“Even for her safety?”
“Dearest…you see how often I use the glass to follow Tasjan, and how little I discover from each attempt. Myryan would know my screeing, and how would she feel seeing me watch over her every other moment?”
“She is your sister, but I worry.”
“So do I.” Lorn opens the door from the veranda to the foyer. “So do I.”
CXLVI
Toziel leans forward in the smaller version of the malachite-and-silver throne that dominates the Lesser Audience Hall. “For the past two eightdays, the Mirror Lancers have held their maneuvers on the new parade grounds above the harbor. I would have each of you provide his thoughts on the effectiveness of such.” With a faint smile, the Emperor straightens. “Perhaps you should begin, honored Majer-Commander, since the lancers are under your command.”
Rynst bows, then looks directly at the slender figure with the dark-rimmed eyes within the silver robes. “Your Mightiness…as you suggested, the Mirror Lancers have transferred two companies from the Grass Hills to provide…as it were…a portrait of their abilities where those abilities could be viewed by outlanders. During the first days, nearly tenscore watched each day, but, as we suspected, the numbers of those who watched have declined. Yesterday, there were but twoscore. Most of those were outlanders. If but twoscore outlanders each day watch the lancers and are dissuaded from thinking to take advantage of Cyador, the golds spent to provide such…edifying…entertainment may be well spent.”
Toziel nods to the First Magus. “Honored Chyenfel?”
“I must confess, Your Mightiness, that I was among the tenscore, for I did wish to see for myself the effect of such a demonstration. And I would agree with the most honorable Majer-Commander that the display of firelances and the skill of those who employed them created a most desirable effect. I do have concerns about the wisdom of maintaining such for long periods of time here in Cyad. I would ask that I be given leave to advance those concerns after hearing what the honored Merchanter Advisor may have to add.”
“All will heed your concerns, First Magus.” Toziel looks to Vyanat. “Your thoughts, honored Merchanter Advisor?”
“I am more than somewhat puzzled,” says the Merchanter Advisor. “I cannot recall when one of the Magi’i expressed concern over the Mirror Lancers being more effective. Certainly, most of us who are merchanters are pleased, for the obvious power of the firelances has left many outlanders shaking their heads. They are indeed chastened. They are so taken aback that one would wish that this stratagem had been adopted earlier.” Vyanat looks to his right at the First Magus. “Or is the First Magus concerned about the additional authority that such lancers invest in the Majer-Commander?”
“Majer-Commander Rynst has always used his authority and the Mirror Lancers for the good of Cyad and Cyador, and I have no doubts that he will continue to do so. In years to come, his successors may not be so astute, and what we do must serve the future as well as the present.” Chyenfel bows to Vyanat. “My concerns lie not in having such demonstrations by the Mirror Lancers, but in their frequency. I would suggest that Your Mightiness could obtain the same or greater impact by merely bringing in a different set of companies twice a year for two eightdays, or four times a year for a single eightday. In this fashion, all would see with fresh eyes the power of the Mirror Lancers. Likewise, we would not see the development of what might be called city lancers, as opposed to those lancers who must face and fight the barbarians.” The First Magus bows to the Emperor.
“You raise some matters of concern to us all,” Toziel says deliberately.
Behind him, Ryenyel coughs, once.
The Emperor turns and smiles. “Is it chill in here, my dear?”
“I caught something in my throat. I beg your pardon for interrupting.” Ryenyel smiles at her consort. “I truly do.”
“Sire?” asks Vyanat.
“Yes, Vyanat’mer?”
“I would ask that we see how matters progress for another three eightdays,” suggests the Merchanter Advisor, “before any decision is considered. Even should the most honorable Chyenfel prove correct in his assessment, I would argue that for the first appearance of the Mirror Lancers in Cyad, a longer period might well prove necessary, and would not prove detrimental. After all, we are in a time of change, and at this time, as many outland traders as possible should see the true power of the Mirror Lancers.” With only the slightest of pauses, the merchanter adds, “And the First Magus has noted that in this time, while Majer-Commander Rynst serves the Empire of Light, all will be well with such lancers.”
“That would seem reasonable,” suggests Toziel. “At our normal audience three eightdays from now, we will revisit the matter.”
Chyenfel nods. “I will defer as His Mightiness suggests.”
“And I, also,” adds Rynst.
“Although I retain grave doubts about relying upon the mere occasional appearance of the Mirror Lancers,” counters Vyanat, “in three eightdays, the matter may well become more clear as to how Cyador may best show the outlanders its might.”
The shadow of a frown crosses Ryenyel’s face, although no eyes are upon her.
CXLVII
Rynst motions for Lorn to take one of the chairs set before the Majer-Commander’s study desk. Lorn does so, and waits, watching the Majer-Commander and listening to the moan of the early-winter wind that lows around the ancient blue windowpanes, a cold wind, despite the bright sunlight that falls on Cyad.
“Yesterday, I attended the regular audience with the Emperor,” Rynst begins, conversationally. “There I heard that your maneuvers have been successful in giving some of the outland traders a few matters to think about.”
“I understand that such was the intent, as you told me, ser. The maneuvers are but exercises and are at best a limited way of showing what the Mirror Lancers can do.”
“They are indeed, but they are effective.” Rynst purses his lips, and then tilts his head to the side. “Perhaps too effective. The First Magus raised a most interesting point. He suggested that perhaps it would not be wise to maintain the lancers in Cyad for any great period, but for perhaps two or three eightdays twice a year. Or one eightday every season, with a different set of lancer companies each period.”
Lorn waits once more.
“He fears that any companies remaining in the City of Light will become city lancers, and, although he did not say such directly, another tool of the Majer-Commander. He also feels that their presence, in daily maneuvers, will jade all those who watch, and the impact on outlanders will fade, while the citizens of Cyad will come to believe the Mirror Lancers are unmatched.”
“They are unmatched, but they can be outnumbered, ser, as we know.”
“We know that, but those in Cyad do not understand what lies beyond its borders. They do not see the hatred of our land, our roads, our cities, our prosperity. If the First Magus is correct, and correct he may well be,” Rynst continues with a wry smile, “we of the Mirror Lancers may find it even more difficult to obtain the golds required to equip and maintain the forces necessary to repel the barbarians in the years to come. And should any within the city raise arms, in years to come, there will be few Magi’i to stand against such a mob, and no firelances to bring. It will be a far different land, yet few wish to contemplate that.”
Lorn nods slowly.
“You will live in that time and land, Majer. And so will your son.” Rynst pauses momentarily. “As you are the commander of the lancer companies in Cyad, I felt you should know this. I would not pass this on to them at this moment. If you are asked, I would suggest that you tell the truth, and that is that the role of Mirror Lancer companies in Cyad is being considered by the Emperor.”