Roland Green - Great King_s war

Now he recalled which regiments the mercenaries were with. "They're in the Third and Fourth Regiments of Horse. We can send them to Beshta as part of an observation force under Captain-General Harmakros."

Before Rylla could reply, Kalvan realized that he might finally be tired enough to go to sleep and draped an arm over her shoulder. "Let's go to bed."

He wasn't as tired as he'd thought, but it didn't take long for the warmth of the bed and Rylla's steady soft breathing to put him under. The last thing he remembered thinking before dropping off was that despite all his problems, he was still a lucky man to be here with Rylla as Great King Kalvan instead of merely Corporal Calvin Morrison of the Pennsylvania State Police.

Outside the shuttered windows of the Great Hall of Tarr-Hostigos, Kalvan knew that it was a dazzling bright winter day without a breath of wind disturbing last night's freshly fallen snow. It was also cold enough to perform a traditional form of surgery on brass monkeys.

Inside the Great Hall, both fireplaces were blazing and charcoal braziers stood in every corner and to either side of the two thrones. Candles and rush tapers added their flames to both heat and the light. It was still nothing that Kalvan would have called warm in either English or Zarthani, but at least he could hope to refrain from undignified gestures such as stamping his feet or blowing on his fingers.

The Royal Herald at the head of the stairs blew on his trumpet with more enthusiasm than talent. His companion carrying the double-headed copper poleax that accompanied each Great King at official functions raised his voice.

"Baron Menephranos, envoy of Prince Araxes of Phaxos, craves audience with the Great King of Hos-Hostigos."

Baron Menephranos stepped into the Audience Chamber followed by an attendant carrying four scrolls in a silver tray and flanked by two efficient looking bodyguards in the black and green livery of Phaxos. The guards fell back as the Baron strode forward, stopping halfway to the throne to bow until Kalvan waved him forward.

Menephranos was a tall, gangling young man who was almost certainly older than he looked, which was about eighteen. Kalvan found it hard to be optimistic about Prince Araxes' allegiance; the Baron wasn't the sort of negotiator he would have sent on serious business. It did quell his worries about Menephranos being a double agent.

Menephranos approached the royal throne, bowed again, and handed the first scroll to Kalvan. He inspected it to make certain that Chancellor Xentos' seal was on it along with Prince Araxes', signifying that the Chancellor had read it and found satisfactory. After a cursory inspection of the Duke's credentials, he handed the scroll to Rylla.

In the normal course of events, Rylla would have handed them back to Xentos, but the old Highpriest of Dralm was in bed with a nasty cold that might turn into pneumonia if neglected. Kalvan and Rylla had forbidden him to attend the audience. Rylla had added that if he continued arguing she would tie him to the bed, put sleeping draughts in his wine and, if all else failed, shoot him in the foot. The latter threat was probably a joke, but with Rylla you could never be sure.

"Baron Menephranos," Kalvan said, "It is Our understanding that your lord, Prince Araxes of Phaxos, has some considerable matter he wishes to lay before us. Let Us hope it is one that will lead to good relations between the Great Throne of Hos-Hostigos and him. We have suffered no injury at his hands, nor have We given him any that We are aware of." Araxes' example had undoubtedly encouraged other Princely waverers to refuse their allegiance to Kalvan, which counted as an injury on anybody's book but why not be tactful?

"The Great King speaks the truth," Menephranos said. His voice was also older than his face, a fine baritone that seemed too strong to come from such narrow chest. "It is my Prince's message that he must refuse his allegiance to the Throne of Hos-Hostigos, and that he does out of this out of no enmity to the man proclaimed Great King Kalvan I, but out of a greater concern for his own nobles and people."

Menephranos picked up the second parchment, ignoring the general hostile muttering that had begun when he had used the word "proclaimed." He went down on both knees to Kalvan, who saw that the parchment was sealed with both Araxes' seal and that of the High Chancellery at Balph, seat of Styphon's Voice and of the Inner Circle.

Kalvan described the seal and waited for another round of muttering to die down, before speaking, "We have long been curious as to what plots against the True Gods, and those who honor them, the Arch-Deceivers of False Styphon have hatched in their sty in Balph. Now, perhaps, we shall know more than we have; if so Prince Araxes may have Our gratitude, although We do not as of yet have his allegiance."

Kalvan drew his dagger and slit the seal. The scroll had two sheets: one was a short letter from Araxes that restated in more flowery language what Menephranos had already said about the Prince's refusal of allegiance; the second was heralded First Edict of Balph. Kalvan skimmed the Edict, heard Rylla muttering under her breath and realized his face must be showing too much. He pulled it straight, finished reading the Edict, then cleared his throat and began reciting it aloud.

Sesklos Supreme Priest and Styphon's Voice To the Lawful Kings and Princes of the Known World Greetings: Be it know, that; throughout all the years since the Revelation of the Fireseed Mystery, given to us by Styphon, God of Gods, that secret has been guarded by Styphon's House. Throughout all the years in which that secret has been guarded, it has been guarded not in hopes of temporal power or wealth.

This time harsh laughter joined the muttering. Kalvan waited for silence before continuing. The Fireseed Mystery has been guarded in the hope that by moderating the power of the Kings and Princes to make war at their whim, the lands of the Known World might remain unravaged by war and the people secure in their lives and wealth. Now the Godless Usurper and ally of demons, calling himself Kalvan-

Cries and curses filled the room. Kalvan waved the Hall to silence; if the court continued to reply to every insult they would be there all day. Now the Godless Usurper and ally of demons calling himself Kalvan has revealed Styphon's Holy Secret to all men. He has given to Kings and Princes the power to release the scourge of war upon the land whenever they wish, without let or hindrance save from their own wills. He has so greatly deceived and led astray certain Princes that they have sworn impious oaths to join him in his rebellion against their duly recognized overlords, Styphon's House and the God of Gods. As all may bear witness, Styphon and the other True Gods have visited their curse upon the land for the crimes of the Usurper and the allies of the Daemon Kalvan. Not in the memory of man has war wrought such havoc, nor has the winter been so fierce, nor have demons in the guise of wolves ravished the land so freely. It is proper and lawful that Styphon's House endeavor to lift the curse from the land by all mean in its power so that the innocent will not suffer along with the guilty. To this end we proclaim: that no oath sworn to the Usurper and ally of demons, Kalvan is binding in any way whatsoever upon any man or Prince. That Styphon's House will freely give the secret of fireseed to any Prince or King who has sworn no oaths to the Usurper and ally of demons, and that this fireseed shall be free of demons, fireseed devils and all unclean beings which abound in Kalvan's foul and impious substance. That such Kings and Princes who receive the lawful secret of fireseed shall admit into their councils such consecrated highpriests of Styphon as may be necessary to guard the fireseed from the influence of demons, and that these priests shall be allowed all that they deem necessary to preserve the cleanliness of the fireseed and the true worship of Styphon, God of Gods. That against such Kings and Princes who have made unlawful oaths, proclaimed unclean fireseed or foully used the priests of Styphon, Styphon's House may proclaim all measures it deems fit, even unto Holy War, save that these Kings and Princes abjure their crimes and make full and fit restitution and repentance. Done in the Great Council of Balph this 26th day of the Moon of Long Darkness in the four hundred and eighty-second year of Styphon's Revelation.