The Fireseed Wars

Soton cringed. I do not want to admit any such thing, even if it is true. The loss of over twenty-eight thousand mercenaries, including the Iron Band itself, would be a hard blow to accept. If dismissed, he doubted that Phidestros would consent to leaving his Beshtan Army behind, since the majority of them still fought under the Prince's Iron Band banner-even upon King Lysandros' direct order. "Reluctantly, I will admit that your words hold much truth."

"This cannot be allowed. I can keep my sworn-vassals with the Host as long as we are in the field. Things will be different upon our return to Hos-Harphax: Most of my princes and lords will return to their demesnes and the greater part of the Royal Army will lay down their arms in support of the Ban. Is this not true?"

Soton reluctantly agreed.

"Therefore, I must stay with the Grand Host as one of its commanders until the Traitor and Usurper Kalvan is brought to heel."

As much as Soton distrusted Phidestros and was angered by his dismissal of his advice at the siege of Tarr-Hostigos, the mercenary Captain-General was one of the best strategists and campaigners that he had under his command-very likely the best, as much as he hated to admit it. Lysandros on the other hand had a good reputation as a captain-general, but all his fighting had been in the years before the Usurper Kalvan's arrival. He had never fought the Hostigi and that was a big disadvantage. Furthermore, Lysandros was a Great King now and not about to take orders from those he considered his inferiors-and judging by what Soton had observed since he had first met Lysandros, that included just about everyone in the Five Kingdoms, including his fellow Great Kings, the Archpriests of the Inner Circle and all the generals with the Grand Host.

Still, he could see no trail out of this Dralm-damned cock-up with the priests of Galzar-damn Roxthar for no end of devilment! Thanks to that fool, he would be yoked with another unreliable commander, one whose status as Great King made him a political as well as a military liability.

"I see no solution," Lysandros continued, "but to send Phidestros back to Hos-Harphax and have him deal with the Agrysi invaders."

"I fear, your words ring with truth. Although losing Phidestros will be costly; not only will we lose a proven commander, but over twenty-eight thousand good soldiers since the Host's mercenaries have swelled his ranks." Now that the former free companies were under his personal banner, Phidestros would not relinquish a single company to the Grand Host-not after being dismissed as Grand Captain-General. That Soton knew for a fact.

Lysandros grinned like a wolf about to tear at the haunch of a downed elk.

Suddenly it was all clear: Lysandros didn't care about the Grand Host. All he cared about was an opportunity to show off his military grandeur- outshine Phidestros, if the truth were told. And, if he happened to stumble across Kalvan's treasury wagons; well, so much the better.

Lysandros splayed his hands. "The Host would lose even more men were I to leave with my Royal Army and levy. With the Captain-General in Hos-Harphax, there will be enough troops to keep Demistophon inside his own borders."

"That is true." Soton paused to take out his pipe and tobacco pouch. He needed time to think. He'd been so busy dealing with the day-to-day affairs of the Host, which were Hadron's own burden, that he hadn't given the political aspects enough thought. Now, he didn't have a choice. He would miss Phidestros' steady hand in battle; he only hoped that Lysandros could fill his saddle. Still, it could be worse; he could be stuck with Great King Demistophon.

"Do you agree that it is our foremost duty to search, find and destroy the Usurper Kalvan and his army?" Soton asked.

"I give you my oath, before you and Styphon, that I will chase the Usurper to his lair and dispatch him and his ignoble henchmen. I will not have a single carefree night's sleep until this malefactor is captured, dismembered and burned to ashes!"

Or take charge of Kalvan's treasure train, Soton wondered. "Then Great King Lysandros you have my support in so ordering Captain-General Phidestros back to Hos-Harphax."

Not that Lysandros needed his permission, but having the commanders of the Grand Host work in concert was important for overall unity. Plus, Lysandros would not want to openly go against the Inner Council's personal emissary; not as long as Styphon's gold was paying the wages of the Harphaxi soldiers. Paying the mercenaries would now be Phidestros' headache. Or possibly Lysandros', if the mercenary took advantage of his overlord's absence. Let Lysandros worry about such things; Phidestros is no longer my problem.

"Grand Master, I will order Prince Phidestros to eject the Agrysi invaders out of Thaphigos. After tasting Harphaxi steel, those godless Agrysi bandits and the fat swine that calls himself Great King of Hos-Agrys will burn in Hadron's Dungeon!"