John Carr - Siege of Tarr-Hostigos

"I warned Roxthar not to Investigate the Hostigi prisoners of war-at least, not where Uncle Wolf Olmnestes could learn of it."

Lysandros struck his fist on the stone wall. "These walls listen better than the Investigator. Why do you think I followed the Army so quickly? Be still, Captain-General, I know you think it was to snatch your mantle of command and put it on my own shoulders, but my real concern was to put some curbs upon the Investigation. I had heard about the rumblings in Hos-Agrys from my intelligencers a moon-quarter before I left Hos-Harphax. The Council of Galzar would have moved faster with their Ban had I not sent a large number of purses to my envoys; they spent them well, or this Ban would have been pronounced a moon-quarter ago."

Phidestros nodded. That was gold well spent.

"Also, I wanted to Invest you as Prince of Beshta as quickly as I could arrange so that you were able to issue an edict banning the Investigation from Beshta."

"Thank you, Your Majesty! I am most happy with your command."

Lysandros grinned, "As I expected. You will like the next one even better! I will transfer all the mercenary units in the Grand Host to the Army of the Princedom of Beshta."

Phidestros was completely taken aback. "But why?"

"I want all the mercenaries in the Grand Host, almost all of whom are loyal to Galzar, in the Army of Beshta."

Phidestros shook his head in puzzlement. "I don't understand."

"According to my most recent dispatch, the Council of Galzar has publicly cleared you of all charges of torturing prisoners. Thus, Beshta-and you-are not under the Ban, since the government of Beshta did not exist when the Ban was ordered."

"Roxthar will be livid!"

"I do not need his permission. All of Styphon's House's soldiers, including the Zarthani Knights are under the Ban of Galzar."

"Does Soton know this?" Phidestros asked.

"No, not yet; nor does Roxthar, or even Archpriest Phyllos."

"How is this possible, Your Majesty?"

"It is We who control the roads through Hos-Harphax into the False Kingdom of Hos-Hostigos-not Styphon's House. I have had my men waylay Styphon's messengers, claiming they carry the plague. We will release them when it is to Our advantage; if only I could do likewise with the highpriests of Galzar-but there's no need to further antagonize them."

Phidestros nodded his agreement. Lysandros was far more devious than he had suspected; he would have to be even more careful about his plans now that he was a Prince and under the Great King's eye.

"Thanks to the Investigator's excesses, the Royal Army of Hos-Harphax is also under the Ban." Lysandros face was red and he was breathing faster. "If only I had my-Enough, I cannot change what already is." He took a few deep breaths and continued, "Furthermore, I will open negotiations with my Princes and vassals to transfer any of the Galzar faithful, who so request, from the Royal to the Princely armies."

"Excellent idea, Your Majesty! That will buy us time and help convince Uncle Wolf Olmnestes that you are acting in good faith and are not connected to, or in support of, the atrocities the Investigation has committed in Styphon's name-not yours! In addition, it will take moons to transfer that many soldiers, complete with pensions, to the Princely armies."

Unspoken was the fact that it would also reduce the power of the Iron Throne. Now, having actually seen first hand Lysandros work at power-brokering, Phidestros suspected the Great King might be just as formidable on the battlefield as he was in the upper chambers! As one of Lysandros' Princes, it was now to his advantage to help weaken the Royal army in whatever way possible. This was a good start.

Plus, he could see another advantage to Beshta from Lysandros' plans: once word got out that the Investigation was not allowed in Beshta, Hostigi from all the other Princedoms would flock to Greater Beshta. Phidestros could see all manner of ways of taking advantage of this flood of skilled artisans, road builders, mapmakers and former Hostigi soldiers.

"Now," the Great King continued, "I have another reason for not wanting to have the Royal Army chase Kalvan hill over vale. As you are no doubt aware, some of our Agrysi Princes would like to march into Ulthor and add it to the Great Kingdom of Hos-Agrys; however, stuck in Hostigos they will be unable to realize that ambition. Just as our Ktemnoi allies would like to add the Princedom of Kyblos to Hos-Ktemnos. It is My will that all those lands that were once part of Hos-Harphax shall once again be brought to their rightful place in the order of things. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. You have my complete and unwavering support both as one of your Princely vassals and as the Grand Captain-General of the Grand Host."

Lysandros allowed himself a small cat-like smile. "You will do better as Prince than my courtiers and your fellow Princes expect. I have chosen well. Let us now put these plans into action."

As Phidestros entered the audience chamber from the rear portal at the side of Great King Lysandros, he couldn't help but notice the frowns and looks of disapproval on the faces of all the assembled dignitaries, except for that of Grand Master Soton. They probably think we were making a backroom deal before they could present their cases, or, even worse, that I'm now one of Lysandros' favorites. He intentionally kept his face a blank mask; let them read upon it what they would.

While the Chancellor went through the opening formalities and ritual, Phidestros studied Archpriest Roxthar. The Holy Investigator was seething underneath his rigid exterior, releasing enough steam to raise the audience chamber temperature. Roxthar, accustomed to Balph temple politics, where he always got his way, appeared not to be used to waiting on his 'betters.' According to the rumors Phidestros had heard, Great King Cleitharses of Hos-Ktemnos would sacrifice the life of his youngest granddaughter to appease the Investigator. Fortunately for the Great Kingdom of Hos-Harphax, as he had just learned, Lysandros was made of stronger metal.

Archpriest Phyllos, the Highpriest of Harphax City, was trailing Roxthar like a puppy-it appeared he had a new master. Phidestros doubted Phyllos was making any points with Lysandros.

The moment Lysandros gave his permission, the Investigator began to speak through clenched teeth, "Your Majesty, I have learned Captain-General Phidestros has requested your permission to take Styphon's Own Grand Host and chase Daemon Kalvan and his false army into the frontier. While this work must be done, make no doubt of that-Styphon be Praised!-our first job must be to eliminate all heresy in the False Kingdom of Hos-Hostigos, beginning with the Daemon's nest, Tarr-Hostigos."

Roxthar's possessive use of 'Styphon's Own Grand Host' told both Lysandros and Phidestros that, with or without Lysandros' blessings, the Styphoni-paid portion-the majority-of the Grand Host would stay in Hostigos despite what they wanted, or ordered. If it were possible for the diminutive Grand Master to shrink, he appeared to be doing thusly.

Phidestros spoke up. "Your Majesty, may I have permission to speak?"

Lysandros nodded with perceptible relief.

"Let it be said that I, Grand Captain-General Phidestros, believe that the Investigator is correct and that we must wrest control of Hostigos from its defenders before we send our main force to chase the Usurper Kalvan." Everyone looked at him as if seeing him for the first time; his view of the Investigator was well known among the Grand Host. Even Roxthar, for once, appeared to be speechless!

Grand Master Soton was shaking his head. Soton had to know that it was a huge military blunder not to follow the Usurper Kalvan and drive him and his forces into the ground until the army of the False Kingdom of Hos-Hostigos was defeated, or demolished in such a manner that it was no longer able to function as an army.