Octobers Baby by Glen Cook Page A

done. We’ve got to decide about Kavelin.”
    She placed her hands on his.
    “We’ve got to figure what’s best for you.”
    “I thought you wanted...”
    “What I want isn’t important. I’ve got Maisak. I’ve got Shoptaw and Burla. And you.” The winged man stirred embarrassedly. The Captal reddened. He had begun to understand the costs of Vorgreberg. “But you... got to do what’s best.”
    “Why don’t you talk to Aunt Mist?”
    “I know what she wants.”
    “Talk to her anyway. She’s a nice lady.” Carolan had her determined face on. “But sometimes she’s spooky.”
    The Captal laughed. “She’s that. I’ll see if she’s got time to visit.”
    She was there in hours.
    The Captal generally greeted her with some small flattery. This time she looked terrible.
    “What’s happened?” he asked.
    She collapsed into a chair. “I was a fool.”
    “You won, though.”
    “And came out too weak to go on. Drake, O Shing’s pet Tervola, Wu, is a demon. A genius. They almost overthrew me...”
    “I’d heard. But you came back.”
    “Drake, legions are fighting legions. Tervola are fighting Tervola. That’s never happened before. And Escalon... The Monitor was stronger than I thought. All I won was a desert. He even got the Tear of Mimizan out before the collapse. And a quarter of Shinsan is as lifeless as Escalon. I’m losing my grip. The Tervola are having second thoughts. They would’ve abandoned me already, except 1 managed a coup in the attack on Tatarian.” Once again, it seemed, he had joined a loser. “So you want the Gap as bride-price for their support?” She smiled weakly. “I don’t blame you. No more than the Tervola. We respect strength and ability. In your place, I’d wonder about me too.”
    The Captal chuckled nervously. She had read his mind. “Can I sweeten the partnership?” So she was weak. Desperately so. “No Escalon. No conquest outright. Hegemony and disarmament. Suze-rainty without occupation...”
    “A return to Empire?” she asked. “With Shinsan replacing Ilkazar?”
    “Any rational man could see we need unity. The problem is questions of local sovereignty.”
    “And how would you enforce my sovereignty?” The old man shrugged. “I’m not worried about the mules, just about loading the wagon. Agree in principle?” “All right. We’ll manage something. What about Kavelin?”
    “The King’s sick. He’ll go soon. The scramble’s about to begin. The barons are forming parties. Breitbarth looks strong. El Murid and Volstokin are interested. Which means Itaskia and Altea and Anstokin... Well, you see the possibilities. I’m sending my winged men to watch my neighbors. I should send them farther afield, to where the real plotting will take place.” “And Carolan?”
    “I don’t know. 1 want to protect her.” “So do I. But you’ll need support. She’s the tool you’ll have to use.”
    “1 know. I know. A quandary. That’s why I asked you here. She insisted I talk to you.”
    “Why not ask her what she wants? She’s got her feet onthe ground. She’s thought about it “Carolan wanted to be Queen So the Captal chose to betray his homeland for the sakes of a six-year-old and a woman who should have been his enemy.
     
     

SIX: The Mercenaries
     
    I) A matter of discipline
    “Looks just like army,” said Mocker, as he and Ragnarson descended the slope of the valley where Blackfang and Kildragon had established their training camp. The River Porthune was near, and beyond it, Kendel, northernmost of the Lesser Kingdoms.
    They were a week behind Blackfang. It had taken Bragi that long to conclude his business and convince Uthe that he and Dahl dared return to Elana unaccompanied. He had finally explained the situation fully, trusting Uthe’s discretion. Even then Bragi had been forced to compose a long explanatory letter admonishing Elana and Bevold to cooperate with the Minister’s agents.
    “Uhn.” Ragnarson grunted. “A baby one. Or