On the other hand, Voltyr and Shaelyt could hold and maintain light to moderate shields for more than a quint, and heavier shields for up to a third of a quint. Quaeryt took them aside and tried to explain the idea of “triggering” heavier shields. Both understood the idea, but neither seemed able to do so … no matter how Quaeryt tried to explain or demonstrate. In the end, he told them both to just build up their shields and keep the idea in mind.
Desyrk could hold moderate shields for a few moments, but not a lighter shield, and a heavier shield exhausted him in moments … but Quaeryt could sense that his abilities were improving. Baelthm was unable to master shields, but surprisingly, Quaeryt discovered, he had become able to image much larger iron and metal darts up to a hundred yards.
Late on Jeudi, Quaeryt received a brief message from Skarpa that the reinforcements would arrive on Vendrei around midday, and that the southern army would be riding out on Solayi morning. Since the roads on the south side of the Aluse were poorer, the marshal was allowing additional time for them to reach Nordeau to be in position to fully support an attack there, should it be necessary.
As he stood alone in the absent factor’s study, Quaeryt shook his head. Is Deucalon that unaware, or is he fully aware and playing along with Myskyl until he can undercut him in a way that will totally discredit him?
Quaeryt knew that, at the moment, he had no way of determining which, if either, might be the case. He also knew that he was seeing only the beginning of political maneuvering that would get deadlier as the battles against Kharst’s forces intensified.
He set down Skarpa’s message, then looked at his notes, scattered fragments and thoughts about better ways to employ the talents of the imagers. Finally, he reached for the slim leather-bound volume, opening it and paging through it. Reading about Rholan wouldn’t solve his problems, but it might take his thoughts out of the ruts he’d worn in his mind by going back and forth over the problems he faced.
Rholan stated on more than one occasion that many faiths declared that man was made in the image of his deity. He went further than that, declaring that this was false, because, in fact, man created the deities he worshipped in his own image, or at least in the images in his mind, and that was why it was all-important that the Nameless not only not ever be named, but never described or depicted, because to do so would prove that the Nameless was merely a creation of men …
That angered few because those who declared such largely lived far from Lydar. Such observations would not have, in themselves, led to the events that likely forced his death or disappearance. Nor would the observations that followed, when he declared that those who rule best are those who accept each man or woman for who each is, and that seldom are such rulers remembered in the chronicles of the great, for it seems that little has happened during their reigns. Even when they are successful at conquest, that success is attributed to others, to their marshals, to the times, to the weakness of the enemy. What angered many was his observation that those who are remembered are those least worthy of such veneration, because they were the rulers who have attempted to mold others in their image, either through fear or flattery, because they had not the strength to recognize different strengths in others …
Quaeryt set down the small book, turning it over on the plaques table to keep his place. Is that the difference between Kharst and Bhayar? He frowned. Or are you creating that difference in your own mind?
50
Immediately after the morning muster of Fifth Battalion on Vendrei, Quaeryt met with Voltyr and Shaelyt. The three of them decided on a sheltered courtyard behind the stable to test the arriving undercaptains, then gathered the necessary materials. Although Quaeryt had not yet received word as to when the reinforcements would arrive, he knew he would need every moment he had to assess them and to begin instructing them in the basic imaging in combat. He left Voltyr in charge of setting up the barrels and stands for testing.
While the imagers were so occupied, Quaeryt and Zhelan reviewed the supply situation in turn with each of the company officers. Quaeryt was relieved to learn that Zhelan had been successful in dealing with the local factors and Skarpa’s supply major and that enough provisions had been obtained to fill all the wagons.
After he and Zhelan left Major Arion, Quaeryt looked at Zhelan. “I didn’t wish to ask around the company officers how you managed all that. But you’ve worked wonders. How?”
Zhelan tried to smother a grin, then shook his head. “I was most polite, sir. I just kept asking the factors and the supply types in the other regiments for what we needed. If they weren’t as helpful as they might have been, I just said that you’d be disappointed if you couldn’t support the battalion and the imagers after all the work Lord Bhayar had done to create the battalion. I didn’t ask for too much from any of them.”
“You’re a rogue, Zhelan.” Quaeryt shook his head.
“The locals are scared to death of imagers, more so than in Telaryn. Don’t know why, sir, but they are, and the supply types in the other regiments know that Fifth Battalion has saved a lot of their men. The ones who are smart want to help. Those who aren’t don’t want you upset.”
That worried Quaeryt, after a fashion, because it suggested that someone, most likely Myskyl, was depicting Quaeryt as vengeful and possibly petty.
Once he and Zhelan finished, Quaeryt returned to the study to go over the maps he had, trying to learn as much as he could from them about what the battalion might expect on the ride to Nordeau. He wasn’t certain, but he thought he saw what might have been a part of another old Naedaran canal branching off from the River Aluse just east of Nordeau. At least there was something that looked like a too-straight section of river that paralleled the River Aluse in a general way and ran almost to Nordeau. He couldn’t help but wonder how many other canals there had been running to the Aluse or from the lake on which Chelaes was located.
At slightly past first glass, one of the troopers acting as guards rapped on the study door. “Sir … there’s close to two companies riding up here.”
“Summon Major Zhelan and have him join me on the front portico.”
“Yes, sir.” The trooper hurried off.
Quaeryt made his way out to the front portico. There, as he waited for the riders-and Zhelan-to reach him, he stood and looked out to the west at the scattered clouds that were slowly breaking up. Despite there only having been partial sunlight that morning, the day was warm and humid, and he had to take off his visor cap and blot away sweat before replacing it. The oncoming riders were still some fifty yards away when Zhelan hurried around from the south porch to stand beside Quaeryt.
“Has to be our replacements and reinforcements,” offered the major.
Quaeryt looked to Zhelan.
“Uniforms have more color.”
Quaeryt smiled. Something else you hadn’t thought of.
Leading the riders was a captain Quaeryt didn’t recognize, scarcely surprising since there were at least fifty captains and undercaptains in Deucalon’s forces, most of whom he’d never even seen, let alone met. The captain called the column to a halt, then rode forward, his eyes taking in the two on the portico.
“Subcommander, Major, Marshal Deucalon is transferring these officers and troopers to your command.” He dismounted, handing his mount’s reins to one of the guard troopers who had hurried down, and climbed the steps. He extended a dispatch pouch. “There is a dispatch there. It confirms the transfer, and the number of officers and men involved.” His formal expression softened slightly. “There are also several other communications there.”