Antiagon Fire

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.