Kelanus nodded. "Yes."
"My name's Sallis ti Ath and I have a warrant for your arrest and return to Marka."
"I'm returning to Marka voluntarily."
"So long as you accept that you are under my arrest until you reach the Markan authorities."
"Of course."
A small smile played about Sallis's mouth, gone an instant later. Had Kelanus imagined it?
"There is something more you must know," continued ti Ath.
"Oh?" Kelanus ignored Tahena's presence beside him, and a delighted Neptarik, whooping and tugging at someone's hand further along the jetty, barely registered.
"The armies of Cadister, Fraller, Shium and Duning have united to form a grand army some six thousand strong, but they cannot find a commander acceptable to all sides. I put your name forward and they seemed eager to accept your application."
"What?"
Even Tahena looked confused. She had not expected this.
"Marka is besieged," continued ti Ath. "Mitigating circumstances will be allowed at your trial; should you be the man to lift the siege, an Imperial pardon is little to ask. Assuming you're found guilty, that is."
Kelanus frowned. The other man definitely smiled now.
Sallis ti Ath pointed further along the jetty, where an excited Neptarik dragged a man along with him. "Your companion Balnus persuaded me of your innocence, but the ultimate decision must rest with the courts." His eyes flickered briefly towards Tahena. "That Sandev is involved with you also helps persuade me."
Balnus strode forward and the two men clasped arms. "Pleased to see you again, sir."
"And you." Kelanus grinned.
Neptarik danced around them. "I tried to follow, enya," he squeaked, thrilled to be reunited with his owner. "But they stopped me."
"All right, lad." Balnus smiled down at his scout. "I'm sure you were more useful there than with me."
Tahena snorted, but said nothing.
Kelanus's attention returned to Sallis ti Ath. "Strange to think a man wanted for murder in Marka is expected to lead an army to relieve the city."
"The Trading Council is aware of the charges against you," said ti Ath, his face bland. "I made an appointment for you to meet the Council this evening. They speak for all four Prefects."
"They know what I stand accused of?" Kelanus looked unimpressed.
"I had to explain why I was chasing you." Sallis made a dismissive gesture with his hands. "I merely told them that you were needed in Marka, rather than wanted in Marka, but they know of you anyway."
"Thanks for that," muttered the General. His eyes widened. "How did you know I'd be here today for you to make an appointment?"
"No doubt I could impress you with some mysterious muttering about the Father's Gift," chuckled ti Ath, "but I only made the appointment when we sighted your ship."
Tahena's dark eyes glittered at Sandev's former student. "Convenient answer," she growled.
"But a true one." Ti Ath refused to be drawn further.
Kelanus glimpsed Cloudy and called up to her. "Can we borrow that cabin again for an hour?"
The ship's sylph waved an arm. "Come aboard and welcome." Busy, she disappeared from view.
Once in the cabin that three of them had shared until very recently, Kelanus turned to his captor.
"There are things I must know," he began. "What does this army consist of? What are its officers like with regards to efficiency and competency; are they aware that if they march with me, they march under the Vintner Banner; do they know who and what they face?"
Sallis ti Ath indicated the seats. "This may take a little time. I suggest we sit."
***
Ean-y-Felis pushed through the grass, disturbing it as little as possible. Moving stealthily, he noted everything about the army before him. The sun already stood more than halfway between its meridian and the western horizon, yet the soldiers drilled on. Although there were three different banners and at least two ways of doing things, it was apparent to Ean's relatively inexperienced eye that this well trained army looked ready to fight. He had not discovered its intentions, but he had learned a lot about it already. His first day and he had ascertained its size and composition. As he moved, he recalled his instructor's words:
"Remain still when you can. All humans are predators and will detect movement without ever seeing who or what moved. If you must move, make it as little as possible."
Ean knew that every scout remembered these words, or a similar form of them. All humans are predators. When it came to keeping still, he ranked among the best of scouts and moved less than most. His camouflage helped keep him invisible, but his observations came to an end when he realized that the troops had finished their exercises for the day. They now returned to the city below the training fields. He waited a decent time before backing away from the training ground, eyes and ears open for anything out of place, just in case some human scouts from the Cadisteran army were still out. It would never do for the people he supposedly watched to capture him.
