Soarer's Children, Part 7
Chapter 37, Praetor's Palace, Lustrea
Tyren, absolute ruler of the largest, most populous nation on Corus sat in a chair in his private apartment, bathed in the glow of a single lamp. It had not been a good day. In fact, it had not been a very good few months. Ever since he regained his memory, nothing had gone right. The Deforyans were proving far more determined and clever than he would ever have imagined. The steppe nomads were proving impossible to engage in any conclusive manner and on top of it all, that damnable herder colonel had completely disrupted his plans by eliminating all but one of his crystal based weapons and that one was now little more than a curiosity.
It was beginning to look more and more like he was going to have to abandon his father's dream of a Corus united under the banner of the Praetor of Lustrea. In frustration he brought his fist down onto the heavy wooden table next to his chair. The force of the blow sent shock waves up his arm right to the shoulder joint.
"Have a care, my lord Praetor. I think the table has the better odds of winning," said a calm voice from behind him.
Much to his credit, Tyren didn't jump up or give out with a started oath. His only reaction to the voice was to look casually back over his shoulder to see the tall, dark clothed figure of that selfsame herder colonel standing not five paces away. Remembering the last encounter, he looked towards the door leading from his private sitting room to the larger room he used when he occasionally entertained and saw the tall redheaded woman standing sentry with one of those portable cannon those people referred to as a rifle.
"Well, Colonel, you've returned to plague me with your presence once more. To what do I owe this dubious honor?"
"Well, my lord, I was growing curious to learn if you've made any decisions based on our previous discussion. You still seem to be locked in a stalemate with the Deforyans and from what I can gather you aren't making any headway with the high steppe nomads either. It seems a terrible waste of coins and lives to pursue a idea that has no chance of coming to fruition," Alucius said calmly as he stepped around to stand before the young ruler. "You might be interested to know that the Matrites have finally come around and are engaging in talks with the Lord Protector. That means that you no longer have the option of finding us preoccupied in the west should you come calling."
This was news the Praetor had not yet heard, the distances being what they were. That had been part of the original idea.
"And what would you have me do then, Colonel. What is left to a ruler if there is no chance for conquest?" Tyren asked, his voice tinged with bitterness.
"A chance to build a strong and prosperous nation filled with subjects who don't have to worry about food or shelter or the prospects of loosing family and friends in useless conflict. And for you personally, a chance at a much longer life as I previously mentioned. Any attempt at aggression west of the Spine will count you as a casualty, believe that."
"Yes, yes, so you've said. So am I to understand this is a final warning visit? Telling me I must toe your line or suffer the consequences?" Tyren asked.
"If that's how you choose to consider it, my lord Praetor. Corus has been in turmoil for too long. Your help in ending that would be greatly appreciated. Your participation in continuing it won't be tolerated. I trust you'll choose well. We'll leave you in peace now. I'm sure you have a lot to consider," Alucius said and then ever so gently tapped the man's life thread.
Tyren slumped in his chair so he was unaware of how his two visitors left the room. A glass or so later, one of the servants came in to turn down the Praetor's bed and prepare it for the night. He stopped in surprise when he saw the Praetor slumped in his chair, asleep. This had been the man's task each night for the last several years and the young ruler had always been awake when he entered the chamber. He wasn't sure what to do. Should he go about his usual duties, leaving his lord to sleep in what appeared to be an uncomfortable position or should he presume to wake the most important man on the continent, in his opinion? He could see that the Praetor's breathing was strong and steady so he wasn't inclined to raise any alarm. In the end, he decided to go about his duties a bit more noisily than usual and see if the Praetor would wake on his own. It appeared to work.
"Weldon? Is that you?"
"Yes, my lord. I am just finishing," the servant answered.
"I don't recall that ever happening before."
"No, my lord, nor I," Weldon replied evenly.
"Hmm," Tyren began, "it would appear that it is well that you are so trustworthy, Weldon. A sleeping man is quite a target."
"My lord, I would never consider..." Weldon began anxiously.
"Rest easy, Weldon. If I thought that you might, you never would have been permitted to begin these tasks. Thank you, you may go."
The servant bowed his way out of the room, his anxiety still quite evident. Despite the Praetor's assurances the man was obviously rattled. Tyren himself was in no less of a state of agitation, although he hid it better. It was becoming increasingly obvious that his ambitions were being thwarted on several sides, none more vexing than the herder Colonel and his mysterious ways. He sat and considered his options and they all seemed to point in one direction. It would be several more glasses before he finally sought his bed. It promised to be a long difficult day ahead.
