Into The Darkness

Not all the king's notions were good. That was Rathar's private opinion. He remained safe because it remained private. But when Swemmel's notions were good, they could be very good indeed.

Rathar's smile had a predatory edge to it, as it often did. "What pre text shall we offer for stabbing the Forthwegians in the back?"

"Do you really think we need one? We hadn't intended to bother,"

Swemmel said indifferently. "Forthweg, or most of Forthweg, is our domain by right, and stolen away by rebels and traitors."

Rathar said nothing. He raised an eyebrow and waited. Even such small disagreement with the king might mean his ruin. No one could tell what Swemmel would come up with - in anything.

In a testy voice, Swemmel said, "Oh, very well - if you like. You can dress up a couple of our men in Forthwegian frontier guards' uniforms and have them blaze a couple of soldiers or inspectors in a border town.

We don't think it even remotely necessary, but if you will, you may."

"Thank you, your Majesty," Rathar said. "Advancing a reason for war is customary, and the one you've given will do the job splendidly."

Rathar doubted he would have thought of anything so devious himself.

Swemmel did have a gift for double-dealing. His marshal asked, "As we move forward against the Forthwegians" - Rathar had no doubt the Unkerlanters would move forward, not when they were hitting their foes from behind and by surprise - "shall we move into land that [..th rer ed..] to Algarve before the Six Years' War?"

"No." Swemmel shook his head. "In no way do we intend to do that.

We expect the Algarvians to take back their old dominions, and we do not wish to give them any excuse to attack our kingdom."

"Very well, your Majesty," Rathar said, not showing how relieved he was. This truly did look to be one of Swemmel's good days, when the king was taking everything into account. Having fought the Algarvians in the Six Years' War before his regiment had mutinied and he'd gone home, Rathar was less than eager to face the redheads again. He went on.

"By the accounts of the battle outside Gozzo, the Algarvians are liable to be invading Forthweg any day themselves."

"Even so," King Swemmel said. "Nor do we judge that King Mezentio would halt his forces at the old frontier. Thus, if Unkerlant is to take back what is ours, we must move swiftly. King Mezentio, in our view, will not halt at anything, save where he is compelled."

"Even by ley-line caravan, transferring our forces from the far western frontier to the border with Gyongyos will take some little while, your Majesty," Rathar warned. He did not disagree with Swemmel about Mezentio - on the contrary - but did not believe his own sovereign knew where to stop, either: another opinion he held close. "Your Majesty's wide domains prove your might, but they also make movement slower than it would be otherwise."

"Waste not a moment." Anticipation filled Swerrunel's laugh. "Curse us, but we wish we could be a mosquito in Penda's throne room in Eoforwic, to see his face when he hears Forthweg is invaded from the west. They will have to clean a stain off the throne under him.

"I obey, your Majesty." Rathar bowed. "Also, by your leave, I shall send some troops into the desert in the direction of Zuwayza, both to frighten the naked brown men and to mislead the Forthwegians."

"Aye, you may do that," King Swemmel said. "We shall be in closest touch with you, ensuring that all motions are carried out with the utmost celerity. In this matter, we shall brook no delay. Do you understand, Marshal?"

"Your Majesty, I do." Rathar bowed very low. "I obey.

"Of course you obey," Swemmel said. "Unfortunate things happen to people who disobey me. Even more unfortunate things happen to our families. Obedience, then, is efficient." He waved a hand, a brusque Unkerlanter gesture rather than an airy Algarvian one. "Go, and see to it. 

Rathar went down on his hands and knees and knocked his head on the green carpet again. He could feel the fear-sweat on his skin as he did so. Swemmel commanded fear both by virtue of his office and by virtue of his person. Swemmel commanded fear - and fear obeyed.

After escaping the audience chamber, Rathar reclaimed his sword from the bowing attendants in the anteroom. His spirit strengthened with every step away from his sovereign he took.

His own aides bowed low and called him lord when he returned to his offices. They hurried to obey the orders he issued, and exclaimed in excitement as they worked. He took a quiet pride in his own competence. But all the while, the secret stayed in the back of his mind: being the second most powerful man in Unkerlant was exactly like being the next greatest whole number before one. Zero he was, and zero he would remain.