![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.jaredmcdaris.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Satari-Triangle-300x225.png\")
\u201cWe should not be doing this,\u201d Vintir mumbled, not for the first time.<\/p>\n\u201cWe should not be doing this,\u201d Vintir mumbled, not for the first time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not,\u201d said Hali. \u201cWe\u2019ve already finished. Speaking of, why are you still here?\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked like a wounded puppy at that, melting her heart. \u201cWhy\u2026 I thought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m joking, Vintir. Mother mine, but you grow sour as an old woman afterward.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry,\u201d he murmured, reaching a hand over. She was about to swat him away, but he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her toward him to kiss her again. \u201cI fear your disdain more than my enemy\u2019s sword. So brave on the field, yet I\u2019m such a coward in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI would not exactly call this a bed anyway,\u201d said Hali. They were on a quilted mattress that Vintir had brought with him from the Fire Mine, where he had been helping to put down another rebellion. Swift as the Commandrix\u2019 forces had ridden east, he claimed to have ridden twice as fast to catch up to them, so great was his need to see her. She expected his real need was glory everlasting against the Monosi hordes, but he sounded sweet all the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood,\u201d he whispered into her ear. \u201cLet\u2019s find a bed then. Perhaps I\u2019ll prove more courageous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, but we should not be doing this,\u201d she countered with her wickedest grin. She pulled herself out from under the sheets and stood, to fetch a towel and stretch her sore legs, but also just to get out from under the sheets. Hali had grown up in Khair the great port, far south and far colder. She said as much to the Commandrix when she finally brought the foot up the Bayan Ors Road to meet her, but the Commandrix said Dalsaman was not always this warm. Some of the heat from Supola Jengo, itself pushed down from the jungles of Monos, was getting blown into the bay early. All Hali knew was that Autumn in Dalsaman was hotter than the Summers in the rest of Zalja. It made the sex sweatier, for good or ill, but everything else was purely ill.<\/p>\n
She picked up her woolen shift and wrapped it around herself, simply to avoid standing naked in a tent, but regretted it quickly. \u201cI should have brought more linens,\u201d she moaned. \u201cI thought I\u2019d be in Khabar this time of year.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome back to bed,\u201d Vintir pleaded. \u201cIf you\u2019re too hot, I\u2019ll keep the sheets all to myself. For your sake.\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked down on him. Vintir was a hard man with a long face and sharp cheek bones, but his eyes were brown like thick honey, his shoulders and arms were still solid, and his belly was as flat as a man half his age. Besides, his beard and hair were well trimmed, and he washed every day. That last was a crucial point, and a rarity amongst paladins on the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat time is it?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cLate enough to be early. We\u2019d best get some sleep while we can.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I climb under those sheets again, I don\u2019t think it will lead to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m almost forty, Hali. I promise you my vigor is spent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow romantic,\u201d she said, but she dropped the shift and crawled back under the sheets with him, tucking her head between his chest and shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cI nearly killed my horse to reach you,\u201d he scolded mildly. \u201cWhat more can I offer? I\u2019ve broken vows for you. What would my wife say, if she saw us here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat would your wife say<\/em>? What would my husband do<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cImal is no warrior. I do not fear his fists.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you fear your wife\u2019s tongue?\u201d She would not say her name.<\/p>\n \u201cI am wise beyond my years.\u201d They both breathed in and out for a moment. \u201cWhy would you be in Khabar?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome bandits outside of the Solulan.\u201d<\/p>\n Vintir snorted at that. \u201cI\u2019m sure the Khabarese paladins can handle that. It sounds a little\u2026 beneath you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat could be beneath me? Before this, I was guarding a cattle train toward Ralah.