Briefing
Sable Palace, July SY151
Day Thirty
Just over four weeks after my experiences in the Courtroom, and a few days after Kita's visit, I was finally allowed to leave the palace and get some fresh air. I can't adequately explain the sheer joy of feeling well enough to take a walk around the King's Isle. It was a warm, sunny July day, and the blue of the lake seemed particularly deep as I walked out of the horseshoe of the palace into the gardens.
I spent a while in the rose garden, before making my way down to my favourite spot by the lake and sitting under a tree, where I got out a sketch pad and started drawing - the first time I'd done so since my recovery had started in earnest. The ability to be able to read and draw without the headaches coming back was definitely one of the things I had enjoyed most about the last couple of days.
Out on the water I could see a couple of the boats which I think came from our island - I guessed one of them was Emily's - as well as a number of other craft which were launched from the pleasure marina below the west cliff of the caldera. I watched them scudding over the still water in the pleasant summer breeze, and considered how lucky I was to be able to do so.
I never wanted to be that close to death again, even if I knew subconsciously that it would never be a permanent state as long as Sable existed.
"Hey, Dad," came William's voice, and I turned to see him, Andrew and my brother Michael coming down the rose-lined path, "are we disturbing you?"
"Not at all," I answered, "just enjoying the view."
"Claire got word to us that the Headmaster wanted to see us," Andrew said, lightly.
"Headmaster?"
"Well, that's how the message came across. You requested our presence."
"I probably wouldn't have put it like that," I replied, "but I did want to catch up with you on what was happening Outside."
"You're still supposed to be recovering, Robert," Michael said, with the practised tone of a disapproving doctor, "leave Outside...Outside."
"I think the fact that I've made my way down here proves that I'm well on the way to getting back into circulation," I answered, "and anyway, Sian already spilled some of the beans."
"Such as?" Will said, suspiciously.
"Oh, the whole Roland-Nimue-Art being Paolo's prisoners thing," I answered, "and Kita briefed me on the progress - or lack therefore - of the Shadow War. What I want to know from you is how any of it is going."
"So you can come back and take charge?" asked Andrew, bristling slightly for some reason unbeknownst to me.
"Hell no," I answered, "at least, not as far as the conduct of anything military is concerned - I know you and Will are better at that than I'll ever be. But I'm fed up of feeling like a mushroom."
Andrew looked puzzled; Will chuckled.
"Old joke, Dad."
"Still appropriate," I answered, indicating for them to join me on the ground under the trees, which Will and Michael did, although Andrew declined, "so let me out of the cellar and tell me what's going on."
"James and O'Connor have been improving the Murray defences - arcane and military," Will began, then looked at me, surprised, "I hadn't realised you'd taught James so much Pattern lore. He seems to know almost as much as you do."
"He's been Regent of a Primal Realm," I answered, "he needed to be equipped to operate there at his best capacity, and someone else needed to know the finer tricks in case something happened to me."
"I'm not disputing it - especially given what's happened this last couple of weeks - it just surprised me," came the reply, "he certainly makes me out to be a sluggard in that area, which is weird for a father."
"You were never that comfortable with matters arcane anyway," I pointed out, "how long did it take you to even join the Mage Corps? Rather than just the regular army."
He shrugged. "Fair point."
"So Murray is secure?"
"As we can make it," Andrew answered, "we've set a reception point for arrivals, rather than allowing access straight inside." I gave a nod of approval. "And O'Connor and I have moved the Black Cat legion and a number of others out to reinforce militarily. The intention is that should everything else go to Hell in a hand basket, we'll at least have a strong place to retreat to."
"Sounds good."
"Earth Prime has the potential to be one Hell of a mess," Michael said, "the Mecklenbergs seem to want to drive Paolo off-world."
"In the unlikely event that they succeed, what do they intend to do with his land?" I asked.
"As yet unspecified," Andrew answered, "we've agreed in principle to assist, but we'll need to know the end conditions before we commit."
"Active hostility? Or defensive moves?"
"They would like us to engage in active hostilities," Andrew answered.
"Do you think that's a good idea?"
"Personally, no," Michael answered, "I'd favour defensive - us and the Mecklenbergs have mutual defence agreements, which we should honour. I'm not sure we should go on an expansionist war with them."
"Andrew, Will?"
"If we're going to kick Paolo off Earth Prime, it needs to be expansionist," Andrew answered, "nothing else will do the job. For all our allies make me uncomfortable at times."
"If we're going to kick Paolo off Earth Prime," Will commented, his tone more cautious, "he has a lot of territory, including some highly reinforced areas, such as Japan."
"Are you and the Mecklenbergs going after his territory alone?" I asked, "no, perhaps a better question is are you going to join them in going after his territory at all."
