by C. R. Daems
"But then…"
"Qi'Nisha and I believe there will be war. It only remains to determine which side you and others will be on."
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Rhybac: Notifying the Dukes of the terms of the potential treaty
Duke Sandar decided to wait at the camp for Duke Tebos to collect his four hundred–man detail rather than risk returning to Xihu with only ten soldiers.
As Duke Tebos's Qi'advisor, I accompanied him back to Hala. We arrived on the afternoon of the third day. It had been a very somber trip. Tebos spent the next three days making preparations to leave: which troops would go and which stay, assigning responsibilities in his absence, rules of engagement with the tribes, and hundreds of administrative details. Because Tebos dined each night alone with his wife and two young sons, I ate with Sir Osler, Lieutenants Javaid and Modda, and several of the senior sergeants. Sir Osler would stay to direct the military at Hala, while Lieutenant Javaid would be in charge of the detail touring Rhybac.
"Any advice, qi'Nisha?" Sir Osler asked, after we had finished dinner. He was a short stocky man with a square bulldog face and slow way of talking, which gave the impression of him being a dull, plodding personality. In reality, he had a sharp mind judging by his questions while listening to me recount the events over the past several weeks.
"Advice, no, but I have an observation. While Negozi's content to wait to see if he can reach a compromise with Rhybac, his war chiefs would prefer to raze Rhybac. Although the negotiations have provided sufficient carrots to appease the war chiefs, they're reluctant participants. Tread lightly around them. It wouldn't take much to incite a disastrous incident."
He nodded slowly. "Thank you. A sobering thought."
* * *
We left Inwood early the next day. The pace through the forest limited conversations except when we stopped to rest the horses.
The first night Duke Tebos, Lieutenant Javaid, and I sat around a small fire eating. Tebos and Javaid had been quiet during the ride and the short rest stops. I understood. Leaving Hala at the unpredictable mercy of the tribes must be weighing heavily on their minds. And if that weren't enough, there was also the uncertain outcome of the meetings with the other dukes. A united Rhybac would mean the eventual demise of Hala.
"I want to thank you for your council, qi'Nisha. I'm fond of qi'Senka, but she's right. You're what we need in this time of chaos. Between our egos, preconceptions, and fears, we're having trouble coming to grips with reality. I talked to Sir Osler this morning. He said your comments last night made him reevaluate his planned preparations. He's an excellent military strategist, but you've helped him understand the hidden dangers dealing with the tribes." Tebos gazed into the small fire for a long time.
"I agree with Sandar that you're a difficult person to understand but have always acted in your contract's best interest. I see now that only a partnership with Negozi will save Hala. Like Sandar, I had thought only of war and holding off the barbarians while a united Rhybac drove them back into the Sands. But even if Negozi didn't burn down the forest—"
"What? Burn the forest?" Javaid jumped to his feet, his eyes wide and mouth agape, as his glaze swept the forest around us.
"Yes, Javaid. Something you and I would never think imaginable. But I agree with qi'Nisha, Negozi would. War with the tribes would be the destruction of Hala. Even if we allied with them against Rhybac, they wouldn't trust us at their backs. Qi'Senka said you were what Ferox needed when the dukes met at Inari. Now you're what Hala needs. She told me to trust you."
"Trust only that my observations are unbiased and meant for your benefit. I don't have the experience or the responsibility to your people to make decisions for you."
"There are many that would not trust you. They believe you got Sergeant Volos killed," Javaid said.
"Indirectly, they're correct. It was my observation that we should continue further into the Sands that Lieutenant Irmak acted on. Otherwise he would probably be alive."
"Probably?"
"Yes. You assume you know the consequences of having made various decisions. The Qi do not assume to know the consequences of an action not taken. With Lieutenant Irmak and me along with the returning detail, we could have made a different set of decisions than the detail did, which could have resulted in any number of possibilities, including Sergeant Volos's death—and others."
"True, but I doubt you could convince most of us non-Qi," Javaid said. "We think differently."
We rode hard the next day, arriving at the Ferox camp that evening. Sandar and qi'Senka met us as we rode into camp, then he and Tebos wandered away from camp deep in conversation.
