Antiagon Fire (27 page)

That bastard Bhayar! He decided that even before you recovered and never said a word.
“Not quite. She is an envoy in duties and capabilities. Bhayar decided that was necessary because of the composition of the new High Council of Khel.”

Nykaal frowned.

“They’re all Pharsi. Pharsi women often govern, and since they lost so many men, the Council is likely predominantly women.”

“Oh! And with Lord Bhayar’s ancestry, the selection of the two of you … I see.”

Quaeryt wasn’t certain Nykaal saw completely, but he wasn’t about to alienate the captain by explaining because that would likely be taken as condescending. “Lord Bhayar would prefer to obtain agreement without fighting another war.”

“I can understand that.” Nykaal smiled. “Since you are both envoys and married, you will have my quarters for the voyage. No … don’t protest. I still have my sea cabin near the helm and for a week or so, that’s more than adequate. Besides, I’d certainly not be the captain who did not give up his quarters to the sister of Lord Bhayar and to the commander who destroyed the Bovarian armies twice.”

Does everyone know that?
More than likely, Quaeryt reflected, if Nykaal had learned that in port in Solis. “I can’t say that my wife won’t appreciate that.”

“There is one difficulty. Lord Bhayar … ah … his dispatch mentioned two regiments.”

“That might be a problem, I take it?”

“If you were thinking of transporting them all at once. The
Montagne
and the
Solis
can each carry about four hundred of your troopers for the week or so it will take to reach Kherseilles. The merchanters … there are only four of them, and, well, they’ll average two hundred, maybe a bit more.”

“So I can take one regiment and my command company in one voyage and then wait three weeks and perhaps longer, given that it’s almost winter, if I want the second regiment?”

“That’s about it,” agreed Nykaal. “Lord Bhayar requested ten merchanters if possible, and a minimum of four. We were lucky to impress four, and none of them are happy about it, even for the golds Lord Bhayar promised.”

“With winter coming on, we’ll have to chance it with one regiment and the command company. It’s going to take several days just to get the men to Ephra, I fear, even one regiment.”

Nykaal nodded. “We can’t help much there, but we’ve got two pinnaces, and we can get them from the south pier to the ship fairly quickly.”

“Did the dispatch you received say anything about arrangements for mounts in Kherseilles?” Quaeryt asked.

“No. It just said that those arrangements would be taken care of by others.”

Which others?
Quaeryt didn’t ask, since it was clear Nykaal didn’t know.

In less than a quint, Quaeryt and the captain had worked out a tentative schedule for boarding and for the voyage to Kherseilles.

At that moment, Nykaal cleared his throat. “If I might ask … how do you plan to return to Geusyn?”

“I’d thought to take the ferry…”

“Nonsense. We’ve got a good south wind, and Paolyn can take the pinnace on the tide just before it turns, and then come back. Be a good exercise for him as well.”

“If you’re certain…”

“No one should have to spend any more time in Ephra than absolutely necessary.”

“You’ve seen it?”

“I landed when we got here on Vendrei. Once was enough. That was true for the crew as well.” Nykaal laughed. “You can eat with me, and your officers with the mess, your rankers with the crew, and then we’ll send you off.”

“I appreciate that.” Quaeryt truly did.
The less time we spend in Ephra, the better.
Nykaal seemed a good sort, and the ship’s fare was bound to be better than anything in Ephra.

Quaeryt took another swallow of the lager.

25

Quaeryt returned to Geusyn so late on Mardi evening that he had to rise early on Meredi morning to meet with Skarpa. Even so, Skarpa was waiting when Quaeryt joined him in the inn’s public room.

“You must have come in late last night,” observed the submarshal as Quaeryt slid into the chair across from him.

“More like early this morning.” Quaeryt gestured to the server. “Tea, please.”

“What did you find out?”

“The ships are here. They’re anchored southwest of Ephra. Captain Nykaal has four merchanters in addition to the
Montagne
and
Solis
. That means they can only transport first company and one regiment—unless they make two trips, and that will take another month…” Quaeryt went on to explain.

When he had finished, Skarpa fingered his chin. “You wouldn’t have to take the ships at all. You could ride along the coast to Kherseilles.”

