The Invisible Chains - Part 2: Bonds of Fear Read Online Free Page B

for
    taking the army out of my control?”
    “Let me see... You’ve told us the old commander has a special
    commission from the king to take over the army, should he deem it
    necessary. There are no more elements. He simply has to show you
    proof of his authority.”
    “Exactly. Tarngord is the first element and he has to show me
    the second element, the secret charter. Now, let’s suppose he wasn’t
    in the, eh, position to do so? Suppose he was, let’s say, otherwise
    engaged? Until it was too late?”
    “I see... no I don’t,” said Busskal. “Are you saying what I think you
    are saying?”
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    Andrew Ashling
    “If I can arrest a duchess and accuse her of high treason, don’t
    you think I can arrest an old army commander and accuse him of
    gross subordination?”
    “You wouldn’t.”
    Anaxantis laughed, though not too loud, so as not to draw the
    attention of the others.
    “Wouldn’t I? Oh, Iftang, his Glorious Majesty is not the only
    Tanahkos playing this game.”
    “So, you would simply—”
    “Yes, without a second thought. At the right time, of course, when
    it is too late for the king to intervene. I’ll put him in the dungeons in
    solitary confinement, to teach him some humility when dealing with
    a prince of the royal blood. Not that I care much about all that, but I
    can be a stickler for protocol when it is expedient. Let him rage to the
    stone walls of his cell, for all I care.”
    The general whistled, while Anaxantis held a finger to his lips.
    “This stays between us, Iftang. Timing and secrecy are of the
    essence.”
    “Certainly. You can count on me. Not a word.”
    It was almost evening before Marak saw a chance to speak with
    Anaxantis alone. They had both been very easy on the wine.
    “And?” Marak asked as he sat beside him.
    “The trap is set. I don’t like it one bit, but well, it’s done. I’ve told
    both of them a different version of what I plan to do about the secret
    charter. Father will want to warn his old friend as soon as possible.
    By what he warns him against, I will know who informed him.”
    Bonds of Fear
    33
    “Anaxantis, but that means your father will know that you know
    about the charter.”
    Marak looked alarmed.
    “Yes, but he would have taken the possibility that I knew into
    account anyway. And, if there is an informer, chances are he already
    told the king that I know. Tomorrow he will be certain, but he still
    won’t know that I know that he knows that I know. His conclusion
    will be inevitable.”
    “And that conclusion will be that the charter is indeed my main
    concern and that he only has to safeguard it to foil my plans.”
    Anaxantis laughed at the confusion of his friend.
    “Anyhow, believe me, it doesn’t matter anymore,” he said.
    “If all goes well, we will know in a day or so?” Marak asked.
    “Not exactly. To begin with, we don’t know if there is a weak point.
    Sorry, nothing personal, but it could still be anybody. These are just
    the most likely ones. If I can prove that one of them is an informer,
    that exonerates the other almost automatically. Almost. Because I’m
    not going to make the mistake of underestimating my father. But if
    the both of them happen to be in his pay, we’ll probably learn that
    too.”
    “So now everything depends on me and my archers? I’ve hand
    picked them myself. As far as they know they are participating in a
    special contest that will determine their future rank. You’re sure the
    carrier pigeon will not arrive before tomorrow?”
    “Not for another twenty hours at the very least. In fact, later still,
    most likely.”
    “How can you be sure?”
    Anaxantis looked at him with raised eyebrows.
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    Andrew Ashling
    “Because I made it my business to find out all relevant facts. The
    total length from the northern to the southern border is about six
    hundred miles. We are about fifty miles from our border. Fort Nira is
    about thirty miles from the southern one. That leaves a distance of