Soarer's Children, Part 8
Chapter 42, North of Iron Stem
Alucius sat in the comfortable chair of which his grandmother had been so fond. It appeared he was in a light doze after a long week of riding herd on the nightsheep flock. He was in fact fully awake and letting his other senses keep him aware of his surroundings. It was a game that evolved over the course of the winter as his daughter became surer of her footing and was now more likely to run than walk. Whether she was aware that he knew she was coming or not didn't seem to matter. At this moment, he could sense that Alendra was standing just outside the entrance to the parlor and he could gather that she was getting ready for the charge.
Then came the sound of bare feet on stone floor and in a moment he felt the impact of two stone of child against his leg, her arms wrapping around and squeezing hard and what sounded like "got you". Then came the father's counterstrike which included a quick grab, a small tickle to break her grip and then pulling her up into his lap where the wrestling would start, along with the squeals and laughter. Lucenda leaned back from her place in the kitchen to see into the parlor and said,
"Try not too get too worked up in there, you two. Dinner is nearly ready."
"Yes, Mother, although I'm afraid it's your granddaughter that picks the times for these attacks."
"Yes, and I see how hard you try to prevent them," she said with a knowing look.
As Alucius spoke with his mother, Alendra took the opportunity to exploit his distraction and mounted a ferocious assault on his ribs. Father was not the only one that could tickle. At this point Wendra came down from their bedroom and walked into the parlor, hands outstretched.
"Alright, my dears, time to call a truce and get ready to eat."
"Mummy!" Alendra called out.
Her first words had been uttered a few months earlier and the precocious youngster was making steady gains in vocabulary. She scrambled down off her father's lap and dashed toward her mother to be scooped up and hugged. Then Wendra carried her into the kitchen and put her in her high chair. Alucius followed along behind.
"So are you two prepared for the big event tomorrow night?" Lucenda asked.
"Mother, you know we are. You've been fussing over our clothes for weeks now," Wendra replied.
"I wasn't referring to that, young lady. I was more concerned with meeting all these high and mighty members of Tempre society. This isn't a gather you're going to."
"Mother," Alucius began, "we'll be fine. The element of surprise will most likely keep the Lanachronans off balance."
Royalt chuckled from his seat at the table.
"You make it sound like a battle plan."
"In a way it is, grandfather. The Lord Protector has been fighting two wars. One against the Matrites and the other against all the politics and hide bound thinking within his own government. The one war is pretty much settled, the other is just starting to intensify. He as much as told me that I wouldn't be very popular because he intended to use what we did in the Northern Guard as an example."
"The man wields you like a saber," Royalt.
"I think he's a bit more subtle than that, grandfather," Alucius said with a laugh.
Chapter 43, Tempre
"Is everything in readiness, dearest?" Talryn, Lord Protector of Lanachrona asked his consort.
"I believe so. All our invitations have been accepted. Not a word about our special guests has been heard anywhere. I think it should prove to be quite a memorable event," she said and then a look of concern crossed her face. "Talryn, do you think we are being fair to Wendra and the Colonel? Might we be putting them into a potentially embarrassing situation?"
"Oh, I think not, Alerya. A man who can keep his head in the midst of the most deadly situations should have no issues at a social event such as this. And his lovely wife took all of a tenth of a glass or so to charm us both most completely."
"But this is not a battlefield, my dear. You saw the guest list. Some of those to be in attendance are among the most skillful schemers in all the land. Who knows what ideas they may try to hatch once they know who they are talking to."
"My dear, I only hope they do. Either of those two would see through such dissemblers as easily as if they were made of the finest crystal," the Lord Protector said with undisguised glee.
Chapter 44, Iron Stem
"What do you think?" Wendra asked her husband.
"You look stunning, as I've told you each time I've seen you put that new outfit on."
"You don't think the black shirt makes me look too much like a trooper in uniform do you?"
"Wendra, I can't possibly imagine anyone ever mistaking you for a trooper," he said, smiling softly.
"Alright, let me see,"she said as she did a slow turn around.
Alucius took in all the details he could and then he felt that slight tingle that meant Wendra was 'looking' at what he saw. Then he saw the look on her face as she said,
"You seem to be paying more attention to some things than others, dearheart."