“At this time of year?” Quaeryt shook his head. “In good weather that would take three weeks, if not longer. Now … who knows?” He paused to take a swallow of the mug of tea the server had set on the small square table. “Besides, if the Khellans aren’t in a fighting mood, I won’t need a second regiment. If they are, I can’t conquer the entire land with two. Besides, I’ll be fortunate if Bhayar’s ‘arrangements’ result in enough mounts for one regiment, let alone two.”

“You’ll take Khaern and Eleventh Regiment, then?”

“Unless you have an objection. I also thought I’d leave Voltyr and Threkhyl with you. They might prove helpful.”

“They might indeed.” Skarpa paused. “You know that nothing at all might happen here?”

“Aliaro may do nothing, but if he does, you’ll need imagers. I also have the feeling you may need to act against some of the local High Holders. Imagers can prove useful in making a point without losing troopers.”

“Do you think they’ll try anything with this many troopers here? I have my doubts.”

“I’d suggest you visit each of them and see what you think.”

“You do that better than I do.”

“I won’t be here … and what do your orders say?”

Skarpa snorted. “You know as well as I do. Don’t remind me. Doesn’t mean I have to like being polite while leaning on those condescending snots.”

“Don’t worry about leaning hard. They won’t think you mean it unless you do, not after dealing with Kharst.”

“What a frigged-up land.” Skarpa shook his head.

Quaeryt wasn’t about to disagree. “We’ll just have to set it right.”
If we can.

“What are your plans?” asked Skarpa.

“We’ll start transferring troopers to Ephra as soon as we can today. It’s likely to take several days, if not longer, even using the pinnaces from both the
Montagne
and the
Solis
.”

“You honestly think you can get mounts in Kherseilles?”

“One way or another. I just hope it’s not the hard way.”

“Good fortune on that.”

When he and Skarpa had finished, Quaeryt arranged for some breakfast to be sent up to Vaelora, gulped down some egg toast and ham rashers, then waited for Alazyn and Khaern to join him in the smallest of the plaques rooms.

Both entered together, and Quaeryt gestured to the chairs on the other side of the circular table. Once they were seated, he began. “Subcommanders … you may have heard that the
Montagne
and the
Solis
are anchored south of Ephra. I met with the lead captain yesterday.”

The red-haired Khaern nodded.

“Yes, sir,” replied Alazyn.

“We’ve run into some difficulties. There are only six ships, rather than the twelve that we had planned for…” Quaeryt quickly explained, then went on. “That means I can only take one regiment in addition to first company. The other regiment will remain with Southern Army.”

“You’re leaving Nineteenth Regiment with Commander Skarpa, sir?” asked Alazyn.

“I’d thought so. Unless either of you has a reason why it would be better otherwise?”

“No, sir,” replied the stocky Alazyn. “That makes more sense. You’ve worked more with Eleventh Regiment. But this will only be for as long as you’re in Khel?”

“That’s my intent. Lord Bhayar can always change assignments, but I doubt that he’d see any reason for that.”

“When will we be embarking?” asked Khaern.

“As soon as we can … after I talk with the imager undercaptains.”

Once Quaeryt had dismissed the subcommanders, he then sent for Voltyr and the imager undercaptains, but met with Voltyr first.

Quaeryt gestured for the undercaptain to take a seat across the circular table. “You know why I requested that we meet, don’t you?”

“I suspect so, sir. You intend to detach me to serve with the submarshal, do you not?”

“You and Undercaptain Threkhyl. The submarshal may need two strong imagers, and you’re the only one able to keep Threkhyl in line.”

“You think so, sir?”

“Your shields are stronger than his, and he knows that.”

“He also knows you’d destroy him if he misbehaves.” Voltyr’s voice was dry.

“I’ll talk to him next, and then everyone together.” Quaeryt paused. “There is one other thing, and it’s what I told Desyrk. If you happen to run across any young imagers, make them apprentices or trainees, and make sure they’re paid. Before everything is all over, not that it’s ever all over, we’ll need as many imagers as we can gather.”

“Yes, sir.” After a moment Voltyr asked, “How long do you think you’ll be in Khel?”

