by John F. Carr
"Furthermore, supporting the League of Dralm will buy us good will with our friends in the Five Kingdoms and thereby leave the door wedged open for our eventual return to Old-Hostigos, or Uld-Hostigos as our subjects are calling it."
"Well, those words are music to my ears, even though I loathe supporting that nest of traitors and backstabbers in Agrys City, including Primate Xentos."
"I know how you feel, but put this under the heading of realpolitik."
"Machiavelli again?"
"No, Bismarck. But you're in the right neighborhood. Machiavelli came from a time in my lands' history very similar to this age. Instead of Styphon's House, there was the Church of Rome and not-so-Holy Roman Empire. Treachery, duplicity and assassination were the watchwords during his time."
"Much like that of Balph or King Theovacar's Court," Rylla stated.
"Exactly. I would like to lead the League forces myself, but our hold here in the Middle Kingdoms is still slippery enough that I cannot afford to leave."
"You'd better not! We've been separated far too much as it is this year."
"I know, darling." She looked at him again with a look that was completely for private consumption. He was glad she'd miss this year's fighting; he didn't know what he'd do if he ever lost her.
But, back to business. "Hestophes, I know you are just newly returned from the Sea of Grass and a newlywed, but are you willing to leave with the Duke for Hos-Agrys and co-command the League's forces?"
"My wife will understand and, with Her Majesty's permission, accompany me."
"Of course, Hestophes," Rylla said with affection. She liked the unpretentious general, who after Kalvan was the Kingdom's greatest commander. "I will miss Captain Lysia as she is one of the Pioneers'best captains."
"If you don't mind, Your Majesty, I will tell her your words."
"Yes, tell her."
Hestophes raised his eyebrows. "But Your Majesty, if I'm in Hos-Agrys, who will lead the attack upon Greffa?"
"Good question, my husband. Phrames is busy consolidating his new Princedom and will not be able to vacate his throne. Who do you have in mind?"
"Me. I'm going to lead our forces straight to the Gates of Greffa. Let Theovacar put that in his pipe and smoke it."
** SPRING**
THIRTY-THREE
There was a knock at the door and Prince Phidestros nodded for his manservant to open it. Phidestros had been waiting for the Grand Master's visit for several days; he was certain someone was not going to be happy about the outcome.
His manservant returned, bowed and said, "The Grand Master and his party have arrived at the City Gates, Your Highness."
"Thank you, Mynos. You may bring the refreshments now. As soon as they arrive at the palace, bring Soton and his advisors directly to my private audience chamber."
After the door closed, General Geblon said, "The first birds of spring!"
General Kyblannos nodded. "They've made good progress from Harphax City."
"What size of an escort did Soton bring along?" Phidestros asked.
"Our scouts counted less than a Point of Zarthani Knights," Geblon answered, "not that he'd need any more in friendly territory."
"Any of Styphon's Own Guard?"
"None of the Red Hand, or any other of Styphon's foul breed."
"That is interesting," Kyblannos noted. "We read in that dispatch to Styphon's Own Voice that Roxthar left the Grand Host to join Grand Master Soton so I'm surprised that he is not shadowing him. Maybe they're just rumors, not truth. However, I'm even more surprised that none of the Inner Circle are along to keep their eye on the Grand Master."
"Anaxthenes is smarter than old Sesklos was; he probably realizes that Soton does not need the distraction. In fact, after a campaign season with Roxthar attending his every move, Soton would likely send any such 'advisors' home pickled in a barrel!"
Geblon guffawed. "You're right, Phidestros. There were a couple of times in Hostigos when we wanted to do the same to Roxthar ourselves!"
"I don't miss that demon in human form," the Prince replied.
"I've never met him," Princess Arminta said.
"Consider yourself blessed by the gods," Kyblannos said. "We got to see his handiwork first-hand in Hostigos. It wasn't pretty."
"Do you believe Soton will buy your excuse for not joining his force?" Arminta asked.
"He's in no position to order a loyal liegeman of Great King Lysandros into battle, even at Styphon's Own Voice's command. Especially not against a fellow Great King who is not at war with Hos-Harphax. Besides," Phidestros paused to smile at his wife, "we have a second wedding to attend next moon in Argros."
