The Fireseed Wars

"I will do my best to aid the League, for what I lack in men I make up for in resolve."

Xentos nodded. "The League expected a real army from Kalvan, although I can't imagine why, since they gave him none. It is enough in my eyes that he sent his greatest Captain-General and two companies. I fear this war will not go well. The Princes of Agrys have fought each other and their Great King for so long that it will be difficult to set them into the same harness."

Hestophes took out his pipe and tobacco pouch. "That is just the first of many problems their new commander will face. I'm almost glad that I will have no more pressing command than the reserve. Now, I have a question for you, Primate: Who is this Baron Ranthos you brought to the Council? The last time I saw him he was at the Royal Foundry in Hostigos and he was called Aranth."

"He told me that while the Foundry was under attack, he managed to escape the looting and destruction that followed. As far as Ranthos knows, everyone else at the compound was killed by the Red Hand. After recovering from a head wound, he met up with other refugees, deserters from the disaster at Phyrax Field and escapees from the cursed Investigation. To survive the Investigation, he organized the men into a fighting band. They preyed on small parties of Investigators by dressing in the uniforms of Styphon's Own Guard. His words were verified by the Hostigi in his company, several of whom I had known previously from Temple services.

"When pursuit by the Styphoni forces became too pressing, Ranthos contacted Captain-General Phidestros and offered to support him in Beshta. You might be unaware of this, but Great King Lysandros, in return for his victory over King Kalvan, gave Phidestros the Princedoms of Beshta and Sashta as boons for his successes. Phidestros was worried that Roxthar's Investigation might reach into his own Princedoms. For amnesty for himself and his men, Ranthos swore an oath of fealty to Phidestros and promised to protect his subjects from Roxthar and other bandits. He was quite successful in his efforts. Successful enough that Phidestros elevated him to baron."

Hestophes took out his pipe and opened his tobacco pouch. "I am attempting to view this dispassionately, as our Great King counsels. Still, I find it difficult to see our own vassals as the loyal subjects of one of our sworn enemies. Yet, having been in Hostigos when the Trail of Blood began, I find it difficult to criticize even a dishonorable exit from the Investigation and horrors that followed. "I might have done the same thing myself, to one day strike back at Styphon's House."

Xentos nodded. "The men who have sworn to Baron Ranthos say he is fair in his orders and in all ways performs in an honorable manner. Nor is he a lickspittle at Phidestros' Court; the new Prince uses him wisely and it was the Prince who suggested that Grand-Captain Ranthos join the League's Army as former Hostigi. It appears that his Prince does not want to see Styphon's House gain in power at another ruler's expense. That his Prince believes that Baron Ranthos, well-provisioned and with several hundred of the Prince's own troops, might be an important addition to the League's forces says much about Ranthos' esteem in the eyes of his Prince.

"Phidestros is no fool," Hestophes said. "Hos-Harphax is probably the next Great Kingdom to come under attack the moment Soton subdues Hos-Agrys."

Hestophes took a moment to spark his pipe tobacco. He drew deeply and said, "It is also truth that Aranth, or Ranthos as he calls himself now, was and is a Citizen of Grefftscharr and was sworn to Great King Kalvan as a guard for the Royal Foundry of Hostigos, which no longer exists. Therefore, he did not commit treason in swearing fealty to Prince Phidestros in his efforts to protect himself and those under his charge. If you truly believe Ranthos will obey his oaths and all orders, I will put him on the League's muster roll."

Xentos bowed his head and said a short prayer. "Great King Kalvan was truly wise to send you as his personal arm. Yes, Captain-General Hestophes, I believe Ranthos will be faithful to his oaths and your orders so long as he can draw a sword."

Under his breath, Hestophes heard Xentos mutter, "I only wish I could be of as much use."

THIRTY-NINE

So this is mighty Greffa City, Kalvan thought to himself. It looks a bit like Acre, the old Crusader city. I hope it's not as hard a nut to crack.

The Army of Greffa had faced little opposition as they approached the City, as most of the villages and farms that dotted the land had been deserted. He assumed most of the peasants and villagers were encamped behind the great curtain wall that surrounded the city. It was common practice here-and-now during sieges to kill or run off the peasants, loot and burn their cottages and fire the towns.