‘She will become crystal,’ whispered Talaban, ‘like Chryssa.’
‘Not like Chryssa,’ snapped Rael. ‘Like the Crystal Queen, or the third Avatar Prime. How many thousands died in the Crystal Wars? How many gave their blood to keep him alive? According to contemporary accounts more than a hundred thousand died to feed him.’
‘How long does she have in human form?’ asked Talaban.
‘I don’t know. Two years. Five. Who cares? The question is, what can we do to regain the initiative?’
Talaban felt a sickness in the pit of his stomach at the thought of Sofarita dying. His mind reeled at the thought.
Pushing the dread back he looked up at Rael. The Questor General was tired, his eyes dark-rimmed. ‘How long since you slept, sir?’ he asked.
Three days. I will sleep soon. So, tell me what you think.’
‘I think it is pointless to try to plan against either Sofarita or the Vagars. The Almecs are the immediate enemy. They must be defeated. In truth we have little chance, but none at all if we are divided. The council meeting did not bode well. The Vagars were tense and uneasy. No real effort was made to draw them into the discussions. But I like the woman Mejana. Her words are careful and well thought out. She is no fool.’
‘She ordered the murder of Baliel.’
Talaban rose from his chair. ‘May I speak frankly, cousin?’
‘Always.’
‘Put your hatred aside. It will affect your judgement. One enemy at a time. Mejana is, for the moment, an ally. She needs to be wooed like any tribal chieftain. The Almecs require all your thinking, all your enormous gifts of strategy. When they are dealt with, then you can worry about other enemies.’
Rael sighed. T know what you say is true, but it is hard, Talaban.’ He filled a wine goblet and drank deeply. ‘You say you want to command a land force. Why?’
‘You are short of commanders, cousin. Viruk is a fine fighter, but he is no leader. You need someone who can carry your strategies through on the battlefield. I do not wish to sound immodest, but I am the best you have.’
‘I cannot afford to lose the Serpent, Talaban.’
‘You will not lose it. I have another captain in mind. He is bright, courageous and skilled.’
‘I know of no one with the training to take command.’
‘He is my sergeant, Methras.’
Rael hurled the empty goblet across the room. ‘A Vagar! You would put our most powerful battle weapons in the hands of a Vagar? Are you insane?’
‘He has Avatar blood, Rael,’ said Talaban softly. ‘There is no question of that. And he is loyal.’
‘Loyal? Yesterday I would have considered the Vagars at the meeting loyal. I would have considered you loyal. Now it seems you have been training Vagars behind my back, breaking the law. My law.’
‘Yes, I broke the law,’ admitted Talaban. ‘And I am sorry that has caused you pain. As you know I have tried in the past to teach other Avatars the secrets of handling the Serpent. None proved adept at it. None showed any aptitude. When I knew we were facing ships of battle I had to find someone who could take my place if I was injured. Equally I needed someone who could loose the Sunfire. When we sailed into Pagaru’s harbour it was Methras who sank the enemy ships.’
Rael fought for calm. ‘It is done now, but what is done can be undone.’
‘Think for a moment, sir,’ urged Talaban. ‘You will want, at least in the short term, to win over the Vagars on the Council, to convince them that they genuinely have a voice in matters of state. What better way than to announce a Vagar as captain of the Serpent – how did you put it? – our most powerful battle weapon? We both know it is only of real use against other ships. Admittedly the Sunfire could be used against land targets, but it only has three charges. Added to which there will be Avatars aboard, all armed with zhi-bows. Methras could hardly overpower them all.’
Rael sank into his chair. ‘There is truth in what you say,’ he admitted. ‘It would help win over the Vagars. But let us be honest with one another, my friend. We need a miracle. I pray that Viruk has reached Ammon. That would be a start.’
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