5.Death of Chaos
LXXIV
East of Lavah, Sligo [Candar]
THE MAN IN the tan uniform knocks three times at the cottage door. Behind him, surrounding the small cottage, and creating a blanket of dust that seems to flow downhill toward Lavah, two horses wait with empty saddles and nearly fivescore mounted troopers.
“Honored Mage?” Leithrrse says as Sammel appears and opens the door.
“It's you again. What might you want this time? To offer me the position of the Emperor of Knowledge of Hamor?” Sammel wipes his forehead and steps out into the glare of the sun. Then, he squints and retreats into the dimmer space of the cottage. “Come on in. No sense in discussing things in front of the world. They'll find out soon enough.”
Leithrrse follows the white wizard inside. He blots his forehead with a cloth. Despite its open windows, the cottage is warm in the midday heat.
“Actually, I was going to appeal to you to help us reclaim some lost knowledge.” Leithrrse bows again.
“Exactly what lost knowledge? Why are there so many troops out in the yard? And don't bow so much. That's false humility, and it doesn't go with an envoy from Hamor. I doubt there's much humility there.”
“Perhaps not. All of this”-Leithrrse gestures toward the tan-clad troopers-“is somewhat tied together. As you may have heard, a Recluce assassin killed Regent Rignelgio. Likewise, the invisible warships of Recluce have sunk a small number of our ships. Unfortunately, Fleet Commander Kuliorrse was aboard one of them. So, for the moment, I am more man a mere envoy, a situation that the Emperor will doubtless rectify shortly. But for the moment-”
“For the moment,” chuckles Sammel, “you personally would prefer that the Hamorian leadership in Candar not be further decimated. Clearly, I am being even more honored than upon your last visit.” He offers a slightly exaggerated bow. “And what is this 'knowledge,' and how might I possibly be of assistance to your mightiness? Or to His even more Supreme Mightiness the Emperor?”
“The Emperor is mighty...” begins Leithrrse, then shakes his head. “You are getting impudent, Mage.”
“You are getting more desperate, Honored Envoy. The knowledge you would like me to recover?”
“Once there were great highways all the way from Freetown to Frven and from thence through the Easthorns. We believe we can locate those highways, and would like to restore them, by removing obstacles, and then use them.”
“With your armies leading the way, no doubt.” Sammel blots his forehead again.
“Unfortunately, we have neither scholars nor engineers at hand.”
“And you're getting tired of dealing with Recluce on the ocean... so you figure you'll suffer fewer losses on land.”
The envoy waits. His eyes flick to the rocket gun on the wall, and his lips twist.
“And what will you do if I say no?”
“At this point... nothing.”
“That sounds suspiciously like a threat.”
“The Emperor remembers friends.” Leithrrse shrugs. “He also remembers others.”
Sammel strokes his chin. “Well... restoring roads. That is a form of knowledge.” His eyes follow the envoy's to the rocket gun, then drop back to Leithrrse. “Last time you mentioned remuneration. What did you have in mind?”
“I left a token upon my departure. It was only a token, and the head librarian's position remains open. In addition, traveling with an army might be somewhat... healthier... these days,” points out Leithrrse.
“So long as the other was but a token.” Sammel laughs and wipes his forehead. “And the Easthorns are definitely cooler now.”
“I did take the liberty of bringing a mount, in case you had none.”
Sammel smiles wryly. “Let me gather a few things before we start on this quest for knowledge. And you can gather up the latest 'token.' ”
“Of course.” Leithrrse nods. “Of course.”