Siege of Tarr-Hostigos k-4

by John F. Carr

  Anaxthenes rose up from the Triangle Table and broke into Roxthar's monologue, horrifying the Archpriests sitting to either side. "If we win this War against the Daemon, you mean, Investigator. And, believe me, we won't win it if we cannot count the Sacred Squares of Hos-Ktemnos as part of the Grand Host. That is truth."

  Heads bobbed all around the Innermost Circle. Everyone could see the tension in Roxthar's body as he bit back his response and nodded his head. In a lower voice, he said, "We may have to placate King Cleitharses for the time being."

  "Cleitharses' price is the neutrality of the Trygath. I have already informed His Majesty that I will lead a delegation to the false kingdom of Hos-Rathon to negotiate a peace settlement."

  Roxthar shot up out of his chair like one of Kalvan's rockets. "Nestros is one of the Daemon's allies! Speaker, you are asking the Temple to clutch one of Kalvan's devils to its breast! If we go to Nestros, it should be at the head of a conquering army. The only thing we should be bringing back to Balph is his head on the end of a pole."

  Anaxthenes threw his deepest voice at the Investigator. "I am not proposing a permanent treaty, but one that we can break at our convenience. To placate King Cleitharses, we need to neutralize Hos-Rathon until the war with Hostigos is finished. King Nestros is an uncouth barbarian who will be flattered by our overtures and will welcome an alliance that he thinks will legitimize his new Great Kingdom of Hos-Rathon."

  "Is this Nestros not the false king who destroyed sixteen of our Temples and put many of our highpriests to death, including Highpriest Ullnar of Rathon Town, after he joined forces with the Daemon Kalvan?" Archpriest Dracar asked.

  "This is the same Nestros. He will pay for his crimes against Styphon many times over."

  "What happens to Nestros after Kalvan's army is destroyed?" Roxthar asked, his voice trembling with barely suppressed anger.

  "Prince Wygarth of Hythar, who was deposed by Nestros, has told me much about this pretender; Nestros is vain and easily led, but he is also a fierce warrior and commands his people's loyalty. It will not be easy to topple him from his throne from the inside; however, once the Daemon Kalvan has been deposed and slain, we will order our victorious Grand Host into Hos-Rathon. Once Nestros has been defeated, I will give this barbarian, who pretends to be a Great King, as a gift to your Office of Investigation."

  The smile on Roxthar's face was chilling. "Once we are finished Investigating the Pretender Nestros and his family, we will Investigate the entire Trygath and search out all the Kalvan sympathizers and those unfaithful to Styphon."

  Investigating Hos-Hostigos and Hos-Rathon will keep you busy for many winters, thought Anaxthenes to himself with grim satisfaction. "The Temple will rule this new kingdom and Prince Wygarth will act as our administrator."

  "What about the treaty?" Grand Master Soton asked.

  "Treaties with usurpers are not binding."

  All the assembled archpriests nodded sagely at this piece of wisdom.

  "I will leave for the Trygath in the morning."

  II

  Verkan was still blowing on his hands when Tortha opened the thick plank door. "You've got to do something about that knocker, Tortha. It's as heavy as a cannonball and in this cold it just about froze my fingers, through gloves yet!"

  "Come on in. Sit down by the fire." Tortha had a roaring fire blazing in his big flagstone hearth. He passed Verkan a flask of Ermut's brandy.

  Verkan took a swig and grimaced. "Very good. Thanks, Tortha, I can feel that all the way to my toes."

  "What brings you out on this cold winter night?"

  "Inspector Andar Valth just jumped in from First Level. The Prole Liberation Movement has really torn it this time; they've applied to the Council for membership in the Executive Council as a recognized party!"

  Tortha nodded. "So the PLM has decided to go from being a gnat to a horsefly. What's the problem? We've been expecting that for decades."

  "The problem according to our intelligence is that the Opposition Party has guaranteed their support and the Center Party is leaning in their direction."

  "How did all this come about?"

  "I don't know. Maybe I've been spending too much time here on Aryan-Transpacific. I'm out of the loop."

  "Opposition has been out of power for a long time, but I never thought they'd get desperate enough to seek an alliance with the proles."

