Antiagon Fire

20

By midafternoon on Vendrei the skies over Daaraen had cleared, and on Samedi morning, after checking with Skarpa to determine that Southern Army was indeed riding out, Quaeryt dispatched rankers to inform the factors’ council that their presence was expected on the city side of the lower bridge over the Phraan River at eighth glass. Then he summoned the imager undercaptains to meet him in the plaques chamber in the Grande Laar Inn.

While he ate quickly with Vaelora, in their chambers, she looked at him and smiled. “You like doing this, don’t you?”

“I’d rather impress Bovarian factors by creating things.” Besides, there’s already been enough destruction. “It’s also more impressive, because what you’ve created remains.”

“Dearest, you’re an optimist. People fear destruction, not building.”

“So … I should just destroy parts of the city?” His tone was ironic.

“No. I’m just telling you what people are like.”

“Then it should help if I have the imagers destroy the old bridge first.”

“That would be better.”

“And I don’t want to portray Bhayar like Kharst.”

Vaelora shook her head.

“I’d best be going to meet with the undercaptains.” Quaeryt swallowed the last of his tea.

“I’ll take care of getting all our gear out and ready, dearest.”

Quaeryt had his doubts about that, but merely said, “Thank you,” and then headed down the stairs to the plaques room. All the imagers were present when he walked into the chamber and closed the door behind himself. With Desyrk and Smaethyl remaining in Laaryn with Meinyt and Fifth Regiment, that left just six imagers.

Not for the first time, Quaeryt wondered if what he planned with the imagers was the best strategy. Yet … if you keep them all together, then you don’t create the impression you need … and Skarpa will need imagers in Ephra. He offered a smile he wasn’t sure he felt, then said, “Good morning. The skies are clear, and we’re heading out. As I told you yesterday, we need to provide a certain demonstration for the locals.” And for a few of the regimental commanders … like Kharllon and Meurn. He looked to Threkhyl. “Threkhyl … you’ve studied the plan Lhandor gave you thoroughly?”

“Yes, sir. That shouldn’t be a problem.”

“And you can image the basic structure?”

“Yes, sir. Could do more, sir.”

“I’m certain you could, but I don’t want any of you unable to image after we leave. With less than eighty milles to Ephra, there’s always the possibility of running into something unexpected, especially since there aren’t any other Telaryn forces in this part of Bovaria … and there are High Holders reputed to have forces the size of several companies, if not larger.”

“You don’t think…?” began Horan.

“I’d doubt it, but we’ve been attacked by smaller forces than those might be, and I’d rather not lose troopers when some effective imaging could prevent it.”

Most of the undercaptains nodded.

“There will be one change. I’d thought just to have you replace the old bridge. The Lady Vaelora pointed out a problem with that. Since she has seen the effects of what rulers do for far longer than I have, I do listen to her. Most people tend to forget that the power to create is also the power to destroy, and they fear destruction more than creation. So … Horan, before Threkhyl and the others image the new bridge, I’d like you to destroy the old one.”

Horan smiled. “I can do that, sir.”

“Good. Otherwise, we’ll proceed as planned. Any other questions?” Quaeryt looked across their faces. “Then load out and mount up. I’ll see you in the side courtyard shortly.”

Once he left the room he hurried back up the stairs to the chamber where he’d left Vaelora, only to find it vacant. He laughed softly and headed back down to the courtyard and the stables beyond, where, indeed, Vaelora was mounted with her single kit behind her saddle, holding the reins to Quaeryt’s mare.

Quaeryt just grinned at her and shook his head. “Sometimes…”

“Dearest…”

When Quaeryt saw her expression, and that of Zhelan beyond her, he could only laugh and mount. In less than half a quint, first company was riding away from the inn to meet up with the other two regiments at the northern market square. While there were some people on the streets, most moved away from the riders, although quietly.

Although he had a greater force to gather, Skarpa reached the square within moments of the time that Quaeryt did, more than a quint before eighth glass.

“Would have liked to have moved out earlier,” said Skarpa.

“I know, but we need the factors to see this. At seventh glass, many wouldn’t have come. The council would, but not some of the others, and the more that are here, the better.” Quaeryt glanced to the southeast side of the market square, where more than a score of factors stood, many with frowns and quizzical expressions on their faces. “I’ll think I’ll ride over there for a moment. If you would position the column, with the imagers in front, the way we planned.”

“I’ll take care of that. Be a pleasure to see their faces.” Skarpa snorted.

“Zhelan! The submarshal will be positioning first company.” As he called out to the major, Quaeryt could see Vaelora beside Zhelan. She gave Quaeryt an amused smile.

