Down Styphon!, page 13
part #8 of Kalvan Series
As Kalvan watched, a Knight reared up to fire his musket when suddenly his breastplate—with about as much stopping power as aluminum foil—showed half a dozen bloody holes from the Musketeers’ 8-bore rifled muskets. After that last volley, there were less than a score of the Knights still firing back, laying down cover-fire for the survivors or retreating into their portal.
Two volleys later and the last of the remaining Knights were down. Out of the more than two hundred bodies that littered the sally port entrance, Kalvan suspected there would be two score of enemy dead, twice that of mortally wounded men, most of whom would die of their injuries. He had truly escalated the low-impact warfare native to this area to total war. A part of him was still appalled at the waste of it all.
“Shall we follow them, Your Majesty?” Colonel Leukestros asked.
Kalvan shook his head. “It’s not necessary. They’re trapped inside Tarr-Ceros like rats in a drainpipe. Following them into their own sally port, is exactly what they want. It’s probably mined and set to collapse. That’s how I’d do it,” Kalvan finished.
II
Grand Master Soton was seated in a special chair that had been provided for him in Galzar’s new chapel. He bowed his head as he prayed for his men who had died trying to lure the Hostigi under the sally ports. Sadly, the ruse had not worked and two hundred Order soldiers had died in vain. At least, he thought, they have earned a place in Galzar’s Great Hall for their valor.
A noise from behind brought his attention back to the chapel. More bad news?
A familiar face came into view. “Aristocles, what in Ormaz’s name are you doing here? Did you bring an army with you?”
His old friends face shuddered. “No, old friend. The fools at Balph refused to come to our aid. We are on our own, curse and blast them all to Regwarn’s Caverns!”
“How did you get by Kalvan’s sentries?”
“I’ve been waiting by the old farmhouse for the past moon-quarter for the Hostigi to break ranks. Your attack from the sally ports brought them running, so even the sentries left their posts. It’s too bad it didn’t work, but it was enough of a ruse for me to enter through one of the old tunnels.”
“But why did you come back by yourself?” Soton said, his voice edged with anger. “I was trying to save your life.”
“That’s not your decision. What am I to do outside the Order? I cannot live without my comrades and my old master. Styphon’s Voice even had the audacity to offer me command of the City’s defenses. Would I be any better off* in Balph, than here with my friends? No, if Tarr-Ceros falls, Balph will fall soon enough. So I refused. It’s bad enough the Innermost Council refused us aid. I decided to return and I’m glad I did. Your sour face reminds me of home.
“But what is this?” Aristocles asked, his eyes widening as he looked around. “Where has Styphon’s Idol gone? Now, I see Galzar....”
Soton couldn’t face his old friend and looked down at the floor. “I finally saw the truth in our enemy’s words. The Temple is a fraud and all Styphon’s priests care for are gold and pleasures of the flesh. All the Styphoni priests fled the chapel as soon as they learned that Kalvan and his army were coming. Pshaw! Cowards and spineless jellyfish—all of them. May Galzar curse the House of Styphon and all his thieving priests!”
Aristocles drew back. “Is this truly Grand Master Soton? My, you have changed. What brought about this revelation?”
“The death of too many comrades and the lack of support from the Temple after all we have done.”
“It’s about time, my friend. Now, what are we going to do about this predicament?”
“What do you mean?” Soton asked.
“Has Great King Kalvan offered you terms?”
“Yes, but where would we go?”
“I’ve got an idea. It’s time to set up a parley before they tear down another wall.”
III
Great King Phidestros, with a small bodyguard, traveled incognito through the narrow cobblestone streets of Zygros City until he reached Duke Kyblannos’ townhouse. The Duke had a large dukedom in the southern part of Mythrax, but preferred to live in town with his wife and many children. The townhouse was a four-story structure made of timber and white plaster. Phidestros was greeted at the door by one of Kyblannos’ body servants and escorted through the chaos of the common rooms to the Duke’s workshop at the back of the house.
About halfway across the great hall, the Duchess accosted him. “Your Majesty, may I speak with you for a moment?”
