L. Modesitt - Arms-Commander

Saryn nodded. “That was what we agreed upon.”

“Lord Henstrenn is dead, and so are Mortryd, Orsynn, Rherhn, Keistyn, Kelthyn, and Jaffrayt. And, of course, Lord Deolyn and Lord Gethen. Some of them, such as Henstrenn, Kelthyn, and Orsynn, do not even have male heirs, and there is no lord-holder of Rohrn. In fact, Kelthyn has no possible heirs whatsoever. What exactly, Angel Commander, do you intend?” Maeldyn looked almost guilelessly at Saryn.

“I was thinking of you, as a matter of fact.” Saryn was, but only to bring up his name and to determine her course from his reaction.

Maeldyn shook his head, if ruefully. “I am as vain as the next man, but I am not fool enough to think I would ever have the power to rule Lornth. Of equal import is that, while I love my son dearly, he would make a poor overlord. There is also the fact that I do not have the coins expected for such a position. Do not mention Spalkyn, for his son…”

“I know,” Saryn said quickly. “You are a man of judgment. Whom would you have as overlord?”

“You must realize, Angel, that any lord-holder of Lornth you name will be hated and thought a puppet of Westwind. That would also be true of anyone you found acceptable, even if you did not name such a person. Anyone you would not name or could not support would be an even worse Overlord of Lornth than those who have come before.”

“You’re saying that I can name no one? Am I supposed to turn Lornth over to the Suthyans or the Jeranyi?”

“I would not wish that on the worst of lord-holders…nor did I suggest it. You already act as much as an overlord.”

“That would not set well with many.” Almost none, from what I’ve seen so far. “Also, I don’t even have a consort, much less any children.”

“You still are young enough to have children, are you not?”

He’s serious, deadly serious. “I could have children, if I so desired, but why me?”

“Because the only one who can heal Lornth is someone powerful enough that no lord would even think of rebelling, and you are the only one in the land who is that strong.”

“You’re saying that only a tyrant can hold it together.”

“Can you think of anyone else? Even the Suthyans would hesitate to strike, knowing that Westwind would aid you. Was it accidental that you just happened to be in a position to halt and destroy the last Suthyan white wizard? Or that you did not even entertain surrender in dealing with most of the lord-holders?”

“I offered terms to a number of the lord-holders.” Not all, but a number. “They refused to consider them.”

“And the Suthyans? Would you have granted them terms had they asked?”

“No,” Saryn admitted. “I did not want any of them to return to Suthya.”

“Why might that be?”

“So that the Suthyan Council would think twice about sending mages or wizards against either Westwind or Lornth…and so that they would have fewer to send if they so decided.”

“You see?” Maeldyn smiled. “You already think as an overlord should. In time, if it is not true already, you will be stronger than your Marshal.” He paused. “Do not tell me you have not thought about it.” His face was serious, but Saryn could detect amusement behind the words.

“I did not…not until we reached Duevek. Still…just assuming that I agree to your idea, Lord Maeldyn, how will you and all the other lord-holders feel if I insist that every lord-holder name his eldest daughter as his heir, and if he does not have a daughter, his sister’s eldest daughter? Or perhaps his eldest son’s consort?”

“Do you think that wise?”

“Wise? I don’t know, but something has to be done to stop this practice of bloodying the entire land to prove who is mightier.”

“How would the daughters prove their ability?”

“I have an idea about that.”

“I thought you might.” Maeldyn’s voice was dry.

Yet Saryn could not sense either anger or dissatisfaction behind the dour-looking lord’s words. “I would have them all trained at arms in the Westwind style, and none who could not be guards would be allowed to become lady-holders.”

“You seem to have that ability to train women.”

Saryn shook her head. “I can, but Captain Hryessa has done all the training in Lornth. I’ve had little enough time.”

“Except to teach my daughters more in an afternoon than I could have in an eightday. Your captain is also most adept at recruiting. In your name.”

Saryn smiled wryly. Already, more than a score of local women had appeared outside the holding walls, begging to be trained as guards.

“Before we reach Lornth, you will have more than two companies under arms. That is twice, perhaps four times what any other lord-holder now has available for men at arms. Even your head ostler was able to kill two men.”

Two? Saryn hadn’t realized that, but she hadn’t asked, either.

“Oh, one other matter. Spalkyn, Lady Zeldyan, and I all agree that, should you agree to become overlord, you will also receive Duevek as your holding, as well as Lornth. With two holdings, you will have enough in income, in addition to tariffs, to support the forces required of an overlord.”

“And the others? Will they agree?”

“The ones who are no longer with us and have no heirs certainly cannot object. From what Lady Zeldyan has indicated, neither Jharyk nor Barcauyn will object, and that would suggest a majority will support you.”

“Or not oppose me openly,” said Saryn.

“They will all know that the alternatives are far worse.”

“What about Lord Spalkyn?”

“He cannot state so openly, but he would be most relieved if one of his daughters could succeed him.”

“They do show promise,” Saryn admitted.

Maeldyn glanced toward the study door. “If you would excuse me, Commander, I believe Lady Zeldyan would like a word with you.”

“You all have talked this over, haven’t you?”

Maeldyn stood, then shrugged. “Like you, we wish the fighting and the bloodshed to end. I especially agree with your point about Lornth needing a tyrant-a benevolent and intelligent tyrant, but one who will not hesitate to destroy a rebellious lord. Times have changed, and if we do not change with them, we will perish. I would preserve what we can, rather than lose all.”

Saryn stood. “I would like to talk to Zeldyan before I make a final decision.” As if you already haven’t, but there is the business of being political.

“That is most reasonable and right.” Maeldyn smiled knowingly.

Saryn almost shook her head ruefully. She definitely needed Maeldyn as one of her advisors.

The stern-faced lord opened the door, holding it for Zeldyan, who entered quietly. Maeldyn stepped out and closed the door behind himself. Saryn gestured to the table, but only reseated herself as Zeldyan sat down.

“You are going to become overlord, aren’t you?” said Zeldyan, although her tone made clear that she was not really asking the question.

“Lord Maeldyn requested that I consider it. I told him that I would not decide until after I talked with you.”

“You don’t need my approval.”

“But your advice and support I do need,” said Saryn as warmly as she could. “You will be one of the most influential holders if I so decide.”

“You are kind.”

“I’m trying to be practical. You deserve to hold your family’s lands. You deserve to be the overlord…” Saryn hoped Zeldyan would reply.

“The other lord-holders would not agree, and I do not have the power or the ability at arms that you have shown. You have bested everyone who has come against you.” Zeldyan smiled. “Besides…does either of us have a choice?”