Down Styphon!, page 3
part #8 of Kalvan Series
“But, but.. .Your Majesty!”
Chancellor Mytron took the Duke by the back of his ruff and led him away from the throne.
There was a sudden ruckus, and Kalvan reached below for one of his pocket pistols.
It was one of the palace guardsmen, pushing his way through the throng of petitioners. “Your Majesty,” he called out. “There is a messenger from the sea wall who wishes to speak with you.”
“Bring him to me,” he said with obvious relief. Maybe I can get off this throne and get back to work. “I will be in my private audience chamber.”
Kalvan and Rylla were there for only a few minutes before the messenger arrived. He was dripping wet, although whether from running in the moist air or from the lake breeze, he couldn’t tell.
While the messenger regained his breath, Kalvan said, “Cleon, bring the poor man a glass of wine.”
Cleon nodded, departed and returned with a goblet of wine.
The man downed the wine in three big gulps. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I have news. A boat bearing the flag of Grefftscharr has entered the harbor.”
“How was the flag displayed?” he asked. This was an important question: according to Middle Kingdom custom, an upside down flag indicated a truce or parley was requested.
“Upside down, Your Majesty.”
Ever since Kalvan had evicted Theovacar from Greffa City, the former capital, he had tightened his control over Grefftscharr tighter and tighter until it was not uncommon to receive Grefftscharrer merchant vessels requesting sanctuary. King Theovacar was not a popular ruler, but he was a dangerous one; not only to his people, but to his neighbors.
“Upon your return to your station, have the vessels captain and whatever emissaries it contains brought to the Presence Chamber.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Cleon, tell one of the pages to go find Captain-General Errock and tell him to meet me in the Presence Chamber as soon as possible.”
His manservant turned and left.
“What do you want with Errock?” Rylla asked.
“Errock is from Greffa and he knows many people. I may need him to verify these peoples story.”
Kalvan sat impatiently waiting for the visitors, or whatever they were, from Grefftscharr to arrive. Captain-General Errock had just arrived and was still catching his breath from running up the castle stairs. Rylla sat next to him, while Chancellor Mytron paced back and forth in front of them. He was glad to see that Mytron had regained most of the weight he had lost during the exodus from Hostigos. Mytron still fretted too much, but he had been an excellent choice as chancellor since he knew how to separate church from state. Something his predecessor, Highpriest Xentos, had not been willing or able to do.
As the Grefftscharr delegation entered the audience chamber, it was obvious this was no rag-tag band of refugees or outcasts. The delegates were dressed in rich robes with ermine and mink collars. The thick gold chains around their necks told the world these were rich and prosperous men. Kalvan wondered who or what they represented within the Grefftscharrer government. Had Theovacar regained his sanity and decided to sue for peace?
No, that is unthinkable, he decided.
After Chancellor Mytron made the pro-forma introductions, one of the men in a wine-colored robe stepped forward. “Great King Kalvan, I am Duke Utharn of Ult-Greffa. We have come here to inform Your Majesty that the Despot who was formerly titled Theovacar, King of Grefftscharr, is now dead.”
Kalvan could feel his jaw drop. He looked over at Rylla and saw her eyes bulging at this proclamation.
“What happened?” he asked, feeling as if someone had just pulled the rug out from underneath his feet.
The Duke bowed deeply, then began to speak: “The despot Theovacar raised taxes and fees to the point where the entire populace of our kingdom was suffering. His temper knew no bounds and he frequently murdered or imprisoned anyone suspected of harboring ill will against the Throne. Many of these people were innocent of all charges, but the tyrant refused to rescind their sentences. Finally, the Assembly of Lords and Council of Merchants agreed together that Theovacar's rule must end.
“When pressed, Theovacar’s bodyguard arrested him. He was judged by the Assembly of Nobles and declared a despot. He was put to death by beheading. Now we, the leaders and spokesmen for the new government, have come here to sue for peace with Nos-Hostigos. There is no conflict between our kingdoms and we would like to openly trade and exchange ambassadors with Your Majesties, Nos-Hostigos and its allies. The war between our peoples is over. Long live Great King Kalvan!”
Everyone in the chamber joined in with a chorus of “Long Live Great King Kalvan!”
