The Autumn Republic

“You’re a fool. And you almost lost us this war.” Her tone was level, one eyebrow raised as if she were slightly bemused. Despite her outward appearance, Tamas had known the Lady long enough to see that she was quite put out.

“But I didn’t,” he said.

“You’re incorrigible. Hello, Olem. Hello, Taniel.”

Olem nodded. Taniel stepped to the Lady’s side and kissed her hand. “Good afternoon, my lady.”

“I’m glad to see you’re still alive. No thanks to this one.” She jerked her chin at Tamas, and Tamas forced himself to swallow a biting remark. “Are you sure,” she continued, “that you want to remain in the employ of the Adran army? I’ll double whatever they’re paying you.”

Tamas eyed his son for a moment, and Taniel seemed to enjoy the uncomfortable silence that followed. Finally, he said, “My place is here, my lady. For now.”

“Pity.”

“A word, my lady?” Tamas asked.

They both led their horses off to the side and Tamas leaned over to her. “Will the Wings of Adom continue their support of this battle?”

“I’m having serious doubts as to the mental fortitude of the Adran field marshal,” Lady Winceslav said, looking him up and down.

“Oh? And you’ve made better decisions in the recent past? Shall I bring up a certain scandal among your brigadiers that’s only a few months old?”

Lady Winceslav pursed her lips. “Tell me, can you count the number of younger women you’ve slept with on one hand? On two? How about we include toes?”

“This bickering is unbecoming,” Tamas said, giving her a tight smile.

“Is that the best you’ve got? Where’s that famous grin you used to bag them all with?” Lady Winceslav shook her head before he could answer. “I’m here in my capacity as a member of your council. Not as the head of the Wings of Adom. We took impossible losses last week and we haven’t yet decided what to do about it.” Tamas opened his mouth, but Lady Winceslav leaned close and whispered, “We’re going to withdraw. But I won’t make that announcement for a couple of days. As far as this parley is concerned, we will provide a unified front.”

Tamas’s throat was dry. “Thank you,” he said back quietly. Louder, “Well. I’ll look forward to hearing your answer.” He was not happy to hear her decision. If Ipille continued the war, he would need her mercenaries more than ever. But he couldn’t make an issue of it now.

Tamas noted that someone else had ridden in just behind Lady Winceslav’s escort. He frowned and wheeled his mount toward the approaching rider.

“Nila, was it?”

The laundress-turned-Privileged nodded her head. She kept a white-knuckle grip on the saddle horn, and scowled at the roan stepping nervously beneath her.

“Been riding long?”

“No, actually. This is only my third time.”

“I see. You’re doing remarkably well, if that’s the case.”

“Thank you.”

“Nila, may I ask what you’re doing here?”

“It’s Privileged Nila, sir. And yes. I’ve been sent by Privileged Borbador.”

“Have you now, Privileged Nila?”

“Indeed.”

“For what?”

“Why, to attend the negotiations.”

Tamas blinked at this. “I don’t mean to be rude, but you’re a laundress who has only recently become a Privileged apprentice. What makes Bo think you belong at a negotiation between nations?”

“He said I should get used to it.”

“Did he? Well, you can go back to Bo and tell him that this is not appropriate.”

The smile wavered, but to the girl’s credit she did not flinch. “I won’t do that, sir.”

“Even if I order it?”

“With all due respect, I am not under your command, sir.”

He could see the nervousness in her eyes now. The slight shake of her hands on the reins. What was this, some kind of test that Bo had put her to? Face down Field Marshal Tamas?

“It is within my power to bar you from the negotiations.”

“You can’t, sir. I have every right to be here as the representative of the Adran Republic Cabal.”

“The what? Taniel!” Tamas whirled his horse and beckoned impatiently for his son. Taniel arrived a moment later. “What the pit is your friend playing at?”

“What friend?”

“Don’t act coy with me. Borbador. What is this business about the Adran Republic Cabal?”

Taniel looked at Nila, then at Tamas, suppressing a chuckle. “He’s not playing at anything, sir. You’ve asked him to help with the war effort and he’s the last trained Privileged left in Adro. Nila is his apprentice and, from what Bo tells me, she is even stronger than he is. Those two are the Adran Cabal now, and since we’re trying to be a republic, he thought it pointless to continue calling it the royal cabal.”

Tamas opened his mouth once, then closed it, trying to think of an argument against this that didn’t end with him saying “because I say so.” He couldn’t come up with one. Bo was, technically, still a government Privileged.

“Don’t say a bloody word,” Tamas said, pointing at Nila. “I’m grateful for what you did at the battle last week and it’s earned you my goodwill. But I will not have a former laundress arguing points of politics with the bloody king of Kez.”

Nila’s ingratiating smile returned. “Of course, Field Marshal. I’m only here as a representative.”