"Yes, well, you have to admit the trousers are rather flattering," he replied, his face getting a bit red.
Wendra smiled and then gave him a brief hug. Then she fussed with his collar and brushed at his sleeves, making those last adjustments that always seemed necessary at a time like this. Finally she seemed satisfied and they stepped down off the porch and walked to the rocky outcrop that Alucius preferred for starting his journeys. The rest of the family had wished them well already as they began their grand adventure.
"I just hope we don't do anything to embarrass ourselves tonight," Wendra fretted.
"Well, think of it this way, dear. If we do, we can always just come home and hide, never to be seen in Tempre again," he replied with a smile.
"I suppose you're right," she mused.
Alucius looked at her with a small smile and then said,
"Ready?"
"Yes, dear."
The two dropped into the ground and began the relatively brief and pleasant trip south. The sun was just setting as they left the stead and the colors reflected by the underside of the light cloud cover they saw the further south they went, as viewed through the altered perspective from below ground, were eerily beautiful. Alucius was almost sad when they began the ascent to the Lord Protector's private audience chamber.
Chapter 45, Tempre
"Ah, there they are, tonight's surprise guests of honor," Talryn said.
"Guests of honor, sir?"
"Well, not officially of course. But once you make your appearance, I assure you, you will be the center of attention," the Lord Protector said with a grin. "And may I say, Madame Wendra, you look absolutely stunning tonight. The ladies of Tempre will be as green as your outfit with jealousy."
Wendra looked to her husband and said,
"Sweetheart, is it a capital crime to refer to the Lord Protector as a shameless flatterer?"
Alucius never got the chance to answer as Talryn began to laugh and then a female voice interrupted them.
"Talryn, I was waiting for our guests to arrive and here I find you monopolizing their company."
The Lord Protector looked at Alucius and said,
"Oh dear, I'm in for it now."
Alucius managed to only smile. Alerya, the Lord Protector's consort spared her husband a glance and a slight shake of the head before she turned her attention on the new arrivals.
"Oh, my, what a stir you two will cause. Wendra you look positively gorgeous. Your mother in law has truly outdone herself. Normally I wouldn't have thought of black for a redhead. The skin tends to be so pale, like blondes," she said with a smile. "But you have just enough of a tan to make it work so well. Not too mention how it compliments your dashing escort's uniform."
"I was afraid I would look too much like a trooper," Wendra admitted.
"I can't imagine anyone would make that mistake, my dear. Not even among the Matrites, yes, Colonel?" Alerya asked.
"I agree, ma'am. The Matrite officers uniforms are very soldierly and are not in the least bit flattering," he said with a straight face.
"Talryn," the Lord Protector's consort began, "I don't recall the Colonel's uniform looking quite so smart in the past. Have you dictated any changes?"
It was Wendra's turn to laugh a bit now.
"Again, my mother in law's doing. She said her only son was not going to appear before Tempre society in some standard issue trooper uniform. She did this herself, with a number of fittings involved."
Alerya shook her head, then said,
"What that woman could do with a shop in Tempre. Well, if we are all through with admiring our guests we have one more detail to attend to. Wendra, my dear, if you'd come with me."
Without waiting for a response, Alerya took hold of Wendra's arm and led her back into the private apartment. The two men followed in that time honored tradition. Lady Alerya went to a sideboard and picked up a small lacquered box and turned to face Wendra.
"I've noticed that you don't wear any form of jewelry beyond your herder's ring. I think we need to supplement that for this evening. I would deem it a very great favor if you would wear this tonight," she said as she opened the box.
Inside was a moderate sized emerald, cut in a tear drop shape, held by a subtly wrought gold setting, attached to a gold chain of plain oval links.
"This was originally given to my great grandmother by her mother on her wedding day. I can't imagine it looking any more beautiful than on you."
"Oh, Alerya, it is beautiful. But I couldn't wear something like that. I'd be so afraid of it falling off."
Alerya laughed and said,
"Believe me, it's not going to fall off. Colonel, would you do the honors, please?"
Alucius stepped up and carefully removed the pendant from the box and after looking at how the clasp was fashioned he moved around behind his wife. Wendra held her long hair out of the way and her husband brought it around and fastened it. The length of the chain had the actual jewel resting against the fabric of Wendra's blouse. Alerya considered this and then with deft hands undid a button and adjusted the collar and the green jewel now rested against Wendra's skin several inches below her throat. She laughed a bit when she saw Wendra's face color slightly.
