General Klestreus' expertise was in his knowledge of the Five Kingdoms' movers and shakers. What Kalvan needed now was a Middle Kingdoms spy ring to keep him abreast of Greffan stratagems and policies. While General Klestreus was in the process of setting up an intelligence network, his efforts were shackled by both his unfamiliarity with the Urgothi tongue and lack of knowledge of the area and its rulers. General Baldour had grown up in Morthron, but had spent the last ten years as a mercenary in Hos-Agrys and was out of touch with current events. Kalvan's greatest need now was for someone in his intelligence operation who was intimately familiar with the present Middle Kingdom players and politics-Vinaldos, with his contacts in Thagnor and Greffa City, might be just the man.
"Answer me one question, Vinaldos?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You could have taken Kestophes' gold for yourself to finance a very comfortable exile in Glarth or even Nythros, so why didn't you?"
Vinaldos forehead was furrowed in concentration. "The truth?"
"Yes, nothing else will do."
"I don't see any future in the Great Kingdoms, nor in the Middle Kingdoms. What will the Grand Host do when they've plowed the fields of Hos-Hostigos? Why, they'll turn to other fields, like Hos-Agrys and Hos-Zygros. Or, if they see something they like while chasing Your Majesty's armies, maybe they'll settle in Rathon or Nythros or even Greffa itself- who's to stop them, other than yourself? No, there's no future here, not now. Besides, wherever Your Majesty and your lovely Queen go, excitement and wonder follows."
That was a more astute political analysis than Kalvan would have gotten from any of his present councilors, including Chartiphon and Phrames.
Now, more than ever, he needed someone nimble in thought and quick of plan. It was time to take a chance. "I'm going to make you an offer, Count. I want you to consider it carefully and deeply. You may have heard tales of Duke Skranga."
"Yes, it's been said that he was your Chief Intelligencer and very good at his job."
"Yes," Kalvan replied with a chuckle. "We had some interesting times together. Unfortunately, he was needed to foment rebellion elsewhere and left with some people I wish I had with me now, but they have done their job."
Vinaldos raised his eyebrows. "So, that's why the Blethan Army left the Host in such a hurry. He is good."
"Yes, he is. Prince Pheblon has been overseeing many of his duties, but it is only a temporary position until we've reached our new accommodations. Pheblon could use someone to oversee Our intelligence operation in Ulthor Port; this will allow him time to concentrate on Thagnor City and elsewhere."
The Count looked down at his boots, as if waiting for them to change appearance. He looked up and said, "I would be honored to assume his position."
"Good. But remember, this is only a temporary position. You will be a Special Operative with the rank of Colonel. Your job will be to aid Prince Pheblon and work with General Klestreus. All of Prince Pheblon's Ulthori intelligencers and spies, as I call them, will work under you. Prove yourself, and you will be well rewarded."
Vinaldos brightened. "Maybe with the Prince's job?'
Kalvan laughed. "You are ambitious! Your good work here has opened a door, now it's up to you to prove your worth to the Throne."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do the best job I can."
"Good. Your first assignment, after Chartiphon introduces you to your staff, will be to find out who else knew about the former Prince's plans to defect. You should get some leads from Klestreus after he's finished his interrogation. I want you to round-up any conspirators and take them down to the dungeon for interrogation. I want to know how deep this rot has gotten."
"Yes, Sire. I will do my best in Your Majesty's service."
FOURTEEN
Rylla and Kalvan clung together for a last few precious moments, then she broke away. "I must leave now, before I lose my dignity." Kalvan laughed and smacked her on the behind.
She didn't bother to glare, as she usually would, or knock his hand aside. She would miss his familiar touches and kisses; they wouldn't be seeing each other for a long time-maybe never again. There were no guarantees; they would be fighting for their lives and those of their subjects.
"Take good care of the little one. I will miss her so much!"
"I know. Little Demia will miss her father, too. I will guard her as I guard Our Treasury." The disposition of the Treasury had caused several arguments, but in the end she had won him over with logic: "When you are at sea, you not only have traitorous allies-please, husband, think no other way of the Nythrosi-but pirates, enemy ships and the sea herself, the most unpredictable enemy of all. Many a fleet has been sunk and her men disappeared without a trace. Would you leave me bereft of both husband and treasure?" Kalvan had finally decided to take one hundred thousand ounces of gold and the Styphoni banknotes to pay the Nythrosi for passage. "I'd give you my Guard, if I thought they'd make a difference." "No, you're stuck with Halgoth! His beery breath is too much for me. Besides, he'd never leave your side."
He nodded. "You're right. Halgoth is oath-sworn to protect his Great King; only death will relieve that obligation."
"I am happy that you count such a man among your captains. I will have Chartiphon, Sarrask and Hestophes to protect me. Please be careful, Kalvan. I fear the Saltless Seas more than I do Styphon's armies and Theovacar's fleets."
"Let me go with you to say good-bye to our people."
She willed away the tears that threatened to fill her eyes. "No, it will only make things harder and confuse them. Your speech yesterday said all that needed to be said. 'Now it is up to our will and our arms to wrest a new home out of these faraway lands.' They were heartened by your words and are eager to leave before Styphon's minions return."
"All right, my love. I will see you again in our new Princedom of Thagnor."
Kalvan helped her up on her saddle and she grabbed his hand for one last touch. Then she turned away and never looked back until Ulthor Port was lost in the dust cloud of their passing.
II
Phidestros entered Great King Lysandros' private chamber, wishing he had Petty-Captain Lythrax and several more of his Iron Band troopers behind him. He didn't trust Lysandros any farther than his sword hand. There were rumors flying through Hostigos Town about who was, or who was not, going to lead the Grand Host, but no one was telling him anything. He was beginning to feel like a Dralm follower in a Styphon's House Temple. The one thing all the rumors shared in common was that the new commander was not going to be him. Nor did it bode well that the Great King had neglected to invite Phidestros to his hasty wedding to Prince Sthentros' daughter. Of course, there were few invitees, but after all I am a Prince of Hos-Harphax. All the other princes within the Host were invited.
Lysandros was seated at a table covered with parchments and scrolls. He looked up when Phidestros entered, asking, "Would you like a goblet of wine?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lysandros used the pull cord to summon goblets and a cask of winter wine. After the servant left, the King took a deep drink, almost emptying the golden goblet, then set the cup down and picked up a scroll. "Do you know what this is?" He shook his head "No, of course you don't. It's a decree from the new Styphon's Voice, former Archpriest Anaxthenes."
Phidestros noticed that Lysandros' words were a little slurred, obviously this wasn't his first drink of the afternoon. He'd never seen Lysandros in this condition during daylight. Something's up, he thought. Is it an order to sack me? Or send Lysandros home, or has Styphon's House cut off his gold supply?