Soarers Choice (2 page)

Dainyl
bowed and seated himself. Behind him, the door clicked shut.

“Dainyl.
First, let me offer my congratulations and my gratitude.” With the words came a
feeling of warmth.

Dainyl
did not trust that feeling entirely, because he had no
i.e.
whether it was genuine. The Duarch was so accomplished with Talent and shields
that he could conceivably project the feeling without revealing what lay behind
the projected emotion.

“I
understand from what the High Alector has said,” continued Khelaryt, “and from
what he has refrained from saying, that the incidents in Hyalt and Tempre were
far more than the minor revolt that is the official description. I also
understand that you had anticipated this ... possibility ... and were ordered
not to act until actual misuse of lifeforce energies occurred.”

Dainyl
waited. He had not been asked a question.

“You
are deferential, Marshal.”

“As
I should be, sir. Would you like a fuller explanation of the events?”

“I
will request two explanations. The first will be a complete one, and that is
for me alone. The second one will be for several other High Alectors — those of
Finance and Transport, and the High Alector of Engineering from Ludar. You will
not tell them everything, and based on what you tell me, I will suggest what
should go no farther. You may proceed.”

“Yes,
sir.” Dainyl cleared his throat. Even though he had planned what to say,
carefully, he was still less than sanguine about briefing the Duarch, because
he knew that, despite Khelaryt’s immense Talent, the shadowmatch conditioning
of a Duarch resulted in blind spots and seeming irrationalities. “It began in
early spring when I visited Alustre, under the orders of Marshal Shastylt and
the High Alector of Justice. There I discovered a number of patterns, small
things, seemingly, that suggested all was not as it should be....” He went on
to tell about Brekylt’s comments, what he had discovered about the
“substitution” of key Myrmidon personnel, and then about the attacks on him,
both by the regional alector in Dulka and by the then-commanding officer of the
Seventh Myrmidon Company. He also mentioned the diversion of engineering resources
at Fordall, and the mysterious deaths used to cover up the details, as well as
some of the attacks on him by the Recorders of Deeds, but only those that had
taken place in the Table chambers, and not those occurring while he had been in
transit between Tables. Those incidents would have revealed far too much about
his own abilities. “... and when Rhelyn complained about a wild lander Talent
in Hyalt, but declined firmly any Myrmidon assistance, it was clear to me that
we needed to move against Rhelyn before matters became even worse.”

“This
was when Marshal Shastylt ordered you to await further developments? Was that
because Rhelyn was regional alector and Recorder of Deeds in Hyalt?”

“I
assume so, sir. Shastylt told me that to act immediately would be unwise.”

“What
prompted him to change that decision?”

“That
happened some weeks later when I received a copy of a report from a Cadmian
battalion commander in Hyalt suggesting that road-building equipment had been
constructed and modified to be used against both Cadmians and Myrmidons.”

“You
received a copy directly? Is that not... unusual?”

“It
was very unusual. The majer had sent the original to his commander, as per
regulations, but a copy to me. It was clear he feared that too much delay in
relaying what he discovered would be unfortunate. When Marshal Shastylt read
the report, he ordered me to proceed....” Dainyl went on to describe the use of
Fifth Company pteridons out of Dereka, rather than First Company from Elcien.

“You
did not trust your own officers, Marshal?”

“I
trust First Company totally, sir, but it was clear to me from the beginning
that Colonel Dhenyr was someone’s tool. I had absolutely no proof, and frankly,
I was less than certain about what Marshal Shastylt was doing.”

“As
you unfortunately had every right to be.”

“The
other aspect of the matter that was especially troubling were the weapons that
were used by the forces of Regional Alector Fahylt. He had created his own
regional force of armed and mounted rifles, using landers and indigens, and a
smaller force of alectors armed with lightcutter sidearms. The mounted rifle
companies even had unmarked Cadmian weapons. Those I left in Cadmian custody,
but the lightcutters were sent under seal to High Alector Zelyert.”

Dainyl
could sense the Duarch’s surprise even before Khelaryt spoke.

