“That’s awful.”
“It’s necessary. So will you, when you’re older.”
Ryalah grimaces. “What if I don’t like him?”
“You shouldn’t worry about that now. It’ll be years before you’re old enough.”
“What about Amaira?”
“That’s up to Aunt Emerya.”
“You mean she doesn’t have to, and I do? That’s not fair.” Ryalah looks to her cousin.
“Sometimes, life isn’t fair…” With the thought of fairness, Lerial thinks about Emerya … and Maeroja, or Korlyn, or Alaynara, or even the lancer who died on Lerial’s first riding expedition with Altyrn.
“It should be,” declares Ryalah.
“People are the ones who can make life fair,” says Amaira.
Your mother said that, didn’t she? Lerial is certain of that, especially now that Amaira has taken to accompanying her mother to the Hall of Healing, but he only says, “That’s true, and sometimes it’s very hard to be fair to everyone at the same time.” He can order-sense riders coming into the palace courtyard and smiles at the two. “I have to go meet with Father and Commander Jhalet. I’ll see you later.”
“You won’t go until you do?” asks Ryalah.
“No … I won’t.”
Lerial walks briskly to his father’s study, nods to the guard, and enters.
Kiedron looks up from behind his desk. “Is the commander here?”
“There are lancers in the courtyard. I imagine he’ll be here shortly.”
“You didn’t greet him?”
“I heard them enter,” Lerial lies. “I was in the center courtyard. So I came here.”
Kiedron frowns momentarily, then nods.
Several moments later, the guard opens the study door, and Commander Jhalet enters. Kiedron rises, and he and Lerial move to the circular conference table, where the three seat themselves.
“Have you discovered anything new?” asks Kiedron.
“The Heldyans have stepped up attacks along the Swarth, and there appear to be more troopers moving to Amaershyn.”
“Then we’ll need to pull some of the companies from the northern border with Afrit and use them to reinforce Sudstrym.”
“What if that’s what Khesyn intends?” asks Jhalet.
“I’m certain that he wants us to be reluctant to do so. That way he can overmatch the forces already there and either create great damage or inflict great losses. That will ensure that the reinforcements will be overmatched … and he will do the same thing again.”
Jhalet’s brow furrows. “If that is so … can we afford to send any companies north to assist Atroyan?”
“If we assist Atroyan, we won’t need as many companies in the north. Not for a time. I’d wager that other Afritan Guard companies in addition to those in Ensenla have been recalled. Leave the company in Tirminya, but call in the other seven.”
The commander frowns.
“Lerial will be taking Eighth and Eleventh Company from Ensenla. Also Twenty-third Company from the palace. You can detail some headquarters squads here until you can raise another company.”
“Begging your pardon, ser … but three companies…”
“Duke Atroyan cannot very well object to three companies being commanded by Lord Lerial … either for being a threat … or not being a proper response to his request. And with the companies from the north, that should provide you with adequate lancers to deal with the Heldyans.” After a deliberate pause, Kiedron adds, “Should it not?”
“Yes, ser.… But do you trust Duke Atroyan?”
“Only to act in his obvious self-interest. It is not in his interest to destroy three Mirror Lancer companies, especially when it is likely to cost him at least twice as many companies of his own. Nor is it in his interest to undertake actions that could result in Lord Lerial’s death at his hands or those of his Guards.”
“That much is true.”
“Good! Then we are agreed. You will have orders for Undercaptain Kusyl shortly and three supply wagons ready to accompany Twenty-third Company at dawn tomorrow. And you’ll have two squads here at the palace by then.” Kiedron pauses. “You probably ought to send a squad to hold Ensenla Post as well in the absence of Eighth and Eleventh Company.”
“Yes, ser.”
Kiedron rises from the table and bestows a warm smile on the commander. “Excellent! I’ll walk with you to the courtyard.” As he moves toward the door, he looks back and gives Lerial a glance that indicates he should remain in the study.
While he waits for his father to return, Lerial considers the possibilities. Even with further thought, he doesn’t like any of them.
“What do you think?” are the first words from Kiedron’s mouth when he returns to the study.
“There’s one possibility you overlooked,” ventures Lerial.
“Only one?”