"We need extra men," he rumbled, deep voice filling the room.
Many in Eldova did not like Thur. Mistrust of outsiders might be part of that – the man who called himself Hingast knew all about mistrust – but his relative young age encouraged his enemies to pass him over for promotion.
The man who called himself Hingast soon put a stop to that nonsense. With his dark hair, dark eyes and dark skin, Thur blended easily with shadows, and he fought accordingly. Lurk, strike, retreat and lurk again.
He had never lost a battle.
"We need extra men," agreed Hingast, "but these fled the field at a critical moment in the battle. They are why we lost."
Thur pressed his full lips together in disapproval. "I do not like the idea of Eldovan fighting Eldovan."
Lowst grinned. "Being an outlander, that shouldn't bother you."
Thur turned his head to regard Lowst, but said nothing. Abruptly, Lowst decided his tunic needed a quick brush down and turned his attention to knocking imaginary dust to the floor.
Thur's intense gaze returned to Hingast. "We should try and get these men back on side," he said. "I understand the rumor that they all died is safest for their families, but we can and should still use them."
"They can't be trusted," pointed out Gusor.
Thur made an offhand gesture. "Execute the ringleaders, redeploy the rest. Their lives are forfeit anyway, and people here believe they are already dead, so we can use these people for our advantage."
"And how many of them have been turned into spies?" pressed Gusor.
Thur gave a guffaw of laughter. "Spy on what? How will they report and to whom? We do not need bring these people into Eldova. The possibilities are endless. We can use them to destabilize Marka. We can use them to attack supplies going into cities along the Marches. We can –"
"We can indeed," interrupted the man who called himself Hingast. "You and I are thinking along remarkably similar lines, General Thur."
Gusor and Lowst exchanged a look and a shrug.
"This is why General Lowst will ride out along the Marka Road and find all the stragglers. You will escort these men to Eldova. They are Mirrin's men, not tainted with the charges of cowardice and treason. But, if they have Markans in company, you must be prepared to use your initiative. Capture or kill any Markans you find."
Thur's expression was carefully neutral. Clearly a task he wanted, but Hingast needed Thur in the city. Now the orders were given, Lowst would prove competent enough.
Lowst would meet Mirrin's men along the Marka Road before any from his own group. The men who had fought under him would enter Eldova from the north These presented the greatest danger.
"Gusor, you will cover the North Road."
Gusor inclined his head.
"Ride east and north, and prevent these stragglers from reaching Eldova. Give their leaders the option of taking their men back to Marka, to raid our enemies at will."
"And if they refuse?" asked Gusor.
"Massacre them." Hingast spoke quietly.
Thur still looked too neutral. He had badly wanted one of these commands and he clearly disagreed with any notion of killing their own returning soldiers, no matter how cowardly.
Hingast turned to his favored General now. "How is the school coming along?"
Gusor and Lowst now assumed neutral expressions.
"Very well," replied Thur. "Several sylphs are almost ready to run with the army."
Hingast restrained a smile. The sylphs were trained harder, and faster, than in Calcan and Marka, but Eldovan sylphs were used to training that pushed them hard. The creatures were not quite so indulged here as further east.
"Good," he said. "Arrange a demonstration for us before your colleagues depart."
"I am unsure of the value of sylphs," said Gusor. "They are –"
Hingast interrupted. "They are another part of the reason we suffered such bad defeats last year and the year before," he said. "Attend the demonstration, and see for yourself."
Thur, who had listened when Hingast had outlined everything he knew about the Calcan sylph scouts, gave the other two Generals a tight nod of his head. "I recommend that, Majesty," he said.
For the first time since the meeting began, Thur smiled.
***
"We must camp somewhere off the road from now on," said Kelanus. "Too many caravans pass through here, rumors will start."
Mirrin nodded agreement. "We also need to learn how many patrols there are between here and Eldova," he said. "I recommend sending the sylphs ahead for that. We can do without them for a few days."
Kelanus smiled. "Quick to realize the advantage," he said.
Mirrin shrugged. "Not really that quick. Belaika showed the way, last year."
