The Fireseed Wars

IV

Kalvan watched as the walls of Thagnor rose out of the early morning mist like distant earthen hills. No wonder the Grand Host had found it impossible to besiege this great city. He was already starting to fall in love with the land and its hardy people. The question was: Would Rylla ever be able to switch her allegiance? To give her credit, she'd been raised in Hostigos and only left its borders once on a doomed expedition with her father to beseech aid from Great King Kaiphranos for the war against Styphon's House.

While in the US Army Kalvan had been stationed in Korea and Germany; stateside he'd visited California and Oregon before settling back in Pennsylvania. With the Pennsylvania State Police, he'd stayed in several barracks throughout central Pennsylvania. He was used to hanging his hat anywhere and calling it home. Certainly, the retreat from Hos-Hostigos had been hardest on Rylla, especially having to leave her father behind to certain death at the hand of Styphon's House.

A large party of notables streamed out of the West Gate and then a dozen guns or more went off at once, shaking the ground and pounding his ears. The guns were followed by loud cheering from inside the city that reminded him of football games at Palmer Stadium that he'd attended while a student at Princeton.

It was a victory procession by the time they pressed their way through the West Gates of Thagnor City. It appeared that most of the city was lined along the narrow streets and avenues, cheering their Great King and his triumphant Army of Greffa. Kalvan wasn't sure if his subjects were really cheering for him or for the fact that the Grand Host was gone and they could actually go beyond the City Gates once again.

He led the Army right up to the doors of the palace and then dismounted from his horse. The crowd pressed around him, or as close as they could, since he was completely surrounded by his Tymannian Guard. At the palace, Prince Sarrask was the first to greet him with a bear hug that made him happy he hadn't shucked his breastplate. Kalvan closed the big brass door with a resounding thud and turned to find Rylla waiting to greet him.

"My husband!" Rylla cried. She looked tired, but her luminous blue eyes were lit from inside like lanterns. Her blonde hair fell in waves and she was dressed in a rose-colored gown.

Kalvan took her in his arms. She was trembling and he held her tenderly. "How are you? Should you be out of bed?"

"I'm still tired, my love. Having babies is even harder work than fighting battles! But I'm strong enough to greet the man who vanquished King Theovacar."

"I had a lot of help. Actually, it was Prince Sarrask who defeated Theovacar, I just stole his seat."

"Yes, my love. Nor will he forgive you for that, either. Still, Theovacar would still have his capital had he not let his greed cloud his mind and forge an alliance with the Devil God Styphon's minions. Did you and Verkan purge Greffa of his agents?"

One thing about Rylla, she truly saw the world in two colors-black and white. When dealing with a bloodthirsty theocracy like Styphon's House, it wasn't a bad thing. Old Machiavelli certainly would have approved of her theories on rulership and statecraft. "Yes, we beheaded the worst of the lot and put the rest on work gangs. Verkan's no sob-sister when it comes to dealing with potential enemies. Plus, he already had a working knowledge of most of them from his dealings in Greffa."

"I'm not worried about Verkan. Dalla will help him to steer the correct course through Greffan politics. Was she there?"

"No, Dalla's still in Wulfula with some of her family. Verkan's going to send for her when the city's settled down more."

"Maybe they can visit soon?"

Kalvan shook his head. "It's going to take even Verkan a winter or two to shake down all the bad apples from that crowd in Greffa. Plus, he has to build-up his army so that he can keep Theovacar from poaching in his territories. The King's not going to take the loss of his capital lightly."

"True. Come, Kalvan, let me introduce you to your son."

"Aha! That's what I've been waiting for." He followed her up the flights of stairs until they reached the third floor chambers.

Rylla carefully opened the Nursery door and peeked in. "It's fine, he's awake."

He followed her in and peered into a large hand-carved cradle with white blankets. Inside all he could see was a tiny pink face.

"Prince Ptosphes, meet your father, Great King Kalvan."

"Hello son." Kalvan carefully picked up the little bundle and cradled him in his arms. He felt his heart swell with love. This is my son, the heir someday to all that is ours. "Son, you've got a lot to live up to with the name Ptosphes. I'm not sure we did you any favor giving you this name, but I do know this: you grandfather would have been proud of you. It's a big name to grow into, but your mother and I will give you all the help we can."

Rylla kissed his cheek, and then he put the baby back into the cradle.

Little Ptosphes was cooing and making faces. He took Rylla in his arms and then they turned and made their way out of the Nursery toward their bedchambers. Life was good, at least for today.