by John F. Carr
"Those are good questions; I wish I had answers."
"Your Majesty, Greffa City was in such turmoil, I could not get out fast enough. Although, I did manage one boon for Your Majesty, right after I left."
"What was that?"
"I had Verkan's chief clerk, Kostran, set charges at the Fireseed Works. The entire mill was scheduled to blowup three days after I left Greffa City."
"Won't that fuel Theovacar's suspicions about the House of Verkan working more for Hostigi policies than Greffan?"
"No, several of the 'new' fireseed mills that have sprouted up in and around Greffa have already exploded or burned up. I didn't want to leave such a valuable military asset in Theovacar's hands once it was determined that he would not work in tandem with Hos-Hostigos. Besides, Kostran was convinced that the King was about to take over ownership of the mill as a Crown Asset."
"Thank you, Tortha. Someday I will find a way to repay you for your efforts-if I'm ever in such a position again."
"It was my pleasure, Your Majesty. But let me add, I would not rule out Theovacar becoming an ally, but only if it benefits Grefftscharr or his own ambitions. In your present situation, there is little you can offer the King except more problems-and he already has a belly full-due to his own attempts to consolidate his rule over Grefftscharr. Theovacar has angered his princes, merchants and nobles. Those he has not angered, he has made fearful. It is apparent to anyone who understands politics that the King intends to concentrate power in the Throne at the expense of every other faction.
"Princedoms, like Thagnor and Lyros, Grefftscharr possessions only by old treaties, are pulling away, attempting to assert their own autonomy before they are reined in by King Theovacar. His subjects support their King's policies of expansion; however, when he oversteps his authority, raising new taxes and duties, they grow angry and resentful. One day they will turn their ire on the King and blood will fill the streets of Greffa City."
Kalvan nodded, pausing to lit his pipe. "I see why Theovacar would not welcome a new neighbor moving into territory traditionally controlled, if not ruled outright, by Grefftscharr or its interests. In that case, I won't waste my time with envoys and ambassadors; instead, I'll try and see if I can find another ally."
"I believe that's the wisest course, Your Majesty." Tortha looked like he wanted to say more, but stopped. Then started again, "Theovacar is a dangerous man, Your Majesty. Do not accept his help, even should he offer, unless you can hold a dagger to his throat."
"Good advice, Trader. I am forewarned and will be wary regarding all future dealings with Theovacar. What can you tell me about his military might?"
Kalvan had been questioning every military man in Ulthor Port about the art of war in the Upper Middle Kingdoms and the conclusions he'd reached had provided him with guarded optimism in regards to what they would be facing once the Hostigi openly moved into the Upper Middle Kingdoms. To begin with, the princedoms were about two hundred years behind the Five Great Kingdoms in all things military. There were few calivers and arquebuses, but no muskets. Styphon's House had kept the supply of muskets limited as part of their attempt to control the dissemination of military technology. After all, muskets were capable of piercing armor. No real cannons, either, only a few old hooped-iron bombards-none with field carriages.
Traditionally, Upper Middle Kingdom forces used crossbows and pikes, instead of arquebuses and other handguns. Overall, there was much more reliance on heavy, armored cavalry than in the Five Kingdoms. In some areas longbows were still predominant. Their military technology, tactics and arms were similar to Italy in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries. The Italians were slow to adapt to gunpowder weapons until the French invaded Italy in 1494 under Charles VIII and seized Naples.
The Italians had raised noble gendarmes, local and mercenary crossbow-men and militia pikemen for their armies. Few city-states had maintained a standing army, most had relied on condottiere. The Middle Kingdoms didn't have large standing armies either, and also relied on mercenary forces-even more than the Five Kingdoms until Kalvan's arrival. They also used tribal (Urgothi and Ruthani) irregulars, much like the Cossacks or Stradiots.
