Soarer's Children, part 9

Chapter 47, North of Iron Stem

"Um, excuse me, sirs, but what does this have to do with herding nightsheep?"

The inquiring voice belonged to a young man, not yet twenty years of age. He was walking in a stooped fashion in close proximity to two older men. One was tall, muscular and less than ten years his senior. The other was a least half a century older but was still fairly hale and hearty. Each man carried a small bag that they were slowly filling with the tiny seeds they were picking up from here and there on the ground. They were crisscrossing the slope that formed the first reaches of the flats.

"Well, son, you mean to say that the others you worked with didn't have you doing this?" Royalt asked seriously.

"No, Royalt, sir, they didn't. They taught me to ride, and care for horses. How to manage a herd on the flats, shearing and processing. But no one mentioned the need to gather quarasote seeds, sir."

"Well, son, there are herders and then there are herders. Some of us take a broader view and that's what we are doing here. These seeds might help some people who live in drier areas down south grow some things and stabilize the soil. Plus it won't hurt for you to get more familiar with the quarasote. It is pretty important to a herder after all."

"Yes, sir," the young man replied, his expression still showing some confusion and doubt.

The other man who had remained silent up until now could read what the herder in training was feeling and it mirrored his expression, but he was trying to understand. Alucius smiled and said,

"Don't let my grandsire confuse you, Burtyl. It's just that the new situation between Lanachrona and the Valleys has provided certain opportunities and we are doing what we can to further them. It appears that the Lord Protector is kindly disposed towards us and we are simply doing what we can to foster that opinion. And help is needed. Over the past generation parts of Corus have gotten drier, making it difficult to grow plants and maintain ground cover. Quarasote may offer a solution, at least for some areas, even if there is nothing there to graze it."

"I see, sir. It just seems strange that someone like the Lord Protector would look to herders for help."

"Most people would agree with you," Alucius said. "Fortunately, this Lord Protector is willing to look to whomever might offer valid solutions to problems. And herders tend to be good at solving problems."

"Have you met the Lord Protector, Alucius, sir?" the young man asked as they walked between the plants, taking a couple of seeds from here and there to prevent over harvesting one section.

"Twice," Royalt replied for his grandson. "Once after his trip into Deforya and then after stopping the Iron Bitches and their talent weapons at Southgate. That time he even had dinner with the Lord Protector and his Lady."

Burtyl looked a little wide eyed but nodded his head.

"We had heard about those battles from buyers who came to the mill for lumber, but nothing was ever said about meetings or dinners."

In an effort to change the topic, Alucius looked at the younger man and asked,

"You've had a chance to get a close look at the quarasote this morning. What can you tell me about it?"

The three herders had come to a stop and the youngest took a last look around and then said,

"The plants are actually further apart than they appear on horseback, at least along this stretch. With all the seeds I've seen I would have thought there would be more, but I suppose the scrats and grayjays get most of those," pursing his lips and looking to the sky briefly before continuing. "Then again, if too many plants took root there wouldn't be enough water for them to grow and perhaps the shoots wouldn't be too plentiful. Not to mention it would be difficult to get a herd and horses through to graze."

Royalt smiled and nodded once while Alucius said,

"You've summed it up rather nicely. We need as many plants as the water will support but there has to be room to move as well. It's why the grazing area around a stead needs to be so vast and why our nearest neighbor is fifteen vingts away."

Looking at the bag in his hand as well as the others, Alucius continued,

"I think this should be sufficient for the plant experts in Tempre to do their work. It must be close to meal time."

The last was said looking up at the sun which was just passing zenith. The three began the walk back down the slope towards the stead buildings and it wasn't long before the aroma of something tantalizing drifted up to meet them. As they climbed up the stairs to the porch of the stout stone house, a short whirlwind that formed the greeting committee dashed out to meet them. She made straight for her father, as was proper, who scooped her up and hugged her and asked her how her morning had gone.

"'s good, daddy."

"Do you have one of those for your great grandsire?" Royalt asked.

"s" she replied, holding out her arms.

Royalt got and gave tight hugs and then he settled the girl back down to her feet. She hurried over to stand before Burtyl and held up her hands in supplication.

"Please?"

The young man smiled and obliged by picking up the girl and slinging her to his shoulder, 'almost' letting her go too far as if to go clear over his back, setting her to laughing and squealing. In the score of days that Burtyl had been at the stead, he and Alendra had gotten on famously, almost from the start.

When it was mentioned how at ease he seemed to be around a small child he explained that as the youngest son he was already an uncle several times over and had plenty of experience entertaining children. Once the greetings were completed everyone made their way into the house and towards the kitchen.

