“The fact that a ruler can dissolve the Collegium and return them to persecution. Most imagers aren’t as powerful as the ones you’ve seen. They’re the survivors and the best … and there are only ten of them in all of Lydar. Even if there are ten times as many as that who are that able-which I doubt-that number could not survive without protection or without continuing to hide. Even a number of those in my forces died, and I’ve been wounded three times.”
“Will you remain a commander?”
“Only so long as necessary. I’d prefer to be the maître of the Collegium.”
Justanan took a swallow from the beaker of lager before him, then set it down and looked at Quaeryt. “I’d tell you not to coddle the younger ones, but I have the feeling you won’t.”
“I intend to make the standards for imagers far tougher than for troopers or officers, and the punishments for transgressions far harder. There has to be a price for protection.”
“Do you really think that it will outlast you?”
Quaeryt smiled and shrugged. “I’d like to think so, but that will depend on how well we educate and train those who succeed us.” He paused. “Isn’t that true in everything?”
Justanan laughed again. “It is indeed.” He lifted the beaker. “To those who follow. May we train them well.”
With a smile, Quaeryt lifted his own beaker and took a healthy swallow.
When he set the beaker down, the smile was gone. “I’m going to take my two companies and leave very early tomorrow morning.”
Justanan offered a faint smile. “I thought you would.”
“I’d suggest that you not press, either. It’s possible that you may receive additional orders before you reach headquarters in Variana. Then, again, you may not.”
“That depends on Lord Bhayar, I assume. What will you tell the marshal?”
“Nothing. I’ll report to Lord Bhayar, as he ordered. He’ll decide what happens after that.”
“You will certainly recommend something.”
“My only recommendation will be that Deucalon not remain as marshal. He either had no idea what Myskyl was doing, or he was part of it. Given the fact that Bhayar requested information and was effectively denied that information…” Quaeryt looked to Justanan.
“Deucalon was either negligent or complicit,” finished the older commander.
“Were you reporting to Lord Bhayar, what would you recommend?”
“The same as you will … but I’m glad you’re the one who has to.” Justanan offered a rueful expression. “We just may take a rather leisurely approach to Variana.”
“Not too leisurely,” suggested Quaeryt.
“You don’t expect…”
“I don’t, but I’ve been surprised before.”
“When was the last time? When you were born?”
Quaeryt had to smile at Justanan’s cheerful sardonicism. “I think it was a bit after that.”
“Not much.”
Quaeryt shook his head and took a small swallow of the amber lager.
56
Quaeryt and first company reached the circle road around the Chateau Regis slightly after first glass on Jeudi. They had made better time covering the distance from Caanara to Variana than they had in leaving the capital weeks earlier, despite encountering some rain north of Talyon, largely because the road was in better condition as a result of the earlier imaging work … and because they didn’t stop to make additional road repairs. Variana itself appeared unchanged, with people coming and going and most giving but a passing glance at the troopers.
As first company started up the paved side road to the rear courtyard of the chateau, Quaeryt glanced to Calkoran on his left and then to Zhelan on his right. “We talked this over last night, but I want to make it clear. No troopers or officers are to be allowed to leave the Chateau Regis except by my order or that of Lord Bhayar personally. All troopers and officers riding in from anywhere are to be detained.” He looked past the two senior officers to the imager undercaptains. “You three are to support the major and subcommander until I return.”
“Yes, sir.”
“How much trouble do you think there will be?” asked Zhelan.
“None, I trust, but I want to make this as smooth as practicable.” And I want Deucalon having as little notice as possible.
The rear courtyard held only the duty squad assigned to the chateau, and the squad leader looked up with interest, but not concern, as first company approached.
Quaeryt rode to the hitching rail nearest the rear door and dismounted. He eased his leather dispatch case from his saddlebag and walked swiftly to the door. Behind him, the troopers were taking control of the rear courtyard. The two guards at the door stepped aside. Then Quaeryt was astounded to see Vaelora opening the door from inside, since no one had even announced him and he and his troopers had ridden in as quietly as possible.
She motioned for him to come into the chateau.
“Were you watching for me?”
“I’ve had a man stationed on the upper level for the past week with orders to report to me the moment any large bodies of troopers arrive. I’ve also had a courier by the front door to summon your imagers from the Collegium, if necessary.”
“Is it that bad?”
“Not if you’re back. What about Myskyl?”
“He was planning what we thought, and he had three of Kharst’s imagers. He’s dead and so is his senior commander. I left one regiment with a subcommander Bhayar trusted, and the rest of Northern Army is a day behind. They’re under the Commander Justanan, whom he trusts … and so do I.”
“Good. You need to read this before you see Bhayar.” Vaelora extended a dispatch.
“It’s that urgent?”
“More than that.” She gave him a quick hug and a quicker kiss before stepping back.
Quaeryt extracted the two sheets from the already opened envelope and began to read as they walked toward the center of the chateau.
Commander Quaeryt-
It is my unfortunate duty to inform you that both Commander Kharllon and Subcommander Dulaek passed away due to various mishaps over the past week. The first of these mishaps occurred after the governor had suggested that the orders governing Southern Army came through the chain of command from the marshal of the armies, or his successor, and that, henceforth, Southern Army would report directly to the marshal, rather than to the Lord of Telaryn. Commander Kharllon apparently suffered a seizure in his sleep the night after declaring that, since his guards reported that no one had entered or left his quarters. Then Subcommander Dulaek tripped and fell off a balcony on a late night visit to Subcommander Paedn who, as senior commander of Southern Army after the death of acting governor Kharllon, had assumed the role of acting governor. Dulaek was carrying a sabre smeared with an unusual substance …
Quaeryt read the remainder of the dispatch quickly, which assured Quaeryt that Voltyr and Paedn were working together, because the imagers had provided services for the new acting governor, although they remained based in Westisle, where they were converting naval barracks into quarters for the imagers and Nineteenth Regiment.
After finishing the dispatch, he looked to Vaelora. “What are your thoughts?”
“Myskyl had enlisted Kharllon from the beginning, and either Kharllon or Myskyl had suborned Dulaek.”
“I’d always thought that Kharllon was a possibility. Did Bhayar have a fit at what Voltyr did?”
“He wasn’t happy. I did point out that it was possible that the imagers acted to stop a rebellion in Antiago before it could take place.”
“He still wasn’t happy, I suspect.”
“You need to see him now.”
“That’s where I’m headed. You should come with me.”
“I intend to.”
Even if Quaeryt had thought she should not have come, he wouldn’t have argued with the iron behind her words.
“This way,” she said. “The back staircase that comes up close to his study is quicker, and fewer people in the chateau will see you. What else should I know?”