John Carr - Siege of Tarr-Hostigos

"He did this contrary to the Grand Master's personal orders. He is not to be trusted."

Anaxthenes nodded, "My thoughts exactly. Of course, with Roxthar still in Hostigos, the problem may resolve itself with Phidestros under Investigation. However, Roxthar is a dangerous tool-like one of Kalvan's rapiers which I have heard has a deadly point as well as a sharp blade."

Danthor added, "Truly, the Roxthar and his Investigation are now endangering the Temple. With Hos-Hostigos gone, does Styphon need Roxthar?"

"Haaa! Better, yet, does Styphon's House need the Investigator and his Investigation? Yes, this is the sticking point for the Inner Circle-most of whom wet themselves upon hearing the Investigator's very footsteps!"

Danthor nodded solemnly. "Fortunately, Speaker, there are those among the Inner Circle who still have their backbones."

Anaxthenes smiled, but refrained from comment. This Blethan High-priest appeared to be a good prospect for the new Inner Circle. At the next session of the Inner Circle, he would have Archpriest Heraclestros put Danthor's name up for investiture. He knew that he'd promised King Cleitharses he'd have Danthor elevated as Archpriest, but he could have stalled until Old Rat's Nest died, had he not sensed a kindred soul.

Now, he needed information. "How did our new Great King take to Kalvan's troubles?"

"Not well, Speaker. When I last saw Nestros, before my departure to Balph, he was cradling his head in his arms as though in great pain. I fear our new Pretender of the soon-to-be shortly lived Kingdom of Hos-Rathon is beginning to doubt the wisdom of his rash change of allies. As well he should! I spent half of his treasury building new Temples and shrines to Styphon!"

"Very good, he will have little gold to spend on troops and weapons. New taxes will turn his friends into enemies and embolden those who already despise him. I hope you thought to bring some of this gold home to Balph with you."

"Of course, Speaker… the other half!"

They both howled.

"I brought back four wagon loads of valuables from Hos-Rathon, everything that wasn't tied down!"

"How come I haven't heard about these wagons?"

"What, Speaker, and have every temple rat between here and Rathon stealing the scraps? No, I hand-picked men from my bodyguard to protect the treasure. I ensured the teamsters' silence by having their tongues cut off. Of course, the teamsters will be suitably rewarded now that the treasure has arrived in Balph. Maybe Styphon will grow them new tongues!"

Despite himself, Anaxthenes chuckled. "We need more highpriests with your wit, and foresight." I'm going to have to keep an eye on this one, he thought. Then his curiosity got the best of him, "What have you done with the treasure?"

"With Styphon's own coffers already so over-burdened with gold and other riches, I thought this wealth might be more valuable as a private Inner Circle treasury, for those deeds that are wont to be kept secret."

Oh, you are good! thought Anaxthenes. "Most perspicacious of you, Highpriest. I will see that you are personally given one tenth of all the treasure." He failed to mention that he would personally take a third for himself. Of course, if Danthor were half as smart as he came across, he would have already taken his own third! Too bad he couldn't question those drivers himself…

"That is more than fair, Speaker." Danthor replied.

"Did you hear any word of the Usurper's plans while you were in False Kingdom of Hos-Rathon?"

"No. I left just after news of the Battle of Ardros Field reached Rathon 'City.' There was no joy in the streets of Rathon, nor any on Nestros' face at word of Styphon's great victory. Kalvan was only in Hos-Rathon for a short time, but he made many friends among the commoners and soldiers there."

Anaxthenes shrugged. "Kalvan's victory over the Order of Zarthani Knights did not tarnish his reputation, either. Still, if Kalvan had not wooed Ranjar Sargos so ardently, we would have never been able to convince that blockhead Nestros that Kalvan was untrustworthy."

"It was Nestros' ambition that was his undoing. He desired to be what he could not be and will never be-a Great King."

"Most true. He is the Great King of Swine of the Trygathi Pigpen. But what of Sargos? There could be danger for all of us if Kalvan were to join with the nomads and then worry our borders."

"Xiphlon has hired this Warlord who deems himself Great King, like Nestros, under the Urgothi title, Var-Wannax. It is said that Sargos has taken a great army to the Sea of Grass to subdue the Ruthani and Mexicotal who besieged Xiphlon. Win or lose, Sargos will be in no position to help Kalvan."

"You have brought us much good news, Danthor. Now it is my turn to give you some; I will sponsor your investiture as Archpriest at the next Council. In return, I expect your complete loyalty and that you will act as my ear in Great King Cleitharses' audience chamber and library."

Danthor bowed his head. "Your wish is my command, Speaker."

Heraclestros, holding a torch, was the first to arrive at the Tomb after Anaxthenes, and was quickly followed by the other seven Archpriests who were the core of the Inner Circle cabal against Roxthar. The Relic Tomb was damp and cold despite the heat outside above the streets. At the center of the Tomb were the sacred bones of Trythos, the priest of Styphon who had discovered the true value of the Fireseed Secret. The bones were covered in gold leaf and placed in a glass coffin edged with gold and silver.

"The Usurper is vanquished!" Heraclestros announced.

"Not truly, he still breathes," Anaxthenes said.

"As does Sesklos," someone else intoned.

Anaxthenes ignored the jibe; Sesklos would dwell in Regwarn's Caverns soon enough-as would Kalvan. "The Grand Host will bring the Usurper to heel soon enough, if the Inner Circle stays out of the commander's path. I have more interesting news to impart.

"Today Sesklos received a post from the Holy Investigator," Anaxthenes paused to pick up a parchment filled with runes that looked like they'd been burned into the sheepskin. "Let me read Roxthar's own words:

Styphon's Voice On Earth,

Tarr-Hostigos, the last symbol of the Daemon's rule over this accursed land, was destroyed today. The siege under Grand Master Soton and Grand Captain-Phidestros took a moon to conclude. All of Kalvan's minions and imps died today when Styphon caused the tarr's fireseed stores to explode-ending this blasphemy against the True God for all time. Let all of Balph rejoice in His victory-All Hail Styphon!

Our mission here is not complete, as heresy is deeply rooted in the blighted lands of the False Kingdom Hos-Hostigos. We are resolved to Investigate every man, woman and child in this Styphon-forsaken kingdom until we have ended Kalvan's pestilence for all time.

The omens have augured well for the Investigation; the skies have opened and voiced their displeasure upon the False Kingdom, deluging the earth with water in an attempt to scour the very memory of Hos-Hostigos from the land.

We will not be returning to Balph until winter at the earliest. Grand Captain-General Phidestros, who has proven unworthy of the trust we have placed in his hands, will shortly be dismissed as Commander of the Grand Host. Great King Lysandros has invested him, in reward for his service to the Iron Throne, as Prince of Greater Beshta, which is comprised of two Princedoms of the former False Kingdom of Hos-Hostigos. He refuses our offer of Investigation, for now. We will deal with Prince Phidestros and his heretics when our more pressing duties have been completed."

Anaxthenes tried to remember the chain of command of the Grand Host. Grand Captain-General Phidestros had been forced by Lysandros to relinquish his command of the Royal Harphaxi army to become overall commander of the Grand Host. Regardless, Phidestros was oath-sworn to Lysandros so, despite Roxthar's pronouncement, Phidestros could only be dismissed by his Great King. Both, of course, in actuality were in the pay of Styphon's House. Still, they believed themselves free men and would continue to act in this manner, despite Roxthar's wishes, until Balph cut off the flow of gold-which as long as Anaxthenes had a say in the matter was not going to happen until Kalvan was dead.