by C. R. Daems
Now that the details had been fleshed out, I could contribute what a Qi'advisor was contracted to do—give unbiased observations.
"Your Grace, I know you haven't asked me for advice, but I've several observations if you wish."
"Qi'Nisha, you have earned the right to give me unsolicited advice anytime, although I won't necessarily follow it."
"That is as it should be, Your Grace. What would happen if you were killed on this scouting mission?"
Everyone looked at me like I had struck the duke. The truth's not always what people want to hear, although sometimes, like now, necessary.
"My son, Mastal, would become duke," he said, glaring at me. I nodded.
"Your son's a fine young man and should make an excellent Duke of Ferox someday." Of course, I really didn't know that, but it didn't matter. "However, is he the best leader for Ferox now, with the tribes threatening the kingdom and Wenrich plotting against you?" I glanced at Mastal and then Harkin, who looked to be agreeing with me. Sandar remained quiet.
"If it comes to war, I could die and Mastal would have to take charge."
"Dying in defense of Ferox is one thing. Dying on a scouting mission is another."
"Go on, qi'Nisha," he said, acknowledging he was listening to a Qi'advisor.
"Nor can you send your son for the same reason. I'd not send Sir Harkin either." I held up my hand before anyone could interrupt. "Duke Wenrich gave in too easily, even though I think he agreed with the need to gain more information. Although I have no substantial facts, I believe Wenrich will declare himself king while you and Duke Tebos are scouting the Sands. In that case, he may try to attack Xihu. If that happens, you'll need to be here, and you'll need Sir Harkin and sufficient military strength to repel the attack."
I took a sip of water, giving him time to digest what I had said, before moving on to the next problem.
"Even if that doesn't happen, Ferox and Hala each taking a hundred troops into the Sands isn't a scouting party. It's a war party, which the tribes can't help but detect. And that will negate the reason for going." I'd done what Qi'advisors were hired to do and sat back, content to hear the duke's decision. I advised. He decided. The room remained silent for several minutes. Finally, Harkin spoke.
"Qi'Nisha, has several valid points. You're the duke of Ferox, and we need you and your experience in troubled times like this. A scouting party of two hundred troops is far too big to remain undetected. And Wenrich's not to be trusted. He proved that at Inari."
"Father, I agree. Wenrich is a real threat. It wouldn't surprise me if he did declare himself king. He has the support of Janko and Fabiao, and probably the senior baron at Inari. In that case, he has the military strength to challenge you and Tebos. We could be looking at a civil war."
Sandar sat staring at me for several minutes. Everyone appeared to get more nervous as the minutes passed, their eyes discretely going from Sandar to me. I had no reason to be nervous. Although I gave the duke my observations, I had no vested interest in his decision. It was his to make and live with, not mine. Finally, he spoke.
"Qi'Nisha, you have the annoying habit of stopping me from doing things I want to do. I'd like to know why you didn't say all this earlier and save us a lot of time."
"There was no point for me to comment when you were still deciding what action to take. You may have decided not to go or to reduce the force or any number of other factors. Only when you had decided could I give you a valid observation."
"Did Vidya ask you to convince me not to go?" He frowned. "Not that your arguments aren't valid."
"Yes, she pleaded with me to convince you not to go. I told her that was not my role as a Qi'advisor. I'm here to give you my observations not to make decisions for you. The decision is your responsibility, and you must live with it—not me. That may sound harsh, but to think otherwise would make me biased and my observations of little value."
Mastal, Watts, and Harkin looked shocked. Irmak nodded agreement. And Sandar laughed.
"Nisha, you're going to take some getting used to. You don't care if I agree with you or not, whether you're right or wrong, or I go or stay, or... Yes, that does sound harsh, even heartless, but it does make you the perfect advisor. Because you're not trying to please anyone, you're free to speak the truth, which is not always what I want to hear."
Another two hours of discussion resulted in reducing the number of soldiers to ten and Irmak leading the mission. After it was decided, Sandar turned to me.
"Well, it's your turn," he said, with a snort.
