The Conqueror by Louis Shalako Page B

both nations traded far up and down the coast. Aside from
their cargos and their trade, the news and talk they brought from
afar was worth its weight in gold. For a few pieces, they might
take extra special care in using their eyes, ears and
noses—sometimes serving more than one distant master. This often
worked out pretty well for all concerned, although it was a fine
balancing act for the asset in question.
    Typical for them, Garvin and Bibbs had
dragged a spare sail and some canvas covers out onto the duckboards
ahead of the mast. After their long night in the saddle, the
tension of their slightly-ambiguous position in the castle, and the
sheer physical exhaustion of the last few days, they had one thing
on their mind and that was sleep.
    “ Sails on the horizon,
sir.”
    “ Yes. Thank
you.”
     
     

Chapter Five
     
     
    It was a Council-of-War in everything
but name. Some of her ministers hadn’t been in the same room
together for quite some time. Quiet reigned here, surrounded by
heavily-framed walnut panels, and the tall windows that let in a
bit of light even on the darkest winter days.
    Weeks or even months had passed since
the last big crisis.
    What had seemed important enough at the
time, had faded into insignificance. But this was
different.
    Nobles who had laughed and politely
applauded at the presentation of Lowren, the barbarian king, were
at a total loss as to how to react, and so they reacted
badly.
    “ This is an outrage.”
Hermoslaus was her Attorney General.
    Having been badly shamed by the Lowren
incident, including the hijacking by subterfuge of his shipment of
prisoners, Hermoslaus was all for declaring war—on the Lemni. While
she was sure it was more for show than anything, it took some time
to sooth his ruffled feathers. Taez was somewhere off in the wings
awaiting his fate as well.
    Let him wait, she decided. When in
doubt, do nothing—let him wait for a long time.
    Let him be grateful, she thought. Let
him think that Lowren somehow displeased and disappointed me, and
that he had escaped in the night. Let him tremble for his head,
which was in no real danger, and let others seem him
tremble
    Her first order of business
had been to state publicly that certain staff were being punished,
and that others were on probation. The official statement gave no
names, and no further details. Some of the troops, once they freed
themselves and reported their assault and abduction, had been
reassigned to training duties. Others here in the palace were
expecting momentary transfer to remote frontier outposts. They
could talk all they wanted, and some versions of the story would
get around. They needed a certain amount of window dressing, and
the punishment of long-serving and fairly senior officers was
fairly convincing. The only oddity was that Nyron had been promoted
and given a field command of raw troops. He had been ordered to
whip them into shape. Forty miles from Windermere, Nandadere was a
garrison town and about as provincial as the dark side of the moon
in cultural terms. On the face of it, Nyron had been punished
for something.
    It sent a mixed message and that was
good sometimes. Let the enemy ponder on that one.
    “ I commend your spirit,
Lord Hermoslaus. The real threat is not from Lowren, who simply
doesn’t have the forces, but the Great Khan, who does. And we have
too much to recommend us as targets for his aggression…” She nodded
at the Minister of Commerce who winced slightly.
    What were positives yesterday were
liabilities today—Windermere had a thriving economy and a grain
surplus ten years running. Her granaries were full, although prices
were a bit low, but in the event of war the price would go up.
Wheat and other grains were the kingdom’s real wealth. Windermere’s
population had almost doubled in thirty years due to enlightened
policies and special immigration incentives to skilled
candidates.
    “ Lord Pell.”
    “ Ah, yes. Majesty.” She and
Theodelinda had