Read The Seer King: Book One of the Seer King Trilogy for Free Online Page A

tandem.
    The corpses of the two elephants were dragged together by teams of bullocks. I spared a moment to pray that the brave soul of that animal who’d attempted to join my charge would be advanced on the Wheel, and perhaps return as a babe who would grow to be a warrior.
    Then the bodies of the bullocks, horses, and men were stacked around the elephants. Already the hot sun was making the blood-stink rise.
    Tenedos ordered a chest taken from a wagon, and took out certain items. He sprinkled oil on some of the bodies, then found a small twig, and touched it to the drying blood of men, horses, oxen, and elephants in turn, then finally to a bit of the oil.
    He said he was ready, but first he asked if I could assemble my men, as he had a few words to say. It was unusual, but I obeyed, leaving only the sentries to watch for another attack and for our infantry coming up the pass road.
    “Men of the Ureyan Lancers,” he began, and once more his voice was magically enhanced, so it rang across the valley. “You have served Laish Tenedos well, and your deeds shall never be forgotten. You are warriors, real Numantians, and I am proud to know you, and count you my comrades, even though we met but a few hours ago on this battleground.
    “I am a seer, and I will make you a promise, now, here, and seal it in the blood of our fallen comrades. There are great times ahead, great deeds to be done and great prizes to be reaped. You, who have shown your courage and loyalty this day, I hope shall be among those who are richened by what is to come.
    “I sorrow with you for your brothers who fell today, although their return to the Wheel is blessed, for they died doing good, and this will be remembered by the gods. Perhaps they shall return, and be among us once more, and live in the glorious times that shall come.”
    He bowed his head, and we did the same. I marveled at his words — it was as if Tenedos were commander of this troop or a general instead of some diplomat we had been ordered to escort just as we’d done for others from the court of the Rule of Ten. I had heard other soft-handed shifting-eyed government emissaries blather about how they were soldiers at heart, and seen the rudeness or quiet contempt their words were held in. But not now, not by any of the Lancers, nor by me. Laish Tenedos might dress as a government officer, but he spoke as a true leader, and I began to believe I would follow and obey him gladly.
    Tenedos had set up a brazier, and he kindled it with a spark-thrower. A small flame rose, and he chanted:
    “Listen, unguent.
    Feel the warmth
    Feel the flame
    You serve the gods.
    You carry our lost
    You serve Saionji.
    Fire, burn
    Fire, serve.”
    As he spoke, he touched the twig to the tiny flame on the brazier, and as he did a great fire roared into life on the nearby pyre, soaring high into the sky, far higher than any oil-fed flame could.
    Tenedos watched, and a grim smile touched his lips.
    “Now, let
that
be seen in Nicias as a portent of what is to come,” he said quietly, and I doubt if anyone besides myself heard him.
    We moved a short distance upriver, away from the flames, but close enough so we could see the ford, and set up defensive positions. I made sure my sentries were properly posted, then found a rock to sit on while Tenedos’s cook, assisted by a few of my men who claimed ability over a camp fire, prepared dinner from the luxurious viands the resident-general had been carrying. Tenedos had told me to take whatever was needed for dinner, saying, “What might have been a boon to the Achim Baber Fergana is better suited as provender for your honest man.” Once more, what might have been empty hyperbole I felt to be honest praise.
    Tenedos approached. “Now,” he said, “since we have a few moments of peace, and there is no one within listening range, I shall explain why I said what I said when we met.”
    He asked permission to sit, and I waved him to another rock, hoping I’d get a