The Grefftscharri must have been inspired by Verkan’s takeover of Greffa, Kalvan decided. Of course, the end of hostilities was good news for Nos-Hostigos, but not good news for Kalvan. “I am very pleased to learn that your tyrant is no longer in office. It will open a new period of peace and trade between our two kingdoms.
“Yes, Your Majesty. It will bring an end to an unnecessary and unjust war."
Kalvan was unable to find anything in that statement he disagreed with. It just was that peace so unexpected and poorly timed. After what he had said earlier to Rylla, he would never be able to block the Return to Old Hostigos movement.
“Who is the new king of Grefftscharr?” he asked.
“King Wydmar, Theovacar’s oldest cousin from his mothers side. He is now the ruler of Greffischarr and its colonies. He has sent us as his personal delegation to sue for peace.”
“He is a wise ruler,” Kalvan replied. Or smart enough to end a war he wasn’t going to win. And couldn’t afford to pay for.
Rylla leaned over, saying, “We need to talk.”
He nodded. “Duke Utharn, I suggest you meet with Chancellor Mytron to work out the details of the peace terms between our two kingdoms. When you have come to a meeting of the minds, the Chancellor will present the terms to Us.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the Duke replied, followed with a bow. He and his party quickly followed Mytron out of the presence chamber and into the Chancellor’s office.
He turned to his wife. “I agree that we need to talk, but first I need to question Captain-General Errock.”
“Captain-General, does this story ring true to your ears?”
Errock tugged at his goatee for a few moments. “Yes, Your Majesty, I believe they are telling the truth and that this peace treaty is sincere. Duke Utharn is well known throughout Grefftscharr as a fair-dealer and honest man—for a member of the gentry. If this were a ruse, his life would be forfeit. Furthermore, King Theovacar is too proud and self-loving to ever allow even a rumor that he was deposed to circulate. If Utharn says the despot is dead—he is no longer among the living. And good riddance!”
“That is good to know,” Kalvan said. Errock had fled Theovacar’s court under penalty of death, and while his brother had remained in Grefftscharr, Errock had relocated in Thagnor to escape the headsman’s ax. His knowledge of the Middle Kingdoms, as well as his ability to lead men, had made him a real asset to Nos-Hostigos and Kalvan.
“Now, I want you to join with Chancellor Mytron and aid him in his questioning of the envoys. If anything rings hollow, leave and let me know at once.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Errock said, as he turned around and left the audience chamber.
Kalvan turned back to his wife. “It is time we talked.”
“Yes, husband, it surely is,” Rylla replied with a cat that ate the canary smile.
I’ve really done it this time, he thought. I’ve boxed myself in good. I don’t even think that Duke Skranga could talk his way out of this dilemma.
He could see she was beaming. “I can’t believe it. Allfather Dralm must have listened to my prayers! Now that Theovacar is dead, my husband, you can lead our people back to their homeland!”
Kalvan felt the beginning of a massive headache, one he knew wasn’t going to go away anytime soon. He nodded, not trusting his voice.
“When do we leave?” she asked.
“There are a lot of preparations that need to be made before we start talk of leaving. First, we need to know where we are going. Since most of Old Hos-Hostigos is now a wasteland, as Great King Lysandros discovered to his dismay, we need to find another route into the Five Kingdoms.”
“It is the fastest route,” Rylla said. “Don’t we have enough provisions for an army?”
Kalvan shook his head. “To take and hold Hos-Hostigos, we would need an army of at least upwards of forty thousand men, with fifty to sixty thousand horses and oxen to carry the supplies and provisions we would need. By the time we arrive, we might be facing the combined forces of Hos-Harphax, Hos-Ktemnos and the Zarthani Knights backed by Styphon’s Own Guard. Maybe as many as fifty to sixty thousand men.”
“That many?”
“Maybe. We can’t be certain. Maybe Grand Master Soton will have trouble bringing troops from the Sastragath. However, we can be certain that the Inner Circle of Styphon’s House will do all it can to ensure that we do not retake our homeland. In addition, Great King Geblon will not only have the Royal Army to face us, but a substantial levy from his princes.”
“What about the south?” Rylla asked.