“How
did that come to pass? Arming steers for use against Cadmians, and alectors
with lightcutters?” The sudden chill in the library matched the coldness of the
Duarch’s voice, and the Talent force of the Duarch felt strong enough to shake
the entire Palace. Belatedly, Dainyl realized that might have been a projection
of an illusion, although he wasn’t so sure of what had been real Talent and
what had been illusion.

“That
I do not know. I suspect that the lightcutters came from Fordall, and might be
another aspect of the engineering problems that resulted in Zestafyn’s death.
Fordall was certainly where the lightcannon used in Hyalt originated.”

“How
do you know those did not come from Faitel?”

“I
don’t, sir. But if they did not come from Fordall, why did someone go to the
extremes of creating mishaps and deaths and trying to cover up the use of
additional resources in Fordall and why were there no such diversions in
Faitel?”

“Why
indeed? Please continue.”

“It’s
likely that the unmarked rifles did come from Faitel, if Shastylt’s and High
Alector Zelyert’s assurances to me about the source of the unmarked rifles
happened to be correct.”

“They
were correct, and there were far more unmarked rifles produced than were
initially accounted for. So you are doubtless correct in that supposition.”

“Whether
the lightcannon and the lightcutters came from Fordall or Faitel, then their
presence, and that of the rifles, suggests that either the High Alector of
Engineering or someone high in engineering was involved.”

“That
is doubtless correct, but you will not mention that in briefing the High
Alectors. Only note that the rifles and light-weapons were present in large
numbers in the hands of indigen steers who were rebels.”

“Yes,
sir.”

“Pardon
me, Marshal. Please continue.” A smile followed the words, dispersing the sense
of doom and chill.

“There
isn’t much more to add. When I returned, Shastylt was so shocked that it led to
his death, as I told you earlier, and Colonel Dhenyr was so upset when I
suggested that I now had proof of his treachery that he attempted to kill me on
the spot with his sidearm.”

“Did
you threaten him?”

“Only
with the fact that I had proof. I did raise my shields.”

“And
he added to your proof. Fatally.” Khelaryt laughed deeply and warmly. “Did
Shastylt say much before his unfortunate ...shock?”

“He
said it would be easy to prove that Submarshal Alcyna and I were planning a
coup.”

“He
told me that you had gone to Hyalt without orders, and he was concerned. That
seemed unlike you.”

Dainyl
wasn’t at all surprised at that revelation. “He was the one who ordered me to
keep everything secret.” That wasn’t quite true. So had High Alector Zelyert.

“Why
did you?”

“Because
not doing so would have endangered the Myrmidons and Cadmians involved far
more.”

“So
you put your people ahead of other considerations?”

“No,
sir.” Then Dainyl shook his head. “Not exactly, sir. What I meant was that I
might not have had the resources to deal with each problem had they occurred at
once, which was likely if information leaked out before I could get the
Myrmidons from Fifth Company to Hyalt. We were able to isolate Hyalt. That
meant the Cadmians did not have to fight the mounted rifles from Tempre while
guarding the perimeters and that Fifth Company did not have to deal with the
misguided orders of Seventh Company while subduing Hyalt.”

“Put
that way, your actions are commendable. How do you propose to keep such ...
misunderstandings from occurring in the future?”

“I
had thought to promote Submarshal Alcyna to headquarters — immediately — with a
personal visit to Alustre.”

“That
might be for the best, under the circumstances.” The Duarch tilted his head to
the side, and a humorous smile appeared. “From what I have gathered, when one of
the Fifth Company Myrmidons was killed, you took his pteridon and led the
attacks. You were also instrumental, I understand, in keeping the casualties to
a minimum in persuading Seventh Company that their orders were ... misguided.
You also came up with a novel means of dealing with command in Seventh
Company.”

How
had the Duarch known that? Dainyl did not reply for a moment, then managed to
smile but slightly as he realized the source, belatedly recognizing a certain
resemblance. Yet, if the Duarch were conditioned against receiving or reading
any communications from his daughters ... It had to be Undercaptain Asyrk,
acting under Captain Lyzetta’s orders. He risked a guess. “She is exceedingly
courageous, sir, but I would not have guessed her heritage.”

