The Fireseed Wars

Before Tortha could begin one of his interminable trading yarns, Kalvan interrupted. "Things have gotten worse since you left, Tortha. Our refugee problem has grown even worse, because of this Dralm-cursed Investigation. We're going to be running out of food long before winter arrives. The only good news is that Styphon's Grand Host is still stalled outside Hostigos Town. According to one of our intelligencers, it appears that Sesklos died about a moon ago. Styphon's House policy demands that all thirty-six Electors, or Archpriests, convene back in Balph before they can Elect a successor. Therefore, Grand Master Soton and the Arch-Butcher Roxthar were recalled to Balph. Without its head, the Host is stuck in place, while Lysandros and Phidestros argue over who does what and goes where. It won't be settled until Soton returns."

Tortha rubbed his hands together. "That's very good news, indeed!"

"Yes, but this false summer will not last for long. It will provide us with about a moon's respite, then Soton will be back and the Grand Host will follow us into Ulthor. We can't afford to be here when they arrive. I mean to be long gone before they ever leave Hostigos Town."

"But how? Only Theovacar has the ships necessary to move your army and your subjects-and even the Grefftscharr Navy would be overtaxed, if there are more refugees in camp than when I left, for Wodan's sake!"

"You're right and they're still pouring into Ulthor. We need a new solution. I've been talking with Ambassador Dykar from Nythros City States and he tells me that maybe we can cut a deal with the Nythrosi. It appears they are in a major trade war with Thagnor and they would like Our help in settling this dispute."

Tortha shook his head. "The Nythrosi merchants are well-known for shaving the truth off their promises, they will deliver but only if their hands are tied to the captain's chair and a knife is held to their throats!"

"That is what Prince Kestophes told me. Only he was more diplomatic." Kalvan paused to laugh. "I know better than to trust any of these ambassadors and emissaries. They are all aware of our great army, our horde of refugees and our situation with Styphon's House; they would all like nothing better than if we vanished in the morning mist."

"Very true, Your Majesty. The Middle Kingdoms are much older than your own Northern Kingdoms. They have survived a hundred barbarian invasions and migrations from both the Cold Lands and the Sea of Grass! However, never in all those millennia have they faced an army the size of yours, followed by half a million people in search of a home, since Echanistra was overthrown. All the princedoms and kingdoms up and down the Great Mother River are in an uproar: Who is this Great King Kalvan? Will Styphon's House destroy him? Where is he going? Will he bring the Styphoni butchers behind him?"

"Those are good questions; I wish I had answers."

"Your Majesty, Greffa City was in such turmoil, I could not get out fast enough. Although, I did manage one boon for Your Majesty, right after I left."

"What was that?"

"I had Verkan's chief clerk, Kostran, set charges at the Fireseed Works. The entire mill was scheduled to blowup three days after I left Greffa City."

"Won't that fuel Theovacar's suspicions about the House of Verkan working more for Hostigi policies than Greffan?"

"No, several of the 'new' fireseed mills that have sprouted up in and around Greffa have already exploded or burned up. I didn't want to leave such a valuable military asset in Theovacar's hands once it was determined that he would not work in tandem with Hos-Hostigos. Besides, Kostran was convinced that the King was about to take over ownership of the mill as a Crown Asset."

"Thank you, Tortha. Someday I will find a way to repay you for your efforts-if I'm ever in such a position again."

"It was my pleasure, Your Majesty. But let me add, I would not rule out Theovacar becoming an ally, but only if it benefits Grefftscharr or his own ambitions. In your present situation, there is little you can offer the King except more problems-and he already has a belly full-due to his own attempts to consolidate his rule over Grefftscharr. Theovacar has angered his princes, merchants and nobles. Those he has not angered, he has made fearful. It is apparent to anyone who understands politics that the King intends to concentrate power in the Throne at the expense of every other faction.

"Princedoms, like Thagnor and Lyros, Grefftscharr possessions only by old treaties, are pulling away, attempting to assert their own autonomy before they are reined in by King Theovacar. His subjects support their King's policies of expansion; however, when he oversteps his authority, raising new taxes and duties, they grow angry and resentful. One day they will turn their ire on the King and blood will fill the streets of Greffa City."