\u201d And toward her husband, it must be considered. \u201cThat\u2019s not what I\u2019d name a holy calling. I\u2019ll be thirty come Winter, and no deeds to my name.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThirty is nothing,\u201d Vintir said at once. \u201cBesides, you\u2019re on the Commandrix\u2019 Six. We both are. What honor could be higher?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA Commander\u2019s Six is nothing. Once this campaign is over, those honors will vanish.\u201d She sat up, despite herself. \u201cWhen Ividar was my age, she had already slain the bandit king in Alwakha and the heretic out of Ikhan, both in single combat. She ended two great rebellions in two foreign cities, and marshalled armies seven other times, and people were singing her praises for years. And what have I done?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have saved many lives,\u201d he answered, still lying down. \u201cComparing yourself to Ges Ra Ividar is a very high bar to set for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe highest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust so. But you must remember that Ges Ra Ividar is an Ividar. She spent her childhood training with the greatest masters her ridiculous wealth could buy. I know you\u2019re of high birth, but you can\u2019t compare yourself to that.\u201d<\/p>\n Her face contracted at that. \u201cWhat does that mean? You can\u2019t be a great warrior unless you\u2019re born into it?\u201d<\/p>\n Vintir had closed his eyes. \u201cIt means it\u2019s a lot easier to be a great warrior when you don\u2019t have to wonder where your next meal is coming from.\u201d Vintir had grown up in the great city of Bariat Uur, a second son to an impoverished house, scarcely more noble than a blacksmith. She should have expected such an attitude from him, but it hurt all the same.<\/p>\n \u201cI am destined for something greater than guarding cattle trains,\u201d she insisted, lying back down, but facing away from him.<\/p>\n \u201cDestiny favors the children of khans and prefects,\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n She shook her head to no one. \u201cDestiny is chance and readiness. I am ready. I just need my chance.\u201d He did not answer that.<\/p>\n As Vintir foretold, the sun came far too soon. Sir Kenahl had brought a cockerel from his cousin\u2019s farm in Farar, which dutifully crowed incessantly every day at sunup. This had earned him intense praise and terrifying threats from the entire camp, but so far the cockerel remained alive and well.<\/p>\n If anyone thought it unusual that Dame Hali and Sir Vintir should emerge from the same tent so early in the morning, they wisely chose not to comment on it. Paladins were not supposed to fraternize, and adultery was cause for expulsion from the order, but these things happened often enough when on a campaign. Besides, one look at either of their ferociously sleep-deprived faces, and even Sir Rehfan would know better than to object.<\/p>\n She was still rubbing the sleep from her eyes when a runner approached. She had been summoned to the Divine Commandrix\u2019 tent. \u201cWhat about me?\u201d Sir Vintir asked, but the runner shrugged and did what runners do. \u201cI hope it\u2019s nothing serious.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re at war, Vintir. I\u2019m sure she just wants my counsel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about me?\u201d he asked with admirably feigned outrage. \u201cI\u2019m one of her Six too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor about a week, yes. Why don\u2019t you go pout with Sir Rehfan? I\u2019ll share the news with you when I return.\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled and leaned in to kiss her, but she shoved him away. \u201cNot out here,\u201d she rasped.<\/p>\n It was unlikely they were charging into battle just yet, so Hali grabbed only her helm and her sword, mounted her red courser Firebolt, and rode north to the Commandrix\u2019 tent.<\/p>\n She arrived to a surprise. The Commandrix herself was mounted, along with the two Khabarese paladins, with three eyes and two ears between them, and the grizzly old man who called himself King Paladrok, himself upon an enormous black destrier that looked to be worth all their mounts together. She felt half a child next to all these old warriors, and half a pup next to the old Euskati. \u201cCommandrix?\u201d she asked as she approached.<\/p>\n The Commandrix nodded at her. \u201cThe wizard shall be here soon. We\u2019ll depart then. How are the foot recovering?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBetter and better, Commandrix. We\u2019ll be ready for war tomorrow morning, mark my words.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is good,\u201d she said, and nothing more.<\/p>\n The little old wizard Mamun arrived soon after on his broken-down mare, and they rode up to a great ridge the Commandrix called Denais Cliff. It overlooked all of Dalsaman, the Bay of Supol, and the River Alsir that flowed south of the city. From there, they had a clear picture of the enemy, their positions, and most importantly their numbers.