"If it becomes necessary to stop him attacking us," Will replied, "I hope it won't. Should we need to hit Japan, Nathan is willing to assist. Dominic has agreed, in principle, to let the Chinese navy stage in his Far East territories. Whether any of it turns out to be a good idea in the long run, though, is anyone's guess."
"How about Europe?"
"I've sent a couple of legions to Germany to help Karl out - the Jeddi have been active in Austria, which is a little too close for comfort for him."
"Understandable."
"And Italy is likely to prove difficult, for a number of reasons," Will finished.
"As King of Greece, I also have concerns about the situation in Byzantium," Michael added.
"How so?"
"Rupert Delatz has been visible there."
"What?" I asked, surprised, noticing Andrew blanch at the name.
"He was working the crowd as they were holding vigil for you," Michael answered, "making it apparent that he was going to support them if things get dangerous there. He didn't say anything specific, but my sources indicate that he's been spending time there, making himself comfortable in the Imperial Palace."
"What the Hell would he want with Byzantium?"
"It's yours," Andrew answered, almost through gritted teeth, "what more reason would he need for taking it from you - and from what Michael just said, that's what it sounds as if he intends to do."
"Dammit...I'll deal with that one when I'm back in circulation. Security assessment?"
"I don't think he'll side with Paolo," Will answered, "but if he's getting his claws in there, I wouldn't guarantee he'll be siding with us either."
"Do you think Greece is at risk, Michael?"
"I'm not enough of a military expert to answer that," he answered, "but I have to allow for the possibility."
"Always assume the worst from Delatz," Andrew said, vehemently, "that way you're never disappointed when he acts true to type."
I looked at him.
"Sometime soon, you and I need to talk about brother Rupert," I said to him.
"I'd rather not," Andrew answered.
"That's why we need to do it," I said, looking straight at him, daring him to disagree. He dropped the eye contact first, and then I turned back to Will. "Anything else on Earth Prime?"
"Britain is also reinforcing Gibraltar, as Spain has been declared a Papal State."
"Not good - especially with Nimue out of action - which presumably she still is."
Will nodded. "The Catholic Church is one of the areas in which the Mecklenbergs and us disagree."
"Explain."
"The Mecks seem to want to destroy the Church, as it's a mouthpiece for Paolo."
"Which it is."
"Yes, I know. But we have problems with that course of action."
"As would I," I admitted, "it may not be my religion, but I would have a problem acting against it."
"That's the position we're currently taking," Andrew commented, "we'll see how it develops."
"Any plans to relieve Paolo of his captives?"
"Gallahad Mecklenberg - the main contact we've been dealing with since Art was taken out of the picture - claims to have ideas. We're waiting resolution of a meeting with him to find out what they are and whether they're practical. The main problem is locating the hostages."
"How come?"
"Are you aware that Paolo's created?"
"Not specifically, but it doesn't surprise me," I answered, "he's been in the game longer than I have, let alone Kelric or Jason."
"Our guess is that is where he's holding the hostages," Andrew continued, "but locating it is proving difficult."
"How difficult can it be?" I asked, surprised, "creations are usually pretty obvious."
"For some reason, this one isn't," Andrew answered, "I suspect because none of us know what to look for."
"Not ideal," I admitted, "still, I'm surprised you haven't had any luck, Andrew. Of all those looking, I'd guess that you are the one using a method he won't be expecting."
"I'm working on that theory and keeping at it," Andrew answered.
"Next question. Has anyone been in touch with Kenneth?"
"Alana Helgram and I spoke with Lamar," Michael supplied, then when he saw my puzzled expression, added "the Thelbane Prime Minister. He seemed disappointed that we might go to war in tandem with the Mecklenbergs. I pointed out that we are honour bound to uphold our mutual defence pacts with them, which he eventually accepted, if not too graciously."
"What is the general read you got from them."
"Thelbane seems deeply concerned about the Mecks, and doesn't like the idea of an inter-family war - especially with other macro-threats out there."
"Which view I concur with," I commented, noting a slightly surprised look on Andrew's face.
"You don't want us fighting Paolo?" he asked, "even on your behalf."
"To a degree, yes," I replied, "but not so far that you weaken our forces and resources so much that we are incapable of fighting the Shadows, the Jeddi and all the other fun enemies we have out there. Sorry, Michael...you were saying."
"Kenneth is in a difficult position," he answered, "you and Roland have been his allies for a long time; Paolo is married to his mother. He has come out and condemned the attack on you, as well as the fact that Paolo is still holding Roland and Nimue, but in the same breath was urging caution as far as war is concerned. He's also urging a peaceful settlement on Earth Prime, and elsewhere. Oh, and he's suspended the ICJ and stripped Osric of the title of High Justiciar..."
"Really?"
"Something about bringing the position into disrepute: well, incompetence and violence if you want the actual wording. However, you'll be pleased to know that you're authorised to continue the Kleist trial whenever you wish."
