*
Back in the city the populace cheered the victorious army from the fields a half-mile south, right through to the city centre and the makeshift barracks. But the cheers were muted, for the question remained on everyone’s mind: What now? When will Ceska come with his Joinings?
Tenaka, Rayvan, Ananais, Decado and other leaders of the new army met together in the Senate Hall, while Rayvan’s sons Lake and Lucas produced maps of the terrain to the east and south.
After an afternoon of heated discussion, it became obvious that much of Skoda was indefensible. The pass at the Demon’s Smile could be walled and manned, but it would need a thousand men to hold it for any length of time, while to the north and south some six other passes gave entrance to the valleys and meadows of Skoda.
‘It’s like trying to defend a rabbit warren,’ said Ananais. ‘Ceska – even without his Joinings – can put into battle fifty times as many men. They could hit us on any of sixteen fronts. We simply cannot cover the ground.’
‘The army will grow,’ said Rayvan. ‘Even now more men are coming down from the mountains. Word will spread outside Skoda and rebels will flock to join us.’
‘Yes,’ admitted Tenaka, ‘but in that there is a problem. Ceska will send spies, agents, alarmists -they will all filter in.’
‘The Thirty will help where they can and ferret out traitors,’ said Decado. ‘But if too many are allowed in, we will not be able to deal with them.’
‘Then we must man the passes, spread The Thirty among the men,’ said Tenaka.
And so it went on. Some men wanted to return to their farms to ready the fields for summer, others merely wished to return home with news of their victory. Lake complained that the food supplies were inadequate. Galand told of fights breaking out between Skoda men and the new Legion volunteers.
Throughout the long afternoon and into dusk, the leaders sought answers to the problems. It was agreed, finally, that half the men would be allowed home, so long as they promised to work on the farms of those who stayed behind. At the end of the month the first half would return, to be replaced at home by the others.
Ananais bristled with anger. ‘And what of training?’ he stormed. ‘How in the devil’s name do I get them ready for war?’
‘They are not regular soldiers,’ said Rayvan softly. ‘They are working men, with wives and children to feed.’
‘What about the city treasury?’ asked Scaler.
‘What about it?’ queried Rayvan.
‘How much is there?’
‘I have no idea.’
‘Then we should check. Since we rule Skoda, the money is ours. We could use it to buy food and stores from the Vagrians. They may not let us pass their borders, but they will not turn back our money.’
‘Curse me for a fool!’ said Rayvan. ‘Of course we must. Lake, check the treasury now – if it has not been already bled dry.’
‘We have had a guard on it, mother,’ said Lake.
‘Even so, get down there now and count it.’
‘That will take all night!’
She flashed him an angry look and he sighed.
‘All right, Rayvan,’ he said. Tm going. But be warned – the moment I have finished I shall wake you with the total!’
Rayvan grinned at him and then turned to Scaler.
‘You have a good brain in your head – will you go to Vagria and buy what we need?’
‘He cannot,’ said Tenaka. ‘He has another mission.’
‘Hasn’t he just!’ muttered Ananais.
‘Well, I suggest,’ interposed Rayvan, ‘that we call a halt to tonight’s meeting and break for supper. I could eat the best part of a horse. Can’t we get together again tomorrow?’
‘No,’ said Tenaka. ‘Tomorrow I leave Skoda.’
‘Leave?’ said Rayvan, astonished. ‘But you are our general.’
‘I must, lady -1 have an army to find. But I shall return.’
‘Where will you find an army?’
‘Among my people.’
The silence in the Senate Hall was devastating. Men exchanged nervous glances and only Ananais seemed unmoved; he leaned back in his chair, placing his booted feet on -the table top.