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quints, and my father is dead.
I am the only child, yet they judged that I should be conscripted.
They did not allow a buyout of some sort?
Alucius laughed, if gently. It was set at half the golds received from the
sale of nightsilk each year. A
herder is fortunate if he retains a tenth part after expenses. Some are
fortunate to break even, especially
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in the dry years.
Stupidity& murmured the Lord-Protector. Truly unwise.
Alucius felt the honesty of that judgment.
The Lord-Protector straightened in the onyx throne. I have read all of the
reports of all of the senior officers who have questioned you since you
arrived in Tempre. No one disputes that you accomplished what you and others
reported. There is too much evidence about the number of nomads and about the
destructiveness of the pteridons. Yet& no one has been able to explain to my
satisfaction how you accomplished this remarkable feat. I would hear it from
you.
I will tell you as best I can. Once we arrived in Dereka& Alucius went on to
relate everything he had told everyone else, without adding or subtracting
anything that he had stated before, and concluding with his awakening in the
officers quarters in Dereka. & and that was how it came about.
Truly remarkable, mused the Lord-Protector. You make it seem as though any
thoughtful officer should have been able to do what you did. He laughed once
more. Weknow that for an officer to do what needs to be done in the heat of
battle and when he is not in command that is most rare. I have perused many
reports over the past few years, and many have had good ideas and been unable
to carry them out. Yet you, Overcaptain, have always carried out your tactics.
Why are you different? The
Lord-Protector focused his entire being on Alucius.
Alucius met his glance and did not look away. Because, Lord-Protector, I am a
herder, and because my grandsire trained me as well as he possibly could.
Because I was a trooper and a scout, then a captive, then a Matrite squad
leader, and because my men have always trusted me and followed me.
The Lord-Protector nodded slowly. And because there are no other officers who
have been through what you have been. He straightened and smiled. You are
indeed unique, Overcaptain Alucius. More unique than either of us can
possiblysay . The emphasis on the last word was barely there, but it was
certainly there in the feelings of the Lord-Protector.
I have been fortunate, Lord-Protector, and for that I am thankful.
I notice that you are not wearing the Star of Gallantry.
No, sir. I didn t feel it was right to wear it. Every trooper there at the
battles in Deforya deserved it.
I see. The Lord-Protector fingered his chin for a moment. I had requested
your presence for several reasons, Overcaptain. First, I had to meet you. It
is seldom that one gets to meet a true hero. And second, I wished to reward
you myself, because your accomplishments saved Lanachrona from what eventually
could have been a most difficult situation, and I wished that you understand
that personally.
The Lord-Protector lifted a medal a star, blue enamel over gold, with the gold
showing at the edges.
This is the Star of Honor. The last one was bestowed over a generation ago.
It may be a generation more before another is bestowed. He smiled. This is
your honor, and if I must, I order you to wear it on all formal and ceremonial
occasions.
Yes, Lord-Protector
Sir will suffice. The Lord-Protector pinned it on Alucius, smiling, and
whispering, Nightsilk vest?
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Alucius nodded.
The Lord-Protector laughed. I see why you have survived. For such a
comparatively young officer, you leave little to chance. My Recorder of Deeds
worried that you would not serve Lanachrona well, but you have served far
beyond what anyone could expect of any officer. Would that he understood.
Alucius caughtsomething, but could not read the message.
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I have tried to do my best in all situations, sir.
And I trust that you will continue to do so, both here and when you return to
the Iron Valleys. Once more there was the slightest emphasis on a
word here but so slight that anyone not as close as
Alucius could have caught it. As part of our appreciation for your efforts, I
will be sending back orders to the Northern Guard, ordering your release and
return to being a herder, within two weeks of your arrival back in Dekhron.
Alucius managed not to drop his jaw. That that he had not expected.
You will have to remain here for a few days, while the marshals and the
clerks write up those orders, but it will not be that long.
Thank you, sir. I deeply appreciate that.Very deeply.
You have the ability to put things to rights, Overcaptain, even when not
directly ordered to do so. I
hope and trust that you will continue to do so, both here and in the Iron
Valleys. It would be a shame to lose herders and their ability to see the
right and accomplish it when it is so needed. The Lord-Protector stood.
Alucius stood as quickly as he could. I will do my best, sir.
That is all any could ask. The Lord-Protector smiled, then asked, almost as
if it were an afterthought, Would you like a tour of the palace,
Overcaptain?
Alucius understood all too well that it was anything but an afterthought.
I would, indeed, Lord-Protector, if it would not be a problem. It is most
unlikely that I will be returning here, and I would like to be able to relate
to others what I have seen.
The Lord-Protector gestured, and a majer appeared to the left of the onyx
throne. Overcaptain, this is
Majer Suntyl.
Alucius inclined his head.
Majer, it would please me if you were to provide the overcaptain with a
complete tour of the palace, excepting only my private chambers and the actual
chamber of the Table.
Chamber of the Table? Another phrase& where had he heard it?
As you command, Lord-Protector.
My thanks a last time, Overcaptain, said the Lord-Protector.
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Alucius bowed, then retreated down the steps, backward, to avoid turning his
back on the
Lord-Protector. Majer Suntyl followed.
Once the two men were outside in the corridor off the audience chamber,
Alucius turned. You re weren t required for other appointments?
Most times, I would be. The majer shifted his weight, as if uncomfortable.
Alucius tried to project both friendship and openness. But this morning, he s
going somewhere?
He canceled all his other appointments this morning, and so& Suntyl
shrugged.
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