"Don't be alarmed, my dear. When you see what will be on display this evening, you'll believe yourself to be the very model of modesty."
Wendra turned to her husband and said,
"What do you think?"
Alucius wore a bemused expression and replied,
"I'm thinking that the girl who captured my heart at a gather all those years ago is more beautiful than I could have every thought possible in ways that I would never have imagined."
Wendra stepped forward and they wrapped their arms tightly around each other. Alerya regarded her own husband with a smile and said,
"A love story worthy of the most gifted minstrel."
The Lord Protector merely nodded.
"Alright, now for marching orders," Alerya said with a straight face. "Since the Colonel and his lovely wife are our guests, it is up to us to escort them into the ballroom. Talryn, you shall escort Wendra and I shall be on the arm of our most valiant Colonel."
"Um, isn't that going to attract a lot of attention, sir?"Alucius asked. "I thought we weren't official guests or whatever."
"Quite the contrary, Colonel. Your reputation is already well known and if you were to simply appear in the ball room it would cause a much greater stir than having you enter with us. Some will feel we do you honor sufficient to your accomplishments, others will believe I am attempting to curry favor with the military or those from the north. The most complicated dances will have nothing to do with music tonight," Talryn said with a smirk.
"I think I understand, sir, more or less."
The Lord Protector was about to say more when he heard a knock on the door that separated his private audience chamber from the apartment.
"Ah, there is the signal that all is in readiness for our appearance. So, off we go. Madame Wendra, if you would," he said, offering her his arm.
"It would be an honor, My Lord Protector," she replied, smiling brightly.
The Lord Protector was a man of only average height but tonight Wendra had chosen not to wear anything with heels, since what she owned in that respect were work boots of one type or another. Instead she wore a pair of soft slipper like footwear with supple leather soles that had been made by the town bootmaker under Lucenda's careful eye. As a result the Lord Protector and his escort were more or less evenly matched. Alucius on the other hand towered above the Lady Alerya by a good head and then some, but her energy and spirit assured that she would be in no way overshadowed.
When the quartet reached the ballroom entrance used only by the Lord Protector and his Lady, they stopped, waiting for the herald to make the announcement. He thumped the stone floor with his staff of office and said in a strong voice,
"My Lords and Ladies, Gentles all, Talryn, Lord Protector of Lanachrona and the Iron Valleys, and his guest, Madame Wendra, Consort of Colonel Alucius."
Talryn rolled his eyes roguishly at Wendra within the shadow of the passageway. She had to work hard to smother the laugh and smile that threatened to erupt. He led her out into the brightly lit space that was the Grand Ballroom of the Lord Protector's Palace. It was the largest enclosed space she had ever been in. The ceiling was two stories above and three large chandeliers hung along the centerline. For some reason she wondered how many wine glasses could have been made from all that crystal. There was applause, enthusiastic but without being raucous. There was also a fair amount of buzzing as the assembled exchanged many whispered comments.
The Lord Protector reached a point and then stopped them and turned to await the entrance of the other half of the evenings surprise. Again the thumping on the floor and then the announcement,
"My Lords And Ladies, Gentles all, Lady Alerya, Consort of the Lord Protector, and her guest, Colonel Alucius."
As the tall herder in full Northern Guard blacks made his entrance escorting the beaming blonde Lady Alerya the level of buzzing conversation rose noticeably. While keeping his expression pleasant but neutral, the herder's eyes were in constant motion. If anyone was paying attention, and more than a few in the large room were, they would have suspected the man was engaged in a scouting mission of hostile territory. They would have been right and it was to continue for the entire evening.
When the two couples met Talryn smiled slightly and said,
"And now we begin. The Colonel and I shall make a circuit of the room, engaging in much seemingly innocuous conversation. I would ask you to pay more attention to how things are said as opposed to what is actually spoken. I believe that the ladies will engage in more substantial discussions once the topic of the replanting program comes up. And Colonel, feel free to use what ever skills you possess to weigh the merit of what you hear tonight," the Lord Protector concluded, his smile tightening a bit.
