Corean Chronicles 3 - Scepters

by L. E. Modesitt Jr.

  Alucius inclined his head. "Until then." As he left Frynkel's study, the older officer's words reverberated through his thoughts. While he doubted that he could take more wounds than he'd already taken and survive, that hadn't been what Frynkel had meant. In a way, he appreciated the example that Frynkel had presented without warning, because it had illustrated how suddenly people changed from reasonable to less reasonable as something dear to them was threatened.

  Chapter 102

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  After the meeting with Frynkel, Alucius had met with Feran and the two captains, then spent much of the day arranging for everything from riding rations to replacement uniforms. Every single item had to be obtained from somewhere else, and each required a different form. By the end of Lundi, Alucius was exhausted, and his ribs had begun to ache once more.

  He and Feran had a quiet supper in the senior officers' mess, bringing the two captains as guests. When supper was over, Alucius excused himself and retired to his quarters. There, he wrote a lengthy letter to Wendra and climbed into the overlarge bed.

  Lundi had not been a short day, and before long Alucius was asleep.

  When he woke, it was still dark. He struggled out of the bed and toward the bath chamber. But when he stepped through the doorway, he found himself in the hall with the pinkish marble walls, tinged with purple. The half pillars of goldenstone seemed larger than before, and the ceiling, if of the same pink marble, was lower. All the stonework was precise, so precise that even with Talent, he could detect neither joints nor mortar. His bare feet felt chill on the polished stone floor.

  He looked down at the octagonal sections of green marble and their inset eight-pointed stars of golden marble, but when his eyes lifted, the walls had shifted closer to him. Again, he could discover no windows, no doors, and the walls began to press in on him.

  In moments, the cold marble walls were inexorably contracting toward him, viselike, and not even his Talent could find him a way out.

  Sweat poured down his forehead. He had to get out… somehow. He had to—

  Alucius shuddered… and found himself standing beside the bed in the senior officers' quarters. His forehead was soaked. In fact, he was damp all over.

  Why was he still having the dream? He was in Tempre, and, presumably, after his audience with the Lord-Protector, would be headed back to the Iron Valleys, either to Dekhron or to Iron Stem.

  Or was it because he feared going to Dehkron, of being hemmed in there as colonel? Or because no matter what he did, no matter how successful he was, he still seemed to have no choices, and those he did have just restricted him further?

  What could he do to change that?

  He would have to do something. He had to… Didn't he?

  He took a slow, deep breath, and blotted his forehead with the back of his forearm, ignoring the twinges in his ribs.

  Chapter 103

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  On Duadi morning, Alucius stood just north of the rear portico to Southern Guard headquarters, at the front of the lancers of the three companies, waiting for Marshal Frynkel to appear. The other three officers stood in a row behind him, with Feran in the center. Captain Wasenyr and Majer Keiryn stood on the top of the steps of the portico.

  "Think we'll have to wait long, sir?" asked Feran.

  "He'll be on time, or close to it," Alucius suggested.

  Almost as Alucius finished his words, the marshal appeared from the archway off the portico and moved forward to the edge of the steps. From there he surveyed the lancers formed up below.

  "Ceremonies should not be too short or too long," Frynkel began. "If they are too short, the importance of what they reward is lost. Too long, and that importance is trivialized by boredom." He paused. "I will try to be neither too short nor too long."

  Alucius wondered how one judged whether something was too short or long, or did Frynkel just gauge the reaction as he proceeded?

  "It is not often that three companies are sent out to do a task that others have judged impossible. It is even less often that they succeed in accomplishing the task. It is less often than that that they do so and return. It is unheard of for three companies to do that twice, and in less than a season…"

  Frynkel went on to summarize what the three companies had done in both Hyalt and in Southgate, clearly using Alucius's reports as the basis for his remarks. Then he added a few words about the unit commendation and about how few lancer companies received the award.

