Soarer's Children, Part 13

Chapter 64, Tempre, Lanachrona

"Well, Talyrn, there it is, three seasons worth of reading, translating and scribing. I'll have to leave it up to you to have it copied and bound," Alucius said as he handed the Lord Protector the sheaf of heavy paper pages tied together with some plain ribbon.

Talyrn, Lord Protector of Lanachrona and the Iron Valleys, was in effect the ruler of half of the continent of Acorus. He was eyeing the innocuous looking pile with unconcealed glee. Based on what teasers Alucius had already given him, he knew that information thought lost for centuries, if not millennium, would be available to him.

He already knew that what had once been hinted at was in fact true, the original Protector was an officer in the armed forces of the time. After the collapse of the empire of the Afrits, known as the Cataclysm, and their complete disappearance, that officer took command of the forces he could muster and set up his 'protectorate' centered on Tempre and eventually enfolding the nearest cities to form the core of modern day Lanachrona.

It is highly unlikely that Talryn was of the same family line but at least now he had some understanding of how his nation got started. He looked at his friend, supporter and principal agent with a feigned expression of exasperation.

"Three seasons of speculation, exasperation and tidbits of information that have had me on edge near on the entire time, my dear Alucius."

"Oh, for goodness sake, dearest," came a feminine voice from further into the apartment of the Lord Protector and his Lady, and son. "Stop being so melodramatic. Our dear friend has gifted us with possibly the greatest artifact in a millennium and your posturing like a sand wolf with a bad fang."

This was an expression that she had picked up from Wendra and it was not the first time she had used it on her husband. Talryn threw his hands up and said,

"Just what is the use of being the ruler of half a continent? Perhaps I've been too benign, maybe a few more executions and people would take me more seriously."

He stood clutching the stack of pages and shook his head. The Lady Alerya likewise shook her head and then fixed her stern gaze on Alucius.

"This is all your fault, you know?"

"Mine?"

"Yes, yours. From the day you informed Talryn of your discovery he has been like a giddy child, waiting for the delivery of a long awaited gift. Add to this the successes my associates are having with the various seeds and plantings you've brought from Dramuria his moods have been positively delirious."

It should be noted that the Lady of the land was standing with one hand on her rather distended abdomen and the other pressed the small of her back. She was about two thirds the way through her pregnancy and was feeling a little testy. Her husband's expansive moods were not sitting well.

"I do apologize, ma'am. Perhaps I shouldn't tell him of anything else and just hoard the goods and knowledge at the stead. I'm sure we can make good use of it."

Talryn's eyes narrowed and he set the 'book' onto a nearby table and set himself with his hands on his hips.

"My dear Colonel, let me remind you who's in charge around here. Anything you wrest from the wretched Seltyrs comes right here. Am I making myself clear?" he said, looking very regal.

The mood was ruined in its entirety when Alerya made a very rude noise and then slowly lowered herself into a well-padded chair. Alucius couldn't help but start to laugh, which was slowly joined by the Lord Protector himself. He sat down in a chair near his wife and motioned for Alucius to seat himself as well.

"So, now that the fun is over, how do you propose we proceed?"

"Sir?"

"The information in that manuscript, do we hold it as a state secret or share it?"

"I didn't see anything there that would pose a risk. It doesn't reveal any new sources of power such as the ancients or the Afrits used. It tells how some things were before the Cataclysm and how Acorus endured in the aftermath. It wouldn't pose a threat to anyone's power."

"I'll read it and if your assessment holds up, which I have no doubt it will, I'll set the scriveners to work."

"You'd not have the engravers print it, my dear?"

"Perhaps later, dearest. For the first copies to be sent to the various heads of state, I'll do it in an old style to suit the information. So, what else is there for us to discuss?"

"Well, in the last month, Tyren of Lustrea has completed the withdrawal of all his forces from both the north and south. His engineers are working on improving their sections of the North and South Highways, to include new customs stations. The new Landarch has further solidified his position and has begun a project to extend the ancient aquaduct to open more land to cultivation.

"It would also appear he is in no hurry to dismantle the barrier they erected across the ancient passage through which the North Highway passes. They are raising a pair of towers and some additional structures for some troops and their customs people. I also paid the Landarch a visit on your behalf."

"Really? How did he take to that?"

"It rattled him at first but he was already familiar with some of my exploits so when I showed up in his apartments late one night, we had a very interesting conversation. He got a very unorthodox history lesson concerning the ancients and I imagine he and a few of his more trusted associates are doing a little searching around the old structures of Dereka."

"As long as there is nothing that can be turned against us," the Protector commented.

