The Fireseed Wars

"I believe so. There's a sulfur spring in Rathon, about forty marches southwest of Rathon City." It had been called White Sulphur Spring, if Kalvan's memory served him correctly. He remembered hearing about it from his aunt who had visited the spa as a child. He'd already sent several miners and a pouch to Chartiphon, giving him orders and directions on how to set up a sulfur recovery station there. He had pointed out in his letter how important the place was and told him to build a big fort overseeing the springs. He also had standing orders to buy any sulfur that the sea merchants brought to port.

Dean Ermut rubbed his hands. "Great, Your Majesty! I have the local farmers and peasants building saltpeter traps. They already have excellent charcoal pits in the city. We should see the first new fireseed by midwinter."

"Excellent. I also want to re-establish the Hostigos Military Academy, only we'll found twenty to thirty of them instead of one big facility."

"Why so many, sire?" Aspasthar asked.

"First, there are now about forty to fifty thousand new Hostigi orphans due to Roxthar's Investigation and the migration from Hostigos. A few will be adopted but most will be left in our care. So we will need a lot more housing. We also want one Academy for girls only, but this one will also be dedicated to Tranth and Yirtta, as well as Galzar God of War."

Aspasthar, who had been made Commandant of Cadets, asked, "What does Queen Rylla think of this?"

"We're in agreement. Few of the girls in the Hostigos Academy wanted to be career soldiers, as I suspected. It runs against too many of the Zarthani codes of proper conduct, as I explained to Her Majesty. She's come to accept it, as long as those girls who want to join the Pioneers have a place to learn the military arts. The other girls will be trained in crafts, weaving, spinning, cooking and household duties.

"The other academies will be divided by age. I want junior academies for the younger boys where they can get more individual attention, some parenting and learn the basics of military life. There will be others for those who are approaching manhood. Finally, I'd like to create a senior academy, which will be known as the Royal Military Academy and offer training to older cadets and potential officers. It will work in conjunction with Military Science Department in the University of Hostigos. You will be in charge of all the cadets."

Aspasthar grinned and then grew serious. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"The original cadets set such a high standard in helping evacuate Hostigos that we anticipate very few problems mixing the new Zarthani orphans with the Urgothi orphans. Plus, the Urgothi children have the advantage of knowing the system; this will go a long way into making them good subjects of Nos-Hostigos. Nor does it hurt that we will be enrolling several thousand Thagnori orphans in the Academies, who will have the advantage of knowing the local area and customs. We will be teaching mandatory language lessons in both Zarthani and Urgothi. Someday these children will be the bridge between both cultures."

"And some of your best soldiers, if I have anything to say about it!" Aspasthar promised.

Kalvan was sure the lad was right. He patted Aspasthar's shoulders. Someday this young man would be all the soldier his father had been.

Highpriest Mytron smiled. "This is a good thing, Your Majesty. Not only are you training tomorrow's soldiers, but you are creating the new subjects of Nos-Hostigos."

They were all discussing the site for the new Royal Military Academy when a couple of riders in Hostigi colors rode up. He recognized several of the men but was surprised to see Captain Jephros, one of Phrames' captains, among them.

"Your Majesty!" cried the highest ranker.

"Yes, what's up?"

"Captain Jephros just arrived from the Buffalo Party, and Colonel Leukestros thought you should see him right away."

Jephros was winded. Kalvan gave him a few moments to catch his breath.

"Report, Captain."

"Yes, Your Majesty. We had a very successful buffalo hunt; the beasts carpet the prairie like locusts. We had a hundred wagons of buffalo hides and three times that of salted meat when we were attacked by a large party of nomads."

"Was Captain Halgoth able to identify them?"

"No, Your Majesty. There were several large northern tribes banded together in a large war party. None of them were familiar to Grand-Captain Halgoth. Captain-General Phrames was suspicious because they attempted a surprise attack, which is unusual for the northern tribes. They also had more calivers than one would expect, and plenty of fireseed."

"Does he believe they were aided by the Styphon's Grand Host?"

"No, Your Majesty. He believes they were led by Greffan agents, possibly sent by King Theovacar to harass our party."

This was as close to a declaration of war as they gave here-and-now. Kalvan wondered, Is Theovacar in league with Styphon's House? If so, it would greatly complicate matters. "How did our troops fare?"