Yet again, Farek sat in Matriarch Valakono’s decision room. This time, the ruler was advised by a number of her trusted underlings. Between Farek and Valakono sat Lord Sha and Grand General Coranno—the latter had just returned from Squora. Archpriest Hartho had again accompanied the Noressi to their capital, after setting at ease the hearts and minds of his fellow Archpriests, and informing them of Valakono’s decision to move ahead with the alliance. Hartho sat across from Farek, with Erril seated next to him.
The first order of business did not concern Farek directly. Valakono asked her advisors for an update on their search for a security force.
Lord Sha gestured to Erril, yielding the report to the other spy.
“So far only one group has responded to our messages—which were teleported for expedience,” Erril explained. “The Advisory of Ith, the city’s current ruling body, expresses concern for the potential of mainland war, despite their distant position. They believe aid would help show the common people they intend to improve on the poor decisions of their predecessors, the Mage Kings. No details have been discussed quite yet, but at least they are willing to talk terms.”
“Good work. Continue to negotiate with them and apprise me of the reply from the others you have contacted,” Valakono ordered.
“I’m not likely to trust foreigners when it seems my own men can’t be trusted,” Coranno grumbled. He begrudgingly admitted, “But I know something has to change.”
Farek sipped his wine. Ralla had reported no issues from Squora; the Grand General had kept to himself and returned peacefully when ordered. Farek had been relieved, but had sarcastically commented that he was surprised in Coranno’s tameness.
Valakono glanced at Lord Sha to see if he would add anything, but then looked around the table and brought up their next topic. “For those of you who don’t know, I have asked Lord Gallendris to depart soon in search of allies—those groups we have not heard back from or those whom we have not contacted.”
Lord Sha had already agreed to accompany, at Valakono’s instruction. “Will we range from region to region in search of such allies? Or go only where we decide in advance?” the spy master asked.
“I would prefer to aim for places where our odds are more favourable in them actually joining us,” Farek added.
Valakono weighed in on Sha’s question: “I suggest we come up with some ideas in advance, but it will be Lord Gallendris’ judgement as to secondary destinations.”
Farek smiled, but tried to hide it with the wine glass. He was eager to give Sha orders, for a change.
“I have been trying to get a reply from the mysterious new government in Varravar,” Erril said. “Apparently, men and women of considerable strength easily overpowered guards to take over the city. This was a couple of years ago.”
“Could it be the same forces at work across the Orrish?” Coranno asked, suspiciously.
“Unlikely,” Erril said. “We’ve had no reports of similar adepts from the warfront—only of the yet nameless magician giving orders and keeping peace between the various gangs and fleets of criminals. The group in Varravar has yet to reply—Farek’s delegation might sway that.”
Farek nodded. His curiosity had been piqued at the first mention of the advantageous warriors. He glanced around the table, encouraging further brainstorming.
“Numa’nakres far out-strides the bandits and our own army in technology and—it seems—loyalty,” Coranno said. Farek wanted to learn more about that distant and long-standing Empire too.
“But what would be their motivation to help us?” Sha questioned. “The threat is too distant and the Numa want for nothing.”
Coranno bowed his head. “I concede that I too would be hard-pressed to persuade them. Still, something to consider.”
“Thank you, General,” Farek offered.
“High Raena has been amassing quite a fleet,” Erril told them. “They’ve purchased and seized dozens of civilian vessels, and are recruiting from across the Raderan Rainforests. The Joyous King’s Court values the arts and high culture—all the more reason to avoid a long, drawn-out conflict.”
“That sounds like an easy deal to broker,” Farek commented.
“If I may,” began Archpriest Hartho. He waited for Valakono to nod to him and then suggested, “The Crimson Highway could be another option. They have a lot to lose if the coast of Radregar is compromised—especially Saanazar, which is host to one of their most significant garrisons. My kin’s attempts to meet with Highwayman leadership has been ineffective.”
