Council of War (62 page)

"It is good that you were able to control yourself," retorted Clint. "A smile or chuckle would have destroyed the illusion, and you would be in bunks at the garrison. What are you men doing in here?" he asked as he saw all the bunks moved away from the wall.

"Cleaning up," answered Captain Magee. "This place hasn't been used in some time. If we are to be the pride of the Federation army, this place needs to be spotless."

Clint grinned and a laugh came involuntarily to his lips. "Now you are acting like soldiers. I am proud of each of you. Has Aeron been taken care of?"

"I took care of him before we came to the barracks," replied one of the soldiers. "The stablemen wanted to do it themselves, but I told them to keep their hands off him. I let them take care of our horses. I don't think they have ever touched an Occan."

"Excellent," nodded Clint. "I just wanted to come by and tell you how good you looked today. Don't forget to practice this evening, and it wouldn't hurt to let others see you doing it, but do not antagonize the palace guards. Remember that elite soldiers do not let others drive their emotions. I will try to get out tomorrow to check on how you are doing."

Clint turned to leave the barracks, and all of the men stiffened and saluted him. He saluted them back and stepped out of the building. Instead of heading directly back to the palace, he chose an alternate route that took him along the shore of the Sea of Tears. He stood for awhile staring out at the harbor. He was truly pleased with the performance the men had put on coming into the city. The men were not extraordinary in any way, but their desire to be something special had made them willing to accept the discipline necessary to make them stand out in an army of unremarkable soldiers. He had grown quite fond of them during the long journey from Ur, and he was sure the reverse was also true. He found the irony of bonding with enemy soldiers slightly discomforting.

"Ah, there you are," said a familiar voice.

Clint turned around and saw the colonel who guided him to his room. "I do not believe I caught your name, Colonel."

"Taerin," the colonel said. "Colonel Taerin. Grand General Kyrga has invited you to dine with him in his private dining room. I have been looking all over for you."

"I have just been admiring the view," smiled Clint. "The Sea of Tears is much more expansive than the Gulf of Ur."

"I have never had the pleasure of visiting Tyronia," replied the colonel. "If you will follow me, Grand General Kyrga does not like to be kept waiting."

Clint purposely turned and gazed at the sea for a few seconds more before nodding to the colonel. Although he would not chance upsetting Kyrga at this stage of the game, he wanted the colonel to feel as if he would not be hurried. A few seconds was all it took for the colonel to begin fidgeting nervously. Colonel Taerin walked briskly across the lawn of the palace and held the door open for the general. He led the way through the maze of corridors and opened the door to the private dining room. Grand General Kyrga was already seated and sipping a glass of wine as Clint entered the room. Clint saluted and waited for a return salute before approaching the table, but Kyrga merely waved him towards a chair.

"Sit down, General Forshire. I do not observe formalities in the privacy of my personal dining room."

Clint crossed the room and sat next to Kyrga. A group of servants entered the room and served the meal and then disappeared from the room. Clint took a sip of the wine and nodded his approval.

"The finest wines from Vinafor," smiled Kyrga. "I could not help noticing your arrival this afternoon. General Marashef must have been worried about your safety to assign such an elite squad for your protection. Did you have any troubles on the journey from Ur?"

"None," replied Clint, "and General Marashef assigned me a group of castoff misfits. He obviously had no concern for my safety at all."

Kyrga raised an eyebrow as he looked at Clint. "I saw no misfits escorting you onto the palace grounds. Did you manage to trade them off along the way?"

"No, Grand General Kyrga," replied Clint. "I made soldiers out of what was given to me. May I inquire as to what kind of an army I will be leading here in Despair?"

"Army?" frowned Kyrga. "Perhaps Marashef did not explain your purpose for being here. You are to be a guest of Emperor Jaar, along with General Garibaldi of Vinafor and General Fabio of Karamin. You are to be the emissary from Tyronia. You will be involved with all major decisions regarding your country."

"Then General Marashef has sent you the wrong man," frowned Clint. "I am a soldier, Grand General Kyrga. I am not one to lay about all day and sip wine."