“The south is blocked by the Zarthani Knights and Styphon’s House. The northern routes are dangerous since we cannot afford to fight Styphon’s House, Archpriest Grythos of Hos-Agrys and Great King Phidestros at the same time.”
Rylla nodded. “Maybe it is time to send an envoy to Hos-Zygros to meet with Great King Phidestros and enlist his aid.”
Kalvan shook his head. “I’m not sure it’s going to be that easy. After all, the new great king of Hos-Harphax is Great King Geblon, one of Phidestros’ former generals. Geblon holds that all of our former kingdom is now part of Hos-Harphax.” As it was before my arrival, he thought to himself. “I don’t believe that he or his wife will relinquish their claims upon our lands just because we want to return to our old homeland.”
Rylla’s face took on a grim cast. “Lavena will never relinquish Hostigos, not as long as her father claims to be prince of Hostigos. What an abomination! We will have to kill them all.”
Kalvan held up his hands, palms facing out. “Darling, its not going to be that easy. Phidestros left behind a rebuilt Harphaxi army when he left for Hos-Zygros. And that’s not including Phidestros’ own holdings in Greater Beshta where he left behind another army to hold his lands. I don’t know that we could beat a combined army of Zygrosi and Harphaxi troops. Nor can we count Styphon’s House out, either. The minute we move into the Five Kingdoms, Styphon’s House will be putting an army together to attack us. They will support any force that opposes us, along the lines of‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend.’”
“Yes, I’ve heard that before.”
“Which makes it no less true,” he replied.
“After their losses at the Siege of Thagnor, Styphon’s House is depleted and as weak as it will ever be. The time to strike at Balph, the serpent’s nest, is right now!”
“Darling, it’s not going to be that easy. To get to Balph, we either have to go through Hos-Harphax, or go through Hos-Ktemnos, which means fighting Grand Master Soton. We need to call a meeting of the General Staff and discuss our options.”
“Good idea. I’ll start drawing up some plans for the invasion....”
Kalvan wondered if she didn’t already have something worked out. Was it possible that she’d learned about Theovacar’s death before the envoys arrived? No, I'm just getting a little paranoid. And just when things were going so well....
THREE
I
Archpriest Danthor decided to visit the Balph Study Team in person rather than attempt another call. For some reason, no one was answering. He knew their cover hadn’t been compromised because, as a member of the Innermost Circle of Styphon’s House, he would have been informed the moment it happened. No, there was something going on, and for some reason no one had bothered to inform him. Maybe I need to spend some time on First Level, if for no other reason than to remind these jokers that I’m not someone to be trifled with.
He’d even tried to call Chief Verkan, but he wasn’t answering, either. The Balph Study Team had its headquarters at a goldsmith’s shop. It was usually a busy place, but today Danthor noticed that the door was barred and none of the interior lights were on. What’s going on? And why am I out of the loop?
The main street was full of shoppers and travelers, including a number of priests.
Danthor feared he had been undercover in Balph for too long, and he was growing complacent. He entered the jewelry store that sat next to the goldsmith’s shop.
“Your Sanctity, can I help you?” the owner asked.
“Do you know where the owners of the shop next door have gone?”
The jewelry shop owner shook his head. “I’m sorry, Your Sanctity, but the goldsmith, along with his masters and apprentices, closed up the shop and left over a moon-half ago.”
“Did they say where they were going before they left?” Danthor asked.
“Yes, they said that the political situation in Grefftscharr had worsened and they had to return home. One mentioned that the Hostigi were making inroads upon their territory.” He paused to add, “Praise Styphon, the Daemon Kalvan is causing mischief there and no longer in the Five Kingdoms!”
“As Styphon Wills it,” Danthor added, as he nodded his head. He held up a large key, saying, “I will be entering their shop to see if they left my special order behind.”
“Of course, Your Sanctity.”
One advantage to being a Styphon’s House archpriest was that no one dared question anything you did. Danthor used his keys to unlock both the outer lock and the magnetic lock that kept the shop secure from thieves and agents-inquisitory. Inside, all the golden wares were still on the counters and in the display cabinets. Danthor used the thumb-lock to get into the door leading downstairs where the Balph conveyer-head resided. The room was empty of the dome-shaped conveyers and anything else. If I didn't know better, I'd think they had bugged out.
