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Authors: L. E. Modesitt Jr.
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must be saved until it can be used on the black devils. It would not take the grand fleet to subdue Candar, now, would it, Marshal Dyrsse?”
“I would think not, but it will take more than the twenty-odd warships steaming across the Western Ocean.”
“You will have more ships for Candar, but not the grand fleet. You know that my grandfather would have liked to see that fleet? He especially would have liked to see the shells fall on the black city.”
“Yes, ser.”
Another sigh, theatrically loud, issues from the Emperor. “I see I must spell matters out, even for the great Marshal Dyrsse. It is simple. You are to take Candar. Ser Rignelgio has already begun the process with the Duke of Freetown. You are to support him. One means of such support is to cut off the Candarian traders from trading with Recluce. The other is to block the Recluce traders from providing support to Candar.”
“The black mages will send out their ships.”
“It is a little-known secret that they only have three. Perhaps you could eliminate one or perhaps two with the ships you will have—on the pretext of our conquest of Candar.”
“Only three? Three ships, and we have worried about Recluce for so long?”
“Those three ships have sunk dozens of our best vessels over the years, because they are quick and cannot be seen. That is why everyone has believed there were more, but…we have excellent sources of information, Marshal. There are only three ships. Each formidable, but…they cannot cover an entire continent.”
Dyrsse covers a frown with a nod.
“You are beginning to understand. Good. The heart of the power of Recluce lies in the black city of Nylan. When Nylan falls, so does Recluce. And if Nylan is reduced to black gravel…do you understand?”
“I understand that Nylan and Recluce must fall, ser.”
“Good. For now, Rignelgio and Leithrrse will direct the efforts in Candar. I rather suspect that they, and most nobles of Hamor, fail to understand the true danger that faces us on the far side of the Eastern Ocean. You will support them with all your skill. Then will I provide you with the tools to reduce Nylan and destroy Recluce.”
“You do not expect them to fail?” Dyrsse feels his lips drying, but does not moisten them, not with the Emperor studying him.
“They are great nobles of Hamor, and their peers have forgotten that Hamor has lost two great fleets to the black isle, even before the black ships.”
“Ser…you tell me that I must support your envoys with all my skill, but that they will not prevail.” Dyrsse bows. “I am a fighting man, and I will carry out my duty to my last breath, but I must know that duty. I cannot rely on guessing your will, ser.”
“My will is simple, Dyrsse. Crush Recluce. My envoys are interested in growing rich from Candar and making token efforts against the black isle. Sooner or later Recluce will crush them, and you will inherit their authority, an authority I cannot now give you, for the danger is not yet obvious, and even emperors must consider the beliefs of their nobles.”
“Ser, my duty is clear, and I will do my best to carry it out. However, you have pointed out that no one has successfully taken on the black devils and their invisible ships—even if they do only have three. And that does not count their mages. Can you provide some guidance?”
“You are highly recommended. Why must I spell out every detail?”
“So I can do my best for you.”
There is a sigh from the throne. “After the others fail…you will receive my mandate, and you will bring all the powers of Hamor against Recluce. No one has ever before had hundreds of ships of black steel and order. Nor guns that fire five-and ten-stone shells. As for the black mages, they, too, are limited. Never has Recluce had more than a handful, and that handful will not be enough to prevail against the massed order of the grand fleet—when the time comes.” There is a pause from the throne.
“I would think not, but it will take more than the twenty-odd warships steaming across the Western Ocean.”
“You will have more ships for Candar, but not the grand fleet. You know that my grandfather would have liked to see that fleet? He especially would have liked to see the shells fall on the black city.”
“Yes, ser.”
Another sigh, theatrically loud, issues from the Emperor. “I see I must spell matters out, even for the great Marshal Dyrsse. It is simple. You are to take Candar. Ser Rignelgio has already begun the process with the Duke of Freetown. You are to support him. One means of such support is to cut off the Candarian traders from trading with Recluce. The other is to block the Recluce traders from providing support to Candar.”
“The black mages will send out their ships.”
“It is a little-known secret that they only have three. Perhaps you could eliminate one or perhaps two with the ships you will have—on the pretext of our conquest of Candar.”
“Only three? Three ships, and we have worried about Recluce for so long?”
“Those three ships have sunk dozens of our best vessels over the years, because they are quick and cannot be seen. That is why everyone has believed there were more, but…we have excellent sources of information, Marshal. There are only three ships. Each formidable, but…they cannot cover an entire continent.”
Dyrsse covers a frown with a nod.
“You are beginning to understand. Good. The heart of the power of Recluce lies in the black city of Nylan. When Nylan falls, so does Recluce. And if Nylan is reduced to black gravel…do you understand?”
“I understand that Nylan and Recluce must fall, ser.”
“Good. For now, Rignelgio and Leithrrse will direct the efforts in Candar. I rather suspect that they, and most nobles of Hamor, fail to understand the true danger that faces us on the far side of the Eastern Ocean. You will support them with all your skill. Then will I provide you with the tools to reduce Nylan and destroy Recluce.”
“You do not expect them to fail?” Dyrsse feels his lips drying, but does not moisten them, not with the Emperor studying him.
“They are great nobles of Hamor, and their peers have forgotten that Hamor has lost two great fleets to the black isle, even before the black ships.”
“Ser…you tell me that I must support your envoys with all my skill, but that they will not prevail.” Dyrsse bows. “I am a fighting man, and I will carry out my duty to my last breath, but I must know that duty. I cannot rely on guessing your will, ser.”
“My will is simple, Dyrsse. Crush Recluce. My envoys are interested in growing rich from Candar and making token efforts against the black isle. Sooner or later Recluce will crush them, and you will inherit their authority, an authority I cannot now give you, for the danger is not yet obvious, and even emperors must consider the beliefs of their nobles.”
“Ser, my duty is clear, and I will do my best to carry it out. However, you have pointed out that no one has successfully taken on the black devils and their invisible ships—even if they do only have three. And that does not count their mages. Can you provide some guidance?”
“You are highly recommended. Why must I spell out every detail?”
“So I can do my best for you.”
There is a sigh from the throne. “After the others fail…you will receive my mandate, and you will bring all the powers of Hamor against Recluce. No one has ever before had hundreds of ships of black steel and order. Nor guns that fire five-and ten-stone shells. As for the black mages, they, too, are limited. Never has Recluce had more than a handful, and that handful will not be enough to prevail against the massed order of the grand fleet—when the time comes.” There is a pause from the throne.
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