Winterfinding (10 page)

Spires Army

“
No, I’m not calling you
stupid, I’m calling that plan stupid.” Fery said in
exasperation.

“
You weren’t there. I had
to think on my feet.” Goshen was getting more defensive as the
argument went on.

“
So then why not have him
do the talking?” Fery pointed at Declan who held up his hands
begging to be kept out of it.

“
Because I didn’t need
him. He’d already gotten us in a pinch stealing those horses.”
Goshen turned to Declan, “Which, by the way, should have gone
smoother.”

“
I’m not a thief.” Declan
said dismissively.

“
Then why did we even
bother!”

“
Because we were moving
like sad sap. Those horses would’ve double our pace.”

“
It’s moot now. We’re
here, and we’re not leaving any time soon.” Fery threw up her
hands.

Just then, Kira entered the tent and the
other three all fell silent. She glared at them, turned, and made
sure that the flap was tightly closed. She let out a heavy
sigh.

“
So good news then.”
Declan asked.

Kira moved to the fire pit at the center of
the pavilion and knelt, “Things are going to get complicated.”

“
Finally.”

“
Enough with the sarcasm,
Declan.” Goshen said.

Fery came over to sit next to Kira. She
stoked the coals and waited for Kira to continue. The tent they had
been escorted to when they were first brought into the camp must
have been one of the messes for the soldiers. There had been two
lines of long tables and squat benches. Some greasy looking wooden
bowls were spaced on the tabletops every few feet or so. It was
empty, and the four of them were told to stay put.

This was when Fery first confronted Goshen
about his lie to the Spires soldiers. She was indignant about being
a nurse, and Declan had egged her on. It was clear that the unit’s
commander, Kees, knew Goshen was lying but he wasn’t confident
enough to take action on his own. When Kees returned to the mess,
he had with him a Kyrio. All of them were surprised, but Declan
visibly tensed and when Fery gave him a confused look, he nervously
shook his head.

The Kyrio didn’t say a word but stared hard
at each of them. Then he turned on his heel and left. Kees smirked
following him. A few minutes later several soldiers came in, sat
down, and began talking gregariously. Goshen was about to say
something when another group entered, guards, and separated Kira
from the rest. She disappeared in a mass of blue armor and the
others were taken to this tent.

On their way, Goshen and Declan had been
able to take in the state of the camp. Both grew more and more on
edge, the more they saw. This was a war camp, an amassing army.

Finally, Kira spoke, “They know who I
am.”

Fery put her hand over Kira’s, “They
wouldn’t hurt you, you’re an alm for Light.”

Kira shook her head, “It’s not like
that.”

“
You told them who you
were?” Goshen asked.

“
They already knew,”
Declan dragged a chair over to the fire pit and sat down, “at
least, that Kyrio knew who I was.”

“
What does that mean?”
Fery asked.

“
Who do you think hired
me?”

Kira and Goshen looked at Declan, who
shrugged. Fery continued, “So they know. You told them about the
Cruor?” Kira nodded.

“
But I don’t think these
soldiers know about us.” Declan said.

“
Why is that?” Goshen
asked. Just then, a soldier yanked at the entrance flap. He tugged
at it several times cursing and then burst inside. He had a sour
look on his face as he glared at the four, then he pulled back the
flap and the same Kyrio from the mess entered.

He nodded at the soldier, who left
begrudgingly, “So here we are.”

“
Who are you?” Fery asked
with caution.

The Kyrio bowed his head slightly. “I am
Kyrio Hylan Tobin,” he said with a fake smile, “And you would
be?”

Fery looked sidelong at Kira who nodded,
“I’m Fery Landis of Rikonen. I am…”

“
Wynne Landis’s daughter.”
Tobin broke in, “Where is your father?”

Fery didn’t say anything, but Tobin simply
waited with a serene look on his face. Goshen frowned, “Why are we
being held like this?”

