by John F. Carr
Sirna felt a compelling need to atone for her foolish action of re-casting King Lear into King Kaiphranos. How was I to know that it would shake the City to its very foundations. I thought the people of Harphax viewed their former King as a lovable buffoon, but what I hadn't realized was that their hate for their new Great King had turned Kaiphranos into a folk hero!
Queen Lavena, who didn't really understand the hatred that was behind the fires and rioting, had forgiven her. In fact, the Queen blamed herself for allowing the play to be staged. Somehow, copies of the play "book" had gotten out and it was being played in the provinces. It was creating a groundswell of anger and resentment against Great King Lysandros that Queen Lavena couldn't even begin to imagine.
If it weren't for the Royal Bodyguard, the whole City would have been in flames. Duke Kaphros was on his deathbed and unable to tend to affairs of state, while Chancellor Lyphannes had locked himself up in the Tower of Harphax, fearful that the rioters would next turn their ire upon Tarr-Harphax.
Sirna was on her way to the headquarters for the Harphaxi Kalvan Study Team, disguised as an apothecary shop under the name of the House of Olthos. She knew that turning herself in might mean that she would be returned to Home Time Line in disgrace, and probably expelled from the University. She didn't care anymore; the guilt of all this destruction and death was weighing her down. What she had done, by staying away from her people was not only foolish but dangerous-not just for her, but for the Harphaxi people. Lysandros, when he returned with his victorious army, would punish the people of Harphax as surely as the sun would rise in the morning.
And it's all my fault.
She urged her mount to start again and its heels rang out on the near empty cobblestone street. Merchant Town was free of burnt and collapsed buildings, but the smell of smoke was still noticeable. She also noted guards before every House, including the House of Olthos. She approached the guards and announced her identity as that of Lady Sirna.
"Yes, Lady. What can we do for you?"
Sirna handed him a note that she'd written.
The guard turned and entered the large reinforced door. A few minutes later a man dressed as a servant came out of the door and beckoned her to enter. Sirna followed him into the entrance chamber and from there was taken to a room in the back and down steps into the basement, which was barred by the usual collapsed-nickel door. The servant opened the metal door by tapping out a combination, then pressing his thumb when a small thumbplate was exposed.
The door yawned open. Inside were two twenty-foot metal mesh conveyers and boxes full of supplies and Aryan-Transpacific appropriate weapons: muskets, bills, halberds, pikes, swords and kegs of fireseed. Sirna felt a gnawing homesickness as she thought about how long she'd been away from Home Time Line. Maybe going home is for the best.
She was led to the back office which was occupied by a Paratime Policeman in a green uniform.
He stood up and smiled. "I am Paratime Police Field Agent Maldar Dard."
Sirna didn't know whether to be frightened or relaxed. "Agent Maldar, I am Danar Sirna and I've come to turn myself in."
"Turn yourself in? When you are First Lady-in-Waiting to the Great Queen? When the entire Paratime Police Department is at your disposal to help you maintain your role? When Dhergabar University is holding its breath as they wait for your first papers to appear?"
"How did you find out?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"Don't be frightened. We've been keeping an eye on you for some time. One of our agents spotted you during a routine surveillance of the new Queen's court shortly after the two of you arrived at the palace. A background check in Greater Beshta uncovered the story of how you became a healer for Captain-General Phidestros' Iron Band. Considering the turmoil in Hostigos Town after the Battle at Ardros Field, you showed great initiative and excellent survival skills. It was smart of you to link up with one of the three men in Hos-Hostigos who could protect you from the Investigation."
Sirna shrugged. "It was more by accident than by design. I was dumped off unconscious at a Hostigi brothel by a greedy peasant. It was my good fortune that the bawdy house was the headquarters for Phidestros' Iron Band instead of one of Roxthar's Investigation camps."
"I agree that you had Lytris' Own Luck; however, not just anyone could have connived themselves into a valuable position within the Iron Band."
