The Fireseed Wars

"We have our own agenda, the Princess and I. We have an heir to forge before I strike iron against Styphon's foes. Furthermore, I would need my liege lord's permission to fight against his neighbor, and that-if given-would take four or five moons of cross-country messaging. Meanwhile, I have my orders to lodge a force in Thaphigos to keep peace. You will be celebrating your great victory long before word returns from the Middle Kingdoms to change my orders. If my King so wills."

Soton all but gnashed his teeth in fury. "So you refuse Styphon's Own Voice's offer!"

"Yes, Grand Master. I have my own orders to follow. Great King Lysandros has ordered me to maintain His presence with my arms in Hos-Harphax. I cannot do otherwise without His Majesty's direct order."

"Very well, Prince. Anaxthenes has a long memory and an even longer reach."

Arminta paled and Geblon put his hand to his knife hilt.

"Yes, but not in my Princedom. You might remind Styphon's Own Voice that while you are far away in Hos-Agrys, I am seated less than a thousand marches away from the Inner Circle, with an army bigger than all of Great King Demistophon's royal and princely armies combined. No force on this earth would restrain me from tearing down the very temples of Balph were me or my family in any way harmed or threatened. Is that understood?"

Soton blanched as he considered the truth of Phidestros' words. "I am sorry you will not be joining us in this grand campaign and in dividing the great spoils we shall soon obtain."

"Yes, that is unfortunate," Phidestros answered, not wanting to completely burn his bridges. "Let us part as friends and former allies, who may have to work together again in the future as events unfold. We wish you great success in your campaign."

"Thank you, Prince Phidestros," Soton said.

After all the formalities of leave-taking were over and Soton had left, Princess Arminta said, "The Grand Master does not appear to be a man who takes kindly to those who thwart his will."

Phidestros answered, "Then he will have to learn to live in a new world, one where Styphon's House is no longer at the center. Thanks to Kalvan we no longer have to beg for fireseed from Styphon's greedy Highpriests, but can make our own. I suspect Anaxthenes knows this and that is why he is throwing the Hammer of Styphon at King Demistophon's walls. He may succeed, but I'll be Galzar-damned if they'll get any help from me! I'd prefer to keep Demistophon on the Throne of Light than have to deal with the puppet king that Styphon's House will install to rule in his stead."

Phidestros turned to his subordinate. "Kyblannos, is there some way we can help Demistophon without risking our own neutrality with Balph and Soton?"

"Let me think upon it, Prince." Kyblannos frowned for a few moment, then smiled. "One idea does come immediately to mind: outside of Greater Beshta, few know of our new vassal, Baron Ranthos. He is a former Hostigi, a strong leader and knows of Kalvan's strategies. Maybe we could provide him with two or three companies and some of our mobile guns, and send him off as a mercenary Grand-Captain from Harphax to fight for Demistophon."

"What do you think, Arminta?"

She smiled. "I like it, but better yet, Ranthos can claim to be part of a Hostigi force that survived the invasion of Hos-Hostigos. The Agrysi will believe they are getting 'secret' support from Kalvan and Dralm. That might embolden the League of Dralm."

"Excellent, my love. Furthermore, some of our soldiers have not taken well to farming and will only cause trouble unless we find a way to use their abundance of energy in our service. It will not hurt that the Baron has several hundred Hostigi already mustered under his banner. There should be no trouble obtaining volunteer Hostigi to fight Styphon's House. We will send Ranthos and his force through east Hostigos, Nostor and into Hos-Agrys. He can help organize the Agrysi princes, who are probably still in denial about Soton's plans if I know that lot. I'll leave it to Kyblannos to forge the proper insignia, weaponry and horse trappings. It's time we put a spike or two in the Inner Circle's plans."

II

As Maldar Dard entered Chief Verkan's office, he noted some of the Chief's top men leaving with scowls and frowns on their faces. Among them was Altarn Vor, whom the Chief had appointed his chief investigator into the Barton Shar Fiasco. Verkan was seated at his desk with his face buried in his hands.

"Chief, if you need some time alone, I can come back later."

Verkan looked up and shook his head. "No, it's all right. I'm just tired. Not enough sleep and bad news are a dangerous combination. I had Deputy Altarn do a complete financial workup on the Paratime Police Department and there were some disturbing results. The rot has set in much farther than I'd ever have believed-"

"Surely, it can't be that bad, Chief."