"Alright everyone, lets sit down and eat while it's still hot," Lucenda said from her place at the big stove.

Wendra was there already and she relieved Burtyl of his burden and got her settled into her chair.

"So, how did the collecting go?" she asked as she worked.

"We did well, I think," Alucius replied. "A half bag each."

"I'll take charge of those," Lucenda said, "I want to spread them out in a large pan and make sure they are all completely dry before we hand them over to the dispatch rider," she finished with a knowing look.

Even though he was to become a full herder, Burtyl, like the rest of the Iron Valley herders, knew nothing of the traveling abilities possessed by Alucius and Wendra. As far as the younger man was concerned the seeds would be picked up by a Norther Guard dispatch rider for transport to Tempre. They would in fact be hand delivered later that week when Alucius and Wendra went for their monthly visit.

Chapter 48, Lord Protector's Palace, Tempre

"How did your audience with the Marshall turn out, dear?" Lady Alerya said as she looked up from her desk.

Talryn, ruler of most of the territory to the west of the Spine of Corus had to delay his answer as he was lifting his son and heir up off the floor so as not to trip over him and his collection of toys.

"Rather well, actually," he replied. "Alyniat presented a rather workable agreement with the Matrites. I may need to modify an item or two but all in all quite acceptable. I gave him his orders to assume official command of the Guard, both north and south. He agreed that it would likely be best if we did as Colonel Alucius suggested in regard to the coastal defenses. We'll look to designate four companies of foot for such duty eventually. But that is some months into the future, a year or two perhaps even."

"What of the fledgling naval force?" she asked.

"Still fledgling," he replied sardonically as he sat down, his son perched on his lap. "They are certainly past the stage where getting in and out of port isn't a worry anymore, but doing battle at sea against the Dramurian radiers," he simply shook his head in the negative. "We need to locate some of those seasoned sailors that Alucius spoke off. It will take some time, but I believe it's our best hope in that regard."

"We are fortunate to have him, and his wife," she replied.

"I wonder if it is merely fortune, my dear," Talryn mused.

"How so?"

"We have come to learn that the world is far different from what we ever thought. And the universe beyond is far more than just a lot of lights to amuse us of an evening. It seems to me strange that so many events should seem to come together in such a way that old knowledge and devices should begin to reappear, as well as old nemeses, ones we knew nothing about. And in the middle of it all, our herder Colonel with his unique upbringing and abilities. Just what is it that goes on in that expanse of harsh climate and geography?" he said, absently letting his son play with one hand while the other steadied the boy.

"What are you thinking, Talryn?" Alerya asked.

"I was thinking that when the Colonel and his lady pay us their next visit, I will ask a few questions and perhaps suggest that it was time that the Lord Protector pay a visit to the new northern reaches of his domain and learn what this small but seemingly significant region might hold for us."

"You would travel all the way to the quarasote flats? You would be gone months. Don't let the ease with which our two herder friends make their visits fool you," Alerya said.

"My dear, I have no illusions about the physical distance that separates Tempre from the flats. If you recall me telling you, as a young man I traveled extensively in Lanachrona. I was thinking of using a fast river boat to Dekhron and then by horse to Iron Stem. I don't know why but I feel it is important that I see this land for myself."

"But who will rule the land with you gone?" she asked.

"I will, my dear, through my ministers and Alyniat and since I'll have the Colonel available to me, we can arrange for quick messages. And there will be you."

"Me?"

"Yes, my dear, regardless of what the official position is, you are half of what keeps this realm moving forward. Believe that," Talryn said earnestly.

Alerya could only smile in response.

Chapter 49, North of Iron Stem

Alucius stood on the rocky outcrop that served he and Wendra as the starting point for their trips about Corus. She looked up at him in the dark and asked,

"Are you sure you want to do this, sweetheart? The nomads have no reason to show you the slightest affection. I could easily provide you with cover."

"And who would cover you? The steppes are just as open and flat as the stead, more so in fact. You'd have no real place to hide. I'm not planning on popping up in the middle of one of their camps. I have something far less risky in mind. Don't worry."

Wendra tapped her chest with a finger and said,

"Wife, remember? Worry goes with the job. Just do what you need to do and come home. My plans for the night don't include an empty bed," she concluded, pulling his face down to meet hers in a long, smoldering kiss.

She stepped back and with a smile, he dropped into the earth and began his trek eastward towards the steppes. He knew he needed to make this trip at night to hide his abilities from Burtyl but he needed to be able to clearly see what was above him so he chose a night when the major moon was full. Between the moonlight and the mild distortion created by this unique mode of transportation what he was seeing was almost eerie but in a beautiful way.

