Alutar: The Great Demon (51 page)

Colonel Taerin frowned. He knew that Donil was trying to sway him to the Alcean side, yet there was more in his words. There was a plea in those words for Taerin to rule benevolently when he came to power, and Taerin’s respect for the A Corps colonel grew because of the plea.

* * * *

The A Corps was three days into Tyronia when General Marashef and a regiment of the 32
^nd
Corps showed up on the road to Ur. Clint had been expecting them.

“Make camp,” General Forshire said softly to Colonel Magee, “and don’t forget that we are misfits.”

Colonel Magee grinned and almost saluted the general, but he caught himself in time. He left to carry out the general’s orders while General Forshire sat astride Aeron in the middle of the road, waiting for General Marashef to come to him. When the Commanding General of Tyronia did arrive, his colonel ordered his men to set up a perimeter around the A Corps, similar to what the A Corps had done to the 31
^st
Corps of Vinafor. A shiver ran up Clint’s spine as he wondered if the activities of the A Corps had somehow been detected.

“Are you lost, Forshire?” quipped General Marashef.

“Hardly,” General Forshire replied. “I have traveled this road many times. Are you heading for the pass, or did you ride out all this way just to greet me?”

“I tend to take notice when an army enters my country,” General Marashef replied without humor, “even if it is an army of misfits. Why are you here?”

“I am just following orders,” General Forshire replied.

“I do not think so,” frowned General Marashef. “I have had no word from Grand General Kyrga that he was sending the A Corps to Tyronia. What game are you playing?”

“I do not take orders from Grand General Kyrga,” General Forshire replied. “I take my orders from Emperor Jaar.”

General Marashef’s frown deepened. “Every general in the Federation takes orders from Grand General Kyrga,” General Marashef insisted. “Would you care to explain what you are talking about?”

Clint glanced at the encampment and saw that his tent was already erected.

“Come with me, Marashef,” invited General Forshire. “I do not care to discuss such things in the middle of the road to Ur.”

General Forshire turned Aeron towards the tent, and General Marashef followed. The two generals dismounted and entered the tent. Two soldiers were inside setting up everything just the way the general liked it. With a nod from Clint, they immediately left the tent. Clint walked to the table in the center of the tent and sat down. He waved to the empty chair for General Marashef to join him. Once they were seated, Clint removed the Imperial proclamation from his pouch and handed it to General Marashef.

“As you can see,” General Forshire said, “I am no longer under the command of Grand General Kyrga. I report directly to Emperor Jaar.”

“Imperial General?” General Marashef said with surprise. “I have truly underestimated you, Forshire. And you were the one who held no desire for higher power. I believe those were your words?”

“Times have changed,” Clint smiled tautly.

“And why does the emperor want the A Corps in Tyronia?” asked General Marashef.

“For two reasons,” replied General Forshire. “I am sure that you have already heard about the revolts in Karamin and Vinafor?”

“I have heard the news from both sides,” scowled General Marashef. “The rebels sent messages detailing our losses in Alcea. I doubt that they are offering the truth, but the messages have had a depressing effect on some. What does that have to do with Tyronia?”

“It is believed that Tyronia might be next,” answered General Forshire. “While the A Corps might be small and inexperienced, it does add to the number of Federation troops in Ur.”

General Marashef nodded as Forshire’s words made sense. “And the other reason?” he asked.

“I should think that would be obvious,” answered General Forshire. “I am still King Mectin’s replacement should something happen to him. It was thought that I should remain in Ur, just in case. The rebels will not be allowed to take over the country by merely assassinating Mectin.”

General Marashef fell silent. He had taken a liking to taunting Forshire ever since he met him, but if King Mectin died, Forshire would become the King of Tyronia as well as the Imperial General of the Federation. It would not be healthy to have such a man as his enemy. That meant that either Forshire had to die, or Marashef had to get on his good side, if that was even possible.

“I asked you into this tent,” Clint said softly, “because I did not want any of this to become common knowledge. I do not think that the emperor has even shared my orders with Kyrga, but I believe that I can share this information with you without fearing that it will go any further. Am I mistaken?”

