The Mage-Fire War

by Modesitt. Jr. , L. E.

  Frig! “Then I think I’d better do a lot more scouting over the next few days.” He had another thought, one that was obvious in retrospect. “And I think I’d better have a serious talk with Gustaan tomorrow. There is the question of where the white mage managed to come up with a squad of armsmen.”

  Lhadoraak nodded slowly. “You think some of the wounded…?”

  “I have no idea, but we need to find out, and now it’s something that we can’t put off.” Even though he had already put it off in trying to settle things as quickly as possible.

  For the rest of dinner, Beltur kept thinking over how blithely he’d taken too much at face value … and how ill-equipped he was in dealing with politics, governing, and schemes he hadn’t even considered, except in a very general way. The only problem is that it looks like there’s no one else anywhere around Haven better than the four of us. And that made him very uneasy.

  After dinner, Beltur took Taelya and Jessyla into the front room. “We’re going to work on concealments.”

  “So we can disappear like you?” asked Taelya.

  “I don’t really disappear, and neither will you. A concealment is just a way of making it so that others can’t see you. This might be a little harder for you, Taelya, because it requires order almost entirely, but you can put chaos between you and the order so that it doesn’t make you uncomfortable.”

  Taelya frowned. “Why does it take more order?”

  “Because you’ll be using a shield against light, and the shield has to make the light flow around you as if you weren’t there. Now … if you can find a way to do that with less order, and in a way that doesn’t reveal you, then I’d be very happy. Now … both of you sense what I’m doing with my shield.” Beltur strengthened his shield slightly, then shifted it so that the edges all were what he could only call “downhill” and “smooth.”

  “He’s gone, but he’s here,” said Taelya.

  “Now … I’m going to do a concealment from even sensing.”

  “He’s really gone.”

  “No … I’m here. People can still hear you or smell you or walk right into you.” Beltur shifted his shield back to just visual concealment. “Study how my shield feels. In a moment, you’re going to try that.” After a few moments, he dropped the concealment. “Now Taelya, I’m going to put a concealment around you. Everything will turn black, blacker than the darkest night. The first thing you need to do is to sense where I am and where Jessyla is. Can you do that?”

  “I’ll try, Uncle Beltur.”

  Although Beltur spent half a glass with both of them, Jessyla could only hold a concealment for a few moments, as if her shields wanted to revert. Taelya couldn’t manage anything.

  “That’s hard.” The girl’s voice trembled, as if she wanted to cry.

  “Taelya,” Beltur said, “it’s really hard. Some whites never manage it. You can do more with chaos and order than most whites twice your age. I’m sure you’ll be able to do it, but it will take time. That’s why we’re starting now. Jessyla’s much older and stronger than you are, and she could only hold a concealment for a few moments.”

  “I couldn’t do anything you’re doing when I was your age,” said Jessyla.

  “Neither could I,” said Beltur.

  “You’re both telling the truth,” said Taelya. She sighed. “Maybe I can find another way.”

  “You can try to do that,” said Beltur, “but also try what I was showing you. Even if it doesn’t work right now, it will make you a stronger mage.”

  “I will. I will.” Taelya yawned.

  “And I think it’s time for bed for you, Taelya,” said Lhadoraak as he entered the front room.

  “I’m learning concealments, Father.”

  “I heard. Tell Uncle Beltur and Aunt Jessyla good night.”

  “Good night.”

  After Beltur and Jessyla left the house in early evening and started to walk across the street to their own house, Jessyla said quietly, “You’re really worried, aren’t you?”

  Beltur laughed softly, not quite bitterly. “I can’t think of a single reason not to be.”

  “The Duke can’t possibly know what you and Lhadoraak can do.”

  “We did all of that with armsmen to protect us when we were doing it. Now … it’s just the four of us.”

  “We’ll work it out.” Jessyla stopped short of the front stoop. “It’s pleasant at this time of evening, and there aren’t that many bugs out yet, either.”

