The arms-commander stands from behind the conference table, on which rests a large silver tray with what appear to be the remnants of his breakfast. “Please join me.”
“Thank you.” Lerial slips into the seat across from Rhamuel.
“How are your men?”
“The wounded who survived the first two nights all look as though as though they will recover completely. Given time, anyway.”
“And you?”
“I’m healthy enough.” Lerial isn’t about to admit how much the battles and the subsequent healing have drained him.
“You still look tired.”
“The healing takes effort,” Lerial admits, feeling that won’t reveal much.
“You accounted for the most Heldyan casualties, you know?” Rhamuel offers.
“I’ll take your word for that,” replies Lerial. “I didn’t see what happened anywhere else.”
He isn’t about to admit to the fact that he can sense what occurs beyond what he can see, if not in nearly the detail as with his eyes.
“Take it.” The arms-commander’s voice is dry. “Your success creates a slight problem for both of us.”
Lerial nods politely, fearing he knows what is coming next. “Commander Sammyl seemed almost displeased with our response to the Heldyan attacks.”
“The commander worries about the comparative effectiveness of the Afritan Guard. He has for some time.”
“I sense his concerns, but the duchy of Cigoerne has no desire to fight with Afrit. We never have wanted such a conflict.”
“I, especially, understand that.” Rhamuel pauses and presents a faint smile. “The duke insisted on the commander as my chief of staff. He puts great faith in him.”
“I can see that he must.”
“I believe you do. Like some of your more distant predecessors, you have talents beyond the obvious, much as you try to keep them very much unobvious. I presume you would prefer that they remain less obvious.”
Lerial manages a soft laugh. “You’re presuming I have such talents.”
“I’m presuming nothing.” Rhamuel’s voice is even. “I have not mentioned this to any, but I watched the Heldyan attack on the eastern wall from the midwall tower. My closeness to such a violent attack made Subcommander Valatyr very uneasy.”
“That would concern any officer in his position.” Especially if my thoughts about your brother are correct. “What about Commander Sammyl?”
“He was less concerned.”
Because he serves your brother?
“I think it would be in both our interests for you to accompany me back to Swartheld to be thanked personally by the duke. He will be informed only that you repulsed two of the four attacks on Luba.” Rhamuel holds up his hand. “There is no need to mention any specifics of how you managed to do so.”
Both our interests? Perhaps. “Wouldn’t my bringing three companies to Swartheld be viewed as … excessive?”
“Not at all. That is what is in my interest. If your companies escort me and my personal squad, then I can leave without further weakening the Afritan Guard in place here.” Rhamuel smiles. “We will not announce this until after Subcommander Ascaar departs tomorrow.”
“What about Commander Sammyl?”
“He is accompanying Subcommander Drusyn, and he believes I will accompany Ascaar. Commander Klassyn will accompany him, as Valatyr and my personal squad will accompany us. Sammyl does not like being in Luba, and so long as he is assured I will return shortly, he will be pleased. He will also wish to brief the duke.”
“To be the first to brief him?”
“Of course.”
“You think this was just the first battle of the attack against Afrit?”
“In one way or another. When and where the next attack will come is another matter. But if another attack comes soon, I would like to have you in Swartheld. Even if it does not, your presence will do much to improve relations between Afrit and Cigoerne.”
Again, Lerial suspects he knows what Rhamuel means but does not wish to say, and the implications suggest that he may have no choice but to escort the arms-commander. The fact that Rhamuel is willing to place himself in Lerial’s hands, so to speak, also suggests the gravity of the situation.
“There is also the problem of the Tourlegyns.”
“Oh?”
“The fact that there were a number in the Heldyan forces suggests that Duke Khesyn has reached some sort of … accommodation with them. That is not the best of news. They love to fight.”
“And fighting us means they don’t fight Heldya?”
“That was my thought. We will see. It is something to keep in mind.”
“What do you want from me?” asks Lerial.
“Your presence, that of your Mirror Lancers, and your best judgment about what will benefit Cigoerne … and your heritage.”
The last three words bother Lerial, because they imply far more than the first three desires expressed by Rhamuel. “My heritage?”
“A man with your background can be present and act with what he thinks is his best judgment and be mistaken. If he is also true to his heritage that is far less likely.”