“Rholan said nothing about whether the spirit of a man or even a woman endured after death. What he did say, more than once, was that death was too quick an end for the great Namers and villains. Far greater is the punishment of living and seeing their name die before they do, of never hearing a word about their past greatness. If they die at the height of their villainy, or Naming, for they are opposing sides of the same coin, they die believing in the delusions of their greatness. All greatness fades, some sooner, some later, and for those who pursue Naming and the glory of their accomplishments, and not the accomplishments themselves, a long and lonely life, accomplishments long since forgotten, is far less merciful than a quick death…”
Vaelora lowered the book. “You see?”
“It’s a good thing I’ve already learned that,” said Quaeryt dryly. “That’s just another reason not to want to be a marshal or a submarshal.”
“You have more important tasks ahead,” said Vaelora.
“Making the Collegium strong enough to survive and prosper, among other things.” He looked not quite lecherously at his wife.
“Dearest … you don’t have to make up for absences all at once.”
“I’ll try to restrain myself.”
“For a little while, at least.” Her smile was warm. “Besides, what happened at Rivages and the other places while you were there has already proved you were right.”
Quaeryt suspected he knew what she might say, but he only raised his eyebrows and waited.
“Voltyr acted as you would have, without instructions, and already your Collegium is bigger than you. I haven’t had a chance to tell you, but Gauswn now has another five students.”
“In addition to the four he brought?”
Vaelora nodded. “There will be others, as word spreads that young imagers have powerful protectors in you and Bhayar.”
“Mostly Bhayar, right now.”
“Dearest … that is false modesty, and it doesn’t become you. All Bovaria knows who you are and of what you are capable.”
“That’s not necessarily good.”
“If you step away from direct power, as you plan, that will make Bhayar seem more powerful in time. It will also reassure people. At the moment, though, all Lydar needs to know of your power.”
“And, just say, what happens if some ill chance befalls me?”
“If anything happened to you, Bhayar would have to continue the Collegium.” Her eyes flashed. “That doesn’t mean you can go off and do something stupid. I won’t have you courting ill fate to prove you are what you are. It’s time for others to do that.”
“I think I’ve done enough foolish things for a lifetime.” Except life always has surprises. We just don’t need any more at the moment.
“We both have.” Vaelora looked at him shyly. “I’m going to need to be more careful … as well.”
“You are?”
“She’ll be a girl. I’m certain.”
As he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Vaelora-gently-Quaeryt wasn’t about to dispute that.
59
Slightly before seventh glass on Vendrei morning, Quaeryt approached the half-open door to Bhayar’s study, half wondering with what sort of mood the ruler of Telaryn, Bovaria, and Antiago might greet him.
When Quaeryt stepped into the study and shut the door behind himself, Bhayar stood from behind the table desk and smiled warmly. “Good morning, Quaeryt.”
“Good morning.”
Bhayar gestured to the conference table. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did. It’s good to be back.”
“Vaelora worried about you.” Bhayar slipped into his chair.
Quaeryt took the chair on the other side of the circular table from Bhayar. He could see that Bhayar looked less worried, and that the circles under his eyes were much less pronounced. “I worried about me, too. I’m just glad matters worked out.”
Bhayar laughed softly. “You usually find a way to work them out … if not always in the fashion I might have originally preferred. I’ve gotten used to that … mostly. I already sent off a dispatch to Subcommander Ernyld announcing that with the success of the campaigns in Bovaria and Antiago, Marshal Deucalon has stepped down to a full stipend and will be shortly awarded a high holding for his long and devoted service, and that a new marshal of the armies will be determined within the next week. I also wrote that in order to assure a proper transition High Holder Deucalon will not be dealing with any issues of the armies, and that all inquiries will be handled by his chief of staff.”
“That leaves Ernyld in charge.”
“No. I also said that he was to refer any decisions to me until the new marshal is appointed. Now … yesterday, you recommended Commander Justanan as the successor to Deucalon as marshal. Why? I’d like to hear more about that.”
“There are several reasons. First, because he is the senior commander of Northern Army, and he’ll keep its commanders in line in a quiet way … and you need quiet. He also knows more about Bovaria than Pulaskyr, and you need Pulaskyr as the governor of Telaryn.” Quaeryt grinned. “You won’t be able to keep Aelina and Clayar and your other children in Solis all that much longer.”
“Did Vaelora tell you that?”
“No. I guessed that from what she’s said before.”
“I’ve gotten several letters along those lines. That’s another reason why I need to decide the marshal’s position.”
“You should talk to Commander Justanan by yourself … and then decide on whether he or Pulaskyr would make a better marshal … or if there is a better commander for the post.”
“You’d do a better job at it.” Before Quaeryt could say anything, Bhayar held up his hand to stop Quaeryt from replying. “I know. Appointing you would work for a while and then cause more and more problems.”
“Either of the two would do well.”
“Especially since they know you’d be looking over their shoulders.” Bhayar offered a smile. “But then, any marshal would know you’d be watching, and for now that’s probably just as well. What else?”
“Whoever you send back to Solis, though, should go with three regiments, perhaps four. That will reduce the strain on quarters and golds here and give the governor of Telaryn a little additional power.”
Bhayar nodded. “In time, we will need to reduce the size of the armies. But not yet. I know you want to devote more of your time to being maître or whatever you want to title yourself as head of your imagers’ Collegium, but until we hear from the Khellans, I need you as a commander.”
“I can do both. Vaelora’s obviously able to handle being Minister of Administration for Bovaria.”
“She’s managed to set up courier stations on the Aluse River road between Ferravyl and Variana, and along the Great Canal to Laaryn. She says that the stations between Eluthyn and Kephria will be operating by the end of Juyn.”
While Vaelora had not mentioned the courier stations, her progress didn’t surprise Quaeryt in the slightest. Nor did her decision to use the older but shorter route. We’ll need to use imaging to improve the road even more once things settle down, though. “In time, she ought to be Minister of Administration for all of Solidar.”
“It would be best not to use that name until all of Lydar is under one rule,” said Bhayar. “Do you think the Khellans will really accept terms?”
“They’ll try for the best they can get, but I think they will.”
“So long as you’re around.”
“No. There are five or six imagers now, who can wreak a fair amount of destruction.” Quaeryt paused. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“It would be better if it doesn’t, but I intend to keep the armies ready until it’s clear that they’ve accepted terms and are complying.”
Quaeryt nodded.
“When do you think Justanan and Northern Army will arrive?”
“Unless there’s a heavy rain, I’d judge it will be tomorrow afternoon.”