Imager’s Battalion Read Online Free Page B

there.”
    “You’re better than that, but unlike some officers, you understand what you can do.”
    “You think this is going to be a much longer war, don’t you?”
    “Don’t you?” returned Skarpa.
    “I don’t think that fighting large battles will take all that long. What comes before may take months, and what comes after will take years.”
    “That’s why I wanted to know about your undercaptains. Who’s the strongest imager … among them?”
    Quaeryt didn’t care for the way the question had been phrased, intentionally, because Skarpa was effectively pointing out that Quaeryt was the strongest imager, without saying so. “That would be Threkhyl, but he’s like an ax with a greasewood shaft.”
    “Good to keep in mind, but that’s not what we need right now.”
    “I didn’t think so.”
    “There’s another question I had. An observation. It looked to me that you and the imagers created that bridge.”
    “I’m just their subcommander.”
    Skarpa raised both eyebrows.
    “I might have helped some,” added Quaeryt.
    “I’m not the only one with doubts about that statement.”
    “It’s true.”
    “I’m certain it is. Rescalyn, Myskyl, and Governor Straesyr all agreed on one thing. Nothing you say is untrue. It’s just not always the entire truth, or it has nothing to do with what the question was, although it may seem that it does. Myskyl said you and your imagers built the bridge and Third and Fifth Regiments will be the first to use it.”
    “So we’re assigned to the south side of the river because we created the bridge?”
    “Can you think of a better reason?” asked Skarpa. “Besides the fact that we’re the three most effective regiments they have?”
    “Three? I heard that you’d have two regiments and a battalion, and that half of each regiment was composed of Piedran rejects.”
    “Any regiment under Meinyt will be effective, and a battalion under you and Zhelan is as good as a regiment.”
    “I do marvel at your optimism.”
    “Realism. We’ve had more actual fighting than any other regiments, and we’ve killed and captured more than any others, and we’ve had fewer casualties. Bhayar knows that.”
    “I’m certain he does.”
    “He also knows one other thing.”
    “Which is?”
    “You are absolutely loyal to him.” After a moment Skarpa asked, “Why? You can’t have liked the way he treated you after all you did in Extela.”
    “He did what was necessary. I made a choice between doing what was politically wise and what was best for the people. It wasn’t necessarily the best for the High Holders. I knew there were risks. You even told me so. I made a mistake. I thought I’d have more time than two months. But … unlike many rulers, Bhayar does not discard those who support him.”
    “No … he uses everyone to their advantage … and his.”
    An astute observation. “He’s been known for that. It’s one of his strengths.”
    “And yours, if I do say so, is to use others’ needs for your own ends while overfulfilling their wants.”
    “You grant me too much capability,” protested Quaeryt.
    “No. I do not. You are fortunate that Bhayar does not see what I do.”
    But he does … and wishes to use me to help him gain the rule of all Lydar. “He sees enough that I must be cautious.” That, too, was true. Quaeryt smiled. “What else need I know before tomorrow?”
    Skarpa smiled in return. “That is all for now. Enjoy the day … and your wife. When we leave on Lundi, it will be months, if not longer, before you see her again.”
    Quaeryt rose from the table, sensing that Skarpa would not be the first to stand, even though he should have been, given that he was Quaeryt’s superior. “I intend to.” More than you can imagine.
    “Good.”
    They walked from the study together toward the front entry and the cold rain that awaited the commander on his ride back to Ferravyl.

 
    4
    Quaeryt rode out of Nordruil just after dawn with only half a