Lescari Revolution 03: Banners In The Wind Read Free

vigilance.
    Triolle's successive duchesses had increased the castle's comforts, dividing each tower's interior into richly furnished apartments and insisting on broad windows to admit more light. There was a pleasure garden on the far side of the bailey, though the arbours were drab and forlorn, summer's roses long since fallen. Apparently it had been the particular delight of the late Duchess Casatia.
    What would Iruvain's mother have thought of his headlong flight? Tathrin grimaced. Every coin has two faces. The disgraced duke might be bereft of father and mother but at least he need never face them to explain his actions.
    'There's news from Carluse.' Dagaran crossed the room to look out into the vast courtyard.
    'Word of Iruvain?' Sorgrad asked quickly.
    'Or his duchess?' Gren shot a sly glance at his brother.
    'We've still no notion where Their Graces might be.' The mercenary handed a sealed scrap of parchment to Tathrin. 'The captain-general's compliments and he'd value a prompt response.'
    The note was short and to the point, in Evord's elegant penmanship.
    My scouts report that the renegade mercenaries who seized and sacked Wyril are now advancing on Ashgil. Please advise how you intend to stop them. Naturally I am happy to offer my advice on your first campaign as captain-general of the Lescari militias.
    'Why must I--?' He crushed the parchment in his hand, knuckles whitening.
    'Lescar's future is now in Lescari hands.' Dagaran looked steadily at him. 'It's time for you to prove that to anyone who might doubt it.'
    'I see.' Reluctant, Tathrin understood nonetheless. Of all who'd plotted to overthrow the dukes back in Vanam, he was the only one who had served Captain-General Evord throughout the autumn's campaign. But could his limited knowledge of warfare possibly meet this challenge?
    Sorgrad tugged at the crumpled note still in his hand. 'You can let me have this or I can break your fingers,' he offered.
    Tathrin didn't doubt it, so loosened his hold.
    'A fight for Ashgil?' As Gren peered over Sorgrad's shoulder, the prospect clearly delighted him. 'That'll shake the stiffness out.'
    'As long as the renegades hold Wyril, they cut the highway to Dalasor. If they can take Ashgil, they're masters of the most direct route to the Great West Road. They're looking to rob our northerly friends as they head for home.' Sorgrad glanced at Tathrin, sapphire eyes penetrating. 'Failla's in Ashgil, isn't she?'
    Tathrin cleared his throat. 'She went to speak to the guildsmen there, on her uncle's behalf.'
    Master Ernout would have gone himself but the priest was still suffering the after-effects of the vicious beatings he'd endured. Duke Garnot's henchmen hadn't spared fists or boots on the old man.
    Which simplified things for Tathrin. The woman he loved faced mortal peril. He would have to prove himself a worthy commander. Those renegades had murdered countless innocents since slipping their leashes after Lord Cassat, Draximal's heir, had died in a vain attempt to retake the vital border town of Tyrle, seized from the dukes of Carluse and Triolle by Evord's army.
    'The captain-general's already begun paying off his mercenaries.' A frown creased Sorgrad's brow. 'You'll have to pay twice the coin to rehire them.'
    Tathrin shook his head. 'Those who've been paid off can keep on walking.' He knew Evord had begun by ridding Lescar of those fighting companies whose rank and file hadn't impressed him in battle, and those whose captains had proved lackadaisical in following orders or imposing discipline.
    'The captain-general will not release any of the mercenary companies still on his muster roll,' Dagaran interjected, apologetic. 'He insists you Lescari must raise your own militia to meet this threat. Now that the rule of the dukes is done, the sooner you show you're fit to defend yourselves, the fewer scavengers will be sniffing around.'
    Tathrin opened his mouth to protest, then closed it. If that was Evord's decision, there would