  In short, you can’t do anything tonight. Beltur let his senses range, but he felt no untoward chaos. Not for the moment. That was good, even if it was unlikely to last. “It is pleasant.”

  She took his hand and said again, “We’ll work it out.” After a moment, she added, with a smile, “And our mattress is a lot better than the one in the inn.”

  XXV

  When Beltur woke on twoday he immediately looked over at Jessyla, who was already awake and looking at him. Managing not to yawn, he said, “You’re right. Our mattress is much better. Even on the floor.”

  “You weren’t thinking about the mattress last night,” she replied with a fond smile.

  “Neither were you.”

  They both laughed.

  Then they hurried to get ready for the day. Breakfast was little more than oat porridge and leftover skillet bread.

  Knowing he’d be doing patrols, Beltur groomed and saddled one of the “new” horses, because they needed riding, but then led the mare as he and Jessyla walked to the healing house. There he tied the horse and walked to the cabinet shop, noticing that Gorlaak’s wagon, laden with assorted planks and timbers, already stood outside, and that the four workers were unloading it.

  Gorlaak and Lhadoraak were directing them, but Lhadoraak left to join Beltur, with an inquiring glance.

  “Once they’re done unloading the wood, I’ll talk to Gustaan.”

  “He’s good at getting the others to work.”

  Beltur understood what Lhadoraak wasn’t saying—that they could use Gustaan and that he’d be an asset. “I’ve seen that, and we need all the help we can get. How does Tulya like the house?”

  “She’s pleased. We never would have owned anything in Elparta. She really likes the stove and cistern.” Lhadoraak frowned. “What if the glazing cracks?”

  “It shouldn’t, with all the order I put into it, but you and Taelya could reglaze parts of it.”

  The older mage shook his head. “You two could. I can’t exert the order force you used. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could focus order into a point that would penetrate iron plate.”

  “I wouldn’t want to try. Glazing the cisterns was really hard work. Taelya got so she could narrow chaos into a point.”

  “That worries me.”

  “She’ll have that power, regardless. All we can do is make sure she knows how and when to use it … and when not.”

  “I’ll be interested to see how you feel when you have a child.” Lhadoraak’s tone was humorous.

  “Probably the same way you do now. But we’ll have to see.”

  “I just might enjoy that.” Lhadoraak grinned.

  “Don’t laugh too hard.”

  When Turlow and Dussef carried the last plank into the building, Lhadoraak beckoned to Gustaan.

  “Yes, ser.”

  “Beltur needs to talk to you. When you’re finished, just rejoin us inside.”

  Gustaan nodded, then turned to Beltur. “Ser?”

  “I’ve been talking to a few people, and I’ve learned some things that may prove troublesome for us here in Haven. You said you had been a squad leader. Where was that?”

  Gustaan looked stolidly ahead. “I’d rather not say.”

  “It might be best if you did.”

  “I’d rather not say, ser.”

  “In Hydlen, perhaps?”

  Gustaan did not speak.

  Beltur could sense the chaotic discomfort and said, “You had some difficulties, possibly, and it was suggested
that, if you accompanied the white mage, Elshon, was it?” That was a guess.

  “It was more than difficulties, ser. The captain was green. He was little more than … a boy. He was the son of a noted factor. He shouldn’t have been even an undercaptain. I tried to keep him from making too many mistakes. He wouldn’t listen. We lost half a company in a border skirmish with Certis near Chaitel. Half a company because he wouldn’t listen. He didn’t survive.”

  Beltur unfortunately understood exactly what Gustaan meant. “And his father was very well-placed?”

  “Yes, ser. The overcaptain was demoted and transferred, to the army east of Passera, and the majer felt that I and the rest of my squad … that … detached duty…”

  “So the Duke was covertly supporting Elshon?”

  “Yes, ser.” Gustaan’s voice was resigned.

  “Is that why there are Hydlenese patrols just beyond the border … and sometimes even closer?”

  Gustaan said nothing.

  “Were you the one who was supposed to send reports to them?”

  “No, ser. Lankyl was.”

