The Fireseed Wars

Theovacar nodded and Lysandros passed him over his pouch. When both pipes were lit, he continued, "It was never Our intention to conquer or hold land in the Upper Middle Kingdoms. However, once Kalvan had established himself in Thagnor, We realized that We needed to secure a base of operations. Seeing as how the Nythrosi were at odds with Your Majesty, as well as having ferried Kalvan's troops into Thagnor, We believed they were deserving of some reward for their actions."

Theovacar's lips curled into a small smile. "This is good tobacco. Can you get me more of it, Lysandros?"

Lysandros nodded. "I'll have one of my stewards bring you a keg tomorrow."

"Thank you. This leaf is far superior to what I obtain here in GrefFa."

"It's from the best fields in Hos-Ktemnos, those belonging to Styphon's House, and specially cultivated for the Inner Circle of Styphon's House and special friends. But, getting back to the Nythrosi, because of this flagrant abuse of your good will and patience, We believed that they were deserving of conquest, and that this effort on Our part might be beneficial to the Greffan Throne."

"How could that be?" Theovacar asked, raising one eyebrow.

"After We have captured and killed Kalvan, dispersed and enslaved all of the Hostigi who have invaded your lands, We will then present Your Majesty with all the lands We have captured to do with as you see fit." If you can hold them.

"Now, that is much more to Our liking."

"In addition, We propose an alliance between our two realms to be declared against the Usurper and Outlaw who proclaims himself to be Great King of Hos-Hostigos and, more recently, King of Thagnor and Great King of Nos-Hostigos."

"There is wisdom in this request; however, We must meet with Our advisors before We commit Our Kingdom to such an alliance-however worthy."

Lysandros knew that Kalvan had been trading with the Greffans for several years so he probably had important friends at Theovacar's Court to represent his interests. He needed to override these partisans. "In addition, and to further show Our regard and respect for Our friend, King of Grefftscharr, We will include ten wagons of fireseed and a thousand arquebuses for your army upon signature of our mutual treaty and alliance."

With these words, he had Theovacar's full attention.

"This gift will certainly command Our advisors' attention, King Lysandros."

"It is meant to, but it is only with the promise of more to come. We still have several thousand more guns that We can present to Your Majesty when you have decided it is time to replace your crossbows with fireseed weapons."

"We will talk to Our advisors in the morning. We will get back to you in a day or two."

"We have one more request. To reach Thagnor City and the Usurper Kalvan, We will have to cross the lands belonging to Morthron, a Princedom We understand is allied with yourself. Is that not true?"

Theovacar nodded. "This is true."

"We would like your permission to march the Grand Host across Morthron territory. In all other things, We will leave the Princedom undisturbed and pay Prince Eythart a generous bounty in exchange for allowing Us to trespass upon his domain."

Theovacar looked thoughtful, then said, "Again, We will discuss your requests and arrangements with Our advisors before making a decision."

Lysandros left the room smiling like a cat finding an unguarded pigeon pie in the kitchen.

II

Verkan Vail was waiting at the Transposition Depot of the Paratime Building to welcome Inspector Ranthar Jard, who had just arrived from Hos-Bletha for a debriefing and some time off on Home Time Line. The large depot room was crowded with hundreds of Paracops of every description, some in standard green-issue uniform and others in out-time garb, like a trio dressed in turquoise blue tunics and floppy hats, four men in buckskins wearing coonskin caps, a man in full armor except for a helm, three women in hoop skirts and several officers wearing banker's suits, with top hats and vests. Ranthar, obvious by both his height and high-combed steel helmet and back-and-breast, stepped off a slideway and waved.

"Hi, Chief."

"How are you, Ranthar?"

"Great, Chief! Playing the Prince of Bletha in exile has been a lot of fun. Everyone on the team has been great, even that minstrel Gasphros. We've got all of Hos-Bletha spinning like a top; there must be four claimants to the throne now. It'll take them fifty years to sort this mess out. That 'steal from the rich, give to the poor' idea of Kalvan's worked like a charm!"

"That Robin Hood story is a common children's tale on most Europo-American subsectors," Verkan said. "Kalvan just applied it to a new situation. Otherwise, it could be interpreted as Paratemporal Contamination. I'm not sure how the Paratime Commission would view your part as the Prince in Exile, either."

"It was Kalvan's plan and Duke Skranga is the operative in charge." Ranthar smiled, "I'm just following orders."