The Fireseed Wars

The dissolution of the Grand Host, after the conquest of Hostigos, had been Soton's biggest worry; if he didn't act decisively, it would soon become fact. Already, the Sacred Squares were claiming victory and Prince Anaxon-temporary High Marshal, since all the other Ktemnoi commanders of higher rank were dead or wounded-had already expressed a desire to return to Hos-Ktemnos. If either the Harphaxi contingent or the Ktemnoi forces left the Grand Host, it would become the Hollow Host and might even inspire a Hostigi counterattack.

"The Host must remain intact until the Usurper is killed; otherwise, this great victory of ours will be squandered. Already, several mercenary units have deserted. But none since Marshal Albides put Styphon's Own Guard to watch the major roads out of Hostigos."

Lysandros nodded in agreement.

Soton continued, "If it were possible, with your reputation as a great military leader, I would make you Grand Captain-General of the Grand Host and dispatch Captain-General Phidestros back to Thaphigos to end this insurrection." It took all Soton had to keep from retching. With all this diplomacy, he was beginning to sound like Archpriest Anaxthenes with his interminable machinations.

"Then what can I do?" Lysandros asked. "Duke Kaphros, who is reigning in my absence in Harphax City, is a good administrator but he is no military man. All my best captains are in Hostigos where they are needed. Duke Aesthes, who is in nominal command of my militia, is not fit to ride a horse these days… Not that I would allow him." He barked a harsh laugh. "The incompetent fool has already lost one Harphaxi Army fighting Kalvan; only an idiot-like my dear departed brother-would give him a second opportunity."

Soton had to stifle a laugh. Truer words were never spoken. "Maybe it is time for Your Majesty to return to Hos-Harphax and deal with the Thaphigos incident in person."

Lysandros rose up out of his chair. "I cannot leave the Host. If I return to Harphax, my soldiers will learn that I am under the Ban of Galzar-what kind of army will I lead then? My princely levy will desert and return to their farms. My Royal Lancers may remain if I promise them enough gold upon the conclusion of the Thaphigos campaign, but my Royal Pistoleers are more faithful to the Wargod and his priests. They will leak away like water through an old barn roof. I will not be able to hire any free companies, even if there are any mercenaries left in the Kingdom not under some princely banner. What would you have me do?"

It's even worse than you think., Soton thought. The Ban may yet destroy us all. The Highpriests of Galzar had put the Grand Host under the Ban of Galzar with a list of all known Harphaxi and Ktemnoi dukes and barons. Fortunately, they had not named Prince Phidestros, who remained the only major Harphaxi ruler not under the Ban. "But for the Ban of Galzar, I would suggest sending Phidestros and his Iron Band to remedy the Thaphigos invasion; however, we would then lose the services of most of our mercenaries who are oath-sworn personally to the Captain-General. This we cannot allow."

"No. I see the wisdom in your words, although I despise the imbecilic priests who arrived at such a blundering decision," Lysandros said through clenched teeth.

Soton was glad there was no one around to overhear Lysandros' condemnation of Galzar's priesthood. Styphon's Own folly would be the result, along with the quick dismembering of the Grand Host. Lysandros might hold the Wargod in disdain, but his common soldiers most emphatically did not. The priests of Galzar did more than set rules and regulations for battles and warfare; they were the healers and caretakers of the battlefield sick and wounded. In addition, all their members were retired military men who had far more in common with their laity than their own commanders did.

"Now, think harder, Grand Master. How long will it be before Phidestros is under the Ban? After all, he too is part of the Grand Host."

Soton shrugged his shoulders. "I had hoped we would be in Ulthor by now and that Galzar's messengers would not catch up to us until after we brought the Hostigi to a final battle. However, the delay in taking Tarr-Hostigos"-he paused to glare at Lysandros since the lengthy siege was at his insistence-"has allowed events to get ahead of us. I have special patrols waiting for any visitors from Hos-Agrys."

"But will they stop the Wargod's priests?"

"These men will. Most are oath-brothers who believe in no gods but their own Ruthani ones. They will do whatever I order."

"It is good to have such men, but can they guarantee that no priests or other outsiders will slip into our midst?"

Soton shook his head sadly. "No, only the gods can make such promises. My men can only do their best."

"Then, you must admit that once the priests of Galzar place Captain-General Phidestros under the Ban, we may lose the services of all our mercenaries."