The Fireseed Wars

Geblon shortly returned with a broad-shouldered man whose pate was completely bald. Underneath two pitiless gray eyes was a large moustache. Phidestros was impressed both by his bearing and his ability to return his gaze.

"Who are you and what is your real name?"

"Your Highness, Aranth was my Name Day gift. I changed it to Ranthos, after the Foundry was sacked, when I went into hiding. I am a former Greffan artillery officer, who became a mercenary in Hos-Agrys in order to learn more about your guns. There is little quality fireseed in Greffa, so I left to serve in the Five Kingdoms. I worked my way up to Captain of the Black Horn Battery based in Agrys City. We were recruited by a Styphon's House highpriest to fight in Sask for Prince Sarrask. My battery was captured at the Battle of Fyk by Great King Kalvan. He needed workers for his new Royal Foundry. I was offered terms and put in charge testing all the new guns for the Foundry.

"After the debacle at Ardros Field, I assumed that anyone picked up outside Hostigos Town with a Greffan or Zygrosi name would be immediately tagged for the Investigation. That's not an experience I intend to endure." The grim set of his mouth made it quite clear that if Ranthos were to be encouraged to leave this world, there would be a blood price.

He found it interesting that the Greffan called him by his less known Princely title, not his military one. "What is this 'proposition' that you believe I will find of interest?"

Ranthos said, "I offer you two companies of former Hostigi who would like to both continue living and soldiering. Many of these men have fought or lived in Hostigos and Sask. I believe the Red Claws and the Silver Companies might be of some value to Your Highness."

Phidestros paused to re-light his pipe, which had gone out during all his hand waving. "First, a few questions: Why are you still in Hostigos and not with your Great King?"

The man nodded as if he thought it was a good question. "Most of us were not able to leave with our King. Some had families they did not want to leave behind, others for various reasons did not want to flee again to foreign lands-maybe never to return."

The grin he gave made it quite clear that while they all might be soldiers, they might not be the most reputable.

Phidestros knew those soldiers were often the best fighters-if not, well, Tarr-Beshta was rumored to contain a large dungeon.

"Of what value to me are men of questionable loyalty?"

"Maybe, because we know things that only we have learned in the service of the Great King. Things we can teach you and your soldiers."

Phidestros nodded, not commenting out loud. "What else?"

Captain Ranthos smiled. "While I am out of touch with day-to-day-events in Hostigos Town, we do get occasional news. The fact that the Grand Host is still here is informative."

He nodded. "Continue."

"I expect the Grand Host will be on the move soon. If they plan to pursue Kalvan, they will need a warm trail. I am certain, if what we know of Grand Master Soton is true, that the Grand Master chafes under the Holy Investigator's anchor."

Phidestros nodded. For an outsider, this Ranthos appeared quite conversant with the Grand Host's current logjam. "Continue, Captain."

"Meanwhile, back in Greater Beshta, events are taking place beyond your present control. Investigators will come when you leave. Thieves and bandits will take advantage of the lack of central authority. Your new subjects will flee, preferring to take their chances in Hos-Harphax to death under the Investigation, or rape and pillage by bandits. It might take you years to rebuild what has been lost in one campaign."

Ranthos had tapped into his greatest worry. He suspected that Archpriest Roxthar was already setting up the Investigation of his lands while he was still in the field-it would be just like the white-robed murderer! Especially after he had insulted Roxthar over the woman Sirna, the Greffan healer. He'd put Captain Cythros in charge of Beshta, but he'd only been able to spare him a double-company.

"So how can you help solve my problems?"

"I don't expect you to trust me, or my men, right away. I'd suggest you send some of your own personal troops along to guarantee our loyalty. These Hostigi troopers, most of whom are deserters or men who could not join their Great King due to injuries, know what will happen to them if they are captured. So far, we've been lucky. But our numbers have grown so large that we have taken to ambushing the Investigation parties and wearing the armor and capes of the Red Hand. Still, sooner or later, we will be caught and called for an accounting."