"We'll send the sylphs out this morning," said Kelanus. He grimaced. "All of them for as long a reach as possible."
"I also recommend we break up into smaller groups," said Mirrin.
"Two problems there," countered Kelanus. He gestured with his arms at the road. "More men are probably following these and we need to catch them."
"Do we?" Mirrin raised an eyebrow. "All the trustworthy Eldovans are already here, General Kelanus. You've already said you have no intention of laying my land to waste. And your second problem?"
"Is the question of trust." Kelanus smiled. "Are all these men trustworthy? Or will they report to the first Eldovan officials they meet? We can't afford to be betrayed now."
Mirrin looked around at the copse and seemingly endless grassland. "We stay here, we'll be betrayed for sure. We move around Eldova as one large army and we'll attract attention, probably of the unwanted sort."
"We'll move into Mpopa," said Kelanus, "but we mustn't stray far from the road. We should really stay on it as far as possible. Your suggestion about the sylphs is a good one, but who will watch our flanks and rear instead?"
"Humans can scout too; you must remember days before sylph scouts." Mirrin smiled. "We have scouts who, if not perhaps as good as your sylphs, are at least passable. Sergeant Nalred will detail men to keep their eyes open around us."
"So that's Shyamon gone too," muttered Kelanus. "Pity there's nobody to take over his serving duties; I'd just got used to having him around."
Mirrin laughed. "Surely a man of your stature can afford a sylph of his own?" he asked.
Kelanus shrugged. "Something I never got around to," he replied, vaguely.
Mirrin leaned back and a messenger was sent running, returning moments later with a single sylph infertile.
"Well, this one will serve you well enough," said Mirrin, gesturing towards the sylph. "Let me introduce Tula, one of our orphans. She will be delighted to take over Shyamon's domestic duties."
On first impressions, Kelanus suspected Tula was anything but delighted. She wore a startled expression that never seemed to change, or perhaps her eyes were naturally wide all the time. Her green work tunic looked worn and threadbare, the hem ragged and a blue elbow poked through. The sylph inside looked clean enough and Kelanus hoped she could perform her duties well.
"An orphan?" he asked.
Mirrin leaned foward and lowered his voice, though from the set of Tula's earpoints, she heard every word.
"Her owner was killed in a training accident," Mirrin told Kelanus. "But she can still serve."
Kelanus looked at the infertile, and Tula immediately averted her eyes. This sylph would be nowhere near as independent as the scouts and he suspected she needed much more attention.
"I'm sure Tahena will keep her eye on you while we travel," he told her.
Tahena sighed. "Thank you," she muttered, and turned her gaze to the newcomer. Tula looked unconvinced by the warm smile. "Well, you'd better walk alongside me," continued Tahena. "Or you can come up if you prefer to ride."
Tula shook her head. "Walk," she whispered.
"Suit yourself."
So, half a day later, Kelanus led his detachment into the first Eldovan Prefecture. Mirrin brought up t
he rear, leading the last group, as the only commander Kelanus felt he could trust. Kelanus kept his own people close, which meant Hanmer, Felis and Tahena rode with him. But should the Eldovans decide to change their status, Kelanus and his companions could probably do nothing to stop them.
All five sylph scouts now ranged far ahead, with even Shyamon acting as messenger. That just meant he was the closest scout, and probably about three milas away by now.
Together with his wife, the other two Calcanese, a group of Eldovans disgruntled to be under his command, and an orphaned Eldovan sylph who seemed as reluctant as her fellow Eldovans, Kelanus marched deeper into enemy lands.
The scout assigned to his group was a thin man named Vaul. His hands, face and clothes were painted in shades of green and brown. Kelanus realized that Belaika had – even if accidentally – given some secrets away while a captive.
"I spoke with Belaika several times," Vaul announced proudly, when Kelanus asked about the paint. "And I'm pleased to have met him. He is a remarkable sylph."
It seemed Belaika had won the respect of all the Eldovan scouts – certainly of those who had marched with Mirrin the previous year. Most had copied the idea of increasing their camouflage by painting themselves.