“I’d like to say a few weeks, but it could be all winter, the way things are going.”

“Is there anything I need to look out for?”

“Nothing that we haven’t talked over already. I would like to emphasize that you’re to be very polite to any High Holder, and you’re not to trust any of them.”

“You don’t think much of them, do you, sir?”

“Any of them who survived need to be watched closely. I’ve gotten the feeling that the most trustworthy ones seldom survived Rex Kharst.”

They talked for another quint before Voltyr left.

The plaques-room door had barely closed before it opened once more and Threkhyl stepped inside.

“Take a seat, Undercaptain.”

“Yes, sir.” Threkhyl nodded and seated himself.

“I’m certain you know what I’m about to say. You and Undercaptain Voltyr are being assigned to the submarshal while Eleventh Regiment and first company are dealing with the Khellan High Council. The reason why I chose you and Voltyr is because you two are the best imagers, and the submarshal will need both your skills. Voltyr is in charge, because he knows how to deal with the submarshal and others.”

Surprisingly, to Quaeryt, Threkhyl only said, “Makes sense, sir.”

“I’d also like to remind you that you are valuable to me, and to the submarshal. For that reason, when you are called to image something, please think how you can get the greatest effect with the least strain. This will be important because you and Voltyr will only have each other.”

“Yes, sir.”

Once Quaeryt had finished with Threkhyl, he summoned the other five undercaptains into the plaques room. This time he stood and left them standing as he surveyed them.

After several moments of silence, he said, “Some of you know what I’m about to say, but not all of you, and there are matters that will affect you all that we need to go over. First is the matter of who is going to Khel … and why. Because Lord Bhayar could not obtain enough ships, only a single regiment will be accompanying us…” He went on to explain his decision and the arrangements he had made. “Do any of you have questions?”

“How far will we have to travel once we reach Kherseilles, sir?”

“We may have to travel all the way to Khelgror, where their High Council meets.”

“Have you had any word from Subcommander Calkoran?”

“Not since we left Variana…”

“What about mounts, sir?”

After almost a quint, Quaeryt dismissed the undercaptains. Then he made his way to the stairs. He needed to see how Vaelora was coming along, as well as to pack his own gear.

26

All in all, the transfer of the troopers and their equipment, including riding gear, took more than three days. Quaeryt had arranged for first company to begin the transfer, sending Vaelora with the second set of ferry trips so that there would be troopers already waiting for her, while he moved back and forth, along with Zhelan, to try to keep the transportation moving smoothly. While the factor owning the ferries hadn’t been especially enthusiastic about using all four at once, Quaeryt managed to persuade him, if with a touch of authoritative image-projection.

The breeze off the shore was light as the
Montagne
weighed anchor and spread sail at eighth glass on Samedi night, just two glasses before the first day of winter. Quaeryt and Vaelora wore their riding jackets and stood on the upper deck of the sterncastle of the
Montagne,
looking northward at Ephra, and then to the northeast at the somewhat brighter lights of Kephria.

“It’s getting chill,” she said.

“We’ve been fortunate with the weather so far, only a few rainstorms and a touch of snow flurries in the north.”

“That likely won’t last.”

“I’d be surprised if it did. With the clear skies ahead to the southwest, we’ll likely have at least a day without storms on the voyage. After that, who knows? How are you feeling?”

“Like all my clothes are shrinking.”

“They’re not.”

“I know that, but it’s the way I feel. Pretty soon, I’ll have to start wearing the other garments, and I’ll look like I’m wearing a canvas sail.”

“You’ll never look like that.”

“I feel that way.”

Because Quaeryt had no answer for that, he did not respond immediately.

Vaelora grasped Quaeryt’s arm as the
Montagne
pitched forward slightly. “It will get rougher than this, won’t it?”

“More than likely, dear.”

“I hope I don’t get sick from it. I was sick enough for the first two months.”

Quaeryt turned as he heard steps on the deck, watching as Nykaal joined them.

“Beautiful evening, isn’t it?” asked the captain.

“It is,” replied Quaeryt. “Your men got everything stowed quickly.”

“That had something to do with the way the gear was organized. You know something of ships, don’t you, Commander?”