“Say
no more, Dainyl. Your thoughtfulness and courage are greater than any marshal
in generations. Let us trust that they are sufficient for the challenges ahead,
and that they will help us bring the Master Scepter to Acorus.” The Duarch’s
face froze, if but for the tiniest fraction of an instant, Dainyl could sense
that conflict between what Khelaryt almost knew, and was not allowed to accept.

Even
knowing that, Dainyl barely managed not to betray his total shock.

“You
look concerned. Is it not best that the Master Scepter be transferred here?”

“I
am concerned, sir. I have done my best, but even so, much lifeforce was
squandered in the process, and you had told me earlier that the decision was
close and hinged on the surplus of lifeforce.” That wasn’t quite what the
Duarch had said, but what he had implied, and it was the best Dainyl could
offer.

Abruptly
the Duarch nodded, as if he had heard enough. “You did manage to minimize the
loss of lifeforce, especially by destroying hundreds of the rebel alectors from
Ifryn, who had no authority to be on Acorus.”

Dainyl
kept his expression pleasant and waited.

“All
is judged on lifeforce mass, yet today’s measurement does not always reflect
what it will be tomorrow or next year. Nor what a world will be or could be.”

“Yes,
sir.”

“As
always, as with all those who serve the Duarchy and the Archon, you have not
told me everything, have you?”

“No,
sir. As I told you the last time you requested my presence, we would be here
for days were I to do that. I will be happy to answer any questions you may
have, now or in the future, or to provide more details about anything.”

“That
you will.” Khelaryt laughed, not quite harshly, but the laugh was followed by a
sense of warmth. “How is Lystrana faring with your child?”

“She
fares well.”

“That
is good. She is one of the best chief assistants to any of the High Alectors.”

“So
I would believe, sir, although I am less than unbiased. She would do well at
anything.”

“You
think so?” Khelaryt asked, almost jokingly.

“She
has excellent judgment and can see much of what others do not.” All Dainyl
wanted to do was plant the germ of an idea.

“And
we are fortunate that she does.” The chill feeling returned to the library.
“Continue to be careful in what you believe of Zelyert, Dainyl. He sees both
more and less than he thinks he does. Be most careful.” Another smile appeared,
this one rueful as he rose again from behind the desk. “It is time for you to
brief the others.”

Dainyl
followed Khelaryt out through the library door and down the corridor.

Four
alector guards appeared, two walking beside him and two beside the Duarch,
escorting them to a conference room, scarcely larger than the library, but
containing only a large circular table with comfortable chairs — and three
alectors in shimmersilk greens.

Walking
into the conference room was like flying into the eye of a storm. While the
chamber was calm, Dainyl was all too aware of the Talent forces that circled
around him, yet the only one he truly feared for might of Talent was the
Duarch. The other three alectors who stood waiting around the Table exuded
Talent, but individually not that much more than did he, and he doubted if any
had shields as strong as his. Still, he certainly could not have prevailed
against any two together, or the Duarch alone, not that he ever wished to be in
such a position.

Dainyl
had seen all three High Alectors at functions, but only from a modest distance.
Chembryt was the High Alector of Finance, for whom Lystrana was the chief
assistant. Alseryl was High Alector of Transport, and Ruvryn was the High
Alector of Engineering. Dainyl had to wonder why Ruvryn was even in Elcien,
since he was based in the southern capital of Ludar and reported directly to
the Duarch Samist.

“Before
we have our meeting,” Khelaryt said quietly, “I have asked Marshal Dainyl to
brief you on the recent events in Hyalt and Tempre.” The Duarch seated himself,
as did the other High Alectors.

Dainyl
hoped he was to remain standing. It seemed appropriate, and no one had motioned
for him to seat himself. He cleared his throat and started. “There have been
many rumors and stories, so I’ve been told, about what happened in Hyalt. I
doubt that we will ever know all the reasons for what happened, but the
Myrmidons were drawn into the situation when we began to receive reports of
strange events in Hyalt. Then we received a documented report from a Cadmian
officer that verified that there were alectors in uniforms testing and
practicing with lightcannon...” Dainyl made the summary as brief as he dared,
concluding less than a quarter of a glass later, “... the entire complex at
Hyalt will require rebuilding, but there was little damage in Tempre.
Paradoxically, the Table damage in Hyalt appears far less grave than that in
Tempre.”