Down styphon, p.34
Down Styphon!, page 34
part #8 of Kalvan Series
“According to Kalvan, he was taken prisoner and held overnight in a barn at the outskirts of Balph. There he used his belt to hang himself from one of the rafters.”
Arminta shuddered. “How horrible! Does he say why?”
“He was inconsolable when informed of the fate of his wife and her daughter. It appears, according to Kalvan, that he wanted to join them in the Sky-Palaces of the gods.”
“May All-Mother Yirtta’s will be done,” she intoned. “Maybe it was for the best. Geblon is now at finally at peace.”
Phidestros shook his head. “I need to talk with Kyblannos and see what he believes.”
“Has he returned, too?”
“Yes, he came back with the treasure fleet. Unfortunately, they hit a bad storm and three boats were lost.”
“Send for him.”
“I will.” He turned to his manservant Mynos. “Have someone locate Duke Kyblannos and have him brought to our private chamber.”
“Yes, Sire.”
In less than a candle, Duke Kyblannos was escorted into their presence. He bowed, saying, “Your Majesties, I should have visited sooner, but I wanted to get a drink and see my wife and children first.”
Phidestros waved his hand, as though swatting a fly. “It is of no matter, my friend. I understand your desire to reunite with family. However, I have some questions for you about the death of our old comrade.”
Kyblannos shook his head wearily, then threw out his hands. “A bad business, for sure, Your Majesty. Great King Kalvan informed me of his death shortly after the body was discovered and provided me with immediate access. ”
“How did it look to you?”
“Geblon’s body had already been cut down from the rafter, but was still lying on the hay inside the Vyklos barn. I examined the body carefully. There were no marks or unexpected bruises, except around the throat where the belt had resided. Everything appeared consistent with suicide. I fear our old comrade could not face life without that she-devil he called his wife.”
“Do you believe he was that smitten with her?”
Kyblannos nodded. “To the point of madness, Cap'n. I doubt he wanted to face life without her at his side.”
Phidestros nodded. “Geblon changed so much since our time together, I fear I no longer knew him. You are probably right. Let us bury the body with all honors. The truth be known, I’m glad it was done by his own hand and not by the machinations of Kalvan.”
Arminta let go of the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Maybe we'll see true peace for the first time in our lives. Praise the gods!
III
“Your Majesty, King Kalvan and his escort have been sighted about five marches from Hostigos Town.”
Rylla felt her stomach flutter, as though it were full of butterflies. She hoped her husband liked the renovations she had made to the palace; not that he would know what they were since he hadn’t seen the place since they’d fled from the Grand Host of Styphon’s House years before. She had been working hard on this victory celebration for over a moon-quarter, ever since Great King Sarrask had informed her that Kalvan and his companions had arrived in Harphax City. She had invited people from near and far who deserved to be included.
“Are the streets lined with well-wishers?” she asked.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” King Chartiphon said. “All of them with Hostigi flags and banners. There’ll be a lot of babies come next spring!”
Rylla laughed, with Yirtta’s help she and Kalvan might have another one of their own.
Tbe presence chamber was filled with lords and nobles all dressed in their finest: Uncle Wolf Tharses, Highpriest of Galzar, Chancellor Mytron, Captain-General Hestophes, Dean Ermut, King Chartiphon and many of the lower nobility and merchant classes. All ready to welcome Great King Kalvan after his dramatic sacking of Balph and the utter destruction of Styphon’s House.
It was another three-quarters of a candle before a dusty Kalvan, followed by Duke Skranga, Prince Mythros, Captain-General Halmoth, Baron Gasphros, lute in hand, and Captain-General Alkides, entered the chamber. Her husband looked around with complete surprise. “What’s this all about?” he asked.
Servants with drinks and appetizers were circulating through the room.
“It’s a party!” Skranga cried. “A welcome home party!”
“That’s just what it is!” Chartiphon yelled. “A victory party! Down Styphon!”
This started a chant of “Down Styphon!” that went on for a few minutes.
It was brought to an end when Skranga called out: “For all time!”
“HUZZAH!” Halmoth cried out.
This was followed by the sound of music as Gasphros began strumming his lute.
