The Mage-Fire War

by Modesitt. Jr. , L. E.

  Raelf laughed softly. “Once they learn what happened to Duke Massyngal, they might be even less eager to fight.”

  “The Viscount might be less eager to fight,” said Knutwyl. “I have doubts about the Prefect.”

  “I’d agree with your view of the Prefect,” said Beltur. “He lost something like six mages in the battle for Elparta, and he immediately started picking a fight with Certis.”

  “Duke Massyngal’s fortunate the Prefect doesn’t have an easy way to Hydlen,” returned Knutwyl. “Otherwise…” He shook his head.

  “Massyngal’s also fortunate that Lydiar’s weak right now,” added Raelf. “If Lydiar had a strong duke, like Heldry or Heldacar, after a battle like this, Massyngal would be fleeing for his life.” He shrugged. “But we live in the times we live in, not in other times. Our times are interesting enough.”

  Too interesting. Beltur just smiled and took another swallow of ale.

  A little more than a glass later, Beltur carried the chest with him across the square to the quarters building. He hadn’t looked into it and wouldn’t until they and Gustaan finished with talking to various troopers and they rode back to the house, where Tulya and Taelya could see as well.

  When they reached the duty room, Gustaan looked at the chest that Beltur set on the side table.

  “Ah … ser?”

  “A gift from the Hydlenese to us, courtesy of Majer Raelf. It might pay for some more patrollers and troopers.”

  “The majer gave it to you?”

  “To the Council. The majer doesn’t ever want to fight a battle like the one here again. He believes that if Haven is strong enough to discourage the Hydlenese he won’t have to. I’d appreciate your keeping that to yourself. There are those in Vergren who might not approve, and we need every ally we can keep.”

  “Yes, ser.”

  “We might as well get started.” Beltur took off his visor cap and set it on the table, then seated himself.

  Jessyla sat down on his right.

  Gustaan walked back to the rear door and opened it. “Khraas, you’re first.”

  The trooper who entered wore a green Hydlenese uniform, with dark splotches in places, splotches that were likely what remained of blood that Khraas had tried to remove. He stopped short of the table, standing erect. “Sers, Trooper Khraas.” His eyes widened slightly as he took in Beltur, but they lingered only a moment before he quickly studied Jessyla, then waited.

  “Khraas, how did you come to be captured?” asked Beltur.

  “When your other mage took on our mage, the whole middle of the company was wiped out. Maybe more. Outside of that weapons, shields, all sorts of stuff got blown everywhere. Something hit me in the head. When I woke up, there were some angry Lydians looking at me. They decided not to cut my throat.”

  Beltur nodded slightly. So far Khraas was telling the truth.

  “Do you know why we wanted to talk to you and the others?”

  “The word is … Ser, your squad leader said that you wanted volunteers. After this mess, my life wouldn’t be worth a bent copper in Hydlen.”

  “We’re looking for both town patrollers and troopers to form the beginning of a Haven company. Would you rather be a town patroller or a Haven trooper?”

  “Ser … if it’s all the same to you, I’m a good trooper. I wouldn’t be a good patroller. I get mad too quick when people are stupid.”

  “Some squad leaders and undercaptains are stupid.”

  “Ser, begging your pardon, you don’t strike me as keeping stupid squad leaders.”

  Beltur could sense the amusement behind Gustaan’s pleasant expression.

  The trooper went on. “Most stupid squad leaders don’t last, and the good ones can keep most dumb officers from really stupid stuff. Ser.”

  “Usually, but not always,” replied Beltur.

  “Yes, ser. That’s why some of us are here. That is, the Duke, Duke Massyngal, he doesn’t like really smart officers. Smart officers wouldn’t have even tried to attack Haven. Not after what happened to the first battalion.”

  “I need troopers to wear Hydlen uniforms and accompany me on a recon mission deep into Hydlen. Would you be interested in being a trooper if that were a requirement?”

  “So long as you’re leading the mission in person, ser.”

  “You wouldn’t regard it as a way to get home safely and to avoid the Duke’s men?”