Chapter 38, North of Iron Stem
Two riders rode on opposite sides of a herd of large black sheep. The rams, with their massive horns, walked to the front and outer sides while the ewes and lambs moved along to the inside and behind. The man sat alone on his horse scanning the surrounding quarasote flats with both sharp eyes and sharp herder senses. The woman rode with a small seat like device attached to the back of her saddle. The child inside, their daughter, kept herself amused with some colored yarn and other bits that could be attached to the rim of her cradle/seat occasionally commenting to her mother in a serious, if still unintelligible, voice. Then the child let out a bit of a yelp just before her parents stiffened in their saddles, picking up on the presence of a pack of sandwolves. The big bore herder rifles were out and firing in near unison. Within moments three of the big crystal fanged predators were dead and the others scattered. They would return when the flock was gone to feed on the remains of their fallen packmates.
"Alucius, she did it again. Did you hear her?"
"Yes, I did. What's more, I felt her. It was like a sending of some sort. This one is going to present us with all kinds of surprises," Alucius replied.
Wendra turned in the saddle to see those big green eyes regarding her. The older woman smiled and said,
"Mommy hopes they are all pleasant surprises, sweetheart."
Later that evening all the members of the stead family were sitting in the living room, the youngest dozing in the lap of the oldest.
"It seems hard to imagine that she's already able to sense the sandwolves at her age," Royalt said as he looked down at his great-granddaughter.
"Well, she was born with the fully green life thread," Alucius offered, "so I'd have to believe she's way ahead of the normal pattern of herder children coming into their abilities."
"Perhaps. It will still be some years before she can ride a horse and shoot. I only hope I'm still around to see that," the older man said.
Alucius looked at his grandfather, both with eyes and talent and while it didn't necessarily shock him, it was still difficult to see the once tower of strength showing the fatigue of years more and more. It saddened him but in reality the old herder was hanging on to life longer than most would have thought possible, since the death of his wife, Alucius' grandmother. He had offered on more than one occasion to offer what assistance he could but his grandfather would have none of it. It was one thing, he said, to help cure his grandmother of the wasting sickness that had plagued her, but quite another to interfere with the natural progression of age. To change the subject, Alucius asked,
"So, Grandfather, how are arrangements coming for those three steads? I'd like to be able to give the Lord Protector an update when I see him.
"It's going pretty well, actually. That young fellow that will be taking over for Zestert has already moved in and is getting to know the lay of the land up there. It helps that he's coming off of a stead as a younger son but there's still a lot he has to learn, and the flock needs to get to know him. As to the other two, it looks like one will be taken care of the old fashioned way. A little judicious match making has provided a suitable husband for the talentless only daughter so things will continue there as always. The last one took a bit of maneuvering. Old Malvus and his wife are a cantankerous old pair, both of 'em tougher than nightrams and meaner than a pack of sandwolves."
"Father," Lucenda chided softly.
"Well, they are, and you well know it, daughter. They refused to hear of anyone taking over their land from them. Rather see it go back to the wastes, they said. And the Lord Protector could keep his nose out of their business, thank you very much. Had to be family or no one, they said."
"And there is no family?" Alucius asked.
"That's what we thought at first, but some digging turned up a distant relation, a small family of them in fact. Live down by the saw mill. The father is a logger in fact. Anyway, we went down there and it turns out one son has some talent. Not a great deal but enough to be able to handle a herd. He likes the idea but doesn't really know much. Malvus says he's too old to try and train a know nothing townie, so the boy is going to be fostered around to learn the trade."
"Does he really know what he's getting himself into?" Alucius asked. "Has he ever been on a stead before?"
"Not that we're aware of. But look how well Wendra took to it," Royalt countered.
"Yes, but she has more than a bit of talent and she was only one generation removed from a stead. She at least knew what it was like to be on one."
"I understand that, but we'll take the boy in hand and we should have some time. Barring any accidents Malvus has a few years left in him."
"I noticed you said, 'we'," Alucius prompted.
"Yes, Kustyl, myself and a couple of others are going to have a hand in teaching him what he needs to know. I imagine you'll play your part as well."
Chapter 39, Outskirts of Southgate, Lanachrona
A tall figure in black stood in the dwindling daylight atop a bluff that formed the southern headland of the harbor of Southgate. He could see preparations being made for the construction of several redoubts that would anchor the harbor defenses on this side. A large, stone lined pit was already in place where, Alucius assumed, the cannon would be placed . A zigzagging trench worked backwards to the powder magazine that had been dug in further back. No one wanted a repeat of what happened when he touched off the more exposed powder during the attack on Zalt. Several other pits were being dug in closer to the seaward edge for observers and riflemen. He had already taken a look at the two other positions that were under construction on the northern side, one right at the most seaward end of the northern headland and the other closer to the walled city. He nodded to himself. It was a start.
