Year 1016 AFE; On the Move

Ragnarson was passing through the park surrounding Cas­ tle Krief when the sky erupted with pink fireworks. Big, bold letters formed. They proclaimed: IT IS A GIRL.

He laughed till his sides ached. „Wizard, that's carrying the proud papa routine too far." But he understood. This birth culminated a star-crossed love centuries in the wait­ ing.

Ragnarson dragged his weary carcass to the wizard's apartment. A grinning Varthlokkur was accepting congratu­ lations from all and sundry. He shook hands with people who had never dared approach him before.

„Make way for the King!" someone shouted.

Bragi extended his meaty sword hand. „It was a long time coming, wasn't it? How's Nepanthe?"

„Perfect. Happy as anyone could be."

„Good. Good." Bragi joined Inger. She leaned against a wall, drooping in exhaustion. „Why don't you go to bed now, love?"

„I will. In a few minutes. Just doing some thinking. About how her whole attitude was different from mine while she was in labor."

„Hey, don't worry about it. Sleep. You'll have a better perspective in the morning."

„You look like you could use some sleep yourself."

„About a week's worth, and I'm starting in five minutes."

„Wrong."

„Hunh?"

Inger pointed. Dahl Haas was pushing his way toward them, immaculate as ever, face taut.

„What is it, Dahl?"

„You'd have to see to understand, sire. If you'll follow me?"

Just then a pallid Varthlokkur grabbed Bragi's hand. „Come on." „What the hell?"

„Just come on. You'll see." The wizard hurried to the east wall.

Horrendous flashes back-lighted the Mountains of M'Hand, making their peaks look like the teeth of a rusty saw. „Gods," Bragi said. „I've never seen anything like that." The barrage rolled on. It couldn't be lightning. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. The stars stared down with cool indifference. „What is it?" Varthlokkur did not reply.

„Can you read those, Dahl?" The signal fires which carried night messages from the Savernake Gap were all ablaze. „Has Hsung attacked Maisak?" „No, Sire."

Varthlokkur whispered, „It's begun. Matayangan has at­ tacked Shinsan. A god wouldn't dare those battlefields this morning."

„I wonder," Bragi said. „Did Baxendala and Palmisano look that hairy from this far away?"

„Maybe. What are the Matayangans doing? They're whol­ ly unprepossessing at thaumaturge." Haas murmured, „Is he speaking Wesson?" More and more people came to see the display. Bragi studied them. Seldom had he seen them so subdued.

Horns sounded outside the castle gate. Hooves clattered on cobblestone. „That will be Mist," Varthlokkur said. „She'd have been alerted before we were."

„Dahl, find Colonel Abaca, Sir Gjerdrum, and General Liakopulos. There'll be an alert, just in case. Have them meet me in the War Room. Get Captain Trebilcock, too, and send somebody after Mr. Dantice. And find Baron Hardle. We don't want the Estates to feel slighted." „Of course, Sire." Haas departed at a run. Mist appeared a few minutes later. „It's started. The reports started coming in after the birthday party. The Matayangans have conscripted everyone over fifteen. Those without arms are supposed to take their weapons from the dead." „Will they break through?" Varthlokkur asked.

„I don't know."

„When will you move?" Bragi asked.

„Too early to decide. I want to see what's happening first."

„I've already got Dahl setting up in the War Room."

„Go to my place instead. I'm in touch with my people out there. And I'm already set up."

And, Bragi thought, somebody here in the castle writes love letters to Lord Hsung. „Expect us in two hours." He took another look at the fire gutting the eastern sky, shook his head. „Varthlokkur, are we backing the wrong horse?"

„We're tempting fate."

„I meant to tell you. We've got a traitor in the castle. Not one of those minnows who spy for the Estates. A real shark. Working for Hsung."

The wizard whistled through his teeth.

„Yeah. So far only four of us know we're backing Mist. That's probably safe. But what else has leaked?"

„Time for Radeachar to interview people," Varthlokkur said. „Maybe we should cull them more often."

„Why do they turn on me when they know there's no chance to get away with it?"

„Because they think they're different. That the odds can't catch up. The same reasons any of us play the long odds. The big payoff. Don't question that. Ask about their secret motives."

„Eh?"

„You want the truth? Most people don't believe in what you're doing. Not even those who benefit most."

They entered the War Room. Liakopulos, Abaca, and Sir Gjerdrum were waiting. So was Derel Prataxis, whom Bragi had not remembered to invite. The secretary gave him an accusing look. He ignored it. Trebilcock appeared a moment later. Then Dahl Haas, who said, „I'm going after Dantice now."

„Get the Baron instead. We're moving to Mist's place. Ride out with us." Baron Hardle's townhouse was not far from Mist's.

Ragnarsjan told his officers, „Before we leave, put all the regular units on full alert. Move the Briedenbachers up to Baxendala. Hsung shouldn't try anything, but let's not take chances. Assemble the other regiments. Derel, have the Thing keep me an hour open. I may want to make a speech."

„Are you going to drop it on them cold?"

„No. Hotter than a rivet. After we're committed. General, can you ride?"

Liakopulos nodded. „I'm almost completely recovered Sire."

„Good. Credence, you're squirming."

„Why don't I know what's going on?"

„I'll explain when we get to Mist's house."

Abaca muttered something about not trusting that Shinsaner witch.

„Let's move." Ragnarson stepped out of the War Room, found a crew of bodyguards listening raptly to Sergeant Gales. „Gales."

„Sire?"

„Find Sergeant Wortel. Tell him I said to trade duty with you." He surveyed the others. One more Itaskian. „Take Hunsicker with you."

Gales looked as doleful as a freshly kicked puppy. „Yes, Sire. Hunsicker."

„What's that about?" Prataxis whispered, dismissing a messenger.

„I've started wondering about the sergeant. He's getting too strange."

„The man barely has the brains to get out of the rain."

„Maybe. I've been spooky since my best friend tried to murder me. Maybe that's why I'm alive. ‘A Prince durst trust no man. Trust least of all him thou needs most trust.'"

„Radetic? He felt justified at the time. Overall, though, Advice to the Prince speaks in extremes. I didn't know you'd read him."

„I try to surprise everybody, Derel. Anybody sent word to the stables?" Messengers were coming and going in gaggles.

Dahl Haas materialized. „Horses should be waiting when we get there, Sire."

„You boggle me with your efficiency, Dahl. Let's move."

They made a fair-sized parade. The city was up early, roused by the eastern display. People made nuisances of themselves, asking what was happening.

There were guards behind the hedges at Mist's home.

They wore no uniforms, but to the trained eye it was obvious they were soldiers of the Dread Empire. Bragi said, „I don't want to hear a word from anybody. That clear? Dismount." Mist's people took their animals to the stables behind the house.

Ragnarson hastened inside. „Mist, better replace your friends with our bodyguards. We'll draw enough attention without orientals parading around out there."

Mist agreed. „I'll see to it."

„Dahl, take charge of the guard detail. Nobody in or out without my permission. If you need more men, send Wortel to the King's Own barracks."