Fairhaven rising, p.60
Fairhaven Rising, page 60
“Why didn’t they like your mother?” asked Arthaal.
Taelya managed not to wince at the question.
“They just didn’t. They said her mother was an evil white witch.”
Taelya almost nodded. That might explain a great deal. She looked to Ysabella. “So your mother could possibly have been a mage here, but not in Gallos?”
“I don’t know. She died when I was born. My aunt wouldn’t talk about her, and no one else would, either.”
“None of that matters now,” declared Jessyla. “You’re all here, and Annana can be a white, and Sydel a black … if you want to work hard enough. If not, you can do other work, and no one will say anything.”
But it would be such a waste. Rather than speak, Taelya waited.
“Did you always want to be a mage?” Annana asked Jessyla.
Beltur laughed softly, and Annana looked quizzically at him.
“She wanted to be a mage from the beginning. She just couldn’t figure out how,” explained Beltur.
“Beltur knew how to teach me. No one else even thought I could.”
“You see,” said Ysabella, “we are in the right place.”
Even Sydel nodded.
LXXIII
When Taelya entered the kitchen at dawn on fiveday morning, Tulya had her breakfast waiting.
“You didn’t have to—”
“I wanted to. Besides, you’ll need a good breakfast. You and Kaeryla and Third Squad are escorting Beltur to Vergren. I cleaned your least dirty uniform the best I could, and packed your good uniform in your duffel.”
“Thank you.” Taelya couldn’t exactly say she was surprised, either by her mother knowing where she was headed before Taelya herself did … or for the thoughtfulness with the uniforms. “Then Jessyla and Valchar are staying here?”
“That makes the most sense, don’t you think? She’s also the best healer, and there are more than a few wounded. And from what I’ve heard, together you and Kaeryla may be one of the most powerful magely forces in Candar. You might be needed if the Certans try an invasion … or for other reasons. Now … eat that ham and egg scramble, or Dorylt will likely be begging some of it from you. You look like you need it more than he does.”
“Do I look that bad?”
“You’re better this morning. You looked tired last night. So did Kaeryla. I thought you two might be. That was another reason why I had dinner ready as soon as you all could eat it.”
“I did like sleeping in my own bed.”
“Ysabella thought you would. She’s really sweet. So is Annana. Beltur’s going to have his hands full with Sydel. It may take the two of you.”
“I only met his father once, and once in battle, but Sydel does seem to take after Sydon.”
“You two will put him in line.” Tulya smiled almost mischievously, then said, “You got Sheralt to do things the right way, I heard.”
“Mother…”
“Didn’t you?”
Taelya shook her head, not because she disagreed, but because she didn’t want to discuss Sheralt at that moment.
“He likes you. He more than likes you. Just be careful.”
“I know … but you were telling me to wait and see.”
“From what I’ve heard, you saw a great deal, and you’re older now, in ways that count. You’re also not as young as Kaeryla, dear.”
“I’m not an old spinster, either.”
“You don’t have to have children immediately … and you shouldn’t. But it helps to be close to someone for a time before you have children.”
“Mother…”
“He just about worships every scrap of chaos you throw his way.”
Taelya barely managed not to choke on the ale she had started to drink. Even so, she had to cough several times to clear her throat. “I think … you’ve … made … your point…” She coughed again.
“You’re even more stubborn than I am,” said Tulya reflectively. “Sometimes, I was too stubborn. I’d hate to see that in you.”
“I’ll think about it. I likely won’t be seeing him too soon.”
“You’ll be in Weevett tonight.”
“He won’t be. He’ll be almost a day away at the Montgren border post. That’s until we know that the Certans won’t be trying to invade Montgren.”
“Then you’d better finish your breakfast.”
Taelya wasn’t quite sure what that meant, except that her mother wasn’t going to say more about Sheralt for the moment, but she did resume eating.
When she finished, she looked up. “This is the best breakfast I’ve had in eightdays.”
