Fire and Sword by Simon Brown

numbly. “Force her to bring Orkid and Dejanus to trial.” His voice suddenly rose. “Force her to right the wrong of Berayma’s murder and Lynan’s exile!”
    “And having done all these things under duress, how long would Areava let Lynan be left free in the palace? How long would any of us remain free?”
    Again, Kumul did not reply.
    “I am tired,” Ager said. “We can argue about this later.”
    Jenrosa followed Ager to the entrance; when the flap was untied, he held it open for her to go through, but she shook her head. He gave her a quizzical smile, then shrugged and left, soon disappearing in the flurries of wind-swept snow. Jenrosa tied up the flap behind him and turned to face Kumul.
    “He did not mean to corner you like that,” Jenrosa said.
    “I know. But I do not... I cannot... agree with him, or Korigan or Gudon.”
    Jenrosa stood in front of Kumul. “I know,” she said.
    “What they want to do isn’t right.”
    “I know.”
    “You must be tired, too.”
    Jenrosa pursed her lips. “Do you want me to go?”
    Kumul became very still. “No.” He reached out and gently stroked her hair.
    Jenrosa leaned forward, stretched up to tiptoes, and kissed him on the lips.

 
Chapter 6
    While Orkid talked at him, Prado adjusted his horse’s saddle straps. The chancellor was spouting something about the heavy responsibility the queen had entrusted to him, but it went in one ear and out the other. All Prado could think of was what lay ahead. It would take him a few days to get to the Arran Valley, and at least a month to recruit and supply his own mercenaries, then another month or so to get to the border with Haxus, picking up more troops on the way. Then a month, less if he was lucky, to get reliable information about Rendle’s movements and the location of the Chett tribe protecting Lynan. He was impatient to go. But Orkid was still mouthing.
    “And don’t overuse your office. Remember, the queen can turn you into an outlaw as easily as a general. Don’t drain our forces on the border with Haxus for your little expeditions.”
    Little? The idiot knows nothing about military operations.
    “Queen Charion of Hume has been informed of your eventual arrival, and instructed to give whatever assistance is necessary. But step warily with her; Charion is a clever woman.”
    “I’ve heard worse about her than that,” Prado said offhandedly. “Some say she’s a deceitful bitch who hates Chandra more than Haxus.”
    “Be that as it may, she is Queen Areava’s subject. Treat her with the appropriate courtesy.”
    “If you say so.”
    “And who are these gentlemen?” Orkid asked, looking around at the six large and rudely dressed riders waiting for Prado.
    “My first recruits.”
    “Where did you find them?”
    “Taverns, mostly. They are all ex-soldiers or mercenaries, a little down on their luck but interested in useful employment.” He half smiled at Orkid. “Useful employment in the queen’s service, of course.”
    “I hope the caliber of your other recruits is slightly higher,” Orkid said distastefully.
    “They’ll do for the job at hand,” Prado said shortly. “I’m not creating a parade unit, Chancellor. I want experienced warriors, and warriors used to not asking awkward questions.” He mounted and sat comfortably in his saddle. “Anything else before I go? Any messages for Prince Lynan?”
    “Just do your job, Prado. That’s all I ask.”
    “Then ask no more,” he said, and spurred his horse.
    He left the palace knowing he would soon have a large force of mercenaries at his command. Never during the long years of his retirement in the Arran Valley had he thought this would ever come about. Perhaps, just perhaps, he considered, the good old days would come back again. The world had turned around, and once again it had need of men like Prado and the services only they could provide.
    Orkid watched as Prado left the palace courtyard, his six followers close behind. The