  “Ser … if any of us tried to go home, we’d be killed on the spot.”

  The absolute certainty behind the trooper’s words chilled Beltur.

  After perhaps another half quint, Beltur dismissed Khraas, thinking that the trooper was a likely prospect.

  The next five men, while they had been captured under differing circumstances, had much the same attitude and honesty as Khraas. The seventh trooper to enter had managed to largely clean up his uniform. His brown beard and hair were short and trimmed, and he looked openly at Beltur and then Jessyla.

  “Caaldyn, trooper, ser mages.”

  This time, Jessyla repeated the opening question.

  “Ser mages … I was in the second rank of Fifth Company when one of you charged and broke the line. My mount was pushed sideways. He stumbled over something and went down. I recall nothing after feeling myself pitch forward. I must have hit my head. The next thing I clearly remember was two mounted Montgren troopers, one with a bow drawn and a shaft pointed at me, and the other ordering me to my feet.”

  Beltur could sense that Caaldyn was evading something. “How long do you think you lay there on the road?”

  “I couldn’t say, ser. Like I said, the next thing I knew, there were these troopers checking the fallen.”

  The part about troopers checking the fallen was certainly truthful, but Beltur extended his senses to the trooper, and could find no trace of wound chaos or bruises anywhere on Caaldyn’s head.

  When asked about whether he’d rather be a trooper or a patroller, Caaldyn replied, “I didn’t have any choice in becoming a trooper. All the young men on my street were conscripted.”

  At that point, Gustaan said, “Might I?”

  Beltur and Jessyla both nodded.

  “What street was that, Caaldyn? Was it in Hydolar?”

  “Yes, Squad Leader. It was Clapton Close.”

  That statement was completely true, Beltur sensed.

  “Thank you,” said Gustaan.

  “About being a patroller or trooper,” Beltur prompted.

  “Yes, ser. If I have a choice, I’d rather be a patroller. I’ve never liked the killing part of being a trooper.”

  “Why else would you rather be a patroller?” asked Jessyla.

  “I like staying in one place.”

  Again, that was true, but there was a chaotic overtone, and the rest of Caaldyn’s responses during the brief talk were similar.

  Once Caaldyn had left, Jessyla turned to Gustaan. “Not him. Not for anything. He presents an honest and open appearance, but everything underneath is calculating. Much of what he said was only partly true.”

  “I would agree,” said Gustaan. “Also, Clapton Close is one of the worst streets in Hydolar. Even when I was stationed at the palace post, I’d heard of it.”

  “Then we need to keep him with those who aren’t considered for either,” said Beltur.

  “What do we do with them?” asked Jessyla. “Sending them back to Hydlen might get them killed.”

  “Give them a choice to find work here as a laborer, or to go elsewhere as they wish,” said Beltur. “We’ll need to make it clear that, if they stay here, any attack or assault on anyone will merit execution or banishment.”

  By fourth glass, the three had decided on twelve men who might be possible troopers, and left it up to Gustaan to choose the nine to accompany him and Beltur.

  Once Beltur and Jessyla had left the quarters building, reclaimed Slowpoke and the mare, and were riding back toward their house, Jessyla turned to Beltur. “I don’t like the idea of your going to Hydolar alo
ne.”

  “We both can’t go. There has to be a mage here to keep things under control,” Beltur pointed out, balancing the chest in front of him, since it was too big to fit in the saddlebags. “I’m back to strength, and I can sense even a bit farther than I could before. I won’t be alone. I’ll have Gustaan and the others. And we won’t be looking for a fight, but to avoid one.”

  “Somehow, that doesn’t reassure me. You haven’t been looking for a fight since I’ve known you. Did that matter? You’ve fought Analerian brigands, a Gallosian army, three different brigand groups, a battalion of Hydlenese, and then the biggest force Duke Massyngal could send.”

  “It’s safer now than it would be later,” Beltur pointed out. “If we don’t deal with Massyngal now, we’ll have to face another army, and I don’t think either the Duchess or Duke Halacut will be nearly so supportive a second time. Massyngal hasn’t had time to rebuild his forces or even to move some of those from Worrak to Hydolar, but it won’t be that long. Also, there will still be some troopers straggling back to Hydlen.”

