The Liedfuhr holds his aching head in his overbroad hands for a moment, then massages his temples before looking up at Bassil, who stands, patiently, before the study desk. “The shadow sorceress is in Encora?”
“That is what your seers show. The Sea-Priests did not fare well in Ebra and retreated to their vessels. She destroyed five in the short passage across the Gulf to Ranuak.”
“That is well, but hardly enough. Now the sorceress will remain blocked in Encora unless she can break one of their fleets,” Kestrin points out. “The sea has always been the strength of Sturinn. Until then and unless she does, what can she do?” He frowns, leaning back in the padded desk chair. His eyes flick to the windows at the howling of the late afternoon wind that promises yet more snow, then back to the overcaptain. “She will not divert the Sturinnese for a moment. Nor will it help Aerlya.”
“For the moment, your niece holds Neserea,” Bassil states.
“For the moment, and only because the Sorceress of Defalk has removed two of this Belmar’s allies, and destroyed bridges and who knows what else, but it is not enough. Each week that passes tempts more to back the usurper.”
“The sorceress is hampered by having to defend Aerlya and Annayal, as well as fighting Belmar and his Sturinnese sorcerer.”
“Yet Lord Robero will send no other sorceress to her aid. So I must send aid.”
“You will risk his wrath?”
“What wrath? I will send the lancers in Unduval through the Mittpass, along with another fifty companies, including the thirty in Deleator. They will answer to Aerlya, Annayal, and the Sorceress of Defalk—in that order—and I will send a message to Lord Robero to affirm that, although he may not receive it until all is moot. Still, he wants Belmar as the new Prophet of Music even less than do I.”
“I foresee even greater conflict,” Bassil says quietly.
“So now you think I err?” Kestrin looks at the overcaptain.
“No, sire. I fear I may have advised you too cautiously. I would have your lancers proceed against any of Belmar’s allies who stand without his sorcerous aid. Leave Belmar to the sorceresses. I would also place what companies you can northwest of Envaryl.”
“To give the Sturinnese in Dumar pause?”
“If anything will,” admits Bassil.
“And should I prepare to send another set of lancers through Aleatur once the snows melt?”
“If you can.”
Kestrin stands and looks to the northmost window, studying the dark clouds that loom in the late afternoon. “To think that all Liedwahr is at war or stands on the brink, when all was calm and peaceful not a half-year ago.”
“Much has happened since then, sire.”
“What? Two people died…just two people.”
“They were not just two people,” Bassil points out. “They were the two who created that peace and who ensured that all Liedwahr was united against Sturinn. Now you must do the same.”
“Me? And who else?”
Bassil does not answer.
In time, the Liedfuhr’s eyes turn toward the window and the clouds massing to the north.