Keeping the Fire: Reinforcements

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Outside the windows Polena could hear the hail beating down on the shutters. An odd, warm storm had broken against the Fortress these past two days, and the hail was only one of the surprises it had brought. Captain Brysh had come with only ten men, and one other citizen but Alliance soldiers were unexpected. When she was first sent to the Fortress she had been told that the Alliance wished to avoid having any military presence. It “sent the wrong message” Luminary Elmar had put it but Coralm preferred to say “a diplomat without soldiers speaks of obligation rather than ambition. It is a safer place to be.” Yet, as she was still walking slowly from the bruises Delhay had given her a few nights past, Polena could hardly say that she had chosen the safest path.

She had received them in Coralm's room. As the other legionaries busied themselves with preparing the many disused cells within the People's Quarters Captain Brysh and his “companion” met with her by the hearthside. She had caught them both up to speed, sparing many of the details, for she could not help but feel that her words were not safe. Captain Brysh was recently shaved bald, in his forties, and certainly a career soldier bearing the weathered features to prove it. He stood straight, asked questions in a clear voice, and was careful never to talk over her. App Devenov, the citizen with him, was more careful in his engagement. He asked questions that prompted for more information, that pried into unnecessary detail, that would suddenly leap back several minutes earlier in the conversation. It was as if he were trying to trip her up. Finally she could not take it any more and spoke her worry openly.

“Comae Devenov, what exactly is the nature of your presence here?”

“I am simply an observer and messenger Luminary,” he said with the same sly promise that annoyed her since he had walked into the room.

“You are not. I have reason to believe that you are a spy.”

“Luminary Polena--” Brysh started but Devenov cut him off.

“And should I be? How would that change things between us Comae?” Brysh looked sidelong at his companion and cleared his throat. Polena ignored him.

“I have been working here for some time, following in Knight Luminary Coralm's lead. I am not want to give up that work.”

“Yet you are choosing to leave the Fortress with a Djaught of the Purebloods. So what does that say Luminary?” Polena frowned and Devenov continued, “I mean no harm. We will follow your lead here and it sounds like you are doing fine work. Let me see if I understand it: the Minister Tavya has her servants wide spread and is floundering, the Mage Alembic is deeply looking into a few spies which, in truth, are only Tavya's own, and Delhay the Whale has his men looking for this “weatherclock” who murdered Knight Luminary Coralm, but has to keep rotating his men as Tavya and Alembics spies keep finding them out. Is that about it?” Polena was silent. Her eyes darted to Brysh, but he was looking to Devenov, clearly out of his depth.

“Yes, that is a fair assessment. None of them can exploit our weakness and Fiedjan will be focusing it's resources with me on proving this anonymous tomb belonged to a dead poet who never actually lived.”

“Then it sounds like you know what you are doing. I am an observer Comae Polena. Captain Brysh controls the diplomacy while you are gone. He will make statements of regret, express support, or comment upon the wonderfulness of events as appropriate.” Brysh broke in, apparently feeling inadequate.

“Luminary, I am a soldier. I keep the People close to heart, but I am here to fight a holding action. I will make no waves here.” Polena judged a moment. These men had come from the Fortress at Ledire, about two days ride from Fortress Edgar. Their very presence here confirmed what she had heard from others, that the Alliance was bolstering Ledire and looking to make more of an impact in the region. She had her own reasons for being here and these men did not share them. They were, in effect, exactly the type of men that Mage Alembic had warned her would come. Yet, what could they do without her? They did not have her contacts. They could not take her station. They did not have the ear of the king, the contact of a Dun Mage, the trust of a Flinish Duchess turned Minister, and what was most important, they would not be with the Djaught. That was the axle of every motion in the Fortress right now. What harm could they really do?

“All right,” she said at last, “Captain Brysh, while I am gone I leave the People's Will for the Fortress in your hands. Please take good care of it for me.” App Devenov answered for him.

“We will, Luminary. Of that you can be assured.”

Nothing about his words soothed her worry.

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