by John F. Carr
Jephros returned. "Shall I give the order to advance?"
"Not yet, Captain. I want to smash a big enough hole to march twenty men abreast. That will give the Thagnori something to quake in their boots over!"
II
This part of Hostigos is as bare of life as the moon, Sirna thought to herself as the spring-less carriage bounced over the dirt path that passed for a road in eastern Hostigos. Now that the Great King's Highway was behind them she really missed it. Outside the carriage, there was nothing but burned fields, collapsed barns and an occasional sun-bleached skeleton of a man or cow.
So this is what Kalvan means by total war. The small towns and villages were all in ruins, many of the buildings torn to the ground. It would be a long time, without massive outside investment, before this blasted landscape was brought back to life-if ever. Even the forests were mostly burned or destroyed, their blackened limbs stretching skeletally towards the sky. The last living things she'd seen had been a horse party of white-robed Investigators with a squad of Styphon's Own Guard. What are we going to find when we get into Sashta and Beshta?
Sirna was sharing the coach with Queen Lavena, who hadn't said more than a few words the entire journey. Lavena appeared as cold as ice; it was hard to believe that she was even distantly related to Rylla. True, she was the spitting image of Rylla, but she had none of Rylla's warmth. When Princess Nicla of Nyklos had complained of stomach pains at the last stop, the Queen had dumped her and her daughters at the partially rebuilt way station to wait for the next coach to Harphax City. They might be stranded there for half a moon or more with only the station attendants and a few guards for company.
All Sirna knew was that she felt completely isolated and far away from Phidestros' arms and her friends among the Iron Band. It was popular knowledge in Hostigos Town that she was Phidestros' mistress and she wondered if that was why Great King Lysandros had ordered her to remain behind and escort his wife to Harphax City. Is this Lysandros' way of punishing the Prince for all his success on the battlefield, or is it because there was no one else to chaperone his new Great Queen back to Harphax City? It was a long journey over a barren wasteland and the new Queen had no friends either in Hostigos Town or in Harphax City.
Phidestros had left with his army to return to Greater Beshta a half moon before the Grand Host had departed along the Nyklos Trail to follow King Kalvan and his refugees. They had enjoyed a bittersweet parting, then she had been forced to wait patiently at Prince Sthentros' palace until Queen Lavena finally made her leave-taking from her father. The Prince hadn't wanted his daughter to depart, since he had few subjects to rule over and no one in Hostigos he trusted. Two of the men he'd brought with him from Harphax City had already left by coach.
No promises had been made between her and Phidestros; she wasn't sure what her position would be in the Prince's Court once they arrived in Besh Town. Sirna did know one thing; she wasn't cut out to be anyone's permanent paramour, even a man as attractive and virile as Phidestros. He could put that in his pipe and choke on it if that's what he thought the future held.
The carriage dropped into a particularly deep pothole and the Great Queen went "oomph."
"Are you all right, Your Majesty?" Sirna asked.
"I've survived worse," Lavena said. "The journey my father and I made out of Hos-Hostigos last winter makes this look like a stroll through the palace grounds. It's the baby I'm worried about."
"Baby!" Sirna interjected before she realized that it might not be a proper topic for conversation.
"Yes, I'm with child."
"So soon? You were only married two moons ago."
Lavena nodded. "Lysandros didn't want to leave me until I was sure. That way if he is killed in battle there will be an heir to the Iron Throne. Besides, this is my third time with child."
"I thought you were childless."
"I am. I thought Grefftscharrers were sophisticated? Here we have the Priestesses of Yirtta to handle such things."
"Of course, we have our Mothers of Freya to take care of indiscretions in Greffa."
Lavena sighed heavily.
"Do you miss him?" Sirna asked, although she couldn't imagine the Queen replying in the positive.
