The Fireseed Wars

Sirna shook her head. She'd already given that subject far too much thought. She did not want to give herself to an outtimer who would be dead or ancient in fifty years, while she was as young in appearance as she was today. And he would want heirs; Sirna could never doom any of her children to such a short mayfly life. Nor could she take them back to Dhergabar where they would be viewed as half-breeds, neither citizen nor prole. "I don't know."

"You might want to make some plans. Are you aware that Phidestros will soon be married?"

"Marriage! He hasn't mentioned it to me."

"Doesn't he think you're well-born enough?" Lavena asked.

"No. Phidestros is a bastard; he of all people would never put birth above character. It's I who would refuse his hand, were he to ask. I cannot wed someone who is not a free trader. My family in Greffa would disown me."

"Then, you really don't know?"

"What?"

"That Princess Arminta's hand in marriage has been promised to Phidestros-"

"Arminta!" she cried, quickly running through her mental list of the different tin-pot Harphaxi princes and princesses. Princess Arminta was Prince Soligon of Argros' oldest daughter. Why is she marrying Phidestros?

Lavena's hand covered her mouth. "I swear, by Yirtta's Necklace, I didn't know that you hadn't been informed. This marriage was arranged by my husband before he left Harphax City to join the Grand Host. I know he kept it a secret from Prince Phidestros until after the Siege of Tarr-Hostigos. I don't know why Phidestros didn't tell you…"

"Because it might have upset our leavetaking!"

"Well, men do have a different view of these things."

"Oh, don't they. I'm sure he's convinced I'll stay his mousey little mistress after he's married, too. Have I got a surprise for him!"

"Good for you. You're an attractive young lady, you'll find another man."

"I don't want another man; I didn't want Phidestros! That just happened."

Sirna hadn't wanted an outtime affair, but their mutual attraction had been

too strong. Now, it would be over and she should be relieved. Why am I so

angry? I'm being: abandoned again. Is that why?

Lavena shook her head. "Men don't care what we want. My father is the same way. He indulges me in small things, but my marriage to Lysandros was set in stone before I heard about it."

"You could have refused his hand."

"While I have often disobeyed my father in things small, I would never defy him to his face. His pride is all he owns."

"He is the new Prince of Hostigos," Sirna declared.

"Yes, but it's a grim joke played by the gods. It was my marriage that purchased his crown. Now, father is Prince of a graveyard. Who knew that mad Archpriest Roxthar would turn our beloved Hostigos into a cemetery."

"Only the gods. It's only by Phidestros' intervention that I was not a subject of the Arch-Butcher's Investigation."

"Oh, no!" Lavena cried, her face blanched of color. "You've met the Investigator face to face."

"Oh, yes. Roxthar came to the Gull's Nest to confront Phidestros, when he learned of my presence there."

"But, Sirna, you're not a Hostigi. You're from Greffa. He has no right to Investigate you!"

"I was unclean in his eyes. After all, I had worked in Kalvan's Royal Foundry. To Roxthar there are no physical boundaries except those between Styphon's Sky-Palace and Regwarn. He went after me like a fox after a broken-winged duck! It was only Phidestros' will and the Iron Band's swords that kept me from being dragged out into the streets by that bloodthirsty monster!"

"That is proof the gods watch over you, Sirna. Is not Lytris the Patroness of Greffa?"

"That is true. There are statues and shrines to the Lady all over Greffa."

Lavena looked her directly in the eyes, with a wounded gaze. "Would you like to come with me to Harphax City, Sirna? You have no one waiting for you in Besh Town. Just as I have no friends in Harphax City; no family, either, now that my father is living in Hostigos Town. I don't know if I can stand living in that drafty old palace, hated by everyone in sight, without at least one friend."

Sirna was torn. For her research on Aryan Transpacific, Styphon's House Subsector, Kalvan's Time-Line, it would be far better to be based in Harphax City, the hub of Hos-Harphax, than stuck in a backwater Princedom. She might even be able to find someone in Harphax City from the Kalvan Study Team! Then I can go home to visit.

On the other hand, she would miss Phidestros and her friends in the Iron Band. I wonder if Phidestros will care. He might even prefer that his mistress decamp. And, how will I feel as he parades his new wife through town?

"I will talk with Phidestros and see if he still needs me. Most of the soldiers I tended are well now. A few died; those with the most grievous wounds were left behind."

"That's to be expected, Sirna. I'm sure you're a good healer."