by John F. Carr
The time had come to undertake the next stage of the war against the Grand Host of Styphon’s House.
There was a knock at the door and Cleon stuck his head through the opening. “Your Majesty, Prince Phrames is here.”
“Send him in, Cleon. Thank you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Prince Phrames came in and gave her a quick once-over. “Your Majesty, it appears you have come to full term. Are you sure that you shouldn’t be resting in your bedchamber?”
Rylla laughed. “I still have another moon or two before I enter the birthing chamber. I was even bigger with Demia.” And I pray to the Allmother that this birth will not be as difficult. . .
Phrames bowed his head. “Why I came this morning, Your Majesty, was to apologize to you for doubting your wisdom in giving Prince Sarrask command of the attack on the Grefftscharri Army. I was wrong. Sarrask did an admirable job of defeating the enemy, and then breaking off before King Lysandros’ Army reached the West Gate. I fear I allowed my older prejudices, from when the Prince was our sworn enemy, to cloud my judgment. Maybe, also, there was a bit of jealousy, as I have always considered myself to be the better commander.”
“This was not a personal decision, Prince. I needed you to keep watch on the South Tower and oversee our upcoming attack on the Grand Host’s encampment. I didn’t want you distracted by the strike against Theovacar.”
“I see that now, Your Majesty.”
“I also want you to know that as soon as the Grand Host has departed and my husband has returned, we will be crowning Sarrask as Prince of Ragyath.”
“It is only fair, since I am Prince of Gytha and Sarrask is a Prince without a seat, as it is unlikely we will return to Hos-Hostigos anytime soon.”
“I know,” she replied, trying to keep the sadness she felt about losing her former home out of her voice. “Sarrask has also been a loyal subject and has never given way to despair. True, his manners and deportment could use some work, but overall he has served us well.”
Phrames nodded. “How will Zykthos, Karphya City or Vulthar respond to Ragyath becoming part of Nos-Hostigos?”
“At first, they will wail and scream, but Theovacar is too busy tending his own wounds to worry over theirs or provide them aid. In the end, they have no choice but to accept Sarrask as the new Prince of Ragyath. All three states together couldn’t field an army often thousand men. They are in no position to make us change Our policy. In a few winters, it will be accepted. If We were truly going to stay in this cold land, I would counsel my husband to conquer them as well. Ragyath, on the other hand, was conquered by Theovacar, who then fled in ignominy. We are simply re-establishing order.”
“You make a good case, Your Majesty. My other question concerns the bombardment of the Styphoni camp: When shall it commence?”
“Tomorrow. General Alkides informed me last night that it will take the rest of today to remove the last of the rifled cannons from the Great Tower and bring them over to the South Tower. Once the guns are emplaced, you may begin firing.”
A smile broke across Phrames’ face. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I’ve been waiting a long time to pay these Styphoni pigs back for the butcher job they performed on Hostigos. And pay them back, I will!”
III
Sirna stopped her palfrey on Ox Bow Road and looked disconsolately at the destruction all around her: shops and multistory residences with roofs caved in and burned fronts. And it’s all my fault! Two moons of riots, ever since her damnable play had opened and just as quickly closed, had turned the Harphax City into a battleground. This part of the City looked as if Kalvan’s Army had trooped through it on their way to Tarr-Harphax. If he had, the desolation and fire damage couldn’t have been any worse.
True, there were portions of the City that were untouched, the Great Center, Merchant Town, High Town, where the nobility resided, and other places that could afford soldiers or full-time guards. A smoke-blackened beggar, with hands outstretched, started to approach her horse, but one of her hard-eyed guards used his sword point to direct him away.
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. After 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 U
surper 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.”