(eng) L. E. Modesitt - Saga of Recluce 18 by Heritage of Cyador

Author:Heritage of Cyador [Cyador, Heritage of]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

XXVIII

Just before fourth glass of the afternoon, Norstaan hurries into the study adjoining the bedchamber where Rhamuel is resting. At least, Lerial hopes he is resting.

“Have the men found any more survivors … or bodies?”

“Ah … yes, ser. Several more servants … and … the heir.”

“Lord Natroyor?”

“Yes, ser. His skull was crushed by stone blocks. It was even hard to see it was him.”

Meaning that there’s likely no way to tell if his throat had been cut as well. “What about that functionary … Dafaal?”

“No, ser. There’s no sign of him, but there’s no way to get to most of the third level. That must have been where the explosion was.”

Where all the repairs were going on! Lerial nods. The only question is whether Dafaal was part of the plot, or whether someone used Dafaal’s insisted-upon repairs as a way to smuggle whatever exploded into the palace. Certainly, Lerial himself had seen plenty of barrels. Who knew what might have been in some of them?

A guard raps on the study door and then peers in. “Commander Sammyl has just arrived, and he’s on his way here.”

“Thank you. Have him come here.”

“Yes, ser.”

Once the outer door closes, Lerial says, “I’d like to hear what he has to say.” He would not only like to hear, but would like to know why Sammyl hasn’t sent any reports on what has been happening in the battle around South Point. The scouts Norstaan has sent have only been able to determine that the Heldyans have continued to land flatboats and troopers, that Drusyn appears to have contained the attackers, if temporarily, and that the Heldyans have chaos-mages who have occasionally sent chaos-bolts against the defenders. Matters to the north of Swartheld appear clearer, but not necessarily better. The short dispatch from Subcommander Dhresyl stated that he was in command because the explosion at the Harbor Post killed Commander Nythalt and Subcommander Klassyn, as well as other subcommanders, and that the remaining four battalions had managed to repulse an initial attack from the north. And Haesychya and Kyedra are safe at Aenslem’s villa.

After some time, and food, Lerial only feels a dull aching in his skull, rather than the intense throbbing pain he had felt earlier. He has considered moving to support the Afritan Guard, but Rhamuel has suggested he wait until matters become clearer. Except … you’ve likely been waiting too long.

Moments later, the outer door opens, and Sammyl steps through. “I’m surprised to see you here, Overcaptain.”

“Oh? Why might that be?” replies Lerial.

“With attacks in the north and south … one might even accuse you of … excessive discretion.”

“That’s always possible when people make erroneous assumptions, Commander.”

“Erroneous?”

“Such as believing the Mirror Lancers have not fought.”

“Perhaps I should have suggested that remaining in the field might have shown less excessive discretion…”

“Perhaps you should have, but then, after we stopped the first advance from the north, with but a single company, had we remained and been obliterated by four chaos-wizards and four more battalions, who

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