<\/p>\n \u201cSatar save us,\u201d she muttered, gracing herself. She had been a paladin for ten years, yet had not said those words for eight of them. \u201cHow many thousands?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwenty,\u201d growled one of the Khabarese men, the one with no ears. \u201cWe have more horse, but that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see no wizards anywhere about,\u201d said old Mamun.<\/p>\n \u201cDo they even have wizards in Monos?\u201d asked the Khabarese with one eye. His other had a patch of snakeskin over it. \u201cIt\u2019s all jungles and monkeys over there, isn\u2019t it? They have no mines. They haven\u2019t even got mountains.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey do now,\u201d the Commandrix answered.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll take them back,\u201d one-eye said.<\/p>\n No-ears scoffed at that. \u201cBefore they get any magic out of them, hopefully.\u201d<\/p>\n The old wizard shook his head. \u201cEven if they had it, it would take time for their wizards to properly prepare it for any purpose. Magic takes time, that\u2019s why there are so few wizards in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd why you\u2019re all old men,\u201d laughed one-eye, who looked as worn and weathered as the old man.<\/p>\n \u201cMamun,\u201d asked the Commandrix, \u201cwhat do you make of their dispositions?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAm I correct in assuming you mean the positioning of their forces, and not their personalities? I have heard that King Cenedras is a very charming man, and comely to look upon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll fix that,\u201d growled no-ears.<\/p>\n The old man who called himself King Paladrok pointed south. \u201cWhy are all those soldiers over there, across the river?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe southern approach,\u201d said the Commandrix. \u201cThere is a great stone bridge there leading into the city. They must invest there, just as they do the west and north, or else the city forces could escape.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot a lot of troops, seems to me,\u201d croaked the so-called king.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I were a tactician,\u201d the wizard said, \u201cI would want to keep as many of my soldiers together as I could, in anticipation of attack.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen it\u2019s lucky you\u2019re not our tactician,\u201d said Hali. The old people all looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cGo on,\u201d said the Commandrix.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe the city doesn\u2019t have enough troops to break through,\u201d she said, \u201cand that\u2019s a maybe. Regardless, we\u2019d be fools not to loop around and attack them from the south, break through that skeleton crew and hold the southern approach. They\u2019d have to attack us from the narrows, limiting their forces, or cross the river as our arrows rain down on them, or stand there as we resupply the city.\u201d<\/p>\n The Commandrix nodded at that. \u201cSo the question becomes, is this some sort of trap?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOr,\u201d the wizard offered, \u201cis our adversary truly as foolish as he appears?\u201d<\/p>\n She paused to think, but only for a moment. \u201cTell me, Mamun, have you any Fool\u2019s Fire with you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlas, Commandrix, I am not a fool.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore\u2019s the pity. A few pounds of that\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd all of Dalsaman would burn to the ground,\u201d he said. \u201cWhich, in a way, would resolve our problem, I suppose. Fool\u2019s Fire is too dangerous, impossible to control. Hence it\u2019s name.\u201d<\/p>\n She grunted at that. \u201cKing Paladrok, would you honor me by lending me your horse when I meet with this Monosi king?\u201d<\/p>\n Hali took the opportunity to inspect the horse. While the man who rode it looked be barely held together by the filthy rags he wore, the great black destrier he sat was a marvel to behold. A fearsome beast, three hands higher than any other mount present, it likely would terrify any barbarian lord that faced it.<\/p>\n The so-called king looked as though he had sucked on a lemon, but he begrudgingly nodded. \u201cYou may. Only for the meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly for the meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n No-ears\u2019 smoky voice rose up. \u201cCommandrix, may I make a suggestion?