"You aren't giving me a choice?"
"Not right now," Alucius said. "I wasn't given one, as I recall."
Feran barked a laugh. "Faisyn… have Egyl find some squad leaders, and have them request the officers join the colonel here immediately."
"Yes, sir."
Nadalt glanced from Alucius to Feran. The ranker's shoulders seemed to droop.
"Where's the roster of all lancers stationed here?" Alucius asked Nadalt.
"It's there… the black folder on the right, sir. The first pages are headquarters. The others are listed by post after that."
Alucius walked to the narrow desk and lifted the folder, opening it and beginning to read the names, counting as he did. The officer's names on the roster agreed with what Nadalt had said. He skimmed through the pages, frowning as he reached the end. "Only eighteen companies?"
"Yes, sir. The colonel disbanded Nineteenth and Twentieth Companies in early fall. He said we didn't have the coins to supply and pay them. But… no one was released, not really. They were just transferred to other companies, and the officers replaced others."
"Did the colonel inform Marshal Frynkel or the Lord-Protector?"
"I… ah… I wouldn't know, sir."
"Do you know of any messages or dispatches that he sent making that known?"
"No, sir."
"Is it likely that you would not know?"
"No, sir." Nadalt's voice contained even greater dejection.
Alucius turned to see an angular and graying overcaptain step through the front doorway.
"Colonel… Colonel Alucius?"
Alucius recognized the older man, who was somewhere between forty and fifty, as he recalled. "Yes, Sanasus. I'm back. If you'd just wait a moment until the others arrive."
"Yes, sir."
Alucius turned his attention back to Nadalt. "So… how likely is it that Colonel Weslyn actually informed Tempre of his actions in reducing the number of Guard companies? "
"Ah… not very likely, sir."
"And did he notify the Lord-Protector that the payroll needed to be reduced?"
"Ah… not that I know of, sir."
Alucius turned as the last two officers walked into the open space inside the doorway. He recognized Undercaptain Komur—a wiry and short man with a weathered and tanned face. The blond and stocky officer behind him had to be Captain Yusalt, younger than the other two but still probably several years older than Alucius.
Alucius studied the three with his Talent, trying to gather impressions, even as he began to speak. "I appreciate your rapid arrival here. I wouldn't be surprised if word is all over the post, but if it is not, I thought you should know before I talk to all the lancers. The Lord-Protector was concerned that matters here in the headquarters of the Northern Guard were not as they should be. You may recall that Marshal Frynkel was here in early harvest conducting an inspection tour." Alucius paused, letting the words sink in.
Sanasus nodded slightly, as did Komur. Yusalt looked confused and radiated that confusion.
"You may know that I was requested to take Fifth Company and two others to Hyalt to put down a revolt. We did so, then were ordered to the defense of Southgate. Our three companies managed to destroy both crystal spear-throwers. The Matrites were pushed back. We were summoned to Tempre, and there, we were awarded the Lord-Protector's unit commendation and dispatched here. I was ordered to relieve Colonel Weslyn. When I delivered the Lord-Protector's acceptance of Colonel Weslyn's resignation, the colonel and the majer both drew pistols and attempted to shoot me."
Yusalt's confusion turned to shock, while Sanasus nodded once more. A thin and crooked smile came to Komur's face.
"Fortunately, Overcaptain Feran was less trusting than I, and had sent in several armed troopers. I survived. The colonel and the majer did not. The Lord-Protector had been concerned about certain irregularities in the Northern Guard. I think that the fact that the colonel's initial reaction was to shoot a fellow officer suggests those concerns were well-founded. I would also note that Overcaptain Shalgyr immediately rode out of the outpost."
" 'Course he would, sir," said Komur. "Never let any of us see the ledgers. Wouldn't even let me buy grease myself."
"Before we proceed further, I'd like each of you to look into the colonel's study and also look at the dispatches and orders that I brought with me. You might also note that I was entrusted with the pay chests for the next two seasons. Those are in the guarded wagon out in the courtyard."