Entering his small and discreet camp, he immediately realized something had gone wrong.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded, rubbing his arms as if it had suddenly grown very cold.
Kerfan and Hepheta, complete with bedrolls, looked up from the hollow, earpoints wilted and silver eyes wide. Neither looked happy. Unlike Ean, they were not collared, showing their status as wild sylphs and therefore only partly trained. Which was why an inexperienced scout led the small group. Ean had dug his byawta into the hollow, a small cave almost completely hidden, where he had made his temporary base.
"Do not blame them," came a deep human voice, from behind.
Ean spun around and his eyes widened. The old man leaning casually on his staff had not been there moments before. Could not have been there. Piercing blue eyes transfixed him for a moment, before he recognized the short man.
"Grayar-ya." Ean nodded in recognition.
Grayar glanced up at the sun. "Gather your belongings," he said, "we've not got much time."
Ean took half a step backwards and widened his eyes, while his earpoints slanted forwards questioningly.
"We're going into the city," explained Grayar.
Ean shook his head. "My orders –"
"Have changed." Grayar's blue eyes hardened. "Do not worry, you and I fight on the same side. That army is intended to relieve Marka and lift the siege."
The scout still hesitated, aware of his companions' frightened eyes.
Grayar sighed. "You do not trust me, which I understand. All right, let us assume I am not on your side, that I have caught you spying and intend to turn you in to the authorities here." He raised an eyebrow. "Well?"
"Obbub!" Ean hissed to the other sylphs before sprinting away. He had barely taken a step before the air thickened about him and he could not move. Neither wild sylph had made any attempt to flee. Hepheta even wrung his hands in despair. Grayar must have done something to enforce such obedience in sylphs usually so proud of their freedom and independence.
Grayar shook his head. "Nobody is running anywhere," he said.
Ean struggled against the nothingness holding him.
"You have a choice, Ean-y-Felis. You may come to Cadister and learn to trust, or I'll take you there and teach you to trust. Which is it to be?"
Ean reached his decision quickly. "I will come with you into the city," he said, expression mistrustful. He would go into the city quietly, but he had given no promise to stay there.
***
"We had despaired of ever finding a commander acceptable to our coalition." Khel Ar Zhanost, leader of the trading council of Cadister, Fraller, Shium and Duning, and probably the effective ruler of them all, steepled his fingers and leaned forward, dark eyed gaze boring into Kelanus. He continued. "When Sallis ti Ath recommended you, we were astonished to learn you were available."
Twelve councilors sat around the horseshoe-shaped table, watching Kelanus who sat in the middle like a penitent. Except that the G
eneral knew these people were the supplicants. Two guards stood just inside the door and infertiles stood ready with refreshments.
"You've heard of me?" Kelanus's bass rumble sounded ominous. A sylph scurried to top up his glass at a sign from another councilor. "And if you have no commanders who know the work, what sort of army is it you expect me to command?"
Khel managed a small laugh. "Modesty is a wonderful thing, but too much is as bad as arrogance. My dear General, your reputation in the field is held in high esteem throughout the former empire, and possibly even further afield than that."
Kelanus narrowed his eyes. If they had heard of him as a commander, then they must know the rest as well. Would he ever be free from those bloody, bloody accusations? He waved his glass in an expansive circle. "Your own commanders are not up to it?"
Another of the councilors opened his mouth angrily, but Khel placed a restraining hand on his arm. "We unite against common enemies, but among ourselves, we have a treaty of offense and defense in perpetuity. We've fought each other at least as often as outsiders. We have capable generals, just not one acceptable to all as overall commander. This is a political problem, General Kelanus, not one of ability."
"I don't want the army turning against itself the very moment we need discipline most. Men win battles and if they aren't up to it, then it doesn't matter how brilliant your commander is."