Now he was worried. It would have taken a real emergency for the Balph Study Team to have vacated the premises so completely. What in the Styphon is going on?
Danthor used his communicator, designed to look like a small golden idol of Styphon, to call the other Kalvan’s Time-Line study teams. No one was answering. Why had he been left behind? Was it merely an oversight or were things so bad that no one had the opportunity to contact him? He got small comfort from either answer.
II
The General Staff of Nos-Hostigos met in the Great Hall of Tarr-Thagnor, with flags and banners on one side and colorful tapestries depicting past Hostigi victories on the other. Running down the middle of the room was a wooden trestle table ringed by a score of high-backed leather chairs. Seated at the head of the table was Great King Kalvan as Commander-and-Chief with Great Queen Rylla, as Chief of Operations, to his right and Prince Phrames, his Chief of Staff, to his left. Sitting down on both sides of the table were the kingdom’s top military and political leaders: Uncle Wolf Tharses, Highpriest of Galzar and Chief of Chaplains, as well as Highpriest Mytron, Highpriest of Dralm and Chancellor of Nos-Hostigos. Everyone of importance was there, including Captain-General Hestophes, Grand Constable Leukestros, Chief of Intelligence Klestreus, Admiral Herad, Pheblon, former Prince of Nostor, Baron Halmoth, Prince-in-Exile Mnestros of Eubros, elevated to prince after his father died when the Styphoni overran the Agrysi Princedom of Eubros, Prince Sarrask and Captain-General Errock. Only King Chartiphon of Rathon was absent, being too far away to be able to make the meeting. Expecting his absence, Kalvan had sent him a letter describing the latest developments in Grefftscharr.
Kalvan rose to his feet. “First, I want to announce an important political development, maybe the most important since we arrived in the Middle Kingdoms two years ago.” He had everyone’s undivided attention. “Yesterday morning a delegation from Ult-Greffa arrived to sue for peace.”
The room was as still as if he’d announced a bomb was about to go off. Captain-General Hestophes froze, a burning splinter only inches from his pipe.
“There has been a popular uprising in Grefftscharr resulting in the execution of King Theovacar,” Kalvan announced.
Everyone at the table looked up in surprise. A few “Praise, Dralm’s” were said.
“The new King sent a delegation to Thagnor to request peace. The war with Grefftscharr is finally over.”
“Praise Dralm and Great King Kalvan!” shouted a dozen voices.
“This means we’ll be able to focus all of our attention on our real enemy, Styphon’s House,” Prince Pheblon said.
“Down Styphon!” Prince Sarrask of Sask added.
“Exactly,” Kalvan said. “Now that we no longer have an enemy to our rear we now have the opportunity to decide our future.” He paused to look over at his wife. “The question before us today is whether or not we will return to Old Hostigos now or in the future. I realized that there are many among us who long to return to their former homes.”
“Not me,” Prince Pheblon grumbled. “All I have waiting for me in Nostor are broken buildings and tombstones. My former princedom is nothing but a graveyard.”
“Enough of your defeatist jibber-jabber, Pheblon,” Prince Sarrask cried. “Stab me, but are we going to be condemned to live our lives as exiles in this godsforsaken land because of your fears! Not me. I want to return to Sask and rebuild my palace and my subjects’ homes. It is my birthright!”
Sarrask’s words were followed by cheers from a dozen voices, including Great Queen Rylla’s.
Kalvan felt a sinking sensation. He needed to take control of the meeting. “There are a number of factors we have to take into account before we willy-nilly hare off on a military expedition to liberate Old Hostigos. First, while we no longer have to fear an attack from the rear by former King Theovacar, we cannot write-off Styphon’s House and the Order of Zarthani Knights. Plus, since we left the Five Kingdoms, there have been a number of important changes among the ruling houses. Prince Phidestros, our sworn enemy, is now seated on the Ivory Throne of Hos-Zygros, while his paladin, Great King Geblon, holds the Iron Throne of Hos-Harphax which he believes holds suzerainty over our homeland of Hos-Hostigos.
