L. Modesitt - Imager’s Battalion

Quaeryt sat. “I’ve had harder, but not many.”

“I thought as much.” His dark blue eyes intent, Bhayar looked directly at Quaeryt. “Deucalon is furious at what you did, you know? Or didn’t do, more precisely.”

“He didn’t look particularly happy when he left you.” Although Quaeryt had a good idea why, he wanted to be sure. “With what is he displeased?”

“You know as well as I do. Your imagers created that wall on the north side of the bridge. That kept the Bovarians from retreating to the south side of the river.”

“We had orders to take and hold the south side and to keep the bridge from being destroyed. We did that, sir.”

Bhayar smiled. “You did indeed.”

“Did Marshal Deucalon wish us to take heavier casualties to spare the northern army when we have a much smaller force?”

“I don’t believe he mentioned that to me. He is most careful with his words.” Bhayar’s smile turned into a grin, and then faded. “He does not forget, Quaeryt.”

Neither do I. Ever. “I will keep that in mind.” Quaeryt paused. “By the way, there is one other small matter of which you might wish to be aware. Just two days ago I received a letter from Vaelora. It was dated the twenty-fourth of Juyn…” Quaeryt went on to explain about Governor Markyl’s letter and the dates.

Bhayar’s face darkened and stiffened, if but for a moment. “I can do nothing until I know more, but that is good to learn.” He shook his head. “At times I fear I am fighting my own officers and their schemes more than Rex Kharst. Were you more experienced as a commander, I would that I could name you marshal.”

“I can serve you far better in lesser capacities.”

“Less obvious,” countered Bhayar. “Not lesser.”

How much does he suspect about your plans and ambitions? Unlike many, Quaeryt knew well enough not to underestimate Bhayar, young though he might be for a ruler. Quaeryt nodded. “I would hope so, but that is your choice.”

“Always so cautious … except in battle, I understand.”

“The marshal thought I was too cautious,” Quaeryt pointed out.

“I met with Commander Skarpa earlier. He confirmed that neither you nor the undercaptains could have done more than you did yesterday. He also noted that you accounted for more than two regiments of dead Bovarians yesterday and made possible the destruction and scattering of two more this morning. That did not include the destruction of the Antiagon Fire catapults later.”

“Which, I suspect, Marshal Deucalon felt should have been destroyed earlier? Even though we could not have reached them any sooner.”

“Commander Skarpa noted that you moved ahead of all his forces to reach them as soon as you could.” Bhayar held up a hand. “No more about Deucalon. He will never accept that a scholar could be an effective officer. He could accept even less that an imager should hold such a position. One way or another, in time, that will not matter, but for now it is best to let your actions, and those of Fifth Battalion, speak for you.”

“I’m here, I take it, so that you can tell the marshal that you conveyed his concerns to me directly and personally?”

Bhayar laughed, if softly. “You understand, sometimes too well-as does Vaelora.”

“And Aelina,” added Quaeryt.

“Of course.”

“What do you need from me?”

“To keep on doing what you are. We should be receiving reinforcements, for your battalion as well.”

“Ah … sir. For first company, I don’t see a problem…”

Bhayar smiled. “There are over a hundred Khellans. Some of them were with those you already have, but they needed to recover from injuries and wounds. They won’t make up all the losses, but they’ll help. There will be enough replacements to fill your complement and add an extra squad for your first company. With them will be a number of other regiments, at least four, I’m told. I expect them all within the next few days. One of those regiments will be assigned to the southern army. Skarpa will remain in command in the south.” Bhayar smiled. “There will also be certain … reinforcements for Fifth Battalion, a few additional undercaptains.”

More imagers to train?

“You look surprised.”

“I had not expected that.”

“I understand they will not be so effective. Not until you have had some time with them. Skarpa was truly amazed at how far you have come in improving the imagers.” Bhayar paused. “Once this is … all over … we should talk about their future.”

“I have some thoughts about how they might best serve you.”

“Good … but they must serve … in, as I said earlier, a less obvious manner.”

“I understand that also.”

“I have no doubts of that. Both you and my sister understand me too well. That is why you have each other … and children, in time.”

Quaeryt understood that as well.

“You have done well, better than I could have expected, and I do not forget, my friend.” Bhayar smiled, a warm expression, with face and eyes, then stood. “I will not keep you long. That would not be wise, for either of us.”

Quaeryt stood, then nodded respectfully.

“Take care … Quaeryt.”

“As I can, sir.” Quaeryt turned and left the study.

Quaeryt had barely dismounted and walked up to the entry doors to Master Saarcoyn’s dwelling when Zhelan appeared.

“Good afternoon, sir.”

“Good afternoon, Zhelan. Why don’t you join me in the study?” Quaeryt turned and led the way to the study, the first chamber beyond the modest square entry hall.

Saarcoyn’s study was far less prepossessing than any High Holders’ studies Quaeryt had seen, but with well-polished golden oak wainscoting and bookshelves, along with a matching desk and circular table that looked to have been used for plaques, it reflected more than the prosperity of an average factor. Quaeryt took a seat at the table and waited for the major to sit.

“How are matters with the battalion?”

“As before, sir, since we suffered no casualties today. Only Fifth Regiment actually fought … from our forces, that is.”

“Did the Khellan officers complain about that?” asked Quaeryt dryly.

“No, sir. They did seem pleased at the number of Bovarian casualties.”

“I can’t imagine why.” Quaeryt let the silence draw out.

“If I might ask, sir … what did Lord Bhayar wish of you?”

“A number of things.” Quaeryt smiled. “He said that we would be receiving some reinforcements, enough for first company to be at full strength and add an additional squad. There will also be some … undercaptain trainee imagers. He expects more regiments to arrive in the next few days as well. One of those will be attached to the southern army under Skarpa’s command.”

“What about the Khellan companies?”

“There are somewhat over a hundred Khellan troopers coming.”

“Is there anything else I should know, sir?”

“We’re most fortunate to be in the southern force under Commander Skarpa.”

“Will we be transferred?”

“There was no mention of that. Since Lord Bhayar made certain to tell me that Commander Skarpa would remain in command, I suspect that Fifth Battalion will remain with him at least through whatever is our next engagement.”

“That would look to be Nordeau, would it not, sir?”

“Do you think we’ll face any opposition before that, Major, if we take the south river road?”

“I’d be surprised, sir. They’ve taken far heavier losses than we have. All their unwounded survivors can’t number much more than two, maybe three regiments. Marshal Deucalon lost maybe a regiment or two, but that still leaves him with twelve.”