"Yes, Sir, I believe I understand," Alucius replied.
"Let us leave the men to their machinations, Wendra," Alerya said, "there are indeed some people I want you to meet."
With that, the Lady Alerya hooked arms with Wendra and began to lead her towards a small knot of grandly dressed men and women with expectant expressions. As Alerya had warned, Wendra did notice that many of the women wore figure hugging gowns that also revealed a fair amount of shoulder and chest. For a fleeting moment she wondered what such folks wore day to day but once the introductions were begun such speculation had to be set aside. And while she was met with what appeared to be genuine enthusiasm for making her acquaintance, her husband was confronting a much different set of reactions.
The Lord Protector was slowly making his way among a number of small groupings of mostly men, all dressed in formal wear or military uniforms. As Alucius' eyes swept around their immediate surroundings he didn't see either Marshalls Alyniat or Frynkel. He assumed Alyniat might still be on the new border between the expanded Lanachrona and the much reduced Madrien. He wondered if perhaps Frynkel had indeed been stipend off after the presumptions he had made in sending Alucius' force to Southgate.
As directed by the Lord Protector, Alucius was making extensive use of his senses to evaluate the hidden feelings and hidden meanings behind the pleasantries and small talk that was dominating the conversation. What he was finding was a great deal of curiosity, envy, dislike, the last coming largely from those in uniform, and a certain amount of fear. One conversation in particular was very telling. It involved the Lord Protector, Alucius, two sub Marshalls and two Captain Colonels, none of whom Alucius had ever met before.
"So, as I have suggested previously, Sub Marshall Delyant, I believe that the recent events concerning the treachery within the Northern Guard and the manner in which it was dealt with could provide valuable lessons in how a somewhat more streamlined organizational structure would allow the Southern Guard to be more reactive to future situations," Talryn said with a small professional smile.
"Lord Protector, the Command Staff is well aware of the remarkable efforts that Colonel Alucius and Colonel Feran put forth and the results. However, you must understand that the functions that are undertaken on a daily basis by the Southern Guard far exceed the complexity of what is primarily, a moderate sized cavalry force. The staffing requirements are extensive and that results in a certain amount of bureaucracy and all that that entails."
"Yes, such as political infighting, inertia and expense. Need I remind you that at its peak, the Northern Guard was comprised of thirty companies? That's nearly a third of the Southern force structure and it was run by one Colonel, two majors and a hand full of staff Captains. Now that the two Guard forces have been linked and the Southern Guard has to undergo serious rebuilding, I am suggesting that we take the opportunity to investigate what may be effective alterations. I trust I don't have to remind you that we still face a significant threat to the east and a potential seaborne problem to the west," the Lord Protector said and then he shifted his attention to Alucius. "What do you think, Colonel? Considering your experience as a member of three different forces and your extensive travels, what might we want to evaluate as we enter this new era?"
Alucius regarded the men arrayed before him, unable to ignore the flood of condescension mixed with contempt that was being sent his way. But he pretended to by directing his attention and comments directly at the Lord Protector.
"I'd say the first things to consider, sir, is flexibility, competence and training. Now, I have to qualify my comments by saying that I've only had significant experience with just three Southern companies but I found problems with all three of these areas with each of these companies and their officers," he said, feeling the hostility growing in the officers. "In the operation in Deforya it resulted in 98 percent loses. In the Hyalt mission it resulted in an excessive amount of attention having to be paid to retraining both Southern companies assigned to that operation. When we were reassigned to Southgate I had the opportunity to see a greater number of units in operation. It only served to reinforce these observations. I experienced officers adhering to procedure in the face of written orders to the contrary. Companies mounting frontal assaults on highly lethal weapons despite evidence of the futility of doing so. Or senior officers arranging to die in battle rather than face living with the knowledge that they misjudged the situation."
"All of that, then?" the Lord Protector asked.
"For a start," Alucius replied.
"For a start, why of all the impertinence..."
"Sub Marshall," Talryn admonished.
"Yes, Lord Protector," the senior officer said, subsiding.
"You were saying, Colonel?"
"Yes, sir. Something else to be considered going forward is how you approach establishing the coastal defense elements. I don't see a force based primarily on cavalry tactics operating effectively for very long stationed along the coast line. I would think taking some foot companies and permanently assigning them to coast duty with specialized equipment and training, tied into the cannon batteries."