  "They're playing with fireseed, that's what I think. At any given time there are maybe a billion citizens living on First Level, the rest outtime, while the remaining population on Home Time Line is proles, billions upon billions of them."

  Tortha shook his head. "It didn't used to be this way. When I was a lad there were very few proles on Home Time Line; almost all of them lived on Fifth Level. It all started with this fad for personal servants, about the time you were born, Vall. I remember Chief Zarvan was opposed to it even then. Robots were plenty good, and they don't talk back or ask for longevity treatments!"

  "It started before then. Tortha, how many Home Timeliners live on First Level fulltime? Not many. Most have their own mansions or plantations on Fifth Level like your 'little shack' on Fifth Level Sicily."

  Tortha sputtered. "It's my dream home."

  "Sure, but who does all the work? You must have three or four hundred proles there to handle the gardens, to say nothing of the housework. All this started six or seven thousand years ago. There must be a couple hundred proles somewhere on Fifth Level for every Home Timeliner on First Level, Fifth Level and outtime. And how many of them are really necessary, since we 'import' more stuff from Fourth Level alone than we can use? The government subsidizes Fifth Level production because we're afraid someday one of these Second or Fourth Level time-lines is going to discover the Paratime Secret and put our outtime firms out of business. We've had to turn the moon into a warehouse just to hold all the excess! It's a wonder the proles haven't thrown us off our own time-line."

  Tortha sobered up. "They almost have, half a dozen times. And the last time was in my lifetime."

  Tortha was referring to the Industrial Sector Rebellion when the proles on about fifty worlds on the Fifth Level had turned on the citizens running the factories and butchered them. The Army Strike Force Teams had flown in and put the revolts down, killing hundreds of thousands of poorly armed proles. A dozen of those worlds had been abandoned because there wasn't enough of the industrial base left standing, after the fires and looting, to be worth rebuilding. The surviving proles on those time-lines weren't living as well as the Zarthani on Aryan-Transpacific.

  "I'm surprised there haven't been more revolts," Verkan said. "It could drive a man crazy watching his neighbors live five hundred years or more, while he's doomed to a mere hundred-even with First Level medicine and treatment. Maybe it's time to think the unthinkable and start giving the proles longevity treatments."

  "You can't be serious, Vall! There's nothing more inviolate on Home Time-Line than longevity, unless it's the Paratime Secret itself. If the Citizens of First Level even thought you believed that, you would lose Management support faster than Styphon's House is losing worshippers since Roxthar began his religious murder spree that he calls a Holy Investigation!"

  "But not fast enough to help Kalvan!"

  "True. I can tell Kalvan is really worried about this Grand Host coalition that Styphon's House is supporting in Hos-Harphax. He's putting up a brave front, but he's drinking more and grasping for straws-such as this Hos-Bletha campaign of his."

  "Yes. Unlike us, he can't bug out when things go bad."

  "That's why it's 'unproductive' to form outtime emotional attachments, as they teach us at the Paratime Police Academy." Tortha paused to re-light his pipe. "Still, thanks to you, I've become friends with Kalvan, Rylla, Harmakros and Prince Ptosphes. So I'm here for the duration."

  "What if Kalvan loses to the Grand Host and is forced into exile, or worse?"

  Tortha rubbed his jowls in thought. "Then I'll join him. If it's 'worse,' and he's kille
d or captured by the Investigation along with Rylla-then I'll bug out. Other than that I'm staying. And that's final!"

  "I'm not going to try and talk you into leaving! If it weren't for my job- thank you very much, sir!-I'd be staying myself. I do plan to be here in the spring. I'm not going to miss the next round of fighting, as I did this campaign season!"

  "I'm too old for fighting, unless they want to make me a Captain-General!"

  Verkan laughed out loud. "If word ever got out, the Opposition Party would drum you right out of the Paratime Commission."

  "Let them. I've wasted most of my life fighting politicians. That's what I like about Kalvan's Time-Line; if you want to combat politicians, you take a sword or headsman's axe to them. Which is what I think Kalvan's going to end up doing to King Nestros if he keeps finding excuses not to aid his only ally."