"Again, just luck. Once I became aware of how few healers were available, I felt I had to pitch in and do whatever I could to help the wounded. The state of medicine on Aryan-Transpacific is abysmal." She went on to explain how she used her background as a Trader's daughter to explain her familiarity with the healing arts. "I did use some of Kalvan's techniques, particularly in dealing with sepsis. Phidestros was quite pragmatic in that regard; if it helped cure his men, he didn't question it."
"Your efforts as the Iron Band's healer worked out quite well. As I understand it, he thwarted Roxthar on your behalf."
Sirna blushed. "Phidestros is a hard man in many ways, but he is very loyal. The Iron Band is his family and anyone who helps the Band becomes part of that family." She went on to explain how Roxthar came close to having his life taken by the Iron Band soldiers when he accosted her.
Maldar nodded. "It's unfortunate that you didn't continue your sojourn with the Iron Band. Since his victory in Hostigos, Prince Phidestros has become one of the most important figures in the Five Kingdoms; it would have been very useful to have a confidante in his employ."
She looked down at the floor. "I had personal reasons for leaving…"
"We won't go into that," Maldar said gently. "Outtime work can be very dangerous as well as lonely. Sometimes we take our comforts from wherever we can. Besides, your relationship with the new Harphaxi Great Queen is almost equally important."
"I'm glad. I've become somewhat fond of the Queen, even if she is spoiled and too self-absorbed. She can be kind. Also, I understand how truly alone she is in Harphax City."
"Good. Now, for the record: why didn't you report in to the Harphaxi Study Team after you first arrived in Harphax City?"
"I was afraid that, if I came here, I might be trussed up and put on the first conveyer back to First Level for disciplinary sanctions by the University."
He nodded. "That's understandable. This is your first outtime assignment. To be frank, the University administrator in charge of the Study Teams has not been pleased with some of your choices. However, he is delighted that you've become the confidante of the new Queen and anxiously awaits your reports. I'm certain that any disciplinary charges from the University will be conveniently forgotten."
Sirna let out a big sigh of relief.
Maldar leaned in close. "If they're not, Sirna, I'll personally see that they're dropped. The Department respects anyone who can survive the out-time difficulties you've surmounted, especially without any Paratime Police training. You've made a few mistakes, but that's understandable. You're new at this; however, after all this is over, don't be surprised if we offer you an opportunity to join the Paratime Police."
"Does that mean I can go home?"
"Well, not exactly. We'd like for you to continue working undercover on Kalvan's Time Line. You'll also be financially reimbursed for your time. Of course, the final decision is up to you. You can always return to the University; I can set up a meeting with Scholar Raldrov Varn, the new Director of the Kalvan Study Teams."
Sirna shrugged. She really didn't have anything or anyone on Home Time Line to return to. Her parents would be happy to see her, for a day or two. Then they'd go back to their usual preoccupations. After all the excitement of the last few years, returning to the University and its hothouse environment would be stifling.
"I would be remiss if I didn't admit that we are very interested in your close relationship with Great Queen Lavena." He paused to smile. "However, if you plan to put on any more plays we highly recommend that you take the plots from your own fertile mind, and not that of some outtime playwright. Af
ter all, in the highly unlikely event that Calvin Morrison were to see King Kaiphranos performed, he might well uncover the Paratime Secret."
"I actually used another version of the play from a different time-line for just that reason. But, you're right, the plot is still too close to the original for comfort. I had no idea it would become so infamous and cause this much trouble."
"I suggest that you bring it to the Great Queen's attention that the play is still being performed outside the City. She can order the Chancellor to have the Harphaxi secret service take care of shutting it down. You might remind her that she'd better do it before Lysandros returns and finds out what you girls have been up to."
Sirna nodded. "I believe Lavena's afraid of her husband. She'll do whatever I suggest to placate him."
"Good. Now, Sirna, I want to completely debrief you on everything that's happened since the attack on the Royal Foundry. You don't mind, do you?"
"No, I've got nothing to hide," Sirna said, but the little voice in her head declared, except for the little bit of spying I did for Hadron Thorn. At least that's over, she told herself. I hope.