"Qi'Nisha, life has been boring without you," qi'Senka said. "Duke Sandar is sorry he has driven you away with his outburst but admits it's best you are advising Duke Tebos. He wants you along, but he can't help his outbursts."
"I understand and don't take it personally. Duke Sandar's a good man, but you and he will be more compatible, although you'll give him the same advice I would."
"Thank you, but although I understand and agree with your logic after you make an observation, I doubt I have that clarity. You've reached a state of Qi that makes you the perfect Qi'advisor. Unfortunately, it also makes you seem heartless and difficult to understand. Ironically, Negozi seems to value and understand you."
"Yes, he has the ability to think before he acts. That's why the danger to Rhybac is so great. They have no one capable of leading the kingdom to a stalemate. And that's the best that can be achieved against the tribes given their numbers and leader."
"I don't think the dukes would like that observation." Qi'Senka nodded. "But I agree."
Sandar and Tebos returned while qi'Senka and I sat talking about the Qi'temple. She hadn't been back for over ten years—not that much had changed.
"I understand that our escort will be arriving tomorrow morning. I don't imagine our Qi'advisors would like to say anything before we determine our route and basic tactics when we arrive at each duke's domain," Sandar said, looking at qi'Senka and me. When we didn't answer, he smiled. "Well, I'm learning. Good night, ladies."
* * *
The troops were beginning to dismantle the camp when Ayria and Bolaha arrived. Off in the distance, a large number of warriors could be seen, but I was sure they were only a small part of the nearly two thousand Bolaha commanded. Sandar nodded to them.
"Witch Ayria, Warrior Bolaha, welcome. I assume I can pick the route and the order of the dukes we are to visit."
"Yes, this is your responsibility," Ayria said. "We're here to guaranty your safety until some agreement is reached."
"Well then, we will proceed through the Sobek Pass to Xihu, where I will pick up another two hundred soldiers. After that, we'll skirt the Kirill Mountains and move into Castor Province to see Duke Janko in Narissa. Then on to Duke Fabiao in Eolus, Taal in Iovis, and finally Duke Wenrich, who thinks himself king, in Zeno."
While he had been speaking, Tebos drew a rough map on the ground. "I'd like to be able to meet each duke outside of their castle, but I'm not sure how to arrange it. I guess I'll just have to work out something with each duke. We should also stop in at each of the towns that have a baron, since they're also being invited to participate at Sobek. Qi'Nisha? Qi'Senka?"
"I understand wanting to address Duke Wenrich last, but is it realistic to believe he won't know you're visiting each dukedom and won't try to organize some resistance? Six hundred troops are hard to hide," Qi'Senka said. That delay might allow Wenrich to enlist support from Taal, his Province, Castor, and Eolus. With Inari, he could raise enough to ambush you."
"Good, the Tendal will kill them all and Rhybac will be ours—"
"I would suggest you cancel going to Xihu and go straight to Taal, then Irvetta, Narissa, and finally Inari."
I looked to Ayria. "Besides... Witch Ayria, I assume Negozi's planning on moving to secure Sobek?"
"What?" Sandar's face hardened. "There is supposed to be a truce until I
can talk to the other dukes."
Ayria nodded, a smile touched her lips. "Yes, in preparation for the agreed-upon Royal Testing."
"That means he will have warriors along the Stas Mountains, prohibiting Taal and Inari from combining forces. In addition, Duke Sandar, keeping the additional two hundred soldiers at Xihu will preclude Wenrich from being able to successfully attack Xihu."
"How can I trust Negozi?"
"Because your interests are the same. You both want a solution that minimizes the killing and destruction of Rhybac. Taking Sobek is necessary to secure it for the upcoming selection of a king and at the same time protect you and the Tendal tribe from a combined Rhybac attack—during the truce."
Sandar looked to qi'Senka, who nodded.
"Witch Ayria, could you inform Negozi I'd like to talk to the baron at Sobek before any attack? Maybe I can avoid further bloodshed."