  "Nestros may not be Kalvan's ally for long. Prince Ptosphes and Harmakros should be arriving there soon, just in time to meet a delegation from Styphon's House led by First Speaker Anaxthenes and Grand Master Soton."

  "Isn't Scholar Danthor Dras part of that delegation?"

  "Yes, Dras has been invited. Somehow, within less than half a year of arriving at Balph, he's become Great King Cleitharses' trusted reader and advisor, as well as a member-elect of the Styphon's House Inner Circle!"

  "I can see his next book already, Secrets of the Inner Circle?

  Verkan laughed.

  "Don't laugh, Vall. It'll probably top the bestsellers lists, too. Does Danthor think the Styphon's House delegation is going to be successful?"

  "Actually, he does. Anaxthenes has done his research and is willing to offer Nestros the legitimacy as Great King he's always wanted-recognition of the new Kingdom of Hos-Rathon by the rest of the original Five Kingdoms. And, they're not asking for any military support as Kalvan's delegation is requesting. Finally, they're offering Nestros an opportunity to be on the winning side. If he's not smart enough to realize that when Kalvan's gone, it'll be his neck on the chopping block-well, then it's too bad, for him and Kalvan."

  III

  Soton felt a deep chill that came from more than just the cold stone walls and barrenness of Archpriest Roxthar's cell. Roxthar himself wore little more than his usual thin white robe, and Soton could see the outline of his ribcage where the cloth pressed against his chest. Roxthar's face was as lean as that of a starving wolf, and just as friendly.

  "Sit down, Grand Master. I'm sorry I don't have more comfortable furnishings to offer you, but I find they distract me from my meditation with Our God."

  Roxthar didn't sound the least bit sorry, but at least he was making an attempt at being civil, which told Soton he was still in the Investigator's good graces-or what passed for them! "I'm an old campaigner, Archpriest. I take comfort where I find it."

  Roxthar nodded.

  Soton sat down on a short three-legged stool. He could very easily see how it might discomfort a pampered highpriest. And, thanks to Roxthar, there were fewer of them every day. Next to Kalvan, Roxthar had done more to change the Temple than anyone in the history of the Five Kingdom's.

  Now if he doesn't destroy the Temple, thought Soton. Roxthar's Holy Investigators had everyone in Balph looking over their shoulder. It was as Archpriest Anaxthenes said: 'Too much of that and everyone might forget who the real enemy was-the Usurper Kalvan.'

  "What was it you wanted to see me about?" Soton asked.

  "I have a decree from Supreme Priest and Styphon's Voice Sesklos I want you to read."

  Sesklos had grown so weak, it was said, that he couldn't lift his hand, much less a quill to parchment. As he and Anaxthenes had suspected, Roxthar had been manipulating the Inner Circle through Archpriest Dracar while they had been attending Lysandros' enthronement in Harphax City.

  Soton took the parchment from Roxthar with a sinking feeling in his stomach. It was well known in Balph that when Roxthar nodded, Dracar bowed. He read the short document with growing disbelief.

  "By the Wargod's Mace, this is horse droppings!"

  "Must I remind you, Soton, to whom you are speaking?"

  "I am more than aware of that. Let me remind you that while you might run Balph, when I'm in the field I take orders from no one! To serve under a man who was a mere captain in my own command two winters ago- Dralm be damned!"

  Roxthar's face turned into an evil mask. "Don't ever utter that name in my presence!" he shouted. Then his countenance returned to its usual lupine state. "No one, including myself, believes that Captain-General Phidestros is a better commander than yourself. Nonsense, of course.

  "However, the political situation in Hos-Harphax is very unstable and would be worse yet if not for the debacle in Phaxos and Phidestros' successful storming of Tarr-Veblos. Now, after single-handedly vanquishing Prince Eltar, Phidestros is viewed by the people of Hos-Harphax as a hero."

  "That was an act of pure insanity!" Soton said with a snort. "Phidestros is a top-notch cavalry officer, but Eltar was renowned as a warrior. That gesture could have landed Phidestros in a burial mound and doomed the campaign against Kalvan even before it started."

  "This may be true, but it worked. He has won the hearts of the populace. Is it not also true that certain prominent members of the Harphaxi nobility still hold you responsible for their defeat at Chothros Heights?"