Overcaptain Sanasus nodded. "I will look, as you suggested, sir, but I have no doubts that matters are as you stated. They may be even worse."
Alucius could sense that Sanasus believed what he said.
"But… Colonel Weslyn… he was the commander," Yusalt protested. "Why…"
"To pay for that big house," suggested Komur. "And all those wines from Vyan, and to pay off his trader friends."
Alucius stepped back as the three officers walked toward the colonel's study.
The fact that two of the three had known something was wrong was encouraging. The fact that they had not been able to do anything—or not dared to—was more than discouraging.
The last thing Alucius wanted to do was to determine the extent of the damage and how badly supplied, provisioned, and led the Northern Guard might be—and those had to be among his very first tasks. After making sure that all the Guard knew of the change in command and leadership.
He looked bleakly toward the open door into the colonel's study.
Chapter 105
North of Iron Stem, Iron Valleys
« ^ »
Wendra settled into the rocking chair, set at an angle to the iron stove of the main room. Outside, the wind moaned softly, and despite the closed shutters, the floor was chill from what of the biting cold had seeped into the stead dwelling.
"Little woman… you need to sleep."
A small fist waved, as if in protest.
"You do." Wendra began to rock slowly, looking down at her daughter in the quiet of the late evening. Then she began to sing the old song, the child's rhyme that she had always preferred sung to spoken, the one that linked her husband and her daughter.
"Londi's child is fair of face.
Duadi's child knows his place.
Tridi's child is wise in years,
but Quatti's must conquer fears.
Quinti's daughter will prove strong,
while Sexdi's knows right from wrong.
Septi's child is free and giving,
but Octdi's will work hard in living.
Novdi's child must watch for woe,
while Decdi's child has far to go.
"But the soarer's child praise the most,
for she will rout the Sanders' host,
and raise the lost banners high
under the green and silver sky."
By the last words, Alendra's fist had relaxed, and her eyes were closed, her breathing even.
Wendra smiled, murmuring softly, "Another soarer's child…"
Her eyes lifted to the east, toward the Plateau she could not see through walls and shuttered windows. Then, slowly, she rose from the rocking chair, careful not to wake the sleeping Alendra as she carried her daughter toward her cradle.
Chapter 106
« ^ »
As he tried to gather himself together, to think about what else he should be doing, Alucius stood for a moment outside the colonel's study. Then he stiffened and looked toward Dhaget. "Can you get Overcaptain Feran for me?"
"Yes, sir." Dhaget headed for the door to the courtyard.
"No one's left the post except Overcaptain Shalgyr, have they?" Alucius asked the nearest lancer.
Fewal looked toward Roncar. "That'd be hard to say, sir. We don't have a roster…"
Alucius nodded. It had been a foolish question, and he should have thought before asking it. He'd have to try to avoid that sort of thing. Commanders didn't ask stupid questions, not if they wanted to stay commanders.
&nb
sp; Feran hurried through the doorway. "You wanted me, sir?"
Alucius looked at Sanasus. "Do you know where Colonel Weslyn's house is?"
Sanasus blinked. "His house?"
"The big one Undercaptain Komur mentioned. The one where he just might have all the golds he took from the Guard."
"Yes, sir. I mean, it's less than a vingt from here."
Alucius looked at Feran.
"Two squads, you think?" asked Feran.
"That should do it. We need to hurry… and find a mount for overcaptain Sanasus. Shalgyr may have headed there. He may not have, but I don't want those golds vanishing, if they're there at all." He paused. "You'd better stay here and keep a hold on things."
Feran nodded, then hurried back outside.
"Golds? You think… ?" Sanasus closed his mouth.
"I don't know, but if we wait very long, we'll never know." Alucius was just hoping that he wasn't already too late. "If you'd stand by here, Komur… and you come on with us, Overcaptain…"
"Yes, sir." A certain tone of resignation tinged Sanasus's voice.
Alucius hurried back outside and mounted the chestnut.
