"Well, Otorin," Darius said some hours later, "how about it? Will you join me? It'll be like old times."

"Not quite, I hope. I was playing the squire then, if you remember. I'm not going back to polishing your armor and currying your horse."

"I should hope not," Darius replied with gruff hu- mor. "I've got a proper squire now, one who knows how to keep my armor greased and not just bright."

"Besides," Otorin continued, ignoring the jibe, "I have to get Arabella's permission to bear arms on be- half of another monarch."

"No real need for that," Darius replied. "I want your brain, not your swordarm."

"It's the technicalities that can ruin a man's career."

"Well then, do what I did at Angom. Apply for per- mission and go ahead in the meantime. It didn't do me any harm."

"True," Otorin conceded, "but then again, I'm not one of the Queen's major va.s.sals."

"No, you're more secure than that. You work for her. So we'll have no more argument."

Otorin sighed theatrically. "I don't know why I listen to you, let alone why I let you bully me. Besides, the Commission for the Outland is due to vote on parti- tion."

"The Commission has waited for thirteen years, it can wait a mite longer. And, if you need a better reason, you're as bored of life at the palace as I am. It'll be good to be out in the field again; admit it."

"Oh, very well, but I'm not going into battle again and that's flat."

"Good enough. Now, as you undoubtedly know, I've

50 dispatched two hundred infantry, a hundred horse and about fifty bowmen. Brant is in charge of the foot- Olm- sted the horse and Katon has overall command. Borr Sarad has taken the responsibility of releasing one Wing to me. I intend to send them south and take the rest of the Royal Forces with me."

"I would advise against that," Otorin said.

Darius looked up, surprised. "Why so?"

"Two reasons. Even if you leave the balance of the Royal Forces at Gapguard, there Is always the possi- bility of a flanking move through the mountains and I think it would be unwise to leave the capital defenseless.

Secondly, I don't think you want to retake Spa.r.s.edale right away."

"I concur on the first, but I don't understand the second," Darius said a shade defensively.

"Young Bardolph's "nothing but a stalking horse.

Paramin of Abercom is the one you need to tame. He sits secure in Oxeter and lets others, in this case his son, do his dirty work. You'll have to draw him out and a nice, slow siege might just do it. If you keep Bardolph securely bottled up it should discourage others from joining the fray."

"Well, if there was any doubt about it," Darius re- sponded, "you've just proved how much I need you."

Otorin smiled warmly. "You always were a good field commander." The smile died. "If you'll forgive my ask- ing, how secure are you in the Queen's support?"

Darius' shoulders stiffened.

"I'm not trying to be impertinent, I'm just being practical," Otorin said, reading the signs.

Darius relaxed. "As secure as I'm ever likely to be,"

he said, remembering with pleasure the way the morn- ing's audience had ended. "Mind you," he added, "I'm perfectly well aware that I shall always be 'the for- eigner' and, in the last a.n.a.lysis, disposable, but so long 51.

as I can defeat her enemies and if I can hold on to her affections, I should be all right." His mouth twisted into a wry smile. "Neither of them is getting any easier. The men keep getting younger."

Like the Marquis of Bethel, Otorin thought. "You have one enormous advantage over them," he said briskly. "You have no ambition to sit 'on the throne.

That may be less compelling in the bedchamber, but when it comes to the army, it's of paramount impor- tance."

"Let's get back to the siege," Darius said. "What about Rostand and Southey?"

"What about them?"

"Don't tell me that you haven't heard of them."

"Both of them are earls, both have very large hold- ings on the coast. Both engage in trade, both are very wealthy."

"And both of them are in league with Abercorn,"

Darius finished.

Otorin smiled. "Their names have come up."

"Well, you don't expect them to sit around and do nothing, do you?"

"Oh, I rather imagine that they will allow the Duke the honor of rescuing his son, don't you? My informa- tion is that they would not be too upset if Abercorn were taken out of the game. All three have ambitions and there is only one throne."

"Let's hope that you're right."

"It's my job to be right about things like that and Arabella's gold has been judiciously spent to make sure that I am."

"We'll be riding out the day after tomorrow," Darius said. "Can you be ready by then?"

"I'll be ready just as soon as I send a bunglebird off to Celador. I have a squire of my own these days to do the packing."

52 "Fair enough. We'll be starting at first light."

Otorin groaned. "As the General commands." He gave a mocking half-bow.

"Any other suggestions?"

"I'd put the word around that you are requisitioning every wagon and draft horse. I'd give the Royal Ar- morer an order for half a dozen ball.u.s.ters. Make sure that the troops here engage in some highly visible ma- neuvers outside the walls."

"I see. You want all this to get back to the Duke."

"And to the Earls."

"You're a devious man, Lissen."

"One of us has to be," Otorin said, and grinned.

"Oh, and you might send a Royal Messenger to either Southey or Rostan, it doesn't matter which."

"Bearing what message?"