The Fireseed Wars

Sirna stood up as if to leave, then shook her head and sat back down. "Of course not, nothing is ever your choice. Did you think your upcoming nuptials would please me?"

Phidestros almost said, "But you're my mistress, Sirna, so why should it bother you?" but wisely thought better of it. He was learning, although slowly it appeared, because he really hadn't thought of Sirna in regards to his upcoming union with Princess Arminta, whom he'd never met. This marriage had been plotted by his sovereign before Lysandros had left Harphax City to join the Grand Host; he hadn't learned of it until Lysandros was about to depart with the Grand Host. He suspected it was the King's clumsy attempt to guarantee his loyalty through a dynastic marriage.

Not that he had a lot of choice in the matter. He could refuse and upon Lysandros' return he'd find himself in hot water. Although, if sword came to shield, his army outnumbered the King's, soldier for soldier, and he would have the advantage of a more rested and better trained army. However, that would make him an outlaw, like Kalvan before him, and he might soon find himself in a war against Lysandros, Grand Master Soton and Styphon's House's Treasury. That was not a fight he'd welcome.

These Grefftscharrer women were more independent and concerned with fidelity than the Zarthani women he'd known. On the other hand, most of the women he'd known had been serving wenches or paid companions. Sirna was neither; she was a Lady. Until recently, he hadn't had the social position to spend much time with real Ladies, but he was getting a quick education.

"Sirna, I knew nothing about this until just before we left Hostigos Town. Lysandros sprung this marriage upon me. I've never even met the Princess."

"Just because Lysandros sprung it on you didn't mean you had to spring it on me. If the Queen hadn't told me, I bet you still wouldn't have broached the subject. If you'd have said something before we left Hostigos Town, well-"

Phidestros knew women enough to understand that that "well" covered a lot of territory. He hadn't brought it up back in Hostigos Town because at the time it seemed far in the future, and because he didn't want to start the fight they were having now. He'd grown quite fond of Sirna; she wasn't frivolous like most of the women he'd known. She had a firm head on her shoulders and a good heart, and he could reason with her like a man. It also didn't hurt that she was the best lover he'd ever encountered. However, while she might be the perfect mistress, Sirna would not bring a large dowry or the political connections that Princess Arminta would bring to their marriage bed.

"Maybe this Princess will be as disinterested in Lysandros' proposed union as I am," he said. "That would settle the whole affair nicely."

"And, maybe Great King Lysandros won't be interested in capturing Kalvan and beheading him," Sirna rejoined.

"All right, you win, Sirna. I'm probably stuck with Arminta. But that doesn't mean anything, really. It's just a dynastic marriage; we'll have a few brats and live separate lives. Meanwhile, you and I can do as we wish."

From the storm clouds gathering on her face, he rather welcomed the interruption when Mynos, his manservant, opened the door carefully and stuck his head inside. "Your Highness, I have an urgent message for you from Baron Ranthos."

"Bring him in," he ordered, thinking: This interruption couldn't have happened at a better time.

Sirna, meanwhile, crossed her arms and gave him a look that would freeze a pigeon in mid-flight.

Ranthos, still in a wet cloak with his breeches dripping water, came into the room, blowing heartily on his bent fingers. "Your Highness, Lady Sirna. Please excuse me while I warm myself a bit before your fire."

"Of course, Baron. What brings you to my quarters in such haste?"

The Baron turned from the fire with a big grin, rubbing his hands briskly. "Can I speak freely before the Lady Sirna?"

"Of course," Phidestros replied, "I trust her implicitly." Surprising even himself, his words were truthful; he trusted Sirna as much as his confidants Geblon and Kyblannos.

"We captured one of Styphon's messengers."

"And what makes this one so important?" It was standard practice to detain every Styphon's House messenger at the Shastan border and give them a sleeping potion along with a tankard of winter wine. The messages they were carrying were opened and read, while the courier was sleeping off the potion at the way station. General Kyblannos had engineered a way to open Styphon's Great Seal and then reseal it so the messengers never knew that their letters had been compromised. So far it had given them valuable insight to what was going on between Balph and the Grand Host of Styphon.