"He wasn't treated well by everybody," said Kelanus.
Vaul shrugged. "Nicolfer denied him water," he replied. "Some of us made sure he got some though."
"And Sergeant Somersen?" pressed Kelanus.
Vaul's brown eyes hardened. "Cavalry," he said, as if that explained everything.
Kelanus almost laughed. Rivalry between different parts of an army was not restricted to his own. "Well, Scout Vaul, you had better attend to your duties."
Vaul grinned and melted away, soon out of sight.
For the moment, Kelanus led his men along the road, easier going than the grassland on either side. Their lone cart rumbled at the rear and Kelanus had ensured this one carried the weapons. Trust only went so far.
Tahena rode immediately behind, with Hanmer and Felis beside her, holding her in conversation. But Kelanus did not ride alone.
Despite handing her over to his wife, Tula strode at his stirrup, looking neither left nor right, easily keeping pace with his horse. Her earpoints twitched in all directions, though her eyes concentrated on where she walked. Now and then, he overheard a light mutter as she mumbled to herself.
Kelanus glanced around and reveled in the warm sunshine. He almost told the infertile that today was a glorious day to be alive before remembering this sylph had lost her owner. He must choose his words carefully.
"Water, donenya?" Tula asked.
Kelanus looked down and blinked. "Thank you." He accepted the proffered skin and tipped some of the cool water into his mouth. "Having any yourself?" He passed the skin back.
Tula stoppered it. "Not yet thirsty," she replied.
Her brief reply did not bother Kelanus, more than used to sylph terseness. They were not a voluble species at the best of times, and Tula still had little idea of Kelanus's ways.
"You can relax," he told her. "We're not monsters."
Tula looked at him wide-eyed and startled. Or perhaps she always wore that expression.
Kelanus laughed. "You don't have to answer."
Slowly, gradually, the land changed. Grassland gave way to pasture, with domestic animals grazing peaceably. One or two cows lifted their heads to regard the passing humans with curiosity, and sheep that had strayed onto the road scattered before their horses.
In the distance, smoke rose lazily into the air and Kelanus lifted a hand to halt the small column. He pulled his spyglass free and inspected the land ahead.
"Farm," he grunted.
Kelanus supposed it looked like any other farmhouse. A tiled roof rather than thatch, limewashed walls and small windows. The attached barn also had a tiled roof, and a couple of other outbuildings helped form a square. Kelanus thought he could see children playing in the yard.
"Go around, Sir?" asked Hanmer, joining his commander.
"We may as well look as if we belong," replied Kelanus. "We'll continue past."
"Very good, Sir."
Lieutenant Kadyah spurred his horse forward until he joined Kelanus. "People here are usually wary of soldiers," he said.
"Thanks to Eldovans, people everywhere are usually wary of soldiers," replied Kelanus. "Don't think that we don't know who was really responsible for all the raiders."
Kadyah sniffed. "There are Eldovans and Eldovans," he replied.
"Granted," agreed Kelanus. "But it wasn't your enemies who created the Barren. What a waste." He shook his head in despair.
Kadyah dropped back.
"What does Tula think?" Kelanus leaned down. "Should we pass or go around?"
Tula looked even more startled than before. "I am just a sylph," she replied.
"You should know there are humans who hate hearing those words," said Kelanus. He smiled. "You are a living creature, not a machine. Machines are blind and simply do; sylphs are not and form opinions. I would like to hear yours, please."
"And if donenya does not like what he hears, what then?"
Kelanus's smile broadened. "See? You have some backbone. At least, you expressed yourself to me. If donenya doesn't like what he hears, then he can ignore what you say, or debate with you, or consider your words. So tell me what you think: should we pass, or go around?"
"We should pass," said Tula.
"Why do you think that?"
Tula's mouth worked soundlessly for a few seconds. "They will see if you try to go around and wonder why you behave so strangely. So they will report it to the next patrol they see."
Kelanus smiled. "Now that wasn't too difficult. You have no need to fear me, Tula."
The infertile looked at him for a long moment before she turned her head away.
