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eleven."
"Nine. One has lost a wheel, and another was overturned in a river last
night."
Yatar, Christ, and Vothan! "I see. Thank you, my lord. Battle between us might
very well be more interestingthan either of us would like. But your army must
leave my Realm!"
"Of course. That will not be as easy to accomplish as I would like." Strymon's
voice dropped even lower. "Majesty, less than half my troops are of Ta-
Meltemos."
"Issardos again."
"Yes. I see now that he schemes to make the High Rexja into a Great King of
Kings, and I have been his catspaw. Majesty, all of the chivalry of Ta-
Meltemos will follow me north, but the rest probably will not."
A problem I cannot solve for you, my friend. "Where will you go?"
"To the Green Palace, to send Rauros packing! I see my duty is to take the
throne, in fact if not in name."
"A hard decision."
"Not so hard. My father will not know the difference."
"I grieve for you." My father knew he had been cast out. You're lucky, my
friend. "Now to terms. You will withdraw your army. Ta-Meltemos will give no
more aid to the Five Kingdoms in war against Drantos, and will send aid to
Drantos in war against anyone but the Five Kingdoms." -
Strymon considered. "I can agree to this. In return, you seek no reparations
for damages done in this campaign, and you will share your knowledge of the
Time with us."
"That is easier to agree to than you think," Ganton said. "Even if we all
stand together, few enough will survive the Time and the skyfire that
follows."
"Those stories are true, then?"
"You will learn." Ganton raised his voice. "Apelles." "Majesty?"
"Prince Strymon, may he approach?"
"Certainly. Apelles, if you please."
Apelles rode up to join them. "Majesty. Highness."
"Apelles, from the moment that Prince Strymon's army marches northward and out
of Drantos, you will share with him all your knowledge of the Time, and of our
preparations for it, saving only what you may know of our recent troop
movements."
All." Apelles tilted his head to one side. "All?"
"All. Including the sky box that talks, and the great sky-ship you have seen.
All."
"I gather I am not to go home so soon as I thought," Apelles said dryly.
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"I am certain that Yanulf will consent," Ganton said.
Apelles grinned. "So am I. Majesty, I must send letters "
"Of course. We will send apprentices and a priest to aid you, as befits your
new station." And Yanulf will make you a bishop at least, or he's going to
find it harder to collect his tithes.
"May I offer advice, Majesty?" Apelles said.
"Why do you think you're here? Speak!"
"I do not care for the reports I receive from the Green Palace," Apelles said.
"What do you know of my father that I do not?" Strymon demanded.
"Only that Rauros grows more bold. Highness, think upon what might happen if a
messenger brings a Royal Writ under the Great Seal, accusing you of treason.
Or accusing Wanax Ganton of atrocities and demanding that his lands be laid
waste. Or "
"I see. I must return at once."
"Highness, you cannot," Apelles said. "Without you, your army will put this
land to the sword."
"Then what must be done?"
"Send Prince Teodoros. At once."
The lady Tylara does not think much of Teodoros. How can say this?
"Apelles, my brother is loyal, but he "
"Is no statesman," Apelles said. "True. He will need good advice, which we
must be at pains to send often. But I see no other way."
Strymon looked thoughtful. "It may be enough. I suppose you can suggest an
advisor to accompany him?"
"Prakes, priest of Yatar," Apelles said.
"Urn. I would have thought him young, but yes, he has my brother's respect if
any churchman does. A convert to the new faith, I believe "
I would wager half a kingdom he is a convert, Ganton thought. "Highness, I
see we must move swiftly. Shall we bring witnesses to our agreement?"
"I am ready. Yon squire is Bheroman Tarmon do Karimos. I am afraid I
cannot trust many more of my officers to know our terms."
"Bring him then. I will summon Drumold, and we five will be witness enough."
"You are mad!" Bheroman Darkon pounded on the council table. "Withdraw?
Nonsense. We lost time while you were enthralled by that highland witch, but
we can still thrust to the walls of Edron in a ten-day!"
Strymon stared at the map on the table, then lifted his eyes to scan the faces
of the dozen lords and officers around him. He thought most approved of
Darkon's speech. "Perhaps, if the weather holds," Strymon said. "And what
then?"
"Then we will have won!"
"We will have won nothing. Edron will not fall to threats. Let me remind you,
my Lord Darkon, it is they, not we, who have the guns."
At least two barons muttered approval.
"Then we must destroy them in the field. Kill or capture that boy king of
theirs. That will certainly bring us victory."
"It is easy enough to speak of destruction, and I do not doubt we could hurt
Ganton badly. But my lords, the trick is to avoid being destroyed ourselves.
You've heard the reports of our scouts. Before he left us so strangely,
Matthias told us what guns and star weapons can do. Ganton seeks no battle. He
will choose a strong position and make us come to him. My lords, I doubt no
one's courage, but this is no way to make war."
"If you hadn't stopped here," Darkon said.
"My lord," Strymon said gently, "I was ordered to remain here to await the
High Rexja's army."
"So we serve fools or " Darkon caught himself.
Pity. Had he said 'coward' I could have killed him with honor, "I will not
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hear that said of our High King," Strymon said. "Nor yet of me, and I would be
a fool to remain here facing the host of Drantos on its own terms. Captain
Ninas, how long will the fodder last?"
"Highness, no more than a ten-day. Even now we feed the horses but seven pecks
of the eight they need."
Bheroman Abados grunted. "And meanwhile Ganton's tame wolf Morrone rages
through my lands. Whatever the rest of you do, I want permission to take my
forces home and put a stop to that."
"Granted," Strymon said.
Some of the others glared.
"My lords, many of your homes are far from here. Think upon the Time."
"Legends," someone said.
"It is legend that the seas rise? That the rains come late, then beat the
crops into the ground? The Demon Sun is no legend." Strymon shrugged. "I do
not know what the other kingdoms will do, but Ta-Meltemos cannot afford war
with men when the very gods war with one another across our lands!"
"You seek peace without the High Rexja's permission!" someone shouted.
"Treason!"
"The High Rexja is not yet Great King," Strymon said. "And who here wants him
to be? My lords, do you all wish to be slaves to Issardos?"
"By Vothan, it is treason!" Darkon shouted. "Guards! Treason, treason!"
"My lord, I think you do not wish to shout so loud, lest my guards believe you
threaten me," Strymon said carefully.
Darkon dashed to the tent doorway. "Soldiers! Hear me! Prince Strymon abandons
the High Rexja!"
A dozen troops in the green and white of Ta-Meltemos charged forward with
drawn swords. Strymon held up his hand. "Let him speak," he said.
Darkon opened his mouth to shout, and saw that everyone within earshot wore
green and white. "I see." He turned to Strymon. "Will you let me address the
troops in assembly, then?"
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