L. E. Modesitt - Darknesses

Darkness

L.E.Modesitt Jr.

The CoreanChronicles Book 2

For Lara and Van

Tempre,Lanachrona

F ivemen sat around a circular table. The tabletop was of rose marble, thecarved and elaborate pedestal legs of oiled and carved lorken so dark that itcould have passed for ebony. Three of the men wore the blue-and-cream uniformsof the Southern Guard. The fourth wore the silver vestments of the Recorder ofDeeds. The last was the Lord-Protector, who wore a tunic of violet blue,trimmed in cream, similar in cut and style to those of the officers.

Thecold silver light of a winter sun flowed through the tall and narrow windows onthe south side of the room, windows whose lorken casements were framed by rosemarble columns. Under a white-plastered vaulted ceiling, rose damask coveredthe walls between the pillars framing the windows, but failed to impart warmthto the conference room.

Youhave all heard and understood what the Recorder of Deeds has said, have younot? You know the limitations of the Table? asked the Lord-Protector.

Itcannot show what will happen, and it can display only what is happening or whathas occurred recently. Is that not so? Marshal Wyerl paused and cleared histhroat, then brushed back a short lock of light brown hair. Despite the linesradiating from his eyes, his clean-shaven face conveyed boyish charm. As almostan afterthought, he asked, How recently?

Twoor three days past are most clear, replied the older man in the silvervestments. Most happenings can be recalled for a week. If an event has greatimpact on what will be, then it can be discerned for perhaps a month, even ayear, but it is impossible to predict what events the Table will regard ashaving great impacts. The Recorder added, It will usually not show anyonepossessing great Talent, and even the results of their actions will show insilver shadows only for a few glasses or a day at most. Of course, by what isnot shown, one can at times deduce the use of Talent by ones enemies.

Theyounger blond man, also wearing the uniform and insignia of a marshal in theSouthern Guard, asked, frowning slightly, Why does it not show those withTalent?

TheTables were designed and created at the height of the Duarchy by those withTalent. I would rather imagine that they did not wish it used againstthemselves. A dryness infused the Recorders words.

Dowe face anyone with such Talent? Marshal Wyerl inquired.

TheRecorder of Deeds smiled faintly. There are always those with Talent in Corus,but they are few indeed. The Matrial was the only one that the Table could notfocus upon directly. Others may arise, but for the moment, all those with somevestige of Talent who oppose us can be discerned in the Table.

Suchas Aellyan Edyss?

Thenomad warleader appears clearly in the Table, the Recorder affirmed.

TheLord-Protector cleared his throat and looked pointedly at Wyerl. You wereabout to report, Marshal?

Yes,Lord-Protector. Wyerl squared his shoulders. The Regent of the Matrial hasfortified Dimor as well as the high road approaches on the south side of theSouth Branch of the River Lud and placed at least ten regular horse companiesthere. There are five foot companies, and possibly as many as another tenAuxiliary companies. They retain the terrible crystal spear-thrower. Themarshal inclined his head toward the younger marshal. Marshal Alyniat canprovide more detail on the situation in Zalt and Southgate.

TheLord-Protectorthe youngest man at the table by at least a decadenodded.

Lord-Protector,began Alyniat, in one respect, we were most fortunate. Because the Recorder ofDeeds discovered the crystal spear-thrower, we could alter our tactics. Thesiege of the fort at Zalt was effective in forcing the Matrites to retreat, butthe Matrites were careful to use the spear-thrower to cover that withdrawal. Wenow hold Zalt, and it is largely intact, as is the fort there, which we have enlargedand reinforced. Howeverall those in Zalt have settled in Dimor and put theirenergies to strengthening it. With those forces, and the crystal spear-throwerremaining there, it is most unlikely we will be able to take Dimor in the nextseveral years without an extraordinary commitment of troopers and supplies,and Alyniat paused, as if he knew his next words would not be well received.I would strongly recommend against any such effort.

TheLord-Protector laughed. You have delivered Zalt and Southgate when thosebefore you failed. I accept your recommendation. His next words were slow anddeliberate. So long as we continue to hold Southgate. A brief smile followed.Now, what of the seltyrs there? The ones who remained?

SeltyrBenjir vanished in the final attack on Southgate. None have seen him or hissons in the year since. The new advisory council to the Lord-Protector remainsunder the control of Seltyr Sinyen. They have accepted the rule of Lanachrona,and the change in tariffs. As you know, we had to execute several of theseltyrs and some of their families before they grasped the concept that bribingtariff collectors was no longer acceptable. Those who have accepted the rule oflaw, as opposed to the rule of coin, are prospering, and they will soon controlmost of the commerce of Southgate. We have been most careful to spare the womenand to insist that they receive the same treatment as women do in Lanachrona.The blond Alyniat shrugged. That also required some executions, but the womenare most kind to our troopers and merchants, and, over time, we will have amost loyal province.

Mylady, and indeed, most of the women in Lanachrona, will find that pleasing,the Lord-Protector replied, before turning to the sole submarshal, a thin-facedolder man with graying hair. What of the shipyards and commerce?

Wecaptured the shipyards without great damage, and to date we have completedthree deep-ocean trading vessels. Two were already under construction. Thefirst warship will be ready within the season, and we can build five more inthe next year, if the coins are available.

Howmany will be required to take Dramur? asked the Lord-Protector.

Morethan we can build in ten years, replied Submarshal Frynkel.

Wewill also have to develop a school or a system for training officers and crewsfor sea war.

TheLord-Protector frowned. The problem of Dramur will not vanish, but we mustalso consider the growing strength of Aellyan Edyss. Already, we are receivingprotests about the tariffs he is levying on trade along the Lost Highway. He isalso beginning to take over sections of Ongelya with his new Myrmidons.

Thatwill take years, Frynkel pointed out. Ongelya stretches over a thousandvingts from the northwest to its southeast border. His Myrmidons can onlytravel so fast on horseback.

Hehas conquered all of Illegea in but a handful of years, replied theLord-Protector.

Henow holds the northern third of Ongelya, and I would not doubt he will hold allof it within a year, if he so desires. There is little of worth in the south,not compared to, say, Deforya.

Yetwe hear of his depredations in the south, offered Frynkel.

Hemay be spreading such reports to lull us into believing that, while he moveselsewhere, suggested Marshal Wyerl. Most likely into Deforya. Why else wouldthe Landarch have consented to sell his note from the Iron Valleys Council tothe Lord-Protector?

TheLord-Protector frowned.

Ignoringthe expression, Wyerl continued. Edyss already controls the Lost Highway. Ifhe moves into Deforya and takes Dereka, he will gain control of the NorthernPass high road

Andall land trade with Lustrea. The Lord-Protector nodded. By tariffing bothhigh roads, he can expand his coffers and purchase armsBut who would sell himarms? Certainly not the Praetor of Lustrea. We would not.

AhLord-Protector,interjected the Recorder of Deeds, like the Iron Valleys, the Landarch ofDeforya has iron mines. Unlike the Iron Valleys, the Landarchs have alwaysmaintained a foundry and an arms manufactory. Their weapons are excellent.