The Fireseed Wars

TWENTY-SEVEN

Great King Lysandros was impressed by the opulence of King Theovacar's Great Audience Chamber; the walls were draped with tapestries chronicling battles in vivid colors that had taken place a thousand years before. Theovacar was seated upon the real Iron Throne, the one his throne back in Harphax was modeled after. The Iron Throne itself was crusted with multicolored jewels, like barnacles on an old ship's bottom. To either side of the Iron Throne sat a spotted panther tethered on a golden chain, like the ones in his own menagerie taken from jungles in Mexicotal. Lysandros would have been more overwhelmed had Theovacar found some method, other than the fireplaces, which drew more hot air than they threw out, to heat this tomb. He was very sure this chamber was meant to be intimidating to the locals; however, he was Great King of Hos-Harphax and as such commanded more soldiers than all of Theovacar s armies. If he so desired, the Grand Host could set siege to this antiquated city and by summer it would be theirs. His supremacy in fireseed and artillery guaranteed it. He wondered if it might not be a good idea. Aristocles would balk, but it would be a victory of such brilliance that it would take him out of Phidestros' and the Usurper's shadows for all of time… finally he would be recognized as the greatest military commander of his age.

It certainly would wipe the smug look off this arrogant fool's face! he thought. After waiting in the palace antechamber for four candles, his patience was near its end. He forced himself to breathe evenly and still his temper. This was not the time or place to make another enemy, especially when they were without allies in this dismal land.

The Palace Seneschal stepped up to Theovacar's Throne, neatly sidestepping the leopard to the King's right. He whispered something in the King's ear. Theovacar nodded and the Seneschal stepped forward:

"Theovacar, Fourth of that name, Prince of Greffa, King of all Grefftscharr, will speak in private with the King of Hos-Harphax."

Lysandros noted that the Seneschal had carefully clipped the "Great" from his title. It appeared Theovacar might be jealous of his honorific, I wonder if I can work that to my advantage?

The Audience Chamber quickly emptied and, when all but the King's Companions were gone, the King motioned him to follow. They entered a private room where things were not so formal, although it was still festooned with hangings and colored mosaics, depicting great sea victories and paintings of long dead kings.

Theovacar sat down on the higher of the two chairs and motioned him to the other. After sitting and exchanging the standard ritual greetings, the Theovacar said, "Welcome to Greffa. We hope your stay has been pleasant."

"It has, Your Majesty," Lysandros said, trying to keep his anger out of his voice. Is Theovacar trying to slight me by not mentioning my honorific? he wondered. "I come from far away to speak of important matters."

"So We understand. We assume the Usurper Kalvan is first on your mind?"

"You assume correctly. As you know the Army of Hos-Harphax and the Grand Host of Styphon have defeated the Usurper in the False Kingdom of Hos-Hostigos, destroyed his castle of Tarr-Hostigos and have now chased him into the Upper Middle Kingdoms, where Your Majesty rules supreme." Lysandros said the last part quickly so that he wouldn't choke on his words.

"That is a good summation of the present events, King Lysandros, although you have left out certain details such as the Usurper forming a new kingdom in Our territory. In effect, you have chased your nemesis into Our land and now he has usurped the lands of Our vassal, Varrack of Thagnor. In addition, Kalvan has conquered the barbarian False Kingdom of Hos-Rathon and the princedom of Gytha. All of these collective holdings are now called Nos-Hostigos. To Us, it appears that you have merely pushed your problem out of your Kingdom and made it Ours." Theovacar made no attempt to hide the scowl that deeply creased his forehead.

"There is some truth to your words, King Theovacar, although it was never Our intention that Kalvan become your problem. We had planned to kill him in Hostigos; however, he escaped with some of his army to bedevil you and Us."

"There's more," Theovacar spat out. "Now We learn that your own armies have defeated yet another formerly free state and put her under your suzerainty. This We find equally offensive."

Lysandros took a moment to remove his tobacco pouch and fill his pipe barrel. He was pleased when it didn't drop from his half-frozen fingers.

When Theovacar took out a pouch of his own, the Great King said, "I have some of the finest leaf available, from the Inner Circle's own tobacco fields. Would you like to try some?"

Theovacar nodded and Lysandros passed him over his pouch. When both pipes were lit, he continued, "It was never Our intention to conquer or hold land in the Upper Middle Kingdoms. However, once Kalvan had established himself in Thagnor, We realized that We needed to secure a base of operations. Seeing as how the Nythrosi were at odds with Your Majesty, as well as having ferried Kalvan's troops into Thagnor, We believed they were deserving of some reward for their actions."

Theovacar's lips curled into a small smile. "This is good tobacco. Can you get me more of it, Lysandros?"

Lysandros nodded. "I'll have one of my stewards bring you a keg tomorrow."

"Thank you. This leaf is far superior to what I obtain here in GrefFa."

"It's from the best fields in Hos-Ktemnos, those belonging to Styphon's House, and specially cultivated for the Inner Circle of Styphon's House and special friends. But, getting back to the Nythrosi, because of this flagrant abuse of your good will and patience, We believed that they were deserving of conquest, and that this effort on Our part might be beneficial to the Greffan Throne."

"How could that be?" Theovacar asked, raising one eyebrow.

"After We have captured and killed Kalvan, dispersed and enslaved all of the Hostigi who have invaded your lands, We will then present Your Majesty with all the lands We have captured to do with as you see fit." If you can hold them.

"Now, that is much more to Our liking."

"In addition, We propose an alliance between our two realms to be declared against the Usurper and Outlaw who proclaims himself to be Great King of Hos-Hostigos and, more recently, King of Thagnor and Great King of Nos-Hostigos."

"There is wisdom in this request; however, We must meet with Our advisors before We commit Our Kingdom to such an alliance-however worthy."

Lysandros knew that Kalvan had been trading with the Greffans for several years so he probably had important friends at Theovacar's Court to represent his interests. He needed to override these partisans. "In addition, and to further show Our regard and respect for Our friend, King of Grefftscharr, We will include ten wagons of fireseed and a thousand arquebuses for your army upon signature of our mutual treaty and alliance."

With these words, he had Theovacar's full attention.

"This gift will certainly command Our advisors' attention, King Lysandros."

"It is meant to, but it is only with the promise of more to come. We still have several thousand more guns that We can present to Your Majesty when you have decided it is time to replace your crossbows with fireseed weapons."

"We will talk to Our advisors in the morning. We will get back to you in a day or two."

"We have one more request. To reach Thagnor City and the Usurper Kalvan, We will have to cross the lands belonging to Morthron, a Princedom We understand is allied with yourself. Is that not true?"

Theovacar nodded. "This is true."

"We would like your permission to march the Grand Host across Morthron territory. In all other things, We will leave the Princedom undisturbed and pay Prince Eythart a generous bounty in exchange for allowing Us to trespass upon his domain."

Theovacar looked thoughtful, then said, "Again, We will discuss your requests and arrangements with Our advisors before making a decision."

Lysandros left the room smiling like a cat finding an unguarded pigeon pie in the kitchen.