Haydn of Mars Read Online Free Page A

step back.   “You and I...”
    He turned quickly and was through the flap before I could utter another word.
    Â 
    When I emerged from the tent, washed and composed, twenty minutes later I was told that Kerl was gone, had ridden by horse to check the northern fortifications.   The day was lowering toward twilight, and the camp was readying for the night.   I counted a few more than forty heads, and there were fewer tents than there had been earlier in the day.
    â€œAre we breaking camp?” I asked Jamie, who appeared next to me like a shadow.   The cook fires had been started, and the succulent odor of roasting poultry filled the air.   I suddenly realized how long it had been since I had eaten.
    â€œNo.   The camp is splitting.   You and I will stay here for one more day at least.”
    At my table Jamie seated me and then moved off, making way for Xarr, who seemed to rise out of the twilight like a fat spirit.
    He sat down opposite me, a little unsteadily.
    â€œTasting your wares again, general?” I asked, with amusement, and a great deal more respect than I had previously shown when I thought he was just a drunken vintner.
    He grinned.   “My lady, I am properly potted most hours of most days.   Occupational hazard, I’m afraid.”   His face momentarily darkened.   “The things I’ve seen in the last two years...”
    A steward appeared with a flagon, and filled Xarr’s cup and then attempted to fill mine.
    â€œIs that the same stuff that came out of Xarr’s wagon?” I asked.
    He bowed slightly.   “It is, Ma’am.   We’ve been looking forward to its delivery.”
    I kept my paw over my cup.   “Having lived with it in such close quarters, I’ll forgo.”
    â€œAs you wish.”
    He bowed again, and started to move off, until Xarr grabbed his arm and removed the flagon from it.
    â€œLeave it with me,” he said, and the steward started to protest.   He thought better of it when the general growled loudly at him.
    Xarr chuckled hoarsely as the shaken servant made off.
    Seriously, I said, “Tell me where you have been, Xarr.”
    â€œMe?” he said, feigning levity.   “Why, I’ve been to the North, the East, the West, just about everywhere, little Haydn.”
    I patted my bulging middle.   “Certainly not little anymore.”
    â€œYou’ll always be little Haydn to me,” he said.   “When you were just a kit, I remember you never wanted to frolic like the others.   Always wanted to learn the sword, or history.”
    â€œI’m afraid we’ve had too much history lately, Xarr.”
    He leaned forward, and I knew for sure now that behind the veil of insobriety the same hard, solid man I had known when young still resided.   “Not nearly enough history, you mean.   Not by a long shot.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    He leaned back, and tilted his cup to his lips.   He belched.   His look was hooded and grave.   “I’ve watched you from afar, I have,” he said.   “All your machinations and speechifying in Assembly.   I watched it and studied it.   We all did.”
    â€œWhile I bought time for you?” I said, recalling my conversation with Kerl and letting some bitterness leak through.
    â€œThat’s right,” he said.   He paused to drink again.   “And you made very fine speeches, you did.”   He chuckled grimly.   “Completely useless, but, yes, very fine.”
    My anger rose, but he continued, ignoring it.   “Your father, before he was murdered, got what he wanted, as he often did.   He was the finest man I ever knew.   And, when he abdicated, he made sure that the monarchy was replaced by something better for the people, and without a drop of blood being spilled, except, eventually, his own.
    â€œBut he was wrong in thinking that