“That was the idea.”
“What was the idea?” asked Dorylt as he slouched toward the table.
“That you two get a good breakfast. You need to hurry. Beltur called an all-officers’ meeting at sixth glass, and while you’re a provisional undercaptain, you’re still an officer.”
Taelya hid a grin while she took a last swallow of ale before getting up.
“Don’t forget your duffel.”
“I won’t … and thank you again for taking care of my uniforms.”
“I thought you’d need the good one when you meet with the Duchess. Make sure you’re part of that group. If Beltur objects, tell him I said you needed to be there.”
“I don’t think it will come to that, but I will if it’s necessary.” Then Taelya hurried to get her duffel and gear.
She and Kaeryla had almost finished saddling their mounts when both Arthaal and Dorylt came running to the barn.
“You two had better hurry,” said Taelya. “We’re leaving as soon as we can.”
“Beltur’s having a meeting earlier than usual,” grumbled Dorylt.
Arthaal mumbled something Taelya didn’t hear clearly.
“Stop complaining,” snapped Kaeryla. “He told us last night. You just weren’t listening.”
“I was tired.”
“You don’t even know what tired is,” returned Kaeryla, taking the mare’s reins and turning to lead her horse out of the barn.
Taelya followed with Bounder, and the two mounted, then started toward headquarters.
“We don’t have to hurry that much,” said Kaeryla. “That way, they might come close to catching up.” She paused, then asked, “What do you think will happen with the Duchess?”
“What will happen and what should happen are two different possibilities,” replied Taelya, because she’d thought more than a little about Koralya over the past few days.
“How can we trust her after all she did?”
“We can’t. But who can remove her … besides us? And what would that tell every other ruler in Candar?”
“We don’t dare do anything? That’s … awful.”
“There’s also the problem that the only document we know about that suggests what she may have had in mind only states that the Montgren Gorge bridge needed to be kept open under all circumstances. Since we’ve stopped the immediate Certan attacks to take and cross the bridge, that order only shows bad judgment, not a conspiracy with the Viscount.”
“You mean … she’ll get away with it? I can’t believe that Father would let that happen.”
“I doubt that he will, but the less we talk about it to anyone but each other, the better … at least for now. If too many people talk, that will make it harder for your father. Right now, only a few officers know. You might tell Valchar not to say anything yet.”
“You could tell him.”
“I could … but he’d rather hear it from you, and it is your father who will have to deal with the Duchess.”
Kaeryla nodded. “I can see that. I’ll mention it to him before we leave.”
The two undercaptains had tied their horses outside the stable, since the sun had yet to rise and the air wasn’t too warm yet, and were walking across the courtyard when Arthaal and Dorylt rode in.
“You could have waited,” said Arthaal.
“You could have gotten up when you were supposed to,” replied Kaeryla.
Dorylt wisely only said, “We need to take care of the horses and get to the duty room.”
As the young men rode away toward the stable, Kaeryla said, “Dorylt’s gotten much stronger as a mage.”
“So has Arthaal.”
“He was stronger than Dorylt when we left. Now they’re about the same.”
“We’re all different,” said Taelya.
“Do you think mages should consort other mages or healers?”
“Only if they love and respect each other.”
“But if you look at our families, there are more mages among the children.”
“I’m not sure I want to be bred like a horse,” said Taelya dryly.
“I didn’t…”
“I know, but the thought bothers me.” Taelya opened the door and gestured for Kaeryla to go first. “What if some ruler, like the Prefect, figures that out?”
“Well, it takes a long time for people to have children and their children to have children … and it’s not good to consort with close relations.”
“Keep that thought in mind.”
The two made their way to the duty room, where Therran, Gustaan, and Vannyk were already waiting. Before long, Karlaak and Valchar joined them, followed by Dorylt and Arthaal, both breathing faster than usual. Finally, Beltur, Zekkarat, and Jessyla entered the chamber.
