The Fireseed Wars

TWENTY

Duke Osthwuld heard the roar of thunder, so close it sounded as though Thanor's Hammer had struck the castle itself. Righting himself in his chair, he asked himself, "What in Hadron's realm is that?"

Courtiers scattered while his favorite courtesan began to scream. He continued sitting at Prince Varrack's large oak dining table, eating his morning bread and porridge. He was in command of Thagnor while Prince Varrack was off romancing his latest female conquest. If this thunder the guns of the Greffan fleet? he wondered. It's awfully early in the morning, but I wouldn't be surprised. Prince Varrack has been dancing over hot coals for too long now. It's time he got burned. Finally, King Theovacar's patience has come to an end.

One of the Prince's Housecarls ran into the dining chamber, his armor clattering. "Your Grace, we're under attack!"

Osthwuld finished swallowing and dropped the chunk of bread he'd been gnawing. "What standard are they flying?"

"It's a red keystone on a green field, Your Grace. I'm not familiar with that device."

"Any other flags?" he asked between cannon discharges.

"A double-headed golden axe surrounded by stars. They're also flying a blue halberd on a red field. I've never seen its like before!"

Osthwuld nodded. "It's the flag of Hostigos. We're under attack by Kalvan!" What has Varrack gone and done now?

"There's maybe a dozen warships, Your Grace."

"Then nothing to worry about… Order the fleet to set sail. That'll put them on the run."

"But your Grace, their ships carry more guns between them than we have on our entire fleet!"

He tried to organize all the facts that he'd heard about the gods-sent King Kalvan and Hos-Hostigos. Maybe we do have a problem. Kalvan is the one who solved the fireseed mystery. He must have a lot of it with him, too. And his army is huge!

"Did we not hear that Great King Kalvan lost his Kingdom to the dung-eaters of Balph?"

"Yes, Your Grace, but he still has an army, and apparently a navy!"

May the gods come to our aid if Kalvan's dragging the false priests of Styphon behind him. "Find me Captain-General Errock. I need him. Now!"

"Yes, Your Grace!"