Rebels of Vulvar (Vulvarian Saga Book 2), стр. 22
I shook my head. “We cannot allow the rebel army to arrive at the gates of Thiva,” I said. “In the south, the rebels have robbed farms, sacked villages, and freed slaves. There are whole regiments of rebels. Even now, Cooke’s forces are building siege engines in the forests west of this city.”
“Such a mob of misfits will not stand against our trained warriors,” my mother insisted. “We will defeat them.”
“Mother, they are not an undisciplined horde,” I said. “I have been among the rebel warriors. They have knowledgeable trainers who have molded them into an effective fighting force.”
“How could that be? They were all slaves.”
“I suspect some of those the Goddess Queens brought from Earth had military training there,” I said. “They have now mastered the tactics of the phalanx, and more importantly, tactics to defeat it.”
“That explains much,” my mother said. “It shocked me when I learned the rebels had routed Idril’s force at Nisa. It’s obvious now we sent too few warriors.”
“Speaking of Idril, will you restore her to command?” I said.
“Certainly, I put another in command only because we presumed Idril was dead.”
Suddenly I remembered something I had forgotten.
“There is a woman, Haela, that we left behind at the military surgery in our haste to come here,” I said. “She has served Thiva well as a spy in Nisa. But, she compromised herself to help us escape. We must support her while she remains here.”
“I will see to it,” my mother said. She called to her aide.
“Go to the military surgery and find the woman called Haela,” my mother said to the aide. “Make arrangements for her. See to it Haela has lodging and sustenance as long as she remains in Thiva.”
“Yes, Anax,” the woman said, hurrying from the room.
“Tomorrow, you will accompany me to address the city council,” my mother said. “We have a handful of spies in Nisa, but none have had access to the information you’ve given me. I must advise the council of the seriousness of the threat we face.”
“Yes,” I said. “We must devise a unified and effective plan to counter the rebels.”
Idril and Emer returned to the room, both wearing the floor-length white tunics trimmed in red, the color of the warriors.
“We are refreshed,” Idril said. “Thank you for your gracious hospitality, Anax.”
“It is my pleasure to extend hospitality to a pair of courageous warriors,” my mother said. “Let us retire to the dining room where my servants have prepared for us food and drink.”
After the meal, Idril and Emer prepared to depart.
“Will you stay at my home, Tobias Hart?” Idril said.
“You have a guest already,” I said. “I will not burden you with another. I’ll remain here at my mother’s home for tonight.”
Idril nodded, but with a look of disappointment.
“Please present yourself at the Hall of Government at the third hour tomorrow morning,” my mother said to Idril. “I will restore you to command before we address the council.”
“Yes, Anax,” Idril said. “Thank you.”
After we all said our goodbyes, Idril and Emer left for Idril’s home.
Before retiring for the evening, I told my mother about the confrontation with Tiaaira on the road to Thiva.
“You needn’t worry about Tiaaira,” my mother said. “She is only a quick-tempered junior officer.”
“I was only concerned she might cause trouble for Idril,” I said.
“I’m certain Tiaaira will regret her insolent behavior when she finds herself again under the command of Idril tomorrow,” my mother said. “Tell me about Emer.”
“There is little to tell,” I said. “Emer is a warrior of Nisa, also captured by the rebels. She seems a professional warrior with good skills. I consider her a friend.”
“I was curious because she seemed unable to take her eyes off you at dinner,” my mother said with a grin.
“I’m sure you imagined it, mother,” I said with embarrassment. “We hardly know each other.”
“Yet you mentioned it was Emer who rallied the others to your defense during the quarrel with Tiaaira.”
“Well, yes, but we have been comrades,” I said. “I think she was only showing loyalty because I helped free her from the rebels.”
My mother laughed. “Even the males of Earth lack understanding of females.”
Not wishing to continue the awkward conversation about Emer, I bid my mother goodnight and left for my quarters to sleep.
12
The Council Address
Until I had fallen asleep the night before, I had considered possibilities for surprising and capturing Dabar Cooke along the road to Thiva when he marched his rebel army north. I turned over in my mind several plans, none of which seemed likely to succeed. It would presumably be suicidal to make any direct attempt to abduct him from the midst of his army. Yet, I knew I somehow had to attempt it. It seemed the only way to defeat the rebellion.
While it seemed penetrating the defenses and killing Cooke would be far more straightforward than capturing him, I was not an assassin. Also, I feared killing Cooke would only make a martyr of him. One of his deputies might only replace him, and the rebellion would continue with renewed determination. Capturing Cooke and turning him over to the authorities offered the best options for ending the revolt. The authorities might use him as leverage by offering to spare his life if the rebellious slaves laid down their arms and surrendered.
At the second hour, my mother and I left for the Hall of Government to address the council. I wore the scarlet tunic of a Thivan warrior my mother had provided. My weapons I left at her house as they permitted no one to bear arms inside the council chamber.
As the timekeepers struck the bells announcing the third hour, my mother took the podium before the council members. She had left me in an alcove off the chamber until she introduced me. Soon I was to understand why.
First, my mother