Lorn decides to gamble, although it is not really that great a gamble. “Several officers have been sent to kill me under questionable circumstances. They failed.”
“So it is said.” Sypcal nods. “Will you indulge another question?”
Lorn nods.
“Do you know why you are in Cyad? You are arguably the best junior field commander in the Mirror Lancers. Had you been given command in Syadtar, we might not even have a problem with the barbarians, or certainly far less of one. The Majer-Commander, for all his faults, and he has many to accompany his strengths, has always been known to favor good field commanders in the field.”
“But you are here,” Lorn points out.
Sypcal shakes his head. “I was a good field commander. I know what it requires to be a great one, but I am older than I look, and tired, Majer. I suggested to Rynst that you be given the command at Syadtar-or the assistant command and then promoted. He refused, without giving a reason.”
Lorn does not conceal the frown. “That, I cannot say. Commander Ikynd at Assyadt recommended that I be assigned to Cyad.”
“And you doubtless drafted that recommendation?”
Lorn smiles. “Let us say that it was a mutual decision. I felt that I had too little experience to take on a large field command, and certainly not enough rank. I did not want another immediate assignment fighting, and it appeared likely that staying in the field would require that.” He shrugs.
“And you had already had a port detachment.” Sypcal nods. “From your viewpoint, it makes much sense. You could see your consort and family, and you could learn more about the lancers.” He smiles again, openly and warmly. “Have you?”
Lorn nods. “A great deal. Enough to discover that there is much more to learn.”
“There always is.” Sypcal stands.
Lorn does as well.
“Thank you for indulging my curiosity. I’m pleased to know that you are capable of dealing with the unexpected. One can never be too careful in Cyad.” Sypcal takes a step toward the door, and then turns back. “Oh…you might wish to know that Commander Lhary and the Captain-Commander were most pleased that you were assigned to Cyad, rather than a larger field command.” Sypcal smiles once more, but only with his mouth. “I trust you will find use for that observation.”
“I cannot say I am surprised by the preferences of the Captain-Commander. I had not known of Commander Lhary’s preferences.”
“Commander Lhary is most circumspect about both his preferences and his life. Circumspection is often necessary in Cyad. Good day, Majer.”
“Good day, ser.” Lorn bows slightly.
Once the door is closed, Lorn frowns. Has he waited too long? Has he been reacting too much to events? He laughs, half-bitterly. All he has done in Cyad is react.
Yet…what can he do? What should he do? Everything that Sypcal said bore the feel of truth, and Lorn could sense that the commander offered no barriers.
Action would be far more to his preference than to wait, but there is a time for action, and that time has not come, nor does Lorn yet know of any way to hasten it.
His eyes flick to the reports he must read, but he raises his eyes and glances out the window once more, for a long moment, before returning to the reading at hand.
CV
After taking a last sip of the Alafraan, Lorn looks across the dining table at Ryalth, then at Jerial, who sits to Ryalth’s right. Outside the open windows, the sky is darkening into purple, and a cooler breeze blows off the harbor from the south, strong enough to stir the air in the house, despite the walls that surround house and garden.
“You’ve been wanting to say something all through dinner,” Jerial says. “I recognize that pose.”
“It’s serious,” Ryalth adds. “You didn’t want to spoil dinner, but that’s why you asked Jerial.”
“You both know me too well,” Lorn admits with a rueful laugh. “I have no secrets from either of you.”
“What is it, dear brother?” Jerial arches her dark eyebrows.
“Something is about to happen. Not immediately, but I think someone, or more than one person, has decided that my notoriety has faded enough.” Lorn glances across the table from Jerial to Ryalth. “Can you have someone inquire-very discreetly-about Commander Lhary?” he asks. “And a commander named Sypcal. I’ve been given hints that Lhary has contacts of the kind one must treat with great care. Sypcal seems to be what he is, but I’d like to know.”
Ryalth and Jerial exchange glances.
“I can ask,” Ryalth says.
“So can I,” Jerial says. “It will take an eightday or so if you want none to know.”
“The fewer know, the better. There is time…now.” Lorn hopes there is time. “Also…I hate to say this…but I’d feel happier if we had some guards.”
Ryalth laughs. “I could see your concerns rising over the past eightday, and Eileyt has reported more curiosity, especially from certain Austran traders. I’ve already taken certain steps.”
“Austran traders?” Lorn frowns. “I thought the problem was from the Nordlans.”
“It depends on which problem. Tasjan is associated with the Austrans.”
“He’s the Dyjani Clan head,” Lorn says. “What does he have to do with the Mirror Lancers?”
“Nothing that one can see, save that he believes that the Mirror Lancers and the Magi’i bleed the merchanters. Eileyt told me yesterday that Tasjan has been hiring and training guards, supposedly for his ships, but he has four times the number of armsmen he needs for the ships, and yet he looks for more.”
“Does he believe that, if there is too much unrest in Cyad, the merchanters will demand that a merchanter succeed Toziel in years to come?” asks Lorn.
“A merchanter on the Malachite Throne?” Jerial’s mouth opens for a moment.
Lorn shrugs. “My suspicions are always raised by those who raise arms where there are none. Cyad is held not by the lancers, but by fear of the Magi’i and their firebolts and powers. If the chaos-towers fail, and in years to come, when the Emperor dies and there are no lancers in the city…?”
Ryalth nods. “Some have suggested that.”
“That would destroy Cyador,” Jerial protests. “The Emperor-”
“-is far older than he looks,” Lorn says. “You might discuss it with Aleyar sometime. That is what she said, and I felt she was telling the truth.”
The dark-haired healer shivers. “No wonder you worry. This will all happen within a few years, will it not?”
“It may,” Lorn says. “That is why I feel confounded. If I act too quickly, I will fail. Too late, and the same will happen.”
“We cannot decide that tonight,” Ryalth says firmly. “And with all of that to be considered, I have done a few things to make matters safer without being so obvious.”
Lorn raises his eyebrows.
“We’re getting several geese. A small flock, almost.”
“Geese?”
“They are very good at warning of intruders, and they do multiply, so that we can occasionally have roast goose. They’re also not as obvious as guards, and they can’t be bribed.”
“I’ve also noticed that there are thornbushes under all the lower-floor windows,” Jerial says.
“Those were planted when I purchased the dwelling.”
“Like the gate, and the bars on the doors to the bedchamber?” Lorn asks.
“I had this feeling…”
Lorn shakes his head. Again, he is reminded that there is more in Ryalth’s background than any outsider might ever guess.
“We’ll also be getting a second set of iron locks on the doors. Just the kind that you lock from the inside, not with keys. I have told the ironworker that while they may not be necessary today, tomorrow you could be sent back to the Grass Hills if they need a field commander.” Ryalth looks at her consort. “I have made inquiries, and we will be taking on as houseman a lancer who recently received his stipend. He’s a cousin of Kysia, and most trustworthy. He also likes to garden. Everyone knows this. His children are grown, and his consort is a seamstress. They will have the lower rear quarters.”