“No,” assured General Marashef. “I understand the need for secrecy. If King Mectin even got a hint that you were in Ur to replace him, he would become unmanageable.”

“I truly have no desire to replace him,” chuckled General Forshire. “As you have noticed, I have changed a bit since leaving Ur. Tyronia no longer holds the allure for me that it once did. As soon as this current threat is over, I will be leaving Tyronia for the last time. I doubt that I will ever come back.”

General Marashef raised an eyebrow. “King Mectin has no heir,” he pointed out. “Some day you will be required to return to Ur.”

General Forshire frowned deeply. “I have no desire to be tied down to this country,” he declared. “If King Mectin dies while I am here, I will be obligated to take over, but I will not allow it to become permanent. I am sure that I can persuade Emperor Jaar to appoint someone else to become king. If you know of a likely candidate, let me know. I will mention it to the emperor when I return to Despair.”

“Surely you know many Tyronians,” General Marashef responded.

“I do,” replied General Forshire, “but none of them is as loyal to the Federation as I am, and I think loyalty to the emperor is paramount for the position. If I had to stand before the emperor today and recommend anyone, it would be you, Marashef. At least I know that you are loyal to Jaar. I cannot be sure of anyone else.”

General Marashef’s eyes widened. While General Forshire’s words smacked of false flattery, Marashef could also see some truth in them. Since his first day in Tyronia, Marashef had not found anyone in Tyronia who truly held the emperor in high regard. While no one spoke openly against the emperor, neither did anyone speak favorably of him. The Tyronians had no love for the Federation, and General Marashef knew it, so Forshire’s words made sense. He wondered if Forshire was having fun with him, or if he would really recommend him to be the King of Tyronia. He decided not to offend Forshire until he learned the answer to that question.

“I thank you for your confidence in me, Forshire,” General Marashef said with a smile. “I yearn to serve the emperor in whatever capacity he deems me worthy. If you will excuse me, I should make sure that my men are setting up our camp. Tomorrow we can ride together to Ur.”

“Of course,” smiled Clint. “Get your men settled in and then join me for dinner.”

General Marashef nodded as he rose. As soon as Marashef left the tent, Clint nudged his pocket to get Peanut’s attention.

“Do you really think he will fall for that syrup?” quipped the fairy.

“I don’t know,” admitted Clint, “but you are going to have a very busy night tonight. First, you will spy on Marashef and see what he says to his men, particularly his favored colonel. Second, once he is asleep, you are to go to Karl Gree in Ur. I want him to make sure that no pigeons arrive or leave Ur until I allow it. I have said some things that will not be verified if Marashef decided to check with Despair. Third, you need to check in with Donil. Be back by morning and you will be able to rest all day in my pocket.”

“As if that is a reward,” griped the fairy.

Clint laughed. “Okay,” he said, “then we will add to your list. When you meet with Donil, he should have a question that needs to be put to Janay in Herinak. Carry that question to Herinak and have someone ask her the question. Carry the answer back to Donil before returning to me. I will be in Ur by that time. By then my pocket will look very appealing to you.”

“You are a cruel taskmaster, General Forshire,” retorted the little green man. “It’s a good thing I like working with you.”

“We are a good team,” smiled Clint.

“Indeed we are,” grinned Peanut. “If you will excuse me, General, this A Corps fairy has some spying to do.”

* * * *

Garth, Kalina and Prince Samuel entered the city of Valdo, capital of Spino. As he did in Farmin, Garth headed straight for the slums, although it was early enough in the day to avoid spending the night there. Instead, they rode slowly through the slums. Within ten minutes, a thief approached Garth and spoke softly.

“Welcome back to Valdo, Garth Shado,” said the thief. “Are you looking for anything in particular?”

“Indeed I am,” answered Garth. “I need to speak with Strangler. Can you take us to him?”

The thief frowned as he looked at Garth’s hooded companion. “Would it not be better for him to visit you?” he asked.

“Not this time,” replied Garth. “I will vouch for my party. See if Strangler will permit us to visit with him.”

“Do not go far,” the thief said. “I will return shortly.”

