Mirron looked towards the shrine and looked again at the energy trails she had assumed were mixtures of heat, light and water. But they weren't so chaotic and in amongst the random energies of the cavern, some pulsed bright and focused. Six of them.
'They're Ascendants,' she breathed.
Harban smiled and relaxed. 'Yes, though not emerged as you and your brothers are. Your Academy would see them as raw potential needing training to release what they have. We see it differently but that hardly matters. They can harbour and amplify energies in a latent fashion just as your son can. That is why Gorian wants them.'
‘I
don't understand,' said Harkov.
‘I
do,' said Mirron. 'He took Kessian so he could manage a larger dead army and that is what is attacking Kark even now. But that isn't enough.'
'Even so, six more minds means only so many dead that can be driven by his will, doesn't it?' asked Harkov.
'Yes but every Ascendant can amplify by a massive amount. Join two together and the amplification is multiplied by a factor of ten not two. Link six more ...'
'If he takes the Gor-Karkulas, the mountain will shiver,' said Harban. 'And the world will fall.'
Jhered turned to Harkov. 'You brought your best tactical minds and here's your battlefield. We cannot afford for the shrine to be breached. Imagine the battle for the Conquord is taking place here. Impress it on your men and I will do the same with mine. If we fail here, we can presume we are lost.
'The enemy are coming. You have a day to prepare.'
Chapter Sixteen
859th cycle of God, 25th day of Genasrise
Herine had never doubted her son. She dreamed of nothing else than to trust him and know he would be proved correct. And so her decision to invoke the executive powers and circumvent the Senate to order a full Conquord mobilisation had been simple. But for the storm of consequence to be quelled she had needed some hard evidence.
And at first light on the day after, she had it in her hand and she felt enriched, though the news was dire. A ship had arrived from Gestern on the morning tide. It told of plague ships hitting the east coast of that great country. Ships flying Tsardon flags. Any doubt of attempted Tsardon invasion was gone now. She would march into the meeting of the Estorean Senate, and later the full meeting at the Solastro Palace, with head high and confidence in her decision complete.
But with her satisfaction came new problems. A coast-wide alert was already being transmitted by messenger south through Estorea and into Caraduk and Easthale. From there, it would be taken along the south of the Conquord. And she knew that ships had sailed for Kester Isle. The Ocetanas fleets patrolling the Tirronean Sea and south around Gestern had to know. No Tsardon ship was to make landfall. No Ocetanas was to board a Tsardon ship. They were to be sent down into the arms of Ocetarus in flames.
'How long did the message take to get here?' asked Arducius.
Herine had come to the Academy to get the very latest news on public opinion and ability emergence. Responses had been a little evasive thus far.
'Seventeen days,' said Herine.
'Seventeen days?'
Ossacer scratched at his head. 'That's a long time on the sea.'
'Enough to reach a great deal of Conquord coastline,' said Herine.
'Of this I am acutely aware. But I'm also aware that containing plague for such a long time on a ship is extremely difficult. Let's not roll up the Conquord records just yet.'
'But if they have landed, there could be forces of the dead and the living already approaching key cities in Caraduk and Estorea. We could already have lost places like Port Roulent,' said Arducius.
'Is everyone my military adviser now?' Herine's instant frustration lent her tone a sharp edge.
'And Westfallen,' said Ossacer quietly.
His words took the ire from her. 'Look, you two, I understand your concerns and for what it's worth, Westfallen remains the most secure Conquord settlement outside of Estorr and Kester Isle. But more than that, a lot has changed in the last ten years. The messenger service is vastly improved and we would have heard by now if ships had landed. And my senior staff, I like to think, is the best available.
'So let's concentrate on what we three can do right now. Marshal General Kastenas is well aware of every facet of our defence. Admiral Iliev has the navy working so well an undersized cod would have trouble getting through undetected. Now, please, where are we in Estorr? I still see graffiti. I still get complaints from the Order.'
Arducius sighed. 'We can't pretend it's easy out there.'
'Welcome to my world,' said Herine. 'Be specific'
There were days, Herine considered, when it seemed that everyone she placed in a position of responsibility looked to her for answers. Arducius's expression signified that today might be one of those days.
'At the core, there are two of us and, I would estimate, two thousand Order Readers, Speakers and, of course, Felice Koroyan, in Estorr at the moment. She appears wherever we are. I remember what you said about winning the theological argument and that is what we are trying to do. Yet, while we are in one place talking to people about what we represent, trying to find latent ability and calming anxieties, in a hundred other places, the Chancellor has Readers outside Houses of Masks denouncing us as heretics, morning, noon and night. Not to mention raising fears of Gorian's return.'
'It is the problem Order missionaries have faced for hundreds of cycles in new territories.'
'But this is Estorr. This is home,' said Ossacer.
'Not to the Ascendancy it isn't,' snapped Herine. 'No one said this would be easy. You have my support because I believe in you. What more do you want?'
'Legislation,' said Arducius.
'To do what? Force people to listen and agree with what you say? Make it illegal to disagree with Arducius and Ossacer? God-embrace-me, sometimes I wonder if you two have any sense at all. Have you really not analysed why it is you are struggling?'
A contemplative quiet fell. The two Ascendants looked at each other, something Herine found disconcerting given Ossacer's blindness. There was such passion in those eyes. It was so difficult to believe he really could not see except through the energy trails filling his mind.