"Third and fourth squads will accompany you, Colonel," Feran announced. "Holgart will act as senior squad leader."
"Sir, we're ready," announced Holgart. "There's a spare mount here for the overcaptain."
Sanasus mounted quickly enough that only Alucius was likely enough to have sensed his reluctance.
"Which way?" asked Alucius.
"Out the gates. Turn right, then west at the next cross street."
The ride was indeed short, less than three-quarters of a vingt, Alucius judged, before they reined up before a large two-story dwelling, a good twenty yards wide and close to twice that in depth. There was a stable to the right rear, and a wide front porch enclosed with a carved and painted pillared railing. A set of stone steps rose from the graveled walk to the porch. A wide single door with a stained-glass window was centered in the middle of the main floor. The house itself was of graystone, with black shutters trimmed in white. The roof was gray slate, and all the windows were wide, the shutters open. Thin trails of gray smoke circled from both chimneys.
All in all, a grand house, especially for a Northern Guard officer, Alucius judged.
"Best let me knock, sir," Holgart suggested. "You've taken enough shots."
"Be careful."
"That I will."
Four troopers stood with rifles leveled at the door as the squad leader used the heavy bronze knocker to rap smartly on the plate beneath.
The heavyset blond man who opened the door stood stock-still for a moment. Finally, he spoke, "What's… what is the meaning of this? The colonel will have your miserable hides for carpets."
"I'd not be thinking so, sir," offered Holgart. "Seeing as Weslyn's no longer colonel, by the order of the Lord-Protector. Colonel Alucius is the new commander of the Northern Guard. We're here to recover the property stolen by Weslyn."
"Stolen?" The blond man, presumably Weslyn's son, from his size and coloration, started to close the door.
Holgart wedged his big boot in the doorway and leveled his rifle at the man's midsection. "I do believe you'd best be opening the door and coming right out here on the porch."
The man looked out at the two squads of troopers, then at Alucius, with the colonel's insignia on his collar. He let the door open and stepped out.
"Degurt, you and the others secure the house! Report when it's secure."
Alucius could tell with his Talent that the house was vacant, but said nothing.
"There's no one here but me right now." The blond man looked at Alucius, who had dismounted and walked to the steps at the bottom of the porch. "This is disgraceful. My father still has some influence… You will answer for this."
"I'm sure I will," Alucius admitted. "But I'll have even more to answer for if I don't recover everything that's been stolen. The Lord-Protector's not terribly sympathetic to theft by officers, especially now."
"Theft? That's a serious charge… Colonel. My father is a good officer."
"That remains to be seen. If we find nothing, then you will have my deepest apologies, but we will be looking. You are?"
"Your apologies? Your apologies? You'll offer more than that."
"I'd like your name, if you wouldn't mind," Alucius said.
"Lynat."
"Lynat, if I am mistaken, you will have my apologies."
"If you're mistaken, and you are, my father will have your head."
"That's highly unlikely. He tried to kill me in sight of a half score witnesses. He and Majer Imealt died in the attempt."
Lynat paled.
"Sir, the house is clear."
"Good." Alucius turned to Lynat. "I'll try to make as little disturbance as possible. Please accompany us." He motioned to Sanasus. "You, too, Overcaptain."
After using the boot scraper and brush, Alucius stepped into the front foyer, its floor tiled in ceramic tile, with a geometric design in dark green, black, and silver. A Deforyan-style chest, with a gilt-edged mirror, stood on the left, a wall-hung, oak-backed row of bronze garment hooks on the right. The archway to the left led to a study, and Alucius stepped inside, using his Talent to search the desk and cabinets, but they held little besides papers. The bookcase under the side window held four shelves of leather-bound volumes.
Alucius nodded and crossed the foyer to the front parlor, with its two upholstered love seats, four armchairs, and two matching sideboards—well designed and exquisitely crafted. The dining room held a long cherry table and twelve chairs, with both a large and small sideboard, and a carving table, all of matching design. The chairs had blue and gold brocade upholstery. Behind the dining room and to the right, the kitchen boasted an indoor pump and a large iron stove, as well as a pantry that was a good three yards by two. The rear laundry room was just that. Alucius noted the doorway to the cellar stairs.