"What about the ships? We are still working on bringing them up to some standard of performance," the Lord Protector.
"I'm sorry, sir. I know nothing about operating at sea."
"Isn't that a surprise," someone muttered.
The Lord Protector regarded the four officers with a bit of a scowl then returned his attention to Alucius.
"But why do I get the feeling you have a suggestion?"
"It occurred to me that piracy is nothing new and ships have been operating along the coast since the Cataclysm. Someone must know something about dealing with them. Perhaps if agents were sent to the coastal ports they might be able to locate sailors and ships officers that have such experience and might be interested in a steadier stipend."
"Now that is an interesting suggestion, Colonel. What about your assessment of the eastern border?"
"I have reason to believe that it should remain quiet for the time being. I think the recommendation of establishing posts similar to the new one at Iron Stem near the eastern ends of both the North and South passes over the next few years should be sufficient. Once the normal trade patterns resume I'd think the flow of coins should serve to keep things calm," Alucius concluded.
The Lord Protector regarded his Colonel with a wry expression, knowing something was going unspoken. Then he nodded and looked to one of the Sub Marshalls.
"Have we dispatched the Engineers that will survey the new Iron Stem post?"
The Sub Marshall looked to the Captain Colonel to his right who had Engineer insignia on his lapel.
"Um, yes, Lord Protector. They are due to arrive at Iron Stem in another week."
"Very good. Delyant, please see to it that Intelligence dispatches some men to the sea ports as the Colonel has suggested. Hopefully they will do a better job of it than they did ferreting out the Madriens' informants," Talryn said in a disarming, yet alarming, monotone.
"Yes, Lord Protector. I'll see to it personally in the morning," the man said, all the time seething.
"Well, Colonel, that's enough business for now. Why don't we see whom else we can favor with our august presence?" the Lord Protector said with a straight face.
"As you say, sir."
The four Southern Guard officers bowed their heads slightly in salute as Talryn and Alucius moved on. He could hear several comments as they departed, none of which were complimentary and none of which he volunteered to share with Talryn. The man was smart enough to realize they had been said anyway, in substance if not actually in specifics.
"Those four aren't too happy, are they?" he asked.
"No, sir, they aren't. Most of it is directed at me for being an arrogant, presumptuous, butcher from the northern wilds. You are being suspected of some sort of scheming."
"At least that got that part right. And if they aren't careful they'll be schemed out of their positions before the year is out. The more I examine the reports of the various investigations I've commissioned, the more I'm determined to shake up the Guards," the Lord Protector said, stopping short of another group and lowering his voice. "I must confess that in moments of unguarded thought, I consider sweeping aside the entire upper echelon, promoting you to Marshall and putting you in charge of the whole mess."
Alucius looked at the Lord Protector from his superior height with raised eyebrows. The Lord Protector laughed once and said,
"Don't worry about it, Colonel. I doubt I would survive the attempt. One or both of two very resourceful women would likely be the ones to do me in."
"More than likely, sir."
"As it stands, we've managed to stir up a significant portion of the command staff and I suspect by mid morning tomorrow the rest will be likewise agitated," the Lord Protector said with a tight smile. "Once the results of the survey of the new Iron Stem post are received that agitation will rise to the level of consternation. And if as I suspect our agents locate your savvy seafarers, that consternation will turn to resignation to the fact that change is coming. That's when I will be able to move with more purpose."
"Something tells me you would have done well as a field commander, sir," Alucius said with some conviction.
"As a strategist, perhaps," Talryn said with a bit of a laugh. "I'm afraid, however, I doubt I would have been all that successful at the earlier phases of the trooper's career to last that long. As a young man I took instruction with a sword. My father said he was amazed I managed to not cut my own head off."
Alucius only smiled, assuming Talryn was grossly overstating the case. The two men resumed their circulation about the large room and spent more than a glass engaging in small talk with men who were for the most part grossly overdressed and women who, for the most part, were strategically underdressed. Lady Alerya's observation about Wendra being modest by comparison was an understatement. Alucius had to admit to a certain surprise compared to what he had seen on the roads of Tempre but then he had to then admit that he had actually seen very little of the social life that existed in any of the places he had visited. He really had no idea what the norm was.