When he saw that he was below the seemingly endless expanse of grass that was the High Steppes of Corus he slowed and cast about searching for a large concentration of life force that would pin point a herd of horses. It was perhaps an hour of his time but he found what he was looking for. He spent some time skirting about the edges of the large herd until he found an isolated rider that stood out a ways from the outer edge of the animals. He knew the rider would be able to see him clearly thanks to the moon and the night sight bred through a hundred generations of night watchers.

Alucius rose up out of the ground about a dozen paces to the side of the rider away from the herd. The rider's horse nickered and tossed its head, possibly picking up on the new scent on the breeze. The rider was instantly alert and when he looked around and saw the tall figure in black standing so close he let out a shout and made to raise his rifle. Alucius countered by holding up one hand while projecting absolute authority, as well as a sense of trustworthiness at the man on the horse. The nomad stopped bringing his rifle to bear and leaned forward in his saddle.

"Who are you, to stand so exposed, and unarmed?"

"My name is Alucius."

The man gave a startled oath and the rifle began to move again.

"The black demon of Deforya?"

"I'm from the Iron Valleys, actually, but I suppose from your point of view that statement makes a certain amount of sense," Alucius said quietly.

"Were I to shoot you here and now and bring your head to the council fire, I would gain much honor."

"And the moment you bring that muzzle any closer to pointing at me, I'll have you dead on the ground in a heartbeat," Alucius warned.

"And how would you manage that, man in black? You have no weapon."

"I'm the demon, remember? You said so yourself."

The nomad rider sat back in his saddle, the rifle dipping downward. He looked out beyond where Alucius was standing, probably wondering if there were any others hiding in the grass.

"No need to concern yourself. I'm alone."

"So, then I must ask the question, why?" the nomad asked.

"If you know who I am, you know something of what I've been through these last years, with all the fighting and killing. I want it to stop."

"That makes no sense. To ride into combat and emerge victorious is all any true man, a warrior, could wish for. If the stories are true, you have more such honor than any warrior since the Cataclysm. How could one wish that to end?" the nomad asked, truly curious and more than a bit puzzled.

"Is it not so that there is more than just honor at stake when a warrior rides?" Alucius asked.

"Of course, demon, there is the spoils. Honor alone does not fill a belly or provide for wives and offspring," the nomad replied.

"Would it not be of interest to you and your fellows to have access to spoils without the risks of combat?"

"What value would such spoils have if they were brought so cheaply?" the nomad asked incredulously.

"That is something you would have to discover for yourself. Suffice to say that in the days to come, merchants will come from the west looking to buy horses. They will offer as little as they may and then drive them west to sell to the ruler of Lanachrona to replace those that have been lost in the years of warfare with the Iron Bitches of Madrien."

At the sound of the name of once powerful nation ruled by the Matrial the nomad grimaced.

"A nation ruled by women, a less natural thing I've never heard of. It is well that that Lord Protector fellow has laid them low, although we hear there is still a vestige remaining. We would not have stopped until they were truly finished."

Alucius regarded the nomad for a few moments in silence, his expression neutral, yet speaking volumes, perhaps reminding the rider what had happened the last time they thought to finish someone. The rider fidgeted uneasily in his saddle. Finally, Alucius spoke.

"Be that as it may, but to the point, the Lord Protector is in need of horses to replace those lost in the last years of battle. Where someone to assemble a sizable herd and drive them west, they would likely find a better price than from some traders that come here looking to pay little to a number of smaller herders."

The rider nodded once in agreement and then his eyes narrowed as he leaned forward once more.

"Why would you care what some fat merchant pays us for our horses?"

"You know what nightsilk is?" Alucius asked.

"Of course. I must admit to having never seen any, but I know what it is."

"My family have herded nightsheep for many generations. I am no stranger to a saddle myself," Alucius said with great understatement. "I know what it is to deal with sharp tongued traders looking to squeeze the last bit of brass from a herder or grower."

Alucius could see that he was sowing seeds on fertile ground. The expression on the nomad rider's face spoke volumes on the topic of traders.

"I would imagine if your tribe began to assemble a herd of fifty or a hundred score head and send an advance party with a small sample herd to Indyor, you could strike a very good deal with the Lord Protector's representatives and cut out the traders, increasing your profits."

"A most interesting proposition, but to do so would require the efforts of most of my brethren. It would take much to persuade them to such a task. Would you be willing to come to our council fire and lay out your proposal?" the nomad asked.

"I think not. They would know me as easily as did you and I'm sure at least one hot head would be less likely to listen. I will offer this," Alucius said as he pulled a small black bundled from his belt pouch.

