The Fireseed Wars

Hestophes took his pipe out of his mouth and knocked the heel out against his palm. When he'd finished refilling and tamping it with fresh leaf, he lit a splinter with his tinderbox and fired it up. After expelling a cloud of smoke, he said, "This means that as far as Styphon's House is concerned, King Demistophon is a dead man. From what I saw of the city walls, Agrys City won't last more than a few moons. With Prince Vython killed in the attack, that means the Styphoni are looking for someone they can use as their tool."

Duke Kyblannos nodded. "The dispatch mentions that there were four cousins: Their intelligence states that one cousin is childless, while another has a girl child but has no known location and one is dead, without issue. Demistophon's line is about to come to an end. The fourth, Duke Thalros, is also deceased, but he does have a widow and an heir, a young son, living in a small village in Glarth. I strongly suggest we send out a party to secure the boy and find a way to keep him safe from Styphon's House. Princess Arminta believes we can use the lad as the focal point of resistance to Styphoni rule, which will surely follow once Agrys City falls and Soton turns his army loose on the rest of Hos-Agrys."

"That makes sense considering the turmoil here in Hos-Agrys. But, why are you telling me this instead of finding him yourself?"

"Because we need your help," Kyblannos said. "In Argros I thought we might be able to put together a command of our own to find the boy. Now that I've witnessed the chaos here firsthand, I don't believe that's possible without your help. The Princess told me to do whatever was necessary to see that Thalros' son does not fall into the hands of Styphon's House. It is neither in my Prince's nor Nos-Hostigos' interest to see Styphon's House rule another kingdom, seeing as they all but rule in name in Hos-Ktemnos and Hos-Bletha. Should Hos-Agrys fall to Styphon's House, all the other Kingdoms will follow in two or three winters."

Hestophes took the pipe out of his mouth. "That's a plausible reason. Did the dispatch provide the name of the village where Duke Thalros' son is living?"

Kyblannos nodded. "Yes, it is the village of Salis. It's about ninety marches east of Port Glarth."

"Did you stop the original messenger from delivering his dispatch?"

"No, Captain-General. We delayed him by a few days, but the message should have arrived at Soton's camp by now."

"Soton will send out a number of small bands to find Demistophon's heirs. We'll have to put out patrols to harass them. We'll also warn the Agrysi Princes, especially Clytos of Glarth, that hostile Styphoni troops are going to be traveling through their territory. It'll be much more difficult for them to reach Salis than it will be for us."

"I'd like to volunteer myself and my men to rescue the lad," Ranthos said.

"You read my mind, Ranthos. But we need an Agrysi commander who knows the territory and is known by the other Agrysi nobles. How about Duke Mnestros?"

"Isn't he one of Kalvan's allies?" Kyblannos asked.

"Yes. He fought with the Hostigi at Ardros Field and led the false Argysi attack that delayed the Grand Host from leaving Hostigos Town. He's the elder son of Prince Thykarses of Eubros."

Kyblannos nodded. "He's been battle-tested. We can work with him."

"Good, because Mnestros will be in charge."

"That's acceptable, Captain-General."

"Ranthos, take your two companies and Kyblannos' men. We want to keep this operation secret between just the three of us and Mnestros. I can't imagine running into a Styphoni party large enough to give you any trouble. They're the ones who'll have to travel cautiously and at night. That will give you an important edge."

Ranthos nodded. "I'll have my men get their kits ready. I'd like to leave before mid-day."

"The sooner the better. Great King Kalvan and Queen Rylla need to be informed about this operation. Can I have a copy of the dispatch?"

"Of course, Captain-General," Kyblannos said. "You can have my copy. I won't be needing it anymore. I've committed everything of importance to memory."

As soon as they left, Hestophes sent his adjutant to find his wife. Then he started reading the parchment. Lysia arrived at his office about an eighth of a candle later. After a hug, he got down to business: "Darling, Ranthos has provided us with a decoded message from the new Styphon's Voice to Grand Master Soton."

"Is it important?" Lysia asked.

"It could be very important. The Styphoni are sending out patrols looking for a young boy that's in the line of succession to the Throne of Light. If we can get to this village before Soton's men, we might be able to either put the boy in protective custody or replace him with a boy loyal to the Fireseed Throne."

"This could be a major boon for Hostigos, if it could be done and done quickly!"

"Exactly, my love. But I need someone I trust completely to carry this message to Thagnor City, and you're my best choice."

"It means we will be apart again."