The Fireseed Wars

"At the time of the Conclave of Galzar's High Temple in Hos-Agrys, Beshta was one of Kalvan's princedoms and therefore was not on the list of proscribed princedoms and territories named in the Ban. By swearing the mercenaries to Prince Phidestros, we stopped the wholesale desertion of the mercenary companies. Some of the captains were already preparing to bolt. You should have heard King Lysandros gnash his teeth when it was suggested by Captain-General Anaphon."

"Anaphon, I remember him. He was the general that Lysandros made head of the Harphaxi Army after Phidestros was raised to Grand Captain-General of the Host."

"Yes, and as Phidestros' principal rival in the Harphaxi Army, we had to take Anaphon's words seriously. It's obvious there's no love between the two. After much jawing, Lysandros and I agreed it was the only way to save the Host from losing most of its free companies. Phidestros lapped it up like a kitten drinking spilled cream!"

Aristocles laughed. "Oh, I bet he did. How many arrows did he add to his quiver?"

"The men of some eighty companies and bands. Roughly eight or nine thousand men. The men sworn to Greater Beshta now outnumber those sworn to his Great King!"

"Now that's a howl!"

"Yes, but now if we lose him, we lose a lot of good soldiers, most of them veterans of the Fireseed Wars. And, who knows when we'll have to fight them ourselves, since Phidestros' loyalty to Styphon is as thin as a spider's thread."

Aristocles tugged his beard. "Or as long as Prince Sarrask is still alive. He hasn't left for Galzar's Hall yet, has he?"

"No, the Prince leads a charmed life; our outriders saw Sarrask's bodyguard leave with Kalvan before the siege."

"Well, then let's hope that he lives a long time and that his bounty on Captain-General Phidestros only grows with the telling."

"By Styphon's Beard, may it be so."

III

"Verkan, what do you mean you're going outtime again?" Dalla cried, "Going to Kalvan's Time-Line at this time is irrational, irresponsible and political suicide, considering the political crisis brewing here on Home Time Line. Remember, you are the Paratime Police Chief now, not Tortha Karf's Special Assistant free to roam the time-lines as you please. You have responsibilities now: to the Force, to the Paratime Commission, to the Executive Council, to Management Party-to me!"

Verkan used several First Level mental techniques to keep both his blood pressure and temper in check. Dalla lecturing him on irresponsibility reminded him of the Fourth Level, Europo-American aphorism: "the pot calling the kettle black."

"I have to," he said. "Our friends, Kalvan and Rylla, think I'm dead! My outfit needs to be reorganized and re-outfitted-"

"Verkan, for your information, your outfit is the Paratime Police, not the Hos-Hostigos Mounted Rifles!"

"Our friends need me."

Dalla's eyes turned icy cold. This was a new Dalla; not one he knew how to counter. "If you leave our home for another dangerous jaunt to Kalvan's Time-Line to play soldier with Kalvan, Tortha, Phrames, Harmakros and the rest of your buddies-"

"Harmakros was killed in the Siege of Tarr-Hostigos, remember?"

"Yes, I remember that, and just how close you came to dying with a bloody big hole in your chest!"

"But I didn't die. In a couple of days I was back on my feet."

"Yes, Verkan. Before you disappeared and no one could find you, I might have put up with that. Not anymore. I think it's time we started a real family, one of our own. Like Kalvan and Rylla have."

"I won't be gone long-just a couple of months. Furthermore, I don't want any more talk of children until things settle down here on Home Time Line."

"How's that going to happen, Verkan, with you jaunting away every time the heat turns up in the Executive Building? There will always be some new crisis to spirit you away. I'm taking a stand here and now. You leave and it will prove our enemies are right-that you are in dereliction of your duty as Paratime Chief! If you leave me here to face this crisis by myself, I won't be here when you get back."Dalla stamped her foot angrily.

"Are you giving me an ultimatum? Is that what this is?"

"That's exactly what this is. Make your choice and live with the consequences."

Verkan felt emotionally adrift. He'd lost Dalla once, when they were both younger and more foolish. He didn't want to go down that lonesome path again.

"How about a compromise?"

"What?" she asked.

"I won't leave for Thagnor, or wherever Kalvan is, until next spring. However, I do want to make a short trip or two to Greffa-to visit Kostran and Zinganna. No real danger there-the Upper Middle Kingdoms are at peace."

"Maybe, but I don't want you haring off to Ulthor or wherever Kalvan is? Do you promise?"