Rylla had a hard time making her way to her husband as he was surrounded by well-wishers and friends, all congratulating him.
Prince Mythros waylaid her before she reached his side, saying, “I’ve always want to meet Your Majesty. Your beauty is noted throughout the Six Kingdoms!”
“Thank you,” she said, trying not to blush. She had heard that the Blethan Prince was not the kind of man to offer false compliments and blandishments.
“I believe in time our two kingdoms will become close friends.”
Rylla liked the sound of that and smiled.
She saw Baron Halmoth standing by himself drinking from one of the new glass goblets.
“Congratulations, Baron, upon your victory,” she said.
“It was Kalvan’s victory,” he replied. “I would have never thought of using the plague to bring down Balph. It was a nasty end to an ugly war, but those godless Styphoni deserved it.”
Rylla wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince her or himself. He didn’t look very happy. She suspected that few who had participated in the downfall of Balph felt any pride in their accomplishment. In time that would change as the results of that victory flowered within the Great Kingdoms.
She smiled and went over to Duke Hestophes who looked down in the mouth. She knew he missed the siege of Balph and in part blamed her for it. However, she had a surprise that would change that dour look.
“Come with me, Duke. I have someone I want you to meet.” She led him to the far side of the chamber where a well-dressed lady awaited.
Hestophes’ mouth dropped open. “Is that who I think it is?”
Rylla nodded, smiling. “Yes, it’s your wife, Duchess Lysia.”
Hestophes took his wife into his arms, tears of joy leaking from his eyes. They talked privately for a few moments, then he turned to Rylla. “Thank you, Your Majesty. This is the best gift you could have given me!”
“You wife has done a great job in protecting Aspasthar and aiding him in becoming enthroned upon the Throne of Light. He still needs her guidance, but it occurred to us that we needed an official representative at the Court of Hos-Agrys. Of course, you would be the ideal person. What do you think, Duke?”
“I think I’m the happiest man in this room; that is what I think!” he said, smiling and raising his goblet to make a toast. “To Great Queen Rylla who has kept the home fires burning!”
“Aye, aye,” several voices cried out.
Kalvan, when she finally reached him, didn’t look all that pleased, and she knew why. He probably wasn’t happy about all the casualties the siege had cost, even though most of the dead were the priests, soldiers and sycophants of Styphon’s House. She knew how to rectify that and brought him a full goblet of Ermut’s Best.
“Why the long face, my dear,” she asked, as people made way for her.
Kalvan took the goblet and drank deeply. “I had to use some underhanded tactics to end the siege of Balph, and I’m not happy about it. It was the plague that won the siege; not my genius. We left behind tens of thousands of dead bodies in Balph ”
“True, darling. But, the good news is they were all Styphoni priests, bodyguards, sycophants and their allies. The Army of Hos-Hostigos took less than two thousand casualties during the entire siege.”
“True. How did you know?” he asked.
“Duke Kyblannos told me in a letter. He also believes that you and Phidestros will become allies.”
“If true, that’s a very good thing. A war between the two of our kingdoms would be a costly one, no matter who won.”
“Smile, my love. You accomplished a great thing; you brought about an end to the heinous Temple of Styphon. A nest of vipers who have been leaching and living off the bounty of the Great Kingdoms for centuries.”
Kalvan sighed. “It’s been a long war, and part of me has a hard time believing it’s finally over!”
“Well, thanks to your good work in Hos-Ktemnos and our alliance with Great King Phidestros, the Six Kingdoms are finally at peace.”
“To peace,” Kalvan toasted, everyone raising their cups, goblets and tankards.
“TO PEACE! TO PEACE!” some fifty voices called out.
“TO GREAT KING KALVAN!” another group shouted.
Kalvan sighed. “To the future,” he said more to himself than anyone listening.
“Yes,” Rylla seconded. “To our future!”
Kalvan took her in his arms and gave her a kiss that took her breath away.
“Is there a place around here where we can find some privacy?” he asked.
“Follow me, Your Majesty,” she said with a little curtsy as she led him to their bedchamber.
The End
John F. Carr, Down Styphon!