"We'll check the cellar last," he said mildly, watching Lynat. He wasn't at all surprised at Lynat's worry and fear when he mentioned the cellar. "Let's go upstairs."
Alucius briefly checked the three smaller bedrooms first. One was disordered and clearly Lynat's. The only thing Alucius found there were two Guard sabres and a pair of rifles.
"Not exactly proper," he said, setting the weapons on the end of the unmade bed, "but not something to be that concerned about." He turned to Sanasus. "Still… would you make a note of the serial numbers on those?"
"Yes, sir."
The largest bedroom was in the northwest corner. The only thing of interest there was a small chest set on the chest of drawers. Alucius pretended to take a key, but actually used his Talent to open the small lock.
"Where did you—"
Alucius opened the chest. Inside were perhaps twenty golds.
"Overcaptain… note that there were twenty golds in the chest in the colonels bedchamber."
Lynat frowned, clearly puzzled as Alucius relocked the chest.
Then Alucius led the way back down to the locked door to the cellar. He looked at Lynat. "Would you care to unlock it?"
"I don't have a key. You'll have to break it down if you want to open it." A certain smugness permeated Lynat's voice.
"Oh, I think not." Again, Alucius stepped forward and took out a key, the one to his own quarters. He stepped to the door, close enough that no one could see, and used his Talent on the lock. It was a heavy lock, and he was perspiring slightly when he finally turned the lever and opened the door.
Below was dark.
Alucius let Holgart step forward with a striker to light the lamp on the wall. Then he went down the stairs. Lynat followed, reluctantly.
On one side of the open space were several rows of barrels, all with markings showing receipt by the Guard. On the other side, neatly set in racks, were more than two hundred bottles of wine.
"Overcaptain, if you would note all the barrels and their contents."
"Yes, sir," replied Sanasus.
"And make a note of the number of bottles of wine."
On a rack on the west wall were four rifles, all Guard issue, as well as another four sabres.
Alucius surveyed the clay-floored room slowly, using his Talent. Then he nodded. The stone walls in the center, ostensibly the support for the fireplaces above, actually concealed a single room. He moved toward the stones, seeming to inspect each area, but in fact using his Talent to find the hidden doorway and access.
"Here. Yes." The door opened.
As it did, Alucius could hear the hard swallow from Lynat.
Inside the small room was a built-in cabinet against one stone wall. On top of the cabinet were two locked chests. Before addressing the chests, Alucius checked the cabinet. It held a number of items, such as an antique compass, some tarnished silver buttons, and a small jewelry case in which were a golden necklace with a single emerald, two gold rings, and a diamond-shaped golden brooch with small diamonds at each corner. Alucius replaced the jewelry case quickly, thinking of Wendra as he did.
He straightened and took a deep breath. There were no signs of keys to the chest locks. So… he would have to use Talent.
In time, both chests stood open. Each was filled with golds, and the majority were fresh-minted Lanachronan pieces, similar to those sent in the payroll and supply chests that Alucius had brought in the wagon from Tempre.
"Sanasus?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Would you kindly go up to the study and write out a receipt to Lynat here, for two chests filled with Lanachronan golds, presumed diverted from the Northern Guard treasury, and taken pending further investigation."
"You… had better count them, sir."
The last thing Alucius wanted to do was to count the golds, but he could see the overcaptain's point. "You're right. Lynat, you and I will count them, and you will sign the receipt once we agree on the numbers."
Lynat looked as if he wished to protest, but finally only nodded.
In the end, one chest contained exactly two hundred golds, the other precisely one hundred sixty-one—the total an astounding amount for a man who had not had a coin to his name six years earlier, and whose highest monthly pay was but four golds.
Corean Chronicles 3 - Scepters Page 47