Imager’s Battalion Read Free Page A

proceed as they always have unless we act, and in all likelihood, we will be limited in what we do.”
    “Exactly. Except … except … it allows me to summarily execute Haaraxes if he indulges in more than petty thievery, with no complaints by the High Holders or other ministers. The document will make that most clear.” Bhayar turned to Quaeryt. “While you have been recovering, we have developed a plan of attack and restructured our forces to accomplish that attack. We have formed armies of the south and of the north. The army of the north will advance westward along the north river road of the Aluse directly to Variana. Because most of the population in the area is on the north side, this will be the larger force.”
    Quaeryt had a good idea with which force he and his imagers would be placed, but he just listened.
    “The initial force that will travel the south river road, or what passes for it, will be commanded by Commander Skarpa and will consist of two regiments and a full battalion. Those will be Skarpa’s Third Tilboran Regiment, the newly constituted Fifth Tilboran Regiment under Subcommander Meinyt, and the Fifth Montagne Battalion under you. That title is largely for effect and because you were governor of Montagne.”
    Worse and worse … if interesting. Quaeryt nodded again.
    “Marshal Deucalon, Submarshal Myskyl, and I were not at all pleased with the performance of the Second Ryntaran Regiment from Piedryn. So we have implemented a certain amount of reorganization. Two battalions from Second Ryntaran have been transferred to First Tilboran under Submarshal Myskyl. That allowed us to transfer two battalions from First Tilboran to Third, which in turn allowed Third and Fourth Battalion of Third Tilboran to be moved and become the core of the new Fifth Tilboran, along with the remaining two battalions from Second Ryntaran…”
    That made sense to Quaeryt. Skarpa, Myskyl, and Meinyt were all good officers, and especially good at training and improving troopers, although Quaeryt trusted Myskyl not at all.
    “You and Major Zhelan face a challenge and an opportunity.” Bhayar did not smile as he spoke, for which Quaeryt was grateful. “Your first company will remain as it has. Your second, third, and fourth companies are not properly from Montagne. They actually consist largely of Khellan cavalry that spent nearly two years making their way through the Montagnes D’Glace after the battle of Khelgror. There were originally close to two regiments, but the mountains and the winters were hard on them…”
    Khellan cavalry … riding for two years … Quaeryt had heard about the Bovarian savagery reputed to have followed the fall of Khel, but to cross the continent by way of the northern mountains?
    “For reasons we all know,” Bhayar continued, “they wish to be part of the campaign against the Bovarians. They know of the background of our family, and they asked if there happened to be a Pharsi officer under whom they could serve. I told them that the best I could do was a Telaryn officer who was of Pharsi descent and married to my sister.” Bhayar did smile, if faintly. “I felt that was an accurate representation … was it not?”
    More accurate even than you know, it appears. “That was accurate, sir,” replied Quaeryt.
    Vaelora nodded.
    “That will provide a full battalion under you, but Marshal Deucalon thought it might be best if Major Zhelan remained as your second in command. Major Zhelan expressed pleasure at remaining as well.”
    “Zhelan is an accomplished and practical officer,” said Quaeryt.
    “As are you, from all reports.” Bhayar leaned back slightly in the wooden armchair. “We have had to wait some for additional forces, and there are others that will join us as they can. Kharst has likely only received reports of what occurred at Ferravyl in the last week, and there will be no reports on what we plan to do. He will doubtless pull troops from the border with Antiago,