  Soton nodded his head in agreement. As much as he didn't like the words, denying their truth would not change the Harphaxi blockheads.

  "Lackwits, morons, imbeciles, every mother's son of them! They lost that battle through the damned stupidity of their own commanders and the cowardice of their soldiers."

  "Your charges ring true, Grand Master. However, this is a political compromise requested by Great King Lysandros to Styphon's Voice to placate his Princes. The Electors of Hos-Harphax are afraid of Styphon's House- as they should be!" Roxthar paused to regain his composure. "And, their Great King, too. We need Lysandros and his Princes' support if we are to defeat the Daemon. It has been agreed by Styphon's Voice and the Inner Circle that we will give Lysandros anything he asks us for to aid his fight against the Daemon Kalvan."

  "I understand Lysandros' position; it took almost a winter before his Election to Great King. Yet…"

  "Do you doubt this Phidestros' qualifications? It was said that you recommended him to be Lysandros' new Captain-General."

  "No. Phidestros is a good commander, and in a few winters he may even become a great one, but for now he is still green."

  "Experience may not be what is necessary to stop the Daemon. Look how poorly the gray-beards did at Chothros Heights and at the Battle of Phyrax."

  "There is truth in your words." Soton said. "Phidestros has fought the Usurper three times and lived to tell the tale. Let us hope he brings this campaign to a better conclusion than the last."

  "If he does not, it will be his fault. After all, no one except the Harphaxi dimwits will blame the True God if the Harphaxi commander leads the Grand Host to defeat…"

  "We had best pray to Styphon that Phidestros wins."

  "He will win-with your help," Roxthar said as if victory over Hos-Hostigos had already been pronounced a boon by Styphon. You will be second-in-command. It will be your job to counter Phidestros' inexperience. For your sake, it would be best if we did not have another failure to explain to Styphon!"

  "True. If we lose here, the next war might be fought at the gates of Balph itself."

  Roxthar's face transformed into one of the fireseed devils that had recently been carved into the facade of Styphon's Great Temple. "That we must not allow! We have to destroy the Daemon Kalvan and all his spawn: Rylla, Ptosphes, Harmakros, Phrames, Chartiphon, and even the baby demon, Demia!"

  Soton disagreed with the idea of child murder. He would do what he could for the little child if and when they took Hostigos Town.

  "That is why I will accompany the Grand Host in its triumphant march to Hostigos."

  While all of Balph knew of the Investigator's plans, Soton had
still prayed to all the gods, and even the lesser devils, that Roxthar's mind might be changed. True, Roxthar had accompanied the Holy Host in their first strike against the Usurper Kalvan in the Year of the Wolf, but he suspected that the Investigator would take a much more active role in the Grand Host.

  Even though Soton knew Archpriest Anaxthenes' plans depended upon Roxthar's presence with the Grand Host, Soton couldn't prevent himself from trying to discourage the Investigator. War was serious business and no place for civilians, especially meddling ones. "A battlefield is not a safe place for someone of your importance to the Temple. Think of the disorder that would occur if some accident of war were to cripple or kill you."

  Roxthar's face writhed as he mulled over those possibilities, and for a moment Soton thought he had won his point.

  "Styphon will guard me unless it is his Will that I come to his side. In this world, I will take my own precautions. I will be accompanied by a block of Temple Guardsmen and my own Investigators."

  You may be mad., but you're no coward, Soton admitted to himself begrudgingly. "You're not going to bring more civilians along, are you?"

  "It is Styphon's Will that the Investigation be brought to Hostigos. We can win the battle against the Usurper and still lose the war against the Daemon's ideas. We must scourge all traces of the Daemon and his spawn from this Earth! It must be done! It will be done! My Investigators will question every living thing in Hostigos, and when we are through there will be no trace, no followers, no children, no memory of Kalvan-it will be as if he had never existed!"

  Soton felt goose bumps run up and down his arms. Roxthar was mad, as mad as a Sastragathi snake handler, and twice as dangerous. He was screaming now and foaming at the mouth, mouthing obscenities and curses at Kalvan and his followers. What could Soton do to stop Roxthar that Anaxthenes and the entire Inner Council could not? Nothing.