While she was just this side of homely, the Princess had one thing that heated his blood more than pretty features-good breeding. In intelligence and horse sense, Arminta was his perfect match. Together they made a formidable pair, one that other rulers would underestimate at their peril. He had enjoyed Lady Sirna, but it had been a union born of lust and convenience. Still, despite their closeness, there had always been a wall between them; maybe because Sirna was in her heart still a Grefftscharrer. He had been lucky that he'd sired no bastards with her; he would have had to adopt them or they'd have been outcasts-future problems either way.
From now on, by Galzar, I'm going to keep my privy part busy at home, away from foreign ports. Arminta may not be much in the looks department, but she has deep fires burning down below. He took Arminta's hand and squeezed it.
She smiled lovingly in return. "Do you think he's learned of our union yet?"
"It's not a secret in Harphax City and I'm certain that Balph's agents in Hos-Harphax have reported my every movement, although the smart ones are probably more entranced with the new Great Queen."
Geblon nodded. "We uncovered about two or three hands of Styphoni intelligencers the first moon or two after we arrived. We branded them as false Hostigi." He smiled wickedly. "They all died hard after we released them into Hos-Ktemnos. Now, few of Styphon's agents appear anxious to cross our borders."
"What about the Princedom's Styphoni priests?" Arminta asked.
"We have them all under watch by our own intelligencers," Geblon answered. "None of Styphon's Highpriests survived Kalvan's purges. Those freshly arrived have few followers in Beshta and little to do. Thus, little need for new recruits. There is no love among the Prince's subjects, since the Investigation began its work in Hos-Hostigos, for Styphon's false priests or their allies. Our most difficult job will be keeping those Styphoni who remain alive."
There was a chorus of "Hear Hear!" and then Mynos came in with the news that the Grand Master had arrived.
"Should I have brought my bodyguard?" Soton asked, as he ran his eyes around the chamber counting the ordnance worn inside, stroking his beard. He was a head shorter than even Arminta, but as thick across the middle as a barrel.
Phidestros rose and they clasped upper arms. "You are welcome in my House."The Grand Master had always treated him with grudging respect. He could not do otherwise, now that he was in Phidestros' home. "You already know Generals Geblon and Kyblannos. The Princess is my wife, Arminta."
Soton made a courtly bow. "Most pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Highness."
"Likewise, a pleasure, Grand Master," she returned, with a nod.
"Good, Let Styphon's Will Be Done!" With that, the Grand Master took a flagon of winter wine, raised it in a toast and drank carefully, just enough not to insult, but not enough to cloud his judgment.
Soton looked up as though surprised that no one had followed his lead in praising Styphon. He examined Phidestros expectantly.
The Prince replied, "I've seen enough of Styphon's work in Hos-Hostigos to last me a lifetime." Everyone else in the chamber nodded their accord.
"I'd like to make a toast to the Wargod." Phidestros raised his goblet, saying, "To the Judge of Princes and to Galzar's Way!"
Soton nodded his accord to the new toast.
"What brings you to our seat, Grand Master?"
<
br /> Soton tucked his chin down as though to say "So it's going to be like that, is it?" He grimaced and then made his face into an agreeable expression. "I would like to have you and your Princely Army of Greater Beshta join our Host of Styphon's Deliverance and help us pull the Great King of Backstabbers off his perch."
"What has King Demistophon done to earn your wrath now?" Phidestros asked.
"He has sent his troops across the Harphaxi border into Thaphigos while your Great King has been fighting off the False Hostigi. More so, he has refused to send any troops to aid our cause in the Middle Kingdoms."
"I saw Agrys troops fight with the Grand Host in Hostigos," Phidestros answered.
"True enough, but they were not from the Royal Army or the King's levy; they were volunteers from Styphon's Union of Friends in Hos-Agrys."
"That was their choice, just as it was King Demistophon's choice not to support the Holy Host. I do not see this as an act of treason. I, however, do not smile upon the treachery of his actions in regards to Thaphigos. In the spring, upon Great King Lysandros' orders, I will remedy the problems in Thaphigos once and for all. However, I doubt it will be necessary to violate our border with Hos-Agrys."
