Lerial turns his thoughts from the buildings and asks, “What arrangements will be necessary for my lancers?”
“They will be quartered at the headquarters post of the Afritan Guard in Swartheld. It is less than half a kay from the palace. I did sent word by river to expect a battalion for quartering. I did not specify what battalion. Had I mentioned three companies, that would have aroused immediate speculation. As for you and me … that is up to the duke, once he receives word of your arrival … although it is likely that he already has, since Fhastal and others who attended the dinner in Shaelt have fast river schooners, and any would like to gain slight favor with the duke.”
From Rhamuel’s tone, matter-of-fact and slightly amused, it is clear that he fully expects exactly such a reaction from some of the merchanters.
And he will determine who did so and keep that in mind. Lerial decides not to comment on that and goes on, “The location of the Guard headquarters is convenient for you, then.”
“It’s been suggested that it is too convenient, but the duke prefers it that way, as do I. Most of the Guard troopers are quartered at the South Post or the Harbor Post. We’ll be riding by the South Post in a bit less than a glass.”
The southern Guard post is a glass away? And we’re already in Swartheld? “How far is the southern post from the palace?”
“Two kays, give or take a few hundred yards. The Guard headquarters is north along the bay and east from the palace.”
“And how far north is the Harbor Post?”
“Closer to two kays from headquarters.”
Lerial’s calculations based on Rhamuel’s estimations suggest that Swartheld stretches at least ten kays along the river, enough to swallow Cigoerne four times over … and possibly more if it extends a greater distance than a kay west from the Swarth River.
Almost imperceptibly, the buildings along the river, whether shops or dwellings, become closer together, and there are more that are larger. On the right of the road ahead is a walled structure, and just south of it is a line of warehouses and two piers extending out into the calm waters of the bay.
“Is that the South Post?”
“It is. Drusyn’s there with his battalions. The others are at the Harbor Post.”
From what Lerial can tell, the South Post is easily three times the size of Mirror Lancer headquarters. And it’s just one of three posts here.
A good kay west-northwest of the South Post, as they ride through a modest square, Rhamuel points to the northwest.
“There. You can see the palace on that hill.”
The palace is not so much on the hill, from what Lerial can see before the warehouses on the far side of the square block his view, as occupying the entire hill, with massive walls around it, and terraced gardens leading upward to a square structure with towers on each corner.
“Rather larger than my sire’s,” Lerial says blandly, knowing his words are an extreme understatement.
“Somewhat larger than necessary, but it was expanded by our great-grandsire, in an effort to show power.”
“The larger the dwelling, the more powerful…?”
“That … and also what is traded. Those who have great ships, like Aenslem, or trade in metals, like Fhastal, are considered higher. Those who trade in more common goods…”
“Like produce or timber? They’re looked down upon?”
“Usually not to their faces … but they know.”
Lerial cannot say that such a differentiation makes sense to him, but it must to the Afritans. As they continue along the river road, he also notes that many of the streets and lanes leading off the road are narrow and anything but straight. Most of the dwellings and other structures are of brick, all with red tile roofs. Many of the tiles are cracked, and the bricks are often worn, not to mention stained with soot. In more than a few places, Lerial can pick out where bricks have been replaced. A slight brownish haze hangs over the city, and the air holds the mixed odors of cooking oil, grease, and a mixture of less appetizing smells, from rotten fish to mold, and other scents that Lerial has no interest in even contemplating.
“Now you can see the headquarters Guard post, with the walls just slightly back from the shore road there beyond the Guard Square.”
The Guard Square is comparatively modest, a mere hundred yards on a side, with only handfuls of carts and peddlers scattered here and there.
“The hawkers are more numerous when there are more troopers quartered here. There will be more tomorrow … assuming your men have even a few coppers apiece.”