L. Modesitt - Arms-Commander

“They are so unlike what any of us expected last spring,” said Saryn, using the flows of order to press a sense of warmth and friendship on the young lord. “We cannot bring back what of the past has been lost forever. We can only forge a future in which we can all do our best.” She could sense that the young lord would not object to her, because, arrogant as he was, he now understood the situation, but that there remained concern…and resentment. There will be more than enough of that for some time to come. She rose from the table. “I am so glad you came, and I’m certain that you will do well in following your father’s example. He was most supportive of Lady Zeldyan and me when we last visited him.”

Lyndel quickly stood. “I appreciate your candor, Commander.”

“I’m very direct, Lord Lyndel. I find it results in fewer misunderstandings.” More anger, often, but fewer misunderstandings.

Maeldyn also rose and turned to Lyndel. “I need a word with the commander, but I will be with you shortly.”

“Of course.” Lyndel inclined his head to Saryn, then to the older lord-holder, before turning and leaving the sitting room.

“I apologize, Commander,” Maeldyn offered after the door closed, “but after meeting Lyndel, I thought it best that he meet you before he spoke with others and before everyone met.” The stern-faced lord smiled and shook his head. “He’s more stubborn than I ever would have been, but I could see him wilt under your authority. You will need that when all the lord-holders meet.” He paused. “I noticed that you were most direct with him.”

Saryn smiled crookedly. “I’ve never been that good at indirection and manipulation, and I’ve never liked people who are.”

“I believe you are quite good at discerning it. Am I wrong?”

“No…but just because I can detect it doesn’t mean I’m particularly good at it…or want to be.”

“That will make matters harder for you in the days immediately ahead, but far easier with time.”

With time and with the understanding that I won’t stand for plotting and the like. She wondered how many other lord-holders she would have to replace before the remainder understood. Saryn nodded. “Is there anyone else I should meet? Lord Jharyk has already requested a few moments.”

“I don’t think there’s anyone else you have not already met. None of the holders you…dealt with…have sons…or daughters,” he added with a smile, “old enough to act as lord-holders.”

“Should we recommend that their consorts serve as lady-holders until their daughters are old enough?”

“It might be best if you were the one to make that determination.”

Saryn smiled. “I understand.”

For almost a glass after Maeldyn left, Saryn sat and thought about what would be the best and most effective way of dealing with the assorted lord-holders.

It scarcely seemed that long before Lord Jharyk appeared.

Saryn stood.

The older lord looked around the sitting room, then stared straight at Saryn. “I heard words that you’re going to replace all the lord-holders with their daughters or some such. Are you going to have my daughter replace me? Don’t give me platitudes about whether you will become overlord, either.”

Saryn smiled pleasantly. “No. I’m not replacing any existing lord-holders who abide by their duties and pay their tariffs. I’m in no hurry to replace loyal lord-holders. Young Lord Lyndel has already replaced his father, and Lady Zeldyan has taken her father’s holding, since she is the only heir. That may also be the case for some of the rebel lord-holders. I do insist that your successor be either your eldest daughter or your son’s consort, and that you and I discuss who might be the best steward for the holding.”

Jharyk laughed harshly. “That’s their problem. My second daughter would be better, but you can meet them both. I’ll be an obedient lord-holder. What’s most important to me is order in the land and an overlord who will take on the Jeranyi and protect the borders.”

“I will, as necessary. I intend to have the other lord-holders follow your example of only having a limited number of armsmen. In return, I’ll use the companies I raise and support to deal with problems like the Jeranyi and the Suthyans.”

“Will all your armsmen be women?”

“Right now, that’s all I have. I plan to have companies of both. I will need more armsmen and guards to deal with those who would threaten Lornth.”

“What about Westwind?”

Saryn shrugged. “Westwind has no designs on Lornth and never did. We will trade as necessary. Since our interests do not conflict, I see no problems.”

“You don’t think women will leave Lornth to go there?”

“There will be far fewer trying to reach Westwind now than would otherwise have been the case. Those who still wish to leave would not have served Lornth well.”

“What about tariffs?”

“They will be slightly higher, and they will be paid on time. Most lord-holders will be better off because they won’t need so many armsmen. In your case, you’ll lose less to the Jeranyi.”

Jharyk laughed again, not quite so harshly as the first time. “You take care of them the way you did before, and you’ll even have me spouting your praise.” He paused. “There will be some who won’t take to you.”

“I know. They don’t have to like me. They just have to be loyal.”

“For some that’s been a problem. Then, I hear that most of them are dead.”

“Those that raised arms against the regency.”

“That leaves a few, Commander.”

“All we can do is see what they do,” she replied.

Jharyk shook his head. “They’d be wise to do nothing. I’m not sure one or two are that smart.” He inclined his head. “I can live with what you do. Good day, Commander.”

“Good day.”

After Jharyk departed, Saryn walked to the window and looked out at the front courtyard of the palace. How many more will want to see you? How many won’t even consider it? How will you handle matters if someone gets unruly?

Saryn and Hryessa walked into the tower council chamber half a glass before the lord-holders were to assemble. Five chairs around a round table filled the center of the dark-paneled room, with the only light from the high windows in the back wall of the chamber, since the wall lamps were unlit.

“Let’s put the table against the wall, and line the chairs up along the wall by the door. That will leave the floor space open.” Saryn glanced down at the heavy, worn, dark green carpet, which was bordered in purple, with gold intertwined vines and leaves. Ugly and then some.

When they had rearranged the room, Hryessa looked to Saryn. “How many guards do you want?”

“Ten. I want the most experienced, and five should be on one side of where I’ll stand, and five on the other side. They should be here, waiting. I won’t enter until everyone is inside. After I do, and the doors are closed, bring the rest of the squad into the corridor outside.”

“The lord-holders…they will not like it.”

“No. They won’t. And they won’t like the fact that I’m wearing a battle harness, but they’ll each have a single blade at their belt.” And my having two blades at hand will subtly reinforce the impression of power. “They’re going to have to get used to having women with power and weapons around, and now is as good a time as any to start.”

Saryn decided to wait on the staircase landing around the corner from the corridor in front of the council chamber, half a flight up. From there, she could sense the lord-holders entering, and Zeldyan had agreed, with a smile, to summon Saryn after Maeldyn had explained the general situation to the others.