Read Online Imager's Battalion by L. E. Modesitt Jr. - Free Book Online Page B

he’d mind at least until they had crossed the second bridge into Bovarian territory.
    “Yes, sir.”
    Quaeryt turned in the saddle. “Undercaptain Voltyr, you are in command of the imager undercaptains, but you answer to the major in my absence.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Quaeryt turned the mare and rode toward the head of the column to meet with Skarpa, arriving just before Meinyt reined up.
    “Good morning, Subcommanders,” said Skarpa.
    “Good morning,” replied Quaeryt. “Fifth Battalion stands ready.”
    “Fifth Tilboran is ready,” added Meinyt.
    “Then we should proceed.” After a moment Skarpa added, “Whoever would have thought a major, a captain, and a scholar would have ended up where we are?” He grinned at Quaeryt. “Except for the scholar, and he didn’t expect to become a subcommander. I told him he ought to be an officer.”
    “Everyone’s allowed some doubts,” replied Quaeryt with a laugh.
    “Any last moment news about the Bovarians?” asked Meinyt.
    “There’s no sign of any troopers within fifteen milles,” said Skarpa. “The scouts haven’t covered the area west of that except along the river, but there’s no indication of Bovarian forces.”
    “First indication is when we lose someone or they attack,” said Meinyt.
    “They won’t attack soon. They don’t have many men close enough to attack in force. They’ve barely had enough time to get a messenger to Variana and to ride back here.”
    “Archers or crossbowmen and destroying bridges?” suggested Quaeryt.
    “We’ll have to keep alert for those sorts of things,” said Skarpa. “I think Marshal Deucalon will face more of that, though. His force is larger, and the roads on the north side of the river are better.” He raised his arm and nodded to the hornist.
    The call for the advance echoed across the north end of the river, and the outriders started forward. Meinyt nodded, then turned and rode back to Fifth Regiment, which brought up the rear and guarded the supply wagons.
    “If you wouldn’t mind my riding with you, sir, for a bit?” asked Quaeryt. “It’s acceptable that the imagers remain with the battalion for a time?”
    “For the morning, perhaps longer, depending on what the scouts report.” Skarpa urged his mount forward, and Quaeryt eased the mare in alongside him. “What do you have in mind?”
    “I’m not certain I have anything in mind. I was more interested in anything you might have considered.”
    “I’m sure you’ve noticed that we have all the elements of the Telaryn forces that might be considered suspect or different.”
    “Piedryn forces that are less well trained, Khellan rebels, and imagers, you mean? Not to mention Tilboran regiments commanded by officers considered possibly less … traditional. With far fewer archers and engineers, as well. Have I missed anything?”
    “You didn’t mention a subcommander married to the sister of the Lord of Telaryn. He is an officer with a habit of not respecting the privileged excesses of certain High Holders.”
    “Has it been said like that?”
    “Not quite. It might as well have been, though. Why do you think the forces were split that way?”
    “The most obvious reason was because the forces on the north side of the Aluse will face greater opposition. A careful commander would place his strongest forces where he expects the greatest opposition.”
    “That is certainly what Marshal Deucalon has said.”
    “You don’t believe him?”
    Skarpa smiled. “Do you think that Lord Bhayar is a gambler?”
    Quaeryt shook his head. “He calculates, but he is anything but a gambler. He will let others take risks, but only so long as he will not be the one to pay if they lose.”
    “That is why we were ordered not to get too far ahead of the northern force.”
    “Because we have to be forward in order to be successful, more than a day, and if we fail, that failure falls on us?”
    “I thought you would understand.”
    As they reached the