Read Online The Death of Chaos by L. E. Modesitt Jr. - Free Book Online Page A

envoys to Candar. Although your wish is always my desire, what could I add?”
       “Neither has your understanding of ships, troops, and tactics. And neither has the understanding that Candar merely represents a step toward our ultimate and long-delayed goal.”
       Dyrsse spreads his hands, as if in puzzlement.
       “You should not question, but you would not be Dyrsse if you did not. That is why you are a marshal and not an envoy. Currently, Candar is relatively orderly. I am led to believe that will change shortly.” A laugh follows. “Through the infusion of yet more order. We perhaps might even aid in that infusion of order.”
       “Us? Infuse order?”
       “Let us just say that matters will shortly become very chaotic in Candar. That is, if my scholars are correct, and so far they have been. This will provide us an opportunity to impose our own form of order.”
       “The grand fleet?” Dyrsse pauses when there is no answer, but does not wipe the perspiration from his forehead. “Sire... as you know... As you know, I have indicated that the forces presently committed to Candar are insufficient.”
       “That they are, but, for now, you will carry out the orders of Rignelgio or his successor, as well as you are able.”
       “As you wish, sire.”
       “It is as I wish, Dyrsse. Remember, one cannot eradicate a nest of vipers without provoking and observing them to determine how widely and deeply they are spread. If I send the grand fleet now, what will it gain me?”
       “All of Candar will submit. Or...”
       “They might put aside their petty quarrels? They might, although I doubt any, except the autarch of Kyphros, are so perceptive. Better that we continue with the present strategy. Candar will fall, country by country, and then... then the black devils will have nowhere to turn.”
       “Yes, ser.”
       “You are thinking that it is better to strike with a heavy hammer from the first.” There is a sigh from the throne. “That hammer 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