'Hard work and belief are not enough,' she said. 'I've had reports on your efforts, of course I have. And no one can fault the hours you put in. But you're trying to change every mind in Estorr at the same time and you will not succeed.'
'It's not that,' said Arducius. 'The problem is that the Order undo all our efforts as soon as we move on. And they have muscle, threats and history as weapons we do not possess.'
Herine breathed in deep. She felt like laughing. 'Of all the people in the world, you should know the lengths the Order are prepared to go to maintain their hold on the citizens' religious hearts. And it doesn't matter that actually, you and I believe in the same God they worship. You are fighting the wrong battle out there. It won't work here like it does in some far-flung corner of Bahkir or Morasia.' She put a hand to her brow. 'Is it me or am I repeating myself here?'
'No, well, perhaps a little,' said Arducius. He smiled. 'And we are eternally grateful for your help, advice and support.'
'I should hope so,' said Herine. 'And you should remember that the Advocate is always right.'
'I never doubt it,' said Ossacer and Herine could see that he had missed the humour. Again.
'That's why you aren't in the cells as Felice demands every day. As do a growing number of my citizens.'
'So what is the Advocate's word about our tactics this morning?' asked Arducius, a twinkle in his eye.
'Undermine your enemy,' said Herine. 'Pull up the corner of the mosaic, don't try to break it in the middle. Do your research. Find the Readers and Speakers who sympathise. Speak to them quietly, bring them together. They are out there somewhere. And if they are scared, protect them. You have the Ascendancy guard. Almost a thousand Conquord professional soldiers. Use them. And next time you speak to the citizens, do it from a House of Masks, not from a fountain.'
Herine leant back in her chair watching them see how it all made sense. How it all seemed so simple. She had Jhered to thank for that. A man for whom most people's lives were unnecessarily complicated.
'You think we should have thought of this for ourselves,' said Ossacer.
Herine raised her eyebrows. 'I think the Academy is unstructured in its approach to everything but teaching. I think you don't use all the facilities and services the Conquord has for its favoured institutions. But I also think you are a very young organisation and running your operation in Westfallen is a world away from becoming a Conquord-wide organisation. You were right when you told me it would take generations. But if your enemy becomes your friend, you will find the path smoother and straighter. The Order has been operating that way for a long time. It's only Felice who believes suppression is a better way.'
'Wrong, isn't she?' said Arducius.
'Some people never learn,' said Herine. 'Don't count yourselves amongst them.'
Ossacer spread his hands suddenly. 'We should talk to Marshal Vasselis, shouldn't we?'
'Congratulations, you're thinking,' said Herine. 'But be careful when you talk to him. Remember what his service to the Ascendancy has cost him. He's not the man you remember from your youth.'
Arducius inclined his head. 'We did try to include him in the work of the Academy. He'd have been the perfect figurehead. He refused. As far as I know, he hasn't left Caraduk, barely left his villa in Cirandon, for years.'
'Well, he gets out a little more than that,' said Herine. 'He's still a functioning and excellent Marshal Defender. But he lost his heir and they can have no more children. He's broken.'
'Then perhaps we should leave him alone,' said Ossacer. 'Let him have peace.'
Herine shook her head. 'Don't do that. He's here in a few days and we're travelling to the Solastro Palace for the Senate meeting together. Talk to him then. Let him decide. He would be further damaged if he felt you thought him useless because of Kovan.'
Still that name brought a tear to the eye of the Ascendants. Another hero of the Conquord. Only seventeen when he gave his life to save Mirron and perhaps the whole Conquord with her. But Arvan Vasselis, his father, had found no glory or comfort in the manner of his death. It was Herine's most enduring sadness. A friend had been stolen from her and replaced with something hollow.
'My Advocate?'
'Yes
...
Arducius. Sorry, miles away.'
'We know you didn't come here just to tell us where we're going wrong in Estorr. What do you need from us?'
There was suspicion in Ossacer's blind gaze. And knowledge in his brother's.
'You haven't taken any of the next generation out with you yet, have you?'
'Not blooded them, you mean?' said Ossacer.
'I don't much care which words you use. I'm asking if they've been out with you. If they've demonstrated abilities in public and under pressure.'
Herine stared at Ossacer, knowing he could read her mood, daring him to say more. He was no longer timid, that was for sure. Sometimes, she wished he still hid behind his disability. His eyes displayed a wash of bright colours, then settled to a cool blue.
'No, they haven't been with us. It's risky out there. And until we are certain they can handle the hate and the suspicion they won't come out.'
'Very laudable, and I agree absolutely,' said Herine. 'Until yesterday and this morning. And now I have changed my mind. The Conquord is readying for war, as you are aware. The Ascendancy must also make ready. We may well have need of you. It seems that not only was your friend Harban, the emotional Karku, speaking some sense, the Tsardon are attacking Gosland and Gestern.'
Ossacer's face had gone grey. 'And what exactly is it that you expect us to do, my Advocate?'
'Oh dear,' said Herine, a flush of frustration rushing through her. 'I saw this coming.'
'I'm sorry, I don't follow,' said Ossacer.
'Yes, you damn well do,' said Herine. 'And I expect you to do what the Conquord demands. What the general of your army demands, should you be in the field. And that, be assured, is where I expect you to be. After all, I should think a man who can bring down hillsides, cause hurricanes and raise tidal waves might be quite useful in a fight, don't you?'
'And we will undo everything we have striven so hard to achieve in the last ten years,' said Ossacer.
'Gorian's already doing that for you. We have to fight this threat.'