Soton spoke as if he had to scrape the words out off his tongue. "We could use your help in besieging Agrys City. I am prepared to offer you half the booty we recover."
Phidestros paused for a moment. Agrys was the richest city in the Five Kingdoms; it was a tempting offer, even though half of it would never reach the depots. However, now that he was a free agent again, he didn't want to put Styphon's harness back on. "I don't think so. I just spent the last few years helping you to bottle up Kalvan only to see him set free because the Grand Host was more interested in besieging an old tarr than taking its sword to the enemy's belly."
The Grand Master made a sour face, as if he'd just bit into rotten fruit. "In Hostigos we were burdened by too many kings, too many captain-generals and one too many priests. This will be a simple and straightforward conquest."
"I have heard that you will be accompanied by at least one priest. Is that rumor false?"
Soton made a face as if he had just passed a large kidney stone. "I will keep him occupied."
"So you say, Grand Master. And what else do you have to offer?"
Soton smiled, as though glad to be back on familiar territory. "In addition to half the treasures of Agrys City, I have been authorized by Styphon's Own Voice to offer you a quarter million ounces of gold, a million of silver and your choice of up to ten thousand Agrysi slaves-to do with as you see fit, as I know that you do not approve of slavery. Sadly, I'm not authorized to offer you another princedom or two." He beamed as if it were his backing that had led solely to Phidestros' current position.
Geblon's mouth dropped open, and even Kyblannos appeared impressed. Arminta's face revealed nothing.
In other times and in other circumstances, this was an offer that Phidestros would have snapped up, but things had changed. He no longer wanted to labor as one of Styphon's lackeys. He had his own path to break and being known as one of the captains who had deposed a "neutral" Great King might jeopardize his future course of action.
"I must apologize, Grand Master, it is a tempting offer; however, I have other plans."
"By Styphon's Beard! What plans could be more important than the Great God's work?"
Phidestros looked lovingly at his fiancee and said, "I am to be married in less than a moon and we are preparing our visit to Argros Town."
"You're heading in the right direction. Have a quick wedding and join my men in Hos-Agrys. I would like you to keep Demistophon's princes busy while I bottle him up and uncork him in Agrys City."
"We have our own agenda, the Princess and I. We have an heir to forge before I strike iron against Styphon's foes. Furthermore, I would need my liege lord's permission to fight against his neighbor, and that-if given-would take four or five moons of cross-country messaging. Meanwhile, I have my orders to lodge a force in Thaphigos to keep peace. You will be celebrating your great victory long before word returns from the Middle Kingdoms to change my orders. If my King so wills."
Soton all but gnashed his teeth in fury. "So you refuse Styphon's Own Voice's offer!"
"Yes, Grand Master. I have my own orders to follow. Great King Lysandros has ordered me to maintain His presence with my arms in Hos-Harphax. I cannot do otherwise without His Majesty's direct order."
"Very well, Prince. Anaxthenes has a long memory and an even longer reach."
Arminta paled and Geblon put his hand to his knife hilt.
"Yes, but not in my Princedom. You might remind Styphon's Own Voice that while you are far away in Hos-Agrys, I am seated less than a thousand marches away from the Inner Circle, with an army bigger than all of Great King Demistophon's royal and princely armies combined. No force on this earth would restrain me from tearing down the very temples of Balph were me or my family in any way harmed or threatened. Is that understood?"
Soton blanched as he considered the truth of Phidestros' words. "I am sorry you will not be joining us in this grand campaign and in dividing the great spoils we shall soon obtain."
"Yes, that is unfortunate," Phidestros answered, not wanting to completely burn his bridges. "Let us part as friends and former allies, who may have to work together again in the future as events unfold. We wish you great success in your campaign."
"Thank you, Prince Phidestros," Soton said.
After all the formalities of leave-taking were over and Soton had left, Princess Arminta said, "The Grand Master does not appear to be a man who takes kindly to those who thwart his will."
