* * *
Rick’s mounted archers herded the prisoners into the clear area where the bluff began. Ark had set up the LMG to cover them, and Bisso stood by with the foot archers and the other star men. Ten minutes later Rick was joined by Major Baker and his Gurkhas. The Gurkha Sergeant Major was grinning like a thief.
“We did well, Colonel, Sir! Did we not?”
“You did well indeed, Sergeant Major.” Rick nodded. “Well indeed.” He caught Baker’s eye and got an approving nod. “Well indeed,” Rick repeated.
CHAPTER TEN
COMPANION
Everything was happening at once, and everyone needed a decision from Rick.
First things first. Set up a command post. The best place was a wide spot in the road a hundred yards before it went along the bluff. The Gurkhas could cover the area nicely; it was far enough from cover that no one would be sneaking up on him, and close enough to the prisoners that Ark could cover them with the LMG. He summoned his guards to set up a perimeter defense around a headquarters area. There were still more questions than answers, but then Bisso came up with a prisoner.
“Morrone,” the sergeant said. “He demanded to see you and when that didn’t work he begged. I brought him as soon as I knew who he was.”
Wanax Companion Morrone had no helmet. His belt had been removed so that his mail shirt hung awkwardly. Morrone’s hands were bound behind him. He ran forward to kneel awkwardly at Rick’s feet.
“My Lord. I ask for mercy, not for myself, but for my men. They but followed orders they were certain came from the Wanax.”
“You had orders from the Wanax to kill me?” Rick demanded.
“No, My Lord. This was my action and mine alone.”
“Then why?”
“Because you bring no good to either the realm or the Wanax,” he said defiantly. “I thought that in the past, and I believe it still more now. You settled Westmen on royal lands. You have no proper claim to Chelm save through your wife, and she only as dowager, and yet you gave Chelm lands to the nomads. You are not loyal to the realm. But that is my thought, not that of my men or my sovereign. Kill me, but spare my men.”
“Sounds like a good suggestion to me, Colonel,” Bisso said.
“I’ll consider it.” Rick kept his face impassive. “Let’s be certain we understand each other. The Wanax didn’t order you to attack me. Neither this time nor in the ambush on the road away from his camp last month.”
“My Lord, he did not. Both were my actions and mine alone, and I undertook them with my own troops.”
“You hate me that much?”
“I do not hate you at all, My Lord. But I think you are a great danger to the realm. So do many of the great lords. You weaken respect for the Wanax even as you increase his power over the peers. You ruin them yet undermine the Crown at the same time, and you will bring skyfire and ruin to Drantos!”
“Other great lords follow you, then. Which ones?”
“None work with me, Lord Rick. I have done this alone. I had hopes of support from the great men of the realm after you were removed, but I asked no one else to aid me in this matter. As to which lords might support me, you would know those as well as I.”
“I suppose I do know,” Rick said, nodding thoughtfully. “So this is going to be as big a surprise to Ganton as it was to me?”
“It will be, My Lord.”
“Get up, Companion. Now. Just what the Sam Hill was your plan?” Rick winced as Morrone got to his feet without assistance. Still strong and still dangerous. And still the king’s oldest and closest friend.
Morrone stood defiantly.
“With you dead, the Wanax would be in control again. He could incorporate your troops into his command.” He tried to shrug. “Of course the price of that might be my head, and were my acts discovered I expected the Wanax to offer that to your surviving men.”
Rick frowned. “Stiff price.”
“I was willing.” Morrone attempted another shrug. “You have done great things, Lord Rick, but your presence is not a good thing for Drantos. Ganton would never rid himself of your evil presence, so I would do it for him. But I failed.”
“Haerther!”
“Sir!”
“Take charge of Lord Companion Morrone. I’ll need him shortly, so don’t keep him far away. And be careful. He is a strong warrior and a very dangerous man. There are many who would obey him still.”
“Armed party approaching,” a sentry called. “Small party. They have halted.”
“Be alert, lads,” Major Baker shouted.
“Officers’ Call,” Rick shouted. “Officers here. Guards, protect this area.”