Khel steepled his fingers before leaning forward again. "You'll find the men are reasonably experienced and as disciplined a crowd as any other army you have commanded. That I swear to you."
Kelanus nodded. "Any army I command marches under the Vintner Banner."
"We know." Khel's dark eyes hardened. "Kelanus Arus Butros, we are first and foremost traders, but we squabble about almost everything else. Including who to command a combined army, or the ensign it marches under. This is why we are pleased to have an outsider command it, provided we command him."
"I've been about a bit, Councilor, and people do nothing unless they see some benefit for themselves." Kelanus's pale blue eyes locked with Khel's. "Philanthropy is not your goal here." He swirled the contents of his glass round and around, but shook his head as the sylph with the flagon stepped forward again. His gaze remained fixed on the councilors.
"Marka has an Emperor again," replied Khel. A smile flickered briefly.
"So?"
"The benefits of a strong, ascendant Marka far outweigh the costs. Despite Imperial taxes, benefit to trade is incalculable when Marka is strong. A huge benefit to trade."
"And if you liberate Marka, doubtless you wish to exert some control over it." Kelanus's eyes flashed.
"No more than due influence, which every Prefecture enjoyed anyway." Khel leaned forward again. "There is something you will take with you; one of my messengers will carry it. So you know, it is a petition to His Majesty in Marka." He put a scroll on the table, lifting it from somewhere below. "I will read it to you."
"They do teach some of us how to read further north." Kelanus leaned forward to take the scroll.
"I will read it." Khel's expression hardened again and the General sat back, sensing something rather more important than who read the contents of a scroll was at stake. Khel bent his head back, putting distance between the scroll and his eyes. He began to read.
"To Zenepha, by Siranva's choice Emperor of Marka, her Prefectures and Dependencies; Dominator of the World, Guardian of the Key, Commander of the Shadow Riders and Lord Protector of Gwerins, we the undersigned send greeting!
"We, the ancient Prefectures of Cadister, Fraller, Shium and Duning send to You, Most Munificent and Imperial Majesty, this petition of ceding Sovereign Right of said Prefectures to Your Throne, for governance by You, Your Sires or Successors in the name of Mark, First and Founding Emperor. Signed, this day in Cadister:
"Eylam Ar Mhinos, elected Prefect of Cadister; Sandan Elad Hindanes, hereditary Prefect of Duning; Valad don Rovan, elected Prime Councilor of Fraller; Jerod Ar Linost, elected Prefect of Shium."
Khel glanced at his fellow councilors, as if to ensure they had all understood. Kelanus realized the Trading Council did not unanimously accept ceding their independence. It was irrelevant. He had a job to do and an army at his back to do it.
Khel continued. "You will assume command?"
Kelanus nodded. "I will command your army, provided I have full control over it and my staff officer – Captain Balnus – is accepted and paid as such."
"Captain?" Khel's eyebrows lifted. "I was given to understand Balnus is a private soldier."
"He has this moment received a field promotion. Well within his capabilities."
"Very well." Khel inclined his head. "I am certain you want to inspect your command."
"I do." Kelanus managed a small smile to show he had heard the dismissal. "Please complete all the necessary paperwork with my companion and advisor, Tahena Mithon." He bowed, turned on his heel and left.
"Kelanus." In the hallway, Tahena caught his arm.
"You're wanted in there," said the General, smiling now. "A paper trail needs to be completed."
"Thank you very much." Irony twisted Tahena's mouth before she remembered why she had stopped him in the first place. "I'd like you to meet Grayar."
The General bowed to Grayar, a short man with impressive blue eyes and silver hair that suggested great age. "Pleased to meet you."
Grayar returned the bow. "And I have longed to meet you, General Kelanus," he replied. "I've heard much about you, particularly from Sandev."
Kelanus groaned. "Since meeting her myself, it seems everybody I come into contact with knows Sandev. Yet another of her former students?"
Sallis ti Ath snorted and shook his head, while Balnus stared.
"Not precisely." A smile fleeted across Grayar's face. "You might say she is a former student of mine."
The General went very still. "She was your student?" he whispered.
