Wartorn: Resurrection by Robert Asprin, Eric Del Carlo Page A

fought and the army didn't need its general anymore?
    / don't think the officers are in total agreement with your theories about sharing the food of the common soldiers.
    By now, Dardas was used to his host-mind's thoughts intruding on his own. As weak as the voice and the personality behind it were, they was still present in Dardas's head.
    It was truly amazing that Weisel was still dwelling on the issue of eating troop rations.
    They may not agree, Lord Weisel, but they'll go along with it... and be better officers for the experience.
    It was a subdued gathering, not at all like the high spirits that had followed the slaughter of U'delph, when most, if not all, of these officers had gotten their first real taste of blood lust. That had been more than half a lune ago now.
    Dardas covertly studied the senior officers assembled around the campfire as he busied himself consuming the soldier's rations on his plate. They were talking quietly together in groups of two or three, or sitting alone lost in thought as they addressed themselves to their own lackluster meals.
    I should think you'd want your officers to be happy. Happy officers are less likely to mutiny.
    Happy is one thing. Smug and complacent is another. Besides, new officers have to be taught what they should be happy about. Wallowing in special privileges is point-less if the troops under you are discontent.
    He eyed the small knot of magicians standing together at the edge of the gathering. As usual, they rarely spoke, even to each other, and almost never smiled.
There's a group that's primed for mutiny, privileges or no. If I were Matokin, I'd be keeping an eye on my underlings, and sleeping very light.
    But the magicians are supposed to be unswervingly loyal to Matokin. I've heard they were screened for loyalty before being admitted to the magic school, the Academy. Besides, they're all bound by blood oaths and wouldn't dare to move against him.
    That may be so, but I know discontent individuals when I see them.
    Perhaps. Who knows how wizards think?
    Weisel's thought was dismissive, almost indifferent.
    He was an idiot, Dardas thought, but Weisel would never be aware of the thought. Dardas had surprised him-self with the strides he'd made in acclimating his resurrected self to living in this new body. He had gradually raised mental blocks against Weisel, exerting his will in ways he hadn't known he could. By now the Felk noble was boxed into a corner of their supposedly shared mind.
    What was more, Dardas was certain that Weisel wasn't even aware of the situation. The man had effectively lost himself and didn't know it. Dardas felt that soon, very soon, he would, if he so chose, be
    able to simply snuff Weisel into nothingness.
    But there was no point in hastiness. The idiot might be useful for something.
    "Berkant," Dardas called, having finished his meal.
    The mage, a youngish man with an honest unaffected expression on his face, looked up sharply. He, too, was done eating. He came quickly but uneasily toward the general.
    "Yes, General Weisel?"
    Dardas kept his tone casual. "Any communications from Felk?" He knew there had been none. Berkant was in charge of relaying Far Speak messages directly from Matokin, and he naturally wasted no time delivering them. These wizards, loyal or not, plainly lived in fear of the Felk leader.
    "No communications, General," Berkant said.
    Dardas nodded. "Come with me—oh, if you've finished your meal?"
    Berkant blinked at the general's unexpected magnanimity.
    "I have, General."
    "Good. Come to my pavilion. I may be charging my officers to eat regular rations, but they're free to drink whatever they can procure for themselves: As it happens, I myself have a fine bottle of something." Dardas was aware of the curious stares of the other officers that followed as they strolled to the tent.
    Berkant was nervous, but Dardas wasn't without charisma and charm. He poured out two glasses, and they sat.
    Dardas kept the talk initially