By late midafternoon on Mardi, he was getting even more tired of the bad roads of Bovaria. He and the imagers had already replaced another two bridges-poor timber constructions washed out by spring floods. On the ride south, he’d wondered how long some of the bridges would last, and he’d definitely found out. Yet he had to wonder why the local factors or holders hadn’t invested in stronger construction.
“Because they use the river, and they built the bridges just strong enough so that the locals can reach the market towns and their factorages,” said Vaelora. “That’s what you told me before. I can’t believe that’s changed.”
“Except that we’ve had spring rains since then,” replied Quaeryt dourly.
“Each bridge the imagers rebuild strengthens Bhayar’s rule, and it’s another one someone won’t have to replace anytime soon.”
“You don’t think people will actually be grateful, do you?”
“Some will. Some won’t. At the very least, it will suggest that Bhayar can affect things anywhere. Isn’t that what you’re planning with the imagers?”
Quaeryt laughed. “Your point is taken, my lady.”
The sun was almost touching the tops of the trees on the west side of the River Laar when Quaeryt noted that the cots along the east side of the river had gotten closer and closer together and that the tended fields took up far more of the land than did orchards and woodlots. He also noted that while the holders and others working the land gave the troopers wary glances and did not approach, none of them fled. He also didn’t see shuttered windows and closed doors. “We must be getting close to Daaren.”
“That’s good.”
“We need to take a break to rest the mounts and you.”
“I don’t know that I like the way you worded that, dearest.”
“I obviously need a rest as well,” replied Quaeryt. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I need a rest … a rest, dearest.”
Quaeryt offered a doleful look, then grinned.
“Sometimes…” Vaelora shook her head.
“I know … but you wanted someone who appreciated all your qualities.”
“All of them,” replied Vaelora tartly. “You appreciate some excessively at times.”
“They’re worth excessive-”
“Quaeryt…”
Quaeryt sighed, excessively.
Vaelora put her hand on the hilt of her sabre.
Quaeryt grinned and pointed. “Look. You can see the bridge that Threkhyl imaged.”
“It is impressive,” Vaelora agreed cheerfully.
Quaeryt did not sigh in relief, much as he felt like it.
The bridge that the imagers had constructed over the Phraan River on their ride south months before looked dusty, and the road on the south side looked more heavily traveled than before, but there were no signs of wear otherwise as first company led the way over the span and then into the main part of Daaren. The locals did clear the streets as the Telaryn riders appeared, but only so far as the sidewalks.
The innkeeper at the Grande Laar Inn only looked moderately discouraged when he caught sight of Zhelan and Quaeryt. “How long … might I ask, sirs?”
“One or two days, most likely. No more than three,” replied Quaeryt. After that, he left the arrangements for quartering first company and Calkoran’s troopers in Zhelan’s hands, while he went over instructions with Khaern for quartering his men in the inns farther north along Daaren’s main boulevard. Once he was finished with that, he rejoined Vaelora in the main entry hall of the inn.
Before Quaeryt had more than a few words with Vaelora, a squad leader hurried into the inn. “Commander, there are some factors who would like a moment with you.”
Vaelora raised her eyebrows.
“They can have a moment with me and Lady Vaelora, but give us a little time to set up one of the private chambers.”
“Yes, sir.”
Quaeryt quickly made arrangements to use the first private room, then hurried in to rearrange the furniture so that he and Vaelora would sit behind the circular table … and so that all the other chairs were against the side wall. The two of them had barely seated themselves when the two factors entered the room.
Quaeryt wasn’t in the slightest surprised to see the comparatively young factor Jarell as the first of the two men to enter the private chamber, since Jarell had emerged as the most diplomatic of the factors when Southern Army had stopped in Daaren in the fall. As before, the clean-shaven Jarell had his straight brown hair slicked back from a high forehead, and he smiled winningly directly at Vaelora. With him was a much older man, white-haired, who Quaeryt thought might have been watching with Jarell at the time the imagers had rebuilt the bridge over the Phraan. He did not smile. Both men bowed.
“Might I present Factor Palumyn?” offered Jarell, his voice deep and pleasant. “He is the head of the factors’ council of Daaren.”
“You might,” replied Quaeryt. “We are pleased to see you both in health.”
“There have been many rumors,” Jarell went on, “about your return, Lady and Commander…”
“And you would like to know what happened?” Quaeryt smiled. “Submarshal Skarpa now holds Liantiago and Antiago for Lord Bhayar. The Autarch Aliaro and his palace and most of his armies have been destroyed.”
“Destroyed … not defeated?”
Quaeryt shrugged. “His forces were defeated at Suemyron and again at Barna, and twice more between Barna and Liantiago. From what we could determine he gathered all his remaining forces and imagers into the palace fortress at Liantiago in an effort to force us to concentrate our troopers so that he could destroy all of us. In the end, it worked out the other way. There is a rather large gully where the Autarch’s palace used to be. There might be a thousand surviving Antiagon troopers.”
“I see.” Jarell paused. “Might I ask if this was a costly victory?”
“Not terribly. The submarshal’s regiments remain close to full strength.” Quaeryt smiled again. “They will likely remain in Antiago for a time, but the forces assigned to Lady Vaelora are more than adequate for any duties within Bovaria. We did rebuild several bridges on the river road between Daaren and Geusyn. You factors might be interested to know that before the last encounter, when we destroyed three Antiagon warships and their imagers, Aliaro’s forces destroyed Ephra totally, and leveled Kephria and Geusyn. We rebuilt the harbor facilities at Kephria and left several companies there to maintain order while the city recovers. But with the destruction of Ephra and the far better harbor at Kephria under Lord Bhayar’s control … and few Antiagon factors remaining…”
The older factor nodded. “Are you suggesting … or insisting?”
“Merely suggesting. I would think it would offer an opportunity, and certainly some factors will take advantage of it.”
“Who would risk that?” asked Palumyn almost scornfully.
“I do know of one Antiagon factoring and shipping family that is very interested,” replied Quaeryt.
“You would let Antiagons…”
“Lord Bhayar intends to treat all factors under his rule equally. As I said, I just wanted you to know, and I trust you will pass on the information to other factors.”
“As you intimated might occur … when you were here in late fall, we have received notice from Lord Bhayar that all factors are being assessed an additional tariff of ten golds,” said Jarell. “Such an amount … when we have already paid this year’s tariffs…” He shook his head.
“If you had paid to have rebuilt the bridge across the Phraan … how much would that have cost you?” asked Quaeryt.
“We did not need a new bridge … and not one so … massive.”
“I’d wager that every factor in Daaren has seen more trade and saved time because of the bridge.” Quaeryt looked evenly at the pair, imaging projecting a slight compulsion to reply honestly.
“Ah … that may be … but…”