Read Online The Death of Chaos by L. E. Modesitt Jr. - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: L. E. Modesitt Jr.
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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.“Now... do you understand your orders? And your duty?”
“Yes, ser.”
“Then I look forward to the success of your efforts. You may go.”
Dyrsse bows again. Not until he is outside the chamber does he wipe his sweating forehead.
5.Death of Chaos
VII
A GRAY SKY brooded over Kyphros, but the wind was light when Yelena-the squad leader who'd escorted me on the first part of the effort against the white wizard Antonin-and three troopers met me outside the stable. The air smelled more like rain than fall.
Krystal and her guards had left early, far earlier, and I knew she wouldn't have come home the night before-except that I was leaving. Gairloch's saddlebags were full, not only with some apprentice-type tools, but with travel bread and hard cheese. I had some fruit stashed away also, and a heavier jacket, a waterproof, and the bedroll I'd gotten in Howlett when I first came to Recluce. The canteen held redberry, but I knew that wouldn't last. All in all, Gairloch was laden.
For some reason, when I thought of the bedroll, made in Recluce, I wondered about my parents. I could have written, and sent the letter by a trader, but I'd almost felt as if they'd been the ones to throw me out, to send me on my dangergeld. And I'd never even known that my father, the great Gunnar, was a Temple master and head of the Institute for Order Studies.
Should I write? I still didn't know as I stood there in the yard.
“Good morning, Order-master.”
Yelena's greeting cut off my speculations.
“Good morning, Leader Yelena.” I swung onto Gairloch and flicked the reins. He didn't need the hint; he was already moving toward the main road.
Wheeee... eeee.
“Yes, I know. You thought we'd given this up.” I patted Gairloch on the neck, and he whuffed once.
“One never gives up
“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.“Now... do you understand your orders? And your duty?”
“Yes, ser.”
“Then I look forward to the success of your efforts. You may go.”
Dyrsse bows again. Not until he is outside the chamber does he wipe his sweating forehead.
5.Death of Chaos
VII
A GRAY SKY brooded over Kyphros, but the wind was light when Yelena-the squad leader who'd escorted me on the first part of the effort against the white wizard Antonin-and three troopers met me outside the stable. The air smelled more like rain than fall.
Krystal and her guards had left early, far earlier, and I knew she wouldn't have come home the night before-except that I was leaving. Gairloch's saddlebags were full, not only with some apprentice-type tools, but with travel bread and hard cheese. I had some fruit stashed away also, and a heavier jacket, a waterproof, and the bedroll I'd gotten in Howlett when I first came to Recluce. The canteen held redberry, but I knew that wouldn't last. All in all, Gairloch was laden.
For some reason, when I thought of the bedroll, made in Recluce, I wondered about my parents. I could have written, and sent the letter by a trader, but I'd almost felt as if they'd been the ones to throw me out, to send me on my dangergeld. And I'd never even known that my father, the great Gunnar, was a Temple master and head of the Institute for Order Studies.
Should I write? I still didn't know as I stood there in the yard.
“Good morning, Order-master.”
Yelena's greeting cut off my speculations.
“Good morning, Leader Yelena.” I swung onto Gairloch and flicked the reins. He didn't need the hint; he was already moving toward the main road.
Wheeee... eeee.
“Yes, I know. You thought we'd given this up.” I patted Gairloch on the neck, and he whuffed once.
“One never gives up
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