L. Modesitt - Heritage of Cyador

“I still don’t like it,” says Xeranya. “How will Lephi get any experience in dealing with Atroyan?”

“He’ll be getting more experience in dealing with Khesyn’s forces, and they’re going to be the far greater danger in the future.” Kiedron looks to Lerial. “Because of the timing, you’ll need to take Eighth and Eleventh Company. You can also take Kusyl’s Twenty-third Company. You’ve worked with him before. That will give you three companies. Commander Jhalet can pull together enough lancers to protect the palace, until another new company can be formed and trained.”

“Are we spread that thin?” Lerial has his doubts.

“We’ve been forced to place more than fifteen companies along the Swarth to deal with Heldyan raiders,” admits Kiedron. “There are another ten companies across the northern border west of Ensenla, and that doesn’t count the fifteen companies of Verdyn Lancers keeping Casseon in check, nor the various outposts throughout the duchy. We can likely pull some of the northern companies now, but that will take time.”

Almost fifty companies … and they’re not enough? When we had less than twenty six years ago? And you feel you can only spare three companies to aid Atroyan? Three companies-not enough to weaken Cigoerne if you lose-and enough to strike fear into both Khesyn and Atroyan if you win. That assumes that there will be any fighting at all, and it’s possible that there will not be … but then again.

“Khesyn has been raising armsmen for ten years now, and that doesn’t count what he pays the raiders to attack us.”

Lerial nods. He had no idea matters are that dire.

Little more is said other than pleasantries, few as they are, for the remainder of breakfast, and, as he stands and leaves, Lerial ponders over the clearly scripted exchange between Emerya and his father. Why had his father felt it necessary? Did his mother really want Lephi … or even his father … to go to Luba?

Lerial suspects she had … and that bothers him. Still, his father has brought up the issue before most of the family, and Lerial has no doubts that he is being sent because he is the most expendable, and because sending an heir, even the most junior, allows his father not to commit more Mirror Lancers. His father also expects him to use his order-chaos skills, if discreetly.

After deciding to wait in the north courtyard until Commander Jhalet arrives, Lerial makes his way into the early-morning sunshine there.

“Lerial!” Ryalah runs toward him, then stops and walks the last yards much more sedately, allowing Amaira to join her. “Why did Mother get so angry? I just asked.”

“I still think it’s awful that no one wants to consort you,” adds Amaira shyly. “Why can’t you consort Rojana?”

“What gave you that idea?” asks Lerial, half amused and half concerned … and wondering where Amaira came up with that idea.

“When she and her father and mother visited the palace last year. We talked, both of us. She talked a lot about you.”

They visited last year … and no one told me? “They were here?”

“Just for a day,” replies Amaira. “I thought you knew.”

“Perhaps Father mentioned it, and it just skipped my mind.”

“Rojana’s very nice,” says Ryalah.

“She’s very intelligent and very attractive,” Lerial admits. “But it wouldn’t be a good thing for her to consort me.”

“So you’ll have to consort whoever Father says?”

“Most likely.”

“That’s awful.”

“It’s necessary. So will you, when you’re older.”

Ryalah grimaces. “What if I don’t like him?”

“You shouldn’t worry about that now. It’ll be years before you’re old enough.”

“What about Amaira?”

“That’s up to Aunt Emerya.”

“You mean she doesn’t have to, and I do? That’s not fair.” Ryalah looks to her cousin.

“Sometimes, life isn’t fair…” With the thought of fairness, Lerial thinks about Emerya … and Maeroja, or Korlyn, or Alaynara, or even the lancer who died on Lerial’s first riding expedition with Altyrn.

“It should be,” declares Ryalah.

“People are the ones who can make life fair,” says Amaira.

Your mother said that, didn’t she? Lerial is certain of that, especially now that Amaira has taken to accompanying her mother to the Hall of Healing, but he only says, “That’s true, and sometimes it’s very hard to be fair to everyone at the same time.” He can order-sense riders coming into the palace courtyard and smiles at the two. “I have to go meet with Father and Commander Jhalet. I’ll see you later.”

“You won’t go until you do?” asks Ryalah.

“No … I won’t.”

Lerial walks briskly to his father’s study, nods to the guard, and enters.

Kiedron looks up from behind his desk. “Is the commander here?”

“There are lancers in the courtyard. I imagine he’ll be here shortly.”

“You didn’t greet him?”

“I heard them enter,” Lerial lies. “I was in the center courtyard. So I came here.”

Kiedron frowns momentarily, then nods.

Several moments later, the guard opens the study door, and Commander Jhalet enters. Kiedron rises, and he and Lerial move to the circular conference table, where the three seat themselves.

“Have you discovered anything new?” asks Kiedron.

“The Heldyans have stepped up attacks along the Swarth, and there appear to be more troopers moving to Amaershyn.”

“Then we’ll need to pull some of the companies from the northern border with Afrit and use them to reinforce Sudstrym.”

“What if that’s what Khesyn intends?” asks Jhalet.

“I’m certain that he wants us to be reluctant to do so. That way he can overmatch the forces already there and either create great damage or inflict great losses. That will ensure that the reinforcements will be overmatched … and he will do the same thing again.”

Jhalet’s brow furrows. “If that is so … can we afford to send any companies north to assist Atroyan?”

“If we assist Atroyan, we won’t need as many companies in the north. Not for a time. I’d wager that other Afritan Guard companies in addition to those in Ensenla have been recalled. Leave the company in Tirminya, but call in the other seven.”

The commander frowns.

“Lerial will be taking Eighth and Eleventh Company from Ensenla. Also Twenty-third Company from the palace. You can detail some headquarters squads here until you can raise another company.”

“Begging your pardon, ser … but three companies…”

“Duke Atroyan cannot very well object to three companies being commanded by Lord Lerial … either for being a threat … or not being a proper response to his request. And with the companies from the north, that should provide you with adequate lancers to deal with the Heldyans.” After a deliberate pause, Kiedron adds, “Should it not?”

“Yes, ser.… But do you trust Duke Atroyan?”

“Only to act in his obvious self-interest. It is not in his interest to destroy three Mirror Lancer companies, especially when it is likely to cost him at least twice as many companies of his own. Nor is it in his interest to undertake actions that could result in Lord Lerial’s death at his hands or those of his Guards.”

“That much is true.”

“Good! Then we are agreed. You will have orders for Undercaptain Kusyl shortly and three supply wagons ready to accompany Twenty-third Company at dawn tomorrow. And you’ll have two squads here at the palace by then.” Kiedron pauses. “You probably ought to send a squad to hold Ensenla Post as well in the absence of Eighth and Eleventh Company.”

“Yes, ser.”

Kiedron rises from the table and bestows a warm smile on the commander. “Excellent! I’ll walk with you to the courtyard.” As he moves toward the door, he looks back and gives Lerial a glance that indicates he should remain in the study.