Kelanus's attention returned to the farm ahead. He had made a small beginning with the sylph. Much better to have one who would speak plainly, which was why he regretted having none of the scouts nearby, than a sylph who simpered or served in sullen silence.
Tula still walked without turning her head, but Kelanus fancied her step was lighter now. Hopefully, she might find some happiness while serving him.
***
As the small column approached, the children disappeared. Only one farmwoman remained, leaning on her broom to watch them pass in silence. Sadly, the road led them right past the house, though it did at least skirt the edge of their farm.
Kelanus had ridden along roads that passed between house and barn. For some strange reason, he always felt he was trespassing.
He smiled and nodded to the farmwoman, but she stared back blankly.
Kelanus turned to Tahena. "I really do not know what has been done to these people. Was Hingast really such a despot?"
"If not him, then perhaps some of his followers," replied Tahena.
Tula looked terrified that Kelanus might ask for her opinion and tried to make herself invisible. Being a sylph, and despite blue skin, she almost succeeded.
"We will pause over the next rise," announced Kelanus. "Anybody have any way of letting Vaul know?"
"He'll have at least one eye on us," said Kadyah.
"Good."
Once the farm was out of sight, they found a likely spot to stop for a quick meal. Somewhere to water the horses and top up their own supplies. They left the road and relaxed on the ground.
Tula waited on Kelanus and Tahena. Without alovak, she ensured they had plenty of water and that they had the best of the food on offer. She gave Kelanus's horse a wary look, but made no move toward it.
There, Shyamon found them.
He gave Tula a neutral look before turning away. Nothing unusual in that: males and breeding females usually ignored infertiles, and Kelanus knew he could do nothing to change the behavior. Friendships between the breeding sexes and infertiles, such as that between Belaika and Jenn, were rare.
"A report, Shyamon?"
The sco
ut nodded.
"You could have given it to Vaul."
Shyamon grinned. "More fun to sneak past him," he replied. "He will be angry when he realizes what I've done with his bootlaces."
"Shyamon, this is no time for silly tricks." Kelanus gave the scout a stern look.
The sylph did not even have the grace to look embarrassed. "A wager," he said. "We have a wager."
"The Father save us," muttered Tahena. "Another gambling sylph."
The scout gave her a wary look. All the sylph scouts knew what they sensed when nearby and were suitably careful in all their dealings with her.
"I'm waiting, Shyamon," prompted Kelanus.
The sylph pulled himself together. "There are no patrols along this road that we can see. Belaika is furthest scout and he reports nothing."
"Are there any other roads joining this one?"
"Not that we've seen," answered the scout. "A couple of farm tracks, but that's the lot."
"How far is Belaika?"
"Far enough to give a lot of notice if a patrol comes," replied Shyamon. "If he stays where he is, you would take a day and a half to reach him."
"Plenty of time to hide." Kelanus smiled. "You've done well, Shyamon. I was tempted to give you some choca, but as you've been playing tricks on Vaul, you can just return to your duties."
Shyamon gave Kelanus a sylph's slow blink and his earpoints wilted. "Se bata," he said.
As the sylph disappeared again, Tahena laughed. "Now that was cruel," she said. "But the look on his face..."
"He shouldn't be messing about with the human scouts," said Kelanus, unsmiling. "Wager or no wager."
Tahena shook her head. "Too many of these sylph scouts are involved in betting and gambling. It's not right for them."
"So long as it doesn't interfere with their duties, it's not our problem," replied Kelanus.
"Well if Shyamon decides to sulk after what you said to him about choca, it might become our problem."
Kelanus sniffed, then became aware of Tula's expectant gaze.
"Donenya says I should speak," she said, though her earpoints betrayed inner nervousness.
"I do." Kelanus smiled. "Go ahead."
"If that scout is not getting his choca," she said, "can I have it instead?"
***
As the small group readied itself to move on, complete with a very happy sylph still licking her lips after the rare treat of choca, a small speck rose from the farm they had passed.
The pigeon circled higher and higher, until it was almost invisible in the bright sky. Once at height, the bird orientated itself and soon headed directly for Eldova.