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Sir Waldun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThese Monosi, whatever they are, are Motherless beasts who attack with no writ nor defiance. They have shown themselves to be honorless curs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs we are not,\u201d she answered, foreseeing his point.<\/p>\n \u201cStill, Commandrix. Why should we treat them any better than they treat us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause we are<\/em> better, Sir Waldun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith respect,\u201d broke in one-eye, \u201cyou\u2019ve never faced an Ironhide ambush in the Cickatrice Tail. When it\u2019s so cold you can scarcely move, and a gaggle of gray-skinned beasts in men\u2019s skins flush out of the frozen forest to hack you apart, you\u2019ll find your skull has little room in it for honor.\u201d<\/p>\n The Commandrix looked at one-eye, harshly. Whoever this man was, he must have spent his live in the Cickatrice Tail, the poisonous frozen waste that made up the southern half of Khabar, to dare suggesting his experience in battle surpassed that of Ges Ra Ividar. \u201cThank you for your counsel, Sir Sanin,\u201d she answered in a voice colder than a Khabarese Winter.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are your orders, Commandrix?\u201d the old wizard asked, showing his wisdom by changing the subject.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to fright this golden-haired king. See how he acts when pressed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh,\u201d the wizard answered, \u201cI may have something that will serve, but it will take time to prepare. May I have your leave?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, and quickly. I want to meet this king before the sun sets.\u201d The wizard rode off at once. \u201cDame Hali, you will ride into their camp bearing a peace banner, and ask to treat with their king.\u201d<\/p>\n The rag-king on the destrier snorted. \u201cWhat even is a peace banner to these creatures?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne soldier on one horse should suffice to prove she\u2019s not trying to kill them all,\u201d rasped Sir Waldun. \u201cBut yes, take the banner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShall I depart now, Commandrix?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, and bring Sir Rehfan with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSir Rehfan?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust in case.\u201d<\/p>\n Rehfan had been dismissed from the Commandrix\u2019 Six, and his reaction was well known throughout the camp. Hali had only just arrived, and spent little time catching up before falling into her tent last night with Vintir, and already shew knew of the boy-paladin\u2019s poor repute. \u201cMight I bring Sir Vintir, Commandrix?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Nor Dame Tiir, I have a purpose for both of them. Sir Rehfan needs to feel useful again, and I hope you may teach him to listen to\u2026\u201d she paused, looking out over Dalsaman. \u201cto a superior.\u201d<\/p>\n Biting back a horrendous sigh, she assented and rode back into camp. She found Sir Rehfan near the southern end, sitting on a small barrel, glaring at his squire as the boy scoured his armor. \u201cSir Rehfan,\u201d she offered gravely, \u201cI have need of your service.\u201d<\/p>\n He was only three or four years younger than she, but he looked like a sullen boy. The naked jaw did not help, nor did the pouty stare he turned on her. \u201cAnd what service is it you require?\u201d<\/p>\n Paladins<\/em>, she thought bitterly. They were capable of great things, yet put even two of them together, and great things fell beneath the weight of their pecking egos. \u201cThe Commandrix has ordered us to beg parley with the barbarian king. I require a standard bearer.\u201d<\/p>\n Rehfan seemed mollified by that. \u201cI must don my armor,\u201d he said as he stood.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope we\u2019ll have no need of it,\u201d she countered as brightly as she could.<\/p>\n \u201cHope is for fools.\u201d He disappeared into his tent, followed quickly by the boy. Hali suppressed another sigh.<\/p>\n She took a little time to glance around. The uniform of the Zaljan soldier was fair to look upon. Black pants and stocks, a peached sleeveless tunic, black sleeves, peached bandanas around the neck all drenched with sweat, peached scarves beneath the helms of the infantry, black scarves for the officers. Every one of them dressed in quality. She held out her right arm and looked at the threadbare sleeve of faded yellow cambric. She wore her jack of black leather, hers since her time in the infantry, along with blue puffed pants and black stocks and blue boots. Sometimes she forgot how ridiculous she looked. Paladins often did not have time to preen after their appearance, which made for a striking contrast with how most of them had grown up.