  “Not many, from what the ones we talked to were saying.”

  “There will be some. More important, the local people won’t think it’s unusual right now.”

  “You’re probably right about that,” Jessyla said glumly. “I don’t have to like it.”

  “Do you think I do?” asked Beltur wryly.

  LXXII

  Early on twoday, Beltur and Jessyla rode to Julli’s house, each carrying a stack of Hydlenese uniforms, including one that had been a captain’s and two that had belonged to squad leaders.

  Julli was working in the rear garden when the two reined up. Still carrying the short spade that Beltur remembered all too well, she walked swiftly toward them. “I see you’ve got some uniforms for me to alter. What? One for each of you? Who else?”

  Jessyla dismounted, tied the mare to the hitching post at the rear of the house, and said, “Just for Beltur. The others are for two of our patrollers and nine other men that Gustaan will bring over later today. Some of them are former Hydlenese troopers, but some only have portions of their uniforms left.”

  “You’re trusting them?”

  “They’re also trusting us,” replied Beltur as he dismounted. “If they get captured in Hydlen, they’ll likely be killed. If they carry out this mission, they’ll have a place, and we’ll have the beginning of our own company of armsmen.” He paused, then added, “To which you’ll be able to sell quite a few things.”

  Julli turned back to Jessyla. “You’re not going with him?”

  “One mage has to stay here and take care of matters.”

  “Humph. I suppose that makes sense. Come on inside. I can take Beltur’s measurements now.”

  Beltur turned and lifted his stack of uniforms off Slowpoke, while Jessyla took hers from the mare.

  “Quite a load you’ve got there.”

  “There should be enough to fit everyone,” replied Beltur. “You’ll have to alter the two captain’s uniforms, the ones with the higher collar, to fit me, and a squad leader’s to fit Gustaan.”

  “You need two?”

  Beltur nodded. He wasn’t about to explain why. The fewer who knew the better.

  “When do you need them?”

  “As soon as you can finish them. You’ll be paid immediately when they’re ready.”

  “That will depend on how much alteration I have to do.” Julli opened the door and stepped back. “It sounds like you’re headed to do something dangerous.” Once they were inside the kitchen, she headed for a room to the side.

  “We’re just going to deliver a message.”

  “It’s not my business … but, if you think I believe that, I’ve got some ancient cupridium I’d be happy to sell you.”

  Beltur just smiled behind Julli’s back at Jessyla, who shook her head.

  Julli used a cloth tape quickly, writing down Beltur’s measurements on a small scrap of paper with a grease stick. “You’re broader than you look.” She shook her head. “You’re also more dangerous. Both of you. The greencoats found that out.”

  “We’ve just been trying to find a place that will be home,” Jessyla said.

  “Well … you’ve found it. You just have to protect it now.”

  “There is that,” Beltur said dryly.

  “So far, you’re doing fine. Now … off with you. I need to finish the gardening so I can get to work on those first two uniforms.”

  “Is it all right if Gustaan brings the others over in a glass or so?”

  “A glass, but no sooner.”

  “We can do that.”

  Once the two were mounted and riding back, Jessyla said, “Things would have been even harder without her and Jaegyr.”

  “I know. She’ll get some extra.” Beltur didn’t mention that without the four councilors life would have gotten much worse for the couple.

  Their next stop, at the quarters/patrol building, was brief, just to give Gustaan the directions and times for him to take his men to Julli’s so that they could be measured for alterations to whatever they needed to have complete uniforms for the “recon mission.”

  After that came a stop at the widow’s to arrange for new kegs of ale for the two houses. Beltur had thought about supplying one to the quarters building, but decided against that for the moment, fearing it might be too great a temptation for some of the new patrollers.

