L. E. Modesitt - Cadmians Choice

Cadmians Choice

The Corean Chronicles Book 5

L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

For Carol Ann

ALECTORS OFACORUS

Khelaryt Duarchof Elcien

Zelyert HighAlector of Justice

Chembryt HighAlector of Finance

Alseryl HighAlector of Transport

Samist Duarch ofLudar

Ruvryn HighAlector of Engineering

Jaloryt HighAlector of Trade

Zuthyl HighAlector of Education

Brekylt HighAlector of the East [Alustre]

Asulet SeniorAlectorLyterna

Paeylt SeniorEngineerLyterna

Shastylt Marshalof Myrmidons

DainylSubmarshal of MyrmidonsWest [Elcien]

AlcynaSubmarshal of MyrmidonsEast [Alustre]

Dhenyr Colonelof MyrmidonsOperations [Elcien]

Noryan Majer ofMyrmidons, deputy to Alcyna

Table Cities[Recorders of Deeds]

Elcien [Chastyl]

Ludar [Puleryt]

Alustre[Zorater]

Dereka [Jonyst]

Lysia [Sulerya]

Lytera [Myenfel]

Tempre [Patronyl]

Hyalt [Rhelyn]

Soupat [Nomyelt]

Dulka [Deturyl]

Norda [Kasyst]

Prosp [Noryst]

Blackstear[Delari]

Faitel [Techyl]

The young choose once, choose twice,even thrice, and never ever seek or ask advice. The older wiser landers ask afriend, someone wise, but never seem to do as hed advise. So choose as if anunwise choice would kill, because, when one expects it least, it will.

Mykel leaned forwardon the ancient chair In the officers mess, finishing rubbery egg toast a goodglass before morning muster, thinking about how much more training hisbattalion needed, and debating whether he should extend the mounted unitmaneuvers practice another week. Another ten days might help, if he canceled end-daypasses. He shook his head. That would be too hard on both mounts and morale. Hedknown that rebuilding Third Battalion would be difficult and take time, but hehad his doubts about whether hed be allowed that time.

Captain Vield walkedthrough the doors to the mess and straight toward Mykel.

Mykel offered apleasant smile, although he distrusted the purposeful stride of the captain,not personally, but because Vield was the colonels adjutant. The captainsaura was a golden brown that suggested a background in the Lanachronan fanningdistrict. Mykel silently warned himself, far from the first time, not tocomment on what the aura revealed. He kept reminding himself because hisgrowing sense of the depth of life and its ties to the land was so new, and hehad yet to get adjusted to itor to know truly its extent. Hed always had anextraordinarily good sense of aim with a rifle, but the seeing of auras was alltoo recent. From what hed overheard, that sort of talent was something likewhat the alectors were supposed to have, and the last thing he needed was tohave an alector examining his abilities, not that anyone had ever suggestedthat. Still... he had the feeling that concealing the ability was for the best,especially where alectors were concerned.

Majer, sir?

Yes, Captain?

Colonel Herolt wouldlike a moment of your time before muster, sir. At your earliest convenience.

I was justfinishing, Captain. Mykel stood, glancing around the mess. The plastered wallshad once been white, but time and decades of food preparation had turned them alight beige. Even the yearly whitewash succumbed to the underlying beige withina few weeks.

The only officer inthe mess from Third Battalion was Captain Culeyt, and he was eating with one ofhis former comradesan undercaptain from Fourth Battalion. Rhystan had noteaten yet, nor had any of Mykels undercaptains.

Mykel could senseVields eyes following him as he left the mess. Since the campaign in Dramur,Mykel had been far more aware of others feelings about himor theirscrutinyas a result of the life-sensing that was a complement to his visionand not restricted to where his eyes focused. He crossed the stone-pavedcourtyard in the light before dawn, making his way to the regimentalheadquarters building.

The outer anteroomwas empty, and the door to the colonels study was ajar.

Majer Mykel, come onin. Close the door behind you.

Colonel Herolt didnot rise when Mykel stepped into the study, but merely gestured for him to takea seat. How are you this morning? How are you coming with getting ThirdBattalion back into shape?

Were working at it,sir.

Ive noticed.Herolt paused. Id like to give you more time, but we dont have it. His eyesfixed on Mykel. Weve received two sets of orders from Myrmidon headquarters.

Yes, sir. Mykelsmiled politely, waiting. From the earlier conversation with the colonel whenMykel had been given command of the Third Battalion, Mykel knew that whatevermission was assigned to Third Battalion would be difficult.

Fourth Battalionwill be going to Iron Stem to maintain order there after all the difficulties.I had thought about sending you and Third Battalion, but the other requirementseems particularly suited to your capabilities, Majer. Second Battalion isreturning from the grasslands, and reports permanent casualties over thirtypercent. Fifth Battalion is still operating out of Northport, and SixthBattalion is finishing up the relocation of the Squawts from norm of the Vedra.That doesnt leave meor youmuch choice.

Mykel nodded,waiting. A year earlier, he would have asked for details immediately andinquired about the high casualties taken by Second Battalion. One thing he hadlearned was that such inquiries would not be answered, and would only irritatethe colonel.

Majer Hersiod and Iwill be briefed by the Marshal of Myrmidons tomorrow about Iron Stem. Its amore delicate ... situation.

Yes, sir. Mykel understood.He didnt like what Herolt was suggestingthat Mykel was lacking in finesse andjust about everything besides battlefield and anti-insurgent tacticsbut therewas little enough he could or should say.

Herolt smiled again. Thereare armed groups in the south similar to the Reillies, and they have beencausing trouble in the hills west of Hyalt.

Hyalt? That was aboutas far as one could get from anywhere, even more isolated in some ways thanDramur, Mykel reflected.

The leader and theworst of the troublemakers were handled by a Myrmidon squad several weeks ago,but the others have gone to ground and scattered throughout the region. This issimilar to what you encountered in Dramur, but on a smaller scale. You shouldbe able to handle it, while completing your retraining and rebuilding ThirdBattalion.

Do we have anyinformation on the troublemakers, sir?

Very little. TheHigh Alector of Justice believes that stronger local control is necessary inthe area, and part of your deployment will require that you facilitate therebuilding of a local Cadmian garrison there. There was only a small localgarrison there. It was scarcely more than a patroller outpost, and the rebelelements wiped them out.

Third Battalion willtake a transport ship to Southgate first. There you will oversee the remainderof the training of two companies going to Hyalt. Theyre locally recruitedCadmians. The officers and squad leaders will come from the contingent inSouthgate, but you will be in charge, Majer. You will continue training them onthe ride to Hyalt. Youre expected to arrive there around the first week ofsummer. While you are pacifying the rebels, you will supervise the rebuildingof the garrison in a larger and more permanent locale and install the local Cadmiancadre there. Youre to have Third Battalion ready to ride out a week fromOctdi. Youll embark from the Elcien pier....

Mykel listened as thecolonel went on to outline the schedule and the details of the embarkationplan.

... and now you knowwhat I do, Majer. Herolt stopped and looked at Mykel.

Do we know to whatdegree the locals supported the rebels?

The local merchantsand crafters were the ones who reported the rebel activity and who requestedassistance in establishing a large local patrol force. The High Alector wasreluctant to create a large locally controlled peacekeeping force, and thatswhy a local Cadmian garrison will be established.