"Wendra and I took several trips there beforehand and searched every nook and cranny and we found nothing of use in those terms. We left some of the old maps and uniforms for them to find so they know what I told him was true. I want to establish a level of trust with him."

"Wisely said. You are my link to the rest of Corus and I would have that be one of trust and not fear. And on that subject we have some work to do with our friends in Madrien. It would seem you loom over them like a specter. I received this a few days ago. It is for you from the sub Marshal responsible for negotiations and trade, Gerayn by name."

Alucius took the sealed message and looked toward the Lord Protector.

"Go ahead, there might be something there we need to discuss."

So Alucius cracked the wax seal and began to read

'Greetings, Colonel,

I find myself in the most ironic position of expressing my admiration to the man who almost single handedly disrupted four hundred years of planning and progress. My admiration is not for that disruption but for how you have handled matters since the fall of the Regent. It is obvious that your vast Talent could have easily been turned to the devastation of Madrien and there would have been many who would have not gainsaid such action considering what you have endured.

As you suggested, cooler heads have prevailed and the needs of the people of Madrien have indeed become the principle concern of the Marshall and her staff, upon which I now serve. We have lost much in the war, including many of our young men and women and this leaves us in a precarious position. While in theory we remain a sovereign nation, in truth we are little more than a semi-autonomous province of greater Lanachrona, although few would admit so openly.

Therefore I come to the issue upon which I would have you broach to the Lord Protector for it is widely assumed you stand high in his councils. The Dramurian pirates have become a major annoyance and we fear it will likely become a plague before long. We understand that Lanachrona's efforts at South Gate have proven very effective and we would hope that some similar resolution can be effected. Ships porting in and out of Haflin have reported being shadowed by Dramurian schooners and patrols out of Fola have found signs of landings, likely scouting teams.

While the Marshall and staff have expressed concerns they believe the issue is not one of great import at the moment. I, however, believe the Dramurian Seltyrs are looking for a new

foothold on the West Coast of Corus, having lost South Gate. While I won't confess to knowing the extent of your abilities, anyone with any sense must admit to their effectiveness. I bring this situation to your attention in the hopes that some action can be taken before the pirates establish a foothold, disrupting our attempts to return Madrien to some semblance of prosperity for our people.

With Highest Regards,

Gerayn, Sub Marshall.

Alucius blew out a breath and looked at the Lord Protector.

"We do have something to discuss. This is from Gerayn, who is now a Sub Marshall on the Marshall's staff. She is telling me the Dramurians Seltyrs are using their 'pirates' to scout out a possible location to establish a foot hold, replacing South Gate. She's asking for help before it gets to the point that the Madriens have to divert resources they don't really have to dealing with it."

"Can she be trusted?"

"More than anyone else I can think of there. I imagine I can take a little trip and see how things are and then you can decide how you want to proceed. One thing she is right about is they are pretty much a province."

"Colonel," the Lord Protector said, backsliding to a more formal mode of address, "should I blame you for placing all this before me?"

"I suppose you could sir, but when you consider the alternative," he finished with a shrug.

"Too true," the man said with a sigh. "Go and see what you can find out. If any opportunities should present themselves, you have my permission to take advantage but without hazarding yourself, of course."

"I couldn't agree more," Alucius said.

Alerya nodded and then said,

"Talryn is back to calling you Colonel. He must be nervous."

"I'm annoyed, my dear. We've finally gotten to a point of relative calm on this benighted continent and now we have these pigheaded islanders attempting to stir things up. We have South Gate well in hand and no one in their right mind would want Northport so now we have to help the Iron Bitches secure their shoreline. When will it end?"

"I would imagine, not until the entire continent including Dramuria is under one iron fist, or when all the humans are gone," Alucius said somberly.

Chapter 65, North of Iron Stem

"So now you have to go and rescue those presumptuous women from their own folly?" Alucius' mother asked with some heat.

With the death of her father, Royalt, nearly four months earlier, Lucenda was now the nominal head of the household. She missed the man terribly but she consoled herself with the knowledge that he lived years longer than was to be expected. Her mother had died years ago, when her son was on his way home from two years of captivity in the Matrite forces. Normally, the herder bond being what it was, Royalt should have followed much sooner than he had. It helped to think of it that way, but only a little.

"Mother, by helping them, we help ourselves more. If the Dramurians are able to establish a significant presence along that coast it will take a major action to dislodge them, and the Matrites don't have the forces to do it. That means the Southern and Northern Guard. Neither of us can afford to mount an expedition at this time."

Lucenda made a face and said,

"I'm well aware of all that, son, but I don't have to like it. You just make sure those iron bitches know they've been saved, and by whom."