“
Master Staad, it might be
best if you resist making demands. It’s going to be difficult
enough for me to smooth things over here in camp for
you.”

Goshen turned to Kira and asked quietly,
“You told him about me?”

“
Yes, she did,” Tobin
strolled around the fire pit taking the four in, “and from the
sound of things, it’s going to be very, very difficult to get you
re-integrated into The Cathedral. Considering your name was struck
from the roles and the justiciars have ruled you a criminal for
defying their judgment of you.”

“
I did nothing wrong, that
was a sham…” Goshen was furious, but Tobin merely closed his eyes
and waved him off.

“
I’ve no interest in the
particulars.” Tobin pointed at Goshen, “I will say the only way
you’ll be able to set things right will be at The Cathedral
itself.”

“
We were on our way to The
Spires.” Declan said with an uncharacteristic
sheepishness.

“
Obviously not quickly
enough.” Tobin glared at Declan, “But I can’t fault you for that,
you’ve done what was asked of you. Perhaps not ideally, but well
enough.”

“
What does he mean?”
Goshen asked Declan.

“
You never ask the right
questions Master Staad.” Tobin shook his head.

“
Declan was supposed to
deliver us to The Spires.” Kira replied.

“
Not quite,” Tobin nodded,
“I am part of a select coterie that are looking to end our nation’s
aggression.”

“
You mean The Blockade?”
Fery asked.

Tobin nodded, “Among other things.”

“
The other things being?”
Goshen said.

Tobin dismissed the question, “You’ll
discover at the right time.”

“
I need to know now.”
Goshen’s face was red. “I’m fed up with all this. I demand to
know…” Declan stood up and came over to him placing his hand on his
shoulder. Goshen threw him off, but then softened whispering an
apology.

“
He’s right, Kyrio Tobin,
we deserve to know about the forces acting on our fate.” Kira’s
voice was flat, disconnected.

“
Very well.” Tobin came
over to the chair where Declan had been sitting. He shooed him away
and sat. Declan and Goshen moved to the opposite side of the fire
pit to stand behind Kira and Fery. The four were facing Tobin
waiting for him to begin.

“
I suppose I should start
by asking just how much you know already and what exactly your plan
is.” When none of the four spoke, Tobin shrugged and
continued.

“
In this day and age,
information is currency. It is not only the force that binds not
just the wealthy and the aristocratic or allows the powerful to
maintain their station, but also the weapon through which more
wealth, better positions, and broader power is
achieved.”

“
Within my city of
Ardavass, there has been jockeying between the Spires since the
very founding of the city. Although a rising realm now, this
fundamental trait of my people has not changed. If anything, it’s
been exported to our neighbors. Most certainly to the clergy of
your sacred city of Sulecin.”

“
The Cathedral isn’t my
city.” Fery said defiantly.

“
It may not be, but it is,
superficially at least, your faith.” Tobin said assertively and
Fery turned her eyes down.

“
Not for all of us.”
Declan said in an attempt to defend her.

“
Master Rainway, your
faith is hardly something of my concern. In fact, I believe I have
it right here.” Tobin removed a purse from the sleeve of his
cassock. He held it in his palm as though he was testing its
weight. Apparently satisfied, he looked at Declan with emotionless
eyes and tossed the pouch to him. Declan let the purse hit him in
the shoulder and fall to the ground.

Tobin blinked as a wry smile crept onto his
face, “A new master now, Declan?”

“
I’ve always been my own.”
Declan said menacingly.

“
Have you?” Tobin said
dismissive, “Your contract with us is fulfilled. If you choose, you
may walk way knowing that several powerful and rich persons in
Ardavass appreciate your service.”

Goshen looked down at the purse, then up
into Declan’s face. Declan was stone glaring at Tobin. Goshen
whispered, “We wouldn’t think less of you.”

Declan turned his head locking eyes with
Goshen and growled, “That’s a damnable thing for you to say to
me.”

Goshen couldn’t help but smile. Fery was
looking up at the two the entire time. She picked up the purse and
put it in Declan’s hand.