"I should go along with Lieutenant Irmak."
"What!" Sandar shook his head. "No!"
"Someone needs to point out to Duke Tebos that twenty troops are more than sufficient, and that his place is in Hala, not scouting the Sands. He, like you, will feel he should. Qi'Senka and I should be able to give him reasons not to go. As for the mission, Lieutenant Irmak is a military officer and understands force. She is yang. I'm Qi and yin. Together, I believe you will get a balanced approach that will be more likely to succeed."
"What about advising me if Wenrich does attack?"
"Your Grace, I know little more than theory about war and would be of little help. I'm not a military advisor. On the other hand, information on the tribes may be crucial to you and the kingdom. There I may be able to help. Wenrich believes the tribes are incompetent barbarians that can wait until after he has been declared king. Qi'Senka and I believe he's wrong, but we don't have enough information to judge his intention. Information about the tribes could be critical to Ferox, Hala, and the kingdom." Of course, I couldn't predict we could find the information we needed, or that it would help. But the facts demonstrated the tribes' leader was a clever man. The discussion continued for hours with no resolution.
"That's enough for tonight. We have decided everything except for qi'Nisha. Lieutenants Mastal and Irmak will select the ten troopers. Sir Harkin will put together a plan for defending the castle, and I will have a decision on qi'Nisha tomorrow. The scouting party will leave the following day."
* * *
When I arrived for breakfast, Vidya met me at the door. Without a word, she stepped forward and put her arms around me.
"I know it was Sandar's decision, but it was your sanity that convinced him. I don't think he really wanted to go but felt it his responsibility and expected of him. I thank the Watcher you're his Qi'advisor." She stepped back, holding me at arm's length. "Why would you want to go with the scouting party? The duke needs you."
"Your Grace," I couldn't help a small smile, "if I wanted to go, my reasoning would be questionable. I suggested it because, given the facts, I might add more value there than here. It's rightfully the duke's decision. I do not care either way."
"My husband is right. It's going to take us time to get used to you." She kissed me on the cheek and took her seat. Sandar entered a few minutes later with his son and daughter.
"Qi'Nisha, I've decided you may join the scouting party. I'll hate myself if you're injured, or worse, killed, but we are at war and no one is truly safe. As you pointed out, we must each serve were we're most needed." He sat and began eating without looking at me. I knew he didn't like his decision but understood keeping me here would have been to protect me and not my best use.
After breakfast, I found Mastal and Irmak, sitting around a table with ten troopers looking at a map of Rhybac. Irmak immediately jumped up.
"Attention!" she shouted. Mastal smiled as the ten soldiers vaulted to their feet. I held up my hand.
"Thank you for the honor, but I wish you would see me as a traveling companion, along to help if I can. I neither deserve nor desire any special privileges or attention."
"Duke Sandar said he'd demote me to private for the rest of my life if you got injured. The Gods only know what he'd do if you got killed," Irmak said.
"On this mission, I'd like each of you to be Qi. Do not question yesterday and do not worry about tomorrow. You can't change what happened yesterday,
and worrying about what may happen will give you headaches." I heard several snickers, and everyone returned to their previous positions. Irmak seemed to relax and introduced me to each soldier before continuing.
"We believe we can make Hala in six days, since Mastal informs me that we'll slow you and Windrunner down, not the other way around. We'll skirt the western side of Lake Vegas, cross over the Nicon River into Zeno Province, and through the Sobek Pass. There we'll follow the Ajax River to the Kiwaq River. Hala Province begins at the river, and Inwood's a two-day ride from there.
"At Inwood, we'll join the Hala troops. With them, we'll cross back over the Kiwaq River and then the Black River, pass Arbor, and proceed up the Iovis Corridor into the Sands." While talking, she used a stick to trace the route. On the map, it looked like a short trip. In reality, it was well over a hundred leagues—about six days' hard travel given the rocky terrain through the Sobek Pass and Hala's narrow forest trails leading to Inwood.
