accept his peerless wisdom and Heaven-blessed authority. The Princess may be gone, but the Enlightened Realm lives on, and will do so whilst I still have strength to hold a sword.”
* * *
◆ ◆ ◆
The iron matrix of the west-facing gate of Keshin-Kho rose to reveal at least three thousand soldiers in full armour crowding the courtyard beyond. Vaelin could see yet more thronging the streets of the city’s lowest tier and on the battlements of each successive wall. The soldiers’ armour varied in colour from grey to blue to green, but each contingent stood in well-ordered ranks beneath the banner of the Merchant King.
As Sho Tsai rode through the gate, the entire host let out a uniform shout Vaelin recognised as the formal salute of a superior officer. Newly promoted, Governor Neshim and Garrison Commander Deshai strode forward to greet the captain as he brought his horse to a halt, regarding the assembled soldiery in evident bemusement. The Governor wore an ornate but ill-fitting set of armour that clanked somewhat as he and the commander both bowed to Sho Tsai.
“General Tsai,” Governor Neshim said, rising but keeping his head lowered as he approached Sho Tsai, proffering a scroll-tube bearing the Merchant King’s seal.
Sho Tsai took the tube and extracted the scroll within. For the briefest second a profound shock registered on the man’s face before he forced it back into a stern officer’s mask. “I see,” he said, beckoning Vaelin and Tsai Lin forward.
“It seems,” he told them, handing the scroll to his son, “the Merchant King has appointed me General of the Northern Armies, and sent thirty thousand men to reinforce the garrison of Keshin-Kho.”
“Congratulations,” Vaelin told him, speaking in Realm Tongue to keep his words from the assembled soldiers. “But you know thirty thousand won’t be enough.”
“The Merchant King assures us more are on their way,” Tsai Lin said, glancing up from the scroll. “But it seems there has been trouble in the middle provinces. So many people fleeing south and not enough food to feed them. Riot and even rebellion are mentioned.”
“Besides,” Sho Tsai added, taking back the scroll, “if I had but fifty men, I would still endeavour to hold this city, for that is what the Merchant King commands.” He angled his head at Luralyn and her Gifted companions. “And let’s not forget our new and very useful allies.”
He turned back to the governor and commander, both still standing with heads bowed. “Governor,” he said, “I require a complete inventory of all supplies and a full and accurate count of every living soul within these walls. Please ensure I have both by noon tomorrow.”
The governor bobbed his head. “Of course, General.”
“Commander Deshai,” Sho Tsai went on, “I hereby give you command of three regiments of cavalry and order you to proceed to Keshin-Ghol with all urgency. The inhabitants are commanded to harvest their crops and bring them here. Anything that might aid the enemy is to be burnt or destroyed. All wells are to be spoiled.” The new general gave an almost imperceptible pause that Vaelin doubted anyone but he and Tsai Lin noticed. “Any subjects who refuse this order are to be executed on the spot.”
* * *
◆ ◆ ◆
“My brother will send the Tuhla to Keshin-Ghol,” Luralyn said. “Theft and terror being their principal attributes as a people. The Stahlhast and his army of faithful adherents will be coming here.”
“When?” Sho Tsai asked, not raising his eyes from the large map spread out on the table. They were in what had been the late Governor Hushan’s library. From the surprisingly small number of book-scrolls but preponderance of maps, Vaelin concluded Hushan’s interests had been more military than literary.
“As soon as he can march them across the Steppe,” Luralyn replied. It seemed to Vaelin she had aged since the skirmish in the village, the last vestiges of girlhood fading into the drawn features of a grief-stricken woman. Vaelin suspected it wasn’t just the death of Shuhlan, although the pain of losing one she looked on as family lingered in her eyes. She lost her brother, he knew. All ties to the man who now believes himself a god are severed. She can never return to her people.
“He no longer has any reason to wait,” she continued, face grim as she surveyed the southern reaches of the Iron Steppe. “There are no more strongholds to subdue, towns to capture or competing tribes to conquer or suborn. Also . . .” She gave a half-apologetic,