problem is, if one of them was tempted or convinced to attack us, there is no rational reason to believe others might not do the same. Then we have the Landolin kingdoms. They showed no particular interest in Caedellium in the past, but events might have changed that, whether to the positive or the negative, I don’t know.”

  “Well, I know something about Ganolar,” said Mark. “I didn’t get the impression the Rustalians would be a potential threat, but Sulako is not a culture we’re compatible with. Then there’s Buldor and Ilskin. You know the Buldorian history, and from what I heard about Ilskins from Mustafa Adalan, they may even be worse. The only saving grace for most of these is that they’re so far away.