Phidestros answered, "Then he will have to learn to live in a new world, one where Styphon's House is no longer at the center. Thanks to Kalvan we no longer have to beg for fireseed from Styphon's greedy Highpriests, but can make our own. I suspect Anaxthenes knows this and that is why he is throwing the Hammer of Styphon at King Demistophon's walls. He may succeed, but I'll be Galzar-damned if they'll get any help from me! I'd prefer to keep Demistophon on the Throne of Light than have to deal with the puppet king that Styphon's House will install to rule in his stead."
Phidestros turned to his subordinate. "Kyblannos, is there some way we can help Demistophon without risking our own neutrality with Balph and Soton?"
"Let me think upon it, Prince." Kyblannos frowned for a few moment, then smiled. "One idea does come immediately to mind: outside of Greater Beshta, few know of our new vassal, Baron Ranthos. He is a former Hostigi, a strong leader and knows of Kalvan's strategies. Maybe we could provide him with two or three companies and some of our mobile guns, and send him off as a mercenary Grand-Captain from Harphax to fight for Demistophon."
"What do you think, Arminta?"
She smiled. "I like it, but better yet, Ranthos can claim to be part of a Hostigi force that survived the invasion of Hos-Hostigos. The Agrysi will believe they are getting 'secret' support from Kalvan and Dralm. That might embolden the League of Dralm."
"Excellent, my love. Furthermore, some of our soldiers have not taken well to farming and will only cause trouble unless we find a way to use their abundance of energy in our service. It will not hurt that the Baron has several hundred Hostigi already mustered under his banner. There should be no trouble obtaining volunteer Hostigi to fight Styphon's House. We will send Ranthos and his force through east Hostigos, Nostor and into Hos-Agrys. He can help organize the Agrysi princes, who are probably still in denial about Soton's plans if I know that lot. I'll leave it to Kyblannos to forge the proper insignia, weaponry and horse trappings. It's time we put a spike or two in the Inner Circle's plans."
II
As Maldar Dard entered Chief Verkan's office, he noted some of the Chief's top men leaving with scowls and frowns on their faces. Among them was Altarn Vor, whom the Chief had appointed his chief investigator into the Barton Shar Fiasco. Verkan was seated at his desk with his face buried in his hands.
"Chief, if you need so
me time alone, I can come back later."
Verkan looked up and shook his head. "No, it's all right. I'm just tired. Not enough sleep and bad news are a dangerous combination. I had Deputy Altarn do a complete financial workup on the Paratime Police Department and there were some disturbing results. The rot has set in much farther than I'd ever have believed-"
"Surely, it can't be that bad, Chief."
"It's not good. Fortunately, most of the skim comes from outtime strong-arm efforts. It looks like the conspiracy is centered around four or five hundred officers who have some outside credits coming in. But there's some outright murder and kidnapping involved, too. I've put Dalla in charge of Paratime Police reorganization and we're dismissing all the thieves and crooks when they return from their assignments outtime. We're only prosecuting those where crimes against persons were committed. She's also going to setup some traps that will nip this kind of crime in the future before it gets going.
"Unfortunately, newsie Yandar Yadd caught wind of this news and it's going to be featured on the Dhergabar Tonight show. To counter his accusations, I have to appear on the show this evening."
"How much does Yadd know?"
"Only that a few agents have been dismissed, some of whom came to him for exoneration or to smear the Department. I'm sure he'll have plenty of dirt to spread about the force."
And Paratime Police Chief Verkan Vail, thought Maldar. "Do you want me to take him out, Chief?"
"It's too late for that. Dalla argued that we should have put them all on permanent assignment to Second Level Khiftan. I'm beginning to believe she was right."
"If that's the bad news, what's the good news?"
"Barton Shar's cabal is comprised of only five agents. We've captured three of them and put them under narco-hypnotic interrogation. The other two were his handpicked men in Stores and Equipment and appear to have disappeared with Barton. They were the ones responsible for substituting some of the durasteel breastplates with regular steel. They did some other nasty deeds. When we capture them, they'll be lucky to be stranded on an outtime world-if Dalla has her way."