“Yes, sir.”

Quaeryt turned the mare and rode across the square to where the factors had gathered. He’d barely reined up when Jarell stepped forward.

“Might I ask, Commander, the point of requiring the factors’ council to be here this morning?” Jarell’s voice was polite, but there was a tension in it. “I doubt that the factors need to see your arrayed forces to understand the power of Lord Bhayar.”

“There is power, and there is power, Factor Jarell. But in answer to your question, we did not request your presence merely to see our troopers depart Daaraen. We had another purpose, which will become clear in a few moments. If you and the others would move a few yards farther north, to where you have an unobstructed view of the bridge, everything will become most clear very shortly.” Quaeryt smiled politely, but he did image-project a sense of reasonable authority. “The matter will not take long, and I appreciate your diplomacy in dealing with a difficult situation.” He had no doubt Jarell had been chosen to treat with them just because the factor was calm and diplomatic, but it didn’t hurt to recognize it.

Quaeryt eased the mare along the edge of the paved portion of the square, then waited for the gaggle of factors to follow, listening as he did.

“… don’t see the reason…”

“… power’s its own reason, Vauxal … its own reason…”

“… be thankful you’re not watching executions…”

“… just glad they’re leaving before they require all the provisions we have…”

Once Telaryn forces were in position, the imagers at the head of a column that stretched for a good half mille, if not farther, back through the streets, Quaeryt guided the mare to a position between the imagers and the factors, then reined up. The undercaptains waited no more than thirty yards from the approach to the old bridge and less than ten from the gathered factors.

“Factors of Daaraen!” Quaeryt projected authority, then waited for the murmurs and conversations to die away before continuing. “We requested your presence here this morning for a specific reason. In coming to Daaraen, we could not help but notice that the bridges across the Phraan were in less than perfect repair. Therefore, as a gift to Daaraen, and as a reminder of the beneficence and power of Lord Bhayar, we have decided to remove this bridge and replace it with another … one that is … sturdier. Much sturdier.”

Quaeryt turned and gestured to Horan. “If you would remove the present bridge.”

“Yes, sir.” Horan gazed at the narrow timber span, barely wide enough for a single wagon, with narrow railings and planks separated enough that anyone on the bridge who looked down could easily see the gray waters of the river.

A single flash of light flared across the river, and thin sheets of white fog rose from the water, immediately dispersing to reveal … nothing. Where the old timber bridge had stood, supported on two stone pilings, nothing remained, not even the pilings.

Quaeryt said nothing, just waiting, again listening.

“… what happened…”

“… Namer-flamed imagers…”

“… do that?”

Quaeryt again spoke, image-projecting his voice. “Now that the old bridge has been destroyed totally, it is time for a new and stronger bridge to replace it.” He gestured to Threkhyl.

Another series of light flashes flickered across the river, followed by a white fog that filled the air above the water, water now covered with a thin layer of ice. The fog immediately began to disperse under the bright morning sun, revealing the solid structure that arched over the river with enough clearance for the largest of river and flatboats-but not enough for tall-masted sailing craft, since Quaeryt doubted that few would attempt sailing up the narrow and shallow Phraan. As Quaeryt had suggested and Lhandor had drafted, the bridge supports were of black granite. The side walls and the pillars at each end were of image-hardened white alabaster. The roadbed was wide enough for two large wagons side by side, with room to spare.

Quaeryt studied the faces of the factors as they beheld the bridge that seemed to rise out of the white fog. Most showed no initial expression, as if they could not quite comprehend what had occurred before their eyes. One-Jarell-frowned, nodded, then turned to the older factor to his left, murmuring something. The thin sheet of black ice on the river, which extended several hundred yards upstream and downstream of the new bridge, began to crack into fragments that shimmered in the sun, and more wisps of fog rose from the ice and the water.

Quaeryt waited, watching to see what ice, if any, remained on the bridge roadway, but the thin rime quickly dispersed, far more swiftly than the ice on the river below. He looked back to face the gathered factors. “To prove the strength of this bridge, we will leave Daaraen by crossing it on our way to Ephra.” Turning from the factors, Quaeryt eased the mare over to ride beside Vaelora, flanked by Zhelan on the far side.

Then he gestured and ordered, “First company! Forward!”

The roadway’s black stone did not even vibrate as the riders of first company, and then of Eleventh and Nineteenth Regiments, rode across, four abreast, filling the span from end to end.

When they reached the middle of the bridge, Vaelora leaned toward Quaeryt. “Very well done, dearest. They will remember the day.”

“And the power of Lord Bhayar.” He grinned.