  “Who is Lankyl?”

  “He was the lesser white mage. He could conceal himself … the way they say you can. That way no one would see him.”

  “What were your duties?”

  “Just to take charge if anything happened to the mages.” Gustaan snorted. “When it did, I couldn’t do anything. I certainly can’t go back to Hydlen. None of us can.”

  “All of you were Hydlenese troopers?”

  “We were. We were held responsible for the little prick’s death, even if no one could prove it.”

  “Which you were,” said Beltur. “I do understand. I’ve seen it happen.”

  “Begging your pardon, ser…”

  “In the short war between Gallos and Spidlar, there was an undercaptain who met a similar fate during a battle along the river, except the officer in command was far better in dealing with it. No, I wasn’t that officer. I was an undercaptain, and I was in a different part of the field when it happened … but I was with the squad that had to reinforce his after that.” Beltur didn’t even like thinking about Zandyr, much less what had happened, but Zandyr had brought it on himself through arrogance that seemed to run in too many powerful families, compounded by his own stupidity. “What was it that your captain didn’t listen about?”

  “He ordered two charges against two Gallosian companies. One was a company of archers dug in behind earthworks, supported by a company of heavy infantry with a white mage.”

  “How many Hydlenese companies were there?”

  “Just one, ser, two squads of light cavalry, and two of foot. We were on patrol. We could have withdrawn and reported the incursion. But no … he insisted.”

  “The Certan heavy infantry—spears or pikes?”

  “The Certans use spears shorter than a pike.”

  “What happened?”

  “The undercaptain insisted the cavalry squads charge the heavy infantry. What the spears didn’t get, the archers mostly did. Then, when the Certan heavy infantry advanced, he insisted we hold our ground.” Gustaan shrugged. “After they broke through, I had what was left of my squad withdraw. We lost some there, too.”

  Beltur wasn’t totally surprised, except by the fact that there wasn’t a trace of deception in Gustaan’s recounting. “How long after that were you … persuaded to accompany Elshon?”

  “Two eightdays.” Gustaan looked directly at Beltur. “What are you going to do with us?”

  “Offer you jobs as patrollers. You didn’t lie to me. The Duke of Hydlen used the situation to force you into an impossible situation.” Beltur smiled wryly. “Being a patroller here might not be much better than where you’ve been, but it’s the best I can offer. You can also leave, if you want. If you choose to become patrollers, I will want a promise that you’ll stay.” Before Gustaan could say another word, he went on. “I don’t want an answer now. Think about it and talk it over among yourselves. After you finish refinishing the building, we’ll talk. One other thing—are any of the others supposed to report to Hydlenese forces?”

  Gustaan shook his head. “I wasn’t told about that. The majer told me that none of the men should try to leave Haven until matters were settled.”

  “What did he mean by that?”

  “I asked. He said that I’d know.”

  That also made sense to Beltur … unfortunately. “When did you think matters would be settled?”

  “When Hydlen took over Haven and this part of Montgren.”

  “What were they going to do about Elshon?”

  “Let him run the town mostly as he pleased so long as he didn’t cause problems. No one told me that, but it made sense.”

  “How big an army is the Duke gathering to invade Lydiar?”

  “They’re recruiting everywhere, even in Worrak. They’ll use the gutter rats for archer fodder.”

  “How soon?”

  “Not that soon. They’d just started when they sent us off. Sometime in late summer, I’d say. Not early, though.”

  Beltur shook his head.

  The picture he was getting wasn’t pleasant. Elshon was supposed to take over Haven and create a mess, most likely take on and possibly slaughter the next group of Montgren troopers who visited Haven. That would have forced the Duchess either to give up the town or send more troops and one of her few mages. If she sent more troops, and Elshon prevailed, the Duke would wait to see what Korlyssa did. If she did nothing, he’d claim that she’d lost control and move in large numbers of troopers. If she attacked and destroyed Elshon, he’d likely claim that she breached the borders—or find some excuse to attack a weakened Montgren.