<\/p>\n Sir Rehfan emerged in burgundy sleeves and scarlet pants, a breast plate of black steel lined in peach, black tassets, and a fresh handkerchief of black silk about his neck. His helm, lined with a scarlet scarf, hung from the palfrey another squire was bringing by: tan-and-ghast, and fair enough to look upon. \u201cYou look very nice, Sir Rehfan,\u201d she said. She had hoped to jab him more subtly, but he seemed to read her mockery easily. That, or he saw everything as an insult.<\/p>\n The peace banner was white as snow, but it still bore the Satari Triangle that was Zalja\u2019s symbol. A triangle bisected down the middle: three lines falling from a single point, representing Satar\u2019s light, Satar\u2019s rain, and Satar\u2019s lightning, the three avatars of her power over the earth. There were many legends of Satar walking the land as a mortal woman, bringing forth life where there was none, and her love and strength were credited with the vast, sweeping fields of fertile soil that Zalja claimed. No one ever mentioned how Yena, the nation of heretics, was also blessed with fertile soil and even more rivers.<\/p>\n Hali\u2019s favorite tale was of Satar\u2019s final visit to the mortal plains, when she took up the shining sword Thundersteel and led an army of her finest generals against the Ironhides, an army of vicious beast-men that infested the Cickatrice Tail, bringing blight and death with them. Her armies pushed them all the way south and east for the very edge of the peninsula, where they begged for parley. She agreed to meet with them, but was betrayed and murdered at the parley, whereupon her disciples finished wiping out the Ironhides and banishing their evil from the land forever.<\/p>\n Except, as Sir Waldun had recently pointed out, the Ironhides were still about, living in the frozen forests of the Cickatrice Tail, though many dismissed these stories as gossip. And if Satar\u2019s love was responsible for the fertile soil, then why were the wizards and their Lesser Stone of so great a value? And why did the Khabarese tell such a different story, of a peaceful Satar who came down to unite all the disparate peoples of the world, only to be betrayed to the Ironhides by one of her most ardent acolytes? And why did the old Yenai Faith, thousands of years older than Satariai, worship Satar\u2019s last disciples as fellow gods over the rivers, the animals, courage, lust, and dozens of other things? Hali wondered if these sorts of questions were why she had never risen higher. Divine Commandrix Ividar was a full decade older than she, but Hali was tired of waiting for some opportunity, anything, to come her way. She would simply have to believe harder.<\/p>\n The Monosi encampment was a chaotic jumble of men screaming like boys, dogs fighting in circles, and even a pit where men battered each other with what she hoped were blunted swords. Men were everywhere. The only women she saw wore filthy skirts and loose blouses, washing clothes and tending bruises, enduring gropes and other molestations from the men. Not a single woman could be found in armor.<\/p>\n The camp was a mess, but their sentries were adequate enough. They had not quite reached anyone before two mounted troops, both of them on the ghast side, rode up to challenge them. They were grey ringmail byrnies and brown leather jacks, along with the puffed pants of officers, brown with yellow stocks. Their half-helms had no scarving. Hali was unsurprised; she heard Monos was unbearably hot.<\/p>\n The older of the two sentries pointed his spear at them. \u201cHold! What mean you?\u201d A quintet of grizzly men-at-arms in junked mail strode forth to back the sentries up, each with a naked blade in hand.<\/p>\n \u201cWe come in the name of Divine Commandrix Ges Ra Ividar, who comes forth in service to the Khan, Alswavidid Ro Harashmalim, by the Grace of Satar the Second of that Name.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHell of a name,\u201d muttered the younger sentry, a fuzz-faced boy younger than Sir Rehfan. The assembled party laughed at that.<\/p>\n \u201cWe come to invite your war chief to treat with the Divine Commandrix on Denais Cliff before day\u2019s end, to discuss the dissolution of this siege.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that a girl!?\u201d one of the men-at-arms shouted, a thick-shouldered man covered in brown hair and boils.<\/p>\n \u201cFlat enough for a boy,\u201d a bony one with one greyed eye added, to the intense amusement of all gathered.<\/p>\n An older man with a shaggy black beard, dressed in hunting leathers, addressed himself to Sir Rehfan. \u201cYou always let your wife do your talking for you, son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, leave him be,\u201d the bony one said. \u201cI can never get mine to shut up neither.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you think he\u2019s here, a thousand miles away from her?\u201d added the boil-faced one. More laughter followed.