The Fireseed Wars

"I don't mean you, Sirna; after all, your father's a wealthy merchant with his own House. That's why this marriage to Lysandros is such a gods-send. Now, for the first time in my life, I'm not taking one of Rylla's castoffs. I'm a Great Queen in my own right, and I'm the Great Queen of a real Great Kingdom. And, I love my husband! It's like I'm in a dream. I pray to the gods that nothing bad happens to him in Ulthor. I'm afraid of enjoying myself because it might jinx things. That's why I've been so quiet these past few days."

Sirna nodded in agreement. "I know just what you mean."

"And what about you and Phidestros? Are you…?" Lavena gave her a mischievous wink.

Sirna tried to keep the grin off her face but couldn't.

Lavena laughed. "I thought so. Phidestros hasn't given me a second glance since we first met."

"He's really a good man, I've been acting as the Iron Band's healer since I was captured."

"You were captured? Oh, what fun!"

"Not really," Sirna said, telling Lavena the tale of the attack on the Royal Foundry and how the next day she found herself in the Gull's Nest, when she regained consciousness. "I was told later that a peasant found me unconscious and sold me to the nearest brothel."

"Oh!" Lavena cried, wrinkling up her face. "That doesn't sound good."

"It turned out better than it sounds. I was very fortunate, praise the gods." She had to force herself not to say the usual "Praise Dralm," since she was now deep in Styphoni territory. The last thing she needed was to be brought up on a charge of heresy for a parcel of gods she didn't give a phenig about. "The brothel, the Gull's Nest, was temporary headquarters for Grand Captain-General Phidestros' personal command. It was also their hospital. When it was learned that I had some skill in healing, I was treated like royalty by the General."

Lavena laughed. "If I know men, I'm sure he was interested in more than just your healing abilities. You are a striking young woman. As long as Phidestros treated you like a Lady, that's all that counts."

"Phidestros did treat me like a Lady. It also gave me an opportunity to get to know him at both his best and his worst. He was under a lot of pressure from your husband and from Styphon's House."

Lavena nodded. "Although he'd never admit it out loud, Lysandros is jealous of your Prince. He believes that Phidestros has had greater opportunities to display his talents. Now, it is my husband's turn to command and he will find great rewards when he returns with Kalvan's head on a stake."

Damn, I've got to remember this is the enemy I'm talking to. Not some new girlfriend I just met.

They had been traveling uphill for some time and the coach came to a stop at a border crossing. At last, they had arrived at the former Princedom of Sashta, now a part of Greater Beshta. There were no guards on the Hostigos side of the border, but the score of soldiers on Beshta's side were wearing Phidestros' green and black livery with polished helmets and breastplates. It appeared the Prince had used his personal livery as the colors for the new combined Princedom of Greater Beshta. The troopers stood at the ready, looking like consummate professionals. She suspected they were there to keep Roxthar's thugs at bay.

Once the guards saw their letter of passage signed by the Prince himself, they quickly passed them through the gate. She noticed that a new watchtower had been built and there was a small swivel gun mounted on top.

Right away it was obvious that they were in a civilized land. While some of the farms were still in ruins, they were either in the process of being torn down or replaced. There was new construction everywhere, and men working in the fields. Even women and children were visible in the small villages they passed. There was still obvious battle damage, but by next summer most of it would be cleared away and this land would look as peaceful as the Harphaxi countryside.

Lavena's face appeared somber. Sirna wondered if the Queen was contemplating her future; it wouldn't be easy bearing a child alone in Harphax City, being friendless, and Lysandros absent. No, the Harphaxi hens would not be enamored of their new Queen-that was certain. She was too beautiful, too sure of herself and too arrogant. They would hate her for being an outsider, a former Hostigi, the daughter of a traitor and the wife of a man many of them detested. No, Lavena's position was not a secure one, nor one to be envied.

Sirna almost felt sorry for her.

"It looks like your Prince has already made a good start on reclaiming his lands."

Sirna nodded. "Phidestros will be a good prince, Your Majesty."

"Please, just call me Lavena. And what about your future?" Lavena asked.