“Good morning,” said Beltur cheerfully, surveying the room. “We’ve had a busy summer so far, I’d say. Matters are looking hopeful, but they’re not settled yet. Not all of them. I strongly doubt that we’ll have to worry about the Prefect or any Duke of Hydlen, if one even emerges from the so-called Gallosian protectorate, for quite some time. Nor will we need to worry about Viscount Rystyn, but since we don’t even know who his successor is, that is a loose end that might prove troublesome.
“Even so, at the moment,” Beltur went on, “there’s absolutely no reason for any Montgren company to remain in Fairhaven. Majer Zekkarat and I agree on that. The first Fairhaven company will be back close to full strength before long, and the second company—that’s the one formed out of the Lydian companies—is close to combat-ready. There are certain questions raised by the Duchess’s orders regarding the Montgren Gorge bridge, and by the implications of those orders. In order to resolve those questions, Third Squad and I will be accompanying the three Montgren companies on their return to Weevett or Vergren … wherever Majer Zekkarat believes those companies should be posted. Third Squad and I will then proceed to Vergren with Majer Zekkarat and whatever companies he feels should return there. Mage-Captain Jessyla will be in command here in my absence. I cannot say how long matters in Vergren will take, but I doubt that resolving them will take more than an eightday, possibly less.” He paused. “Do any of you have any questions?”
“Is it possible that the Certans might decide to march south and then take the old road to Fairhaven?” asked Therran.
“Anything is possible, but it would take more than two eightdays for that to occur. First, it will take several days yet for word about the bridge’s destruction to get to Jellico. Then it would take several more days to assemble and supply such a force, and almost two eightdays to reach Fairhaven. There’s also the likelihood that the new Viscount might not wish to risk his own life or the possibility of an immediate military defeat so soon after becoming Viscount. At the moment, the Prefect can’t be too happy with Certis, and if Certis moved a large force against Fairhaven, that might invite retaliation by Gallos.”
“In short … you don’t think it’s likely that Certis will move against us soon.”
“We need to watch Certis carefully, but I’d say that any Viscount who decides to attack anyone in the near future is likely not to hold his seat. The whole idea behind the hidden alliance between Gallos and Certis was to obtain control of Montgren and destroy Fairhaven without risking that many troopers. Gallos has lost over five battalions and more than ten mages, and Certis at least a battalion, a Viscount, and a white mage. In addition, with the loss of the Montgren Gorge bridge, the traders of Certis will suffer the most.”
Taelya nodded at that, knowing that her uncle wasn’t pointing out that the loss of the bridge couldn’t but help Fairhaven.
“Since there are no more questions, the meeting is over. Third Squad and the Montgren companies will be leaving headquarters in two quints. All Fairhaven officers except those in Third Squad are to remain for daily duty assignments by Captain Jessyla.”
Beltur turned and left the duty room, followed by Zekkarat. Jessyla remained. Then the Montgren officers hurried out.
Valchar walked over to Taelya. “There’s plenty he’s not saying.”
“There are reasons for that,” replied Taelya, nodding to Kaeryla. “She can explain it better than I might.”
Valchar smiled wryly. “Less directly, you mean?”
Taelya smiled pleasantly and said to Kaeryla, “I’ll have the squad ready.” Although Varais has already taken care of that. Then she turned and headed for the stable yard and Bounder.
As Taelya knew, Varais had Third Squad formed up and ready.
“Undercaptain Kaeryla is dealing with something. She’ll be here shortly.”
Varais nodded. “Majer Beltur said we’d lead the way, and that he’d be back here in a few moments. Is it true that we’re the only Fairhaven troopers going with the Montgren companies?”
“That’s right. I understand that the majer has some matters to discuss with the Duchess. What those are I don’t know.” And Taelya wasn’t about to offer her opinions on what they should be. Not yet, anyway. As she sensed Kaeryla approaching, she turned.
