Heirs of the Enemy (6 page)

General Antero was the Commanding General of Aerta and Whitman’s superior. General Whitman took the rebuke without comment, but he soon separated from the other three generals and went below deck.

“He needs to watch his tongue,” General Marashef said softly after General Whitman had left. “Grand General Kyrga would take offense at his words.”

“Hopefully he will never run across the Grand General during the celebration,” replied General Antero. “There will be hundreds of people at the celebration. I am sure one of them will grab Kyrga’s attention before Whitman misspeaks.”

“Probably true,” chuckled General Marashef. “Kyrga can be offended easily enough.” The Commanding General of Tyronia turned and looked at Clint. “I am surprised that you have not gotten on his bad side already, General Forshire. I was quite surprised when I arrived in Olansk to see you heading an army, even if it is a small one. How did you do it?”

“The Grand General is suspicious of anyone who tries to step on his turf,” answered Clint. “I made it clear from the beginning that I held no interest in politics or promotion. I am only interested in serving the Federation as a general in charge of an army. I think it is in that position that I can best serve the Federation.”

“You are the A Corps, isn’t that right?” asked General Antero. Clint nodded, and the Aertan general’s lips turned upward in a mischievous smile. “I heard that your army is a bunch of misfits.”

Clint recognized the taunt for what it was. General Antero was trying to see what Clint was made of and how he would react to a confrontation.

“They have been described as misfits,” Clint answered calmly. “In truth, I recruited them out of the Federation prisons.”

“You are joking,” chuckled General Antero.

“I am not,” retorted Clint. “Other than the squad supplied to me by General Marashef in Ur, every one of my men is from the prisons.”

“Even the men I gave you were misfits,” laughed General Marashef. “I should apologize for that, but truthfully, I saw a way to get them out of my command, and I took it.”

“I don’t understand,” frowned General Antero. “From what I have heard, you were a rather talented general in Tyronia. What possible pleasure can you derive from leading a bunch of misfits around?”

Clint looked at General Antero and smiled. “General, anyone can be put in command of ten-thousand men and pretend he is a general. If he has a few good colonels under his command, he might even appear to be competent, but I have taken two-thousand castoffs and molded them into a fighting force.”

“And you really think you have made soldiers out of these men?” General Antero asked.

“I command the only army to have captured rebels,” Clint replied proudly. “The A Corps has also accomplished several other noteworthy deeds, but I am not at liberty to discuss them. Yes, General, I think the A Corps is a competent army, small, but competent.”

“Well,” smiled General Antero, “I could hardly expect you to say anything different, but the truth will come out soon enough. The real test of any army is in combat. Be careful that your men don’t bolt at the first sign of trouble.”

“I have taught my men to act as if I was always watching them, General,” Clint replied with a slight smile. “Turn around and gaze upon the escorting squads on this ship and tell me what you see?”

General Antero frowned in puzzlement, but he turned around and gazed upon the squads of soldiers escorting their generals. Most of the soldiers were sprawled out on the deck or clumped together playing games of chance. One squad stood out from the rest. The squad from A Corp stood alert about twenty paces away from General Forshire as if awaiting a command from their leader. General Antero shook his head and turned back to look at Clint.

“You are too hard on your men, General Forshire. We are in no risk of attack on this ship.”

“That is not the point,” Clint responded. “A soldier’s duty is to always be prepared. When they are off duty, they can do as they please, as long as they do not besmirch the name of the A Corps, but when they are on duty, they will behave so. I do not look upon soldiering as a hobby. It is a profession, and I expect my men to treat it as such.”

“And they do not complain?” asked General Marashef.

“Not to me,” grinned Clint. “These men will have ample time off during the celebration, but they are on duty until I am safely escorted to the Imperial Palace.”

“I am impressed,” admitted General Antero, “but as I said before, only in combat will the truth be known.”

“There is the palace,” pointed General Marashef. “I guess it is time to round up my own men. I can’t wait to get some solid land under my feet again.”