“Doesn’t help that no one knows where their leadership is based,” Lord Sha added, scowling. “You’d have equal chances of catching the right ear in the Eye of Maga or Ith as you would in Saanazar. They might demand you walk halfway across Radregar to meet at some roadside tavern with a man who might or mightn’t be a high-ranking member of their clans.”
Farek nodded. “I don’t intend on pursuing Ith as a destination if they are already happy to work with delegates or spies.” He turned his gaze to Valakono to receive her blessing on that statement, and then moved on. “Could we study a map? I would like to visit two destinations, at least, to increase our chances of success.”
“Of course,” Lord Sha said. He snapped his fingers to a servant. “Bring the Royal Cartographer with a selection.”
The servant complied at once, passing the bottle of wine to another as he left. More wine was poured and the various lords and councillors in the meeting chamber passed a few moments in silent contemplation. Farek asked Hartho about his cyclical voyage to and from Squora.
When the Royal Cartographer arrived—the old man walked slowly, but his work was beyond most maps Farek had seen before—he unfurled a long tapestry map across the thick teak table. “This shows Numa’nakres to Eastpoint,” he explained, “with minimal details south of the Empire. Do not hesitate to ask for a region of focus.”
“This will be excellent, I believe,” Farek assured him, leaning forward. Almost at once, the Matriarch’s advisors bombarded him with options.
Lord Sha pointed to the west side of the map. “If you are interested in visiting Numa’nakres, it would make sense to visit Varravar, too. It’s already west of here, along the same coast you’d sail to reach that Empire.”
“No sense going to Varravar otherwise,” Coranno said. “You’d have to sail back-and-forth, past Var Nordos, just to visit a second location.”
Lord Sha protested: “Unless we want to try meeting the Crimson Highway in the Eye of Maga, as I had mentioned.”
“True,” Erril said. It was unusual for the two spies to agree, but Erril quickly took it in a different direction. “You could also meet with the Crimson Highway in Ith. You’d sail to High Raena, meet with the Joyous King—then up the Raena River and the North Fork to Ith. You could meet the Crimson Highway there, and appear before the Advisory to aid the work of our ‘lesser’ ambassadors.”
Farek nodded, following Erril’s finger along the route with his eyes. “That would almost be visiting three groups. And I could always sail across to Varravar upon my return to Noress, if all those options had been unsuccessful.”
“Reaching Ith would take as long or longer than reaching Numa’nakres,” Coranno explained. “I anticipate our allies the Grey Brethren and our own fleet will already be sailing against the bandit fleets by the time you return.”
Farek nodded. He did the math quickly—all of these options amounted to at least three months, giving marginal room for delays at each. He again felt the fatigue that had buffeted him before Valakono had offered him such an interesting assignment. A part of him still longed to return to the relaxing days of carousing Sorosi taverns or playing cards at Norrey’s Pub—let alone settling down with someone like Ofena Wartha.
“Visiting Varravar first would give you a shot at getting us some allies before the war reaches us,” Erril said. “But it would delay the arrival of help from the others—High Raena, Crimson Highway, and perhaps even from Ith.”
“We should focus on the more significant allies first,” Valakono decided. “Erril will continue his attempts at contacting Varravar.”
“Very good, Your Highness” Farek said, bowing. “All things considered, I think I will do as Erril first suggested: High Raena to Ith. This gives us three potential allies and would be the best use of my time.”
Valakono nodded and smiled, pleased with his decision. “Very good. We will eagerly await your return, especially if the combat begins first. You have my blessing to return to Soros to secure your portion of the team. When you return to Noress-That-Was, Lord Sha and the others will be ready to depart.”
Lord Sha looked down into his wine, but said nothing.
The war council moved on to the next topic as Farek was excused. He closed the door to a discussion of whether it was best to intervene in an ongoing siege or remain defensive until the bandit army’s mainland intentions were made clear. Farek would inform Devender of their destinations at once, and then bring his team of guards back home—if only briefly.