The younger mage wore an amused smile as she reined up beside Taelya. “Valchar knew exactly what you were doing.”
“Good. He still enjoyed hearing it from you.”
Kaeryla blushed momentarily, then shook her head. “I’m going to have a few words with Sheralt when he returns.”
Taelya smiled in return. “I hadn’t thought otherwise.”
Less than a quint later, Beltur rode up. “We can head out now.”
Taelya turned in the saddle and nodded to Varais.
“Third Squad! Forward!”
None of the mages spoke again until Third Squad was on the main street headed west toward the Weevett road.
Then Beltur said, “You’ll be the vanguard all the way to Vergren, but I’ll be spending most of the time on the way to Weevett going over matters with Zekkarat.”
“What matters?” asked Kaeryla, her voice guileless.
“The matters that we’re going to discuss, of course,” replied Beltur. “You two might have noticed that I understated things at the meeting, but Zekkarat has doubtless figured that out … or will. By the end of summer, Fairhaven will have three full combat companies. We already have six fully trained combat mages, and in a year or two, both Arthaal and Dorylt will be much better. Annana will likely follow the example you two have set. Sydel … he’s going to take some work.”
“What that means is that Fairhaven is stronger in terms of troopers and mages than Montgren is,” Taelya said.
“Zekkarat knows that already. We need to talk over presenting the facts to the Duchess, as well as a few other things. We’ll also get more traders because the gorge bridge won’t be rebuilt unless it’s designed to be removed in less than a glass. Neither Montgren nor Fairhaven can afford to allow Certis an easy passage into Montgren.”
“The Duchess won’t like that,” said Kaeryla.
“That may be,” replied Beltur, “but we won’t accept anything else.”
“Kaeryla and I will be at that meeting,” said Taelya.
“You’ve decided that on your own?”
“No. The treasurer and justicer of Fairhaven suggested it,” said Taelya.
“And so did the head healer,” added Kaeryla.
“In that event,” replied Beltur, a certain wry amusement in his voice, “I might as well admit that I agree with them.”
LXXIV
Taelya had expected to find the Weevett post locked and closed, but there were fresh-faced guards at the gates and a Montgren banner drooping from the flagstaff in the still air of late midafternoon. As Third Squad neared the gates, Zekkarat rode past Taelya and directly up to the guards.
“What company has garrisoned the post? I’d ordered it closed.”
“The training company under Undercaptain Haaskyn, ser. We just got here on threeday.”
“Where is he?”
“In the duty room, I think, ser.” The trooper who had answered looked totally confused, as if he had no idea what Zekkarat wanted.
“We have two companies here, and a squad from Fairhaven. We’re headed to Vergren. We’ll only be here for the night.”
“Ser … might I ask?”
“Majer Beltur led our companies to two solid victories over the Gallosians and the Hydlenese. They lost close to six battalions in both battles and at Passera.” Zekkarat gestured for Third Squad to follow him into the post.
Taelya thought that the young trooper looked even more bewildered after Zekkarat’s brief reply. She wondered what the recruits in the training squads might have been told … or not told, as the case might have been.
Third Squad hadn’t even reached the stables when a graying undercaptain stepped out into the courtyard. “Majer Zekkarat! Thank the fates you’re here. What happened? Why was the post closed?”
“The troopers were needed elsewhere urgently. We’ll talk about that at an officers’ meeting after we take care of our mounts and arrange for the men. We’ll only be here a night. We’re headed to Vergren to meet with the Duchess. Oh … Majer Beltur led us to two decisive victories in Hydlen.”
Undercaptain Haaskyn looked stunned for a moment. “That’s … wonderful … I don’t know that anyone expected it.”
“We’ll go over all of that at the meeting,” said Zekkarat firmly in a tone in which Taelya could not only sense, but actually hear a barely concealed displeasure.
The older undercaptain could obviously hear it as well, since he swallowed and said, “Yes, ser.”