Typically, most Upper Kingdom armies had very few arquebusier companies; at least, not until recently, and there was still some local resistance: "everyone knows crossbows are better than those new-fangled firesticks! Much more reliable and they don't belch fire and brimstone." one informant from Ragyath told Kalvan when questioned. This was due in large part to Styphon's House who only sold serpentine powder-an unstable form of gunpowder, not the more reliable corned powder-in the Middle Kingdoms. It had been in Styphon's House's best interest to keep the Urgothi kingdoms dependent upon the Temple and militarily inferior to the Five Kingdoms.
He hoped to use the long simmering anti-Styphoni sentiment, which came from their restrictions, to his advantage.
The switch from crossbowmen and lancers to musketeers and cuirassiers wasn't going to happen overnight; however, it would happen much faster now that Kalvan was on the scene-you could put that in the bank and draw compound interest.
Tortha finally put his pipe fixings back into his tobacco pouch and lit his burl pipe. "Hmm. I didn't get a chance to do much reconnoitering, but Kostran has been keeping a keen eye on the Grefftscharr Royal forces, including troop and naval movements. The Grefftscharr Army is big by Upper Middle Kingdom standards, around ten thousand soldiers-a quarter cavalry and the rest foot, half of them marines. Heavy cavalry is predominant in the Middle Kingdoms since they fight a lot of Ruthani and Urgothi light cavalry, which they cannot match. Therefore, they overrun them with big heavy knights on armored destriers. Most of them are armed with lance, sword, mace and an occasional horse pistol. There are very few mobile guns, mostly old bombards carried on huge carts, and they take so much maneuvering the battle's usually won or lost before they're even fired.
"The foot soldiers usually carry pikes, halberds, swords and crossbows. The Housecarls are still considered the King's bodyguard and fight with spears and shields, as do a lot of the militia. Theovacar has created his own Royal Bodyguard, the King's Companions. Crossbows are the missile weapons of choice. Kostran was telling me that one of the problems Theovacar has run into in converting crossbow units to shot units is one of pride. Previously, due to scarcity, shot units had a lot of prestige. However, this all changed when the new Hostigi fireseed arrived; suddenly, anyone who can point a gun can shoot it and the status of the arquebus companies dropped accordingly."
"That makes sense," Kalvan said, remembering all the problems the French encountered in the Italian Wars, trying to get their Italian allies to stop using crossbows and arm themselves with matchlock arquebuses.
Tortha shook his head. "The crossbowmen as a matter of faith believe their weapons are far superior to the local handguns and in the main are loathe to use the new arquebuses. To make matters worse, there's a severe shortage of gunsmiths, which means most of their handguns are imported 'seconds' or 'used' weapons from the Five Kingdoms. I've seen guards with arquebuses with gunlocks that looked older than Theovacar's grandfather!"
"That's good information," Kalvan said, although he had suspected this was the case. It was hard to get good intelligence on Grefftscharr this far away. Not a lot of Grefftscharri ships traded regularly at Ulthor Port due to the high tariffs instituted by Prince Kestophes. If he'd had a good crystal ball and known how important this part of Hos-Hostigos would turn out to be, he'd have kept Kestophes on a much tighter rein.
He nodded. "As long as the War of the Great Kings is still in progress, I don't see many gunsmiths relocating to the Middle Kingdoms, nor any gun mills exporting many firearms, except at very high prices."
Tortha nodded, pointing his pipe stem at Kalvan: "King Theovacar has already been after the Verkan Fireseed Works to start turning out reliable smoothbores. Verkan never had time to found the musket factory he wanted to build since he spent so much time here in Hos-Hostigos, which is just as well. T
he King also complained about the problems enticing Great Kingdom gunsmiths to relocate to Greffa when there was so much business at home."
Kalvan said, "Locally, the gunsmiths are loathe to take on apprentices, and from what I've heard this is true throughout the Great Kingdoms. I've had to create a Royal Riflemakers Guild to get more rifles made. The gun makers have tradition behind their reluctance to expand their guilds. In the past, when they have let too many new gunsmiths into the Guild, they were faced with a surplus of masters and apprentices once the war ended. And, that's bad for business."
"True," Tortha replied, "which leaves only antiques and broken handguns for export to the Upper Middle Kingdoms, usually at ridiculous prices. Which means, regardless of what Theovacar or any other ruler desires, Hostigos is not going to face very many fireseed weapons. But, don't discount those crossbows; they can shoot a Zarthani Knight right out of his saddle!"