* * *
It took three days to reach Sobek. Ironically, we could have arrived a half day sooner except the horses had to be rested every four hours—the warriors could have run all day without stopping. We arrived at Sobek in the early afternoon.
Qi'Senka and I convinced Duke Sandar that Tebos and I should approach the castle rather than him. And Negozi agreed to pull Bolaha's Tendal tribe and his Songye tribe back to where they could be seen but were not an immediate threat.
The gates to the city had been repaired and reinforced since the attack by the tribes and the theft of the Royal Scepter. They were shut when Tebos, a detail of five soldiers, and I arrived.
"What do you want?" a sergeant standing on the rampart over the gate asked. As he talked, soldiers were appearing with longbows.
"I'm Duke Tebos from Hala. I'm here to talk to the baron in charge of Sobek."
"I'm Baron Dilcher." A broad-shouldered man appeared next to the sergeant.
"We need to talk, unless you think you can stop six thousand warriors from entering and destroying Sobek. I can."
The baron stood silent, looking out at the mass of warriors. Soon, three men joined him and a heated conversation ensued.
"You can enter but not the detail with you." A small door in the outer gate opened and Tebos and I dismounted, leaving our horses with the detail, and entered. A lieutenant and ten soldiers met us with two extra horses and escorted us to the castle and into a small reception room. Fifteen minutes later, five men, a woman, and five soldiers entered.
I'm Baron Dilcher, this is hi'Samula, the blessed one, Vanderbe, my minister, Sir Cagini, and tu'Boffov, my Qi'temple-trained tutor." Although young, Dilcher had a chubby face and body. He stood between two soldiers, his eyes darting from me to Tebos. Tu'Boffov, an older woman with graying hair, stared at me. Hi'Samula stood stony faced. Sir Cagini and Vanderbe looked relaxed as they evaluated Tebos and me.
"I'm Duke Tebos of Hala, and this is my Qi'advisor, qi'Nisha. If you will all be seated, I'll tell you why I'm here." He waited as everyone took a seat on the opposite side of the table facing us, while the soldiers spread out around the room. "The dukes met in Inari after the tribes raided…"
Surprisingly, they listened in silence. Only the facial expressions changed during Tebos's summary of the events since the meeting at Inari. Sir Cagini was the first to speak.
"You're telling us that the tribes have ten thousand warriors, they occupy the western corridor, and six thousand are outside our gates. And you expect us to trust them and open our gates so they can enter. Do you think we're crazy?"
"Can you stop them? And if you try, what do you think they will do when they breach the gates?"
"We can hold you and…your advisor hostage. And kill you if they attack!" Vanderbe said. Tebos laughed.
"Because of the truce, Negozi has given Duke Sandar and me a chance to avoid a massacre. If we fail, what does he care what happens to me? The truce will have been broken. You have one hour to decide."
"I don't believe you," hi'Samula shouted. "You and your godless woman are in league with the tribes."
"It does not matter what you choose to believe. What you wish to believe does not change reality. The realities are that Negozi has the Royal Scepter, that six thousand warriors are outside your gates, and that you can delay their entry but not stop them," I said, looking around the room as I talked. "And when the bloodlust of battle consumes the warriors, neither you, your women, nor your children can expect mercy. Duke Tebos and Duke Sandar have come to give you a choice."
"You're trying to scare us into opening the gate to those barbarians."
"I've told you what I know. Duke Tebos would like to save you and your people, and consequently he is interested in influencing your decision. I'm not. They are your people and, therefore, the decision is your responsibility."
Tu'Boffov pulled Baron Dilcher aside. Everyone remained silent as the two talked in whispers, heads close.
"My advisor informs me the woman is Qi—"
"What does that matter and how do you know? We only have the duke's word," Sir Cagini said.
"You can tell by her last remark. I don't know if the Qi would care if all the people in Sobek were slaughtered or not. But I do know they don't lie and wouldn't try to influence your decision, even if it meant they would be slaughtered. They're strange."
"Because they are godless—"
"Enough, hi'Samula. Maybe that's more reason to believe her. Sir Cagini, take a small detail out to this Negozi and verify he has the Royal Scepter. If he does, we will open the gates…and hope Duke Tebos is right." Dilcher watched tu'Boffov as he talked.