“Shield wall! Guards, surround the Warlord!” Haerther commanded. “My Lord Companion, come with me.” He led Morrone away as the guards swarmed around Rick and stood facing out, shields at ready. Baker and Warner came to join Rick.
“Emissary from the Wanax,” a guard officer announced.
“Let him through.” Two clansmen stood aside.
The Black Rod Usher looked nervously at the circle of clansmen forming the shield wall around Rick and his command group.
“I come in the name of Ganton, Wanax of Drantos,” he said. “His Majesty commands me to conduct you to his presence.”
“Not bloody likely,” Major Baker muttered.
Rick frowned.
“Colonel, Major Mason will have my ballocks if I let you go anywhere unescorted, and he damned well ought to!” Baker protested. “I don’t need to remind you that you were a couple of hundred yards from an ambush, do I?”
“Not Ganton’s,” Rick said.
“So that man Morrone says,” Baker said.
“Begging your pardon, Colonel,” Bisso said, “but I’m with Major Baker on this. We let you go out there and get killed, and Mason will have our arses, and it won’t be nothing we don’t deserve, either.”
Rick looked to Warner, who nodded back.
“Looks that way to me, too, Colonel.”
“My Lord,” the usher had stood silent during this interchange, but his unhappiness was obvious, “the Wanax is waiting!”
“Tell His Majesty—”
They were interrupted by a shout. “Make way for the Wanax!”
Ganton strode into the shield circle. He was bareheaded and accompanied by two richly dressed Guardsmen. A clan shieldsman tried to bar his way, but Ganton ignored him and strode past. The Black Rod Usher tried to speak, but Ganton silenced him with a gesture.
“We greet you, Warlord of Drantos,” Ganton said. His voice was unwavering and he stood proudly. “It appears we owe you much,” he continued. “Not least for the discovery of treachery in my own ranks. And for adding much to our strength.”
He looked expectantly at Major Baker, and Rich thought furiously for a moment, then shrugged mentally.
“Majesty, may I present Lord Clyde Baker, Major of Mercenaries, commander of—” Rick hesitated, then plunged on. “Of Galloway’s Gurkhas, star lords who have newly joined us.”
Ganton hesitated, then extended his hand to Baker.
“Welcome, My Lord,” he said. “Am I correct in believing that not long ago your—goorkhas—were in service to the Five Kingdoms? And defeated my army?”
Baker bowed to kiss the king’s hand.
“Unfortunately, yes, Majesty,” he said in his atrocious northern dialect.
Ganton shook his head in incomprehension.
“Bloody hell, Colonel, how do I talk to him?”
“I understand some English,” Ganton said.
“Then let me say you are regrettably correct. My apologies for the misunderstanding.”
Rick doubted that Ganton understood all of that, but the King nodded graciously.
“The apology is accepted, My Lord,” he said.
There was a disturbance at the edge of the shield wall.
“Let Lord Enipses in,” Rick shouted. Enipses and Duncan came into the circle. Enipses looked pale.
“You shoul
d rest, Lord Justiciar,” Rick said.
“I thought I might be needed,” Enipses said, and turned to the Wanax.
“Majesty, it is all true,” he said. “We were attacked by command of Captain Radnos. I heard him myself, and shortly afterward I was wounded. When the battle subsided Warlord Rick sent me to find you, but I missed you in the dark. Lord Rick but defended himself. Himself and me, as well, Majesty!”
“Peace, Justiciar,” Ganton said. “I have been told that you sought me. Lord Rick, when I heard the sounds of battle I rode quickly with my guards in fear that you were attacked. Your Lord Rand found me and assured me you were unharmed, then brought my party here.”
Rick nodded.
“Bisso, where the hell is Rand?” he asked, and Baker cleared his throat.
“Colonel, I sent him with the Gurkhas I’d assigned him to scout the perimeter, just in case we have any more unexpected visitors. He still has his radio.”
“Oh, good work.” Rick’s head buzzed, and suddenly he felt faint. Damnation, what’s happening to me? He steadied himself by holding Warner’s shoulder. Radios. Not used to having radios. Hell, I’m not used to much of anything now. Baker’s a real officer, he knows more about this stuff than I ever will.