  "… These were not only notable achievements, but were achievements absolutely necessary to preserve Lanachrona as a land of freedom and prosperity, and achievements most worthy of special attention and honor. For this reason, you all unreservedly deserve the commendation of the Lord-Protector and will be awarded that commendation. In addition, because lancers cannot live on words alone, the commendation also comes with a bonus of two weeks' pay, which you will receive on your next payday." Frynkel permitted himself a smile. "And in keeping with my promise to be neither too terse nor too verbose, I will close by saying that both the Lord-Protector and I appreciate your efforts. We commend you for efforts well-done and honorable, and we are greatly honored by your service, accomplishments, and dedication. Well and bravely done!"

  Frynkel inclined his head to the lancers below and to the officers. "Carry on." He turned and reentered the headquarters building.

  Alucius turned. "Dismissed to company officers."

  "Dismissed to squad leaders."

  The three officers eased toward Alucius.

  "The men'll like the bonus," Deotyr said.

  "Half of 'em will have it spent before they get it," Jultyr suggested.

  "Half of them? " asked Feran so sardonically that all the others laughed.

  "They'll still have the commendation when the coins are gone," Alucius pointed out, "but for now they can enjoy the coin."

  "And they will."

  "So will I," Feran said. "We get the same bonus. I know. I asked."

  Alucius couldn't help smiling. "That's all for now. I won't know more about what we're doing until after I meet with the Lord-Protector this afternoon. I'll let you know tomorrow morning—if I know—before muster."

  After Jultyr and Deotyr left, Feran waited, then asked, "Do you really think we'll be headed back?"

  "I think it's very likely."

  "Why? Because they don't like us making them look bad?"

  "Twenty-eighth and Thirty-fifth Companies did well, and they were little more than recruits. I don't think the Southern Guard lancers are bad. Not so good as ours, but better than most other lands."

  "You know what you're saying, honored Colonel, don't you?"

  Alucius raised his eyebrows. "That they've got too many political officers? Yes. Marshal Alyniat said he'd taken a great amount of criticism for promoting senior squad leaders to captain and stipending off colonels, and not promoting majers."

  "He's got the right idea. Whether it will last beyond him is another question."

  Alucius nodded.

  The two turned and walked toward the barracks.

  Alucius conducted an informal inspection, something he had often done, but not recently, for obvious reasons, then spent a good glass in the stables with Feran, assessing the state of their mounts. He wanted a solid sense of what Fifth Company needed before he met with the Lord-Protector. Then he went back to his quarters to write down his observations and what he and Feran had determined was necessary for the return to Iron Stem. While he might never mention them to the Lord-Protector, he would need to request those items from someone, and while he had what he needed in mind, he began to write a draft of those needs.

  Before all that long, or so it seemed, Captain Wasenyr had appeared to escort him to the palace, and the two walked back down to the stables.

  "What happened to Captain Deen?" Alucius asked, recalling the rather charming verbose captain who had last briefed him on an audience with the Lord-Protector.

  "Deen?" Captain Wasenyr frowned, then nodded, "
He' an overcaptain now, works for Majer Ashynst. Talks to people, gathers ideas… I think that's what he does…"

  Deen had been good at talking, but Alucius had his doubts about his listening.

  "You've had an audience with the Lord-Protector, Colonel, and you're on the preferred list. You really don't need much briefing. Captain-colonel Ratyf is still the director of appointments. You know that no weapons are allowed in the audience chamber, except for your sabre. It's considered a ceremonial weapon. Your audience is private. Almost all with Guard officers are these days."

  Once they reached the stables and mounted, the two officers rode around the east side of the building and through the outer gates. From there, they turned right. Their mounts carried them westward toward the river and the Grand Piers and green towers that lay beyond the Lord-Protector's palace.

  Alucius glanced at the gardens that flanked both sides of the boulevard. Despite the winter season, the grass was green, as were the hedges, even those trimmed into the shapes of animals, but the flowers that he had seen before were absent. Guards in cream-shaded uniforms were posted at intervals along the low stone walls bordering the boulevard, and others walked along the stone paths, but Alucius had the sense that there were fewer guards than before. He also saw only a single woman with a child, and one couple. It might have been the cooler weather, but the gardens were far less attended than upon his previous visit.