  Then they returned to their house, and Beltur took out the chest that Raelf had presented them. Earlier he’d looked into it, and done a quick estimate. This time they counted. When they finished, Beltur looked at the figures on the paper—four hundred seventeen silver rings, twenty-three gold rings, seventy silver chains, and five gold chains, plus another thirty-five pieces of silver jewelry, including thirteen silver buttons.

  “That’s somewhere close to a hundred golds’ worth of jewelry.” Beltur looked to Jessyla. “I’d wager the gold rings and chains came from officers and senior squad leaders.”

  “We won’t get that much for it,” she pointed out.

  “We will if we turn it into coins.”

  “How do you propose that?”

  “Make molds for golds and silvers. Have Taelya use chaos to melt the metal, and I’ll use order containments to get it in the molds.”

  “Can you do that?”

  “We did the glazes that way, and she’s better now than she was then.” Beltur shrugged. “We’ll have to see. Maybe we’ll have to get a silversmith, but even that would be better than taking a loss.” He didn’t mention that sooner or later, having their own coinage would be a step toward eventual independence from Montgren, but before that the molds could simply be duplicates of other coinages.

  Somehow, with one chore or another, it was time for dinner at Tulya’s, and Beltur was wondering where the rest of twoday had gone.

  When Beltur and Jessyla entered the kitchen, escorted by Taelya, Tulya looked up from the small side table where she’d set the beakers for the ale. “If you’d fill the beakers, Taelya, and put one at each place. Only water in your beaker. You can have some ale after you’ve eaten a little.”

  “Yes, Mother.” She hurried over to Tulya and gave her a hug, then took one of the beakers to the keg and began to fill it.

  “Taelya’s been quite a help,” said Tulya.

  That’s because she senses how much you need her. But Beltur just smiled and said, “She’s always been helpful … and something smells wonderful.”

  “Roast lamb. Lamb, not mutton. Frydika asked me if I’d like some. How could I refuse? Especially with early apples and new potatoes.”

  “My mouth is already watering,” said Jessyla. “Can I do anything?”

  “Just sit down with your ale and talk to me. There’s not that much to do. You two were out and gone early today.”

  “We had to take the Hydlenese uniforms to Julli, and then we had to let Gustaan know about where to take the new troopers to make sure they had complete uniforms. We also stopped
by the widow’s and arranged for more ale. She’ll have Jaegyr deliver it in the next few days. If you run out before then—I think we have more because we’ve been eating here more—just send Taelya with a pitcher.”

  “I think we’re fine, but that’s good to keep in mind.”

  The conversation from there on was light, and the lamb was every bit as good as it smelled, as were the fried apples and cheesed new potatoes that accompanied it.

  Then, while Jessyla and Tulya cleaned up after the meal, Beltur took Taelya into the front room, as he had most nights since the battle.

  “Tonight, you’re going to work on focusing chaos to a point while holding the strongest shield that you can.”

  “I can already focus chaos.”

  Beltur looked at her.

  “Mostly.”

  “Mostly isn’t good enough, and if you want to be a strong mage, you need to be able to focus chaos at the same time. Can you tell me why?”

  Taelya frowned. “Because … because I might have to hurt someone to stop them from hurting me, and they might be attacking me.”

  “That’s true,” Beltur agreed. “You’re also the one closest to your mother.”

  After a long moment, Taelya said, “I didn’t think about that. I might have to protect her, and I can’t hold my shield that long yet.” Her jaw set. “What do you want me to do first?”

  Beltur hadn’t liked playing that plaque, but the plain fact was that Taelya just might have to protect her mother, and she needed to know that. “Remember. You only focus chaos on people or animals that are attacking you or your mother. Bad words don’t count. Just acts.”

  “Yes, Uncle Beltur. Where do I start?”

  A glass later, when Taelya was exhausted from her session with Beltur and had gone to her room, where she was almost asleep before she climbed into bed, the three adults returned to the kitchen, sitting around the battered table.

  “What you’re doing isn’t just a recon mission … or even a messaging mission,” said Tulya, her tone worried.

  “It’s a very specific messaging mission,” replied Beltur. “One that’s absolutely necessary, because, without it, we’ll be faced with another army in a year or so.”