General Marashef left the rail, and General Antero soon followed. Clint walked over to his men and spoke softly to Colonel Donil.

“We are almost there. Remember to keep Kent in the barracks. I don’t want Kyrga to see him. Use the rest of the men to find out whatever you can. Mix with the other escorts and learn anything and everything that is possible to learn.”

“It shall be as you wish,” frowned the colonel, “but it would help if you could narrow down what it is we are seeking to learn.”

“I won’t know what is valuable until I hear it,” answered Clint. “Just mix and listen. Every one of these other generals is a possible threat to me. Find out everything you can. I will meet with you nightly to discuss what you have learned.”

An hour later the ship pulled alongside one of the docks at the Imperial Palace. As the different delegations disembarked, a soldier was assigned to show the escorts to barracks and another soldier escorted each general to his room. Supervising the entire welcoming party was Colonel Taerin. He efficiently directed the palace soldiers and as soon as the ship was empty, it pulled away from the dock to make room for the next ship. Colonel Taerin greeted each general by name. He offered a slight smile when he greeted Clint, but he quickly moved onward to the next general. Unknown to Clint, Colonel Taerin recognized Captain Kent, but he kept his knowledge from showing.

Clint walked towards the palace in between General Marashef and General Antero. Their conversation was lighthearted, and their mood was jovial. It painted a picture of familiarity and acceptance of General Forshire to the Grand General who was covertly watching from a balcony. Once inside the palace, the three generals split up as their escorts guided them to their private quarters. As soon as Clint’s escort was gone, the Ranger left his quarters and made his way to the emperor’s office. He took the servant corridors to avoid being seen, but he need not have bothered. So many people were flowing into the palace from land and sea that the place was in pandemonium. One of the emperor’s guards stuck his head in the door and announced General Forshire. Clint was immediately admitted into the emperor’s presence, but he waited for the door to close before speaking.

“I have distressing news to give,” Clint said as he bowed to the emperor.

“All news is depressing lately. What have you discovered?”

“The expedition into Elfwoods was led by Captain Kent of the city guard,” Clint revealed. “He was ordered to do it by Grand General Kyrga.”

“Kent admitted this?”

“He did. You should also know that Grand General Kyrga sneaks out of the palace at times to visit with K’san, the one here in Despair.”

“It is hardly an offense to visit a priest,” replied the emperor.

“K’san is no normal priest,” retorted Clint. “He is a demonkin, and you would be well advised to keep your distance from them.”

“I have a hard time believing in such nonsense.”

“I understood that from the first time we spoke, but I feel obliged to warn you anyway.”

Emperor Jaar broke eye contact with the general and stared at the wall for a moment. When he returned his gaze to Clint, his eyes held determination in them.

“It would appear that the Federation will soon be in need of a new Grand General. Had you not already stated that leading an army was your ultimate goal in life, you would be a likely candidate.”

The hairs on the back of Clint’s neck stood on end. To be placed in command of all of the armies of the Federation might allow him to call off the attack on Alcea. It was extremely tempting to accept the position, but there was danger in even appearing to want it. Clint dwelled on the offer for a moment and shook his head. If he did accept the position, he would never be allowed to cancel the invasion. Forces stronger than Emperor Jaar were driving the war.

“I have no desire to be Grand General of the Federation,” declared General Forshire. “I only wish to command my army and be given free reign to do so.”

“A wise answer,” smiled the emperor. “At least now I know that you are not framing Kyrga to take his place. You have done well, General Forshire. I have nothing further for you.”

Clint bowed and backed his way out of the office. Less than an hour later, Colonel Taerin entered the emperor’s office.

“You need to see me?” asked the colonel.

“How well did you know Captain Kent?” asked the emperor.

“Not well,” answered the colonel. “He seemed to be a decent captain of the guard, but that would not preclude nefarious activity. Why do you ask?”

“I was recently told that Captain Kent led the expedition into Elfwoods. I was also told that he named the Grand General as the person who ordered him to do so. I need to be sure of this information before I act.”

“Then I shall ask him,” offered the colonel.