"You don't have a thing to worry about. I'll put a good word in for you with the University Study Team. I can tell them that you were doing undercover work for the Department."
IV
Great King Lysandros was seated at a table in a hastily erected building that was serving as the Grand Host's temporary headquarters reading the latest dispatches and letters. Queen Lavena's letter mentioned riots in Harphax City. He wished she'd been more informative. His Chancellor had blamed the riots on supporters of former Prince Selestros. How could that be? There was some nonsense about visions of Dralm. On top of that, Duke Kaphros, who should have been handling such matters, for all intents and purposes was on his deathbed.
What's been going on in Harphax City during my absence? he wondered.
Captain-General Demnos rushed into his room. "Grand Commander Aristocles just rode up in a rage, Your Majesty."
"Bid him enter."
The Grand Commander came in, still removing his silvered burgonet helmet. "Your Majesty, King Theovacar is evacuating with his Army!"
Now, more than ever, Lysandros regretted taking co-command of the Great Host. I should have returned to Harphax City with my bride and left all these headaches to Captain-General' Phidestros. "Says who?"
"That's what our scouts report," Aristocles said. "The Grefftscharr Army took a good drubbing from the Hostigi at the West Gate, but not bad enough to cause Theovacar to retire from the field."
Captain-General Demnos stuck his head through the door. "We've got a small party of Grefftscharrers approaching."
"Have them brought to me as soon as they arrive," Lysandros ordered. "Maybe they can tell us what's going on."
About a quarter candle later, Captain Demnos brought in the Greffan Captain-General Petrus, whom Lysandros had met once before after the disastrous Battle of the West Gate. Petrus was still wearing his battle armor, with lead splotches on the breastplate; the red and white plumes had been sliced off his helmet display. He had the grace to look thoroughly dejected.
"Your Majesty and Grand Commander, I would like to apologize for King Theovacar's sudden change in plans. However, the King has had a grave setback, and his actions must be viewed in that light. He has asked me to implore your understanding and to tell you that the alliance between Grefftscharr and the Grand Host of Styphon is still in force-"
"Then where in Regwarn is he?" Lysandros interrupted. "Theovacar's left us without a by-your-leave or explanation!"
"We have suffered a terrible reverse, Your Majesty. The Usurper Kalvan has taken Greffa City!"
"What? Wasn't it the Usurper's personal banner we saw flying on the Thagnor battlements? How can he be in two places at once?"
"That, Your Majesty, is what we were wondering. It appears that the Usurper left with his Army before our armies arrived to besiege Greffa City. The City has been taken and Kalvan has claimed suzerainty over the Princedom of Greffa!"
No wonder Theovacar flew out of here like a carrion bird after fresh kill! I would do likewise were I to learn that Phidestros had decamped his army into Harphax City.
"Is your King off to fight the Usurper?"
"No, Your Majesty. Kalvan and his army are holed up in Greffa City. It would take an Army the size of the Grand Host to crack it open and remove him. King Theovacar plans to retreat to Ult-Greffa to rebuild his army so that he can re-take that which was his."
"Then, by Galzar's Mace, how did the Usurper sieze his City?"
Captain-General Petrus winced. "We did not expect such a nefarious move by the Usurper Kalvan. None of the King's counselors or myself ever considered the thought that he might strike us in Greffa while we attacked Thagnor City! No warlord or prince has ever taken Greffa City. To us, it was unthinkable. Thus, the King left only a small garrison to hold it."
"Will the King, at the very least, maintain the northern blockade of Thagnor?" Aristocles asked.
Petrus shrugged his shoulders. "I don't think we have enough ships left in the North Fleet. The Hostigi Navy damn near destroyed every ship! The King is afraid that if he commits the South Fleet, and we suffer another reverse, there won't be enough ships left afloat to protect our own merchant fleets. If this were to happen, we would have to concede dominion of the Saltless Seas to King Kalvan. Still, he will do his best to keep the Hostigi Navy bottled up in Thagnor Harbor."
