The Crown of the Conqueror

I

More than a dozen heralds crowded into the king's pavilion. Ullsaard's scribe, Lasok, sat behind a small field table with a pile of scrolls, handing one out to each messenger in turn before crossing off a corresponding entry on a wax tablet. Ullsaard sat on his campaign chair watching the proceedings with a dour expression, chin cupped in his hand, elbow on the arm of the throne.

Anasind pushed his way through the throng and bowed quickly. He glanced over his shoulder at the heralds.

"Fresh orders?" he asked. "Will we be moving out soon?"

"No," Ullsaard said with a slow shake of the head. "The legions are staying exactly where they are."

"I understand that you do not have to tell me what's going on, but if I can help?"

Ullsaard beckoned the First Captain closer and waved to one of the stools arranged around the throne. Anasind swept his cloak out of the way and sat down, leaning close to hear the king's soft words.

"Our woes are not restricted to Salphoria," Ullsaard said with a heavy sigh. "I received word last night from Urikh. Those Mekhani we left behind are stirring up trouble on the hotwards border."

"Surely Urikh can cope with a few troublesome savages," said Anasind. "It doesn't say much for his suitability as a governor, if you forgive me saying."

"I would think the same, but from what Urikh has reported, these are not your normal summer raiders. Someone has been bringing the Mekhani together, organising them. Most of the legions are with us, trapped this side of Magilnada. I can't abandon the campaign wholesale to sort out the Mekhani without giving the Salphors an opportunity to take back everything we've conquered already."

"I see that. I still don't get what all the messengers are for."

"I'm assembling the council of governors in Askh. Urikh can't ask them to pass on their legions to him, so I'm going to have to."

"You're going to Askh?" The First Captain's brow furrowed. "Who's going to be in charge here?"

"I was going to speak to you later about that," said the king. "Since you're here now… I'm going to name you my general. You'll be in command."

Anasind rocked back, making no attempt to hide his happiness.

"I'll be general? Thank you, king!"

"Don't thank me yet," Ullsaard replied with a sour look. "It's not going to be easy for you. The situation here is fragile, and I don't know what Aegenuis or Anglhan are going to do next. You can expect the Salphors to make something of the situation. You're also going to have your hands full with these amateurs, the merchants and nobles, trying to get their own way and tell you what to do."

Ullsaard levered himself out of his throne and stepped forward to lay a hand on Anasind's shoulder.

"I trust you with this. You need to keep the army as intact as possible. Supplies will be low, and you need to keep a lid on desertions. Some might be up for a fight, wanting to advance again. You can't let that happen. If the army starts to break apart, the Salphors will pick off the legions on their own. I don't expect them to launch a major counter-attack this season, because they've had plenty of time to do so while we were readying our defences. That said, I'm sure they'll try to bait some of our commanders out of the line. Sit tight. It could be for the whole winter, I don't know yet. Keep everyone safe and ready for me."

Anasind stood and rapped his fist against his chestplate, eyes gleaming with pride.

"You can rely on me, king."

"I know," Ullsaard replied with a smirk. "I wouldn't have picked you, otherwise."

"No, I suppose you wouldn't."

"You also need to keep my departure secret. The less people that know I've left Salphoria, the better. Let's say I'm going on a tour of inspection around the other legions. That should explain my absence for plenty of time."

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow," said Ullsaard, returning to his throne.

Anasind looked worried, realising how soon he would be left in command.

"You'll be taking the first company as bodyguard, I assume."

Ullsaard shook his head.

"No, I want to leave them with you. They'll help keep the legion in order. I'll be taking a few dozen men from across the other companies. Lasok already has a list of names. I want them assembled and ready to go by the second hour of Dawnwatch."

"And how do you think you'll get back to Askh without being noticed?"

Ullsaard patted the arm of the throne.

"I'll be leaving this behind, for a start."