Grand Master Soton looked up at the nondescript three story stone building with surprise. This unremarkable building did not look at all like the home of the most powerful and feared Archpriest of the Inner Circle of Styphon's House; no it resembled the dwelling of an underpriest or novice. This feeling was confirmed when he went to the door and it was opened by a proctor. The only thing that was different from any other such dormitory in Balph was the presence of a squad of Styphon's Own Guard in the first floor antechamber and the lack of giggling young harlots-although, he suspected they no longer frequented the dormitories as they had in his youth, considering all the other changes in Balph. The guards appeared bored and were talking among themselves about the chances of being sent to Hos-Harphax, where there was bound to be plenty of fighting and other sports, such as burning villages and plundering wealthy residences.
Soton was dressed as a Brethren of the Zarthani Knights, in a black tunic with Styphon's white sun-wheel device, over his jerkin and trousers-not wanting to attract attention and comment with a large retinue. The guards of Styphon's Own Guard eyed him with challenging glares, as if he were a Hostigi soldier who had suddenly materialized on the streets of Balph. He pointedly ignored their stares. He made his way upstairs and stopped when he came to a room with two more guards, only these guards wore the white robes of the Holy Investigation. Both held wickedly sharp halberds at the ready.
"Grand Master Soton of the Zarthani Knights to meet with Holy Investigator Roxthar."
"Go in, Grand Master-you are expected."
Soton opened the door to a room that most closely resembled a cell. The walls and floors were bare, with only a cot and two hardwood chairs of primitive manufacture. Roxthar sat in one of the chairs, his eyes staring fixedly at the wall.
Soton felt as if he'd walked in on someone at the privy tanks. He started to back up, when Roxthar said, "Sit, Grand Master. I was talking with our Lord God Styphon. He tells me He is pleased with your work in his name. He promises you great glory when the Usurper is vanquished."
Soton felt chills ride up and down the bumps of his spine. He had negotiated with Sastragathi snake-handlers who were saner than this, the most powerful man in Balph. "I will do my best to fulfill his will."
Roxthar smiled in a manner that might have made a she-wolf's milk curdle. "You and I are a lot alike. Both orphans and soldiers in Styphon's war against iniquity. Someday we shall rule the earth in Styphon's Name."
Soton was glad to be included in Roxthar's plans, since not to be included probably meant not to be among the living. Not knowing how to answer, he turned to one of Roxthar's stock replies, "Let Styphon's Will Be Done."
Roxthar nodded as if giving him a benediction, which he probably was. Soton suddenly wished he were somewhere safe-like at the head of a Lance of knights charging into a mass of nomads.
"Your arrival in Balph was propitious. I have been thinking about the war against the Usurper."
Soton who'd been called away from Tarr-Ceros in the midst of winter for this meeting could not think of a reply that would ensure his future health or longevity. So, instead he nodded sagely.
"We need more soldiers; yet, you tell me in your letter that almost every mercenary in the Five Kingdoms is employed."
Soton nodded again. "Kalvan has recruited most of the northern Kingdom mercenaries for his army. Phidestros took his leavings for the Harphaxi Army. With the nomads and clans of the Sastragath stirring, even the Middle Kingdom mercenaries are contracted."
"Then we must look farther afield."
Soton had to bite his tongue to keep from blurting something he might well regret. He didn't give priests instructions on their devotions, so why should they bedevil him with strategies and bad advice. Still, it had to be admitted that Roxthar and himself were the only two men in Styphon's House with any strategic vision. "What are your suggestions, Holy Investigator?"
"I need your advice, since you will be leading the crusade against the Usurper next year. What about the Ros-Zarthani across the Iron Trail? They are fierce warriors and their kings are eternally in need of gold. Arch-priest Prysos, who has been advancing Styphon's word in the Middle Kingdoms, tells me that they are renowned for their war prowess."
Soton almost had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing out loud. By Styphon's Privy Parts, what new madness had Roxthar conjured up in his febrile brain! Or was it another of this Prysos' schemes. He had never heard of this Archpriest until recently, then as an agent of Speaker Anax-thenes. Now he was Roxthar's man, as well; it certainly could be said that Archpriest Prysos followed the Balph political winds like a weather vane. "If the stories are true, the Ros-Zarthani still fight with darts and bows! How long would they stand against Kalvan's cannon?"
Roxthar nodded. "This is true, but they are fierce warriors. In the past, we have proscribed trading fireseed with them because their kings are so ambitious and their warriors are so spirited. Now that Styphon's Mystery has been revealed by the Daemon Kalvan, it might be a good time to ally ourselves with them, so that we can introduce them to the One-God."
"It is true that we dearly need more soldiers, even if they are only bodies to throw before the Usurper's guns. In this manner, they would be most useful. I don't know how many mercenaries they will sell us, but we could use at least five thousand. Ten thousand would be even better."
"Good. My thinking, too, Grand Master. I will send Archpriest Prysos at the head of a diplomatic mission to speak to their Tyrant. He will arrange for the recruitment of ten thousand solders to be paid for in gold and fireseed. In the past, Prysos was the intermediary used by Sesklos and Archpriest Anaxthenes to trade fireseed to the Mexicotal for gold. This has been stopped since their attack upon Xiphlon. Upon his return to Balph Prysos was coerced-or so he claims-by Anaxthenes to attempt to enlist you in their revolt. As a 'self-proclaimed' true believer, he came to me after being approached by the First Speaker. I am wary of his loyalties, which seem to be mostly to himself, so I suggested that he head this mission to test his loyalty. If he returns, he will gain a place in the Inner Circle; if not, one less empty yellow robe."
Soton suspected that Prysos had jumped out of the pot and into the fire. He did not envy the Archpriest both his travel and dealings with the mercurial Ros-Zarthani. It was said their kings were absolute rulers and dabbled in unclean arts. However, Soton did need more disciplined troops and the Ros Zarthani could be the answer. "It could work. If nothing else, maybe they will die well for Styphon."
Roxthar grinned and brayed his hacking laugh. "I thought as well myself. At best, we have additional soldiers; at worst, another traitor has died."
Roxthar went back to staring at the wall and Soton decided this meant he was excused. Well, he'd rather have the Investigator staring at the wall than at his back. Roxthar's opponents did not fare well; although, he suspected the treacherous Prysos deserved whatever hand he was dealt.