Kalvan's own military situation was unique in that he brought with him his own gunsmiths and Royal Riflemakers. Unfortunately, he couldn't sell-or make guns-until he established a stable base or colony somewhere, either at Thagnor or somewhere else. However, he did bring with him a lot of firepower, since the Royal Hostigi Armory had been stacked to the roof with the loot of Fyk, the Chothros Heights and Phyrax, most of which he'd brought with him in his wagon train. Maybe he could trade the older smoothbores to cement future alliances?
"One thing you have to remember, Your Majesty, is that the Middle Kingdoms are much more populous than the Zarthani Kingdoms. Also, they have a long history of frequent wars between competing princedoms and petty-kingdoms. Still, wars have been limited in scope and fought mostly for reasons of trade, not conquest. Therefore in the Upper Middle Kingdoms a two to three thousand man standing army is large. Most princes depend upon mercenaries to fight their battles. Armies have grown considerably larger since the Fireseed Wars but those large armies have almost exclusively been confined to the Great Kingdoms. With the Army of Hostigos bringing some thirty thousand seasoned veterans into the area, things are going to change-and in a hurry."
"You're right, Tortha. That means we need to take advantage of our military superiority while it lasts. As we've seen, things can change very quickly, especially since the Army of Hostigos would be outnumbered were all of the Upper Middle Kingdoms to mobilize their vassals and band together."
"Not much chance of that, Sire. Some of these states have been warring against each other for a thousand years. Despite a lot of efforts over the centuries, no one warlord or prince has ever got them all to band against their common enemy-Grefftscharr, the biggest and most bellicose of the Upper Middle Kingdoms. You, however, may be able to use some of that historical enmity for our own purposes."
"I plan to. If my subjects are going to survive and ever return to our lands, we will need to establish a refuge, or should I say a Hostigi colony, so that we'll have a base of operations to work out of when the Styphoni come. And come they will."
"Agreed, Your Majesty. The current Styphoni stalemate is more a question of operational tactics, than grand strategy-which is to destroy yourself and the Hostigi people."
Kalvan grimaced. "Yes, that's why we need to find a temporary colony and some allies who can help redress our own weaknesses."
"But weaknesses only to the Grand Host, Sire. And I don't really believe that any of the Middle Kingdom rulers--Theovacar included-have any idea of what kind of warfare you are about to bring to their lands. By the time they wake up you should be well situated."
"We'd better be, or the Hostigi-as a people-will cease to exist. This war with Styphon's House is to the last man standing; I believe both sides understand that now."
Tortha paused to knock the heel out of his pipe. "You're right. Styphon's House is determined to destroy all of Hos-Hostigos. However, I don't think that's going to be as easy as they believe."
"I hope not," Kalvan said, "may Galzar aid us in our war. But, back to Grefftscharr, how big is their navy?"
"The Grefftscharrer Navy is the biggest navy in the Upper Middle Kingdoms. Over three hundred fighting ships, a hundred transports and as many grain ships as King Theovacar needs. Their problem is that their Navy is spread over a large area-three of the Saltless Seas, which means it takes time for them to concentrate their forces in any one area."
"That's very good news. Our navy is pitiful, a score of confiscated schooners and maybe a dozen galleys and triremes. Some small transports that might hold fifty men and half that number of horses. I've got some ideas for ships, but never had the time to develop them."
"I'm not surprised, Your Majesty. It's a wonder you've found time to sleep with all the battles Hostigos has fought since your arrival."
"Sleep is a luxury I often can't afford. Despair threatens our Army as much as Styphons troops. I need to find some solutions to our current difficulties before the Grand Host goes on the offensive again." Kalvan knew his greatest strategic challenge was to develop a strong navy since the Upper Middle Kingdoms were centered around trade and travel along the major waterways and the Great Lakes. He already had a group of Ulthori boat builders working on gunboats, basically a mobile platform for some of his lighter four- and six-pound guns. They were a good idea, but only a temporary solution. Soon everybody would have them, although the shortage of light guns would slow the locals down considerably.
