The Fireseed Wars

"They are much stronger walls than anything the Grand Host will find in the Middle Kingdoms," Soton said. "Agrys' City Walls have faced big guns before and are built thicker and stronger than any other fortifications in the Great Kingdoms. If we had some of the big guns we took from the Hostigi at Ardros Field, we could make even these walls shudder! Unfortunately, they are with the Grand Host and we are here at Styphon's Voice's command."

There was the echo of a gunshot and a sudden ping as a bullet struck a nearby rock and ricocheted. All three men and their guards dipped and weaved.

"Worse than Ormaz-spawned mosquitoes!" Xenophes cried.

"Much better these tiny mosquitoes, than Kalvan's hornets," Soton answered. "Unfortunately, I had to leave all the rifles with the Grand Host, or we could end this nuisance once and for all."

"I have heard of these rifles, but have not encountered them on the field of battle."

"Consider yourself blessed," Soton said. "Thanks to Kalvan's rifles we left the flower of the Grand Host on the killing fields of Ardros Farm. Some of Prince Phidestros' artificers and gunmakers are now making their own rifles, but they will not give or even sell them to us-"

"This upstart Zygrosi whorespawn will be called to account one day!" Roxthar sputtered, his face mottled in anger.

"True," Soton answered. "But first we have many other beards to trim, starting with that of Great King Demistophon's."

"Yes," Xenophes agreed. "Already Styphon's armies are fighting on too many fronts. Before leaving Balph, I had to send three Temple Bands to Hos-Bletha to support Great King Niclophon. There are now three armies and four claimants to the Silver Throne! The Kingdom is in such chaos it's as if Lyklos the Trickster has taken reign there."

"What the Blethans need is a good Investigation," Roxthar pronounced.

Soton spit on the ground.

Roxthar arched like an angry cat and did everything but splay his claws.

"I sense a disagreement, Your Holiness," Xenophes observed, his eyebrows raised.

"Yes," answered Roxthar. "The Grand Master is dissatisfied with his command and seeks another to lead the Host of Styphon's Deliverance. I believe that you, Lord High Marshal Xenophes, should relieve him of his command, Styphon's Will Be Done."

Xenophes raised his hands and stumbled backwards. "Oh, no, Your Holiness! I have not commanded an army in the field in over fifteen winters. Certainly, never one this large. Grand Master Soton has fought the Daemon Kalvan three times; I've never been on the same field of battle. It is the Grand Master who defeated the Daemon and earned the honorific Styphon's Hammer. Me, I know little of this new warfare. And, from what I've seen so far, I am not fit to command an army of this size. Nor do I want to."

Soton had to bite back a laugh. The chubby, red-nosed Xenophes was best at commanding banquets and brothels, not fields of battle.

"You will have to look elsewhere, Your Holiness."

Roxthar gnashed his teeth and glared at Soton. "So be it… for now!"

II

Prince Bosphros, in tandem with Primate Xentos, made the long walk down the illuminated quartz covered Path of Lights leading to the Throne of Light in the King's Audience Chamber. Is there an underground passage with oil lamps or tapers'? Bosphros wondered, as he walked along the Path. If so, it was a state secret, like how they stuffed King Demistophon into his throne.

Because of the siege, he'd had to enter the harbor on a fishing boat in the dead of night. He'd hired a small crew of smugglers or he probably wouldn't have made it into the City. As it was, they'd only narrowly slipped by two Styphoni water patrols. The length of time Demistophon had kept him waiting for this audience made him wonder if the King had any idea of how precarious his position had become. Grand Master Soton would not conclude his siege until the City was taken and Styphon's House ruled Agrys City in all but name.

As he drew close to the Throne, Prince Bosphros could see that the King had grown even fatter since his last audience with him last spring; he was so broad in the thighs that he overflowed the Throne of Light on both sides. If he gains any more weight, he'll either get stuck permanently on the Throne or break it!

Inwardly, Bosphros seethed with impatience at all this ceremony and pomp when Soton's army was within hailing distance of the city walls and the barking of his guns sounded like distant drums. The Kingdom is under siege and the King cannot see me for half a moon quarter because the auguries were not right! What madness is this? So ton does not consult sheep entrails or Styphon; instead he presses forward with his attack.

After a tedious series of genuflections and introductions by the Palace Chamberlain, the Prince was allowed to speak. "Your Majesty, I bring you good tidings!"

Demistophen peered out with little pig eyes. "And what kind of magician are you, Prince?"

"No magician, Your Majesty, just a loyal subject and devout believer in Allfather Dralm."