She was a large woman with breasts the size of pillows and legs like bedposts. “Yes, Lady Myrissa, what is the problem?” he asked; he could tell from the expression on her face that she was troubled.
“Your Majesty, my husband is always getting underfoot, and I think he’s got wanderlust fever again. Is there any place you can send him to give us all some relief? I know he enjoys tinkering with his guns, but the rest of the time he’s like a lost boy.”
“I may have something for him,” he replied.
She sighed heavily. “Thank you, Your Majesty. It would do us all a world of good. He’s not used to staying cooped up, just as we’re not used to having him around all the time.”
Phidestros understood her problem very well, having been a mercenary on the move for most of his adulthood. Fortunately, he had found the right woman and was now comfortably settled down in Tarr-Zygros. Having a family was still a novelty, but he doubted it would ever grow stale with Arminta around to keep him busy and entertained. Her upbringing had given her a unique understanding of statecraft and diplomacy. Together they made a powerful couple. It didn’t hurt that they were deeply in love, but that was just an unexpected bonus as far as he was concerned.
He found Kyblannos outside in a large outbuilding that looked like a former barn or stable. It was now the Duke’s workroom. Inside he was tinkering with a massive wooden carriage, probably for one of the new thirty-two pound guns that were being cast at the Royal Foundry. When he spotted Phidestros, he said, “I’ve tried to make this carriage as small as possible, but it’s still going to take four teams of horses to pull this monster once the gun is mounted.”
Phidestros nodded. Pointing to the Duke’s office, he said. “Let’s have a quick drink.”
Kyblannos led him inside and poured them both a goblet of winter wine. “What’s on your mind, Cap’n?”
Phidestros lowered his cup, saying, “I’ve got a big problem and I need your advice. It may even involve a trip away from home.”
A big grin broke out on his face. “I haven’t spent this much time with the wife since our wedding. She and the kids are giving me battle fever.”
“There are times when I long for those carefree days when all we had to worry about was whether or not we had enough silver for the paychest or enough fireseed for our muskets.”
“Aye, Cap’n, those were the days. ..I even miss the battles.”
“Yes, but there are advantages to our current positions.”
Kyblannos nodded rather forlornly. “I suppose so, but I long for the wide open spaces and new towns and villages.” He opened his mouth, showing a gap-notched smile from missing teeth. “And firing my guns at soldiers, not at targets and sandbags.”
“You may get your wish. What have you heard lately about Geblon and Hos-Harphax?”
“I still get a short letter every moon or so from an old comrade in Harphax City. It seems Geblon is spending most of his time in the lap of his new wife. He dotes on Queen Lavena like a love-sick swain. It’s enough to turn my stomach.”
“What do you think of Lavena?”
“A she-devil, Cap’n. She treats our old comrade like dirt, and her servants even worse. We should have poisoned her when we had the chance. Your wife is too soft-hearted.”
Phidestros nodded, but it wasn’t something he wanted to change. “How are his subjects looking upon this weakness of his?”
“Not well. Geblon’s lost most of the respect of his princes and nobles; even the commoners snicker when his name is mentioned. He’s become a kingdom-wide joke.”
“How about his soldiers?”
“Well, they’re embarrassed, especially those who fought with him. As long as he pays them, he’ll have their support; after all, they know he’s your man. But he’s not a fit ruler—that’s for sure.”
“I made a big error enthroning him, but we were in a hurry and I needed someone on the Iron Throne I could trust. Well, he’s got a new problem now. King Kalvan is coming back to Hos-Hostigos.”
“Coming back! What do you mean, Cap’n?”
“He sent his envoy, Duke Hestophes—”
“My, hasn’t he risen, a ‘duke’ now. Just like the rest of us, that’s something war is good for. What does Great King Kalvan want from us?”
“Right now Kalvan’s besieging Tarr-Ceros, which is his first step in regaining Hos-Hostigos. At least that’s what Hestophes says.”
“Then that’s the straight word, Cap’n. Hestophes is a man of his word; I’ve never heard anything different. Tarr-Ceros is not going to go down easy, though.”