During the conversation Wendra had been watching the two, remaining silent. When Alucius looked over at her, her expression was unreadable to everyone but him. And it wasn't her expression he was reading.

"Would you like to come along and watch my back?"

"And leave your mother alone with Alendra?"

"Well, I like that. Don't you think I'm capable of taking care of a child, especially one that can practically take care of herself?" Lucenda countered.

"Of course you can, mother. I just worry about you, what with the attack.." she left it unfinished.

"That was six months ago, and there have been patrols by here at least twice each week. And in case you've forgotten you two are the only herders on the stead now. You can only be away the one day. That I can manage."

"Actually, Mother," Wendra said, "we'd mostly likely do a lot of it at night, now that I think about it. Don't you think, dear?"

"I do. Despite our unique abilities I've always preferred scouting at night. No one can match a herder's night vision. We start tonight?"

"Might as well. Right after we clean up from dinner."

Lucenda's expression suggested there was no question of that. After she had seen her son and daughter in law off on their expedition, she was sitting in the living room watching her granddaughter playing on the floor. The girl had been in a bit of a poor mood the last few weeks, ever since Burtyl had left the stead to take up residence on the stead that would be his in the not too distant future. She had come to think of him as her uncle and she missed him. At one point, she looked up and said,

"Mama, Da?"

"They're off trying to stop a little trouble from turning into a lot, Alendra. Your mommy and daddy are very important people and they have to help other important people. And I suspect that someday you'll be doing that too."

The little girl scrunched up her face in an expression of concentration. Then she looked at her grandmother and shook her head a bit,

"No, G'am, be a herder."

"Yes, dear, you will be. And a very good one, I'm sure. But these days being a herder means a lot more than it used to."

Chapter 66, Western Madrien, Near the coast

"Well, master tracker, what do you think?" Wendra asked quietly.

"Same tracks that I've seen all over Eastern Dramuria. Looks like a small group, no more than ten. Heading inland."

Wendra had been doing her best to learn from him but she was still amazed at the information he could derive from some scuff marks in the dirt.

"Scouting, you think?"

"Either that, or here to make some sort of mischief."

"Why do you think they'd want to do that? Wouldn't that just bring the Matrites down on them?" she whispered.

"I've been thinking about this. I can't imagine them trying to force their way in here, but what if they create a lot of trouble, label it piracy or something, and then let it be known to the Marshall that in exchange for some sort of presence, they can get the pirates under control?"

"Sounds very devious, what you'd expect from the Seltyrs. And it concerns me that you were able to think of it," she said, regarding his serious expression before flashing him a smile.

He smiled a bit and then as if on signal they both dropped into the ground and began floating along the direction he indicated. They traveled for perhaps ten miles when a small group of men appeared above them. On an unspoken signal they moved past and came up perhaps a half mile ahead.

"Where do you think they are going?" she asked.

"Not sure, but there are some isolated cots in this area. Small farm plots, woodlots, that sort of thing. I notice them the last time. A good place for a small band to cause problems."

"You're not thinking of just killing them all, are you?" she asked.

"That's the simplest solution, but the idea doesn't sit well. I'm thinking we can chase them back to the coast. Scare them some and make them think there are more forces out here than they thought."

He then explained to her what he had in mind and she had to admit it was rather brilliant. So they set themselves in a suitable place and when the first of the 'pirates' appeared, they opened fire. Alucius had them bring the lighter Matrite rifles that they had 'borrowed' from Colonel Feran. This gave them several advantages.

Firstly, the 'pirates' will think they are being fired on by Matrite forces. Secondly, they'll be able to carry more ammunition. And on the outside chance they ran out, they could scrounge locally. Never before had either of them fired so many rounds without actually hitting a target. Of course, the was the whole idea. They were hitting very closely so it appeared that a number of troopers were making near misses in the dark .

In a matter of minutes the squad or so of men were running back down the trail, not even trying to return fire. Alucius and Wendra followed along, in fact, actually leap frogging, so they could set up new 'ambushes' to hurry the would be trouble makers on their way. By sunrise, they had them all the way back to their landing spot on the coast, but with no boat in sight, they could only dig in and wait.

Alucius found himself a spot where he could hear the men talking, clearly in the dialect of the Dramurians. Wendra was further out watching for any others who might be in the area.

"I thought you said there were no patrols in this area?"

"That's what the Captain said. The scouts didn't see any sign of Matrites within a dozen leagues."

"I guess they must have missed some then," the other said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "It sounded like they had two companies out there. It's a good thing they can't shoot worth a damn."