She nodded. "A great deal. We're a lot alike. I didn't expect a love match when my father sold me into this marriage in exchange for a title. Like myself, Lysandros has always been alone. He was born when his mother was gray and over forty winters. She died during Lysandros' childbirth, which he believes turned his father and brother against him. His father always doted on Lysandros' older brother, Kaiphranos. The old king was another musician, like Kaiphranos, only he played the lyre instead of the flute. The two often spent entire evenings playing music together, while Lysandros was left alone. When King Kaiphranos had two sons, Lysandros was completely ignored, which is why he left Harphax to join the Free Companions at such a young age. He was desperate to make a name for himself and rose quite high, to the rank of Captain-General in the marches of Hos-Ktemnos.
"But when Lysandros returned to Harphax City, before the Usurper Kalvan arrived, it was as if he'd never left. No one in the Royal Family recognized his accomplishments; if anything, they belittled them. Most of his family were like Kalvan's University folk, strange and full of odd ideas. He told me he always felt like an outsider at home."
"And I would guess you felt the same way, since Rylla always got everyone's attention and approval."
Lavena nodded. "Prince Ptosphes never liked my father. Princess Demia thought herself better than my mother, or so it appeared to me. Demia and my father were distant cousins; she could do no wrong in his eyes. He would have married her himself, if she would have had him. I know; I've heard him say such. However, Demia wanted to be a Princess and married Ptosphes instead. I can't say as I blame her."
"Half the nobles in Hostigos must have been in love with Demia," Sirna said. "I know that Chartiphon and Xentos can't mention her name without turning red."
"Demia was the spitting image of Queen Rylla. But more devious and ambitious."
Much like you, thought Sirna, keeping her thoughts to herself. Lavena must really be lonely, though, to open up like this to someone she barely knows. And, afraid too, of the winter ahead. In Harphax City, Lavena would be pregnant and alone while she waited anxiously for a husband who might be killed in battle. It couldn't be easy for her.
"It didn't help that they lived in Hostigos Town while we were exiled in Hyllos, a backwater if there ever was one. I will admit I was always jealous of Rylla; she was a princess, while I was only a Lady. Rylla lost her mother, but I hated mine; she was a scold and a nag. Rylla's father was a prince, mine was the baron of a tiny barony. She had all these doting uncles, Xentos, Chartiphon and Harmakros. Her betrothed was the handsome and brave Count Phrames. Then she met and married the handsome stranger, Lord Kalvan. And, guess what, Phrames still dotes on her. Me, he'd never give a tumble.
"I had no one but my father. And, yes, he spoiled me. Anytime we were in Hostigos Town I felt like I had two heads… everyone pointed and stared. True, I look just like the Princess Rylla, but I'm not her. I had no friends of my own. Everyone wanted me to be like the Princess Rylla, but I refused! I'd rather be hated than be like her."
For a moment Sirna almost laughed out loud at this poor little rich girl's problems, until she thought of her own life.
"Your Majesty, I can sympathize with your problems. My parents were late in life when I was born. I think they wanted a pet, not a child. Certainly, not a daughter who had a will of her own. They were very wealthy and had little time for me. I was raised by nurses and-" Sirna paused, she'd almost said robots before her hypno-mech conditioning blocked her vocal cords; she must be more lonely than she'd thought to confide her real self like this to an outtimer-"servants with no feelings. I grew up ignored, alone and hating my parents. As free traders, they spent most of their time on long journeys; I knew it was their job, but sometimes I thought they were always leaving just t
o get away from me. That may be why I jumped into marriage."
"Oh, Lady Sirna, you've been married?"
"Yes, to escape my mother and father. It was a terrible mistake; he was ambitious and cold. He treated me like a servant before he died of a riding accident."
"Was he a nobleman?"
"No, but he thought he was."
"You're lucky he died and left you a widow. We had a lot of those in Hostigos after Lord Kalvan arrived. I had this one beau, a famous general, Hestophes-I'm sure you've heard of him-until my father learned Hestophes' father was a publican. Can you imagine? It's bad enough to be a castoff from Ptosphes' House, but to marry a commoner!"
