Read Online Imager's Battalion by L. E. Modesitt Jr. - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: L. E. Modesitt Jr.
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coney deep in the garden, but that when it appears it’s a sign of ill fortune to come.”
Quaeryt almost laughed. A black rabbit a sign of misfortune? Abruptly he realized he’d never seen a black hare, not wild or domestic. “Then we’d best not look for it.” He pointed. “Those stone squares—there once were two stone pillars on this side of the birches.”
“Sometimes, nature does outlast the works of men.”
In the end, always. Quaeryt squeezed her hand.
“You can smell the wild roses. They’re so much more fragrant than the ones cultivated for gardens. Over there…”
As he walked with Vaelora, Quaeryt knew the day would be far too short, and that he would have to leave all too soon.
Before he knew it, fourth glass had arrived, and he had changed into a clean uniform and was leading the mare into the courtyard. Vaelora walked beside him, and they made their way to the drive in front of the hold house.
As he stood beside the mare, ready to mount, she turned to him. “Remember, with your thoughts and your heart, that you did not bring this war to pass. All you can do is your best for everyone … and for us, the three of us.” With her words came tears.
He held her for a long time, murmuring his love for her, before she released him and stepped back.
He mounted, and then looked at her. Neither spoke. What more can we say?
Her smile was unsteady.
He touched his fingers to his lips, then blew a last kiss to her before he turned the mare and rode to join his escorts waiting farther out on the drive.
Halfway down the drive, as he glanced back one last time toward Nordruil, he wondered how long it would be before he saw her again.
His lips quirked into a wry smile. And to think, a year ago, you had met her but for a few moments, and had received one very scholarly letter.
A year had changed everything. He just hoped the year ahead did not undo all that the previous year had brought. He pushed that thought away and looked at the road ahead, leading to Ferravyl.
8
Quaeryt did not dream of ice on Solayi evening, nor did he wake before dawn on Lundi morning to frost coating the walls of the small stone chamber he rated as a subcommander. He dressed and hurried to the senior officers’ mess in the north side of the bridge fortification. Once there he quickly ate a breakfast of overcooked scrambled eggs and chopped mutton. He washed down his food with poor ale—which reminded him to image better lager into his water bottle when he reached the stables and saddled his mare.
Major Zhelan had Fifth Battalion largely formed up in position north of the bridge over the Aluse River when Quaeryt and the six imager undercaptains rode up. Quaeryt eased the mare over beside Zhelan’s chestnut gelding.
“Good morning, Subcommander.”
“Good morning, Major. Any difficulties?”
“No, sir. Not yet, anyway.”
“Have you learned anything more about or from the Khellan officers?”
“No, sir.”
“Once we’re over both bridges, I’ll spend a glass or so riding with each one of them, starting with Major Calkoran. Tonight we’ll talk over what I discover.” Or what you don’t, if you fail to learn anything of importance or interest.
After his initial meeting with the three majors, Quaeryt had decided that he’d learn little or nothing in any formal meeting, at least not until the Khellans were more comfortable with him, and he thought the only way to do that would be to ride with them for periods of time during the advance on Variana.
“Fifth Battalion stands ready, sir,” announced Zhelan formally.
“Thank you, Major. I’ll report that to the commander. I will be riding with him for a time. As always, you are in command in my absence.” Zhelan knew that, but Quaeryt made the statement to reinforce that fact to the imager undercaptains, and he was leaving them with Zhelan at the moment. Although Skarpa half requested, half ordered the imagers to ride in the van, Quaeryt didn’t think
Quaeryt almost laughed. A black rabbit a sign of misfortune? Abruptly he realized he’d never seen a black hare, not wild or domestic. “Then we’d best not look for it.” He pointed. “Those stone squares—there once were two stone pillars on this side of the birches.”
“Sometimes, nature does outlast the works of men.”
In the end, always. Quaeryt squeezed her hand.
“You can smell the wild roses. They’re so much more fragrant than the ones cultivated for gardens. Over there…”
As he walked with Vaelora, Quaeryt knew the day would be far too short, and that he would have to leave all too soon.
Before he knew it, fourth glass had arrived, and he had changed into a clean uniform and was leading the mare into the courtyard. Vaelora walked beside him, and they made their way to the drive in front of the hold house.
As he stood beside the mare, ready to mount, she turned to him. “Remember, with your thoughts and your heart, that you did not bring this war to pass. All you can do is your best for everyone … and for us, the three of us.” With her words came tears.
He held her for a long time, murmuring his love for her, before she released him and stepped back.
He mounted, and then looked at her. Neither spoke. What more can we say?
Her smile was unsteady.
He touched his fingers to his lips, then blew a last kiss to her before he turned the mare and rode to join his escorts waiting farther out on the drive.
Halfway down the drive, as he glanced back one last time toward Nordruil, he wondered how long it would be before he saw her again.
His lips quirked into a wry smile. And to think, a year ago, you had met her but for a few moments, and had received one very scholarly letter.
A year had changed everything. He just hoped the year ahead did not undo all that the previous year had brought. He pushed that thought away and looked at the road ahead, leading to Ferravyl.
8
Quaeryt did not dream of ice on Solayi evening, nor did he wake before dawn on Lundi morning to frost coating the walls of the small stone chamber he rated as a subcommander. He dressed and hurried to the senior officers’ mess in the north side of the bridge fortification. Once there he quickly ate a breakfast of overcooked scrambled eggs and chopped mutton. He washed down his food with poor ale—which reminded him to image better lager into his water bottle when he reached the stables and saddled his mare.
Major Zhelan had Fifth Battalion largely formed up in position north of the bridge over the Aluse River when Quaeryt and the six imager undercaptains rode up. Quaeryt eased the mare over beside Zhelan’s chestnut gelding.
“Good morning, Subcommander.”
“Good morning, Major. Any difficulties?”
“No, sir. Not yet, anyway.”
“Have you learned anything more about or from the Khellan officers?”
“No, sir.”
“Once we’re over both bridges, I’ll spend a glass or so riding with each one of them, starting with Major Calkoran. Tonight we’ll talk over what I discover.” Or what you don’t, if you fail to learn anything of importance or interest.
After his initial meeting with the three majors, Quaeryt had decided that he’d learn little or nothing in any formal meeting, at least not until the Khellans were more comfortable with him, and he thought the only way to do that would be to ride with them for periods of time during the advance on Variana.
“Fifth Battalion stands ready, sir,” announced Zhelan formally.
“Thank you, Major. I’ll report that to the commander. I will be riding with him for a time. As always, you are in command in my absence.” Zhelan knew that, but Quaeryt made the statement to reinforce that fact to the imager undercaptains, and he was leaving them with Zhelan at the moment. Although Skarpa half requested, half ordered the imagers to ride in the van, Quaeryt didn’t think
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