“You all right, Colonel?” Bisso asked.
“Yeah.” Except I don’t know what the hell to do now, and I don’t dare let anyone know that.
“May we speak alone, Lord Rick?” Ganton asked.
Rick nodded, and waved to the others.
“Give us a some space, please,” he said, and the shield bearers moved outward, extending the perimeter and Rick and Ganton stood alone in the middle of the circle of warriors.
One thing is damned clear, Rick thought. He trusts me. All the troops here are mine. And he came right to me when he heard there was trouble.
“Lord Rick, do you believe I ordered this attack?” Ganton asked.
Not a demand, Rick thought. More like a plea.
“No, Majesty, I’m convinced you knew nothing of it. But you do know who led the ambush?”
“I dread the knowledge,” Ganton said. “Radnos is Companion Morrone’s man. His favorite. His father is a loyal bheroman.” Ganton looked ready for tears. “Tell me, my Warlord, was this the act of my oldest friend?”
Rick nodded slowly.
“It was, Majesty. He has confessed it.”
“He lives?”
“He does, Majesty. As my prisoner.”
“Morrone is my oldest friend,” the young king said slowly.
“Are you asking for his life?”
Ganton hesitated.
“I am, My Lord,” he said after a moment.
“There are conditions,” Rick said.
“My Lord?”
“Many of the Companion’s Guardsmen were killed and wounded in this battle,” Rick said. “Morrone is responsible for the battle, and thus responsible for all blood debts. All, and without quibble,” Rick said. The last damn thing I need is a bunch of Drantos lords hating me for haggling over the payments.
“Granted. Eagerly granted. I will make the settlements myself, and extract the costs from Morrone.” Ganton made a wry face. “He will easily be able to afford them, I think, thanks to my former generosity.”
“There is more,” Rick said.
Ganton frowned.
Best not push this too far, Rick thought. I don’t want to humiliate him. But this needs to be settled.
“Majesty, he was also responsible for the ambush on my party after my visit to your camp,” Rick said. “They were disguised as troops of the Five, so the question of blood debts never arose, but now we know they, too, were Drantos soldiers, members of the Companion’s Guard. Some of those men were killed, as were some of mine, and they too are Companion Morrone’s responsibility.”
Ganton nodded.
“Of course.”
“And finally, Majesty, my shieldsman was gravely wounded in that attack. He is to have a generous pension, guaranteed by the crown.”
“Is that all?” Ganton smiled. “Lord Rick, I have already begun arrangements for that! When I heard that your life was saved by your shield bearer, I ordered that suitable crown land in Chelm be found so it could be granted to him! In my gratitude! Do not be concerned.”
Now that’s worth checking on, Rick thought. Before or after he started north to Aachilos? After, I’ll bet, but it will be interesting to find out.
“Then I think this matter is settled,” Rick said. “I will have Companion Morrone delivered to you this night. He’s unharmed, but I must warn you, Majesty, that while I bear him no great ill will, my soldiers may not share my own opinion. It would not be wise for the Lord Companion to encounter them.” Rick grinned slightly. “The Lord Companion is a fearsome champion, but my soldiers don’t share his views of chivalry.”
Ganton fingered his Browning automatic pistol in its ornate holster. He returned Rick’s smile.
“I do understand, My Lord.”
That’s good, Rick thought. But it’s one more favor I’ve done him. You don’t make friends by doing favors, you get more friends by receiving favors. Which brings me to—
“Majesty, I have a request of you.”
“Name it, My Lord. If it be in my power—”
“It is a great favor I ask. I wish to be relieved of my responsibilities for a time. A short time, I hope.”
“What is this?” Ganton demanded.
