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possible.
You sound critical of your High Alector. So soon after you have become
marshal?
I did not say that it was necessarily a bad strategy, sir, but for me not to
recognize what is almost invariably leads me to greater self-deception.
So practical you are, Dainyl. Do you believe in nothing of a higher nature?
Destiny? Fate?
I m not certain either destiny or fate, should they exist, represent a higher
nature.
Khelaryt shook his head slowly, but a faint smile appeared. What are you here
to tell me?
First, that the Cadmian Third Battalion has reinforced Fourth Battalion in
Iron Stem, and that they did so by moving directly there from Hyalt without
returning to Elcien. Their commanding officer may have latent Talent, but
given the difficulties with the ancients and the Reillies, it seemed best to
exploit that possibility, rather than remove Myrmidons from Elcien. Since
Khelaryt might well have received information indirectly from Captain Lyzetta,
Dainyl felt that there was less risk in addressing the issue. It also meant
that Zelyert could not use the information against him. Second, I have
transferred Seventh Company from Dulka to Tempre, at least for several
seasons, in order to preclude any more Myrmidon officers being suborned by the
High Alector of the East.
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I had heard of the majer s possible Talent, replied the Duarch. Even a
latent lander Talent can be dangerous. They can breed like rodents, Khelaryt
pointed out. Are you willing to take that gamble, on behalf of all alectors?
He is a young majer, and correct in his manner. He has neither wife nor lady
friends and is unlikely to produce offspring in the next season or so. That, I
would judge, is a lesser risk than employing Myrmidons. There is also the
possibility, since he tends to lead his men, that he may not survive this
deployment. If he does, then I will deal with the situation. Exactly how,
Dainyl didn t want to dwell on, not yet.
You like this lander. That is dangerous.
I cannot say that I like him. I respect him, and he has been
effective extremely effective when other officers have not. I do not feel that
I can sacrifice effectiveness on the grounds that he might develop full Talent
and have offspring.
You re flying close to the storms, Marshal.
We all are, sir.
The Duarch glanced toward the study door, then back at Dainyl. What else are
you to convey?
The High Alector also said to mention that the numbers of unauthorized long
translations from Ifryn continue to increase.
By how much? The very air around the Duarch seemed to darken.
He would not tell me. He said he would have exact figures for you shortly.
No wonder he was insistent. Khelaryt s laugh was grim. Is that the real
reason he wanted you here?
Knowing that he thinks of multiple uses for everything and everyone,
possibly, sir. "
In this time when we await the arrival of the Master Scepter, that is not
totally undesirable, mused the Duarch, his face twisting slightly, as if he
were being precluded from thinking or considering some aspect of the Master
Scepter.
Dainyl swallowed. He might not have another opportunity, and he would not
refuse to say what was obvious to all any longer. It would appear that the
Master Scepter is being transferred to Efra, sir.
Talent surged and solidified. Darkness swirled around the " Duarch. That
cannot be. It must not be. A blast of Talent flew toward Dainyl.
Somehow, he deflected it, but that deflection shredded his shields down to
nearly nothing.
From those fleeing Ifryn, he said quickly, hoping to forestall another
Talent blast, we have learned that many of those closest to the Archon have
already translated there. The guards at the Tables on Efra are slaughtering
scores every day
Even with all his remaining Talent in his shields Dainyl found himself flung
against the inside wall bookcases.
You dared tell me this? demanded Khelaryt, striding from behind his table
desk.
Yet as Khelaryt advanced, Dainyl sensed that the Duarch s Talent had
diminished. He was probably more Talented and stronger than Dainyl, especially
with the punishment Dainyl had just taken, but he was no longer the colossus
of Talent that he had been.
No one else would, replied Dainyl, straightening himself and standing,
facing what might well be his end.
Khelaryt halted and offered a sad smile, so at odds with his rage of a few
moments before. They did not dare. Not for the reasons you might think,
however.
The artificial infusion of Talent? guessed Dainyl. Was it tied to the
shadowmatch only until you knew where the Master Scepter would be
transferred?
That was part of it.
And no one wanted to reduce your power because they feared each other?
And Samist, pointed out Khelaryt. If I could, I would make you the next
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Duarch, just to watch how you would handle such fighting. I cannot, and that
means I will likely have to remove one of the High Alectors, if only to prove
that I can. Khelaryt was still an impressive alector, but the huge mass of
Talent that had surrounded him and radiated from him had dissipated. For what
you have done, Marshal, there is a price.
Sir?
I am dispatching you immediately to deliver the same message to Duarch
Samist. You will deliver that message. A cold steeliness filled his words.
Dainyl understood.
The Duarch walked to a small side table and opened the single drawer. From it,
Khelaryt extracted a purple sash trimmed in green, with the eight-pointed star
of the Duarch emblazoned in gold on the section that would cross the chest.
This will allow you entry to Samist directly. If anyone would deny you, it
provides you the justification to do what is necessary to speak to the Duarch
of Ludar. You may have to destroy even a High Alector to reach the Duarch. Do
not hesitate to do so, or all of Acorus may be lost. You are to go to the Hall
of Justice and translate immediately to Ludar. Do not let anyone delay you for
any purpose. Is that clear?
Yes, sir.
When you return if you return we will discuss what must be done next. Return
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