The Fireseed Wars

Is this an insult from Lysandros or a gift from the gods? Maybe some of both, Phidestros finally decided, as his blood calmed. Now, he could return to Greater Beshta and set his own affairs straight without worry of interference from his Great King, Styphon's House or Roxthar's unholy Investigation before he turned his hand to settling events in Thaphigos. Of course, he'd have to relinquish his command-well, command was a little strong; leading the Grand Host was much akin to herding kittens. Lysandros, with his smug face, might be doing him more of a favor than his Great King realized.

"I will do as Your Majesty bids," he replied, thinking: But don't come to me if you ever need help keeping the Iron Throne! I'll even clean your stables in Thaphigos, but there will be a blood price.

"The Grand Host will be leaving for Ulthor Port, where our agents-inquisitory say Kalvan is hiding under his bed, tomorrow at dawn. You can leave as soon as you prepare your Beshtan army. Now that you are no longer with the Host, you will not lose any of your mercenaries to the Ban of Galzar. Prince Sthentros has asked Us to allow him to borrow some of your mercenaries, as he has no troops of his own."

It's interesting, Phidestros thought to himself, how my Great King steps so carefully around my name to avoid calling me Prince. If I did not have such a large army and were he not oath-sworn, I would worry that upon his return my patent would be revoked.

"Tell Sthentros to hire his own mercenaries," Phidestros answered. As far as the arrogant traitor was concerned, he'd like to leave him in a pool of blood with his throat slit. The Hostigi betrayer would have more than that to fear if Great Queen Rylla ever got her hands on him. Everyone had heard tales of how she'd punished King Araxes of Phaxos and all his family and personal retainers! And Araxes' sins were minor ones when compared to those of Sthentros.

The King looked like he'd just swallowed his tongue. He could command many things from his vassals, but not the disposition of troops that were not considered part of the King's levy. Not yet, anyway. And, if Phidestros had his way-not ever.

The new Queen, Prince Sthentros' daughter, who had just arrived from Harphax City, was another firebrand. She'd let her displeasure about their tumbledown palace be known loudly throughout Hostigos Town-or what was left of it. King Lysandros was welcome to her, too; as far as Phidestros was concerned, they deserved each other.

Suddenly the Great King looked discomfited; Phidestros unconsciously put his hand over his purse.

"I do have a favor to ask."

"Yes, Your Majesty." What now, do you want me to swamp the Royal Privy?

"We would like your healer, the Lady Sirna, to accompany my new wife, Queen Lavena, back to Harphax City. It would be unsafe for her to follow the Host in her condition."

Was Lysandros a cuckold after only a moon quarter of marriage? Or had this seed been planted before he left Harphax City?

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. I will pray to Styphon that your child is a boy."

"Thank you, Prince Phidestros." Lysandros actually smiled. "I entrust you with the future of Our House."

"I will ask the Lady Sirna to do as you ask. Her work with the Iron Band is just about done." Of course, he would miss her company, but they would share many nights together upon his return to Besh Town.

"And, before you are dismissed, I would like to inform you that before leaving Harphax City I met with Prince Soligon of Argros."

Phidestros nodded, wondering what this had to do with him. As he understood it, when he was last in Harphax City, Soligon was one of the few Princes of Hos-Harphax who was rumored to belong to the League of Dralm.

"Soligon is a cousin, on my mother's side, and we decided that his daughter, Princess Arminta, might make you a good wife."

Phidestros tried to keep his jaw from hitting the table. "M… m… m my wife?"

"Yes, it would not only fill your bedchamber, but bring us closer in blood."

It was all he could do to keep from disgorging his last meal. Suddenly, he understood why Lysandros wanted Sirna to accompany Queen Lavena, and it wasn't just for her company. He was the main course on the plate of matrimony. Politically, it would prove to be a good match for the both of them. He would soon be Lysandros' kinsman and much less likely to misbehave while Lysandros was off haring after Kalvan. On the other hand, a princess for a wife would go a long way to legitimizing a commoner and a bastard. Maybe Lysandros was a lot deeper than he'd thought.

FIFTEEN