The Fireseed Wars

She nodded. Every prince in Hos-Harphax, including her father, worried where Lysandros' next arrow might fall. She doubted her father would have gone along with this marriage, if it hadn't been for Lysandros' implied threats. Prince Soligon had been one of the few Harphaxi princes to join the League of Dralm; he had just as quickly resigned when Lysandros was raised to the Iron Throne. However, there were still doubts about Soligon's fidelity; her marriage to Phidestros was demonstrable proof of her father's loyalty.

"When the right time comes," he said, "I plan to be in a position to take full advantage of whatever opportunities the Goddess Lytris provides."

"What about King Demistophon? He might not be eager to see a former Harphaxi captain-general and prince mount himself upon the Ivory Throne."

Phidestros made a wry smile. "Demistophon will not be in a position to contest anything but his own throne come this spring!"

"What do you mean?"

"I have intercepted communications between Balph and the Grand Host, as well as Grand Master Soton and Grand Commander Aristocles. Soton is under orders to invade Hos-Agrys and put Demistophon to the sword. Great King Demistophon will be lucky if he still has his head on his shoulders by this time next winter."

"You are well informed, Phidestros. I have not heard even a breath of rumor about this invasion in Argros, and we're on the border of Hos-Agrys!"

"Grand Master Soton has moved his forces into Thebra and cordoned off the area, much like the Usurper did after he won his first battle in Hostigos. Soton will be attacking Agrys City in the spring. Now that you know what you're letting yourself in for, do I have your support?"

For a moment, she wondered what he might do were she to refuse. Might he arrange a convenient accident on her behalf? Well, she would never know. She was thoroughly captivated by his ambition, manliness and spirit. "Yes," she said, "you will have my complete support. This time of troubles may allow a reordering of the old order. I had not dreamed of rising so high in this lifetime, but I would welcome the challenge. It would also please me greatly to place our children upon the Ivory Throne.

"However," she added, "I have one caveat. I know I'm not very attractive and that you will have your concubines. However, I do want you to know that I will not be made a fool of, nor do I want your affairs to become public knowledge."

Phidestros pushed back in his chair, his face an open scroll. "You have my oath, by Galzar! I only have one mistress and she is leaving for Harphax City. Sirna told me that she was unable to conceive, so there will be no issue there. Nor do I have any plans to take another mistress this close to my seat or anywhere else. I know full well what it is to live as a fatherless son. You appear to be enough of a woman, once your fires are lit, to satisfy any man's appetites."

He leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the lips that sparked a shock right down to her toes.

"Now let's return to the Hall before too many tongues begin to wag. You know what they're thinking, don't you?"

"That we couldn't wait for the marriage bed?"

He leaned back and roared. "Right. Maybe we ought to talk some more and give them something to really chew on!"

She caught her breath. "There's talk and there's talk. We want to set a proper example for our children and their inheritance."

Phidestros gave a wolfish grin. "I may not like your words at the moment, but I respect them. You will make a strong queen."

II

Hestophes ordered the Mobile Force to halt. They were now close enough to the Varthon Creek to see the enemy's main force through the trees and brush. The stream bed, according to his scouts, was three or four rods down below the grassy bank. From his position, he was unable to see the creek, but he could hear the volley discharges of smoothbores and the occasional artillery shot as Phrames kept the nomad army on the other side of the stream at bay from behind his wagon lager.

The Urgothi nomads on this side of the Varthon were disordered, with some running toward the ford while others maneuvered along the top of the bank to defend against the Hostigi force that had just arrived. To him they appeared to resemble a den of rattlesnakes that had been disturbed by a plow.

"Errock, I want you to take your lancers and the King's Horse regiments and hit the tribesmen on the bank like a hammer. I'll set the dragoon arquebusiers to either flank and place the Hostigi Rifles and pikemen in the center. I want to push the nomads down the bank and into the creek, where they'll be caught between us and Phrames' forces."

"What about prisoners?"

"Kill anything that moves until I order otherwise! I want to teach these tribesmen a lesson."