The discussion turned to supplies, clothing, and weapons. What I had would suffice. It would be cool going through the Sobek Pass but warmer as we approached Hala and warmer still when we entered the Sands. "Qi'Nisha, I've worked out some formation commands for several different scenarios—just in case. That will eliminate lengthy discussions in the event of trouble. Everyone will know where he should be and what is expected. I would like you to participate so that you will know what to do."
"Excellent."
We spent the next half hour going over the six commands and the resulting formations. They were quite clever. Retreat, for example, signaled the troops to get ready to attack. When Irmak was satisfied that the troops and I were ready, she called a halt to the practice.
"Lieutenant Irmak, I noticed that you try to guard me at all times. That could make you less effective. I'll start in the position you've assigned me, but don't let that stop you from doing what you need to do. I don't use weapons, but I'm capable of protecting myself."
"Yes, qi'Nisha. I'm well aware of that," she said, rubbing her thigh, "but I'd rather not be a private again."
I smiled. "You worry too much."
After she left, Mastal walked over to me.
"I wish I were going along, Nisha. After all, I'm a lieutenant in the Ferox army."
"Mastal, you're not just a lieutenant; you're the heir to Ferox. A war is coming, either with Wenrich or the tribes. Perhaps both. Your duty is here."
"You're right, of course. But the trip into the Sands, sounds far more exciting." He grinned.
* * *
Everyone was relaxed at the evening meal, Vidya and Suetta pleased Sandar and Mastal were staying behind, Mastal with youthful excitement at the thought of a confrontation with Wenrich, and Sandar content knowing his place was in Xihu.
"Well, Nisha, are you excited to be going to the Sands?" Suetta asked. I would have bet she'd like to be going. Someday she'd be responsible for the running of a castle or estate, but right now, she was young and wanted adventure.
"I look forward to seeing Hala and the Sands."
"But are you excited?" Mastal asked.
"Not in the way you mean. You could call me a traveler swept along with the wind. Each day's exciting, because it's new. It doesn't matter whether I'm traveling to Hala or living here."
"I understand doing one's duty, but I can't imagine not wanting to do one thing more or less than another. That's the way we make many of our daily decisions," Vidya said, then quietly added. "Come back safely, Nisha, we need you."
CHAPTER FIVE
Trip to Inwood castle: Meet with Hala team to scout the Sands
When I entered the courtyard, Windrunner had been saddled and everyone was checking his or her gear. Duke Sandar came walking over to me and waved for Irmak to join him. The courtyard was filled with the clatter of tack, neighing horses, and the shouts of people readying for travel.
"Lieutenant Irmak, you're in charge." Sandar looked at me. I nodded. "But you're to listen to qi'Nisha. I'm reluctantly sending her only because this mission's important and her insights have proven critical in avoiding a disaster. If she acts without alerting you, which she's prone to do, support her." He frowned at me. "Be careful, Nisha." With that, he turned and walked away.
Irmak signaled for the detail to mount up, and we began our descent into the city. We wended our way through boys carrying baskets of pies and bread, shouting for customers, and wagons carrying feed and farm supplies. No one paid us any attention. We were just another patrol. Even at the front gate, the guards hardly gave us a glance. Once past the gates, we turned northwest and rode alongside Lake Vegas.
I hadn't realized its length, since we had crossed into Zeno at the south end of the lake on the way to and from Inari. The lake was narrow but long and formed a good part of the border between Ferox and Zeno Provinces.
By the time Irmak called a halt for the day, shadows from the Filat Mountains were closing in on us. To save time, Irmak had brought no packhorses and the meals would be cold. I didn't mind, since I frequently ate only fruits, cheeses, and bread; however, the soldiers were used to hot meals at the end of the day. A few grumbled as they took dry bread and cheese from their saddlebags. As I sat preparing to eat, Irmak sat down next to me.
"I see what Mastal meant when he said you wouldn't slow us down. You and Windrunner look like you could go on for hours. I'm glad the duke let you come along. I'm good at what I do, soldiering, but I suspect this assignment won't be straightforward." Irmak didn't seem worried, just stating a fact.
