As Phidestros entered the audience chamber from the rear portal at the side of Great King Lysandros, he couldn't help but notice the frowns and looks of disapproval on the faces of all the assembled dignitaries, except for that of Grand Master Soton. They probably think we were making a backroom deal before they could present their cases, or, even worse, that I'm now one of Lysandros' favorites. He intentionally kept his face a blank mask; let them read upon it what they would.
While the Chancellor went through the opening formalities and ritual, Phidestros studied Archpriest Roxthar. The Holy Investigator was seething underneath his rigid exterior, releasing enough steam to raise the audience chamber temperature. Roxthar, accustomed to Balph temple politics, where he always got his way, appeared not to be used to waiting on his 'betters.' According to the rumors Phidestros had heard, Great King Cleitharses of Hos-Ktemnos would sacrifice the life of his youngest granddaughter to appease the Investigator. Fortunately for the Great Kingdom of Hos-Harphax, as he had just learned, Lysandros was made of stronger metal.
Archpriest Phyllos, the Highpriest of Harphax City, was trailing Roxthar like a puppy-it appeared he had a new master. Phidestros doubted Phyllos was making any points with Lysandros.
The moment Lysandros gave his permission, the Investigator began to speak through clenched teeth, "Your Majesty, I have learned Captain-General Phidestros has requested your permission to take Styphon's Own Grand Host and chase Daemon Kalvan and his false army into the frontier. While this work must be done, make no doubt of that-Styphon be Praised!-our first job must be to eliminate all heresy in the False Kingdom of Hos-Hostigos, beginning with the Daemon's nest, Tarr-Hostigos."
Roxthar's possessive use of 'Styphon's Own Grand Host' told both Lysandros and Phidestros that, with or without Lysandros' blessings, the Styphoni-paid portion-the majority-of the Grand Host would stay in Hostigos despite what they wanted, or ordered. If it were possible for the diminutive Grand Master to shrink, he appeared to be doing thusly.
Phidestros spoke up. "Your Majesty, may I have permission to speak?"
Lysandros nodded with perceptible relief.
"Let it be said that I, Grand Captain-General Phidestros, believe that the Investigator is correct and that we must wrest control of Hostigos from its defenders before we send our main force to chase the Usurper Kalvan." Everyone looked at him as if seeing him for the first time; his view of the Investigator was well known among the Grand Host. Even Roxthar, for once, appeared to be speechless!
Grand Master Soton was shaking his head. Soton had to know that it was a huge military blunder not to follow the Usurper Kalvan and drive him and his forces into the ground until the army of the False Kingdom of Hos-Hostigos was defeated, or demolished in such a manner that it was no longer able to function as an army.
Now that control of the war council had been decisively wrested from Roxthar and his supporters, Lysandros went on to inform the council of the Ban of Galzar; it was as if one of Kalvan's 'shells' had dropped through the roof. Phidestros relaxed to watch a master politician at work; Roxthar didn't stand a chance, not with this crowd!