The Fireseed Wars

She nodded and blinked back her tears. Someday those Styphoni scum will pay for their crimes!

** WINTER**

TWENTY-SEVEN

Great King Lysandros was impressed by the opulence of King Theovacar's Great Audience Chamber; the walls were draped with tapestries chronicling battles in vivid colors that had taken place a thousand years before. Theovacar was seated upon the real Iron Throne, the one his throne back in Harphax was modeled after. The Iron Throne itself was crusted with multicolored jewels, like barnacles on an old ship's bottom. To either side of the Iron Throne sat a spotted panther tethered on a golden chain, like the ones in his own menagerie taken from jungles in Mexicotal. Lysandros would have been more overwhelmed had Theovacar found some method, other than the fireplaces, which drew more hot air than they threw out, to heat this tomb. He was very sure this chamber was meant to be intimidating to the locals; however, he was Great King of Hos-Harphax and as such commanded more soldiers than all of Theovacar s armies. If he so desired, the Grand Host could set siege to this antiquated city and by summer it would be theirs. His supremacy in fireseed and artillery guaranteed it. He wondered if it might not be a good idea. Aristocles would balk, but it would be a victory of such brilliance that it would take him out of Phidestros' and the Usurper's shadows for all of time… finally he would be recognized as the greatest military commander of his age.

It certainly would wipe the smug look off this arrogant fool's face! he thought. After waiting in the palace antechamber for four candles, his patience was near its end. He forced himself to breathe evenly and still his temper. This was not the time or place to make another enemy, especially when they were without allies in this dismal land.

The Palace Seneschal stepped up to Theovacar's Throne, neatly sidestepping the leopard to the King's right. He whispered something in the King's ear. Theovacar nodded and the Seneschal stepped forward:

"Theovacar, Fourth of that name, Prince of Greffa, King of all Grefftscharr, will speak in private with the King of Hos-Harphax."

Lysandros noted that the Seneschal had carefully clipped the "Great" from his title. It appeared Theovacar might be jealous of his honorific, I wonder if I can work that to my advantage?

The Audience Chamber quickly emptied and, when all but the King's Companions were gone, the King motioned him to follow. They entered a private room where things were not so formal, although it was still festooned with hangings and colored mosaics, depicting great sea victories and paintings of long dead kings.

Theovacar sat down on the higher of the two chairs and motioned him to the other. After sitting and exchanging the standard ritual greetings, the Theovacar said, "Welcome to Greffa. We hope your stay has been pleasant."

"It has, Your Majesty," Lysandros said, trying to keep his anger out of his voice. Is Theovacar trying to slight me by not mentioning my honorific? he wondered. "I come from far away to speak of important matters."

"So We understand. We assume the Usurper Kalvan is first on your mind?"

"You assume correctly. As you know the Army of Hos-Harphax and the Grand Host of Styphon have defeated the Usurper in the False Kingdom of Hos-Hostigos, destroyed his castle of Tarr-Hostigos and have now chased him into the Upper Middle Kingdoms, where Your Majesty rules supreme." Lysandros said the last part quickly so that he wouldn't choke on his words.

"That is a good summation of the present events, King Lysandros, although you have left out certain details such as the Usurper forming a new kingdom in Our territory. In effect, you have chased your nemesis into Our land and now he has usurped the lands of Our vassal, Varrack of Thagnor. In addition, Kalvan has conquered the barbarian False Kingdom of Hos-Rathon and the princedom of Gytha. All of these collective holdings are now called Nos-Hostigos. To Us, it appears that you have merely pushed your problem out of your Kingdom and made it Ours." Theovacar made no attempt to hide the scowl that deeply creased his forehead.

"There is some truth to your words, King Theovacar, although it was never Our intention that Kalvan become your problem. We had planned to kill him in Hostigos; however, he escaped with some of his army to bedevil you and Us."

"There's more," Theovacar spat out. "Now We learn that your own armies have defeated yet another formerly free state and put her under your suzerainty. This We find equally offensive."

Lysandros took a moment to remove his tobacco pouch and fill his pipe barrel. He was pleased when it didn't drop from his half-frozen fingers.

When Theovacar took out a pouch of his own, the Great King said, "I have some of the finest leaf available, from the Inner Circle's own tobacco fields. Would you like to try some?"