Just by meeting with you, I've already sent Lysandros a declaration of war, Phidestros thought. This youth has a lot to learn about kingship. If he survives, I suspect the next two winters will teach him much.
"You have my support, Your Highness." For now, Phidestros decided. And don't expect me to provide any of those ten thousand soldiers you promised Great King Sopharar.
FIFTY-FOUR
Duke Mnestros was seated at the table in the Great Hall and drinking from a flagon of ale. Seated to one side were his father, Prince Thykarses, and several other Princes; on the other side were Captain-General Hestophes, Duke Kyblannos, Baron Ranthos and Primate Xentos of the High Temple of Dralm.
Prince Thykarses turned to Hestophes, asking, "What are we going to do about Soton and his army?"
"Nothing," Hestophes said, who noted to himself that the Prince appeared to have aged five winters since their defeat at Agrys City. "Even if we wanted to fight him, we do not have enough men under arms to stop Soton. If we did fight him, even if he lost, he'd still have enough troops at Agrys City to hit us again next spring. After another loss like the one we suffered at the Battle of Agrys City, the League would be hard-pressed to field a dozen companies."
"The Captain-General is right, father," Duke Mnestros pronounced. "In fact, Soton's arrogant march across Hos-Agrys with his army has angered both the people and the princes. Our muster lists have swelled since his army left Agrys City. Unfortunately, most of our new troops are untrained or untested. Another loss would cripple us for any spring campaign, as the Captain-General said."
Thykarses' put his face in order. "Already Styphon's House treats all of Hos-Agrys as their conquest. Next they will begin their infernal Investigation."
"What we need is a proper commander for the Army, someone who has successfully fought the Styphoni before," Duke Mnestros observed. "The next League Council is set for the first quarter of the Moon of the Tall Grass. It is up to us to ensure that this time Captain-General Hestophes is chosen to lead the League's Army."
"They will either support him, or I will cut off the Temple's support for the League," Xentos stated flatly. "If the League of Dralm truly represents the Allfather's will, they will support His candidate."
"The Temple's support will help our cause greatly, Primate," Thykarses said. "However, at the moment, it appears that Grand Master Soton is doing even more to ensure the Princes' cooperation. He has violated the territories of at least four Princes. In Hos-Agrys we do not take our sovereignty lightly. Does anyone know where the Grand Master is headed, or why?"
The Big Switch, as they were now calling the operation to insert Aspasthar onto the Throne of Light, was known only to a few, all of them Hostigi except for Duke Mnestros, Baron Ranthos and Duke Kyblannos. Primate Xentos, whom Rylla no longer trusted, knew nothing. Even Mnestros' father, Prince Thykarses was in the dark. The fewer who knew about the operation, the fewer the leaks. Hestophes shook his head. "My guess is that Soton wants to demonstrate Styphons House's power to go wherever they please, whenever they please."
Thykarses threw out his hands. "It makes absolutely no sense to me that Soton would withdraw half the army besieging Agrys City at a time when the city is about to fall."
"Maybe it is Soton's way of showing that no one in Hos-Agrys is out of Styphon's House's reach," Hestophes said. "I'm sure we will find out what he wants shortly. Until then, all we can do is drill the new recruits and work out the logistics for the attacks that will come next spring."
"There is no question in your mind that the City will fall?" the Prince asked.
"None at all. Agrys City is doomed." His last thought, Hestophes kept to himself. Unless a miracle occurs, all of Hos-Agrys is doomed!
"Let us say a prayer to Allfather Dralm asking for his assistance and help,"Xentos intoned. "Without his help, the false idolaters and blasphemers of Styphon's House will prevail."
II
Verkan Vail was running over the new muster lists for the Greffan Royal Army when he heard a commotion at the chamber doors. He quickly pulled out his hideaway pistol with his right hand and grabbed his dagger with his left. His hideaway flintlock pistol was a First Level replica, which actually held several hundred needier cartridges. With its firepower, he could take out a Temple Band of the Red Hand. Assuming, of course, they stood still like paper targets.
A moment later the door careened open and Dalla came crashing into the room, dragging two of his guards behind her.
The Captain of the Guard rushed in behind. "I'm sorry, sir, but this woman claims to be your wife…?"
"You're excused. You've just met Queen Dalla. Captain, don't penalize the men; my wife's a force of nature not to be thwarted by mere mortals." He quickly put away his weapons.
The Guard Captain, his face beet-red, turned smartly and exited the chamber.
Verkan rose from his chair, attempting to hug Dalla.
She pushed him away. "The nerve of you, leaving me all alone in Dhergabar to deal with all those politicos! How dare you!"
"It was your idea! You told me you could handle the job. I was giving you some breathing space. The newsies were after my hide and I didn't trust myself around them, especially Yandar Yadd! I figured you needed some time alone to learn the ropes-"
"So you threw me to the wolves!"
"Darling, you've got it all wrong. I didn't want you to have any distractions, and I had a political circus trailing my heels."
"I still can't believe you quit the Chief's job." She shook her head. "I thought you'd leave for a ten-day or two and come to your senses. I didn't really expect you not to return."
"Dalla, it was either stay away or I was going to kill someone. I don't have the patience to be a political bull's-eye. So, like I told you, I thought I'd take a vacation on Kalvan's Time-Line."
"Some vacation, Vail. I arrived at the Fifth Level Police Terminal, Greffa Equivalent, only to learn that you've made yourself King of Greffa! What's that all about?"
"It wasn't my idea… believe me. After we invested the City, Kalvan decided I was the best man for the Iron Throne. What could I do, Dalla? Turn him down? 'No. Great King Kalvan, I can't take the job; I'm a former Paratime Police Chief!' I don't think so. I didn't ask for the job, nor did I expect it."
"Well," Dalla said, shaking her head, "that much I believe. You do know this isn't going to help our situation once word reaches Home Time Line. Opposition called for a Vote of Confidence right after you left, and it came within several votes of passing. You know what that would have meant?"
Verkan nodded. "It's a mess, but I'm thinking about staying here in Greffa for the next fifty years so I don't have to worry about it."
'And what about me?"
"Darling, I've got a great idea. Why don't you resign, too? Then we can both stay here and run Greffa."
Dalla shook her head, hair flying. "Someone's got to take care of the mess you left behind, Vail. I know a lot of it isn't your fault, but much of it is. And there are problems you don't even know about. Deputy Bureau Chief Altarn Vor just finished briefing me on his investigation into the missing paratemporal conveyers; it's a lot worse than anyone suspected. It's not just Paratime Police conveyers; a lot of commercial units have vanished, too. To the order of several thousand. A lot of people are involved, possibly some of the Wizard Traders; it's too early too tell yet. But it's trouble, big trouble."
Verkan shrugged. "Dalla, really there's not much I can do from here. Sorry."
"So you refuse to help!"
"That sounds terrible when you put it like that, but no, I'm not going back. Our civilization has flourished for ten thousand years without my help; I suspect it can flourish for another ten thousand if I stay here."