For the most part he let Talryn dictate the discussion and only offered a brief comment, trying not to agitate the merchant princes and other notables as he had the members of the command staff. He had to deviate from this pattern once when an older merchant, rather wealthy based on his attire and the array of jewelry that decorated his youngish wife, suggested that the ongoing discussion of current economic conditions was over the head of a soldier such as himself. He caught the glint in the Lord Protector's eye and took it as a hint to respond as needed.
"In fact, Master Merchant, I've found much of what I've heard tonight regarding the status of the economy to be very interesting. The nightsilk futures market is an excellent indicator of overall economic health but it doesn't provide the details that can have an impact on the operation of a stead. So far this evening I've discovered that the drop in the price of iron due to the reduction in weapons procurement makes this a good time to engage in the overhaul of our spinning equipment as my Grandsire had planned. In addition, it appears that processing solvent costs are also dropping. If the price of nightsilk doesn't follow for several seasons it should provide the resources to bolster our herd."
While not looking at the man, Alucius could tell that the Lord Protector was enjoying himself immensely. The herder Colonel discerned that this particular merchant was not particularly well liked. So Alucius continued on.
"I also found it interesting to note that due to the continued sustained loses of mounts, an attempt to contact the nomads along the southern caravan route might prove a quick way to acquire the needed mounts and initiate a possible foundation for an economic tie to a previously troublesome neighbor."
The master merchant regarded the tall young man who was looking back at him with a serious but benign expression, blinking several times before he said,
"You believe the current shortage of cavalry mounts might be addressed by trading with the high steppe nomads? What about all the ones they lost in the attack on Deforya?"
"They've had several breeding seasons since then, plus they lost a number of warriors so they might have a surplus that they'd be happy to trade. It's my understanding that their herds are quite extensive. It's only a suggestion."
The merchant nodded, almost to himself, then with a few brief, barely polite words, excused himself and practically dragged his wife away. Within minutes, Alucius was able to see from his superior height that the man was now engaged in a animated conversation with several other over dressed merchants.
"I suppose I should warn the Quartermaster of an impending flurry of proposals on horses. I hope they won't gouge us too much."
"I wouldn't worry overmuch about that, sir. Since you've taken on the task of acquiring the needed expertise in fighting pirates I thought I'd take a trip to the steppes and look into horse futures," Alucius said with a small smile.
The Lord Protector regarded Alucius with raised eyebrows and then the Ballroom rang with the sound of his amusement.
Chapter 46, Lord Protector's Private Apartments, Tempre
"What an absolutely fascinating evening, wouldn't you say, my dear?" Talryn asked as he sat with his stockinged feet elevated on a damasked ottoman.
"On several levels, I'd imagine," Alerya replied. "Wendra cut quite a swath. I'm not sure what held peoples' interest more, her outfit or the fact that she's able to bring down a sprinting sandwolf from horseback with one of those monstrosities they use as rifles. She was also most adroit at keeping their travel abilities a secret. She simply alluded to accompanying her husband on an inspection tour at your behest. We did manage to get some work done on the replanting project. We seem to be making excellent progress but we need to find something that can take the place of some of the vine plantings that have died off in the worst of the dry areas."
"A most remarkable pair. I thought old Baysart's eyes were going to fall out of his head when Colonel Alucius began discussing nightsilk futures, iron prices and establishing a trade in horses with the steppe nomads. I think he has some plan along those lines. It should prove interesting to see what he comes up with," Talryn said.
Alerya was staring off into space for a moment and then she turned her eyes to her husband and said,
"Talryn, would you be willing to indulge me in something?"
"Certainly, my dear, providing it is at least marginally legal and leaves me my throne," he said with a smile.
Alerya shook her head a bit and then said,
"Wendra received many favorable comments on her outfit this evening. You know I've said that I thought the Colonel's mother could do very well with a shop here in Tempre. What if we were to encourage the establishment of an enterprise in the north, using wool from their townsheep as they call them, and cotton supplied from southern Lanachrona? I got the distinct impression that there were hands that could be put to work and I'd have to think a market could be established here."
"Particularly if a certain Lord Protector's Lady was seen wearing such?"
The Lord and Lady regarded each other and then laughed.