And just when I was starting to like her…
"I don't mean you, Sirna; after all, your father's a wealthy merchant with his own House. That's why this marriage to Lysandros is such a gods-send. Now, for the first time in my life, I'm not taking one of Rylla's castoffs. I'm a Great Queen in my own right, and I'm the Great Queen of a real Great Kingdom. And, I love my husband! It's like I'm in a dream. I pray to the gods that nothing bad happens to him in Ulthor. I'm afraid of enjoying myself because it might jinx things. That's why I've been so quiet these past few days."
Sirna nodded in agreement. "I know just what you mean."
"And what about you and Phidestros? Are you…?" Lavena gave her a mischievous wink.
Sirna tried to keep the grin off her face but couldn't.
Lavena laughed. "I thought so. Phidestros hasn't given me a second glance since we first met."
"He's really a good man, I've been acting as the Iron Band's healer since I was captured."
"You were captured? Oh, what fun!"
"Not really," Sirna said, telling Lavena the tale of the attack on the Royal Foundry and how the next day she found herself in the Gull's Nest, when she regained consciousness. "I was told later that a peasant found me unconscious and sold me to the nearest brothel."
"Oh!" Lavena cried, wrinkling up her face. "That doesn't sound good."
"It turned out better than it sounds. I was very fortunate, praise the gods." She had to force herself not to say the usual "Praise Dralm," since she was now deep in Styphoni territory. The last thing she needed was to be brought up on a charge of heresy for a parcel of gods she didn't give a phenig about. "The brothel, the Gull's Nest, was temporary headquarters for Grand Captain-General Phidestros' personal command. It was also their hospital. When it was learned that I had some skill in healing, I was treated like royalty by the General."
Lavena laughed. "If I know men, I'm sure he was interested in more than just your healing abilities. You are a striking young woman. As long as Phidestros treated you like a Lady, that's all that counts."
"Phidestros did treat me like a Lady. It also gave me an opportunity to get to know him at both his best and his worst. He was under a lot of pressure from your husband and from Styphon's House."
Lavena nodded. "Although he'd never admit it out loud, Lysandros is jealous of your Prince. He believes that Phidestros has had greater opportunities to display his talents. Now, it is my husband's turn to command and he will find great rewards when he returns with Kalvan's head on a stake."
Damn, I've got to remember this is the enemy I'm talking to. Not some new girlfriend I just met.
They had been traveling uphill for some time and the coach came to a stop at a border crossing. At last, they had arrived at the former Princedom of Sashta, now a part of Greater Beshta. There were no guards on the Hostigos side of the border, but the score of soldiers on Beshta's side were wearing Phidestros' green and black livery with polished helmets and breastplates. It appeared the Prince had used his personal livery as the colors for the new combined Princedom of Greater Beshta. The troopers stood at the ready, looking like consummate professionals. She suspected they were there to keep Roxthar's thugs at bay.
Once the guards saw their letter of passage signed by the Prince himself, they quickly passed them through the gate. She noticed that a new watchtower had been built and there was a small swivel gun mounted on top.
Right away it was obvious that they were in a civilized land. While some of the farms were still in ruins, they were either in the process of being torn down or replaced. There was new construction everywhere, and men working in the fields. Even women and children were visible in the small villages they passed. There was still obvious battle damage, but by next summer most of it would be cleared away and this land would look as peaceful as the Harphaxi countryside.
Lavena's face appeared somber. Sirna wondered if the Queen was contemplating her future; it wouldn't be easy bearing a child alone in Harphax City, being friendless, and Lysandros absent. No, the Harphaxi hens would not be enamored of their new Queen-that was certain. She was too beautiful, too sure of herself and too arrogant. They would hate her for being an outsider, a former Hostigi, the daughter of a traitor and the wife of a man many of them detested. No, Lavena's position was not a secure one, nor one to be envied.
Sirna almost felt sorry for her.
"It looks like your Prince has already made a good start on reclaiming his lands."
Sirna nodded. "Phidestros will be a good prince, Your Majesty."
"Please, just call me Lavena. And what about your future?" Lavena asked.
