A roar from the Freefighter officers was taken up by the Confederation professionals and, seriously outnumbered, the nobles could only join in. Milo could have hugged the ugly little one-eyed Lieutenant Hohmun, who in a few short, blunt words had saved the day for him and Kehnooryos Ehlahs through assuring him of the overwhelming support of the officer-corps. Milo had tried to appeal to such things as reason, honor and self-sacrifice … and never aroused any real enthusiasm; the gap-toothed dragoon, at least seven hundred years Milo’s junior, had won them with those two basic things for which soldiers fought in this savage world—leadership of a proven and undefeated lord, and loot.
Milo said a few closing words, called forward and introduced some recent arrivals, then dismissed the formation.
Maxos and Beros, both petty nobles of the Karaleenos city of Thalasopolis, who had grudgingly brought in what was to have been a band of anti-Confederation guerrillas, strolled off hand in hand, Maxos hissing, “But, darling, it was so obvious, to an intelligent man, at least. The High-Lord had that disgusting barbarian creature planted … probably spent just days drumming those exact words into the little ape….”
Not being mindspeakera, neither had a mindshield, so Milo was easily able to eavesdrop on their thoughts; those two would possibly bear watching. But their type was a very small minority; most of the departing nobles and officers radiated a new sense of purpose, expressions of dedication and loyalty and dreams of gold and women of the Southern Kingdom.
Milo could but wish that he felt as confident of victory.
Chapter 5
At his own suggestion, Lord Alexandros had remained in Kehnooryos Atheenahs when his captains and ship re-, turned to the Sea Isles. He informed them that he was hostage to their full -cooperation in the effort to stop King Zastros.
Despite her burning curiosity regarding the young man’s relationship to that man he so closely resembled— his namesake, the late Lord Strahtegos Alexandros of Pahpahspolis—Lady Mara could find no time for her hostage-lord for over a month, so filled were her days with the multitudinous chores engendered by her responsibilities. Nor, despite Milo’s gesture of solicitude, was Aldora of any immediate help. Without even reporting to Mara upon her arrival in the capital, she dismissed most of her guard, ordered a barge, and had herself rowed downriver to Ehlai, not returning until all the Tribe’s fighters had departed and the young and old were being boated up to Kehnooryos Atheenahs.
Nonetheless, Mara did the best she could to make the Sea Lord’s stay a happy one. Gooltes and Manos, his two bodyguard-servants, were augmented by a host of skilled slaves’ and a detachment of Lady Mara’s own private guard.
At the end of the first week, Lieutenant Komees Feeleepos, the detachment commander, reported to his mistress.
“My lady, Lord Alexandros makes friends quite easily. Indeed, I have come to admire and respect him … not that my personal feelings would in any way impair my loyalty to Your Grace, of course,” he added quickly.
“Of course.” She nodded. “He mixes well, then, with the court?”
The corners of the young officer’s eyes crinkled with his smile. “Oh, yes, my lady. He has received invitations to nearly every noble house in the city. Some, he has already accepted; five, he has attended.”
“Whose?” demanded Mara. “And what transpired?” “Theftehrah, it was dinner with Lord Neeaheearkos Petros and some of his officers. They spent most of the evening discussing the sea, the various coasts, ships, fleet tactics, plus navigation and other mysteries. To my thinking, Lord Petros still doesn’t quite trust Lord Alexandros, but he now has respect for his skills and experience … he might even like him, in time.
“Treetee was a dinner party at the town house of Lord Vahrohnos Paulos of Notohpolis … the Vahrohnos’ usual variety of party, of course.”
Mara’s lips wrinkled in disgust. She had always found it difficult to be even marginally polite to High-Lord De-metrios’ coterie of pederasts; but she had tried, mostly for the good of the Confederation, since many of them were powerful nobles and/or high-ranking and efficient officers. She had suffered many crushing disappointments in her long, long life; but, considering all that Alexandros’ name and physical appearance meant to her, she was fearful of asking her officer that question she knew she must. Trying desperately to mask any evidence of her inner turmoil, she inquired, “And how did Lord Alexandros enjoy the party?”