Garth and the others dismounted as the thief left. Garth put his back to the wall of one of the nearby buildings, and Kalina immediately joined him. Prince Samuel stood near the street, his eyes taking in everything as he slowly rotated to view the city of his birth. He was not happy with what he saw. Although the citizens of the slums were in far better shape than they were a year earlier, thanks to the Mage and his friends, Prince Samuel sighed with despair. Eventually, he also moved to the wall and placed his back against it.

“I will have my work cut out for me,” he said softly. “Where do I begin?”

“You cannot solve everything at once,” advised Kalina. “Do what you can every day and keep on doing it. I think you will find that after a while, you will have many people willing to help.”

“Your first task is not to clean the slums,” warned Garth. “Your first task will to be to remain alive. There will be many people in this city who are not happy to see you return. Your sisters will be among them.”

“They will have no standing to get in my way,” retorted the prince.

“They will be first on the list of people who want you dead,” countered Garth. “Do not take them lightly because they are young. I have spoken to people who have dealt with them. They are as vicious as your mother could ever be. You will need protection every minute of the day.”

“You do not sound optimistic about my chances of survival,” frowned the prince. “Will it really be that bad?”

“I have five Rangers here,” replied Garth. “You will find some excuse to use them as your personal bodyguards. That in itself may cause you problems from some of the officers, but it cannot be avoided. The Rangers will keep you alive until you can command the loyalty of your people.”

“What do you know of General Vladin?” asked Kalina.

“He was only a colonel when I left Valdo,” answered the prince.

“Does he like you?” asked Garth.

“He likes only himself,” answered Prince Samuel. “I do not think he would try to oppose my coronation, but he might be open to bribery if someone else wanted me dead. In short, I can get along with him, but I will not put my trust in him.”

“Then you will need a new Commanding General of Spino,” stated Garth. “Do you know any other officers that would be loyal to you?”

Prince Samuel shook his head. “I have been gone from Valdo for too long. General Vladin will have to do until I get to know some of the other officers.”

The thief returned and beckoned Garth and his party into an alley. They grabbed the reins to their mounts and moved into the alley.

“Strangler came back with me,” stated the thief. “He is right through that door. Go on in and I will watch your horses.”

Garth nodded and let go of the reins. He led the group through the door and found Strangler waiting among piles of old crates. The black man was sitting on one of the crates, and he peered at the hooded visitor as they entered.

“Your request is most unusual,” greeted Strangler. “Why the deviation?”

“Our entry into the wealthier part of Valdo might not go unnoticed,” answered Garth, “and I wanted to talk to you before we got settled in. What is happening with the political situation in Valdo?”

“The city is rather chaotic politically,” answered Strangler. “Princess Anadale is pushing to be crowned Queen of Spino like her mother. General Vladin has been holding her off as he searches for Prince Samuel. Some of the elite think it is time to end the line of Queen Samir and select a new monarch. Everyone is posturing to get a piece of the action.”

“And who would you prefer?” asked Garth.

Strangler stared at Garth as if wondering what the real question was. “I want a king who will care for the people,” answered Strangler. “Neither of the two royal brats in the palace care about anyone but themselves. I know very little of Samuel other than he ran away at a young age and joined some cult. Had he just run away because he couldn’t stand his mother, I would welcome him back, but joining that wacky cult makes me think that he might be a bit unstable. As for the others posturing for the throne, I wouldn’t trust a one of them. In short, I don’t see a good solution for Spino.”

“I was young and naïve,” stated Prince Samuel as he removed the hood.

Strangler gasped as the prince revealed himself. He did not know whether he should kneel or bolt out of the building. Having the prince brought to him was something he had never expected.

“I think you need to talk with Prince Samuel,” Garth said. “I believe you will find a champion in him. He wants the same things that you do.”

“I apologize for my earlier words,” Strangler said sincerely.

“I see no need for your apology,” replied the prince. “I did run away because of my mother, but your words about the Cult of Everlasting Bounty were quite accurate. I was a fool for staying with them, but I am beyond that now. I want to help the poor and needy of Valdo, and I am going to need help to do that.”