The Fireseed Wars

Soton shook his head in disbelief. I am surrounded by madmen and incompetents. Why will they not leave me to do my job?

"I see you are not convinced, Grand Master. I think you mistake the root of the problem for the stalk. Kalvan, by exposing the Fireseed Mystery, has done more damage to Styphon's House than a hundred military defeats. He has cost us our most potent weapon against the great lords and kings: the ability to withhold fireseed, thereby guaranteeing them defeat without our help. Now, they can buy this Hostigos filth at any stall in any market! Soon all the nobles will realize they no longer need the Temple's approval or support; they can war as they wish, not as we wish.

"Kalvan, meanwhile, is now just another Trygathi warlord who will not find favor in the false kingdom of Rathon-or with his supposed Grefftscharrer allies. We have already received envoys from King Theovacar asking us to keep Kalvan out of the Middle Kingdoms-as if we will heed their wishes! Soon Kalvan, if he escapes our sword, will be embroiled in the Upper Middle Kingdoms with every man's hand raised against him, and the Grand Host of Styphon chasing from behind. Now, do you see why I do not worry about the stalk?"

He was starting to get a glimpse of Anaxthenes' thinking and he wasn't sure he liked it. As Soton understood it: Styphon's House's duty was not to rule the Five Kingdoms, but to protect them. Wasn't it? Or was that just another sham? Even without the support or favor of the Northern Kingdoms, Styphon's House would still be strong within Hos-Ktemnos and Hos-Bletha. But, obviously, that wasn't enough for the new Styphon's Voice or the Inner Circle. On the other hand, it would be foolish to expect the upper priesthood to show restraint when none had done so in the past.

"You, my friend," Styphon's Voice continued, "will pull out the roots, starting with that turnip, King Demistophon. Once he has been dispatched and put in irons, we will work on his traitorous princes."

"And what army am I supposed to do this with, Your Divinity?"

"The Host of Styphon's Deliverance, Grand Master. I have assembled four thousand cavalry, half mercenary but shortly to be sworn in as Ktemnoi regulars-just in case the Temple of Galzar extends their Ban to include any army coming from Balph. You should be able to bring four or five more Lances from the border tarrs, as well as three more Sacred Squares. These Ktemnoi Princes now jump when Styphon's Voice barks!" He gave a harsh laugh.

"That is a good start, although they might be put to better use in destroying the False Hostigi-"

"Enough! We have Archpriest Haltor in Hos-Agrys buying the service of every mercenary within two hundred marches of Agrys City. He claims that he can offer you another two thousand men. There aren't many Free Companions available with the war against Hostigos going on so long."

Soton's head reeled; this was not the Styphon's House of old, a lumbering ox that shuffled and fell back two steps before moving forward one.

"Soon, we will own the world."

"If these are my orders, Your Holiness, I will leave as soon as my Lances arrive."

"Good." He patted Soton on his shoulders, like a good mastiff.

In his mind, Soton ran through the Order forts and which ones had Lances they could send to Balph: Tarr-Ceros could spare one, so could Tarr-Ryth, while Tarr-Tyros, Tarr-Zokra and Tarr-Gythax could send three or four Shafts each. "I will send orders out this evening. They should arrive before moon's end."

"Excellent, Grand Master. Now, I have someone I want you to meet who will be going with you. He will represent Our Voice."

Soton raised his eyebrows in surprise when Archpriest Cimon entered the box. Of all people, he had not expected the Peasant Priest, as Cimon was known, to be in Anaxthenes' camp.

"It is good to see you, Your Sanctity."

The broad faced Archpriest smiled in return. "You, as well, Grand Master."

"The subjects of King Demistophon and his Princes will have heard terrible things about the Investigation," Styphon's Voice continued.

Soton nodded. Most of which are true, by the way!

"Archpriest Cimon will be in charge of restoring our temples in Hos-Agrys and in building new ones. In him, they will see another face of Styphon's House-one that will be as welcoming as it is unexpected!"

Soton shrugged his shoulders, aware that events were rushing past him faster than a runaway horse. He wanted to be back on the battlefield, any battlefield. He supposed Agrys City would do as well as anyplace else. At least he wouldn't be fighting Kalvan's veterans and new-fangled shells and rifles! And, for once, I'll be doing it with a friend and ally, not an enemy or a madman.

II

Kalvan looked down with paternal pride as little Demia scurried around the chamber, half-walking, half-running, like any normal toddler with three nursemaids and concerned parents watching on. I'm going to miss her a lot! Her Mom, too, he mused.