Phidestros nodded, as Kyblannos’ wife brought them a tray full of pastries. He took one and said, “I agree, but I believe Kalvan’s got the big guns to do it. It could take a while, though.”
Kyblannos asked, “I thought he had his own kingdom, another Hostigos, in the Upper Middle Kingdoms. What does he want from you?”
“Kaivan does have a new home in Thagnor, but now he wants his old home back. What he wants from me is our help. Either that, or stay out of his way when he’s finished with Balph and returns to reclaim Old Hostigos.”
“Phew! What’s he offering to keep you out of the fray?”
“A lot. First, he’s recognized my suzerainty of Greater Beshta. Next, I’m to receive a third of the booty he takes after sacking Balph and Ktemnos City. Or half, if we join him in Ktemnos.”
Kyblannos whistled loudly. “By Styphon’s Brass Bollocks! That’s got to be the biggest treasure in the history of the Five Kingdoms. I hope you told Hestophes we’d meet him and Kalvan in Balph!”
Phidestros said, “I haven’t told him anything, yet. I wanted to think about it, and run it by you first. What do you think Geblon’s reaction is likely to be?”
“Ha! It all depends upon that she-devil he’s married to. She’s from Hostigos and now her father’s Prince—though mostly Prince of Rack and Ruin. He’s another crab apple, though. Still, I don’t expect he wants to be run out of town by Kalvan. My guess is that she’ll convince Geblon to oppose it.”
“Without her interference, what do you think he would do?”
“It depends, Cap’n. What’s Kalvan intending to offer him if he releases his claims on those princedoms?”
“A hundred thousand ounces of gold per princedom! That’s half a million ounces in total.”
Kyblannos mouth dropped. “That’s more than a fair offer. Maybe the she-devil’s greed will overcome her baser instincts.”
Phidestros shook his head. “I wouldn’t count on it, my friend.”
“Then what’re you gonna do, Cap’n?”
“That is a very good question, Kyblannos. First, I’m going to stall Duke Hestophes, while I send you to Harphax City to open a bag of talk with Geblon. If you can convince him to take Kalvan’s offer, I might well join Kalvan in Hos-Ktemnos. It would do me good to slake my rage against Styphon’s House by helping turn Balph into ruins.”
“To say nothing about all that treasure,” Kyblannos said with a big grin. “I’ll do that. I’ll leave for Harphax City in the morning. Anything to get away from here. Not that I don’t love my wife and children, but they’re much easier to love from a distance.”
Phidestros laughed. “You’ve always had that problem.”
“Aye, Cap’n. But there’s another kingdom in play you haven’t mentioned. What are you going to do about Hos-Agrys, since Great King Demistophon’s death it’s now ruled by Styphon’s House?”
“If I cross their territory to join Kalvan, there’s not much they can do about it. They have less than twenty thousand troops to control the entire kingdom, and half of those are in Agrys City. Besides, they rule in Hos-Agrys by proxy. The Regent Archpriest Grythos is still in charge, but his ward, Prince Dementros will be the ruler once he’s of age.”
Kyblannos smiled slyly, “Sure, if Styphon’s House lets him live that long.”
“True, there is evidence that a great wrong will be committed there in the future. One that maybe we should right. Anyway, it’s something to think about.”
“Yes, and help ourselves to the treasures of Styphon’s House while we’re going through Hos-Agrys like a wolf loose in a turkey pen.” Kyblannos added with a wolfish grin.
They both laughed.
SIXTEEN
I
Kalvan was in his headquarters going over the next stage of the siege with Colonel Leukestros and Captain-General Alkides when a messenger entered the room. Now that Wall-4 was gutted, he was pointing out the areas on Wall-5 where they might best concentrate their firepower on the map of the fort’s defensive walls.
“Your Majesty, the Knights are requesting a parley,” the messenger announced.
Kalvan looked up from the map in surprise. “Really?”
“Yes,” the messenger replied. “One of the Knights is Grand Commander Aristocles. He’s accompanied by an Uncle Wolf.”
“Then they’re serious,” Leukestros put in.
“Send for Uncle Wolf Xanthos. Have the emissaries brought here right away and give the order to cease fire.”