"Now what do we do? It'll be two days, maybe three before the boat comes back for us. And we were supposed to live off the cots we hit. We only have enough food for two, maybe three meals."

"We set watches and we eat once a day, that's what we do. And hope those two companies don't link up and chase our asses into the sea."

Alucius nodded and slipped back into the earth to rejoin Wendra. Once together they left for the stead and a long day of herding sheep.

Chapter 67, North of Iron Stem

Since both were somewhat fatigued they went out together each to watch the other's back. Lucenda went about her household chores, doing what she could to teach Alendra various things about running a household. She was still too young to be introduced to the more demanding aspects of processing nightsheep wool into the various grades of night silk.

The girl may be incredibly precocious but she was still too small to be out in the sheds. The girl was sitting in her high chair having lunch with Gram when her head came up and she looked toward the front door.

"Som' un comin, G'am."

"On the road, dear? How many?"

'es," she said, holding up a single finger.

"I'll go see. You stay put."

Lucenda went to the window adjacent to the front door and looked until she saw the single riding coming up the long narrow road that connected the stead yard to the high road. When she saw the familiar figure of a Northern Guard messenger, she eased her hold on the heavy rifle that always stood by the door. When she recognized the face of the young rider she placed it against the wall. Had he not looked familiar she would have carried the weapon out onto the porch with her.

He came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs and remained seated. No trooper was going to have the audacity to pound on the door of the Colonel's home. Lucenda opened the door and called out,

"Come ahead, young fellow. There's lunch enough for one more."

It was a poorly kept secret that messenger duty to the stead of Lucenda and family was hotly contested since no trooper left without having been filled with the best hot food within a hundred vingts. So the trooper dismounted and tied his horse to the hitching rail beside the steps. The horse would be watered before the trip back began.

The young man was ushered into the house and before going further he presented a sealed envelope to her.

"For the Colonel, ma'am. From Colonel Feran."

"Thank you, young man, I'll see that he gets it. Let's hope it's not some legacy of the Duarches."

"Afraid I couldn't say about that, Ma'am."

"No, I imagine not. Well, into the kitchen with you. I seem to recall you had a particular fondness for my lamb stew."

The trooper's smile was answer enough. When he was seated at the kitchen table, Alendra gave him a serious look then said,

"'lo."

"Hello, there little lady," the young man replied.

She examined his uniform and the messenger's sash that he wore.

"You know Da?"

"Yes, ma'am I do and a great man he is."

She considered this response, nodded once and resumed eating her lunch. Late in the afternoon she was sitting on the porch in front of the house with her grandmother watching as a herd of night sheep meandered down the last slope before entering the stead. A tall herder dressed in black moved with them at the front while a slightly shorter red head chivvied the stragglers along from behind.

In less than half a glass the herder pair were walking up from the stable, hand in hand. Alucius looked up and saw his daughter standing on the other side of the porch railing looking at her parents as they approached.

"Well, if it isn't two of my favorite three ladies in the whole world."

"'Lo, Da! Mama! How da sheep?" she asked loudly.

"The sheep are wonderful, dear heart," Wendra replied as she mounted the steps. "They all came home."

"We had a vis'tor."

"Really? And who might that have been," her father asked.

"Troop'r, messager."

"I think you mean a trooper messenger, my dear," her grandmother offered.

"'es."

"Something important, mother?" Alucius asked.

"I don't know, dear. I haven't taken to snooping into official Guard messages."

"Who could they trust more than you, mother?" he asked as he took the sealed message.

He broke the familiar wax seal and began to read. When he was done he couldn't help but smile.

"Feran is at it again. Listen to this. To his most august personage, Colonel Alucius. This message is to inform you that the Northern Guard has received a commendation from Tempre recognizing us for organizational excellence in regards to the results of our efforts to drag the Northern Guard back from the abyss, as well as other accomplishments. Since, most, if not all of these efforts are your unmistakable handiwork, you are to be the guest of honor at a special officers mess to be held one week hence at the fifth glass of the afternoon. Failure to appear will not only be a unforgivable insult to the Northern Guard, but will be considered an act of treason against the new nation of Lanachrona."

Alucius was having trouble keeping a straight face while Wendra was laughing openly.

"And he signs it, with all due respect, your most humble servant, Feran, Colonel, Northern Guard."

"Unc' Feran?"

"Yes, sweetie," Wendra replied. "Uncle Feran is inviting your Da to a special dinner and he's being very funny about it."

The little girl giggled, aside from her immediate family, Feran was her most favorite person. No one was exactly sure why, but there was something about the man that fascinated her and she also found him immensely entertaining. Not to mention that she had the man, a hardened combat veteran completely wrapped around her finger.