"In another age and another place, with another name. A long story." Grayar's expression hinted he was not about to share. "To more important matters. Your army must move tonight; Marka is in mortal danger and might fall this very evening. I will move you."
"How? You're still wanted in there, Tahena."
Tahena scowled at him, before she disappeared into the chamber.
Grayar touched the foci in his pocket, but did not remove them. The things should not still exist, but he thanked the Father they did. "I'll move you almost to Marka's gates. You must be quick to formulate your battle plan with your scouts and field commanders."
"Slight problem, Grayar-of-the-Ten." Kelanus's eyes flashed. "I have only one sylph scout and whatever human scouts these people might have. Despite how protective I am about my own race, sylph scouting is far superior to anything we can manage. Unless you can magick me five or so sylph scouts out of thin air, we may end up fighting our own people if we just... appear."
"If only I had five." Grayar's voice was dry, his expression wry. "If someone had told me, I might have brought some with me. Though I did find three waifs and strays on my way here." He turned and gestured towards the door. "As you will see once you get out there."
Kelanus expected to see Sallis ti Ath, together with Balnus and Neptarik as he left the building. He stared at the three painted sylphs stood outside.
"Ean?"
The named scout looked embarrassed. "General Kelanus, donenya." He glanced at Grayar. "Please forgive me for doubting you."
The silver-haired man smiled. "Apology accepted, Ean-y-Felis."
Kelanus knew the other two sylphs for wild ones by the way they stared at everything with open mouths, and the lack of collars. He turned to Neptarik. "As you're not painted, you'd best stay with me as messenger."
"Se bata." There was some whispering between the wild scouts, before they disappeared around the corner. Neptarik followed them and Ean lingered.
"Horses," muttered Kelanus, a thousand things whirling around in his head. "We need horses."
"Already
arranged," smiled Balnus.
"Congratulations on your promotion, Captain Balnus."
"Captain?" Balnus's eyes widened. "When? How?"
Kelanus smiled. "It's deserved. We're just waiting for Tahena. Can anybody tell me how big this army is?"
"Six thousand," said Ean, promptly. "One thousand horse, forty-five hundred infantry and five hundred bombardiers with forty catapults."
"Somebody told you that," said Sallis ti Ath, a man rarely astonished.
"I counted it for myself. Mostly." Ean gave the criminal hunter a hard stare.
Ti Ath spread his hands in mock surrender.
"Thank you Ean." Kelanus smiled. "Grayar, do you intend taking us to Marka now?"
"As soon as possible. I'm sure you need to meet your field commanders and troops before we go, but I urge you to keep your speeches brief."
"You have my word." Kelanus's expression hardened as he began to wind himself up, knowing he'd be fighting before much more time passed. "What was the situation outside Marka when you left?"
***
"You were not posted as deserters; we failed to understand that."
Ean did the talking, while Hepheta and Kerfan relegated themselves to bystanders. The wild scouts were initially wary of Neptarik. He had not been involved in their rescue and they'd had no chance to get to know him before he left Marka. They listened to the conversation.
"Enya had the blessing of His Majesty," replied Neptarik. He grinned at the wild sylphs – were they still wild, now they were scouts? "We were commanded to help Kelanus-ya escape."
"A pretty row that caused. It is the reason Zenepha is Emperor and not Marcus-ya. Why has Kelanus come back?"
"We sought evidence to clear his name. He did not kill Branad-ya and he did not do those... other things before either." Neptarik raised his head. "General Ranallic's real name is not Ranallic. He murdered his master, the man training him, and stole his name."
Hepheta and Kerfan exchanged a look.
Ean shook his head, easily confused by the intricacies of human interpersonal relationships. The sooner he returned to his owner, the better. He had been promised a wife when the siege ended. There were several willing candidates, but his owner had to arrange things with the lucky one's owner. He pushed the thought of tiny sylph's feet pattering to the back of his mind. But for now he must make the best of being here.
"We will be busy, with only four," remarked Neptarik. "I doubt if the human scouts will be much use."