“Yes, sir,” the messenger snapped back.
In a few minutes the artillery guns stopped their firing and for the first time in months Kalvan could hear himself think. He couldn’t even imagine what it must have been like in Tarr-Ceros for the past couple of months. Still, as stubborn as Grand Master Soton was, the last thing he’d expected was for him to sue for terms.
Grand Commander Aristocles, a tall man with a hawk nose and aristocratic face, entered the room at a quick pace. At his side was an older Uncle Wolf with a grizzled gray beard streaked with white.
Aristocles bowed, saying: “Great King Kalvan, I have been sent here by Grand Master Soton of the Order of Zarthani Knights to ask for your terms for surrender. As my witness, I’ve brought Uncle Wolf Olmnestes.”
The presence of an Uncle Wolf highpriest instead of a Styphon’s House upperpriest was a surprise, and boded well for the proceedings. “Greetings, Grand Commander Aristocles and Uncle Wolf Olmnestes. Commander, your reputation precedes you.”
Since surrender of Tarr-Ceros had been just about the last thing on his mind, Kalvan needed to give himself time to think. He asked, “Gentlemen, before we get down to serious matters, would you like a drink of Ermut’s Best?”
Both men nodded enthusiastically, leading Kalvan to suspect that alcohol was probably in low supply in the castle. While Colonel Leukestros hurried off to find Cleon, Kalvan showed everyone to a seat and passed around a full tobacco pouch to his guests. Both men quickly filled their pipe bowls and lit up. He noted that the Uncle Wolf’s pipe was the typical corncob pipe, while Aristocles had a burl pipe carved into a likeness of Galzar’s face, with tiny ruby eyes. The pipe was nicely done and Kalvan would have liked one for himself.
Colonel Leukestros returned with Uncle Wolf Xanthos and Cleon, holding a small barrel of spirits, in tow. Cleon brought out the good goblets and filled them with Ermut’s Best.
Aristocles took a deep drink, sighed happily and said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve had Ermut’s Best to drink.”
If this truce turns into a peaceful settlement, I’ll send you a dozen barrels, Kalvan thought. Now on to business. “Since you have come to me asking for terms, I will present them: First, Grand Master Soton must publicly condemn Styphon and the Archpriests of the Inner Circle.” Kalvan suspected this would be a sticking point so he brought it up first.
Aristocles nodded. “Done. We’ve already discussed this: Grand Master Soton is willing to renounce Styphon as his god and Styphon’s House as his temple of worship in favor of Galzar Wolfhead. Oath to Galzar!”
Kalvan felt his jaw drop. The Order of Zarthani Knights played an important part in keeping the borders of the Southern Great Kingdoms free of nomads and other marauders. Its destruction would leave the western borders of both Hos-Ktemnos and Hos-Bletha open to intrusions by barbarians and bandits. Maybe a deal could be forged that would leave the Order intact....
“I would have never thought I’d hear the Grand Master renouncing Styphon. What happened?”
“The Order was betrayed by Styphon’s Voice and the Innermost Circle,” Aristocles replied. “Before the siege, when we learned of your imminent arrival, Soton sent me to Balph to ask for an army to break your siege. As I expected, they refused. This news, however, sorely tested the Grand Master’s faith and he slowly came to the resolution that the god he had worshipped so faithfully was a fraud and a sham and that his priests were nothing but common thieves and sharpers, preying on the gullible and the weak. The death of his adjutant, whom he viewed like a son, was the match in the fireseed barrel that broke his allegiance to Styphon’s House. He now feels the fool, having fought the Temple’s battles for these frauds. The Grand Master now wants to rededicate the Order of Zarthani Knights to Galzar Wolfhead.”
Kalvan turned to the two Uncle Wolfs. “Do you two have any thoughts on this matter?”
“I will speak first,” Uncle Wolf Olmnestes said, “since I’ve already discussed this matter in detail with both Grand Master Soton and Grand Commander Aristocles—if that is acceptable to Your Majesty and Uncle Wolf Xanthos?”
Uncle Wolf Xanthos nodded, while Kalvan said, “It is acceptable, Praise Galzar.”