"This just keeps getting worse," Lysandros said to no one in particular. "The gods have truly cursed us!"
"It is up to the Grand Host now," Petrus said. "We will give you what limited support we can, but you will have to take Thagnor City by yourselves."
FORTY-SIX
As the last gun was seated on the South Tower, Rylla pondered the. revelations that had arrived with her husband's latest dispatch. At first she'd been shocked to learn that Kalvan had made Verkan the Trader the new King of Greffa, but on further reflection it appeared to be an inspired choice. Verkan knew the City and was respected there. He was a brilliant general and of proven loyalty to Hostigos, something even gold couldn't buy. Maybe she'd see more of her friend Dalla, too.
Of course, absorbing Greffa meant that the war with Grefftscharr would not be over until King Theovacar was killed or deposed, as he would never rest until the jewel of Greffa was restored to his Kingdom. Still, Theovacar was a wretched ruler and completely untrustworthy. In cases like this, it was better to pull out the rotten tooth immediately rather than let it sit and fester. At long last, it appeared that the gods were looking down with favor on her subjects. Once the wars were over, she would raise the greatest temple to Allfather Dralm in the known world.
The entire population of the City of Thagnor had gone wild with joy when she had publicly announced that her husband had conquered Greffa City and annexed the Princedom of Greffa to Nos-Hostigos. Many in the crowd had reacted as if the wars were over; she knew better. The wars would only end with the destruction of Styphon's House and the death of King Tneovacar, or the complete annexation of Grefftscharr.
Rylla watched as General Alkides had the middle gun elevated less than a finger joint. Now that the Grefftscharrer Fleet no longer threatened the harbor, the artillery commander had moved three of the four rifled eighteen-pounders from the North Tower to the South Tower. With these additions, there were seven big guns to rain death and destruction upon the Host's heads. They had waited almost a moon, until the Grand Host had settled into its new camp, to fire the rifled cannon, lulling the Styphoni into a false sense of security. She wouldn't want to be in Lysandros' shoes when the first shells dropped out of the sky.
The range of the rifled guns was good for a distance up to nine or ten marches, more than twice the usual range for Zarthani cannon, which would put the shells right into the middle of Grand Host's encampment. They would cause Hadron's Own Lot of death and destruction when they landed.
Using regular cast-iron balls, Alkides fired the f
irst ranging shots. The sudden appearance of artillery shot in their midst at more than twice the usual range didn't cause any noticeable stir from that distance.
Rylla thought the Styphoni might believe the shots were coming from the flanks. The Styphoni owned the mouth of the Thagnor River with gun emplacements along the southwest bank of the river, which cut off all direct Hostigi and neutral shipping to Thagnor City from the Sea of Aesklos. However, Prince Phrames' cavalry patrols had kept the Styphoni to their side of the river by attacking any parties that attempted to cross the Thagnor River onto Gythan territory.
The Rathoni and Sastrathi irregulars, who were harrying the Grand Host, usually stayed about twenty marches away during the day. Still, it was conceivable that a small gun might have been moved to within firing distance of the encampment. That illusion would be dispelled in a moment.
"Fire!" Alkides cried.
All seven guns went off with a roar that shook the tower top. One of the shells went off prematurely and lit up the sky overhead like a miniature sun. The others dropped on the Grand Host like balls of lightning dropped from Allfather Dralm's Sky-Palace.
The Styphoni encampment exploded like an anthill kicked over by a bucking horse. A gun was fired in return from a Styphoni forward position; the ball struck the embankment that faced the wall and disappeared into the earth. The Styphoni guns were within easy range of the rifled cannon.
As the gunners reloaded and swabbed their gun barrels, Alkides studied the shell fuses. When he was satisfied, he gave them over to the shell holders and fuse lighters.
He turned to Rylla, saying, "Your Majesty, we don't really have to aim. Everywhere I look there are scrambling troops!"
"Try for their field guns first, then anything that looks like it might be a fireseed magazine or food depot. We won't kill enough of them to make any difference, but I want to make their lives so thoroughly miserable they'll pull up stakes and move."