Using his special abilities he journeyed south along the coast to see what might be done about observation and signaling posts. It was well after dark when he surfaced above a cove. It had drawn his attention due to a concentration of life force indicating a group of individuals several dozen strong at least. With his herder nightsight he could plainly see several long boats drawn up on the gravel strand, perhaps fifty men in similar dark attire clustered further up the beach. Looking out to sea he could see the shape of a medium sized sailing vessel anchored, showing no lights. With the bark of an unfamiliar word the men formed up, more or less, their rifles clearly evident.
It appeared the Dramurians, or their piratical agents, were getting more ambitious. At this distance it would be midnight or a bit later before they made the outer edge of Southgate. There were at least three companies in the city but he doubted they were ready for a night assault. A lot of damage could be done before they got themselves together to repulse the attack. He intended to make sure that didn't happen. He dropped back into the ground and moved back to Southgate. He reemerged not far from the gate nearest the Southern Guard headquarters. As he approached the sentry he assumed his most authoritative persona, thankful that he had chosen to wear his uniform jacket with the blue patches.
"Halt. Come forward and be recognized," the sentry said.
"Which would you prefer, trooper. For me to halt here or come forward?" Alucius asked.
"Come closer so's I can see you," the trooper stated, his rifle pointed close but not quite directly at Alucius.
"I'm Colonel Alucius, on special commission from the Lord Protector. I need to see your garrison commander at once," he replied, directing command and authority at the trooper but not so much as to intimidate him.
"You might be him as you says. I saw the Colonel from a bit of a distance just before he rode against them Matrite bitches and took out them butcher machines, but I wasn't so close as I can be sure."
"It's him, Clytus. Let him pass," said a voice from the dark a bit further in.
Another trooper stepped out of the shadows of the torch light and gave Alucius a respectful salute. Alucius looked but didn't think he recognized the trooper. The trooper must have guessed at Alucius' reaction.
"I was wounded before you got here after Hyalt. I was doing light duty in the stables here. Saw you come and go a couple of times. The garrison commander is in the same place, if'n you recall, sir."
"I do, trooper. Your name?" Alucius asked.
"Junior squad leader Blyert, sir."
"Thank you, squad leader," Alucius said with a nod as he walked past and beyond the gate guards.
"Imposin' sort of fella, ain't he," trooper Clytus remarked.
"Oh, that he is, trooper. I wonder why he bothered to come to the gate. Walks through walls they says," the squad leader remarked, but Alucius had already moved beyond even his hearing.
Alucius arrived at the building that housed the garrison commander as well as offices for the area commander when he was in the city. To the best of Alucius knowledge Marshall Alyniat was still to the north dealing with the Matrite negotiators. As he approached into the torchlight the two guards on duty sprang to rifles ready position, the senior barking out the command to halt. After some squinting he said,
"That's a Northern Guard uniform, isn't it? I thought all you boys went home."
"We did. I'm back on special assignment for the Lord Protector. I'm Colonel Alucius and I'm looking for your garrison commander. You've got trouble on the way."
Recognizing the name and general description but not the man, the trooper fell back on eons of tradition and decided to buck it up the chain. He whispered something to the other sentry, who then dashed inside. He returned a few moments later with an undercaptain who had another trooper, a senior squad leader by his insignia, in tow. The two stopped and regarded Alucius and he thought the squad leader looked familiar. The undercaptain looked to the squad leader who nodded.
"Colonel Alucius, I'm Undercaptain Helyert, the duty officer. What is this trouble you referred to?"
"You have a raiding force of fifty to seventy five men that were put ashore eight to ten vingts south. I figure they should be here around midnight or a little after."
The undercaptain nodded a bit and said,
"It was only a matter of time, I suppose. Colonel, if you'd come with me, we'll rouse the commander. Squad Leader, got alert the duty company and get them turned out. Sir, if you would?"
As Alucius walked behind the undercaptain into the building he had to admit he was surprised at the man's initiative. He was older and he thought he saw a scar of some kind just above his uniform collar. He hazarded a guess.
"How long since you were promoted from senior squad leader?"
"Two and a half years, sir."
Alucius just nodded. A moment more and they were at a heavy door and the undercaptain knocked. He paused a moment and then knocked again, slightly harder. In response to a muffled voice he cracked the door open and said to whoever was inside,
"Sir, Colonel Alucius is here with word of a pirate raiding party coming up from the south."
