L. Modesitt - Mage-Guard of Hamor

"You'd like to know why?" Rahl chuckled. "He didn't say much about that when he briefed us, but he did say that only about one in five of their troopers escaped being captured, wounded, or killed, and they scattered every which way. I'd judge that there wasn't much way to pursue them without splitting up our forces."

"Makes sense, ser, but I wasn't sure."

There was another reason, too, if not more, from what Rahl knew of Taryl. One well might have been that Taryl wanted word to circulate about the immensity of that rebel defeat.

Ahead to the right were several low hills, and beyond them, Rahl could make out a number of brick chimneys. But as he rode closer, Rahl could tell that those stacks were cold-not the slightest trace of smoke issued from any of them.

He turned in the saddle. "Mines ahead!"

Drakeyt immediately rode forward to join Rahl. "The chimneys beyond those hills?"

"I'd judge so. I'm not sure there's anyone there… but I can't tell yet."

"I'll have the company ready weapons, just in case." Drakeyt turned his mount back toward the main body.

Rahl and Alrydd kept riding.

Even before he rode fully clear of the hills flanking the smelter below the mines, Rahl could tell that the structures and the mines were empty. The buildings hadn't been burned, but Rahl could sense that no one was there.

As he rode even closer, he could see recent tracks in the side lanes and could discern a feeling of recent inhabitation. There were also no hauling wagons in sight. Doubtless, the rebels had hauled away all the copper stock or ingots or sheets and shut down the mines and smelter when they had learned Second Army was headed to Undmyn.

Had that been one of Taryl's goals?

At the moment, Rahl honestly couldn't have said he knew what any of the overcommander's objectives were, except to put down the rebellion for the Emperor… and the Empress.

On threeday, Third Company rejoined Second Army just outside the small town of Secryta, just before sunset. During the entire ride from Thalye through Undmyn and back to the main road, neither Rahl nor any of the scouts or patrols had seen any sign of rebels. Nor had they seen any locals outside, which was understandable. Rahl had used the glass several times as well, but the nearest rebel force, as well as he could tell, was a good twenty kays to the south.

As Drakeyt and Rahl rode toward the inn in Secryta, to which they had been summoned to meet with the overcommander, Rahl had realized that Taryl had not asked him to check tariffs and town administrators, and in fact, Third Company's orders had precluded such. Why?

"You're looking concerned, Majer," offered Drakeyt.

"Just thinking." Then he nodded. Taryl had wanted to know the level of support enjoyed by the rebels in areas where there was some rebel presence and where local authorities had in fact had a choice in whether to remain loyal to the Emperor or to support Prince Golyat. Now, Third Company was in territory controlled by the rebels, and there was little point in verifying that. In fact, doing so might create problems later on.

"Is it the sort of thinking that might worry captains, ser?" Drakeyt's tone was light, but the feelings behind the words were not.

"Not this time." Rahl laughed softly. "I was thinking about why I had to check the records of some town administrators and clerks and not others. It wasn't about tactics or positions."

"Might I ask…?"

"Supplies and golds… who had them, how much went to the rebels, and who was trustworthy." That was true enough so far as it went, but Rahl didn't feel comfortable saying more because he would have been speculating. He didn't actually know Taryl's reasons.

"The overcommander thinks of more than many commanders." Drakeyt's voice was bland.

"Quite a lot more, I've discovered." Rahl offered a short laugh. "There's the square up ahead."

The inn at Secryta was, as most were in Merowey, located on one side of the town square. Troopers, nearly a squad, were stationed around the inn, but there was space for Drakeyt and Rahl to tie their mounts at the hitching rail below the wide front porch. They walked up the three brick steps to the porch and into the inn.

An undercaptain straightened and turned as Rahl and Drakeyt stepped through the ancient golden oak doorway. His eyes went to Rahl, then turned just slightly from meeting the mage-guard's. "Majer, Captain, the overcommander is in the room on the left at the end of the foyer. He's expecting you."

The room at the end of the foyer was opposite the public room, which held several majers and two commanders. Rahl could feel eyes on him as he turned toward the chamber in which Taryl stood. The overcommander was looking down at an array of maps spread over an oblong table that extended nearly ten cubits, suggesting that the chamber was usually a private dining area, although Rahl had to wonder why a town as modest as Secryta would have needed such a function room very often.

"Consortings," replied Taryl dryly, as Rahl stepped into the chamber, "and you still let things slip past your shields, Majer."

"I apologize, ser." Rahl inclined his head.

"Accepted. Close the door."

Drakeyt did so.

Taryl motioned them toward the larger map on the table. "This is the area to the south of us. We have solid word that Golyat's forces-a goodly portion of them-are marshaling at Bhucyra. Here." Taryl pointed to a red dot on the map. "That is clearly an effort to stop us at a position where terrain favors them. We will appear to oblige them.. initially." The overcommander's index finger pointed to a spot north of the red dot. "Third Company's task is to take this side road here and make a brief preemptive attack. The targets are the lead companies of the rebel battalions who are using this side road in an effort to flank First Army. You are not to attempt penetration of the enemy companies, but to make a series of attacks so that they will have to concentrate on Third Company. Your efforts will permit other Imperial battalions to strike them with far-more-damaging force. There are low rises to the north of the road-just enough to conceal your approach, until you are within a quarter kay. You will depart Secryta before dawn tomorrow, and you should reach the target area by late midmorning. If the rebels continue as they have, they will arrive somewhat after midday. You are to wait until they do arrive, or until it is clear that they will not-or until a courier reaches you with a change of orders."

Rahl had to believe that Taryl's information had to come from the older mage's use of a screeing glass. How else would he have known?

"How intense an attack, ser?" asked Drakeyt.

"Enough to make them stop or pursue you. It's not likely that they'll pursue for long. You'll be attacking over a low rise that could conceal battalions, and they should be hesitant to follow."

"And if they aren't, ser?"

"Then I am confident that Majer Rahl will have planned for that, based on the situation and the terrain." Taryl nodded toward Rahl. "After your part of the operation is concluded, you are to scout the area to make sure that no one surprises Commander Shuchyl. Then you will return with the commander's force to Second Army." Taryl paused. "Any other questions?"

"How large a rebel force are we expecting?" Rahl asked.

"Between two and four battalions."

Ten to twenty companies? What had Taryl planned?

"I'm sure you understand why Third Company is required, Majer."

"Yes, ser."

"Good. Thank you, Majer, Captain." Taryl nodded to dismiss them.

As they left the overcommander and walked out of the inn, Rahl realized that something else about Taryl troubled him. Rather, it was about how Taryl had changed in his treatment of Rahl. In the beginning, and even on their mission to Recluce, Taryl had been helpful, glad to explain matters to Rahl. Now, it was as though any explanation came only if Rahl asked for it-and only then if Taryl decided that Rahl should have an answer.