Ordermaster

XVII

Early on fourday, after his breakfast, Kharl walked to the study Hagen used and waited outside in the corridor for the lord-chancellor, who was expected soon.

A quarter glass passed without Hagen’s appearance, but Kharl continued to wait.

After a time, one of the guards-an older man-spoke. “They say the rebels have some wizards.”

“They do. From what I know, they still have two left.”

“Ah … are they pretty good, ser?”

Kharl caught the unspoken question behind the one asked. “They’re white wizards. Black and white are different. White is better for attacking. Black is usually better at defending.”

“You think that’s why they haven’t attacked the Great House? Except that one time?”

“It might be. I wouldn′t wish to guess,” Kharl said with a laugh. “That’s something the lord-chancellor and Commander Norgen would know better than I would.”

The guard closed his mouth as Hagen turned the corner at the end of the corridor.

Kharl waited until the lord-chancellor was within a few cubits. “Good morning, ser.”

“Good morning, ser mage. I take it that you’re better?”

“So it would seem. I would like a few moments if you can spare them.”

“For you, I can always spare a few moments. This morning, those moments may have to be fewer, unfortunately.” Hagen opened the study door, leaving it open for Kharl.

The mage closed it after he followed Hagen into the chamber.

“I am glad to see that you are recovered.” Hagen settled into chair behind the table desk.

“So am I.”

“What did you have in mind? You’re not one for idle talk,” Hagen observed.

“Who are the best leaders left among the rebel lords?”

“Hensolas is probably better at tactics and strategy, but Fergyn is better at inspiring officers and troops.”

“Do you have pictures or likenesses of them?”

“Ser Kharl …″ Hagen’s voice was even, almost flat.

“I’ve thought about this, lord-chancellor. I’ve thought about it a great deal. I am not that great a help against large forces.” Kharl offered a wry chuckle. “In fact, I’ve proved to be as great a danger to myself as to them. But there is another way … If the wizards and the rebel leaders cannot survive, neither can the revolt.”

“What you’re suggesting is a great risk for Lord Ghrant, and a greater risk for you.”

Kharl snorted. “Anything else is a greater risk. I know what I can do, and I know what I cannot. When Ilteron was threatening Lord Ghrant, you told me that if he did not win quickly, then he would lose support throughout Austra. Is not that the situation Lord Ghrant now faces?”

“It’s possible,” Hagen conceded.

“If this revolt is put down without the lives of many more armsmen being taken, whom will that benefit?”

“You are sounding more like an advocate than a mage,” replied Hagen, his voice containing a testy edge. “Yet you are suggesting government by murder.”

Kharl forced a laugh. “You murdered a hundred armsmen with cannon on the causeway. I have murdered a score or more through order-magery. What is the difference between one death and another?”

“Lords … are not treated that way.”

“Oh? Then it is good-or acceptable-to kill mere armsmen, who have no choice and who never had much of a say in matters, but it is wrong to kill the leaders who created the problem and have already sent hundreds to their deaths?”

Hagen did not answer.

“Will the armsmen serving the rebels be more likely to be supportive of a ruler who butchers them and their mates or one who removes their leadersand demands their allegiance?” Kharl snorted. “More to the point … how long will it take to subdue this rebellion by force of arms? Can it be done?”

“Can what you propose be done?” countered Hagen.

“Who knows? But I cannot do more to slaughter large numbers of armsmen. So what do you and Lord Ghrant have to lose by letting me try?”

“We could lose you.”

“I would personally dislike that a great deal, but if I cannot be useful to you and Lord Ghrant, I do not see a great loss for either of you.”

“Just … for the purpose of discussion … how would you propose this … effort?”

Kharl laughed. “In the reverse of what is normally done, from what I have seen.”

Hagen’s brow furrowed.

“Most times, it seems to me, a mage or a wizard is used to position the enemy’s forces in such a fashion that it allows action by regular lancers and armsmen. On the causeway, I created chaos with the purpose of moving the armsmen into range of your cannon. I propose that you use your forces to decoy Hensolas or Fergyn or their wizards into positions where they are easier for me to reach.”

“And … if you fail?”

“You withdraw. Is that not done? You tell no one why the companies are where they are, not even Norgen or Casolan, when he arrives.”

“You are suggesting a novel approach, ser Kharl.”

“I’m suggesting the only approach I can think of that might work.”

“You’re suggesting assassinating lords.”

“And mages. Why not?”

“What if they return the favor?”

“I’ll have to go for the wizards first, won’t I? That would be better, anyway. ″

“Perhaps we could discuss the matter of lords after your success with the wizards.”

Kharl leaned back in the chair and looked at Hagen. “You weren’t this concerned in Dykaru. What don’t I see?”

“Every action creates the need for another action,” Hagen said dryly. “If you are successful, then assassination will return as an accepted tool for gaining power. In case you have not noticed, Lord Ghrant is not terribly prepossessing. He’s barely adequate as a swordsman and less than thatusing his hands. He’s an easy target for the poorest assassin. Then there’s the problem of the example that you’d create. Or create once more. For the first five generations after Austra was unified, not a single ruler died in his bed or peacefully. I’m not terribly interested in returning to that kind of … chaos.”

Kharl waited.

“I don’t have a problem with your taking on the white wizards. First, they’re nothing more than Hamorian spies and tools. Second, any conflicts between them and you will be regarded as battles between equals. Not even Ghrant’s worst detractors will gainsay your acts against the wizards, but against lords …” Hagen shook his head. “Austra will end up in fragments again.”

Kharl had his doubts-strong doubts-but then, Hagen did know Austra and power better than Kharl-and Kharl had been the one to touch off the rebellion by his unwise use of power.

“I’ll see what I can do about the white wizards.”

Hagen nodded. “Before you do more than that … we should consider what might happen.” He stood. “Come back right after midday, and I’ll give you the best information we have on where the troops and wizards are.”

The lord-chancellor wasn’t quite saying no, and he could well be right, Kharl reflected, as he stood. “I’ll be here.”