Sirna shook her head. She'd already given that subject far too much thought. She did not want to give herself to an outtimer who would be dead or ancient in fifty years, while she was as young in appearance as she was today. And he would want heirs; Sirna could never doom any of her children to such a short mayfly life. Nor could she take them back to Dhergabar where they would be viewed as half-breeds, neither citizen nor prole. "I don't know."
"You might want to make some plans. Are you aware that Phidestros will soon be married?"
"Marriage! He hasn't mentioned it to me."
"Doesn't he think you're well-born enough?" Lavena asked.
"No. Phidestros is a bastard; he of all people would never put birth above character. It's I who would refuse his hand, were he to ask. I cannot wed someone who is not a free trader. My family in Greffa would disown me."
"Then, you really don't know?"
"What?"
"That Princess Arminta's hand in marriage has been promised to Phidestros-"
"Arminta!" she cried, quickly running through her mental list of the different tin-pot Harphaxi princes and princesses. Princess Arminta was Prince Soligon of Argros' oldest daughter. Why is she marrying Phidestros?
Lavena's hand covered her mouth. "I swear, by Yirtta's Necklace, I didn't know that you hadn't been informed. This marriage was arranged by my husband before he left Harphax City to join the Grand Host. I know he kept it a secret from Prince Phidestros until after the Siege of Tarr-Hostigos. I don't know why Phidestros didn't tell you…"
"Because it might have upset our leavetaking!"
"Well, men do have a different view of these things."
"Oh, don't they. I'm sure he's convinced I'll stay his mousey little mistress after he's married, too. Have I got a surprise for him!"
"Good for you. You're an attractive young lady, you'll find another man."
"I don't want another man; I didn't want Phidestros! That just happened."
Sirna hadn't wanted an outtime affair, but their mutual attraction had been
too strong. Now, it would be over and she should be relieved. Why am I so
angry? I'm being: abandoned again. Is that why?
Lavena shook her head. "Men don't care what we want. My father is the same way. He indulges me in small things, but my marriage to Lysandros was set in stone before I heard about it."
"You could have refused his hand."
"While I have often disobeyed my father in things small, I would never defy him to his face. His pride is all he owns."
"He is the new Prince of Hostigos," Sirna declared.
"Yes, but it's a grim joke played by the gods. It was my marriage that purchased his crown. Now, father is Prince of
a graveyard. Who knew that mad Archpriest Roxthar would turn our beloved Hostigos into a cemetery."
"Only the gods. It's only by Phidestros' intervention that I was not a subject of the Arch-Butcher's Investigation."
"Oh, no!" Lavena cried, her face blanched of color. "You've met the Investigator face to face."
"Oh, yes. Roxthar came to the Gull's Nest to confront Phidestros, when he learned of my presence there."
"But, Sirna, you're not a Hostigi. You're from Greffa. He has no right to Investigate you!"
"I was unclean in his eyes. After all, I had worked in Kalvan's Royal Foundry. To Roxthar there are no physical boundaries except those between Styphon's Sky-Palace and Regwarn. He went after me like a fox after a broken-winged duck! It was only Phidestros' will and the Iron Band's swords that kept me from being dragged out into the streets by that bloodthirsty monster!"
"That is proof the gods watch over you, Sirna. Is not Lytris the Patroness of Greffa?"
"That is true. There are statues and shrines to the Lady all over Greffa."
Lavena looked her directly in the eyes, with a wounded gaze. "Would you like to come with me to Harphax City, Sirna? You have no one waiting for you in Besh Town. Just as I have no friends in Harphax City; no family, either, now that my father is living in Hostigos Town. I don't know if I can stand living in that drafty old palace, hated by everyone in sight, without at least one friend."
Sirna was torn. For her research on Aryan Transpacific, Styphon's House Subsector, Kalvan's Time-Line, it would be far better to be based in Harphax City, the hub of Hos-Harphax, than stuck in a backwater Princedom. She might even be able to find someone in Harphax City from the Kalvan Study Team! Then I can go home to visit.