I looked at him, startled, and then realised that there was at least a little humour under the more serious words.
"I'll look forward to it with my every waking thought."
He grinned, his face looking so much younger as he did so.
"Oh, and you'll be pleased to know that Paolo has deposited weregild for you with the Bank of Suhuy, for 'inconveniencees rendered'."
"You're kidding?"
"'Fraid not."
"He thinks that will get me off his back? He's obviously forgotten that I don't come from a culture where that's an acceptable solution." I paused a moment, then asked, more curious. "How much does he think my 'inconvenience' is worth?"
"We're still trying to find that out," Michael answered, "I'll let you know when I do."
"Which by my reckoning brings us round to Jeddi and Shadows," I said.
"On Jeddi in general, you should probably know that they've declared war - Fatwa, as they so politely put it - on the de Lacy and Helgram families," Andrew added, "they attacked our Embassy in Yggport."
"Casualties?"
"Dead and wounded. We've bolstered security on all our Embassies in response, and I've made sure that the families of those killed are provided for. It seemed the least we could do."
"I concur," I said, with a sigh. "It was inevitable, I suppose, that they would turn their attention away from just the Mecklenbergs. Talk to me about this space fleet you're building."
"O'Connor and I have been working on it in the Technocracy," he answered, "we're initially starting simple - motherships, capital ships and fighters. We've achieved FTL capacity, and energy weapons. What we really need is some kind of Pattern or other Power cannon fitted to the ships for them to be hugely effective against the Shadows."
"That sounds like something I could put some thought into...maybe come up with some ideas."
"If you're up to it."
"I'm beginning to feel like I want to do something useful," I answered, "deployment?"
"It looks like we'll be taking the first detachment into Quiss," Andrew answered.
"Quiss?"
"Home base of one of the Mecklenberg orders - Adamant, I think," Will answers, "it apparently has three pyramid ships which the Shadows want for some reason...it's something like the home world or first contact world for the Cornelian family."
He looked at me for confirmation, but I shrugged. It wasn't ringing any bells.
"Why are you deploying on a Meck world?"
"Mutual defence, again," Andrew answered, "it's been attacked once by the Shadows, and now Laewyn's forces are trying to move in to take it."
"Laewyn? I don't remember him."
"Paolo's little brother," Will answered, "which pretty much explains the problem."
"Indeed. Who are you taking in, Andrew?"
"Myself, O'Connor and Kita."
"Kita?"
"You never know when she might get a target of opportunity on Laewyn, or one of his generals" Will answered, although I noticed Michael grimace at the thought of sanctioned assassination. He was too much a doctor, and too little a Cornelian in matters like that.
"Killing Laewyn would have its own problems," Michael commented, "it certainly wouldn't help things between the de Lacys and Paolo."
"I don't think anything is going to help things between us and Paolo," I answered, my tone resigned, "who will command on Murray while O'Connor's away?"
"Probably Francis," Andrew replied, and I nodded. He was a good choice.
"Who's staying here?"
"We thought Chris," Will said, "your main problem is going to be Delatz, assuming he even tries to make a move. And as far as I know, his generals are fewer and further between than ours, especially with Andreas out of the way."
I nodded again. "Will you keep the fleet building project going?"
"Niamh and Lucy are supervising," Andrew answered, referring to his new wife and their first child.
"Isn't Niamh about seven months pregnant?"
"Not any more," he replied, "the Technocracy's been running fast to here while we've been developing the fleet. The twins are in their teens."
"Twins?"
"Abigail and Jonathan," Andrew answered, with a smile, "one advantage of being in the Technocracy during that time, is I've even had a chance to be with them as they grew up. That and I've had a chance to put right some of Andreas's mess."
"Congratulations - I'd like to meet them some time."
"That can be arranged, Robert," he agreed.
"Anything else I need to know right now?" I asked, but wasn't entirely surprised when they answered in the negative. Still, at least I felt a bit more prepared for when the time came to go back Outside.
"How much longer are you going to be hors de combat?" Will said.
"Probably another month," I answered, "although it won't be as long as that Outside. I still need to get fit again, and then I can think about taking the Pattern. After that, I should be able to step back into the fray. Sound about right, Michael?"
"Aye," he answered, "it's still a month quicker than I would have guessed, but you've moved on a long way since I last saw you."
"By the sound of it, it's only just fast enough," I answered.
"We need to be getting back Outside," Will said, rising, "even fast time isn't instant, and there's a lot going on."
"I understand," I said, as Michael and I also go to our feet. I brushed sand off the back of my trousers and looked at them. "At least I feel that between you, you have everything well in hand."
Andrew smiled.
"That almost sounds like a vote of confidence."
"It was," I answered, "let me know if anything changes."
"Will do, Dad," William said, and with that the three of them headed back towards the palace, leaving me to ponder what they'd said.