Cagini looked a little pale when he left the room. While we waited, Dilcher had wine served. Although there was no general discussion, there were many individual conversations. Hi'Samula and Vanderbe spent a considerable about of time with Dilcher. No one talked to Tebos. Tu'Boffov pulled me aside.
"I remember you as a young girl. You were always a bit strange," she held up her hand to stop me, although unnecessary, "I knew then I would never be a Qi'advisor. I've always cared what people thought of me and what they did. You never seemed to."
"Your assessment of the current situation and your advice to Duke Dilcher prove you are a good advisor. You seem content with your position in life, and that is all that matters. Each of us walks the Path of life in our own way." I liked tu'Boffov and thought she served Dilcher well. The Qi are not all the same and consequently not a good match for everyone.
It was early evening when Sir Cagini returned. He looked tired when he entered the room.
"Sir, Negozi has the Scepter and claims he wants to return it to its rightful place, awaiting the selection of a new king. He does intend to remain until then, but says only a few of his warriors will remain in the city." Cagini took a long drink of wine. "Duke Sandar was also there. He told me the same thing Duke Tebos told you. Don't like it, but I think you have little to lose by letting them in. We certainly can't stop them. I believe there are six thousand out there."
"All right, inform the troops they're to do nothing to provoke a fight and then open the gates."
* * *
The occupation of the city went smoothly. Negozi limited the warriors to one hundred and returned the Scepter to its rightful place on the altar in the Royal Cathedral but decreed a permanent detail of warriors to guard it, much to hi'Samula's objections. He claimed it was his to safeguard. Negozi ordered anyone, including hi'Samula, killed that touched it. We left the next day for the city of Taal. At the same time, Chief Idowu and fifteen hundred Topoke warriors went south along the Stas Mountains to stop travel between Taal and Inari.
Duke Tebos, Duke Sandar, qi'Senka, Witch Ayria, and I rode in the center of Bolaha's Tendal warriors—two thousand strong. She mostly avoided us except for an occasional visit to tell us the area was free of dogs.
* * *
By design, we reached Taal around noon. After a long discussion, it was decided that Taal would be the most dangerous of the cities, because it was Duke Wenrich's domain and the baron and troops would be loyal to h
im. Consequently, they were most likely to think they could survive a siege and would like hostages, particularly a duke not loyal to Wenrich. Ayria ordered Bolaha to move all of her warriors out of sight, and we proceeded to the city walls with two hundred of the dukes' contingent of four hundred. I doubted Taal had much more than nine hundred troops left after the disaster with the scouting party Wenrich sent into the Sands, most of which probably came from Taal.
The gates were open when we arrived but heavily manned. We stopped well out of bow range, while Sergeant Mirce and two men approached the gate. After half an hour, he returned.
"The lieutenant at the gate said he would inform Baron Willberger that you want a meeting."
We waited over an hour before a lone rider appeared. "Baron Willberger invites you and your men into the city, where you can talk in comfort."
"I'm Duke Sandar. You can tell Baron Willberger I have a message that concerns him directly and news of the tribes. If he's not interested, we'll be moving on to Narissa." Sandar paused, waving behind him. "You can also tell him I have an additional four hundred troops only a few minutes' ride away and that attacking us, even if he wins, would leave Taal close to defenseless. We know he lost half his garrison due to Wenrich's ill-advised venture into the Sands." Sandar had exaggerated the number of troops in their party, hoping to discourage Willberger from attacking them.
Again we waited. An hour later, a detail of a hundred troops left the gate and approached us. They slowed and came to a stop some twenty-five paces away. Tebos, Sandar, and I walked our horses halfway forward and stopped. I had been pulling Qi from around me in preparation for trouble. After a moment, Baron Willberger and three troopers left the group and approached.
"You know King Wenrich has declared you two traitors and her a murderer." He jerked his head in my direction. "Now!" he shouted, and the three men with him spurred their horses forward, the troops behind them began a charge, and a large force galloped through the city gates. Tebos and Sandar spun their horses around and whipped them to a run.