  "You are familiar with the Lord-Protectors' gardens?" inquired Captain Wasenyr.

  "I saw them on my last visit. They look as well kept as then, but fewer people are enjoying them."

  "That might be so. These are harder times for all."

  Ahead of them, beyond both the gardens and the palace, the green towers flanking the Grand Piers were clearly visible, spires identical to the one in Iron Stem and those in Dereka.

  Alucius took a last look at the gardens as he rode past the wall on the right side of the boulevard, a stone wall a good four yards high, which marked the beginning of the palace grounds. On the left side, the gardens—although divided by the Avenue of the Palace running northward from the high road—continued westward to the Grand Piers.

  "Here, sir." Captain Wasenyr gestured to the first entrance.

  The palace entryway was a portico only slightly larger than that of the entry to Southern Guard headquarters. Waiting for them was a half squad of guards in dark blue uniforms trimmed with silver. There were also two stableboys standing by as the two officers reined up. At the top of the steps above the mounting blocks stood another captain. Like Captain Wasenyr, he wore blue braid across his shoulders. Alucius felt he had met the man on his last visit but did not recall his name.

  Captain Wasenyr did not dismount. "I leave you here, sir."

  "Thank you, Captain."

  "Yes, sir."

  Alucius dismounted, handing the chestnut's reins to a stableboy.

  The graying captain stepped down to meet Alucius. "Captain Alfaryl, Colonel. Captain-colonel Ratyf asked me to escort you."

  "Thank you." Alucius was glad the captain had offered his name. "It's been more than three years, but you were my escort the last time, weren't you?"

  "Yes, sir. I think so."

  Alucius laughed. "You must escort hundreds of officers and others. This is but my second audience."

  "That's more than all but the marshals usually get, sir."

  Not having a ready reply to that, Alucius followed Alfaryl through the double stone arches. Beyond the arches was a square vaulted entry hall that rose a good ten yards overhead and measured fifteen yards on a side. Light poured through the high clerestory windows on the south side. The polished granite floor was inlaid with long strips of blue marble, creating a blue-edged diamond pattern.

  Captain Alfaryl led Alucius through the middle of three square arches into a corridor that stretched a good forty yards. After less than twenty yards they turned left into a short corridor, at the end of which was a set of high double doors. In front of the doors stood four guards in blue and silver. Silently, the one in the center opened a door, holding it as Alucius and the captain stepped through. Just as silently, the door closed behind them.

  Beyond the door was a large chamber, with a number of settees and upholstered armchairs, and with blue-and-cream hangings. Thick carpets, in blue and cream, stretched over the granite floor. Several portraits hung on the light-wood-paneled walls. All were of men, past Lord-Protectors. The chamber was empty, except for Alucius, Captain Alfaryl, and the captain-colonel who walked toward them.

  "Captain-colonel Ratyf," said Alfaryl, "Majer-colonel Alucius."

  "Ah… yes. It is good to see you again, sir. The Lord-Protector is most looking forward to seeing you. I will tell him you're here." The captain-colonel vanished through a small doorway, then returned nearly instantaneously. "Do enter, sir."

  Alucius turned to Alfaryl. "Thank you."

  "My pleasure, sir."

  Alucius followed Ratyf's gesture and stepped through the larger door in the rear of the waiting chamber.

  The captain-colonel held the door and announced in a deep voice, "Colonel Alucius of the Northern Guard."

  After entering the audience hall, Alucius heard the door click shut behind him.

  Nothing had changed from the last time Alucius had been in the hall. It remained not that much larger than the corridor leading to the waiting chamber, and the goldenstone walls were draped with the same rich blue hangings, and lighttorches were everywhere. The polished white marble floor was patterned with the same blue stone as in the outer entry hall, but the pattern was that of smaller oblongs.

  "Greetings, Colonel. Once more, you've accomplished the impossible." The LordProtector stepped away from the white onyx throne, whose high stone back rose into a spire, at the tip of which was a shimmering blue crystal star.

