“Do you know where Keistyn’s forces are?”
“One company was sighted near Veryna, joining up with Kelthyn’s men. They could not return to Tryenda in less than four days.”
Worse and worse.
“Most of the lands are entering harvest. They can’t bring all their forces into line for several eightdays. After that…” Zeldyan shrugged.
“So we need to straighten out the mess between Rherhn and Mortryd before everyone jumps in?” The guards and I have to, not you. At least, we have enough horses to switch them out and take fresh mounts.
“I fear so.”
“We will still need at least a half day to prepare.” Even if I take fourth squad this time. “In return, I want assurances of at least ten full wagons of supplies to be sent to Westwind before the late-fall snows.”
“What of friendship?” Zeldyan’s voice carried irony.
“I think I’ve demonstrated that amply, Lady. We beat back Suthyans in the north, destroyed two squads of Lord Henstrenn’s men, broke a company of Jeranyi, and eliminated three companies of Lord Orsynn’s men. By warning you about the Suthyans, the Marshal lost the chance to trade for food with them. Friendship goes two ways, does it not?”
“I cannot send food to Westwind until the revolt is crushed…”
“I know. The roads go through Hasel, Duevek, and a corner of Fhasta. I just want your pledge.” And I will hold you to it.
“You have it.”
“Tell me more about Lord Mortryd and Tryenda,” Saryn said, finally taking another pair of the miniature pastry pies.
Much later, as she left the regent’s study, more questions swirled through Saryn’s mind. She’d been able to prevail against the Lornians, the Jeranyi, and the Suthyans only through her use of order and chaos, and she’d been even more fortunate that years before, Nylan and Ayrlyn had destroyed all those in Lornth and Gallos who might have challenged her-except for the Gallosian mages buried in the landslide, and she had not had to get close to them. What could she do if someone used either order or chaos-or both-against her? She’d barely managed against the Suthyan hedge mage, and he was nothing compared to the white mages she recalled who had attacked Nylan.
Then there was the problem of her own guards. She had but two experienced squads, and the lack of experience was killing too many of the recruits-but there wasn’t enough time to train them as well as the older guards. Yet she didn’t want to turn them away because, after they’d left their homes, what they faced if they had to return there was likely to be as brutal as the fighting they would face as Westwind guards.
Even with Zeldyan’s pledge, how long would it be before she could get supplies to Westwind? For that matter, given the location of Duevek and Hasel, and the fact that any pledges of passage could scarcely be trusted, how could she even have returned to Westwind without still having to fight in a civil war…and with even less assurance of an outcome favorable to Westwind?
LXXIII
On twoday, after more than a little thinking and planning the night before, Saryn was up early. After dressing and eating hurriedly, she sought out Hryessa a good half glass before morning muster…and found her leaving the officers’ quarters above the barracks.
“Good morning, Hryessa. What should I know that you haven’t gotten around to telling me?” asked Saryn with a cheerful smile. Bright and clear as the morning was, perfect for the second day of harvest, she didn’t feel near as cheery as her smile indicated.
“The cooking for the guards is better. The Lornian armsmen have stopped watching us, and they even drill and practice at times. Our guards have no trouble in the town, but they are always in threes. They have caused no problems. Dealdron and Daryn have built two supply wagons from the unused parts and planks and timbers in the storeroom. You could take one of them to carry more rations and grain for the horses. It would not slow you.”
“I didn’t think there were that many spare parts around,” replied Saryn. “Nor decent wood and timbers.”
“Dealdron traded for some of the wood. They found some parts. Daryn forged some. They are very good wagons.”
“What about blades?”
“We have enough short swords for each recruit to have one, sometimes two. Daryn is working on a second blade for each of the others.”
Saryn would have liked more of the shorter blades, but that had always been a problem, even in Westwind. “Check the blades we captured. See if any are short enough to be used as a second blade.”
“I did, ser. There were eleven.”
Saryn nodded. “How hard are you pressing the new recruits?”
“Some of them cried at first. I had the older guards talk to them. They are better now. Before long, most will be able to hold against armsmen for a short time. Some are already better than that. Shalya said that Yulia kept the second squad doing their exercises. They look stronger.”
They’ll have to be. “She worked them hard, but I need you to reform second squad,” Saryn said.
“With ten of the best recruits from third squad?” asked Hryessa. “I had thought you might. And you need one replacement in first squad.”
“I do, but I’m going to take fourth squad and second squad to Tryenda. First squad could use a break. It could be the last one they get for a while. Can you get fourth and second squads ready to leave by noon?”
“They will be ready the glass before midday. With a supply wagon.”
“Thank you, Captain.” Saryn couldn’t help grinning. “Oh…I’ll be going over to the Square Platter in a bit, after I talk to Dealdron.”
“You should talk to him, Commander. I will have three guards waiting.”
“I should? Why?”
“Because he is a man who would do anything for you, and there are few of them. He also can do many things.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” She turned and headed down the steps.
She had barely entered the stable when she saw Dealdron leading a saddled horse-not her gelding-in her direction. She waited until he neared and stopped.
“Hryessa told me that you and Daryn built some wagons.”
“You will need them. You cannot travel through unfriendly holdings without more supplies, and if all the rebel lords ride on Lornth to attack the palace, you do not have the tools to defend it. So you will need wagons if we must leave.” Dealdron smiled. “Also, with all the weapons you have captured, we will need to build another one.”
“Daryn needs to forge more blades, not build wagons.”
“He only does a little. The new guards help me, and I am training some of them to be teamsters.” He paused and inclined his head toward the horse whose reins he held. “I have saddled one of the strongest mares for you. She is better than any of the other horses.”
“How did you know I was riding anywhere?”
He shrugged. “It seemed that you would. The gelding should rest. So should you, but you will not. You are like the great winds that never stop.”
Saryn doubted his words were a compliment. “What have you heard that I should know?”
“The Lornian armsmen are worried. Some have left.”
“They’ve deserted?”
“Only a few. The undercaptain is pressing them to spar and drill more, but they are less than pleased. The taverns are charging half a copper more for ale, and the harvests are coming in earlier this year because the summer was hotter and drier.”
Earlier harvests mean it will be sooner rather than later when the rebels can raise more troops. “Anything else?”
“We have added another sheath to your saddle, on the right side. You can carry four blades.” Dealdron paused. “I heard that you were left without a blade.”
“Thank you.” What else could she say? The words weren’t offered in the puppy-dog fashion of a boy trying to curry favor, nor were they strictly matter-of-fact. Dealdron was deeply worried that she might not have the weapons she needed.