"You are second in line to rule the kingdom of Tyronia. Should anything happen to King Mectin, you would be sent back to Ur to rule the country. The Emperor has extended a great honor to you. I would not advise discarding it so casually."

"It is a great honor," conceded Clint. "Do not mistake my words for a lack of appreciation, but any fool could rule Tyronia. I became a great general because I love the art of warfare."

"Tyronia fell without a fight," snapped Kyrga. "Don't tell me what great generals they have."

"Tyronia was given to the Federation," retorted Clint. "I could have stopped your great army with less than ten thousand men. You would never have gotten through Sebastian Pass no matter how many men you threw at me. You might have sent more troops up the Lombardi Road, but they would have been fatigued by they time they got to Tyronia, and I would have had plenty of time to gain reinforcements. I do not mean to argue over this issue. But is it not obvious that I welcomed Tyronia joining the Federation? I did not do so to become a palace puppy. I want to command an army."

"Out of the question," stated Kyrga. "You are far too valuable to risk in the field."

"Then send me back to be Commanding General of Tyronia," replied Clint. "You must have read my file by now. I am on your side. Why sentence me to a life of boredom?"

Kyrga sighed and took another sip of wine. He pushed his plate away and leaned back in his chair.

"I have read your file, and it is exemplary. You even get extra points for personally killing King Myer, but I already have all the generals that I need. I have no army to give you."

"What of all the recruits from Tyronia?" asked Clint.

"They have already been assigned," replied Kyrga. "Look, I like you, Forshire. You show more mettle than most of my generals. The fact that you could take a squad of misfits and parade them around this city like a group of elite soldiers is remarkable, but I just don't have the men to give you. Starting in the morning, you will dine with Garibaldi and Fabio. You will find that it is a pleasant life here in the palace. When an opening does come up, I will seriously consider you for it. You seem to have the drive that is lacking in most men."

"What is your most pressing need?" asked Clint. "What has no other general been able to give you?"

Kyrga shook his head and appeared to be ready to get up and leave, dismissing the conversation from his thoughts.

"There is always something that a leader cannot achieve," pressed Clint. "Tell me what it is, and I will achieve it for you."

Kyrga sighed and looked at Clint for several minutes without speaking. "There are rebels running around Zara," Kyrga finally said. "Tens of thousands of men have failed to capture a single one of them. Do you think you could do better?"

"Of course," smiled Clint. "Give me an army and all of the information you have on these rebels. I will hunt them down for you."

"I do not have ten thousand men for you," scowled Kyrga. "And do not even think about chasing them with merely a squad of soldiers. These rebels are experienced warriors, and at least one of them is a mage of incredible power."

"Give me license to track them down," pleaded Clint. "And authorize an army under my command." He held up his hand as Kyrga opened his mouth to speak. "I will fill the ranks of the army myself, but I need your authorization to form it."

"How will you fill the ranks?" Kyrga asked.

"I am sure that your prisons are full of misfits," smiled Clint. "Let me choose the ones who are recoverable, and I will make soldiers out of them. All I need from you is authorization to take the men I want. I also need the authority to choose officers from among them. And I will need horses," he added.

Kyrga's eyes brightened at the thought of potentially free soldiers. He stared at Clint for a bit and then nodded in agreement.

"I will let you form your army of misfits," he said, "but I have no horses to give you. You will have to make do with infantry."

"There are horses galore coming down from Tyronia," pressed Clint. "You cannot expect me to pursue rebels all over the Federation by foot."

"The Tyronian horses are already spoken for," sighed Kyrga. "The most I could give you would be two thousand."

"I'll take them," Clint said quickly. "A small army is better than none at all."

The unicorns glided over the Endless Swamp and settled down on the firm ground bordering Atule's Maze. Garth and Kalina dismounted.

"I will tend to Kymia and Yurl," volunteered Kalina. "You start a fire."

"Do we need one?" asked Garth. "It is only a few hours to dawn. Why not use the time to catch some sleep?"

"We will," replied Kalina. "The fire is to alert the Rhodans of our arrival. This is where we picked up the barrels of flamorweed. I chose it to make sure that we would be noticed promptly. Light the fire and then we will retire."

"I wondered why we traveled so far," Garth said as he began to build a small fire. "I hope they are not early risers. I could use some rest."

