The Fireseed Wars

"Yes, the riots. Weren't they started by a play about King Kaiphranos that Great Queen Lavena oversaw and had performed at the Royal Palace?"

"Yes, by all accounts she's a silly fool," Anaxthenes pronounced. "The complete opposite of her cousin, Queen Rylla. But, Lysandros is smitten with her so we will have to accommodate him-for the time being. He is still the co-commander of the Grand Host, although I hear that he's not doing nearly as well as the former commander, Prince Phidestros. Blood will tell."

"Blood will tell, Your Divinity? What does that mean?"

"Lysandros is from a weak line of Kings, while on the other hand Prince Phidestros is the unrecognized bastard of Grand Duke Eudocles of Hos-Zygros."

"How did you learn that, Your Divinity?"

"One of our Highpriests, formerly from Hos-Zygros, noticed the physical resemblance between the two men. When he came to me with this news, I sent some of our intelligencers to search out the truth. A few bribes did the job. They are father and son. Duke Eudocles is a man after my own heart; he's not afraid to do whatever it takes to get the job done. His older brother is ailing and soon he will be the new Great King and help solidify our control over the Five Kingdoms."

"Is he in our pay?" Danthor asked.

"Oh, yes. To the sum of five hundred thousand ounces of gold. We own him and soon the Ivory Throne."

"What about Selestros, Your Divinity? What will you do with him?"

"If we had him assassinated, the uproar would be too great. Thus, we are forced to tolerate him until King Lysandros returns. Lysandros will see that he's dispatched, regardless of public opinion."

"In what capacity, Your Divinity, do you need my services?"

"Danthor, I want you to research the Royal Family lineage of Hos-Agrys. We are looking for a blood relation beneath the age of majority for the Throne of Light. Once we have our candidate, any others you've uncovered will be put away or dispatched. The younger the better, as it will be that much longer before they reach their majority."

"Your Divinity, may I use my own staff, as well as those of the Temple?"

"Of course, send men you trust to dig up anything you need. Remember, the full resources of Styphon's House are behind your quest."

The young underpriest poked his head in the door again. "Your Divinity, Archpriest Grythos is here."

"Send him in."

"Should I leave, Your Divinity?" Danthor asked.

"No. I want you to attend this meeting. You have useful ideas and this is a time for such men as ourselves."

The big Archpriest came into the room, bowing in the direction of Styphons Voice and nodding to Danthor. "I take it this meeting has something to do with the news that the morning sun brought with it, Your Divinity?"

"Yes, Grythos. We are preparing for the succession to the Throne of Light."

"What about Great King Demistophon? Will he be of use once the City has been taken?"

"Maybe, in the past. But Demistophon has thrown his lot in with the False God Dralm and his followers. He can no longer be trusted."

Grythos nodded. "Will you leave Grand Master Soton to rule in his stead?"

"No, the Grand Master is more useful elsewhere. As you have doubtlessly heard, the barbarian Warlord Sargos has returned from his war with the Mexicotal with great success and much gold and silver. They say it took a train of a thousand horses and mules to pull all his treasure wagons!"

Grythos smacked his lips. "By Styphon, such fortune is truly wasted on such a barbarian! I take it his cause was greatly helped by King Kalvan's handguns and fireseed."

"No doubt. The Mexicotal have none. We may have to make some changes to our trade agreements in the coming years."

"That would not go over well in Hos-Ktemnos, Your Divinity, were word ever to leak out of Balph that we were trading fireseed with the Mexicotal," Danthor cautioned.

"I know," Anaxthenes said. "Nor would the Middle Kingdom rulers take such a policy lightly; however, since the Fireseed Mystery has been released, we can always use intermediaries to do our work. I will put it under advisement for the time being.

"Grythos, I want you to leave in two days for Hos-Agrys. Archpriest Heraclestros will join you with his retinue. He is my choice as the new Highpriest of Hos-Agrys. Grythos, you are my choice to be the regent for our new Great King. I expect the two of you to work in close concert. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Your Divinity."

II