John Carr - The Fireseed Wars

"It's just as well," Aristocles said. "We'd have trouble feeding any more men. The Usurper Kalvan has not left us much in the way of forage. We've stripped the larder of Morthron bare of food stocks and overland supplies from GrefFa City have stopped since its capture by the Hostigi."

"So, at present, we're just marking time here until we have a fleet. Meanwhile, according to the latest dispatches from Harphax City, almost a third of my capital city has burned and there are riots almost every other day. It's taken the full weight of what remains of the Royal Army to restore peace, while Prince Phidestros waits patiently in Argros for events in Harphax City to spin out of control-leaving my pregnant wife as the only person between my Throne and disaster!"

"I sympathize, Your Majesty," said the Knight Commander with a shrug. "However, the Order has its own problems. Warlord Ranjar Sargos has returned from his war against the Mexicotal stronger and richer than before. Next spring we can expect his hordes to cross the Great Mother River-"

"Yes, but my problems are not in the near future, but today!" Lysandros exclaimed. "I need to return to Hos-Harphax while I still have a kingdom to rule."

Artistocles held out his hands. "I will not allow it. Now that Soton has defeated the League of Dralm's Army there is nothing to stop him from conquering all of Hos-Agrys. Then he will be free to come to our aid with his army. All we need is patience and time."

"Agrys City has not fallen yet," Lysandros pointed out. "Until it has, it is premature to speak of the conquest of Hos-Agrys. I wish Soton success, but we need help now. I do not know how much longer I can wait here, polishing my sword, for something to happen."

"I am sorry about your difficulties, Lysandros, but you demanded to be co-commander of the Grand Host. And, is it not true that the expenditures you use to maintain your army and your Throne are borne by Styphon's House? What can be given, can easily be taken away; I'm certain that would be Styphon's Voice's response to your leaving."

Lysandros spun around and rose to his feet; his head whirling. "I'm going outside. I need some fresh air." He was surrounded by enemies and his only ally was an untrustworthy former mercenary over a thousand marches away. How, in Galzar's name, was he going to extricate himself from this Dralm-spawned privy pit?

Arminta looked down at her swelling belly beneath the shift with wonderment. She felt a jab as the baby shifted positions and smiled. This new child was a miracle as far as she was concerned. Unlike many of her class, she'd always wanted children and been fond of her nieces and nephews. However, she had given up all hope of having children because of her refusal to accept her father's choices for her marriage bed. Fortunately, she'd had an indulgent father and several other sisters who were more malleable to being married off for dynastic reasons.

It was also true that her father depended upon her advice. Prince Soligon was not a stupid man, but a simple one. He took people at their face value and was inclined to believe what he heard. It was his nature. Her mother had been his primary advisor, the steel in his backbone. When she died of the pox, Arminta became her father's confidante and advisor. She was good at it, and had expected to do it until her father went to Dralm's Sky-Palace.

This baby, a gift from the Goddess, and her marriage were proof that one never knew what the gods held in store for the future. Arminta was happier now than she'd ever been. In Phidestros she had found her spirit mate. They talked as equals and warmed the marriage bed with equal fervor. His secret ambitions were fuel to her own; one day, she knew in her heart, they would occupy one of the five Great Thrones. She would have to raise a new shrine to Lytris to thank the Goddess for her good fortune.

True, to others her husband might appear harsh and cold, but she knew that was because he'd never had a father's love. Phidestros had been forced by his hard-scrabble upbringing to guard his feelings and erect a wall of steel, which she suspected was why he'd named his mercenary company the Iron Band. To her and her alone, he opened his heart and his mind.

She wished he were here with her at this moment, but he was off at the Palace in Argros Town talking with her father about the dire situation in Harphax City. She had suggested the meeting as a way to bring the two men she loved most closer together. Her father could use some of Phidestros' steel.

Phidestros was also seeing just how much support Selestros would find outside of Harphax City for his candidacy for Great King. Great King Lysandros was greatly feared, but also widely hated. It was necessary to learn if he was hated enough that his subjects would support his removal and the Election of former Prince Selestros to the Iron Throne. And, whether the Prince's sudden conversion and piety would be believed, or held up to ridicule and scorn by the lower orders. King Kaiphranos' youngest son had a reputation far worse than that of the usual wastrel or drunkard.

One of the maids came into the bed chamber and Arminta put down the scroll she had been trying to read off and on all morning. "Yes?"

"Your Highness, that rascal Kyblannos is here to see you," she said with a giggle. All the maids loved Duke Kyblannos, who flirted outrageously with them and told them wild yarns.

"I'm proper. Send him in."

"Yes, Your Highness," the maid curtsied and left.

"Your Ladyship, you look in fine fettle this morn'," Kyblannos noted.

"Yes, I'm enjoying coming to term. Praise the Allmother, it is truly a blessing."

"I've never seen a woman wear it so well, Your Ladyship."

"Thank you, Baron." she replied. His words certainly matched her feelings, whether they were flattery or not.

"I mean it, Arminta," Kyblannos said, "I know most don't take my words seriously, but I mean what I say. I've been with the Captain now for almost nine winters, and I've never seen him happier or more ready for action- you've been good for him."

She smiled, and patted her belly. "He's been good for me, as well."

"Trust me, it's rare when these arranged marriages turn out to be a love match as well! I pray to the gods that you always share such a love."

Arminta was touched. She'd never heard Kyblannos speak from the heart before. "Thank you, friend. I know my husband greatly values his old comrades."

Kyblannos nodded. "We would follow him through the Caverns of Regwarn fighting demons and fireseed devils if he asked. If not for Phidestros, I would be a lowly soldier in some ragtag army, not a General and Duke of Beshta." He paused to blow his nose. "I just wanted you to know that, Your Ladyship. And the men respect you, too."

"Thank you, Kyblannos." She had to exert all her self-discipline to keep from tearing up. She didn't want to embarrass herself, or Kyblannos.

Kyblannos blew his nose again, dabbed at his eyes with his dirty handkerchief, then said, "I have something I want to show you." He took a crunched up scroll out of one the pockets in his over-large doublet and presented it to her.

As she started to open it, he held up his hand.

"Let me tell you what it's about, Your Ladyship. I know the Captain has told you that one of our Barons, a former Hostigi named Ranthos, was able to decipher the secret code that Styphon's House uses for its important messages."

"Yes, he told me this. It appears there's a Styphon's House way station on his lands that the messengers use to rest and change horses."

"True. Ranthos, a right smart captain, built a good inn and tavern next to the way station to encourage the Styphoni messengers to spend the night there. He has their wine drugged and, when they've passed out, has one of his men open their pouches and bring him the letters and documents inside. The bartender has a deft touch with the seals and, after he's finished, you'd never know they'd been broken! I wish we had ten just like him… but, anyway, Ranthos deciphers the messages, copies them and sends them to your husband."