The Fireseed Wars

General Baldour was unfamiliar with the Rathoni court and nobility, as was everyone else that had come from Hostigos. Fortunately, General Klestreus had made lists of known Hostigi sympathizers and of those who had supported Nestros in his bid to become Great King. Unfortunately, the great majority of their new subjects were unknown. Klestreus was at work setting up a diverse group of informants from scullery maids to younger sons of the local nobility; before leaving the Hostigi Secret Service would know more about the Rathoni than they knew about themselves.

Rylla didn't envy King Chartiphon the job she was dropping into his arms, although he appeared rejuvenated by his new position. He'd even found a wife among the top nobility, the Lady Sylvra. She was the widow of a Duke with two daughters; no sons to cloud the succession issue, since Chartiphon was twenty winters her senior. After her husband's death, most of her lands were confiscated by Nestros who needed the gold to pay for all the temples he'd promised Styphon's House.

Sylvra was clearly no friend of the former King and young enough to bear Chartiphon the heirs he needed to solidify his crown and Hostigos' claim on Rathon. While she was happy for Chartiphon, Rylla knew that she would miss his presence and strong shoulder.

Highpriest Mytron, who was acting Chancellor, introduced the next petitioner as Prince Daklon of the Princedom of Vysta.

"Your Majesty," he said, as he approached the Throne on bended knees.

"Rise," she ordered. "We are not Styphoni or the king of Greffa who demands his vassals grovel or beg from their knees." She remembered him from the oath-giving ceremony, where four of Nestros former princes swore their fealty and allegiance to Nos-Hostigos and their new Great King and Queen.

Prince Daklon, who wore a golden crown with a bird's-egg sized diamond and had a gray beard that almost touched his belt, rose awkwardly to his feet. "Your Majesty, I had hoped to speak to you in private before I left, but this is as good a time as any."

"Please speak openly, I value candor in my subjects," Rylla declared.

"I know Your Majesty is unfamiliar with Hos-Rathon and our borders, but the Princedom of Vysta is to the west of the Kingdom of Cyros and south of Rathon City. Vysta Town does not have the great walls of Rathon and we are easy prey if the Grand Host decides to skirt Rathon City and go south. Can Your Majesty offer us any protection from Styphon's Grand Host?"

Rylla knew better than to make promises she couldn't keep. However, she did want to ensure the loyalty of their new vassals-even though she knew her husband would not be happy with her "empire building," as he called it. On the other hand, she did have more soldiers with her than they might be able to feed through the coming winter. They'd already had a number of Nyklosi desertions; maybe she'd give them two thousand of the Nyklosi stiffened with two companies of Royal soldiers.

"To show Our concern, I will provide you with an escort of two thousand soldiers."

The Prince brightened up. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

He probably didn't expect anything but some sympathy, she thought. However, it's always nice when you can solve two problems with one decree and get credit for it.

The next petitioner was King Zythos of the Kingdom of Cyros. There were all too many kings in the Upper Middle Kingdoms for her liking, but she wouldn't make any friends, or allies, by demoting legitimate rulers. Thus, she would have to learn to "live and let live" as Kalvan always said.

"Your Majesty," Zythos said, bowing deeply. He was a saturnine man with deep blue piercing eyes and a gunmetal-colored beard.

"Yes, King Zythos. What can We do for you?"

"Your Majesty, I would like compensation for my losses in the current war, and your guarantee of protection from the Styphoni who are following upon your heels."

Rylla didn't know whether to laugh or cry at these outrageous requests. She held up her forefinger. "First, you're lucky I don't have your head for resisting our force when we first entered Cyros."

"I was following the orders of my lawful ruler!"

"No, you were not. You were taking orders from a Styphon's House puppet, a traitor who gave up all claims to his throne and kingdom the moment he cut a deal with his masters from Balph! However, in your defense, you were not legally bound to Hostigos through any treaty or agreement. So We will not hold you responsible for war reparations for whatever damage you did to Our Army upon its passage through your territory."

The look of astonishment on Zythos face made Rylla wish she had one of those cameras that Kalvan told her about; she would have loved to take his picture and share this moment with him.