“That might be difficult,” frowned the emperor. “The last I heard, he was in Olansk.”

“He is on the palace grounds,” revealed Colonel Taerin. “He came as part of the escort for General Forshire.”

“Did he?” brightened the emperor. “Find him and interrogate him. I need to know the truth of this matter. Do it quietly.”

Colonel Taerin left the emperor’s office and covertly exited the palace. He stealthily made his way to the barracks where the A Corps squad was housed. He entered the barracks to find two soldiers inside. One of them was Captain Kent, but he no longer wore the insignia of an officer. The other soldier jumped to his feet and saluted the colonel. Colonel Taerin looked at the soldier and nodded towards the door.

“Wait outside please.”

“I have orders to stay here,” protested the soldier.

“Then you will stay close to the barracks after you step outside,” retorted the colonel. When the soldier made no move to exit the building, the colonel narrowed his eyes. “I am on official business from the emperor. You will wait outside or you will find yourself back in prison.”

After a moment’s hesitation, the soldier nodded. “I will wait outside, but I will not allow you to take him out of this building. If that is your intent, you had better call the guards now.”

Colonel Taerin raised an eyebrow at the soldier’s loyalty to duty, but he nodded and waved the man out of the building. When he was alone with Kent he turned to look at him and found the former captain with his back against the wall. Fear was evident in his face, and the colonel knew why.

“I am not here to harm you, Kent. I am here to verify what was told to the emperor earlier today. Who ordered you to lead a party into Elfwoods?”

“I have nothing to say unless General Forshire is present.”

“You put a lot of trust in General Forshire?” the colonel asked in surprise. “Isn’t he the one who dragged you back here to Despair?”

“He didn’t drag me,” answered Kent. “He gave me the option. I chose to come back.”

“Why? If what I heard was true, you should want to be as far from here as possible.”

“I am officially dead,” answered Kent. “Or I should be. General Forshire promised me that.”

“Alright,” frowned the colonel, “but why would you come back then?”

“My family is here. I want to take them away with me. As soon as I can get out of here, you will never see me again.”

“I have no problem with that,” stated the colonel. “Has General Forshire agreed?”

“He has. He said the emperor might demand to speak to me, but right after that I would be free to go.”

“He has been honest with you,” stated the colonel. “The sooner you confirm for me what the general told the emperor, the sooner you are free to go.”

Captain Kent hesitated for a moment, but he had always known Colonel Taerin as a just man. He nodded in agreement.

“It was Grand General Kyrga who ordered the trip into Elfwoods. I was forbidden to discuss the orders even with my own men. The priest K’san actually gave all the orders.”

“And the elf women?”

“The priest took them. I do not know where they ended up.”

Colonel Taerin sighed heavily and stared at the floor.

“You aren’t here for Kyrga, are you?” Kent asked nervously.

“No, Kent. I have been honest with you. I am just thinking of the implications of what you have revealed. Things could get messy around here.”

“Remember your promise,” Kent pushed. “I didn’t come back to Despair to die again.”

“We will get you out of here safely,” the colonel promised. “I have to report back to the emperor to make sure he is satisfied before you disappear. I will be back later, and we can talk about your freedom.”

Colonel Taerin left the barracks and returned to the palace. He was well known by most of the generals and he suffered many interruptions before he was able sneak off to the emperor’s office. When he entered, he found Emperor Jaar impatient for the information.

“Well?”

“Captain Kent confirms that Grand General Kyrga ordered the entry into Elfwoods. K’san made all of the actual decisions, and the women were left with him. I am sure that Kent is being truthful.”

“I suspected as much,” sighed the emperor, “but I had to be certain. The Federation will have to have a new Grand General.” The emperor sighed again and shook his head. “I have been choosing them rather poorly, haven’t I? Who would you suggest?”

The colonel thought that a native Baroukan was best to fill the spot, and the empire had nine capable generals. He thought for a minute before answering.

“I would suggest General Ross.”

“Ross?” questioned the emperor. “I would have expected you to say Tauman or Fortella.”