The Fireseed Wars

"I hid out in a deserted farmhouse I'd found during one of my reconnaissance trips while working security for the Foundry. It was mostly in ruins, but I was able to make a lean-to. The area was heavily forested and flush with local wildlife, so I didn't go hungry. I used my needler, as I didn't want to call attention to my hiding place. I did get tired of groundhog and squirrel meat.

"To be frank, I was sick of the Kalvan Study Team prima donnas; I'd been wanting to get out on my own for some time before the attack. After the Red Hand sacked the Foundry, I saw an opportunity to do real research.

I was lucky, too. After about a ten-day of hiding out, I managed to link up with some Hostigi deserters and wounded soldiers who'd been left behind after the evacuation of Hostigos Town. The next ten-day or so it was touch and go. However, on the third ten-day, we managed to ambush a patrol of Red Hand, kill them and take their uniforms. We did pretty well after that. We even had a couple of men dressed in white robes as phony Investigators for coloration. For a good while, we preyed off the Investigators who were combing the countryside for peasants and farmers. But it was a limited engagement with an unpleasant conclusion up ahead, so I visited your boss and made him an offer."

"What did you have that would interest Phidestros?" Sirna asked.

"Hostigi who were willing to join Hadron's Own Ranks to avoid the Investigation. Plus, I offered to help secure Greater Beshta while he was off fighting Kalvan and keep the Investigation out of his lands. I really never expected to see Phidestros again, at least, not this soon. You do know that Lysandros just loathes him."

"I'd guessed as much. He's come too far too fast, for Lysandros' liking, and there are rumors that his father is an important Zygrosi noble."

"Better than that," Aranth said with a sly smile. "Phidestros is the by-blow of Grand Duke Eudocles, the brother of Sopharar, Great King of Hos-Zygros."

"Wow! Does Great King Lysandros know this?"

"I doubt it. I don't think he would have sent Phidestros back to Hos-Harphax alive, if he'd known."

"How did you find out, Aranth?"

"One of the Zygrosi Kalvan Study Team members noticed the resemblance and did some DNA testing. The test was conclusive; Phidestros is the Grand Duke's son."

"Is Phidestros in any danger?" she asked.

"From the tone of your voice, I'd say you were more than merely concerned."

She colored again. "He's a good man. Don't try and make anything out of it."

"Have you slept with him yet? Oh, you have-I can tell by your face!"

"It just happened. I'm an adult; I don't have to explain anything to you," Sirna snapped.

Aranth leaned closer, with a concerned look. "I don't want to rain on your parade, as Kalvan might say, but it doesn't pay to fall in love with an outtimer-"

"Love! Who says I'm in love? And, if I ever was, I'm sure not now."

"What do you mean?"

"The Prince's new fiancee, Princess Arminta, just arrived from Argros."

"Prince Soligon's daughter? I'm sorry to hear that, Sirna. A political marriage, no doubt. I'm sure the Great King's offered her hand to Phidestros to bind his loyalty to the Iron Throne. I've seen her photo; she's not nearly as attractive as you are-rather plain looking, horse-faced, in fact-but she's smart; she'll make a good consort for the Prince. Probably bear him lots of strong sons, as well."

"Thanks."

"I'm sorry, I was thinking out loud. But it's truly for the best. First, while Phidestros is a young man, he's in a profession with a short life expectancy. But even beyond that, at best he might live another forty years, and life is hard in the Five Kingdoms. He's going to grow old quick here-a lot quicker than you're prepared for. If you were together, how would you deal with his aging? Do you think he'll adore his young bride when he's seventy years old, with no teeth, withered muscles and drooping skin? No, he'll be jealous. Maybe angry. He'll accuse you of witchcraft or worse, intercourse with demons or devils. I've seen it happen before."

"You're only telling me things I've already told myself. I never intended to get involved."

"Things have worked out for the best, Sirna. I mean it. It's better that you know where you stand now, before you make a lot of plans, than later. Or maybe bear him children."

"That won't happen. I'm using an implant."

"For how long?"

"It's good for five years."

"That will buy you another three years. After then, what?"

She shook her head. "I hadn't thought that far ahead."