<\/p>\n Hali was at a loss for words. She had faced such defiance before, of course, but only from bandits, and shortly before the matter was settled at point of blade. She could hardly draw her sword and cut these men down, even if she wanted to. She was here on command. She looked to Sir Rehfan. If it were possible to shrug with one\u2019s eyebrows, Sir Rehfan did so.<\/p>\n \u201cWho here has the authority to consent to terms of parley?\u201d she pressed.<\/p>\n \u201cI have! I have!\u201d Another young man was running up to them. Wisps of black fuzz adorned his smooth face, and a cloud of black hair floated almost like a halo about his head. He wore scarlet and pink, and looked so pretty that Hali was surprised to see bruises and a limp in his run, as though he had been training with swords of a morning. Half his outfit was woolen. She could not believe he was not sweating buckets as he staggered over to them, a blunted sword in his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cWhom do I have the honor of addressing?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n The red-and-pink man blanched a moment, perhaps only then realizing she was a woman. He looked about at the other men, then addressed himself to Sir Rehfan. \u201cI have the honor of being Massam Vival of Redoledo, Lord of the Hilldren. Who are you?\u201d<\/p>\n Sir Rehfan offered him a glare, then looked to Hali.<\/p>\n \u201cI am Dame Hali Alsras, formerly of Khair, a paladin sworn in quest to the Divine Commandrix. Will you see that your king meets with us upon Denais Hill before sunset?\u201d<\/p>\n The men-at-arms snickered, but the boy Massam seemed merely confused. \u201cDo you\u2026 who\u2026 Who is this\u2026 Divine Coommandrix again?\u201d<\/p>\n She and Rehfan shared a glance. \u201cDivine Commandrix Ges Ra Ividar, who is charged by the Holy Solulan and the Khan himself to deliver Dalsaman from this siege.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2026 you mean\u2026 Your king is not here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Lord Massam, will you ensure that your king will treat with us upon Denais Cliff?\u201d<\/p>\n The boy seemed to be gagging on his own tongue. \u201cI, uh\u2026 that\u2026 where, where is, Denais Cliff?\u201d<\/p>\n Sir Rehfan used the peace banner to point west. \u201cThere,\u201d he said evenly. \u201cThe big cliff.\u201d The men-at-arms chortled at that.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Sir. And who are you?\u201d<\/p>\n Sir Rehfan bobbed his head toward Hali. \u201cHer subordinate.\u201d More chittering still.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Yes, of course. Zalja is certainly\u2026 certainly\u2026 it is\u2026 yes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLord Massam,\u201d she repeated, \u201cwill you inform your king of this meeting?\u201d<\/p>\n He jerked his head, so though only hearing the question for the first time. \u201cAh. Yes. Of course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt Denais Cliff. Two hours hence?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwo hours. Ah. Yes.\u201d The men were still snickering. They scarcely seemed able to stop. One of them whispered something to the boil-faced man, drawing a great guffaw. She only then realized that they all seemed to be staring at her breastplate. She almost blushed, but managed to command herself.<\/p>\n \u201cThen will shall see you there, Lord Massam. Good morning.\u201d He did not answer.<\/p>\n They turned at rode off. To their credit, the sentries flanked them until they were well beyond the edges of the camp, then turned and rode back.<\/p>\n \u201cAt least the sentries are disciplined,\u201d she said as they slowed their mounts.<\/p>\n \u201cForeign armies seem very amused with themselves,\u201d said Rehfan. \u201cThe Euskati were much the same.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Euskati are not foreign.\u201d He had no answer for that.<\/p>\n When they found the Commandrix\u2019 tent and were let inside, they found her set in a tub of tin, steaming water being poured over her by two of her maidservants. They both stopped at the entry, but she waved them in. \u201cCome in, come in,\u201d she insisted. \u201cSarai, scrub my back. Nasra, my hair.\u201d The women set to bathing her. \u201cIs everything set?\u201d<\/p>\n Rehfan stared into space, as though he had never seen a woman before. \u201cIt is, Commandrix. We are to meet at Denais Cliff two hours hence.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Cliff?\u201d she countered. \u201cI had not thought of that. Hmm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShould we return, Commandrix? Change the meeting?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026 no, that will do well. We cannot bring our full strength, but neither can they. They might not see how outnumbered we are. And they\u2019ll get a taste of our advantage from the terrain. Perhaps that will fright them. What did you think of this king, Dame Hali?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe did not meet him, Commandrix, only a lord.