“
You earned it.” She
said

Declan griped the purse and blushed a bit,
“I’m staying the course.”

Tobin clapped breaking the mood,
“Delightful. Shall I continue?”

“
Maybe with a bit more
directness.” Kira was staring into the coals. Her voice was eerily
distant.

“
Sorry if you’re
finding…”

“
Please, just...” Kira’s
eyes fluttered as she gestured for Tobin to go on.

“
My nation is in the wrong
when it comes to Rikonen. Those like myself are an extreme
minority; however we have the ability to pull necessary
strings.”

“
To end the siege?” Fery
asked.

Tobin nodded, “The individual at the head of
this army, Matis, is a spoiled and angry young man. He is eager to
prove his mettle, and he believes a war on Essia is his
chance.”

“
How is warring on the
whole of Essia going to end The Blockade?” Goshen
scoffed.

“
Matis will never reach
Essia.”

“
This army isn’t enough.
It’s not even enough to take Heveonen.” Fery said.

“
We are aware.”

“
What else are you aware
of?”

“
This army is growing.
More and more Novosar arrive by the hour.”

“
That still wouldn’t be
enough.”

“
It would if The Cathedral
supplied its paladins and justiciars.” Goshen added.

“
And that will certainly
happen if the Patriarch sanctions The Blockade.” Tobin held out his
hand calming the comments coming from the four. “But Matis is
inexperienced and impatient. He’s decided to march this entire army
on The Cathedral.” Goshen’s brow furrowed, Declan blurted out a
laugh, and Fery just shook her head. Kira, however, remained devoid
of emotion.

“
The discovery of Alm
Ambrose here,” Tobin gestured, “has convinced Matis that there is a
rogue faction within The Cathedral. A cancer that only he can
excise.”

“
That won’t stand.” Goshen
shook his head. “The Patriarch will mobilize the paladins and
justiciars for defense.”

“
Exactly,” Tobin said
smiling, “The Patriarch will refuse to sanction the The Blockade,
forced to take a stand against my nation’s passive aggressive war
on Essia. If Matis is fool enough to engage this army with The
Cathedral’s, he will be disgraced. Our minority will become a
majority and a proper balance will be restored. Essia will rise
again in the west, Cassubia will continue to beat as our world’s
spiritual heart, and Silvincia will grow in the east.”

Declan shrugged, “Everything right with the
world.”

“
That’s a bit too much
brinksmanship for my taste.” Goshen muttered.

“
What if he beats them?”
Fery asked sheepishly.

“
That would be great
surprise.” Tobin shook his head.

“
But it could
happen.”

“
Unlikely,” Tobin said,
“It’s a difficult maneuver, and Matis has no real experience. He
will push until he collapses.”

“
War is your tactic.” Kira
said flatly. She fixed her gaze on Tobin, “I’m going to be the
cause of a religious war.”

Goshen put his hand on Kira’s shoulder,
“That’s not the case.”

Kira put her hand over Goshen’s and gave a
weak smile, “You don’t know. This will not end in a bloodless
draw.”

“
That is true, I’m
afraid,” Tobin said, “But you’re presence has only sped up our
plan. We would have gotten him there with or without you.” Tobin
stood and brushed the front of his cassock off. “You need to make a
decision. To stay here in camp, where Matis will certainly use you
as a hostage for leverage, or go to Sulecin where our agents can
keep you safe.”

“
While an army marches on
the city and where those that tried to kill us are, still unknown?”
Goshen said.

“
Those are the choices.”
Tobin replied.

None of the four said anything. Kira stood
and nodded, “We’ll need to discuss our course of action.”

“
Don’t take too long.”
Tobin turned to leave, “I am certain that Matis will take you into
custody very soon.”

“
How soon?” Goshen
demanded.

Tobin pulled the tent drape back and without
looking back at them said, “Less than an hour.” The words hung in
the air in his absence.