"Things must be getting awfully dull at the fort if he's taking to writing something like this," Lucenda offered.

"My guess is he wants me there for something beyond a celebration dinner and this is his way of saying it without being obvious."

"Do you think he might know something about the big raid we had?" Wendra asked.

"I suppose that's possible. And if it is, we've got a problem, if he's being this careful about it. I'll just have to go and hear what he has to tell me."

The wait was not a quiet one. Alucius and Wendra made two more trips to the Madrien coast, the first to make sure the squad of 'pirates' were indeed leaving. In fact, they waited while the boat put in to take them off and then offered an incentive to leave quickly by firing several magazines worth ammunition into the sand of the beach and water around the boat. Alucius noticed a few sprays of splinters from the boat as it rowed through the low swells, causing him to look over at Wendra, who studiously ignored him.

Once they were assured that they weren't likely to return, they each took a separate path home to look for any other signs of incursion but found nothing of importance. Alucius was sitting on the front porch enjoying the cool of the later evening air. Wendra strode up from the stone outcrop she used to resurface.

"You take the long way around?" he asked.

"I swung out to check around the port at Haflin. It seemed quiet. More quiet than you'd expect. I'd have thought that more ships would be porting, bringing in needed supplies."

"You'd think so. But I can imagine two things weighing against that. The first is that there isn't a lot of money or trade resources in Madrien right now. Nearly all the trading on the west coast is coming through South Gate. Talryn has been pretty pleased at the tariff revenues. The other is the danger the so called pirates are posing. We're going to have to find a way to bring the Dramurians to heel."

"Your talking about invading?" she asked as she sat down on the bench with him.

"No, that would be a nightmare. Trying to get enough troops onto the island would be next to impossible and I can tell you it's not well suited to cavalry. It will have to be something more subtle and fundamental. When you think of something let me know," he said a grin.

"I beg your pardon?"

"It's well known that women are more subtle about things. How often do you get me to do things and have me believing it was my idea?" he asked.

Her eyebrows rose and then she left.

"You noticed that, did you?"

"After a while."

She just laughed. Then they went inside and what followed was definitely her idea.

Chapter 68, Just North of Iron Stem

The sentry at the gate watched as the horse and rider approached. From the silhouette it was easy to tell who it was.

"Good evening, Colonel," the young trooper called out.

"Good evening, trooper, all it well I trust?"

"Oh, yes sir. Colonel Ferran is waiting for you in his office, sir."

Alucius nodded and guided his horse to the headquarters building where he reined in but before he could dismount a trooper emerged and hurried up.

"I'll take him, sir. We'll put 'em in the headquarters section of the stable."

"Thank you. He might take some water. Leave him saddled but loosen the cinch strap if you would."

"Right you are, sir."

He hadn't worn a uniform since he left the Guard with the exception of the Ball that he and Wendra had attended in Tempre. However, his best outfit was a solid black and looked enough like a standard Guard uniform to maintain the image of an officer. He mounted the stairs and pushed open the door. When he walked into the foyer the duty Squad Leader jumped up to attention and said,

"Good evening, sir, I'll announce you to Colonel Ferran."

He disappeared through an study door and a moment later he reappeared and held the door for Alucius. When he entered the study he found Ferran standing next to his modest desk, the same one that Alucius had sat behind at the post in Dehkron.

"Colonel, good to see you."

"And you too, Colonel," Ferran replied with smirk.

When he heard the door click shut his expression sobered and he waived Alucius into a chair.

"That was some invitation you sent."

"It's been a tough few months. I needed something to lift my spirits," Ferran replied. "And I have some information you need to know, and the world doesn't need to know you know."

"The raid?"

"Indeed. It's taken a while to stitch all the pieces together. Like one of your grandmother's quilts. But not nearly as lovely."

"Okay, let's have it."

"Someone did hire those Riley's to come after you. You and your whole family. The ones who did the hiring appear to be some sort of unholy alliance out of Dehkron and Tempre. You have some pretty serious enemies in both places."

"Any specifics?"

"Not as yet. Even the best trooper scouts aren't worth much in those sorts of places. You, on the other hand, seem to have resources more in line with those kinds of intrigues."

"Hmm, I'm going to have to guess it's some traders out of both cities and possibly some members of the Southern Guard high command."

"Matrites?" Feran offered.

"Possibly but not very likely. They have far too many issues to be worried about me, plus they know Wendra would be on them like a sandwolf if it came to that."

"Well, that's what I needed you to know. We'll keep our ears open but I still think you'll find out more a lot faster. Now, how about we go have a bit of dinner and act like it's a good time."