L. Modesitt Jr - Antiagon Fire

“Fhaen. Falossn would do as well, but Fhaen has more experience. That’s not all you said, knowing you.”

“I did suggest that he dispatch Myskyl to the north and northwest to assure that the High Holders there, and any remaining Bovarian forces, pledge their allegiance to Bhayar.”

“Like I said, in time you’ll outrank me.”

Quaeryt shook his head. “I’ll never be a submarshal or marshal, and I shouldn’t be.”

“I have my doubts, but I won’t argue. I’ve learned that I’m usually wrong where you’re involved.”

“That’s because I don’t argue when you’re right,” said Quaeryt with a laugh.

“And I argue when I’m wrong?” jested Skarpa.

“No. But sometimes you don’t appreciate your own abilities enough.” After the briefest hesitation, Quaeryt asked, “How many of your new regiments will be foot?”

“Two.”

“Good. You’ll need more foot in the south.”

“That’s why I asked for them.”

“I’m glad we aren’t arguing about that,” quipped Quaeryt.

“There is one problem with the regiments, though,” said Skarpa, “or their commanders. One of them is Fourteenth Regiment. Commander Kharllon.”

“I don’t know him, but I’d wager he’s close to Deucalon or Myskyl. Are there any other commanders or subcommanders in the regiments he assigned to you who outrank Meinyt?”

“No. Paedn, Dulaek, Meurn, and Fhaasn are all subcommanders. One is enough, especially when Kharllon is close to Myskyl.”

“Have you talked to Meinyt?”

Skarpa nodded. “He expected it. So did I, but I don’t like it. Kharllon outranks you, too, but he’d likely not press that. He understands power well.” Skarpa shook his head. “Calkoran won’t get the Pharsi to agree to Bhayar’s terms, you know?”

“I’d be surprised.” Quaeryt laughed sardonically. “I’d be surprised if Vaelora and I can.”

“He’s sending you both?”

“Women have a stronger position in Khel … or they did before Kharst conquered them.”

“I’d still be surprised if you can’t get them to agree.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Khel wasn’t strong enough to stand that long against Kharst, Red Death or no Red Death. It certainly can’t stand for long against a united Telaryn and Bovaria. Now is the time when the Pharsi have the greatest leverage, and you’re the perfect one to point that out.”

“People seldom decide such things rationally. We both know that.”

“Then you need to give them a reason to decide irrationally. I’m sure you can manage that. You’ve done it before.”

“Only with a few individuals. The rest of the time I’ve been far more effective at destroying things and people.”

“That’s true, but it doesn’t mean you can’t change how you operate.”

Quaeryt nodded. It does point out again that it is time to try other approaches. “What do you know about Subcommander Alazyn and Nineteenth Regiment?”

“Alazyn … Alazyn…” Skarpa’s face brightened. “He was the one who took over after Commander Kantyr got killed by that girl who claimed she was his mistress.”

That figures. “What about Alazyn?”

“He’s another one like Zhelan. Tough, fair, knows fighting men and discipline. Not much for tactics. But he’s not from Nineteenth. He was the senior regimental major under Pulaskyr. Is the Nineteenth the other regiment you got? I heard about Khaern.”

“It is.”

“Alazyn will do fine under you. He’ll have his hands full for a while with Nineteenth, not so much, though, as if they’d stayed in the Northern Army under Deucalon.” Skarpa went on. “You might wish to pay a call on Submarshal Myskyl. Marshal Deucalon is touring the lands east of Variana, paying visits to the estates of quite a few High Holders.”

“Mostly deceased, I presume.”

“I have not heard.” Skarpa offered a crooked smile.

“I will see Myskyl, then. By then, perhaps Zhelan will have returned.”

“He said something about returning by the first glass of the afternoon. Please don’t give Myskyl my best.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, even in a nightmare. Until later.” Quaeryt nodded and made his way from the small chamber toward the front of the guesthouse, where he soon located the study occupied by the submarshal.

The hard-faced undercaptain-likely a recently promoted senior squad leader-looked up, then immediately stood. “Commander, sir?”

“Would you inquire to see if the submarshal might have a moment?”

“Certainly, sir.” The undercaptain moved to the door, knocked, and stepped inside, only to return almost immediately, gesturing for Quaeryt to enter the small study.

Once inside the chamber, most likely a lady’s study, from the graceful carved bookcase of only three shelves to the writing table with the curved legs, Quaeryt inclined his head to the gray-haired submarshal, noting that the scars on Myskyl’s left cheek, old and faded as they were, seemed more prominent for some reason … or perhaps Quaeryt had forgotten them, since he’d seen so little of Myskyl in the past half year. “Good morning, sir.”

“Good morning, Commander.” Myskyl studied Quaeryt, then smiled. “I understand that you’ll be off to the west to make certain that the lands of Khel remain loyal.”

“I will indeed be heading west with several regiments to persuade the High Council of Khel to accept Lord Bhayar’s offer of governance. Since he did not conquer them, they doubtless believe that they owe him no innate loyalty. My task, as I am certain you know, is to make certain that they understand that accepting his kind offer and pledging their loyalty is by far the best and most prudent course of action.” Quaeryt smiled. “My loyalty to Lord Bhayar goes back to when we were both students, long before Lady Vaelora and I were wed, and that bond has only reinforced my desire to dedicate myself to acting with prudence in his best interests.”

Myskyl’s eyes hardened, if but for a moment, before he smiled heartily. “I’m more than certain that Lord Bhayar appreciates your unrestrained loyalty more than he will ever be able to repay, and that you will employ all your considerable talents to the end of assuring that Khel will remain loyal to him.”

“I will certainly do my best to create such a loyalty, although I doubt that the Khellan acquiescence to Rex Kharst was based upon loyalty in any form. Still … we all do what we must, as I know you have always done, first in service to Marshal Rescalyn and now in service to Marshal Deucalon and Lord Bhayar. I have watched the care with which you have planned every strategy and can only admire your skill.” Quaeryt smiled slightly more than politely.

“Alas, Commander, your skill in such is second to none, and you have mastered the art of applying force when and where it will do the most good. Of course, not all … difficulties … can be so resolved.”

“I defer to your expertise and experience in that, Submarshal, and I will keep that well in mind as I deal with the Khellan High Council. Might you have any specific advice as to those points I should keep most in mind?”

“Only that agreements that cannot be enforced, in some fashion or another, will be broken as soon as it is in the interest of the parties to do so.”

Quaeryt nodded. “I fear that may be a concern for those on both sides, and I will follow your observation as matters develop.” He inclined his head just slightly. “I would not wish to take any more of your time, but I did want to pay my respects in case I did not have the opportunity before we depart.”

“You are most thoughtful in that respect,” replied Myskyl, “indeed in all respects. As you demonstrated in the last days of the hill holders’ revolt.”