“You are risking an awful lot on this spy being Lord Quavry,” frowned the Lord Marshal. “What if you are wrong?”
“If I am wrong,” answered Lord Marak, “we will still have two cortes ready to attack the ambushers. We will also have the squad guarding the caravan protected by Qubari armor. The only thing I lose is the chance to capture the real spy. I suspect that you will work on that during my absence.”
“You can count on it,” declared Yenga. “We will find the spy no matter who he is. How many men will you be taking to the capital with you?”
“I hadn’t really thought about it,” Marak confessed. “I suppose a squad would be sufficient.”
“A squad?” echoed the Lord Marshal. “A squad cannot guard our caravans. I certainly expect to send more men to guard my lord.”
“What is normal?” asked Lord Marak.
“Normal is relative,” sighed Yenga. “Some estates send only a squad, while others send four to five cortes. The more powerful lords like to parade their troops through the capital streets, as if that will impress the citizenry. Of course it is really to make a statement to the other lords. It says that the lord can afford to send an army to the capital and not worry about a neighbor taking over his estate in his absence. Every action in Khadoratung has significance.”
“What message am I supposed to be sending then?” asked Lord Marak.
“I am not sure,” frowned the Lord Marshal. “I was hoping that you would not attend the Assembly of Lords. Khadoratung can be more dangerous than the center of any battlefield.”
“Where are the escorting troops housed in the capital?” inquired Lord Marak.
“They may be kept in the lord’s suite in the palace if there is enough room,” answered Yenga, “or on the grounds outside. The more powerful the lord, the larger the suite afforded him. Your suite, Lord Marak, will be very small. While you control a good deal of the frontier in this corner of Khadora, you will be considered insignificant in the capital. All of the power of Khadora emanates from the Imperial Valley. It has always been so.”
“How small a suite?” questioned Lord Marak.
“A squad would be hard pressed to make themselves comfortable,” sighed Yenga. “Remember that there is room outside for a larger force. Besides, no weapons will be allowed outside your suite in any event. I think you should take several cortes. Our enemies will be surprised by the armies of your other clans should they take the opportunity to attack Fardale. We will be safe here.”
“I do not want my troops in a holding area outside the Imperial Palace,” Lord Marak shook his head. “Besides, that is not the impression that I wish to make this trip. I will compromise with you. I will take two cortes and a squad. The squad will stay with me in the Imperial Palace. The two cortes will camp within a day’s ride from the capital. If there is trouble, they will be able to respond. If there is no trouble, you can be assured that I had a proper escort.”
“I know better than to argue with you,” Yenga shook his head. “I will stipulate that two air mages go with you, one with the squad, and one with the two cortes. If help is to be a day away, I want them to be able to communicate with each other.”
“Done,” Marak grinned as he rose from his chair. “If you need me for the rest of today, I will be entertaining our Sakovan friends.”
Lord Marak left the office and exited the mansion. His black and silver cape blew gently in the wind as he strode over to the sparring yard. He immediately saw StormSong in the yard with a Fardale opponent. He smiled inwardly as he watched the tall Sakovan women battle the burly local man. StormSong was the most able female fighter that Lord Marak had ever met, and she enjoyed a good spar like few other people could. Lord Marak was drawn to the rail fence surrounding the practice yard. He leaned on the fence as he watched StormSong’s perfectly executed maneuvers. Her opponent was withering under her constant blows.
Lord Marak watched for several minutes before he realized that there were no other Sakovans watching the match. He frowned as he stood erect and looked around for the Sakovans. He finally spotted them under a tree a fair distance away. His forehead creased as he watched the animated conversation. Something was wrong.
Lord Marak strode swiftly towards the Sakovans. Their conversation ceased when they noticed Lord Marak approaching.
“I apologize,” Lord Marak opened. “I have been a poor host to the Sakovans. I hope you will forgive me.”
“Nonsense,” smiled Lyra, the Star of Sakova. “The Sakovans have been warmly welcomed in Fardale. Your people are to be commended for their friendliness and warmth.”
“Yet I have been unavailable much of the time,” sighed the Torak lord.
“As was I when you visited StarCity,” laughed Lyra. “I seem to remember keeping you waiting for three days when you arrived.”
“You were ill,” protested Lord Marak. “Besides, it gave me time to explore your wonderful city.”
“And busy as you have been,” retorted Lyra. “I understand the competing needs that are thrust upon you, Marak. There is no need to apologize. You have also given me time to explore Fardale and the surrounding areas. I must compliment you on the health of your choka herd. They are thriving wonderfully. That was a pleasant surprise.”
“You have seen the herd?” Marak asked questioningly. “But…”
“But they are tended by the Chula,” grinned Lyra. “Yes, I know. Fisher escorted me there yesterday. You forget that the Sakovans and the Chula have been allies for centuries. I could not leave Khadora without visiting with them.”
“I should have known,” smiled Lord Marak. “I was up there myself yesterday. You should have let me know.”
“Tmundo said you were not to be disturbed,” the Star replied.
Lord Marak merely nodded as he examined the other Sakovans in the group. “May I speak to you privately?” he asked.
Lyra nodded and the other Sakovans drifted several dozen paces away.
“Your father was found in the mage practice field today,” Lord Marak said. “Did you tell him about it?”
“Of course not,” answered Lyra. “None of my people know of its existence, as you requested. The time I spent there was easily covered up. Do you not trust my people, Lord Marak?”
“On this particular topic,” Lord Marak frowned and shrugged, “I do not trust my own people. The Mage Corps will revolutionize battle here in Khadora. The longer I can keep it secret, the better the hopes of my people. I hope you understand.”
“I do,” sighed Lyra after a moment of hesitation. “It does not surprise me that Malafar found out. He can sense magic fairly easily. The Mage Corps is not something you could hide from him. I would not doubt that several of my people already know about it.”
“Are you aware that he is not returning to StarCity with you?” asked Marak.
“I am,” Lyra nodded sadly. “I believe that was his plan since we left Sakova. He feels that he must start a new life away from Omunga and Sakova. I disagree, but perhaps it is for the best. He has made a shambles of his life, and the battle in Okata nearly killed him. Maybe isolation is just what he needs to find himself again.”
“I just wanted to make sure that you knew,” Marak said. “I will see that he has anything he wants for his journey.” Marak paused. “I could not help noticing the conversation you were having when I approached. Is there a problem?”
Lyra motioned for the rest of the Sakovans to return before she said, “There is a problem that we just found out about. Explain it to him, StarWind.”
“We just heard that General Didyk is leaving Omunga,” reported the head Sakovan spy. “Such a high ranking officer has never visited Khadora in all of our history. We are concerned that it may represent another plot against the Sakovans.”