The now clearly audible voice growled back,
"Pirates, my horse's backside. Damnable Dramurians. Alucius you say? What's he doing prowling around here?" the last being said as the door was yanked open and a much older man half clad in Southern Guard battle dress stood in the opening, the look on his face demanding an answer.
Alucius maintained a mild expression since the man's insignia indicated he was a Captain Colonel and technically subordinate to Alucius. However, his status was a bit foggy so he chose not to press.
"I'm here checking on the raiding problems on the Lord Protector's behalf. I stumbled across signs of the raiders a while ago and have been enroute here since. I'd estimate they'll arrive by midnight or a bit later."
The Captain Colonel looked to his subordinate who offered,
"I've had the duty company alerted for action, awaiting your orders, sir."
"Make it the whole garrison," the older man snapped. "Send half south to intercept the devils, have the rest man the usual spots around the harbor in case this is some sort of diversionary tactic."
"Yes, sir," the undercaptain replied and hurried off.
The Captain Colonel regarded Alucius and then said,
"The word was you were doing some things for the Lord Protector. Didn't figure on you showing up here."
"The Lord Protector is concerned about the impact of the pirates on trade. He needs the revenue to start replenishing the treasury," Alucius responded mildly.
"Sooner or later it always seems to come down to the golds, doesn't it?" the older man said sourly. "Now, if you'll excuse me I want to go see to the disposition of my men."
"Do you mind if I come along? I thought I'd go along with the force heading south," Alucius said.
"I'm afraid I can't allow that, Colonel. Despite the use of the rank, you are, to the best of my reckoning, a civilian. And considering your tendency to catch stray rounds I'm not about to risk the Lord Protectors wrath. We appreciate the warning but I'm afraid I'll need you to remain here."
Alucius regarded the no nonsense expression on the Captain Colonel's face. He knew he could easily force the issue but understood the man's position. It would be easier to just slip away while the man was busy and place himself in a position to observe and intervene if necessary. Based on the numbers and the element of surprise switching sides, it should be fairly straight forward. But in warfare, nothing was certain.
Chapter 40, Three Miles South of Southgate.
Alucius watched as the point scouts of the raider force came into view along the road leading to Southgate. Road was a relative term. The region south of the city was sparsely populated and the track was a marginally smoother swath of the dry land. Looking back over his shoulder he could see the company and a half of troopers on foot spread out to either side of the road, using a scattering of trees, depressions and a few rocky outcroppings. Alucius made use of his invisibility suggestion to allow him to take up a position that gave him a clear view without comprising the Guard force. As the raider scouts passed the first of the concealed troopers the main body of raiders became visible in the pale light of the smaller moon. Alucius had taken the opportunity to leave Southgate while the Captain Colonel was preoccupied so he had no definitive idea of what the tactics were for the attack. It was obvious that a maximum effort to surprise the raiders was being made.
He could also see that the lead elements of the raiders, walking four abreast were now within range, yet the Southerners held their fire. Looking back he lost sight of the scouts. The raiders seemed alert but not battle ready. As the rear element of the force approached what Alucius judged to be suitable range he sensed the Southern Guard force shift into a more combat ready position. Within moments a shout went up from the forward edge of the force while two shots rang out from further along the rode, aimed at the scouts, Alucius figured. This was immediately followed by volley fire from the light rifles of the Guard, coming at the raiders in an arc that raked the 'pirates' from the front and both sides at angles.
The unprepared raiders began falling in numbers and those to the rear tried to disengage and return fire at the same time. Small units on the flanks of the Southern force began to move up and poured fire at the few remaining raiders that tried to flee. It was over in less than a quarter of a glass. Either the raiders weren't very good or they had completely misread the Lanachronans ability to defend the city. Two squads came and moved among the fallen and back along the road. After a short time three shots rang out and from the direction of the city came the sound of hooves. Half a company of cavalry came into view at a quick walk, passed by on either side of the clumps of dead raiders and disappeared into the night, most likely on the way to the cove where the raiders came ashore.
All in all Alucius was impressed by how the fight had been conducted. Surprise had been complete and the disposition of the Southern Guard troopers had exposed the raiders to maximum fire with minimal exposure to counter fire. He felt it was time for him to return home. He still needed to examine the coast to the north to include Madrien and the occupied regions all the way to Blackstear if necessary. But it appeared that for the time being, Southgate was in good hands.
