The Fireseed Wars

There was a knock at the door and Prince Phidestros nodded for his manservant to open it. Phidestros had been waiting for the Grand Master's visit for several days; he was certain someone was not going to be happy about the outcome.

His manservant returned, bowed and said, "The Grand Master and his party have arrived at the City Gates, Your Highness."

"Thank you, Mynos. You may bring the refreshments now. As soon as they arrive at the palace, bring Soton and his advisors directly to my private audience chamber."

After the door closed, General Geblon said, "The first birds of spring!"

General Kyblannos nodded. "They've made good progress from Harphax City."

"What size of an escort did Soton bring along?" Phidestros asked.

"Our scouts counted less than a Point of Zarthani Knights," Geblon answered, "not that he'd need any more in friendly territory."

"Any of Styphon's Own Guard?"

"None of the Red Hand, or any other of Styphon's foul breed."

"That is interesting," Kyblannos noted. "We read in that dispatch to Styphon's Own Voice that Roxthar left the Grand Host to join Grand Master Soton so I'm surprised that he is not shadowing him. Maybe they're just rumors, not truth. However, I'm even more surprised that none of the Inner Circle are along to keep their eye on the Grand Master."

"Anaxthenes is smarter than old Sesklos was; he probably realizes that Soton does not need the distraction. In fact, after a campaign season with Roxthar attending his every move, Soton would likely send any such 'advisors' home pickled in a barrel!"

Geblon guffawed. "You're right, Phidestros. There were a couple of times in Hostigos when we wanted to do the same to Roxthar ourselves!"

"I don't miss that demon in human form," the Prince replied.

"I've never met him," Princess Arminta said.

"Consider yourself blessed by the gods," Kyblannos said. "We got to see his handiwork first-hand in Hostigos. It wasn't pretty."

"Do you believe Soton will buy your excuse for not joining his force?" Arminta asked.

"He's in no position to order a loyal liegeman of Great King Lysandros into battle, even at Styphon's Own Voice's command. Especially not against a fellow Great King who is not at war with Hos-Harphax. Besides," Phidestros paused to smile at his wife, "we have a second wedding to attend next moon in Argros."

While she was just this side of homely, the Princess had one thing that heated his blood more than pretty features-good breeding. In intelligence and horse sense, Arminta was his perfect match. Together they made a formidable pair, one that other rulers would underestimate at their peril. He had enjoyed Lady Sirna, but it had been a union born of lust and convenience. Still, despite their closeness, there had always been a wall between them; maybe because Sirna was in her heart still a Grefftscharrer. He had been lucky that he'd sired no bastards with her; he would have had to adopt them or they'd have been outcasts-future problems either way.

From now on, by Galzar, I'm going to keep my privy part busy at home, away from foreign ports. Arminta may not be much in the looks department, but she has deep fires burning down below. He took Arminta's hand and squeezed it.

She smiled lovingly in return. "Do you think he's learned of our union yet?"

"It's not a secret in Harphax City and I'm certain that Balph's agents in Hos-Harphax have reported my every movement, although the smart ones are probably more entranced with the new Great Queen."

Geblon nodded. "We uncovered about two or three hands of Styphoni intelligencers the first moon or two after we arrived. We branded them as false Hostigi." He smiled wickedly. "They all died hard after we released them into Hos-Ktemnos. Now, few of Styphon's agents appear anxious to cross our borders."

"What about the Princedom's Styphoni priests?" Arminta asked.

"We have them all under watch by our own intelligencers," Geblon answered. "None of Styphon's Highpriests survived Kalvan's purges. Those freshly arrived have few followers in Beshta and little to do. Thus, little need for new recruits. There is no love among the Prince's subjects, since the Investigation began its work in Hos-Hostigos, for Styphon's false priests or their allies. Our most difficult job will be keeping those Styphoni who remain alive."

There was a chorus of "Hear Hear!" and then Mynos came in with the news that the Grand Master had arrived.

"Should I have brought my bodyguard?" Soton asked, as he ran his eyes around the chamber counting the ordnance worn inside, stroking his beard. He was a head shorter than even Arminta, but as thick across the middle as a barrel.

Phidestros rose and they clasped upper arms. "You are welcome in my House."The Grand Master had always treated him with grudging respect. He could not do otherwise, now that he was in Phidestros' home. "You already know Generals Geblon and Kyblannos. The Princess is my wife, Arminta."

Soton made a courtly bow. "Most pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Highness."