I tended to agree with her. Where were the tribes? How many warriors did they have? What were they planning? And how would we go about finding the answers? The information we had indicated the tribes' raids were specifically designed to steal the Scepter. That strongly suggested a united Sands, a leader, and a plan. The mission was to collect enough information to deduce the leader's intention, like we had with the theft of the Scepter.
"The duke made a good choice, picking you, Lieutenant. This assignment is going to require good soldiering. I'm along in case a nonsoldiering question comes up, so you'll have someone to discuss it with."
Irmak stared at me for a long time before nodding. The next day, she had us up before sunrise, and we were on the move as the sun began to creep over the Filat Mountains. The morning air became colder as we approached the Sobek Pass, which sat between the Filat and Stas Mountain ranges. We crossed the Nicon River into Zeno around midday and had gone only a few leagues when some twenty riders approached, wearing Zeno's colors.
"Halt in the name of King Wenrich," a tall, young lieutenant shouted as they approached.
"What do you think, qi'Nisha?" Irmak asked, while her eyes remained fixed on the riders.
"Wenrich hates Duke Sandar already, so you can do nothing to make relations any worse."
The detail was approaching in formation like we were trying to avoid them.
"You're on Zeno land without permission!" he shouted, as he and his troops neared.
"Since when do we need permission for a small party of troops to cross onto Zeno land to gain entrance to the Sobek Pass?"
"Since the king has declared Duke Sandar a traitor, qi'Nisha a murderer, and Ferox restricted to its borders." He eyes swept our troops and came to rest on me. A sneer appeared on his face. "Qi'Nisha, you're under arrest for the murder of Sergeant Lazar." He signaled to his sergeant, who broke formation and began moving toward me with six of his men, his face expressionless.
I felt sorry for him and his men. He was just doing his job. It wasn't personal, yet he'd die for someone else's greed.
"You may have her, and we'll ‘retreat' back to Xihu," Irmak said, her voice rose for all of us to hear. I looked around at our current formation and moved Windrunner back and toward the middle of our line. The troops in turn looked to be breaking formation to allow the Zeno sergeant and his detail through. The young Lieutenant's sneer broke into a broad smile, as he watched his detail close on me. While he focused on me, Irmak nudged her hor
se closer to him. Just as the sergeant and his detail began to filter through the formation, Irmak screamed, "NOW!" Before the sound had died on her lips, her sword slashed through the lieutenant's neck. Then she spurred her horse into the soldier carrying the Zeno colors.
Half of Irmak's troops converged on the sergeant's detail, while the other half charged the Zeno troops. The sergeant was the only one who managed to parry a blow, but he died when a second man plunged a blade into his back. Within seconds, the group had reformed and had joined the others attacking the Zeno troops. Without their lieutenant and sergeant, the Zeno troops were disorganized, and confusion reigned. Half barely cleared their swords before the first half of Irmak's troops descended on them. For a few minutes, the fighting was fierce, but the Xihu troops had the momentum and the Zeno detail could not regain their formation. No one escaped.
The next hour was spent treating the wounded. Although I wasn't a doctor, my training at the Qi'temple had included knowledge of how to treat basic injuries, which proved fortunate. One man had died and another was seriously wounded. Irmak sent him and the dead trooper back to Xihu with another man whose wounds weren't as serious but was unfit to make the long trek to Inwood. Three others had minor wounds, which I helped clean and bandage.
When the last man had been seen to, Irmak joined me. "I'm shocked to be traveling with a murderer. And worse yet, working for a traitor." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. Wenrich had just declared war. "That was nicely done, everyone," she said, as her remaining detail began to collect around her. "What do you suggest we do with the dead, qi'Nisha?"
"It would be nice if we could delay their disappearance as long as possible. It'll slow us down, but I suggest we tie the dead to their horses and take them with us through the pass. On the other side, we can let the horses free and dump the dead. That's no man's land, and they're unlikely to be discovered any time soon. The less Wenrich knows the better. It'll take time for him to figure out what happened."