Chapter 41, Lord Protector's Palace, Tempre
"So, sir, it appears that the defenses around Southgate are improving and are in good hands. Whoever set things up against the raiders did a fine job," Alucius said as he concluded his comments on the fight south of the city of Southgate two weeks prior.
"That's what the dispatches suggested, Colonel. The main body was the thirty-fifth company under Captain Jultyr. I believe you're acquainted with them," the Lord Protector said with a bit of a smile.
Alucius eyes went a bit wide and then he smiled and shook his head a bit.
"Yes, sir, of course I am. Jultyr showed himself to be a steady hand and a fine officer during our campaign in Hyalt and then Southgate."
"It didn't hurt that he had the benefit of some excellent training and exemplary role models during that time."
Alucius chose not to answer. The Lord Protector chose not to press. He continued on.
"The Matrites seem to be willing to see reason more quickly than I would have expected. Marshall Alyniat sends word that the only real issue is their fear of an occupying force rampaging through their countryside. I had no intention of wasting the golds on that, but we've not made any promises until we're sure they intend to stick to an agreement. He indicated that a certain Captain Gerayn has proven to be a very pragmatic negotiator. She was the one you recommended, yes?"
"Yes, sir. I led a tariff security detail for her once and then again as road escort to and from Zalt. I learned much about life in Madrien from her, at least from her prospective but it was clear she was an intelligent, practical and trustworthy individual," Alucius said.
The Lord Protector nodded and smiled a bit and then added,
"She suggested the same about you but indicated that there was likely much about you that she had not perceived."
"It was difficult. I had to be constantly on my guard in her presence."
"Alyniat added an interesting note. Apparently an undercaptain acting as the recording secretary for the Matrites made a comment, a slip perhaps. When the topic of occupation forces came up the first time, she was heard to say, 'Anyone but those damnable herders.' Why do you think she would say something like that?" Talryn asked with slightly raised eyebrows.
With a slightly embarrassed grin Alucius told the story of how he had applied pressure to the Matrite 'council' and how disconcerted the undercaptain in question had become when he revealed that it wasn't just him they had to be concerned with. The Lord Protector's laughter rang through the room.
"I have to say, Colonel, the day those unlamented fools that made up your council agreed to the unification was one of great fortune for me and it would appear to all of Corus," he said and when Alucius offered no response other than a tight little smile he continued. "And speaking of which, I need to ask after the health of your grandfather."
"My grandfather, sir? Well, he is showing the signs of age but he continues to take the flock out occasionally and seems to be in decent health."
"I'm pleased to hear that. I have very much appreciated his efforts in regards to those three steads and I would like his assistance in another task, but I would not wish to put him under too much stress."
"I will relay whatever you wish to propose and he can judge best his ability to comply. I can assure you if he feels he's not up to it he won't hesitate to say so," Alucius replied.
"Yes, I imagine he wouldn't. It is simply this. With the distances between Tempre and Dekhron and Iron Stem being what they are, and considering the independently minded herders in particular, it would be the worst folly for me to try and appoint some form of governor to represent me in the Valleys. I would ask that your grandfather and his friends consider the issue and suggest how a new council that takes into account all of the Valleys concerns be formed. It seems there is a wealth of sense and wisdom in that small group of men."
"I'll gladly ask him for you, sir, although I'm sure the initial response will be to suggest you've lost your own senses, but after some thought and discussion he'll give it serious consideration."
"That's all I can ask. So, it seems that events are beginning to settle down a bit. What say we see how the ladies are doing?"
"Yes, sir."
The two men rose and made their way to the sitting room of the private apartment. Alerya and Wendra were deep in discussion with several sheets of parchment between them and a map of Lanachrona and it's border regions spread on the writing desk. They looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Ah, finished so soon, my dear?" Alerya asked. "I'm afraid Wendra and I still have a fair amount to discuss."
"Do you hear that, Colonel? With just a phrase my lady Alerya reduces the Lord Protector and his affairs of state to mere insignificance."
"Oh, Talryn, do stop being so silly," Alerya said then looked toward Wendra. "I swear that since you and your husband have brought the worst the world has to offer to heel, my husband, " she said with heavy emphasis on the word 'my', "has shown a disturbing tendency toward giddiness."
Talryn looked shocked. The women just laughed. He turned to Alucius and said,
"Well, Colonel, it would appear we have some time on our hands. I don't suppose you play leshec do you?"
"In fact, I do. My grandfather taught me the game as a boy," Alucius replied.
"Hmm, why do I think that doesn't bode well for me. Be that as it may, I haven't had the chance to play in quite some time. Come, we will leave the ladies to their labors. Who knows, when all is considered perhaps they are doing the truly important work."