Lerial ignores the jocular question and says, “Atroyan could place me and my companies in a position where Khesyn’s forces could accomplish what he dares not.”
“I’m sure that’s exactly what he’ll attempt, hoping that you’ll die a glorious death while wiping out most of Khesyn’s forces and thereby saving him. And that’s what you must avoid.”
“You’re asking—”
“That’s something you can do. Lephi can’t. He doesn’t think the way you do.” He pauses, then goes on. “There are risks in everything, but there are also great opportunities. If you succeed in Afrit and Lephi succeeds in beating back the Heldyans along the Swarth, then that tells all of Hamor that you are both capable and to be feared and respected. It also makes it clear to Khesyn that attacking either Afrit or Cigoerne is not in his interest.”
“And you expect him to stop being what he is?”
Kiedron shakes his head. “I cannot guess what he will do, but if he is wise, he will turn his attentions to the east, or to the south … east of the river. He could gain great territory and some riches and goods with far less cost. And I’d rather have a ruler who ostensibly believes in the God of the Balance than deal with the Tourlegyns and their Chaos Demon. He shrugs. “We don’t have the men or the wealth to do that, and we’d have to cross his territory or Casseon’s even to try. It will be a strain to send you off with fifty golds for what you may have to purchase.”
“If we succeed…”
“When you succeed.” Kiedron smiles. “Go on.”
“When we succeed, that will show how weak Atroyan is … and how much he needs us.”
Kiedron nods.
“You’ve had that in mind all along, haven’t you?”
Kiedron smiles wryly. “I have, but it was your grandmere who pointed out that possibility. She saw it first.”
Grandmere. Of course.
Kiedron looks at Lerial. “There is one thing I want to be very clear about. You can lose almost all your force—if you have to—but I do not want you to make a needless sacrifice of yourself. It is not necessary, and it is anything but wise. We are so outnumbered that no one will think less of you if you have to withdraw, provided you inflict substantial casualties upon any who attack you and your forces.”
Lerial cannot help but wonder if Maeroja and his father have talked about him, but, given the edginess that her name brings up, he does not ask, because it does not matter in this case. Both Maeroja and his father share the same view, and that suggests that they’re likely right. Except … all those lancers trust you, and that means you have to bring most of them back or, before long, you won’t be followed with any great loyalty. And Lerial suspects his father knows that as well.
“I trust you understand, Lerial.”
“Yes, ser.” I understand exactly what you want.
VI
After Lerial mounts up in the dim light before dawn on sevenday, he checks the dispatch pouch once more to make certain that he has the “request” from Atroyan inside it as well as his father’s response authorizing one Overcaptain Lerial, his son, to act in reply to Atroyan’s communiqué … and, of course, the golds hidden in slots in his belt. Then he rides to the north entrance to the palace where Emerya and the girls stand, the only ones to see him off.
Ryalah looks up at her brother. “Be careful.”
“I’ll be as careful as I can. You, too.” Lerial offers a smile, then looks to Emerya.
“The more charming anyone is, the less you should trust them.”
“Honesty doesn’t require charm?” he quips back.
“Desperate rulers in debt can’t afford honesty.” Emerya reaches up and hands Lerial a small object heavily wrapped in cloth. “You’ll know what to do with this when the time comes.”
He takes the object, seemingly oval beneath the cloth padding and not even quite the size of his hand, then slips it into the inside pocket of his jacket. He glances toward Amaira and then back to Emerya, raising his eyebrows, knowing that the metal oval must hold a miniature portrait of her daughter.
His aunt nods.
“I’ll make certain. Is there anything else?”
“Nothing else that I haven’t already told you.”
Lerial looks to Amaira. “Take care.”
“I always do. Mother insists on it.”
Lerial offers a last smile, then turns the gelding back toward Twenty-third Company, almost formed up, with the three supply wagons in the rear.
“Twenty-third Company mounted and ready, ser,” declares Kusyl as Lerial reins up beside him.
“Then let’s head out.”
“Yes, ser.” Kusyl calls out, “Company! Forward!”
Once the company has left the palace gates and is riding smoothly on the boulevard that leads toward the Hall of Healing, the two officers riding side by side behind two outriders ten yards ahead of them and the main body, Lerial turns to Kusyl. “Tell me more about the company, if you would.”