The expressions around the room confirmed that most of the boyermen had had the same thoughts.
“Then what are we to do?” grated the Wycoff District boyerman.
“That’s what we’re here to discuss today,” said Culich. “For one thing, we need to increase patrols in the northern districts and the Dornfeld-Nylamir pass. I’ve also asked Vortig Luwis to look into setting up coastal watch stations to catch signs of Buldorian ships.”
“While that’s all well and good,” said the Nylamir boyerman, “we already have a good third of our men on such patrols. What about crops, trades?”
“Believe me, I understand your concern.” Culich went to the wall with a map of Keelan and the neighboring provinces. “You can see the problem. We have three coasts, as well as our border with Eywell. The coasts are the most vulnerable. I believe we can rule out raids along the Funwir Coast in eastern Keelan. The only coastal settlement is the district seat. The population size and the terrain make it a difficult target. Plus, it’s protected by offshore shoals at that part of the entrance to the Gulf of Normot.
“Dornfeld is the only Keelan settlement on the western coast, across from Preddi on the Gulf of Witlow. Thankfully, Dornfeld’s natural defenses make it an unlikely target, at least for now. More likely is our southern coast. There are several villages and two abbeys the Buldorians may see as attractive targets.
“As far as land incursions, there are the Dornfeld and Nylamir districts bordering Eywell Province. The more central districts are in no immediate danger, but they’ll have to provide assistance to Dornfeld and Nylamir.”
Culich continued, “Those not in immediate danger must worry about your own harvests and trades, but that’s the price to be paid in helping fellow clansmen. Vortig and I have discussed this, and districts will contribute about equal percentages of their men to the patrols. Those not in immediate danger are to help those who are. We’ll have to work out something where distances to patrol areas require too much travel. I’ll want all of your input, but in some cases it may involve relays. For example, if Elywin contributes to Dornfeld patrols, then men from Brums might help with harvests or other major work in Elywin. As I say, we’ll work out the details.
“The rotation of men to those districts in our northwest borders will continue from the other districts. We’ve had no major incidents in Keelan, but let’s not relax our vigilance. I also expect each of you to maintain the training programs for men of fighting age and condition.” He stopped when the last words brought several frowns. “I assure you, I appreciate how this affects your districts by having men more and more occupied away from their normal work, but you’re all aware it’s something we have to tolerate in case the Narthani turn our way. We have to assume they have spies in Keelan, and maybe our preparedness might even discourage them from raiding us.”
This comment brought nods of agreement, though no less unhappiness with what was necessary.
Discussion. Objections. Digressions. On and on, it continued for three hours until every person was finished with his input, and all agreed to the general plan. It took two hours more than Culich thought necessary. He would have preferred to cut off the discussion and just tell the boyermen, “This is the way it will be,” but part of their loyalty to his family was due to believing the hetman valued their input.
Finally, it was the Shamir boyerman who restated the paramount question: “Is this or is it not part of a Narthani move on other provinces?”
“Some of the other hetmen believe Moreland the likeliest target, though there’s no way to be sure. I suspect Moreland myself, since this is where most incursions are happening and has involved the largest numbers of men.”
Culich rose and walked to the Caedellium map on the wall. “Look at the map. Taking Moreland would be a dagger into the heart of the island, and all other provinces would be in danger.”
“That could be a feint,” argued the worried Yorm District boyerman. “With their navy, they could attack anywhere.”
“True,” Culich allowed, “but we can only do what we can do. We all realize that if there’s a major Narthani move on other provinces, we’ll need all the clans involved. However, as you know, getting clans to work together is problematic at best.”
“More like trying to scale an unclimbable mountain,” said a disgusted Yorm.
There was general laughter, though not of humor—rather, laughter at a task with little probability of success.
“Keelan is in better shape than many other clans,” said Culich, “thanks to our alliance with Mittack and Gwillamer. I’ve kept you aware of our discussions with the Hewell and Andris clans about joining the alliance. Hewell will join, though they were in no hurry, since there was no urgency, until now. Andris would like to join, but there’s no direct land connection, so it isn’t clear how their joining the Alliance would work. Still, I believe it worth pursuing.
“Orosz is sympathetic to our views of the Narthani danger, but since the clan Conclave site is within Orosz, Hetman Orosz believes they need to maintain the appearance of neutrality in inter-clan conflicts. Similarly, the Stent and Bultecki clans are aware of the danger, though the problem there is distance and coordination.”
“What about Moreland?” asked the Wycoff boyerman. The sour look on his face made it obvious he already knew the answer.
“Hetman Moreland has assured all that Moreland will repulse any Eywellese or Narthani attack on his clan and province.” Culich managed the words with a straight face. The antipathy between the two hetmen was well-known.
Luwis spat a curse. “That ass is living proof of the dangers of primogeniture. God’s pity on the people of Moreland Clan.”
“Now, now,” snarled the Nylamir boyerman, “let’s instead pray God has mercy and arranges a tragic accident.”
Culich grimaced. “I keep hoping Hetman Moreland isn’t as stupid as he seems, and at some point he’ll realize the dangerous position of his clan. If our worse fears are realized, and Moreland is attacked, we and other clans will need to come to Moreland’s aid, no matter our opinion of Hetman Moreland.”
Though the thought of doing anything to help Moreland didn’t sit well with the boyermen or Culich, they all recognized the necessity.
“What about Stent Province?” asked Longnor Vorwich, boyerman of the Caedell district where Abersford and St. Sidryn’s were located. Hetman Welman Stent was highly regarded, and his clan was thought by Keelanders to be one of the better functioning on Caedellium. It was commonly believed that if the Stent Province wasn’t on the opposite side of Caedellium, they’d be part of the Tri-Clan Alliance.
Culich shook his head. “Stent’s a possible target. We think Moreland is more likely, but Stent would be the next probable victim. Unfortunately for Stent, they don’t have close cooperative relations with their neighboring clans. Bultecki and Vardinki might help, but so far Pewell and Swavebroke assume that since they’re far enough away from the Narthani, it’s not their problem.”
“Assholes!” was one of the milder comments from several boyermen.
“I’ll be going to Orosz City for a hetmen meeting next sixday,” Culich continued. “We’ll continue working to convince more hetmen about the seriousness of the Narthani situation at every opportunity. Though more of the hetmen are coming around, we can only pray the Narthani give us enough time for all the clans to wake up.”
With that comment, Culich moved on to more mundane matters that in other circumstances would have occupied the entire meeting.
After the boyermen left, Culich sat alone at the table until Maera changed seats to sit beside him.
“Any questions for your notes, Maera?” She would write a detailed account of the meeting, including actions each of the boyerman had committed to.