  "We have done our best to accede to your requests, sir." Alucius moved forward, stopping short of the dais on which the slender darkhaired man in the severe blue violet tunic stood.

  "You have apparently rendered me yet another service that I cannot fully repay on a request of you that I cannot acknowledge in full—not publicly."

  "Neither of us had a choice, sir. Not really."

  The Lord-Protector Talryn smiled, spoke, his words carrying a trace of a laugh. "That is one of the ironies of power and position. The greater each of these is, the fewer real and wise choices there are, and yet there is the illusion that those who have power and position have an immense range of choice."

  Alucius smiled in return. "They do, sir. They have an immense range of choice to make mistakes."

  Talryn broke into a deep laugh. When he finally stopped, he shook his head. "When you were on your way to Hyalt, I read Marshal Frynkel's report about what occurred in Krost. Later, your report on Hyalt was most revealing, and so were Marshal Alyniat's and your reports on the events that took place in Southgate."

  "I would that I could enjoy and utilize your services here in Tempre, but, for many reasons, that would not be wise. Lanachrona is too old and the Southern Guard too traditional for a colonel of your directness. Nor would the Iron Valleys or the Northern Guard be well served. They need you, and I need you there." The Lord-Protector extended an envelope, then a pair of insignia. "You are hereby promoted permanently to majer-colonel in the Southern Guard, and colonel in the Northern Guard. The Lord-Protector's acceptance of Colonel Weslyn's request to be stipended is enclosed, along with your orders and appointment as commandant of the Northern Guard. Your orders allow you to make any and all changes you deem necessary within the structure of the Northern Guard, but they do not provide you with any additional powers of conscription, nor do they change my standing order against conscription of herders…"

  "Sir…" Alucius stopped. The Lord-Protector was right.

  "Do you have any thoughts or requests?"

  "Yes, sir." Alucius did have thoughts, one in particular.

  The Lord-Protector's eyebrows rose. "Yes…"

  "I beli
eve that the Northern Guard headquarters should be moved from Dekhron, While Lanachrona and the Iron Valleys were contending with each other, that placement was sensible. I fear that for the years to come, the greater threat will be in the west."

  "You think Iron Stem, perhaps?" A smile curled into the corners of the Lord-Protector's mouth.

  "Yes, sir. If that would seem too self-serving, then I would suggest Wesrigg. There is already an outpost there. But Iron Stem would be better, because it is the junction of the two high roads, north and west."

  The Lord-Protector nodded. "I can see that. Would you move the entire Guard from Dekhron?"

  "Yes, sir. For many reasons."

  "That will cost golds, Colonel."

  "Yes, sir. It will. At first. Later, it will be less costly. Far less costly. And I have another request."

  "Another?" The mock astonishment was colored with amusement.

  "I would like an order closing the dustcat establishment in Iron Stem."

  This time, puzzlement appeared on Talryn's face.

  "I would close every such establishment anywhere. It is a filthy and degrading addiction." Alucius shrugged. "That would not work. It would only crop up elsewhere. But requiring Gortal to move his establishment from Iron Stem will disrupt some of that trouble… and I would not wish that establishment near the Northern Guard."

  "How would you handle that?"

  "If I have the authority, it will occur." Alucius's voice was cold.

  "You may have the authority for both—with a single proviso. You may not announce either until after the turn of spring. We will discuss, if by dispatch, how to make these changes, and you and Marshal Frynkel will work out the details."

  Alucius nodded. "Yes, sir."

  "Have you any other official requests?"

  Alucius caught the slight emphasis on "official." "No, sir."

  "Then, you have my leave to return to Dekhron as you see fit, but no later than a week from now. You will take both Southern Guard companies, with some replacement lancers, and I would appreciate your efforts at ensuring they get training. Once you are certain that you have full control of the Northern Guard, you can detach those companies and send them back to Tempre." Talryn offered the quickest of grins. "You can also promise them a month of furlough once they return. Now…" The Lord-Protector reached back and lifted a bell, ringing it gently. "I have my own request."