Read Online Antiagon Fire by L. E. Modesitt Jr. - Free Book Online Page B

have no students, and but a handful of scholars remaining, for that is all our modest lands will support. I hear that the scholarium in Laaryn has fared better. The others here in Variana are no more. About those elsewhere”—Charpentier shrugged—“I have not heard.”
    Quaeryt stood. “Thank you for seeing me. I am sorry to hear of your troubles.”
    “What will you do, Commander Scholar?”
    “For now … I will report to Lord Bhayar. What he will do, I do not know, save I doubt that he will visit more tribulation upon the scholars or any scholarium that accepts his rule.”
    “What else would we do but accept what we cannot change?”
    Quaeryt nodded once more, then took his leave of the old and tired building. Once outside, in the muddy space below the front steps, he mounted the mare, then gestured for the squad to ride out. At the foot of the low rise where the lane from the scholarium joined the road that was barely more than a path, he glanced back, his eyes taking in the sagging roofline of the old building and the wooden shutters that doubtless covered windows whose glass the scholars had been unable to replace.
    What has happened to the scholars all across Lydar? Or is it that the rulers changed? Quaeryt wasn’t certain that he knew. What was becoming increasingly clear was that he would receive little or no support or assistance from the scholars … and that he was likely better off without what they might offer. Except that the scholars in Tilbor had refused to accept being impoverished … and that had created a different and more difficult situation.
    Both situations saddened him.
    But that is why what you plan must come to be … must …

 
    7
    Solayi morning, Quaeryt and Vaelora slept late, if seventh glass could be considered late by any standards except that of the military—or by Bhayar, who seemed to rise glasses before anyone else. They had breakfast, and then Quaeryt headed out to meet with Zhelan to go over details of their departure on Lundi morning. Next came the session with the imager undercaptains, conducted in what had likely been a walled garden of the late High Holder Paitrak. First, Quaeryt received a report from Voltyr on the anomen repairs, indicating that such had been limited to strengthening the walls and repairing cracks in the masonry.
    Then Quaeryt surveyed the eight remaining undercaptains before going on. “Because of various things, I have not had a chance to formally evaluate how each of you has progressed in terms of your imaging ability since before the battle of Variana.” And you should have, and now you’re squeezing this testing in because you didn’t get to it earlier.
    Zhelan and several rankers stood to Quaeryt’s left, holding various weapons, as well as a large wooden bucket filled with smooth stones.
    “Undercaptain Threkhyl … step forward.”
    The ginger-bearded Threkhyl did so, trying to conceal a smile.
    “Your ability to create and move material is prodigious,” Quaeryt began. “In the past, however, you have had difficulty in maintaining and holding personal shields…”
    Threkhyl suddenly had no trouble maintaining an unsmiling expression.
    “This could be a problem, since it renders you vulnerable to attack. So … I’d like you to raise whatever shield is appropriate.” Quaeryt stepped forward and took the staff from the nearest ranker, then motioned for Threkhyl to move out onto the open ground. “You’re to hold your shield as long as possible. If they fail or collapse, step back immediately. I’m only interested in your shields. You’ve already proven your courage in battle. Do you understand?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Quaeryt squared his stance, holding the staff easily, with his own imaging shields almost against his skin in order to allow himself the ability to use the staff as freely as possible. Then he struck Threkhyl’s shields, a blow not particularly hard, because he knew the undercaptain’s shields could withstand