“Your Majesty should have no problem withdrawing to Drantos,” Rick said. “That’s a less satisfactory outcome to this campaign than having the Wanax Ganton become High Rexja of the Five Kingdoms. We can all agree to that. But we are now far from Aachilos, and surprise has been lost. The chancellor will have summoned the support of all the Five Kingdoms to his aid, and that will include messages to the Green Palace. If they’re smart, they’ve pardoned Strymon, which means we no longer face the defeated expeditionary army under the Honorable Matthias. Instead, we may soon face the entire host of the Five Kingdoms under its most competent commander, a general familiar with our ways. Without surprise, it would be a long and bloody path to Aachilos.”
“Even with your new—Gurkhas—My Lord?”
“Alas, I cannot come with you to Aachilos,” Rick said. “And I will need my Gurkhas where I go. That is the favor I must beg of you. Matters have arisen that I must attend to, matters of conflict among the stars. I do not ask this lightly, Majesty.”
“What will you do?”
“I must take my forces to Taranto,” Rick said. “I sent two of my men to Nikeis. They’ve vanished, and Nikeis ignores my requests for an explanation. Indeed, the republic has closed its borders. None come or go.” Rick’s face grew stern. “Majesty, I will have my men returned or avenged.”
“Do you need my aid?”
“Thank you, Majesty, but I have more than enough power. What I need is the time.”
“And the matter of the stars?”
“Surely your Majesty has heard of strange lights and odd sightings on the mainland opposite Nikeis,” Rick said. He watched Ganton closely, but the King was giving nothing away.
“I’ve heard very little.” Ganton frowned. “And nothing at all from my ministers in Nikeis since the battle when the Nikeisian troops departed in a huff,” he said. “Their captain said he was offended by the division of the spoils of battle. I sent a rider after him, and another to Nikeis with my own account, along with an offer to settle the matter on their terms, but I’ve heard no reply, whether from their captain or from the Doge.” Ganton frowned again. “Nikeis and the mainland near it are sealed. No messengers I’ve sent there have returned. Now you tell me of ‘strange lights and odd sightings.’ This is news enough to make anyone uneasy, Lord Rick!”
“Majesty, I agree,” Rick said. “And that is why I must go there immediately.”
“And you must take all your forces, including your new Gurkhas?”
“I fear I must. We know too little of what may be happening in Nikeis for m
e to take less.” Rick paused. O Lord, he thought. “My medical corpsmen are all apprentices and priests of the new faith.”
“Both my archbishops have warned me Nikeis will not accept the new faith,” Ganton said. “Nikeis is Christian and considers everyone else, perhaps even the Romans, pagan or worse. But I think that no reason for alarm. Nikeis has always tolerated all religions. Besides their great cathedral and many churches, there is a Temple of Yatar and a Temple to Vothan in the city of Nikeis! So I’m told. I’m also told there is a Church of Rome and another of the Christians of the South. I know of no church of the Unified Faith as yet, but I think you have no need to fear on that account.” Ganton paused. “I can send members of my court, men skilled in diplomacy. I have one, Bheroman Tancius, who has been more than a year among the Signory in Nikeis. Perhaps he can be of help.”
“I would welcome his aid, Majesty. He should make haste to my camp, we depart in the morning for Taranto.”
“He isn’t here. I will send for him immediately, and perhaps he can join you. In Taranto. The Roman city.”
And long a thorn in the side to the Drantos rulers, who once claimed the port city and the lands around it. Ganton didn’t press the claim, but he had to be aware of it. Rick took a deep breath.
“Publius meets me there.”
“Publius. Father of my beloved Wanaxxae. Perhaps I should accompany you.”
“I do not think that wise, Majesty. It will be no small task to assemble your army and bring it safely home to Drantos. A task that will require your abilities, I think.”
“Perhaps so.” Ganton paused for a moment, then asked in a low tone, “Will you return to my service, Eqeta of Chelm?”
Neatly reminding me of my feudal obligations, Rick thought. Clever of him.
“I remain Your Majesty’s loyal servant,” Rick said. “As does the Eqetassa, who holds Chelm against a great army. She has need of me when I’m done in Nikeis.”
“Done with what? What does this mean? What seek you in Nikeis?” Ganton demanded.
“That’s what I mean to find out, Majesty. Yet whatever else may be true, it’s been too long since I heard from my agents in Nikeis. It’s time I see to the safety of my men.”
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