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA strip of a boy,\u201d Sir Rehfan added with no sense of irony.<\/p>\n \u201cA lord?\u201d the Commandrix mused.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething like a prefect, as I understood it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am familiar with the term,\u201d she answered, leaning forward as the girl Sarai finished scrubbing the small of her back. \u201cWe once had lords in Zalja, in the earlier days of the empire. These Monosi seem very\u2026 very\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPrimitive?\u201d Rehfan suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cMm. I hope they are sufficiently advanced to understand treaties, or at least keep their word.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey certainly have a strong sense of humor,\u201d said Hali.<\/p>\n \u201cMm. The Euskati did as well. That may be a good sign. Sir Rehfan, what did you make of these Monosi?\u201d<\/p>\n He glanced at Hali before answering. \u201cI think you should bring the Khabarese with you again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm. More strongmen?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly<\/em> men, Commandrix. The few women we saw were washers and harlots.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at them. Sarai had finished her back and was standing by with a razor and shaving soap. Nasra was cutting swathes of hair into the tub. \u201cShall I shave your head, Commandrix?\u201d Sarai asked. She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou shave your head?\u201d Hali asked.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore every battle. It sounds like we will soon be engaged.\u201d<\/p>\n At that, her squire slipped into the tent. A boy of ten with a mop of curly hair and slit eyes, he wore a peach tabard with a black lion\u2019s head roaring in profile. He was hauling in the Commandrix\u2019 armor and shield. The shield, too, bore the black lion. Sir Rehfan goggled at that. \u201cCommandrix,\u201d he said, \u201cought we to\u2026 flout that\u2026 so openly?\u201d<\/p>\n The Commandrix was now swimming in a disgusting soup of old hair, soap scum, and days\u2019 worth of dirt and filth. Judging by her expression, she had not expected this either. \u201cTalid, did you repaint my shield.\u201d<\/p>\n The boy ducked his head, but smirked while he did it. \u201cWell, Commandrix, it is your symbol after all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you not a god-fearing boy?\u201d she asked, and for the first time Hali heard an ounce of warmth in her voice.<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Talid hedge, \u201cI though maybe we should consider what the barbarians might fear. A lion is scarier than three lines.\u201d<\/p>\n Rehfan grunted. \u201cOnly if you don\u2019t know what the three lines mean.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell. The don\u2019t, do they?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s find out,\u201d the Commandrix said. \u201cNasra, go see what is taking Anshi so long with my new clothes. Sir Rehfan, you are dismissed.\u201d The paladin followed Nasra out.<\/p>\n Once they were gone, the Commandrix stood and took a towel from Sarai, the two both drying her and sponging off the vile leavings of her bath. \u201cDame Hali, you are certain the soldiers can fight tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCertain. Some won\u2019t like it, but they will be able.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood. How did Sir Rehfan serve you during your brief labor. You say these soldiers are all men?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEvery one, Commandrix. They were shocked by me, and half of them goggled at me as though we were about to go to bed together. The lord I spoke to was even younger than Sir Rehfan, and you might have thought I was a talking dog, the way he sputtered at me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm. And Sir Rehfan?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cServed, Commandrix.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm. Good. Good. You may go.\u201d<\/p>\n Hali was at the tent flap when she turned back. \u201cCommandrix?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Dame?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do the three lines mean?\u201d<\/p>\n She eyed her a moment. \u201cThe Satari Triangle? The sun, the rain, and the lightning, I believe. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded. \u201cNothing, Commandrix. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n CHAPTER FOUR><\/a><\/p>\n <CHAPTER TWO<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cWe should not be doing this,\u201d Vintir mumbled, not for the first time. \u201cWe\u2019re not,\u201d said Hali. \u201cWe\u2019ve already finished. Speaking of, why are you still here?\u201d He looked like a wounded puppy at that, melting her heart. \u201cWhy\u2026 I … Continue reading