Most of the Upper Middle Kingdom guns were the heavy iron bombards, useful in sieges or for shore batteries. Not even a fool like Prince Varrack would think of mounting one on a small craft.
If he and his people were going to survive, Kalvan would need every advantage he could squeeze out of his head, or dream-up on the spot.
"I will set up a meeting this evening with Ambassador Dykar from Nythros. It's time to discuss hiring their Navy to transport some of our troops and subjects to Thagnor."
"Why Thagnor, Your Majesty?"
"Because of its strategic location for one. Another is that of all the local kingdoms and princedoms, not one of them has fewer friends and allies than Prince Varrack."
Tortha burst out laughing. "True, Your Majesty. King Theovacar cannot speak the Prince's name without sputtering. The man's arrogance and naked ambition are singular in an area where it's expected and even condoned. Still, Thagnor is nominally a Grefftscharri vassal. Theovacar will take its conquest as a personal affront."
Kalvan shook his head. "Theovacar has already taken our presence in his sphere of influence as such. This will draw a line in the sand. Our choices are limited: Either we go south into Hos-Rathon, which will mean war with King Nestros and would place us even closer to those territories owned by Styphon's House than we are now. Or we move into the Upper Middle Kingdoms where we will be encroaching upon Theovacar's power base. The advantage to being in the Saltless Seas is that Styphon's House will be as bereft of allies as we are, and even farther from their lines of supply and reinforcements."
Tortha added, "They will be able to draw some supplies from Tarr-Ceros, but the great Zarthani Knights' fortress is primarily set-up for defense. The only waterway connecting the Lydistros River with the Saltless Seas is near Thagnor territory, therefore most of their supplies will have to go overland, expensive in both mules and time. So, both you and Styphon's House are without allies in the Middle Kingdoms, although they have more gold with which to purchase them."
"That is true; however, this advantage is negated by the Temple's bad faith dealings with all of the Middle Kingdoms for the past three centuries. Their allies will be both more expensive and less enthusiastic than those in the Great Kingdoms where Styphon's advantage is almost insurmountable." Kalvan's smile had turned to a glower. "Which we have learned to our dismay."
"Your Majesty, would you like me to join you at this meeting with Ambassador Dykar? I do not know him personally, but I am familiar with Nythros City and have a few acquaintances there."
"Of course, your counsel will be most welcome. And Tortha, you can help me with any language problems as I'
m still not fluent with the Urgothi tongue."
"I will do my best, Your Majesty."
NINE
Captain Lysia, I would like your permission to see you again," Hestophes said, trying to rein in his nervousness. He thought she liked him, more than just as her rescuer at the ford; unfortunately, they hadn't been able to spend very much time together on the trail back to Ulthor Port. After they'd reached the city, it had taken him days to locate her detachment. Fortunately, King Kalvan had recalled the Army of Observation; their work was done. Later today he had an audience with the Great King, who wanted to discuss the perplexing lack of movement by the Grand Host and how they could take advantage of it.
From now on, Hestophes wanted to spend every moment, when not with the army, in Lysia's presence. Her image consumed his mind. It would be too much to ask the gods that she felt likewise.
"Of course, Hestophes. You don't have to call me Captain when we're off duty."
"Lysia, I just don't want you to think that I'm taking advantage of my rank-"
She laughed, like a bubbling brook. "You're not that kind of person, I do know that much. You're a good man, one who disobeyed his own orders to save my life. But, I know you well enough to know that you'd never take liberties. And I know a lot about men. When the Harphaxi soldiers attacked our farm-"
"Please! I don't want you to suffer any more pain. You don't need to tell me anything."
"I must, so that you know all about me. We've talked for two candles about our youth, but while this saddens me, it is part of who and what I am now."
"There are no parts of you I do not admire."
Lysia blushed and glanced down at the floor. "I must say this, Hestophes. It's hard for me to remember these things. What's happening between us is all too soon and too confusing. I never thought I could have feelings for a man after what happened. It was awful!"