He approached close enough to be able to toss it to the mounted nomad. When the man caught it his eyes went quite wide. Holding it close to his face, his rubbed the dark fabric between his fingers.

"Is this...?"

"Yes, but it no longer has the value it once did. That section of night silk has been stressed a number of times stopping bullets. Personally, I wouldn't want to trust my life to it any further. But it should serve as proof of our conversation. The rest is up to you and yours. I simply offer the information."

"Why?"

"Simple. I'm tired of fighting and have other interests to pursue. I figure if people are reminded what peaceful coexistence has to offer I won't have to travel around Corus breaking heads and convincing rulers that upsetting me isn't a good idea," Alucius said, his face fixed, authority and power radiating from him like heat from sun baked rock.

The nomad leaned back in his saddle, but to his credit he didn't flinch. Alucius let his expression soften a bit and said,

"I'll leave you to your duty. Honor upon your tent and may your wives grant you many sons."

Before the nomad could respond Alucius turned and walked further into the dark before dropping into the earth, leaving the nomad with the impression he had merged with the night. As this was more a matter of economics than national security Alucius didn't feel the need to track what the nomads had decided but it would have gratified him to know that within a handful of days a small herd of fifty prime examples of the nomads' animal husbandry was on the road for Indyor.

Chapter 50, Lord Protectors Palace, Tempre

The Lord Protector scowled as Alucius swept in and captured Talryn's soarer's alector with his remaining pteridon.

"I should have seen that coming. My game surely suffered during the years of warfare. And I would have to pick a master to play against when I resumed the game," he said with a sigh.

"Don't be so hard on yourself, sir. You still play a better game than almost anyone I've faced."

"Hmm, perhaps. So, I received a message from the new Landarch of Deforya. He wished to inform me that it is his intent to normalize relations and guarantee the passage of the northern highway. He also wished to express his personal gratitude for our assistance against the nomads and that he fully recognizes your contributions and as a recipient of the Star of Valor, you are welcome in Deforya at any time."

"That's very generous of him, sir. Did he indicate the status of the pass into Lustrea?" Alucius inquired.

"Yes, in a manner of speaking. Along with his message he included a status report of sorts that provided an account of the conflict with the Lustreans, the agreement to cease hostilities, the attempt by the Landowners to purge the Lancers of any officers they saw as a threat and their overthrow by the Lancers. Your assessment was correct. The new Landarch was the Colonel in charge of the action in the pass. A most resourceful fellow it seems," Talryn concluded.

"And the Landowners?"

"It seems they didn't fare very well. Those on that benighted council followed the old Landarch into oblivion. Apparently this Colonel was a rare junior officer from a merchant family that managed to rise through the ranks on merit and a certain amount of cunning. The Deforyan merchant who carried the message was rather forthcoming with information after half a carafe of Vyan gold. After that debacle with the Madrien informants, my intelligence officers are working rather hard to tell me all manner of things," Talryn explained.

"Have they determined anything about the Dramurians?" Alucius asked as he watched the Lord Protector make his next move, the best available to him and the one Alucius was counting on.

"That's going to be truly difficult. From what we've been able to discern since taking control of Southgate is that the ships porting at Dramuria are closely scrutinized, both in terms of cargo and crew. Putting someone ashore there to reconnoiter would be somewhat suicidal. To date what we've learned has come from those sailors my agents have been able to question with the aid of cheap ale in Southgate's few dockside taverns."

Alucius began to consider the possibilities. It didn't help the Lord Protector's game and he resigned after four more moves. After laying the sander king down face first Talryn drained what was left of the wine in his goblet.

"It would appear that we have made significant progress in the past year bringing some calm to Corus, or should I say you have."

"I think 'we' is appropriate, sir," Alucius replied, sipping his wine.

Talryn laughed.

"Yes, I thought you would. With all this calm, then, I think it is time I took stock of the expanded nature of my realm."

"Yes, sir?" Alucius replied, genuinely curious about where the Lord Protector was heading, being only able to pick up a strong sense of resolve, satisfaction and a certain excitement.

"Yes, indeed, my dear Colonel. While I was a young man and still heir, I was able to travel fairly extensively throughout Lanachrona. Now there is much territory with which I am most unfamiliar and I think I need to correct that situation."

"You would be free to leave Tempre for extended periods?"

"Perhaps not extended but I have certain assets available to me that could help reduce that time. My first destination is likely to be the most important. I plan to pay a visit to the Iron Valleys. In particular, the quarasote flats."

The Colonel's eyes went wide and the Lord Protector smiled and laughed again.

"As I recently told my consort, for reasons I cannot properly express, I feel that I must see this land for myself. And see it I will."