  “Ser?” asked Gustaan, interrupting Beltur’s thoughts.

  “Oh … I was thinking about what happens next. You can go back to work. Talk it over with the others, and we’ll get together in a few days.”

  “That’s all … ser?”

  “You did what you had to. You didn’t lie. The question now is what you intend to do next. So long as you don’t hurt or betray anyone, the choice is yours.”

  “Yes, ser. Thank you, ser.”

  Beltur had the definite feeling that Gustaan either didn’t believe him or didn’t know what to make of the situation. Possibly both.

  He walked back to the healing house, where he untied the second mare and mounted, riding across the square, still empty of even the small number of vendors that had been present on oneday, but that might have been because of Ennalee’s efforts to make threeday a market day. Turning east and riding at a walk, he studied the buildings he passed, with both eyes and senses. He had the impression that some looked like they’d had a bit more care, but that just might have been what he wanted to see.

  What exactly could he, Lhadoraak, and Jessyla do if several companies of Hydlenese troopers rode or marched into Haven? A conflict would likely just ignite the very war that Beltur wanted to avoid … or put off for at least as long as possible. Yet the last thing any of them wanted was to be under the rule of the Duke of Hydlen.

  He took a deep breath and straightened in the saddle.

  XXVI

  Beltur was at the square by eighth glass on threeday morning, wearing his “patrol” uniform. He brought Slowpoke, but left the gelding tied in front of the healing house, where Jessyla could keep an eye on him. Seeing as the square was largely empty, with the only vendor present early being Worrfan, Beltur walked to the cabinet shop that was being converted into patroller quarters. There Gustaan and the other three were unloading planks.

  The former squad leader paused, then said, “These quarters won’t be bad.”

  “Even with pallet beds and thin wool-stuffed mattresses,” replied Beltur amiably.

  “That’s better than squad leaders get in Hydlen.”

  “Shouldn’t the quarters be better? We’ll be asking more of patrollers.”

  “More?”

  “Patrollers have to be civil and polite, and usin
g weapons should be the last resort.”

  At Gustaan’s skeptical look, Beltur laughed and added, “After we settle things down. That’s another reason why Lhadoraak and I are handling the patrolling for now. Also, that will establish the fact that any of you who choose to become patrollers can always suggest that those who are thinking about causing trouble would much rather deal with you than us.”

  After a moment, Gustaan nodded. “I can see that.”

  Beltur turned and walked toward the fountain.

  By two quints after eighth glass, Ennalee and Samwyth had arrived with their carts, and there was a handcart pushed by a woman that held what looked to be an assortment of linen garments. Then the spice merchant arrived with his brass-bound wagon.

  His first customer was Tulya, and the second was Jessyla. While Tulya smiled at Beltur, she didn’t stop to talk to him. Jessyla did.

  “What did you get?” asked Beltur.

  “Pepper, of course, and hot paprika…”

  “You’re not going to make that hot burhka…”

  “Not as hot as some, but even the milder version won’t taste right without a little paprika. He also had cinnamon, nutmeg, kerdan, cloves, and cardamom…”

  “Dare I ask what it all cost?”

  “You’ll feel better if you don’t. Tulya bought more than I did, but she’s a better cook.”

  “Did you have to—”

  “Only what we can’t get here. We can get mustard seed, dill, garlic, muhart seeds, oregano, chives … in time I can grow them and quite a few others.” With a smile and her bag full of small spice bags, Jessyla hurried back to the healing house.

  Beltur turned to see Bythalt talking with Maunsel. After Bythalt came a woman Beltur didn’t recognize, but who left the square walking in the direction of the Brass Bowl. He wondered if she happened to be the cook there. But would Phaelgren even pay for costly spices?

  Clearly, the spice merchant had spread the word that he’d be in the square, because more than a score of individuals appeared over the next glass.

  Just after midday, Beltur walked to the unfinished quarters to find Lhadoraak. One aspect of wearing the blue uniform was that it was cooler than blacks, especially in the sun.