The Knights of Alcea settled in for what was left of the night. When Garth awakened he stared up at a crisp blue sky. The sun was well above the horizon. He sat up and saw Kalina sitting quietly facing the jungle.

"It is well past dawn," Garth said. "Have they not noticed us yet?"

"They know we are here," frowned Kalina, "but no offer to enter Atule's Maze has been extended. I do not understand why."

"Maybe because I am with you," mused Garth as he helped himself to a cup of tea. "Perhaps I should head back to Karamin and wait for you there."

"No," Kalina shook her head. "I would prefer that you wait for me here."

Suddenly a woman walked out of the jungle growth and waved to Kalina. Kalina jumped to her feet and waved back at the approaching Rhodan.

"I see that Garth has finally awakened," smiled Yortana.

"Were you waiting for him to wake up?" Kalina asked.

"Yes and no," answered the Rhodan warrior. "I knew that your return would be to speak with Queen Tsarana, so I have already sent for her. It made no sense to disturb his sleep while we still have to await her arrival, but now that he is up, I welcome you into Atule's Maze."

"Wonderful," Kalina replied as she turned and smiled at Garth. "I will try to be back by nightfall."

"Garth is to accompany you," declared Yortana.

"Into Atule's Maze?" frowned Kalina. "Will that be allowed?"

"It has been authorized," replied Yortana. "Tsarana is anxious to meet the man who saved Chimene and Panas. You may bring your horses into the jungle so they do not get away."

"Thank you," Garth said as he snuffed the fire and stowed his cup in his pack. "I am honored to be admitted into Atule's Maze."

"You are indeed," grinned Yortana. "You Alceans are starting to become folk heroes to the Sisters of Justice. There are few men who would give up their horses to help our people. Come, we have a bit of travel ahead of us before meeting up with the queen."

Garth and Kalina followed the Rhodan warrior into the jungle. Garth immediately noticed the other female warriors spread out in the verdant growth, their faces filled with curiosity. Yortana led the way slowly at first as she headed northwest along a narrow trail. Kalina followed her, and Garth followed his wife. Many of the other Rhodans joined the small column as they moved quietly through the jungle. No one spoke on the trail, and Garth smiled in appreciation.

Yortana increased the pace incrementally, often looking over her shoulder to make sure that the Alceans were not been outdistanced. A couple of hours later they came to a large clearing. Dozens of Rhodan warriors were already assembled. Centered in the clearing was a short, older woman sitting on a log. Kalina recognized her as Queen Tsarana. She bowed slightly in respect and Garth immediately mimicked her actions.

"Welcome back, Kalina," smiled Tsarana, "and welcome Garth Shado. I apologize for the sparseness of our setting, but I wanted to save you a long journey through the jungle. I hope it is suitable for our short talk. Why have you come to Atule's Maze?"

"To speak of our war against the Federation," Kalina replied, "and to thank you for the flamorweed. We put it to good use."

"So I am told," smiled the queen. "I will admit that I held out little hope of ever seeing you again, but I am pleased by your success. I am even more pleased that you kept your promise to help the Sisters of Justice. Chimene and Panas are alive today only because of your intervention. Your debt is more than repaid, but I hope that you will continue to assist the Sisters whenever you can."

"We could not do otherwise," offered Garth. "Although, wouldn't it be wonderful if the Sisters of Justice were no longer needed?"

Queen Tsarana narrowed her eyes as she stared at Garth. "While I agree with your words, I cannot help thinking that you are leading up to another request. What is it?"

"We know that you have had problems getting your people through Karamin," replied Kalina. "Has that gotten worse under King Vlador?"

"Most assuredly," nodded the queen. "Even when the little brat was only a prince, he took a strong disliking to us. It is because of his influence that our warriors no longer take care to be benevolent towards the soldiers of Karamin. We exist in a perpetual state of war with our neighbor."

"What do you know of Boric?" asked Garth.

"He is a cousin of Vlador," answered Tsarana. "I understand that he now leads the bandits that infest the West Woods along the Calusa Road. As our people seldom use the main roads, he is of little concern to us. Where is all of this leading?"